That is the only way you can get it."

"Don't be a fool," another of the men warned. "You might as well hand
over that message first as last. It will save you a lot of trouble.
We're going to get it, so make up your mind to that."

"How?" Dane asked.

"Oh, you'll soon know. Out with it. We're in a hurry."

"So am I," Dane replied.

Then he slightly crouched, and with a sudden tiger-like spring he was
upon them. A sledge-hammer drive to the jaw of one sent him reeling
backwards among the trees, while a mighty swinging blow to the right
crumpled up another in the middle of the road. So astonished was the
third at this unexpected attack, and the complete knock-out of his
companions, that he did not raise a hand in their defence. A sudden
terror possessed him, so leaping aside just in time to escape the
whirlwind of a man charging upon him, he ran as he had never run in his
life before.

Dane stood looking after him, and a smile overspread his face.

"Hi, there, you've forgotten the message," he called. "Come back and
get it."

But the man paid no heed. He kept steadily on, and only slowed down to
a walk as he neared the store. Dane next turned his attention to the
other two men. They had both recovered, and were sitting upon the
ground, rubbing their injured faces in the most doleful manner.

"Why, what's the matter?" he bantered. "Did something hit you?"

"Did it?" one of them growled. "Did lightning ever hit a tree? Who in
h---- are you, anyway?"

"Oh, I'm the man with the message. I've got it yet; don't you want it?
I thought you were in a hurry."

As the crestfallen men made no reply, Dane stepped toward them.

"I'll tell you who I am," he began. "I am the King's Arrow. I go
where I am sent, and I hit the bull's eye every time, and hit it hard,
too. Do you doubt it?"

"Good Lord, no!" was the gasping confession from each.

"And let me tell you further," Dane continued, "that as I have dealt
with you now, so others will deal with you in the future if you try any
more of your mean tricks. Perhaps you will not get off so easily then
as you have this time. I know who you are. You are employed by the
slashers to spy upon the King's men, engaged in the lawful business of
cutting masts for his Majesty's navy. They are well named, for they
are slashing everywhere, and ruining the forests. But they have about
reached the end of their tether, and you can tell them so from me, Dane
Norwoo