第9章

SergeantDunhamdeliberatedmorethananhourontheproprietyofthisproposal。for，thoughsufficientlypromptwhenhismindwasreallymadeup，hewashabit-

uallythoughtfulandwary。Thehabitofsuperintendingthepersonalpoliceofthegarrisonhadmadehimac-

quaintedwithcharacter，andhehadlongbeendisposedtothinkwellofJasper。Stillthatsubtlepoison，suspicion，hadenteredhissoul。andsomuchweretheartificesandintriguesoftheFrenchdreaded，that，especiallywarnedashehadbeenbyhiscommander，itisnottobewonderedthattherecollectionofyearsofgoodconductshouldvan-

ishundertheinfluenceofadistrustsokeen，andseeminglysoplausible。InthisembarrassmenttheSergeantconsultedtheQuartermaster，whoseopinion，ashissuperior，hefeltboundtorespect，thoughatthemomentindependentofhiscontrol。Itisanunfortunateoccurrenceforonewhoisinadilemmatoaskadviceofanotherwhoisdesirousofstandingwellinhisfavor，thepartyconsultedbeingalmostcertaintotrytothinkinthemannerwhichwillbethemostagreeabletothepartyconsulting。Inthepresentinstanceitwasequallyunfortunate，asrespectsacandidconsiderationofthesubject，thatCap，insteadoftheSer-

geanthimself，madethestatementofthecase。fortheearnestoldsailorwasnotbackwardinlettinghislistenerperceivetowhichsidehewasdesirousthattheQuarter-

mastershouldlean。LieutenantMuirwasmuchtoopol-

itictooffendtheuncleandfatherofthewomanhehopedandexpectedtowin，hadhereallythoughtthecasead-

mittedofdoubt。but，inthemannerinwhichthefactsweresubmittedtohim，hewasseriouslyinclinedtothinkthatitwouldbewelltoputthecontrolofthe_Scud_tem-

porarilyintothemanagomentofCap，asaprecautionagainsttreachery。ThisopinionthendecidedtheSer-

geant，whoforthwithsetabouttheexecutionoftheneces-

sarymeasures。

Withoutenteringintoanyexplanations，SergeantDun-

hamsimplyinformedJasperthathefeltittobehisdutytodeprivehimtemporarilyofthecommandofthecutter，andtoconferitonhisownbrother-in-law。Anaturalandinvoluntaryburstofsurprise，whichescapedtheyoungman，wasmetbyaquietremark，remindinghimthatmili-

taryservicewasoftenofanaturethatrequiredconceal-

ment，andadeclarationthatthepresentdutywasofsuchacharacterthatthisparticulararrangementhadbecomeindispensable。AlthoughJasper’sastonishmentremainedundiminished，——theSergeantcautiouslyabstainingfrommakinganyallusiontohissuspicions，——theyoungmanwasaccustomedtoobeywithmilitarysubmission。andhequietlyacquiesced，withhisownmouthdirectingthelittlecrewtoreceivetheirfurtherordersfromCapuntilanotherchangeshouldbeeffected。When，however，hewastoldthecaserequiredthatnotonlyhehimself，buthisprinci-

palassistant，who，onaccountofhislongacquaintancewiththelake，wasusuallytermedthepilot，weretoremainbelow，therewasanalterationinhiscountenanceandmannerthatdenotedstrongfeeling，thoughitwassowellmasteredastoleaveeventhedistrustfulCapindoubtastoitsmeaning。Asamatterofcourse，however，whendis-

trustexists，itwasnotlongbeforetheworstconstructionwasputuponit。

AssoonasJasperandthepilotwerebelow，thesentinelatthehatchreceivedprivateorderstopayparticularat-

tentiontoboth。toallowneithertocomeondeckagainwithoutgivinginstantnoticetothepersonwhomightthenbeinchargeofthecutter，andtoinsistonhisreturnbelowassoonaspossible。Thisprecaution，however，wasuncalledfor。Jasperandhisassistantboththrowingthem-

selvessilentlyontheirpallets，whichneitherquittedagainthatnight。

Andnow，Sergeant，saidCap，assoonashefoundhimselfmasterofthedeck，youwilljusthavethegood-

nesstogivemethecoursesanddistance，thatImayseetheboatkeepsherheadtherightway。

Iknownothingofeither，brotherCap，returnedDun-

ham，notalittleembarrassedatthequestion。WemustmakethebestofourwaytothestationamongtheThou-

sandIslands，where’weshallland，relievethepartythatisalreadyout，andgetinformationforourfuturegovern-

ment。’That’sit，nearlywordforword，asitstandsinthewrittenorders。

Butyoucanmusterachart——somethinginthewayofbearingsanddistances，thatImayseetheroad？

IdonotthinkJaspereverhadanythingofthesorttogoby。

Nochart，SergeantDunham！

Notascrapofapeneven。Oursailorsnavigatethislakewithoutanyaidfrommaps。

Thedeviltheydo！TheymustberegularYahoos。

Anddoyousuppose，SergeantDunham，thatIcanfindoneislandoutofathousandwithoutknowingitsnameoritsposition，withoutevenacourseoradistance？

Asforthe_name_，brotherCap，youneednotbeparticu-

lar，fornotoneofthewholethousand_has_aname，andsoamistakecanneverbemadeonthatscore。Asfortheposition，neverhavingbeentheremyself，Icantellyounothingaboutit，nordoIthinkitspositionofanypar-

ticularconsequence，providedwefindthespot。Perhapsoneofthehandsondeckcantellustheway。

Holdon，Sergeant——holdonamoment，ifyouplease，SergeantDunham。IfIamtocommandthiscraft，itmustbedone，ifyouplease，withoutholdinganycouncilsofwarwiththecookandcabin-boy。Aship-masterisaship-master，andhemusthaveanopinionofhisown，evenifitbeawrongone。Isupposeyouknowservicewellenoughtounderstandthatitisbetterinacommandertogowrongthantogonowhere。Atallevents，theLordHighAdmiralcouldn’tcommandayawlwithdignity，ifheconsultedthecockswaineverytimehewishedtogoashore。Nosir，ifIsink，Isink！but，d——me，I’llgodownship-shapeandwithdignity。

But，brotherCap，Ihavenowishtogodownanywhere，unlessitbetothestationamongtheThousandIslandswhitherwearebound。

Well，well，Sergeant，ratherthanaskadvice——thatis，direct，barefacedadvice——ofaforemasthand，oranyotherthanaquarter-deckofficer，Iwouldgoroundtothewholethousand，andexaminetbemonebyoneuntilwegottherighthaven。Butthereissuchathingascomingatanopinionwithoutmanifestingignorance，andIwillmanagetorouseallthereisoutofthesehands，andmakethemthinkallthewhilethatIamcrammingthemwithmyownexperience！Wearesometimesobligedtousetheglassatseawhenthereisnothinginsight，ortoheavetheleadlongbeforewestrikesoundings。Whenayoungster，sailedtwov’y’geswithamanwhonavigatedhisshipprettymuchbythelattersortofinformation，whichsometimesanswers。

Iknowwearesteeringintherightdirectionatpres-

ent，returnedtheSergeant。butinthecourseofafewhoursweshallbeupwithaheadland，wherewemustfeelourwaywithmorecaution。

Leavemetopumpthemanatthewheel，brother，andyoushallseethatIwillmakehimsuckinaveryfewminutes。

CapandtheSergeantnowwalkedaft，untiltheystoodbythesailorwhowasatthehelm，Capmaintaininganairofsecurityandtranquillity，likeonewhowasentirelycon-

fidentofhisownpowers。

Thisisawholesomeair，mylad，Capobserved，inthemannerthatasuperioronboardavesselsometimesconde-

scendstousetoafavoredinferior。Ofcourseyouhaveitinthisfashionoffthelandeverynight？

