claimed their attention, at another the Indian trade; at one time the
building of houses for themselves and their tenants, at another the
dyking of the marsh; at one time they were engaged in the erection of a
mill, at another the building of a schooner; at one time they were
making a wharf, at another laying out roads or clearing land; at one
time they were furnishing supplies and cordwood to the garrison, at
another in burning and shipping lime." In addition to this they owned
and employed a score of vessels, both schooners and sloops, which plied
not only on the river, but beyond the Bay to distant ports.

It was only natural that the commanding officer of Fort Howe should
call upon the senior partner of the company for advice and assistance
in time of need. And two serious problems had now been thrust upon
him. One was the care and disposal of the three thousand Loyalists;
the other, the arrival of Dane Norwood with news of threatening trouble
up river.

"How many vessels have you on hand?" the Major asked.

"Only a few," Simonds replied. "But I expect several more in a few
days. The _Peggy & Molly_ is already spoken for by the people on the
_Union_. They haven't disembarked, as they plan to go up river at
once."

"And you say the _Polly_ arrived last night?"

"Yes, and she is unloading now."

"Well, I want you to keep her for Colonel Sterling, and a number of
other people."