第15章

HethoughtofPathfinder，buthedistrustedhisknowl-

edge。HethoughtofMabel，butfortheparenttoappealtothechildforsuchsuccorappearedlikereversingtheorderofnature。Thenitwasthathefeltthefullre-

sponsibilityoftheparentalcharacter，andhadsomeclearglimpseofthemannerinwhichhehimselfhaddischargedthetrusttowardsanorphanchild。Whilethoughtslikethesewererisinginhismind，Mabel，whowatchedtheslightestchangeinhisbreathing，heardaguardedknockatthedoor。SupposingitmightbeChingachgook，sherose，undidtwoofthebars，andheldthethirdinherhand，assheaskedwhowasthere。Theanswerwasinheruncle’svoice，andheimploredhertogivehiminstantadmission。

Withoutaninstantofhesitation，sheturnedthebar，andCapentered。Hehadbarelypassedtheopening，whenMabelclosedthedooragain，andsecureditasbefore，forpracticehadrenderedherexpertinthisportionofherduties。

Thesturdyseaman，whenhehadmadesureofthestateofhisbrother-in-law，andthatMabel，aswellashimself，wassafe，wassoftenednearlytotears。Hisownappear-

anceheexplainedbysayingthathehadbeencarelesslyguarded，undertheimpressionthatheandtheQuarter-

masterweresleepingunderthefumesofliquorwithwhichtheyhadbeenpliedwithaviewtokeepthemquietintheexpectedengagement。Muirhadbeenleftasleep，orseem-

ingtosleep。butCaphadrunintothebushesonthealarmoftheattack，andhavingfoundPathfinder’scanoe，hadonlysucceeded，atthatmoment，ingettingtotheblockhouse，whitherhehadcomewiththekindintentofescapingwithhisniecebywater。ItisscarcelynecessarytosaythathechangedhisplanwhenheascertainedthestateoftheSergeant，andtheapparentsecurityofhispresentquarters。

Iftheworstcomestotheworst，MasterPathfinder，

saidhe，wemuststrike，andthatwillentitleustore-

ceivequarter。Weoweittoourmanhoodtoholdoutareasonabletime，andtoourselvestohauldowntheensigninseasontomakesavingconditions。IwishedMasterMuirtodothesamethingwhenwewerecapturedbythesechapsyoucallvagabonds——andrightlyaretheynamed，forvilervagabondsdonotwalktheearth——

You’vefoundouttheircharacters？interruptedPathfinder，whowasalwaysasreadytochimeinwithabuseoftheMingosaswiththepraisesofhisfriends。

Now，hadyoufallenintothehandsoftheDelawares，youwouldhavelearnedthedifference。

Well，tometheyseemmuchofamuchness。black-

guardsforeandaft，alwaysexceptingourfriendtheSer-

pent，whoisagentlemanforanIndian。But，whenthesesavagesmadetheassaultonus，killingCorporalM’Nabandhismenasiftheyhadbeensomanyrabbits，Lieuten-

antMuirandmyselftookrefugeinoneoftheholesofthishereisland，ofwhichtherearesomanyamongtherocks，andthereweremainedstowedawayliketwoleaguersinaship’shold，untilwegaveoutforwantofgrub。A

manmaysaythatgrubisthefoundationofhumannature。

IdesiredtheQuartermastertomaketerms，forwecouldhavedefendedourselvesforanhourortwointheplace，badasitwas。buthedeclined，onthegroundthattheknaveswouldn’tkeepfaithifanyofthemwerehurt，andsotherewasnouseinaskingthemto。Iconsentedtostrike，ontwoprinciples。one，thatwemightbesaidtohavestruckalready，forrunningbelowisgenerallythoughttobegivinguptheship。andtheother，thatwehadanenemyinourstomachsthatwasmoreformidableinhisattacksthantheenemyondeck。Hungerisad——blecircumstance，asanymanwhohaslivedoniteight-and-

fortyhourswillacknowledge。

Uncle，saidMabelinamournfulvoiceandwithanexpostulatorymanner，mypoorfatherissadly，sadlyhurt！

True，Magnet，true。Iwillsitbyhim，anddomybestatconsolation。Arethebarswellfastened，girl？foronsuchanoccasionthemindshouldbetranquilandundis-

turbed。

Wearesafe，Ibelieve，fromallbutthisheavyblowofProvidence。

Well，then，Magnet，doyougouptotheflooraboveandtrytocomposeyourself，whilePathfinderrunsaloftandtakesalook-outfromthecross-trees。Yourfathermaywishtosaysomethingtomeinprivate，anditmaybewelltoleaveusalone。Thesearesolemnscenes，andin-

experiencedpeople，likemyself，donotalwayswishwhattheysaytobeoverheard。

Althoughtheideaofheruncle’saffordingreligiouscon-

solationbythesideofadeath-bedcertainlyneverob-

trudeditselfontheimaginationofMabel，shethoughttheremightbeaproprietyintherequestwithwhichshewasunacquainted，andshecompliedaccordingly。Path-

finderhadalreadyascendedtotherooftomakehissur-

vey，andthebrothers-in-lawwereleftalone。CaptookaseatbythesideoftheSergeant，andbethoughthimseri-

ouslyofthegravedutyhehadbeforehim。Asilenceofseveralminutessucceeded，duringwhichbriefspacethemarinerwasdigestingthesubstanceofhisintendeddis-

course。

Imustsay，SergeantDunham，Capatlengthcom-

mencedinhispeculiarmanner，thattherehasbeenmis-

managementsomewhereinthisunhappyexpedition。and，thepresentbeinganoccasionwhentruthoughttobespoken，andnothingbutthetruth，Ifeelitmydutytobesayasmuchinplainlanguage。Inshort，Sergeant，onthispointtherecannotwellbetwoopinions。for，seamanasIam，andnosoldier，Icanseeseveralerrorsmyself，thatitneedsnogreateducationtodetect。

Whatwouldyouhave，brotherCap？returnedtheotherinafeeblevoice。whatisdoneisdone。anditisnowtoolatetoremedyit。

Verytrue，brotherDunham，butnottorepentofit。

theGoodBooktellsusitisnevertoolatetorepent。andI’ve，alwaysneardthatthisisthepreciousmoment。Ifyou’veanythingonyourmind，Sergeant，hoistitoutfreely。

for，youknow，youtrustittoafriend。Youweremyownsister’shusband，andpoorlittleMagnetismyownsister’sdaughter。and，livingordead，Ishallalwayslookuponyouasabrother。It’sathousandpitiesthatyoudidn’tlieoffandonwiththeboats，andsendacanoeaheadtoreconnoitre。inwhichcaseyourcommandwouldhavebeensaved，andthisdisasterwouldnothavebefallenusall。Well，Sergeant，weare_all_mortal。thatissomecon-

solation，Imakenodoubt。andifyougobeforealittle，why，wemustfollow。Yes，that_must_giveyouconsola-

tion。

Iknowallthis，brotherCap。andhopeI’mpreparedtomeetasoldier’sfate——thereispoorMabel——

Ay，ay，that’saheavydrag，Iknow。butyouwouldn’ttakeherwithyouifyoucould，Sergeant。andsothebetterwayistomakeaslightoftheseparationasyoucan。

Mabelisagoodgirl，andsowashermotherbeforeher。

shewasmysister，anditshallbemycaretoseethatherdaughtergetsagoodhusband，ifourlivesandscalpsarespared。forIsupposenoonewouldcareaboutenteringintoafamilythathasnoscalps。