Atthisseasonoftheyear，sir，themanreturned，touchinghishat，outofrespect，tohisnewcommanderandSergeantDunham’sconnection。

Thesamething，Itakeit，amongtheThousandIs-

lands？Thewindwillstand，ofcourse，thoughweshallthenhavelandoneverysideofus。

Whenwegetfarthereast，sir，thewindwillprobablyshift，fortherecanthenbenoparticularland-breeze。

Ay，ay。somuchforyourfreshwater！Ithasalwayssometrickthatisopposedtonature。Now，downamongtheWestIndiaIslands，oneisjustascertainofhavingaland-breezeasheisofhavingasea-breeze。Inthatrespectthereisnodifference，thoughit’squiteinruleitshouldbedifferentuphereonthisbitoffreshwater。Ofcourse，mylad，youknowallaboutthesesaidThousandIslands？

Lordblessyou，MasterCap，nobodyknowsallaboutthemoranythingaboutthem。Theyareapuzzletotheoldestsailoronthelake，andwedon’tpretendtoknoweventheirnames。Forthatmatter，mostofthemhavenomorenamesthanachildthatdiesbeforeitischris-

tened。

AreyouaRomanCatholic？demandedtheSergeantsharply。

No，sir，noranythingelse。I’mageneralizeraboutreligion，nevertroublingthatwhichdon’ttroubleme。

Hum！ageneralizer。thatis，nodoubt，oneofthenewsectsthatafflictthecountry，mutteredMr。Dunham，whosegrandfatherhadbeenaNewJerseyQuaker，hisfatheraPresbyterian，andwhohadjoinedtheChurchofEnglandhimselfafterheenteredthearmy。

Itakeit，John——resumedCap。YournameisJack，Ibelieve？

No，sir。IamcalledRobert。

Ay，Robert，it’sverymuchthesamething，JackorBob。weusethetwoindifferently。Isay，Bob，it’sgoodholdingground，isit，downatthissamestationforwhichwearebound？

Blessyou，sir！IknownomoreaboutitthanoneoftheMohawks，orasoldierofthe55th。

Didyouneveranchorthere？

Never，sir。MasterEau-doucealwaysmakesfasttotheshore。

Butinrunninginforthetown，youkepttheleadgoing，outofquestion，andmusthavetallowedasusual。

Tallow！——andtown，too！Blessyourheart，MasterCap！thereisnomoretownthanthereisonyourchin，andnothalfasmuchtallow！

TheSergeantsmiledgrimly，buthisbrother-in-lawdidnotdetectthisproofofhumor。

Nochurchtower，norlight，norfort，ha？Thereisagarrison，asyoucallithereaway，atleast？

AskSergeantDunham，sir，ifyouwishtoknowthat。

Allthegarrisonisonboardthe_Scud_。

Butinrunningin，Bob，whichofthechannelsdoyouthinkthebest？theoneyouwentlast，or——or——or——ay，ortheother？

Ican’tsay，sir。Iknownothingofeither。

Youdidn’tgotosleep，fellow，atthewheel，didyou？

Notatthewheel，sir，butdowninthefore-peakinmyberth。Eau-doucesentusbelow，soldiersandall，withtheexceptionofthepilot，andweknownomoreoftheroadthanifwehadneverbeenoverit。Thishehasalwaysdoneingoinginandcomingout。and，forthelifeofme，Icouldtellyounothingofthechannel，orthecourse，afterweareoncefairlyupwiththeislands。NooneknowsanythingofeitherbutJasperandthepilot。

Hereisacircumstanceforyou，Sergeant，saidCap，leadinghisbrother-in-lawalittleaside。thereisnooneonboardtopump，fortheyallsuckfromignoranceatthefirststrokeofthebrake。HowthedevilamItofindthewaytothisstationforwhichwearebound？

Sureenough，brotherCap，yourquestionismoreeasilyputthananswered。Istherenosuchthingasfiguringitoutbynavigation？Ithoughtyousalt-watermarinerswereabletodoassmallathingasthat。Ihaveoftenreadoftheirdiscoveringislands，surely。

Thatyouhave，brother，thatyouhave。andthisdis-

coverywouldbethegreatestofthemall。foritwouldnotonlybediscoveringoneisland，butoneislandoutofathousand。

Still，thesailorsofthelakehaveamethodoffindingtheplacestheywishtogoto。

IfIhaveunderstoodyou，Sergeant，thisstationorblock-houseisparticularlyprivate。

Itis，indeed，theutmostcarehavingbeentakentopreventaknowledgeofitspositionfromreachingtheenemy。

Andyouexpectme，astrangeronyourlake，tofindthisplacewithoutchart，course，distance，latitude，longi-

tude，orsoundings，——ay，d——me，ortallow！Allowmetoaskifyouthinkamarinerrunsbyhisnose，likeoneofPathfinder’shounds？

Well，brother，youmayyetlearnsomethingbyques-

tioningtheyoungmanatthehelm。Icanhardlythinkthatheisasignorantashepretendstobe。

Hum！——thislookslikeanothercircumstance。Forthatmatter，thecaseisgettingtobesofullofcircum-

stancesthatonehardlyknowshowtofootuptheevidence。

Butwewillsoonseehowmuchtheladknows。

CapandtheSergeantnowreturnedtotheirstationnearthehelm，andtheformerrenewedhisinquiries。

Doyouhappentoknowwhatmaybethelatitudeandlongitudeofthissaidisland，mylad？heasked。

Thewhat，sir？

Why，thelatitudeorlongitude——oneorboth。I’mnotparticularwhich，asImerelyinquireinordertoseehowtheybringupyoungmenonthisbitoffreshwater。

I’mnotparticularabouteithermyself，sir，andsoIdonothappentoknowwhatyoumean。

NotwhatImean！Youknowwhatlatitudeis？

NotI，sir！returnedtheman，hesitating。ThoughIbelieveitisFrenchfortheupperlakes。

Whe-e-e-w-！whistledCap，drawingouthisbreathlikethebrokenstopofanorgan。latitude，Frenchforupperlakes！Hark’e，youngman，doyouknowwhatlongitudemeans？

IbelieveIdo，sir。thatis，fivefeetsix，theregulationheightforsoldiersintheking’sservice。

There’sthelongitudefoundoutforyou，Sergeant，intherattlingofabrace-block！Youhavesomenotionaboutadegree，andminutesandseconds，Ihope？

Yes，sir。degreemeansmybetters。andminutesandsecondsarefortheshortorlonglog-lines。Weallknowthesethingsaswellasthesalt-waterpeople。

D——me，brotherDunham，ifIthinkevenFaithcangetalongonthislake，muchastheysayitcandowithmountains。Well，mylad，youunderstandtheazimuth，andmeasuringdistances，andhowtoboxthecompass。

Asforthefirst，sir，Ican’tsayIdo。Thedistancesweallknow，aswemeasurethemfrompointtopoint。andasforboxingthecompass，Iwillturnmybacktonoad-

miralinhisMajesty’sfleet。Nothe，notheandbyeast，nothe，nothe-east，nothe-eastandbynothe，nothe-east，nothe-eastandbyeast，east-nothe-east，eastandbynothe-

east——

Thatwilldo，thatwilldo。You’llbringaboutashiftofwindifyougooninthismanner。Iseeveryplainly，Sergeant，walkingawayagain，anddroppinghisvoice，we’venothingtohopeforfromthatchap。I’llstandontwohourslongeronthistack，whenwe’llheave-toandgetthesoundings，afterwhichwewillbegovernedbycircumstances。

