owing to the darkness
of the corner where he was lying. Could she have done so, she would
have been more surprised than ever.

"It is a strange story you have told me, young woman," he at length
remarked. "You have been wonderfully delivered. You should consider
yourself very fortunate in having such friends as those Indians."

"Indeed I do," Jean declared. "They have done more for me than I can
ever repay. I know now how to sympathise with others in distress, and
so want to help those unfortunate Loyalists."

"So you are on your way to get food and clothing from the mast-cutters?"

"Yes, but we won't have to go to them now, as I am sure you will help
out those poor people. You have plenty of supplies."

"And they will stay here, young woman."

"What! you won't send any to those people in distress?"

"Why should I? They are Loyalists, and that is enough."

Jean started and stared at the man in amazement.

Surely she had not heard aright.

"Do you mean what you say?" she asked.

"I certainly do. Those Loyalists will never receive any help from me.
Let them starve and freeze; it is no more than they deserve."

These cold, inhuman words stirred Jean's fighting blood. She rose
quickly to her feet, her eyes ablaze with anger.

"I don't know who you are," she began, "and I don't know why you hate
the Loyalists. But--" she paused just for an instant, "some of that
food and clothing will leave this place to-morrow morning."

The man sat bolt upright at this declaration, and flung out his right
hand as if to hit the girl. Then he sank back upon the bed with a
groan.

"You can't help yourself," Jean reminded, "so it is better for you to
keep quiet. Some of those supplies are going, whether you like it or
not."

"But this is a hold-up, a robbery," the man charged.

"I don't care what you call it, and I'm not worrying about that. I
only know that men, women, and children are starving not far away, so
while there is food here they are going to have some of it."

Jean was surprised at her boldness. But it was not time for half-way
measures. If the owner would not agree to let the supplies go, she
would take matters into her own hands.

"Oh, but for this confounded pain in my side I would soon teach you who
is master of this house," the man shouted. "You are an impudent hussy,
and I believe the story you told me about being carried away is a lie.
And how do I know but what you are lying about th