t up and stood before Dane and Dennis.

"I'm mighty glad to see ye lookin' so well," the latter accosted.
"That sleep has brought back the colour into yer purty cheeks. Now,
when ye've had something to eat, ye'll be as chipper as a bird."

Breakfast at last over, Jean and Dane sat and talked for a while before
the bright fire.

"How soon can we leave this place?" the girl asked.

"When the mast-cutters, who are going with us, are ready," Dane
replied. "I have spoken to the leader about those Loyalists on the
A-jem-sek, and he is going to send a supply of food to them."

"Oh, I am so glad," and Jean's eyes showed her pleasure. "Those poor
people have been so much in my mind. I hope that Sam and Kitty were
able to help them. But now that the mast-cutters are to take supplies
there is no need to worry any more. I am anxious about your father.
We should go to him as soon as possible."

"Do you think that he wants to see me, Jean?"

"I am sure he does. I told you what he said about you, and I really
believe he is longing for you."

"He must have changed, then, since the last time I saw him."

"He certainly has. I never saw such a change in any one in such a
short time. I was afraid of him when I first met him, but when I got
to know him better, and found out about him, he seemed to me almost
like a father."

"It was you who worked the miracle, Jean. I owe it all to you. No one
could withstand your charms, not even my father."

The girl blushed, and dropped her eyes. She was happy, and the future
looked bright. With Dane once again with her, she had no more fear.

For some time they sat there, and were only aroused by a confused noise
outside. Rising, and going to the door, they beheld a strange sight.
The slashers were all lined up in front of the house, surrounded by
armed mast-cutters. Ben Bolster, the boss, was giving orders to the
rebels. He was telling them that they must go to work, and make up for
some of the trouble they had caused. Those who objected were to step
forward. At this the three ringleaders advanced, and flatly refused to
lift a hand.

"Very well, then, me hearties," Bolster said, "it's either work or the
tree-tops. Which do you choose?"

As no response came from the sullen men, Bolster motioned to several of
his men, who at once sprang toward a young birch tree standing nearby.
Up this they climbed like cats, and soon their combined weight bent the
tree to the ground.