d his mind. Picking up a small
stick, he wrote in the sand on the south of the line the word "King,"
and on the north "Jean." These he compared with critical eyes.

"Same number of letters in each," he mused. "One stands for duty, the
other for love. K-i-n-g, J-e-a-n," he spelled. "They both sound good,
and have a fine ring about them. I am bound to both, and must decide
now. Oh, Lord, which shall it be!"

The perspiration stood out in beads upon his forehead, so intense was
his emotion.

"I can't decide against Jean!" he groaned. "And I can't be disloyal to
the King!"

Again his mother's words came to his mind. "Be loyal to God and the
King above all things." How would she choose if she were in his place?
Yes, he knew. Not for an instant would she have hesitated. For a few
minutes he stood staring straight before him. His face was pale, and
his hands clenched hard, and his lips were firmly compressed. At
length he turned, walked over to where Pete was lying, and touched him
upon the shoulder. The Indian opened his eyes and looked around.

"Come, Pete, it's time we were away."

"Where, Dane?"

"Down to the Fort."

"Geeve up white woman, eh?"

"Give her up? No," Dane savagely replied. "I'll never give her up.
But don't ask me any more questions now."

In a few minutes they were on their way, wind and tide being
favourable. They had gone but a mile, when rounding a bend a big camp
fire upon the shore attracted their attention. People were moving
about, and these Dane surmised were the Loyalists Captain Leavitt had
mentioned who were following in open boats. Some were seated before
the fire in a most dejected manner. The cries of children reached him,
accompanied by women's soothing words. Dane had no desire to stop, for
his own trouble was all that he could now endure. So on the canoe
sped, past the forlorn exiles, and forward to the Fort beyond.

CHAPTER XVI

UNDER COVER OF NIGHT

With a mingled feeling of anxiety and relief Jean watched the Loyalists
and rangers march forth against the rebels. She had no doubt as to the
outcome of the undertaking, but she felt uneasy about her father, and
how he would stand the journey. On the other hand, she cherished the
thought that on the morrow Dane would be with her, and all would be
well.

For a while she stood in the doorway, looking out upon the river over
which the mantle of night had settled. Mammy was crooning to the
Indian