第7章

JasperissatisfiedthatIcanpassonebulletthroughtwopotatoes，asIsentmybulletthroughthegulls。andheknowsnoothermanonthefrontiercandothesamething。

Butwiththecalashbeforehiseyes，andthehopeofgivingittoyou，theladwasinclinedtothinkbetterofhimself，justatthatmoment，perhaps，thanheought。No，no，there’snothingmeanordistrustfulaboutJasperEau-

douce，thoughitisagiftnaturaltoallyoungmentowishtoappearwellintheeyesofhandsomeyoungwomen。

I’lltrytoforgetall，butthekindnessyou’vebothshowntoapoormotherlessgirl，saidMabel，strugglingtokeepdownemotionsshescarcelyknewhowtoaccountforherself。Believeme，Pathfinder，Icanneverforgetallyouhavealreadydoneforme——youandJasper。andthisnewproofofyourregardisnotthrownaway。Here，hereisabroochthatisofsilver，andIofferitasatokenthatIoweyoulifeorliberty。

WhatshallIdowiththis，Mabel？askedthebewil-

deredhunter，holdingthesimpletrinketinhishand。I

haveneitherbucklenorbuttonaboutme，forIwearnothingbutleathernstrings，andthemofgooddeer-skins。

It’sprettytotheeye，butitisprettierfaronthespotitcamefromthanitcanbeaboutme。

Nay，putitinyourhunting-shirt。itwillbecomeitwell。Remember，Pathfinder，thatitisatokenoffriend-

shipbetweenus，andasignthatIcanneverforgetyouoryourservices。

Mabelthensmiledanadieu。and，boundingupthebank，shewassoonlosttoviewbehindthemoundofthefort。

CHAPTERXII。

Lo！duskymassesstealindubioussight，Alongtheleaguer’dwall，andbristlingbank，Ofthearm’driver。whilewithstragglinglight，Thestarspeepthroughthevapor，dimanddank。

BYRON。

AfewhourslaterMabelDunhamwasonthebastionthatoverlookedtheriverandthelake，seeminglyindeepthought。Theeveningwascalmandsoft，andtheques-

tionhadarisenwhetherthepartyfortheThousandIslandswouldbeabletogetoutthatnightornot，onaccountofthetotalabsenceofwind。Thestores，arms，andammuni-

tionwerealreadyshipped，andevenMabel’seffectswereonboard。butthesmalldraftofmenthatwastogowasstillashore，therebeingnoapparentprospectofthecutter’sgettingunderway。Jasperhadwarpedthe_Scud_outofthecove，andsofarupthestreamastoenablehimtopassthroughtheoutletoftheriverwheneverhechose。buttherehestilllay，ridingatsingleanchor。Thedraftedmenwereloungingabouttheshoreofthecove，undecidedwhetherornottopulloff。

Thesportsofthemorninghadleftaquietinthegarri-

sonwhichwasinharmonywiththewholeofthebeautifulscene，andMabelfeltitsinfluenceonherfeelings，thoughprobablytoolittleaccustomedtospeculateonsuchsensa-

tionstobeawareofthecause。Everythingnearappearedlovelyandsoothing，whilethesolemngrandeurofthesilentforestandplacidexpanseofthelakelentasub-

limitythatotherscenesmighthavewanted。Forthefirsttime，Mabelfelttheholdthatthetownsandcivilizationhadgainedonherhabitssensiblyweakened。andthewarm-heartedgirlbegantothinkthatalifepassedamidobjectssuchasthosearoundhermightbehappy。Howfartheexperienceofthelastdayscameinaidofthecalmandholyeventide，andcontributedtowardsproducingthatyoungconviction，maybesuspected，ratherthanaffirmed，inthisearlyportionofourlegend。

Acharmingsunset，Mabel！saidtheheartyvoiceofheruncle，soclosetotheearofourheroineastocausehertostart，——acharmingsunset，girl，forafresh-watercon-

cern，thoughweshouldthinkbutlittleofitatsea。

Andisnotnaturethesameonshoreoratsea——onalakelikethisorontheocean？Doesnotthesunshineonallalike，dearuncle。andcanwenotfeelgratitudefortheblessingsofProvidenceasstronglyonthisremotefrontierasinourownManhattan？

Thegirlhasfalleninwithsomeofhermother’sbooks。

Isnotnaturethesame，indeed！Now，Mabel，doyouimaginethatthenatureofasoldieristhesameasthatofaseafaringman？You’verelationsinbothcallings，andoughttobeabletoanswer。

Butuncle，Imeanhumannature。

SodoI，girl。thehumannatureofaseaman，andthehumannatureofoneofthesefellowsofthe55th，notevenexceptingyourownfather。Herehavetheyhadashooting-match——target-firingIshouldcallit——thisday，andwhatadifferentthinghasitbeenfromatarget-firingafloat！Thereweshouldhavesprungourbroadside，sportedwithroundshot，atanobjecthalfamileoff，attheverynearest。andthepotatoes，iftherehappenedtobeanyonboard，asverylikelywouldnothavebeenthecase，wouldhavebeenleftinthecook’scoppers。Itmaybeanhonorablecalling，thatofasoldier，Mabel。butanexperiencedhandseesmanyfolliesandweaknessesinoneoftheseforts。Asforthatbitofalake，youknowmyopinionofitalready，andIwishtodisparagenothing。Norealseafarerdisparagesanything。but，d——me，ifIregardthishereOntario，astheycallit，asmorethansomuchwaterinaship’sscuttle-butt。Now，lookyouhere，Mabel，ifyouwishtounderstandthedifferencebetweentheoceanandalake，Icanmakeyoucomprehenditwithasinglelook：thisiswhatonemaycallacalm，seeingthatthereisnowind。though，toownthetruth，Idonotthinkthecalmsareascalmasthemwegetoutside——

Uncle，thereisnotabreathofair。Idonotthinkitpossiblefortheleavestobemoreimmovablystillthanthoseoftheentireforestareatthisverymoment。

Leaves！whatareleaves，child？therearenoleavesatsea。Ifyouwishtoknowwhetheritisadeadcalmornot，tryamouldcandle，——yourdipsflaringtoomuch，——

andthenyoumaybecertainwhetherthereisorisnotanywind。Ifyouwereinalatitudewheretheairwassostillthatyoufoundadifficultyinstirringittodrawitininbreathing，youmightfancyitacalm。Peopleareoftenonashortallowanceofairinthecalmlatitudes。Here，again，lookatthatwater！Itislikemilkinapan，withnomoremotionnowthanthereisinafullhogsheadbeforethebungisstarted。Ontheoceanthewaterisneverstill，lettheairbeasquietasitmay。

Thewateroftheoceanneverstill，UncleCap？noteveninacalm？

Blessyourheart，no，child！Theoceanbreatheslikealivingbeing，anditsbosomisalwaysheaving，asthepoetizerscallit，thoughtherebenomoreairthanistobefoundinasiphon。Nomaneversawtheoceanstilllikethislake。butitheavesandsetsasifithadlungs。

Andthislakeisnotabsolutelystill，foryouperceivethereisalittlerippleontheshore，andyoumayevenhearthesurfplungingatmomentsagainsttherocks。

Alld——dpoetry！LakeOntarioisnomoretheAtlanticthanaPowlesHookperiagilaisafirst-rate。ThatJasper，notwithstanding，isafinelad，andwantsinstructiononlytomakeamanofhim。

Doyouthinkhimignorant，uncle？answeredMabel，prettilyadjustingherhair，inordertodowhichshewasobliged，orfanciedshewasobliged，toturnawayherface。

