“Where is the greatest danger?”

“That is hard to tell.  The slashers are scattered over a wide extent of country, and are to be found in most unexpected places.  Why, you have them in and around here.  My Indian and I were fired upon yesterday while crossing the Kennebacasis, and I was attacked by three while leaving the trading post.”

“And you were fired upon yesterday, you say?” the Major asked in surprise.  “How far out?”

“About ten miles.  We had just crossed the portage from the main river to the Kennebacasis when we heard the slashers at work.  We launched our canoe, and were heading for this side when they blazed at us several times.”

“Dear me!  Dear me!” the Major groaned.  “I didn’t know they were as bold as all that.”

“And they will be bolder yet,” Dane warned.

“In what way?”

“They will stir up the Indians, if I am not much mistaken.”

“But the Indians are friendly to us.  Why, we made a treaty with them right here nearly five years ago.”

“I know that.  But the Indians have become quite restless of late.  When the war was on they received special attention from the English and the Americans.  Both sides were anxious to win their good will and support, and gave them many presents.  But now that the war is over the Indians are neglected, so they are becoming surly, and ready for mischief.  Mark my word, the arrival of these Loyalists will make matters worse.”

“In what way?”

“The slashers will do their utmost to stir up the Indians.  They will tell them that these newcomers will settle on their hunting-grounds, and kill all their game, while they will be driven out and left to starve.”

“Surely they will not do that.”

“They have been doing it already, although they know nothing as yet about the coming of the Loyalists.  They have been filling the minds of the Indians with all kinds of false stories.  So far their words have had little definite effect, but when the natives see so many white people settling along the river, I am afraid they will remember what the slashers have told them, and trouble will follow.  Some of the Indians, I am sure, will stand by the treaty, but I have my doubts about many others.”

During this conversation Mr. Simonds had been a silent and interested listener.  When, however, Dane had ended, he brought his stick down upon the floor with a bang.

“I believe you are right, young man,” he began.  “White and I have had our suspicions of this for some time, and your words confirm what we have by chance heard.  Where do you live, and how is it I have never seen you before?”

“I live in no special place,” Dane replied.  “My business as the King’s Arrow takes me everywhere, although this is the first time I have been sent here.”

“How did you come to get that name?”

“Davidson gave it to me.  You know, every white pine that is considered suitable for the King’s navy is marked with a broad arrow, I guess that suggested the idea to Davidson, as I am always darting here and there like an arrow.  Anyway, the name has stuck to me ever since.”