He wondered if the Bird Woman had unhitched.

He followed the Angel every step of the way.
He figured on when she would cross the path of the clearing, pass the deep pool where his "find-out" frog lived, cross Sleepy Snake Creek, and reach the carriage.
He wondered what she would say to the Bird Woman, and how long it would take them to pack and start.

He knew now that they would understand, and the Angel would try to get the Boss there in time to save his wager.
She could never do it, for the saw was over half through, and Jack and Wessner cutting into the opposite side of the tree.

It appeared as if they could fell at least that tree, before McLean could come, and if they did he lost his wager.
When it was down, would they rebind him and leave him for Wessner to wreak his insane vengeance on, or would they take him along to the next tree and dispose of him when they had stolen all the timber they could?
Jack had said that he should not be touched until he left.

Surely he would not run all that risk for one tree, when he had many others of far greater value marked.