Any word of the missing girl?"

"Not much, Captain. We have a slight clue, though. What's the news at
Portland Point?"

"Stirring times there, Dane. The town is building up fast, and more
people have arrived." He then lowered his voice. "These are some of
the late-comers. They are going up river to settle."

"At this time of the year?" Dane asked in surprise.

"Yes, and mighty hard luck, isn't it? We are bound for St. Anne's, but
I question whether we can make it with this cold weather upon us. I
must get back before the river freezes. Some are following in open
boats, just think of that! I don't know what will become of them."

Dane's eyes turned to the Loyalists who were watching him and Pete with
considerable curiosity. They formed a most pathetic group of people
shivering there upon deck. They seemed weary almost to the point of
exhaustion, and yet in their eyes and bearing could be observed a
spirit that nothing could daunt.

"Did Davidson get the prisoners down all right?" Dane asked as he was
about to let go of the rail.

"Yes, they're waiting trial now. But that letter will tell you all
about it."

In another minute the canoe was adrift, and the Loyalists were waving
their hands as the _Polly_ sped on her way. Dane at once opened the
letter, and read its contents. As he did so, his face became very
grave, and a spirit of rebellion welled up within him.

"Look at this, Pete," and he held forth the letter as soon as he had
stepped ashore. "Davidson has ordered us both to Fort Howe."

"Why?" the Indian asked.

"To tell what we heard at the Wedneebak. We are wanted as witnesses
against Flazeet and Rauchad. What do you think of that?"

"We go, eh?"

"How can we? What about Jean?"

"Dane always go when chief call, all sam' wild goose, eh?"

"I always have, Pete. But it is different now. Jean needs me. She is
in danger. She may be cold. She may be hungry. She may be----"

Dane did not finish his sentence, for Pete had suddenly stooped, and
with a small stick was drawing a line upon the sand, east by west.

"See," he said, "King dere," and he touched the ground on the south
side of the line with the point of his stick. He did the same on the
north side, adding, "white woman dere. King, white woman, eh?"

"That's just it, Pete. It's between Jean and the King, between love
and duty. I must think it out. You sleep."

For over an hour Dane paced up and down the shore, hi