下载辰思小说免费APP
SergeantDunhamgavethedesiredpromiseverycheer-
fully。forhehadcompletelywroughthimselfupintothebeliefthatthemanhesomuchesteemedhimselfmustbeacceptabletohisdaughter。Hehadmarriedawomanmuchyoungerthanhimself，andhesawnounfitnessintherespectiveyearsoftheintendedcouple。Mabelwasedu-
catedsomuchabovehim，too，thathewasnotawareofthedifferencewhichactuallyexistedbetweentheparentandchildinthisrespect。ItfollowedthatSergeantDun-
hamwasnotaltogetherqualifiedtoappreciatehisdaugh-
ter’stastes，ortoformaveryprobableconjecturewhatwouldbethedirectiontakenbythosefeelingswhichoftenerdependonimpulsesandpassionthanonreason。
Still，theworthysoldierwasnotsowronginhisestimateofthePathfinder’schancesasmightatfirstappear。Know-
ingallthesterlingqualitiesoftheman，histruth，integ-
rityofpurpose，courage，self-devotion，disinterestedness，itwasfarfromunreasonabletosupposethatqualitieslikethesewouldproduceadeepimpressiononanyfemaleheart。
andthefathererredprincipallyinfancyingthatthedaughtermightknowasitmightbebyintuitionwhathehimselfhadacquiredbyyearsofintercourseandadventure。
AsPathfinderandhismilitaryfrienddescendedthehilltotheshoreofthelake，thediscoursedidnotflag。ThelattercontinuedtopersuadetheformerthathisdiffidencealonepreventedcompletesuccesswithMabel，andthathehadonlytopersevereinordertoprevail。Pathfinderwasmuchtoomodestbynature，andhadbeentooplainly，thoughsodelicately，discouragedintherecentinterviewtobelieveallheheard。stillthefatherusedsomanyargu-
inentswhichseemedplausible，anditwassogratefultofancythatthedaughtermightyetbehis，thatthereaderisnottobesurprisedwhenheistoldthatthisunsophis-
ticatedbeingdidnotviewMabel’srecentconductinpre-
ciselythelightinwhichhemaybeinclinedtoviewithimself。HedidnotcreditallthattheSergeanttoldhim，itistrue。buthebegantothinkvirgincoynessandigno-
ranceofherownfeelingsmighthaveinducedMabeltousethelanguageshehad。
TheQuartermasterisnofavorite，saidPathfinderinanswertooneofhiscompanion’sremarks。Mabelwillneverlookonhimasmorethanonewhohashadfourorfivewivesalready。
Whichismorethanhisshare。Amanmaymarrytwicewithoutoffencetogoodmoralsanddecency，Iallow！
butfourtimesisanaggravation。
IshouldthinkevenmarryingoncewhatMasterCapcallsacircumstance，putinPathfinder，laughinginhisquietway，forbythistimehisspiritshadrecoveredsomeoftheirbuoyancy。
Itis，indeed，myfriend，andamostsolemncircum-
stancetoo。IfitwerenotthatMabelistobeyourwife，Iwouldadviseyoutoremainsingle。Buthereisthegirlherself，anddiscretionistheword。
Ah’sme，Sergeant，Ifearyouaremistaken！
CHAPTERXIX。
ThuswasthisplaceAhappyruralseatofvariousview。
MILTON。
Mabelwasinwaitingonthebeach，andthecanoewassoonlaunched。Pathfindercarriedthepartyoutthroughthesurfinthesameskillfulmannerthathehadbroughtitin。andthoughMabel’scolorheightenedwithexcite-
ment，andherheartseemedoftenreadytoleapoutofhermouthagain，theyreachedthesideofthe_Scud_withouthavingreceivedevenadropofspray。
Ontarioislikeaquick-temperedman，suddentobean-
gered，andassoonappeased。Theseahadalreadyfallen。
andthoughthebreakersboundedtheshore，farastheeyecouldreach，itwasmerelyinlinesofbrightness，thatap-
pearedandvanishedlikethereturningwavesproducedbyastonewhichhadbeendroppedintoapool。Thecableofthe_Scud_wasscarcelyseenabovethewater，andJasperhadalreadyhoistedhissails，inreadinesstodepartassoonastheexpectedbreezefromtheshoreshouldfillthecan-
vas。
Itwasjustsunsetasthecutter’smainsailflappedanditsstembegantoseverthewater。Theairwaslightandsoutherly，andtheheadofthevesselwaskeptlookingupalongthesouthshore，itbeingtheintentiontogettotheeastwardagainasfastaspossible。Thenightthatsuc-
ceededwasquiet。andtherestofthosewhosleptdeepandtranquil。
Somedifficultyoccurredconcerningthecommandofthevessel，butthematterhadbeenfinallysettledbyanamicablecompromise。AsthedistrustofJasperwasfarfrombeingappeased，Capretainedasupervisorypower，whiletheyoungmanwasallowedtoworkthecraft，sub-
ject，atalltimes，tothecontrolandinterferenceoftheoldseaman。TothisJasperconsented，inpreferencetoex-
posingMabelanylongertotbedangersoftheirpresentsituation。for，nowthattheviolenceoftheelementshadceased，hewellknewthatthe_Montcalm_wouldbeinsearchofthem。Hehadthediscretion，however，nottorevealhisapprehensionsonthishead。forithappenedthattheverymeanshedeemedthebesttoescapetheenemywerethosewhichwouldbemostlikelytoawakennewsuspi-
cionsofhishonestyinthemindsofthosewhoheldthepowertodefeathisintentions。Inotherwords，JasperbelievedthatthegallantyoungFrenchman，whocom-
mandedtheshipoftheenemy，wouldquithisanchorageunderthefortatNiagara，andstandupthelake，assoonasthewindabated，inordertoascertainthefateofthe_Scud_，keepingmidwaybetweenthetwoshoresasthebestmeansofcommandingabroadview。andthat，onhispart，itwouldbeexpedienttohugonecoastortheother，notonlytoavoidameeting，butasaffordingachanceofpass-
ingwithoutdetectionbyblendinghissailsandsparswithobjectsontheland。Hepreferredthesouthbecauseitwastheweathershore，andbecausehethoughtitwasthatwhichtheenemywouldtheleastexpecthimtotake，thoughitnecessarilylednearhissettlements，andinfrontofoneofthestrongestpostsheheldinthatpartoftheworld。
Ofallthis，however，Capwashappilyignorant，andtheSergeant’smindwastoomuchoccupiedwiththedetailsofhismilitarytrusttoenterintotheseniceties，whichsoproperlybelongedtoanotherprofession。Nooppositionwasmade，therefore，andbeforemorningJasperhadap-
parentlydroppedquietlyintoallhisformerauthority，is-
suinghisordersfreely，andmeetingwithobediencewith-
outhesitationorcavil。
Theappearanceofdaybroughtallonboardondeckagain。and，asisusualwithadventurersonthewater，theopeninghorizonwascuriouslyexamined，asobjectsstartedoutoftheobscurity，andthepanoramabrightenedunderthegrowinglight。East，west，andnorthnothingwasvisi-
blebutwaterglitteringintherisingsun。butsouthwardstretchedtheendlessbeltofwoodsthatthenheldOntarioinasettingofforestverdure。Suddenlyanopeningap-
pearedahead，andthenthemassivewallsofachateau-look-
inghouse，withoutworks，bastions，blockhouses，andpali-
sadoes，frownedonaheadlandthatborderedtheoutletofabroadstream。Justasthefortbecamevisible，alittlecloudroseoverit，andthewhiteensignofFrancewasseenflutteringfromaloftyflagstaff。
Capgaveanejaculationashewitnessedthisungratefulexhibition，andhecastaquicksuspiciousglanceathisbrother-in-law。
