第13章

Myfatherhasleftyouaresponsiblecommand，Corpo-

ral，shesaid，assoonasshecouldcatchM’Nabalittleapart。forshouldtheislandfallintothehandsoftheenemy，notonlyshouldwebecaptured，butthepartythatisnowoutwouldinallprobabilitybecometheirprisonersalso。

ItneedsnojourneyfromScotlandtothisplacetoknowthefactsneedfultobeo’thatwayofthinking。re-

turnedM’Nabdrily。

Idonotdoubtyourunderstandingitaswellasmyelf，Mr。M’Nab，butI’mfearfulthatyouveterans，accustomedasyouaretodangersandbattles，arealittleapttooverlooksomeoftheprecautionsthatmaybenecessaryinasitua-

tionaspeculiarasours。

TheysayScotlandisnoconqueredcountry，youngwoman，butI’mthinkingtheremustbesomemistak’inthematter，aswe，herchildren，aresodrowsy-headedandapttobeo’ertakenwhenweleastexpectit。

Nay，mygoodfriend，youmistakemymeaning。Inthefirstplace，I’mnotthinkingofScotlandatall，butofthisisland。andthenIamfarfromdoubtingyourvigi-

lancewhenyouthinkitnecessarytopractiseit。butmygreatfearisthattheremaybedangertowhicbyourcour-

agewillmakeyouindifferent。

Mycourage，MistressDunham，isdoubtlessofaverypoolquality，beingnothingbutScottishcourage。yourfather’sisYankee，andwerehehereamangusweshouldseedifferentpreparations，beyondadoubt。Well，timesaregettingwrang，whenforeignersholdcommissionsandcarryhalberdsinScottishcorps。andInowonderthatbattlesarelost，andcampaignsgowrangendforemost。

Mabelwasalmostindespair。butthequietwarningofJunewasstilltoovividlyimpressedonhermindtoallowhertoyieldthematter。Shechangedhermodeofoperat-

ing，therefore，stillclingingtothehopeofgettingthewholepartywithintheblockhouse，withoutbeingcorn-

pelledtobetraythesourcewhencesheobtainedhernoticesofthenecessityofvigilance。

Idaresayyouareright，CorporalM’Nab，sheob-

served。forI’veoftenheardoftbeheroesofyourcoun-

try，whohavebeenamongthefirstoftbecivilizedworld，ifwhattheytellmeofthemistrue。

HaveyoureadthehistoryofScotland，MistressDun-

ham？demandedtheCorporal，lookingupathisprettycompanion，forthefirsttimewithsomethinglikeasmileonhishard，repulsivecountenance。

Ihavereadalittleofit，Corporal，butI’veheardmuchmore。TheladywhobroughtmeuphadScottishbloodinherveins，andwasfondofthesubject。

I’llwarrantye，theSergeantno’troubledhimselftoexpatiateontherenownofthecountrywherehisregimentwasraised？

Myfatherhasotherthingstothinkof，andthelittleIknowwasgotfromtheladyIhavementioned。

She’llno’beforgettingtotallyeo’Wallace？

OfhimI’veevenreadagooddeal。

Ando’Bruce，andtheaffairofBannockburn？

Ofthattoo，aswellasofCullodenMuir。

Thelastofthesebattleswasthenarecentevent，ithav-

ingactuallybeenfoughtwithintherecollectionofourheroine，whosenotionsofit，however，weresoconfusedthatshescarcelyappreciatedtheeffectherallusionmightproduceonhercompanion。Sheknewithadbeenavic-

tory，andhadoftenheardtheguestsofherpatronessmen-

tionitwithtriumph。andshefanciedtheirfeelingswouldfindasympatheticchordinthoseofeveryBritishsoldier。

Unfortunately，M’NabhadfoughtthroughoutthatlucklessdayonthesideofthePretender。andadeepscarthatgarnishedhisfacehadbeenlefttherebythesabreofaGermansoldierintheserviceoftheHouseofHanover。

HefanciedthathiswoundbledafreshatMabel’sallusion。

anditiscertainthatthebloodrushedtohisfaceinator-

rent，asifitwouldpouroutofhisskinatthecicatrix。

Hoot！hootawa’！hefairlyshouted，withyourCul-

lodenandSherriffmuirs，youngwoman。ye’llno’beun-

derstandingthesubjectatall，andwillmanifestnotonlywisdombutmodestyinspeakingo’youraincountryanditsmanyfailings。KingGeorgehassomeloyalsubjectsinthecolonies，nadoubt，but’twillbealangtimebeforeheseesorhearsanyguidofthem。

MabelwassurprisedattheCorporal’sheat，forshehadnotthesmallestideawheretheshoepinched。butshewasdeterminednottogiveupthepoint。

I’vealwaysheardthattheScotchhadtwoofthegoodqualitiesofsoldiers，shesaid，courageandcircumspec-

tion。andIfeelpersuadedthatCorporalM’Nabwillsus-

tainthenationalrenown。

Askyerownfather，MistressDunham。heisacquaint’

withCorporalM’Nab，andwillno’bebackwardtopointouthisdemerits。Wehavebeeninbattlethegither，andheismysuperiorofficer，andhasasorto’officialrighttogivethecharactersofhissubordinates。

Myfatherthinkswellofyou，M’Nab，orhewouldnothaveleftyouinchargeofthisislandandallitcontains，hisowndaughterincluded。Amongotherthings，Iwellknowthathecalculateslargelyonyourprudence。Heexpectstheblockhouseinparticulartobestrictlyattendedto。

Ifhewishestodefendthehonorofthe55thbehindlogs，heoughttohaveremainedincommandhimsel’。for，tospeakfrankly，itgoesagainstaScotchman’sbluidandopinionstobebeatenoutofthefieldevenbeforeheisat-

tacked。Wearebroadswordmen，andlovetostandfoottofootwiththefoe。ThisAmericanmodeoffighting，thatisgettingintosomuchfavor，willdestroytherepu-

tationofhisMajesty’sarmy，ifitno’destroyitsspirit。

Notruesoldierdespisescaution。EvenMajorDuncanhimself，thanwhomthereisnonebraver，iscelebratedforhiscareofhismen。

Lundiehashisweakness，andisfastforgettingthebroadswordandopenheathsinhistreeandriflepractice。

But，MistressDunham，tak’thewordofanoldsoldier，whohasseenhisfifty-fifthyear，whenhetallsyethatthereisnosurermethodtoencourageyourenemythantoseemtofearhim。andthatthereisnodangerinthisIndianwarfarethatthefanciesandimaginationsofyourAmeri-

canshavenotenlargedupon，untiltheyseeasavageineverybush。WeScotscomefromanakedregion，andhavenoneedandlessrelishforcovers，andsoye’llbeseeing，MistressDunham——

TheCorporalgaveaspringintotheair，fellforwardonhisface，androlledoveronhisback，thewholepassingsosuddenlythatMabelhadscarcelyheardthesharpcrackoftheriflethathadsentabulletthroughhisbody。Ourheroinedidnotshriek——didnoteventremble。fortheoccurrencewastoosudden，tooawful，andtoounexpectedforthatexhibitionofweakness。onthecontrary，shesteppedhastilyforward，withanaturalimpulsetoaidhercompanion。TherewasjustenoughoflifeleftinM’Nabtobetrayhisentireconsciousnessofallthathadpassed。

