第4章

Onelesshabituallyunderself-restraintthanthiswar-

riorwouldprobablyhavenowaimedhismeditatedblow。

butChingachgookknewthereweremoreIroquoisbehindhimontherift，andhewasawarriormuchtootrainedandexperiencedtoriskanythingunnecessarily。Hesuf-

feredtheIndianatthebowofthecanoetopushoffintothedeepwater，andthenallthreewereswimminginthedirectionoftheeasternshore。Instead，however，ofhelp-

ingthecanoeacrosstheswiftcurrent，nosoonerdidtheDelawareandJasperfindthemselveswithintheinfluenceofitsgreatestforcethanbothbegantoswiminawaytochecktheirfartherprogressacrossthestream。Norwasthisdonesuddenly，orintheincautiousmannerinwhichacivilizedmanwouldhavebeenapttoattempttheartifice，butwarily，andsograduallythattheIroquoisatthebowfanciedatfirsthewasmerelystrugglingagainstthestrengthofthecurrent。Ofcourse，whileactedonbytheseopposingefforts，thecanoedrifteddownstream，andinaboutaminuteitwasfloatinginstilldeeperwateratthefootoftherift。Here，however，theIroquoiswasnotslowinfindingthatsomethingunusualretardedtheirad-

vance，and，lookingback。hefirstlearnedthathewasre-

sistedbytheeffortsofhiscompanions。

Thatsecondnaturewhichgrowsupthroughhabitin-

stantlytoldtheyoungIroquoisthathewasalonewithenemies。Dashingthewateraside，hesprangatthethroatofChingachgook，andthetwoIndians，relinquishingtheirholdofthecanoe，seizedeachotherliketigers。Inthemidstofthedarknessofthatgloomynight，andfloatinginanelementsodangeroustomanwhenengagedindeadlystrife，theyappearedtoforgeteverythingbuttheirfellanimosityandtheirmutualdesiretoconquer。

Jasperhadnowcompletecommandofthecanoe，whichflewofflikeafeatherimpelledbythebreathunderthevio-

lentreactionofthestrugglesofthetwocombatants。ThefirstimpulseoftheyouthwastoswimtotheaidoftheDelaware，buttheimportanceofsecuringtheboatpresenteditselfwithtenfoldforce，whilehelistenedtotheheavybreathingsofthewarriorsastheythrottledeachother，andheproceededasfastaspossibletowardsthewesternshore。Thishesoonreached。andafterashortsearchhesucceededindiscoveringtheremainderofthepartyandinprocuringhisclothes。AfewwordssufficedtoexplainthesituationinwhichhehadlefttheDelawareandthemannerinwhichthecanoehadbeenobtained。

WhenthosewhohadbeenleftbehindhadheardtheexplanationsofJasper，aprofoundstillnessreignedamongthem，eachlisteningintentlyinthevainhopeofcatchingsomecluetotheresultofthefearfulstrugglethathadjusttakenplace，ifitwerenotstillgoingoninthewater。

Nothingwasaudiblebeyondthesteadyroaroftherush-

ingriver。itbeingapartofthepolicyoftheirenemiesontheoppositeshoretoobservethemostdeathlikestillness。

Takethispaddle，Jasper，saidPathfindercalmly，thoughthelistenersthoughthisvoicesoundedmoremel-

ancholythanusual，andfollowwithyourowncanoe。Itisunsafeforustoremainherelonger。

ButtheSerpent？

TheGreatSarpentisinthehandsofhisownDeity，andwillliveordie，accordingtotheintentionsofProvi-

dence。Wecandohimnogood，andmayrisktoomuchbyremaininghereinidleness，likewomentalkingovertheirdistresses。Thisdarknessisveryprecious。

Aloud，long，piercingyellcamefromtheshore，andcutshortthewordsoftheguide。

Whatisthemeaningofthatuproar，MasterPath-

finder？demandedCap。Itsoundsmoreliketheout-

criesofdevilsthananythingthatcancomefromthethroatsofChristiansandmen。

Christianstheyarenot，anddonotpretendtobe，anddonotwishtobe。andincallingthemdevilsyouhavescarcelymisnamedthem。Thatyellisoneofrejoicing，anditisasconquerorstheyhavegivenit。ThebodyoftbeSarpent，nodoubt，deadoralive，isintheirpower。

Andwe！exclaimedJasper，whofeltapangofgen-

erousregret，astheideathathemighthaveavertedthecalamitypresenteditselftohismind，hadhenotdesertedhiscomrade。

Wecandothechiefnogood，lad，andmustquitthisspotasfastaspossible。

Withoutoneattempttorescuehim？——withoutevenknowingwhetherhebedeadorliving？

Jasperisright，saidMabel，whocouldspeak，thoughhervoicesoundedhuskilyandsmothered。Ihavenofears，uncle，andwillstayhereuntilweknowwhathasbecomeofourfriend。

Thisseemsreasonable，Pathfinder，putinCap。Yourtrueseamancannotwelldesertamessmate。andIamgladtofindthatmotivessocorrectexistamongthosefresh-waterpeople。

Tut！tut！returnedtheimpatientguide，forcingthecanoeintothestreamashespoke。yeknownothingandyefearnothing。Ifyevalueyourlives，thinkofreachingthegarrison，andleavetheDelawareinthehandsofProvidence。Ah’sme！thedeerthatgoestoooftentothelickmeetsthehunteratlast！

CHAPTERVII。

Andisthis——Yarrow？——thisthestreamOfwhichmyfancycherish’dSofaithfullyawakingdream？

Animagethathathperish’d？

Ohthatsomeminstrel’sharpwerenear，Toutternotesofgladness，Andchasethissilencefromtheair，Thatfillsmyheartwithsadness。

WORDSWORTH。

THEscenewasnotwithoutitssublimity，andtheardent，generous-mindedMabelfeltherbloodthrillinherveinsandhercheeksflush，asthecanoeshotintothestrengthofthestream，toquitthespot。Thedarknessofthenighthadlessened，bythedispersionoftheclouds。buttheoverhangingwoodsrenderedtheshoresoobscure，thattheboatsfloateddownthecurrentinabeltofgloomthatef-

fectuallysecuredthemfromdetection。Still，therewasnecessarilyastrongfeelingofinsecurityinallonboardthem。andevenJasper，whobythistimebegantotremble，inbehalfofthegirl，ateveryunusualsoundthatarosefromtheforest，keptcastinguneasyglancesaroundhimashedriftedonincompany。Thepaddlewasusedlightly，andonlywithexceedingcare。fortheslightestsoundinthebreathingstillnessofthathourandplacemightap-

prisethewatchfulearsoftheIroquoisoftheirposition。

Alltheseaccessoriesaddedtotheimpressivegrandeurofhersituation，andcontributedtorenderthemomentmuchthemostexcitingwhichhadeveroccurredinthebriefexistenceofMabelDunham。Spirited，accustomedtoself-reliance，andsustainedbytheprideofconsideringherselfasoldier’sdaughter，shecouldhardlybesaidtobeundertheinfluenceoffear，yetherheartoftenbeatquickerthancommon，herfineblueeyelightedwithanexhibitionofaresolutionthatwaswastedinthedarkness，andherquickenedfeelingscameinaidoftherealsublimitythatbelongedtothesceneandtotheincidentsofthenight。

Mabel！saidthesuppressedvoiceofJasper，asthetwocanoesfloatedsoneareachotherthatthehandoftheyoungmanheldthemtogether，youhavenodread？youtrustfreelytoourcareandwillingnesstoprotectyou？

Iamasoldier’sdaughter，asyouknow，JasperWestern，andoughttobeashamedtoconfessfear。

Relyonme——onusall。Youruncle，Pathfinder，theDelaware，werethepoorfellowhere，Imyself，willriskeverythingratherthanharmshouldreachyou。