Brother，mychildisbetrothed。shewillbecomethewifeofPathfinder。

Well，brotherDunham，everymanhashisopinionsandhismannerofviewingthings。and，tomynotion，thismatchwillbeanythingbutagreeabletoMabel。Ihavenoobjectiontotheageoftheman。I’mnotoneofthemthatthinksitnecessarytobeaboytomakeagirlhappy，but，onthewhole，Ipreferamanofaboutfiftyforahus-

band。stillthereoughtnottobeanycircumstancebe-

tweenthepartiestomakethemunhappy。Circumstancesplaythedevilwithmatrimony，andIsetitdownasonethatPathfinderdon’tknowasmuchasmyniece。You’veseenbutlittleofthegirl，Sergeant，andhavenotgottherunofherknowledge。butletherpayitoutfreely，asshewilldowhenshegetstobethoroughlyacquainted，andyou’llfallinwithbutfewschoolmastersthatcankeeptheirluffsinhercompany。

She’sagoodchild——adear，goodchild，mutteredtheSergeant，hiseyesfillingwithtears。anditismymis-

fortunethatIhaveseensolittleofher。

Sheisindeedagoodgirl，andknowsaltogethertoomuchforpoorPathfinder，whoisareasonablemanandanexperiencedmaninhisownway。butwhohasnomoreideaofthemainchancethanyouhaveofsphericaltrigo-

nometry，Sergeant。

Ah，brotherCap，hadPathfinderbeenwithusintheboatsthissadaffairmightnothavehappened！

Thatisquitelikely。forhisworstenemywillallowthatthemanisagoodguide。butthen，Sergeant，ifthetruthmustbespoken，youhavemanagedthisexpeditioninaloosewayaltogether。Youshouldhavehove-tooffyourhaven，andsentinaboattoreconnoitre，asItoldyoubefore。Thatisamattertoberepentedof？andI

tellittoyou，becausetruth，insuchacase，oughttobespoken。

Myerrorsaredearlypaidfor，brother。andpoorMabel，Ifear，willbethesufferer。Ithink，however，thatthecalamitywouldnothavehappenedhadtherenotbeentreason。Ifearme，brother，thatJasperEau-doucehasplayedusfalse。

Thatisjustmynotion。forthisfresh-waterlifemustsoonerorlaterundermineanyman’smorals。LieutenantMuirandmyselftalkedthismatteroverwhilewelayinabitofaholeouthere，onthisisland。andwebothcametotheconclusionthatnothingshortofJasper’streacherycouldhavebroughtusallintothisinfernalscrape。Well，Sergeant，youhadbettercomposeyourmind，andthinkofothermatters。for，whenavesselisabouttoenterastrangeport，itismoreprudenttothinkoftheanchorageinsidethantobeunder-runningalltheeventsthathaveturnedupduringthev’y’ge。There’sthelog-bookex-

presslytonoteallthesemattersin。andwhatstandstheremustformthecolumnoffiguresthat’stobepostedupfororagainstus。Hownow，Pathfinder！isthereanythinginthewind，thatyoucomedowntheladderlikeanIndianinthewakeofascalp？

TheguideraisedafingerforsilenceandthenbeckonedtoCaptoascendthefirstladder，andtoallowMabeltotakehisplaceatthesideoftheSergeant。

Wemustbeprudent，andwemustbeboldtoo，saidheinalowvoice。Theriptylesareinearnestintheirintentiontofiretheblock。fortheyknowthereisnownothingtobegainedbylettingitstand。IhearthevoiceofthatvagabondArrowheadamongthem，andheisurg-

ingthemtosetabouttheirdevilrythisverynight。Wemustbestirring，Saltwater，anddoingtoo。Luckilytherearefourorfivebarrelsofwaterintheblock，andthesearesomethingtowardsasiege。Myreckoningiswrong，too，orweshallyetreapsomeadvantagefromthathonestfel-

low’s，theSarpent，beingatliberty。

Capdidnotwaitforasecondinvitation。but，stealingaway，hewassoonintheupperroomwithPathfinder，whileMabeltookhispostatthesideofherfather’shumblebed。Pathfinderhadopenedaloop，havingsofarcon-

cealedthelightthatitwouldnotexposehimtoatreacher-

ousshot。and，expectingasummons，hestoodwithhisfacenearthehole，readytoanswer。ThestillnessthatsucceededwasatlengthbrokenbythevoiceofMuir。

MasterPathfinder，calledouttheScotchman，afriendsummonsyoutoaparley。Comefreelytooneoftheloops。foryou’venothingtofearsolongasyouareinconversewithanofficerofthe55th。

Whatisyourwill，Quartermaster？whatisyourwill？

Iknowthe55th，andbelieveittobeabraveregiment。

thoughIratherinclinetothe60thasmyfavorite，andtotheDelawaresmorethantoeither。butwhatwouldyouhave，Quartermaster？Itmustbeapressingerrandthatbringsyouundertheloopsofablockhouseatthishourofthenight，withthesartaintyofKilldeerbeinginsideofit。

Oh，you’llno’harmafriend，Pathfinder，I’mcertain。

andthat’smysecurity。You’reamanofjudgment，andhavegainedtoogreatanameonthisfrontierforbraverytofeelthenecessityoffoolhardinesstoobtainacharacter。

You’llverywellunderstand，mygoodfriend，thereisasmuchcredittobegainedbysubmittinggracefully，whenresistancebecomesimpossible，asbyobstinatelyholdingoutcontrarytotherulesofwar。Theenemyistoostrongforus，mybravecomrade，andIcometocounselyoutogiveuptheblock，onconditionofbeingtreatedasapris-

onerofwar。

Ithankyouforthisadvice，Quartermaster，whichisthemoreacceptableasitcostsnothing。butIdonotthinkitbelongstomygiftstoyieldaplacelikethiswhilefoodandwaterlast。

Well，I’dbethelast，Pathfinder，torecommendany-

thingagainstsobravearesolution，didIseethemeansofmaintainingit。Butye’llrememberthatMasterCaphasfallen。

Nothe，nothe！roaredtheindividualinquestionthroughanotherloop。andsofarfromthat，Lieutenant，hehasrisentotheheightofthisherefortification，andhasnomindtoputhisheadofhairintothehandsofsuchbarbersagain，solongashecanhelpit。Ilookuponthisblockhouseasacircumstance，andhavenomindtothrowitaway。

Ifthatisalivingvoice，returnedMuir，Iamgladtohearit。forweallthoughtthemanhadfalleninthelatefearfulconfusion。But，MasterPathfinder，althoughye’reenjoyingthesocietyofourfriendCap，——andagreatpleasuredoIknowittobe，bytheexperienceoftwodaysandanightpassedinaholeintheearth，——we’velostthatofSergeantDunham，whohasfallen，withallthebravemenheledinthelateexpedition。Lundiewouldhaveitso，thoughitwouldhavebeenmorediscreetandbecomingtosendacommissionedofficerincommand。Dunhamwasabraveman，notwithstanding，andshallhavejusticedonehismemory。Inshort，wehaveallactedforthebest，andthatisasmuchascouldbesaidinfavorofPrinceEugene，theDukeofMarlborough，orthegreatEarlofStairhim-

self。

You’rewrongag’in，Quartermaster，you’rewrongag’in，answeredPathfinder，resortingtoarusetomagnifyhisforce。TheSergeantissafeintheblocktoo，whereonemightsaythewholefamilyiscollected。

WellIrejoicetohearit，forwehadcertainlycountedtheSergeantamongtheslain。IfprettyMabelisintheblockstill，lethernotdelayaninstant，forheaven’ssake，inquittingit，fortheenemyisabouttoputittothetrialbyfire。Yeknowthepotencyofthatdreadelement，andwillbeactingmorelikethediscreetandexperiencedwar-

riorye’reuniversallyallowedtobe，inyieldingaplaceyoucanna’defend，thanindrawingdownruinonyourselfandcompanions。

Iknowthepotencyoffire，asyoucallit，Quarter-

master。andamnottobetold，atthislatehour，thatitcanbeusedforsomethingelsebesidescookingadinner。

