第10章

ThisisamelancholyaffairforpoorMabel，saidhe，blowinghisnose，andspeakingwithaslighttremor。

YouandI，Sergeant，areoldfellows，andusedtobeingneardeath，ifnottoactuallydying。ourtradesfitusforsuchscenes。butpoorMabel！——sheisanaffectionateandkind-heartedgirl，andIhadhopedtoseehercomfortablysettled，andamother，beforemytimecame。Well，well！

wemusttakethebadwiththegoodineveryv’y’ge。andtheonlyseriousobjectionthatanoldseafaringmancanwithproprietymaketosuchaneventis，thatitshouldhappenonthisbitofd——dfreshwater。

SergeantDunhamwasabraveman，andhadshownhisspiritinscenesthatlookedmuchmoreappallingthanthis。butonallsuchoccasionshehadbeenabletoacthisIpartagainsthisfoes，whileherehewaspresseduponbyanenemywhomhehadnomeansofresisting。Forhim-

selfhecaredfarlessthanforhisdaughter，feelingsomeofthatself-reliancewhichseldomdesertsamanoffirmnesswhoisinvigoroushealth，andwhohasbeenaccustomedtopersonalexertionsinmomentsofjeopardy。butasrespectsMabelhesawnomeansofescape，and，withafather’sfondness，heatoncedeterminedthat，ifeitherwasdoomedtoperish，heandhisdaughtermustperishtogether。

Doyouthinkthismustcometopass？heaskedofCapfirmly，butwithstrongfeeling。

Twentyminuteswillcarryusintothebreakers。andlookforyourself，Sergeant：whatchancewilleventhestoutestmanamongushaveinthatcaldrontoleeward？

Theprospectwas，indeed，littlecalculatedtoencouragehope。Bythistimethe_Scud_waswithinamileoftheshore，onwhichthegalewasblowingatrightangles，withaviolencethatforbadetheideaofshowinganyadditionalcanvaswithaviewtoclawoff。Thesmallportionofthemainsailactuallyset，andwhichmerelyservedtokeeptheheadofthe_Scud_sonearthewindastopreventthewavesfrombreakingoverher，quiveredunderthegusts，asifateachmomentthestoutthreadswhichheldthecomplicatedfabrictogetherwereabouttobetornasunder。Thedriz-

zlehadceased。buttheair，forahundred，feetabovethesurfaceofthelake，wasfilledwithdazzlingspray，whichhadanappearancenotunlikethatofabrilliantmist，whileaboveallthesunwasshininggloriouslyinacloud-

lesssky。Jasperhadnotedtheomen，andhadforetoldthatitannouncedaspeedyterminationtothegale，thoughthenexthourortwomustdecidetheirfate。Betweenthecutterandtheshoretheviewwasstillmorewildandap-

palling。Thebreakersextendednearlyhalfamile。whilethewaterwithintheirlinewaswhitewithfoam，theairabovethemwassofarfilledwithvaporandsprayastorenderthelandbeyondhazyandindistinct。Stillitcouldbeseenthatthelatterwashigh，——notausualthingfortheshoresofOntario，——andthatitwascoveredwiththeverdantmantleoftheinterminableforest。

WhiletheSergeantandCapweregazingatthissceneinsilence，Jasperandhispeoplewereactivelyengagedontheforecastle。Nosoonerhadtheyoungmanreceivedpermissiontoresumehisoldemployment，than，appealingtosomeofthesoldiersforaid，hemusteredfiveorsixas-

sistants，andsetaboutinearnesttheperformanceofadutywhichhadbeentoolongdelayed。Onthesenarrowwatersanchorsareneverstowedin-board，orcablesthatarein-

tendedforserviceunbent，andJasperwassavedmuchofthelaborthatwouldhavebeennecessaryinavesselatsea。

Thetwobowersweresoonreadytobeletgo，rangesofthecableswereoverhauled，andthenthepartypausedtolookaboutthem。Nochangesforthebetterhadoccurred，butthecutterwasfallingslowlyin，andeachinstantrendereditmorecertainthatshecouldnotgainaninchtowind-

ward。

Onelong，earnestsurveyofthelakeended，Jaspergavenewordersinasimilarmannertoprovehowmuchhethoughtthatthetimepressed。Twokedgesweregotondeck，andhawserswerebenttothem。theinnerendsofthehawserswerebent，intheirturns，tothecrownsoftheanchors，andeverythingwasgotreadytothrowthemover-

boardatthepropermoment。Thesepreparationscom-

pleted，Jasper’smannerchangedfromtheexcitementofexertiontoalookofcalmbutsettledconcern。Hequittedtheforecastle，wheretheseasweredashingin-boardateveryplungeofthevessel，thedutyjustmentionedhavingbeenexecutedwiththebodiesofthecrewfrequentlyburiedinthewater，andwalkedtoadrierpartofthedeck，aft。

HerehewasmetbythePathfinder，whowasstandingnearMabelandtheQuartermaster。Mostofthoseonboard，withtheexceptionoftheindividualswhohavealreadybeenparticularlymentioned，werebelow，someseekingre-

lieffromphysicalsufferingontheirpallets，andotherstardilybethinkingthemoftheirsins。Forthefirsttime，mostprobably，sinceherkeelhaddippedintothelimpidwatersofOntario，thevoiceofprayerwas，heardonboardthe_Scud_。

Jasper，commencedhisfriend，theguide，Ihavebeenofnousethismorning，formygiftsareoflittleaccount，asyouknow，inavessellikethis。but，shoulditpleaseGodtolettheSergeant’sdaughterreachtheshorealive，myacquaintancewiththeforestmaystillcarryherthroughinsafetytothegarrison。

’Tisafearfuldistancethither，Pathfinder！Mabelre-

joined，thepartybeingsoneartogetherthatallwhichwassaidbyonewasoverheardbytheothers。Iamafraidnoneofuscouldlivetoreachthefort。

Itwouldbeariskypath，Mabel，andacrookedone。

thoughsomeofyoursexhaveundergoneevenmorethanthatinthiswilderness。But，Jasper，eitheryouorI，orbothofus，mustmanthisbarkcanoe。Mabel’sonlyohancewilllieingettingthroughthebreakersinthat。

IwouldwillinglymananythingtosaveMabel，an-

sweredJasper，withamelancholysmile。butnohumanhand，Pathfinder，couldcarrythatcanoethroughyonderbreakersinagalelikethis。Ihavehopesfromanchoring，afterall。foroncebeforehavewesavedthe_Scud_inanextremitynearlyasgreatasthis。

Ifwearetoanchor，Jasper，theSergeantinquired，whynotdoitatonce？Everyfootweloseindriftingnowwouldcomeintothedistanceweshallprobablydragwhentheanchorsareletgo。

JasperdrewnearertotheSergeant，andtookhishand，pressingitearnestly，andinawaytodenotestrong，almostuncontrollablefeelings。

SergeantDunham，saidhesolemnly，youareagoodman，thoughyouhavetreatedmeharshlyinthisbusiness。

Youloveyourdaughter？

Thatyoucanuotdoubt，Eau-douce，returnedtheSer-

geanthuskily。

Willyougiveher——giveusall——theonlychanceforlifethatisleft？

Whatwouldyouhavemedo，boy，whatwouldyouhavemedo？Ihaveactedaccordingtomyjudgmenthitherto，-whatwouldyouhavemedo？

SupportmeagainstMasterCapforfiveminutes，andallthatmancandotowardssavingthe_Scud_shallbedone。

