第6章

Ihavecomesir，atyourbidding，toknowmyfor-

tune，saidtheQuartermaster，inastrongScotchaccent，assoonashehadtakentheseatwhichwasprofferedtohim。Tosaythetruthtoyou，MajorDuncan，thisgirlismakingasmuchhavocinthegarrisonastheFrenchdidbeforeTy：Ineverwitnessedsogeneralaroutinsoshortatime！

Surely，Davy，youdon’tmeantopersuademethatyouryoungandunsophisticatedheartisinsuchaflame，afteroneweek’signition？Why，man，thisisworsethantheaffairinSootland，whereitwassaidtheheatwithinwassointensethatitjustburntaholethroughyourownpre-

ciousbody，andleftaplaceforallthelassiestopeerinat，toseewhatthecombustiblematerialwasworth。

Ye’llhaveyourownway，MajorDuncan。andyourfatherandmotherwouldhavetheirsbeforeye，eveniftheenemywereinthecamp。Iseenothingsoextraordi-

nar’inyoungpeoplefollowingthebentoftheirinclina-

tionsandwishes。

Butyou’vefollowedyourssooften，Davy，thatIshouldthinkbythistimeithadlosttheedgeofnovelty。In-

cludingthatinformalaffairinScotland，whenyouwerealad，you’vebeenmarriedfourtimesalready。

Onlythree，Major，asIhopetogetanotherwife。I’venotyethadmynumber：no，no。onlythree。

I’mthinking，Davy，youdon’tincludethefirstaffairImentioned。thatinwhichtherewasnoparson。

AndwhyshouldIMajor？Thecourtsdecidedthatitwasnomarriage。andwhatmorecouldamanwant？

Thewomantookadvantageofaslightamorouspropensitythatmaybeaweaknessinmydisposition，perhaps，andinveigledmeintoacontractwhichwasfoundtobeillegal。

IfIrememberright，Muir，therewerethoughttobetwosidestothatquestion，inthetimeofit？

Itwouldbebutanindifferentquestion，mydearMajor，thathadn’ttwosidestoit。andI’veknownmanythathadthree。Butthepoorwoman’sdead，andtherewasnoissue。sonothingcameofitafterall。Then，Iwasparticularlyunfortunatewithmysecondwife。Isaysec-

ond，Major，outofdeferencetoyou，andonthemeresup-

positionthatthefirstwasamarriageatall。butfirstorsecond，IwasparticularlyunfortunatewithJeannieGraham，whodiedinthefirstlustrum，leavingneitherchicknorchielbehindher。Idothink，ifJeanniehadsurvived，Inevershouldhaveturnedmythoughtstowardsanotherwife。

Butasshedidnot，youmarriedtwiceafterherdeath。

andaredesirousofdoingsoathirdtime。

Thetruthcanneverjustlybegainsaid，MajorDuncan，andIamalwaysreadytoavowit。I’mthinking，Lundie，youaremelancholarthisfineevening？

No，Muir，notmelancholyabsolutely。butalittlethoughtful，Iconfess。Iwaslookingbacktomyboyishdays，whenI，thelaird’sson，andyou，theparson’s，roamedaboutournativehills，happyandcarelessboys，takinglit-

tleheedtothefuture。andthenhavefollowedsomethoughts，thatmaybealittlepainful，concerningthatfutureasithasturnedouttobe。

Surely，Lundie，yedonotcomplainofyerportionofit。You’verisentobeamajor，andwillsoonbealieute-

nant-colonel，ifletterstellthetruth。whileIamjustonestephigherthanwhenyourhonoredfathergavememyfirstcommission，andapoordeevilofaquartermaster。

Andthefourwives？

Three，Lundie。threeonlythatwerelegal，evenunderourownliberalandsanctifiedlaws。

Well，then，letitbethree。Yeknow，Davy，saidMajorDuncan，insensiblydroppingintothepronunciationanddialectofhisyouth，asismuchthepracticewitheducatedScotchmenastheywarmwithasubjectthatcomesneartheheart，——yeknow，Davy，thatmyownchoicehaslongbeenmade，andinhowanxiousandhope-

weariedamannerI’vewaitedforthathappyhourwhenI

cancallthewomanI’vesolonglovedawife。andherehaveyou，withoutfortune，name，birth，ormerit——Imeanparticularmerit——

Na，na。dinnasaythat，Lundie。TheMuirsareofgudebluid。

Well，then，withoutaughtbutbluid，ye’vewivedfourtimes——

Itallyebutthrice，Lundie。Ye’llweakenauldfriendshipifyecallitfour。

Putitatyerownnumber，Davy。andit’sfarmorethanyershare。Ourliveshavebeenverydifferent，onthescoreofmatrimony，atleast。youmustallowthat，myoldfriend。

Andwhichdoyouthinkhasbeenthegainer，Major，speakingasfranklythegitheraswedidwhenlads？

Nay，I’venothingtoconceal。Mydayshavepassedinhopedeferred，whileyourshavepassedin——

Notinhoperealized，Igiveyouminehonor，MajorDuncan，interruptedtheQuartermaster。Eachnewex-

perimentIhavethoughtmightproveanadvantage。butdisappointmentseemsthelotofman。Ah！thisisavainworldofours，Lundie，itmustbeowned。andinnothingvainerthaninmatrimony。

Andyetyouarereadytoputyourneckintothenooseforthefifthtime？

Idesiretosay，itwillbebutthefourth，MajorDun-

can，saidtheQuartermasterpositively。then，instantlychangingtheexpressionofhisfacetooneofboyishrap-

ture，headded，ButthisMabelDunhamisa_raraavis！_

OurScotchlassiesarefairandpleasant。butitmustbeownedthesecolonialsareofsurpassingcomeliness。

Youwilldowelltorecollectyourcommissionandblood，Davy。Ibelieveallfourofyourwives——

IwishmydearLundie，ye’dbemoreaccurateinyerarithmetic。Threetimesonemakethree。

Allthree，then，werewhatmightbetermedgentle-

women？

That’sjustit，Major。Threeweregentlewomen，asyousay，andtheconnectionsweresuitable。

Andthefourthbeingthedaughterofmyfather’sgar-

dener，theconnectionwasunsuitable。Buthaveyounofearthatmarryingthechildofanon-commissionedoffi-

cer，whoisinthesamecorpswithyourself，willhavetheeffecttolessenyourconsequenceintheregiment？

That’sjustbeenmyweaknessthroughlife，MajorDuncan。forI’vealwaysmarriedwithoutregardtoconse-

quences。Everymanhashisbesettingsin，andmatri-

mony，Ifear，ismine。Andnowthatwehavediscussedwhatmaybecalledtheprinciplesoftheconnection，IwilljustaskifyoudidmethefavortospeaktotheSergeantonthetriflingaffair？

Idid，David。andamsorrytosay，foryourhopes，thatIseenogreatchanceofyoursucceeding。

Notsucceeding！Anofficer，andaquartermasterinthebargain，andnotsucceedwithasergeant’sdaugh-

ter！

It’sjustthat，Davy。

Andwhynot，Lundie？Willyehavethegoodnesstoanswerjustthat？

Thegirlisbetrothed。Handplighted，wordpassed，lovepledged，——no，hangmeifIbelievethateither。butsheisbetrothed。