ButImakenodoubtyou’veheardofthepotencyofKill-

deer，andthemanwhoattemptstolayapileofbrushagainsttheselogswillgetatasteofhispower。Asforarrows，itisnotintheirgifttosetthisbuildingonfire，forwe’venoshinglesonourroof，butgoodsolidlogsandgreenbark，andplentyofwaterbesides。Theroofissoflat，too，asyouknowyourself，Quartermaster，thatwecanwalkonit，andsonodangeronthatscorewhilewaterlasts。I’mpeaceableenoughifletalone。buthewhoen-

divorstoburnthisblockovermyheadwillfindthefiresquinchedinhisownblood。

Thisisidleandromantictalk，Pathfinder，andye’llnomaintainityourselfwhenyecometomeditateontherealities。Ihopeye’llno’gainsaytheloyaltyorthecour-

ageofthe55th，andIfeelconvincedthatacouncilofwarwoulddecideontheproprietyofasurrenderforthwith。

Na，na，Pathfinder，foolhardinessisnamairlikethebrav-

eryo’WallaceorBrucethanAlbanyontheHudsonisliketheoldtownofEdinbro’。

Aseachofusseemstohavemadeuphismind，Quar-

termaster，morewordsareuseless。Iftheriptylesnearyouaredisposedtosetabouttheirhellishjob，letthembeginatonce。Theycanburnwood，andI’llburnpow-

der。IfIwereanIndianatthestake，IsupposeIcouldbragaswellastherestofthem。but，mygiftsandnatur’

beingbothwhite，myturnisratherfordoingthantalk-

ing。You’vesaidquiteenough，consideringyoucarrytheking’scommission。andshouldweallbeconsumed，noneofuswillbearyouanymalice。

Pathfinder，ye’llno’beexposingMabel，prettyMabelDunham，tosic’acalamity！

MabelDunhamisbythesideofherwoundedfather，andGodwillcareforthesafetyofapiouschild。Notahair，ofherheadshallfall，whilemyarmandsightremaintrue。andthough_you_maytrusttheMingos，MasterMuir，Iputnofaithinthem。You’veaknavishTuscarorainyourcompanythere，whohasartandmaliceenoughtospoilthecharacterofanytribewithwhichheconsorts，thoughhefoundtheMingosreadyruinedtohishands，I

fear。Butenoughsaid。nowleteachpartygototheuseofhismeansandhisgifts。

ThroughoutthisdialoguePathfinderhadkepthisbodycovered，lestatreacherousshotshouldbeaimedattheloop。andhenowdirectedCaptoascendtotheroofinordertobeinreadinesstomeetthefirstassault。Al-

thoughthelatterusedsufficientdiligence，hefoundnolessthantenblazingarrowsstickingtothebark，whiletheairwasfilledwiththeyellsandwhoopsoftheenemy。

Arapiddischargeofriflesfollowed，andthebulletscamepatteringagainstthelogs，inawaytoshowthatthestrug-

glehadindeedseriouslycommenced。

Theseweresounds，however，thatappalledneitherPath-

findernorCap，whileMabelwastoomuchabsorbedinherafflictiontofeelalarm。Shehadgoodsenseenough，too，tounderstandthenatureofthedefences，andfullytoap-

preciatetheirimportance。Asforherfather，thefamiliarnoisesrevivedhim。anditpainedhischild，atsuchamoment，toseethathisglassyeyebegantokindle，andthatthebloodreturnedtoacheekithaddeserted，ashelistenedtotheuproar。ItwasnowMabelfirstperceivedthathisreasonbeganslightlytowander。

Orderupthelightcompanies，hemuttered，andletthegrenadierscharge！Dotheydaretoattackusinourfort？Whydoesnottheartilleryopenonthem？

Atthatinstanttheheavyreportofagunburstonthenight。andthecrashingofrendingwoodwasheard，asaheavyshottorethelogsintheroomabove，andthewholeblockshookwiththeforceofashellthatlodgedinthework。ThePathfindernarrowlyescapedthepassageofthisformidablemissileasitentered。butwhenitexploded，Mabelcouldnotsuppressashriek，forshesupposedalloverherhead，whetheranimateorinanimate，destroyed。

Toincreaseherhorror，herfathershoutedinafranticvoicetocharge！

Mabel，saidPathfinder，withhisheadatthetrap，thisistrueMingowork——morenoisethaninjury。ThevagabondshavegotthehowitzerwetookfromtheFrench，andhavedischargeditag’intheblock。butfortunatelytheyhavefiredofftheonlyshellwehad，andthereisanindofitsuseforthepresent。Thereissomeconfusionamongthestoresupinthisloft，butnooneishurt。Youruncleisstillontheroof。and，asformyself，I’verunthegauntletoftoomanyriflestobeskearyaboutsuchathingasahowitzer，andthatinIndianhands。

Mabelmurmuredherthanks，andtriedtogiveallherattentiontoherfather，whoseeffortstorisewereonlycounteractedbyhisdebility。Duringthefearfulminutesthatsucceeded，shewassomuchoccupiedwiththecareoftheinvalidthatshescarcelyheededtheclamorthatreignedaroundher。Indeed，theuproarwassogreat，that，hadnotherthoughtsbeenotherwiseemployed，con-

fusionoffacultiesratherthanalarmwouldprobablyhavebeentheconsequence。

Cappreservedhiscoolnessadmirably。Hehadapro-

foundandincreasingrespectforthepowerofthesavages，andevenforthemajestyoffreshwater，itistrue。buthisapprehensionsoftheformerproceededmorefromhisdreadofbeingscalpedandtorturedthanfromanyun-

manlyfearofdeath。and，ashewasnowonthedeckofahouse，ifnotonthedeckofaship，andknewthattherewaslittledangerofboarders，hemovedaboutwithafear-

lessnessandarashexposureofhispersonthatPathfinder，hadhebeenawareofthefact，wouldhavebeenthefirsttocondemn。Insteadofkeepinghisbodycovered，agreeablytotheusagesofIndianwarfare，hewasseenoneverypartoftheroof，dashingthewaterrightandleft，withtheap-

parentsteadinessandunconcernhewouldhavemanifestedhadhebeenasailtrimmerexercisinghisartinabattleafloat。Hisappearancewasoneofthecausesoftheex-

traordinaryclamoramongtheassailants。who，unusedtoseetheirenemiessoreckless，openeduponhimwiththeirtongues，likeapackthathasthefoxinview。Stillheap-

pearedtopossessacharmedlife。for，thoughthebulletswhistledaroundhimoneveryside，andhisclotheswereseveraltimestorn，nothingcuthisskin。Whentheshellpassedthroughthelogsbelow，theoldsailordroppedhisbucket，wavedhishat，andgavethreecheers。inwhichheroicacthewasemployedasthedangerousmissileex-

ploded。Thischaracteristicfeatprobablysavedhislife。

forfromthatinstanttheIndiansceasedtofireathim，andeventoshoottheirflamingarrowsattheblock，hav-

ingtakenupthenotionsimultaneously，andbycommonconsent，thattheSaltwaterwasmad。anditwasasingulareffectoftheirmagnanimitynevertoliftahandagainstthosewhomtheyimagineddevoidofreason。

TheconductofPathfinderwasverydifferent。Every-

thinghedidwasregulatedbythemostexactcalculation，theresultoflongexperienceandhabitualthoughtfulness。

Hispersonwaskeptcarefullyoutofalinewiththeloops，andthespotthatheselectedforhislook-outwasonequiteremovedfromdanger。Thiscelebratedguidehadoftenbeenknowntoleadforlornhopes：hehadoncestoodatthestake，sufferingunderthecrueltiesandtauntsofsavageingenuityandsavageferocitywithoutquailing。andlegendsofhisexploits，coolness，anddaringweretobeheardallalongthatextensivefrontier，orwherevermendweltandmencontended。Butonthisoccasion，onewhodidnotknowhishistoryandcharactermighthavethoughthisexceedingcareandstudiedattentiontoself-preservationproceededfromanunworthymotive。Butsuchajudgewouldnothaveunderstoodhissubject。thePathfinderbethoughthimofMabel，andofwhatmightpossiblybetheconsequencestothatpoorgirlshouldanycasualtybefallhimself。Buttherecollectionratherquickenedhisintel-

lectthanchangedhiscustomaryprudence。Hewas，infact，oneofthosewhowassounaccustomedtofear，thatheneverbethoughthimoftheconstructionsothersmightputuponhisconduct。Butwhileinmomentsofdangerheactedwiththewisdomoftheserpent，itwasalsowiththesimplicityofachild。