TothistheSergeantmadenoobjections。andasthewindgrewlighter，asusualwiththeadvanceofnight，andtherewerenoimmediateobstaclestothenavigation，hemadeabedofasailondeck，andwassoonlostinthesoundsleepofasoldier。Capcontinuedtowalkthedeck，forhewasonewhoseironframesetfatigueatdefiance，andnotoncethatnightdidheclosehiseyes。

ItwasbroaddaylightwhenSergeantDunhamawoke，andtheexclamationofsurprisethatescapedhim，asherosetohisfeetandbegantolookabouthim，wasstrongerthanitwasusualforonesodrilledtosuffertobeheard。

Hefoundtheweatherentirelychanged，theviewboundedbydrivingmistthatlimitedthevisiblehorizontoacircleofaboutamileindiameter，thelakeragingandcoveredwithfoam，andthe_Scud_lying-to。Abriefconversationwithhisbrother-in-lawlethimintothesecretsofallthesesuddenchanges。

AccordingtotheaccountofMasterCap，thewindhaddiedawaytoacalmaboutmidnight，orjustashewasthinkingofheaving-to，tosound，forislandsaheadwerebeginningtobeseen。AtoneA。M。itbegantoblowfromthenorth-east，accompaniedbyadrizzle，andhestoodofftothenorthwardandwestward，knowingthatthecoastofNewYorklayintheoppositedirection。Athalf-pastonehestowedtheflying-jib，reefedthemainsail，andtookthebonnetoffthejib。Attwohewascompelledtogetasecondreefaft。andbyhalf-pasttwohehadputabal-

ance-reefinthesail，andwaslying-to。

Ican’tsaybuttheboatbehaveswell，Sergeant，theoldsailoradded，butitblowsforty-twopounders。Ihadnoideatherewereanysuchcurrentsofairuphereonthisbitoffreshwater，thoughIcarenottheknottingofayarnforit，asyourlakehasnowsomewhatofanaturallook。andifthisd——dwaterhadasavorofsaltaboutit，onemightbecomfortable。

Howlonghaveyoubeenheadinginthisdirection，brotherCap？inquiredtheprudentsoldier。andatwhatratemaywebegoingthroughthewater？

Why，twoorthreehours，mayhap，andshewentlikeahorseforthefirstpairofthem。Oh，we’veafineoffingnow！for，toownthetruth，littlerelishingtheneighbor-

hoodofthemsaidislands，althoughtheyaretowindward，Itookthehelmmyself，andrunherofffreeforsomeleagueortwo。Wearewelltoleewardofthem，I’llengage-Isaytoleeward。forthoughonemightwishtobewelltowindwardofoneisland，orevenhalfadozen，whenitcomestoathousand，thebetterwayistogiveitupatonce，andtoslidedownundertheirleeasfastaspossible。

No，no。theretheyareupyonderinthedingle。andtheretheymaystay，foranythingCharlesCapcares。

Asthenorthshoreliesonlysomefiveorsixleaguesfromus，brother，andIknowthereisalargebayinthatquarter，mightitnotbewelltoconsultsomeofthecrewconcerningourposition，if，indeed，wedonotcallupJas-

perEau-douce，andtellhimtocarryusbacktoOswego？

Foritisquiteimpossibleweshouldeverreachthestationwiththiswinddirectlyinourteeth。

Thereareseveralseriousprofessionalreasons，Sergeant，againstallyourpropositions。Inthefirstplace，anad-

missionofignoranceonthepartofacommanderwoulddestroydiscipline。Nomatter，brother。Iunderstandyourshakeofthehead，butnothingcapsizesdisciplinesomuchastoconfessignorance。Ionceknewamasterofavesselwhowentaweekonawrongcourseratherthanallowhehadmadeamistake。anditwassurprisinghowmuchheroseintheopinionsofhispeople，justbecausetheycouldnotunderstandhim。

Thatmaydoonsaltwater，brotherCap，butitwillhardlydoonfresh。RatherthanwreckmycommandontheCanadashore，IshallfeelitadutytotakeJasperoutofarrest。

AndmakeahaveninFrontenac。No，Sergeant。the_Scud_isingoodhands，andwillnowlearnsomethingofseamanship。Wehaveafineoffing，andnoonebutamad-

manwouldthinkofgoinguponacoastinagalelikethis。

Ishallwareeverywatch，andthenweshallbesafeagainstalldangersbutthoseofthedrift，which，inalightlowcraftlikethis，withouttop-hamper，willbenexttonoth-

ing。Leaveitalltome，Sergeant，andIpledgeyouthecharacterofCharlesCapthatallwillgowell。

SergeantDunhamwasfaintoyield。Hehadgreatcon-

fidenceinhisconnection’sprofessionalskill，andhopedthathewouldtakesuchcareofthecutteraswouldamplyjustifyhisopinionofhim。Ontheotherhand，asdis-

trust，likecare，growsbywhatitfeedson，heentertainedsomuchapprehensionoftreachery，thathewasquitewill-

inganyonebutJaspershouldjustthenhavethecontrolofthefateofthewholeparty。Truth，moreover，compelsustoadmitanothermotive。Theparticulardutyonwhichhewasnowsentofrightshouldhavebeenconfidedtoacommissionedofficer。andMajorDuncanhadexcitedagooddealofdiscontentamongthesubalternsofthegar-

rison，byhavingconfidedittooneoftheSergeant’shum-

blestation。Toreturnwithouthavingevenreachedthepointofdestination，therefore，thelatterfeltwouldbeafailurefromwhichhewasnotlikelysoontorecover，andthemeasurewouldatoncebethemeansofplacingasupe-

riorinhisshoes。

CHAPTERXVI。

Thougloriousmirror，wheretheAlmighty’sformGlassesitselfintempests。inalltime，Calmorconvulsed——inbreeze，orgale，orstorm，Icingthepole，orinthetorridclimeDark-heaving——boundless，endless，andsublime——

Theimageofeternity。thethroneOftheInvisible。evenfromoutthyslimeThemonstersofthedeeparemade。eachzoneObeysthee。thougoestforth，dread，fathomless，alone。

BYRON。

Asthedayadvanced，thatportionoftheinmatesofthevesselwhichhadthelibertyofdoingsoappearedondeck。

Asyettheseawasnotveryhigh，fromwhichitwasinferredthatthecutterwasstillundertheleeoftheislands。butitwasapparenttoallwhounderstoodthelakethattheywereabouttoexperienceoneoftheheavyautumnalgalesofthatregion。Landwasnowherevisible。andthehori-

zononeverysideexhibitedthatgloomyvoid，whichlendstoallviewsonvastbodiesofwaterthesublimityofmys-

tery。Theswells，or，aslandsmentermthem，thewaves，wereshortandcurling，breakingofnecessitysoonerthanthelongerseasoftheocean。whiletheelementitself，in-

steadofpresentingthatbeautifulhuewhichrivalsthedeeptintofthesouthernsky，lookedgreenandangry，thoughwantinginthelustrethatisderivedfromtheraysofthesun。

Thesoldiersweresoonsatisfiedwiththeprospect，andonebyonetheydisappeared，untilnonewereleftondeckbutthecrew，theSergeant，Cap，Pathfinder，theQuarter-

master，andMabel。Therewasashadeonthebrowofthelast，whohadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththerealstateofthings，andwhohadfruitlesslyventuredanappealinfavorofJasper’srestorationtothecommand。Anight’srestandanight’sreflectionappearedalsotohaveconfirmedthePathfinderinhisopinionoftheyoungman’sinno-

cence。andhe，too，hadmadeawarmappealonbehalfofhisfriend，thoughwiththesamewantofsuccess。

Severalhourspassedaway，thewindgraduallygettingheavierandthesearising，untilthemotionofthecuttercompelledMabelandtheQuartermastertoretreatalso。