TomeJasperEau-douceappearstoknowmorethanmostoftheyoungmenofhisclass。Hehasreadbutlittle，forbooksarenotplentyinthispartoftheworld。

buthehasthoughtmuch，asleastsoitseemstome，foronesoyoung。

Heisignorant，asallmustbewhonavigateaninlandwaterlikethis。No，no，Mabel。webothowesomethingtoJasperandthePathfinder，andIhavebeenthinkinghowIcanbestservethem，forIholdingratitudetobetheviceofahog。fortreattheanimaltoyourowndinner，andhewouldeatyouforthedessert。

Verytrue，dearuncle。weoughtindeedtodoallwecantoexpressourpropersenseoftheservicesofboththesebravemen。

Spokenlikeyourmother’sdaughter，girl，andinawaytodocredittotheCapfamily。Now，I’vehituponatraversethatwilljustsuitallparties。and，assoonaswegetbackfromthislittleexpeditiondownthelakeamongthemthereThousandIslands，andIamreadytoreturn，itismyintentiontoproposeit。

Dearestuncle！thisissoconsiderateinyou，andwillbesojust！MayIaskwhatyourintentionsare？

Iseenoreasonforkeepingthemasecretfromyou，Mabel，thoughnothingneedbesaidtoyourfatheraboutthem。fortheSergeanthashisprejudices，andmightthrowdifficultiesintheway。NeitherJaspernorhisfriendPathfindercanevermakeanythinghereabouts，andIproposetotakebothwithmedowntothecoast，andgetthemfairlyafloat。Jasperwouldfindhissea-legsinafort-

night，andatwelvemonth’sv’y’gewouldmakehimaman。

AlthoughPathfindermighttakemoretime，ornevergettoberatedable，yetonecouldmakesomethingofhimtoo，particularlyasalook-out，forhehasunusuallygoodeyes。

Uncle，doyouthinkeitherwouldconsenttothis？

saidMabelsmiling。

DoIsupposethemsimpletons？whatrationalbeingwouldneglecthisownadvancement？LetJasperalonetopushhisway，andtheladmayyetdiethemasterofsomesquare-riggedcraft。

Andwouldhebeanythehappierforit，dearuncle？

Howmuchbetterisittobethemasterofasquare-riggedcraftthantobemasterofaround-riggedcraft？

Pooh，pooh，Magnet！youarejustfittoreadlecturesaboutshipsbeforesomehystericalsociety。youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout。leavethesethingstome，andthey’llbeproperlymanaged。Ah！hereisthePathfinderhimself，andImayjustaswelldrophimahintofmybenevolentintentionsasregardshimself。Hopeisagreatencouragerofourexertions。

Capnoddedhishead，andthenceasedtospeak，whilethehunterapproached，notwithhisusualfrankandeasymanner，butinawaytoshowthathewasslightlyem-

barrassed，ifnotdistrustfulofhisreception。

Uncleandniecemakeafamilyparty，saidPathfinder，whennearthetwo，andastrangermaynotproveawel-

comecompanion？

Youarenostranger，MasterPathfinder，returnedCap，andnoonecanbemorewelcomethanyourself。

Weweretalkingofyoubutamomentago，andwhenfriendsspeakofanabsentman，hecanguesswhattheyhavesaid。

Iasknosecrets。Everymanhashisenemies，andI

havemine，thoughIcountneitheryou，MasterCap，norprettyMabelhereamongthenumber。AsfortheMingos，Iwillsaynothing，thoughtheyhavenojustcausetohateme。

ThatI’llanswerfor，Pathfinder！foryoustrikemyfancyasbeingwell-disposedandupright。Thereisamethod，however，ofgettingawayfromtheenmityofeventheseMingos。andifyouchoosetotakeit，noonewillmorewillinglypointitoutthanmyself，withoutachargeformyadviceeither。

Iwishnoenemies，Saltwater，forsothePathfinderhadbeguntocallCap，having，insensiblytohimself，adoptedtheterm，bytranslatingthenamegivenhimbytheIndiansinandaboutthefort，——Iwishnoenemies。

I’masreadytoburythehatchetwiththeMingosaswiththeFrench，thoughyouknowthatitdependsonOnegreaterthaneitherofussototurntheheartastoleaveamanwithoutenemies。

Byliftingyouranchor，andaccompanyingmedowntothecoast，friendPathfinder，whenwegetbackfromthisshortcruiseonwhichwearebound，youwillfindyourselfbeyondthesoundofthewar-whoop，andsafeenoughfromanyIndianbullet。

AndwhatshouldIdoonthesaltwater？Huntinyourtowns？Followthetrailsofpeoplegoingandcom-

ingfrommarket，andambushdogsandpoultry？Youarenofriendtomyhappiness，MasterCap，ifyouwouldleadmeoutoftheshadesofthewoodstoputmeinthesunoftheclearings。

Ididnotproposetoleaveyouinthesettlements，Pathfinder，buttocarryyououttosea，whereamancanonlybesaidtobreathefreely。Mabelwilltellyouthatsuchwasmyintention，beforeawordwassaidonthesubject。

AndwhatdoesMabelthinkwouldcomeofsuchachange？Sheknowsthatamanhashisgifts，andthatitisasuselesstopretendtoothersastowithstandthemthatcomefromProvidence。Iamahunter，andascout，oraguide，Saltwater，anditisnotinmetoflysomuchinthefaceofHeavenastotrytobecomeanythingelse。AmI

right，Mabel，orareyousomuchawomanastowishtoseeanatur’altered？

Iwouldwishtoseenochangeinyou，Pathfinder，

Mabelanswered，withacordialsincerityandfranknessthatwentdirectlytothehunter’sheart。andmuchasmyuncleadmiresthesea，andgreatasisallthegoodthathethinksmaycomeofit，Icouldnotwishtoseethebestandnoblesthunterofthewoodstransformedintoanad-

miral。Remainwhatyouare，mybravefriend，andyouneedfearnothingshortoftheangerofGod。

Doyouhearthis，Saltwater？doyouhearwhattheSergeant’sdaughterissaying，andsheismuchtooupright，andfair-minded，andpretty，nottothinkwhatshesays。

SolongassheissatisfiedwithmeasIam，IshallnotflyinthefaceofthegiftsofProvideuce，bystrivingtobecomeanythingelse。Imayseemuselesshereinagarrison。butwhenwegetdownamongtheThousandIslands，theremaybeanopportunitytoprovethatasurerifleissometimesaGodsend。

Youarethentobeofourparty？saidMabel，smilingsofranklyandsosweetlyontheguidethathewouldhavefollowedhertotheendoftheearth。Ishallbetheonlyfemale，withtheexceptionofonesoldier’swife，andshallfeelnonethelesssecure，Pathfinder，becauseyouwillbeamongourprotectors。

TheSergeantwoulddothat，Mabel，thoughyouwerenotofhiskin。Noonewilloverlookyou。Ishouldthinkyouruncleherewouldlikeanexpeditionofthissort，whereweshallgowithsails，andhavealookataninlandsea？

Yourinlandseaisnogreatmatter，MasterPathfinder，andIexpectnothingfromit。Iconfess，however，Ishouldliketoknowtheobjectofthecruise。foronedoesnotwishtobeidle，andmybrother-in-law，theSergeant，isasclose-mouthedasafreemason。Doyouknow，Mabel，whatallthismeans？

Notintheleast，uncle。Idarenotaskmyfatheranyquestionsabouthisduty，forhethinksitisnotawoman’sbusiness。andallIcansayis，thatwearetosailassoonasthewindwillpermit，andthatwearetobeabsentamonth。