Forthefirsttenminutesoftheassault，Pathfinderneverraisedthebreechofhisriflefromthefloor，exceptwhenhechangedhisownposition，forhewellknewthatthebulletsoftheenemywerethrownawayuponthemassivelogsofthework。andashehadbeenatthecaptureofthehowitzerhefeltcertainthatthesavageshadnoothershellthantheonefoundinitwhenthepiecewastaken。

Thereexistednoreason，therefore，todreadthefireoftheassailants，exceptasacasualbulletmightfindapassagethroughaloophole。Oneortwooftheseaccidentsdidoccur，buttheballsenteredatananglethatdeprivedthemofallchanceofdoinganyinjurysolongastheIndianskeptneartheblock。andifdischargedfromadistance，therewasscarcelythepossibilityofoneinahundred’sstrikingtheapertures。ButwhenPathfinderheardthesoundofmocassinedfeetandtherustlingofbrushatthefootofthebuilding，heknewthattheattempttobuildafireagainstthelogswasabouttoberenewed。HenowsummonedCapfromtheroof，where，indeed，allthedangerhadceased，anddirectedhimtostandinreadinesswithhiswaterataholeimmediatelyoverthespotassailed。

Onelesstrainedthanourherowouldhavebeeninahurrytorepelthisdangerousattemptalso，andmighthaveresortedtohismeansprematurely。notsowithPathfinder。

Hisaimwasnotonlytoextinguishthefire，aboutwhichhefeltlittleapprehension，buttogivetheenemyalessonthatwouldrenderhimwaryduringtheremainderofthenight。Inordertoeffectthelatterpurpose，itbecamenecessarytowaituntilthelightoftheintendedconflagra-

tionshoulddirecthisaim，whenhewellknewthataveryslighteffortofhisskillwouldsuffice。TheIroquoiswerepermittedtocollecttheirheapofdriedbrush，topileitagainsttheblock，tolightit，andtoreturntotheircoverswithoutmolestation。AllthatPathfinderwouldsufferCaptodo，wastorollabarrelfilledwithwatertotheholeimmediatelyoverthespot，inreadinesstobeusedattheproperinstant。Thatmoment，however，didnotarrive，inhisjudgment，untiltheblazeilluminatedthesurroundingbushes，andtherehadbeentimeforhisquickandpractisedeyetodetecttheformsofthreeorfourlurkingsavages，whowerewatchingtheprogressoftheflames，withthecoolindifferenceofmenaccustomedtolookonhumanmiserywithapathy。Then，indeed，hespoke。

Areyouready，friendCap？heasked。Theheatbeginstostrikethroughthecrevices。andalthoughthesegreenlogsarenotofthefierynatur’ofanill-temperedman，theymaybekindledintoablazeifoneprovokesthemtoomuch。Areyoureadywiththebarrel？Seethatithastherightcut，andthatnoneofthewateriswasted。

Allready！answeredCap，inthemannerinwhichaseamanrepliestosuchademand。

Thenwaitfortheword。Neverbeover-impatientinacriticaltime，norfool-riskyinabattle。Waitfortheword。

WhilethePathfinderwasgivingthesedirections，hewasalsomakinghisownpreparations。forhesawitwastimetoact。Killdeerwasdeliberatelyraised，pointed，anddis-

charged。Thewholeprocessoccupiedabouthalfaminute，andastheriflewasdrawnintheeyeofthemarksmanwasappliedtothehole。

Thereisoneriptyletheless，Pathfindermutteredtohimself。I’veseenthatvagabondafore，andknowhimtobeamarcilessdevil。Well，well！themanactedaccord-

ingtohisgifts，andhehasbeenrewardedaccordingtohisgifts。Onemoreoftheknaves，andthatwillsarvetheturnforto-night。Whendaylightappears，wemayhavehotterwork。

Allthistimeanotherriflewasbeinggotready。andasPathfinderceased，asecondsavagefell。Thisindeedsufficed。for，indisposedtowaitforathirdvisitationfromthesamehand，thewholeband，whichhadbeencrouchinginthebushesaroundtheblock，ignorantofwhowasandwhowasnotexposedtoview，leapedfromtheircoversandfledtodifferentplacesforsafety。

Now，pouraway，MasterCap，saidPathfinder。I’vemademymarkontheblackguards。andweshallhavenomorefireslightedto-night。

Scaldings！criedCap，upsettingthebarrel，withacarethatatonceandcompletelyextinguishedtheflames。

Thisendedthesingularconflict。andtheremainderofthenightpassedinpeace。PathfinderandCapwatchedalternately，thoughneithercanbesaidtohaveslept。

Sleepindeedscarcelyseemednecessarytothem，forbothwereaccustomedtoprotractedwatchings。andtherewereseasonsandtimeswhentheformerappearedtobeliterallyinsensibletothedemandsofhungerandthirstandcalloustotheeffectsoffatigue。

Mabelwatchedbyherfather’spallet，andbegantofeelhowmuchourhappinessinthisworlddependsevenonthingsthatareimaginary。Hithertoshehadvirtuallylivedwithoutafather，theconnectionwithherremainingparentbeingidealratherthanpositive。butnowthatshewasabouttolosehim，shethoughtforthemomentthattheworldwouldbeavoidafterhisdeath，andthatshecouldneverbeacquaintedwithhappinessagain。

CHAPTERXXV。

Therewasaroaringinthewindallnight。

Theraincameheavily，andfellinfloods。

Butnowthesunisrisingcalmandbright。

Thebirdsaresinginginthedistantwoods。

WORDSWORTH。

Asthelightreturned，PathfinderandCapascendedagaintotheroof，withaviewtoreconnoitrethestateofthingsoncemoreontheisland。Thispartoftheblock-

househadalowbattlementaroundit，whichaffordedaconsiderableprotectiontothosewhostoodinitscentre。

theintentionhavingbeentoenablemarksmentoliebe-

hinditandtofireoveritstop。Bymakingproperuse，therefore，oftheseslightdefences，——slightastoheight，thoughabundantlyampleasfarastheywent，——thetwolook-outscommandedaprettygoodviewoftheisland，itscoversexcepted，andofmostofthechannelsthatledtothespot。

Thegalewasstillblowingveryfreshatsouth。andtherewereplacesintheriverwhereitssurfacelookedgreenandangry，thoughthewindhadhardlysweepenoughtoraisethewaterintofoam。Theshapeofthelittleislandwasnearlyoval，anditsgreaterlengthwasfromeasttowest。

Bykeepinginthechannelsthatwashedit，inconsequenceoftheirseveralcoursesandofthedirectionofthegale，itwouldhavebeenpossibleforavesseltorangepasttheislandoneitherofitsprincipalsides，andalwaystokeepthewindverynearlyabeam。ThesewerethefactsfirstnoticedbyCap，andexplainedtohiscompanion。forthehopesofbothnowrestedonthechancesofreliefsentfromOswego。Atthisinstant，whiletheystoodgazinganxiouslyaboutthem，Capcriedout，inhislusty，heartymanner，Sail，ho！

Pathfinderturnedquicklyinthedirectionofhiscom-

panion’sface。andthere，sureenough，wasjustvisibletheobjectoftheoldsailor’sexclamation。Theelevationen-

abledthetwotooverlookthelowlandofseveraloftheadjacentislands。andthecanvasofavesselwasseenthroughthebushesthatfringedtheshoreofonethatlaytothesouthwardandwestward。Thestrangerwasunderwhatseamencalllowsail。butsogreatwasthepowerofthewind，thatherwhiteoutlineswereseenflyingpasttheopeningsoftheverdurewiththevelocityofafast-travellinghorse——resemblingaclouddrivingintheheavens。