Well，that’sanobstacle，itmustbeavowed，Major，thoughitcountsforlittleiftheheartisfree。

Quitetrue。andIthinkitprobabletheheartisfreeinthiscase。fortheintendedhusbandappearstobethechoiceofthefatherratherthanofthedaughter。

Andwhomayitbe，Major？askedtheQuartermas-

ter，whoviewedthewholematterwiththephilosophyandcoolnessacquiredbyuse。Idonotrecollectanyplausi-

blesuitorthatislikelytostandinmyway。

No，youaretheonly_plausible_suitoronthefrontier，Davy。ThehappymanisPathfinder。

Pathfinder，MajorDuncan！

Nomore，noranyless，DavidMuir。Pathfinderistheman。butitmayrelieveyourjealousyalittletoknowthat，inmyjudgmentatleast，itisamatchofthefather’sratherthanofthedaughter’sseeking。

Ithoughtasmuch！exclaimedtheQuartermaster，drawingalongbreath，likeonewhofeltrelieved。it’squiteimpossiblethatwithmyexperienceinhumannature-

Particularlyhu-woman’snature，David。

Yewillhaveyerjoke，Lundie，letwhowillsuffer。

ButIdidnotthinkitpossibleIcouldbedeceivedastotheyoungwoman’sinclinations，whichIthinkImayboldlypronouncetobealtogetherabovetheconditionofPathfinder。Asfortheindividualhimself——why，timewillshow。

Now，tellmefrankly，DavyMuir，saidLundie，step-

pingshortinhiswalk，andlookingtheotherearnestlyinthefacewithacomicalexpressionofsurprise，thatren-

deredtheveteran’scountenanceridiculouslyearnest，——

doyoureallysupposeagirllikethedaughterofSer-

geantDunhamcantakeaseriousfancytoamanofyouryearsandappearance，andexperience，Imightadd？

Hout，awa’，Lundie！yedinnaknowthesax，andthat’sthereasonyerunmarriedinyerforty-fifthyear。It’safearfu’timeye’vebeenabachelor，Major！

Andwhatmaybeyourage，LieutenantMuir，ifImaypresumetoasksodelicateaquestion？

Forty-seven。I’llno’denyit，Lundie。andifIgetMabel，there’llbejustawifeforeverytwalustrums。ButIdidnathinkSergeantDunhamwouldbesohumblemindedastodreamofgivingthatsweetlassofhistoonelikethePathfinder。

There’snodreamaboutit，Davy。themanisasseri-

ousasasoldierabouttobeflogged。

Well，well，Major，weareauldfriends，——bothranintotheScotchoravoidedit，astheyapproachedordrewawayfromtheiryoungerdays，inthedialogue，——andoughttoknowhowtotakeandgiveajoke，offduty。Itispossibletheworthymanhasnotunderstoodmyhints，orheneverwouldhavethoughtofsuchathing。Thedifferencebetweenanofficer’sconsortandaguide’swomanisasvastasthatbetweentheantiquityofScotlandandtheantiquityofAmerica。I’mauldblood，too，Lundie。

TakemywordforitDavy，yourantiquitywilldoyounogoodinthisaffair。andasforyourblood，itisnotolderthanyourbones。Well，well，man，yeknowtheSergeant’sanswer。andsoyeperceivethatmyinfluence，onwhichyecountedsomuch，candonoughtforye。Letustakeaglassthegither，Davy，forauldacquaintancesake。andthenye’llbedoingwelltorememberthepartythatmarchesthemorrow，andtoforgetMabelDunhamasfastaseveryoucan。

Ah，Major！Ihavealwaysfounditeasiertoforgetawifethantoforgetasweetheart。Whenacouplearefairlymarried，allissettledbutthedeath，asonemaysay，whichmustfinallypartusall。anditseemstomeawfu’

irreverenttodisturbthedeparted。whereasthereissomuchanxietyandhopeandfelicityinexpectationlike，withthelassie，thatitkeepsthoughtalive。

Thatisjustmyideaofyoursituation，Davy。forI

neversupposedyouexpectedanymorefelicitywitheitherofyourwives。Now，I’veheardoffellowswhoweresostupidastolookforwardtohappinesswiththeirwivesevenbeyondthegrave。Idrinktoyoursuccess，ortoyourspeedyrecoveryfromthisattack，Lieutenant。andI

admonishyoutobemorecautiousinfuture，assomeoftheseviolentcasesmayyetcarryyouoff。

Manythanks，dearMajor。andaspeedyterminationtoanoldcourtship，ofwhichIknowsomething。Thisisrealmountaindew，Lundie，anditwarmstheheartlikeagleamofbonnieScotland。Asforthemenyou’vejustmentioned，theycouldhavehadbutonewifeapiece。forwherethereareseveral，thedeedsofthewomenthem-

selvesmaycarrythemdifferentways。Ithinkareasona-

blehusbandoughttobesatisfiedwithpassinghisallottedtimewithanyparticularwifeinthisworld，andnottogoaboutmopingforthingsunattainable。I’minfinitelyobligedtoyou，MajorDuncan，forthisandallyourotheractsoffriendship。andifyoucouldbutaddanother，I

shouldthinkyouhadnotaltogetherforgottentheplay-

fellowofyourboyhood。

Well，Davy，iftherequestbereasonable，andsuchasasuperioroughttogrant，outwithit，man。

Ifyecouldonlycontrivealittleserviceforme，downamongtheThousandIsles，forafortnightorso，Ithinkthismattermightbesettledtothesatisfactionofallpar-

ties。Justremember，Lundie，thelassieistheonlymar-

riageablewhitefemaleonthisfrontier。

Thereisalwaysdutyforoneinyourlineatapost，howeversmall。butthisbelowcanbedonebytheSer-

geantaswellasbytheQuartermaster-general，andbettertoo。

Butnotbetterthanbyaregimentalofficer。Thereisgreatwaste，incommon，amongtheorderlies。

I’llthinkofit，Muir，saidtheMajor，laughing，andyoushallhavemyanswerinthemorning。Herewillbeafineoccasion，man，themorrow，toshowyourselfoffbe-

forethelady。youareexpertwiththerifle，andprizesaretobewon。Makeupyourmindtodisplayyourskill，andwhoknowswhatmayyethappenbeforethe_Scud_sails。

I’mthinkingmostoftheyoungmenwilltrytheirhandsinthissport，Major！

Thatwillthey，andsomeoftheoldonestoo，ifyouappear。Tokeepyouincountenance，I’lltryashotortwomyself，Davy。andyouknowIhavesomenamethatway。

Itmight，indeed，dogood。Thefemaleheart，MajorDuncan，issusceptibleinmanydifferentmodes，andsometimesinawaythattherulesofphilosophymightreject。Somerequireasuitortositdownbeforethem，asitmightbe，inaregularsiege，andonlycapitulatewhentheplacecanholdoutnolonger。others，again，liketobecarriedbystorm。whiletherearehussieswhocanonlybecaughtbyleadingthemintoanambush。Thefirstisthemostcreditableandofficer-likeprocess，perhaps。butI

mustsayIthinkthelastthemostpleasing。

Anopinionformedfromexperience，outofallquestion。

Andwhatofthestormingparties？

Theymaydoforyoungermen，Lundie，returnedtheQuartermaster，risingandwinking，alibertythatheoftentookwithhiscommandingofficeronthescoreofalongintimacy。everyperiodoflifehasitsnecessities，andatforty-sevenit’sjustaswelltotrustalittletothehead。I

wishyouaverygoodeven，MajorDuncan，andfreedomfromgout，withasweetandrefreshingsleep。

