"The situation is serious up river, is it not?" he asked.

"It certainly is. Davidson must have help."

"Where is the greatest danger?"

"That is hard to tell. The slashers are scattered over a wide extent
of country, and are to be found in most unexpected places. Why, you
have them in and around here. My Indian and I were fired upon
yesterday while crossing the Kennebacasis, and I was attacked by three
while leaving the trading post."

"And you were fired upon yesterday, you say?" the Major asked in
surprise. "How far out?"

"About ten miles. We had just crossed the portage from the main river
to the Kennebacasis when we heard the slashers at work. We launched
our canoe, and were heading for this side when they blazed at us
several times."

"Dear me! Dear me!" the Major groaned. "I didn't know they were as
bold as all that."

"And they will be bolder yet," Dane warned.

"In what way?"

"They will stir up the Indians, if I am not much mistaken."