第8章

Hehasindeed，Pathfinder。and，thoughIhavebeenloathtobelieveanythingtotheinjuryofJasper，IhaveafeelingwhichtellsmeIoughttodistrusthim。Doyoubelieveinpresentiments，myfriend？

Inwhat，Sergeant？

Presentiments，——asortofsecretforeknowledgeofeventsthatareabouttohappen。TheScotchofourregi-

mentaregreatsticklersforsuchthings。andmyopinionofJasperischangingsofast，thatIbegintofeartheremustbesometruthintheirdoctrines。

Butyou’vebeentalkingwithDuncanofLundiecon-

cerningJasper，andhiswordshaveraisedmisgivings。

Notit，notsointheleast。for，whileconversingwiththeMajor，myfeelingswerealtogethertheotherway。andIendeavoredtoconvincehimallIcouldthathedidtheboyinjustice。Butthereisnouseinholdingoutagainstapresentiment，Ifind。andIfearthereissomethinginthesuspicionafterall。

Iknownothingofpresentiments，Sergeant。butIhaveknownJasperEau-doucesincehewasaboy，andIhaveasmuchfaithinhishonestyasIhaveinmyown，orthatoftheSarpenthimself。

ButtheSerpent，Pathfinder，hashistricksandam-

bushesinwaraswellasanother。

Ay，themarehisnat’ralgifts，andaresuchasbelongtohispeople。Neitherred-skinnorpale-facecandenynatur’。butChingachgookisnotamantofeelapre-

sentimentagainst。

ThatIbelieve。norshouldIhavethoughtillofJasperthisverymorning。Itseemstome，Pathfinder，sinceI’vetakenupthispresentiment，thattheladdoesnotbustleabouthisdecknaturally，asheusedtodo。butthatheissilentandmoodyandthoughtful，likeamanwhohasaloadonhisconscience。

Jasperisnevernoisy。andhetellsmenoisyshipsaregenerallyill-workedships。MasterCapagreesinthistoo。

No，no。IwillbelievenaughtagainstJasperuntilIseeit。

Sendforyourbrother，Sergeant，andletusquestionhiminthismatter。fortosleepwithdistrustofone’sfriendintheheartislikesleepingwithleadthere。Ihavenofaithinyourpresentiments。

TheSergeant，althoughhescarcelyknewhimselfwithwhatobject，complied，andCapwassummonedtojoinintheconsultation。AsPathfinderwasmorecollectedthanhiscompanion，andfeltsostrongaconvictionofthegoodfaithofthepartyaccused，heassumedtheofficeofspokes-

man。

Wehaveaskedyoutocomedown，MasterCap，hecommenced，inordertoinquireifyouhaveremarkedanythingoutofthecommonwayinthemovementsofEau-doucethisevening。

Hismovementsarecommonenough，Idaresay，forfreshwater，MasterPathfinder，thoughweshouldthinkmostofhisproceedingsirregulardownonthecoast。

Yes，yes。weknowyouwillneveragreewiththeladaboutthemannerthecutteroughttobemanaged。butitisonanotherpointwewishyouropinion。

ThePathfinderthenexplainedtoCapthenatureofthesuspicionswhichtheSergeantentertained，andthereasonswhytheyhadbeenexcited，sofarasthelatterhadbeencommunicatedbyMajorDuncan。

TheyoungstertalksFrench，doeshe？saidCap。

Theysayhespeaksitbetterthancommon，returnedtheSergeantgravely。Pathfinderknowsthistobetrue。

I’llnotgainsayit，answeredtheguide。atleast，theytellmesuchisthefact。Butthiswouldprovenothingag’inaMississagua，and，leastofall，ag’inonelikeJasper。

IspeaktheMingodialectmyself，havinglearntitwhileaprisoneramongthereptyles。butwhowillsayIamtheirfriend？NotthatIamanenemy，either，accordingtoIn-

diannotions。thoughIamtheirenemy，Iwilladmit，agree-

abletoChristianity。

AyPathfinder。butJasperdidnotgethisFrenchasaprisoner：hetookitinhisboyhood，whenthemindiseasilyimpressed，andgetsitspermanentnotions。whennaturehasapresentiment，asitwere，whichwaythecharacterislikelytoincline。

Averyjustremark，addedCap，forthatisthetimeoflifewhenwealllearnthecatechism，andothermoralimprovements。TheSergeant’sobservationshowsthatheunderstandshumannature，andIagreewithhimper-

fectly。it_is_adamnablethingforayoungster，uphere，onthisbitoffreshwater，totalkFrench。IfitweredownontheAtlantic，now，whereaseafaringmanhasoccasionsometimestoconversewithapilot，oralinguister，inthatlanguage，Ishouldnotthinksomuchofit，——thoughwealwayslookwithsuspicion，eventhere，atashipmatewhoknowstoomuchofthetongue。butuphere，onOntario，Iholdittobeamostsuspiciouscircumstance。

ButJaspermusttalkinFrenchtothepeopleontheothershore，saidPathfinder，orholdhistongue，astherearenonebutFrenchtospeakto。

Youdon’tmeantotellme，Pathfinder，thatFrancelieshereaway，ontheoppositecoast？criedCap，jerkingathumboverhisshoulderinthedirectionoftheCanadas。

thatonesideofthisbitoffreshwaterisYork，andtheotherFrance？

ImeantotellyouthisisYork，andthatisUpperCanada。andthatEnglishandDutchandIndianarespokeninthefirst，andFrenchandIndianinthelast。

EventheMingoshavegotmanyoftheFrenchwordsintheirdialect，anditisnoimprovement，neither。

Verytrue：andwhatsortofpeoplearetheMingos，myfriend？inquiredtheSergeant，touchingtheotheronhisshoulder，bywayofenforcingaremark，theinherenttruthofwhichsensiblyincreaseditsvalueintheeyesofthespeaker：nooneknowsthembetterthanyourself，andI

askyouwhatsortofatribearethey？

JasperisnoMingo，Sergeant。

HespeaksFrench，andhemightaswellbe，inthatparticular。BrotherCap，canyourecollectnomovementofthisunfortunateyoungman，inthewayofhiscalling，thatwouldseemtodenotetreachery？

Notdistinctly，Sergeant，thoughhehasgonetoworkwrong-endforemosthalfhistime。Itistruethatoneofhishandscoiledaropeagainstthesun，andhecalledit_querling_arope，too，whenIaskedhimwhathewasabout。

butIamnotcertainthatanythingwasmeantbyit。

though，Idaresay，theFrenchcoilhalftheirrunningrig-

gingthewrongway，andmaycallit’querlingitdown，’

too，forthatmatter。ThenJasperhimselfbelayedtheendofthejib-halyardstoastretcherintherigging，insteadofbringingintothemast，wheretheybelong，atleastamongBritishsailors。

IdaresayJaspermayhavegotsomeCanadanotionsaboutworkinghiscraft，frombeingsomuchontheotherside，Pathfinderinterposed。butcatchinganidee，oraword，isn’ttreacheryandbadfaith。IsometimesgetanideefromtheMingosthemselves。butmyhearthasalwaysbeenwiththeDelawares。No，no，Jasperistrue。andthekingmighttrusthimwithhiscrown，justashewouldtrusthiseldestson，who，asheistowearitoneday，oughttobethelastmantowishtostealit。