Ibelieveyou，Jasper，returnedthegirl，herhandun-

consciouslyplayinginthewater。Iknowthatmyunclelovesme，andwillneverthinkofhimselfuntilhehasfirstthoughtofme。andIbelieveyouareallmyfather’sfriends，andwouldwillinglyassisthischild。ButIamnotsofeebleandweak-mindedasyoumaythink。for，thoughonlyagirlfromthetowns，and，likemostofthatclass，alittledisposedtoseedangerwherethereisnone，I

promiseyou，Jasper，nofoolishfearsofmineshallstandinthewayofyourdoingyourduty。

TheSergeant’sdaughterisright，andsheisworthyofbeinghonestThomasDunham’schild，putinthePath-

finder。Ah’sme，prettyone！manyisthetimethatyourfatherandIhavescoutedandmarchedtogetherontheflanksandrearoftheenemy，innightsdarkerthanthis，andthat，too，whenwedidnotknowbutthenextmomemtwouldleadusintoabloodyambushment。Iwasathissidewhenhegotthewoundinhisshoulder。andthehonestfellowwilltellyou，whenyoumeet，themannerinwhichwecontrivedtocrosstheriverwhichlayinourrear，inordertosavehisscalp。

Hehastoldme，saidMabel，withmoreenergyperhapsthanhersituationrenderedprudent。Ihavehisletters，inwhichhehasmentionedallthat，andIthankyoufromthebottomofmyheartfortheservice。Godwillremem-

berit，Pathfinder。andthereisnogratitudethatyoucanaskofthedaughterwhichshewillnotcheerfullyrepayforherfather’slife。

Ay，thatisthewaywithallyourgentleandpure-

heartedcreatures。Ihaveseensomeofyoubefore，andhaveheardofothers。TheSergeanthimselfhastalkedtomeofhisownyoungdays，andofyourmother，andofthemannerinwhichhecourtedher，andofallthecrossingsanddisappointments，untilhesucceededatlast。

Mymotherdidnotlivelongtorepayhimforwhathedidtowinher，saidMabel，withatremblinglip。

Sohetellsme。ThehonestSergeanthaskeptnothingback。for，beingsomanyyearsmysenior，hehaslookedonme，inourmanyscoutingstogether，asasortofson。

Perhaps，Pathfinder，observedJasper，withahuski-

nessinhisvoicethatdefeatedtheattemptatpleasantry，hewouldbegladtohaveyouforoneinreality。

Andifhedid，Eau-douce，wherewouldbethesinofit？HeknowswhatIamonatrailorascout，andhehasseenmeoftenfacetofacewiththeFrenchers。Ihavesometimesthought，lad，thatwealloughttoseekforwives。forthemanthatlivesaltogetherinthewoods，andincompanywithhisenemiesorhisprey，getstolosesomeofthefeelingofkindintheend。ItisnoteasytodwellalwaysinthepresenceofGodandnotfeelthepowerofHisgoodness。Ihaveattendedchurch-sarviceinthegar-

risons，andtriedhard，asbecomesatruesoldier，tojoinintheprayers。for，thoughnoenlistedsarvantoftheking，Ifighthisbattlesandsarvehiscause，andsoIhaveen-

deavoredtoworshipgarrison-fashion，butnevercouldraisewithinmethesolemnfeelingsandtrueaffectionthatIfeelwhenalonewithGodintheforest。ThereIseemtostandfacetofacewithmyMaster。allaroundmeisfreshandbeautiful，asitcamefromHishand。andthereisnonicetyordoctrinetochillthefeelings。Nono。thewoodsarethetruetempleafterall，fortherethethoughtsarefreetomounthighereventhantheclouds。

Youspeakthetruth，MasterPathfinder，saidCap，andatruththatallwholivemuchinsolitudeknow。

What，forinstance，isthereasonthatseafaringmeningeneralaresoreligiousandconscientiousinalltheydo，butthefactthattheyaresooftenalonewithProvidence，andhavesolittletodowiththewickednessoftheland。

ManyandmanyisthetimethatIhavestoodmywatch，undertheequatorperhaps，orintheSouthernOcean，whenthenightsarelightedupwiththefiresofheaven。

andthatisthetime，Icantellyou，myhearties，tobringamantohisbearingsinthewayofhissins。Ihaverattleddownmineagainandagainundersuchcircumstances，untiltheshroudsandlanyardsofconsciencehavefairlycreakedwiththestrain。Iagreewithyou，MasterPath-

finder，therefore，insaying，ifyouwantatrulyreligiousman，gotosea，orgointothewoods。

Uncle，Ithoughtseamenhadlittlecreditgenerallyfortheirrespectforreligion？

Alld——dslander，girl。foralltheessentialsofChris-

tianitytheseamanbeatsthelandsmanhand-over-hand。

Iwillnotanswerforallthis，MasterCap，returnedPathfinder。butIdaresaysomeofitmaybetrue。I

wantnothunderandlightningtoremindmeofmyGod，noramIasapttobethinkonmostofallHisgoodnessintroubleandtribulationsasonacalm，solemn，quietdayinaforest，whenHisvoiceisheardinthecreakingofadeadbranchorinthesongofabird，asmuchinmyearsatleastasitiseverheardinuproarandgales。Howisitwithyou，Eau-douce？youfacethetempestsaswellasMasterCap，andoughttoknowsomethingofthefeelingsofstorms。

IfearthatIamtooyoungandtooinexperiencedtobeabletosaymuchonsuchasubject，modestlyansweredJasper。

Butyouhaveyourfeelings！saidMabelquickly。Youcannot——noonecanliveamongsuchsceneswithoutfeel-

inghowmuchtheyoughttotrustinGod！

IshallnotbeliemytrainingsomuchastosayIdonotsometimesthinkofthesethings，butIfearitisnotsooftenorsomuchasIought。

Freshwater，resumedCappithily。youarenottoexpecttoomuchoftheyoungman，Mabel。Ithinktheycallyousometimesbyanamewhichwouldinsinuateallthis：Eau-de-vie，isitnot？

Eau-douce，quietlyrepliedJasper，whofromsailingonthelakehadacquiredaknowledgeofFrench，aswellasofseveraloftheIndiandialects。ItisanametheIro-

quoishavegivenmetodistinguishmefromsomeofmycompanionswhooncesaileduponthesea，andarefondoffillingtheearsofthenativeswithstoriesoftheirgreatsalt-waterlakes。

Andwhyshouldn’tthey？Idaresaytheydothesav-

agesnoharm。Ay，ay，Eau-deuce。thatmustmeanthewhitebrandy，whichmaywellenoughbecalledthedeuce，fordeucedstuffitis！

ThesignificationofEau-douceissweet-water，anditisthemannerinwhichtheFrenchexpressfresh-water，

rejoinedJasper，alittlenettled。

AndhowthedevildotheymakewateroutofEau-in-

deuce，whenitmeansbrandyinEau-de-vie？Besides，amongseamen，Eaualwaysmeansbrandy。andEau-de-

vie，brandyofahighproof。Ithinknothingofyourig-

norance，youngman。foritisnaturaltoyoursituation，andcannotbehelped。Ifyouwillreturnwithme，andmakeav’y’geortwoontheAtlantic，itwillserveyouagoodturntheremainderofyourdays。andMabelthere，andalltheotheryoungwomennearthecoast，willthinkallthebetterofyoushouldyoulivetobeasoldasoneofthetreesinthisforest。

Nay，nay，interruptedthesingle-heartedandgenerousguide。Jasperwantsnotforfriendsinthisregion，Icanassureyou。andthoughseeingtheworld，accordingtohishabits，maydohimgoodaswellasanother，weshallthinknonetheworseofhimifheneverquitsus。Eau-douceorEau-de-vie，heisabrave，true-heartedyouth，andIalwayssleepassoundlywhenheisonthewatchasifIwasupandstirringmyself。ay，andforthatmatter，soundertoo。

TheSergeant’sdaughterheredoesn’tbelieveitnecessaryfortheladtogotoseainordertomakeamanofhim，oronewhoisworthytoberespectedandesteemed。

Mabelmadenoreplytothisappeal，andsheevenlookedtowardsthewesternshore，althoughthedarknessrenderedthenaturalmovementsunnecessarytoconcealherface。