PerhapsMasterPathfindercangivemeausefulhint。

forav’y’gewithoutanobjectisneverpleasanttoanoldsailor。

Thereisnogreatsecret，Saltwater，concerningourportandobject，thoughitisforbiddentotalkmuchabouteitherinthegarrison。Iamnosoldier，however，andcanusemytongueasIplease，thoughaslittlegivenasanothertoidleconversation，Ihope。still，aswesailsosoon，andyouarebothtobeoftheparty，youmayaswellbetoldwhereyouaretobecarried。YouknowthattherearesuchthingsastheThousandIslands，Isuppose，MasterCap？

Ay，whataresocalledhereaway，thoughItakeitforgrantedthattheyarenotrealislauds，suchaswefallinwithontheocean。andthatthethousandmeanssomesuchmatterastwoorthree。

Myeyesaregood，andyethaveIoftenbeenfoiledintryingtocountthemveryislands。

Ay，ay，I’veknownpeoplewhocouldn’tcountbeyondacertainnumber。Yourrealland-birdsneverknowtheirownroosts，eveninaland-fallatsea。HowmanytimeshaveIseenthebeach，andhouses，andchurches，whenthepassengershavenotbeenabletoseeanythingbutwater！

Ihavenoideathatamancangetfairlyoutofsightoflandonfreshwater。Thethingappearstometobeirra-

tionalandimpossible。

Youdon’tknowthelakes，MasterCap，oryouwouldnotsaythat。BeforewegettotheThousandIslands，youwillhaveothernotionsofwhatnatur’hasdoneinthiswilderness。

Ihavemydoubtswhetheryouhavesuchathingasarealislandinallthisregion。

We’llshowyouhundredsofthem。notexactlyathou-

sand，perhaps，butsomanythateyecannotseethemall，nortonguecountthem。

I’llengage，whenthetruthcomestobeknown，they’llturnouttobenothingbutpeninsulas，orpromontories。orcontinents。thoughthesearematters，Idaresay，ofwhichyouknowlittleornothing。But，islandsornoislands，whatistheobjectofthecruise，MasterPathfinder？

Therecanbenoharmingivingyousomeideaofwhatwearegoingtodo。Beingsooldasailor，MasterCap，you’veheard，nodoubt，ofsuchaportasFrontenac？

Whohasn’t？IwillnotsayI’veeverbeeninsidetheharbor，butI’vefrequentlybeenofftheplace。

Thenyouareabouttogoupongroundwithwhichyouareacquainted。Thesegreatlakes，youmustknow，makeachain，thewaterpassingoutofoneintotheother，untilitreachesErie，whichisasheetoffheretothewest-

ward，aslargeasOntarioitself。Well，outofEriethewatercomes，untilitreachesalowmountainlike，overtheedgeofwhichitpasses。

Ishouldliketoknowhowthedevilitcandothat？

Why，easyenough，MasterCap，returnedPathfinder，laughing，seeingthatithasonlytofalldownhill。HadIsaidthewaterwent_up_themountain，therewouldhavebeennatur’ag’init。butweholditnogreatmatterforwatertorundownhill——thatis，_fresh_water。

Ay，ay，butyouspeakofthewaterofalake’scomingdownthesideofamountain。it’sintheteethofreason，ifreasonhasanyteeth。

Well，well，wewillnotdisputethepoint。butwhatI’veseenI’veseen。AftergettingintoOntario，allthewaterof_all_thelakespassesdownintotheseabyariver。

andinthenarrowpartofthesheet，whereitisneitherrivernorlake，lietheislandsspokenof。NowFrontenacisapostoftheFrenchersabovethesesameislands。and，astheyholdthegarrisonbelow，theirstoresandammuni-

tionaresentuptherivertoFrontenac，tobeforwardedalongtheshoresofthisandtheotherlakes，inordertoenabletheenemytoplayhisdevilriesamongthesavages，andtotakeChristianscalps。

Andwillourpresencepreventthesehorribleacts？

demandedMabel，withinterest。

Itmayoritmaynot，asProvidencewills。Lundie，astheycallhim，hewhocommandsthisgarrison，sentapartydowntotakeastationamongtheislands，tocutoffsomeoftheFrenchboats。andthisexpeditionofourswillbethesecondrelief。Asyetthey’venotdonemuch，thoughtwobateauxloadedwithIndiangoodshavebeentaken。

butarunnercameinlastweek，andbroughtsuchtidingsthattheMajorisabouttomakealastefforttocircumventtheknaves。Jasperknowstheway，andweshallbeingoodhands，fortheSergeantisprudent，andofthefirstqualityatanambushment。yes，heisbothprudentandalert。

Isthisall？saidCapcontemptuously。bytheprep-

arationsandequipments，Ihadthoughttherewasaforcedtradeinthewind，andthatanhonestpennymightbeturnedbytakinganadventure。Isupposetherearenosharesinyourfresh-waterprize-money？

Anan？

Itakeitforgrantedthekinggetsallinthesesoldier-

ingparties，andambushments，asyoucallthem。

Iknownothingaboutthat，MasterCap。Itakemyshareoftheleadandpowderifanyfallsintoourhands，andsaynothingtothekingaboutit。Ifanyonefaresbetter，itisnotI。thoughitistimeIdidbegintothinkofahouseandfurnitureandahome。

AlthoughthePathfinderdidnotdaretolookatMabelwhilehemadethisdirectallusiontohischangeoflife，hewouldhavegiventheworldtoknowwhethershewaslis-

tening，andwhatwastheexpressionofhercountenance。

Mabellittlesuspectedthenatureoftheallusion，however。

andhercountenancewasperfectlyunembarrassedassheturnedhereyestowardstheriver，wheretheappearanceofsomemovementonboardthe_Scud_begantobevisible。

Jasperisbringingthecutterout，observedtheguide，whoselookwasdrawninthesamedirectionbythefallofsomeheavyarticleonthedeck。Theladseesthesignsofwind，nodoubt，andwishestobereadyforit。

Ay，nowweshallhaveanopportunityoflearningseamanship，returnedCap，withasneer。Thereisanicetyingettingacraftunderhercanvasthatshowsthethoroughbredmarinerasmuchasanythingelse。It’slikeasoldierbuttoninghiscoat，andonecanseewhetherhebeginsatthetoporthebottom。

IwillnotsaythatJasperisequaltoyourseafarersbelow，observedPathfinder，acrosswhoseuprightmindanunworthyfeelingofenvyorofjealousyneverpassed。

butheisaboldboy，andmanageshiscutterasskillfullyasanymancandesire，onthislakeatleast。Youdidn’tfindhimbackwardsattheOswegoFalls，MasterCap，wherefreshwatercontrivestotumbledownhillwithlittledifficulty。

Capmadenootheranswerthanadissatisfiedejaculation，andthenageneralsilencefollowed，allonthebastionstudyingthemovementsofthecutterwiththeinterestthatwasnaturaltotheirownfutureconnectionwiththevessel。Itwasstilladeadcalm，thesurfaceofthelakeliterallyglitteringwiththelastraysofthesun。The_Scud_hadbeenwarpeduptoakedgethatlayahundredyardsabovethepointsoftheoutlet，whereshehadroomtomanoeuvreintheriverwhichthenformedtheharborofOswego。Butthetotalwantofairpreventedanysuchat-

tempt，anditwassoonevidentthatthelightvesselwastobetakenthroughthepassageunderhersweeps。Notasailwasloosened。butassoonasthekedgewastripped，theheavyfallofthesweepswasheard，whenthecutter，withherheadupstream，begantosheertowardsthecentreofthecurrent。onreachingwhich，theeffortsofthemenceased，andshedriftedtowardstheoutlet。Inthenarrowpassitselfhermovementwasrapid，andinlessthanfiveminutesthe_Scud_wasfloatingoutsideofthetwolowgravellypointswhichinterceptedthewavesofthelake。