Hiscountenancehadthewildlookofonewhohadbeenovertakenbydeathbysurprise。andMabel，inhercoolermoments，fanciedthatitshowedthetardyrepentanceofawillfulandobstinatesinner。

Ye’llbegettingintotheblockhouseasfastaspossible，

M’Nabwhispered，asMabelleanedoverhimtocatchhisdyingwords。

Thencameoverourheroinethefullconsciousnessofhersituationandofthenecessityofexertion。Shecastarapidglanceatthebodyatherfeet，sawthatithadceasedtobreathe，andfled。Itwasbutafewminutes’runtotheblockhouse，thedoorofwhichMabelhadbarelygainedwhenitwasclosedviolentlyinherfacebyJennie，thesol-

dier’swife，whoinblindterrorthoughtonlyofherownsafety。ThereportsoffiveorsixrifleswereheardwhileMabelwascallingoutforadmittance。andtheadditionalterrortheyproducedpreventedthewomanwithinfromundoingquicklytheveryfasteningsshehadbeensoexpertinapplying。Afteraminute’sdelay，however，Mabelfoundthedoorreluctantlyyieldingtoherconstantpres-

sure，andsheforcedherslenderbodythroughtheopeningtheinstantitwaslargeenoughtoallowofitspassage。BythistimeMabel’sheartceasedtobeattulmultuouslyandshegainedsufficientself-commandtoactcollectedly。Insteadofyieldingtothealmostconvulsiveeffortsofhercompaniontoclosethedooragain，shehelditopenlongenoughtoascertainthatnoneofherownpartywasinsight，orlikelyontheinstanttoendeavortogainadmis-

sion：thensheallowedtheopeningtobeshut。Herordersandproceedingsnowbecamemorecalmandrational。

Butasinglebarwascrossed，andJenniewasdirectedtostandinreadinesstoremoveeventhatatanyapplicationfromafriend。Shethenascendedtheladdertotheroomabove，wherebymeansofaloopholeshewasenabledtogetasgoodaviewoftheislandasthesurroundingbusheswouldallow。Admonishingherassociatebelowtobefirmandsteady，shemadeascarefulanexaminationoftheen-

vironsashersituationpermitted。

Tohergreatsurprise，Mabelcouldnotatfirstseealiv-

ingsoulontheisland，friendorenemy。NeitherFrench-

mannorIndianwasvisible，thoughasmallstragglingwhitecloudthatwasfloatingbeforethewindtoldherinwhichquartersheoughttolookforthem。TherifleshadbeendischargedfromthedirectionoftheislandwhenceJunehadcome，thoughwhethertheenemywereonthatisland，orhadactuallylandedonherown，Mabelcouldnotsay。GoingtotheloopthatcommandedaviewofthespotwhereM’Nablay，herbloodcurdledatperceivingallthreeofhissoldierslyingapparentlylifelessathisside。

Thesemenhadrushedtoacommoncentreatthefirstalarm，andhadbeenshotdownalmostsimultaneouslybytheinvisiblefoewhomtheCorporalhadaffectedtodespise。

NeitherCapnorLieutenantMuirwastobeseen。Withabeatingheart，Mabelexaminedeveryopeningthroughthetrees，andascendedeventotheupperstoryorgarretoftheblockhouse，whereshegotafullviewofthewholeisland，sofarasitscoverswouldallow，butwithnobettersuccess。Shehadexpectedtoseethebodyofherunclelyingonthegrasslikethoseofthesoldiers，butitwasnowherevisible。Turningtowardsthespotwheretheboatlay，Mabelsawthatitwasstillfastenedtotheshore。andthenshesupposedthatbysomeaccidentMuirhadbeenpreventedfromeffectinghisretreatinthatquarter。Inshort，theislandlayinthequietofthegrave，thebodiesofthesoldiersrenderingthesconeasfearfulasitwasex-

traordinary。

ForGod’sholysake，MistressMabel，calledoutthewomanfrombelow。for，thoughherfearhadbecometooungovernabletoallowhertokeepsilence，ourheroine’ssuperiorrefinement，morethantheregimentalstationofherfather，stillcontrolledhermodeofaddress，——MistressMabel，tellmeifanyofourfriendsareliving！IthinkI

heargroansthatgrowfainterandfainter，andfearthattheywillallbetomahawked！

Mabelnowrememberedthatoneofthesoldierswasthiswoman’shusband，andshetrembledatwhatmightbetheimmediateeffectofhersorrow，shouldhisdeathbecomesuddenlyknowntoher。Thegroans，too，gavealittlehope，thoughshefearedtheymightcomefromheruncle，wholayoutofview。

WeareinHisholykeeping，Jennie，sheanswered。

WemusttrustinProvidence，whileweneglectnoneofitsbenevolentmeansofprotectingourselves。Becare-

fulwiththedoor。onnoaccountopenitwithoutmydi-

rections。

Oh，tellme，MistressMabel，ifyoucananywhereseeSandy！IfIcouldonlylethimknowthatI’minsafety，theguidmanwouldbeeasierinhismind，whetherfreeoraprisoner。

SandywasJennie’shusband，andhelaydeadinplainviewoftheloopfromwhichourheroinewasthenlooking。

Youno’tellmeifyou’reseeingofSandy，thewomanrepeatedfrombelow，impatientatMabel’ssilence。

TherearesomeofourpeoplegatheredaboutthebodyofM’Nab，wastheanswer。foritseemedsacrilegiousinhereyestotelladirectuntruthundertheawfulcircum-

stancesinwhichshewasplaced。

IsSandyamangthem？demandedthewoman，inavoicethatsoundedappallingbyitshoarsenessandenergy。

Hemaybecertainly。forIseeone，two，three，four，andallinthescarletcoatsoftheregiment。

Sandy！calledoutthewomanfrantically。whyd’yeno’careforyoursal’，Sandy？Comehithertheinstant，man，andshareyourwife’sfortunesinwealorwoe。It’sno’amomentforyoursillydisciplineandvain-gloriousnotionsofhonor！Sandy！Sandy！

Mabelheardthebarturn，andthenthedoorcreakedonitshinges。Expectation，nottosayterror，heldherinsus-

penseattheloop，andshesoonbeheldJennierushingthroughthebushesinthedirectionoftheclusterofthedead。Ittookthewomanbutaninstanttoreachthefatalspot。Sosuddenandunexpectedhadbeentheblow，thatsheinherterrordidnotappeartocomprehenditsweight。Somewildandhalf-franticnotionofadeceptiontroubledherfancy，andsheimaginedthatthemenweretriflingwithherfears。Shetookherhusband’shand，anditwasstillwarm，whileshethoughtacovertsmilewasstrugglingonhislip。

Whywillyefoollifeaway，Sandy？shecried，pullingatthearm。Ye’llallbemurderedbytheseaccursedIndians，andyouno’takin’totheblockliketrustysol-

diers！Awa’！awa’！andno’belosingthepreciousmo-

ments。

Inherdesperateefforts，thewomanpulledthebodyofherhusbandinawaytocausetheheadtoturncompletelyover，whentbesmallholeinthetemple，causedbytheen-

tranceofariflebullet，andafewdropsofbloodtricklingovertheskin，revealedthemeaningofherhusband’ssi-

lence。Asthehorridtruthflashedinitsfullextentonhermind，thewomanclaspedherhands，gaveashriekthatpiercedthegladesofeveryislandnear，andfellatlengthonthedeadbodyofthesoldier。Thrilling，heart-

reaching，appallingaswasthatshriek，itwasmelodytothecrythatfolloweditsoquicklyastoblendthesounds。

