Freckles · Character

Black Jack

A shadowy thief stalking the Limberlost's valuable timber, whose menace turns Freckles' lonely watch into a test of nerve and loyalty.

supporting

Also known as Jack, Black, old Black Jack

First appearance: iii

As a supporting figure in Freckles, Black Jack is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Ambushes and beats Freckles; is described as a 'cur whipped so completely' by McLean.

In the storyWherein Freckles Faces Trouble Bravely and Opens the Way for New ExperiencesOpen this moment free

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Black Jack moves through the swamp as a rumor and a threat, part of the criminal pressure closing in on the timber Freckles has sworn to protect. His schemes with Wessner give the guard's daily rounds real stakes, transforming wire and cudgel into weapons against men rather than weather. He embodies the danger that makes Freckles' courage legible, and his presence keeps the middle arc taut with the possibility of ambush.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Black Jack sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Black Jack in iii

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Black Jack sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Main character network
Minor and background figures
Protagonist

+5 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Freckles, in his weakest and most vulnerable state, refuses the An…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Freckles
rivalry · negative
Black Jack is a menacing outlaw who threatens Freckles and is involved in the timber… How this plays out →
The Angel
psychological · negative
Wessner
rivalry · negative
The Bird Woman
rivalry · negative
Freckles
rivalry · negative
Black Jack is a menacing outlaw who threatens Freckles and is involved in the timber… How this plays out →
The Angel
psychological · negative
Freckles
rivalry · negative
Black Jack is a menacing outlaw who threatens Freckles and is involved in the timber… How this plays out →
Wessner
rivalry · negative
Wessner
rivalry · negative
The Bird Woman
rivalry · negative
The Bird Woman
rivalry · negative
The Angel
psychological · negative

Freckles
Black Jack is a menacing outlaw who threatens Freckles and is involved in the timber theft.
The Angel
Black Jack harbors an obsessive and predatory interest in The Angel, viewing her as a prize.
Wessner
Black Jack and Wessner are criminal associates who frequently clash and distrust each other.
The Bird Woman
Black Jack views The Bird Woman as an enemy because she helps Freckles and documents the swamp.
Freckles
Black Jack is a menacing outlaw who threatens Freckles and is involved in the timber theft.
The Angel
Black Jack harbors an obsessive and predatory interest in The Angel, viewing her as a prize.
Freckles
Black Jack is a menacing outlaw who threatens Freckles and is involved in the timber theft.
Wessner
Black Jack and Wessner are criminal associates who frequently clash and distrust each other.
Wessner
Black Jack and Wessner are criminal associates who frequently clash and distrust each other.
The Bird Woman
Black Jack views The Bird Woman as an enemy because she helps Freckles and documents the swamp.
The Bird Woman
Black Jack views The Bird Woman as an enemy because she helps Freckles and documents the swamp.
The Angel
Black Jack harbors an obsessive and predatory interest in The Angel, viewing her as a prize.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Black Jack in iii

In the story

Black Jack appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Wherein Freckles Faces Trouble Bravely and Opens the Way for New Experiences
Ambushes and beats Freckles; is described as a 'cur whipped so completely' by McLean.
VI
Mentioned as a potential accomplice of Wessner in the theft.
VII
Expected to return for revenge after the ambush.
XII
Leads the timber theft, becomes infatuated with the Angel, and shows a moment of regret.
XIII
Ambushes Freckles, curses the Angel, escapes into the swamp, and is not found despite a search.
XIV
Found dead in the swamp, killed by a rattlesnake.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Black Jack unlock in the free preview.

See Black Jack in iii

See Black Jack in Wherein Freckles Faces Trouble Bravely and Opens the Way for New Experiences