ButJasperfeltthattherewasanecessityforhissayingsomething，theprideofyouthandmanhoodrevoltingattheideaofhisbeinginaconditionnottocommandthere-

spectofhisfellowsorthesmilesofhisequalsoftheothersex。StillhewasunwillingtoutteraughtthatmightbeconsideredharshtotheuncleofMabel。andhisself-

commandwasperhapsmorecreditablethanhismodestyandspirit。

IpretendnottothingsIdon’tpossess，hesaid，andlaynoclaimtoanyknowledgeoftheoceanorofnaviga-

tion。Westeerbythestarsandthecompassontheselakes，runningfromheadlandtoheadland。andhavinglittleneedoffiguresandcalculations，makenouseofthem。Butwehaveourclaimsnotwithstanding，asIhaveoftenheardfromthosewhohavepassedyearsontheocean。Inthefirstplace，wehavealwaysthelandaboard，andmuchofthetimeonalee-shore，andthatIhavefre-

quentlyheardmakeshardysailors。Ourgalesaresuddenandsevere，andwearecompelledtorunforourportsatallhours。

Youhaveyourleads，interruptedCap。

Theyareoflittleuse，andareseldomcast。

Thedeep-seas。

Ihaveheardofsuchthings，butconfessIneversawone。

Oh！deuce，withavengeance。Atrader，andnodeep-

sea！Why，boy，youcannotpretendtobeanythingofamariner。Whothedevileverheardofaseamanwithouthisdeep-sea？

Idonotpretendtoanyparticularskill，MasterCap。

Exceptinshootingfalls，Jasper，exceptinshootingfallsandrifts，saidPathfinder，comingtotherescue。

inwhichbusinessevenyou，MasterCap，mustallowhehassomehandiness。Inmyjudgment，everymanistobeesteemedorcondemnedaccordingtohisgifts。andifMasterCapisuselessinrunningtheOswegoFalls，Itrytorememberthatheisusefulwhenoutofsightofland。

andifJasperbeuselesswhenoutofsightofland，Idonotforgetthathehasatrueeyeandsteadyhandwhenrunningthefalls。

ButJasperisnotuseless——wouldnotbeuselesswhenoutofsightofland，saidMabel，withaspiritandenergythatcausedherclearsweetvoicetobestartlingamidthesolemnstillnessofthatextraordinaryscene。Noonecanbeuselesstherewhocandosomuchhere，iswhatI

mean。though，Idaresay，heisnotaswellacquaintedwithshipsasmyuncle。

Ay，bolstereachotherupinyourignorance，returnedCapwithasneer。Weseamenaresomuchout-

numberedwhenashorethatitisseldomwegetourdues。

butwhenyouwanttobedefended，ortradeistobecarriedon，thereisoutcryenoughforus。

But，uncle，landsmendonotcometoattackourcoasts。

sothatseamenonlymeetseamen。

Somuchforignorance！Wherearealltheenemiesthathavelandedinthiscountry，FrenchandEnglish，letmeinquire，niece？

Sureenough，wherearethey？ejaculatedPathfinder。

Nonecantellbetterthanwewhodwellinthewoods，MasterCap。Ihaveoftenfollowedtheirlineofmarchbybonesbleachingintherain，andhavefoundtheirtrailbygraves，yearsaftertheyandtheirpridehadvanishedto-

gether。Generalsandprivates，theylayscatteredthrough-

outtheland，somanyproofsofwhatmenarewhenledonbytheirloveofgreatnamesandthewishtobemorethantheirfellows。

Imustsay，MasterPathfinder，thatyousometimesutteropinionsthatarealittleremarkableforamanwholivesbytherifle。seldomsnuffingtheairbuthesmellsgunpowder，orturningoutofhisberthbuttobeardownonanenemy。

IfyouthinkIpassmydaysinwarfareagainstmykind，youknowneithermenormyhistory。Themanthatlivesinthewoodsandonthefrontiersmusttakethechancesofthethingsamongwhichhedwells。ForthisI

amnotaccountable，beingbutanhumbleandpowerlesshunterandscoutandguide。Myrealcallingistohuntforthearmy，onitsmarchesandintimesofpeace。al-

thoughIammoreespeciallyengagedintheserviceofoneofficer，whoisnowabsentinthesettlements，whereIneverfollowhim。No，no。bloodshedandwarfarearenotmyrealgifts，butpeaceandmercy。Still，Imustfacetheenemyaswellasanother。andasforaMingo，Ilookuponhimasmanlooksonasnake，acreatur’tobeputbeneaththeheelwheneverafittingoccasionoffers。

Well，well。Ihavemistakenyourcalling，whichIhadthoughtasregularlywarlikeasthatofaship’sgunner。

Thereismybrother-in-law，now。hehasbeenasoldiersincehewassixteen，andhelooksuponhistradeaseverywayasrespectableasthatofaseafaringman，apointI

hardlythinkitworthwhiletodisputewithhim。

Myfatherhasbeentaughttobelievethatitishonor-

abletocarryarms，saidMabel，forhisfatherwasasoldierbeforehim。

Yes，yes，resumedtheguide。mostoftheSergeant’sgiftsaremartial，andhelooksatmostthingsinthisworldoverthebarrelofhismusket。Oneofhisnotions，now，istopreferaking’spiecetoaregular，double-sighted，long-barrelledrifle。Suchconceitswillcomeovermenfromlonghabit。andprejudiceis，perhaps，thecommonestfailingofhumannatur’。

Whilethedesultoryconversationjustrelatedhadbeencarriedoninsubduedvoices，thecanoesweredroppingslowlydownwiththecurrentwithinthedeepshadowsofthewesternshore，thepaddlesbeingusedmerelytopre-

servethedesireddirectionandproperpositions。Thestrengthofthestreamvariedmaterially，thewaterbeingseeminglystillinplaces，whileinotherreachesitflowedatarateexceedingtwooreventhreemilesinthehour。

Ontheriftsitevendashedforwardwithavelocitythatwasappallingtotheunpractisedeye。Jasperwasofopinionthattheymightdriftdownwiththecurrenttothemouthoftheriverintwohoursfromthetimetheylefttheshore，andheandthePathfinderhadagreedontheexpediencyofsufferingthecanoestofloatofthem-

selvesforatime，oratleastuntiltheyhadpassedthefirstdangersoftheirnewmovement。Thedialoguehadbeencarriedoninvoices，too，guardedlylow。forthoughthequietofdeepsolitudereignedinthatvastandnearlyboundlessforest，naturewasspeakingwithherthousandtonguesintheeloquentlanguageofnightinawilderness。

Theairsighedthroughtenthousandtrees，thewaterrippled，andatplacesevenroaredalongtheshores。andnowandthenwasheardthecreakingofabranchoratrunk，asitrubbedagainstsomeobjectsimilartoitself，underthevibrationsofanicelybalancedbody。Alllivingsoundshadceased。Once，itistrue，thePathfinderfanciedheheardthehowlofadistantwolf，ofwhichafewprowledthroughthesewoods。butitwasatransientanddoubtfulcry，thatmightpossiblyhavebeenattributedtotheimag-

ination。Whenhedesiredhiscompanions，however，toceasetalking，hisvigilantearhadcaughtthepeculiarsoundwhichismadebythepartingofadriedbranchofatreeandwhich，ifhissensesdidnotdeceivehim，camefromthewesternshore。Allwhoareaccustomedtothatparticularsoundwillunderstandhowreailytheearre-

ceivesit，andhoweasyitistodistinguishthetreadwhichbreaksthebranchfromeveryothernoiseoftheforest。

Thereisthefootstepofamanonthebank，saidPathfindertoJasper，speakinginneitherawhispernoryetinavoiceloudenoughtobeheardatanydistance。

CantheaccursedIroquoishavecrossedtheriveralready，withtheirarms，andwithoutaboat？

ItmaybetheDelaware。Hewouldfollowus，ofcoursedownthisbank，andwouldknowwheretolookforus。Letmedrawcloserintotheshore，andreconnoitre。

