a wide extent
of country, and are to be found in most unexpected places. Why, you
have them in and around here. My Indian and I were fired upon
yesterday while crossing the Kennebacasis, and I was attacked by three
while leaving the trading post."

"And you were fired upon yesterday, you say?" the Major asked in
surprise. "How far out?"

"About ten miles. We had just crossed the portage from the main river
to the Kennebacasis when we heard the slashers at work. We launched
our canoe, and were heading for this side when they blazed at us
several times."

"Dear me! Dear me!" the Major groaned. "I didn't know they were as
bold as all that."

"And they will be bolder yet," Dane warned.

"In what way?"

"They will stir up the Indians, if I am not much mistaken."

"But the Indians are friendly to us. Why, we made a treaty with them
right here nearly five years ago."

"I know that. But the Indians have become quite restless of late.
When the war was on they received special attention from the English
and the Americans. Both sides were anxious to win their good will and
support, and gave them many presents. But now that the war is over the
Indians are neglected, so they are becoming surly, and ready for
mischief. Mark my word, the arrival of these Loyalists will make
matters worse."

"In what way?"

"The slashers will do their utmost to stir up the Indians. They will
tell them that these newcomers will settle on their hunting-grounds,
and kill all their game, while they will be driven out and left to
starve."

"Surely they will not do that."

"They have been doing it already, although they know nothing as yet
about the coming of the Loyalists. They have been filling the minds of
the Indians with all kinds of false stories. So far their words have
had little definite effect, but when the natives see so many white
people settling along the river, I am afraid they will remember what
the slashers have told them, and trouble will follow. Some of the
Indians, I am sure, will stand by the treaty, but I have my doubts
about many others."

During this conversation Mr. Simonds had been a silent and interested
listener. When, however, Dane had ended, he brought his stick down
upon the floor with a bang.

"I believe you are right, young man," he began. "White and I have had
our suspicions of this for some time, and your words confirm what we
have by chance heard. Where do you live, and how is it I h