Capworeseveraltimes。anditwasnowevideutthatthe_Scud_wasdriftingintothebroaderanddeeperpartsofthelake，theseasragingdownuponherinawaythatnonebutavesselofsuperiormouldandbuildcouldhavelongriddenandwithstood。Allthis，however，gaveCapnouneasiness。but，likethehunterthatprickshisearsatthesoundofthehorn，orthewar-horsethatpawsandsnortswithpleasureattherollofthedrum，thewholesceneawakenedallthatwasmanwithinhim。andinsteadofthecaptious，supercilious，anddogmaticcritic，quarrellingwithtriflesandexaggeratingimmaterialthings，hebegantoexhibitthequalitiesofthehardyandexperiencedseamanwhichhetrulywas。Thehandssoonimbibedarespectforhisskill。and，thoughtheywonderedatthedisappear-

anceoftheiroldcommanderandthepilot，forwhichnoreasonhadbeenpubliclygiven，theysoonyieldedanim-

plicitandcheerfulobediencetothenewone。

Thisbitoffreshwater，afterall，brotherDunham，hassomespirit，Ifind，criedCapaboutnoon，rubbinghishandsinpuresatisfactionatfindinghimselfoncemorewrestlingwiththeelements。Thewindseemstobeanhonestold-fashionedgale，andtheseashaveafancifulre-

semblancetothoseoftheGulfStream。Ilikethis，Ser-

geant，Ilikethis，andshallgettorespectyourlake，ifitholdouttwenty-fourhourslongerinthefashioninwhichithasbegun。

Land，ho！shoutedthemanwhowasstationedontheforecastle。

Caphurriedforward。andthere，sureenough，thelandwasvisiblethroughthedrizzle，atthedistanceofabouthalfamile，thecutterheadingdirectlytowardsit。Thefirstimpulseoftheoldseamanwastogiveanordertostandby，towareoffshore。butthecool-headedsoldierrestrainedhim。

Bygoingalittlenearer，saidtheSergeant，someofusmayrecognizetheplace。MostofusknowtheAmeri-

canshoreinthispartofthelake。anditwillbesomethinggainedtolearnourposition。

Verytrue，verytrue。if，indeed，thereisanychanceofthatwewillholdon。Whatisthisoffhere，alittleonourweather-bow？Itlookslikealowheadland。

Thegarrison，byJove！exclaimedtheother，whosetrainedeyesoonerrecognizedthemilitaryoutlinesthanthelessinstructedsensesofhisconnection。

TheSergeantwasnotmistaken。Therewasthefort，sureenough，thoughitlookeddimandindistinctthroughthefinerain，asifitwereseenintheduskofeveningorthehazeofmorning。Thelow，sodded，andverdantram-

parts，thesombrepalisdes，nowdarkerthaneverwithwater，theroofofahouseortwo，thetall，solitaryflagstaff，withitshalyardsblownsteadilyoutintoacurvethatap-

pearedtracedinimmovablelinesintheair，wereallsoontobeseenthoughnosignofanimatedlifecouldbedis-

covered。Eventhesentinelwashoused。andatfirstitwasbelievedthatnoeyewoulddetectthepresenceoftheirownvessel。Buttheunceasingvigilanceofabordergar-

risondidnotslumber：oneofthelook-outsprobablymadetheinterestingdiscovery。amanortwowereseenonsomeelevatedstands，andthentheentirerampartsnextthelakeweredottedwithhumanbeings。

Thewholescenewasoneinwhichsublimitywassingu-

larlyrelievedbythepicturesque。Theragingofthetem-

pesthadacharacterofdurationthatrenderediteasytoimagineitmightbeapermanentfeatureofthespot。Theroarofthewindwaswithoutintermission，andtheragingwateransweredtoitsdullbutgrandstrainswithhissingspray，amenacingwash，andsullensurges。Thedrizzlemadeamediumfortheeyewhichcloselyresembledthatofathinmist，softeningandrenderingmysterioustheim-

agesitrevealed，whilethegenialfeelingthatisapttoac-

companyagaleofwindonwatercontributedtoaidthemilderinfluencesofthemoment。Thedarkinterminableforesthoveupoutoftheobscurity，grand，sombre，andimpressive，whilethesolitary，peculiar，andpicturesqueglimpsesoflifethatwerecaughtinandaboutthefort，formedarefugefortheeyetoretreattowhenoppressedwiththemoreimposingobjectsofnature。

Theyseeus，saidtheSergeant，andthinkwehavereturnedonaccountofthegale，andhavefallentoleewardoftheport。Yes，thereisMajorDuncanhimselfonthenorth-easternbastion。Iknowhimbyhisheight，andbytheofficersaroundhim。

Sergeant，itwouldbeworthstandingalittlejeering，ifwecouldfetchintotheriver，andcomesafelytoananchor。

Inthatcase，too，wemightlandthisMasterEau-douce，andpurifytheboat。

Itwouldindeed。but，aspoorasailorasIam，Iwellknowitcannotbedone。Nothingthatsailsthelakecanturntowindwardagainstthisgale。andthereisnoan-

chorageoutsideinweatherlikethis。

Iknowit，Iseeit，Sergeant。andpleasantasisthatsighttoyoulandsmen，wemustleaveit。Formyself，I

amneversohappyinheavyweatheraswhenIamcertainthatthelandisbehindme。

The_Scud_hadnowforgedsonearin，thatitbecamein-

dispensabletolayherheadoffshoreagain，andtheneces-

saryordersweregiven。Thestorm-staysailwassetforward，thegafflowered，thehelmputup，andthelightcraft，thatseemedtosportwiththeelementslikeaduck，felloffalittle，drewaheadswiftly，obeyedherrudder，andwassoonflyingawayonthetopofthesurges，deadbeforethegale。

Whilemakingthisrapidflight，thoughthelandstillre-

mainedinviewonherlarboardbeam，thefortandthegroupsofanxiousspectatorsonitsrampartwereswallowedupinthemist。Thenfollowedtheevolutionsnecessarytobringtheheadofthecutteruptothewind，whensheagainbegantowallowherwearywaytowardsthenorthshore。

Hoursnowpassedbeforeanyfurtherchangewasmade，thewindincreasinginforce，untileventhedogmaticalCapfairlyadmitteditwasblowingathoroughgaleofwind。Aboutsunsetthe_Scud_woreagaintokeepheroffthenorthshoreduringthehoursofdarkness。andatmid-

nighthertemporarymaster，who，byquestioningthecrewinanindirectmanner，hadobtainedsomegeneralknowl-

edgeofthesizeandshapeofthelake，believedhimselftobeaboutmidwaybetweenthetwoshores。Theheightandlengthoftheseasaidedthisimpression。anditmustbeaddedthatCapbythistimebegantofeelarespectforfreshwaterwhichtwenty-fourhoursearlierhewouldhavederidedasimpossible。Justasthenightturned，thefuryofthewindbecamesogreatthathefounditimpossibletobearupagainstit，thewaterfallingonthedeckofthelit-

tlecraftinsuchmassesastocauseittoshaketothecen-

tre，and，thoughavesselofsingularlylivelyqualities，tothreatentoburyitbeneathitsweight。Thepeopleofthe_Scud_averredthatneverbeforehadtheybeenoutinsuchatempest，whichwastrue。for，possessingaperfectknowl-

edgeofalltheriversandheadlandsandhavens，Jasperwouldhavecarriedthecutterinshorelongerethis，andplacedherinsafetyinsomesecureanchorage。ButCapstilldisdainedtoconsulttheyoungmaster，whocontinuedbelow，determiningtoactlikeamarinerofthebroadocean。