Theterrificwar-whooparoseoutofthecoversoftheisland，andsometwentysavages，horribleintheirpaintandtheotherdevicesofIndianingenuity，rushedforward，eagertosecurethecovetedscalps。Arrowheadwasfore-

most，anditwashistomahawkthatbrainedtheinsensibleJennie。andherreekinghairwashangingathisgirdleasatrophyinlessthantwominutesaftershehadquittedtheblockhouse。Hiscompanionswereequallyactive，andM’Nabandhissoldiersnolongerpresentedthequietas-

pectofmenwhoslumbered。Theywereleftintheirgore，unequivocallybutcheredcorpses。

Allthispassedinmuchlesstimethanhasbeenrequiredtorelateit，andallthisdidMabelwitness。Shehadstoodrivetedtothespot，gazingonthewholehorriblescene，asifenchainedbysomecharm，nordidtheideaofselforofherowndangeronceobtrudeitselfonherthoughts。Butnosoonerdidsheperceivetheplacewherethemenhadfallencoveredwithsavages，exultinginthesuccessoftheirsurprise，thanitoccurredtoherthatJenniehadlefttheblockhousedoorunbarred。Herheartbeatviolently，forthatdefencealonestoodbetweenherandimmediatedeath，andshesprangtowardtheladderwiththeintentionofdescendingtomakesureofit。Herfoothadnotyetreachedthefloorofthesecondstory，however，whensheheardthedoorgratingonitshinges，andshegaveherselfupforlost。Sinkingonherknees，theterrifiedbutcour-

ageousgirlendeavoredtoprepareherselffordeath，andtoraiseherthoughtstoGod。Theinstinctoflife，how-

ever，wastoostrongforprayer，andwhileherlipsmoved，thejealoussenseswatchedeverysoundbeneath。Whenherearsheardthebars，whichwentonpivotssecuredtothecentreofthedoor，turningintotheirfastenings，notone，assheherselfhaddirected，withaviewtoadmitheruncleshouldheapply，butallthree，shestartedagaintoherfeet，allspiritualcontemplationsvanishinginheractualtemporalcondition，anditseemedasifallherfac-

ultieswereabsorbedinthesenseofhearing。

Thethoughtsareactiveinamomentsofearful。AtfirstMabelfanciedthatherunclehadenteredtheblock-

house，andshewasabouttodescendtheladderandthrowherselfintohisarms。thentheideathatitmightbeanIndian，whohadbarredthedoortoshutoutintruderswhileheplunderedatleisure，arrestedthemovement。Theprofoundstillnessbelowwasunlikethebold，restlessmove-

mentsofCap，anditseemedtosavormoreoftheartificesofanenemy。Ifafriendatall，itcouldonlybeheruncleortheQuartermaster。forthehorribleconvictionnowpre-

senteditselftoourheroinethattothesetwoandherselfwerethewholepartysuddenlyreduced，if，indeed，thetwolattersurvived。ThisconsiderationheldMabelincheck，andforfulltwominutesmoreabreathlesssilencereignedinthebuilding。Duringthistimethegirlstoodatthefootoftheupperladder，thetrapwhichledtotheloweropeningontheoppositesideofthefloor。theeyesofMabelwererivetedonthisspot，forshenowbegantoex-

pecttoseeateachinstantthehorriblesightofasavagefaceatthehole。Thisapprehensionsoonbecamesoin-

tense，thatshelookedaboutherforaplaceofconceal-

ment。Theprocrastinationofthecatastropheshenowfullyexpected，thoughitwereonlyforamoment，affordedarelief。Theroomcontainedseveralbarrels。andbehindtwooftheseMabelcrouched，placinghereyesatanopen-

ingbywhichshecouldstillwatchthetrap。Shemadeanotherefforttopray。butthemomentwastoohorribleforthatrelief。Shethought，too，thatsheheardalowrustling，asifonewereascendingthelowerladderwithaneffortatcautionsogreatastobetrayitselfbyitsownex-

cess。thenfollowedacreakingthatshewascertaincamefromoneofthestepsoftheladder，whichhadmadethesamenoiseunderherownlightweightassheascended。

Thiswasoneofthoseinstantsintowhicharecompressedthesensationsofyearsofordinaryexistence。Life，death，eternity，andextremebodilypainwereallstandingoutinboldrelieffromtheplaneofevery-dayoccurrences。andshemighthavebeentakenatthatmomentforabeautifulpallidrepresentationofherself，equallywithoutmotionandwithoutvitality。Butwhilesuchwastheoutwardappearanceoftheform，neverhadtherebeenatimeinherbriefcareerwhenMabelheardmoreacutely，sawmoreclearly，orfeltmorevividly。Asyet，nothingwasvisibleatthetrap，butherears，renderedexquisitelysensitivebyintensefeeling，distinctlyacquaintedherthatsomeonewaswithinafewinchesoftheopeninginthefloor。Nextfollowedtheevidenceofhereyes，whichbeheldthedarkhairofanIndianrisingsoslowlythroughthepassagethatthemovementsoftheheadmightbelikenedtothatoftheminute-handofaclock。thencamethedarkskinandwildfeatures，untilthewholeoftheswarthyfacehadrisenabovethefloor。Thehumancountenanceseldomappearstoadvantagewhenpartiallyconcealed。andMabelimaginedmanyadditionalhorrorsasshefirstsawtheblack，rovingeyesandtheexpressionofwildnessasthesavagecounte-

nancewasrevealed，asitmightbe，inchbyinch。butwhentheentireheadwasraisedabovethefloor，asecondandabetterlookassuredourheroinethatshesawthegentle，anxious，andevenhandsomefaceofJune。

CHAPTERXXII。

SpectrethoughIbe，Iamnotsenttoscaretheeordeceive。

Butinrewardofthyfidelity。

WORDSWORTH。

Itwouldbedifficulttosaywhichevincedthemostsat-

isfaction，whenMabelsprangtoherfeetandappearedinthecentreoftheroom，ourheroine，onfindingthathervisitorwasthewifeofArrowhead，andnotArrowheadhimself，orJune，atdiscoveringthatheradvicehadbeenfollowed，andthattheblockhousecontainedthepersonshehadsoanxiouslyandalmosthopelesslysought。Theyembracedeachother，andtheunsophisticatedTuscarorawomanlaughedinhersweetaccentsassheheldherfriendatarm’slength，andmadecertainofherpresence。

Blockhousegood，saidtheyoungIndian。gotnoscalp。

Itisindeedgood，June，Mabelanswered，withashud-

der，veilinghereyesatthesametime，asiftoshutoutaviewofthehorrorsshehadsolatelywitnessed。Tellme，forGod’ssake，ifyouknowwhathasbecomeofmydearuncle！Ihavelookedinalldirectionswithoutbeingabletoseehim。

Nohereinblockhouse？Juneasked，withsomecuri-

osity。

Indeedheisnot：Iamquitealoneinthisplace。Jen-

nie，thewomanwhowaswithme，havingrushedouttojoinherhusband，andperishingforherimprudence。

Juneknow，Junesee。verybad，Arrowheadnofeelforanywife。nofeelforhisown。

Ah，June，yourlife，atleast，issafe！

Don’tknow。Arrowheadkillme，ifheknowall。

Godblessandprotectyou，June！He_will_blessandprotectyouforthishumanity。Tellmewhatistobedone，andifmypooruncleisstillliving？