Thesametoyourself，Mr。Muir，withmanythanks。

Rememberthepassageofarmsforthemorrow。

TheQuartermasterwithdrew，leavingLundieinhislibrarytoreflectonwhathadjustpassed。UsehadsoaccustomedMajorDuncantoLieutenantMuirandallhistraitsandhumors，thattheconductofthelatterdidnotstriketheformerwiththesameforceasitwillprobablythereader。Intruth，whileallmenactunderonecom-

monlawthatistermednature，thevarietiesintheirdis-

positions，modesofjudging，feelings，andselfishnessareinfinite。

CHAPTERXI。

Compelthehawketositthatisunmann’d，Ormakethehound，untaught，todrawthedeere，Orbringthefreeagainsthiswillinband，Ormovethesadapleasanttaletoheere，Yourtimeislost，andyounowhittheneere！

Solovenelearnes，offorcethehearttoknit：

Sheservesbutthosethatfeelsweetfancies’fit。

_MirrorforMagistrates。_

Itisnotoftenthathopeisrewardedbyfruitionsocompletelyasthewishesoftheyoungmenofthegarrisonweremetbythestateoftheweatheronthesucceedingday。TheheatsofsummerwerelittlefeltatOswegoattheperiodofwhichwearewriting。fortheshadeoftheforest，addedtotherefreshingbreezesfromthelake，sofarreducedtheinfluenceofthesunastorenderthenightsalwayscoolandthedaysseldomoppressive。

ItwasnowSeptember，amonthinwhichthestronggalesofthecoastoftenappeartoforcethemselvesacrossthecountryasfarasthegreatlakes，wheretheinlandsailorsometimesfeelsthatgenialinfluencewhichcharac-

terizesthewindsoftheoceaninvigoratinghisframe，cheeringhisspirits，andarousinghismoralforce。SuchadaywasthatonwhichthegarrisonofOswegoassembledtowitnesswhatitscommanderhadjocularlycalledapassageofarms。Lundiewasascholarinmilitarymattersatleast，anditwasoneofhissourcesofhonestpridetodirectthereadingandthoughtsoftheyoungmenunderhisorderstothemoreintellectualpartsoftheirprofession。Foroneinhissituation，hislibrarywasbothgoodandextensive，anditsbookswerefreelylenttoallwhodesiredtousethem。Amongotherwhimsthathadfoundtheirwayintothegarrisonthroughthesemeans，wasarelishforthesortofamusementinwhichitwasnowabouttoindulge。andaroundwhichsomechroniclesofthedaysofchivalryhadinducedthemtothrowaparadeandromancenotunsuitedtothecharactersandhabitsofsoldiers，ortotheinsulatedandwildpostoccupiedbythisparticulargarrison。Whilesoearnestlybentonpleasure，however，theyonwhomthatdutydevolveddidnotneglectthesafetyofthegarrison。Onestandingontherampartsofthefort，andgazingonthewasteofglitteringwaterthatboundedtheviewallalongthenorthernhorizon，andontheslumberingandseeminglyboundlessforestwhichfilledtheotherhalfofthepanorama，wouldhavefanciedthespottheveryabodeofpeacefulnessandsecurity。butDuncanofLundietoowellknewthatthewoodsmight，atanymoment，giveuptheirhundreds，bentonthedestruc-

tionofthefortandallitcontained。andthateventhetreacherouslakeofferedahighwayofeasyapproachbywhichhismorecivilizedandscarcelylesswilyfoes，theFrench，couldcomeuponhimatanunguardedmoment。

Partiesweresentoutunderoldandvigilantofficers，menwhocaredlittleforthesportsoftheday，toscourthefor-

est。andoneentirecompanyheldthefort，underarms，withorderstomaintainavigilanceasstrictasifanenemyofsuperiorforcewasknowntobenear。Withtheseprecautions，theremainderoftheofficersandmenabandonedthemselves，withoutapprehension，tothebusi-

nessofthemorning。

Thespotselectedforthesportswasasortofesplanade，alittlewestofthefort，andontheimmediatebankofthelake。Ithadbeenclearedofitstreesandstumps，thatitmightanswerthepurposeofaparade-ground，asitpos-

sessedtheadvantagesofhavingitsrearprotectedbythewater，andoneofitsflanksbytheworks。Mendrillingonitcouldbeattacked，consequently，ontwosidesonly。

andastheclearedspacebeyondit，inthedirectionofthewestandsouth，waslarge，anyassailantswouldbecom-

pelledtoquitthecoverofthewoodsbeforetheycouldmakeanapproachsufficientlyneartorenderthemdan-

gerous。

Althoughtheregulararmsoftheregimentweremus-

kets，somefiftyrifleswereproducedonthepresentocca-

sion。Everyofficerhadoneasapartofhisprivateprovi-

sionforamusement。manybelongedtothescoutsandfriendlyIndians，ofwhommoreorlesswerealwayshang-

ingaboutthefort。andtherewasapublicprovisionofthemfortheuseofthosewhofollowedthegamewiththeexpressobjectofobtainingsupplies。Amongthosewhocarriedtheweaponweresomefiveorsix，whohadreputa-

tionforknowinghowtouseitparticularlywell——sowell，indeed，astohavegiventhemacelebrityonthefrontier。

twicethatnumberwhowerebelievedtobemuchbetterthancommon。andmanywhowouldhavebeenthoughtex-

pertinalmostanysituationbutthepreciseoneinwhichtheynowhappenedtobeplaced。

Thedistancewasahundredyards，andtheweaponwastobeusedwithoutarest。thetarget，aboard，withthecustomarycircularlinesinwhitepaint，havingthebull’s-

eyeinthecentre。Thefirsttrialsinskillcommencedwithchallengesamongthemoreignobleofthecompeti-

torstodisplaytheirsteadinessanddexterityinidlecom-

petition。Nonebutthecommonmenengagedinthisstrife，whichhadlittletointerestthespectators，amongwhomnoofficerhadyetappeared。

MostofthesoldierswereScotch，theregimenthavingbeenraisedatStirlinganditsvicinitynotmanyyearsbefore，though，asinthecaseofSergeantDunham，manyAmericanshadjoineditsinceitsarrivalinthecolonies。

Asamatterofcourse，theprovincialsweregenerallythemostexpertmarksmen。andafteradesultorytrialofhalfanhouritwasnecessarilyconcededthatayouthwhohadbeenborninthecolonyofNewYork，andwhocomingofDutchextraction，wasthemostexpertofallwhohadyettriedtheirskill。Itwasjustasthisopinionprevailedthattheoldestcaptain，accompaniedbymostofthegen-

tlemenandladiesofthefort，appearedontheparade。A

trainofsometwentyfemalesofhumblerconditionfol-

lowed，amongwhomwasseenthewell-turnedform，in-

telligent，blooming，animatedcountenance，andneat，be-

comingattireofMabelDunham。

Offemaleswhowereofficiallyrecognizedasbelongingtotheclassofladies，therewerebutthreeinthefort，allofwhomwereofficers’wives。Mabelbeingstrictly，ashadbeenstatedbytheQuartermaster，theonlyrealcandidateformatrimonyamonghersex。