TheSergeanthesitated，forhewastoomuchofadis-

ciplinariantoflyinthefaceofregularorders。Hedis-

likedtheappearanceofvacillation，too。andthenhehadaprofoundrespectforhiskinsman’sseamanship。Whilehewasdeliberating，Capcamefromtheposthehadsometimeoccupied，whichwasatthesideofthemanatthehelm，anddrewnighthegroup。

MasterEau-douce，saidhe，assoonasnearenoughtobeheard，Ihavecometoinquireifyouknowanyspotnearbywherethiscuttercanbebeached？Themomenthasarrivedwhenwearedriventothishardalternative。

ThatinstantofindecisiononthepartofCapsecuredthetriumphofJasper。LookingattheSergeant，theyoungmanreceivedanodthatassuredhimofallheasked，andhelostnotoneofthosemomentsthatweregettingtobesoveryprecious。

ShallItakethehelm，heinquiredofCap，andseeifwecanreachacreekthatliestoleeward？

Doso，doso，saidtheother，hemmingtoclearhisthroat。forhefeltoppressedbyaresponsibilitythatweighedalltheheavieronhisshouldersonaccountofhisignorance。Doso，Eau-douce，since，tobefrankwithyou，Icanseenothingbettertobedone。Wemustbeachorswamp。

Jasperrequirednomore。springingaft，hesoonhadthetillerinhisownhands。Thepilotwaspreparedforwhatwastofollow。and，atasignfromhisyoungcommander，theragofsailthathadsolongbeensetwastakenin。Atthatmoment，Jasper，watchinghistime，putthehelmup。

theheadofastaysailwasloosenedforward，andthelightcutter，asifconsciousshewasnowunderthecontroloffamiliarhands，felloff，andwassooninthetroughofthesea。Thisperilousinstantwaspassedinsafety，andatthenextmomentthelittlevesselappearedflyingdowntowardthebreakersataratethatthreatenedinstantdestruction。

Thedistanceshadbecomesoshort，thatfiveorsixminutessufficedforallthatJasperwished，andheputthehelmdownagain，whenthebowsofthe_Scud_cameuptothewind，notwithstandingtheturbulenceofthewaters，asgracefullyastheduckvariesitslineofdirectionontheglassypond。AsignfromJaspersetallinmotionontheforecastle，andakedgewasthrownfromeachbow。ThefearfulnatureofthedriftwasnowapparenteventoMabel’seyes，forthetwohawsersranoutliketow-lines。Assoonastheystraightenedtoaslightstrain，bothanchorswereletgo，andcablewasgiventoeach，nearlytothebetter-

ends。Itwasnotadifficulttasktosnubsolightacraftwithground-tackleofaqualitybetterthancommon。andinlessthantenminutesfromthemomentwhenJasperwenttothehelm，the_Scud_wasriding，headtosea，withthetwocablesstretchedaheadinlinesthatresembledbarsofiron。

Thisisnotwelldone，MasterJasper！angrilyex-

claimedCap，assoonasheperceivedthetrickwhichhadbeenplayedhim。thisisnotwelldone，sir。Iorderyoutocut，andtobeachthecutterwithoutamoment’sdelay。

Noone，however，seemeddisposedtocomplywiththisorder。forsolongasEau-doucesawfittocommand，hisownpeopleweredisposedtoobey。Findingthatthemenremainedpassive，Cap，whobelievedtheywereintheut-

mostperil，turnedfiercelytoJasper，andrenewedhisre-

monstrances。

Youdidnotheadforyourpretendedcreek，addedhe，afterdealinginsomeobjurgatoryremarksthatwedonotdeemitnecessarytorecord，butsteeredforthatbluff，whereeverysoulonboardwouldhavebeendrowned，hadwegoneashore。

Andyouwishtocut，andputeverysoulashoreatthatveryspot！Jasperretorted，alittledrily。

Throwalead-lineoverboard，andascertainthedrift！

Capnowroaredtothepeopleforward。AsignfromJas-

persustainingthisorder，itwasinstantlyobeyed。Allondeckwatched，withnearlybreathlessinterest，theresultoftheexperiment。Theleadwasnosooneronthebottom，thanthelinetendedforward，andinabouttwominutesitwasseenthatthecutterhaddriftedherlengthdeadintowardsthebluff。Jasperlookedgravely，forhewellknewnothingwouldholdthevesseldidshegetwithinthevor-

texofthebreakers，thefirstlineofwhichwasappearinganddisappearingaboutacable’slengthdirectlyundertheirstern。

Traitor！exclaimedCap，shakingafingerattheyoungcommander，thoughpassionchokedtherest。Youmustanswerforthiswithyourlife！headdedafterashortpause。IfIwereattheheadofthisexpedition，Sergeant，Iwouldhanghimattheendofthemain-boom，lestheescapedrowning。

Moderateyourfeelings，brother。bemoremoderate，I

bcseechyou。Jasperappearstohavedoneallforthebest，andmattersmaynotbesobadasyoubelievethem。

Whydidhenotrunforthecreekhementioned？——whyhashebroughtushere，deadtowindwardofthatbluff，andtoaspotwhereeventhebreakersareonlyofhalftheordinarywidth，asifinahurrytodrownallonboard？

Iheadedforthebluff，fortheprecisereasonthatthebreakersaresonarrowatthisspot，answeredJaspermildly，thoughhisgorgehadrisenatthelanguagetheotherheld。

Doyoumeantotellanoldseamanlikemethatthiscuttercouldliveinthosebreakers？

Idonot，sir。Ithinkshewouldfillandswampifdrivenintothefirstlineofthem。Iamcertainshewouldneverreachtheshoreonherbottom，iffairlyentered。I

hopetokeepherclearofthemaltogether。

Withadriftofherlengthinaminute？

Thebackingoftheanchorsdoesnotyetfairlytell，nordoIevenhopethat_they_willentirelybringherup。

Onwhat，then，doyourely？Tomooracraft，headandstern，byfaith，hope，andcharity？

No，sir，Itrusttotheunder-tow。IheadedforthebluffbecauseIknewthatitwasstrongeratthatpointthanatanyother，andbecausewecouldgetnearerinwiththelandwithoutenteringthebreakers。

Thiswassaidwithspirit，thoughwithoutanyparticularshowofresentment。ItseffectonCapwasmarked，thefeelingthatwasuppermostbeingevidentlythatofsurprise。

Under-tow！herepeated。whothedevileverheardofsavingavesselfromgoingashorebytheunder-tow？

Thismayneverhappenontheocean，sir，Jasperan-

sweredmodestly。butwehaveknownittohappenhere。

Theladisright，brother，putintheSergeant。for，thoughIdonotwellunderstandit，Ihaveoftenheardthesailorsofthelakespeakofsuchathing。WeshalldowelltotrusttoJasperinthisstrait。

Capgrumbledandswore。but，astherewasnoremedy，hewascompelledtoacquiesce。Jasper，beingnowcalledontoexplainwhathemeantbytheunder-tow，gavethisaccountofthematter。Thewaterthatwasdrivenupontheshorebythegalewasnecessarilycompelledtofinditslevelbyreturningtothelakebysomesecretchannels。

Thiscouldnotbedoneonthesurface，wherebothwindandwaveswereconstantlyurgingittowardstheland，anditnecessarilyformedasortoflowereddy，bymeansofwhichitflowedbackagaintoitsancientandproperbed。

Thisinferiorcurrenthadreceivedthenameoftheunder-

tow，and，asitwouldnecessarilyactonthebottomofavesselwhichdrewasmuchwaterasthe_Scud_，Jaspertrustedtotheaidofthisreactiontokeephiscablesfromparting。Inshort，theupperandlowercurrentswould，inamanner，counteracteachother。

