第5章

Nay，thatistheonlydifficultyinbelievingthestory，

rejoinedtheguide。Itseemsunreasonabletogiveananimalthatlivesinthewaterwings，whichseeminglycanbeofnousetoit。

Anddoyousupposethatthefishesaresuchassesastoflyaboutunderwater，whentheyareoncefairlyfittedoutwithwings？

Nay，Iknownothingofthematter。butthatfishshouldflyintheairseemsmorecontrarytonatur’still，thanthatthe’yshouldflyintheirownelement——thatinwhichtheywerebornandbroughtup，asonemightsay。

Somuchforcontractedideas，Magnet。Thefishflyoutofwatertorunawayfromtheirenemiesinthewater。

andthereyouseenotonlythefact，butthereasonforit。

ThenIsupposeitmustbetrue，saidtheguidequietly。

Howlongaretheirflights？

Notquiteasfarasthoseofpigeons，perhaps。butfarenoughtomakeanoffing。Asforthosesquirrelsofyours，we’llsaynomoreaboutthem，friendPathfinder，asIsup-

posetheywerementionedjustasamake-weighttothefish，infavorofthewoods。Butwhatisthisthingan-

choredhereunderthehill？

ThatisthecutterofJasper，uncle，saidMabelhur-

riedly。andaveryprettyvesselIthinkitis。Itsname，too，isthe_Scud_。

Ay，itwilldowellenoughforalake，perhaps，butit’snogreataffair。Theladhasgotastandingbowsprit，andwhoeversawacutterwithastandingbowspritbefore？

Butmaytherenotbesomegoodreasonforit，onalakelikethis，uncle？

Sureenough——Imustrememberthisisnottheocean，thoughitdoeslooksomuchlikeit。

Ah，uncle！thenOntariodoeslookliketheocean，afterall？

Inyoureyes，Imean，andthoseofPathfinder。notintheleastinmine，Magnet。Nowyoumightsetmedownoutyonder，inthemiddleofthisbitofapond，andthat，too，inthedarkestnightthateverfellfromtheheavens，andinthesmallestcanoe，andIcouldtellyouitwasonlyalake。Forthatmatter，the_Dorothy_(thenameofhisvessel)wouldfinditoutasquickasIcouldmyself。I

donotbelievethatbrigwouldmakemorethanacoupleofshortstretches，atthemost，beforeshewouldperceivethedifferencebetweenOntarioandtheoldAtlantic。I

oncetookherdownintooneofthelargeSouthAmericanbays，andshebehavedherselfasawkwardlyasaboobywouldinachurchwiththecongregationinahurry。AndJaspersailsthatboat？Imusthaveacruisewiththelad，Magnet，beforeIquityou，justforthenameofthething。

ItwouldneverdotosayIgotinsightofthispond，andwentawaywithouttakingatriponit。

Wellwell，youneedn’twaitlongforthat，returnedPathfinder。fortheSergeantisabouttoembarkwithapartytorelieveapostamongtheThousandIslands。andasIheardhimsayheintendedthatMabelshouldgoalong，youcanjointhecompanytoo。

Isthistrue，Magnet？

Ibelieveitis，returnedthegirl，aflushsoimper-

ceptibleastoescapetheobservationofhercompanionsglowingonhercheeks。thoughIhavehadsolittleop-

portunitytotalkwithmydearfatherthatIamnotquitecertain。Herehecomes，however，andyoucaninquireofhimself。

Notwithstandinghishumblerank，therewassomethinginthemienandcharacterofSergeantDunhamthatcom-

mandedrespect：ofatall，imposingfigure，graveandsaturninedisposition，andaccurateandpreciseinhisactsandmannerofthinking，evenCap，dogmaticalandsuper-

ciliousasheusuallywaswithlandsmen，didnotpresumetotakethesamelibertieswiththeoldsoldierashedidwithhisotherfriends。ItwasoftenremarkedthatSer-

geantDunhamreceivedmoretruerespectfromDuncanofLundie，theScotchlairdwhocommandedthepost，thanmostofthesubalterns。forexperienceandtriedserviceswereofquiteasmuchvalueintheeyesoftheveteranmajorasbirthandmoney。WhiletheSergeantneverevenhopedtoriseanyhigher，hesofarrespectedhimselfandhispresentstationasalwaystoactinawaytocommandattention。andthehabitofmixingsomuchwithinferiors，whosepassionsanddispositionshefeltitnecessarytore-

strainbydistanceanddignity，hadsofarcoloredhiswholedeportment，thatfewwerealtogetherfreefromitsinflu-

ence。Whilethecaptainstreatedhimkindlyandasanoldcomrade，thelieutenantsseldomventuredtodissentfromhismilitaryopinions。andtheensigns，itwasremarked，actuallymanifestedaspeciesofrespectthatamountedtosomethingverylikedeference。Itisnowonder，then，thattheannouncementofMabelputasuddentermina-

tiontothesingulardialoguewehavejustrelated，thoughithadbeenoftenobservedthatthePathfinderwastheonlymanonthatfrontier，beneaththeconditionofagentleman，whopresumedtotreattheSergeantatallasanequal，orevenwiththecordialfamiliarityofafriend。

Goodmorrow，brotherCap，saidtheSergeantgivingthemilitarysalute，ashewalked，inagrave，statelyman-

ner，onthebastion。MymorningdutyhasmademeseemforgetfulofyouandMabel。butwehavenowanhourortwotospare，andtogetacquainted。Doyounotperceive，brother，astronglikenessonthegirltoherwehavesolonglost？

Mabelistheimageofhermother，Sergeant，asIhavealwayssaid，withalittleofyourfirmerfigure。though，forthatmatter，theCapswereneverwantinginspringandactivity。

Mabelcastatimidglanceatthestern，rigidcountenanceofherfather，ofwhomshehadeverthought，asthewarm-

hearteddwellontheaffectionoftheirabsentparents。

and，asshesawthatthemusclesofhisfacewereworking，notwithstandingthestiffnessandmethodofhismanner，herveryheartyearnedtothrowherselfonhisbosomandtoweepatwill。Buthewassomuchcolderinexternals，somuchmoreformalanddistantthanshehadexpectedtofindhim，thatshewouldnothavedaredtohazardthefreedom，evenhadtheybeenalone。

Youhavetakenalongandtroublesomejourney，brother，onmyaccount。andwewilltrytomakeyoucom-

fortablewhileyoustayamongus。

Ihearyouarelikelytoreceiveorderstoliftyouran-

chor，Sergeant，andtoshiftyourberthintoapartoftheworldwheretheysaythereareathousandislands。

Pathfinder，thisissomeofyourforgetfulness？

Nay，nay，Sergeant，Iforgotnothing。butitdidnotseemtomenecessarytohideyourintentionssoverycloselyfromyourownfleshandblood。

Allmilitarymovementsoughttobemadewithaslittleconversationaspossible，returnedtheSergeant，tappingtheguide’sshoulderinafriendly，butreproachfulmanner。YouhavepassedtoomuchofyourlifeinfrontoftheFrenchnottoknowthevalueofsilence。Butnomatter。thethingmustsoonbeknown，andthereisnogreatuseintryingnowtoconcealit。Weshallembarkareliefpartyshortlyforapostonthelake，thoughIdonotsayitisfortheThousandIslands，andImayhavetogowithit。inwhichcaseIintendtotakeMabeltomakemybrothforme。andIhope，brother，youwillnotdespiseasoldier’sfareforamonthorso。

Thatwilldependonthemannerofmarching。Ihavenoloveforwoodsandswamps。

Weshallsailinthe_Scud_。and，indeed，thewholeservice，whichisnostrangertous，islikelyenoughtopleaseoneaccustomedtothewater。

