The King's Arrow: A Tale of the United Empire Loyalists

by H. A. Cody

Something, however, at length occurred which diverted their attention from the Polly, and gave them considerable concern. This was the arrival of several canoes filled with men. There were a score of men in all, and they received a most hearty welcome. The leader was William Davidson, the King's purveyor, who, with several others, was entertained at supper by the Colonel and his daughter. That evening a bonfire was built upon the shore, and around this the visitors and most of the people of the settlement gathered. It was a pleasant assembly, even though the night was cool. A liberal supply of Jamaica rum was passed around, and this was supposed to add greatly to the comfort of all.

Jean sat by her father's side, deeply interested in all that was taking place. Her heart was light, for Davidson had told her that Dane would be with her in a day or two. He and Pete were at present away on special business, the nature of which he did not say. Jean liked the looks of these visitors. They were all hardy, keen, well-built, and fearless-eyed rangers in the service of their King. They had to be all that, for their leader would employ no others. But they were full of life and spirit when they met together, and many were the stories told of their various adventures. This night, notwithstanding the seriousness of the business which lay ahead, they were like a number of boys just out of school. It was something new to them to meet so many interesting strangers such as they found at Loyal.

William Davidson was a worthy leader of such a band of men, and they held him in the highest regard. He was a man in the prime of life, and had led a stirring career. Coming from Scotland, he had settled on the Miramichi River, where for a time he engaged in the fishery and fur trade. During the war his Indian neighbours, incited by certain rebels, made his life so unbearable that he was forced to flee to the St. John River where he settled near the mouth of the Oromocto River. Even here he could not find peace, for the following summer he was plundered by the Indians, who took all his goods upon which they could lay their hands. Davidson was a marked man owing to his loyalty to King George, and the rebels here also aroused the natives against him. Little wonder, then, that when he was appointed the King's purveyor in supplying masts for His Majesty's navy that the hostility between him and the rebels, as well as many Indians, still continued.

But Davidson was a man not easily daunted. His courage, combined with his cool judgment, was well known all along the river. And since his entrance into the King's service he had given many outstanding proofs of his bravery and ability. He was quick to act, but never more so than when Dane Norwood brought him word at Oromocto of the plot against the Loyalists.

When he at length rose to speak, all talking ceased, and the people of the settlement felt that they were now to learn the reason of the rangers' presence in their midst. And neither were they mistaken. After Davidson had thanked them for their kindly reception, he told them of the danger which threatened their homes, and perhaps their lives. He mentioned the council which had been held on the shore of the Wedneebak, and how Dane Norwood and Pete, the Indian, had brought him the news. He and his men had accordingly hastened down river as fast as possible to ask the men of Loyal to join them in overcoming and putting the plotters to rout.

"But why should they attack us?" the Colonel asked when Davidson had ended. "They do not know us, and we have never harmed them."

"Simply because you are loyal to King George," was the reply. "The half-breeds, who are descended from the Acadians, think they have a great grievance against England for expelling their forefathers from Grand Pré in 1755. During the war they made no end of trouble, and did their best to stir up the Indians to rebellion. I know only too well what they did, for they drove me from my home on the Miramichi, and caused me a great deal of annoyance up river. They are at their old tricks again, and this is their last hope.

"But have they not reason for being angry at what England did to their forefathers at Grand Pré?" Henry Watson, a Loyalist, asked. "We have heard much about that transaction, and it was all very unfavourable to England. Perhaps there is another side to the story."

"Indeed there is," Davidson replied, "although it is very difficult to separate the truth from the fiction. It was a very sad affair, and it is a pity that it ever happened. Perhaps England made a mistake and acted hastily, but we must consider how serious was the situation when the expulsion took place. Sentiment has played an important part, and the thought of thousands of people deprived of their lands, and driven out to wander as exiles in strange countries has naturally stirred many hearts."

"But were the Acadians disloyal?" the Colonel asked. "We have been told that they were not, and that all were punished for the indiscretions of a few."