ThatcannotbeJasper，saidPathfinderindisappoint-

ment。forbedidnotrecognizethecutterofhisfriendintheswift-passingobject。No，no，theladisbehindthehour。andthatissomecraftwhichtheFrenchershavesenttoaidtheirfriends，theaccursedMingos。

Thistimeyouareoutinyourreckoning，friendPath-

finder，ifyouneverwerebefore，returnedCapinaman-

nerthathadlostnoneofitsdogmatismbythecriticalcir-

cumstancesinwhichtheywereplaced。Freshwaterorsalt，thatistheheadofthe_Scud’s_mainsail，foritiscutwithasmallergorethancommon。andthenyoucanseethatthegaffhasbeenfished——quiteneatlydone，Iadmit，butfished。

Icanseenoneofthis，Iconfess，answeredPathfinder，towhomeventhetermsofhiscompanionwereGreek。

No！Well，Iownthatsurprisesme，forIthoughtyoureyescouldseeanything！Nowtomenothingisplainerthanthatgoreandthatfish。andImustsay，myhonestfriend，thatinyourplaceIshouldapprehendthatmysightwasbeginningtofail。

IfJasperistrulycoming，Ishallapprehendbutlittle。

WecanmakegoodtheblockagainstthewholeMingona-

tionforthenexteightortenhours。andwithEau-doucetocovertheretreat，Ishalldespairofnothing。Godsendthattheladmaynotrunalongsideofthebank，andfallintoanambushment，asbefelltheSergeant！

Ay，there’sthedanger。Thereoughttohavebeensig-

nalsconcerted，andananchorage-groundbuoyedout，andevenaquarantinestationoralazarettowouldhavebeenuseful，couldwehavemadetheseMinks-horespectthelaws。Iftheladfetchesup，asyousay，anywhereintheneighborhoodofthisisland，wemaylookuponthecutteraslost。And，afterall，MasterPathfinder，oughtwenottosetdownthissameJasperasasecretallyoftheFrench，ratherthanasafriendofourown？IknowtheSergeantviewsthematterinthatlight。andImustsaythiswholeaffairlooksliketreason。

Weshallsoonknow，weshallsoonknow，MasterCap。

forthere，indeed，comesthecutterclearoftheotherisland，andfiveminutesmustsettlethematter。Itwouldbenomorethanfair，however，ifwecouldgivetheboysomesigninthewayofwarning。Itisnotrightthatheshouldfallintothetrapwithoutanoticethatithasbeenlaid。

Anxietyandsuspense，notwithstanding，preventedeitherfromattemptingtomakeanysignal。Itwasnoteasy，truly，toseehowitcouldbedone。forthe_Scud_camefoamingthroughthechannel，ontheweathersideoftheisland，ataratethatscarcelyadmittedofthenecessarytime。Norwasanyonevisibleonherdecktomakesignsto。evenherhelmseemeddeserted，thoughhercoursewasassteadyasherprogresswasrapid。

Capstoodinsilentadmirationofaspectaclesounusual。

But，asthe_Scud_drewnearer，hispractisedeyedetectedthehelminplaybymeansoftiller-ropes，thoughtheper-

sonwhosteeredwasconcealed。Asthecutterhadweather-

boardsofsomelittleheight，themysterywasexplained，nodoubtremainingthatherpeoplelaybehindthelatter，inordertobeprotectedfromtheriflesoftheenemy。Asthisfactshowedthatnoforcebeyondthatofthesmallcrewcouldbeonboard，Pathfinderreceivedhiscompan-

ion’sexplanationwithanominousshakeofthehead。

ThisprovesthattheSarpenthasnotreachedOswego，

saidhe，andthatwearenottoexpectsuccorfromthegarrison。IhopeLundiehasnottakenitintohisheadtodisplacethelad，forJasperWesternwouldbeahostofhimselfinsuchastrait。Wethree，MasterCap，oughttomakeamanfulwarfare：you，asaseaman，tokeepuptheintercoursewiththecutter。Jasper，asalakerwhoknowsallthatisnecessarytobedoneonthewater。andI，withgiftsthatareasgoodasanyamongtheMingos，letmebewhatImayinotherparticulars。IsayweoughttomakeamanfulfightinMabel’sbehalf。

Thatweought，andthatwewill，answeredCaphear-

tily。forhebegantohavemoreconfidenceinthesecurityofhisscalpnowthathesawthesunagain。Isetdownthearivalofthe_Scud_asonecircumstance，andthechancesofOh-deuce’shonestyasanother。ThisJasperisayoungmanofprudence，youfind。forhekeepsagoodoffing，andseemsdeterminedtoknowhowmattersstandontheislandbeforeheventurestobringup。

Ihaveit！Ihaveit！exclaimedPathfinder，withex-

ultation。ThereliesthecanoeoftheSarpentonthecut-

ter’sdeck。andthechiefhasgotonboard，andnodoubthasgivenatrueaccountofourcondition。for，unlikeaMingo，aDelawareissartaintogetastoryright，ortoholdhistongue。

Thatcanoemaynotbelongtothecutter，saidthecaptiousseaman。Oh-deucehadoneonboardwhenhesailed。

Verytrue，friendCap。butifyouknowyoursailsandmastsbyyourgoresandfishes，Iknowmycanoesandmypathsbyfrontierknowledge。Ifyoucanseenewclothinasail，Icanseenewbarkinacanoe。ThatistheboatoftheSarpent，andthenoblefellowhasstruckoffforthegarrisonassoonashefoundtheblockbeseiged，hasfalleninwiththe_Scud_，and，aftertellinghisstory，hasbroughtthecutterdownheretoseewhatcanbedone。TheLordgrantthatJasperWesternbestillonboardher！

Yes，yes。itmightnotbeamiss。for，traitororloyal，theladhasahandywaywithhiminagale，itmustbeowned。

Andincomingoverwaterfalls！saidPathfinder，nudg-

ingtheribsofhiscompanionwithanelbow，andlaughinginhissilentbutheartymanner。Wewillgivetheboyhisdue，thoughhescalpsusallwithhisownhand。

The_Scud_wasnowsonear，thatCapmadenoreply。

Thescene，justatthatinstant，wassopeculiar，thatitmeritsaparticulardescription，whichmayalsoaidthereaderinformingamoreaccuratenatureofthepicturewewishtodraw。

Thegalewasstillblowingviolently。Manyofthesmallertreesbowedtheirtops，asifreadytodescendtotheearth，whiletherushingofthewindthroughthebranchesofthegrovesresembledtheroarofdistantchariots。

Theairwasfilledwithleaves，which，atthatlateseason，werereadilydrivenfromtheirstems，andflewfromislandtoislandlikeflightsofbirds。Withthisexception，thespotseemedsilentasthegrave。Thatthesavagesstillremained，wastobeinferredfromthefactthattheircanoes，togetherwiththeboatsofthe55th，layinagroupinthelittlecovethathadbeenselectedasaharbor。Otherwise，notasignoftheirpresencewastobedetected。Thoughtakenen-

tirelybysurprisebythecutter，thesuddenreturnofwhichwasaltogetherunlooked-for，souniformaudinbredweretheirhabitsofcautionwhileonthewar-path，thatthein-

stantanalarmwasgiveneverymanhadtakentohiscoverwiththeinstinctandcunningofafoxseekinghishole。

Thesamestillnessreignedintheblockhouse。forthoughPathfinderandCapcouldcommandaviewofthechan-

nel，theytooktheprecautionnecessarytolieconcealed。

Theunusualabsenceofanythinglikeanimallifeonboardthe_Scud_，too，wasstillmoreremarkable。AstheIndianswitnessedherapparentlyundirectedmovements，afeelingofawegainedafootingamongthem，andsomeofthebold-

estoftheirpartybegantodistrusttheissueofanexpedi-

tionthathadcommencedsoprosperotisly。EvenArrow-

head，accustomedashewastointercoursewiththewhitesonbothsidesofthelakes，fanciedtherewassomethingominousintheappearanceofthisunmannedvessel，andhewouldgladlyatthatmomenthavebeenlandedagainonthemain。