Somelittlepreparationhadbeenmadefortheproperreceptionofthefemales，whowereplacedonalowstagingofplanksneartheimmediatebankofthelake。Inthisvicinitytheprizesweresuspendedfromapost。Greatcarewastakentoreservethefrontseatofthestageforthethreeladiesandtheirchildren。whileMabelandthosewhobelougedtothenon-commissionedofficersoftheregi-

ment，occupiedthesecond。Thewivesanddaughtersoftheprivateswerehuddledtogetherintherear，somestand-

ingandsomesitting，astheycouldfindroom。Mabel，whohadalreadybeenadmittedtothesocietyoftheofficers’wives，onthefootingofahumblecompanion，wasagooddealnoticedbytheladiesinfront，whohadaproperappreciationofmodestself-respectandgentlere-

finement，thoughtheywereallfullyawareofthevalueofrank，moreparticularlyinagarrison。

Assoonasthisimportantportionofthespectatorshadgotintotheirplaces，Lundiegaveordersforthetrialofskilltoproceedinthemannerthathadbeenprescribedinhispreviousorders。Someeightortenofthebestmarksmenofthegarrisonnowtookpossessionofthestand，andbegantofireinsuccession。Amongthemwereofficersandmenindiscriminatelyplaced，norwerethecasualvisitorsinthefortexcludedfromthecompetition。

Asmighthavebeenexpectedofmenwhoseamusementsandcomfortablesubsistenceequallydependedonskillintheuseoftheirweapons，itwassoonfoundthattheywereallsufficientlyexperttohitthebull’s-eye，orthewhitespotinthecentreofthetarget。Otherswhosucceededthem，itistrue，werelesssure，theirbulletsstrikinginthedifferentcirclesthatsurroundedthecentreofthetargetwithouttouchingit。

Accordingtotherulesoftheday，nonecouldproceedtothesecondtrialwhohadfailedinthefirst，andthead-

jutantoftheplace，whoactedasmasteroftheceremonies，ormarshaloftheday，calleduponthesuccessfuladven-

turersbynametogetreadyforthenexteffort，whilehegavenoticethatthosewhofailedtopresentthemselvesfortheshotatthebull’s-eyewouldnecessarilybeexcludedfromallthehighertrials。JustatthismomentLundie，theQuartermaster，andJasperEau-douceappearedinthegroupatthestand，whilethePathfinderwalkedleisurelyonthegroundwithouthisbelovedrifle，forhimameasuresounusual，astobeunderstoodbyallpresentasaproofthathedidnotconsiderhimselfacompetitorforthehonorsoftheday。AllmadewayforMajorDuncan，who，asheapproachedthestandinagood-humoredway，tookhisstation，levelledhisriflecarelessly，andfired。Thebulletmissedtherequiredmarkbyseveralinches。

MajorDuncanisexcludedfromtheothertrials！

proclaimedtheAdjutant，inavoicesostrougandconfi-

dentthatalltheelderofficersandthesergeantswellun-

derstoodthatthisfailurewaspreconcerted，whilealltheyoungergentlemenandtheprivatesfeltnewencourage-

menttoproceedonaccountoftheevidentimpartialitywithwhichthelawsofthesportswereadministered。

Now，MasterEau-douce，comesyourturn，saidMuir。

andifyoudonotbeattheMajor，Ishallsaythatyourhandisbetterskilledwiththeoarthanwiththerifle。

Jasper’shandsomefaceflushed，hesteppeduponthestand，castahastyglanceatMabel，whoseprettyformheascertainedwasbendingeagerlyforwardasiftonotetheresult，droppedthebarrelofhisriflewithbutlittleap-

parentcareintothepalmofhislefthand，raisedthemuzzleforasingleinstantwithexceedingsteadiness，andfired。

Thebulletpasseddirectlythroughthecentreofthebull’s-

eye，muchthebestshotofthemorning，sincetheothershadmerelytouchedthepaint。

Wellperformed，MasterJasper，saidMuir，assoonastheresultwasdeclared。andashotthatmighthavedonecredittoanolderheadandamoreexperiencedeye。

I’mthinking，notwithstanding，therewassomeofayoung-

ster’sluckinit。foryewereno’partic’larintheaimyetook。Yemaybequick，Eau-douce，inthemovement，butyernotphilosophicnorscientificinyermanagementoftheweepon。Now，SergeantDunham，I’llthankyoutorequesttheladiestogiveacloserattentionthancom-

mon。forI’mabouttomakethatuseoftheriflewhichmaybecalledtheintellectual。Jasperwouldhavekilled，Iallow。butthentherewouldnothavebeenhalfthesat-

isfactioninreceivingsuchashotasinreceivingonethatisdischargedscientifically。

AllthistimetheQuartermasterwaspreparinghimselfforthescientifictrial。buthedelayedhisaimuntilhesawthattheeyeofMabel，incommonwiththoseofhercom-

panions，wasfastenedonhimincuriosity。Astheotherslefthimroom，outofrespecttohisrank，noonestoodnearthecompetitorbuthiscommandingofficer，towhomhenowsaidinhisfamiliarmanner，——

Yesee，Lundie，thatsomethingistobegainedbyex-

citingafemale’scuriosity。It’sanactivesentimentiscuriosity，andproperlyimprovedmayleadtogentlerin-

novationsintheend。

Verytrue，Davy。butyekeepusallwaitingwhileyemakeyourpreparations。andhereisPathfinderdrawingneartocatchalessonfromyourgreaterexperience。

WellPathfinder，andso_you_havecometogetanideatoo，concerningthephilosophyofshooting？Idonotwishtohidemylightunderabushel，andyerwelcometoallye’lllearn。Doyeno’meantotryashotyersel’，man？

WhyshouldI，Quartermaster，whyshouldI？Iwantnoneoftheprizes。andasforhonor，Ihavehadenoughofthat，ifit’sanyhonortoshootbetterthanyourself。

I’mnotawomantowearacalash。

Verytrue。butyemightfindawomanthatispreciousinyoureyestowearitforye，as——

Come，Davy，interruptedtheMajor，yourshotoraretreat。TheAdjutantisgettingimpatient。

TheQuartermaster’sdepartmentandtheAdjutant’sdepartmentareseldomcompliable，Lundie。butImready。

Standalittleaside，Pathfinder，andgivetheladiesanop-

portunity。

LieutenantMuirnowtookhisattitudewithagooddealofstudiedelegance，raisedhisrifleslowly，loweredit，raiseditagain，repeatedthemanmuvres，andfired。

Missedthetargetaltogether！shoutedthemanwhosedutyitwastomarkthebullets，andwhohadlittlerelishfortheQuartermaster’stediousscience。Missedthetarget！

Itcannotbe！criedMuir，hisfaceflushingequallywithindignationandshame。itcannotbe，Adjutant。forIneverdidsoawkwardathinginmylife。Iappealtotheladiesforajusterjudgment。

Theladiesshuttheireyeswhenyoufired！exclaimedtheregimentalwags。Yourpreparationsalarmedthem。

Iwillnabelievesuchcalumnyoftheleddies，norsic’

areproachonmyownskill，returnedtheQuartermaster，growingmoreandmoreScotchashewarmedwithhisfeelings。it’saconspiracytorobameritoriousmanofhisdues。

