To his own amazement, Freckles found himself looking fear in the face, and marveled that he was not afraid.

Four to one! The tree halfway eaten through, the wagons coming up the inside road--he, bound and gagged! The men with Black Jack and Wessner had belonged to McLean's gang when last he had heard of them, but who those coming with the wagons might be he could not guess.
If they secured that tree, McLean lost its value, lost his wager, and lost his faith in him.

The words of the Angel hammered in his ears.

"Oh, Freckles, do watch closely!" The saw worked steadily.
When the tree was down and loaded, what would they do?
Pull out, and leave him there to report them?
It was not to be hoped for.

The place always had been lawless.