Noanchorwasletgo，butthevesselcontinuedtosetofffromtheland，untilherdarkhullwasseenrestingontheglossysurfaceofthelake，fullaquarterofamilebeyondthelowbluffwhichformedtheeasternextremityofwhatmightbecalledtheouterharbororroadstead。Heretheinfluenceoftherivercurrentceased，andshebecame，vir-

tually，stationary。

Sheseemsverybeautifultome，uncle，saidMabel，whosegazehadnotbeenavertedfromthecutterforasinglemomentwhileithadthusbeenchangingitsposi-

tion。Idaresayyoucanfindfaultsinherappearance，andinthewaysheismanaged。buttomyignorancebothareperfect。

Ay，ay。shedropsdownwithacurrentwellenough，girl，andsowouldachip。Butwhenyoucometoniceties，alloldtarlikemyselfhasnoneedofspectaclestofindfault。

Well，MasterCap，putintheguide，whoseldomheardanythingtoJasper’sprejudicewithoutmanifestingadis-

positiontointerfere，I’veheardoldandexperiencedsalt-

watermarinersconfessthatthe_Scud_isasprettyacraftasfloats。Iknownothingofsuchmattersmyself。butonemayhavehisownnotionsaboutaship，eventhoughtheybewrongnotions。anditwouldtakemorethanonewitnesstopersuademeJasperdoesnotkeephisboatingoodorder。

Idonotsaythatthecutterisdownrightlubberly，MasterPathfinder。butshehasfaults，andgreatfaults。

Andwhatarethey，uncle？Ifheknewthem，Jasperwouldbegladtomendthem。

Whatarethey？Why，fifty。ay，forthatmatterahundred。Verymaterialandmanifestfaults。

Donamethem，sir，andPathfinderwillmentionthemtohisfriend。

Namethem！itisnoeasymattertocalloffthestars，forthesimplereasonthattheyaresonumerous。Namethem，indeed！Why，myprettyniece，MissMagnet，whatdoyouthinkofthatmain-boomnow？Tomyignoranteyes，itistoppedatleastafoottoohigh。andthenthepennantisfoul。and——and——ay，d——me，ifthereisn’tatopsailgasketadrift。anditwouldn’tsurprisemeatallifthereshouldbearoundturninthathawser，ifthekedgeweretobeletgothisinstant。Faultsindeed！Noseamancouldlookatheramomentwithoutseeingthatsheisasfulloffaultsasaservantwhohasaskedforhisdischarge。

Thismaybeverytrue，uncle，thoughImuchquestionifJasperknowsofthem。Idonotthinkhewouldsufferthesethings，Pathfinder，iftheywereoncepointedouttohim。

LetJaspermanagehisowncutter，Mabel。Hisgiftliesthat-a-way，andI’llanswerforit，noonecanteachhimhowtokeepthe_Scud_outofthehandsoftheFron-

tenackersortheirdevilishMingofriends。Whocaresforroundturnsinkedges，andforhawsersthataretoppedtoohigh，MasterCap，solongasthecraftsailswell，andkeepsclearoftheFrenchers？IwilltrustJasperagainstalltheseafarersofthecoast，uphereonthelakes。butI

donotsayhehasanygiftfortheocean，fortherehehasneverbeentried。

Capsmiledcondescendingly，buthedidnotthinkitnecessarytopushhiscritismsanyfurtherjustasthatmoment。Bythistimethecutterhadbeguntodriftatthemercyofthecurrentsofthelake，herheadturninginalldirections，thoughslowly，andnotinawaytoattractparticularattention。Justatthismomentthejibwasloosenedandhoisted，andpresentlythecanvasswelledtowardstheland，thoughnoevidencesofairwereyettobeseenonthesurfaceofthewater。Slight，however，aswastheimpulsion，thelighthullyielded。andinanotherminutethe_Scud_wasseenstandingacrossthecurrentoftheriverwithamovementsoeasyandmoderateastobescarcelyperceptible。Whenoutofthestream，shestruckaneddyandshotuptowardstheland，undertheemi-

nencewherethefortstood，whenJasperdroppedhiskedge。

Notlubberlydone，mutteredCapinasortofsolilo-

quy，——notoverlubberly，thoughheshouldhaveputhishelma-starboardinsteadofa-port。foravesseloughtalwaystocome-towithherheadoffshore，whethersheisaleaguefromthelandoronlyacable’slength，sinceithasacarefullook，andlooksaresomethinginthisworld。

Jasperisahandylad，suddenlyobservedSergeantDunhamathisbrother-in-law’selbow。andweplacegreatrelianceonhisskillinourexpeditions。Butcome，oneandall，wehavebuthalfanhourmoreofdaylighttoembarkin，andtheboatswillbereadyforusbythetimewearereadyforthem。

Onthisintimationthewholepartyseparated，eachtofindthosetrifleswhichhadnotbeenshippedalready。A

fewtapsofthedrumgavethenecessarysignaltothesoldiers，andinaminuteallwereinmotion。

CHAPTERXIII。

Thegoblinnowthefoolalarms，Hagsmeettomumbleo’ertheircharms，Thenight-mareridesthedreamingass，Andfairiestripitonthegrass。

COTTON。

Theembarkationofsosmallapartywasamatterofnogreatdelayorembarrassment。Thewholeforcecon-

fidedtothecareofSergeantDunhamconsistedofbuttenprivatesandtwonon-commissionedofficers，thoughitwassoonpositivelyknownthatMr。Muirwastoaccompanytheexpedition。TheQuartermaster，however，wentasavol-

unteer，whilesomedutyconnectedwithhisowndepart-

ment，ashadbeenarrangedbetweenhimandhiscom-

mander，wastheavowedobject。TothesemustbeaddedthePathfinderandCap，withJasperandhissubordinates，oneofwhomwasaboy。Theparty，consequently，con-

sistedoflessthantwentymen，andaladoffourteen。

Mabelandthewifeofacommonsoldierweretheonlyfemales。

SergeantDunhamcarriedoffhiscommandinalargebateau，andthenreturnedforhisfinalorders，andtoseethathisbrother-in-lawanddaughterwereproperlyat-

tendedto。HavingpointedouttoCaptheboatthatheandMabelweretouse，heascendedthehilltoseekhislastinterviewwithLundie。

ItwasnearlydarkwhenMabelfoundherselfintheboatthatwastocarryherofftothecutter。Soverysmoothwasthesurfaceofthelake，thatitwasnotfoundnecessarytobringthebateauxintotherivertoreceivetheirfreights。

butthebeachoutsidebeingtotallywithoutsurf，andthewaterastranquilasthatofapond，everybodyembarkedthere。Whentheboatlefttheland，Mabelwouldnothaveknownthatshewasafloatonsobroadasheetofwaterbyanymovementwhichisusualtosuchcircum-

stances。Theoarshadbarelytimetogiveadozenstrokes，whentheboatlayatthecutter’sside。

Jasperwasinreadinesstoreceivehispassengers。and，asthedeckofthe_Scud_wasbuttwoorthreefeetabovethewater，nodifficultywasexperiencedingettingonboardofher。Assoonasthiswaseffected，theyoungmanpointedouttoMabelandhercompaniontheaccommoda-

tionspreparedfortheirreception。Thelittlevesselcon-

tainedfourapartmentsbelow，allbetweendeckshavingbeenexpresslyconstructedwithaviewtothetransporta-

tionofofficersandmen，withtheirwivesandfamilies。

Firstinrankwaswhatwascalledtheafter-cabin，asmallapartmentthatcontainedfourberths，andwhichenjoyedtheadvantageofpossessingsmallwindows，forthead-

missionofairandlight。Thiswasuniformlydevotedtofemaleswheneveranywereonboard。andasMabelandhercompanionwerealone，theyhadampleaccommoda-

tion。Themaincabinwaslarger，andlightedfromabove。

ItwasnowappropriatedtotheQuartermaster，theSer-

geant，Cap，andJasper。thePathfinderroamingthroughanypartofthecutterhepleased，thefemaleapartmentexcepted。Thecorporalsandcommonsoldiersoccupiedthespacebeneaththemainhatch，whichhadadeckforsuchapurpose，whilethecrewwereberthed，asusual，intheforecastle。Althoughthecutterdidnotmeasurequitefiftytons，thedraftofofficersandmenwassolight，thattherewasampleroomforallonboard，therebeingspaceenoughtoaccommodatetreblethenumber，ifnecessary。

