第14章

CHAPTERXXIII。

WhathadtheEternallMakerneedofthee，Theworldinhiscontinuallcoursetokeepe，Thatdoestallthingsdeface？nelettestseeThebeautieofhisworke？Indeedeinsleepe，TheslouthfullbodythatdothlovetosteepeHislustlesselimbs，anddrownehisbasermind，Dothpraisetheeoft，andoftfromStygiandeepe，Callestheehisgoddesse，inhiserrourblind，AndgreatdameNature’shand-maide，chearingeverykinde。

_FaerieQueene。_

Thetranquillityofthepreviousnightwasnotcontra-

dictedbythemovementsoftheday。AlthoughMabelandJunewenttoeveryloophole，notasignofthepres-

enceofalivingbeingontheislandwasatfirsttobeseen，themselvesexcepted。TherewasasmotheredfireonthespotwhereM’Nabandhiscomradeshadcooked，asifthesmokewhichcurledupwardsfromitwasintendedasaluretotheabsent。andallaroundthehutshadbeenre-

storedtoformerorderandarrangement。Mabelstartedinvoluntarilywhenhereyeatlengthfellonagroupofthreemen，dressedinthescarletofthe55th，seatedonthegrassinloungingattitudes，asiftheychattedinlistlesssecurity。andherbloodcurdledas，onasecondlook，shetracedthebloodlessfacesandglassyeyesofthedead。

Theywereveryneartheblockhouse，sonearindeedastohavebeenoverlookedatthefirsteagerinquiry，andtherewasamockinglevityintheirposturesandgestures，fortheirlimbswerestiffeningindifferentattitudes，intendedtoresemblelife，atwhichthesoulrevolted。Still，horri-

bleastheseobjectsweretothosenearenoughtodiscoverthefrightfuldiscrepancybetweentheirassumedandtheirrealcharacters，thearrangementhadbeenmadewithsomuchartthatitwouldhavedeceivedanegligentobserveratthedistanceofahundredyards。Aftercarefullyex-

aminingtheshoresoftheisland，Junepointedouttohercompanionthefourthsoldier，seated，withhisfeethang-

ingoverthewater，hisbackfastenedtoasapling，andholdingafishing-rodinhishand。Thescalplessheadswerecoveredwiththecaps，andallappearanceofbloodhadbeencarefuflywashedfromeachcountenance。

Mabelsickenedatthissight，whichnotonlydidsomuchviolencetoallhernotionsofpropriety，butwhichwasinitselfsorevoltingandsoopposedtonaturalfeeling。

Shewithdrewtoaseat，andhidherfaceinherapronforseveralminutes，untilalowcallfromJuneagaindrewhertoaloophole。ThelatterthenpointedoutthebodyofJen-

nieseeminglystandinginthedoorofahut，leaningfor-

wardasiftolookatthegroupofmen，hercapflutteringinthewind，andherhandgraspingabroom。Thedis-

tancewastoogreattodistinguishthefeaturesveryaccu-

rately。butMabelfanciedthatthejawhadbeendepressed，asiftodistortthemouthintoasortofhorriblelaugh。

June！June！sheexclaimed。thisexceedsallIhaveeverheard，orimaginedaspossible，inthetreacheryandartificesofyourpeople。

Tuscaroraverycunning，saidJune，inawaytoshowthatsheratherapprovedofthancondemnedtheusestowhichthedeadbodieshadbeenapplied。Dosoldiernoharmnow。doIroquoisgood。gotthescalpfirst。nowmakebodieswork。Byandby，burn’em。

ThisspeechtoldMabelhowfarshewasseparatedfromherfriendincharacter。anditwasseveralminutesbeforeshecouldagainaddressher。ButthistemporaryaversionwaslostonJune，whosetaboutpreparingtheirsimplebreakfast，inawaytoshowhowinsensibleshewastofeel-

ingsinotherswhichherownhabitstaughthertodiscard。

Mabelatesparingly，andhercompanionasifnothinghadhappened。Thentheyhadleisureagainfortheirthoughts，andforfurthersurveysoftheisland。Ourheroine，thoughdevouredwithafeverishdesiretobealwaysattheloops，seldomwentthatshedidnotimmediatelyquitthemindisgust，thoughcompelledbyherapprehensionstore-

turnagaininafewminutes，calledbytherustlingofleaves，orthesighingofthewind。Itwas，indeed，asolemnthingtolookoutuponthatdesertedspot，peopledbythedeadinthepanoplyoftheliving，andthrownintotheattitudesandactsofcarelessmerrimentandrudeen-

joyment。Theeffectonourheroinewasmuchasifshehadfoundherselfanobserveroftherevelriesofdemons。

ThroughoutthelivelongdaynotanIndiannoraFrenchmanwastobeseen，andnightclosedoverthefrightfulbutsilentmasquerade，withthesteadyandunal-

terableprogresswithwhichtheearthobeysherlaws，in-

differenttothepettyactorsandpettyscenesthatareindailybustleanddailyoccurrenceonherbosom。Thenightwasfarmorequietthanthatwhichhadprecededit，andMabelsleptwithanincreasingconfidence。forshenowfeltsatisfiedthatherownfatewouldnotbedecideduntilthereturnofherfather。Thefollowingdayhewasexpected，however，andwhenourheroineawoke，sheraneagerlytotheloopsinordertoascertainthestateoftheweatherandtheaspectoftheskies，aswellasthecondi-

tionoftheisland。Thereloungedthefearfulgrouponthegrass。thefishermanstillhungoverthewater，seem-

inglyintentonhissport。andthedistortedcountenanceofJennieglaredfromoutthehutinhorriblecontortions。

Buttheweatherhadchanged。thewindblewfreshfromthesouthward，andthoughtheairwasbland，itwasfilledwiththeelementsofstorm。

Thisgrowsmoreandmoredifficulttobear，June，

Mabelsaid，whensheleftthewindow。Icouldevenprefertoseetheenemythantolookanylongeronthisfearfularrayofthedead。

Hush！heretheycome。Junethoughthearacrylikeawarrior’sshoutwhenhetakeascalp。

Whatmeanyou？Thereisnomorebutchery！——therecanbenomore。

Saltwater！exclaimedJune，laughing，asshestoodpeepingthroughaloophole。

Mydearuncle！ThankGod！hethenlives！Oh，June，June，_you_willnotletthemharm_him？_

June，poorsquaw。Whatwarriort’inkofwhatshesay？Arrowheadbringhimhere。

BythistimeMabelwasataloop。and，sureenough，therewereCapandtheQuartermasterinthehandsoftheIndians，eightortenofwhomwereconductingthemtothefootoftheblock，for，bythiscapture，theenemynowwellknewthattherecouldbenomaninthebuilding。

Mabelscarcelybreatheduntilthewholepartystoodrangeddirectlybeforethedoor，whenshewasrejoicedtoseethattheFrenchofficerwasamongthem。Alowconversationfollowed，inwhichboththewhiteleaderandArrowheadspokeearnestlytotheircaptives，whentheQuartermastercalledouttoherinavoiceloudenoughtobeheard。

PrettyMabel！prettyMabel！saidhe。lookoutofoneoftheloopholes，andpityourcondition。Wearethreatenedwithinstantdeathuniessyouopenthedoortotheconquerors。Relent，thenorwe’llno’bewearingourscalpshalfanhourfromthisblessedmoment。

Mabelthoughtthereweremockeryandlevityinthisappeal，anditsmannerratherfortifiedthanweakenedherresolutiontoholdtheplaceaslongaspossible。