Thedirtytableclothhunguptoair，asmynameisCharlesCap！hemuttered。andwehuggingthisd——dshoreasifitwereourwifeandchildrenmetonthereturnfromanIndiav’y’ge！Hark’e，Jasper，areyouinsearchofacargooffrogs，thatyoukeepsonearintothisNewFrance？
Ihugtheland，sir，inthehopeofpassingtheenemy’sshipwithoutbeingseen，forIthinkshemustbesome-
wheredownheretoleeward。
Ay，ay，thissoundswell，andIhopeitmayturnoutasyousay。Itrustthereisnounder-towhere？
Weareonaweathershore，now，saidJasper，smiling。
andIthinkyouwilladmit，MasterCap，thatastrongunder-towmakesaneasycable：weoweallourlivestotheunder-towofthisverylake。
Frenchflummery！growledCap，thoughhedidnotcaretobeheardbyJasper。Givemeafair，honest，English-Yankee-Americantow，aboveboard，andabovewatertoo，ifImusthaveatowatall，andnoneofyoursneakingdriftthatisbelowthesurface，whereonecanneitherseenorfeel。Idaresay，ifthetruthcouldbecomeat，thatthislateescapeofourswasallacontrivedaffair。
Wehavenowagoodopportunity，atleast，torecon-
noitretheenemy’spostatNiagara，brother，forsuchItakethisforttobe，putintheSergeant。Letusbealleyesinpassing，andrememberthatwearealmostinfaceoftheenemy。
ThisadviceoftheSergeantneedednothingtoenforceit。fortheinterestandnoveltyofpassingaspotoccupiedbyhumanbeingswereofthemselvessufficienttoattractdeepattentioninthatsceneofavastbutdesertednature。
Thewindwasnowfreshenoughtourgethe_Scud_throughthewaterwithconsiderablevelocity，andJaspereasedherhelmassheopenedtheriver，andluffednearlyintothemouthofthatnoblestrait，orriver，asitistermed。A
dull，distant，heavyroarcamedownthroughtheopeninginthebanks，swellingonthecurrentsoftheair，likethedeepernotesofsomeimmenseorgan，andoccasionallyseemingtocausetheearthitselftotremble。
Thatsoundslikesurfonsomelongunbrokencoast！
exclaimedCap，asaswell，deeperthancommon，cametohisears。
Ay，thatissuchsurfaswehaveinthisquarteroftheworld，Pathfinderanswered。Thereisnounder-towthere，MasterCap。butallthewaterthatstrikestherocksstaysthere，sofarasgoingbackagainisconsarned。ThatisoldNiagarathatyouhear，orthisnoblestreamtum-
blingdownamountain。
Noonewillhavetheimpudencetopretendthatthisfinebroadriverfallsoveryonderhills？
Itdoes，MasterCap，itdoes。andallforthewantofstairs，oraroadtocomedownby。Thisisnatur’，aswehaveituphereaway，thoughIdaresayyoubeatusdownontheocean。Ah’sme，Mabel！apleasanthouritwouldbeifwecouldwalkontheshoresometenorfifteenmilesupthisstream，andgazeonallthatGodhasdonethere。
Youhave，then，seentheserenownedfalls，Path-
finder？thegirleagerlyinquired。
Ihave——yes，Ihave。andanawfulsightIwitnessedatthatsametime。TheSarpentandIwereoutscoutingaboutthegarrisonthere，whenhetoldmethatthetradi-
tionsofhispeoplegaveanaccountofamightycataractinthisneighborhood，andheaskedmetovaryfromthelineofmarchalittletolookatthewonder。Ihadheardsomemarvelsconsarningthespotfromthesoldiersofthe60th，whichismynat’ralcorpslike，andnotthe55th，withwhichIhavesojournedsomuchoflate。buttherearesomanyterribleliarsinallrijimentsthatIhardlybelievedhalftheyhadtoldme。Well，wewent。andthoughweexpectedtobeledbyourears，andtohearsomeofthatawfulroaringthatwehearto-day，weweredisappointed，fornatur’wasnotthenspeakinginthunder，assheisthismorning。Thusitisintheforest，MasterCap。therebeingmomentswhenGodseemstobewalkingabroadinpower，andthen。again，thereisacalmoverall，asifHisspiritlayinquietalongthe’arth。Well，wecamesud-
denlyuponthestream，ashortdistanceabovethefall，andayoungDelaware，whowasinourcompany，foundabarkcanoe，andhewouldpushintothecurrenttoreachanislandthatliesintheverycentreoftheconfusionandstrife。Wetoldhimofhisfolly，wedid。andwereasonedwithhimonthewickednessoftemptingProvidencebyseekingdangerthatledtonoind。buttheyouthamongtheDelawaresareverymuchthesameastheyouthamongthesoldiers，riskyandvain。Allwecouldsaydidnotchangehismind，andtheladhadhisway。Tomeitseems，Mabel，thatwheneverathingisreallygrandandpotent，ithasaquietmajestyaboutit，altogetherunlikethefrothyandflusteringmannerofsmallermatters，andsoitwaswiththemrapids。Thecanoewasnosoonerfairlyinthem，thandownitwent，asitmightbe，asonesailsthroughtheaironthe’arth，andnoskilloftheyoungDelawarecouldresistthestream。Andyethestruggledmanfullyforlife，usingthepaddletothelast，likethedeerthatisswimmingtocastthehounds。Atfirstheshotacrossthecurrentsoswiftly，thatwethoughthewouldprevail。buthehadmiscalculatedhisdistance，andwhenthetruthreallystruckhim，heturnedtheheadup-stream，andstruggledinawaythatwasfearfultolookat。IcouldhavepitiedhimevenhadhebeenaMingo。Forafewmomentshiseffortsweresofranticthatheactuallypre-
vailedoverthepowerofthecataract。butnatur’hasitslimits，andonefalteringstrokeofthepaddlesethimback，andthenhelostground，footbyfoot，inchbyinch，untilhegotnearthespotwheretheriverlookedevenandgreen，andasifitweremadeofmillionsofthreadsofwater，allbentoversomehugerock，whenheshotback-
wardslikeanarrowanddisappeared，thebowofthecanoetippingjustenoughtoletusseewhathadbecomeofhim。
ImetaMohawksomeyearslaterwhohadwitnessedthewholeaffairfromthebedofthestreambelow，andhetoldmethattheDelawarecontinuedtopaddleintheairuntilhewaslostinthemistsofthefalls。
Andwhatbecameofthepoorwretch？demandedMabel，whohadbeenstronglyinterestedbythenaturaleloquenceofthespeaker。
Hewenttothehappyhunting-groundsofhispeople，nodoubt。forthoughhewasriskyandvain，hewasalsojustandbrave。Yes，hediedfoolishly，buttheManitouofthered-skinshascompassiononhiscreatursaswellastheGodofaChristian。
Agunatthismomentwasdischargedfromablockhousenearthefort。andtheshot，oneoflightweight，camewhistlingoverthecutter’smast，anadmonitiontoap-
proachnonearer。Jasperwasatthehelm，andhekeptaway，smilingatthesametimeasifhefeltnoangerattherudenessofthesalutation。The_Scud_wasnowinthecurrent，andheroutwardsetsooncarriedherfarenoughtoleewardtoavoidthedangerofarepetitionoftheshot，andthenshequietlycontinuedhercoursealongtheland。
Assoonastheriverwasfairlyopened，Jasperascertainedthatthe_Montcalm_wasnotatanchorinit。andamansentaloftcamedownwiththereportthatthehorizonshowednosail。ThehopewasnowstrongthattheartificeofJasperhadsucceeded，andthattheFrenchcommanderhadmissedthembykeepingthemiddleofthelakeashesteeredtowardsitshead。
Allthatdaythewindhungtothesouthward，andthecuttercontinuedhercourseaboutaleaguefromtheland，runningsixoreightknotsthehourinperfectlysmoothwater。Althoughthescenehadonefeatureofmonotony，theoutlineofunbrokenforest，itwasnotwithoutitsin-
