下载辰思小说免费APP
Why，theSergeantcancommandnolonger，anditwillhardlydotoleaveacorporalattheheadofavictoriouspartylikethis。forflowersthatwillbloominagardenwilldieonaheath。andIwasjustthinkingIwouldclaimtheauthoritythatbelongstoonewhoholdsalieutenant’scommission。Asforthemen，they’llnodaretoraiseanyobjaction。andasforyoursal’，mydearfriend，nowthatye’vesomuchhonor，andMabel，andtheconsciousnessofhavingdoneyerduty，whichismorepreciousthanall，I
expecttofindanallyratherthanonetoopposetheplan。
Asforcommandingthesoldiersofthe55th，Lieuten-
ant，itisyourright，Isuppose，andnooneherewillbelikelytogainsayit。thoughyou’vebeenaprisonerofwar，andtherearemenwhomightstandoutag’ingivinguptheirauthoritytoaprisonerreleasedbytheirowndeeds。
Stillnooneherewillbelikelytosayanythinghostiletoyourwishes。
That’sjustit，Pathfinder。andwhenIcometodrawupthereportofoursuccessagainsttheboats，andthede-
fenceoftheblock，togetherwiththegeneraloperations，includingthecapitulation，ye’llno’findanyomissionofyourclaimsandmerits。
Tutformyclaimsandmerits，Quartermaster！LundieknowswhatIamintheforestandwhatIaminthefort。
andtheGeneralknowsbetterthanhe。Nofearofme。
tellyourownstory，onlytakingcaretodojusticebyMabel’sfather，who，inonesense，isthecommandingofficeratthisverymoment。
Muirexpressedhisentiresatisfactionwiththisarrange-
ment，aswellashisdeterminationtodojusticebyall，whenthetwowenttothegroupassembledroundthefire。HeretheQuartermasterbegan，forthefirsttimesinceleavingOswego，toassumesomeoftheauthoritythatmightprop-
erlybesupposedtobelongtohisrank。Takingthere-
mainingcorporalaside，hedistinctlytoldthatfunctionarythathemustinfutureberegardedasoneholdingtheking’scommission，anddirectedhimtoacquainthissub-
ordinateswiththenewstateofthings。Thischangeinthedynastywaseffectedwithoutanyoftheusualsymp-
tomsofarevolution。for，asallwellunderstoodtheLieu-
tenant’slegalclaimstocommand，noonefeltdisposedtodisputehisorders。Forreasonsbestknowntothemselves，LundieandtheQuartermasterhadoriginallymadeadiffer-
entdisposition。andnow，forreasonsofhisown，thelatterhadseenfittochangeit。Thiswasreasoningenoughforsoldiers，thoughthehurtreceivedbySergeantDunhamwouldhavesufficientlyexplainedthecircumstancehadanexplanationbeenrequired。
AllthistimeCaptainSanglierwaslookingafterhisownbreakfastwiththeresignationofaphilosopher，thecool-
nessofaveteran，theingenuityandscienceofaFrench-
man，andthevoracityofanostrich。Thispersonhadnowbeeninthecolonysomethirtyyears，havingleftFranceinsomesuchsituationinhisownarmyasMuirfilledinthe55th。Anironconstitution，perfectobduracyoffeel-
ing，acertainaddresswellsuitedtomanagesavages，andanindomitablecourage，hadearlypointedhimouttothecommander-in-chiefasasuitableagenttobeemployedindirectingthemilitaryoperationsofhisIndianallies。Inthiscapacity，then，hehadrisentothetitularrankofcap-
tain。andwithhispromotionhadacquiredaportionofthehabitsandopinionsofhisassociateswithafacilityandanadaptationofselfwhicharethoughtinAmericatobepeculiartohiscountrymen。HehadoftenledpartiesoftheIroquoisintheirpredatoryexpeditions。andhiscon-
ductonsuchoccasionsexhibitedthecontradictoryresultsofbothalleviatingthemiseryproducedbythisspeciesofwarfare，andofaugmentingitbythebroaderviewsandgreaterresourcesofcivilization。Inotherwords，heplannedenterprisesthat，intheirimportanceandconse-
quences，muchexceededtheusualpolicyoftheIndians，andthensteppedintolessensomeoftheevilsofhisowncreating。Inshort，hewasanadventurerwhomcir-
cumstanceshadthrownintoasituationwherethecallousqualitiesofmenofhisclassmightreadilyshowthemselvesforgoodorforevil。andhewasnotofacharactertobafflefortunebyanyill-timedsqueamishnessonthescoreofearlyimpressions，ortotriflewithherliberalitybyunnec-
essarilyprovokingherfrownsthroughwantoncruelty。
Still，ashisnamewasunavoidablyconnectedwithmanyoftheexcessescommittedbyhisparties，hewasgenerallyoonsideredintheAmericanprovincesawretchwhode-
lightedinbloodshed，andwhofoundhisgreatesthappinessintormentingthehelplessandtheinnocent。andthenameofSanglier，whichwasasobriquetofhisownadopting，orofFlintHeart，ashewasusuallytermedontheborders，hadgottobeasterribletothewomenandchildrenofthatpartofthecountryasthoseofButlerandBrandtbecameatalaterday。
ThemeetingbetweenPathfinderandSanglierboresomeresemblancetothatcelebratedinterviewbetweenWelling-
tonandBlucherwhichhasbeensooftenandgraphicallytold。Ittookplaceatthefire。andthepartiesstoodear-
nestlyregardingeachotherformorethanaminutewith-
outspeaking。Eachfeltthatintheotherhesawaformi-
dablefoe。andeachfelt，whileheoughttotreattheotherwiththemanlyliberalityduetoawarrior，thattherewaslittleincommonbetweentheminthewayofcharacteraswellasofinterests。Oneservedformoneyandprefer-
ment。theother，becausehislifehadbeencastinthewil-
derness，andthelandofhisbirthneededhisarmandex-
perience。ThedesireofrisingabovehispresentsituationneverdisturbedthetranquillityofPathfinder。norhadheeverknownanambitiousthought，asambitionusuallybetraysitself，untilhebecameacquaintedwithMabel。
Sincethen，indeed，distrustofhimself，reverenceforher，andthewishtoplaceherinasituationabovethatwhichhethenfilled，hadcausedhimsomeuneasymoments。butthedirectnessandsimplicityofhischaracterhadearlyaffordedtherequiredrelief。andhesooncametofeelthatthewomanwhowouldnothesitatetoaccepthimforherhusbandwouldnotscrupletosharehisfortunes，howeverhumble。HerespectedSanglierasabravewarrior。andhehadfartoomuchofthatliberalitywhichistheresultofpracticalknowledgetobelievehalfofwhathehadheardtohisprejudice，forthemostbigotedandilliberaloneverysubjectareusuallythosewhoknownothingaboutit。buthecouldnotapproveofhisselfishness，cold-bloodedcalcu-