Speaktome，uncle，saidshe，withhermouthataloop，andtellmewhatIoughttodo。

ThankGod！thankGod！ejaculatedCap。thesoundofyoursweetvoice，Magnet，lightensmyheartofaheavyload，forIfearedyouhadsharedthefateofpoorJennie。Mybreasthasfeltthelastfour-and-twentyhoursasifatonofkentledgehadbeenstowedinit。Youaskmewhatyououghttodo，child，andIdonotknowhowtoadviseyou，thoughyouaremyownsister’sdaughter！

ThemostIcansayjustnow，mypoorgirl，ismostheartilytocursethedayyouorIeversawthisbitoffreshwater。

But，uncle，isyourlifeindanger——do_you_thinkI

oughtto。openthedoor？

Aroundturnandtwohalf-hitchesmakeafastbelay。

andIwouldcounselnoonewhoisoutofthehandsofthesedevilstounbarorunfastenanythinginordertofallintothem。AstotheQuartermhasterandmyself，wearebothelderlymen，andnotofmuchaccounttomankindingeneral，ashonestPathfinderwouldsay。anditcanmakenogreatoddstohimwhetherhebalancesthepurser’sbooksthisyearorthenext。andasformyself，why，ifI

wereontheseaboard，Ishouldknowwhattodo，butuphere，inthiswaterywilderness，Icanonlysay，thatifI

werebehindthatbitofabulwark，itwouldtakeagooddealofIndianlogictorousemeoutofit。

You’llno’bemindingallyourunclesays，prettyMabel，putinMuir，fordistressisobviouslyfastunset-

tlinghisfaculties，andheisfarfromcalculatingallthenecessitiesoftheemergency。Weareinthehandshereofveryconsiderateandgentlemanlypairsons，itmustbeacknowledged，andonehaslittleoccasiontoapprehenddisagreeableviolence。Thecasualtiesthathaveoccurredarethecommonincidentsofwar，andcanno’changeoursentimentsoftheenemy，fortheyarefarfromindicatingthatanyinjusticewillbedonetheprisoners。I’msurethatneitherMasterCapnormyselfhasanycauseofcom-

plaintsincewehavegivenourselvesuptoMasterArrow-

head，whoremindsmeofaRomanoraSpartanbyhisvirtuesandmoderation。butye’llberememberingthatusagesdiffer，andthatourscalpsmaybelawfulsacrificestoappeasethemanesoffallenfoes，unlessyousavethembycapitulation。

Ishalldowisertokeepwithintheblockhouseuntilthefateoftheislandissettled，returnedMabel。Ourenemiescanfeelnoconcernonaccountofonelikeme，knowingthatIcandothemnoharm，andIgreatlyprefertoremainhereasmorebefittingmysexandyears。

Ifnothingbutyourconveniencewereconcerned，Mabel，weshouldallcheerfullyacquiesceinyourwishes，butthesegentlemenfancythattheworkwillaidtheiroperations，andtheyhaveastrongdesiretopossessit。

Tobefrankwithyou，findingmyselfandyouruncleinaverypeculiarsituation，Iacknowledgethat，toavertcon-

sequences，IhaveassumedthepowerthatbelongstohisMajesty’scommission，andenteredintoaverbalcapitula-

tion，bywhichIhaveengagedtogiveuptheblockhouseandthewholeisland。Itisthefortuneofwar，andmustbesubmittedto。soopenthedoor，prettyMabel，forth-

with，andconfideyourselftothecareofthosewhoknowhowtotreatbeautyandvirtueindistress。There’snocourtierinScotlandmorecomplaisantthanthischief，orwhoismorefamiliarwiththelawsofdecorum。

Noleaveblockhouse，mutteredJune，whostoodatMabel’sside，attentivetoallthatpassed。Blockhousegood——gotnoscalp。

Ourheroinemighthaveyieldedbutforthisappeal。foritbegantoappeartoherthatthewisestcoursewouldbetoconciliatetheenemybyconcessionsinsteadofexasper-

atingthembyresistance。TheymustknowthatMuirandherunclewereintheirpower。thattherewasnomaninthebuilding，andshefanciedtheymightproceedtobatterdownthedoor，orcuttheirwaythroughthelogswithaxes，ifsheobstinatelyrefusedtogivethempeaceablead-

mission，sincetherewasnolongeranyreasontodreadtherifle。ButthewordsofJuneinducedhertohesitate，andtheearnestpressureofthehandandentreatinglooksofhercompanionstrengthenedaresolutionthatwasfalter-

ing。

Noprisoneryet，whisperedJune。let’emmakeprisonerbefore’eytakeprisoner——talkbig。Junemanage’em。

MabelnowbegantoparleymoreresolutelywithMuir，forheruncleseemeddisposedtoquiethisconsciencebyholdinghistongue，andsheplainlyintimatedthatitwasnotherintentiontoyieldthebuilding。

Youforgetthecapitulation，MistressMabel，saidMuir。thehonorofoneofhisMajesty’sservantsiscon-

cerned，andthehonorofhisMajestythroughhisservant。

Youwillremeinberthefinesseanddelicacythatbelongtomilitaryhonor？

Iknowenough，Mr。Muir，tounderstandthatyouhavenocommandinthisexpedition，andthereforecanhavenorighttoyieldtheblockhouse。andIremember，moreover，tohaveheardmydearfathersaythataprisonerlosesallhisauthorityforthetimebeing。

Ranksophistry，prettyMabel，andtreasontotheking，aswellasdishonoringhiscommissionanddiscreditinghisname。You’llno’beperseveringinyourintentions，whenyourbetterjudgmenthashadleisuretoreflectandtomakeconclusionsonmattersandcircumstances。

Ay，putinCap，thisisacircumstance，andbed——dtoit！

Nomindwhat’eunclesay，ejaculatedJune，whowasoccupiedinafarcorneroftheroom。Blockhousegood-gotnoscalp。

IshallremainasIam，Mr。Muir，untilIgetsometid-

ingsofmyfather。Hewillreturninthecourseofthenexttendays。

Ah，Mabel，thisartificewillno’deceivetheenemy，who，bymeansthatwouldbeunintelligible，didnotoursuspicionsrestonanunhappyyoungmanwithtoomuchplausibility，arefamiliarwithallourdoingsandplans，andwellknowthatthesunwillnotsetbeforetheworthySer-

geantandhiscompanionswillbeintheirpower。Aweel！

SubmissiontoProvidenceistrulyaChristianvirtue！

Mr。Muir，youappeartobedeceivedinthestrengthofthiswork，andtofancyitweakerthanitis。DoyoudesiretoseewhatIcandointhewayofdefence，ifsodisposed？

IdinnamindifIdo，answeredtheQuartermaster，whoalwaysgrewScotchashegrewinterested。

Whatdoyouthinkofthat，then？Lookattheloopoftheupperstory？

AssoonasMabelhadspoken，alleyeswereturnedup-

ward，andbeheldthemuzzleofariflecautiouslythrustthroughahole，Junehavingresortedagaintoa_ruse_whichhadalreadyprovedsosuccessful。Theresultdidnotdis-

appointexpectation。NosoonerdidtheIndianscatchasightofthefatalweaponthantheyleapedaside，andinlessthanaminuteeverymanamongthemhadsoughtacover。TheFrenchofficerkepthiseyeonthebarrelofthepieceinordertoascertainthatitwasnotpointedinhisparticulardirection，andhecoollytookapinchofsnuff。AsneitherMuirnorCaphadanythingtoappre-

hendfromthequarterinwhichtheothersweremenaced，theykepttheirground。

Bewise，myprettyMabel，bewise！exclaimedtheformer。andno’beprovokinguselesscontention。InthenameofallthekingsofAlbin，whohaveyeclosetedwithyouinthatwoodentowerthatseemethsobloody-minded？

