reat, but they considered him now as more than human. That he knew of
every word which had been spoken at their council by the Wedneebak, was
beyond their comprehension. That they were completely cowed, Davidson
knew. He turned to the Indians and addressed them in their own
language. He told them how their false leaders had led them into
trouble, and caused them to rebel against King George's people. But if
they were willing to behave themselves, he would let them go. He
wished to take only the ringleaders with him, and hand them over to
Major Studholme at Fort Howe.

"King George will treat you well," he said in conclusion. "There is
plenty of land for both you and the white people. You will still have
your hunting-grounds, so you and your families will have plenty of
food. But if you listen to such men as Flazeet and Rauchad here, and
make any more trouble, King George will send soldiers as many as the
trees of the forest, and will drive you all out. He does not want to
do that. He is anxious to be your great chief, and help you. Are you
willing to obey him?"

When Davidson had ended, he waited until the Indians had consulted one
another. Then their chief speaker stepped forward, and declared that
from henceforth he and the Indians with him would be loyal to King
George and make no more trouble. The Acadians also gave a reluctant
assent. But as these latter were few, and were by no means
representative of the loyal Acadians in the land, Davidson was little
concerned about what they said. He was chiefly anxious to have the
Indians on his side. The slashers were becoming very troublesome up
river, and he wanted to keep the natives from joining them against the
King's mast-cutters. By breaking up this band of rebels, he believed
that much had been accomplished.

"I am going to treat you well," he told the Indians and Acadians. "I
am going to give you back your guns and let all of you go except your
leaders here and two or three more. When you have buried that man over
there, go home and be forever thankful that you have got out of this
trouble as well as you have."

CHAPTER XV

THE LINE IN THE SAND

Taking with them the two ringleaders and two other rebels as witnesses,
the victors marched back to the settlement. There was no need for
secrecy now, so the forest re-echoed with shouts, laughter and songs of
the care-free rangers. They were somewhat disappointed at the outcome
of the affa