Ay，tosalt-waterifyouwill，butnottolake-water。Ifyouhavenopersontohandlethatbitofacutterforyou，Ihavenoobjectiontoshipforthev’y’ge，notwithstanding。

thoughIshalllookonthewholeaffairassomuchtimethrownawayforIconsideritanimpositiontocallsailingaboutthispondgoingtosea。

Jasperiseverywayabletomanagethe_Scud_，brotherCap。andinthatlightIcannotsaythatwehaveneedofyourservices，thoughweshallbegladofyourcompany。

Youcannotreturntothesettlementuntilapartyissentin，andthatisnotlikelytohappenuntilaftermyreturn。

Well，Pathfinder，thisisthefirsttimeIeverknewmenonthetrailoftheMingosandyounotattheirhead。

Tobehonestwithyou，Sergeant，returnedtheguide，notwithoutalittleawkwardnessofmanner，andaper-

ceptibledifferenceinthehueofafacethathadbecomesouniformlyredbyexposure，Ihavenotfeltthatitwasmygiftthismorning。Inthefirstplace，Iverywellknowthatthesoldiersofthe55tharenottheladstoovertakeIroquoisinthewoods。andtheknavesdidnotwaittobesurroundedwhentheyknewthatJasperhadreachedthegarrison。Thenamanmaytakealittlerestafterasum-

merofhardwork，andnoimpeachmentofhisgood-will。

Besides，theSarpentisoutwiththem。andifthemis-

creantsaretobefoundatall，youmaytrusttohisinmityandsight：thefirstbeingstronger，andthelastnearly，ifnotquiteasgoodasmyown。Helovestheskulkingvagabondsaslittleasmyself。and，forthatmatter，ImaysaythatmyownfeelingstowardsaMingoarenotmuchmorethanthegiftsofaDelawaregraftedonaChristianstock。No，no，IthoughtIwouldleavethehonorthistime，ifhonorthereistobe，totheyoungensignthatcommands，who，ifhedon’tlosehisscalp，mayboastofhiscampaigninhisletterstohismotherwhenhegetsin。

IthoughtIwouldplayidleronceinmylife。

Andnoonehasabetterright，iflongandfaithfulserviceentitlesamantoafurlough，returnedtheSer-

geantkindly。Mabelwillthinknonetheworseofyouforpreferringhercompanytothetrailofthesavages。

and，Idaresay，willbehappytogiveyouapartofherbreakfastifyouareinclinedtoeat。Youmustnotthink，girl，however，thatthePathfinderisinthehabitoflettingprowlersaroundthefortbeataretreatwithouthearingthecrackofhisrifle。

IfIthoughtshedid，Sergeant，thoughnotmuchgiventoshowyandparadeevolutions，IwouldshoulderKilldeerandquitthegarrisonbeforeherprettyeyeshadtimetofrown。No，no。Mabelknowsmebetter，thoughwearebutnewacquaintances，fortherehasbeennowantofMingostoenliventheshortmarchwehavealreadymadeincompany。

Itwouldneedagreatdealoftestimony，Pathfinder，tomakemethinkillofyouinanyway，andmorethanallinthewayyoumention，returnedMabel，coloringwiththesincereearnestnesswithwhichsheendeavoredtoremoveanysuspiciontothecontraryfromhismind。Bothfatheranddaughter，Ibelieve，oweyoutheirlives，andbelieveme，thatneitherwilleverforgetit。

Thankyou，Mabel，thankyouwithallmyheart。ButIwillnottakeadvantageofyourignoranceneither，girl，andthereforeshallsay，IdonotthinktheMingoswouldhavehurtahairofyourhead，hadtheysucceededbytheirdevilriesandcontrivancesingettingyouintotheirhands。

Myscalp，andJasper’s，andMasterCap’sthere，andtheSarpent’stoo，wouldsartainlyhavebeensmoked。butasfortheSergeant’sdaughter，Idonotthinktheywouldhavehurtahairofherhead。

AndwhyshouldIsupposethatenemies，knowntospareneitherwomennorchildren，wouldhaveshownmoremercytomethantoanother？Ifeel，Pathfinder，thatI

oweyoumylife。

Isaynay，Mabel。theywouldn’thavehadthehearttohurtyou。No，notevenafieryMingodevilwouldhavehadthehearttohurtahairofyourhead。BadasIsus-

pectthevampirestobe，Idonotsuspectthemofanythingsowickedasthat。Theymighthavewishedyou，nay，forcedyoutobecomethewifeofoneoftheirchiefs，andthatwouldbetormentenoughtoaChristianyoungwoman。butbeyondthatIdonotthinkeventheMingosthemselveswouldhavegone。

Well，then，Ishallowemyescapefromthisgreatmis-

fortuetoyou，saidMabel，takinghishardhandintoherownfranklyandcordially，andcertainlyinawaytode-

lightthehonestguide。TomeitwouldbealightereviltobekilledthantobecomethewifeofanIndian。

Thatishergift，Sergeant，exclaimedPathfinder，turningtohisoldcomradewithgratificationwrittononeverylineamentofhishonestcountenance，anditwillhaveitsway。ItelltheSarpentthatnoChristianizingwillevermakeevenaDelawareawhiteman。noranywhoopingandyellingconvertapale-faceintoared-skin。

ThatisthegiftofayoungwomanbornofChristianparents，anditoughttobemaintained。

Youareright，Pathfinder。andsofarasMabelDun-

hamisconcerned，it_shall_bemaintained。Butitistimetobreakyourfasts。andifyouwillfollowme，brotherCap，Iwillshowyouhowwepoorsoldierslivehereonadistantfrontier。

CHAPTERIX。

Now，myco-matesandpartnersinexile，HathnotoldcustommadethislifemoresweetThanthatofpaintedpomp？ArenotthesewoodsMorefreefromperilthantheenviouscourt？

HerefeelwebutthepenaltyofAdam。

_AsYouLikeIt。_

SergeantDunhammadenoemptyvauntwhenhegavethepromiseconveyedintheclosingwordsofthelastchapter。Notwithstandrngtheremotefrontierpostionoftheposttheywholivedatitenjoyedatablethat，inmanyrespects，kingsandprincesmighthaveenvied。AtthePeriodofourtale，and，indeed，forhalfacenturylater，thewholeofthatvastregionwhichhasbeencalledtheWest，orthenewcountriessincethewaroftherevolution，layacomparativelyunpeopeddesert，teemingwithallthelivingproductionsofnaturethatproperlybelongedtotheclimate，manandthedomesticanimalsexcepted。ThefewIndiansthatroameditsforeststhencouldproducenovisibleeffectsontheabundanceofthegame。andthescatteredgarrisons，oroccasionalhunters，thathereandthereweretobemetwithonthatvastsurface，hadnootherinfluencethanthebeeonthebuckwheatfield，orthehumming-birdontheflower。

Themarvelsthathavedescendedtoourowntimes，inthewayoftradition，concerningthequantitiesofbeasts，birds，andfishesthatwerethentobemetwith，ontheshoresofthegreatlakesinparticular，areknowntobesustainedbytheexperienceoflivingmen，elsemightwehesitateaboutrelatingthem。buthavingbeeneye-

witnessesofsomeoftheseprodigies，ourofficeshallbedischargedwiththeconfidencethatcertaintycanimpart。

Oswegowasparticularlywellplacedtokeepthelarderofanepicureamplysupplied。Fishofvarioussortsaboundedinitsriver，andthesportsmanhadonlytocasthislinetohaulinabassorsomeothermemberofthefinnytribe，whichthenpeopledthewaters，astheairabovetheswampsofthisfruitfullatitudeareknowntobefilledwithinsects。