Finetalking，finetalking！saidCap。allfinetalk-

ing，MasterPathfinder，butd——dlittlelogic。Inthefirstplace，theking’smajestycannotlendhiscrown，itbeingcontrarytothelawsoftherealm，whichrequirehimtowearitatalltimes，inorderthathissacredpersonmaybeknown，justasthesilveroarisnecessarytoasheriff’sofficerafloat。Inthenextplace，it’shightreason，bylaw，fortheeldestsonofhismajestyevertocovetthecrown，ortohaveachild，exceptinlawfulwedlock，aseitherwouldderangethesuccession。Thusyousee，friendPath-

finderthatinordertoreasontruly，onemustgetunderway，asitmightbe，ontherighttack。Lawisreason，andreasonisphilosophy，andphilosophyisasteadydrag。

whenceitfollowsthatcrownsareregulatedbylaw，reason，andphilosophy。

Iknowlittleofallthis。MasterCap。butnothingshortofseeingandfeelingwillmakemethinkJasperWesternatraitor。

Thereyouarewrongagain，Pathfinder。forthereisawayofprovingathingmuchmoreconclusivelythaneitherseeingorfeeling，orbybothtogether。andthatisbyacircumstance。

Itmaybesointhesettlements。butitisnotsohereonthelines。

Itissoinnature，whichismonarchoverall。Therewasacircumstance，justafterwecameonboardthiseven-

ing，thatisextremelysuspicious，andwhichmaybesetdownatonceasamakeweightagainstthislad。Jasperbentontheking’sensignwithhisownhands。and，whilehepretendedtobelookingatMabelandthesoldier’swife，givingdirectionsaboutshowingthembelowhere，andathat，hegottheflaguniondown！

Thatmighthavebeenaccident，returnedtheSer-

geant，forsuchathinghashappenedtomyself。besides，thehalyardsleadtoapulley，andtheflagwouldhavecomeright，ornot，accordingtothemannerinwhichtheladhoistedit。

Apulley！exclaimedCap，withstrongdisgust。I

wish，SergeantDunham，Icouldprevailonyoutouseproperterms。Anensign-halyard-blockisnomoreapul-

leythanyourhalbertisaboarding-pike。Itistruethatbyhoistingononepart，anotherpartwouldgouppermost。

butIlookuponthataffairoftheensign，nowyouhavementionedyoursuspicions，asacircumstance，andshallbearitinmind。Itrustsupperisnottobeoverlooked，however，evenifwehaveaholdfulloftraitors。

Itwillbedulyattendedto，brotherCap。butIshallcountonyouforaidinmanagingthe_Scud_，shouldany-

thingoccurtoinducemetoarrestJasper。

I’llnotfailyou，Sergeant。andinsuchaneventyou’llprobablylearnwhatthiscuttercanreallyperform。for，asyet，Ifancyitisprettymuchmatterofguesswork。

Well，formypart，saidPathfinder，drawingaheavysigh，IshallclingtothehopeofJasper’sinnocence，andrecommendplaindealing，byaskingtheladhimself，with-

outfurtherdelay，whetherheisorisnotatraitor。I’llputJasperWesternagainstallthepresentimentsandcir-

cumstancesinthecolony。

Thatwillneverdo，rejoinedtheSergeant。There-

sponsibilityofthisaffairrestswithme，andIrequestandenjointhatnothingbesaidtoanyonewithoutmyknowl-

edge。Wewillallkeepwatchfuleyesaboutus，andtakepropernoteofcircumstances。

Ay，ay！circumstancesarethethingsafterall，re-

turnedCap。Onecircumstanceisworthfiftyfacts。ThatIknowtobethelawoftherealm。Manyamanhasbeenhangedoncircumstances。

Theconversationnowceased，and，afterashortdelay，thewholepartyreturnedtothedeck，eachindividualdis-

posedtoviewtheconductofthesuspectedJasperinthemannermostsuitedtohisownhabitsandcharacter。

CHAPTERXIV。

Evensuchaman，sofaint，sospiritless，Sodull，sodeadinlook，sowoe-begone，DrewPriam’sCurtaininthedeadofnight，Andwouldhavetoldhim，halfhisTroywasburned。

SHAKESPEARE。

Allthistimematterswereelsewherepassingintheirusualtrain。Jasper，liketheweatherandhisvessel，seemedtobewaitingfortheland-breeze。whilethesoldiers，ac-

customedtoearlyrising，had，toaman，soughttheirpalletsinthemainhold。Noneremainedondeckbutthepeopleofthecutter，Mr。Muir，andthetwofemales。TheQuar-

termasterwasendeavoringtorenderhimselfagreeabletoMabel，whileourheroineherself，littleaffectedbyhisas-

siduities，whichsheascribedpartlytothehabitualgallantryofasoldier，andpartly，perhaps，toherownprettyface，wasenjoyingthepeculiaritiesofasceneandsituationwhich，toher，werefullofthecharmsofnovelty。

Thesailshadbeenhoisted，butasyetnotabreathofairwasinmotion。andsostillandplacidwasthelake，thatnotthesmallestmotionwasperceptibleinthecutter。

Shehaddriftedintheriver-currenttoadistancealittleexceedingaquarterofamilefromtheland，andthereshelay，beautifulinhersymmetryandform，butlikeafix-

ture。YoungJasperwasonthequarter-deck，nearenoughtohearoccasionallytheconversationwhichpassed。buttoodiffidentofhisownclaim，andtoointentonhisduties，toattempttomingleinit。ThefineblueeyesofMabelfollowedhismotionsincuriousexpectation，andmorethanoncetheQuartermasterhadtorepeathiscomplimentsbeforesheheardthem，sointentwassheonthelittleoc-

currencesofthevessel，and，wemightadd，soindifferenttotheeloquenceofhercompanion。Atlength，evenMr。

Muirbecamesilent，andtherewasadeepstillnessonthewater。Presentlyanoar-bladefellinaboatbeneaththefort，andthesoundreachedthecutterasdistinctlyasifithadbeenproducedonherdeck。Thencameamurmur，likeasighofthenight，aflutteringofthecanvas，thecreakingoftheboom，andtheflapofthejib。Thesewell-

knownsoundswerefollowedbyaslightheelinthecutter，andbythebellyingofallthesails。

Here’sthewind，Anderson，calledoutJaspertotheoldestofhissailors。takethehelm。

Thisbrieforderwasobeyed。thehelmwasputup，thecutter’sbowsfelloff，andinafewminutesthewaterwasheardmurmuringunderherhead，asthe_Scud_glancedthroughthelakeattherateoffivemilesinthehour。Allthispassedinprofoundsilence，whenJasperagaingavetheordertoeaseoffthesheetsalittleandkeepheralongtheland。

Itwasatthisinstantthatthepartyfromtheafter-cabinreappearedonthequarter-deck。

You’venoinclination，Jasperlad，totrustyourselftoonearourneighbourstheFrench，observedMuir，whotookthatoccasiontorecommencethediscourse。Well，well，yourprudencewillneverbequestionedbyme，forIliketheCanadasaslittleasyoucanpossiblylikethemyourself。

Ihugthisshore，Mr。Muir，onaccountofthewind。

Theland-breezeisalwaysfreshestclosein，providedyouarenotsonearastomakealeeofthetrees。WehaveMexicoBaytocross。andthat，onthepresentcourse，willgiveusquiteoffingenough。