Itwasoneinthemorningwhenthestorm-staysailwasagaingotonthe_Scud_，theheadofthemainsaillowered，andthecutterputbeforethewind。Althoughthecanvasnowexposedwasmerelyaraginsurface，thelittlecraftnoblyjustifiedtheuseofthenameshebore。Foreighthoursdidshescudintruth。anditwasalmostwiththevelocityofthegullsthatwheeledwildlyoverherinthetempest，apparentlyafraidtoalightintheboilingcaldronofthelake。Thedawnofdaybroughtlittlechange。fornootherhorizonbecamevisiblethanthelittlecircleofdrizzlingskyandwateralreadydescribed，inwhichitseemedasiftheelementswereriotinginasortofchaoticconfusion。Duringthistimethecrewandpassengersofthecutterwereofnecessitypassive。Jasperandthepilotremainedbelow。but，themotionofthevesselhavingbe-

comeeasier，nearlyalltherestwereondeck。Themorn-

ingmealhadbeentakeninsilence，andeyemeteye，asiftheirownersaskedeachother，indumbshow，whatwastobetheendofthisstrifeintheelements。Cap，however，wasperfectlycomposed，andhisfacebrightened，hisstepgrewfirmer，andhiswholeairmoreassured，asthestormincreased，makinglargerdemandsonhisprofessionalskillandpersonalspirit。Hestoodontheforecastle，hisarmscrossed，balancinghisbodywithaseaman’sinstinct，whilehiseyeswatchedthecapsoftheseas，astheybrokeandglancedpastthereelingcutter，itselfinsuchswiftmotion，asiftheywerethescudflyingathwartthesky。AtthissublimeinstantoneofthehandsgavetheunexpectedcryofAsail！

TherewassomuchofthewildandsolitarycharacterofthewildernessaboutOntario，thatonescarcelyexpectedtomeetwithavesselonitswaters。The_Scud_herself，tothosewhowereinher，resembledamanthreadingtheforestalone，andthemeetingwaslikethatoftwosolitaryhuntersbeneaththebroadcanopyofleavesthatthencov-

eredsomanymillionsofacresonthecontinentofAmerica。

Thepeculiarstateoftheweatherservedtoincreasetheromantic，almostsupernaturalappearanceofthepassage。

Capaloneregardeditwithpractisedeyes，andevenhefelthisironnervesthrillunderthesensationsthatwereawak-

enedbythewildfeaturesofthescene。

Thestrangevesselwasabouttwocables’lengthaheadofthe_Scud_，standingbythewindathwartherbows，andsteeringacoursetorenderitprobablethatthelatterwouldpasswithinafewyardsofher。Shewasafull-riggedship。

and，seenthroughthemistymediumofthetempest，themostexperiencedeyecoulddetectnoimperfectioninhergearorconstruction。Theonlycanvasshehadsetwasaclose-reefedmain-topsail，andtwosmallstorm-staysails，oneforwardandtheotheraft。Stillthepowerofthewindpressedsoharduponherastobearherdownnearlytoherbeam-ends，wheneverthehullwasnotrightedbythebuoyancyofsomewaveunderherlee。Hersparswereallintheirplaces，andbyhermotionthroughthewater，whichmighthaveequalledfourknotsinthehour，itwasapparentthatshesteeredalittlefree。

Thefellowmustknowhispositionwell，saidCap，asthecutterflewdowntowardstheshipwithavelocityalmostequallingthatofthegale，forheisstandingboldlytothesouthward，whereheexpectstofindanchorageorahaven。Nomaninhissenseswouldrunofffreeinthatfashion，thatwasnotdriventoscudding，likeourselves，whodidnotperfectlyunderstandwherehewasgoing。

Wehavemadeanawfulrun，captain，returnedthemantowhomthisremarkhadbeenaddressed。ThatistheFrenchking’sship，Lee-my-calm(_LeMontcalm_)，andsheisstandinginfortheNiagara，whereherownerhasagarrisonandaport。We’vemadeanawfulrunofit！

Ay，badlucktohim！Frenchman-like，heskulksintoportthemomentheseesanEnglishbottom。

Itmightbewellforusifwecouldfollowhim，re-

turnedtheman，shakinghisheaddespondingly，forwearegettingintotheendofabayuphereattheheadofthelake，anditisuncertainwhetherweevergetoutofitagain！

Pooh，man，pooh！Wehaveplentyofsearoom，andagoodEnglishhullbeneathus。WearenoJohnnyCrapaudstohideourselvesbehindapointorafortonaccountofapuffofwind。Mindyourhelm，sir！

Theorderwasgivenonaccountofthemenacingappear-

anceoftheapproachingpassage。The_Scud_wasnowhead-

ingdirectlyforthefore-footoftheFrenchman。and，thedistancebetweenthetwovesselshavingdiminishedtoahundredyards，itwasmomentarilyquestionableiftherewasroomtopass。

Port，sir，port，shoutedCap。Portyourhelmandpassastern！

ThecrewoftheFrenchmanwereseenassemblingtowindward，andafewmusketswerepointed，asiftoorderthepeopleofthe_Scud_tokeepoff。Gesticulationswereobserved，buttheseawastoowildandmenacingtoadmitoftheordinaryexpedientsofwar。Thewaterwasdrip-

pingfromthemuzzlesoftwoorthreelightgunsonboardtheship，butnoonethoughtoflooseningthemforserviceinsuchatempest。Herblacksides，astheyemergedfromawave，glistenedandseemedtofrown。butthewindhowledthroughherrigging，whistlingthethousandnotesofaship。andthehailsandcriesthatescapeaFrenchmanwithsomuchreadinesswereinaudible。

Lethimhalloohimselfhoarse！growledCap。Thisisnoweathertowhispersecretsin。Port，sir，port！

Themanatthehelmobeyed，andthenextsendoftheseadrovethe_Scud_downuponthequarteroftheship，sonearherthattheoldmarinerhimselfrecoiledastep，inavagueexpectationthat，atthenextsurgeahead，shewoulddrivebowsforemostdirectlyintotheplanksoftheothervessel。Butthiswasnottobe：risingfromthecrouchingpostureshehadtaken，likeapantherabouttoleap，thecutterdashedonward，andatthenextinstantshewasglancingpastthesternofherenemy，justclearingtheendofherspanker-boomwithherownloweryard。

TheyoungFrenchmanwhocommandedthe_Montcalm_

leapedonthetaffrail。and，withthathigh-tonedcourtesywhichrelieveseventheworstactsofhiscountrymen，heraisedhiscapandsmiledasalutationasthe_Scud_shotpast。Therewere_bonhomie_andgoodtasteinthisactofcourtesy，whencircumstancesallowedofnoothercommu-

nications。buttheywerelostonCap，who，withaninstinctquiteastruetohisrace，shookhisfistmenacingly，andmutteredtohimself，——

Ay，ay，it’sd——dluckyforyouI’venoarmamentonboardhere，orI’dsendyouintogetnewcabin-windowsfitted。Sergeant，he’sahumbug。

’Twascivil，brotherCap，returnedtheother，loweringhishandfromthemilitarysalutewhichhisprideasasol-

dierhadinducedhimtoreturn，——’twascivil，andthat’sasmuchasyoucanexpectfromaFrenchman。Whathereallymeantbyitnoonecansay。

Heisnotheadinguptothisseawithoutanobject，neither。Well，lethimrunin，ifhecangetthere，wewillkeepthelake，likeheartyEnglishmariners。