Amongotherswasthesalmonofthelakes，avarietyofthatwell-knownspecies，thatisscarcelyinferiortothedelicioussalmonofnorthernEurope。Ofthedifferentmigratorybirdsthatfrequentforestsandwaters，therewasthesameaffluence，hundredsofacresofgeeseandducksbeingoftenseenatatimeinthegreatbaysthatindenttheshoresofthelake。Deer，bears，rabbits，andsquirrels，withdiversotherquadrupeds，amongwhichwassometimesincludedtheelk，ormoose，helpedtocompletethesumofthenaturalsuppliesonwhichallthepostsde-

pended，moreorless，torelievetheunavoidableprivationsoftheirremotefrontierpositions。

Inaplacewhereviandsthatwouldelsewherebedeemedgreatluxuriesweresoabundant，noonewasexcludedfromtheirenjoyment。ThemeanestindividualatOswegohabituallyfeastedongamethatwouldhaveformedtheboastofaParisiantable。anditwasnomorethanahealthfulcommentaryonthecapricesoftaste，andofthewaywardnessofhumandesires，thattheverydietwhichinothersceneswouldhavebeendeemedthesubjectofenvyandrepiningsgottopallontheappetite。Thecoarseandregularfoodofthearmy，whichitbecamenecessarytohusbandonaccountofthedifficultyoftrans-

portation，roseintheestimationofthecommonsoldier。

andatanytimehewouldcheerfullydeserthisvenison，andducks，andpigeons，andsalmon，tobanquetonthesweetsofpickledpork，stringyturnips，andhalf-cookedcabbage。

ThetableofSergeantDunham，asamatterofcourse，partookoftheabundanceandluxuriesofthefrontier，aswellasofitsprivations。Adeliciousbroiledsalmonsmokedonahomelyplatter，hotvenisonsteakssentuptheirappetizingodors，andseveraldishesofcoldmeats，allofwhichwerecomposedofgame，hadbeensetbeforetheguests，inhonorofthenewlyarrivedvisitors，andinvindicationoftheoldsoldier’shospitality。

Youdonotseemtobeonshortallowanceinthisquarteroftheworld，Sergeant，saidCap，afterhehadgotfairlyinitiatedintothemysteriesofthedifferentdishes。

yoursalmonmightsatisfyaScotsman。

Itfailstodoit，notwithstanding，brotherCap。foramongtwoorthreehundredofthefellowsthatwehaveinthisgarrisontherearenothalfadozenwhowillnotswearthatthefishisunfittobeeaten。Evensomeofthelads，whonevertastedvenisonexceptaspoachersathome，turnuptheirnosesatthefattesthaunchesthatwegethere。

Ay，thatisChristiannatur’，putinPathfinder。andImustsayitisnonetoitscredit。Now，ared-skinneverrepines，butisalwaysthankfulforthefoodhegets，whetheritbefatorlean，venisonorbear，wildturkey’sbreastorwildgoose’swing。Totheshameofuswhitemenbeitsaid，thatwelookuponblessingswithoutsatis-

faction，andconsidertriflingevilsasmattersofgreatac-

count。

Itissowiththe55th，asIcananswer，thoughIcannotsayasmuchfortheirChristianity，returnedtheSergeant。

Eventhemajorhimself，oldDuncanofLundie，willsometimesswearthatanoatmealcakeisbetterfarethantheOswegobass，andsighforaswallowofHighlandwater，when，ifsominded，hehasthewholeofOntariotoquenchhisthirstin。

HasMajorDuncanawifeandchildren？askedMabel，whosethoughtsnaturallyturnedtowardsherownsexinhernewsituation。

Nothe，girl。thoughtheydosaythathehasabe-

trothedathome。Thelady，itseems，iswillingtowait，ratherthansufferthehardshipsofserviceinthiswildregion。allofwhich，brotherCap，isnotaccordingtomynotionsofawoman’sduties。Yoursisterthoughtdiffer-

ently。

Ihope，Sergeant，youdonotthinkofMabelforasol-

dier’swife，returnedCapgravely。Ourfamilyhasdoneitsshareinthatwayalready，andit’shightimethattheseawasagainremembered。

Idonotthinkoffindingahusbandforthegirlinthe55th，oranyotherregiment，Icanpromiseyou，brother。

thoughIdothinkitgettingtobetimethatthechildwererespectablymarried。

Father！

’Tisnottheirgifts，Sergeant，totalkofthesemattersinsoopenamanner，saidtheguide。forI’veseenitverifiedbyexperience，thathewhowouldfollowthetrailofavirgin’sgood-willmustnotgoshoutingouthisthoughtsbehindher。So，ifyouplease，wewilltalkofsomethingelse。

Well，then，brotherCap，Ihopethatbitofacoldroastedpigistoyourmind。youseemtofancythefood。

Ay，ay。givemecivilizedgrubifImusteat，returnedthepertinaciousseaman。Venisoniswellenoughforyourinlandsailors，butweoftheoceanlikealittleofthatwhichweunderstand。

HerePathfinderlaiddownhisknifeandfork，andin-

dulgedinaheartylaugh，thoughinhisalwayssilentman-

ner。thenheasked，withalittlecuriosityinhismanner，——

Don’t，youmisstheskin，MasterCap？don’tyoumisstheskin？

Itwouldhavebeenbetterforitsjacket，Ithinkmy-

self，Pathfinder。butIsupposeitisafashionofthewoodstoserveupshoatsinthisstyle。

Well，well，amanmaygoroundthe’arthandnotknoweverything。Ifyouhadhadtheskinningofthatpig，MasterCap，itwouldhaveleftyousorehands。Thecratur’isahedgehog！

Blastme，ifIthoughtitwholesomenaturalporkeither！returnedCap。ButthenIbelievedevenapigmightlosesomeofitsgoodqualitiesuphereawayinthewoods。

Iftheskinningofit，brother，doesnotfalltomyduty。Pathfinder，Ihopeyoudidn’tfindMabeldisobedi-

entonthemarch？

Notshe，notshe。IfMabelisonlyhalfaswellsatisfiedwithJasperandPathfinderasthePathfinderandJasperaresatisfiedwithher，Sergeant，weshallbefriendsfortheremainderofourdays。

Astheguidespoke，heturnedhiseyestowardstheblushinggirl，withasortofinnocentdesiretoknowheropinion。andthen，withaninborndelicacy，whichprovedhewasfarsuperiortothevulgardesiretoinvadethesanctityoffemininefeeling，helookedathisplate，andseemedtoregrethisownboldness。

Well，well，wemustrememberthatwomenarenotmen，myfriend，resumedtheSergeant，andmakeproperallowancesfornatureandeducation。Arecruitisnotaveteran。Anymanknowsthatittakeslongertomakeagoodsoldierthanittakestomakeanythingelse。

Thisisnewdoctrine，Sergeant，saidCapwithsomespirit。Weoldseamenareapttothinkthatsixsoldiers，ay，andcapitalsoldierstoo，mightbemadewhileonesailorisgettinghiseducation。

Ay，brotherCap，I’veseensomethingoftheopinionswhichseafaringmenhaveofthemselves，returnedthebrother-in-law，withasmileasblandascomportedwithhissaturninefeatures。forIwasmanyyearsoneofthegarrisoninaseaport。YouandIhaveconversedonthesubjectbeforeandI’mafraidweshallneveragree。ButifyouwishtoknowwhatthedifferenceisbetweenarealsoldierandmaninwhatIshouldcallastateofnature，youhaveonlytolookatabattalionofthe55thonparadethisafternoon，andthen，whenyougetbacktoYork，ex-

amineoneofthemilitiaregimentsmakingitsgreatestefforts。

Well，tomyeye，Sergeant，thereisverylittledifference，notmorethanyou’llfindbetweenabrigandasnow。Tometheyseemalike：allscarlet，andfeathers，andpowder，andpipeclay。

Somuch，sir，forthejudgmentofasailor，returnedtheSergeantwithdignity。butperhapsyouarenotawarethatitrequiresayeartoteachatruesoldierhowtoeat？