Don’tknow。Saltwaterhasboat。maybehegoonriver。

Theboatisstillontheshore，butneithermyunclenortheQuartermasterisanywheretobeseen。

Nokill，orJunewouldsee。Hideaway！Redmanhide。noshameforpale-face。

ItisnottheshamethatIfearforthem，buttheop-

portunity。Yourattackwasawfullysudden，June！

Tuscarora！returnedtheother，smilingwithexultationatthedexterityofherhusband。Arrowheadgreatwar-

rior！

Youaretoogoodandgentleforthissortoflife，June。

youcannotbehappyinsuchscenes？

June’scountenancegrewclouded，andMabelfanciedtherewassomeofthesavagefireofachiefinherfrownassheanswered，——

Yengeesetoogreedy，takeawayallhunting-grounds。

chaseSixNationfrommorningtonight。wickedking，wickedpeople。Pale-faceverybad。

Mabelknewthat，eveninthatdistantday，therewasmuchtruthinthisopinion，thoughshewastoowellin-

structednottounderstandthatthemonarch，inthis，asinathousandothercases，wasblamedforactsofwhichhewasmostprobablyignorant。Shefeltthejusticeoftherebuke，therefore，toomuchtoattemptananswer，andherthoughtsnaturallyrevertedtoherownsituation。

AndwhatamItodo，June？shedemanded。Itcannotbelongbeforeyourpeoplewillassaultthisbuild-

ing。

Blockhousegood——gotnoscalp。

Buttheywillsoondiscoverthatithasgotnogarrisontoo，iftheydonotknowitalready。Youyourselftoldmethenumberofpeoplethatwereontheisland，anddoubtlessyoulearneditfromArrowhead。

Arrowheadknow，answeredJune，holdingupsixfin-

gers，toindicatethenumberofthemen。Allredmenknow。Fourlosescalpalready。twogot’emyet。

Donotspeakofit，June。thehorridthoughtcurdlesmyblood。YourpeoplecannotknowthatIamaloneintheblockhouse，butmayfancymyuncleandtheQuarter-

masterwithme，andmaysetfiretothebuilding，inordertodislodgethem。Theytellmethatfireisthegreatdan-

gertosuchplaces。

Noburnblockhouse，saidJunequietly。

Youcannotknowthat，mygoodJune，andIhavenomeanstokeepthemoff。

Noburnblockhouse。Blockhousegood。gotnoscalp。

Buttellmewhy，June。Ifeartheywillburnit。

Blockhousewet——muchrain——logsgreen——noburneasy。

Redmanknowit——finet’ing——thennoburnittotellYengeesethatIroquoisbeenhere。Fadercomeback，missblockhouse，nofound。No，no。Indiantoomuchcunning。notouchanything。

Iunderstandyou，June，andhopeyourpredictionmaybetrue。for，asregardsmydearfather，shouldheescape——

perhapsheisalreadydeadorcaptured，June？

Notouchfader——don’tknowwherehegone——watergotnotrail——redmancan’tfollow。Noburnblockhouse——

blockhousegood。gotnoscalp。

Doyouthinkitpossibleformetoremainheresafelyuntilmyfatherreturns？

Don’tknow。daughtertellbestwhenfadercomeback。

MabelfeltuneasyattheglanceofJune’sdarkeyeassheutteredthis。fortheunpleasantsurmisearosethathercompanionwasendeavoringtodiscoverafactthatmightbeusefultoherownpeople，whileitwouldleadtothedestructionofherparentandhisparty。Shewasabouttomakeanevasiveanswer，whenaheavypushattheouterdoorsuddenlydrewallherthoughtstotheimmediatedanger。

Theycome！sheexclaimed。Perhaps，June，itismyuncleortheQuartermaster。IcannotkeepoutevenMr。Muiratamomentlikethis。

Whynolook？plentyloophole，madepurpose。

Mabeltookthehint，and，goingtooneofthedownwardloops，thathadbeencutthroughthelogsinthepartthatoverhungthebasement，shecautiouslyraisedthelittleblockthatordinarilyfilledthesmallhole，andcaughtaglanceatwhatwaspassingatthedoor。Thestartandchangingcountenancetoldhercompanionthatsomeofherownpeoplewerebelow。

Redman，saidJune，liftingafingerinadmonitiontobeprudent。

Four。andhorribleintheirpaintandbloodytrophies。

Arrowheadisamongthem。

Junehadmovedtoacorner，whereseveralsparerifleshadbeendeposited，andhadalreadytakenoneintoherhand，whenthenameofherhusbandappearedtoarresthermovements。Itwasbutforaninstant，however，forsheimmediatelywenttotheloop，andwasabouttothrustthemuzzleofthepiecethroughit，whenafeelingofnaturalaversioninducedMabeltoseizeherarm。

No，no，no，June！saidthelatter。notagainstyourownhusband，thoughmylifebethepenalty。

NohurtArrowhead，returnedJune，withaslightshudder，nohurtredmanatall。Nofireat’em。onlyscare。

MabelnowcomprehendedtheintentionofJune，andnolongeropposedit。Thelatterthrustthemuzzleoftheriflethroughtheloophole。and，takingcaretomakenoiseenoughtoattractattraction，shepulledthetrigger。ThepiecehadnosoonerbeendischargedthanMabelreproachedherfriendfortheveryactthatwasintendedtoserveher。

Youdeclareditwasnotyourintentiontofire，shesaid，andyoumayhavedestroyedyourownhusband。

AllrunawaybeforeIfire，returnedJune，laughing，andgoingtoanotherlooptowatchthemovementsofherfriends，laughingstillheartier。See！getcover——everywarrior。ThinkSaltwaterandQuartermasterhere。Takegoodcarenow。

Heavenbepraised！Andnow，June，Imayhopeforalittletimetocomposemythoughtstoprayer，thatImaynotdielikeJennie，thinkingonlyoflifeandthethingsoftheworld。

Junelaidasidetherifle，andcameandseatedherselfneartheboxonwhichMabelhadsunk，underthatphysi-

calreactionwhichaccompaniesjoyaswellassorrow。Shelookedsteadilyinourheroine’sface，andthelatterthoughtthathercountenancehadanexpressionofseveritymingledwithitsconcern。

Arrowheadgreatwarrior，saidtheTuscarora’swife。

Allthegirlsoftribelookathimmuch。Thepale-facebeautyhaseyestoo？

June！——whatdothesewords——thatlook——imply？whatwouldyousay？

Whyyouso’fraidJuneshootArrowhead？

Woulditnothavebeenhorribletoseeawifedestroyherownhusband？No，June，ratherwouldIhavediedmyself。

Verysure，datall？

Thatwasall，June，asGodismyjudge！——andsurelythatwasenough。No，no！therehavebeensufficienthor-

rorsto-day，withoutincreasingthembyanactlikethis。

Whatothermotivecanyoususpect？

Don’tknow。PoorTuscaroragirlveryfoolish。Arrow-

headgreatchief，andlookallroundhim。Talkofpale-

facebeautyinhissleep。Greatchieflikemanywives。

Canachiefpossessmorethanonewife，June，amongyourpeople？

Haveasmanyashecankeep。Greathuntermarryoften。ArrowheadgotonlyJunenow。buthelooktoomuch，seetoomuch，talktoomuchofpale-facegirl。