I’mrightgladit’snottheBayofMexico，putinCap，whichisapartoftheworldIwouldrathernotvisitinoneofyourinlandcraft。Doesyourcutterbearaweatherhelm，masterEau-douce？

Sheiseasyonherrudder，masterCap。butlikeslook-

ingupatthebreezeaswellasanother，wheninlivelymotion。

Isupposeyouhavesuchthingsasreefs，thoughyoucanhardlyhaveoccasiontousethem？

Mabel’sbrighteyedetectedthesmilethatgleamedforaninstantonJasper’shandsomeface。butnooneelsesawthatmomentaryexhibitionofsurpriseandcontempt。

Wehavereefs，andoftenhaveoccasiontousethem，

quietlyreturnedtheyoungman。Beforewegetin，Mas-

terCap，anopportunitymayoffertoshowyouthemannerinwhichwedoso。forthereiseasterlyweatherbrewing，andthewindcannotchop，evenontheoceanitself，morereadilythanitfliesroundonLakeOntario。

Somuchforknowingnobetter！IhaveseenthewindintheAtlanticflyroundlikeacoach-wheel，inawaytokeepyoursailsshakingforanhour，andtheshipwouldbecomeperfectlymotionlessfromnotknowingwhichwaytoturn。

Wehavenosuchsuddenchangeshere，certainly，

Jaspermildlyanswered。thoughwethinkourselvesliabletounexpectedshiftsofwind。Ihope，however，tocarrythisland-breezeasfarasthefirstislands。afterwhichtherewillbelessdangerofourbeingseenandfollowedbyanyofthelook-outboatsfromFrontenac。

DoyouthiuktheFrenchkeepspiesoutonthebroadlake，Jasper？inquiredthePathfinder。

Weknowtheydo。onewasoffOswegoduringthenightofMondaylast。Abarkcanoecamecloseinwiththeeasternpoint，andlandedanIndianandanofficer。

Hadyoubeenoutlyingthatnight，asusual，weshouldhavesecuredone，ifnotbothofthem。

Itwastoodarktobetraythecolorthatdeepenedontheweather-burntfeaturesoftheguide。forhefeltthecon-

sciousnessofhavinglingeredinthefortthatnight，listen-

ingtothesweettonesofMabel’svoiceasshesangballadstoherfather，andgazingatthecountenancewhich，tohim，wasradiantwithcharms。Probityinthoughtanddeedbeingthedistinguishingqualityofthisextraordinaryman’smind，whilehefeltthatasortofdisgraceoughttoattachtohisidlenessontheoccasionmentioned，thelastthoughtthatcouldoccurwouldbetoattempttopalliateordenyhisnegligence。

Iconfessit，Jasper，Iconfessit，saidhehumbly。

HadIbeenoutthatnight，——andInowrecollectnosuffi-

cientreasonwhyIwasnot，——itmight，indeed，haveturnedoutasyousay。

Itwastheeveningyoupassedwithus，Pathfinder，

Mabelinnocentlyremarked。surelyonewholivessomuchofhistimeintheforest，infrontoftheenemy，maybeexcusedforgivingafewhoursofhistimetoanoldfriendandhisdaughter。

Nay，nay，I’vedonelittleelsebutidlesincewereachedthegarrison，returnedtheother，sighing。anditiswellthattheladshouldtellmeofit：theidlerneedsarebuke-yes，heneedsarebuke。

Rebuke，Pathfinder！Ineverdreamtofsayingany-

thingdisagreeable，andleastofallwouldIthinkofre-

bukingyou，becauseasolitaryspyandanIndianortwohaveescapedus。NowIknowwhereyouwere，Ithinkyourabsencethemostnaturalthingintheworld。

Ithinknothingofwhatyousaid，Jasper，sinceitwasdeserved。Weareallhuman，andalldowrong。

Thisisunkind，Pathfinder。

Givemeyourhand，lad，givemeyourhand。Itwasn’tyouthatgavethelesson。itwasconscience。

Well，well，interruptedCap。nowthislattermatterissettledtothesatisfactionofallparties，perhapsyouwilltellushowithappenedtobeknownthattherewerespiesnearussolately。Thislooksamazinglylikeacircum-

stance。

Asthemarinerutteredthelastsentence，hepressedafootslilyonthatoftheSergeant，andnudgedtheguidewithhiselbow，winkingatthesametime，thoughthissignwaslostintheobscurity。

Itisknown，becausetheirtrailwasfoundnextdaybytheSerpent，anditwasthatofamilitarybootandamoc-

cassin。Oneofourhunters，moreover，sawthecanoecross-

ingtowardsFrontenacnextmorning。

Didthetrailleadnearthegarrison，Jasper？Path-

finderaskedinamannersomeekandsubduedthatitre-

sembledthetoneofarebukedschoolboy。Didthetrailleadnearthegarrison，lad？

Wethoughtnot。though，ofcourse，itdidnotcrosstheriver。Itwasfolloweddowntotheeasternpoint，attheriver’smouth，wherewhatwasdoinginport，mightbeseen。butitdidnotcross，aswecoulddiscover。

Andwhydidn’tyougetunderweigh，MasterJasper，

Capdemanded，andgivechase？OnTuesdaymorningitblewagoodbreeze。oneinwhichthiscuttermighthaverunnineknots。

Thatmaydoontheocean，MasterCap，putinPath-

finder，butitwouldnotdohere。Waterleavesnotrail，andaMingoandaFrenchmanareamatchforthedevilinapursuit。

Whowantsatrailwhenthechasecanbeseenfromthedeck，asJasperheresaidwasthecasewiththiscanoe？

anditmatterednothingifthereweretwentyofyourMingosandFrenchmen，withagoodBritish-builtbottomintheirwake。I’llengage，MasterEau-douce，hadyougivenmeacallthatsaidTuesdaymorning，thatweshouldhaveover-

hauledtheblackguards。

Idaresay，MasterCap，thattheadviceofasoldasea-

manasyoumighthavedonenoharmtoasyoungasailorasmyself，butitisalongandahopelesschasethathasabarkcanoeinit。

Youwouldhavehadonlytopressithard，todriveitashore。

Ashore，masterCap！Youdonotunderstandourlakenavigationatall，ifyousupposeitaneasymattertoforceabarkcanoeashore。Assoonastheyfindthemselvespressed，thesebubblespaddlerightintothewind’seye，andbeforeyouknowit，youfindyourselfamileortwodeadundertheirlee。

Youdon’twishmetobelieve，MasterJasper，thatanyoneissoheedlessofdrowningastoputoffintothislakeinoneofthemeggshellswhenthereisanywind？

IhaveoftencrossedOntarioinabarkcanoe，evenwhentherehasbeenagooddealofseaon。Wellmanaged，theyarethedriestboatsofwhichwehaveanyknowl-

edge。

Capnowledhisbrother-in-lawandPathfinderaside，whenheassuredhimthattheadmissionofJaspercon-

cerningthespieswasacircumstance，andastrongcir-

cumstance，andassuchitdeservedhisdeliberateinvestiga-

tion。whilehisaccountofthecanoeswassoimprobableastoweartheappearanceofbrow-beatingthelisteners。