It’sadeadmiss，Muir，saidthelaughingLundie。

andye’lljistsitdownquietlywiththedisgrace。

No，no，Major，Pathfinderatlengthobserved。theQuartermaster_is_agoodshotforaslowoneandameasureddistance，thoughnothingextr’ornaryforrealservice。HehascoveredJasper’sbullet，aswillbeseen，ifanyonewilltakethetroubletoexaminethetarget。

TherespectforPathfinder’sskillandforhisquicknessandaccuracyofsightwassoprofoundandgeneral，that，theinstanthemadethisdeclaration，thespectatorsbegantodistrusttheirownopinions，andadozenrushedtothetargetinordertoascertainthefact。There，sureenough，itwasfoundthattheQuartermaster’sbullethadgonethroughtheholemadebyJasper’s，andthat，too，soac-

curatelyastorequireaminuteexaminationtobecertainofthecircumstance。which，however，wassoonclearlyestablished，bydiscoveringonebulletovertheotherinthestumpagainstwhichthetargetwasplaced。

Itoldye，ladies，yewereabouttowitnesstheinfluenceofscienceongunnery，saidtheQuartermaster，advancingtowardsthestagingoccupiedbythefemales。MajorDuncanderidestheideaofmathematicsenteringintotarget-shooting。butItellhimphilosophycolors，anden-

larges，andimproves，anddilates，andexplainseverythingthatbelongstohumanlife，whetheritbeashooting-matchorasermon。Inaword，philosophyisphilosophy，andthatissayingallthatthesubjectrequires。

Itrustyouexcludelovefromthecatalogue，observedthewifeofacaptainwhoknewthehistoryoftheQuarter-

master’smarriages，andwhohadawoman’smaliceagainstthemonopolizerofhersex。itseemsthatphilosophyhaslittleincommonwithlove。

Youwouldn’tsaythat，madam，ifyourhearthadex-

periencedmanytrials。It’sthemanorthewomanthathashadmanyoccasionstoimprovetheaffectionsthatcanbestspeakofsuchmatters。and，believeme，ofalllove，philosophicalisthemostlasting，asitisthemostrational。

Youwouldthenrecommendexperienceasanimprove-

mentonthepassion？

Yourquickmindhasconceivedtheideaataglance。

Thehappiestmarriagesarethoseinwhichyouthandbeautyandconfidenceononeside，relyonthesagacity，moderation，andprudenceofyears-middleage，Imean，madam，forI’llno’denythatthereissuchathingasahusband’sbeingtoooldforawife。HereisSergeantDunham’scharmingdaughter，now，toapproveofsuchsentiments，I’mcertain。hercharacterfordiscretionbeingalreadywellestablishedinthegarrison，shortashasbeenherresidenceamongus。

SergeantDunham’sdaughterisscarcelyafittingin-

terlocutorinadiscoursebetweenyouandme，LieutenantMuir，rejoinedthecaptain’slady，withcarefulrespectforherowndignity。andyonderisthePathfinderabouttotakehischance，bywayofchangingthesubject。

Iprotest，MajorDuncan，Iprotest，criedMuirhur-

ryingbacktowardsthestand，withbotharmselevatedbywayofenforcinghiswords，——Iprotestinthestrongestterms，gentlemen，againstPathfinder’sbeingadmittedintothesesportswithKilldeer，whichisapiece，tosaynothingoflonghabitthatisaltogetheroutofproportionforatrialofskillagainstGovernmentrifles。

Killdeeristakingitsrest，Quartermaster，returnedPathfindercalmly，andnooneherethinksofdisturbingit。Ididnotthink，myself，ofpullingatriggerto-day。

butSergeantDunhamhasbeenpersuadingmethatIshallnotdoproperhonortohishandsomedaughter，whocameinundermycare，ifIambackwardonsuchanoccasion。

I’musingJasper’srifle，Quartermaster，asyoumaysee，andthatisnobetterthanyourown。

LieutenantMuirwasnowobligedtoacquiesce，andeveryeyeturnedtowardsthePathfinder，ashetooktherequiredstation。Theairandattitudeofthiscelebratedguideandhunterwereextremelyfine，asheraisedhistallformandlevelledthepiece，showingperfectself-command，andathroughknowledgeofthepowerofthehumanframeaswellasoftheweapon。Pathfinderwasnotwhatisusuallytermedahandsomeman，thoughhisappearanceexcitedsomuchconfidenceandcommandedrespect。Tall，andevenmuscular，hisframemighthavebeenesteemednearlyper-

fect，wereitnotforthetotalabsenceofeverythinglikeflesh。Whipcordwasscarcelymorerigidthanhisarmsandlegs，or，atneed，morepliable。buttheoutlinesofhispersonwererathertooangularfortheproportionthattheeyemostapproves。Still，hismotions，beingnatural，weregraceful，and，beingcalmandregulated，theygavehimanairanddignitythatassociatedwellwiththeidea，whichwassoprevalent，ofhisservicesandpeculiarmerits。Hishonest，openfeatureswereburnttoabrightred，thatcomportedwellwiththenotionofexposureandhardships，whilehissinewyhandsdenotedforce，andaspeciesofuseremovedfromthestiffeninganddeformingeffectsoflabor。Althoughnooneperceivedanyofthosegentlerormoreinsinuatingqualitieswhichareapttowinuponawoman’saffections，asheraisedhisriflenotafemaleeyewasfastenedonhimwithoutasilentapprobationofthefreedomofhismovementsandthemanlinessofhisair。

Thoughtwasscarcelyquickerthanhisaim。and，asthesmokefloatedabovehishead，thebutt-endoftheriflewasseenontheground，thehandofthePathfinderwaslean-

ingonthebarrel，andhishonestcountenancewasillu-

minatedbyhisusualsilent，heartylaugh。

Ifonedaredtohintatsuchathing，criedMajorDuncan，IshouldsaythatthePathfinderhadalsomissedthetarget。

No，no，Major，returnedtheguideconfidently。that_would_beariskydeclaration。Ididn’tloadthepiece，andcan’tsaywhatwasinit。butifitwaslead，youwillfindthebulletdrivingdownthoseoftheQuartermasterandJasper，elseisnotmynamePathfinder。

Ashoutfromthetargetannouncedthetruthofthisassertion。

That’snotall，that’snotall，boys，calledouttheguide，whowasnowslowlyadvancingtowardsthestageoccupiedbythefemales。ifyoufindthetargettouchedatall，I’llowntoamiss。TheQuartermastercutthewood，butyou’llfindnowoodcutbythatlastmessenger。

Verytrue，Pathfinder，verytrue，answeredMuir，whowaslingeringnearMabel，thoughashamedtoaddressherparticularlyinthepresenceoftheofficers’wives。TheQuartermasterdidcutthewood，andbythatmeansheopenedapassageforyourbullet，whichwentthroughtheholehehadmade。

Well，Quartermaster，theregoesthenailandwe’llseewhocandriveitcloser，youorI。for，thoughIdidnotthinkofshowingwhatariflecandoto-day，nowmyhandisin，I’llturnmybacktonomanthatcarriesKingGeorge’scommission。Chingachgookisoutlying，orhemightforcemeintosomeofthenicetiesoftheart。but，asforyou，Quartermaster，ifthenaildon’tstopyou，thepotatowill。