Somuchtheworseforhim。Themilitiaknowhowtoeatatstarting。forIhaveoftenheardthat，ontheirmarches，theycommonlyeatallbeforethem，eveniftheydonothingelse。

Theyhavetheirgifts，Isuppose，likeothermen，ob-

servedPathfinder，withaviewtopreservethepeace，whichwasevidentlyinsomedangerofbeingbrokenbytheob-

stinatepredilectionofeachofthedisputantsinfavorofhisowncalling。andwhenamanhashisgiftfromProvidence，itiscommonlyidletoendeavortobearupagainstit。The55th，Sergeant，isajudicousregimentinthewayofeating，asIknowfromhavingbeensolonginitscompanythoughIdaeesaymilitiacorpscouldbefoundthatwouldoutdotheminfeatsofthatnatur’too。

Uncle。saidMabel，ifyouhavebreakfasted，Iwillthankyoutogooutuponthebastionwithmeagain。

Wehaveneitherofushalfseenthelake，anditwouldbehardlyseemlyforayoungwomantobewalkingaboutthefort，thefirstdayofherarrival，quitealone。

CapunderstoodthemotiveofMabel。andhaving，atthebottom，aheartyfriendshipforhisbrother-in-law，hewaswillingenoughtodefertheargumentuntiltheyhadbeenlongertogether，fortheideaofabandoningitalto-

gethernevercrossedthemindofonesodogmaticalandobstinate。Heaccordinglyaccompaniedhisniece，leavingSergeantDunhamandhisfriend，thePathfinder，alonetogether。Assoonashisadversaryhadbeataretreat，theSergeant，whodidnotquitesowellunderstandthemanoeuvreofhisdaughter，turnedtohiscompanion，and，withasmilewhichwasnotwithouttriumph，here-

marked，——

Thearmy，Pathfinder，hasneveryetdoneitselfjusticeinthewayofassertingitsrights。andthoughmodestybecomesaman，whetherheisinaredcoatorablackone，or，forthatmatter，inhisshirt-sleeves，Idon’tliketoletagoodopportunityslipofsayingawordinitsbehalf。

Well，myfriend，layinghisownhandononeofthePath-

finder’s，andgivingitaheartysqueeze，howdoyoulikethegirl？

Youhavereasontobeproudofher，Sergeant。Ihaveseenmanyofhersex，andsomethatweregreatandbeau-

tiful。butneverbeforedidImeetwithoneinwhomI

thoughtProvidencehadsowellbalancedthedifferentgifts。

Andthegoodopinion，Icantellyou，Pathfinder，ismutual。Shetoldmelastnightallaboutyourcoolness，andspirit，andkindness，——particularlythelast，forkind-

nesscountsformorethanhalfwithfemales，myfriend，——

andthefirstinspectionseemstogivesatisfactiononbothsides。Brushuptheuniform，andpayalittlemoreatten-

tiontotheoutside，Pathfinder，andyouwillhavethegirlheartandhand。

Nay，nay，Sergeant，I’veforgottennothingthatyouhavetoldme，andgrudgenoreasonablepainstomakemyselfaspleasantintheeyesofMabelassheisgettingtobeinmine。IcleanedandbrightenedupKilldeerthismorningassoonasthesunrose。and，inmyjudgment，thepieceneverlookedbetterthanitdoesatthisverymoment。

Thatisaccordingtoyourhuntingnotions，Pathfinder。

butfirearmsshouldsparkleandglitterinthesun，andI

neveryetcouldseeanybeautyinacloudedbarrel。

LordHowethoughtotherwise，Sergeant。andhewasaccountedagoodsoldier。

Verytrue。hislordshiphadallthebarrelsofhisregi-

mentdarkened，andwhatgoodcameofit？Youcanseehis’scutcheonhangingintheEnglishchurchatAlbany。

No，no，myworthyfriend，asoldiershouldbeasoldier，andatnotimeoughthetobeashamedorafraidtocarryabouthimthesignsandsymbolsofhishonorabletrade。

HadyoumuchdiscoursewithMabel，Pathfinder，asyoucamealonginthecanoe？

Therewasnotmuchopportunity，Sergeant，andthenIfoundmyselfsomuchbeneathherinidees，thatIwasafraidtospeakofmuchbeyondwhatbelongedtomyowngifts。

Thereinyouarepartlyrightandpartlywrong，myfriend。Womenlovetriflingdiscourse，thoughtheyliketohavemostofittothemselves。NowyouknowI’mamanthatdonotloosenmytongueateverygiddythought。

andyetthereweredayswhenIcouldseethatMabel’smotherthoughtnonetheworseofmebecauseIdescendedalittlefrommymanhood。Itistrue，Iwastwenty-twoyearsyoungerthenthanIamto-day。and，moreover，insteadofbeingtheoldestsergeantintheregiment，Iwastheyoungest。Dignityiscommandinganduseful，andthereisnogettingonwithoutit，asrespectsthemen。butifyouwouldbethoroughlyesteemedbyawoman，itisnecessarytocondescendalittleonoccasions。

Ah’sme，Sergeant，Isometimesfearitwillneverdo。

WhydoyouthinksodiscouraginglyofamatteronwhichIthoughtbothourmindsweremadeup？

Wedidagree，ifMabelshouldprovewhatyoutoldmeshewas，andifthegirlcouldfancyarudehunterandguide，thatIshouldquitsomeofmywanderingways，andtrytohumanizemyminddowntoawifeandchildren。

ButsinceIhaveseenthegirl，Iwillownthatmanymis-

givingshavecomeoverme。

How’sthis？interruptedtheSergeantsternly。didInotunderstandyoutosaythatyouwerepleased？——andisMabelayoungwomantodisappointexpectation？

Ah，Sergeant，itisnotMabelthatIdistrust，butmy-

self。Iambutapoorignorantwoodsman，afterall。andperhapsI’mnot，intrutb，asgoodasevenyouandImaythinkme。

Ifyoudoubtyourownjudgmentofyourself，Path-

finder，Ibegyouwillnotdoubtmine。AmInotaccus-

tomedtojudgemen’scharacter？andamIoftendeceived？

AskMajorDuncan，sir，ifyoudesireanyassurancesinthisparticular。

But，Sergeant，wehavelongbeenfriends。havefi’tsidebysideadozentimes，andhavedoneeachothermanyservices。Whenthisisthecase，menareapttothinkoverkindlyofeachother。andIfearmethatthedaughtermaynotbesolikelytoviewaplainignoranthunterasfavor-

ablyasthefatherdoes。

Tut，tut，Pathfinder！youdon’tknowyourself，man，andmayputallfaithinmyjudgment。Inthefirstplaceyouhaveexperience。and，asallgirlsmustwantthat，noprudentyoungwomanwouldoverlooksuchaqualification。

Thenyouarenotoneofthecoxcombsthatstrutaboutwhentheyfirstjoinaregiment。butamanwhohasseenservice，andwhocarriesthemarksofitonhispersonandcountenance。Idaresayyouhavebeenunderfiresomethirtyorfortytimes，countingalltheskirmishesandam-

bushesthatyou’veseen。

Allofthat，Sergeant，allofthat。butwhatwillitavailingainingthegood-willofatender-heartedyoungfemale？

Itwillgaintheday。Experienceinthefieldisasgoodinloveasinwar。Butyouareashonest-heartedandasloyalasubjectasthekingcanboastof——Godblesshim！

Thatmaybetoo。butI’mafearedI’mtoorudeandtoooldandtoowildliketosuitthefancyofsuchayounganddelicategirlasMabel，whohasbeenunusedtoourwildernessways，andmaythinkthesettlementsbettersuitedtohergiftsandinclinations。