lations，andleastofallofthemannerinwhichheforgothiswhitegifts，toadoptthosethatwerepurelyred。
Ontheotherhand，PathfinderwasariddletoCaptainSanglier。Thelattercouldnotcomprehendtheother’smotives。hehadoftenheardofhisdisinterestedness，jus-
tice，andtruth。andinseveralinstancestheyhadledhimintograveerrors，onthatprinciplebywhichafrankandopen-moutheddiplomatistissaidtokeephissecretsbetterthanonethatisclose-mouthedandwily。
Afterthetwoheroeshadgazedateachotherintheman-
nermentioned，MonsieurSangliertouchedhiscap。fortherudenessofaborderlifehadnotentirelydestroyedthecourtesyofmannerhehadacquiredinyouth，norextin-
guishedthatappearanceof_bonhomie_whichseemsinbredinaFrenchman。
MonsieurlePathfinder，saidhe，withaverydecidedaccent，thoughwithafriendlysmile，_unmilitaire_honor_lecourage，etlaloyaute_。YouspeakIroquois？
Ay，Iunderstandthelanguageoftheriptyles，andcangetalongwithitifthere’soccasion，returnedtheliteralandtruth-tellingguide。butit’sneitheratonguenoratribetomytaste。WhereveryoufindtheMingoblood，inmyopinion，MasterFlinty-heart，youfindaknave。Well，I’veseenyouoften，thoughitwasinbattle。andImustsayitwasalwaysinthevan。Youmustknowmostofourbulletsbysight？
Nevvair，sair，yourown。_uneballe_fromyourhonorablehandbesairtainedeat’。Youkillmybestwarrioronsomeisland。
Thatmaybe，thatmaybe。thoughIdaresay，ifthetruthwasknown，theywouldturnouttobegreatrascals。
Nooffencetoyou，MasterFlinty-heart，butyoukeepdes-
perateevilcompany。
Yes，sair，returnedtheFrenchman，who，bentonsay-
ingthatwhichwascourteoushimself，andcomprehendingwithdifficulty，wasdisposedtothinkhereceivedacom-
pliment，youtoogood。But_unbrave_always_commeca_。
Whatthatmean？ha！whatthat_jeunehomme_do？
ThehandandeyeofCaptainSanglierdirectedthelookofPathfindertotheoppositesideofthefire，whereJasper，justatthatmoment，hadbeenrudelyseizedbytwoofthesoldiers，whowerebindinghisarmsunderthedirectionofMuir。
Whatdoesthatmean，indeed？criedtheguide，step-
pingforwardandshovingthetwosubordinatesawaywithapowerofmusclethatwouldnotbedenied。WhohasthehearttodothistoJasperEau-douce？andwhohastheboldnesstodoitbeforemyeyes？
Itisbymyorders，Pathfinder，answeredtheQuarter-
master，andIcommanditonmyownresponsibility。
Ye’llno’tak’onyourselftodisrutethelegalityofordersgivenbyonewhobearstheking’scommissiontotheking’ssoldiers？
I’ddisputetheking’swords，iftheycamefromtheking’sownmouth，didhesaythatJasperdesarvesthis。
Hasnottheladjustsavedallourscalps，takenusfromdefeat，andgivenusvictory？No，no，Lieutenant。ifthisisthefirstusethatyoumakeofyourauthority，I，forone，willnotrespectit。
Thissavorsalittleofinsubordination，answeredMuir。
butwecanbearmuchfromPathfinder。ItistruethisJasperhas_seemed_toserveusinthisaffair，butweoughtnottooverlookpasttransactions。DidnotMajorDuncanhimselfdenouncehimtoSergeantDunhambeforeweleftthepost？Havewenotseensufficientwithourowneyestomakesureofhavingbeenbetrayed？andisitnotnatural，andalmostnecessary，tobelievethatthisyoungmanhasbeenthetraitor？Ah，Pathfinder！ye’llno’bemakingyourselfagreatstatesmanoragreatcaptainifyouputtoomuchfaithinappearances。Lordblessme！
Lordblessme！ifIdonotbelieve，couldthetruthbecomeat，asyouoftensayyourself，Pathfinder，thathypoc-
risyisamorecommonvicethanevenenvy，andthat’sthebaneofhumannature。
CaptainSangliershruggedhisshoulders。thenhelookedearnestlyfromJaspertowardstheQuartermaster，andfromtheQuartermastertowardsJasper。
Icarenotforyourenvy，oryourhypocrisy，orevenforyourhumannatur’，returnedPathfinder。JasperEau-
douceismyfriend。JasperEau-douceisabravelad，andanhonestlad，andaloyallad。andnomanofthe55thshalllayhandsonhim，shortofLundie’sownorders，whileI’minthewaytopreventit。Youmayhaveau-
thorityoveryoursoldiers。butyouhavenoneoverJasperandme，MasterMuir。
_Bon！_ejaculatedSanglier，thesoundpartakingequallyoftheenergiesofthethroatandofthenose。
Willyeno’hearkentoreason，Pathfinder？Ye’llno’
beforgettingoursuspicionsandjudgments。andhereisanothercircumstancetoaugmentandaggravatethemall。
Yecanseethislittlebitofbunting。well，whereshoulditbefoundbutbyMabelDunham，onthebranchofatreeonthisveryisland，justanhourorsobeforetheattackoftheenemy。andifye’llbeatthetroubletolookattheflyofthe_Scud’s_ensign，ye’lljustsaythattheclothhasbeencutfromoutit。Circumstantialevidencewasneverstronger。
_Mafoi，c’estunpeufort，ceci，_growledSanglierbe-
tweenhisteeth。
TalktomeofnoensignsandsignalswhenIknowtheheart，continuedthePathfinder。Jasperhasthegiftofhonesty。anditistoorareagifttobetrifledwith，likeaMingo’sconscience。No，no。offhands，orweshallseewhichcanmakethestoutestbattle。youandyourmenofthe55th，ortheSarpenthere，andKilldeer，withJasperandhiscrew。Youoverrateyourforce，LieutenantMuir，asmuchasyouunderrateEau-douce’struth。
_Tresbon！_
Well，ifImustspeakplainly，Pathfinder，Ie’enmust。
CaptainSanglierhereandArrowhead，thisbraveTusca-
rora，havebothinformedmethatthisunfortunateboyisthetraitor。Aftersuchtestimonyyoucannolongerop-
posemyrighttocorrecthim，aswellasthenecessityoftheact。
_Scelerat，_mutteredtheFrenchman。
CaptainSanglierisabravesoldier，andwillnotgain-
saytheconductofanhonestsailor，putinJasper。Isthereanytraitorhere，CaptainFlinty-heart？
Ay，addedMuir，lethimspeakoutthen，sinceyewishit，unhappyyouth！thatthetruthmaybeknown。I
onlyhopethatyemayescapethelastpunishmentwhenacourtwillbesittingonyourmisdeeds。Howisit，Cap-
tain。doye，ordoyenot，seeatraitoramangus？
_Oui_——yes，sair——_biensur_。
Toomuchlie！saidArrowheadinavoiceofthunder，strikingthebreastofMuirwiththebackofhisownhandinasortofungovernablegesture。wheremywarriors？-
whereYengeesescalp？Toomuchlie！
Muirwantednotforpersonalcourage，norforacertainsenseofpersonalhonor。Theviolencewhichhadbeenin-