terestandpleasures。Variousheadlandspresentedthem-
selves，andthecutter，inrunningfromonetoanother，stretchedacrossbayssodeepasalmosttodeservethenameofgulfs。Butnowheredidtheeyemeetwiththeevidencesofcivilization。riversoccasionallypouredtheirtributeintothegreatreservoirofthelake，buttheirbankscouldbetracedinlandformilesbythesameoutlinesoftrees。andevenlargebays，thatlayembosomedinwoods，communicatingwithOntarioonlybynarrowoutlets，ap-
pearedanddisappeared，withoutbringingwiththemasin-
gletraceofahumanhabitation。
Ofallonboard，thePathfinderviewedthescenewiththemostunmingleddelight。Hiseyesfeastedontheend-
lesslineofforest，andmorethanoncethatday，notwith-
standinghefounditsogratefultobenearMabel，listen-
ingtoherpleasantvoice，andechoing，infeelingsatleast，herjoyouslaugh，didhissoulpinetobewanderingbe-
neaththehigharchesofthemaples，oaks，andlindens，wherehishabitshadinducedhimtofancylastingandtruejoyswereonlytobefound。Capviewedtheprospectdifferently。morethanonceheexpressedhisdisgustattherebeingnolighthouses，church-towers，beacons，orroad-
steadswiththeirshipping。Suchanothercoast，hepro-
tested，theworlddidnotcontain。and，takingtheSer-
geantaside，hegravelyassuredhimthattheregioncouldnevercometoanything，asthehavenswereneglected，therivershadadesertedanduselesslook，andthateventhebreezehadasmelloftheforestaboutit，whichspokeillofitsproperties。
Butthehumorsofthedifferentindividualsinherdidnotstaythespeedofthe_Scud：_whenthesunwassetting，shewasalreadyahundredmilesonherroutetowardsOswego，intowhichriverSergeantDunhamnowthoughtithisdutytogo，inordertoreceiveanycommunicationsthatMajorDuncanmightpleasetomake。Withaviewtoeffectthispurpose，Jaspercontinuedtohugtheshoreallnight。andthoughthewindbegantofailhimtowardsmorning，itlastedlongenoughtocarrythecutteruptoapointthatwasknowntobebutaleagueortwofromthefort。Herethebreezecameoutlightatthenorthward，andthecutterhauledalittlefromtheland，inordertoobtainasafeoffingshoulditcomeontoblow，orshouldtheweatheragaingettobeeasterly。
Whenthedaydawned，thecutterhadthemouthoftheOswegowellunderthelee，distantabouttwomiles。andjustasthemorninggunfromthefortwasfired，Jaspergavetheordertoeaseoffthesheets，andtobearupforhisport。Atthatmomentacryfromtheforecastledrewalleyestowardsthepointontheeasternsideoftheoutlet，andthere，justwithouttherangeofshotfromthelightgunsoftheworks，withhercanvasreducedtobarelyenoughtokeepherstationary，laythe_Montcalm_，evidentlyinwaitingfortheirappearance。
Topassherwasimpossible，forbyfillinghersailstheFrenchshipcouldhaveinterceptedtheminafewmin-
utes。andthecircumstancescalledforapromptdecision。
Afterashortconsultation，theSergeantagainchangedhisplan，determiningtomakethebestofhiswaytowardsthestationforwhichhehadbeenoriginallydestined，trustingtothespeedofthe_Scud_tothrowtheenemysofarasternastoleavenocluetohermovements。
Thecutteraccordinglyhauleduponawindwiththeleastpossibledelay，witheverythingsetthatwoulddraw。
Gunswerefiredfromthefort，ensignsshown，andtherampartswereagaincrowded。ButsympathywasalltheaidthatLundiecouldlendtohisparty。andthe_Mont-
calm_，alsofiringfourorfivegunsofdefiance，andthrowingabroadseveralofthebannersofFrance，wassooninchaseunderacloudofcanvas。
Forseveralhoursthetwovesselswerepressingthroughthewaterasfastaspossible，makingshortstretchestowindward，apparentlywithaviewtokeeptheportundertheirlee，theonetoenteritifpossible，andtheothertointerceptitintheattempt。
AtmeridiantheFrenchshipwashulldown，deadtoleeward，thedisparityofsailingonawindbeingverygreat，andsomeislandswerenearby，behindwhichJas-
persaiditwouldbepossibleforthecuttertoconcealherfuturemovements。AlthoughCapandtheSergeant，andparticularlyLieutenantMuir，tojudgebyhislanguage，stillfeltagooddealofdistrustoftheyoungman，andFrontenacwasnotdistant，thisadvicewasfollowed。fortimepressed，andtheQuartermasterdiscreetlyobservedthatJaspercouldnotwellbetraythemwithoutrunningopenlyintotheenemy’sharbor，asteptheycouldatanytimeprevent，sincetheonlycruiserofforcetheFrenchpossessedatthemomentwasundertheirleeandnotinasituationtodothemanyimmediateinjury。
Lefttohimself，JasperWesternsoonprovedhowmuchwasreallyinhim。Heweatheredupontheislands，passedthem，andoncomingouttotheeastward，keptbroadaway，withnothinginsightinhiswakeortoleeward。
Bysunsetagainthecutterwasupwiththefirstoftheislandsthatlieintheoutletofthelake。andereitwasdarkshewasrunningthroughthenarrowchannelsonherwaytothelong-soughtstation。Atnineo’clock，however，Capinsistedthattheyshouldanchor。forthemazeofislandsbecamesocomplicatedandobscure，thathefeared，ateveryopening，thepartywouldfindthemselvesunderthegunsofaFrenchfort。Jasperconsentedcheerfully，itbeingapartofhisstandinginstructionstoapproachthestationundersuchcircumstancesaswouldpreventthemenfromobtaininganyveryaccuratenotionsofitsposi-
tion，lestadesertermightbetraythelittlegarrisontotheenemy。
The_Scud_wasbroughttoinasmallretiredbay，whereitwouldhavebeendifficulttofindherbydaylight，andwhereshewasperfectlyconcealedatnight，whenallbutasolitarysentinelondecksoughttheirrest。Caphadbeensoharassedduringthepreviouseight-and-fortyhours，thathisslumberswerelonganddeep。nordidheawakefromhisfirstnapuntilthedaywasjustbeginningtodawn。Hiseyeswerescarcelyopen，however，whenhisnauticalinstincttoldhimthatthecutterwasunderway。
Springingup，hefoundthe_Scud_threadingtheislandsagain，withnooneondeckbutJasperandthepilot，un-
lessthesentinelbeexcepted，whohadnotintheleastinterferedwithmovementsthathehadeveryreasontobelievewereasregularastheywerenecessary。
How’sthis，MasterWestern？demandedCap，withsufficientfiercenessfortheoccasion。areyourunningusintoFrontenacatlast，andweallasleepbelow，likesomanymarinerswaitingforthe’sentrygo’？
Thisisaccordingtoorders，MasterCap，MajorDuncanhavingcommandedmenevertoapproachthestationun-
lessatamomentwhenthepeoplewerebelow。forhedoesnotwishthereshouldbemorepilotsinthosewatersthanthekinghasneedof。
Whe-e-e-w！aprettyjobIshouldhavemadeofrunningdownamongthesebushesandrockswithnooneondeck！Why，aregularYorkbranchcouldmakenoth-
ingofsuchachannel。
Ialwaysthought，sir，saidJasper，smiling，youwouldhavedonebetterhadyouleftthecutterinmyhandsuntilshehadsafelyreachedherplaceofdestination。