Thesearenewmisgivingsforyou，myfriend。andI

wondertheywereneverparadedbefore。

BecauseIneverknewmyownworthlessness，perhaps，untilIsawMabel。Ihavetravelledwithsomeasfair，andhaveguidedthemthroughtheforest，andseenthemintheirperilsandintheirgladness。buttheywerealwaystoomuchabovemetomakemethinkofthemasmorethansomanyfeebleonesIwasboundtoprotectandde-

fend。Thecaseisnowdifferent。MabelandIaresonearlyalike，thatIfeelweigheddownwithaloadthatishardtobear，atfindingussounlike。Idowish，Sergeant，thatIwastenyearsyounger，morecomelytolookat，andbettersuitedtopleaseahandsomeyoungwoman’sfancy。

Cheerup，mybravefriend，andtrusttoafather’sknowl-

edgeofwomankind。Mabelhalflovesyoualready，andafortnight’sintercourseandkindness，downamongtheislandsyonderwillcloserankswiththeotherhalf。Thegirlasmuchastoldmethisherselflastnight。

Canthisbeso，Sergeant？saidtheguide，whosemeekandmodestnatureshrankfromviewinghimselfincolorssofavorable。Canthisbetrulyso？IambutapoorhunterandMabel，Isee，isfittobeanofficer’slady。Doyouthinkthegirlwillconsenttoquitallherbelovedset-

tlementusages，andhervisitingsandchurch-goings，todwellwithaplainguideandhunteruphereawayinthewoods？Willshenotintheend，craveheroldways，andabetterman？

Abetterman，Pathfinder，wouldbehardtofind，re-

turnedthefather。Asfortownusages，theyaresoonforgotteninthefreedomoftheforest，andMabelhasjustspiritenoughtodwellonafrontier。I’venotplannedthismarriage，myfriend，withoutthinkingitover，asageneraldoeshiscampaign。Atfirst，Ithoughtofbringingyouintotheregiment，thatyoumightsucceedmewhenI

retire，whichmustbesoonerorlater。butonreflection，PathfinderIthinkyouarescarcelyfittedfortheoffice。

Still，ifnotasoldierinallthemeaningsoftheword，youareasoldierinitsbestmeaning，andIknowthatyouhavethegood-willofeveryofficerinthecorps。AslongasI

live，Mabelcandwellwithme，andyouwillalwayshaveahomewhenyoureturnfromyourscoutingsandmarches。

Thisisverypleasanttothinkof，Sergeant，ifthegirlcanonlycomeintoourwisheswithgood-will。But，ah’sme！itdoesnotseemthatonelikemyselfcaneverbeagree-

ableinherhandsomeeyes。IfIwereyounger，andmorecomely，now，asJasperWesternis，forinstance，theremightbeachance——yes，then，indeed，theremightbesomechance。

ThatforJasperEau-douce，andeveryyounkeroftheminoraboutthefort！returnedtheSergeant，snappinghisfingers。Ifnotactuallyayounger，youareayounger-look-

ing，ay，andabetter-lookingmanthanthe_Scud’s_master-

Anan？saidPathfinder，lookingupathiscompanionwithanexpressionofdoubt，asifhedidnotunderstandhismeaning。

Isayifnotactuallyyoungerindaysandyears，youlookmorehardyandlikewhipcordthanJasper，oranyofthem。andtherewillbemoreofyou，thirtyyearshence，thanofallofthemputtogether。Agoodconsciencewillkeeponelikeyouamereboyallhislife。

JasperhasasclearaconscienceasanyyouthIknow，Sergeant，andisaslikelytowearonthataccountasanyinthecolony。

Thenyouaremyfriend，squeezingtheother’shand，-mytried，sworn，andconstantfriend。

Yes，wehavebeenfriends，Sergeant，neartwentyyearsbeforeMabelwasborn。

Trueenough。beforeMabelwasborn，wewerewell-

triedfriends。andthehussywouldneverdreamofrefus-

ingtomarryamanwhowasherfather’sfriendbeforeshewasborn。

Wedon’tknow，Sergeant，wedon’tknow。Likeloveslike。Theyoungprefertheyoungforcompanions，andtheoldtheold。

Notforwives，Pathfinder。Ineverknewanoldman，now，whohadanobjectiontoayoungwife。Thenyouarerespectedandesteemedbyeveryofficerinthefort，asIhavesaidalready，anditwillpleaseherfancytolikeamanthateveryoneelselikes。

IhopeIhavenoenemiesbuttheMingos，returnedtheguide，strokingdownhishairmeeklyandspeakingthoughtfully。I’vetriedtodoright，andthatoughttomakefriends，thoughitsometimesfails。

Andyoumaybesaidtokeepthebestcompany。forevenoldDuncanofLundieisgladtoseeyou，andyoupasshoursinhissociety。Ofalltheguides，heconfidesmostinyou。

Ay，evengreaterthanheishavemarchedbymysidefordays，andhaveconversedwithmeasifIweretheirbrother。but，Sergeant，Ihaveneverbeenpuffedupbytheircompany，forIknowthatthewoodsoftenbringmentoalevelwhowouldnotbesointhesettlements。

Andyouareknowntobethegreatestrifleshotthateverpulledtriggerinallthisregion。

IfMabelcouldfancyamanforthat，Imighthavenogreatreasontodespair。andyet，Sergeant，IsometimesthinkthatitisallasmuchowingtoKilldeerastoanyskillofmyown。Itissartainlyawonderfulpiece，andmightdoasmuchinthehandsofanother。

Thatisyourownhumbleopinionofyourself，Path-

finder。butwehaveseentoomanyfailwiththesameweapon，andyousucceedtoooftenwiththeriflesofothermen，toallowmetoagreewithyou。Wewillgetupashootingmatchinadayortwo，whenyoucallshowyourskill，andwhenMabelwillformsomejudgmentconcern-

ingyourtruecharacter。

Willthatbefair，Sergeant？EverybodyknowsthatKilldeerseldommisses。andoughtwetomakeatrialofthissortwhenweallknowwhatmustbetheresult？

Tut，tut，man！IforeseeImustdohalfthiscourtingforyou。Foronewhoisalwaysinsideofthesmokeinaskirmish，youarethefaintest-heartedsuitorIevermetwith。Remember，Mabelcomesofaboldstock。andthegirlwillbeaslikelytoadmireamanashermotherwasbeforeher。

HeretheSergeantarose，andproceededtoattendtohisnever-ceasingduties，withoutapology。thetermsonwhichtheguidestoodwithallinthegarrisonrenderingthisfreedomquiteamatterofcourse。

Thereaderwillhavegatheredfromtheconversationjustrelated，oneoftheplansthatSergeantDunhamhadinviewincausinghisdaughtertobebroughttothefrontier。Althoughnecessarilymuchweanedfromthecaressesandblandishmentsthathadrenderedhischildsodeartohimduringthefirstyearortwoofhiswidowerhood，hehadstillastrongbutsomewhatlatentloveforher。