Jasperspokeconfidentlyofthecharacterofthetwoindi-

vidualswhohadlanded，andthisCapdeemedprettystrongproofthatheknewmoreaboutthemthanwastobegath-

eredfromameretrail。Asformocassins，hesaidthattheywereworninthatpartoftheworldbywhitemenaswellasbyIndians。hehadpurchasedapairhimself。andboots，itwasnotorious，didnotparticularlymakeasoldier。

AlthoughmuchofthislogicwasthrownawayontheSer-

geant，stillitproducedsomeeffect。Hethoughtitalittlesingularhimself，thatthereshouldhavebeenspiesdetectedsonearthefortandheknownothingofit。nordidhebelievethatthiswasabranchofknowledgethatfellpar-

ticularlywithinthesphereofJasper。Itwastruethatthe_Scud_had，onceortwice，beensentacrossthelaketolandmenofthischaracter，ortobringthemoff。butthenthepartplayedbyJasper，tohisowncertainknowledge，wasverysecondary，themasterofthecutterremainingasignorantasanyoneelseofthepurportofthevisitsofthosewhomhehadcarriedtoandfro。nordidheseewhyhealone，ofallpresent，shouldknowanythingofthelatevisit。Pathfinderviewedthematterdifferently。Withhishabitualdiffidence，hereproachedhimselfwithaneglectofduty，andthatknowledge，ofwhichthewantstruckhimasafaultinonewhosebusinessitwastopossessit，appearedameritintheyoungman。Hesawnothingex-

traordinaryinJasper’sknowingthefactshehadrelated。

whilehedidfeelitwasunusual，nottosaydisgraceful，thathehimselfnowheardofthemforthefirsttime。

Asformocassins，MasterCap，saidhe，whenashortpauseinvitedhimtospeak，theymaybewornbypale-

facesaswellasbyred-skins，itistrue，thoughtheyneverleavethesametrailonthefootofoneasonthefootoftheother。AnyonewhoisusedtothewoodscantellthefootstepofanIndianfromthefootstepofawhiteman，whetheritbemadebyabootoramoccassin。ItwillneedbetterevidencethanthistopersuademeintothebeliefthatJasperisfalse。

Youwillallow，Pathfinder，thattherearesuchthingsintheworldastraitors？putinCaplogically。

Ineverknewanhonest-mindedMingo，——onethatyoucouldputfaithin，ifhehadatemptationtodeceiveyou。

Cheatingseemstobetheirgift，andIsometimesthinktheyoughttobepitiedforit，ratherthanpersecuted。

ThenwhynotbelievethatthisJaspermayhavethesameweakness？Amanisaman，andhumannatureissometimesbutapoorconcern，asIknowbyexperience。

Thiswastheopeningofanotherlonganddesultoryconversation，inwhichtheprobabilityofJasper’sguiltorinnocencewasargued_pro_and_con。_，untilboththeSergeantandhisbrother-in-lawhadnearlyreasonedthemselvesintosettledconvictionsinfavorofthefirst，whiletheircorn-

paniongrewsturdierandsturdierinhisdefenceoftheaccused，andstillmorefixedinhisopinionofhisbeingunjustlychargedwithtreachery。Inthistherewasnothingoutofthecommoncourseofthings。forthereisnomorecertainwayofarrivingatanyparticularnotion，thanbyundertakingtodefendit。andamongthemostobstinateofouropinionsmaybeclassedthosewhicharederivedfromdiscussionsinwhichweaffecttosearchfortruth，whileinrealityweareonlyfortifyingprejudice。

BythistimetheSergeanthadreachedastateofmindthatdisposedhimtovieweveryactoftheyoungsailorwithdistrust，andhesoongottocoincidewithhisrelativeindeemingthepeculiarknowledgeofJasper，inreferencetothespies，abranchofinformationthatcertainlydidnotcomewithinthecircleofhisregularduties，asacir-

cumstance。

Whilethismatterwasthusdiscussednearthetaffrail，Mabelsatsilentlybythecompanion-way，Mr。Muirhavinggonebelowtolookafterhispersonalcomforts，andJasperstandingalittlealoof，withhisarmscrossed，andhiseyeswanderingfromthesailstotheclouds，fromthecloudstotheduskyoutlineoftheshore，fromtheshoretothelake，andfromthelakebackagaintothesails。Ourheroine，too，begantocommunewithherownthoughts。Theex-

citementofthelatejourney，theincidentswhichmarkedthedayofherarrivalatthefort，themeetingwithafatherwhowasvirtuallyastrangertoher，thenoveltyofherlatesituationinthegarrison，andherpresentvoyage，formedavistaforthemind’seyetolookbackthrough，whichseemedlengthenedintomonths。Shecouldwithdifficultybelievethatshehadsorecentlyleftthetown，withalltheusagesofcivilizedlife。andshewonderedinparticularthattheincidentswhichhadoccurredduringthedescentoftheOswegohadmadesolittleimpressiononhermind。

Tooinexperiencedtoknowthatevents，whencrowded，havetheeffectoftime，orthatthequicksuccessionofnoveltiesthatpassbeforeusintravellingelevatesobjects，inameasure，tothedignityofevents，shedrewuponhermemoryfordaysanddates，inordertomakecertainthatshehadknownJasper，andthePathfinder，andherownfather，butlittlemorethanafortnight。Mabelwasagirlofheartratherthanofimagination，thoughbynomeansdeficientinthelast，andshecouldnoteasilyaccountforthestrengthofherfeelingsinconnectionwiththosewhoweresolatelystrangerstoher。forshewasnotsufficientlyaccustomedtoanalyzehersensationstounderstandthenatureoftheinfluencesthathavejustbeenmentioned。

Asyet，however，herpuremindwasfreefromtheblightofdistrust，andshehadnosuspicionoftheviewsofeitherofhersuitors。andoneofthelastthoughtsthatcouldhavevoluntarilydisturbedherconfidencewouldhavebeentosupposeitpossibleeitherofhercompanionswasatraitortohiskingandcountry。

America，atthetimeofwhichwearewriting，wasre-

markableforitsattachmenttotheGermanfamilythatthensatontheBritishthrone。for，asisthefactwithallprovinces，thevirtuesandqualitiesthatareproclaimednearthecentreofpower，asincenseandpolicy，gettobeapartofpoliticalfaithwiththecredulousandignorantatadistance。Thistruthisjustasapparentto-day，incon-

nectionwiththeprodigiesoftherepublic，asitthenwasinconnectionwiththosedistantrulers，whosemeritsitwasalwayssafetoapplaud，andwhosedemeritsitwastreasontoreveal。Itisaconsequenceofthismentalde-

pendence，thatpublicopinionissomuchplacedatthemercyofthedesigning。andtheworld，inthemidstofitsidleboastsofknowledgeandimprovement，islefttore-

ceiveitstruths，onallsuchpointsastouchtheinterestsofthepowerfulandmanaging，throughsuchamedium，andsuchamediumonly，asmayservetheparticularviewsofthosewhopullthewires。PresseduponbythesubjectsofFrance，whowerethenencirclingtheBritishcolonieswithabeltoffortsindsettlementsthatcompletelysecuredthesavagesforallies，itwouldhavebeendifficulttosaywhethertheAmericanslovedtheEnglishmorethantheyhatedtheFrench。andthosewhothenlivedprobablywouldhaveconsideredthealliancewhichtookplacebe-