tendedonlyforagesturehemistookforablow。forcon-
sciencewassuddenlyarousedwithinhim，andhesteppedbackapace，extendinghishandtowardsagun。Hisfacewaslividwithrage，andhiscountenanceexpressedthefellintentionofhisheart。ButArrowheadwastooquickforhim。withawildglanceoftheeyetheTuscaroralookedabouthim。thenthrustahandbeneathhisowngirdle，drewforthaconcealedknife，and，inthetwinklingofaneye，burieditinthebodyoftheQuartermastertothehandle。Asthelatterfellathisfeet，gazingintohisfacewiththevacantstareofonesurprisedbydeath，Sangliertookapinchofsnuff，andsaidinacalmvoice，——
_Voilal’affairefinie。mais，_shrugginghisshoulders，_cen’estqu’unsceleratdemoins。_
Theactwastoosuddentobeprevented。andwhenAr-
rowhead，utteringayell，boundedintothebushes，thewhitemenweretooconfoundedtofollow。Chingach-
gook，however，wasmorecollected。andthebusheshadscarcelyclosedonthepassingbodyoftheTuscarorathantheywereagainopenedbythatoftheDelawareinfullpursuit。
JasperWesternspokeFrenchfluently，andthewordsandmannerofSanglierstruckhim。
Speak，Monsieur，saidheinEnglish。_am_Ithetraitor？
_Levoila_，answeredthecoolFrenchman，datisour_espion_——our_agent_——ourfriend——_mafoi_——_c’etaitungrandscelerat_——_voici_。
Whilespeaking，Sanglierbentoverthedeadbody，andthrusthishandintoapocketoftheQuartermaster，outofwhichhedrewapurse。Emptyingthecontentsontheground，severaldouble-louisrolledtowardsthesoldiers，whowerenotslowinpickingthemup。Castingthepursefromhimincontempt，thesoldieroffortuneturnedtowardsthesouphehadbeenpreparingwithsomuchcare，and，findingittohisliking，hebegantobreakhisfastwithanairofindifferencethatthemoststoicalIn-
dianwarriormighthaveenvied。
CHAPTERXXVII。
TheonlyamaranthianfloweronearthIsvirtue。theonlylastingtreasure，truth。
COWPER。
ThereadermustimaginesomeoftheoccurrencesthatfollowedthesuddendeathofMuir。Whilehisbodywasinthehandsofhissoldiers，wholaiditdecentlyaside，andcovereditwithagreatcoat，Chingachgooksilentlyresumedhisplaceatthefire，andbothSanglierandPathfinderre-
markedthathecarriedafreshandbleedingscalpathisgirdle。Nooneaskedanyquestions。andtheformer，althoughperfectlysatisfiedthatArrowheadhadfallen，manifestedneithercuriositynorfeeling。Hecontinuedcalmlyeatinghissoup，asifthemealhadbeentranquilasusual。Therewassomethingofprideandofanassumedindifferencetofate，imitatedfromtheindians，inallthis。
buttherewasmorethatreallyresultedfrompractice，habi-
tualself-command，andconstitutionalhardihood。WithPathfinderthecasewasalittledifferentinfeeling，thoughmuchthesameinappearance。HedislikedMuir，whosesmooth-tonguedcourtesywaslittleinaccordancewithhisownfrankandingenuousnature。buthehadbeenshockedathisunexpectedandviolentdeath，thoughaccustomedtosimilarscenes，andhehadbeensurprisedattheexpos-
ureofhistreachery。Withaviewtoascertaintheextentofthelatter，assoonasthebodywasremoved，hebegantoquestiontheCaptainonthesubject。Thelatter，hav-
ingnoparticularmotiveforsecrecynowthathisagentwasdead，inthecourseofthebreakfastrevealedthefol-
lowingcircumstances，whichwillservetoclearupsomeoftheminorincidentsofourtale。
Soonafterthe55thappearedonthefrontiers，Muirhadvolunteeredhisservicestotheenemy。Inmakinghisoffers，heboastedofhisintimacywithLundie，andofthemeansitaffordedoffurnishingmoreaccurateandimpor-
tantinformationthanusual。Histermshadbeenac-
cepted，andMonsieurSanglierhadseveralinterviewswithhiminthevicinityofthefortatOswego，andhadactu-
allypassedoneentirenightsecretedinthegarrison。Ar-
rowhead，however，wastheusualchannelofcommunica-
tion。andtheanonymouslettertoMajorDuncanhadbeenoriginallywrittenbyMuir，transmittedtoFrontenac，copied，andsentbackbytheTuscarora，whowasreturn-
ingfromthaterrandwhencapturedbythe_Scud_。ItisscarcelynecessarytoaddthatJasperwastobesacrificedinordertoconcealtheQuartermaster’streason，andthatthepositionoftheislandhadbeenbetrayedtotheenemybythelatter。Anextraordinarycompensation——thatwhichwasfoundinhispurse——hadinducedhimtoaccompanythepartyunderSergeantDunham，inordertogivethesignalsthatweretobringontheattack。ThedispositionofMuirtowardsthesexwasanaturalweakness，andhewouldhavemarriedMabel，oranyoneelsewhowouldac-
cepthishand。buthisadmirationofherwasinagreatdegreefeigned，inorderthathemighthaveanexcuseforaccompanyingthepartywithoutsharingintheresponsi-
bilityofitsdefeat，orincurringtheriskofhavingnootherstrongandseeminglysufficientmotive。MuchofthiswasknowntoCaptainSanglier，particularlythepartinconnectionwithMabel，andhedidnotfailtolethisauditorsintothewholesecret，frequentlylaughinginasarcasticmanner，asherevealedthedifferentexpedientsofthelucklessQuartermaster。
_Touchez-la_，saidthecold-bloodedpartisan，holdingouthissinewyhandtoPathfinder，whenheendedhisex-
planations。yoube_honnete_，anddatis_beaucoup_。Wetak’despyaswetak’_lamedicine_，fordegood。_mais，jelesdeteste！Touchez-la。_
I’llshakeyourhand，Captain，Iwill。foryou’realaw-
fulandnat’ralinimy，returnedPathfinder，andaman-
fulone。butthebodyoftheQuartermastershallneverdisgraceEnglishground。IdidintendtocarryitbacktoLundiethathemightplayhisbagpipesoverit，butnowitshallliehereonthespotwhereheactedhisvillainy，andhavehisowntreasonforaheadstone。CaptainFlintyheart，Isupposethisconsortingwithtraitorsisapartofasol-
dier’sregularbusiness。but，Itellyouhonestly，itisnottomyliking，andI’dratheritshouldbeyouthanIwhohadthisaffaironhisconscience。Whatanawfulsinner！
Toplot，rightandleft，ag’incountry，friends，andtheLord！Jasper，boy，awordwithyouaside，forasingleminute。
Pathfindernowledtheyoungmanapart。and，squeez-
inghishand，withthetearsinhisowneyes，hecontinued：