Goboybutbelightwiththepaddle，andonnoac-

countventureashoreonanonsartainty。

Isthisprudent？demandedMabel，withanimpetu-

ositythatrenderedherincautiousinmodulatinghersweetvoice。

Veryimprudent，ifyouspeaksoloud，fairone。Ilikeyourvoice，whichissoftandpleasing，afterthelisteningsolongtothetonesofmen。butitmustnotbeheardtoomuch，ortoofreely，justnow。Yourfather，thehonestSergeant，willtellyou，whenyoumeethim，thatsilenceisadoublevirtueonatrail。Go，Jasper，anddojusticetoyourowncharacterforprudence。

TenanxiousminutessucceededthedisappearanceofthecanoeofJasper，whichglidedawayfromthatofthePathfindersonoiselessly，thatithadbeenswallowedupinthegloombeforeMabelallowedherselftobelievetheyoungmanwouldreallyventurealoneonaservicewhichstruckherimaginationassingularlydangerous。Duringthistime，thepartycontinuedtofloatwiththecurrent，noonespeaking，and，itmightalmostbesaid，noonebreathing，sostrongwasthegeneraldesiretocatchtheminutestsoundthatshouldcomefromtheshore。Butthesamesolemn，wemight，indeed，saysublime，quietreignedasbefore。thewashingofthewater，asitpiledupagainstsomeslightobstruction，andthesighingofthetrees，aloneinterruptingtheslumbersoftheforest。Attheendoftheperiodmentioned，thesnappingofdriedbrancheswasagainfaintlyheard，andthePathfinderfan-

ciedthatthesoundofsmotheredvoicesreachedhim。

Imaybemistaken，hesaid，forthethoughtsoftenfancywhattheheartwishes。butthesewerenoteslikethelowtonesoftheDelaware。

Dothedeadofthesavageseverwalk？demandedCap。

Ay，andruntoo，intheirhappyhunting-grounds，butnowhereelse。Ared-skinfinisheswiththe’arth，afterthebreathquitsthebody。Itisnotoneofhisgiftstolingeraroundhiswigwamwhenhishourhaspassed。

Iseesomeobjectonthewater，whisperedMabel，whoseeyehadnotceasedtodwellonthebodyofgloom，withcloseintensity，sincethedisappearanceofJasper。

Itisthecanoe，returnedtheguide，greatlyrelieved。

Allmustbesafe，orweshouldhaveheardfromthelad。

Inanotherminutethetwocanoes，whichbecamevisibletothosetheycarriedonlyastheydrewneareachother，againfloatedsidebyside，andtheformofJasperwasrecognizedatthesternofhisownboat。Thefigureofasecondmanwasseatedinthebow。and，astheyoungsailorsowieldedhispaddleastobringthefaceofhiscompanionneartheeyesofthePathfinderandMabel，theybothrecognizedthepersonoftheDelaware。

Chingachgook——mybrother！saidtheguideinthedialectoftheother’speople，atremorshakinghisvoicethatbetrayedthestrengthofhisfeelings。ChiefoftheMohicans！myheartisveryglad。Oftenhavewepassedthroughbloodandstrifetogether，butIwasafraiditwasnevertobesoagain。

Hugh！TheMingosaresquaws！Threeoftheirscalpshangatmygirdle。TheydonotknowhowtostriketheGreatSerpentoftheDelawares。Theirheartshavenoblood。andtheirthoughtsareontheirreturnpath，acrossthewatersoftheGreatLake。

Haveyoubeenamongthem，chief？andwhathasbe-

comeofthewarriorwhowasintheriver？

Hehasturnedintoafish，andliesatthebottomwiththeeels！Lethisbrothersbaittheirhooksforhim。

Pathfinder，Ihavecountedtheenemy，andhavetouchedtheirrifles。

Ah，Ithoughthewouldbeventuresome！exclaimedtheguideinEnglish。Theriskyfellowhasbeeninthemidstofthem，andhasbroughtusbacktheirwholehis-

tory。Speak，Chingachgook，andIwillmakeourfriendsasknowingasourselves。

TheDelawarenowrelatedinalowearnestmannerthesubstanceofallhisdiscoveries，sincehewaslastseenstrugglingwithhisfoeintheriver。Ofthefateofhisantagonisthesaidnomore，itnotbeingusualforawarriortoboastinhismoredirectandusefulnarratives。Assoonashehadconqueredinthatfearfulstrife，however，heswamtotheeasternshore，landedwithcaution，andwoundhiswayinamongsttheIroquois，concealedbythedark-

ness，undetected，and，inthemain，evenunsuspected。

Once，indeed，hehadbeenquestioned。butansweringthathewasArrowhead，nofurtherinquiriesweremade。Bythepassingremarks，hesoonascertainedthatthepartywasoutexpresslytointerceptMabelandheruncle，concerningwhoserank，however，theyhadevidentlybeendeceived。

HealsoascertainedenoughtojustifythesuspicionthatArrowheadhadbetrayedthemtotheirenemies，forsomemotivethatitwasnotnoweasytoreach，ashehadnotyetreceivedtherewardofhisservices。

Pathfindercommunicatednomoreofthisintelligencetohiscompanionsthanhethoughtmightrelievetheirap-

prehensions，intimating，atthesametime，thatnowwasthemomentforexertion，theIroquoisnothavingyeten-

tirelyrecoveredfromtheconfusioncreatedbytheirlosses。

Weshallfindthemattherift，Imakenomannerofdoubt，continuedhe。andthereitwillbeourfatetopassthem，ortofallintotheirhands。Thedistancetothegarrisonwillthenbesoshort，thatIhavebeenthink-

ingofaplanoflandingwithMabelmyself，thatImaytakeherin，bysomeoftheby-ways，andleavethecanoestotheirchancesintherapids。

Itwillneversucceed，Pathfinder，eagerlyinterruptedJasper。Mabelisnotstrongenoughtotrampthewoodsinanightlikethis。Putherinmyskiff，andIwilllosemylife，orcarryherthroughtheriftsafely，darkasitis。

Nodoubtyouwill，lad。noonedoubtsyourwillingnesstodoanythingtoservetheSergeant’sdaughter。butitmustbetheeyeofProvidence，andnotyourown，thatwilltakeyousafelythroughtheOswegoriftinanightlikethis。

Andwhowillleadhersafelytothegarrisonifsheland？Isnotthenightasdarkonshoreasonthewater？

ordoyouthinkIknowlessofmycallingthanyouknowofyours？

Spiritedlysaid，lad。butifIshouldlosemywayinthedark——andIbelievenomancansaytrulythatsuchathingeveryethappenedtome——but，ifI_should_losemyway，nootherharmwouldcomeofitthantopassanightintheforest。whereasafalseturnofthepaddle，orabroadsheerofthecanoe，wouldputyouandtheyoungwomanintotheriver，outofwhichitismorethanproba-

bletheSergeant’sdaughterwouldnevercomealive。

IwillleaveittoMabelherself。Iamcertainthatshewillfeelmoresecureinthecanoe。

Ihavegreatconfidenceinyouboth，answeredthegirl。andhavenodoubtsthateitherwilldoallhecantoprovetomyfatherhowmuchhevalueshim。butI

confessIshouldnotliketoquitthecanoe，withthecer-

taintywehaveoftherebeingenemieslikethosewehaveseenintheforest。Butmyunclecandecideformeinthismatter。

Ihavenolikingforthewoods，saidCap，whileonehasacleardriftlikethisontheriver。Besides，MasterPathfinder，tosaynothingofthesavages，youoverlookthesharks。

Sharks！whoeverheardofsharksinthewilderness？

Ay！sharks，orbears，orwolves——nomatterwhatyoucallathing，soithasthemindandpowertobite。

Lord，lord，man！doyoudreadanycreatur’thatistobefoundintheAmericanforest？Acatamountisaskearyanimal，Iwillallow，butthenitisnothinginthehandsofapractysedhunter。TalkoftheMingosandtheirdevilriesifyouwill。butdonotraiseafalsealarmaboutbearsandwolves。

