If he can't,
then have a special ready at the station and another on the Pittsburgh
at Fort Wayne, so we can go straight through. You needn't mind leaving
us. The Bird Woman will be here soon. We will rest awhile."
She dropped into the muck beside Freckles and began stroking his hair
and hand. He lay with his face of agony turned to hers, and fought to
smother the groans that would tell her what he was suffering.
When they stood ready to lift him, the Angel bent over him in a passion
of tenderness.
"Dear old Limberlost guard, we're going to lift you now," she said. "I
suspect you will faint from the pain of it, but we will be as easy as
ever we can, and don't you dare forget your promise!"
A whimsical half-smile touched Freckles' quivering lips.
"Angel, can a man be remembering a promise when he ain't knowing?" he
asked.
"You can," said the Angel stoutly, "because a promise means so much more
to you than it does to most men."
A look of strength flashed into Freckles' face at her words.
"I am ready," he said.
With the first touch his eyes closed, a mighty groan was wrenched from
him, and he lay senseless.
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