Thereisnecromancyaboutthismatter，andallourchar-

actersmaybeinvolvedintheexplanation。

WhatdoyouthinkofthePathfinder，MasterMuir，foragarrisontosostrongapost？criedMabel，resortingtoanequivocationwhichthecircumstancesrenderedveryexcusable。WhatwillyourFrenchandIndiancompan-

ionsthinkoftheaimofthePathfinder’srifle？

Beargentlyontheunfortunate，prettyMabel，anddonotconfoundtheking’sservants——mayHeavenblesshimandallhisroyallineage！——withtheking’senemies。IfPathfinderbeindeedintheblockhouse，lethimspeak，andwewillholdournegotiationsdirectlywithhim。Heknowsusasfriends，andwefearnoevilathishands，andleastofalltomyself。foragenerousmindisapttorenderrivalryinacertaininterestasuregroundofrespectandamity，sinceadmirationofthesamewomanprovesacom-

munityoffeelingandtastes。

TherelianceonPathfinder’sfriendshipdidnotextendbeyondtheQuartermasterandCap，however，foreventheFrenchofficer，whohadhithertostoodhisgroundsowell，shrankbackatthesoundoftheterriblename。Sounwil-

ling，indeed，didthisindividual，amanofironnerves，andonelongaccustomedtothedangersofthepeculiarwar-

fareinwhichhewasengaged，appeartoremainexposedtotheassaultsofKilldeer，whosereputationthroughoutallthatfrontierwasaswellestablishedasthatofMarl-

boroughinEurope，thathedidnotdisdaintoseekacover，insistingthathistwoprisonersshouldfollowhim。Mabelwastoogladtoberidofherenemiestolamentthedepar-

tureofherfriends，thoughshekissedherhandtoCapthroughtheloop，andcalledouttohimintermsofaffec-

tionashemovedslowlyandunwillinglyaway。

Theenemynowseemeddisposedtoabandonallattemptsontheblockhouseforthepresent。andJune，whohadascendedtoatrapintheroof，whencethebestviewwastobeobtained，reportedthatthewholepartyhadassem-

bledtoeat，onadistantandshelteredpartoftheisland，whereMuirandCapwerequietlysharinginthegoodthingswhichweregoing，asiftheyhadnoconcernontheirminds。ThisinformationgreatlyrelievedMabel，andshebegantoturnherthoughtsagaintothemeansofeffectingherownescape，oratleastoflettingherfatherknowofthedangerthatawaitedhim。TheSergeantwasexpectedtoreturnthatafternoon，andsheknewthatamomentgainedorlostmightdecidehisfate。

Threeorfourhoursflewby。Theislandwasagainburiedinaprofoundquiet，thedaywaswearingaway，andyetMabelhaddecidedonnothing。Junewasinthebase-

ment，preparingtheirfrugalmeal，andMabelherselfhadascendedtotheroof，whichwasprovidedwithatrapthatallowedhertogooutonthetopofthebuilding，whenceshecommandedthebestviewofsurroundingobjectsthattheislandpossessed。stillitwaslimited，andmuchob-

structedbythetopsoftrees。Theanxiousgirldidnotdaretotrustherpersoninsight，knowingwellthattheunrestrainedpassionsofsomesavagemightinducehimtosendabulletthroughherbrain。Shemerelykeptherheadoutofthetrap，therefore，whence，inthecourseoftheafternoon，shemadeasmanysurveysofthedifferentchannelsabouttheislandasAnne，sisterAnne，tookoftheenvironsofthecastleofBlueBeard。

Thesunhadactuallyset。nointelligencehadbeenre-

ceivedfromtheboats，andMabelascendedtotherooftotakealastlook，hopingthatthepartywouldarriveinthedarkness。whichwouldatleastpreventtheIndiansfromrenderingtheirambuscadesofatalasitmightotherwiseprove，andwhichpossiblymightenablehertogivesomemoreintelligiblesignal，bymeansoffire，thanitwouldotherwisebeinherpowertodo。Hereyehadturnedcarefullyroundthewholehorizon，andshewasjustonthepointofdrawinginherperson，whenanobjectthatstruckherasnewcaughtherattention。Theislandslaygroupedsoclosely，thatsixoreightdifferentchannelsorpassagesbetweenthemwereinview。andinoneofthemostcov-

ered，concealedinagreatmeasurebythebushesoftheshore，laywhatasecondlookassuredherwasabarkcanoe。Itcontainedahumanbeingbeyondaquestion。

Confidentthatifanenemyhersignalcoulddonoharm，and。ifafriend，thatitmightdogood，theeagergirlwavedalittleflagtowardsthestranger，whichshehadpreparedforherfather，takingcarethatitshouldnotbeseenfromtheisland。

Mabelhadrepeatedhersignaleightortentimesinvain，andshebegantodespairofitsbeingnoticed，whenasignwasgiveninreturnbythewaveofapaddle，andthemansofardiscoveredhimselfastoletherseeitwasChingachgook。Here，then，atlast，wasafriend。one，too，whowasable，andshedoubtednotwouldbewillingtoaidher。Fromthatinstanthercourageandherspiritsre-

vived。TheMohicanhadseenher。musthaverecognizedher，asheknewthatshewasoftheparty。andnodoubt，assoonasitwassufficientlydark，hewouldtakethestepsnecessarytoreleaseher。Thathewasawareofthepres-

enceoftheenemywasapparentbythegreatcautionheobserved，andshehadeveryrelianceonhisprudenceandaddress。TheprincipaldifficultynowexistedwithJune。

forMabelhadseentoomuchofherfidelitytoherownpeople，relievedasitwasbysympathyforherself，tobelieveshewouldconsenttoahostileIndian’senteringtheblockhouse，orindeedtoherleavingit，withaviewtodefeatArrowhead’splans。Thehalf-hourwhichsucceededthediscoveryofthepresenceoftheGreatSerpentwasthemostpainfulofMabelDunham’slife。Shesawthemeansofeffectingallshewished，asitmightbewithinreachofherhand，andyetiteludedhergrasp。SheknewJune’sdecisionandcoolness，notwithstandingallhergentlenessandwomanlyfeeling。andatlastshecamereluctantlytotheconclusionthattherewasnootherwayofattainingherendthanbydeceivinghertriedcompanionandpro-

tector。Itwasrevoltingtoonesosincereandnatural，sopureofheart，andsomuchdisposedtoingenuousnessasMabelDunham，topractisedeceptiononafriendlikeJune。butherownfather’slifewasatstake，hercompan-

ionwouldreceivenopositiveinjury，andshehadfeelingsandinterestsdirectlytouchingherselfwhichwouldhaveremovedgreaterscruples。

Assoonasitwasdark，Mabel’sheartbegantobeatwithincreasedviolence。andsheadoptedandchangedherplanofproceedingatleastadozentimesinasinglehour。

Junewasalwaysthesourceofhergreatestembarrassment。

forshedidnotwellsee，first，howshewastoascertainwhenChingachgookwasatthedoor，whereshedoubtednothewouldsoonappear。and，secondly，howshewastoadmithim，withoutgivingthealarmtoherwatchfulcom-

panion。Timepressed，however。fortheMohicanmightcomeandgoawayagain，unlessshewasreadytoreceivehim。ItwouldbetoohazardoustotheDelawaretore-

mainlongontheisland。anditbecameabsolutelyneces-

sarytodetermineonsomecourse，evenattheriskofchoosingonethatwasindiscreet。Afterrunningovervariousprojectsinhermind，therefore，Mabelcametohercompanion，andsaid，withasmuchcalmnessasshecouldassume，——

Areyounotafraid，June，nowyourpeoplebelievePathfinderisintheblockhouse，thattheywillcomeandtrytosetitonfire？

Not’inksucht’ing。Noburnblockhouse。Block-

housegood。gotnoscalp。

June，wecannotknow。Theyhidbecausetheybe-

lievedwhatItoldthemofPathfinder’sbeingwithus。

Believefear。Fearcomequick，goquick。Fearmakerunaway。witmakecomeback。Fearmakewarriorfool，aswellasyounggirl。