Ay，ay，MasterPathfinder，thisisallwellenoughforyou，whoprobablyknowthenameofeverycreatureyouwouldmeet。Useiseverything，anditmakesamanboldwhenhemightotherwisebebashful。Ihaveknownsea-

meninthelowlatitudesswimforhoursatatimeamongsharksfifteenortwentyfeetlong。

Thisisextraordinary！exclaimedJasper，whohadnotyetacquiredthatmaterialpartofhistrade，theabilitytospinayarn。Ihavealwaysheardthatitwascertaindeathtoventureinthewateramongsharks。

Iforgottosay，thattheladsalwaystookcapstan-bars，orgunners’handspikes，orcrowswiththem，torapthebeastsoverthenosesiftheygottobetroublesome。No，no，Ihavenolikingforbearsandwolves，thoughawhale，inmyeye，isverymuchthesamesortoffishasaredherringafteritisdriedandsalted。MabelandIhadbettersticktothecanoe。

Mabelwoulddowelltochangecanoes，addedJasper。

Thisofmineisempty，andevenPathfinderwillallowthatmyeyeissurerthanhisownonthewater。

ThatIwill，cheerfully，boy。Thewaterbelongstoyourgifts，andnoonewilldenythatyouhaveimprovedthemtotheutmost。YouarerightenoughinbelievingthattheSergeant’sdaughterwillbesaferinyourcanoethaninthis。andthoughIwouldgladlykeephernearmyself，Ihaveherwelfaretoomuchatheartnottogiveherhonestadvice。Bringyourcanoeclosealongside，Jas-

per，andIwillgiveyouwhatyoumustconsiderasaprecioustreasure。

Idosoconsiderit，returnedtheyouth，notlosingamomentincomplyingwiththerequest。whenMabelpassedfromonecanoetotheothertakingherseatontheeffectswhichhadhithertocomposeditssolecargo。

Assoonasthisarrangementwasmade，thecanoessepa-

ratedashortdistance，andthepaddleswereused，thoughwithgreatcaretoavoidmakinganynoise。Theconversa-

tiongraduallyceased。andasthedreadedriftwasap-

proached，allbecameimpressedwiththegravityofthemoment。Thattheirenemieswouldendeavortoreachthispointbeforethemwasalmostcertain。anditseemedsolittleprobableanyoneshouldattempttopassit，intheprofoundobscuritywhichreigned，thatPathfinderwasconfidentpartieswereonbothsidesoftheriver，inthehopeofinterceptingthemwhentheymightland。HewouldnothavemadetheproposalhedidhadhenotfelrsureofhisownabilitytoconvertthisveryanticipationofsuccessintoameansofdefeatingtheplansoftheIroquois。

Asthearrangementnowstood，however，everythingde-

pendedontheskillofthosewhoguidedthecanoes。forshouldeitherhitarock，ifnotsplitasunder，itwouldalmostcertainlybeupset，andthenwouldcomenotonlyallthehazardsoftheriveritself，but，forMabel，thecer-

taintyoffallingintothehandsofherpersuers。Theutmostcircumspectionconsequentlybecamenecessary，andeachonewastoomuchengrossedwithhisownthoughtstofeeladispositiontouttermorethanwascalledforbytheexigenciesofthecase。

Atthecanoesstolesilentlyalong，theroaroftheriftbecameaudible，anditrequiredallthefortitudeofCaptokeephisseat，whilethesebodingsoundswereapproached，amidadarknesswhichscarcelypermittedaviewoftheoutlinesofthewoodedshoreandofthegloomyvaultabovehishead。Heretainedavividimpressionofthefalls，andhisimaginationwasnotnowidleinswellingthedangersoftherifttoalevelwiththoseoftheheadlongdescenthehadthatdaymade，andeventoincreasethem，undertheinfluenceofdoubtanduncertainty。Inthis，however，theoldmarinerwasmistaken，fortheOswegoRiftandtheOswegoFallsareverydifferentintheirchar-

actersandviolence。theformerbeingnomorethanarapid，thatglancesamongshallowsandrocks，whilethelatterreallydeservedthenameitbore，ashasbeenalreadyshown。

Mabelcertainlyfeltdistrustandapprehension。butherentiresituationwassonovel，andherrelianceonherguidesogreat，thatsheretainedaself-commandwhichmightnothaveexistedhadsheclearerperceptionsofthetruth，orbeenbetteracquaintedwiththehelplessnessofmenwhenplacedinoppositiontothepowerandmajestyofNature。

Isthatthespotyouhavementioned？shesaidtoJasper，whentheroaroftheriftfirstcamedistinctlyonherears。

Itis。andIbegyoutohaveconfidenceinme。Wearenotoldacquaintances，Mabel。butwelivemanydaysinone，inthiswilderness。Ithink，already，thatIhaveknownyouyears！

AndIdonotfeelasifyouwereastrangertome，Jasper。Ihaveeveryrelianceonyourskill，aswellasonyourdispositiontoserveme。

Weshallsee，weshallsee。Pathfinderisstrikingtherapidstoonearthecentreoftheriver。thebedofthewaterisclosertotheeasternshore。butIcannotmakehimhearmenow。Holdfirmlytothecanoe，Mabel，andfearnothing。

Atthenextmomenttheswiftcurrenthadsuckedthemintotherift，andforthreeorfourminutestheawe-struck，ratherthanthealarmed，girlsawnothingaroundherbutsheetsofglancingfoam，heardnothingbuttheroarofwaters。Twentytimesdidthecanoeappearabouttodashagainstsomecurlingandbrightwavethatshoweditselfevenamidthatobscurity。andasoftendiditglideawayagainunharmed，impelledbythevigorousarmofhimwhogoverneditsmovements。Once，andonceonly，didJasperseemtolosecommandofhisfrailbark，duringwhichbriefspaceitfairlywhirledentirelyround。butbyadesperateefforthebroughtitagainundercontrol，re-

coveredthelostchannel，andwassoonrewardedforallhisanxietybyfindinghimselffloatingquietlyinthedeepwaterbelowtherapids，securefromeverydanger，andwithouthavingtakeninenoughoftheelementtoserveforadraught。

Allisover，Mabel，theyoungmancriedcheerfully。

Thedangerispast，andyoumaynowindeedhopetomeetyourfatherthisverynight。

Godbepraised！Jasper，weshallowethisgreathap-

pinesstoyou。

ThePathfindermayclaimafullshareinthemerit。

butwhathasbecomeoftheothercanoe？

Iseesomethingnearusonthewater。isitnottheboatofourfriends？

AfewstrokesofthepaddlebroughtJaspertothesideoftheobjectinquestion：itwastheothercanoe，emptyandbottomupwards。Nosoonerdidtheyoungmanas-

certainthisfact，thanhebegantosearchfortheswimmers，and，tohisgreatjoy，Capwassoondiscovereddriftingdownwiththecurrent。theoldseamanpreferringthechancesofdrowningtothoseoflandingamongsavages。Hewashauledintothecanoe，thoughnotwithoutdifficulty，andthenthesearchended。forJasperwaspersuadedthatthePathfinder，wouldwadetotheshore，thewaterbeingshal-

lowinpreferencetoabandoninghisbelovedrifle。

Theremainderofthepassagewasshort，thoughmadeamiddarknessanddoubt。Afterashortpause，adullroaringsoundwasheard，whichattimesresembledthemutteringsofdistantthunder，andthenagainbroughtwithitthewashingofwaters。Jasperannouncedtohiscompanionsthattheynowheardthesurfofthelake。

Lowcurvedspitsoflandlaybeforethem，intothebayformedbyoneofwhichthecanoeglided，andthenitshotupnoiselesslyuponagravellybeach。Thetransitionthatfollowedwassohurriedandgreat，thatMabelscarcelyknewwhatpassed。Inthecourseofafewminutes，how-

eversentinelshadbeenpassed，agatewasopened，andtheagitatedgirlfoundherselfinthearmsofaparentwhowasalmostastrangertoher。

