When he at length rose to speak, all talking ceased, and the people of
the settlement felt that they were now to learn the reason of the
rangers' presence in their midst. And neither were they mistaken.
After Davidson had thanked them for their kindly reception, he told
them of the danger which threatened their homes, and perhaps their
lives. He mentioned the council which had been held on the shore of
the Wedneebak, and how Dane Norwood and Pete, the Indian, had brought
him the news. He and his men had accordingly hastened down river as
fast as possible to ask the men of Loyal to join them in overcoming and
putting the plotters to rout.

"But why should they attack us?" the Colonel asked when Davidson had
ended. "They do not know us, and we have never harmed them."

"Simply because you are loyal to King George," was the reply. "The
half-breeds, who are descended from the Acadians, think they have a
great grievance against England for expelling their forefathers from
Grand Pre in 1755. During the war they made no end of trouble, and did
their best to stir up the Indians to rebellion. I know only too well
what they did, for they drove me from my home on the Miramichi, and
caused me a great deal of annoyance up river. They are at their old
tricks again, and this is their last hope.

"But have they not reason for being angry at what England did to their
forefathers at Grand Pre?" Henry Watson, a Loyalist, asked. "We have
heard much about that transaction, and it was all very unfavourable to
England. Perhaps there is another side to the story."

"Indeed there is," Davidson replied, "although it is very difficult to
separate the truth from the fiction. It was a very sad affair, and it
is a pity that it ever happened. Perhaps England made a mistake and
acted hastily, but we must consider how serious was the situation when
the expulsion took place. Sentiment has played an important part, and
the thought of thousands of people deprived of their lands, and driven
out to wander as exiles in strange countries has naturally stirred many
hearts."

"But were the Acadians disloyal?" the Colonel asked. "We have been
told that they were not, and that all were punished for the
indiscretions of a few."

"That may be so," and Davidson looked thoughtfully before him. "But
the English contend that when the Acadians settled on their lands over
forty years before it was with the distinct understanding that they
could on