HereJunelaughed，ashersexisapttolaughwhenany-

thingparticularlyludicrouscrossestheiryouthfulfancies。

Ifeeluneasy，June。andwishyouyourselfwouldgoupagaintotheroofandlookoutupontheisland，tomakecertainthatnothingisplottingagainstus。youknowthesignsofwhatyourpeopleintendtodobetterthanI。

Junego，Lilywish。butverywellknowthatIndiansleep。waitfor’efader。Warrioreat，drink，sleep，alltime，whendon’tfightandgoonwar-trail。Denneversleep，eat，drink——neverfeel。Warriorsleepnow。

Godsenditmaybeso！butgoup，dearJune，andlookwellaboutyou。Dangermaycomewhenweleastexpectit。

Junearose，andpreparedtoascendtotheroof。butshepaused，withherfootonthefirstroundoftheladder。

Mabel’sheartbeatsoviolentlythatshewasfearfulitsthrobswouldbeheard。andshefanciedthatsomegleam-

ingsofherrealintentionshadcrossedthemindofherfriend。Shewasrightinpart，theIndianwomanhavingactuallystoppedtoconsiderwhethertherewasanyindis-

cretioninwhatshewasabouttodo。Atfirstthesuspic-

ionthatMabelintendedtoescapeflashedacrosshermind。

thensherejectedit，onthegroundthatthepale-facehadnomeansofgettingofftheisland，andthattheblock-

housewasmuchthemostsecureplaceshecouldfind。

Thenextthoughtwas，thatMabelhaddetectedsomesignofthenearapproachofherfather。Thisidea，too，lastedbutaninstant。forJuneentertainedsomesuchopinionofhercompanion’sabilitytounderstandsymptomsofthissort——symptomsthathadescapedherownsagacity——asawomanofhighfashionentertainsoftheaccomplishmentsofhermaid。Nothingelseinthesamewayoffering，shebeganslowlytomounttheladder。

Justasshereachedtheupperfloor，aluckythoughtsuggesteditselftoourheroine。and，byexpressingitinahurriedbutnaturalmanner，shegainedagreatadvantageinexecutingherprojectedscheme。

Iwillgodown，shesaid，andlistenbythedoor，June，whileyouareontheroof。andwewillthusbeonourguard，atthesametime，aboveandbelow。

ThoughJunethoughtthissavoredofunnecessarycau-

tion，wellknowingthatnoonecouldenterthebuildingunlessaidedfromwithin，noranyseriousdangermenacethemfromtheexteriorwithoutgivingsufficientwarning，sheattributedthepropositiontoMabel’signoranceandalarm。and，asitwasmadeapparentlywithfrankness，itwasreceivedwithoutdistrust。Bythesemeansourhero-

inewasenabledtodescendtothedoor，asherfriendas-

cendedtotheroof。Thedistancebetweenthetwowasnowtoogreattoadmitofconversation。andforthreeorfourminutesonewasoccupiedinlookingaboutheraswellasthedarknesswouldallow，andtheotherinlisten-

ingatthedoorwithasmuchintentnessasifallhersenseswereabsorbedinthesinglefacultyofhearing。

Junediscoverednothingfromherelevatedstand。theobscurityindeedalmostforbadethehopeofsucharesult。

butitwouldnotbeeasytodescribethesensationwithwhichMabelthoughtsheperceivedaslightandguardedpushagainstthedoor。Fearfulthatallmightnotbeasshewished，andanxioustoletChingachgookknowthatshewasnear，shebegan，thoughintremulousandlownotes，tosing。SoprofoundwasthestillnessofthemomentthatthesoundoftheunsteadywarblingascendedtotheroofandinaminuteJunebegantodescend。A

slighttapatthedoorwasheardimmediatelyafter。Mabelwasbewildered，fortherewasnotimetolose。Hopeprovedstrongerthanfear。andwithunsteadyhandsshecommencedunbarringthedoor。ThemoccassinofJunewasheardontheflooraboveherwhenonlyasinglebarwasturned。Thesecondwasreleasedasherformreachedhalf-waydownthelowerladder。

Whatyoudo？exclaimedJuneangrily。Runaway-mad——leaveblockhouse。blockhousegood。Thehandsofbothwereonthelastbar，anditwouldhavebeenclearedfromthefasteningsbutforavigorousshovefromwithout，whichjammedthewood。Ashortstruggleensued，thoughbothweredisinclinedtoviolence。Junewouldprobablyhaveprevailed，hadnotanotherandamorevigorouspushfromwithoutforcedthebarpastthetriflingimpedimentthatheldit，whenthedooropened。

Theformofamanwasseentoenter。andboththefemalesrusheduptheladder，asifequallyafraidoftheconsequences。Thestrangersecuredthedoor。and，firstexaminingthelowerroomwithgreatcare，hecautiouslyascendedtheladder。June，assoonasitbecamedark，hadclosedtheloopsoftheprincipalfloor，andlightedacandle。Bymeansofthisdimtaper，then，thetwofemalesstoodinexpectation，waitingtoascertaintheper-

sonoftheirvisitor，whosewaryascentoftheladderwasdistinctlyaudible，thoughsufficientlydeliberate。Itwouldnotbeeasytosaywhichwasthemoreastonishedonfind-

ing，whenthestrangerhadgotthroughthetrap，thatPathfinderstoodbeforethem。

Godbepraised！Mabelexclaimed，fortheideathattheblockhousewouldbeimpregnablewithsuchagarrisonatoncecrossedhermind。OPathfinder！whathasbe-

comeofmyfather？

TheSergeantissafeasyet，andvictorious。thoughitisnotinthegiftofmantosaywhatwillbetheindofit。

IsnotthatthewifeofArrowheadskulkinginthecornerthere？

Speaknotofherreproachfully，Pathfinder。Iowehermylife，mypresentsecurity。Tellmewhathashappenedtomyfather’sparty——whyyouarehere。andIwillrelateallthehorribleeventsthathavepasseduponthisisland。

Fewwordswilldothelast，Mabel。foroneusedtoIndiandevilriesneedsbutlittleexplanationsonsuchasubject。Everythingturnedoutaswehadhopedwiththeexpedition。fortheSarpentwasonthelook-out，andhemetuswithalltheinformationheartcoulddesire。

Weambushedthreeboats，druv’theFrenchersoutofthem，gotpossessionandsunkthem，accordingtoorders，inthedeepestpartofthechannel。andthesavagesofUpperCanadawillfarebadlyforIndiangoodsthiswin-

ter。Bothpowderandball，too，willbescarceramongthemthankeenhuntersandactivewarriorsmayrelish。

Wedidnotloseamanorhaveevenaskinbarked。nordoIthinktheinimysufferedtospeakof。Inshort，Mabel，ithasbeenjustsuchanexpeditionasLundielikes。muchharmtothefoe，andlittleharmtoourselves。

Ah，Pathfinder，Ifear，whenMajorDuncancomestohearthewholeofthesadtale，hewillfindreasontoregretheeverundertooktheaffair。

Iknowwhatyoumean，Iknowwhatyoumean。butbytellingmystorystraightyouwillunderstanditbetter。

AssoonastheSergeantfoundhimselfsuccessful，hesentmeandtheSarpentoffincanoestotellyouhowmattershadturnedout，andheisfollowingwiththetwoboats，which，beingsomuchheavier，cannotarrivebeforemorn-

ing。IpartedfromChingachgookthisforenoon，itbeingagreedthatheshouldcomeuponesetofchannels，andI

another，toseethatthepathwasclear。I’venotseenthechiefsince。

Mabelnowexplainedthemannerinwhichshehaddis-

coveredtheMohican，andherexpectationthathewouldyetcometotheblockhouse。

Nothe，nothe！Aregularscoutwillnevergetbehindwallsorlogssolongashecankeeptheopenairandfindusefulemployment。Ishouldnothavecomemyself，Mabel，butIpromisedtheSergeanttocomfortyouandtolookafteryoursafety。Ah’sme！Ireconnoitredtheislandwithaheavyheartthisforenoon。andtherewasabitterhourwhenIfanciedyoumightbeamongtheslain。