Weshouldhavedoneit，Jasper，weshouldhavedoneit，haditnotbeenforacircumstance。thesecircumstancesareseriousmatters，andnoprudentmanwilloverlookthem。
Well，sir，Ihopethereisnowanendofthem。Weshallarriveinlessthananhourifthewindholds，andthenyou’llbesafefromanycircumstancesthatIcancontrive。
Humph！
Capwasobligedtoacquiesce。and，aseverythingaroundhimhadtheappearanceofJasper’sbeingsincere，therewasnotmuchdifficultyinmakinguphismindtosubmit。
Itwouldnothavebeeneasyindeedforapersonthemostsensitiveonthesubjectofcircumstancestofancythatthe_Scud_wasanywhereinthevicinityofaportsolonges-
tablishedandsowellknownonthefrontiersasFronte-
nac。Theislandsmightnothavebeenliterallyathousandinnumber，buttheyweresonumerousandsmallastobafflecalculation，thoughoccasionallyoneoflargersizethancommonwaspassed。Jasperhadquittedwhatmighthavebeentermedthemainchannel，andwaswindinghisway，withagoodstiffbreezeandafavorablecurrent，throughpassesthatweresometimessonarrowthatthereappearedtobebarelyroomsufficientforthe_Scud’s_sparstoclearthetrees，whileatothermomentsheshotacrosslittlebays，andburiedthecutteragainamidrocks，forests，andbushes。Thewaterwassotransparentthattherewasnooccasionforthelead，andbeingofveryequaldepth，littleriskwasactuallyrun，thoughCap，withhismaritimehabits，wasinaconstantfeverlesttheyshouldstrike。
Igiveitup，Igiveitup，Pathfinder！theoldseamanatlengthexclaimed，whenthelittlevesselemergedinsafetyfromthetwentiethofthesenarrowinletsthroughwhichshehadbeensoboldlycarried。thisisdefyingtheverynatureofseamanship，andsendingallitslawsandrulestothed——l！
Nay，nay，Saltwater，’tistheperfectionoftheart。YouperceivethatJasperneverfalters，but，likeahoundwithatruenose，herunswithhisheadhighasifhehadastrongscent。Mylifeonit，theladbringsusoutrightintheind，ashewouldhavedoneinthebeginninghadwegivenhimleave。
Nopilot，nolead，nobeacons，buoys，orlighthouses，no——
Trail，interruptedPathfinder。forthattomeisthemostmysteriouspartofthebusiness。Waterleavesnotrail，aseveryoneknows。andyethereisJaspermovingaheadasboldlyasifhehadbeforehiseyestheprintsofthemoccassinsonleavesasplainlyaswecanseethesunintheheaven。
D——me，ifIbelievethereisevenanycompass！
Standbytohauldownthejib，calledoutJasper，whomerelysmiledattheremarksofhiscompanion。
Hauldown——starboardyourhelm——starboardhard——so-meether——gentlytherewiththehelm——touchherlightly-nowjumpashorewiththefast，lad——no，heave。therearesomeofourpeoplereadytotakeit。
Allthispassedsoquicklyasbarelytoallowthespectatortimetonotethedifferentevolutions，erethe_Scud_hadbeenthrownintothewinduntilhermainsailshivered，nextcastalittlebytheuseoftherudderonly，andthenshesetbodilyalongsideofanaturalrockyquay，whereshewasimmediatelysecuredbygoodfastsruntotheshore。Inaword，thestationwasreached，andthemenofthe55thweregreetedbytheirexpectingcomrades，withthesatis-
factionwhichareliefusuallybrings。
Mabelsprangupontheshorewithadelightwhichshedidnotcaretoexpress。andherfatherledhismenafterherwithanalacritywhichprovedhowweariedhehadbe-
comeofthecutter。Thestation，astheplacewasfami-
liarlytermedbythesoldiersofthe55th，wasindeedaspottoraiseexpectationsofenjoymentamongthosewhohadbeencoopedupsolonginavesselofthedimensionsofthe_Scud_。Noneoftheislandswerehigh，thoughalllayatasufficientelevationabovethewatertorenderthemperfectlyhealthyandsecure。Eachhadmoreorlessofwood。andthegreaternumberatthatdistantdaywereclothedwiththevirginforest。Theoneselectedbythetroopsfortheirpurposewassmall，containingabouttwentyacresofland，andbysomeoftheaccidentsofthewilder-
nessithadbeenpartlystrippedofitstrees，probablycen-
turiesbeforetheperiodofwhichwearewriting，andalittlegrassygladecoverednearlyhalfitssurface。
TheshoresofStationIslandwerecompletelyfringedwithbushes，andgreatcarehadbeentakentopreservethem，astheyansweredasascreentoconcealthepersonsandthingscollectedwithintheircircle。Favoredbythisshelter，aswellasbythatofseveralthicketsoftreesanddifferentcopses，somesixoreightlowhutsbadbeenerectedtobeusedasquartersfortheofficerandhismen，tocon-
tainstores，andtoservethepurposesofkitchen，hospital，etc。Thesehutswerebuiltoflogsintheusualmanner，hadbeenroofedbybarkbroughtfromadistance，lestthesignsoflaborshouldattractattention，and，astheyhadnowbeeninhabitedsomemonths，wereascomfortableasdwellingsofthatdescriptionusuallyevergettobe。
Attheeasternextremityoftheisland，however，wasasmall，densely-woodedpeninsula，withathicketofunder-
brushsocloselymattedasnearlytopreventthepossibilityofseeingacrossit，solongastheleavesremainedonthebranches。Nearthenarrowneckthatconnectedthisacrewiththerestoftheisland，asmallblockhousehadbeenerected，withsomeattentiontoitsmeansofresistance。
Thelogswerebullet-proof，squaredandjointedwithacaretoleavenodefencelesspoints。thewindowswereloop-
holes，thedoormassiveandsmall，andtheroof，liketherestofthestructure，wasframedofhewntimber，coveredproperlywithbarktoexcludetherain。Thelowerapart-
mentasusualcontainedstoresandprovisions。hereindeedthepartykeptalltheirsupplies。thesecondstorywasin-
tendedforadwelling，aswellasforthecitadel，andalowgarretwassubdividedintotwoorthreerooms，andcouldholdthepalletsofsometenorfifteenpersons。Allthearrangementswereexceedinglysimpleandcheap，buttheyweresufficienttoprotectthesoldiersagainsttheeffectsofasurprise。Asthewholebuildingwasconsiderablylessthanfortyfeethigh，itssummitwasconcealedbythetopsofthetrees，exceptfromtheeyesofthosewhohadreachedtheinterioroftheisland。Onthatsidetheviewwasopenfromtheupperloops，thoughbusheseventhere，moreorless，concealedthebaseofthewoodentower。
Theobjectbeingpurelydefence，carehadbeentakentoplacetheblockhousesonearanopeninginthelimestonerockthatformedthebaseoftheislandastoadmitofabucketbeingdroppedintothewater，inordertoobtainthatgreatessentialintheeventofasiege。Inordertofacilitatethisoperation，andtoenfiladethebaseofthebuilding，theupperstoriesprojectedseveralfeetbeyondthelowerinthemannerusualtoblockhouses，andpiecesofwoodfilledtheaperturescutinthelogflooring，whichwereintendedasloopsandtraps。Thecommunicationsbetweenthedifferentstorieswerebymeansofladders。Ifweaddthattheseblockhouseswereintendedascitadelsforgarrisonsorsettlementstoretreatto，inthecasesofattacks，thegeneralreaderwillobtainasufficientlycorrectideaofthearrangementsitisourwishtoexplain。
