among the Loyalists. Men, women, and children all crowded around one
fire, and listened with wonder to the tale Jean related of her capture,
and how she was rescued by the two good Indians. She in return heard
the pathetic story of these unfortunate people from the time they left
their old homes until the present.

"It was bad enough," one woman said, "when we were all well. But when
the babies began to pine and die for want of proper nourishment, then
it was terrible. We gave them the best of everything, and tried to
keep them warm, even pressing them against our own bodies. But it was
all in vain, so we laid the little darlings to rest one by one. They
are better off, I suppose, but it was very hard on us."

Her eyes, and the eyes of all were brimming with tears. Jean was
deeply affected, and her heart went out in sympathy to these
unfortunate people. She glanced about the rough brush abodes, and
noted how few and thin were the blankets.

"You have very little bedding, I see," she remarked.

"Not nearly enough," was the reply. "We had no idea that winter would
come so soon, so sent most of everything on the _Polly_."

"Are you out of provisions, too?"

"We have been out of food for days, excepting the few rabbits the men
caught. There are moose in the woods, but our men have not the skill
or strength to get any."

During this conversation Jean's mind had been very active. She knew