tweenthecis-AtlanticsubjectsandtheancientrivalsoftheBritishcrown，sometwentyyearslater，asanevententirelywithoutthecircleofprobabilities。Disaffectionwasarareoffence。and，mostofall，wouldtreason，thatshouldfavorFranceorFrenchmen，havebeenodiousintheeyesoftheprovincials。ThelastthingthatMabelwouldsuspectofJasperwastheverycrimewithwhichhenowstoodsecretlycharged。andifothersnearheren-

duredthepainsofdistrust，she，atleast，wasfilledwiththegenerousconfidenceofawoman。Asyetnowhisperhadreachedhereartodisturbthefeelingofreliancewithwhichshehadearlyregardedtheyoungsailor，andherownmindwouldhavebeenthelasttosuggestsuchathoughtofitself。Thepicturesofthepastandofthepresent，therefore，thatexhibitedthemselvessorapidlytoheractiveimagination，wereuncloudedwithashadethatmightaffectanyinwhomshefeltaninterest。andereshehadmused，inthemannerrelated，aquarterofanhour，thewholescenearoundherwasfilledwithunalloyedsatis-

faction。

Theseasonandthenight，torepresentthemtruly，wereofanaturetostimulatethesensationswhichyouth，health，andhappinessarewonttoassociatewithnovelty。

Theweatherwaswarm，asisnotalwaysthecaseinthatregioneveninsummer，whiletheairthatcameofftheland，inbreathingcurrents，broughtwithitthecoolnessandfragranceoftheforest。Thewindwasfarfrombeingfresh，thoughtherewasenoughofittodrivethe_Scud_

merrilyahead，and，perhaps，tokeepattentionalive，intheuncertaintythatmoreorlessaccompaniesdarkness。

Jasper，however，appearedtoregarditwithcomplacency，aswasapparentbywhathesaidinashortdialoguethatnowoccurredbetweenhimandMabel。

Atthisrate，Eau-douce，——forsoMabelhadalreadylearnedtostyletheyoungsailor，——saidourheroine，wecannotbelonginreachingourplaceofdestination。

Hasyourfatherthentoldyouwhatthatis，Mabel？

Hehastoldmenothing。myfatheristoomuchofasoldier，andtoolittleusedtohaveafamilyaroundhim，totalkofsuchmatters。Isitforbiddentosaywhitherwearebound？

Itcannotbefar，whilewesteerinthisdirection，forsixtyorseventymileswilltakeusintotheSt。Lawrence，whichtheFrenchmightmaketoohotforus。andnovoyageonthislakecanbeverylong。

SosaysmyuncleCap。buttome，Jasper，Ontarioandtheoceanappearverymuchthesame。

Youhavethenbeenontheocean。whileI，whopre-

tendtobeasailor，haveneveryetseensaltwater。Youmusthaveagreatcontemptforsuchamarinerasmyself，inyourheart，MabelDunham？

ThenIhavenosuchthinginmyheart，JasperEau-

douce。WhatrighthaveI，agirlwithoutexperienceorknowledge，todespiseany，muchlessonelikeyou，whoaretrustedbytheMajor，andwhocommandavessellikethis？Ihaveneverbeenontheocean，thoughIhaveseenit。and，Irepeat，IseenodifferencebetweenthislakeandtheAtlantic。

Norinthemthatsailonboth？Iwasafraid，Mabel，yourunclehadsaidsomuchagainstusfresh-watersailors，thatyouhadbeguntolookuponusaslittlebetterthanpretenders？

Giveyourselfnouneasinessonthataccount，Jasper。

forIknowmyuncle，andhesaysasmanythingsagainstthosewholiveashore，whenatYork，ashenowsaysagainstthosewhosailonfreshwater。No，no，neithermyfathernormyselfthinkanythingofsuchopinions。MyuncleCap，ifhespokeopenly，wouldbefoundtohaveevenaworsenotionofasoldierthanofasailorwhoneversawthesea。

Butyourfather，Mabel，hasabetteropinionofsoldiersthanofanyoneelse？hewishesyoutobethewifeofasoldier？

JasperEau-douce！——Ithewifeofasoldier！Myfatherwishesit！Whyshouldhewishanysuchthing？WhatsoldieristhereinthegarrisonthatIcouldmarry——thathecould_wishme_tomarry？

Onemayloveacallingsowellastofancyitwillcoverathousandimperfections。

Butoneisnotlikelytolovehisowncallingsowellastocausehimtooverlookeverythingelse。Yousaymyfatherwishesmetomarryasoldier。andyetthereisnosoldieratOswegothathewouldbelikelytogivemeto。

Iaminanawkwardposition。forwhileIamnotgoodenoughtobethewifeofoneofthegentlemenofthegarri-

son，Ithinkevenyouwilladmit，Jasper，Iamtoogoodtobethewifeofoneofthecommonsoldiers。

AsMabelspokethusfranklysheblushed，sheknewnotwhy，thoughtheobscurityconcealedthefactfromhercompanion。andshelaughedfaintly，likeonewhofeltthatthesubject，howeverembarrassingitmightbe，de-

servedtobetreatedfairly。Jasper，itwouldseem，viewedherpositiondifferentlyfromherself。

ItistrueMabel，saidhe，youarenotwhatiscafle~

alady，inthecommonmeaningoftheword。

Notinanymeaning，Jasper，thegenerousgirleagerlyinterrupted：onthathead，Ihavenovanities，Ihope。

Providencehasmademethedaughterofasergeant，andI

amcontenttoremaininthestationinwhichIwasborn。

Butalldonotremaininthestationsinwhichtheywereborn，Mabel。forsomeriseabovethem，andsomefallbelowthem。Manysergeantshavebecomeofficers——evengenerals。andwhymaynotsergeants’daughtersbecomeofficers’ladies？

InthecaseofSergeantDunham’sdaughter，Iknownobetterreasonthanthefactthatnoofficerislikelytowishtomakeherhiswife，returnedMabel，laughing。

_You_maythinkso。buttherearesomeinthe55ththatknowbetter。Thereiscertainlyoneofficerinthatregi-

ment，Mabel，whodoeswishtomakeyouhiswife。

Quickastheflashinglightning，therapidthoughtsofMabelDunhamglancedoverthefiveorsixsubalternsofthecorps，who，byageandinclinations，wouldbethemostlikelytoformsuchawish。andweshoulddoinjusticetoherhabits，perhaps，werewenottosaythatalivelysensa-

tionofpleasurerosemomentarilyinherbosom，atthethoughtofbeingraisedaboveastationwhich，whatevermightbeherprofessionsofcontentment，shefeltthatshehadbeentoowelleducatedtofillwithperfectsatisfaction。

Butthisemotionwasastransientasitwassudden。forMabelDunhamwasagirloftoomuchpureandwomanlyfeelingtoviewthemarriagetiethroughanythingsoworldlyasthemereadvantagesofstation。Thepassingemotionwasathrillproducedbyfactitioushabits，whilethemoresettledopinionwhichremainedwastheoffspringofnatureandprinciples。