Butthesituationoftheislanditselfformeditsprincipalmeritasamilitaryposition。Lyinginthemidstoftwentyothers，itwasnotaneasymattertofindit。sinceboatsmightpassquitenear，and，byglimpsescaughtthroughtheopenings，thisparticularislandwouldbetakenforapartofsomeother。Indeed，thechannelsbetweentheislandswhichlayaroundtheonewehavebeendescribingweresonarrowthatitwasevendifficulttosaywhichpor-
tionsofthelandwereconnected，orwhichseparated，evenasonestoodinthecentre，withtheexpressdesireofascer-
tainingthetruth。Thelittlebayinparticular，whichJasperusedasaharbor，wassoemboweredwithbushesandshutinwithislands，that，thesailsofthecutterbeinglowered，herownpeopleononeoccasionhadsearchedforhoursbeforetheycouldfindthe_Scud_，intheirreturnfromashortexcursionamongtheadjacentchannelsinquestoffish。Inshort，theplacewasadmirablyadaptedtoitspresentobjects，anditsnaturaladvantageshadbeenasin-
geniouslyimprovedaseconomyandthelimitedmeansofafrontierpostwouldverywellallow。
Thehourwhichsucceededthearrivalofthe_Scud_wasoneofhurriedexcitement。Thepartyinpossessionhaddonenothingworthyofbeingmentioned，and，weariedwiththeirseclusion，theywerealleagertoreturntoOs-
wego。TheSergeantandtheofficerhecametorelievehadnosoonergonethroughthelittleceremoniesoftransfer-
ringthecommand，thanthelatterhurriedonboardthe_Scud_withhiswholeparty。andJasper，whowouldgladlyhavepassedthedayontheisland，wasrequiredtogetunderwayforthwith，thewindpromisingaquickpassageuptheriverandacrossthelake。Beforeseparating，how-
ever，LieutenantMuir，Cap，andtheSergeanthadaprivateconferencewiththeensignwhohadbeenrelieved，inwhichthelastwasmadeacquaintedwiththesuspicionsthatexistedagainstthefidelityoftheyoungsailor。
Promisingduecaution，theofficerembarked，andinlessthanthreehoursfromthetimewhenshehadarrivedthecutterwasagaininmotion。
Mabelhadtakenpossessionofahut。andwithfemalereadinessandskillshemadeallthesimplelittledomesticarrangementsofwhichthecircumstanceswouldadmit，notonlyforherowncomfort，butforthatofherfather。Tosavelabor，amess-tablewaspreparedinahutsetapartforthatpurpose，wherealltheheadsofthedetachmentweretoeat，thesoldier’swifeperformingthenecessarylabor。ThehutoftheSergeant，whichwasthebestontheisland，beingthusfreedfromanyofthevulgarofficesofahousehold，admittedofsuchadisplayofwomanlytaste，that，forthefirsttimesinceherarrivalonthefron-
tier，Mabelfeltproudofherhome。Assoonastheseim-
portantdutiesweredischarged，shestrolledoutontheisland，takingapathwhichledthroughtheprettyglade，andwhichconductedtotheonlypointnotcoveredwithbushes。Hereshestoodgazingatthelimpidwater，whichlaywithscarcelyaruffleonitatherfeet，musingonthenovelsituationinwhichshewasplaced，andpermittingapleasinganddeepexcitementtostealoverherfeelings，assherememberedthescenesthroughwhichshehadsolatelypassed，andconjecturedthosewhichstilllayveiledinthefuture。
You’reabeautifulfixture，inabeautifulspot，MistressMabel，saidDavidMuir，suddenlyappearingatherel-
bow。andI’llno’engageyou’renotjustthehandsomestofthetwo。
Iwillnotsay，Mr。Muir，thatcomplimentsonmyper-
sonarealtogetherunwelcome，forIshouldnotgaincreditforspeakingthetruth，perhaps，answeredMabelwithspirit。butIwillsaythatifyouwouldcondescendtoaddresstomesomeremarksofadifferentnature，ImaybeledtobelieveyouthinkIhavesufficientfacultiestounderstandthem。
Hoot！yourmind，beautifulMabel，ispolishedjustlikethebarrelofasoldier’smusket，andyourconversationisonlytoodiscreetandwiseforapoord——lwhohasbeenchewingbirchupherethesefouryearsonthelines，insteadofreceivingitinanapplicationthathasthevirtueofimpartingknowledge。Butyouareno’sorry，Itakeit，younglady，thatyou’vegotyourprettyfooton_terrafirma_
oncemore。
Ithoughtsotwohourssince，Mr。Muir。butthe_Scud_
lookssobeautifulasshesailsthroughthesevistasoftrees，thatIalmostregretIamnolongeroneofherpassengers。
AsMabelceasedspeaking，shewaved，herhandkerchiefinreturntoasalutationfromJasper，whokepthiseyesfastenedonherformuntilthewhitesailsofthecutterhadsweptroundapoint，andwerenearlylostbehinditsgreenfringeofleaves。
Theretheygo，andI’llno’say’joygowiththem。’butmaytheyhavethelucktoreturnsafely，forwithoutthemweshallbeindangerofpassingthewinteronthisisland。
unless，indeed，wehavethealternativeofthecastleatQuebec。YonJasperEau-douceisavagrantsortofalad，andtheyhavereportsofhiminthegarrisonthatitpainsmyveryhearttohear。Yourworthyfather，andalmostasworthyuncle，havenoneofthebestopinionofhim。
Iamsorrytohearit，Mr。Muir。Idoubtnotthattimewillremovealltheirdistrust。
Iftimewouldonlyremovemine，prettyMabel，re-
joinedtheQuartermasterinawheedlingtone，Ishouldfeelnoenvyofthecommander-in-chief。IthinkifIwereinaconditiontoretire，theSergeantwouldjuststepintomyshoes。
Ifmydearfatherisworthytostepintoyourshoes，Mr。
Muir，returnedthegirl，withmaliciouspleasure，I’msurethatthequalificationismutual，andthatyouareeverywayworthytostepintohis。
Thedeuceisinthechild！youwouldnotreducemetotherankofanon-commissionedofficer，Mabel？
No，indeed，sir。Iwasnotthinkingofthearmyatallasyouspokeofretiring。Mythoughtsweremoreegotis-
tical，andIwasthinkinghowmuchyouremindedmeofmydearfather，byyourexperience，wisdom，anasuitable-
nesstotakehisplaceastheheadofafamily。
Asitsbridegroom，prettyMabel，butnotasitsparentornaturalchief。Iseehowitiswithyou，lovingyourre-
partee，andbrilliantwithwit。Well，Ilikespiritinayoungwoman，soitbenotthespiritofascold。ThisPathfinderisallextraordinair，Mabel，iftruthmaybesaidoftheman。
Truthshouldbesaidofhimornothing。Pathfinderismyfriend——myveryparticularfriend，Mr。Muir，andnoevilcanbesaidofhiminmypresencethatIshallnotdeny。
Ishallsaynothingevilofhim，Icanassureyou，Ma-
bel。but，atthesametime，Idoubtifmuchgoodcanbesaidinhisfavor。
Heisatleastexpertwiththerifle，returnedMabel，smiling。Thatyoucannotdeny。
Lethimhaveallthecreditofhisexploitsinthatwayifyouplease。butheisasilliterateasaMohawk。
HemaynotunderstandLatin，buthisknowledgeofIroquoisisgreaterthanthatofmostmen，anditisthemoreusefullanguageofthetwointhispartoftheworld。
IfLundiehimselfweretocallonmeforanopinionwhichIadmiremore，yourpersonoryourwit，beautifulandcausticMabel，Ishouldbeatalosstoanswer。Myadmirationissonearlydividedbetweenthem，thatIoftenfancythisistheonethatbearsoffthepalm，andthentheother！Ah！thelateMrs。Muirwasaparagoninthatwayalso。
ThelatestMrs。Muir，didyousay，sir？askedMabel，lookingupinnocentlyathercompanion。
Hoot，hoot！ThatissomeofPathfinder’sscandal。
