ughter. That evening a
bonfire was built upon the shore, and around this the visitors and most
of the people of the settlement gathered. It was a pleasant assembly,
even though the night was cool. A liberal supply of Jamaica rum was
passed around, and this was supposed to add greatly to the comfort of
all.

Jean sat by her father's side, deeply interested in all that was taking
place. Her heart was light, for Davidson had told her that Dane would
be with her in a day or two. He and Pete were at present away on
special business, the nature of which he did not say. Jean liked the
looks of these visitors. They were all hardy, keen, well-built, and
fearless-eyed rangers in the service of their King. They had to be all
that, for their leader would employ no others. But they were full of
life and spirit when they met together, and many were the stories told
of their various adventures. This night, notwithstanding the
seriousness of the business which lay ahead, they were like a number of
boys just out of school. It was something new to them to meet so many
interesting strangers such as they found at Loyal.

William Davidson was a worthy leader of such a band of men, and they
held him in the highest regard. He was a man in the prime of life, and
had led a stirring career. Coming from Scotland, he had settled on the
Miramichi River, where for a time he engaged in the fishery and fur
trade. During the war his Indian neighbours, incited by certain
rebels, made his life so unbearable that he was forced to flee to the
St. John River where he settled near the mouth of the Oromocto River.
Even here he could not find peace, for the following summer he was
plundered by the Indians, who took all his goods upon which they could
lay their hands. Davidson was a marked man owing to his loyalty to
King George, and the rebels here also aroused the natives against him.
Little wonder, then, that when he was appointed the King's purveyor in
supplying masts for His Majesty's navy that the hostility between him
and the rebels, as well as many Indians, still continued.

But Davidson was a man not easily daunted. His courage, combined with
his cool judgment, was well known all along the river. And since his
entrance into the King's service he had given many outstanding proofs
of his bravery and ability. He was quick to act, but never more so
than when Dane Norwood brought him word at Oromocto of the plot against
the Loyalists.