Bywhatluckyaccidentwereyoupreventedfrompad-

dlingupboldlytotheislandandfromfallingintothehandsoftheenemy？

Bysuchanaccident，Mabel，asProvidenceemploystotellthehoundwheretofindthedeerandthedeerhowtothrowoffthehound。No，no！theseartificesanddevil-

rieswithdeadbodiesmaydeceivethesoldiersofthe55thandtheking’sofficers。buttheyarealllostuponmenwhohavepassedtheirdaysintheforest。Icamedownthechannelinfaceofthepretendedfisherman。and，thoughtheriptyleshavesetupthepoorwretchwithart，itwasnotingeniousenoughtotakeinapractysedeye。

Therodwasheldtoohigh，forthe55thhavelearnedtofishatOswego，iftheyneverknewhowbefore。andthenthemanwastooquietforonewhogotneitherpreynorbite。Butwenevercomeinuponapostblindly。andI

havelainoutsideagarrisonawholenight，becausetheyhadchangedtheirsentriesandtheirmodeofstandingguard。NeithertheSarpentnormyselfwouldbelikelytobetakeninbytheseclumsycontrivances，whichweremostprobablyintendedfortheScotch，whoarecunningenoughinsomeparticulars，thoughanythingbutwitcheswhenIndiansarcumventionsareinthewind。

Doyouthinkmyfatherandhismenmayyetbede-

ceived？saidMabelquickly。

NotifIcanpreventit，Mabel。YousaytheSarpentisonthelook-outtoo。sothereisadoublechanceofoursucceedinginlettinghimknowhisdanger。thoughitisbynomeanssartainbywhichchannelthepartymaycome。

Pathfinder，saidourheroinesolemnly，forthefright-

fulscenesshehadwitnessedhadclotheddeathwithun-

usualhorrors，——Pathfinder，youhaveprofessedloveforme，awishtomakemeyourwife？

Ididventur’tospeakonthatsubject，Mabel，andtheSergeanthasevenlatelysaidthatyouarekindlydisposed。

butIamnotamantopersecutethethingIlove。

Hearme，Pathfinder，Irespectyou，honoryou，revereyou。savemyfatherfromthisdreadfuldeath，andIcanworshipyou。Hereismyhand，asasolemnpledgeformyfaith，whenyoucometoclaimit。

Blessyou，blessyou，Mabel。thisismorethanIdesarve-more，Ifear，thanIshallknowhowtoprofitbyasI

ought。Itwasnotwanting，however，tomakemesarvetheSergeant。Weareoldcomrades，andoweeachotheralife。thoughIfearme，Mabel，beingafather’scomradeisnotalwaysthebestrecommendationwithadaughter。

Youwantnootherrecommendationthanyourownacts——yourcourage，yourfidelity。Allthatyoudoandsay，Pathfinder，myreasonapproves，andtheheartwill，nay，it_shall_follow。

ThisisahappinessIlittleexpectedthisnight。butweareinGod’shands，andHewillprotectusinHisownway。Thesearesweetwords，Mabel。buttheywerenotwantingtomakemedoallthatmancandointhepresentcircumstances。theywillnotlessenmyendeavors，neither。

Nowweunderstandeachother，Pathfinder，Mabeladdedhoarsely，letusnotloseoneofthepreciousmo-

ments，whichmaybeofincalculablevalue。Canwenotgetintoyourcanoeandgoandmeetmyfather？

ThatisnotthecourseIadvise。Idon’tknowbywhichchanneltheSergeantwillcome，andtherearetwenty。relyonit，theSarpentwillbewindinghiswaythroughthemall。No，no！myadviceistoremainhere。

Thelogsofthisblockhousearestillgreen，anditwillnotbeeasytosetthemonfire。andIcanmakegoodtheplace，batingaburning，ag’inatribe。TheIroquoisnationcannotdislodgemefromthisfortress，solongaswecankeeptheflamesoffit。TheSergeantisnow’campedonsomeisland，andwillnotcomeinuntilmorning。Ifweholdtheblock，wecangivehimtimelywarning，byfiringrifles，forinstance。andshouldhedeterminetoattackthesavages，asamanofhistemperwillbeverylikelytodo，thepossessionofthisbuildingwillbeofgreataccountintheaffair。No，no！myjudgmentsaysremain，iftheob-

jectbetosarvetheSergeant，thoughescapeforourtwoselveswillbenoverydifficultmatter。

Stay，murmuredMabel，stay，forGod’ssake，Path-

finder！Anything，everythingtosavemyfather！

Yes，thatisnatur’。Iamgladtohearyousaythis，Mabel，forIownawishtoseetheSergeantfairlysup-

ported。Asthematternowstands，hehasgainedhimselfcredit。and，couldheoncedriveoffthesemiscreants，andmakeanhonorableretreat，layingthehutsandblockinashes，nodoubt，Lundiewouldrememberitandsarvehimaccordingly。Yes，yes，Mabel，wemustnotonlysavetheSergeant’slife，butwemustsavehisreputation。

Noblamecanrestonmyfatheronaccountofthesur-

priseofthisisland。

There’snotelling，there’snotelling。militarygloryisamostunsartainthing。I’veseentheDelawaresrouted，whentheydesarvedmorecreditthanatothertimeswhenthey’vecarriedtheday。Amaniswrongtosethisheadonsuccessofanysort，andworstofallonsuccessinwar。

Iknowlittleofthesettlements，orofthenotionsthatmenholdinthem。butuphereawayeventheIndiansrateawarrior’scharacteraccordingtohisluck。Theprincipalthingwithasoldierisnevertobewhipt。nordoIthinkmankindstopslongtoconsiderhowthedaywaswonorlost。Formypart，Mabel，ImakeitarulewhenfacingtheinimytogivehimasgoodasIcansend，andtotrytobemoderateafteradefeat，littleneedbesaidonthatscore，asafloggingisoneofthemosthumblingthingsinnatur’。Theparsonspreachabouthumilityinthegarri-

son。butifhumilitywouldmakeChristians，theking’stroopsoughttobesaints，forthey’vedonelittleasyetthiswarbuttakelessonsfromtheFrench，beginningatFortduQuesneandendingatTy。

Myfathercouldnothavesuspectedthatthepositionoftheislandwasknowntotheenemy，resumedMabel，whosethoughtswererunningontheprobableeffectoftherecenteventsontheSergeant。

Thatistrue。nordoIwellseehowtheFrenchersfounditout。Thespotiswellchosen，anditisnotaneasymatter，evenforonewhohastravelledtheroadtoandfromit，tofinditagain。Therehasbeentreachery，I

fear。yes，yes，theremusthavebeentreachery。

Oh，Pathfinder！canthisbe？

Nothingiseasier，Mabel，fortreacherycomesasnat’raltosomemenaseating。NowwhenIfindamanallfairwordsIlookclosetohisdeeds。forwhentheheartisright，andreallyintendstodogood，itisgenerallysatisfiedtolettheconductspeakinsteadofthetongue。

JasperWesternisnotoneofthese，saidMabelimpet-

uously。Noyouthcanbemoresincereinhismanner，orlessapttomakethetongueactforthehead。

JasperWestern！tongueandheartarebothrightwiththatlad，dependonit，Mabel。andthenotiontakenupbyLundie，andtheQuartermaster，andtheSergeant，andyouruncletoo，isaswrongasitwouldbetothinkthatthesunshonebynightandthestarsshonebyday。No，no。I’llanswerforEau-douce’shonestywithmyownscalp，or，atneed，withmyownrifle。