Inthemeantimetheprogressofthecutterwassteadyandrapid。Sheheldherwaymid-channel，nowincliningtothegusts，andnowrisingagain，likethephilosopherthatbendstothecalamitiesoflifetoresumehiserectat-

titudeastheypassaway，butalwayspilingthewaterbe-

neathherbowsinfoam。Althoughshewasundersoveryshortcanvas，hervelocitywasgreat，andtherecouldnothaveelapsedtenminutesbetweenthetimewhenhersailswerefirstseenglancingpastthetreesandbushesinthedistanceandthemomentwhenshewasabreastoftheblockhouse。CapandPathfinderleanedforward，asthecut-

tercamebeneaththeireyrie，eagertogetabetterviewofherdeck，when，tothedelightofboth，JasperEau-doucespranguponhisfeetandgavethreeheartycheers。Re-

gardlessofallrisk，Capleapedupontherampartoflogsandreturnedthegreeting，cheerforcheer。Happily，thepolicyoftheenemysavedthelatter。fortheystilllayquiet，notariflebeingdischarged。Ontheotherhand，Pathfinderkeptinviewtheuseful，utterlydisregardingthemeredramaticpartofwarfare。Themomenthebe-

heldhisfriendJasper，hecalledouttohimwithstentorianlungs，——

Standbyus，lad，andtheday’sourown！Give’emagristinyonderbushes，andyou’llput’emuplikepart-

ridges。

PartofthisreachedJasper’sears，butmostwasborneofftoleewardonthewingsofthewind。Bythetimethiswassaid，the_Scud_haddrivenpast，andinthenextmomentshewashidfromviewbythegroveinwhichtheblockhousewaspartiallyconcealed。

Twoanxiousminutessucceeded。but，attheexpirationofthatbriefspace，thesailswereagaingleamingthroughthetrees，Jasperhavingwore，jibed，andhauledupundertheleeoftheislandontheothertack。Thewindwasfreeenough，ashasbeenalreadyexplained，toadmitofthismanoeuvre。andthecutter，catchingthecurrentunderherleebow，wasbreasteduptohercourseinawaythatshowedshewouldcomeouttowindwardoftheislandagainwithoutanydifficulty。Thiswholeevolutionwasmadewiththegreatestfacility，notasheetbeingtouched，thesailstrimmingthemselves，therudderalonecontrollingtheadmirablemachine。Theobjectappearedtobeare-

connoissance。When，however，the_Scud_hadmadethecir-

cuitoftheentireisland，andhadagaingotherweatherlypositioninthechannelbywhichshehadfirstapproached，herhelmwasputdown，andshetacked。Thenoiseofthemainsailflappingwhenitfilled，lose-reefedasitwas，soundedlikethereportofagun，andCaptrembledlesttheseamsshouldopen。

HisMajestygivesgoodcanvas，itmustbeowned，

mutteredtheoldseaman。anditmustbeowned，too，thatboyhandleshisboatasifhewerethoroughlybred！

D——me，MasterPathfinder，ifIbelieve，afterallthathasbeenreportedinthematter，thatthisMisterOh-deucegothistradeonthisbitoffreshwater。

Hedid。yes，hedid。Heneversawtheocean，andhascomebyhiscallingaltogetheruphereonOntario。Ihaveoftenthoughthehasanat’ralgiftinthewayofschoonersandsloops，andhaverespectedhimaccordingly。Asfortreasonandlyingandblack-heartedvices，friendCap，JasperWesternisasfreeasthemostvirtuousestoftheDelawarewarriors。andifyoucravetoseeatrulyhonestman，youmustgoamongthattribetodiscoverhim。

Therehecomesround！exclaimedthedelightedCap，the_Scud_atthismomentfillingonheroriginaltack。andnowweshallseewhattheboywouldbeat。hecannotmeantokeeprunningupanddownthesepassages，likeagirlfootingitthroughacountry-dance。

The_Scud_nowkeptsomuchaway，thatforamomentthetwoobserversontheblockhousefearedJaspermeanttocome-to。andthesavages，intheirlairs，gleamedoutuponherwiththesortofexultationthatthecrouchingtigermaybesupposedtofeelasheseeshisunconsciousvictimapproachhisbed。ButJasperhadnosuchinten-

tion：familiarwiththeshore，andacquaintedwiththedepthofwateroneverypartoftheisland，hewellknewthatthe_Scud_mightberunagainstthebankwithimpu-

nity，andheventuredfearlesslysonear，that，ashepassedthroughthelittlecove，hesweptthetwoboatsofthesol-

diersfromtheirfasteningsandforcedthemoutintothechannel，towingthemwiththecutter。AsallthecanoeswerefastenedtothetwoDunhamboats，bythisboldandsuccessfulattemptthesavageswereatoncedeprivedofthemeansofquittingtheisland，unlessbyswimming，andtheyappearedtobeinstantlyawareoftheveryimportantfact。Risinginabody，theyfilledtheairwithyells，andpouredinaharmlessfire。Whileupinthisunguardedmanner，tworiflesweredischargedbytheiradversaries。

Onecamefromthesummitoftheblock，andanIroquoisfelldeadinhistracks，shotthroughthebrain。Theothercamefromthe_Scud_。ThelastwasthepieceoftheDela-

ware，but，lesstruethanthatofhisfriend，itonlymaimedanenemyforlife。Thepeopleofthe_Scud_shouted，andthesavagessankagain，toaman，asifitmightbeintotheearth。

ThatwastheSarpent’svoice，saidPathfinder，assoonasthesecondpiecewasdischarged。IknowthecrackofhisrifleaswellasIdothatofKilldeer。’Tisagoodbar-

rel，thoughnotsartaindeath。Well，well，withChingach-

gookandJasperonthewater，andyouandIintheblock，friendCap，itwillbehardifwedon’tteachtheseMingoscampstherationalityofafight。

Allthistimethe_Scud_wasinmotion。Assoonashehadreachedtheendoftheisland，Jaspersenthisprizesadrift。andtheywentdownbeforethewinduntiltheystrandedonapointhalfamiletoleeward。Hethenwore，andcamestemmingthecurrentagain，throughtheotherpassage。Thoseonthesummitoftheblockcouldnowperceivethatsomethingwasinagitationonthedeckofthe_Scud_。and，totheirgreatdelight，justasthecuttercameabreastoftheprincipalcove，onthespotwheremostoftheenemylay，thehowitzerwhichcomposedhersolearmamentwasunmasked，andashowerofcase-shotwassenthissingintothebushes。AbevyofquailwouldnothaverisenquickerthanthisunexpecteddischargeofironhailputuptheIroquois。whenasecondsavagefellbyamessengersentfromKilldeer，andanotherwentlimpingawaybyavisitfromtherifleofChingachgook。Newcoverswereimmediatelyfound，however。andeachpartyseemedtopreparefortherenewalofthestrifeinanotherform。ButtheappearanceofJune，bearingawhiteflag，andaccompaniedbytheFrenchofficerandMuir，stayedthehandsofall，andwastheforerunnerofanotherparley。

