Freckles never had forgotten before.

He hurried on the east trail as fast as his tottering legs would carry him.
He stopped when he came to the first guard, and telling him of his luck, asked him to get the otter and carry it to the cabin, as he was anxious to meet McLean.
Freckles passed the second guard without seeing him, and hurried to the Boss.

He took off his hat, wiped his forehead, and stood silent under the eyes of McLean.
The Boss was dumbfounded.

Mrs.Duncan had led him to expect that he would find a change in Freckles, but this was almost deathly.

The fact was apparent that the boy scarcely knew what he was doing.