used.
He knew at once that this young man was not one of the newly-arrived
exiles, but a courier from the wilderness. He noted his buckskin garb,
finely-built body, erect manner, and the bright open countenance. He
had seen special couriers before, and they had all been men worthy of
more than a passing glance. But this young man surpassed them all, and
he looked upon him with admiration.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" he at length asked.

"I have a message for the Major," Dane explained, "and I must deliver
it to him."

"Give it to me," and the officer reached out his hand. "I am
Lieutenant Street, and I shall see that the Major gets it."

"That I cannot do," Dane replied as he drew back a step. "I have
strict orders to give it to Major Studholme, and to no one else."

"It must be very important, then," and the officer smiled.

"It is, and the Major must get it at once. Where is he?"

"Over there," and the Lieutenant motioned across the water to the right
where the small boats were still busy landing people from the ships.
"He's got his hands full straightening things out. But he can do it if
any one can."

The officer now turned his attention to several impatient men who were
standing near, so further conversation was out of the question. Dane
had taken no notice of those around him. Neither did he see three men
watching his every movement. They had evidently overheard his
conversation with the officer, and seemed greatly pleased. As Dane
left the place and walked toward the road leading to the mill-pond, the
three followed. They kept some distance behind until they came to a
grove of rough tangled trees, when they started forward at a run.
Dane, hearing them coming, stopped and looked back. Instinctively the
caution of the wild possessed him, causing him to stand on the
defensive, and his eyes to gleam with the light of danger.

"What do you want?" he demanded, as the three suddenly stopped before
him. "You seem to be in a hurry."

"We are," one of the men replied. "We want that message you have for
the Major."

"What do you want it for?"

"Never mind about that. Hand it over, and be damn quick about it, too."

Dane's body now quivered with excitement, and the thrill of battle
swept upon him. His eyes narrowed until they became mere slits, and
his hands clenched hard as he drew himself to his full height.

"If you want the message I carry, come and take it," he challenged.
"