For days and nights they continued their search.  From camp to camp they sped with feverish haste, but not a clue could they find.  The Indians had heard nothing of the missing girl, and Dane’s heart sank within him at each fresh disappointment.  What was he to do?  Where was he to go?  These were the questions he asked himself over and over again.  Both he and Pete were weary, for they had slept but little, and had only eaten what they could obtain at the various encampments.  How much longer could they continue?  Soon the river would be frozen, and then the search would have to be carried on by land.  And all this time what untold hardships was Jean undergoing, providing she was still alive?

At length when hope was almost gone, an Indian passing up river gave him a glimmer of light.  He had been at the mouth of the Washademoak the night the white girl had been carried off.  A strange canoe had passed by swiftly in the darkness, and he had heard a slight moan of distress.  This was all, but it aroused in Dane a new spirit of hope.  There might yet be time to follow this clue, and the Washademoak was a likely place to hide the girl.

It was morning, and they were far up the river when this information was received.  The setting sun found them resting upon the shore not far from the entrance to the Washademoak.  They had just finished their frugal supper, and were about to continue on their way, when the white sails of the little schooner Polly hove in sight, bearing steadily up stream.  Captain Leavitt was on deck, and catching sight of the two rangers, he hailed them.  As the vessel approached, Dane and Pete launched their canoe, and awaited her coming.  The wind was not strong, and when the Polly at last drew near, they could see the deck filled with men, women, and children.  In another minute the canoe was alongside, and Captain Leavitt leaning over the starboard rail.

“Hello, Dane,” he accosted.  “You’re just the man I’m on the lookout for.  Here’s a letter from Davidson.  I didn’t expect to find you so easily.  Any word of the missing girl?”

“Not much, Captain.  We have a slight clue, though.  What’s the news at Portland Point?”

“Stirring times there, Dane.  The town is building up fast, and more people have arrived.”  He then lowered his voice.  “These are some of the late-comers.  They are going up river to settle.”

“At this time of the year?” Dane asked in surprise.

“Yes, and mighty hard luck, isn’t it?  We are bound for St. Anne’s, but I question whether we can make it with this cold weather upon us.  I must get back before the river freezes.  Some are following in open boats, just think of that!  I don’t know what will become of them.”

Dane’s eyes turned to the Loyalists who were watching him and Pete with considerable curiosity.  They formed a most pathetic group of people shivering there upon deck.  They seemed weary almost to the point of exhaustion, and yet in their eyes and bearing could be observed a spirit that nothing could daunt.