Simpleandingeniousaswasthistheory，however，asyettherewaslittleevidenceofitsbeingreducedtopractice。

Thedriftcontinued。though，asthekedgesandhawserswithwhichtheanchorswerebackedtookthestrains，itbecamesensiblyless。Atlengththemanattheleadan-

nouncedthejoyfulintelligencethattheanchorshadceasedtodrag，andthatthevesselhadbroughtup！Atthispre-

cisemomentthefirstlineofbreakerswasaboutahundredfeetasternofthe_Scud_，evenappearingtoapproachmuchnearerasthefoamvanishedandreturnedontheragingsurges。Jaspersprangforward，and，castingaglanceoverthebows，hesmiledintriumph，ashepointedexultinglytothecables。Insteadofresemblingbarsofironinrigid-

ity，asbefore，theywerecurvingdownwards，andtoasea-

man’ssensesitwasevidentthatthecutterroseandfellontheseasastheycameinwiththeeaseofashipinatides-way，whenthepowerofthewindisrelievedbythecounteractingpressureofthewater。

’Tistheundertow！heexclaimedwithdelight，fairlyboundingalongthedecktosteadythehelm，inorderthatthecuttermightridestilleasier。Providencehasplacedusdirectlyinitscurrent，andthereisnolongeranydan-

ger。

Ay，ay，Providenceisagoodseaman，growledCap，andoftenhelpslubbersoutofdifficulty。Under-toworupper-tow，thegalehasabated。and，fortunatelyforusall，theanchorshavemetwithgoodholding-ground。Thenthisd——dfreshwaterhasanunnaturalwaywithit。

Menareseldominclinedtoquarrelwithgoodfortune，butitisindistressthattheygrowclamorousandcritical。

MostonboardweredisposedtobelievethattheyhadbeensavedfromshipwreckbytheskillandknowledgeofJas-

per，withoutregardingtheopinionsofCap，whoseremarkswerenowlittleheeded。

Therewashalfanhourofuncertaintyanddoubt，itistrue，duringwhichperiodtheleadwasanxiouslywatched。

andthenafeelingofsecuritycameoverall，andthewearysleptwithoutdreamingofinstantdeath。

CHAPTERXVIII。

Itistobeallmadeofsighsandtears。

Itistobeallmadeoffaithandservice。

Itistobeallmadeofphantasy。

Allmadeofpassion，andallmadeofwishes。

Alladoration，duty，andobservance。

Allhumbleness，allpatience，andimpatience。

Allpurity，alltrial，allobservance。

SHAKESPEARE。

Itwasnearnoonwhenthegalebroke。andthenitsforceabatedassuddenlyasitsviolencehadarisen。Inlessthantwohoursafterthewindfell，thesurfaceofthelake，thoughstillagitated，wasnolongerglitteringwithfoam。

andindoublethattime，theentiresheetpresentedtheor-

dinarysceneofdisturbedwater，thatwasunbrokenbytheviolenceofatempest。Stillthewavescamerollinginces-

santlytowardstheshore，andthelinesofbreakersre-

mained，thoughthesprayhadceasedtofly。thecombingoftheswellswasmoremoderate，andallthattherewasofviolenceproceededfromtheimpulsionofwindwhichhadabated。

Asitwasimpossibletomakeheadagainsttheseathatwasstillup，withthelightopposingairthatblewfromtheeastward，allthoughtsofgettingunderwaythatafternoonwereabandoned。Jasper，whohadnowquietlyre-

sumedthecommandofthe_Scud_，busiedhimself，however，inheaving-uptheanchors，whichwereliftedinsuccession。

thekedgesthatbackedthemwereweighed，andeverythingwasgotinreadinessforapromptdeparture，assoonasthestateoftheweatherwouldallow。Inthemeantime，theywhohadnoconcernwiththesedutiessoughtsuchmeansofamusementastheirpeculiarcircumstancesallowed。

Asiscommonwiththosewhoareunusedtotheconfine-

mentofavessel，Mabelcastwistfuleyestowardstheshore。

norwasitlongbeforesheexpressedawishthatitwerepossibletoland。ThePathfinderwasnearheratthetime，andheassuredherthatnothingwouldbeeasier，astheyhadabarkcanoeondeck，whichwasthebestpossiblemodeofconveyancetogothroughasurf。Aftertheusualdoubtsandmisgivings，theSergeantwasappealedto。hisopinionprovedtobefavorable，andpreparationstocarrythewhimintoeffectwereimmediatelymade。

ThepartywhichwastolandconsistedofSergeantDunham，hisdaughter，andthePathfinder。Accustomedtothecanoe，Mabeltookherseatinthecentrewithgreatsteadiness，herfatherwasplacedinthebows，whiletheguideassumedtheofficeofconductor，bysteeringinthestern。Therewaslittleneedofimpellingthecanoebymeansofthepaddle，fortherollerssentitforwardatmo-

mentswithaviolencethatseteveryefforttogovernitsmovementsatdefiance。Morethanonce，beforetheshorewasreached，Mabelrepentedofhertemerity，butPath-

finderencouragedher，andreallymanifestedsomuchself-

possession，coolness，andstrengthofarmhimself，thatevenafemalemighthavehesitatedaboutowningallherap-

prehensions。Ourheroinewasnocoward。andwhileshefeltthenoveltyofhersituation，inlandingthroughasurf，shealsoexperiencedafairproportionofitswilddelight。

Atmoments，indeed，herheartwasinhermouth，asthebubbleofaboatfloatedontheverycrestofafoamingbreaker，appearingtoskimthewaterlikeaswallow，andthensheflushedandlaughed，as，leftbytheglancingele-

ment，theyappearedtolingerbehindasifashamedofhav-

ingbeenoutdoneintheheadlongrace。Afewminutessufficedforthisexcitement。forthoughthedistancebe-

tweenthecutterandthelandconsiderablyexceededaquarterofamile，theintermediatespacewaspassedinaveryfewminutes。

Onlanding，theSergeantkissedhisdaughterkindly，forhewassomuchofasoldierasalwaystofeelmoreathomeon_terrafirma_thanwhenafloat。and，takinghisgun，heannouncedhisintentiontopassanhourinquestofgame。

Pathfinderwillremainnearyou，girl，andnodoubthewilltellyousomeofthetraditionsofthispartoftheworld，orsomeofhisownexperienceswiththeMingos。

Theguidelaughed，promisedtohaveacareofMabel，andinafewminutesthefatherhadascendedasteepac-

clivityanddisappearedintheforest。Theotherstookan-

otherdirection，which，afterafewminutesofasharpas-

centalso，broughtthemtoasmallnakedpointonthepromontory，wheretheeyeoverlookedanextensiveandverypeculiarpanorama。HereMabelseatedherselfonafragmentoffallenrocktorecoverherbreathandstrength，whilehercompanion，onwhosesinewsnopersonalexertionseemedtomakeanyimpression，stoodatherside，leaninginhisownandnotungracefulmanneronhislongrifle。