Thissoundedgloriously，butCapeyedwithenvytheglitteringblackmassofthe_Montcalm’s_hull，herwavingtopsail，andthemistytraceryofherspars，asshegrewlessandlessdistinct，andfinallydisappearedinthedrizzle，inaformasshadowyasthatofsomeunrealimage。Gladlywouldhehavefollowedinherwakehadhedared。for，toownthetruth，theprospectofanotherstormynightinthemidstofthewildwatersthatwereragingaroundhimbroughtlittleconsolation。Stillhehadtoomuchprofes-

sionalpridetobetrayhisuneasiness，andthoseunderhiscarereliedonhisknowledgeandresources，withtheim-

plicitandblindconfidencethattheignorantareapttofeel。

Afewhourssucceeded，anddarknesscameagaintoincreasetheperilsofthe_Scud_。Alullinthegale，how-

ever，hadinducedCaptocomebythewindoncemore，andthroughoutthenightthecutterwaslying-toasbefore，head-reachingasamatterofcourse，andoccasionallywar-

ingtokeepofftheland。Itisunnecessarytodwellontheincidentsofthisnight，whichresembledthoseofanyothergaleofwind。Therewerethepitchingofthevessel，thehissingofthewaters，thedashingofspray，theshocksthatmenacedannihilationtothelittlecraftassheplungedintotheseas，theundyinghowlofthewind，andthefear-

fuldrift。Thelastwasthemostseriousdanger。for，thoughexceedinglyweatherlyunderhercanvas，andto-

tallywithouttop-hamper，the_Scud_wassolight，thatthecombingoftheswellswouldseemattimestowashherdowntoleewardwithavelocityasgreatasthatofthesurgesthemselves。

DuringthisnightCapsleptsoundly，andforseveralhours。Thedaywasjustdawningwhenhefelthimselfshakenbytheshoulder。andarousinghimself，hefoundthePathfinderstandingathisside。Duringthegaletheguidehadappearedlittleondeck，forhisnaturalmodestytoldhimthatseamenaloneshouldinterferewiththeman-

agementofthevessel。andhewaswillingtoshowthesamerelianceonthosewhohadchargeofthe_Scud_，asheexpectedthosewhofollowedthroughtheforesttomani-

festinhisownskill。buthenowthoughthimselfjustifiedininterfering，whichhedidinhisownunsophisticatedandpeculiarmanner。

Sleepissweet，MasterCap，saidhe，assoonastheeyesofthelatterwerefairlyopen，andhisconsciousnesshadsufficientlyreturned，——sleepissweet，asIknowfromex-

perience，butlifeissweeterstill。Lookaboutyou，andsayifthisisexactlythemomentforacommandertobeoffhisfeet。

Hownow？hownow，MasterPathfinder？growledCap，inthefirstmomentsofhisawakenedfaculties。Areyou，too，gettingonthesideofthegrumblers？WhenashoreIadmiredyoursagacityinrunningthroughtheworstshoalswithoutacompass。andsincewehavebeenafloat，yourmeeknessandsubmissionhavebeenaspleas-

antasyourconfidenceonyourownground。Ilittleex-

pectedsuchasummonsfromyou。

Asformyself，MasterCap，IfeelIhavemygifts，andIbelievethey’llinterferewiththoseofnootherman。butthecasemaybedifferentwithMabelDunham。Shehashergifts，too，itistrue。buttheyarenotrudelikeours，butgentleandwomanish，astheyoughttobe。It’sonheraccountthatIspeak，andnotonmyown。

Ay，ay，Ibegintounderstand。Thegirlisagoodgirl，myworthyfriend。butsheisasoldier’sdaughterandasailor’sniece，andoughtnottobetootameortootenderinagale。Doessheshowanyfear？

Notshe！notshe！Mabelisawoman，butsheisrea-

sonableandsilent。NotawordhaveIheardfromherconcerningourdoings。thoughIdothink，MasterCap，shewouldlikeitbetterifJasperEau-doucewereputintohisproperplace，andthingswererestoredtotheiroldsit-

uation，like。Thisishumannatur’。

I’llwarrantit——girl-like，andDunham-like，too。Any-

thingisbetterthananolduncle，andeverybodyknowsmorethananoldseaman。_This_ishumannatur’，MasterPathfinder，andd——meifI’mthemantosheerafathom，starboardorport，forallthehumannatur’thatcanbefoundinaminxoftwenty——ay，or(loweringhisvoicealittle)forallthatcanbeparadedinhisMajesty’s55thregimentoffoot。I’venotbeenatseafortyyears，tocomeuponthisbitoffreshwatertobetaughthumannatur’。

Howthisgaleholdsout！ItblowsashardatthismomentasifBoreashadjustclappedhishanduponthebellows。

Andwhatisallthistoleeward？(rubbinghiseyes)——

land！assureasmynameisCap——andhighland，too。

ThePathfindermadenoimmediateanswer。but，shak-

inghishead，hewatchedtheexpressionofhiscompanion’sface，withalookofstronganxietyinhisown。

Land，ascertainasthisisthe_Scud！_repeatedCap。

aleeshore，andthat，too，withinaleagueofus，withasprettyalineofbreakersasonecouldfindonthebeachofallLongIsland！

Andisthatencouraging？orisitdisheartening？in-

quiredthePathfinder。

Ha！encouraging——disheartening！——why，neither。No，no，thereisnothingencouragingaboutit。andasfordis-

heartening，nothingoughttodisheartenaseaman。Younevergetdisheartenedorafraidinthewoods，myfriend？

I’llnotsaythat，I’llnotsaythat。Whenthedangerisgreat，itismygifttoseeit，andknowit，andtotrytoavoidit。elsewouldmyscalplongsincehavebeendryinginaMingowigwam。Onthislake，however，Icanseenotrail，andIfeelitmydutytosubmit。thoughIthinkweoughttorememberthereissuchapersonasMabelDun-

hamonboard。Butherecomesherfather，andhewillnaturallyfeelforhisownchild。

Weareseriouslysituated，Ibelieve，brotherCap，saidtheSergeant，whenhehadreachedthespot，bywhatI

cangatherfromthetwohandsontheforecastle？Theytellmethecuttercannotcarryanymoresail，andherdriftissogreatweshallgoashoreinanhourortwo。Ihopetheirfearshavedeceivedthem？

Capmadenoreply。buthegazedatthelandwitharue-

fulface，andthenlookedtowindwardwithanexpressionofferocity，asifhewouldgladlyhavequarrelledwiththeweather。

Itmaybewell，brother，theSergeantcontinued，tosendforJasperandconsulthimastowhatistobedone。

TherearenoFrenchheretodread。and，underallcircum-

stances，theboywillsaveusfromdrowningifpossible。

Ay，ay，’tisthesecursedcircumstancesthathavedoneallthemischief。Butletthefellowcome。lethimcome。

afewwell-managedquestionswillbringthetruthoutofhim，I’llwarrantyou。

ThisacquiescenceonthepartofthedogmaticalCapwasnosoonerobtained，thanJasperwassentfor。Theyoungmaninstantlymadehisappearance，hiswholeair，counte-

nance，andmienexpressiveofmortification，humility，and，ashisobserversfancied，rebukeddeception。Whenhefirststeppedondeck，Jaspercastonehurried，anxiousglancearound，asifcurioustoknowthesituationofthecutter。

andthatglancesufficed，itwouldseem，tolethimintothesecretofallherperils。Atfirsthelookedtowindward，asisusualwitheveryseaman。thenheturnedroundthehorizon，untilhiseyecaughtaviewofthehighlandstoleeward，whenthewholetruthburstuponhimatonce。

I’vesentforyou，MasterJasper，saidCap，foldinghisarms，andbalancinghisbodywiththedignityofthefore-

castle，inordertolearnsomethingaboutthehaventoleeward。Wetakeitforgrantedyoudonotbearmalicesohardastowishtodrownusall，especiallythewomen。andIsupposeyouwillbemanenoughtohelpusrunthecut-

terintosomesafeberthuntilthisbitofagalehasdoneblowing！

IwoulddiemyselfratherthanharmshouldcometoMabelDunham，theyoungmanearnestlyanswered。