CHAPTERVIII。

Alandoflove，andalandoflight，Withoutensun，ormoon，ornight：

Wheretheriverswa’dalivingstream，Andthelightapurecelestialbeam：

Thelandofvision，itwouldseemAstill，aneverlastingdream。

_Queen’sWake。_

Therestthatsucceedsfatigue，andwhichattendsanewlyawakenedsenseofsecurity，isgenerallysweetanddeep。SuchwasthefactwithMabel，whodidnotrisefromherhumblepallet——suchabedasasergeant’sdaughtermightclaiminaremotefrontierpost——untillongafterthegarrisonhadobeyedtheusualsummonsofthedrums，andhadassembledatthemorningparade。

SergeantDunham，onwhoseshouldersfellthetaskofattendingtotheseordinaryanddailyduties，hadgotthroughallhismorningavocations，andwasbeginningtothinkofhisbreakfast，beforehischildleftherroom，andcameintothefreshair，equallybewildered，delighted，andgrateful，atthenoveltyandsecurityofhernewsituation。

Atthetimeofwhichwearewriting，OswegowasoneoftheextremefrontierpostsoftheBritishpossessionsonthiscontinent。Ithadnotbeenlongoccupied，andwasgarri-

sonedbyabattalionofaregimentwhichhadbeenorigin-

allyScotch，butintowhichmanyAmericanshadbeenre-

ceivedsinceitsarrivalinthiscountry。allinnovationthathadledthewaytoMabel’sfatherfillingthehumblebutresponsiblesituationoftheoldestsergeant。Afewyoungofficersalso，whowerenativesofthecolonies，weretobefoundinthecorps。Thefortitself，likemostworksofthatcharacter，wasbetteradaptedtoresistanattackofsavagesthantowithstandaregularsiege。butthegreatdifficultyoftransportingheavyartilleryandotherneces-

sariesrenderedtheoccurrenceofthelatteraprobabilitysoremoteasscarcelytoenterintotheestimateoftheen-

gineerswhohadplannedthedefences。Therewerebas-

tionsofearthandlogs，adryditch，astockade，aparadeofconsiderableextent，andbarracksoflogs，thatansweredthedoublepurposeofdwellingsandfortifications。Afewlightfleld-piecesstoodintheareaofthefort，readytobeconveyedtoanypointwheretheymightbewanted，andoneortwoheavyirongunslookedoutfromthesummitsoftheadvancedangles，assomanyadmonitionstotheaudacioustorespecttheirpower。

WhenMabel，quittingtheconvenient，butcompara-

tivelyretiredhutwhereherfatherhadbeenpermittedtoplaceher，issuedintothepureairofthemorning，shefoundherselfatthefootofabastion，whichlayinvitinglybeforeher，withapromiseofgivinga_coupd’oeil_ofallthathadbeenconcealedinthedarknessoftheprecedingnight。Trippingupthegrassyascent，thelight-heartedaswellaslight-footedgirlfoundherselfatonceonapointwherethesight，atafewvaryingglances，couldtakeinalltheexternalnoveltiesofhernewsituation。

Tothesouthwardlaytheforest，throughwhichshehadbeenjourneyingsomanywearydays，andwhichhadprovedsofullofdangers。Itwasseparatedfromthestockadebyabeltofopenland，thathadbeenprincipallyclearedofitswoodstoformthemartialconstructionsaroundher。

Thisglacis，forsuchinfactwasitsmilitaryuses，mighthavecoveredahundredacres。butwithiteverysignofcivilizationceased。Allbeyondwasforest。thatdense，interminableforestwhichMabelcouldnowpicturetoherself，throughherrecollections，withitshiddenglassylakes，itsdarkrollingstream，anditsworldofnature。

Turningfromthisview，ourheroinefelthercheekfannedbyafreshandgratefulbreeze，suchasshehadnotexperiencedsincequittingthefardistantcoast。Hereanewscenepresenteditself：althoughexpected，itwasnotwithoutastart，andalowexclamationindicativeofpleas-

ure，thattheeagereyesofthegirldrankinitsbeauties。Tothenorth，andeast，andwest，ineverydirection，inshort，overoneentirehalfofthenovelpanorama，layafieldofrollingwaters。TheelementwasneitherofthatglassygreenwhichdistinguishestheAmericanwatersingeneral，noryetofthedeepblueoftheocean，thecolorbeingofaslightlyamberhue，whichscarcelyaffecteditslimpidity。

Nolandwastobeseen，withtheexceptionoftheadjacentcoast，whichstretchedtotherightandleftinanunbrokenoutlineofforestwithwidebaysandlowheadlandsorpoints。still，muchoftheshorewasrocky，andintoitscavernsthesluggishwatersoccasionallyrolled，producingahollowsound，whichresembledtheconcussionsofadis-

tantgun。Nosailwhitenedthesurface，nowhaleorotherfishgambolledonitsbosom，nosignofuseorservicere-

wardedthelongestandmostminutegazeatitsboundlessexpanse。Itwasascene，ononeside，ofapparentlyend-

lessforests，whileawasteofseeminglyinterminablewaterspreaditselfontheother。Natureappearedtohavede-

lightedinproducinggrandeffects，bysettingtwoofherprincipalagentsinboldrelieftoeachother，neglectingde-

tails。theeyeturningfromthebroadcarpetofleavestothestillbroaderfieldoffluid，fromtheendlessbutgentleheavingsofthelaketotheholycalmandpoeticalsolitudeoftheforest，withwonderanddelight。

MabelDunham，thoughunsophisticated，likemostofhercountrywomenofthatperiod，andingenuousandfrankasanywarm-heartedandsincere-mindedgirlwellcouldbe，wasnotaltogetherwithoutafeelingforthepoetryofthisbeautifulearthofours。Althoughshecouldscarcelybesaidtobeeducatedatall，forfewofhersexatthatdayandinthiscountryreceivedmuchmorethantherudimentsofplainEnglishinstruction，stillshehadbeentaughtmuchmorethanwasusualforyoungwomeninherownstationinlife。and，inonesensecertainly，shedidcredittoherteaching。Thewidowofafield-officer，whoformerlybelongedtothesameregimentasherfather，hadtakenthechildinchargeatthedeathofitsmother。

andunderthecareofthisladyMabelhadacquiredsometastesandmanyideaswhichotherwisemightalwayshaveremainedstrangerstoher。Hersituationinthefamilyhadbeenlessthatofadomesticthanofahumblecom-

panion，andtheresultswerequiteapparentinherattire，herlanguage，hersentiments，andeveninherfeelings，thoughneither，perhaps，rosetothelevelofthosewhichwouldproperlycharacterizealady。Shehadlostthelessrefinedhabitsandmannersofoneinheroriginalposition，withouthavingquitereachedapointthatdisqualifiedherforthesituationinlifethattheaccidentsofbirthandfortunewouldprobablycompelhertofill。Allelsethatwasdistinctiveandpeculiarinherbelongedtonaturalcharacter。

WithsuchantecedentsitwilloccasionthereadernowonderifhelearnsthatMabelviewedthenovelscenebeforeherwithapleasurefarsuperiortothatproducedbyvulgarsurprise。Shefeltitsordinarybeautiesasmostwouldhavefeltthem，butshehadalsoafeelingforitssublimity——forthatsoftenedsolitude，thatcalmgrandeur，andeloquentrepose，whicheverpervadesbroadviewsofnaturalobjectsyetundisturbedbythelaborsandstrug-

glesofman。

Howbeautiful！sheexclaimed，unconsciousofspeak-

ing，asshestoodonthesolitarybastion，facingtheairfromthelake，andexperiencingthegenialinfluenceofitsfreshnesspervadingbothherbodyandhermind。

Howverybeautiful！andyethowsingular！

Thewords，andthetrainofherideas，wereinterruptedbyatouchofafingeronhershoulder，andturning，intheexpectationofseeingherfather，MabelfoundPathfinderatherside。Hewasleaningquietlyonhislongrifle，andlaughinginhisquietmanner，while，withanoutstretchedarm，hesweptoverthewholepanoramaoflandandwater。