NowIdaresaythatthefellowhasbeentryingtopersuadeyou，Mabel，thatIhavehadmorethanonewifealready。
Inthatcasehistimewouldhavebeenthrownaway，sir，aseverybodyknowsthatyouhavebeensounfortunateastohavehadfour。
Onlythree，assureasmynameisDavidMuir。Thefourthispurescandal——orrather，prettyMabel，sheisyet_inpetto_，astheysayatRome。andthatmeans，inmattersoflove，intheheart，mydear。
Well，I’mgladI’mnotthatfourthperson，_inpetto_，orinanythingelse，asIshouldnotliketobeascandal。
Nofearofthat，charmingMabel。forwereyouthefourth，alltheotherswouldbeforgotten，andyourwon-
derfulbeautyandmeritwouldatonceelevateyoutobethefirst。Nofearofyourbeingthefourthinanything。
Thereisconsolationinthatassurance，Mr。Muir，saidMabel，laughing，whatevertheremaybeinyourotherassurance。forIconfessIshouldpreferbeingevenafourth-ratebeautytobeingafourthwife。
Sosayingshetrippedaway，leavingtheQuartermastertomeditateonhissuccess。Mabelhadbeeninducedtouseherfemalemeansofdefencethusfreely，partlybe-
causehersuitorhadoflatebeensopointedastostandinneedofaprettystrongrepulse，andpartlyonaccountofhisinnuendoesagainstJasperandthePathfinder。
Thoughfullofspiritandquickofintellect，shewasnotnaturallypert。butonthepresentoccasionshethoughtcircumstancescalledformorethanusualdecision。Whenshelefthercompanion，therefore，shebelievedshewasnowfinallyreleasedfromattentionswhichshethoughtasill-
bestowedastheywerecertainlydisagreeable。Notso，however，withDavidMuir。accustomedtorebuffs，andfamiliarwiththevirtueofperseverance，hesawnoreasontodespair，thoughthehalf-menacing，half-self-satisfiedmannerinwhichheshookhisheadtowardstheretreatinggirlmighthavebetrayeddesignsassinisterastheyweredetermined。Whilehewasthusoccupied，thePathfinderapproached，andgotwithinafewfeetofhimunseen。
’Twillneverdo，Quartermaster，’twillneverdo，com-
mencedthelatter，laughinginhisnoiselessway。sheisyoungandactive，andnonebutaquickfootcanovertakeher。Theytellmeyouarehersuitor，ifyouarenotherfollower。
AndIhearthesameofyourself，man，thoughthepre-
sumptionwouldbesogreatthatIscarcelycanthinkittrue。
Ifearyou’reright，Ido。yes，Ifearyou’reright——
whenIconsidermyself，whatIam，howlittleIknow，andhowrudemylifehasbeen，Ialtogetherdistrustmyclaim，eventothinkamomentofonesotutored，andgay，andlightofheart，anddelicate——
Youforgethandsome，coarselyinterruptedMuir。
Andhandsome，too，Ifear，returnedthemeekandself-abasedguide。Imighthavesaidhandsomeatonce，amongherotherqualities。fortheyoungfa’n，justasitlearnstobound，isnotmorepleasanttotheeyeofthehun-
terthanMabelislovelyinmine。IdoindeedfearthatallthethoughtsIhaveharboredaboutherarevainandpresumptuous。
Ifyouthinkthis，myfriend，ofyourownaccordandnaturalmodesty，asitmightbe，mydutytoyouasanoldfellow-campaignercompelsmetosay——
Quartermaster，interruptedtheother，regardinghiscompanionkeenly，youandIhavelivedtogethermuchbehindtherampartsofforts，butverylittleintheopenwoodsorinfrontoftheenemy。
Garrisonortent，itallpassesforpartofthesamecam-
paign，youknow，Pathfinder。andthenmydutykeepsmemuchwithinsightofthestorehouses，greatlycontrarytomyinclinations，asyemaywellsuppose，havingyourselftheardorofbattleinyourtemperament。ButhadyeheardwhatMabelhadjustbeensayingofyou，ye’dnothinkanotherminuteofmakingyourselfagreeabletothesaucyanduncompromisinghussy。
Pathfinderlookedearnestlyatthelieutenant，foritwasimpossibleheshouldnotfeelaninterestinwhatmightbeMabel’sopinion。buthehadtoomuchoftheinnateandtruefeelingofagentlemantoasktohearwhatanotherhadsaidofhim。Muir，however，wasnottobefoiledbythisself-denialandself-respect。for，believinghehadamanofgreattruthandsimplicitytodealwith，hedeterminedtopractiseonhiscredulity，asonemeansofgettingridofhisrivalry。Hethereforepursuedthesubject，assoonasheperceivedthathiscompanion’sself-denialwasstrongerthanhiscuriosity。
Yououghttoknowheropinion，Pathfinder，hecon-
tinued。andIthinkeverymanoughttohearwhathisfriendsandacquaintancessayofhim：andso，bywayofprovingmyownregardforyourcharacterandfeelings，I’lljusttellyouinasfewwordsaspossible。YouknowthatMabelhasawicked，maliciouswaywiththemeyesofherown，whenshehasamindtobeharduponone’sfeel-
ings。
Tomehereyes，LieutenantMuir，havealwaysseemedwinningandsoft，thoughIwillacknowledgethattheysometimeslaugh。yes，Ihaveknownthemtolaugh，andthatrightheartily，andwithdownrightgoodwill。
Well，itwasjustthatthen。hereyeswerelaughingwithalltheirmight，asitwere。andinthemidstofallherfun，shebrokeoutwithanexclamationtothiseffect：-
Ihope’twillno’hurtyoursensibility，Pathfinder？
IwillnotsayQuartermaster，Iwillnotsay。Mabel’sopinionofmeisofnomoreaccountthanthatofmostothers。
ThenI’llno’tellye，butjustkeepdiscretiononthesubject。andwhyshouldamanbetellinganotherwhathisfriendssayofhim，especiallywhentheyhappentosaythatwhichmaynotbepleasanttohear？I’llnotaddan-
otherwordtothispresentcommunication。
Icannotmakeyouspeak，Quartermaster，ifyouarenotsominded，andperhapsitisbetterformenottoknowMabel’sopinion，asyouseemtothinkitisnotinmyfavor。
Ah’sme！ifwecouldbewhatwewishtobe，insteadofbeingonlywhatweare，therewouldbeagreatdifferenceinourcharactersandknowledgeandappearance。Onemayberudeandcoarseandignorant，andyethappy，ifhedoesnotknowit。butitishardtoseeourownfailingsinthestrongestlight，justaswewishtoheartheleastaboutthem。
That’sjustthe_rationale_，astheFrenchsay，ofthematter。andsoIwastellingMabel，whensheranawayandleftme。Younoticedthemannerinwhichsheskippedoffasyouapproached？
Itwasveryobservable，answeredPathfinder，drawingalongbreathandclenchingthebarrelofhisrifleasifthefingerswouldburythemselvesintheiron。
Itwasmorethanobservable——itwasflagrant。that’sjusttheword，andthedictionarywouldn’tsupplyabet-
ter，afteranhour’ssearch。Well，youmustknow，Path-
finder，——forIcannotreasonablydenyyouthegratificationofhearingthis，——soyoumustknowtheminxboundedoffinthatmannerinpreferencetohearingwhatIhadtosayinyourjustification。
Andwhatcouldyoufindtosayinmybehalf，Quarter-
master？
Why，d’yeunderstand，myfriend，Iwasruledbycir-
cumstances，andno’venturedindiscreetlyintogeneralities，butwaspreparingtomeetparticulars，asitmightbe，withparticulars。Ifyouwerethoughtwild，half-savage，orofafrontierformation，Icouldtellher，yeknow，thatitcameofthefrontier，wildandhalf-savagelifeye’dled。andallherobjectionsmustceaseatonce，ortherewouldbeasortofamisunderstandingwithProvidence。
Anddidyoutellherthis，Quartermaster？
