He told Duncan of the footprint, and urged him to guard closely.

Duncan said he might rest easy, and filling his pipe and taking a good revolver, the big man went to the Limberlost.
Freckles made himself clean and neat, and raced to town, but it was night and the stars were shining before he reached the home of the Bird Woman.

From afar he could see that the house was ablaze with lights.

The lawn and veranda were strung with fancy lanterns and alive with people.
He thought his errand important, so to turn back never occurred to Freckles.

This was all the time or opportunity he would have.