Mabelwasconsciousofthisfact，whichhaddistressedhernotalittle，inthecourseoftheirjourney。butitshockedhertohearthisallusion，coming，asitdid，fromthemouthofthewifeherself。Sheknewthathabitandopinionsmadegreatdifferencesinsuchmatters。but，inadditiontothepainandmortificationsheexperiencedatbeingtheunwillingrivalofawife，shefeltanapprehensionthatjealousywouldbebutanequivocalguaranteeforherpersonalsafetyinherpresentsituation。AcloserlookatJune，however，reassuredher。for，whileitwaseasytotraceintheunpractisedfeaturesofthisunsophisticatedbeingthepainofblightedaffections，nodistrustcouldhavetorturedtheearnestexpressionofherhonestcounte-

nanceintothatoftreacheryorhate。

Youwillnotbetrayme，June？Mabelsaid，pressingtheother’shand，andyieldingtoanimpulseofgenerousconfidence。Youwillnotgiveuponeofyourownsextothetomahawk？

Notomahawktouchyou。Arrowheadnolet’em。IfJunemusthavesister-wife，lovetohaveyou。

No，June。myreligion，myfeelings，bothforbidit。

and，ifIcouldbethewifeofanIndianatall，Iwouldnevertaketheplacethatisyoursinawigwam。

Junemadenoanswer，butshelookedgratified，andevengrateful。Sheknewthatfew，perhapsnoIndiangirlwithinthecircleofArrowhead’sacquaintance，couldcom-

parewithherselfinpersonalattractions。and，thoughitmightsuitherhusbandtomarryadozenwives，sheknewofnoone，besideMabel，whoseinfluenceshecouldreallydread。Sokeenaninterest，however，hadshetakeninthebeauty，winningmanners，kindness，andfemininegentle-

nessofourheroine，thatwhenjealousycametochillthesefeelings，ithadratherlentstrengthtothatinterest。and，underitswaywardinfluence，hadactuallybeenoneofthestrongestoftheincentivesthathadinducedhertorisksomuchinordertosaveherimaginaryrivalfromtheconse-

quencesoftheattackthatshesowellknewwasabouttotakeplace。Inaword，June，withawife’skeennessofperception，haddetectedArrowhead’sadmirationofMabel。

and，insteadoffeelingthatharrowingjealousythatmighthaverenderedherrivalhateful，aswouldhavebeenapttobethecasewithawomanunaccustomedtodefertothesuperiorrightsofthelordlysex，shehadstudiedthelooksandcharacterofthepale-facebeauty，until，meetingwithnothingtorepelherownfeelings，buteverythingtoen-

couragethem，shehadgottoentertainanadmirationandloveforher，which，thoughcertainlyverydifferent，wasscarcelylessstrongthanthatofherhusband’s。Arrow-

headhimselfhadsenthertowarnMabelofthecomingdanger，thoughhewasignorantthatshehadstolenupontheislandintherearoftheassailants，andwasnowin-

trenchedinthecitadelalongwiththeobjectoftheirjointcare。Onthecontrary，hesupposed，ashiswifehadsaid，thatCapandMuirwereintheblockhousewithMabel，andthattheattempttorepelhimandhiscompanionshadbeenmadebythemen。

JunesorrytheLily——forsotheIndian，inherpoeti-

callanguage，hadnamedourheroine——JunesorrytheLilynomarryArrowhead。Hiswigwambig，andagreatchiefmustgetwivesenoughtofillit。

Ithankyou，June，forthispreference，whichisnotaccordingtothenotionofuswhitewomen，returnedMabel，smilinginspiteofthefearfulsituationinwhichshewasplaced。butImaynot，probablynevershall，marryatall。

Musthavegoodhusband，saidJune。marryEau-

douce，ifdon’tlikeArrowhead。

June！thisisnotafitsubjectforagirlwhoscarcelyknowsifsheistoliveanotherhourornot。Iwouldobtainsomesignsofmydearuncle’sbeingaliveandsafe，ifpos-

sible。

Junegosee。

Canyou？——willyou？——woulditbesafeforyoutobeseenontheisland？isyourpresenceknowntothewarriors，andwouldtheybepleasedtofindawomanonthewar-

pathwiththem？

AllthisMabelaskedinrapidconnection，fearingthattheanswermightnotbeasshewished。ShehadthoughtitextraordinarythatJuneshouldbeoftheparty，and，im-

probableasitseemed，shehadfanciedthatthewomanhadcovertlyfollowedtheIroquoisinherowncanoe，andhadgotintheiradvance，merelytogiveherthenoticewhichhadprobablysavedherlife。Butinallthisshewasmistaken，asJune，inherimperfectmanner，nowfoundmeanstoletherknow。

Arrowhead，thoughachief，wasindisgracewithhisownpeople，andwasactingwiththeIroquoistemporarily，thoughwithaperfectunderstanding。Hehadawigwam，itistrue，butwasseldominit。feigningfriendshipfortheEnglish，hehadpassedthesummerostensiblyintheirservice，whilehewas，intruth，actingfortheFrench，andhiswifejourneyedwithhiminhismanymigrations，mostofthedistancesbeingpassedoverincanoes。Inaword，herpresencewasnosecret，herhusbandseldommovingwithouther。EnoughofthistoemboldenMabeltowishthatherfriendmightgoout，toascertainthefateofheruncle，didJunesucceedinlettingtheotherknow。anditwassoonsettledbetweenthemthattheIndianwomanshouldquittheblockhousewiththatobjectthemomentafavorableopportunityoffered。

Theyfirstexaminedtheisland，asthoroughlyastheirpositionwouldallow，fromthedifferentloops，andfoundthatitsconquerorswerepreparingforafeast，havingseizedupontheprovisionsoftheEnglishandrifledthehuts。

Mostofthestoreswereintheblockhouse。butenoughwerefoundoutsidetorewardtheIndiansforanattackthathadbeenattendedbysolittlerisk。Apartyhadalreadyremovedthedeadbodies，andMabelsawthattheirarmswerecollectedinapilenearthespotchosenforthebanquet。Junesuggestedthat，bysomesignswhichsheunderstood，thedeadthemselveswerecarriedintoathicketandeitherburiedorconcealedfromview。Noneofthemoreprominentobjectsontheisland，however，weredis-

turbed，itbeingthedesireoftheconquerorstolurethepartyoftheSergeantintoanambushonitsreturn。Junemadehercompanionobserveamaninatree，alook-out，asshesaid，togivetimelynoticeoftheapproachofanyboat，although，thedepartureoftheexpeditionbeingsorecent，nothingbutsomeunexpectedeventwouldbelikelytobringitbacksosoon。Theredidnotappeartobeanyintentiontoattacktheblockhouseimmediately。buteveryindication，asunderstoodbyJune，rathershowedthatitwastheintentionoftheIndianstokeepitbesiegeduntilthereturnoftheSergeant’sparty，lest，thesignsofanas-

saultshouldgiveawarningtoeyesaspractisedasthoseofPathfinder。Theboat，however，hadbeensecured，andwasremovedtothespotwherethecanoesoftheIndianswerehidinthebushes。