I’llno’sweartotheexactwords，buttheideawasprev-
alentinmymind，ye’llunderstand。Thegirlwasimpa-
tient，andwouldnothearthehalfIhadtosay。butawaysheskipped，asyesawwithyourowneyes，Pathfinder，asifheropinionwerefullymadeup，andshecaredtolistennolonger。Ifearhermindmaybesaidtohavecometoitsconclusion？
Ifearithasindeed，Quartermaster，andherfather，afterall，ismistaken。Yes，yes。theSergeanthasfallenintoagrievouserror。
Well，man，whyneedyelament，andundoallthegrandreputationye’vebeensomanywearyyearsmaking？
Shouldertheriflethatyeusesowell，andoffintothewoodswithye，forthere’snotthefemalebreathingthatisworthaheavyheartforaminute，asIknowfromexperi-
ence。Tak’thewordofonewhoknowsthesax，andhashadtwowives，thatwomen，afterall，areverymuchthesortofcreatureswedonotimaginethemtobe。Now，ifyouwouldreallymortifyMabel，hereisasgloriousanoccasionasanyrejectedlovercoulddesire。
ThelastwishIhave，Lieutenant，wouldbetomortifyMabel。
Well，ye’llcometothatintheend，notwithstanding。
forit’shumannaturetodesiretogiveunpleasantfeelingstothemthatgiveunpleasantfeelingstous。Butabetteroccasionneverofferedtomakeyourfriendsloveyou，thanistobehadatthisverymoment，andthatisthecertainmeansofcausingone’senemiestoenvyus。
Quartermaster，Mabelisnotmyinimy。andifshewas，thelastthingIcoulddesirewouldbetogiveheranuneasymoment。
Yesayso，Pathfinder，yesayso，andIdaresayyethinkso。butreasonandnaturearebothagainstyou，asye’llfindintheend。Ye’veheardthesaying’loveme，lovemydog：’well，now，thatmeans，readbackwards，’don’tloveme，don’tlovemydog。’Now，listentowhatisinyourpowertodo。Youknowweoccupyanexceedinglyprecariousanduncertainpostionhere，almostinthejawsofthelion，asitwere？
DoyoumeantheFrenchersbythelion，andthisislandashisjaws，Lieutenant？
Metaphoricallyonly，myfriend，fortheFrencharenolions，andthisislandisnotajaw——unless，indeed，itmayprovetobe，whatIgreatlyfearmaycometrue，thejaw-
boneofanass。
HeretheQuartermasterindulgedinasneeringlaugh，thatproclaimedanythingbutrespectandadmirationforhisfriendLundie’ssagacityinselectingthatparticularspotforhisoperations。
ThepostisaswellchosenasanyIeverputfootin，
saidPathfinder，lookingaroundhimasonesurveysapic-
ture。
I’llno’denyit，I’llno’denyit。Lundieisagreatsol-
dier，inasmallway。andhisfatherwasagreatlaird，withthesamequalification。Iwasbornontheestate，andhavefollowedtheMajorsolongthatI’vegottoreverenceallhesaysanddoes：that’sjustmyweakness，ye’llknow，Pathfinder。Well，thispostmaybethepostofanass，orofaSolomon，asmenfancy。butit’smostcriticallyplaced，asisapparentbyallLundie’sprecautionsandinjunctions。
TherearesavagesoutscoutingthroughtheseThousandIslandsandovertheforest，searchingforthisveryspot，asisknowntoLundiehimself，oncertaininformation。andthegreatestserviceyoucanrenderthe55thistodiscovertheirtrailsandleadthemoffonafalsescent。UnhappilySergeantDunhamhastakenupthenotionthatthedangeristobeapprehendedfromup-stream，becauseFrontenacliesaboveus。whereasallexperiencetellsusthatIndianscomeonthesidewhichismostcontrarytoreason，and，consequently，aretobeexpectedfrombelow。Takeyourcanoe，therefore，andgodown-streamamongtheislands，thatwemayhavenoticeifanydangerapproachesfromthatquarter。
TheBigSarpentisonthelook-outinthatquarter。
andasheknowsthestationwell，nodoubthewillgiveustimelynotice，shouldanywishtosarcumventusinthatdirection。
HeisbutanIndian，afterall，Pathfinder。andthisisanaffairthatcallsfortheknowledgeofawhiteman。
Lundiewillbeeternallygratefultothemanwhoshallhelpthislittleenterprisetocomeoffwithflyingcolors。
Totellyouthetruth，myfriend，heisconsciousitshouldneverhavebeenattempted。buthehastoomuchoftheoldlaird’sobstinacyabouthimtoownanerror，thoughitbeasmanifestasthemorningstar。
TheQuartermasterthencontinuedtoreasonwithhiscompanion，inordertoinducehimtoquittheislandwith-
outdelay，usingsuchargumentsasfirstsuggestedthem-
selves，sometimescontradictinghimself，andnotunfre-
quentlyurgingatonemomentamotivethatatthenextwasdirectlyopposedbyanother。ThePathfinder，simpleashewas，detectedtheseflawsintheLieutenant’sphilos-
ophy，thoughhewasfarfromsuspectingthattheypro-
ceededfromadesiretoclearthecoastofMabel’ssuitor。
HedidnotexactlysuspectthesecretobjectsofMuir，buthewasfarfrombeingblindtohissophistry。Theresultwasthatthetwoparted，afteralongdialogue，unconvinced，anddistrustfulofeachother’smotives，thoughthedistrustoftheguide，likeallthatwasconnectedwiththeman，partookofhisownupright，disinterested，andingenuousnature。
AconferencethattookplacesoonafterbetweenSergeantDunhamandtheLieutenantledtomoreconsequences。
Whenitwasended，secretorderswereissuedtothemen，theblockhousewastakenpossessionof，thehutswereoc-
cupied，andoneaccustomedtothemovementsofsoldiersmighthavedetectedthatanexpeditionwasinthewind。
Infact，justasthesunwassetting，theSergeant，whohadbeenmuchoccupiedatwhatwascalledtheharbor，cameintohisownhut，followedbyPathfinderandCap。andashetookhisseatattheneattablewhichMabelhadpre-
paredforhim，heopenedthebudgetofhisintelligence。
Youarelikelytobeofsomeusehere，mychild，theoldsoldiercommenced，asthistidyandwell-orderedsuppercantestify。andItrust，whenthepropermomentarrives，youwillshowyourselftobethedescendantofthosewhoknowhowtofacetheirenemies。
Youdonotexpectme，dearfather，toplayJoanofArc，andtoleadthementobattle？
Playwhom，child？DidyoueverhearofthepersonMabelmentions，Pathfinder？
NotI，Sergeant。butwhatofthat？Iamignorantandunedicated，anditistoogreatapleasuretometolistentohervoice，andtakeinherwords，tobeparticularaboutpersons。
Iknowher，saidCapdecidedly。shesailedapriva-
teeroutofMorlaixinthelastwar。andgoodcruisesshemadeofthem。
Mabelblushedathavinginadvertentlymadeanallusionthatwentbeyondherfather’sreading，tosaynothingofheruncle’sdogmatism，and，perhaps，alittleatthePath-
finder’ssimple，ingenuousearnestness。butshedidnotforbearthelesstosmile。
Why，father，Iamnotexpectedtofallinwiththemen，andtohelpdefendtheisland？
Andyetwomenhaveoftendonesuchthingsinthisquarteroftheworld，girl，asourfriend，thePathfinderhere，willtellyou。Butlestyoushouldbesurprisedatnotseeinguswhenyouawakeinthemorning，itisproperthatInowtellyouweintendtomarchinthecourseofthisverynight。
_We_，father！andleavemeandJennieonthisislandalone？
No，mydaughter。notqniteasunmilitaryasthat。WeshallleaveLieutenantMuir，brotherCap，CorporalM’Nab，andthreementocomposethegarrisonduringourab-