AssoonasMabelhadtakenpossessionofherownreallycomfortablecabin，indoingwhichshecouldnotabstainfromindulginginthepleasantreflectionthatsomeofJasper’sfavorhadbeenespeciallymanifestedinherbe-

half，shewentondeckagain。Hereallwasmomentarilyinmotion。themenwererovingtoandfro，inquestoftheirknapsacksandothereffects。butmethodandhabitsoonreducedthingstoorder，whenthestillnessonboardbecameevenimposing，foritwasconnectedwiththeideaoffutureadventureandominouspreparation。

Darknesswasnowbeginningtorenderobjectsonshoreindistinct，thewholeofthelandformingoneshapelessblackoutlineofevenforestsummits，tobedistinguishedfromtheimpendingheavensonlybythegreaterlightofthesky。Thestars，however，soonbegantoappearinthelatter，oneafteranother，intheirusualmild，placidlustre，bringingwiththemthatsenseofquietwhichordinarilyaccompaniesnight。Therewassomethingsoothing，aswellasexciting，insuchascene。andMabel，whowasseatedonthequarter-deck，sensiblyfeltbothinfluences。

ThePathfinderwasstandingnearher，leaning，asusual，onhislongrifle，andshefanciedthat，throughthegrow-

ingdarknessofthehour，shecouldtraceevenstrongerlinesofthoughtthanusualinhisruggedcountenance。

Toyou，Pathfinder，expeditionslikethiscanbenogreatnovelty，saidshe。thoughIamsurprisedtofindhowsilentandthoughtfulthemenappeartobe。

Welearnthisbymakingwarag’inIndians。Yourmilitiaaregreattalkersandlittledoersingeneral。butthesoldierwhohasoftenmettheMingoslearnstoknowthevalueofaprudenttongue。Asilentarmy，inthewoods，isdoublystrong。andanoisyone，doublyweak。

Iftonguesmadesoldiers，the，womenofacampwouldgenerallycarrytheday。

Butweareneitheranarmy，norinthewoods。TherecanbenodangerofMingosinthe_Scud_。

NooneissafefromaMingo，whodoesnotunderstandhisverynatur’。andeventhenhemustactuptohisownknowledge，andthatclosely。AskJasperhowhegotcom-

mandofthisverycutter。

Andhow_did_hegetcommand？inquiredMabel，withanearnestnessandinterestthatquitedelightedhersimple-

mindedandtrue-heartedcompanion，whowasneverbetterpleasedthanwhenhehadanopportunityofsayingaughtinfavorofafriend。Itishonorabletohimthathehasreachedthisstationwhileyetsoyoung。

Thatisit。buthedeserveditall，andmore。Afrigatewouldn’thavebeentoomuchtopayforsomuchspiritandcoolness，hadtherebeensuchathingonOntario，asthereisnot，hows’ever，orlikelytobe。

ButJasper——youhavenotyettoldmehowhegotthecommandoftheschooner。

Itisalongstory，Mabel，andoneyourfather，theSer-

geant，cantellmuchbetterthanI。forhewaspresent，whileIwasoffonadistantscouting。Jasperisnotgoodatastory，Iwillownthat。Ihaveheardhimquestionedaboutthisaffair，andhenevermadeagoodtaleofit，al-

thougheverybodyknowsitwasagoodthing。The_Scud_

hadnearfallenintothehandsoftheFrenchandtheMingos，whenJaspersavedher，inawaywhichnonebutaquick-wittedmindandaboldheartwouldhaveat-

tempted。TheSergeantwilltellthetalebetterthanI

can，andIwishyoutoquestionhimsomeday，whennothingbetteroffers。

Mabeldeterminedtoaskherfathertorepeattheinci-

dentsoftheaffairthatverynight。foritstruckheryoungfancythatnothingbettercouldwellofferthantolistentothepraisesofonewhowasabadhistorianofhisownex-

ploits。

Willthe_Scud_remainwithuswhenwereachtheisland？sheasked，afteralittlehesitationabouttheproprietyofthequestion。orshallwebelefttoour-

selves？

That’sasmaybe：Jasperdoesnotoftenkeepthecutteridlewhenanythingistobedone。andwemayexpectactivityonhispart。Mygifts，however，runsolittletowardsthewaterandvesselsgenerally，unlessitbeamongrapidsandfallsandincanoes，thatIpretendtoknownothingaboutit。WeshallhaveallrightunderJasper，Imakenodoubt，whocanfindatrailonOntarioaswellasaDelawarecanfindoneontheland。

AndourownDelaware，Pathfinder——theBigSerpent——

whyishenotwithusto-night？

Yourquestionwouldhavebeenmorenaturalhadyousaid，Whyare_you_here，Pathfinder？TheSarpentisinhisplace，whileIamnotinmine。Heisout，withtwoorthreemore，scoutingthelakeshores，andwilljoinusdownamongtheislands，withthetidingshemaygather。TheSergeantistoogoodasoldiertoforgethisrearwhileheisfacingtheenemyinfront。It’sathousandpities，Mabel，yourfatherwasn’tbornageneral，assomeoftheEnglisharewhocomeamongus。forIfeelsartainhewouldn’tleaveaFrencherintheCanadasaweek，couldhehavehisownwaywiththem。

Shallwehaveenemiestofaceinfront？askedMabel，smiling，andforthefirsttimefeelingaslightapprehen-

sionaboutthedangersoftheexpedition。Arewelikelytohaveanengagement？

Ifwehave，Mabel，therewillbemenenoughreadyandwillingtostandbetweenyouandharm。Butyouareasoldier’sdaughter，and，weallknow，havethespiritofone。Don’tletthefearofabattlekeepyourprettyeyesfromsleeping。

Idofeelbraverouthereinthewoods，Pathfinder，thanIeverfeltbeforeamidtheweaknessesofthetowns，althoughIhavealwaystriedtorememberwhatIowetomydearfather。

Ay，yourmotherwassobeforeyou。’YouwillfindMabel，likehermother，noscreamer，orafaint-heartedgirl，totroubleamaninhisneed。butonewhowoulden-

couragehermate，andhelptokeephisheartupwhensorestprestbydanger，’saidtheSergeanttome，beforeI

everlaideyesonthatsweetcountenanceofyours，——hedid！

Andwhyshouldmyfatherhavetoldyouthis，Path-

finder？thegirldemandedalittleearnestly。Perhapshefanciedyouwouldthinkthebetterofmeifyoudidnotbelievemeasillycoward，assomanyofmysexlovetomakethemselvesappear。

Deception，unlessitwereattheexpenseofhisenemiesinthefield，——nay，concealmentofevenathought，——wassolittleinaccordancewiththePathfinder’sverynature，thathewasnotalittleembarrassedbythissimpleques-

tion。Insuchastraitheinvoluntarilytookrefugeina，middlecourse，notrevealingthatwhichhefanciedoughtnottobetold，noryetabsolutelyconcealingit。

Youmustknow，Mabel，saidhe，thattheSergeantandIareoldfriends，andhavestoodsidebyside——or，ifnotactuallysidebyside，Ialittleinadvance，asbecameascout，andyourfatherwithhisownmen，asbettersuitedasoldieroftheking——onmanyahardfi’tandbloodyday。