Youknowme，Eau-douce，andIknowyou，saidhe，andthisnewshasnotchangedmyopinionofyouinanymanner。Ineverbelievedtheirtales，thoughitlookedsolemnatoneminute，Iwillown。yes，itdidlooksolemn，anditmademefeelsolemntoo。Ineversuspectedyouforaminute，forIknowyourgiftsdon’tliethat-a-way。
but，Imustown，Ididn’tsuspecttheQuartermasterneither。
AndheholdinghisMajesty’scommission，Pathfinder！
Itisn’tsomuchthat，JasperWestern，itisn’tsomuchthat。HeheldacommissionfromGodtoactright，andtodealfairlywithhisfellow-creaturs，andhehasfailedawfullyinhisduty。
TothinkofhispretendingloveforonelikeMabel，too，whenhefeltnone。
Thatwasbad，sartainly。thefellowmusthavehadMingobloodinhisveins。Themanthatdealsunfairlybyawomancanbebutamongrel，lad。fortheLordhasmadethemhelplessonpurposethatwemaygaintheirlovebykindnessandsarvices。HereistheSergeant，poorman，onhisdyingbed。hehasgivenmehisdaughterforawife，andMabel，deargirl，shehasconsentedtoit。anditmakesmefeelthatIhavetwowelfarestolookafter，twonaturstocarefor，andtwoheartstogladden。Ah’sme，Jasper！IsometimesfeelthatI’mnotgoodenoughforthatsweetchild！
Eau-doucehadnearlygaspedforbreathwhenhefirstheardthisintelligence。and，thoughhesucceededinsup-
pressinganyotheroutwardsignsofagitation，hischeekwasblanchednearlytothepalenessofdeath。Stillhefoundmeanstoanswernotonlywithfirmness，butwithenergy，——
Saynotso，Pathfinder。youaregoodenoughforaqueen。
Ay，ay，boy，accordingtoyourideesofmygoodness。
thatistosay，Icankilladeer，orevenaMingoatneed，withanymanonthelines。orIcanfollowaforest-pathwithastrueaneye，orreadthestars，whenothersdonotunderstandthem。Nodoubt，nodoubt，Mabelwillhavevenisonenough，andfishenough，andpigeonsenough。
butwillshehaveknowledgeenough，andwillshehaveideesenough，andpleasantconversationenough，whenlifecomestodragalittle，andeachofusbeginstopassforourtruevalue？
Ifyoupassforyourvalue，Pathfinder，thegreatestladyinthelandwouldbehappywithyou。Onthatheadyouhavenoreasontofeelafraid。
Now，Jasper，Idaretosay_you_thinkso，nay，I_know_
youdo。foritisnat’ral，andaccordingtofriendship，forpeopletolookover-favorablyatthemtheylove。Yes，yes。
ifIhadtomarryyou，boy，Ishouldgivemyselfnocon-
sarnaboutmybeingwelllookedupon，foryouhavealwaysshownadispositiontoseemeandallIdowithfriendlyeyes。Butayounggal，afterall，mustwishtomarryamanthatisnearertoherownageandfancies，thantohaveoneoldenoughtobeherfather，andrudeenoughtofrightenher。Iwonder，Jasper，thatMabelnevertookafancytoyou，now，ratherthansettinghermindonme。
Take，afancytome，Pathfinder！returnedtheyoungman，endeavoringtoclearhisvoicewithoutbetrayinghimself。whatisthereaboutmetopleasesuchagirlasMabelDunham？Ihaveallthatyoufindfaultwithinyourself，withnoneofthatexcellencethatmakeseventhegeneralsrespectyou。
Well，well，it’sallchance，saywhatwewillaboutit。
HerehaveIjourneyedandguidedthroughthewoodsfe-
maleafterfemale，andconsortedwiththeminthegarri-
sons，andneverhaveIevenfeltaninclinationforany，untilIsawMabelDunham。It’struethepoorSergeantfirstsetmetothinkingabouthisdaughter。butafterwegotalittleacquaintedlike，I’dnoneedofbeingspokento，tothinkofhernightandday。I’mtough，Jasper。yes，I’mverytough。andI’mrisoluteenough，asyouallknow。
andyetIdothinkitwouldquitebreakmedown，now，toloseMabelDunham！
Wewilltalknomoreofit，Pathfinder，saidJasper，returninghisfriend’ssqueezeofthehand，andmovingbacktowardsthefire，thoughslowly，andinthemannerofonewhocaredlittlewherehewent。wewilltalknomoreofit。YouareworthyofMabel，andMabelisworthyofyou——youlikeMabel，andMabellikesyou——herfatherhaschosenyouforherhusband，andnoonehasarighttointerfere。AsfortheQuartermaster，hisfeigningloveforMabelisworseeventhanhistreasontotheking。
Bythistimetheyweresonearthefirethatitwasneces-
sarytochangetheconversation。Luckily，atthatinstant，Cap，whohadbeenintheblockincompanywithhisdy-
ingbrother-in-law，andwhoknewnothingofwhathadpassedsincethecapitulation，nowappeared，walkingwithameditativeandmelancholyairtowardsthegroup。Muchofthatheartydogmatism，thatimpartedeventohisordi-
naryairanddemeanoranappearanceofsomethinglikecontemptforallaroundhim，haddisappeared，andheseemedthoughtful，ifnotmeek。
Thisdeath，gentlemen，saidhe，whenhohadgotsuffi-
cientlynear，isamelancholybusiness，makethebestofit。Now，hereisSergeantDunham，averygoodsoldier，I
makenoquestion，abouttosliphiscable。andyetheholdsontothebetterendofit，asifhewasdetermineditshouldneverrunoutofthehawse-hole。andallbecauseheloveshisdaughter，itseemstome。Formypart，whenafriendisreallyunderthenecessityofmakingalongjourney，I
alwayswishhimwellandhappilyoff。
Youwouldn’tkilltheSergeantbeforehistime？Path-
finderreproachfullyanswered。Lifeissweet，eventotheaged。and，forthatmatter，I’veknownsomethatseemedtosetmuchstorebyitwhenitgottobeoftheleastvalue。
NothinghadbeenfurtherfromCap’srealthoughtsthanthewishtohastenhisbrother-in-law’send。Hehadfoundhimselfembarrassedwiththedutiesofsmoothingadeath-
bed，andallhehadmeantwastoexpressasinceredesirethattheSergeantwerehappilyridofdoubtandsuffering。
Alittleshocked，therefore，attheinterpretationthathadbeenputonhiswords，herejoinedwithsomeoftheasper-
ityoftheman，thoughrebukedbyaconsciousnessofnothavingdonehisownwishesjustice。Youaretoooldandtoosensibleaperson，Pathfinder，saidbe，tofetchamanupwithasurge，whenheispayingouthisideasindis-
tress，asitmightbe。SergeantDunhamisbothmybrother-in-lawandmyfriend，——thatistosay，asintimateafriendasasoldierwellcanbewithaseafaringman，——andIrespectandhonorhimaccordingly。Imakenodoubt，moreover，thathehaslivedsuchalifeasbecomesaman，andtherecanbenogreatharm，afterall，inwishinganyonewellberthedinheaven。Well！wearemortal，thebestofus，thatyou’llnotdeny。anditoughttobealessonnottofeelprideinourstrengthandbeauty。WhereistheQuartermaster，Pathfinder？ItisproperheshouldcomeandhaveapartingwordwiththepoorSergeant，whoisonlygoingalittlebeforeus。