Accustomedtocommandandtoobey，withoutbeingques-

tionedhimselforquestioningothers，concerningtherea-

sonablenessofthemandates，hewasperhapstoomuchdisposedtobelievethathisdaughterwouldmarrythemanhemightselect，whilehewasfarfrombeingdisposedtodoviolencetoherwishes。Thefactwas。fewknewthePathfinderintimatelywithoutsecretlybelievinghimtobeoneofextraordinaryqualities。Everthesame，simple-

minded，faithful，utterlywithoutfear，andyetprudent，foremostinallwarrantableenterprises，orwhattheopinionofthedayconsideredassuch，andneverengagedinany-

thingtocallablushtohischeekorcensureonhisacts，itwasnotpossibletolivemuchwiththisbeingandnotfeelrespectandadmirationforhimwhichhadnoreferencetohispositioninlife。Themostsurprisingpeculiarityaboutthemanhimselfwastheentireindifferencewithwhichheregardedalldistinctionswhichdidnotdependonpersonalmerit。Hewasrespectfultohissuperiorsfromhabit。buthadoftenbeenknowntocorrecttheirmistakesandtoreprovetheirviceswithafearlessnessthatprovedhowessentiallyheregardedthemorematerialpoints，andwithanaturaldiscriminationthatappearedtoseteducationatdefiance。Inshort，adisbelieverintheabilityofmantodistinguishbetweengoodandevilwith-

outtheaidofinstruction，wouldhavebeenstaggeredbythecharacterofthisextraordinaryinhabitantofthefron-

tier。Hisfeelingsappearedtopossessthefreshnessandnatureoftheforestinwhichhepassedsomuchofhistime。andnocasuistcouldhavemadeclearerdecisionsinmattersrelatingtorightandwrong。andyethewasnotwithouthisprejudices，which，thoughfew，andcoloredbythecharacterandusagesoftheindividual，weredeep-

rooted，andalmostformedapartofhisnature。ButthemoststrikingfeatureaboutthemoralorganizationofPathfinderwashisbeautifulandunerringsenseofjustice。

Thisnobletrait——andwithoutitnomancanbetrulygreat，withitnomanotherthanrespectable——probablyhaditsunseeninfluenceonallwhoassociatedwithhim。forthecommonandunprincipledbrawlerofthecamphadbeenknowntoreturnfromanexpeditionmadeinhiscompanyrebukedbyhissentiments，softenedbyhislanguage，andimprovedbyhisexample。Asmighthavebeenexpected，withsoelevatedaqualityhisfidelitywasliketheimmov-

ablerock。treacheryinhimwasclassedamongthethingswhichareimpossible。andasheseldomretiredbeforehisenemies，sowasheneverknown，underanycircumstancesthatadmittedofanalternative，toabandonafriend。Theaffinitiesofsuchacharacterwere，asamatterofcourse，thoseoflikeforlike。Hisassociatesandintimates，thoughmoreorlessdeterminedbychance，weregenerallyofthehighestorderastomoralpropensities。forheappearedtopossessaspeciesofinstinctivediscrimination，whichledhim，insensiblytohimself，mostprobably，toclingclosesttothosewhosecharacterswouldbestrewardhisfriend-

ship。Inshort，itwassaidofthePathfinder，byoneac-

customedtostudyhisfellows，thathewasafairexampleofwhatajust-mindedandpuremanmightbe，whileun-

temptedbyunrulyorambitiousdesires，andlefttofollowthebiasofhisfeelings，amidthesolitarygrandeurandennoblinginfluencesofasublimenature。neitherledasidebytheinducementswhichinfluencealltodoevilamidtheincentivesofcivilization，norforgetfuloftheAlmightyBeingwhosespiritpervadesthewildernessaswellasthetowns。

SuchwasthemanwhomSergeantDunhamhadselectedasthehusbandofMabel。Inmakingthischoice，hehadnotbeenasmuchgovernedbyaclearandjudiciousviewofthemeritsoftheindividual，perhaps，asbyhisownlikings。stillnooneknewthePathfindersointimatelyashimselfwithoutalwaysconcedingtothehonestguideahighplaceinhisesteemonaccountoftheseveryvirtues。

Thathisdaughtercouldfindanyseriousobjectionstothematchtheoldsoldierdidnotapprehend。while，ontheotherhand，hesawmanyadvantagestohimselfindimperspective，connectedwiththedeclineofhisdays，andaneveningoflifepassedamongdescendantswhowereequallydeartohimthroughbothparents。Hehadfirstmadethepropositiontohisfriend，whohadlistenedtoitkindly，butwho，theSergeantwasnowpleasedtofind，alreadybetrayedawillingnesstocomeintohisownviewsthatwasproportionedtothedoubtsandmisgivingspro-

ceedingfromhishumbledistrustofhimself。

CHAPTERX。

ThinknotIlovehim，thoughIaskforhim。

’Tisbutapeevishboy：——yethetalkswell——

ButwhatcareIforwords？

Aweekpassedintheusualroutineofagarrison。Mabelwasbecomingusedtoasituationthat，atfirstshehadfoundnotonlynovel，butalittleirksome。andtheofficersandmenintheirturn，graduallyfamiliarizedtothepresenceofayoungandbloominggirl，whoseattireandcarriagehadthatairofmodestgentilityaboutthemwhichshehadobtainedinthefamilyofherpatroness，annoyedherlessbytheirill-concealedadmiration，whiletheygratifiedherbytherespectwhich，shewasfaintothink，theypaidheronaccountofherfather。butwhich，intruth，wasmoretobeattributedtoherownmodestbutspiriteddeport-

ment，thantoanydeferencefortheworthySergeant。

Acquaintancesmadeinaforest，orinanycircumstancesofunusualexcitement，soonattaintheirlimits。Mabelfoundoneweek’sresidenceatOswegosufficienttodeter-

mineherastothosewithwhomshemightbeintimateandthosewhomsheoughttoavoid。Thesortofneutralpositionoccupiedbyherfather，whowasnotanofficer，whilehewassomuchmorethanacommonsoldier，bykeepingheralooffromthetwogreatclassesofmilitarylife，lessenedthenumberofthosewhomshewascom-

pelledtoknow，andmadethedutyofdecisioncompara-

tivelyeasy。Stillshesoondiscoveredthattherewereafew，evenamongthosethatcouldaspiretoaseatattheCommandant’stable，whoweredisposedtooverlookthehalbertforthenoveltyofawell-turnedfigureandofapretty，winningface。andbytheendofthefirsttwoorthreedaysshehadadmirersevenamongthegentlemen。

TheQuartermaster，inparticular，amiddle-agedsoldier，whohadmorethanoncetriedtheblessingsofmatrimonyalready，butwasnowawidower，wasevidentlydisposedtoincreasehisintimacywiththeSergeant，thoughtheirdutiesoftenbroughtthemtogether。andtheyoungstersamonghismessmatesdidnotfailtonotethatthismanofmethod，whowasaScotsmanofthenameofMuir，wasmuchmorefrequentinhisvisitstothequartersofhissubordinatethanhadformerlybeenhiswont。Alaugh，orajoke，inhonoroftheSergeant’sdaughter，how-

ever，limitedtheirstrictures。thoughMabelDunham

wassoonatoastthateventheensign，orthelieutenant，didnotdisdaintogive。

Attheendoftheweek，DuncanofLundiesentforSergeantDunham，aftereveningroll-call，onbusinessofanaturethat，itwasunderstood，requiredapersonalcon-

ference。Theoldveterandweltinamovablehut，which，beingplacedontrucks，hecouldordertobewheeledaboutatpleasure，sometimeslivinginonepartoftheareawithinthefort，andsometimesinanother。Onthepresentocca-

sion，hehadmadeahaltnearthecentre。andtherehewasfoundbyhissubordinate，whowasadmittedtohispresencewithoutanydelayordancingattendanceinanante-chamber。Inpointoffact，therewasverylittledif-

ferenceinthequalityoftheaccommodationsallowedtotheofficersandthoseallowedtothemen，theformerbeingmerelygrantedthemostroom。

Walkin，Sergeant，walkin，mygoodfriend，saidoldLundieheartily，ashisinferiorstoodinarespectfulatti-

tudeatthedoorofasortoflibraryandbedroomintowhichhehadbeenushered——walkin，andtakeaseatonthatstool。Ihavesentforyou，man。todiscussanythingbutrostersandpay-rollsthisevening。Itisnowmanyyearssincewehavebeencomrades，and’auldlangsyne’

shouldcountforsomething，evenbetweenamajorandhisorderly，aScotandaYankee。Sityedown，man，andjustputyourselfatyourease。Ithasbeenafineday，Sergeant。