Junenowannouncedherintentiontojoinherfriends，themomentbeingparticularlyfavorableforhertoquittheblockhouse。Mabelfeltsomedistrustastheyde-

scendedtheladder。butatthenextinstantshewasashamedofthefeeling，asunjusttohercompanionandunworthyofherself，andbythetimetheybothstoodonthegroundherconfidencewasrestored。Theprocessofunbarringthedoorwasconductedwiththeutmostcau-

tion，andwhenthelastbarwasreadytobeturnedJunetookherstationnearthespotwheretheopeningmustnecessarilybe。Thebarwasjustturnedfreeofthebrackets，thedoorwasopenedmerelywideenonghtoallowherbodytopass，andJuneglidedthroughthespace。

Mabelclosedthedooragain，withaconvulsivemovement。

andasthebarturnedintoitsplace，herheartbeataudibly。

Shethenfeltsecure。andthetwootherbarswereturneddowninamoredeliberatemanner。Whenallwasfastagain，sheascendedtothefirstfloor，wherealoneshecouldgetaglimpseofwhatwasgoingonwithout。

Longandpainfullymelancholyhourspassed，duringwhichMabelhadnointelligencefromJune。Sheheardtheyellsofthesavages，forliquorhadcarriedthembe-

yondtheboundsofprecaution。andoccasionallycaughtglimpsesoftheirmadorgiesthroughtheloops。andatalltimeswasconsciousoftheirfearfulpresencebysoundsandsightsthatwouldhavechilledthebloodofonewhohadnotsolatelywitnessedscenessomuchmoreterrible。

Towardthemiddleoftheday，shefanciedshesawawhitemanontheisland，thoughhisdressandwildappearanceatfirstmadehertakehimforanewly-arrivedsavage。A

viewofhisface，althoughitwasswarthynaturally，andmuchdarkenedbyexposure，leftnodoubtthathercon-

jecturewastrue。andshefeltasiftherewasnowoneofaspeciesmorelikeherownpresent，andonetowhomshemightappealforsuccorinthelastemergency。Mabellit-

tleknew，alas！how，smallwastheinfluenceexercisedbythewhitesovertheirsavageallies，whenthelatterhadbeguntotasteofblood。orhowslight，indeed，wasthedispositiontodivertthemfromtheircruelties。

ThedayseemedamonthbyMabel’scomputation，andtheonlypartofitthatdidnotdragweretheminutesspentinprayer。Shehadrecoursetothisrelieffromtimetotime。andateacheffortshefoundherspiritfirmer，hermindmoretranquil，andherresignationmoreconfirmed。

SheunderstoodthereasoningofJune，andbelievedithighlyprobablethattheblockhousewouldbeleftunmo-

lesteduntilthereturnofherfather，inordertoenticehimintoanambuscade，andshefeltmuchlessapprehensionofimmediatedangerinconsequence。butthefutureofferedlittlegroundofhope，andherthoughtshadalreadybeguntocalculatethechancesofhercaptivity。Atsuchmo-

ments，Arrowheadandhisoffensiveadmirationfilledaprominentplaceinthebackground：forourheroinewellknewthattheIndiansusuallycarriedofftotheirvillages，forthepurposesofadoption，suchcaptivesastheydidnotslay。andthatmanyinstanceshadoccurredinwhichin-

dividualsofhersexhadpassedtheremainderoftheirlivesinthewigwamsoftheirconquerors。Suchthoughtsastheseinvariablydrovehertoherkneesandtoherprayers。

Whilethelightlastedthesituationofourheroinewassufficientlyalarming。butastheshadesofeveninggrad-

uallygatheredovertheisland，itbecamefearfullyappal-

ling。Bythistimethesavageshadwroughtthemselvesuptothepointoffury，fortheyhadpossessedthemselvesofalltheliquoroftheEnglish。andtheiroutcriesandgesticulationswerethoseofmentrulypossessedbyevilspirits。AlltheeffortsoftheirFrenchleadertorestrainthemwereentirelyfruitless，andhehadwiselywithdrawntoanadjacentisland，wherehehadasortofbivouac，thathemightkeepatasafedistancefromfriendssoapttorunintoexcesses。Beforequittingthespot，however，thisofficer，atgreatrisktohisownlife，hadsucceededinex-

tinguishingthefire，andinsecuringtheordinarymeanstorelightit。ThisprecautionhetooklesttheIndiansshouldburntheblockhouse，thepreservationofwhichwasnecessarytothesuccessofhisfutureplans。Hewouldgladlyhaveremovedallthearmsalso，butthishefoundimpracticable，thewarriorsclingingtotheirknivesandtomahawkswiththetenacityofmenwhoregardedapointofhonoraslongasafacultywasleft。andtocarryofftherifles，andleavebehindhimtheveryweaponsthatweregenerallyusedonsuchoccasions，wouldhavebeenanidleexpedient。Theextinguishingofthefireprovedtobethemostprudentmeasure。fornosoonerwastheofficer’sbackturnedthanoneofthewarriorsinfactproposedtofiretheblockhouse。Arrowheadhadalsowithdrawnfromthegroupofdrunkardsassoonashefoundthattheywerelosingtheirsenses，andhadtakenpossessionofahut，wherehehadthrownhimselfonthestraw，andsoughttherestthattwowakefulandwatchfulnightshadrenderednecessary。ItfollowedthatnoonewasleftamongtheIndianstocareforMabel，if，indeed，anyknewofherex-

istenceatall。andtheproposalofthedrunkardwasre-

ceivedwithyellsofdelightbyeightortenmoreasmuchintoxicatedandhabituallyasbrutalashimself。

ThiswasthefearfulmomentforMabel。TheIndians，intheirpresentcondition，wererecklessofanyriflesthattheblockhousemighthold，thoughtheydidretaindimrecollectionsofitscontaininglivingbeings，anadditionalincentivetotheirenterprise。andtheyapproacheditsbasewhoopingandleapinglikedemons。Asyettheywereexcited，notovercomebytheliquortheyhaddrunk。

Thefirstattemptwasmadeatthedoor，againstwhichtheyraninabody。butthesolidstructure，whichwasbuiltentirelyoflogs，defiedtheirefforts。Therushofahundredmenwiththesameobjectwouldhavebeenuse-

less。ThisMabel，however，didnotknow。andherheartseemedtoleapintohermouthassheheardtheheavyshockateachrenewedeffort。Atlengthwhen，shefoundthatthedoorresistedtheseassaultsasifitwereofstone，neithertremblingnoryielding，andonlybetrayingitsnotbeingapartofthewallbyrattlingalittleonitsheavyhinges，hercouragerevived，andsheseizedthefirstmo-

mentofacessationtolookdownthroughtheloop，inorder，ifpossible，tolearntheextentofherdanger。A

silence，forwhichitwasnoteasytoaccount，stimulatedhercuriosity。fornothingissoalarmingtothosewhoareconsciousofthepresenceofimminentdanger，astobeunabletotraceitsapproach。

MabelfoundthattwoorthreeoftheIroquoishadbeenrakingtheembers，wheretheyhadfoundafewsmallcoals，andwiththesetheywereendeavoringtolightafire。Theinterestwithwhichtheylabored，thehopeofdestroying，andtheforceofhabit，enabledthemtoactintelligentlyandinunison，solongastheirfellobjectwaskeptinview。Awhitemanwouldhaveabandonedtheattempttolightafireindespair，withcoalsthatcameoutoftheashesresemblingsparks。butthesechildrenoftheforesthadmanyexpedientsthatwereunknowntocivilization。