Hereyouhavebothourdomains，saidhe，——Jasper’sandmine。Thelakeisforhim，andthewoodsareforme。Theladsometimesboastsofthebreadthofhisdominions。butItellhimmytreesmakeasbroadaplainonthefaceofthis’arthasallhiswater。Well，Mabel，youarefitforeither。forIdonotseethatfearoftheMingos，ornight-marches，candestroyyourprettylooks。

ItisanewcharacterforthePathfindertoappearin，tocomplimentasillygirl。

Notsilly，Mabel。no，notintheleastsilly。TheSer-

geant’sdaughterwoulddodiscredittoherworthyfather，wereshetodoorsayanythingthatcouldbecalledsilly。

Thenshemusttakecareandnotputtoomuchfaithintreacherous，flatteringwords。But，Pathfinder，Irejoicetoseeyouamongusagain。for，thoughJasperdidnotseemtofeelmuchuneasiness，Iwasafraidsomeaccidentmighthavehappenedtoyouandyourfriendonthatfrightfulrift。

Theladknowsusboth，andwassartainthatweshouldnotdrown，whichisscarcelyoneofmygifts。Itwouldhavebeenhardswimmingofasartainty，withalong-barrelledrifleinthehand。andwhatbetweenthegame，andthesavagesandtheFrench，KilldeerandI

havegonethroughtoomuchincompanytopartveryeasily。No，no。wewadedashore，theriftbeingshallowenoughforthatwithsmallexceptions，andwelandedwithourarmsinourhands。Wehadtotakeourtimeforit，onaccountoftheIroquois，Iwillown。but，assoonastheskulkingvagabondssawthelightsthattheSergeantsentdowntoyourcanoe，wewellunderstoodtheywoulddecamp，sinceavisitmighthavebeenexpectedfromsomeofthegarrison。Soitwasonlysittingpatientlyonthestonesforanhour，andallthedangerwasover。Patienceisthegreatestofvirtuesinawoodsman。

Irejoicetohearthis，forfatigueitselfcouldscarcelymakemesleep，forthinkingofwhatmightbefallyou。

Lordblessyourtenderlittleheart，Mabel！butthisisthewaywithallyougentleones。Imustsay，onmypart，however，thatIwasrightgladtoseethelanternscomedowntothewaterside，whichIknewtobeasuresignof_your_safety。Wehuntersandguidesarerudebeings。butwehaveourfeelingsandouridees，aswellasanygeneralinthearmy。BothJasperandIwouldhavediedbeforeyoushouldhavecometoharm——wewould。

Ithankyouforallyoudidforme，Pathfinder。fromthebottomofmyheart，Ithankyou。and，dependonit，myfathershallknowit。Ihavealreadytoldhimmuch，buthavestilladutytoperformonthissubject。

Tush，Mabel！TheSergeantknowswhatthewoodsbe，andwhatmen——trueredmen——be，too。Thereislit-

tleneedtotellhimanythingaboutit。Well，nowyouhavemetyourfather，doyoufindthehonestoldsoldierthesortofpersonyouexpectedtofind？

Heismyowndearfather，andreceivedmeasasoldierandafathershouldreceiveachild。Haveyouknownhimlong，Pathfinder？

Thatisaspeoplecounttime。IwasjusttwelvewhentheSergeanttookmeonmyfirstscouting，andthatisnowmorethantwentyyearsago。Wehadatrampingtimeofit。and，asitwasbeforeyourday，youwouldhavehadnofather，hadnottheriflebeenoneofmynaturalgifts。

Explainyourself。

Itistoosimpleformanywords。Wewereambushed，andtheSergeantgotabadhurt，andwouldhavelosthisscalp，butforasortofinbredturnItooktotheweapon。

Webroughthimoff，however，andahandsomerheadofhair，forhistimeoflife，isnottobefoundintherijimentthantheSergeantcarriesaboutwithhimthisblessedday。

Yousavedmyfather’slife，Pathfinder！exclaimedMabel，unconsciously，thoughwarmly，takingoneofhishard，sinewyhandsintobothherown。Godblessyouforthis，too，amongyourothergoodacts！

Nay，Ididnotsaythatmuch，thoughIbelieveIdidsavehisscalp。Amanmightlivewithoutascalp，andsoIcannotsayIsavedhislife。Jaspermaysaythatmuchconsarningyou。forwithouthiseyeandarmthecanoewouldneverhavepassedtheriftinsafetyonanightlikethelast。Thegiftsoftheladareforthewater，whilemineareforthehuntandthetrail。Heisyonder，inthecovethere，lookingafterthecanoes，andkeepinghiseyeonhisbelovedlittlecraft。Tomyeye，thereisnolikelieryouthinthesepartsthanJasperWestern。

Forthefirsttimesinceshehadleftherroom，Mabelnowturnedhereyesbeneathher，andgotaviewofwhatmightbecalledtheforegroundoftheremarkablepictureshehadbeenstudyingwithsomuchpleasure。TheOswegothrewitsdarkwatersintothelake，betweenbanksofsomeheight。thatonitseasternsidebeingbolderandprojectingfarthernorththanthatonitswestern。Thefortwasonthelatter，andimmediatelybeneathitwereafewhutsoflogs，which，astheycouldnotinterferewiththedefenceoftheplace，hadbeenerectedalongthestrandforthepurposeofreceivingandcontainingsuchstoresaswerelanded，orwereintendedtobeembarked，inthecommunicationsbetweenthedifferentportsontheshoresofOntario。Twolow，curved，gravellypointshadbeenformedwithsurprisingregularitybythecounteractingforcesofthenortherlywindsandtheswiftcurrent，and，incliningfromthestormsofthelake，formedtwocoveswithintheriver：thatonthewesternsidewasthemostdeeplyindented。and，asitalsohadthemostwater，itformedasortofpicturesquelittleportforthepost。Itwasalongthenarrowstrandthatlaybetweenthelowheightofthefortandthewaterofthiscove，thattherudebuildingsjustmentionedhadbeenerected。

Severalskiffs，bateaux，andcanoeswerehauledupontheshore，andinthecoveitselflaythelittlecraftfromwhichJasperobtainedhisclaimtobeconsideredasailor。

Shewascutter-rigged，mighthavebeenoffortytonsbur-

then，wassoneatlyconstructedandpaintedastohavesomethingoftheairofavesselofwar，thoughentirelywithoutquarters，andriggedandsparredwithsoscrupu-

lousaregardtoproportionsandbeauty，aswellasfitnessandjudgment，astogiveheranappearancethatevenMabelatoncedistinguishedtobegallantandtrim。Hermouldwasadmirable，forawrightofgreatskillhadsentherdraftsfromEngland，attheexpressrequestoftheofficerwhohadcausedhertobeconstructed。herpaintdark，warlike，andneat。andthelongcoach-whippennantthatsheworeatonceproclaimedhertobethepropertyoftheking。Hernamewasthe_Scud_。

That，then，isthevesselofJasper！saidMabel，whoassociatedthemasterofthelittlecraftverynaturallywiththecutteritself。Aretheremanyothersonthislake？

TheFrenchershavethree：oneofwhich，theytellme，isarealship，suchasareusedontheocean。anotherabrig。andathirdisacutter，likethe_Scud_here，whichtheycallthe_Squirrel_，intheirowntongue，however。andwhichseemstohaveanaturalhatredofourownprettyboat，forJasperseldomgoesoutthatthe_Squirrel_isnotathisheels。

AndisJasperonetorunfromaFrenchman，thoughheappearsintheshapeofasquirrel，andthat，too，onthewater？