Youhavespokenmoretruth，MasterCap，thanyou’vebeenknowingto，allthistime。Youmighthavegonefurther，notwithstanding，andsaidthatwearemortal，the_worst_ofus。whichisquiteastrue，andagooddealmorewholesome，thansayingthatwearemortal，the_best_ofus。
AsfortheQuartermaster’scomingtospeakapartingwordtotheSergeant，itisquiteoutofthequestion，seeingthathehasgoneahead，andthattoowithlittlepartingnoticetohimself，ortoanyoneelse。
Youarenotquitesoclearascommoninyourlanguage，Pathfinder。Iknowthatweoughtalltohavesolemnthoughtsontheseoccasions，butIseenouseinspeakinginparables。
Ifmywordsarenotplain，theideeis。Inshort，Mas-
terCap，whileSergeantDunhamhasbeenpreparinghim-
selfforalongjourney，likeaconscientiousandhonestmanasheis，deliberately，theQuartermasterhasstarted，inahurry，beforehim。and，althoughitisamatteronwhichitdoesnotbecomemetobeverypositive，Igiveitasmyopinionthattheytravelsuchdifferentroadsthattheywillnevermeet。
Explainyourself，myfriend，saidthebewilderedsea-
man，lookingaroundhiminsearchofMuir，whoseabsencebegantoexcitehisdistrust。IseenothingoftheQuar-
termaster。butIthinkhimtoomuchofamantorunaway，nowthatthevictoryisgained。Ifthefightwereaheadinsteadofinourwake，thecasewouldbealtered。
Thereliesallthatisleftofhim，beneaththatgreat-
coat，returnedtheguide，whothenbrieflyrelatedthemanneroftheLieutenant’sdeath。TheTuscarorawasasvenemousinhisblowasarattler，thoughhefailedtogivethewarning，continuedPathfinder。I’veseenmanyadesperatefight，andseveralofthesesuddenout-
breaksofsavagetemper。butneverbeforedidIseeahu-
mansoulquitthebodymoreunexpectedly，orataworsemomentforthehopesofthedyingman。Hisbreathwasstoppedwiththelieonhislips，andthespiritmightbesaidtohavepassedawayintheveryardorofwickedness。
Caplistenedwithagapingmouth。andhegavetwoorthreeviolenthems，astheotherconcluded，likeonewhodistrustedhisownrespiration。
Thisisanuncertainanduncomfortablelifeofyours，MasterPathfinder，whatbetweenthefreshwaterandthesavages，saidhe。andthesoonerIgetquitofit，thehigherwillbemyopinionofmyself。Nowyoumentionit，Iwillsaythatthemanranforthatberthintherocks，whentheenemyfirstboredownuponus，withasortofinstinctthatIthoughtsurprisinginanofficer。butIwasintoogreatahurrytofollow，tologthewholematterac-
curately。Godblessme！Godblessme！——atraitor，doyousay，andreadytosellhiscountry，andtoarascallyFrench-
mantoo？
Tosellanything。country，soul，body，Mabel，andallourscalps。andnowaysparticular，I’llengage，astothepurchaser。ThecountrymenofCaptainFlinty-heartherewerethepaymastersthistime。
Justlike’em。everreadytobuywhentheycan’tthrash，andtorunwhentheycandoneither。
MonsieurSanglierliftedhiscapwithironicalgravity，andacknowledgedthecomplimentwithanexpressionofpolitecontemptthatwasaltogetherlostonitsinsensiblesubject。ButPathfinderhadtoomuchnativecourtesy，andwasfartoojust-minded，toallowtheattacktogoun-
noticed。
Well，well，heinterposed，tomymindthereisnogreatdifference’atweenanEnglishmanandaFrenchman，afterall。Theytalkdifferenttongues，andliveunderdifferentkings，Iwillallow。butbotharehuman，andfeellikehumanbeings，whenthereisoccasionforit。
CaptainFlinty-heart，asPathfindercalledhim，madeanotherobeisance。butthistimethesmilewasfriendly，andnotironical。forhefeltthattheintentionwasgood，whatevermighthavebeenthemodeofexpressingit。Toophilosophical，however，toheedwhatamanlikeCapmightsayorthink，hefinishedhisbreakfast，withoutal-
lowinghisattentiontobeagaindivertedfromthatim-
portantpursuit。
MybusinessherewasprincipallywiththeQuarter-
master，Capcontinued，assoonashehaddoneregardingtheprisoner’spantomime。TheSergeantmustbenearhisend，andIhavethoughthemightwishtosaysome-
thingtohissuccessorinauthoritybeforehefinallyde-
parted。Itistoolate，itwouldseem。and，asyousay，Pathfinder，theLieutenanthastrulygonebefore。
Thathehas，thoughonadifferentpath。Asforau-
thority，IsupposetheCorporalhasnowarighttocom-
mandwhat’sleftofthe55th。thoughasmallandworried，nottosayfrightened，partyitis。But，ifanythingneedstobedone，thechancesaregreatlyinfavorofmybeingcalledontodoit。Isuppose，however，wehaveonlytoburyourdead。setfiretotheblockandthehuts，fortheystandintheinimy’sterritorybyposition，ifnotbylaw，andmustnotbeleftfortheirconvenience。Ourusingthemagainisoutofthequestion。for，nowtheFrenchersknowwheretheislandistobefound，itwouldbelikethrustingthehandintoawolf-trapwithoureyeswideopen。ThispartoftheworktheSarpentandIwillseeto，forweareaspractysedinretreatsasinadvances。
Allthatisverywell，mygoodfriend。Andnowformypoorbrother-in-law：thoughheisasoldier，wecannotlethimslipwithoutawordofconsolationandaleave-
taking，inmyjudgment。Thishasbeenanunluckyaffaironeverytack。thoughIsupposeitiswhatonehadarighttoexpect，consideringthestateofthetimesandthena-
tureofthenavigation。Wemustmakethebestofit，andtrytohelptheworthymantounmoor，withoutstraininghismessengers。Deathisacircumstance，afterall，MasterPathfinder，andoneofaverygeneralcharactertoo，seeingthatwemustallsubmittoit，soonerorlater。
Yousaytruth，yousaytruth。andforthatreasonI
holdittobewisetobealwaysready。I’veoftenthought，Saltwater，thatheisthehappiestwhohastheleasttoleavebehindhimwhenthesummonscomes。Now，hereamI，ahunterandascoutandaguide，althoughIdonotownafootoflandon’arth，yetdoIenjoyandpossessmorethanthegreatAlbanyPatroon。Withtheheavensovermyheadtokeepmeinmindofthelastgreathunt，andthedriedleavesbeneathmyfeet，ItrampoverthegroundasfreelyasifIwasitslordandowner。andwhatmoreneedheartdesire？IdonotsaythatIlovenothingthatbelongsto’arth。forIdo，thoughnotmuch，unlessitmightbeMabelDunham，thatIcan’tcarrywithme。IhavesomepupsatthehigherfortthatIvallyconsiderable，thoughtheyaretoonoisyforwarfare，andsowearecompelledtoliveseparateforawhile。andthenIthinkitwouldgrievemetopartwithKilldeer。butIseenoreasonwhyweshouldnotbeburiedinthesamegrave，forweareasnearascanbeofthesamelength——sixfeettoahair’sbreadth。but，batingthese，andapipethattheSarpentgaveme，andafewtokensreceivedfromtravellers，allofwhichmightbeputinapouchandlaidundermyhead，whentheordercomestomarchIshallbereadyataminute’swarning。