Iknewit！Iknewit！criedthePathfinder，clappinghishandkindlyonJasper’sshoulder。Theladisastrueasthebestcompassthateverranaboundary，orbroughtamanofffromablindtrail。Itisamortalsintobelieveotherwise。

Humph！ejaculatedCap。especiallythewomen！

Asif_they_wereinanyparticulardanger。Nevermind，youngman。weshallunderstandeachotherbytalkingliketwoplainseamen。Doyouknowofanyportunderourlee？

None。Thereisalargebayatthisendofthelake。butitisunknowntousall，andnoteasyofentrance。

Andthiscoasttoleeward——ithasnothingparticulartorecommendit，Isuppose？

ItisawildernessuntilyoureachthemouthoftheNi-

agarainonedirection，andFrontenacintheother。Northandwest，theytellme，thereisnothingbutforestandprairiesforathousandmiles。

ThankGod！then，therecanbenoFrench。Aretheremanysavages，hereaway，ontheland？

TheIndiansaretobefoundinalldirections。thoughtheyarenowhereverynumerous。Byaccident，wemightfindapartyatanypointontheshore。orwemightpassmonthstherewithoutseeingone。

Wemusttakeourchauce，then，astotheblackguards。

but，tobefrankwithyou，MasterWestern，ifthislittleunpleasantmatterabouttheFrenchhadnotcometopass，whatwouldyounowdowiththecutter？

Iamamuchyoungersailorthanyourself，MasterCap，

saidJaspermodestly，andamhardlyfittedtoadviseyou。

Ay，ay，weallknowthat。Inacommoncase，perhapsnot。Butthisisanuncommoncase，andacircumstance。

andonthisbitoffreshwaterithaswhatmaybecalleditspeculiarities。andso，everythingconsidered，youmaybefittedtoadviseevenyourownfather。Atallevents，youcanspeak，andIcanjudgeofyouropinions，agreeablytomyownexperience。

Ithink，sir，beforetwohoursareover，thecutterwillhavetoanchor。

Anchor！——notouthereinthelake？

No，sir。butinyonder，neartheland。

Youdonotmeantosay，MasterEau-douce，youwouldanchoronaleeshoreinagaleofwind？

IfIwouldsavemyvessel，thatisexactlywhatIwoulddo，MasterCap。

Whe-e-e-w！——thisisfreshwater，withavengeance！

Hark’e，youngman，I’vebeenaseafaringanimal，boyandman，forty-oneyears，andIneveryetheardofsuchathing。I’dthrowmyground-tackleoverboardbeforeI

wouldbeguiltyofsolubberlyanact！

Thatiswhatwedoonthislake，modestlyrepliedJasper，whenwearehardpressed。Idaresaywemightdobetter，hadwebeenbettertaught。

Thatyoumight，indeed！No。nomaninducesmetocommitsuchasinagainstmyownbringingup。IshouldneverdareshowmyfaceinsideofSandyHookagain，hadIcommittedsoknow-nothinganexploit。Why，Path-

finder，here，hasmoreseamanshipinhimthanthatcomesto。Youcangobelowagain，MasterEau-douce。

Jasperquietlybowedandwithdrew。still，ashepasseddowntheladder，thespectatorsobservedthathecastalingeringanxiouslookatthehorizontowindwardandthelandtoleeward，andthendisappearedwithconcernstronglyexpressedineverylineamentofhisface。

CHAPTERXVII。

Hisstillrefutedquirkshestillrepeats。

New-raisedobjectionswithnewquibblesmeets，Tillsinkinginthequicksandhedefends，Hediesdisputing，andthecontestends。

COWPER。

Asthesoldier’swifewassickinherberth，MabelDun-

hamwastheonlypersonintheoutercabinwhenJasperreturnedtoit。for，byanactofgraceintheSergeant，hehadbeenpermittedtoresumehisproperplaceinthispartofthevessel。Weshouldbeascribingtoomuchsimplicityofcharactertoourheroine，ifwesaidthatshehadfeltnodistrustoftheyoungmaninconsequenceofhisarrest。

butweshouldalsobedoinginjusticetoherwarmthoffeelingandgenerosityofdisposition，ifwedidnotadd，thatthisdistrustwasinsignificantandtransient。Ashenowtookhisseatnearher，hiswholecountenancecloudedwiththeuneasinesshefeltconcerningthesituationofthecutter，everythinglikesuspicionwasbanishedfromhermind，andshesawinhimonlyaninjuredman。

Youletthisaffairweightooheavilyonyourmind，Jasper，saidsheeagerly，orwiththatforgetfuluessofselfwithwhichtheyouthfulofhersexarewonttobetraytheirfeelingswhenastrongandgenerousinteresthasattainedtheascendency。noonewhoknowsyoucan，ordoes，believeyouguilty。Pathfindersayshewillpledgehislifeforyou。

Thenyou，Mabel，returnedtheyouth，hiseyesflashingfire，donotlookuponmeasthetraitoryourfatherseemstobelievemetobe？

Mydearfatherisasoldier，andisobligedtoactasone。

Myfather’sdaughterisnot，andwillthinkofyouassheoughttothinkofamanwhohasdonesomuchtoserveheralready。

Mabel，I’mnotusedtotalkingwithonelikeyou，orsayingallIthinkandfeelwithany。Ineverhadasister，andmymotherdiedwhenIwasachild，sothatIknowlittlewhatyoursexmostlikestohear——

Mabelwouldhavegiventheworldtoknowwhatlaybe-

hindtheteemingwordatwhichJasperhesitated。buttheindefinableandcontrolliugsenseofwomanlydiffidencemadehersuppresshercuriosity。Shewaitedinsilenceforhimtoexplainhisownmeaning。

Iwishtosay，Mabel，theyoungmancontinued，afterapausewhichhefoundsufficientlyembarrassing，thatIamunusedtothewaysandopinionsofonelikeyou，andthatyoumustimagineallIwouldadd。

Mabelhadimaginationenoughtofancyanything，butthereareideasandfeelingsthathersexprefertohaveex-

pressedbeforetheyyieldthemalltheirownsympathies，andshehadavagueconsciousnessthattheseofJaspermightproperlybeenumeratedintheclass。Withareadi-

nessthatbelongedtohersex，therefore，shepreferredchangingthediscoursetopermittingittoproceedanyfurtherinamannersoawkwardandsounsatisfactory。

Tellmeonething，Jasper，andIshallbecontent，saidshe，speakingnowwithafirinnesswhichdenotedconfi-

dence，notonlyinherself，butinhercompanion：youdonotdeservethiscruelsuspicionwhichrestsuponyou？

Idonot，Mabel！answeredJasper，lookingintoherfullblueeyeswithanopennessandsimplicitythatmighthaveshakenstrongerdistrust。AsIhopeformercyhereafter，Idonot！

Iknewit——Icouldhaveswornit！returnedthegirlwarmly。Andyetmyfathermeanswell——butdonotletthismatterdisturbyou，Jasper。

Thereissomuchmoretoapprehendfromanotherquarterjustnow，thatIscarcelythinkofit。

Jasper！

Idonotwishtoalarmyou，Mabel。butifyourunclecouldbepersuadedtochangehisnotionsabouthandlingthe_Scud_：andyetheissomuchmoreexperiencedthanIam，thatheought，perhaps，toplacemorerelianceonhisownjudgmentthanonmine。

Doyouthinkthecutterinanydanger？demandedMabel，quickasthought。

Ifearso。atleastshewouldhavebeenthoughtingreatdangerbyusofthelake。perhapsanoldseamanoftheoceanmayhavemeansofhisowntotakecareofher。