It’sthewayofusskirmisherstothinklittleofthefightwhentheriflehasdonecracking。andatnight，aroundourfires，oronourmarches，wetalkofthethingswelove，justasyouyoungwomenconvarseaboutyourfanciesandopinionswhenyougettogethertolaughoveryouridees。

NowitwasnaturalthattheSergeant，havingsuchadaughterasyou，shouldloveherbetterthananythingelse，andthatheshouldtalkofheroftenerthanofanythingelse，——whileI，havingneitherdaughter，norsister，normother，norkith，norkin，noranythingbuttheDelawarestolove，Inaturallychimedin，asitwere，andgottoloveyou，Mabel，beforeIeversawyou——yes，Idid——justbytalk-

ingaboutyousomuch。

Andnowyou_have_seenme，returnedthesmilinggirl，whoseunmovedandnaturalmannerprovedhowlittleshewasthinkingofanythingmorethanparentalorfraternalregard，youarebeginningtoseethefollyofformingfriendshipsforpeoplebeforeyouknowanythingaboutthem，exceptbyhearsay。

Itwasn’tfriendship——itisn’tfriendship，Mabel，thatIfeelforyou。IamthefriendoftheDelawares，andhavebeensofromboyhood。butmyfeelingsforthem，orforthebestofthem，arenotthesameasthoseIgotfromtheSergeantforyou。and，especially，nowthatIbegintoknowyoubetter。I’msometimesafeareditisn’twhole-

someforonewhoismuchoccupiedinaverymanlycall-

ing，likethatofaguideorscout，orasoldiereven，toformfriendshipsforwomen，——youngwomeninparticular，——astheyseemtometolessentheloveofenterprise，andtoturnthefeelingsawayfromtheirgiftsandnaturaloccu-

pations。

Yousurelydonotmean，Pathfinder，thatafriendshipforagirllikemewouldmakeyoulessbold，andmoreun-

willingtomeettheFrenchthanyouwerebefore？

Notso，notso。Withyouindanger，forinstance，I

fearImightbecomefoolhardy。butbeforewebecamesointimate，asImaysay，Ilovedtothinkofmyscoutings，andofmymarches，andoutlyings，andfights，andotheradventures：butnowmymindcareslessaboutthem。I

thinkmoreofthebarracks，andofeveningspassedindis-

course，offeelingsinwhichtherearenowranglingsandbloodshed，andofyoungwomen，andoftheirlaughsandtheircheerful，softvoices，theirpleasantlooksandtheirwinningways。IsometimestelltheSergeantthatheandhisdaughterwillbethespoilingofoneofthebestandmostexperiencedscoutsonthelines。

Notthey，Pathfinder。theywilltrytomakethatwhichisalreadysoexcellent，perfect。Youdonotknowus，ifyouthinkthateitherwishestoseeyouintheleastchanged。

Remainasatpresent，thesamehonest，upright，conscien-

tious，fearless，intelligent，trustworthyguidethatyouare，andneithermydearfathernormyselfcaneverthinkofyoudifferentlyfromwhatwenowdo。

ItwastoodarkforMabeltonotetheworkingsofthecountenanceofherlistener。butherownsweetfacewasturnedtowardshim，asshespokewithanenergyequaltoherfrankness，inawaytoshowhowlittleembarrassedwereherthoughts，andhowsincerewereherwords。Hercountenancewasalittleflushed，itistrue。butitwaswithearnestnessandtruthoffeeling，thoughnonervethrilled，nolimbtrembled，nopulsationquickened。Inshort，hermannerandappearancewerethoseofasincere-mindedandfrankgirl，makingsuchadeclarationofgood-willandregardforoneoftheothersexasshefeltthathisservicesandgoodqualitiesmerited，withoutanyoftheemotionthatinvariablyaccompaniestheconsciousnessofanin-

clinationwhichmightleadtosofterdisclosures。

ThePathfinderwastoounpractised，however，toenterintodistinctionsofthiskind，andhishumblenaturewasencouragedbythedirectnessandstrengthofthewordshehadjustheard。Unwilling，ifnotunable，tosayanymore，hewalkedaway，andstoodleaningonhisrifleandlookingupatthestarsforfulltenminutesinprofoundsilence。

Inthemeanwhiletheinterviewonthebastion，towhichwehavealreadyalluded，tookplacebetweenLundieandtheSergeant。

Havethemen’sknapsacksbeenexamined？demandedMajorDuncan，afterhehadcasthiseyeatawrittenreport，handedtohimbytheSergeant，butwhichitwastoodarktoread。

All，yourhonor。andallareright。

Theammunition——arms？

Allinorder，MajorDuncan，andfitforanyservice。

Youhavethemennamedinmyowndraft，Dunham？

Withoutanexception，sir。Bettermencouldnotbefoundintheregiment。

Youhaveneedofthebestofourmen，Sergeant。Thisexperimenthasnowbeentriedthreetimes。alwaysunderoneoftheensigns，whohaveflatteredmewithsuccess，buthaveasoftenfailed。Aftersomuchpreparationandexpense，Idonotliketoabandontheprojectentirely。

butthiswillbethelasteffort。andtheresultwillmainlydependonyouandonthePathfinder。

Youmaycountonusboth，MajorDuncan。Thedutyyouhavegivenusisnotaboveourhabitsandexperience，andIthinkitwillbewelldone。IknowthatthePath-

finderwillnotbewanting。

Onthat，indeed，itwillbesafetorely。Heisamostextraordinaryman，Dunham——onewholongpuzzledme。

butwho，nowthatIunderstandhim，commandsasmuchofmyrespectasanygeneralinhismajesty’sservice。

Iwasinhopes，sir，thatyouwouldcometolookattheproposedmarriagewithMabelasathingIoughttowishandforward。

Asforthat，Sergeant，timewillshow，returnedLundie，smiling。thoughhere，too，theobscurityconcealedtbenicershadesofexpression。onewomanissometimesmoredifficulttomanagethanawholeregimentofmen。

Bytheway，youknowthatyourwould-beson-in-law，theQuartermaster，willbeoftheparty。andItrustyouwillatleastgivehimanequalchanceinthetrialforyourdaughter’ssmiles。

Ifrespectforhisrank，sir，didnotcausemetodothis，yourhonor’swishwouldbesufficient。

Ithankyou，Sergeant。Wehaveservedmuchtogether，andoughttovalueeachotherinourseveralstations。

Understandme，however，IasknomoreforDavyMuirthanaclearfieldandnofavor。Inlove，asinwar，eachmanmustgainhisownvictories。Areyoucertainthattherationshavebeenproperlycalculated？

I’llanswerforit，MajorDuncan。butiftheywerenot，wecannotsufferwithtwosuchhuntersasPathfinderandtheSerpentincompany。

Thatwillneverdo，Dunham，interruptedLundiesharply。anditcomesofyourAmericanbirthandAmericantraining。Nothoroughsoldiereverreliesonanythingbuthiscommissaryforsupplies。andIbegthatnopartofmyregimentmaybethefirsttosetanexampletothecontrary。

Youhaveonlytocommand，MajorDuncan，tobeobeyed。andyet，ifImightpresume，sir——

Speakfreely，Sergeant。youaretalkingwithafriend。

IwasmerelyabouttosaythatIfindeventheScotchsoldierslikevenisonandbirdsquiteaswellaspork，whentheyaredifficulttobehad。

Thatmaybeverytrue。butlikesanddislikeshavenothingtodowithsystem。Anarmycanrelyonnothingbutitscommissaries。Theirregularityoftheprovincialshasplayedthedevilwiththeking’sservicetoooftentobewinkedatanylonger。