Ithasindeed，MajorDuncan，returnedtheother，who，thoughhecompliedsofarastotaketheseat，wasmuchtoopractisednottounderstandthedegreeofrespectitwasnecessarytomaintaininhismanner。averyfineday，sir，ithasbeenandwemaylookformoreofthematthisseason。

Ihopesowithallmyheart。Thecropslookwellasitismanandyou’llbefindingthatthe55thmakealmostasgoodfarmersassoldiers。IneversawbetterpotatoesinScotlandthanwearelikelytohaveinthatnewpatchofours。

Theypromiseagoodyield，MajorDuncan。and，inthatlight，amorecomfortablewinterthanthelast。

Lifeisprogressive，Sergeant，initscomfortsaswellasinitsneedofthem。Wegrowold，andIbegintothinkittimetoretireandsettleinlife。Ifeelthatmyworkingdaysarenearlyover。

Theking，Godblesshim！sir，hasmuchgoodserviceinyourhonoryet。

Itmaybeso，SergeantDunham，especiallyifheshouldhappentohaveasparelieutenant-colonelcyleft。

The55thwillbehonoredthedaythatcommissionisgiventoDuncanofLundie，sir。

AndDuncanofLundiewillbehonoredthedayhere-

ceivesit。But，Sergeant，ifyouhaveneverhadalieutenant-

colonelcy，youhavehadagoodwife，andthatisthenextthingtorankinmakingamanhappy。

Ihavebeenmarried，MajorDuncan。butitisnowalongtimesinceIhavehadnodrawbackontheloveIbearhismajestyandmyduty。

What，man！noteventheloveyoubearthatactivelittleround-limbed，rosy-cheekeddaughterthatIhaveseenintheforttheselastfewdays！Outuponyou，Ser-

geant！oldfellowasIam，Icouldalmostlovethatlittlelassiemyself，andsendthelieuteuant-colonelcytothedevil。

WeallknowwhereMajorDuncan’sheartis，andthatisinScotland，whereabeautifulladyisreadyandwillingtomakehimhappy，assoonashisownsenseofdutyshallpermit。

Ay，hopeiseverafar-offthing，Sergeant，returnedthesuperior，ashadeofmelancholypassingoverhishardScottishfeaturesashespoke。andbonnieScotlandisafar-offcountry。Well，ifwehavenoheatherandoatmealinthisregion，wehavevenisonforthekillingofitandsalmonasplentyasatBerwick-upon-Tweed。Isittrue，Sergeantthatthemencomplainofhavingbeenover-

venisonedandover-pigeonedoflate？

Notforsomeweeks，MajorDuncan，forneitherdeernorbirdsaresoplentyatthisseasonastheyhavebeen。

Theybegintothrowtheirremarksaboutconcerningthesalmon，butItrustweshallgetthroughthesummerwithoutanyseriousdisturbanceonthescoreoffood。TheScotchinthebattaliondo，indeed，talkmorethanispru-

dentoftheirwantofoatmeal，grumblingoccasionallyofourwheatenbread。

Ah，thatishumannature，Sergeant！pure，unadul-

teratedScotchhumannature。Acake，man，tosaythetruth，isanagreeablemorsel，andIoftenseethetimewhenIpineforabitemyself。

Ifthefeelinggetstobetroublesome，MajorDuncan，——

inthemen，Imean，sir，forIwouldnotthinkofsayingsodisrespectfulathingtoyourhonor，——butifthemeneverpineseriouslyfortheirnaturalfood，Iwouldhumblyrecommendthatsomeoatmealbeimported，orpreparedinthiscountryforthem，andIthinkweshallhearnomoreofit。Averylittlewouldanswerforacure，sir。

Youareawag，Sergeant。buthangmeifIamsureyouarenotright。Theremaybesweeterthingsinthisworld，afterall，thanoatmeal。Youhaveasweetdaughter，Dunham，forone。

Thegirlislikehermother，MajorDuncan，andwillpassinspection，saidtheSergeantproudly。NeitherwasbroughtuponanythingbetterthangoodAmericanflour。Thegirlwillpassinspection，sir。

Thatwouldshe，I’llanswerforit。Well，Imayaswellcometothepointatonce，man，andbringupmyreserveintothefrontofthebattle。HereisDavyMuir，thequartermaster，disposedtomakeyourdaughterhiswife，andhehasjustgotmetoopenthemattertoyou，beingfearfulofcompromisinghisowndignity。andImayaswelladdthathalftheyoungstersintheforttoasther，andtalkofherfrommorningtillnight。

Sheismuchhonored，sir，returnedthefatherstiffly。

butItrustthegentlemenwillfindsomethingmoreworthyofthemtotalkabouterelong。Ihopetoseeherthewifeofanhonestmanbeforemanyweeks，sir。

Yes，Davyisanhonestman，andthatismorethancanbesaidforallinthequartermaster’sdepartment，I’mthinking，Sergeant，returnedLundie，withaslightsmile。

Well，thenmayItelltheCupid-strickenyouththatthematterisasgoodassettled？

Ithankyourhonor。butMabelisbetrothedtoan-

other。

Thedevilsheis！Thatwillproduceastirinthefort。

thoughI’mnotsorrytoheariteither，for，tobefrankwithyou，Sergeant，I’mnogreatadmirerofunequalmatches。

Ithinkwithyourhonor，andhavenodesiretoseemydaughteranofficer’slady。Ifshecangetashighashermotherwasbeforeher，itoughttosatisfyanyreasonablewoman。

AndmayIask，Sergeant，whoistheluckymanthatyouintendtocallson-in-law？

ThePathfinder，yourhonor。

Pathfinder！

Thesame，MajorDuncan。andinnaminghimtoyou，Igiveyouhiswholehistory。Nooneisbetterknownonthisfrontierthanmyhonest，brave，true-heartedfriend。

Allthatistrueenough。butishe，afterall，thesortofpersontomakeagirloftwentyhappy？

Whynot，yourhonor？Themanisattheheadofhiscalling。ThereisnootherguideorscoutconnectedwiththearmywhohashalfthereputationofPathfinder，orwhodeservestohaveithalfaswell。

Verytrue，Sergeant。butisthereputationofascoutexactlythesortofrenowntocaptivateagirl’sfancy？

Talkingofgirls’fancies，sir，isinmyhumbleopinionmuchliketalkingofarecruit’sjudgment。Ifweweretotakethemovementsoftheawkwardsquad，sir，asaguide，weshouldneverformadecentlineinbattalion，MajorDuncan。

Butyourdaughterhasnothingawkwardabouther：

foragenteelergirlofherclasscouldnotbefoundinoldAlbionitself。Issheofyourwayofthinkinginthismatter？——thoughIsupposeshemustbe，asyousaysheisbetrothed。

Wehavenotyetconversedonthesubject，yourhonor。

butIconsiderhermindasgoodasmadeup，fromseverallittlecircumstanceswhichmightbenamed。

Andwhatarethesecircumstances，Sergeant？askedtheMajor，whobegantotakemoreinterestthanhehadatfirstfeltonthesubject。Iconfessalittlecuriositytoknowsomethingaboutawoman’smind，being，asyouknow，abachelormyself。

Why，yourhonor，whenIspeakofthePathfindertothegirl，shealwayslooksmefullintheface。chimesinwitheverythingIsayinhisfavor，andhasafrankopenwaywithher，whichsaysasmuchasifshehalfconsideredhimalreadyasahusband。

Hum！andthesesigns，youthink，Dunham，arefaith-

fultokensofyourdaughter’sfeelings？

Ido，yourhonor，fortheystrikemeasnatural。WhenIfindaman，sir，wholooksmefullintheface，whilehepraisesanofficer，——for，beggingyourhonor’spardon，themenwillsometimespasstheirstricturesontheirbetters，-andwhenIfindamanlookingmeintheeyesashepraiseshiscaptain，Ialwayssetitdownthatthefellowishonest，andmeanswhathesays。