and，letmetellyou，MasterCap，that’swhatIcallacir-
cumstancetoo。
’Tisjustsowithme，answeredthesailor，asthetwowalkedtowardstheblock，toomuchoccupiedwiththeirrespectivemoralitytorememberatthemomentthemel-
ancholyerrandtheywereon。that’sjustmywayoffeel-
ingandreasoning。HowoftenhaveIfelt，whennearshipwreck，thereliefofnotowningthecraft！’Ifshegoes，’Ihavesaidtomyself，’why，mylifegoeswithher，butnotmyproperty，andthere’sgreatcomfortinthat。’
I’vediscovered，inthecourseofboxingabouttheworldfromtheHorntoCapeNorth，nottospeakofthisrunonabitoffreshwater，thatifamanhasafewdollars，andputstheminachestunderlockandkey，heisprettycer-
taintofastenuphisheartinthesametill。andsoIcarryprettymuchallIowninabeltroundmybody，inorder，asIsay，tokeepthevitalsintherightplace。D——me，Pathfinder，ifIthinkamanwithoutaheartanybetterthanafishwithaholeinhisair-bag。
Idon’tknowhowthatmaybe，MasterCap。butamanwithoutaconscienceisbutapoorcreatur’，takemywordforit，asanyonewilldiscoverwhohastodowithaMingo。
Itroublemyselfbutlittlewithdollarsorhalf-joes，forthesearethefavorytecoininthispartoftheworld。butIcaneasilybelieve，bywhatI’veseenofmankind，thatifaman_has_achestfilledwitheither，hemaybesaidtolockuphisheartinthesamebox。Ioncehuntedfortwosum-
mers，duringthelastpeace，andIcollectedsomuchpeltrythatIfoundmyrightfeelingsgivingwaytoacravingafterproperty。andifIhaveconsarninmarryingMabel，itisthatImaygettolovesuchthingstoowell，inordertomakehercomfortable。
You’reaphilosopher，that’sclear，Pathfinder。andI
don’tknowbutyou’reaChristian。
Ishouldbeoutofhumorwiththemanthatgainsayedthelast，MasterCap。IhavenotbeenChristianizedbytheMoravians，likesomanyoftheDelawares，itistrue。
butIholdtoChristianityandwhitegifts。Withme，itisason-creditableforawhitemannottobeaChristianasitisforared-skinnottobelieveinhishappyhunting-
grounds。indeed，afterallowingfordifferenceintraditions，andinsomevariationsaboutthemannerinwhichthespiritwillbeoccupiedafterdeath，IholdthatagoodDela-
wareisagoodChristian，thoughheneversawaMoravian。
andagoodChristianagoodDelaware，sofarasnatur’isconsarned。TheSarpentandItalkthesemattersoveroften，forhehasahankerin’afterChristianity——
Thed——lhehas！interruptedCap。Andwhatdoesheintendtodoinachurchwithallthescalpshetakes？
Don’trunawaywithafalseidee，friendCap，don’trunawaywithafalseidee。Thesethingsareonlyskin-deep，andalldependonedicationandnat’ralgifts。Lookaroundyouatmankind，andtellmewhyyouseearedwarriorhere，ablackonethere，andwhitearmiesinan-
otherplace？Allthis，andagreatdealmoreofthesamekindthatIcouldpointout，hasbeenorderedforsomespecialpurpose。anditisnotforustoflyinthefaceoffactsanddenytheirtruth。No，no。eachcolorhasitsgifts，anditslaws，anditstraditions。andoneisnottocondemnanotherbecausehedoesnotexactlycomprehendit。
Youmusthavereadagreatdeal，Pathfinder，toseethingssoclearasthis，returnedCap，notalittlemystifiedbyhiscompanion’ssimplecreed。It’sallasplainasdaytomenow，thoughImustsayIneverfellinwiththeseopinionsbefore。Whatdenominationdoyoubelongto，myfriend？
Anan？
Whatsectdoyouholdoutfor？Whatparticularchurchdoyoufetchupin？
Lookaboutyou，andjudgeforyourself。I’minchurchnow。Ieatinchurch，drinkinchurch，sleepinchurch。
The’arthisthetempleoftheLord，andIwaitonHimhourly，daily，withoutceasing，Ihumblyhope。No，no，I’llnotdenymybloodandcolor。butamChristianborn，andshalldieinthesamefaith。TheMoravianstriedmehard。andoneoftheKing’schaplainshashadhissaytoo，thoughthat’saclassnowaysstrenuousonsuchmatters。
andamissionarysentfromRometalkedmuchwithme，asIguidedhimthroughtheforest，duringthelastpeace。
butI’vehadoneanswerforthemall——I’maChristianal-
ready，andwanttobeneitherMoravian，norChurchman，norPapist。No，no，I’llnotdenymybirthandblood。
IthinkawordfromyoumightlightentheSergeantovertheshoalsofdeath，MasterPathfinder。HehasnoonewithhimbutpoorMabel。andshe，youknow，besidesbeinghisdaughter，isbutagirlandachildafterall。
Mabelisfeebleinbody，friendCap。butinmattersofthisnatur’Idoubtifshemaynotbestrongerthanmostmen。ButSergeantDunhamismyfriend，andheisyourbrother-in-law。so，nowthepressoffightingandmain-
tainingourrightsisover，itisfittingweshouldbothgoandwitnesshisdeparture。I’vestoodbymanyadyingman，MasterCap，continuedPathfinder，whohadabe-
settingpropensitytoenlargeonhisexperience，stoppingandholdinghiscompanionbyabutton，——I’vestoodbymanyadyingman’sside，andseenhislastgasp，andheardhislastbreath。for，whenthehurryandtumultofthebattleisover，itisgoodtobethinkusofthemisfortunate，anditisremarkabletowitnesshowdifferentlyhumannatur’feelsatsuchsolemnmoments。SomegotheirwayasstupidandignorantasifGodhadnevergiventhemreasonandanaccountablestate。whileothersquitusre-
joicing，likemenwholeaveheavyburthensbehindthem。
Ithinkthatthemindseesclearlyatsuchmoments，myfriend，andthatpastdeedsstandthickbeforetherecollec-
tion。
I’llengagetheydo，Pathfinder。Ihavewitnessedsomethingofthismyself，andhopeI’mthebettermanforit。IrememberoncethatIthoughtmyowntimehadcome，andthelogwasoverhauledwithadiligenceIdidnotthinkmyselfcapableofuntilthatmoment。I’venotbeenaverygreatsinner，friendPathfinder。thatistosay，neveronalargescale。thoughIdaresay，ifthetruthwerespoken，aconsiderableamountofsmallmattersmightberakedupagainstme，aswellasagainstanotherman。butthen，I’venevercommittedpiracy，norhightreason，norarson，noranyofthemsortofthings。Astosmuggling，andthelikeofthat，why，I’maseafaringman，andIsup-