Jasper，allagreeingivingyoucreditforskillinman-

agingthe_Scud_。Youknowthelake，youknowthecut-

ter。you_must_bethebestjudgeofourrealsituation。

Myconcernforyou，Mabel，maymakememorecow-

ardlythancommon。but，tobefrank，Iseebutonemethodofkeepingthecutterfrombeingwreckedinthecourseofthenexttwoorthreehours，andthatyourunclerefusestotake。Afterall，thismaybemyignorance。for，ashesays，Ontarioismerelyfreshwater。

Youcannotbelievethiswillmakeanydifference。

Thinkofmydearfather，Jasper！Thinkofyourself。ofallthelivesthatdependonatimelywordfromyoutosavethem。

Ithinkofyou，Mabel，andthatismore，muchmore，thanalltherestputtogether！returnedtheyoungman，withastrengthofexpressionandanearnestnessoflookthatutteredinfinitelymorethanthewordsthemselves。

Mabel’sheartbeatquickly，andagleamofgratefulsat-

isfactionshotacrossherblushingfeatures。butthealarmwastoovividandtooserioustoadmitofmuchrelieffromhappierthoughts。Shedidnotattempttorepressalookofgratitude，andthenshereturnedtothefeelingwhichwasnaturallyuppermost。

Myuncle’sobstinacymustnotbepermittedtoocca-

sionthisdisaster。Gooncemoreondeck，Jasper。andaskmyfathertocomeintothecabin。

Whiletheyoungmanwascomplyingwiththisrequest，Mabelsatlisteningtothehowlingofthestormandthedashingofthewateragainstthecutter，inadreadtowhichshehadhithertobeenastranger。Constitutionallyanex-

cellentsailor，asthetermisusedamongpassengers，shehadnothithertobethoughtherofanydanger，andhadpassedhertimesincethecommencemeutofthegaleinsuchwomanlyemploymentsashersituationallowed。butnowthatalarmwasseriouslyawakened，shedidnotfailtoperceivethatneverbeforehadshebeenonthewaterinsuchatempest。TheminuteortwowhichelapsedbeforetheSergeantcameappearedanhour，andshescarcelybreathedwhenshesawhimandJasperdescendingtheladderincompany。Quickaslanguagecouldexpresshermeaning，sheacquaintedherfatherwithJasper’sopinionoftheirsituation。andentreatedhim，ifhelovedher，orhadanyregardforhisownlife，orforthoseofhismen，tointerferewithheruncle，andtoinducehimtoyieldthecontrolofthecutteragaintoitspropercommander。

Jasperistrue，father，addedsheearnestly。andiffalse，hecouldhavenomotiveinwreckingusinthisdis-

tantpartofthelakeattheriskofallourlives，hisownincluded。Iwillpledgemyownlifeforhistruth。

Ay，thisiswellenoughforayoungwomanwhoisfrightened，answeredthemorephlegmaticparent。butitmightnotbesoexcusableinoneincommandofanex-

pedition。Jaspermaythinkthechanceofdrowningingettingashorefullyrepaidbythechanceofescapingassoonashereachestheland。

SergeantDunham！

Father！

Theseexclamationsweremadesimultaneously，buttheywereutteredintonesexpressiveofdifferentfeelings。InJasper，surprisewastheemotionuppermost。inMabelreproach。Theoldsoldier，however，wastoomuchaccus-

tomedtodealfranklywithsubordinatestoheedeither。

andafteramoment’sthought，hecontinuedasifneitherhadspoken。NorisbrotherCapamanlikelytosubmittobetaughthisdutyonboardavessel。

But，father，whenallourlivesareintheutmostjeop-

ardy！

Somuchtheworse。Thefair-weathercommanderisnogreatmatter。itiswhenthingsgowrongthatthebestofficershowshimselfinhistruecolors。CharlesCapwillnotbelikelytoquitthehelmbecausetheshipisindan-

ger。Besides，JasperEau-douce，hesaysyourproposalinitselfhasasuspiciousairaboutit，andsoundsmoreliketreacherythanreason。

Hemaythinkso。butlethimsendforthepilotandhearhisopinion。ItiswellknownthatIhavenotseenthemansinceyesterdayevening。

Thisdoessoundreasonably，andtheexperimentshallbetried。Followmeondeckthen，thatallmaybehon-

estandabove-aboard。

Jasperobeyed，andsokeenwastheinterestofMabel，thatshetooventuredasfarasthecompanion-way，wherehergarmentsweresufficientlyprotectedagainstthevio-

lenceofthewindandherpersonfromthespray。Heremaidenmodestyinducedhertoremain，thoughanabsorbedwitnessofwhatwaspassing。

Thepilotsoonappeared，andtherewasnomistakingthelookofconcernthathecastaroundatthesceneassoonashewasintheopenair。Somerumorsofthesituationofthe_Scud_hadfoundtheirwaybelow，itistrue。butinthisinstancerumorhadlessenedinsteadofmagnifyingthedanger。Hewasallowedafewminutestolookabouthim，andthenthequestionwasputastothecoursewhichhethoughtitprudenttofollow。

Iseenomeansofsavingthecutterbuttoanchor，heansweredsimply，andwithouthesitation。

What！outhereinthelake？inquiredCap，ashehadpreviouslydoneofJasper。

No：butcloserin。justattheouterlineofthebreakers。

TheeffectofthiscommunicationwastoleavenodoubtinthemindofCapthattherewasasecretarrangementbetweenhercommanderandthepilottocastawaythe_Scud_。mostprobablywiththehopeofeffectingtheires-

cape。Heconsequentlytreatedtheopinionofthelatterwiththeindifferencehehadmanifestedtowardsthatoftheformer。

Itellyou，brotherDunham，saidhe，inanswertotheremonstrancesoftheSergeantagainsthisturningadeafeartothisdoublerepreseutation，thatnoseamanwouldgivesuchanopinionhonestly。ToanchoronaleeshoreinagaleofwindwouldbeanactofmadnessthatIcouldneverexcusetotheunderwriters，underanycircumstances，solongasaragcanbeset。buttoanchorclosetobreakerswouldbeinsanity。

HisMajestyunderwritesthe_Scud_，brother，andIamresponsibleforthelivesofmycommand。ThesemenarebetteracquaintedwithLakeOntariothanwecanpossiblybe，andIdothinktheirtellingthesametaleentitlesthemtosomecredit。

Uncle！saidMabelearnestly。butagesturefromJas-

perinducedthegirltorestrainherfeelings。

Wearedriftingdownuponthebreakerssorapidly，

saidtheyoungman，thatlittleneedbesaidonthedub-

ject。Halfanhourmustsettlethematter，onewayortheother。butIwarnMasterCapthatthesurest-footedmanamonguswillnotbeabletokeephisfeetaninstantonthedeckofthislowcraft，shouldshefairlygetwithinthem。IndeedImakelittledoubtthatweshallfillandfounderbeforethesecondlineofrollersispassed。

Andhowwouldanchoringhelpthematter？de-

mandedCapfuriously，asifhefeltthatJasperwasre-

sponsiblefortheeffectsofthegale，aswellasfortheopinionhehadjustgiven。

Itwouldatleastdonoharm，Eau-doucemildlyre-

plied。Bybringingthecutterheadtoseaweshouldles-

senherdrift。andevenifwedraggedthroughthebreak-

ers，itwouldbewiththeleastpossibledanger。Ihope，MasterCap，youwillallowthepilotandmyselfto_prepare_

foranchoring，sincetheprecautionmaydogood，andcandonoharm。

Overhaulyourranges，ifyouwill，andgetyouranchorsclear，withallmyheart。Wearenowinasituationthatcannotbemuchaffectedbyanythingofthatsort。Ser-

geant，awordwithyouafthere，ifyouplease。

Capledhisbrother-in-lawoutofear-shot。andthen，withmoreofhumanfeelinginhisvoiceandmannerthanhewasapttoexhibit，heopenedhisheartonthesubjectoftheirrealsituation。