Thenegotiationthatfollowedwasheldbeneaththeblockhouse。andsonearitasatoncetoputthosewhowereuncoveredcompletelyatthemercyofPathfinder’sunerringaim。Jasperanchoreddirectlyabeam。andthehowitzer，too，waskepttraineduponthenegotiators：sothatthebeseigedandtheirfriends，withtheexceptionofthemanwhoheldthematch，hadnohesitationaboutex-

posingtheirpersons。Chingachgookalonelayinambush。

more，however，fromhabitthandistrust。

You’vetriumphed，Pathfinder，calledouttheQuarter-

master，andCaptainSanglierhascomehimselftoofferterms。You’llno’bedenyingabraveenemyhonorableretreat，whenhehasfoughtyefairly，anddoneallthecredithecouldtokingandcountry。Yearetooloyalasubjectyourselftovisitloyaltyandfidelitywithaheavyjudgment。Iamauthorizedtooffer，onthepartoftheenemy，anevacuationoftheisland，amutualexchangeofprisoners，andarestorationofscalps。Intheabsenceofbaggageandartillery，littlemorecanbedone。

Astheconversationwasnecessarilycarriedoninahighkey，bothonaccountofthewindandofthedistance，allthatwassaidwasheardequallybythoseintheblockandthoseinthecutter。

Whatdoyousaytothat，Jasper？calledoutPath-

finder。Youheartheproposal。Shallweletthevaga-

bondsgo？orshallwemarkthem，astheymarktheirsheepinthesettlements，thatwemayknowthemagain？

WhathasbefallenMabelDunham？demandedtheyoungman，withafrownonhishandsomeface，thatwasvisibleeventothoseontheblock。Ifahairofherheadhasbeentouched，itwillgohardwiththewholeIro-

quoistribe。

Nay，nay，sheissafebelow，nursingadyingparent，asbecomeshersex。WeowenogrudgeonaccountoftheSergeant’shurt，whichcomesoflawfulwarfare。andasforMabel——

Sheishere！exclaimedthegirlherself，whohadmountedtotheroofthemomentshefoundthedirectionthingsweretaking，——sheishere！and，inthenameofourholyreligion，andofthatGodwhomweprofesstowor-

shipincommon，lettherebenomorebloodshed！Enoughhasbeenspiltalready。andifthesemenwillgoaway，Pathfinder——iftheywilldepartpeaceably，Jasper——oh，donotdetainoneofthem！Mypoorfatherisapproachinghisend，anditwerebetterthatheshoulddrawhislastbreathinpeacewiththeworld。Go，go，FrenchmenandIndians！wearenolongeryourenemies，andwillharmnoneofyou。

Tut，tut，Magnet！putinCap。thissoundsreligious，perhaps，orlikeabookofpoetry。butitdoesnotsoundlikecommonsense。Theenemyisjustreadytostrike。

Jasperisanchoredwithhisbroadsidetobear，and，nodoubt，withspringsonhiscables。Pathfinder’seyeandhandareastrueastheneedle。andweshallgetprize-

money，head-money，andhonorinthebargain，ifyouwillnotinterfereforthenexthalf-hour。

Well，saidPathfinder，IinclinetoMabel’swayofthinking。There_has_beenenoughbloodshedtoanswerourpurposeandtosarvetheking。andasforhonor，inthatmeaning，itwilldobetterforyoungensignsandre-

cruitsthanforcool-headed，obsarvantChristianmen。

Thereishonorindoingwhat’sright，andunhonorindoingwhat’swrong。andIthinkitwrongtotakethelifeevenofaMingo，withoutausefulendinview，Ido。andnghttohearreasonatalltimes。So，LieutenantMuir，letusknowwhatyourfriendstheFrenchersandIndianshavetosayforthemselves。

Myfriends！saidMuir，starting。you’llno’becallingtheking’senemiesmyfriends，Pathfinder，becausethefortuneofwarhasthrownmeintotheirhands？Someofthegreatestwarriors，bothofancientaudmoderntimes，havebeenprisonersofwar。andyonisMasterCap，whocantestifywhetherwedidnotdoallthatmencouldde-

visetoescapethecalamity。

Ay，ay，drilyansweredCap。escapeistheproperword。Weranbelowaudhidourselves，andsodiscreetly，thatwemighthaveremainedintheholetothishour，haditnotbeenforthenecessityofre-stowingthebreadlockers。

Youburrowedonthatoccasion，Quartermaster，ashandilyasafox。andhowthed——lyouknewsowellwheretofindthespotisamatterofwondertome。Aregularskulkonboardshipdoesnottrailaftmorereadilywhenthejibistobestowed，thanyouwentintothatsamehole。

Anddidyeno’follow？Therearemomentsinaman’slifewhenreasonascendstoinstinct——

Andmendescendintoholes，interruptedCap，laugh-

inginhisboisterousway，whilePathfinderchimedin，inhispeculiarmanner。EvenJasper，thoughstillfilledwithconcernforMabel，wasobligedtosmile。Theysaythed——lwouldn’tmakeasailorifhedidn’tlookaloft。andnowitseemshe’llnotmakeasoldierifhedoesn’tlookbelow！

Thisburstofmerriment，thoughitwasanythingbutagreeabletoMuir，contributedlargelytowardskeepingthepeace。Capfanciedhehadsaidathingmuchbetterthancommon。andthatdisposedhimtoyieldhisownopiniononthemainpoint，solongashegotthegoodopin-

ionofhiscompanionsonhisnovelclaimtobeawit。

Afterashortdiscussion，allthesavagesontheislandwerecollectedinabody，withoutarms，atthedistanceofahun-

dredyardsfromtheblock，andunderthegunofthe_Scud_。

whilePathfinderdescendedtothedooroftheblockhouseandsettledthetermsonwhichtheislandwastobefinallyevacuatedbytheenemy。Consideringallthecircum-

stances，theconditionswerenotverydiscreditabletoeitherparty。TheIndianswerecompelledtogiveupalltheirarms，eventotheirknivesandtomahawks，asameasureofprecaution，theirforcebeingstillquadruplethatoftheirfoes。TheFrenchofficer，MonsieurSanglier，ashewasusuallystyled，andchosetocallhimself，remonstratedagainstthisactasonelikelytoreflectmorediscreditonhiscommandthananyotherpartoftheaffair。butPath-

finder，whohadwitnessedoneortwoIndianmassacres，andknewhowvaluelesspledgesbecamewhenputinop-

positiontointerestwhereasavagewasconcerned，wasob-

durate。Thesecondstipulationwasofnearlythesameimportance。ItcompelledCaptainSangliertogiveupallhisprisoners，whohadbeenkeptwellguardedintheveryholeorcaveinwhichCapandMuirhadtakenrefuge。

Whenthesemenwereproduced，fourofthemwerefoundtobeunhurt。theyhadfallenmerelytosavetheirlives，acommonartificeinthatspeciesofwarfare。andofthere-

mainder，twoweresoslightlyinjuredasnottobeunfitforservice。Astheybroughttheirmusketswiththem，thisadditiontohisforceimmediatelyputPathfinderathisease。for，havingcollectedallthearmsoftheenemyintheblockhouse，hedirectedthesementotakepossessionofthebuilding，stationingaregularsentinelatthedoor。Theremainderofthesoldiersweredead，thebadlywoundedhavingbeeninstantlydespatchedinordertoobtainthemuch-covetedscalps。

AssoonasJasperwasmadeacquaintedwiththeterms，andthepreliminarieshadbeensofarobservedastoren-

deritsafeforhimtobeabsent，hegotthe_Scud_underweigh。and，runningdowntothepointwheretheboatshadstranded，hetookthemintowagain，and，makingafewstretches，broughtthemintotheleewardpassage。

Hereallthesavagesinstantlyembarked，whenJaspertooktheboatsintowathirdtime，and，runningoffbeforethewind，hesoonsetthemadriftfullamiletoleewardoftheisland。TheIndianswerefurnishedwithbutasingleoarineachboattosteerwith，theyoungsailorwellknowingthatbykeepingbeforethewindtheywouldlandontheshoresofCanadainthecourseofthemorning。