poseallcallingshavetheirweakspots。Idaresayyourtradeisnotaltogetherwithoutblemish，honorableanduse-
fulasitseemstobe？
Manyofthescoutsandguidesaredesperateknaves。
and，liketheQuartermasterhere，someofthemtakepayofbothsides。IhopeI’mnotoneofthem，thoughalloc-
cupationsleadtotemptations。ThricehaveIbeensorelytriedinmylife，andonceIyieldedalittle，thoughIhopeitwasnotinamattertodisturbaman’sconscienceinhislastmoments。ThefirsttimewaswhenIfoundinthewoodsapackofskinsthatIknowedbelongedtoaFrencherwhowashuntingonoursideofthelines，wherehehadnobusinesstobe。twenty-sixashandsomebeaversasevergladdenedhumaneyes。Well，thatwasasoretempta-
tion。forIthoughtthelawwouldhavebeenalmostwithme，althoughitwasinpeacetimes。Butthen，Iremem-
beredthatsuchlawswasn’tmadeforushunters，andbe-
thoughtmethatthepoormanmighthavebuiltgreatexpectationsforthenextwinteronthesaleofhisskins。
andIleftthemwheretheylay。MostofourpeoplesaidIdidwrong。butthemannerinwhichIsleptthatnightconvincedmethatIhaddoneright。ThenexttrialwaswhenIfoundtheriflethatissartainlytheonlyoneinthispartoftheworldthatcanbecalculatedonassurelyasKilldeer，andknowedthatbytakingit，orevenhidingit，Imightatoncerisetobethefirstshotinalltheseparts。
Iwasthenyoung，andbynomeanssoexpartasIhavesincegottobe，andyouthisambitiousandstriving。but，Godbepraised！Imasteredthatfeeling。and，friendCap，whatisalmostasgood，Imasteredmyrivalinasfairashooting-matchaswaseverwitnessedinagarrison。hewithhispiece，andIwithKilldeer，andbeforetheGene-
ralinpersontoo！HerePathfinderstoppedtolaugh，histriumphstillglitteringinhiseyesandglowingonhissun-
burntandbrownedcheek。Well，thenextconflictwiththedevilwasthehardestofthemall。andthatwaswhenIcamesuddenlyuponacampofsixMingosasleepinthewoods，withtheirgunsandhornspiledinawaythaten-
abledmetogetpossessionofthemwithoutwakingamis-
creantofthemall。WhatanopportunitythatwouldhavebeenfortheSarpent，whowouldhavedespatchedthem，oneafteranother，withhisknife，andhadtheirsixscalpsathisgirdle，inaboutthetimeittakesmetotellyouthestory。Oh，he’savaliantwarrior，thatChingachgook，andashonestashe’sbrave，andasgoodashe’shonest！
Andwhatmay_you_havedoneinthismatter，MasterPathfinder？demandedCap，whobegantobeinterestedintheresult。itseemstomeyouhadmadeeitheraverylucky，oraveryunluckylandfall。
’Twaslucky，and’twasunlucky，ifyoucanunderstandthat。’Twasunlucky，foritprovedadesperatetrial。andyet’twaslucky，allthingsconsidered，intheind。Ididnottouchahairoftheirheads，forawhitemanhasnonat’ralgiftstotakescalps。nordidIevenmakesureofoneoftheirrifles。Idistrustedmyself，knowingthataMingoisnofavoriteinmyowneyes。
Asforthescalps，Ithinkyouwererightenough，myworthyfriend。butasforthearmamentandthestores，theywouldhavebeencondemnedbyanyprize-courtinChristendom。
Thattheywould，thattheywould。butthentheMingoswouldhavegoneclear，seeingthatawhitemancannomoreattackanunarmedthanasleepinginimy。No，no，Ididmyself，andmycolor，andmyreligiontoo，greaterjustice。Iwaitedtilltheirnapwasover，andtheywellontheirwar-pathagain。and，byambushingthemhereandflankingthemthere，Ipepperedtheblackguardsintrinsi-
callylike(Pathfinderoccasionallycaughtafinewordfromhisassociates，anduseditalittlevaguely)，thatonlyoneevergotbacktohisvillage，andhecameintohiswig-
wamlimping。Luckily，asitturnedout，thegreatDela-
warehadonlyhaltedtojerksomevenison，andwasfollow-
ingonmytrail。andwhenhegotuphehadfiveofthescoundrels’scalpshangingwheretheyoughttobe。so，yousee，nothingwaslostbydoingright，eitherinthewayofhonororinthatofprofit。
Capgruntedanassent，thoughthedistinctionsinhiscompanion’smorality，itmustbeowned，werenotexactlycleartohisunderstanding。Thetwohadoccasionallymovedtowardstheblockastheyconversed，andthenstoppedagainassomematterofmoreinterestthancom-
monbroughtthemtoahalt。Theywerenowsonearthebuilding，however，thatneitherthoughtofpursuingthesubjectanyfurther。buteachpreparedhimselfforthefinalscenewithSergeantDunham。
CHAPTERXXVIII。
Thoubarraineground，whomwinter’swrathhathwasted，Artmadeamirrortobeholdmyplight：
Whilomethyfreshspringflower’d：andafterhastedThysummerproude，withdaffodilliesdight。
Andnowiscomethywinter’sstormystate，Thymantlemar’dwhereinthoumaskedstlate。
SPENSER。
Althoughthesoldiermayregarddangerandevendeathwithindifferenceinthetumultofbattle，whenthepassageofthesoulisdelayedtomomentsoftranquillityandreflectionthechangecommonlybringswithittheusualtrainofsolemnreflections。ofregretsforthepast，andofdoubtsandanticipationsforthefuture。Manyamanhasdiedwithaheroicexpressiononhislips，butwithheavinessanddistrustathisheart。for，whatevermaybethevarietiesofourreligiouscreeds，letusdependonthemediationofChrist，thedogmasofMahomet，ortheelab-
oratedallegoriesoftheEast，thereisaconviction，commontoallmen，thatdeathisbutthestepping-stonebetweenthisandamoreelevatedstateofbeing。SergeantDun-
hamwasabraveman。buthewasdepartingforacountryinwhichresolutioncouldavailhimnothing。andashefelthimselfgraduallyloosenedfromthegraspoftheworld，histhoughtsandfeelingstookthenaturaldirection。forifitbetruethatdeathisthegreatleveller，innothingisitmoretruethanthatitreducesalltothesameviewsofthevanityoflife。
Pathfinder，thoughamanofpeculiarhabitsandopin-
ions，wasalwaysthoughtful，anddisposedtoviewthethingsaroundhimwithashadeofphilosophy，aswellaswithseriousness。Inhim，therefore，thesceneintheblockhouseawakenednoverynovelfeelings。ButthecasewasdifferentwithCap：rude，opinionated，dogmati-
cal，andboisterous，theoldsailorwaslittleaccustomedtoviewevendeathwithanyapproachtothegravitywhichitsimportancedemands。andnotwithstandingallthathadpassed，andhisrealregardforhisbrother-in-law，henowenteredtheroomofthedyingmanwithmuchofthatcallousunconcernwhichwasthefruitoflongtraininginaschoolthat，whileitgivessomanylessonsinthesublim-
