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."