Istherenotsomematerialdifferenceintheageoftheintendedbridegroomandthatofhisprettybride，Ser-

geant？

Youarequiteright，sir。Pathfinderiswelladvancedtowardsforty，andMabelhaseveryprospectofhappinessthatayoungwomancanderivefromthecertaintyofpos-

sessinganexperiencedhusband。Iwasquitefortymyself，yourhonor，whenImarriedhermother。

Butwillyourdaughterbeaslikelytoadmireagreenhunting-shirt，suchasthatourworthyguidewears，withafox-skincap，asthesmartuniformofthe55th？

Perhapsnot，sir。andthereforeshewillhavethemeritofself-denial，whichalwaysmakesayoungwomanwiserandbetter。

Andareyounotafraidthatshemaybeleftawidowwhilestillayoungwoman？whatbetweenwildbeasts，andwildersavages，Pathfindermaybesaidtocarryhislifeinhishand。

’Everybullethasitsbillet，’Lundie，forsotheMajorwasfondofbeingcalledinhismomentsofcondescension，andwhennotengagedinmilitaryaffairs。andnomaninthe55thcancallhimselfbeyondorabovethechancesofsuddendeath。Inthatparticular，Mabelwouldgainnothingbyachange。Besides，sir，ifImayspeakfreelyonsuchasubject，ImuchdoubtifeverPathfinderdiesinbattle，orbyanyofthesuddenchancesofthewilderness。

Andwhyso，Sergeant？askedtheMajor。Heisasoldier，sofarasdangerisconcerned，andonethatismuchmorethanusuallyexposed。and，beingfreeofhisperson，whyshouldheexpecttoescapewhenothersdonot？

Idonotbelieve，yourhonor，thatthePathfindercon-

sidershisownchancesbetterthananyone’selse，butthemanwillneverdiebyabullet。Ihaveseenhimsooftenhandlinghisriflewithasmuchcomposureasifitwereashepherd’scrook，inthemidstoftheheaviestshowersofbullets，andundersomanyextraordinarycircumstances，thatIdonotthinkProvidencemeansheshouldeverfallinthatmanner。Andyet，iftherebeamaninhisMajesty’sdominionswhoreallydeservessuchadeath，itisPath-

finder。

Weneverknow，Sergeant，returnedLundie，withacountenancegravewiththought。andthelesswesayaboutit，perhaps，thebetter。Butwillyourdaughter——

Mabel，Ithink，youcallher——willMabelbeaswillingtoacceptonewho，afterall，isamerehanger-onofthearmy，astotakeonefromtheserviceitself？Thereisnohopeofpromotionfortheguide，Sergeant。

Heisattheheadofhiscorpsalready，yourhonor。Inshort，Mabelhasmadeuphermindonthissubject。and，asyourhonorhashadthecondescensiontospeaktomeaboutMr。Muir，Itrustyouwillbekindenoughtosaythatthegirlisasgoodasbilletedforlife。

Well，well，thisisyourownmatter，and，now——Ser-

geantDunham！

Yourhonor，saidtheother，rising，andgivingthecustomarysalute。

YouhavebeentolditismyintentiontosendyoudownamongtheThousandIslandsforthenextmonth。

Alltheoldsubalternshavehadtheirtoursofdutyinthatquarter——allthatIliketotrustatleast。andithasatlengthcometoyourturn。LieutenantMuir，itistrue，claimshisright。but，beingquartermaster，Idonotliketobreakupwell-establishedarrangements。Arethemendrafted？

Everythingisready，yourhonor。Thedraftismade，andIunderstoodthatthecanoewhichgotinlastnightbroughtamessagetosaythatthepartyalreadybelowislookingoutfortherelief。

Itdid。andyoumustsailthedayafterto-morrow，ifnotto-morrownight。Itwillbewise，perhaps，tosailinthedark。

SoJasperthinks，MajorDuncan。andIknownoonemoretobedependedoninsuchanaffairthanyoungJasperWestern。

YoungJasperEau-douce！saidLundie，aslightsmilegatheringaroundhisusuallysternmouth。Willthatladbeofyourparty，Sergeant？

Yourhonorwillrememberthatthe_Scud_neverquitsportwithouthim。

True。butallgeneralruleshavetheirexceptions。

HaveInotseenaseafaringpersonaboutthefortwithinthelastfewdays？

Nodoubt，yourhonor。itisMasterCap，abrother-in-

lawofmine，whobroughtmydaughterfrombelow。

Whynotputhiminthe_Scud_forthiscruise，Sergeant，andleaveJasperbehind？Yourbrother-in-lawwouldlikethevarietyofafresh-watercruise，andyouwouldenjoymoreofhiscompany。

Iintendedtoaskyourhonor’spermissiontotakehimalong。buthemustgoasavolunteer。Jasperistoobravealadtobeturnedoutofhiscommandwithoutareason，MajorDuncan。andI’mafraidbrotherCapdespisesfreshwatertoomuchtododutyonit。

Quiteright，Sergeant，andIleaveallthistoyourowndiscretion。Eau-doucemustretainhiscommand，onsec-

ondthoughts。YouintendthatPathfindershallalsobeoftheparty？

Ifyourhonorapprovesofit。Therewillbeserviceforboththeguides，theIndianaswellasthewhiteman。

Ithinkyouareright。Well，Sergeant，Iwishyougoodluckintheenterprise。andrememberthepostistobedestroyedandabandonedwhenyourcommandiswith-

drawn。Itwillhavedoneitsworkbythattime，orweshallhavefailedentirely，anditistooticklishapositiontobemaintainedunnecessarily。Youcanretire。

SergeantDunhamgavethecustomarysalute，turnedonhisheelsasiftheybadbeenpivots，andhadgotthedoornearlydrawntoafterhim，whenhewassuddenlyrecalled。

Ihadforgotten，Sergeant，theyoungerofficershavebeggedforashootingmatch，andto-morrowhasbeennamedfortheday。Allcompetitorswillbeadmitted，andtheprizeswillbeasilver-mountedpowderhorn，aleathernflaskditto，readingfromapieceofpaper，asIseebytheprofessionaljargonofthisbill，andasilkcalashforalady。Thelatteristoenablethevictortoshowhisgal-

lantrybymakinganofferingofittoherhebestloves。

Allveryagreeable，yourhonor，atleasttohimthatsucceeds。IsthePathfindertobepermittedtoenter？

Idonotwellseehowhecanbeexcluded，ifhechoosetocomeforward。Latterly，Ihaveobservedthathetakesnoshareinthesesports，probablyfromaconvictionofhisownunequalledskill。

That’sit，MajorDuncan。thehonestfellowknowsthereisnotamanonthefrontierwhocanequalhim，andhedoesnotwishtospoilthepleasureofothers。Ithinkwemaytrusttohisdelicacyinanything，sir。Perhapsitmaybeaswelltolethimhavehisownway？

Inthisinstancewemust，Sergeant。Whetherhewillbeassuccessfulinallothersremainstobeseen。Iwishyougoodevening，Dunham。

TheSergeantnowwithdrew，leavingDuncanofLundietohisownthoughts：thattheywerenotaltogetherdisa-

greeablewastobeinferredfromthesmileswhichocca-

sionallycoveredacountenancehardandmartialinitsusualexpression，thoughthereweremomentsinwhichallitsseveresobrietyprevailed。Halfanhourmighthavepassed，whenatapatthedoorwasansweredbyadirec-

tiontoenter。Amiddle-agedman，inthedressofanoffi-

cer，butwhoseuniformwantedtheusualsmartnessoftheprofession，madehisappearance，andwassalutedasMr。

Muir。