gle, with only one outcome, the survival of
the strongest, and death to the vanquished.

While he thus sat upon the fallen man's body, reasoning with himself
what to do, the girl touched him lightly upon the arm.

"Let him go," she urged. "You wouldn't kill a man when he is down,
would you? That would be cowardly."

This appeal had an immediate effect, and slowly, though somewhat
reluctantly, Dane rose to his feet.

"He deserves to be killed," he growled. Then he touched the man with
the toe of his right foot. "Get up, you brute," he ordered.

This command was at once obeyed. The defeated assailant scrambled to
his feet, and started to move away. But Dane caught him roughly by the
arm, and faced him sharply around.

"Just a word," he began. "You get clear this time, you devil, whoever
you are. But if you lay hands on this young woman again I'll break
every bone in your body. You won't escape, for I am Dane Norwood, the
King's Arrow, and what I say I mean. Get out of this now as fast as
you can."

The next instant the man was gone, swallowed up by the darkness.

"Oh, how can I ever thank you enough?" the girl impulsively asked.
"You have saved me from that creature. I didn't know that he was here."

"Who is he?" Dane asked. "And where did he come from?"

"He is Seth Lupin, a man I hate and fear. He must have come on one of
the other vessels, most likely as a stowaway. He is not a Loyalist,
for he was a coward during the war, and has no right to be numbered
among us. I am sure that daddy does not know he is here, and I am
almost afraid to tell him for fear he might do something desperate to
the villain. But, then, we shall soon be away from this place, so it
is hardly likely that Seth will follow us."

They were walking slowly now, picking their way with difficulty across
the rough hillside. Dane's soul was athrill in the presence of this
girl who had affected him in such a wonderful manner. It was almost
too good to be true that he had rescued her, and was now so close to
her.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Up river, I believe. But just where I do not know. Daddy hasn't
drawn his lot of land yet."

"What is your name?"

"Jean."

"I like it. But Jean what?"

"Sterling."

"Did you ever live in the woods?"

"No. This is my first experience."

"Do you think you will like it? Won't you be afraid?"

"I am going to do my best to like it. And why should I be afraid?"

"B