Iknownoofficerinthe55th，oranyotherregiment，whowouldbelikelytodosofoolishathing。nordoI

thinkImyselfwoulddosofoolishathingastomarryanofficer。

Foolish，Mabel！

Yes，foolish，Jasper。Youknow，aswellasIcanknow，whattheworldwouldthinkofsuchmatters。andIshouldbesorry，verysorry，tofindthatmyhusbandeverregrettedthathehadsofaryieldedtoafancyforafaceorafigureastohavemarriedthedaughterofonesomuchhisin-

feriorasasergeant。

_Your_husband，Mabel，willnotbesolikelytothinkofthefatherastothinkofthedaughter。

Thegirlwastalkingwithspirit，thoughfeelingevidentlyenteredintoherpartofthediscourse。butshepausedfornearlyaminuteafterJasperhadmadethelastobserva-

tionbeforesheutteredanotherword。Thenshecon-

tinued，inamannerlessplayful，andonecriticallyatten-

tivemighthavefanciedinamannerslightlymelan-

choly，——

Parentandchildoughtsotoliveasnottohavetwohearts，ortwomodesoffeelingandthinking。AcommoninterestinallthingsIshouldthinkasnecessarytohappi-

nessinmanandwife，asbetweentheothermembersofthesamefamily。Mostofall，oughtneitherthemannorthewomantohaveanyunusualcauseforunhappiness，theworldfurnishingsomanyofitself。

AmItounderstand，then，Mabel，youwouldrefusetomarryanofficer，merelybecausehewasanofficer？

Haveyouarighttoasksuchaquestion，Jasper？saidMabelsmiling。

Nootherrightthanwhatastrongdesiretoseeyouhappycangive，which，afterall，maybeverylittle。Myanxietyhasbeenincreased，fromhappeningtoknowthatitisyourfather’sintentiontopersuadeyoutomarryLieutenantMuir。

Mydear，dearfathercanentertainnonotionsoridicu-

lous——nonotionsocruel！

Wouldit，then，becrueltowishyouthewifeofaquarter-master？

IhavetoldyouwhatIthinkonthatsubject，andcan-

notmakemywordsstronger。Havingansweredyousofrankly，Jasper，Ihavearighttoaskhowyouknowthatmyfatherthinksofanysuchthing？

Thathehaschosenahusbandforyou，Iknowfromhisownmouth。forhehastoldmethismuchduringourfrequentconversationswhilehehasbeensuperintendingtheshipmentofthestores。andthatMr。Muiristoofferforyou，Iknowfromtheofficerhimself，whohastoldmeasmuch。Byputtingthetwothingstogether，Ihavecometotheopinionmentioned。

Maynotmydearfather，Jasper，——Mabel’sfaceglowedlikefirewhileshespoke，thoughherwordsescapedherslowly，andbyasortofinvoluntaryimpulse，——maynotmydearfatherhavebeenthinkingofanother？Itdoesnotfollow，fromwhatyousay，thatMr。Muirwasinhismind。

Isitnotprobable，Mabel，fromallthathaspassed？

WhatbringstheQuartermasterhere？Hehasneverfounditnecessarybeforetoaccompanythepartiesthathavegonebelow。Hethinksofyouforhiswife。andyourfatherhasmadeuphisownmindthatyoushallbeso。Youmustsee，Mabel，thatMr。Muirfollows_you？_

Mabelmadenoanswer。Herfeminineinstincthad，indeed，toldherthatshewasanobjectofadmirationwiththeQuartermaster。thoughshehadhardlysupposedtotheextentthatJasperbelieved。andshe，too，hadevengatheredfromthediscourseofherfatherthathethoughtseriouslyofhavingherdisposedofinmarriage。butbynoprocessofreasoningcouldsheeverhavearrivedattheinferencethatMr。Muirwastobetheman。Shedidnotbelieveitnow，thoughshewasfarfromsuspectingthetruth。In-

deed，itwasherownopinionthatthesecasualremarksofherfather，whichhadstruckher，hadproceededfromageneralwishtohavehersettled，ratherthanfromanydesiretoseeherunitedtoanyparticularindividual。Thesethoughts，however，shekeptsecret。forself-respectandfemininereserveshowedhertheimproprietyofmakingthemthesubjectofdiscussionwithherpresentcompanion。

Bywayofchangingtheconversation，therefore，afterthepausehadlastedlongenoughtobeembarrassingtobothparties，shesaid，Ofonethingyoumaybecertain，Jasper，-andthatisallIwishtosayonthesubject，——LieutenantMuir，thoughhewereacolonel，willneverbethehusbandofMabelDunham。Andnow，tellmeofyourvoyage——

whenwillitend？

Thatisuncertain。Onceafloat，weareatthemercyofthewindsandwaves。Pathfinderwilltellyouthathewhobeginstochasethedeerinthemorningcannottellwherehewillsleepatnight。

Butwearenotchasingadeer，norisitmorning：soPathfinder’smoralisthrownaway。

Althoughwearenotchasingadeer，weareafterthatwhichmaybeashardtocatch。IcantellyounomorethanIhavesaidalready。foritisourdutytobeclose-

mouthed，whetheranythingdependsonitornot。Iamafraid，however，Ishallnotkeepyoulongenoughinthe_Scud_toshowyouwhatshecandoatneed。

Ithinkawomanunwisewhoevermarriesasailor，

saidMabelabruptly，andalmostinvoluntarily。

Thisisastrangeopinion。whydoyouholdit？

Becauseasailor’swifeiscertaintohavearivalinhisvessel。MyuncleCap，too，saysthatasailorshouldnevermarry。

Hemeanssalt-watersailors，returnedJasper，laugh-

ing。Ifhethinkswivesnotgoodenoughforthosewhosailontheocean，hewillfancythemjustsuitedtothosewhosailonthelakes。Ihope，Mabel，youdonottakeyouropinionsofusfresh-watermarinersfromallthatMasterCapsays。

Sail，ho！exclaimedtheveryindividualofwhomtheywereconversing。orboat，ho！wouldbenearerthetruth。

Jasperranforward。and，sureenough，asmallobjectwasdiscernibleaboutahundredyardsaheadofthecutter，andnearlyonherleebow。Atthefirstglance，hesawitwasabarkcanoe。for，thoughthedarknesspreventedhuesfrombeingdistinguished，theeyethathadbecomeaccus-

tomedtothenightmightdiscernformsatsomelittledis-

tance。andtheeyewhich，likeJasper’s，hadlongbeenfamiliarwiththingsaquatic，couldnotbeatalossindis-

coveringtheoutlinesnecessarytocometotheconclusionhedid。

Thismaybeanenemy，theyoungmanremarked。

anditmaybewelltooverhaulhim。

Heispaddlingwithallhismight，lad，observedthePathfinder，andmeanstocrossyourbowsandgettowindward，whenyoumightaswellchaseafull-grownbuckonsnow-shoes！

Letherluff，criedJaspertothemanatthehelm。

Luffup，tillsheshakes。There，steady，andholdallthat。

Thehelmsmancomplied。and，asthe_Scud_wasnowdashingthewaterasidemerrily，aminuteortwoputthecanoesofartoleewardastorenderescapeimpracticable。

Jaspernowsprangtothehelmhimselfand，byjudiciousandcarefulhandling，hegotsonearhischasethatitwassecuredbyaboat-hook。Onreceivinganorder，thetwopersonswhowereinthecanoeleftit，andnosoonerhadtheyreachedthedeckofthecutterthantheywerefoundtobeArrowheadandhiswife。