GeneralBraddock，yourhonor，mighthavebeenad-

visedbyColonelWashington。

OutuponyourWashington！You’reallprovincialstogether，man，andupholdeachotherasifyouwereofaswornconfederacy。

IbelievehismajestyhasnomoreloyalsubjectsthantheAmericans，yourhonor。

Inthat，Dunham，I’mthinkingyou’reright。andI

havebeenalittletoowarm，perhaps。Idonotconsider_you_aprovincial，however，Sergeant。forthoughborninAmerica，abettersoldiernevershoulderedamusket。

AndColonelWashington，yourhonor？

Well！——andColonelWashingtonmaybeausefulsubjecttoo。HeistheAmericanprodigy。andIsupposeImayaswellgivehimallthecredityouask。YouhavenodoubtoftheskillofthisJasperEau-douce？

Theboyhasbeentried，sir，andfoundequaltoallthatcanberequiredofhim。

HehasaFrenchname，andhaspassedmuchofhisboyhoodintheFrenchcolonies。hasheFrenchbloodinhisveins，Sergeant？

Notadrop，yourhonor。Jasper’sfatherwasanoldcomradeofmyown，andhismothercameofanhonestandloyalfamilyinthisveryprovince。

HowcamehethensomuchamongtheFrench，andwhencehisname？HespeaksthelanguageoftheCanadas，too，Ifind。

Thatiseasilyexplained，MajorDuncan。Theboywasleftunderthecareofoneofourmarinersintheoldwar，andhetooktothewaterlikeaduck。YourhonorknowsthatwehavenoportsonOntariothatcanbenamedassuch，andhenaturallypassedmostofhistimeontheothersideofthelake，wheretheFrenchhavehadafewvesselsthesefiftyyears。Helearnedtospeaktheirlan-

guage，asamatterofcourse，andgothisnamefromtheIndiansandCanadians，whoarefondofcallingmenbytheirqualities，asitmightbe。

AFrenchmasterisbutapoorinstructorforaBritishsailor，notwithstanding。

Ibegyourpardon，sir：JasperEau-doucewasbroughtupunderarealEnglishseaman，onethathadsailedundertheking’spennant，andmaybecalledathorough-bred。

thatistosay，asubjectborninthecolonies，butnonetheworseathistrade，Ihope，MajorDuncan，forthat。

Perhapsnot，Sergeant，perhapsnot。noranybetter。

ThisJasperbehavedwell，too，whenIgavehimthecom-

mandofthe_Scud_。noladcouldhaveconductedhimselfmoreloyallyorbetter。

Ormorebravely，MajorDuncan。Iamsorrytosee，sir，thatyouhavedoubtsastothefidelityofJasper。

Itisthedutyofthesoldierwhoisentrustedwiththecareofadistantandimportantpostlikethis，Dunham，nevertorelaxinhisvigilance。Wehavetwoofthemostartfulenemiesthattheworldhaseverproduced，intheirseveralways，tocontendwith，——theIndiansandtheFrench，——andnothingshouldbeoverlookedthatcanleadtoinjury。

IhopeyourhonorconsidersmefittobeentrustedwithanyparticularreasonthatmayexistfordoubtingJasper，sinceyouhaveseenfittoentrustmewiththiscommand。

ItisnotthatIdoubtyou，Dunham，thatIhesitatetorevealallImayhappentoknow。butfromastrongre-

luctancetocirculateanevilreportconcerningoneofwhomIhavehithertothoughtwell。YoumustthinkwellofthePathfinder，oryouwouldnotwishtogivehimyourdaughter？

ForthePathfinder’shonestyIwillanswerwithmylife，sir，returnedtheSergeantfirmly，andnotwithoutadignityofmannerthatstruckhissuperior。Suchamandoesn’tknowhowtobefalse。

Ibelieveyouareright，Dunham。andyetthislastin-

formationhasunsettledallmyoldopinions。Ihavere-

ceivedananonymouscommunication，Sergeant，advisingmetobeonmyguardagainstJasperWestern，orJasperEau-douce，asheiscalled，who，italleges，hasbeenboughtbytheenemy，andgivingmereasontoexpectthatfurtherandmorepreciseinformationwillsoonbesent。

Letterswithoutsignaturestothem，sir，arescarcelytoberegardedinwar。

Orinpeace，Dunham。Noonecanentertainaloweropinionofthewriterofananonymousletter，inordinarymatters，thanmyself。theveryactdenotescowardice，meanness，andbaseness。anditusuallyisatokenoffalse-

hood，aswellasofothervices。Butinmattersofwaritisnotexactlythesamething。Besides，severalsuspiciouscircumstanceshavebeenpointedouttome。

Suchasisfitforanorderlytohear，yourhonor？

Certainly，oneinwhomIconfideasmuchasinyour-

selfDunham。Itissaid，forinstance，thatyourdaughterandherpartywerepermittedtoescapetheIroquois，whentheycamein，merelytogiveJaspercreditwithme。IamtoldthatthegentryatFrontenacwillcaremoreforthecaptureofthe_Scud_，withSergeantDunhamandapartyofmen，togetherwiththedefeatofourfavoriteplan，thanforthecaptureofagirlandthescalpofheruncle。

Iunderstandthehint，sir，butIdonotgiveitcredit。

Jaspercanhardlybetrue，andPathfinderfalse。and，asforthelast，Iwouldassoondistrustyourhonorasdistrusthim。

Itwouldseemso，Sergeant。itwouldindeedseemso。

ButJasperisnotthePathfinder，afterall。andIwillown，Dunham，Ishouldputmorefaithintheladifhedidn’tspeakFrench。

It’snorecommendationinmyeyes，Iassureyourhonor。buttheboylearneditbycompulsion，asitwere，andoughtnottobecondemnedtoohastilyforthecir-

cumstance，byyourhonor’sleave。

It’sad——dlingo，andneverdidanyonegood——atleastnoBritishsubject。forIsupposetheFrenchthemselvesmusttalktogetherinsomelanguageorother。IshouldhavemuchmorefaithinthisJasper，didheknownothingoftheirlanguage。Thisletterhasmademeuneasy。and，werethereanothertowhomIcouldtrustthecutter，I

woulddevisesomemeanstodetainhimhere。Ihavespokentoyoualreadyofabrother-in-law，whogoeswithyou，Sergeant，andwhoisasailor？

Arealseafaringman，yourhonor，andsomewhatpreju-

dicedagainstfreshwater。Idoubtifhecouldbeinducedtoriskhischaracteronalake，andI’mcertainhenevercouldfindthestation。

Thelastisprobablytrue，andthen，themancannotknowenoughofthistreacherouslaketobefitfortheem-

ployment。Youwillhavetobedoublyvigilant，Dunham。

Igiveyoufullpowers。andshouldyoudetectthisJasperinanytreachery，makehimasacrificeatoncetooffendedjustice。

Beingintheserviceofthecrown，yourhonor，heisamenabletomartiallaw。

Verytrue。thenironhim，fromhisheadtohisheels，andsendhimuphereinhisowncutter。Thatbrother-

in-lawofyoursmustbeabletofindthewayback，afterhehasoncetravelledtheroad。

Imakenodoubt，MajorDuncan，weshallbeabletodoallthatwillbenecessaryshouldJasperturnoutasyouseemtoanticipate。thoughIthinkIwouldriskmylifeonhistruth。

Ilikeyourconfidence——itspeakswellforthefellow。

butthatinfernalletter！thereissuchanairoftruthaboutit。nay，thereissomuchtruthinit，touchingothermatters。

Ithinkyourhonorsaiditwantedthenameatthebottom。agreatomissionforanhonestmantomake。