Blessyou，blessyou，Pathfinder！exclaimedMabel，extendingherownhandandpressingtheironfingersofhercompanion，underastateoffeelingthatfarsur-

passedherownconsciousnessofitsstrength。Youareallthatisgenerous，allthatisnoble！Godwillrewardyouforit。

Ah，Mabel，Ifearme，ifthisbetrue，Ishouldnotcovetsuchawifeasyourself。butwouldleaveyoutobesuedforbysomegentlemanofthegarrison，asyourdesartsrequire。

Wewillnottalkofthisanymoreto-night，Mabelansweredinavoicesosmotheredastoseemnearlychoked。

Wemustthinklessofourselvesjustnow，Pathfinder，andmoreofourfriends。ButIrejoicefrommysoulthatyoubelieveJasperinnocent。Nowletustalkofotherthings——oughtwenottoreleaseJune？

I’vebeenthinkingaboutthewoman。foritwillnotbesafetoshutoureyesandleavehersopen，onthissideoftheblockhousedoor。Ifweputherintheupperroom，andtakeawaytheladder，she’llbeaprisoneratleast。

Icannottreatonethuswhohassavedmylife。Itwouldbebettertoletherdepart，forIthinksheistoomuchmyfriendtodoanythingtoharmme。

Youdonotknowtherace，Mabel，youdonotknowtherace。It’strueshe’snotafull-bloodedMingo，butsheconsortswiththevagabonds，andmusthavelarnedsomeoftheirtricks。Whatisthat？

Itsoundslikeoars。someboatispassingthroughthechannel。

Pathfinderclosedthetrapthatledtothelowerroom，topreventJunefromescaping，extinguishedthecandle，andwenthastilytoaloop，Mabellookingoverhisshoulderinbreathlesscuriosity。Theseseveralmovementscon-

sumedaminuteortwo。andbythetimetheeyeofthescouthadgotadimviewofthingswithout，twoboatshadsweptpastandshotuptotheshore，ataspotsomefiftyyardsbeyondtheblock，wheretherewasaregularlanding。

Theobscuritypreventedmorefrombeingseen。andPath-

finderwhisperedtoMabelthatthenew-comerswereaslikelytobefoesasfriends，forhedidnotthinkherfathercouldpossiblyhavearrivedsosoon。Anumberofmenwerenowseentoquittheboats，andthenfollowedthreeheartyEnglishcheers，leavingnofurtherdoubtsofthecharacteroftheparty。Pathfindersprangtothetrap，raisedit，glideddowntheladder，andbegantounbarthedoor，withanearnestnessthatprovedhowcriticalhedeemedthemoment。Mabelhadfollowed，butsheratherimpededthanaidedhisexertions，andbutasinglebarwasturnedwhenaheavydischargeofrifleswasheard。

Theywerestillstandinginbreathlesssuspense，asthewar-whoopranginallthesurroundingthickets。Thedoornowopened，andbothPathfinderandMabelrushedintotheopenair。Allhumansoundshadceased。Afterlisteninghalfaminute，however，Pathfinderthoughtheheardafewstifledgroansneartheboats。butthewindblewsofresh，andtherustlingoftheleavesmingledsomuchwiththemurmursofthepassingair，thathewasfarfromcertain。ButMabelwasborneawaybyherfeel-

ings，andsherushedbyhim，takingthewaytowardstheboats。

Thiswillnotdo，Mabel，saidthescoutinanearnestbutlowvoice，seizingherbyanarm。thiswillneverdo。

Sartaindeathwouldfollow，andthatwithoutsarvinganyone。Wemustreturntotheblock。

Father！mypoor，dear，murderedfather！saidthegirlwildly，thoughhabitualcaution，evenatthattryingmoment，inducedhertospeaklow。Pathfinder，ifyouloveme，letmegotomydearfather。

Thiswillnotdo，Mabel。Itissingularthatnoonespeaks。noonereturnsthefirefromtheboats。andIhaveleftKilldeerintheblock！Butofwhatusewouldariflebewhennooneistobeseen？

AtthatmomentthequickeyeofPathfinder，which，whielheheldMabelfirmlyinhisgrasp，hadneverceasedtoroamoverthedimscene，caughtanindistinctviewoffiveorsixdarkcrouchingforms，endeavoringtostealpasthim，doubtlesswiththeintentionofinterceptingthere-

treattotheblockhouse。CatchingupMabel，andputtingherunderanarm，asifshewereaninfant，thesinewyframeofthewoodsmanwasexertedtotheutmost，andhesucceededinenteringthebuilding。Thetrampofhispursuersseemedimmediatelyathisheels。Droppinghisburden，heturned，closedthedoor，andhadfastenedonebar，asarushagainstthesolidmassthreatenedtoforceitfromthehinges。Tosecuretheotherbarswastheworkofaninstant。

Mabelnowascendedtothefirstfloor，whilePathfinderremainedasasentinelbelow。Ourheroinewasinthatstateinwhichthebodyexertsitself，apparentlywithoutthecontrolofthemind。Sherelightedthecandleme-

chanically，ashercompanionhaddesired，andreturnedwithitbelow，wherehewaswaitingherreappearance。NosoonerwasPathfinderinpossessionofthelightthanheexaminedtheplacecarefully，tomakecertainnoonewasconcealedinthefortress，ascendingtoeachfloorinsuc-

cession，afterassuringhimselfthatheleftnoenemyinhisrear。TheresultwastheconvictionthattheblockhousenowcontainednoonebutMabelandhimself，Junehavingescaped。Whenperfectlyconvincedonthismaterialpoint，Pathfinderrejoinedourheroineintheprincipalapart-

ment，settingdownthelightandexaminingtheprimingofKilldeerbeforeheseatedhimself。

Ourworstfearsarerealized！saidMabel，towhomthehurryandexcitementofthelastfiveminutesappearedtocontaintheemotionsofalife。Mybelovedfatherandallhispartyareslainorcaptured！

Wedon’tknowthat——morningwilltellusall。Idonotthinktheaffairsosettledasthat，orweshouldhearthevagabondMingosyellingouttheirtriumpharoundtheblockhouse。Ofonethingwemaybesartain。iftheinimyhasreallygotthebetter，hewillnotbelongincall-

inguponustosurrender。Thesquawwilllethimintothesecretofoursituation。and，astheywellknowtheplacecannotbefiredbydaylight，solongasKilldeercon-

tinuestodesarvehisreputation，youmaydependonitthattheywillnotbebackwardinmakingtheirattemptwhiledarknesshelpsthem。

SurelyIhearagroan！

’Tisfancy，Mabel。whenthemindgetstobeskeary，especiallyawoman’smind，sheoftenconcaitsthingsthathavenoreality。I’veknownthemthatimaginedtherewastruthindreams。

Nay，Iam_not_deceived。thereissurelyonebelow，andinpain。

PathfinderwascompelledtoownthatthequicksensesofMabelhadnotdeceivedher。Hecautionedher，how-

ever，torepressherfeelings。andremindedherthatthesavageswereinthepracticeofresortingtoeveryartificetoattaintheirends，andthatnothingwasmorelikelythanthatthegroanswerefeignedwithaviewtolurethemfromtheblockhouse，or，atleast，toinducethemtoopenthedoor。

No，no，no！saidMabelhurriedly。thereisnoarti-

ficeinthosesounds，andtheycomefromanguishofbody，ifnotofspirit。Theyarefearfullynatural。

Well，weshallsoonknowwhetherafriendisthereornot。Hidethelightagain，Mabel，andIwillspeakthepersonfromaloop。