CHAPTERXV。

Whatpearlisitthatrichmencannotbuy，Thatlearningistooproudtogatherup。

ButwhichthepoorandthedespisedofallSeekandobtain，andoftenfindunsought？

Tellme——andIwilltelltheewhatistruth。

COWPER。

ThemeetingwiththeIndianandhiswifeexcitednosurpriseinthemajorityofthosewhowitnessedtheoccur-

rence。butMabel，andallwhoknewofthemannerinwhichthischiefhadbeenseparatedfromthepartyofCap，simultaneouslyentertainedsuspicions，whichitwasfareasiertofeelthantofollowoutbyanyplausiblecluetocertainty。Pathfinder，whoalonecouldconversefreelywiththeprisoners，forsuchtheymightnowbeconsidered，tookArrowheadaside，andheldalongconversationwithhim，concerningthereasonsofthelatterforhavingde-

sertedhischargeandthemannerinwhichhehadbeensinceemployed。

TheTuscaroramettheseinquiries，andhegavehisan-

swerswiththestoicismofanIndian。Asrespectsthesep-

aration，hisexcuseswereverysimplymade，andtheyseemedtobesufficientlyplausible。Whenhefoundthatthepartywasdiscoveredinitsplaceofconcealment，henaturallysoughthisownsafety，whichhesecuredbyplungingintothewoods。Inaword，hehadrunawayinordertosavehislife。

Thisiswell，returnedPathfinder，affectingtobelievetheother’sapologies。mybrotherdidverywisely。buthiswomanfollowed？

Donotthepale-faces’womenfollowtheirhusbands？

WouldnotPathfinderhavelookedbacktoseeifonehelovedwascoming？

Thisappealwasmadetotheguidewhilehewasinamostfortunateframeofmindtoadmititsforce。forMabelandherblandishmentsandconstancywerebecom-

ingimagesfamiliartohisthoughts。TheTuscarora，thoughhecouldnottracethereason，sawthathisexcusewasadmitted，andhestoodwithquietdignityawaitingthenextinquiry。

Thisisreasonableandnatural，returnedPathfinder。

thisisnatural，andmaybeso。Awomanwouldbelikelytofollowthemantowhomshehadplightedfaith，andhusbandandwifeareoneflesh。Yourwordsarehonest，Tuscarora，changingthelanguagetothedialectoftheother。Yourwordsarehonest，andverypleasantandjust。Butwhyhasmybrotherbeensolongfromthefort？

Hisfriendshavethoughtofhimoften，buthaveneverseenhim。

Ifthedoefollowsthebuck，oughtnotthebucktofol-

lowthedoe？answeredtheTuscarora，smiling，ashelaidafingersignificantlyontheshoulderofhisinterrogator。

Arrowhead’swifefollowedArrowhead。itwasrightinArrowheadtofollowhiswife。Shelostherway，andtheymadehercookinastrangewigwam。

Iunderstandyou，Tuscarora。ThewomanfellintothehandsoftheMingos，andyoukeptupontheirtrail。

Pathfindercanseeareasonaseasilyashecanseethemossonthetrees。Itisso。

Andhowlonghaveyougotthewomanback，andinwhatmannerhasitbeendone？

Twosuns。TheDew-of-Junewasnotlongincomingwhenherhusbandwhisperedtoherthepath。

Well，well，allthisseemsnatural，andaccordingtomatrimony。But，Tuscarora，howdidyougetthatcanoe，andwhyareyoupaddlingtowardstheSt。Lawrencein-

steadofthegarrison？

Arrowheadcantellhisownfromthatofanother。

Thiscanoeismine。Ifounditontheshorenearthefort。

Thatsoundsreasonable，too，forthecanoedoesbelongtotheman，andanIndianwouldmakefewwordsabouttakingit。Still，itisextraordinarythatwesawnothingofthefellowandhiswife，forthecanoemusthavelefttheriverbeforewedidourselves。

Thisidea，whichpassedrapidlythroughthemindoftheguide，wasnowputtotheIndianintheshapeofaquestion。

Pathfinderknowsthatawarriorcanhaveshame。Thefatherwouldhaveaskedmeforhisdaughter，andIcouldnotgivehertohim。IsenttheDew-of-Juneforthecanoe，andnoonespoketothewoman。ATuscarorawomanwouldnotbefreeinspeakingtostrangemen。

Allthis，too，wasplausible，andinconformitywithIn-

diancharacterandcustoms。Aswasusual，ArrowheadhadreceivedonehalfofhiscompensationpreviouslytoquittingtheMohawk。andhisrefrainingtodemandtheresiduewasaproofofthatconscientiousconsiderationofmutualrightsthatquiteasoftendistinguishesthemoral-

ityofasavageasthatofaChristian。TooneasuprightasPathfinder，Arrowheadhadconductedhimselfwithdelicacyandpropriety，thoughitwouldhavebeenmoreinaccordancewithhisownfranknaturetohavemetthefather，andabidedbythesimpletruth。Still，accustomedtothewaysofIndians，hesawnothingoutoftheordinarytrackofthingsinthecoursetheotherhadtaken。

Thisrunslikewaterflowingdownhill，Arrowhead，

heanswered，afteralittlereflection，andtruthobligesmetoownit。Itwasthegiftofared-skintoactinthisway，thoughIdonotthinkitwasthegiftofapale-face。Youwouldnotlookuponthegriefofthegirl’sfather？

Arrowheadmadeaquietinclinationofthebodyasiftoassent。

Onethingmoremybrotherwilltellme，continuedPaLhfinder，andtherewillbenocloudbetweenhiswig-

wamandthestrong-houseoftheYengeese。Ifhecanblowawaythisbitoffogwithhisbreath，hisfriendswilllookathimashesitsbyhisownfire，andhecanlookatthemastheylayasidetheirarms，andforgetthattheyarewarriors。WhywastheheadofArrowhead’scanoelookingtowardstheSt。Lawrence，wheretherearenonebutene-

miestobefound？

WhywerethePathfinderandhisfriendslookingthesameway？askedtheTuscaroracalmly。ATuscaroramaylookinthesamedirectionasaYengeese。

Why，toownthetruth，Arrowhead，weareoutscoutinglike。thatis，sailing——inotherwords，weareontheking’sbusiness，andwehavearighttobehere，thoughwemaynothavearighttosay_why_wearehere。

Arrowheadsawthebigcanoe，andhelovestolookonthefaceofEau-douce。Hewasgoingtowardsthesunateveninginordertoseekhiswigwam。but，findingthattheyoungsailorwasgoingtheotherway，heturnedthathemightlookinthesamedirection。Eau-douceandArrowheadweretogetheronthelasttrail。

Thismayallbetrue，Tuscarora，andyouarewelcome。

Youshalleatofourvenison，andthenwemustseparate。

Thesettingsunisbehindus，andbothofusmovequick：

mybrotherwillgettoofarfromthatwhichheseeks，unlessheturnsround。

Pathfindernowreturnedtotheothers，andrepeatedtheresultofhisexamination。HeappearedhimselftobelievethattheaccountofArrowheadmightbetrue，thoughheadmittedthatcautionwouldbeprudentwithonehedisliked。buthisauditors，Jasperexcepted，seemedlessdisposedtoputfaithintheexplanations。

Thischapmustbeironedatonce，brotherDunham，

saidCap，assoonasPathfinderfinishedhisnarration。

hemustbeturnedovertothemaster-at-arms，ifthereisanysuchofficeronfreshwater，andacourt-martialoughttobeorderedassoonaswereachport。