Severalminutespassed，andneitherspoke。Mabel，inpar-

ticular，beinglostinadmirationoftheview。

Thepositionthetwohadobtainedwassufficientlyele-

vatedtocommandawidereachofthelake，whichstretchedawaytowardsthenorth-eastinaboundlesssheet，glitter-

ingbeneaththeraysofanafternoon’ssun，andyetbetray-

ingtheremainsofthatagitationwhichithadenduredwhiletossedbythelatetempest。Thelandsetboundstoitslimitsinahugecrescent，disappearingindistanceto-

wardsthesouth-eastandthenorth。Farastheeyecouldreach，nothingbutforestwasvisible，notevenasolitarysignofcivilizationbreakinginupontheuniformandgrandmagnificenceofnature。Thegalehaddriventhe_Scud_beyondthelineofthosefortswithwhichtheFrenchwerethenendeavoringtogirdtheEnglishNorthAmeri-

canpossessions。for，followingthechannelsofcommuni-

cationbetweenthegreatlakes，theirpostswereonthebanksoftheNiagara，whileouradventurershadreachedapointmanyleagueswestwardofthatcelebratedstrait。

Thecutterrodeatsingleanchor，withoutthebreakers，re-

semblingsomewell-imaginedandaccurately-executedtoy，intendedratherforaglasscasethanforstruggleswiththeelementswhichshehadsolatelygonethrough，whilethecanoelayonthenarrowbeach，justoutofreachofthewavesthatcameboomingupontheland，aspeckupontheshingles。

Weareveryfarherefromhumanhabitations！ex-

claimedMabel，when，afteralongsurveyofthescene，itsprincipalpeculiaritiesforcedthemselvesonheractiveandeverbrilliantimagination。thisisindeedbeingonafrontier。

Havetheymoresightlyscenesthanthisnearertheseaandaroundtheirlargetowns？demandedPathfinder，withaninteresthewasapttodiscoverinsuchasubject。

Iwillnotsaythat：thereismoretoremindoneofhisfellow-beingstherethanhere。less，perhaps，toremindoneofGod。

Ay，Mabel，thatiswhatmyownfeelingssay。Iambutapoorhunter，Iknow，untaughtandunlarned。butGodisasnearme，inthismyhome，asheisnearthekinginhisroyalpalace。

Whocandoubtit？returnedMabel，lookingfromtheviewupintothehard-featuredbuthonestfaceofhercom-

panion，thoughnotwithoutsurpriseattheenergyofhismanner。OnefeelsnearertoGodinsuchaspot，Ithink，thanwhenthemindisdistractedbytheobjectsofthetowns。

YousayallIwishtosaymyself，Mabel，butinsomuchplainerspeech，thatyoumakemeashamedofwishingtoletothersknowwhatIfeelonsuchmatters。Ihavecoastedthislakeinsearchofskinsaforethewar，andhavebeenherealready。notatthisveryspot，forwelandedyonder，whereyoumayseetheblastedoakthatstandsabovetheclusterofhemlocks——

How，Pathfinder，canyourememberallthesetriflessoaccurately？

Theseareourstreetsandhouses，ourchurchesandpalaces。Rememberthem，indeed！Ioncemadeanap-

pointmentwiththeBigSarpent，tomeetattwelveo’clockatnoon，nearthefootofacertainpine，attheendofsixmonths，whenneitherofuswaswithinthreehundredmilesofthespot。Thetreestood，andstandsstill，unlessthejudgmentofProvidencehaslightedonthattoo，inthemidstoftheforest，fiftymilesfromanysettlement，butinamostextraordinaryneighborhoodforbeaver。

Anddidyoumeetatthatveryspotandhour？

Doesthesunriseandset？WhenIreachedthetree，IfoundtheSarpentleaningagainstitstrunkwithtornleggingsandmuddiedmoecassins。TheDelawarehadgotintoaswamp，anditworriedhimnotalittletofindhiswayoutofit。butasthesunwhichcomesovertheeasternhillsinthemorninggoesdownbehindthewesternatnight，sowashetruetotimeandplace。NofearofChin-

gachgookwhenthereiseitherafriendoranenemyinthecase。Heisequallysartainwitheach。

AndwhereistheDelawarenow？whyishenotwithusto-day？

HeisscoutingontheMingotrail，whereIoughttohavebeentoo，butforagreathumaninfirmity。

Youseemabove，beyond，superiortoallinfirmity，Path-

finder。Ineveryetmetwithamanwhoappearedtobesolittleliabletotheweaknessesofnature。

Ifyoumeaninthewayofhealthandstrength，Mabel，Providencehasbeenkindtome。thoughIfancytheopenair，longhunts，activescoutings，forestfare，andthesleepofagoodconscience，mayalwayskeepthedoctorsatadis-

tance。ButIamhumanafterall。yes，IfindI’mveryhumaninsomeofmyfeelings。

Mabellookedsurprised，anditwouldbenomorethandelineatingthecharacterofhersex，ifweaddedthathersweetcountenanceexpressedagooddealofcuriosity，too，thoughhertonguewasmorediscreet。

Thereissomethingbewitchinginthiswildlifeofyours，Pathfinder，sheexclaimed，atingeofenthusiasmmantlinghercheeks。IfindI’mfastgettingtobeafrontiergirl，andamcomingtoloveallthisgrandsilenceofthewoods。Thetownsseemtametome。and，asmyfatherwillprobablypasstheremainderofhisdayshere，wherehehasalreadylivedsolong，IbegintofeelthatI

shouldbehappytocontinuewithhim，andnottoreturntothesea-shore。

Thewoodsareneversilent，Mabel，tosuchasunder-

standtheirmeaning。DaysatatimehaveItravelledthemalone，withoutfeelingthewantofcompany。and，asforconversation，forsuchascancomprehendtheirlan-

guage，thereisnowantofrationalandinstructivedis-

course。

Ibelieveyouarehappierwhenalone，Pathfinder，thanwhenminglingwithyourfellow-creatures。

Iwillnotsaythat，Iwillnotsayexactlythat。IhaveseenthetimewhenIhavethoughtthatGodwassufficientformeintheforest，andthatIhavecravednomorethanHisbountyandHiscare。Butotherfeelingshavegotuppermost，andIsupposenatur’willhaveitsway。Allothercreatursmate，Mabel，anditwasintendedmanshoulddosotoo。

Andhaveyouneverbethoughtyouofseekingawife，Pathfinder，toshareyourfortunes？inquiredthegirl，withthedirectnessandsimplicitythatthepureofheartandtheundesigningarethemostapttomanifest，andwiththatfeelingofaffectionwhichisinbredinhersex。Tomeitseemsyouonlywantahometoreturntofromyourwanderingstorenderyourlifecompletelyhappy。WereIaman，itwouldbemydelighttoroamthroughtheseforestsatwill，ortosailoverthisbeautifullake。

Iunderstandyou，Mabel。andGodblessyouforthink-

ingofthewelfareofmenashumbleasweare。Wehaveourpleasures，itistrue，aswellasourgifts，butwemightbehappier。yes，Idothinkwemightbehappier。

Happier！inwhatway，Pathfinder？Inthispureair，withthesecoolandshadedforeststowanderthrough，thislovelylaketogazeatandsailupon，withclearconsciences，andabundanceforalltheirrealwants，menoughttobenothinglessthanasperfectlyhappyastheirinfirmitieswillallow。

Everycreatur’hasitsgifts，Mabel，andmenhavetheirs，answeredtheguide，lookingstealthilyathisbeau-

tifulcompanion，whosecheekshadflushedandeyesbright-

enedundertheardoroffeelingsexcitedbythenoveltyofherstrikingsituation。andallmustobeythem。Doyouseeyonderpigeonthatisjustalightin’onthebeach——

hereinalinewiththefallenchestnut？

Certainly。itistheonlythingstirringwithlifeinit，besidesourselves，thatistobeseeninthisvastsolitude。

