in the prime of life, and their faces
inspired Jean with hope and confidence. They were clad in buckskins,
and armed with muskets, hatchets, and hunting-knives. They were
warriors now, ready for the fray with the slashers, their enemies of
years. They were King George's men, as well, true and loyal. Several
of them had the proud distinction of kneeling at Fort Howe five years
before and taking the oath of fidelity to the King. They never wearied
of telling about that event, and of the grand pow-wow which followed
the signing of the treaty. It had been a notable time for them. After
they had taken the oath of allegiance, they delivered to Colonel
Francklin a string of Wampum as a solemn confirmation of their deed.
Following this there was great mirth when they had drunk the King's
health, and received a liberal supply of presents. The next day they
had been taken on board the man-of-war lying in the harbour, when they
again drank the King's health, and were presented with a pound of
gunpowder each. When they at last left for their wilderness homes,
they were saluted by the cannon of Fort Howe and His Majesty's ship
_Albany_, and they in return had given three huzzas and an Indian
war-whoop. Such attention and good will had made a deep impression
upon those who had attended the peace-parley. After that they were
ever ready to fight against King George's enemies, and they did all in
their power to convert the Indians who still remained rebellious.

The story Sam now told the newly-arrived warriors about the capture of
the girl by the two rebel Indians aroused their wrath, and they
determined to punish the cowardly Micmacs as soon as possible. As for
the slashers, they hoped to settle with them at once, which would prove
a warning to others. Occasionally they glanced at Jean as she sat
watching them. They knew her history now, and they admired her, for
Sam had told them of her courage on the trail, and of her bright,
cheerful disposition. They were much interested, too, in the little
arrow at her throat, and when Jean handed it to them, they examined it
intently, and talked to one another in quite an excited manner.

Not for long, however, could the Indians remain at the lodge. There
was stern work ahead of them this night, and Sam was becoming uneasy.
When he at length rose to his feet and picked up his gun, the visitors
did likewise. They examined the priming of their weapons, the bullets
in their pouch