sence。Jenniewillremainwithyouinthishut，andbrotherCapwilloccupymyplace。
AndMr。Muir？saidMabel，halfunconsciousofwhatsheuttered，thoughsheforesawagreatdealofunpleasantpersecutioninthearrangement。
Why，hecanmakelovetoyou，ifyoulikeit，girl。forheisanamorousyouth，and，havingalreadydisposedoffourwives，isimpatienttoshowhowmuchhehonorstheirmemoriesbytakingafifth。
TheQuartermastertellsme，saidPathfinderinno-
cently，thatwhenaman’sfeelingshavebeenharassedbysomanylosses，thereisnowiserwaytosoothethemthanbyploughingupthesoilanew，insuchamannerastoleavenotracesofwhathavegoneoveritbefore。
Ay，thatisjustthedifferencebetweenploughingandharrowing，returnedtheSergeant，withagrimsmile。
ButlethimtellMabelhismind，andtherewillbeanendofhissuit。Iverywellknowthat_my_daughterwillneverbethewifeofLieutenantMuir。
Thiswassaidinawaythatwastanatmounttodeclaringthatnodaughterofhisever_should_becomethewifeofthepersoninquestion。Mabelhadcolored，trembled，halflaughed，andlookeduneasy。but，rallyingherspirit，shesaid，inavoicesocheerfulascompletelytoconcealheragitation，But，father，wemightbetterwaituntilMr。
Muirmanifestsawishthatyourdaughterwouldhavehim，orratherawishtohaveyourdaughter，lestwegetthefableofsourgrapesthrownintoourfaces。
Andwhatisthatfable，Mabel？eagerlydemandedPathfinder，whowasanythingbutlearnedintheordinaryloreofwhitemen。Tellittous，inyourownprettyway。IdaresaytheSergeantneverheardit。
Mabelrepeatedthewell-knownfable，and，ashersuitorhaddesired，inherownprettyway，whichwasawaytokeephiseyesrivetedonherface，andthewholeofhishonestcountenancecoveredwithasmile。
Thatwaslikeafox！criedPathfinder，whenshehadceased。ay，andlikeaMingo，too，cunningandcruel。
thatisthewaywithboththeriptyles。Astograpes，theyaresourenoughinthispartofthecountry，eventothemthatcangetatthem，thoughIdaresaythereareseasonsandtimesandplaceswheretheyaresourertothemthatcan’t。Ishouldjudge，now，myscalpisverysourinMingoeyes。
Thesourgrapeswillbetheotherway，child，anditisMr。Muirwhowillmakethecomplaint。Youwouldnevermarrythatman，Mabel？
Notshe，putinCap。afellowwhoisonlyhalfasoldierafterall。Thestoryofthemtheregrapesisquiteacircumstance。
Ithinklittleofmarryinganyone，dearfatheranddearuncle，andwouldrathertalkaboutitless，ifyouplease。But，didIthinkofmarryingatall，Idobe-
lieveamanwhoseaffectionshavealreadybeentriedbythreeorfourwiveswouldscarcelybemychoice。
TheSergeantnoddedattheguide，asmuchastosay，Youseehowthelandlies。andthenhehadsufficientcon-
siderationforhisdaughter’sfeelingstochangethesub-
ject。
NeitheryounorMabel，brotherCap，heresumed，canhaveanylegalauthoritywiththelittlegarrisonI
leavebehindontheisland。butyoumaycounselandin-
fluence。Strictlyspeaking，CorporalM’Nabwillbethecommandingofficer，andIhaveendeavoredtoimpresshimwithasenseofhisdignity，lesthemightgivewaytoomuchtothesuperiorrankofLieutenantMuir，who，beingavolunteer，canhavenorighttointerferewiththeduty。
IwishyoutosustaintheCorporal，brotherCap。forshouldtheQuartermasteroncebreakthroughtheregula-
tionsoftheexpedition，hemaypretendtocommandme，aswellasM’Nab。
Moreparticularly，shouldMabelreallycuthimadriftwhileyouareabsent。Ofcourse，Sergeant，you’llleaveeverythingthatisafloatundermycare？Themostd——bleconfusionhasgrownoutofmisunderstandingsbetweencommanders-in-chief，ashoreandafloat。
Inonesense，brother，thoughinageneralway，theCorporaliscommander-in-chief。TheCorporalmustcom-
mand。butyoucancounselfreely，particularlyinallmat-
tersrelatingtotheboats，ofwhichIshallleaveonebehindtosecureyourretreat，shouldtherebeoccasion。IknowtheCorporalwell。heisabravemanandagoodsoldier。
andonethatmaybereliedon，iftheSantaCruzcanbekeptfromhim。ButthenheisaScotchman，andwillbeliabletotheQuartermaster’sinfluence，againstwhichIde-
sirebothyouandMabeltobeonyourguard。
Butwhyleaveusbehind，dearfather？Ihavecomethusfartobeacomforttoyou，andwhynotgofarther？
Youareagoodgirl，Mabel，andveryliketheDunhams。
Butyoumusthalthere。Weshallleavetheislandto-
morrow，beforethedaydawns，inordernottobeseenbyanypryingeyescomingfromourcover，andweshalltakethetwolargestboats，leavingyoutheotherandonebarkcanoe。WeareabouttogointothechannelusedbytheFrench，whereweshalllieinwait，perhapsaweek，toin-
tercepttheirsupply-boats，whichareabouttopassupontheirwaytoFrontenac，loaded，inparticular，withaheavyamountofIndiangoods。
Haveyoulookedwelltoyourpapers，brother？Capanxiouslydemanded。Ofcourseyouknowacaptureonthehighseasispiracy，unlessyourboatisregularlycom-
missioned，eitherasapublicoraprivatearmedcruiser。
IhavethehonortoholdtheColonel’sappointmentassergeant-majorofthe55th，returnedtheother，drawinghimselfupwithdignity，andthatwillbesufficientevenfortheFrenchking。Ifnot，IhaveMajorDuncan’swrit-
tenorders。
Nopapers，then，forawarlikecruiser？
Theymustsuffice，brother，asIhavenoother。ItisofvastimportancetohisMajesty’sinterests，inthispartoftheworld，thattheboatsinquestionshouldbecapturedandcarriedintoOswego。Theycontaintheblankets，trink-
ets，rifles，ammunition，inshort，allthestoreswithwhichtheFrenchbribetheiraccursedsavagealliestocommittheirunholyacts，settingatnoughtourholyreligionanditsprecepts，thelawsofhumanity，andallthatissacredanddearamongmen。Bycuttingoffthesesuppliesweshallderangetheirplans，andgaintimeonthem。forthearti-
clescannotbesentacrosstheoceanagainthisautumn。
But，father，doesnothisMajestyemployIndiansalso？
askedMabel，withsomecuriosity。
Certainly，girl，andhehasarighttoemploythem——
Godblesshim！It’saverydifferentthingwhetheranEng-
lishmanoraFrenchmanemploysasavage，aseverybodycanunderstand。
But，father，Icannotseethatthisaltersthecase。IfitbewronginaFrenchmantohiresavagestofighthisenemies，itwouldseemtobeequallywronginanEng-
lishman。_You_willadmitthis，Pathfinder？
It’sreasonable，it’sreasonable。andIhaveneverbeenoneofthemthathasraisedacryag’intheFrenchersfordoingtheverythingwedoourselves。StillitisworsetoconsortwithaMingothantoconsortwithaDelaware。
Ifanyofthatjusttribewereleft，Ishouldthinkitnosintosendthemoutag’inthefoe。
Andyettheyscalpandslayyoungandold，womenandchildren！
Theyhavetheirgifts，Mabel，andarenottobeblamedforfollowingthem。natur’isnatur’，thoughthedifferenttribeshavedifferentwaysofshowingit。FormypartI
amwhite，andendeavortomaintainwhitefeelings。
Thisisallunintelligibletome，answeredMabel。
WhatisrightinKingGeorge，itwouldseem，oughttoberightinKingLouis。