Notalittleprecautionwasnecessary，accordingtoPath-

finder’sjudgmentandexperience，inperformingeventhissimpleact。forhehadknownthecarelessslainbytheirwantofproperattentiontowhatmighthaveseemedtotheignorantsupererogatorymeansof，safety。Hedidnotplacehismouthtotheloopitself，butsonearitthathecouldbeheardwithoutraisinghisvoice，andthesameprecautionwasobservedasregardshisear。

Whoisbelow？Pathfinderdemanded，whenhisar-

rangementsweremadetohismind。Isanyoneinsuf-

fering？Ifafriend，speakboldly，anddependonouraid。

Pathfinder！answeredavoicethatbothMabelandthepersonaddressedatonceknewtobetheSergeant’s，——

Pathfinder，inthenameofGod，tellmewhathasbecomeofmydaughter。

Father，Iamhere，unhurt，safe！andohthatIcouldthinkthesameofyou！

Theejaculationofthanksgivingthatfollowedwasdis-

tinctlyaudibletothetwo，butitwasclearlymingledwith，agroanofpain。

Myworstforebodingsarerealized！saidMabelwithasortofdesperatecalmness。Pathfinder，myfathermustbebroughtwithintheblock，thoughwehazardeverythingtodoit。

Thisisnatur’，anditisthelawofGod。But，Mabel，becalm，andendivortobecool。AllthatcanbeeffectedfortheSergeantbyhumaninventionshallbedone。I

onlyaskyoutobecool。

Iam，Iam，Pathfinder。NeverinmylifewasImorecalm，morecollected，thanatthismoment。Butremem-

berhowperilousmaybeeveryinstant。forHeaven’ssake，whatwedo，letusdowithoutdelay。

PathfinderwasstruckwiththefirmnesssofMabel’stones，andperhapshewasalittledeceivedbytheforcedtranquillityandself-possessionshehadassumed。Atallevents，hedidnotdeemanyfurtherexplanationsneces-

sary，butdescendedforthwith，andbegantounbarthedoor。Thisdelicateprocesswasconductedwiththeusualcaution，but，ashewarilypermittedthemassoftimbertoswingbackonthehinges，hefeltapressureagainstit，thathadnearlyinducedhimtocloseitagain。But，catchingaglimpseofthecausethroughthecrack，thedoorwasper-

mittedtoswingback，whenthebodyofSergeantDunham，whichwasproppedagainstit，fellpartlywithintheblock。

TodrawinthelegsandsecurethefasteningsoccupiedthePathfinderbutamoment。Thenthereexistednoobstacletotheirgivingtheirundividedcaretothewoundedman。

Mabel，inthistryingscene，conductedherselfwiththesortofunnaturalenergythathersex，whenaroused，isapttomanifest。Shegotthelight，administeredwatertotheparchedlipsofherfather，andassistedPathfinderinform-

ingabedofstrawforhisbodyandapillowofclothesforhishead。Allthiswasdoneearnestly，andalmostwithoutspeaking。nordidMabelshedatear，untilsheheardtheblessingsofherfathermurmuredonherheadforthistendernessandcare。AllthistimeMabelhadmerelycon-

jecturedtheconditionofherparent。Pathfinder，how-

ever，hadshowngreaterattentiontothephysicaldangeroftheSergeant。Hehadascertainedthatarifle-ballhadpassedthroughthebodyofthewoundedman。andhewassufficientlyfamiliarwithinjuriesofthisnaturetobecer-

tainthatthechancesofhissurvivingthehurtwereverytrifling，ifany。

CHAPTERXXIV。

Thendrinkmytears，whileyettheyfall——

Wouldthatmybosom’sbloodwerebalm。

And——wellthouknowest——I’dsheditall，Togivethybrowoneminute’scalm。

MOORE。

TheeyesofSergeantDunhamhadnotceasedtofollowtheformofhisbeautifuldaughterfromthemomentthatthelightappeared。Henextexaminedthedooroftheblock，toascertainitssecurity。forhewasleftonthegroundbelow，therebeingnoavailablemeansofraisinghimtotheupperfloor。ThenhesoughtthefaceofMabel。

foraslifewanesfasttheaffectionsresumetheirforce，andwebegintovaluethatmostwhichwefeelweareabouttoloseforever。

Godbepraised，mychild！you，atleast，haveescapedtheirmurderousrifles，hesaid。forhespokewithstrength，andseeminglywithnoadditionalpain。Givemethehistoryofthissadbusiness，Pathfinder。

Ah’sme，Sergeant！it_has_beensad，asyousay。Thattherehasbeentreachery，andthepositionoftheislandhasbeenbetrayed，isnowassartain，inmyjudgment，asthatwestillholdtheblock。But——

MajorDuncanwasright，interruptedDunham，layingahandontheother’sarm。

Notinthesenseyoumean，Sergeant——no，notinthatp’intofview。never！Atleast，notinmyopinion。I

knowthatnatur’isweak——humannatur’，Imean——andthatweshouldnoneofusvauntofourgifts，whetherredorwhite。butIdonotthinkatruer-heartedladlivesonthelinesthanJasperWestern。

Blessyou！blessyouforthat，Pathfinder！burstforthfromMabel’sverysoul，whileafloodoftearsgaveventtoemotionsthatweresovariedwhiletheyweresoviolent。

Oh，blessyou，Pathfinder，blessyou！Thebraveshouldneverdesertthebrave——thehonestshouldsustainthehonest。

Thefather’seyeswerefastenedanxiouslyonthefaceofhisdaughter，untilthelatterhidhercountenanceinheraprontoconcealhertears。andthentheyturnedwithinquirytothehardfeaturesoftheguide。Thelattermerelyworetheirusualexpressionoffrankness，sincerity，anduprightness。andtheSergeantmotionedtohimtoproceed。

YouknowthespotwheretheSarpentandIleftyou，Sergeant，Pathfinderresumed。andIneedsaynothingofallthathappenedafore。Itisnowtoolatetoregretwhatisgoneandpassed。butIdothinkifIhadstayedwiththeboatsthiswouldnothavecometopass。Othermenmaybeasgoodguides——Imakenodoubttheyare。

butthennatur’bestowsitsgifts，andsomemustbebetterthanothersome。IdaresaypoorGilbert，whotookmyplace，hassufferedforhismistake。

Hefellatmyelbow，theSergeantansweredinalowmelancholytone。Wehave，indeed，allsufferedforourmistakes。

No，no，Sergeant，Imeantnocondemnationonyou。

formenwereneverbettercommandedthanyourn，inthisveryexpedition。Ineverbeheldaprettierflanking。andthewayinwhichyoucarriedyourownboatupag’intheirhowitzermighthaveteachedLundiehimselfalesson。

TheeyesoftheSergeantbrightened，andhisfaceevenworeanexpressionofmilitarytriumph，thoughitwasofadegreethatsuitedthehumblesphereinwhichhehadbeenanactor。

’Twasnotbadlydone，myfriend，saidhe。andwecarriedtheirlogbreastworkbystorm。

’Twasnoblydone，Sergeant。though，Ifear，whenallthetruthcomestobeknown，itwillbefoundthatthesevagabondshavegottheirhowitzerbackag’in。Well，well，putastoutheartuponit，andtrytoforgetallthatisdis-

agreeable，andtorememberonlythepleasantpartofthematter。Thatisyourtruestphilosophy。ay，andtruestreligiontoo。Iftheinimyhasgotthehowitzerag’in，they’veonlygotwhatbelongedtothemafore，andwhatwecouldn’thelp。Theyhaven’tgottheblockhouseyet，noraretheylikelytogetit，unlesstheyfireitinthedark。

Well，Sergeant，theSarpentandIseparatedabouttenmilesdowntheriver。forwethoughtitwisestnottocomeuponevenafriendlycampwithouttheusualcaution。