You’reoverboastfulthismorning，Pathfinder。butyou’llfindyou’venogreenboyfreshfromthesettlementsandthetownstodealwith，Iwillassureye！

Iknowthatwell，Quartermaster。Iknowthatwell，andshallnotdenyyourexperience。You’velivedmanyyearsonthefrontiers，andI’veheardofyouinthecol-

onies，andamongtheIndians，too，quiteahumanlifeago。

Na，na，interruptedMuirinhisbroadestScotch，thisisinjustice，man。I’veno’livedsoverylong，neither。

I’lldoyoujustice，Lieutenant，evenifyougetthebestinthepotatotrial。Isayyou’vepassedagoodhumanlife，forasoldier，inplaceswheretherifleisdailyused，andI

knowyouareacreditableandingeniousmarksman。butthenyouarenotatruerifle-shooter。Asforboasting，I

hopeI’mnotavaintalkeraboutmyownexploits。butaman’sgiftsarehisgifts，andit’sflyinginthefaceofProv-

idencetodenythem。TheSergeant’sdaughter，here，shalljudgebetweenus，ifyouhavethestomachtosubmittosoprettyajudge。

ThePathfinderhadnamedMabelasthearbiterbecauseheadmiredher，andbecause，inhiseyes，rankhadlittleornovalue。butLieutenantMuirshrankatsuchareferenceinthepresenceofthewivesoftheofficers。Hewouldgladlykeephimselfconstantlybeforetheeyesandtheimaginationoftheobjectofhiswishes。buthewasstilltoomuchundertheinfluenceofoldprejudices，andper-

hapstoowary，toappearopenlyashersuitor，unlesshesawsomethingverylikeacertaintyofsuccess。OnthediscretionofMajorDuncanhehadafullreliance，andheapprehendednobetrayalfromthatquarter。buthewasquiteaware，shoulditevergetabroadthathehadbeenrefusedbythechildofanon-commissionedofficer，hewouldfindgreatdifficultyinmakinghisapproachestoanyotherwomanofaconditiontowhichhemightreasonablyaspire。Notwithstandingthesedoubtsandmisgivings，Mabellookedsoprettily，blushedsocharmingly，smiledsosweetly，andaltogetherpresentedsowinningapictureofyouth，spirit，modesty，andbeauty，thathefounditex-

ceedinglytemptingtobekeptsoprominentlybeforeherimagination，andtobeabletoaddressherfreely。

Youshallhaveityourownway，Pathfinder，hean-

swered，assoonashisdoubtshadsettleddownintode-

termination。letthe，Sergeant’sdaughter——hischarmingdaughter，Ishouldhavetermedher——betheumpirethen。

andtoherwewillbothdedicatetheprize，thatoneortheothermustcertainlywin。Pathfindermustbehumored，ladies，asyouperceive，else，nodoubt，weshouldhavehadthehonortosubmitourselvestooneofyourcharmingsociety。

AcallforthecompetitorsnowdrewtheQuartermasterandhisadversaryaway，andinafewmomentsthesecondtrialofskillcommenced。Acommonwroughtnailwasdrivenlightlyintothetarget，itsheadhavingbeenfirsttouchedwithpaint，andthemarksmanwasrequiredtohitit，orhelosthischancesinthesucceedingtrials。Noonewaspermittedtoenter，onthisoccasion，whohadalreadyfailedintheessayagainstthebull’s-eye。

Theremighthavebeenhalfadozenaspirantsforthehonorsofthistrial。oneortwo，whohadbarelysucceededintouchingthespotofpaintinthepreviousstrife，pre-

ferringtoresttheirreputationsthere，feelingcertainthattheycouldnotsucceedinthegreatereffortthatwasnowexactedofthem。Thefirstthreeadventurersfailed，allcomingverynearthemark，butneithertouchingit。

ThefourthpersonwhbpresentedhimselfwastheQuarter-

master，who，aftergoingthroughhisusualattitudes，sofarsucceededastocarryawayasmallportionoftheheadofthenail，plantinghisbulletbythesideofitspoint。Thiswasnotconsideredanextraordinaryshot，thoughitbroughttheadventurerwithinthecategory。

You’vesavedyourbacon，Quartermaster，astheysayinthesettlementsoftheircreaturs，criedPathfinder，laughing。butitwouldtakealongtimetobuildahousewithahammernobetterthanyours。Jasper，here，willshowyouhowanailistobestarted，ortheladhaslostsomeofhissteadinessofhandandsartaintyofeye。Youwouldhavedonebetteryourself，Lieutenant，hadyounotbeensomuchbentonsoldierizingyourfigure。Shootingisanaturalgift，andistobeexercisedinanaturalway。

Weshallsee，Pathfinder。Icallthataprettyattemptatanail。andIdoubtifthe55thhasanotherhammer，asyoucallit，thatcandojustthesamethingoveragain。

Jasperisnotinthe55th，buttheregoeshisrap。

AsthePathfinderspoke，thebulletofEau-doucehitthenailsquare，anddroveitintothetarget，withinaninchofthehead。

Beallreadytoclenchit，boys！criedoutPathfinder，steppingintohisfriend’strackstheinstanttheywerevacant。Nevermindanewnail。Icanseethat，thoughthepaintisgone，andwhatIcanseeIcanhit，atahun-

dredyards，thoughitwereonlyamosquito’seye。Bereadytoclench！

Theriflecracked，thebulletspeditsway，andtheheadofthenailwasburiedinthewood，coveredbythepieceofflattenedlead。

Well，Jasper，lad，continuedPathfinder，droppingthebutt-endofhisrifletotheground，andresumingthedis-

course，asifhethoughtnothingofhisownexploit，youimprovedaily。Afewmoretrampsonlandinmycom-

pany，andthebestmarksmanonthefrontierswillhaveoccasiontolookkeenlywhenhetakeshisstandag’inyou。

TheQuartermasterisrespectable，buthewillnevergetanyfarther。whereasyou，Jasper，havethegift，andmayonedaydefyanywhopulltrigger。

Hoot，hoot！exclaimedMuir。doyoucallhittingtheheadofthenailrespectableonly，whenit’stheper-

fectionoftheart？Anyonetheleastrefinedandelevatedinsentimentknowsthatthedelicatetouchesdenotethemaster。whereasyoursledge-hammerblowscomefromtherudeanduninstructed。If’amissisasgoodasamile，’ahitoughttobebetter，Pathfinder，whetheritwoundorkill。

Thesurestwayofsettlingthisrivalrywillbetomakeanothertrial，observedLundie，andthatwillbeofthepotato。You’reScotch，Mr。Muir，andmightfarebetterwereitacakeorathistle。butfrontierlawhasdeclaredfortheAmericanfruit，andthepotatoitshallbe。

