their hands as the _Polly_ sped on her way. Dane at once opened the
letter, and read its contents. As he did so, his face became very
grave, and a spirit of rebellion welled up within him.

"Look at this, Pete," and he held forth the letter as soon as he had
stepped ashore. "Davidson has ordered us both to Fort Howe."

"Why?" the Indian asked.

"To tell what we heard at the Wedneebak. We are wanted as witnesses
against Flazeet and Rauchad. What do you think of that?"

"We go, eh?"

"How can we? What about Jean?"

"Dane always go when chief call, all sam' wild goose, eh?"

"I always have, Pete. But it is different now. Jean needs me. She is
in danger. She may be cold. She may be hungry. She may be----"

Dane did not finish his sentence, for Pete had suddenly stooped, and
with a small stick was drawing a line upon the sand, east by west.

"See," he said, "King dere," and he touched the ground on the south
side of the line with the point of his stick. He did the same on the
north side, adding, "white woman dere. King, white woman, eh?"

"That's just it, Pete. It's between Jean and the King, between love
and duty. I must think it out. You sleep."