Quiteright，Dunham，andnoonebutarascal，andacowardlyrascalinthebargain，wouldwriteananonymousletteronprivateaffairs。Itisdifferent，however，inwar。

despatchesarefeigned，andartificeisgenerallyallowedtobejustifiable。

Militarymanlyartifices，sir，ifyouwill。suchasam-

bushes，surprises，feints，falseattacks，andevenspies。butIneverheardofatruesoldierwhocouldwishtounder-

minethecharacterofanhonestyoungmanbysuchmeansasthese。

Ihavemetwithmanystrangeevents，andsomestrangerpeople，inthecourseofmyexperience。Butfareyouwell，Sergeant。Imustdetainyounolonger。Youarenowonyourguard，andIrecommendtoyouuntiringvigilance。IthinkMuirmeansshortlytoretire。and，shouldyoufullysucceedinthisenterprise，myinfluencewillnotbewantinginendeavoringtoputyouinthevacancy，towhichyouhavemanyclaims。

Ihumblythankyourhonor，coollyreturnedtheSer-

geant，whohadbeenencouragedinthismanneranytimeforthetwentyprecedingyears，andhopeIshallneverdisgracemystation，whateveritmaybe。IamwhatnatureandProvidencehavemademe，andhopeI’msatisfied。

Youhavenotforgottenthehowitzer？

Jaspertookitonboardthismorning，sir。

Bewary，anddonottrustthatmanunnecessarily。

MakeaconfidantofPathfinderatonce。hemaybeofserviceindetectinganyvillainythatmaybestirring。Hissimplehonestywillfavorhisobservationbyconcealingit。

He_must_betrue。

Forhim，sir，myownheadshallanswer，orevenmyrankintheregiment。Ihaveseenhimtoooftentriedtodoubthim。

Ofallwretchedsensations，Dunham，distrust，whereoneiscompelledtoconfide，isthemostpainful。Youhavebethoughtyouofthespareflints？

Asergeantisasafecommanderforallsuchdetails，yourhonor。

Well，then，givemeyourhand，Dunham。Godblessyou！andmayyoubesuccessful！Muirmeanstoretire，——

bytheway，letthemanhaveanequalchancewithyourdaughter，foritmayfacilitatefutureoperationsaboutthepromotion。OnewouldretiremorecheerfullywithsuchacompanionasMabel，thanincheerlesswidowhood，andwithnothingbutoneselftolove，——andsuchaself，too，asDavy’s！

Ihope，sir，mychildwillmakeaprudentchoice，andIthinkhermindisalreadyprettymuchmadeupinfavorofPathfinder。Stillsheshallhavefairplay，thoughdis-

obedienceisthenextcrimetomutiny。

Havealltheammunitioncarefullyexaminedanddriedassoonasyouarrive。thedampofthelakemayaffectit。

Andnow，oncemore，farewell，Sergeant。BewareofthatJasper，andconsultwithMuirinanydifficulty。Ishallexpectyoutoreturn，triumphant，thisdaymonth。

Godblessyourhonor！Ifanythingshouldhappentome，Itrusttoyou，MajorDuncan，tocareforanoldsol-

dier’scharacter。

Relyonme，Dunham——youwillrelyonafriend。Bevigilant：rememberyouwillbeintheveryjawsofthelion——pshaw！ofnolionneither。butoftreacheroustigers：

intheirveryjaws，andbeyondsupport。Havetheflintscountedandexaminedinthemorning——and——farewell，Dunham，farewell！

TheSergeanttooktheextendedhandofhissuperiorwithproperrespect，andtheyfinallyparted。Lundiehas-

teningintohisownmovableabode，whiletheotherleftthefort，descendedtothebeach，andgotintoaboat。

ItisnottobesupposedthatSergeantDunham，afterhehadpartedfromhiscommandingofficer，waslikelytoforgettheinjunctionshehadreceived。HethoughthighlyofJasperingeneral。butdistrusthadbeeninsinuatedbe-

tweenhisformerconfidenceandtheobligationsofduty。

and，ashenowfeltthateverythingdependedonhisownvigilance，bythetimetheboatreachedthesideofthe_Scud_

hewasinaproperhumortoletnosuspiciouscircumstancegounheeded，oranyunusualmovementintheyoungsailorpasswithoutitscomment。Asamatterofcourse，heviewedthingsinthelightsuitedtohispeculiarmood。

andhisprecautions，aswellashisdistrust，partookofthehabits，opinions，andeducationoftheman。

The_Scud’s_kedgewasliftedassoonastheboatwiththeSergeant，whowasthelastpersonexpected，wasseentoquittheshore，andtheheadofthecutterwascasttotheeastwardbymeansofthesweeps。Afewvigorousstrokesofthelatter，inwhichthesoldiersaided，nowsentthelightcraftintothelineorthecurrentthatflowedfromtheriver，whenshewassufferedtodriftintotheoffingagain。Asyettherewasnowind，thelightandalmostimperceptibleairfromthelake，thathadexistedprevi-

ouslytothesettingofthesun，havingentirelyfailed。

Allthistimeanunusualquietprevailedinthecutter。

Itappearedasifthoseonboardofherfeltthattheywereenteringuponanuncertainenterprise，intheobscurityofnight。andthattheirduty，thehour，andthemanneroftheirdeparturelentasolemnitytotheirmovements。Dis-

ciplinealsocameinaidofthesefeelings。Mostweresilent。

andthosewhodidspeakspokeseldomandinlowvoices。

Inthismannerthecuttersetslowlyoutintothelake，untilshehadgotasfarastherivercurrentwouldcarryher，whenshebecamestationary，waitingfortheusualland-

breeze。Anintervalofhalfanhourfollowed，duringthewholeofwhichtimethe_Scud_layasmotionlessasalog，floatingonthewater。Whilethelittlechangesjustmen-

tionedwereoccurringinthesituationofthevessel，not-

withstandingthegeneralquietthatprevailed，allconversa-

tionhadnotbeenrepressed。forSergeantDunham，havingfirstascertainedthatbothhisdaughterandherfemalecompanionwereonthequarter-deck，ledthePathfindertotheafter-cabin，where，closingthedoorwithgreatcaution，andotherwisemakingcertainthathewasbeyondthereachofeavesdroppers，hecommencedasfollows：——

Itisnowmanyyears，myfriend，sinceyoubegantoexperiencethehardshipsanddangersofthewoodsinmycompany。

Itis，Sergeant。yesitis。IsometimesfearIamtoooldforMabel，whowasnotbornuntilyouandIhadfoughttheFrenchersascomrades。

Nofearonthataccount，Pathfinder。IwasnearyouragebeforeIprevailedonthemindofhermother。andMabelisasteady，thoughtfulgirl，onethatwillregardcharactermorethananythingelse。AladlikeJasperEau-douce，forinstance，willhavenochancewithher，thoughheisbothyoungandcomely。

DoesJasperthinkofmarrying？inquiredtheguide，simplybutearnestly。

Ishouldhopenot——atleast，notuntilhehassatisfiedeveryoneofhisfitnesstopossessawife。

Jasperisagallantboy，andoneofgreatgiftsinhisway。hemayclaimawifeaswellasanother。

Tobefrankwithyou，Pathfinder，Ibroughtyouheretotalkaboutthisveryyoungster。MajorDuncanhasre-

ceivedsomeinformationwhichhasledhimtosuspectthatEau-douceisfalse，andinthepayoftheenemy。Iwishtohearyouropiniononthesubject。

Anan？

Isay，theMajorsuspectsJasperofbeingatraitor——aFrenchspy——or，whatisworse，ofbeingboughttobetrayus。Hehasreceivedalettertothiseffect，andhasbeenchargingmetokeepaneyeontheboy’smovements。forhefearsweshallmeetwithenemieswhenweleastsuspectit，andbyhismeans。

DuncanofLundiehastoldyouthis，SergeantDun-

ham？