Notso，Mabel，notso。Providencemakesnothingthatlivestolivequitealone。Hereisitsmate，justrisingonthewing。ithasbeenfeedingneartheotherbeach，butitwillnotlongbeseparatedfromitscompanion。

Iunderstandyou，Pathfinder，returnedMabel，smilingsweetly，thoughascalmlyasifthediscoursewaswithherfather。Butahuntermayfindamate，eveninthiswildregion。TheIndiangirlsareaffectionateandtrue，Iknow。

forsuchwasthewifeofArrowhead，toahusbandwhooftenerfrownedthansmiled。

Thatwouldneverdo，Mabel，andgoodwouldnevercomeofit。Kindmustclingtokind，andcountrytocoun-

try，ifonewouldfindhappiness。If，indeed，Icouldmeetwithonelikeyou，whowouldconsenttobeahunter’swife，andwhowouldnotscornmyignoranceandrudeness，then，indeed，wouldallthetoilofthepastappearlikethesport-

ingoftheyoungdeer，andallthefuturelikesunshine。

Onelikeme！Agirlofmyyearsandindiscretionwouldhardlymakeafitcompanionfortheboldestscoutandsuresthunteronthelines。

Ah，Mabel！IfearmethatIhavebeenimprovingared-

skin’sgiftswithapale-face’snatur’？SuchacharacterwouldinsureawifeinanIndianvillage。

Surely，surely，Pathfinder，youwouldnotthinkofchoosingonesoignorant，sofrivolous，sovain，andsoin-

experiencedasIforyourwife？Mabelwouldhaveadded，andasyoung。butaninstinctivefeelingofdelicacyre-

pressedthewords。

Andwhynot，Mabel？Ifyouareignorantoffrontierusages，youknowmorethanallofusofpleasantanecdotesandtowncustoms：asforfrivolous，Iknownotwhatitmeans。butifitsignifiesbeauty，ah’sme！Ifearitisnofaultinmyeyes。Vainyouarenot，asisseenbythekindmannerinwhichyoulistentoallmyidletalesaboutscoutingsandtrails。andasforexperielice，thatwillcomewithyears。Besides，Mabel，Ifearmenthinklittleofthesematterswhentheyareabouttotakewives：Ido。

Pathfinder，yourwords，——yourlooks：——surelyallthisismeantintrifling。youspeakinpleasantry？

Tomeitisalwaysagreeabletobenearyou，Mabel。andIshouldsleepsounderthisblessednightthanIhavedoneforaweekpast，couldIthinkthatyoufindsuchdiscourseaspleasantasIdo。

WeshallnotsaythatMabelDunhamhadnotbelievedherselfafavoritewiththeguide。Thisherquickfemi-

ninesagacityhadearlydiscovered。andperhapsshehadoccasionallythoughttherehadmingledwithhisregardandfriendshipsomeofthatmanlytendernesswhichtherudersexmustbecoarse，indeed，nottoshowonoccasionstothegentler。buttheideathatheseriouslysoughtherforhiswifehadneverbeforecrossedthemindofthespir-

itedandingenuousgirl。Now，however，agleamofsome-

thinglikethetruthbrokeinuponherimagination，lessinducedbythewordsofhercompanion，perhaps，thanbyhismanner。Lookingearnestlyintotherugged，honestcountenanceofthescout，Mabel’sownfeaturesbecameconcernedandgrave。andwhenshespokeagain，itwaswithagentlenessofmannerthatattractedhimtoherevenmorepowerfullythanthewordsthemselveswerecalculatedtorepel。

YouandIshouldunderstandeachother，Pathfinder，

saidshewithanearnestsincerity。norshouldtherebeanycloudbetweenus。Youaretoouprightandfranktomeetwithanythingbutsincerityandfranknessinreturn。

Surely，surely，allthismeansnothing，——hasnoothercon-

nectionwithyourfeelingsthansuchafriendshipasoneofyourwisdomandcharacterwouldnaturallyfeelforagirllikeme？

Ibelieveit’sallnat’ral，Mabelyes。Ido：theSergeanttellsmehehadsuchfeelingstowardsyourownmother，andIthinkI’veseensomethinglikeitintheyoungpeopleIhavefromtimetotimeguidedthroughthewilderness。

Yes，yes，Idaresayit’sallnat’ralenough，andthatmakesitcomesoeasy，andisagreatcomforttome。

Pathfinder，yourwordsmakemeuneasy。Speakplainer，orchangethesubjectforever。Youdonot，cannotmeanthat——youcannotwishmetounderstand——eventhetongueofthespiritedMabelfaltered，andsheshrank，withmaidenshame，fromaddingwhatshewishedsoearnestlytosay。Rallyinghercourage，however，anddeterminedtoknowallassoonandasplainlyaspossible，afteramo-

ment’shesitation，shecontinued，——Imean，Pathfinder，thatyoudonotwishmetounderstandthatyouseriouslythinkofmeasawife？

Ido，Mabel。that’sit，that’sjustit。andyouhaveputthematterinamuchbetterpointofviewthanIwithmyfor-

estgiftsandfrontierwayswouldeverbeabletodo。TheSergeantandIhaveconcludedonthematter，ifitisagree-

abletoyou，ashethinksislikelytobethecase。thoughI

doubtmyownpowertopleaseonewhodeservesthebesthusbandAmericacanproduce。

Mabel’scountenancechangedfromuneasinesstosur-

prise。andthen，byatransitionstillquicker，fromsurprisetopain。

Myfather！sheexclaimed，——mydearfatherhasthoughtofmybecomingyourwife，Pathfinder？

Yes，hehas，Mabel，hehas，indeed。Hehaseventhoughtsuchathingmightbeagreeabletoyou，andhasalmostencouragedmetofancyitmightbetrue。

Butyouyourself，——youcertainlycancarenothingwhetherthissingularexpectationshalleverberealizedornot？

Anan？

Imean，Pathfinder，thatyouhavetalkedofthismatchmoretoobligemyfatherthananythingelse。thatyourfeel-

ingsarenowayconcerned，letmyanswerbewhatitmay？

ThescoutlookedearnestlyintothebeautifulfaceofMabel，whichhadflushedwiththeardorandnoveltyofhersensations，anditwasnotpossibletomistakethein-

tenseadmirationthatbetrayeditselfineverylineamentofhisingenuouscountenance。

Ihaveoftenthoughtmyselfhappy，Mabel，whenrang-

ingthewoodsonasuccessfulhunt，breathingthepureairofthehills，andfilledwithvigorandhealth。butInowknowthatithasallbeenidlenessandvanitycomparedwiththedelightitwouldgivemetoknowthatyouthoughtbetterofmethanyouthinkofmostothers。

Betterofyou！——Ido，indeed，thinkbetterofyou，Path-

finder，thanofmostothers：IamnotcertainthatIdonotthinkbetterofyouthanofanyother。foryourtruth，hon-

esty，simplicity，justice，andcouragearescarcelyequalledbyanyofearth。

Ah，Mabel，thesearesweetandencouragingwordsfromyou！andtheSergeant，afterall，wasnotsonearwrongasIfeared。

Nay，Pathfinder，inthenameofallthatissacredandjsut，donotletusmisunderstandeachotherinamatterofsomuchimportance。WhileIesteem，respect，nay，reverenceyou，almostasmuchasIreverencemyowndearfather，itisimpossiblethatIshouldeverbecomeyourwife——thatI——