AsMajorDuncanmanifestedsomeimpatienceofman-

ner，Muirhadtoomuchtacttodelaythesportsanylongerwithhisdiscursiveremarks，butjudiciouslypreparedhim-

selfforthenextappeal。Tosaythetruth，theQuarter-

masterhadlittleornofaithinhisownsuccessinthetrialofskillthatwastofollow，norwouldhehavebeensofreeinpresentinghimselfasacompetitoratallhadhean-

ticipateditwouldhavebeenmade。butMajorDuncan，whowassomewhatofahumoristinhisownquietScotchway，hadsecretlyorderedittobeintroducedexpresslytomortifyhim。for，alairdhimself，Lundiedidnotrelishthenotionthatonewhomightclaimtobeagentlemanshouldbringdiscreditonhiscastebyforminganunequalalliance。Assoonaseverythingwasprepared，Muirwassummonedtothestand，andthepotatowasheldinreadi-

nesstobethrown。Asthesortoffeatweareabouttooffertothereader，however，maybenewtohim，awordinexplanationwillrenderthemattermoreclear。Apotatooflargesizewasselected，andgiventoonewhostoodatthedistanceoftwentyyardsfromthestand。Atthewordheave！whichwasgivenbythemarksman，thevegetablewasthrownwithagentletossintotheair，anditwasthebusinessoftheadventurertocauseaballtopassthroughitbeforeitreachedtheground。

TheQuartermaster，inahundredexperiments，hadoncesucceededinaccomplishingthisdifficultfeat。buthenowessayedtoperformitagain，withasortofblindhopethatwasfatedtobedisappointed。Thepotatowasthrownintheusualmanner，theriflewasdischarged，buttheflyingtargetwasuntouched。

Totheright-about，andfallout，Quartermaster，saidLundie，smilingatthesuccessoftheartifice。ThehonorofthesilkencalashwillliebetweenJasperEau-douceandPathfinder。

Andhowisthetrialtoend，Major？inquiredthelatter。Arewetohavethetwo-potatotrial，orisittobesettledbycentreandskin？

Bycentreandskin，ifthereisanyperceptiblediffer-

ence。otherwisethedoubleshotmustfollow。

Thisisanawfulmomenttome，Pathfinder，observedJasper，ashemovedtowardsthestand，hisfaceactuallylosingitscolorinintensityoffeeling。

Pathfindergazedearnestlyattheyoungman。andthen，beggingMajorDuncantohavepatienceforamoment，heledhisfriendoutofthehearingofallnearhimbeforehespoke。

Youseemtotakethismattertoheart，Jasper？thehunterremarked，keepinghiseyesfastenedonthoseoftheyouth。

Imustown，Pathfinder，thatmyfeelingswereneverbeforesomuchboundupinsuccess。

Anddoyousomuchcravetooutdome，anoldandtriedfriend？——andthat，asitmightbe，inmyownway？

Shootingismygift，boy，andnocommonhandcanequalmine。

Iknowit——Iknowit，Pathfinder。butyet——

Butwhat，Jasper，boy？——speakfreely。youtalktoafriend。

Theyoungmancompressedhislips，dashedahandacrosshiseye，andflushedandpaledalternately，likeagirlconfessingherlove。Then，squeezingtheother’shand，hesaidcalmly，likeonewhosemanhoodhasover-

comeallothersensations，Iwouldloseanarm，Path-

finder，tobeabletomakeanofferingofthatcalashtoMabelDunham。

Thehunterdroppedhiseyestotheground，andashewalkedslowlybacktowardsthestand，heseemedtoponderdeeplyonwhathehadjustheard。

Younevercouldsucceedinthedoubletrial，Jasper！

hesuddenlyremarked。

OfthatIamcertain，andittroublesme。

Whatacreatureismortalman！hepinesforthingswhicharenotofhisgiftandtreatsthebountiesofProvi-

dencelightly。Nomatter，nomatter。Takeyourstation，Jasper，fortheMajoriswaiting。andharke，lad，——Imusttouchtheskin，forIcouldnotshowmyfaceinthegarri-

sonwithlessthanthat。

IsupposeImustsubmittomyfate，returnedJasper，flushingandlosinghiscolorasbefore。butIwillmaketheeffort，ifIdie。

Whatathingismortalman！repeatedPathfinder，fallingbacktoallowhisfriendroomtotakehisarm。heoverlookshisowngifts，andcravesthoseofanother！

Thepotatowasthrown，Jasperfired，andtheshoutthatfollowedprecededtheannouncementofthefactthathehaddrivenhisbulletthroughitscentre，orsonearlysoastomeritthataward。

Hereisacompetitorworthyofyou，Pathfinder，criedMajorDuncanwithdelight，astheformertookhisstation。

andwemaylooktosomefineshootinginthedoubletrial。

Whatathingismortalman！repeatedthehunter，scarcelyseemingtonoticewhatwaspassingaroundhim，somuchwerehisthoughtsabsorbedinhisownreflections。

Toss！

Thepotatowastossed，theriflecracked，——itwasre-

markedjustasthelittleblackballseemedstationaryintheair，forthemarksmanevidentlytookunusualheedtohisaim，——andthenalookofdisappointmentandwondersucceededamongthosewhocaughtthefallingtarget。

Twoholesinone？calledouttheMajor。

Theskin，theskin！wastheanswer。onlytheskin！

How’sthis，Pathfinder？IsJasperEau-doucetocarryoffthehonorsoftheday？

Thecalashishis，returnedtheother，shakinghisheadandwalkingquietlyawayfromthestand。Whatacreatureismortalman！neversatisfiedwithhisowngifts，butforevercravingthatwhichProvidencedenies！

AsPathfinderhadnotburiedhisbulletinthepotato，buthadcutthroughtheskin，theprizewasimmediatelyadjudgedtoJasper。ThecalashwasinthehandsofthelatterwhentheQuartermasterapproached，andwithapoliteairofcordialityhewishedhissuccessfulrivaljoyofhisvictory。

Butnowyou’vegotthecalash，lad，it’sofnousetoyou，headded。itwillnevermakeasail，norevenanensign。I’mthinking，Eau-douce，you’dno’besorrytoseeitsvalueingoodsilleroftheking？

Moneycannotbuyit，Lieutenant，returnedJasper，whoseeyelightedwithallthefireofsuccessandjoy。I

wouldratherhavewonthiscalashthanhaveobtainedfiftynewsuitsofsailsforthe_Scud！_

Hoot，hoot，lad！youaregoingmadlikealltherestofthem。I’devenventuretoofferhalfaguineaforthetrifleratherthanitshouldliekickingaboutinthecabinofyourcutter，andintheendbecomeanornamentfortheheadofasquaw。

AlthoughJasperdidnotknowthatthewaryQuarter-

masterhadnotofferedhalftheactualcostoftheprize，heheardthepropositionwithindifference。Shakinghisheadinthenegative，headvancedtowardsthestage，wherehisapproachexcitedalittlecommotion，theofficers’ladies，oneandall，havingdeterminedtoacceptthepresent，shouldthegallantryoftheyoungsailorinducehimtoofferit。ButJasper’sdiffidence，nolessthanadmirationforanother，wouldhavepreventedhimfromaspiringtothehonorofcomplimentinganywhomhethoughtsomuchhissuperiors。

Mabel，saidhe，thisprizeisforyou，unless——

Unlesswhat，Jasper？answeredthegirl，losingherownbashfulnessinthenaturalandgenerouswishtore-

lievehisembarrassment，thoughbothreddenedinawaytobetraystrongfeeling。

Unlessyoumaythinktooindifferentlyofit，becauseitisofferedbyonewhomayhavenorighttobelievehisgiftwillbeaccepted。