Bytheaidofafewdryleaves，whichtheyaloneknewwheretoseek，ablazewasfinallykindled，andthentheadditionofafewlightsticksmadesureoftheadvantagethathadbeenobtained。WhenMabelstoopeddownovertheloop，theIndiansweremakingapileofbrushagainstthedoor，andassheremainedgazingattheirproceedings，shesawthetwigsignite，theflamedartfrombranchtobranch，untilthewholepilewascrackingandsnappingunderabrightblaze。TheIndiansnowgaveayelloftriumph，andreturnedtotheircompanions，wellassuredthattheworkofdestructionwascommenced。Mabelre-

mainedlookingdown，scarcelyabletotearherselfawayfromthespot，sointenseandengrossingwastheinterestshefeltintheprogressofthefire。Asthepilekindledthroughout，however，theflamesmounted，untiltheyflashedsonearhereyesastocompelhertoretreat。Justasshereachedtheoppositesideoftheroom，towhichshehadretiredinheralarm，aforkedstreamshotupthroughtheloophole，thelidofwhichshehadleftopen，andillu-

minatedtherudeapartment，withMabelandherdesola-

tion。Ourheroinenownaturallyenoughsupposedthatherhourwascome。forthedoor，theonlymeansofretreat，hadbeenblockedupbythebrushaudfire，withhellishin-

genuity，andsheaddressedherself，asshebelieved，forthelasttimetoherMakerinprayer。Hereyeswereclosed，andformorethanaminuteherspiritwasabstracted。buttheinterestsoftheworldtoostronglydividedherfeelingstobealtogethersuppressed。andwhentheyinvoluntarilyopenedagain，sheperceivedthatthestreakofflamewasnolongerflaringintheroom，thoughthewoodaroundthelittleaperturehadkindled，andtheblazewasslowlymountingundertheimpulsionofacurrentofairthatsuckedinward。Abarrelofwaterstoodinacorner。andMabel，actingmorebyinstinctthanbyreason，caughtupavessel，filledit，and，pouringitonthewoodwithatremblinghand，succeededinextinguishingthefireatthatparticularspot。Thesmokepreventedherfromlookingdownagainforacoupleofminutes。butwhenshedidherheartbeathighwithdelightandhopeatfindingthatthepileofblazingbrushhadbeenoverturnedandscat-

tered，andthatwaterhadbeenthrownonthelogsofthedoor，whichwerestillsmokingthoughnolongerburn-

ing。

Whoisthere？saidMabel，withhermouthattheloop。WhatfriendlyhandhasamercifulProvidencesenttomysuccor？

Alightfootstepwasaudiblebelow，andoneofthosegentlepushesatthedoorwasheard，whichjustmovedthemassivebeamsonthehinges。

Whowishestoenter？Isityou，dear，dearuncle？

Saltwaternohere。St。Lawrencesweetwater，wastheanswer。Openquick。wanttocomein。

ThestepofMabelwasneverlighter，orhermovementsmorequickandnatural，thanwhileshewasdescendingtheladderandturniugthebars，forallhermotionswereearnestandactive。Thistimeshethoughtonlyofherescape，andsheopenedthedoorwitharapiditywhichdidnotadmitofcaution。Herfirstimpulsewastorushintotheopenair，intheblindhopeofquittingtheblockhouse。

butJunerepulsedtheattempt，andentering，shecoollybarredthedooragainbeforeshewouldnoticeMabel’seagereffortstoembraceher。

Blessyou！blessyou，June！criedourheroinemostfervently。youaresentbyProvidencetobemyguardianangel！

Nohugsotight，answeredtheTuscarorawoman。

Palefacewomanallcry，oralllaugh。LetJunefastendoor。

Mabelbecamemorerational，andinafewminutesthetwowereagainintheupperroom，seatedasbefore，handinhand，allfeelingofdistrustbetweenthembeingbanished。

Nowtellme，June，Mabelcommencedassoonasshehadgivenandreceivedonewarmembrace，haveyouseenorheardaughtofmypooruncle？

Don’tknow。Nooneseehim。noonehearhim。nooneknowanyt’ing。Saltwaterrunintoriver，It’ink，forInofindhim。Quartermastergonetoo。Ilook，andlook，andlook。butnosee’em，one，t’other，nowhere。

BlessedbeGod！Theymusthaveescaped，thoughthemeansarenotknowntous。IthoughtIsawaFrench-

manontheisland，June。

Yes：Frenchcaptaincome，buthegoawaytoo。

PlentyofIndianonisland。

Oh，June，June，aretherenomeanstopreventmybe-

lovedfatherfromfallingintothehandsofhisenemies？

Don’tknow。t’inkdatwarriorswaitinambush，andYengeesemustlosescalp。

Surely，surely，June，you，whohavedonesomuchforthedaughter，willnotrefusetohelpthefather？

Don’tknowfader，don’tlovefader。JunehelpherownpeoplehelpArrowhead——husbandlovescalp。

June，thisisnotyourself。Icannot，willnotbelievethatyouwishtoseeourmenmurdered！

JuneturnedherdarkeyesquietlyonMabel。andforamomentherlookwasstern，thoughitwassoonchangedintooneofmelancholycompassion。

Lily，Yengeesegirl？shesaid，asoneasksaquestion。

Certainly，andasaYengeesegirlIwouldsavemycountrymenfromslaughter。

Verygood，ifcan。JunenoYengeese，JuneTusca-

rora——gotTuscarorahusband——Tuscaroraheart——Tuscarorafeeling——alloverTuscarora。Lilywouldn’trunandtellFrenchthatherfaderwascomingtogainvictory？

Perhapsnot，returnedMabel，pressingahandonabrainthatfeltbewildered，——perhapsnot。butyouserveme，aidme——havesavedme，June！Whyhaveyoudonethis，ifyouonlyfeelasaTuscarora？

Don’tonlyfeelasTuscarora。feelasgirl，feelassquaw。

LoveprettyLily，andputitinmybosom。

Mabelmeltedintotears，andshepressedtheaffectionatecreaturetoherheart。Itwasnearaminutebeforeshecouldrenewthediscourse，butthenshesucceededinspeakingmorecalmlyandwithgreatercoherence。

Letmeknowtheworst，June，saidshe。To-nightyourpeoplearefeasting。whatdotheyintendtodoto-

morrow？

Don’tknow。afraidtoseeArrowhead，afraidtoaskquestion。t’inkhideawaytillYengeesecomeback。

Willtheynotattemptanythingagainsttheblock-

house？Youhaveseenwhattheycanthreateniftheywill。

Toomuchrum。Arrowheadsleep，ornodare。Frenchcaptaingoneaway，ornodare。Allgotosleepnow。

AndyouthinkIamsafeforthisnight，atleast？

Toomuchrum。IfLilylikeJune，mightdomuchforherpeople。

Iamlikeyou，June，ifawishtoservemycountrymencanmakearesemblancewithoneascourageousasyour-

self。

No，no，no！mutteredJuneinalowvoice。nogotheart，andJunenoletyou，ifhad。June’smoderpris-

oneronce，andwarriorsgotdrunk。modertomahawked’emall。Suchdewayredskinwomendowhenpeopleindangerandwantscalp。

Yousaywhatistrue，returnedMabel，shuddering，andunconsciouslydroppingJune’shand。Icannotdothat。Ihaveneitherthestrength，thecourage，northewilltodipmyhandsinblood。