Thechangeinhercompanion’scountenancewassosud-

denandsogreat，thatthemomenttheeffectofwhatshehadutteredbecamevisibleinthefaceofthePathfinder，Mabelarrestedherownwords，notwithstandingherstrongdesiretobeexplicit，thereluctancewithwhichshecouldatanytimecausepainnbeingsufficientofitselftoinducethepause。Neitherspokeforsometime，theshadeofdis-

appointmentthatcrossedtheruggedlineamentsofthehunteramountingsonearlytoanguishastofrightenhiscompanion，whilethesensationofchokingbecamesostronginthePathfinderthathefairlygripedhisthroat，likeonewhosoughtphysicalreliefforphysicalsuffering。Theconvulsivemannerinwhichhisfingersworkedactuallystruckthealarmedgirlwithafeelingofawe。

Nay，Pathfinder，Mabeleagerlyadded，theinstantshecouldcommandhervoice，——ImayhavesaidmorethanI

mean。forallthingsofthisnaturearepossible，andwomen，theysay，areneversureoftheirownminds。WhatIwishyoutounderstandis，thatitisnotlikelythatyouandIshouldeverthinkofeachotherasmanandwifeoughttothinkofeachother。

Idonot——Ishallneverthinkinthatwayagain，Mabel，

gaspedforththePathfinder，whoappearedtoutterhiswordslikeonejustraisedabovethepressureofsomesuffo-

catingsubstance。No，no，Ishallneverthinkofyou，oranyoneelse，againinthatway。

Pathfinder，dearPathfinder，understandme。donotattachmoremeaningtomywordsthanIdomyself：amatchlikethatwouldbeunwise，unnatural，perhaps。

Yes，unnat’ral——ag’innatur’。andsoItoldtheSer-

geant，buthe_would_haveitotherwise。

Pathfinder！oh，thisisworsethanIcouldhaveim-

agined！Takemyhand，excellentPathfinder，andletmeseethatyoudonothateme。ForGod’ssake，smileuponmeagain。

Hateyou，Mabel！Smileuponyou！Ah’sme！

Nay，givemeyourhand。yourhardy，true，andmanlyhand——both，both，Pathfinder！forIshallnotbeeasyuntilIfeelcertainthatwearefriendsagain，andthatallthishasbeenamistake。

Mabel！saidtheguide，lookingwistfullyintothefaceofthegenerousandimpetuousgirl，assheheldhistwohardandsunburnthandsinherownprettyanddelicatefingers，andlaughinginhisownsilentandpeculiarman-

ner，whileanguishgleamedoverlineamentswhichseemedincapableofdeception，evenwhileagitatedwithemotionssoconflicting，——Mabel！theSergeantwaswrong。

Thepent-upfeeliugscouldendurenomore，andthetearsrolleddownthecheeksofthescoutlikerain。Hisfingersagainworkedconvulsivelyathisthroat。andhisbreastheaved，asifitpossessedatenantofwhichitwouldberid，byanyeffort，howeverdesperate。

Pathfinder！Pathfinder！Mabelalmostshrieked。

anythingbutthis，anythingbutthis！Speaktome，Pathfinder！Smileagain，sayonekindword，anythingtoproveyoucanforgiveme。

TheSergeantwaswrong！exclaimedtheguide，laugh-

ingamidhisagony，inawaytoterrifyhiscompanionbytheunnaturalmixtureofanguishandlight-heartedness。

Iknewit，Iknewit，andsaidit。yes，theSergeantwaswrongafterall。

Wecanbefriends，thoughwecannotbemanandwife，

continuedMabel，almostasmuchdisturbedashercompan-

ion，scarcelyknowingwhatshesaid。wecanalwaysbefriends，andalwayswill。

IthoughttheSergeantwasmistaken，resumedthePathfinder，whenagreatefforthadenabledhimtocom-

mandhimself，forIdidnotthinkmygiftsweresuchaswouldpleasethefancyofatown-bredgirl。Itwouldhavebeenbetter，Mabel，hadhenotover-presuadedmeintoadifferentnotion。anditmighthavebeenbetter，too，hadyounotbeensopleasantandconfidinglike。yes，itwould。

IfIthoughtanyerrorofminehadraisedfalseexpec-

tationsinyou，Pathfinder，howeverunintentionallyonmypart，Ishouldneverforgivemyself。for，believeme，I

wouldratherendurepaininmyownfeelingsthanyoushouldsuffer。

That’sjustit，Mabel，that’sjustit。Thesespeechesaudopinions，spokeninsosoftavoice，andinawayI’msounusedtointhewoods，havedonethemischief。ButI

nowseeplainly，andbegintounderstandthedifferencebetweenusbetter，andwillstrivetokeepdownthought，andtogoabroadagainasIusedtodo，lookingforthegameandtheinimy。Ah’sme，Mabel！Ihaveindeedbeenonafalsetrailsincewemet。

Inalittlewhileyouwillforgetallthis，andthinkofmeasafriend，whoowesyouherlife。

Thismaybethewayinthetowns，butIdoubtifit’snat’raltothewoods。Withus，whentheeyeseesalovelysight，itisapttokeepitlonginview，orwhenthemindtakesinanuprightandproperfeeling，itisloathtopartwithit。

Youwillforgetitall，whenyoucomeseriouslytorecol-

lectthatIamaltogetherunsuitedtobeyourwife。

SoItoldtheSergeant。buthewouldhaveitotherwise。

Iknewyouwastooyoungandbeautifulforoneofmiddleage，likemyself，andwhoneverwascomelytolookateveninyouth。andthenyourwayshavenotbeenmyways。norwouldahunter’scabinbeafittingplaceforonewhowasedicatedamongchiefs，asitwere。IfIwereyoungerandcomelierthough，likeJasperEau-douce——

NevermindJasperEau-douce，interruptedMabelim-

patiently。wecantalkofsomethingelse。

Jasperisaworthylad，Mabel。ay，andacomely，re-

turnedtheguilelessguide，lookingearnestlyatthegirl，asifhedistrustedherjudgmentinspeakingslightinglyofhisfriend。WereIonlyhalfascomelyasJasperWes-

tern，mymisgivingsinthisaffairwouldnothavebeensogreat，andtheymightnothavebeensotrue。

WewillnottalkofJasperWestern，repeatedMabel，thecolormountingtohertemples。hemaybegoodenoughinagale，oronthelake，butheisnotgoodenoughtotalkofhere。

Ifearme，Mabel，heisbetterthanthemanwhoislikelytobeyourhusband，thoughtheSergeantsaysthatnevercantakeplace。ButtheSergeantwaswrongonce，andhemaybewrongtwice。

Andwhoislikelytobemyhusband，Pathfinder！Thisisscarcelylessstrangethanwhathasjustpassedbetweenus。

Iknowitisnat’ralforliketoseeklike，andforthemthathaveconsortedmuchwithofficers’ladiestowishtobeofficers’ladiesthemselves。But，Mabel。Imayspeakplainlytoyou，Iknow。andIhopemywordswillnotgiveyoupain。for，nowIunderstandwhatitistobedisap-

pointedinsuchfeelings，Iwouldn’twishtocauseevenaMingosorrowonthishead。Buthappinessisnotalwaystobefoundinamarquee，anymorethaninatent。andthoughtheofficers’quartersmaylookmoretemptingthantherestofthebarracks，thereisoftengreatmiserybetweenhusbandandwifeinsideoftheirdoors。

Idonotdoubtitintheleast，Pathfinder。and，diditrestwithmetodecide，Iwouldsoonerfollowyoutosomecabininthewoods，andshareyourfortune，whetheritmightbebetterorworse，thangoinsidethedoorofanyofficerIknow，withanintentionofremainingthereasitsmaster’swife。