Idoacceptit，Jasper。anditshallbeasignofthedangerIhavepassedinyourcompany，andofthegrati-

tudeIfeelforyourcareofme——yourcare，andthatofthePathfinder。

Nevermindme，nevermindme！exclaimedthelatter。

thisisJasper’sluck，andJasper’sgift：givehimfullcreditforboth。Myturnmaycomeanotherday。mineandtheQuartermaster’s，whoseemstogrudgetheboythecalash。thoughwhat_he_canwantofitIcannotunder-

stand，forhehasnowife。

AndhasJasperEau-douceawife？orhaveyouawifeyoursel’，Pathfinder？Imaywantittohelptogetawife，orasamemorialthatIhavehadawife，orasproofhowmuchIadmirethesex，orbecauseitisafemalegar-

ment，orforsomeotherequallyrespectablemotive。It’snottheunreflectingthatarethemostprizedbythethoughtful，andthereisnosurersignthatamanmadeagoodhusbandtohisfirstconsort，letmetellyouall，thantoseehimspeedilylookingroundforacompetentsuc-

cessor。TheaffectionsaregoodgiftsfromProvidence，andtheythathavelovedonefaithfullyprovehowmuchofthisbountyhasbeenlavisheduponthembylovingan-

otherassoonaspossible。

Itmaybeso，itmaybeso。Iamnopractitionerinsuchthings，andcannotgainsayit。ButMabelhere，theSergeant’sdaughter，willgiveyoufullcreditforthewords。

Come，Jasper，althoughourhandsareout，letusseewhattheotherladscandowiththerifle。

Pathfinderandhiscompanionsretired，forthesportswereabouttoproceed。Theladies，however，werenotsomuchengrossedwithrifle-shootingastoneglectthecalash。

Itpassedfromhandtohand。thesilkwasfelt，thefashioncriticized，andtheworkexamined，anddiversopinionswereprivatelyventuredconcerningthefitnessofsohand-

someathingpassingintothepossessionofanon-commis-

sionedofficer’schild。

Perhapsyouwillbedisposedtosellthatcalash，Mabel，whenithasbeenashorttimeinyourpossession？in-

quiredthecaptain’slady。Wearit，Ishouldthink，younevercan。

Imaynotwearit，madam，returnedourheroinemodestly。butIshouldnotliketopartwithiteither。

IdaresaySergeantDunhamkeepsyouabovethene-

cessityofsellingyourclothes，child。but，atthesametime，itismoneythrownawaytokeepanarticleofdressyoucanneverwear。

Ishouldbeunwillingtopartwiththegiftofafriend。

Buttheyoungmanhimselfwillthinkallthebetterofyouforyourprudenceafterthetriumphofthedayisforgotten。Itisaprettyandabecomingcalash，andoughtnottobethrownaway。

I’venointentiontothrowitaway，ma’am。and，ifyouplease，wouldratherkeepit。

Asyouwill，child。girlsofyourageoftenoverlooktherealadvantages。Remember，however，ifyoudode-

terminetodisposeofthething，thatitisbespoke，andthatIwillnottakeitifyoueverevenputitonyourownhead。

Yes，ma’am，saidMabel，inthemeekestvoiceimagin-

able，thoughhereyeslookedlikediamonds，andhercheeksreddenedtothetintsoftworoses，assheplacedthefor-

biddengarmentoverherwell-turnedshoulders，whereshekeptitaminute，asiftotryitsfitness，andthenquietlyremoveditagain。

Theremainderofthesportsofferednothingofinterest。

Theshootingwasreasonablygood。butthetrialswereallofascalelowerthanthoserelated，andthecompetitorsweresoonlefttothemselves。Theladiesandmostoftheofficerswithdrew，andtheremainderofthefemalessoonfollowedtheirexample。Mabelwasreturningalongthelowflatrocksthatlinetheshoreofthelake，danglingherprettycalashfromaprettierfinger，whenPathfindermether。Hecarriedtheriflewhichhehadusedthatday。buthismannerhadlessofthefrankeaseofthehunteraboutitthanusual，whilehiseyeseemedrovinganduneasy。

Afterafewunmeaningwordsconcerningthenoblesheetofwaterbeforethem，heturnedtowardshiscompanionwithstronginterestinhiscountenance，andsaid，——

Jasperearnedthatcalashforyou，Mabel，withoutmuchtrialofhisgifts。

Itwasfairlydone，Pathfinder。

Nodoubt，nodoubt。Thebulletpassedneatlythroughthepotato，andnomancouldhavedonemore。thoughothersmighthavedoneasmuch。

Butnoonedidasmuch！exclaimedMabel，withananimationthatsheinstantlyregretted。forshesawbythepainedlookoftheguidethathewasmortifiedequallybytheremarkandbythefeelingwithwhichitwasuttered。

Itistrue，itistrue，Mabel，noonedidasmuchthen。

but——yetthereisnoreasonIshoulddenymygiftswhichcomefromProvidence——yes，yes。noonedidasmuchthere，butyoushallknowwhat_can_bedonehere。Doyouobservethegullsthatareflyingoverourheads？

Certainly，Pathfinder。therearetoomanytoescapenotice。

Here，wheretheycrosseachotherinsailingabout，

headded，cockingandraisinghisrifle。thetwo——thetwo。

Nowlook！

Thepiecewaspresentedquickasthought，astwoofthebirdscameinaline，thoughdistantfromeachothermanyyards。thereportfollowed，andthebulletpassedthroughthebodiesofbothvictims。Nosoonerhadthegullsfallenintothelake，thanPathfinderdroppedthebutt-endoftherifle，andlaughedinhisownpeculiarmanner，everyshadeofdissatisfactionandmortifiedpridehavinglefthishonestface。

Thatissomething，Mabel，thatissomething。althoughIhavenocalashtogiveyou！ButaskJasperhimself。I’llleaveitalltoJasper，foratruertongueandheartarenotinAmerica。

ThenitwasnotJasper’sfaultthathegainedtheprize？

Notit。Hedidhisbest，andhedidwell。Foronethathaswatergifts，ratherthanlandgifts，Jasperisun-

commonlyexpert，andabetterbackernooneneedwish，ashoreorafloat。Butitwasmyfault，Mabel，thathegotthecalash。thoughitmakesnodifference——itmakesnodifference，forthethinghasgonetotherightperson。

IbelieveIunderstandyou，Pathfinder，saidMabel，blushinginspiteofherself，andIlookuponthecalashasthejointgiftofyourselfandJasper。

Thatwouldnotbedoingjusticetothelad，neither。

Hewonthegarment，andhadarighttogiveitaway。Themostyoumaythink，Mabel，istobelievethat，hadIwonit，itwouldhavegonetothesameperson。

Iwillrememberthat，Pathfinder，andtakecarethatothersknowyourskill，asithasbeenproveduponthepoorgullsinmypresence。

Lordblessyou，Mabel！thereisnomoreneedofyourtalkinginfavorofmyshootingonthisfrontier，thanofyourtalkingaboutthewaterinthelakeorthesunintheheavens。EverybodyknowswhatIcandointhatway，andyourwordswouldbethrownaway，asmuchasFrenchwouldbethrownawayonanAmericanbear。

ThenyouthinkthatJasperknewyouweregivinghimthisadvantage，ofwhichhehadsounhandsomelyavailedhimself？saidMabel，thecolorwhichhadim-

partedsomuchlustretohereyesgraduallyleavingherface，whichbecamegraveandthoughtful。

Idonotsaythat，butveryfarfromit。Weallforgetthingsthatwehaveknown，wheneagerafterourwishes。