The Kings Arrow | Page 6

with both Indians and whites. Enduring and overcoming great
difficulties, they laid the foundation of what to-day is the City of St.
John. The most important event, however, in all their career at Portland
Point was the arrival of the thousands of exiles in their midst. They
gave them a hearty welcome, and did all in their power to aid them in
the land of their adoption.
As Dane approached the crowd, he looked keenly about for Major
Studholme. Although he had never seen him, he imagined that he
would know him at once. He surely would be a large man, of princely
bearing, who would be busy issuing orders to his men. But although he
saw a number of soldiers, there was no one who measured Up to his
ideal of the commander of the Fort.
At length he observed a man, who from his uniform seemed to be an
officer, seated at a small rough table near the store door. He was busy
writing, and passing pieces of paper to men standing before him. Surely
he must be the Major, Dane thought, so stepping forward, he stood for
a few minutes close to the table. He soon learned that the officer was
issuing orders to the Loyalists for boards, shingles, clapboards, and
bricks for the building of their houses. For a while he had no chance to
speak to the man, but waiting his opportunity, he at last stood before
him.
"Are you Major Studholme?" he asked.
"No," the officer replied, laying down his pen with a sigh of weariness.
"I am merely acting in the Major's place."

Then he looked at Dane more closely, and his interest became aroused.
He knew at once that this young man was not one of the newly-arrived
exiles, but a courier from the wilderness. He noted his buckskin garb,
finely-built body, erect manner, and the bright open countenance. He
had seen special couriers before, and they had all been men worthy of
more than a passing glance. But this young man surpassed them all, and
he looked upon him with admiration.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" he at length asked.
"I have a message for the Major," Dane explained, "and I must deliver
it to him."
"Give it to me," and the officer reached out his hand. "I am Lieutenant
Street, and I shall see that the Major gets it."
"That I cannot do," Dane replied as he drew back a step. "I have strict
orders to give it to Major Studholme, and to no one else."
"It must be very important, then," and the officer smiled.
"It is, and the Major must get it at once. Where is he?"
"Over there," and the Lieutenant motioned across the water to the right
where the small boats were still busy landing people from the ships.
"He's got his hands full straightening things out. But he can do it if any
one can."
The officer now turned his attention to several impatient men who were
standing near, so further conversation was out of the question. Dane
had taken no notice of those around him. Neither did he see three men
watching his every movement. They had evidently overheard his
conversation with the officer, and seemed greatly pleased. As Dane left
the place and walked toward the road leading to the mill-pond, the three
followed. They kept some distance behind until they came to a grove of
rough tangled trees, when they started forward at a run. Dane, hearing
them coming, stopped and looked back. Instinctively the caution of the
wild possessed him, causing him to stand on the defensive, and his eyes

to gleam with the light of danger.
"What do you want?" he demanded, as the three suddenly stopped
before him. "You seem to be in a hurry."
"We are," one of the men replied. "We want that message you have for
the Major."
"What do you want it for?"
"Never mind about that. Hand it over, and be damn quick about it, too."
Dane's body now quivered with excitement, and the thrill of battle
swept upon him. His eyes narrowed until they became mere slits, and
his hands clenched hard as he drew himself to his full height.
"If you want the message I carry, come and take it," he challenged.
"That is the only way you can get it."
"Don't be a fool," another of the men warned. "You might as well hand
over that message first as last. It will save you a lot of trouble. We're
going to get it, so make up your mind to that."
"How?" Dane asked.
"Oh, you'll soon know. Out with it. We're in a hurry."
"So am I," Dane replied.
Then he slightly crouched, and with a sudden tiger-like spring he