Ofwhatusewouldvalorbewithoutthemeansofturningittoaccount？Jasperisabraveboy，asallonthisfrontierknow。buthehasnogunexceptalittlehowitzer，andthenhiscrewconsistsonlyoftwomenbesideshim-

self，andaboy。Iwaswithhiminoneofhistrampooses，andtheyoungsterwasriskyenough，forhebroughtussoneartheenemythatriflesbegantotalk。buttheFrencherscarrycannonandports，andnevershowtheirfacesoutsideofFrontenac，withouthavingsometwentymen，besidestheir_Squirrel_，intheircutter。No，no。this_Scud_wasbuiltforflying，andthemajorsayshewillnotputherinafightinghumorbygivinghermenandarms，lestsheshouldtakehimathisword，andgetherwingsclipped。Iknowlittleofthesethings，formygiftsarenotatallinthatway。butIseethereasonofthething——

Iseeitsreason，thoughJasperdoesnot。

Ah！hereismyuncle，nonetheworseforhisswim，comingtolookatthisinlandsea。

Sureenough，Cap，whohadannouncedhisapproachbyacoupleoflustyhems，nowmadehisappearanceonthebastion，where，afternoddingtohisneiceandhercom-

panion，hemadeadeliberatesurveyoftheexpanseofwaterbeforehim。Inordertoeffectthisathisease，themarinermountedononeoftheoldironguns，foldedhisarmsacrosshisbreast，andbalancedhisbody，asifhefeltthemotionofavessel。Tocompletethepicture，hehadashortpipeinhismouth。

Well，MasterCap，askedthePathfinderinnocently，forhedidnotdetecttheexpressionofcontemptthatwasgraduallysettlingonthefeaturesoftheother。isitnotabeautifulsheet，andfittobenamedasea？

This，then，iswhatyoucallyourlake？demandedCap，sweepingthenorthernhorizonwithhispipe。I

say，isthisreallyyourlake？

Sartain。and，ifthejudgmentofonewhohaslivedontheshoresofmanyotherscanbetaken，averygoodlakeitis。

JustasIexpected。Apondindimensions，andascuttle-buttintaste。Itisallinvaintotravelinland，inthehopeofseeinganythingeitherfull-grownoruseful。

Iknewitwouldturnoutjustinthisway。

Whatisthematter-withOntario，MasterCap？Itislarge，andfairtolookat，andpleasantenoughtodrink，forthosewhocan’tgetatthewaterofthesprings。

Doyoucallthislarge？askedCap，againsweepingtheairwiththepipe。Iwilljustaskyouwhatthereislargeaboutit？Didn’tJasperhimselfconfessthatitwasonlysometwentyleaguesfromshoretoshore？

But，uncle，interposedMabel，nolandistobeseen，excepthereonourowncoast。Tomeitkoksexactlyliketheocean。

Thisbitofapondlookliketheocean！Well，Magnet，thatfromagirlwhohashadrealseameninherfamilyisdownrightnonsense。Whatisthereaboutit，pray，thathaseventheoutlineofaseaonit？

Why，thereiswater——water——water——nothingbutwater，formilesonmiles——farastheeyecansee。

Andisn’ttherewater——water——water——nothingbutwaterformilesonmilesinyourrivers，thatyouhavebeencanoeingthrough，too？——ay，and’asfarastheeyecansee，’

inthebargain？

Yes，uncle，buttherivershavetheirbanks，andtherearetreesalongthem，andtheyarenarrow。

Andisn’tthisabankwherewestand？don’tthesesoldierscallthisthebankofthelake？andaren’ttheretreesinthousands？andaren’ttwentyleaguesnarrowenoughofallconscience？Whothedevileverheardofthebanksoftheocean，unlessitmightbethebanksthatareunderwater？

But，uncle，wecannotseeacrossthislake，aswecanseeacrossariver。

Thereyouareout，Magnet。Aren’ttheAmazonandOronocoandLaPlatarivers，andcanyouseeacrossthem？

Hark’ePathfinder，Iverymuchdoubtifthisstripeofwaterherebeevenalake。fortomeitappearstobeonlyariver。Youarebynomeansparticularaboutyourgeography，Ifind，uphereinthewoods。

There_you_areout，MasterCap。Thereisariver，andanobleonetoo，ateachendofit。butthisisoldOntariobeforeyou。and，thoughitisnotmygifttoliveonalake，tomyjudgmenttherearefewbetterthanthis。

And，uncle，ifwestoodonthebeachatRockaway，whatmoreshouldweseethanwenowbehold？Thereisashoreononeside，orbanksthere，andtreestoo，aswellasthosewhicharehere。

Thisisperverseness，Magnet，andyounggirlsshouldsteerclearofanythinglikeobstinacy。Inthefirstplace，theoceanhascoasts，butnobanks，excepttheGrandBanks，asItellyou，whichareoutofsightofland。andyouwillnotpretendthatthisbankisoutofsightofland，orevenunderwater？

AsMabelcouldnotveryplausiblysetupthisextrava-

gantopinion，Cappursuedthesubject，hiscountenancebeginningtodiscoverthetriumphofasuccessfuldis-

putant。

Andthenthemtreesbearnocomparisontothesetrees。Thecoastsoftheoceanhavefarmsandcitiesandcountry-seats，and，insomepartsoftheworld，castlesandmonasteriesandlighthouses——ay，ay——lighthouses，inparticular，onthem。notoneofallwhichthingsistobeseenhere。No，no，MasterPathfinder。Ineverheardofanoceanthathadn’tmoreorlesslighthousesonit。

whereas，hereawaythereisnotevenabeacon。

Thereiswhatisbetter，thereiswhatisbetter。aforestandnobletrees，afittempleofGod。

Ay，yourforestmaydoforalake。butofwhatusewouldanoceanbeiftheearthallarounditwereforest？

Shipswouldbeunnecessary，astimbermightbefloatedinrafts，andtherewouldbeanendoftrade，andwhatwouldaworldbewithouttrade？Iamofthatphilosopher’sopinionwhosayshumannaturewasinventedforthepur-

posesoftrade。Magnet，Iamastonishedthatyoushouldthinkthiswaterevenlookslikesea-water！Now，Idare-

saythatthereisn’tsuchathingasawhaleinallyourlake，MasterPathfinder？

Ineverheardofone，Iwillconfess。butIamnojudgeofanimalsthatliveinthewater，unlessitbethefishesoftheriversandthebrooks。

Noragrampus，noraporpoiseeven？notsomuchasapoordevilofashark？

Iwillnottakeitonmyselftosaythereiseither。Mygiftsarenotinthatway，Itellyou，MasterCap。

Norherring，noralbatross，norflying-fish？continuedCap，whokepthiseyefastenedontheguide，inordertoseehowfarhemightventure。Nosuchthingasafishthatcanfly，Idaresay？

Afishthatcanfly！MasterCap，MasterCap，donotthink，becausewearemereborderers，thatwehavenoideesofnatur’，andwhatshehasbeenpleasedtodo。I

knowtherearesquirrelsthatcanfly——

Asquirrelfly！——thedevil，MasterPathfinder！Doyousupposethatyouhavegotaboyonhisfirstv’y’geuphereamongyou？

Iknownothingofyourv’y’ges，MasterCap，thoughI

supposethemtohavebeenmany。forasforwhatbelongstonatur’inthewoods，whatIhaveseenImaytell，andnotfearthefaceofman。

Anddoyouwishmetounderstandthatyouhaveseenasquirrelfly？

IfyouwishtounderstandthepowerofGod，MasterCap，youwilldowelltobelievethat，andmanyotherthingsofalikenatur’，foryoumaybequitesartainitistrue。

Andyet，Pathfinder，saidMabel，lookingsoprettilyandsweetlyevenwhilesheplayedwiththeguide’sin-

firmity，thatheforgaveherinhisheart，you，whospeaksoreverentlyofthepoweroftheDeity，appeartodoubtthatafishcanfly。

Ihavenotsaidit，Ihavenotsaidit。andifMasterCapisreadytotestifytothefact，unlikelyasitseems，I

amwillingtotrytothinkittrue。Ithinkiteveryman’sdutytobelieveinthepowerofGod，howeverdifficultitmaybe。

Andwhyisn’tmyfishaslikelytohavewingsasyoursquirrel？demandedCap，withmorelogicthanwashiswont。Thatfishesdoandcanflyisastrueasitisrea-

sonable。