WhathasbecomeofChingachgookIcannotsay。thoughMabeltellsmeheisnotfaroff，andImakenoquestionthenoble-heartedDelawareisdoinghisduty，althoughheisnotnowvisibletooureyes。Markmyword，Sergeant，beforethismatterisoverweshallhearofhimatsomecriticaltimeandthatinadiscreetandcreditablemanner。

Ah，theSarpentisindeedawiseandvirtuouschief！andanywhitemanmightcovethisgifts，thoughhisrifleisnotquiteassureasKilldeer，itmustbeowned。Well，asIcameneartheislandImissedthesmoke，andthatputmeonmyguard。forIknewthatthemenofthe55thwerenotcunningenoughtoconcealthatsign，notwith-

standingallthathasbeentoldthemofitsdanger。Thismadememorecareful，untilIcameinsightofthismock-

fisherman，asI’vejusttoldMabel。andthenthewholeoftheirinfernalartswasasplainbeforemeasifIsawitonamap。Ineednottellyou，Sergeant，thatmyfirstthoughtswereofMabel。andthat，findingshewasintheblock，Icamehere，inordertoliveordieinhercompany。

Thefatherturnedagratifiedlookuponhischild。andMabelfeltasinkingoftheheartthatatsuchamomentshecouldnothavethoughtpossible，whenshewishedtobelieveallherconcerncentredinthesituationofherparent。Asthelatterheldouthishand，shetookitinherownandkissedit。Then，kneelingathisside，sheweptasifherheartwouldbreak。

Mabel，saidhesteadily，thewillofGodmustbedone。Itisuselesstoattemptdeceivingeitheryouormy-

self。mytimehascome，anditisaconsolationtometodielikeasoldier。Lundiewilldomejustice。forourgoodfriendPathfinderwilltellhimwhathasbeendone，andhowallcametopass。Youdonotforgetourlastcon-

versation？

Nay，father，mytimehasprobablycometoo，exclaimedMabel，whofeltjustthenasifitwouldbearelieftodie。

Icannothopetoescape。andPathfinderwoulddowelltoleaveus，andreturntothegarrisonwiththesadnewswhilehecan。

MabelDunham，saidPathfinderreproachfully，thoughhetookherhandwithkindness，Ihavenotdesarvedthis。

IknowIamwild，anduncouth，andungainly——

Pathfinder！

Well，well，we’llforgetit。youdidnotmeanit，youcouldnotthinkit。Itisuselessnowtotalkofescaping，fortheSergeantcannotbemoved。andtheblockhousemustbedefended，costwhatitwill。MaybeLundiewillgetthetidingsofourdisaster，andsendapartytoraisethesiege。

Pathfinder——Mabel！saidtheSergeant，whohadbeenwrithingwithpainuntilthecoldsweatstoodonhisfore-

head。comebothtomyside。Youunderstandeachother，Ihope？

Father，saynothingofthat。itisallasyouwish。

ThankGod！Givemeyourhand，Mabel——here，Path-

finder，takeit。Icandonomorethangiveyouthegirlinthisway。Iknowyouwillmakeherakindhusband。

Donotwaitonaccountofmydeath。buttherewillbeachaplaininthefortbeforetheseasoncloses，andlethimmarryyouatonce。Mybrother，ifliving，willwish。togobacktohisvessel，andthenthechildwillhavenopro-

tector。Mabel，yourhusbandwillhavebeenmyfriend，andthatwillbesomeconsolationtoyou，Ihope。

Trustthismattertome，Sergeant，putinPathfinder。

leaveitallinmyhandsasyourdyingrequest。and，de-

pendonit，allwillgoasitshould。

Ido，Idoputallconfidenceinyou，mytrustyfriend，andempoweryoutoactasIcouldactmyselfineveryparticular。Mabel，child，——handmethewater，——youwillneverrepentthisnight。Blessyou，mydaughter！Godbless，andhaveyouinHisholykeeping！

ThistendernesswasinexpressiblytouchingtooneofMabel’sfeelings。andshefeltatthatmomentasifherfeutureunionwithPathfinderhadreceivedasolemnizationthatnoceremonyoftheChurchcouldrendermoreholy。

Still，aweight，asthatofamountain，layuponherheart，andshethoughtitwouldbehappinesstodie。Thenfol-

lowedashortpause，whentheSergeant，inbrokensen-

tences，brieflyrelatedwhathadpassedsincehepartedwithPathfinderandtheDelaware。Thewindhadcomemorefavorable。and，insteadofencampingonanislandagreeablytotheoriginalintention，hehaddeterminedtocontinue，andreachthestationthatnight。Theirapproachwouldhavebeenunseen，andaportionofthecalamityavoided，hethought，hadtheynotgroundedonthepointofaneighboringisland，where，nodoubt，thenoisemadebythemeningettingofftheboatgavenoticeoftheirap-

proach，andenabledtheenemytobeinreadinesstoreceivethem。Theyhadlandedwithouttheslightestsuspicionofdanger，thoughsurprisedatnotfindingasentinel，andhadactuallylefttheirarmsintheboat，withtheintentionoffirstsecuringtheirknapsacksandprovisions。Thefirehadbeensoclose，that，notwithstandingtheobscurity，itwasverydeadly。Everymanhadfallen，thoughtwoorthreesubsequentlyaroseanddisappeared。Fourorfiveofthesoldiershadbeenkilled，orsonearlysoastosurvivebutafewminutes。though，forsomeunknownreason，theenemydidnotmaketheusualrushforthescalps。Ser-

geantDunhamfellwiththeothers。andhehadheardthevoiceofMabel，assherushedfromtheblockhouse。Thisfranticappealarousedallhisparentalfeelings，andhadenabledhimtocrawlasfarasthedoorofthebuilding，wherehehadraisedhimselfagainstthelogsinthemanneralreadymentioned。

Afterthissimpleexplanationwasmade，theSergeantwassoweakastoneedrepose，andhiscompanions，whiletheyministeredtohiswants，sufferedsometimetopassinsilence。Pathfindertooktheoccasiontoreconnoitrefromtheloopsandtheroof，andheexaminedtheconditionoftherifles，ofwhichtherewereadozenkeptinthebuild-

ing，thesoldiershavingusedtheirregimentalmusketsintheexpedition。ButMabelneverleftherfather’ssideforaninstant。andwhen，byhisbreathing，shefanciedheslept，shebentherkneesandprayed。

Thehalf-hourthatsucceededwasawfullysolemnandstill。ThemoccasinofPathfinderwasbarelyheardover-

head，andoccasionallythesoundofthebreechofariflefelluponthefloor，forhewasbusiedinexaminingthepieces，withaviewtoascertainthestateoftheirchargesandtheirprimings。Beyondthis，nothingwassoloudasthebreathingofthewoundedman。Mabel’sheartyearnedtobeincommunicationwiththefathershewassosoontolose，andyetshewouldnotdisturbhisapparentrepose。

ButDunhamsleptnot。hewasinthatstatewhentheworldsuddenlylosesitsattractious，itsillusions，anditspower。andtheunknownfuturefillsthemindwithitsconjectures，itsrevelations，anditsimmensity。Hehadbeenamoralmanforoneofhismodeoflife，buthehadthoughtlittleofthisall-importantmoment。Hadthedinofbattlebeenringinginhisears，hismartialardormighthaveenduredtotheend。butthere，inthesilenceofthatnearlyuntenantedblockhouse，withnosoundtoenlivenhim，noappealtokeepalivefactitioussentiment，nohopeofvictorytoimpel，thingsbegantoappearintheirtruecolors，andthisstateofbeingtobeestimatedatitsjustvalue。Hewouldhavegiventreasuresforreligiouscon-

solation，andyetheknewnotwheretoturntoseekit。