Mabel，thisisnotwhatLundiehopes，orLundiethinks。

Andwhat，careIforLundie？Heismajorofthe55th，andmaycommandhismentowheelandmarchaboutashepleases。buthecannotcompelmetowedthegreatestorthemeanestofhismess。Besides，whatcanyouknowofLundie’swishesonsuchasubject？

FromLundie’sownmouth。TheSergeanthadtoldhimthathewishedmeforason-in-law。andtheMajor，beinganoldandatruefriend，conversedwithmeonthesubject。Heputittomeplainly，whetheritwouldnotbemoreginerousinmetoletanofficersucceed，thantostrivetomakeyoushareahunter’sfortune。Iownedthetruth，Idid。andthatwas，thatIthoughtitmight。butwhenhetoldmethattheQuartermasterwouldbehischoice，Iwouldnotabidebytheconditions。No，no，Mabel。IknowDavyMuirwell，andthoughhemaymakeyoualady，becannevermakeyouahappywoman，orhimselfagentleman。

Myfatherhasbeenverywrongifhehassaidordoneaughttocauseyousorrow，Pathfinder。andsogreatismyrespectforyou，sosinceremyfriendship，thatwereitnotforone——ImeanthatnopersonneedfearLieutenantMuir’sinfluencewithme——IwouldratherremainasIamtomydyingdaythanbecomealadyatthecostofbeinghiswife。

Idonotthinkyouwouldsaythatwhichyoudonotfeel，Mabel，returnedPathfinderearnestly。

Notatsuchamoment，onsuchasubject，andleastofalltoyou。No。LieutenantMuirmayfindwiveswherehecan——mynameshallneverbeonhiscatalogue。

Thankyou，thankyouforthat，Mabel，for，thoughthereisnolongeranyhopeforme，IcouldneverbehappywereyoutotaketotheQuartermaster。Ifearedthecom-

missionmightcountforsomething，Idid。andIknowtheman。Itisnotjealousythatmakesmespeakinthismanner，buttruth，forIknowtheman。Now，wereyoutofancyadesarvingyouth，onelikeJasperWestern，forinstance——

WhyalwaysmentionJasperEau-douce，Pathfinder？

hecanhavenoconcernwithourfriendship。letustalkofyourself，andofthemannerinwhichyouintendtopassthewinter。

Ah’sme！——I’mlittleworthatthebest，Mabel，unlessitmaybeonatrailorwiththerifle。andlessworthnowthatIhavediscoveredtheSergeant’smistake。Thereisnoneed，therefore，oftalkingofme。Ithasbeenverypleasanttometobenearyousolong，andeventofancythattheSergeantwasright。butthatisallovernow。IshallgodownthelakewithJasper，andthentherewillbebusinesstooccupyus，andthatwillkeepuselessthoughtsoutofthemind。

Andyouwillforgetthis——forgetme——no，notforgetme，either，Pathfinder。butyouwillresumeyouroldpur-

suits，andceasetothinkagirlofsufficientimportancetodisturbyourpeace？

Ineverknoweditafore，Mabel。butgirlsareofmoreaccountinthislifethanIcouldhavebelieved。Now，aforeIknowedyou，thenew-bornbabedidnotsleepmoresweetlythanIused。myheadwasnosoonerontheroot，orthestone，ormayhapontheskin，thanallwaslosttothesenses，unlessitmightbetogooverinthenightthebusinessofthedayinadreamlike。andthereIlaytillthemomentcametobestirring，andtheswallowswerenotmorecertaintobeonthewingwiththelight，thanI

tobeafootatthemomentIwishedtobe。Allthisseemedagift，andmightbecalculatedoneveninthemidstofaMingocamp。forI’vebeenoutlyinginmytime，intheveryvillagesofthevagabonds。

Andallthiswillreturntoyou，Pathfinder，foronesouprightandsincerewillneverwastehishappinessonamerefancy。Youwilldreamagainofyourhunts，ofthedeeryouhaveslain，andofthebeaveryouhavetaken。

Ah’sme，Mabel，Iwishnevertodreamagain！Beforewemet，Ihadasortofpleasureinfollowingupthehounds，infancy，asitmightbe。andeveninstrikingatrailoftheIroquois——nay，I’vebeeninskrimmagesaudambushments，inthoughtlike，andfoundsatisfactioninit，accordingtomygifts。butallthosethingshavelosttheircharmssinceI’vemadeacquaintancewithyou。Now，Ithinknolongerofanythingrudeinmydreams。buttheverylastnightwestayedinthegarrisonIimaginedIhadacabininagroveofsugarmaples，andattherootofeverytreewasaMabelDunham，whilethebirdsamongthebranchessangballadsinsteadofthenotesthatnatur’gave，andeventhedeerstoppedtolisten。Itriedtoshootafa’n，butKill-

deermissedfire，andthecreatur’laughedinmyface，aspleasantlyasayounggirllaughsinhermerriment，andthenitboundedaway，lookingbackasifexpectingmefollow。

Nomoreofthis，Pathfinder。we’lltalknomoreofthesethings，saidMabel，dashingthetearsfromhereyes：

forthesimple，earnestmannerinwhichthishardywoods-

manbetrayedthedeepholdshehadtakenofhisfeelingsnearlyprovedtoomuchforherowngenerousheart。

Now，letuslookformyfather。hecannotbedistant，asIheardhisgunquitenear。

TheSergeantwaswrong——yes，hewaswrong，andit’sofnoavailtoattempttomakethedoveconsortwiththewolf。

Herecomesmydearfather，interruptedMabel。Letuslookcheerfulandhappy，Pathfinder，assuchgoodfriendsoughttolook，andkeepeachother’ssecrets。

Apausesucceeded。theSergeant’sfootwasheardcrush-

ingthedriedtwigshardby，andthenhisformappearedshovingasidethebushesofacopsejustnear。Asheissuedintotheopenground，theoldsoldierscrutinizedhisdaughterandhercompanion，andspeakinggood-naturedly，hesaid，Mabel，child，youareyoungaudlightoffoot——

lookforabirdthatI’veshotthatfelljustbeyondthethicketofyounghemlocksontheshore。and，asJasperisshowingsignsofanintentionofgettingunderway，youneednottakethetroubletoclamberupthishillagain，butwewillmeetyouonthebeachinafewminutes。

Mabelobeyed，boundingdownthehillwiththeelasticstepofyouthandhealth。But，notwithstandingthelight-

nessofhersteps，theheartofthegirlwasheavy，andnosoonerwasshehidfromobservationbythethicket，thanshethrewherselfontherootofatreeandweptasifherheartwouldbreak。TheSergeantwatchedheruntilshedisappeared，withafather’spride，andthenturnedtohiscompanionwithasmileaskindandasfamiliarashishabitswouldallowhimtousetowardsany。

Shehashermother’slightnessandactivity，myfriend，withsomewhatofherfather’sforce，saidhe。Hermotherwasnotquitesohandsome，Ithinkmyself。buttheDunhamswerealwaysthoughtcomely，whethermenorwomen。Well，Pathfinder，Itakeitforgrantedyou’venotoverlookedtheopportunity，buthavespokenplainlytothegirl？womenlikefranknessinmattersofthissort。

IbelieveMabelandIunderstandeachotheratlast，Sergeant，returnedtheother，lookinganotherwaytoavoidthesoldier’sface。

