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Chapter V
“WereyouforgettingLittleChicken’spicture?”Frecklesasked.
“Finely!”sheanswered.“Heposedsplendidly.ButIcouldn’tdoanythingwithhismother.Shewillrequirecoaxing.”
“TheLordbepraised!”mutteredFrecklesunderhisbreath.
TheBirdWomanbegantofeelbetter.
“Whydoyoucallthebabyvulture’LittleChicken’?”sheasked,leaningtowardFrecklesinaninterestedmanner.
“’TwasDuncanbeganit,”saidFreckles.“Yousee,throughthefiercecoldofwinterthebirdsoftheswampwerealmoststarving.Itismightylonelyhere,andtheywereallthecompanyIwashaving.Igottocarryingscrapsandgraindowntothem.Duncanwasthatgineroushewasgivingmeofhiswheatandcornfromhischickens’feed,andhecalledthebirdsmeswampchickens.Thenwhenthesebigblackfellowscame,Mr.McLeansaidtheywereournearestkindtosomeintheoldworldthattheycalled’Pharaoh’sChickens,’andhecalledmine’Freckles’Chickens.’”
“Goodenough!”criedtheBirdWoman,hersplotchedpurplefacelightingwithinterest.“Youmustshootsomethingforthemoccasionally,andI’llbringmorefoodwhenIcome.IfyouwillhelpmekeepthemuntilIgetmyseries,I’llgiveyouacopyofeachstudyImake,mountedinabook.”
Frecklesdrewadeepbreath.
“I’llbedoingmeverybest,”hepromised,andfromthedeepshemeantit.
“Iwonderifthatothereggisgoingtohatch?”musedtheBirdWoman.“Iamafraidnot.Itshouldhavepippedtoday.Isn’titabeauty!Ineverbeforesaweitheraneggortheyoung.Theyarerarethisfarnorth.