T’inkthattoo。thenstaywhereyoube——blockhousegood——gotnoscalp。

Youbelieve，then，thatIamsafehere，atleastuntilmyfatherandhispeoplereturn？

Knowso。Nodaretouchblockhouseinmorning。

Hark！allstillnow——drinkrumtillheadfalldown，andsleeplikelog。

MightInotescape？Aretherenotseveralcanoesontheisland？MightInotgetone，andgoandgivemyfathernoticeofwhathashappened？

Knowhowtopaddle？demandedJune，glancinghereyefurtivelyathercompanion。

Notsowellasyourself，perhaps。butenoughtogetoutofsightbeforemorning。

Whatdothen？——couldn’tpaddlesix——ten——eightmile！

Idonotknow。Iwoulddomuchtowarnmyfather，andtheexcellentPathfinder，andalltherest，ofthedan-

gertheyarein。

LikePathfinder？

Alllikehimwhoknowhim——youwouldlikehim，nay，lovehim，ifyouonlyknewhisheart！

Nolikehimatall。Toogoodrifle——toogoodeye——

toomuchshootIroquoisandJune’speople。Mustgethisscalpifcan。

AndImustsaveitifIcan，June。Inthisrespect，then，weareopposedtoeachother。Iwillgoandfindacanoetheinstanttheyareallasleep，andquittheisland。

Nocan——Junewon’tletyou。CallArrowhead。

June！youwouldnotbetrayme——youcouldnotgivemeupafterallyouhavedoneforme？

Justso，returnedJune，makingabackwardgesturewithherhand，andspeakingwithawarmthandearnest-

nessMabelhadneverwitnessedinherbefore。CallArrowheadinloudvoice。Onecallfromwifewakeawar-

riorup。JunenoletLilyhelpenemy——noletIndianhurtLily。

Iunderstandyou，June，andfeelthenatureandjus-

ticeofyoursentiments。and，afterall，itwerebetterthatIshouldremainhere，forIhavemostprobablyoverratedmystrength。Buttellmeonething：ifmyunclecomesinthenight，andaskstobeadmitted，youwillletmeopenthedooroftheblockhousethathemayenter？

Sartain——heprisonerhere，andJunelikeprisonerbet-

terthanscalp。scalpgoodforhonor，prisonergoodforfeeling。ButSaltwaterhidesoclose，hedon’tknowwherehebehimself。

HereJunelaughedinhergirlish，mirthfulway，fortoherscenesofviolenceweretoofamiliartoleaveimpres-

sionssufficientlydeeptochangehernaturalcharacter。A

longanddiscursivedialoguenowfollowed，inwhichMabelendeavoredtoobtainclearernotionsofheractualsitua-

tion，underafainthopethatshemightpossiblybeenabledtoturnsomeofthefactsshethuslearnedtoadvantage。

Juneansweredallherinterrogatoriessimply，butwithacautionwhichshowedshefullydistinguishedbetweenthatwhichwasimmaterialandthatwhichmightendangerthesafetyorembarrassthefutureoperationsofherfriends。Thesubstanceoftheinformationshegavemaybesummedupasfollows。

ArrowheadhadlongbeenincommunicationwiththeFrench，thoughthiswasthefirstoccasiononwhichhehadentirelythrownasidethemask。Henolongerin-

tendedtotrusthimselfamongtheEnglish，forhehaddiscoveredtracesofdistrust，particularlyinPathfinder。

and，withIndianbravado，henowratherwishedtoblazonthantoconcealhistreachery。Hehadledthepartyofwarriorsintheattackontheisland，subject，however，tothesupervisionoftheFrenchmanwhohasbeenmen-

tioned，thoughJunedeclinedsayingwhetherhehadbeenthemeansofdiscoveringthepositionofaplacewhichhadbeenthoughttobesoconcealedfromtheenemyornot。

Onthispointshewouldsaynothing。butsheadmittedthatsheandherhusbandhadbeenwatchingthedepar-

tureofthe_Scud_atthetimetheywereovertakenandcap-

turedbythecutter。TheFrenchhadobtainedtheirin-

formationoftheprecisepositionofthestationbutveryrecently。andMabelfeltapangwhenshethoughtthattherewerecovertallusionsoftheIndianwomanwhichwouldconveythemeaningthattheintelligencehadcomefromapale-faceintheemploymentofDuncanofLundie。

Thiswasintimated，however，ratherthansaid。andwhenMabelhadtimetoreflectonhercompanion’swords，shefoundroomtohopethatshehadmisunderstoodher，andthatJasperWesternwouldyetcomeoutoftheaffairfreedfromeveryinjuriousimputation。

Junedidnothesitatetoconfessthatshehadbeensenttotheislandtoascertaintheprecisenumberandtheoc-

cupationsofthosewhohadbeenleftonit，thoughshealsobetrayedinher_naive_waythatthewishtoserveMabelhadinducedherprincipallytoconsenttocome。Incon-

sequenceofherreport，andinformationotherwiseob-

tained，theenemywasawareofpreciselytheforcethatcouldbebroughtagainstthem。TheyalsoknewthenumberofmenwhohadgonewithSergeantDunham，andwereacquaintedwiththeobjecthehadinview，thoughtheywereignorantofthespotwhereheexpectedtomeettheFrenchboats。Itwouldhavebeenapleasantsighttowitnesstheeagerdesireofeachofthesetwosincerefemalestoascertainallthatmightbeofconsequencetotheirrespectivefriends。andyetthenativedelicacywithwhicheachrefrainedfrompressingtheothertomakerevelationswhichwouldhavebeenimproper，aswellasthesensitive，almostintuitive，feelingwithwhicheachavoidedsayingaughtthatmightproveinjurioustoherownnation。Asrespectseachother，therewasperfectconfidence。asregardedtheirrespectivepeople，entirefidelity。JunewasquiteasanxiousasMabelcouldbeonanyotherpointtoknowwheretheSergeanthadgoneandwhenhewasexpectedtoreturn。butsheabstainedfromputtingthequestion，withadelicacythatwouldhavedonehonortothehighestcivilization。nordidsheonceframeanyotherinquiryinawaytoleadindirectlytoabetrayalofthemuch-desiredinformationonthatparticu-

larpoint：thoughwhenMabelofherownaccordtouchedonanymatterthatmightbypossibilitythrowalightonthesubject，shelistenedwithanintentnesswhichalmostsuspendedrespiration。

Inthismannerthehourspassedawayunheeded，forbothweretoomuchinterestedtothinkofrest。Natureassertedherrights，however，towardsmorning。andMabelwaspersuadedtoliedownononeofthestrawbedspro-

videdforthesoldiers，whereshesoonfellintoadeepsleep。

Junelaynearherandaquietreignedonthewholeislandasprofoundasifthedominionoftheforesthadneverbeeninvadedbyman。

WhenMabelawokethelightofthesunwasstreaminginthroughtheloopholes，andshefoundthatthedaywasconsiderablyadvanced。Junestilllaynearher，sleepingastranquillyasifshereposedon——wewillnotsaydown，forthesuperiorcivilizationofourowntimesre-

pudiatesthesimile——butonaFrenchmattress，andaspro-

foundlyasifshehadneverexperiencedconcern。ThemovementsofMabel，notwithstanding，soonawakenedonesoaccustomedtovigilance。andthenthetwotookasur-

veyofwhatwaspassingaroundthembymeansofthefriendlyapertures。