CaptainSanglier，Arrowhead，andJunealoneremained，whenthisdispositionhadbeenmadeoftherestoftheparty：theformerhavingcertainpaperstodrawupandsignwithLieutenantMuir，whoinhiseyespossessedthevirtueswhichareattachedtoacommission。andthelat-

terpreferring，forreasonsofhisown，nottodepartincom-

panywithhislatefriends，theIroquis。Canoeswerede-

tainedforthedepartureofthesethree，whenthepropermomentshouldarrive。

Inthemeantime，orwhilethe_Scud_wasrunningdownwiththeboatsintow，PathfinderandCap，aidedbyproperassistants，busiedthemselveswithpreparingabreakfast。

mostofthepartynothavingeatenforfour-and-twentyhours。Thebriefspacethatpassedinthismannerbeforethe_Scud_came-toagainwaslittleinterruptedbydiscourse，thoughPathfinderfoundleisuretopayavisittotheSer-

geant，tosayafewfriendlywordstoMabel，andtogivesuchdirectionsashethoughtmightsmooththepassageofthedyingman。AsforMabelherself，heinsistedonhertakingsomelightrefreshment。and，therenolongerex-

istinganymotiveforkeepingitthere，hehadtheguardremovedfromtheblock，inorderthatthedaughtermighthavenoimpedimenttoherattentionstoherfather。Theselittlearrangementscompleted，ourheroreturnedtothefire，aroundwhichhefoundalltheremainderofthepartyassembled，includingJasper。

CHAPTERXXVI。

Yousawbutsorrowinitswaningform。

Aworkingsearemainingfromastorm，Wherenowthewearywavesrollo’erthedeep，Andfaintlymurmureretheyfallasleep。

DRYDEN。

Menaccustomedtoawarfarelikethatwehavebeende-

scribingarenotapttobemuchundertheinfluenceofthetenderfeelingswhilestillinthefield。Notwithstandingtheirhabits，however，morethanoneheartwaswithMabelintheblock，whiletheincidentsweareabouttorelatewereinthecourseofoccurrence。andeventheindispen-

sablemealwaslessrelishedbythehardiestofthesoldiersthanitmighthavebeenhadnottheSergeantbeensonearhisend。

AsPathfinderreturnedfromtheblock，hewasmetbyMuir，wholedhimasideinordertoholdaprivatediscourse。

ThemanneroftheQuartermasterhadthatairofsupere-

rogatorycourtesyaboutitwhichalmostinvariablydenotesartifice。for，whilephysiognomyandphrenologyarebutlamesciencesatthebest，andperhapsleadtoasmanyfalseasrightconclusions，weholdthatthereisnomoreinfallibleevidenceofinsincerityofpurpose，shortofovertacts，thanafacethatsmileswhenthereisnooccasion，andthetonguethatisoutofmeasuresmooth。Muirhadmuchofthismannerincommon，mingledwithanapparentfranknessthathisScottishintonationofvoice，Scottishaccent，andScottishmodesofexpressionweresingularlyadaptedtosustain。Heowedhispreferment，indeed，toalong-exer-

ciseddeferencetoLundieandhisfamily。for，whiletheMajorhimselfwasmuchtooacutetobethedupeofonesomuchhisinferiorinrealtalentsandattainments，mostpersonsareaccustomedtomakeliberalconcessionstotheflatterer，evenwhiletheydistrusthistruthandareper-

fectlyawareofhismotives。Onthepresentoccasion，thecontestinskillwasbetweentwomenascompletelytheoppositesofeachotherinalltheleadingessentialsofchar-

acterasverywellcouldbe。PathfinderwasassimpleastheQuartermasterwaspractised。hewasassincereastheotherwasfalse，andasdirectasthelastwastortuous。

Bothwerecoolandcalculating，andbothwerebrave，thoughindifferentmodesanddegrees。Muirneverexpos-

inghispersonexceptforeffect，whiletheguideincludedfearamongtherationalpassions，orasasensationtobedeferredtoonlywhengoodmightcomeofit。

Mydearestfriend，Muircommenced，——forye’llbedearertousall，byseventyandsevenfold，afteryourlateconductthaneveryewere，——ye’vejustestablishedyourselfinthislatetransaction。It’struethatthey’llnotbemak-

ingyeacommissionedofficer，forthatspeciesofprefair-

mentisnotmuchinyourline，normuchinyourwishes，I’mthinking。butasaguide，andacounsellor，andaloyalsubject，andanexpertmarksman，yerrenownmaybesaidtobefull。Idoubtifthecommander-in-chiefwillcarryawaywithhimfromAmericaasmuchcreditaswillfalltoyershare，andyeoughtjusttosetdownincontentandenjoyyoursal’fortheremainderofyerdays。Getmar-

ried，man，withoutdelay，andlooktoyourprecioushappi-

ness。forye’venooccasiontolookanylongertoyourglory。TakeMabelDunham，forHeaven’ssake，toyourbosom，andye’llhavebothabonniebrideandabonniereputation。

Why，Quartermaster，thisisanewpieceofadvicetocomefromyourmouth。They’vetoldmeIhadarivalinyou。

Andyehad，man，andaformidibleone，too，Icantellyou，——onethathasneveryetcourtedinvain，andyetonethathascourtedfivetimes。Lundietwitsmewithfour，andIdenythecharge。buthelittlethinksthetruthwouldoutdoevenhisarithmetic。Yes，yes，yehadarival，Path-

finder。butye’veonenolongerinme。Ye’vemyheartywishesforyersuccesswithMabel。andwerethehonestSergeantlikelytosurvive，yemightrelyonmygoodwordwithhim，too，foracertainty。

Ifeelyourfriendship，Quartermaster，Ifeelyourfriendship，thoughIhavenogreatneedofanyfavorwithSergeantDunham，whohaslongbeenmyfriend。Ibe-

lievewemaylookuponthemattertobeassartainasmostthingsinwar-time。for，Mabelandherfatherconsenting，thewhole55thcouldn’tverywellputastoptoit。Ah’sme！thepoorfatherwillscarcelylivetoseewhathishearthassolongbeensetupon。

Buthe’llhavetheconsolationofknowingitwillcometopass，indying。Oh，it’sagreatrelief，Pathfinder，forthepartingspirittofeelcertainthatthebelovedonesleftbehindwillbewellprovidedforafteritsdeparture。AlltheMistressMuirshavedulyexpressedthatsentimentwiththeirdyingbreaths。

Allyourwives，Quartermaster，havebeenlikelytofeelthisconsolation。

Outuponye，man！I’dno’thoughtyesuchawag。

Well，well。pleasantwordsmakenoheart-burningsbe-

tweenauldfri’nds。IfIcannotespouseMabel，ye’llnoobjecttomyesteemingher，andspeakingwellofher，andofyoursal’，too，onallsuitableoccasionsandinallcom-

panies。But，Pathfinder，ye’lleasilyunderstan’thatapoordeevilwholosessuchabridewillprobablystandinneedofsomeconsolation？

Quitelikely，quitelikely，Quartermaster，returnedthesimple-mindedguide。IknowthelossofMabelwouldbefoundheavytobebornebymyself。Itmaybearhardonyourfeelingstoseeusmarried。butthedeathoftheSergeantwillbelikelytoputitoff，andyou’llhavetimetothinkmoremanfullyofit，youwill。

I’llbearupagainstit。yes，I’llbearupagainstit，thoughmyheart-stringscrack！andyemighthelpme，man，bygivingmesomethingtodo。Ye’llunderstandthatthisexpeditionhasbeenofaverypeculiarnature。

forhereamI，bearingtheking’scommission，justavolun-

teer，asitmightbe。whileamereorderlyhashadthecommand。I’vesubmittedforvariousreasons，thoughmybloodhasboiledtobeinauthority，whileyewar’battling，，forthehonorofthecountryandhisMajesty’srights——

Quartermaster，interruptedtheguide，youfellsoearlyintotheenemy’shandsthatyourconscienceoughttobeeasilysatisfiedonthatscore。sotakemyadvice，andsaynothingaboutit。

That’sjustmyopinion，Pathfinder。we’llallsaynoth-

ingaboutit。SergeantDunhamis_horsdecombat_——

Anan？saidtheguide。