Ithinkitwisesttodetainthefellow，theSergeantanswered。butironsareunnecessarysolongashere-

mainsinthecutter。Inthemorningthemattershallbeinquiredinto。

Arrowheadwasnowsummonedandtoldthedecision。

TheIndianlistenedgravely，andmadenoobjections。Onthecontrary，hesubmittedwiththecalmandreserveddignitywithwhichtheAmericanaboriginesareknowntoyieldtofate。andhestoodapart，anattentivebutcalmobserverofwhatwaspassing。Jaspercausedthecutter’ssailstobefilled，andthe_Scud_resumedhercourse。

Itwasnowgettingnearthehourtosetthewatch，andwhenitwasusualtoretireforthenight。Mostofthepartywentbelow，leavingnooneondeckbutCap，theSergeant，Jasper，andtwoofthecrew。Arrowheadandhiswifealsoremained，theformerstandingaloofinproudreserve，andthelatterexhibiting，byherattitudeandpas-

siveness，themeekhumilitythatcharacterizesanIndianwoman。

Youwillfindaplaceforyourwifebelow，Arrowhead，wheremydaughterwillattendtoherwants，saidtheSergeantkindly，whowashimselfonthepointofquittingthedeck。yonderisasailwhereyoumaysleepyourself。

Ithankmyfather。TheTuscarorasarenotpoor。Thewomanwilllookformyblanketsinthecanoe。

Asyouwish，myfriend。Wethinkitnecessarytode-

tainyou。butnotnecessarytoconfineortomaltreatyou。

Sendyoursquawintothecanoefortheblanketsandyoumayfollowheryourself，andhandusupthepaddles。Astheremaybesomesleepyheadsinthe_Scud_，Eau-douce，

addedtheSergeantinalowertone，itmaybewelltosecurethepaddles。

Jasperassented，andArrowheadandhiswife，withwhomresistanceappearedtobeoutofthequestion，silentlycompliedwiththedirections。AfewexpressionsofsharprebukepassedfromtheIndiantohiswife，whilebothwereemployedinthecanoe，whichthelatterreceivedwithsubmissivequiet，immediatelyrepairinganerrorshehadmadebylayingasidetheblanketshehadtakenandsearch-

ingforanotherthatwasmoretohertyrant’smind。

Come，bearahand，Arrowhead，saidtheSergeant，whostoodonthegunwaleoverlookingthemovementsofthetwo，whichwereproceedingtooslowlyfortheimpatienceofadrowsyman。itisgettinglate。andwesoldiershavesuchathingasreveille——earlytobedandearlytorise。

Arrowheadiscoming，wastheanswer，astheTusca-

rorasteppedtowardstheheadofhiscanoe。

Oneblowofhiskeenknifeseveredtheropewhichheldtheboat，andthenthecutterglancedahead，leavingthelightbubbleofbark，whichinstantlylostitsway，almoststationary。Sosuddenlyanddexterouslywasthismanoeu-

vreperformed，thatthecanoewasontheleequarterofthe_Scud_beforetheSergeantwasawareoftheartifice，andquiteinherwakeerehehadtimetoannounceittohiscompanions。

Hard-a-lee！shoutedJasper，lettingflythejib-sheetwithhisownhands，whenthecuttercameswiftlyuptothebreeze，withallhercanvasflapping，orwasrunningintothewind’seye，asseamentermit，untilthelightcraftwasahundredfeettowindwardofherformerposition。

Quickanddexterousaswasthismovement，andreadyashadbeentheexpedient，itwasnotquickerormorereadythanthatoftheTuscarora。Withanintelligencethatdenotedsomefamiliaritywithvessels，hehadseizedhispaddleandwasalreadyskimmingthewater，aidedbytheeffortsofhiswife。Thedirectionhetookwassouth-

westerly，oronalinethatledhimequallytowardsthewindandtheshore，whileitalsokepthimsofaralooffromthecutterastoavoidthedangerofthelatterfallingonboardofhimwhenshefilledontheothertack。Swiftlyasthe_Scud_hadshotintothewind，andfarasshehadforcedahead，Jasperknewitwasnecessarytocastherereshehadlostallherway。anditwasnottwominutesfromthetimethehelmhadbeenputdownbeforethelivelylittlecraftwasabackforward，andrapidlyfallingoff，inordertoallowhersailstofillontheoppositetack。

Hewillescape！saidJaspertheinstanthecaughtaglimpseoftherelativebearingsofthecutterandthecanoe。Thecunningknaveispaddlingdeadtowind-

ward，andthe_Scud_canneverovertakehim！

Youhaveacanoe！exclaimedtheSergeant，mani-

festingtheeagernessofaboytojoininthepursuit。letuslaunchit，andgivechase！

Itwillbeuseless。IfPathfinderhadbeenondeck，theremighthavebeenachance。butthereisnonenow。

Tolaunchthecanoewouldhavetakenthreeorfourmin-

utes，andthetimelostwouldbesufficientforthepurposesofArrowhead。

BothCapandtheSergeantsawthetruthofthis，whichwouldhavebeennearlyself-evidenteventooneunaccus-

tomedtovessels。Theshorewasdistantlessthanhalfamile，andthecanoewasalreadyglancingintoitsshadows，ataratetoshowthatitwouldreachthelandbeforeitspursuerscouldprobablygethalfthedistance。Thehelmofthe_Scud_wasreluctantlyputupagain，andthecutterworeshortroundonherheel，cominguptohercourseontheothertack，asifactingonaninstinct。AllthiswasdonebyJasperinprofoundsilence，hisassistantsunder-

standingwhatwasnecessary，andlendingtheiraidinasortofmechanicalimitation。Whilethesemanoeuvreswereinthecourseofexecution，CaptooktheSergeantbyabutton，andledhimtowardsthecabin-door，wherehewasoutofear-shot，andbegantounlockhisstoresofthought。

Hark’e，brotherDunham，saidhe，withanominousface，thisisamatterthatrequiresmaturethoughtandmuchcircumspection。

Thelifeofasoldier，brotherCap，isoneofconstantthoughtandcircumspection。Onthisfrontier，werewetooverlookeither，ourscalpsmightbetakenfromourheadsinthefirstnap。

ButIconsiderthiscaptureofArrowheadasacircum-

stance。andImightaddhisescapeasanother。ThisJas-

perFreshwatermustlooktoit。

Theyarebothcircumstancestruly，brother。buttheytelldifferentways。IfitisacircumstanceagainsttheladthattheIndianhasescaped，itisacircumstanceinhisfavorthathewasfirsttaken。

Ay，ay，buttwocircumstancesdonotcontradicteachotherliketwonegatives。Ifyouwillfollowtheadviceofanoldseaman，Sergeant，notamomentistobelostintakingthestepsnecessaryforthesecurityofthevesselandallonboardofher。Thecutterisnowslippingthroughthewaterattherateofsixknots，andasthedistancesaresoshortonthisbitofapond，wemayallfindourselvesinaFrenchportbeforemorning，andinaFrenchprisonbeforenight。

Thismaybetrueenough。Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo，brother？

InmyopinionyoushouldputthisMasterFreshwaterunderarrestonthespot。sendhimbelowunderthechargeofasentinel，andtransferthecommandofthecuttertome。Allthisyouhavepowertoperform，thecraftbelongingtothearmy，andyoubeingthecommand-

ingofficerofthetroopspresent。