Somuchthebetter。Somepeoplefancythatalittledoubtanduncertaintymakesloveallthelivelier。butI

amoneofthosewhothinktheplainerthetonguespeakstheeasierthemindwillcomprehend。WasMabelsur-

prised？

Ifearshewas，Sergeant。Ifearshewastakenquitebysurprise——yes，Ido。

Well，well，surprisesinlovearelikeanambushinwar，andquiteaslawful。thoughitisnotsoeasytotellwhenawomanissurprised，astotellwhenithappenstoanen-

emy。Mabeldidnotrunaway，myworthyfriend，didshe？

No，Sergeant，Mabeldidnottrytoescape。_that_Icansaywithaclearconscience。

Ihopethegirlwastoowilling，neither！Hermotherwasshyandcoyforamonth，atleast。butfrank-

ness，afterall，isarecommendationinamanorwoman。

Thatitis，thatitis。andjudgment，too。

Youarenottolookfortoomuchjudgmentinayoungcreatureoftwenty，Pathfinder，butitwillcomewithex-

perience。Amistakeinyouorme，forinstance，mightnotbesoeasilyoverlooked。butinagirlofMabel’syears，oneisnottostrainatagnatlesttheyswallowacamel。

ThereaderwillrememberthatSergeantDunhamwasnotaHebrewscholar。

Themusclesofthelistener’sfacetwitchedastheSer-

geantwasthusdeliveringhissentiments，thoughthefor-

merhadnowrecoveredaportionofthatstoicismwhichformedsolargeapartofhischaracter，andwhichhehadprobablyimbibedfromlongassociationwiththeIndians。

Hiseyesroseandfell，andonceagleamshotathwarthishardfeaturesasifhewereabouttoindulgeinhispeculiarlaugh。butthejoyousfeeling，ifitreallyexisted，wasasquicklylostinalookalliedtoanguish。Itwasthisun-

usualmixtureofwildandkeenmentalagonywithnative，simplejoyousness，whichhadmoststruckMabel，who，intheinterviewjustrelated，hadadozentimesbeenonthepointofbelievingthathersuitor’sheartwasonlylightlytouched，asimagesofhappinessandhumorgleamedoveramindthatwasalmostinfantineinitssimplicityandnature。animpression，however，whichwassoondrivenawaybythediscoveryofemotionssopainfulandsodeep，thattheyseemedtoharrowtheverysoul。

Yousaytrue，Sergeant，Pathfinderanswered。amis-

takeinonelikeyouisamoreseriousmatter。

YouwillfindMabelsincereandhonestintheend。

giveherbutalittletime。

Ah’sme，Sergeant！

Amanofyourmeritswouldmakeanimpressiononarock，givehimtime，Pathfinder。

SergeantDunham，weareoldfellow-campaigners——

thatis，ascampaignsarecarriedonhereinthewilderness。

andwehavedonesomanykindactstoeachotherthatwecanaffordtobecandid——whathascausedyoutobelievethatagirllikeMabelcouldeverfancyonesorudeasI

am？

What？——why，avarietyofreasons，andgoodreasonstoo，myfriend。Thosesameactsofkindness，perhaps，andthecampaignsyoumention。moreover，youaremyswornandtriedcomrade。

Allthissoundswell，sofarasyouandIareconsarned。

buttheydonottouchthecaseofyourprettydaughter。

ShemaythinktheseverycampaignshavedestroyedthelittlecomelinessImayoncehavehad。andIamnotquitesartainthatbeinganoldfriendofherfatherwouldleadanyyoungmaiden’smindintoaparticularaffectionforasuitor。Likeloveslike，Itellyou，Sergeant。andmygiftsarenotaltogetherthegiftsofMabelDunham。

Thesearesomeofyouroldmodestqualms，Pathfinder，andwilldoyounocreditwiththegirl。Womendistrustmenwhodistrustthemselves，andtaketomenwhodis-

trustnothing。Modestyisacapitalthinginarecruit，I

grantyou。orinayoungsubalternwhohasjustjoined，foritpreventshisrailingatthenon-commissionedofficersbeforeheknowswhattorailat。I’mnotsureitisoutofplaceinacommissaryoraparson，butit’sthedevilandallwhenitgetspossessionofarealsoldieroralover。

Haveaslittletodowithitaspossible，ifyouwouldwinawoman’sheart。Asforyourdoctrinethatlikeloveslike，itisaswrongaspossibleinmattersofthissort。Iflikelovedlike，womenwouldloveoneanother，andmenalso。

No，no，likelovesdislike，——theSergeantwasmerelyascholarofthecamp，——andyouhavenothingtofearfromMabelonthatscore。LookatLieutenantMuir。themanhashadfivewivesalready，theytellme，andthereisnomoremodestyinhimthanthereisinacat-o’-nine-tails。

LieutenantMuirwillneverbethehusbandofMabelDunham，lethimrufflehisfeathersasmuchashemay。

Thatisasensibleremarkofyours，Pathfinder。formymindismadeupthatyoushallbemyson-in-law。IfI

wereanofficermyself，Mr。Muirmighthavesomechance。

buttimehasplacedonedoorbetweenmychildandmyself，andIdon’tintendthereshallbethatofamarqueealso。

Sergeant，wemustletMabelfollowherownfancy。sheisyoungandlightofheart，andGodforbidthatanywishofmineshouldlaytheweightofafeatheronamindthatisallgaietynow，ortakeonenoteofhappinessfromherlaughter！

Haveyouconversedfreelywiththegirl？theSergeantdemandedquickly，andwithsomeasperityofmanner。

Pathfinderwastoohonesttodenyatruthplainasthatwhichtheanswerrequired，andyettoohonorabletobetrayMabel，andexposehertotheresentmentofonewhomhewellknewtobesterninhisanger。

Wehavelaidopenourminds，hesaid。andthoughMabel’sisonethatanymanmightlovetolookat，Ifindlittlethere，Sergeant，tomakemethinkanybetterofmy-

self。

Thegirlhasnotdaredtorefuseyou——torefuseherfather’sbestfriend？

Pathfinderturnedhisfaceawaytoconcealthelookofanguishthatconsciousnesstoldhimwaspassingathwartit，buthecontinuedthediscourseinhisownquiet，manlytones。

Mabelistookindtorefuseanything，ortoutterharshwordstoadog。Ihavenotputthequestioninawaytobedownrightrefused，Sergeant。

Anddidyouexpectmydaughtertojumpintoyourarmsbeforeyouaskedher？Shewouldnothavebeenhermother’schildhadshedoneanysuchthing，nordoIthinkshewouldhavebeenmine。TheDunhamslikeplaindealingaswellastheking’smajesty。buttheyarenojumpers。Leavemetomanagethismatterforyou，Path-

finder，andthereshallbenounnecessarydelay。I’llspeaktoMabelmyselfthisveryevening，usingyournameasprincipalintheaffair。

I’drathernot，I’drathernot，Sergeant。LeavethemattertoMabelandme，andIthinkallwillcomerightintheind。Younggirlsareliketimorsomebirds。theydonotover-relishbeinghurriedorspokenharshlytonither。

LeavethemattertoMabelandme。

OnoneconditionIwill，myfriend。andthatis，thatyouwillpromiseme，onthehonorofascout，thatyouwillputthematterplainlytoMabelthefirstsuitableoppor-

tunity，andnomincingofwords。

Iwillaskher，Sergeant，onconditionthatyoupromisenottomeddleintheaffair——yes，IwillpromisetoaskMabelwhethershewillmarryme，eventhoughshelaughinmyfaceatmydoingso，onthatcondition。