esttruths，generallywastesitsadmonitionsonscholarswhoarelittledisposedtoprofitbythem。
ThefirstproofthatCapgaveofhisnotenteringsofullyasthosearoundhimintothesolemnityofthemoment，wasbycommencinganarrationoftheeventswhichhadjustledtothedeathsofMuirandArrowhead。Bothtrippedtheiranchorsinahurry，brotherDunham，heconcluded。andyouhavetheconsolationofknowingthatothershavegonebeforeyouinthegreatjourney，andthey，too，menwhomyou’venoparticularreasontolove。
whichtome，wereIplacedinyoursituation，wouldbeasourceofverygreatsatisfaction。Mymotheralwayssaid，MasterPathfinder，thatdyingpeople’sspiritsshouldnotbedamped，butthattheyoughttobeencouragedbyallproperandprudentmeans。andthisnewswillgivethepoorfellowagreatlift，ifhefeelstowardsthemsavagesanywayasIfeelmyself。
Junearoseatthisintelligence，andstolefromtheblock-
housewithanoiselessstep。Dunhamlistenedwithava-
cantstare，forlifehadalreadylostsomanyofitstiesthathehadreallyforgottenArrowhead，andcarednothingforMuir。butheinquired，inafeeblevoice，forEau-douce。
Theyoungmanwasimmediatelysummoned，andsoonmadehisappearance。TheSergeantgazedathimkindly，andtheexpressionofhiseyeswasthatofregretfortheinjuryhehaddonehiminthought。ThepartyintheblockhousenowconsistedofPathfinder，Cap，Mabel，Jas-
por，andthedyingman。Withtheexceptionofthedaugh-
ter，allstoodaroundtheSergeant’spallet，inattendanceinhislastmoments。Mabelkneeledathisside，nowpress-
ingaclammyhandtoherhead，nowapplyingmoisturetotheparchedlipsofherfather。
Yourcasewillshortlybeourn，Sergeant，saidPath-
finder，whocouldhardlybesaidtobeawestruckbythescene，forhehadwitnessedtheapproachandvictoriesofdeathtoooftenforthat。butwhofeltthefulldifferencebetweenhistriumphsintheexcitementofbattleandinthequietofthedomesticcircle。andImakenoquestionweshallmeetag’inhereafter。Arrowheadhasgonehisway，’tistrue。butitcanneverbethewayofajustIn-
dian。You’veseenthelastofhim，forhispathcannotbethepathofthejust。Reasonisag’inthethoughtinhiscase，asitisalso，inmyjudgment，ag’inittoointhecaseofLieutenantMuir。Youhavedoneyourdutyinlife。
andwhenamandoesthat，hemaystartonthelongestjourneywithalightheartandanactyvefoot。
Ihopeso，myfriend：I’vetriedtodomyduty。
Ay，ay，putinCap。intentionishalfthebattle。andthoughyouwouldhavedonebetterhadyouhove-tointheoffingandsentacraftintofeelhowthelandlay，thingsmighthaveturnedoutdifferently：nooneheredoubtsthatyoumeantallforthebest，andnooneanywhereelse，Ishouldthink，fromwhatI’veseenofthisworldandreadoft’other。
Idid。yes。Imeantallforthebest。
Father！Oh，mybelovedfather！
Magnetistakenabackbythisblow，MasterPathfinder，andcansayordobutlittletocarryherfatherovertheshoals。sowemusttryallthehardertoservehimafriendlyturnourselves。
Didyouspeak，Mabel？Dunhamasked，turninghiseyesinthedirectionofhisdaughter，forhewasalreadytoofeebletoturnhisbody。
Yes，father。relyonnothingyouhavedoneyourselfformercyandsalvation。trustaltogetherintheblessedmediationoftheSonofGod！
Thechaplainhastoldussomethinglikethis，brother。
Thedearchildmayberight。
Ay，ay，that’sdoctrine，outofquestion。HewillbeourJudge，andkeepsthelog-bookofouracts，andwillfootthemallupatthelastday，andthensaywhohasdonewellandwhohasdoneill。IdobelieveMabelisright。butthenyouneednotbeconcerned，asnodoubttheaccounthasbeenfairlykept。
Uncle！——dearestfather！thisisavainillusion！Oh，placeallyourtrustinthemediationofourHolyRedeemer！
Haveyounotoftenfeltyourowninsufficiencytoeffectyourownwishesinthecommonestthings？andhowcanyouimagineyourself，byyourownacts，equaltoraiseupafrailandsinfulnaturesufficientlytobereceivedintothepresenceofperfectpurity？ThereisnohopeforanybutinthemediationofChrist！
ThisiswhattheMoraviansusedtotellus，saidPath-
findertoCapinalowvoice。relyonit，Mabelisright。
Rightenough，friendPathfinder，inthedistances，butwronginthecourse。I’mafraidthechildwillgettheSergeantadrift，attheverymomentwhenwehadhiminthebestofthewaterandintheplainestpartofthechan-
nel。
LeaveittoMabel，leaveittoMabel。sheknowsbetterthananyofus，andcandonoharm。
Ihaveheardthisbefore，Dunhamatlengthreplied。
Ah，Mabel！itisstrangefortheparenttoleanonthechildatamomentlikethis！
PutyourtrustinGod，father。leanonHisholyandcompassionateSon。Pray，dearest，dearestfather。prayforHisomnipotentsupport。
Iamnotusedtoprayer。Brother，Pathfinder——Jasper，canyouhelpmetowords？
Capscarcelyknewwhatprayermeant，andhehadnoanswertogive。Pathfinderprayedoften，daily，ifnothourly。butitwasmentally，inhisownsimplemodesofthinking，andwithouttheaidofwordsatall。Inthisstrait，therefore，hewasasuselessasthemariner，andhadnoreplytomake。AsforJasperEau-douce，thoughhewouldgladlyhaveendeavoredtomoveamountaintore-
lieveMabel，thiswasaskingassistanceitexceededhispowertogive。andheshrankbackwiththeshamethatisonlytooapttoovercometheyoungandvigorous，whencalledontoperformanactthattacitlyconfessestheirrealweaknessanddependenceonasuperiorpower。
Father，saidMabel，wipinghereyes，andendeavoringtocomposefeaturesthatwerepallid，andactuallyquiver-
ingwithemotion，Iwillpraywithyou，foryou，for_my-
self_。forus_all_。Thepetitionofthefeeblestandhumblestisneverunheeded。
Therewassomethingsublime，aswellasmuchthatwassupremelytouching，inthisactoffilialpiety。Thequietbutearnestmannerinwhichthisyoungcreaturepreparedherselftoperformtheduty。theself-abandonmentwithwhichsheforgothersex’stimidityandsex’sshame，inordertosustainherparentatthattryingmoment。theloftinessofpurposewithwhichshedirectedallherpowerstotheimmenseobjectbeforeher，withawoman’sdevotionandawoman’ssuperioritytotrifles，whenheraffectionsmaketheappeal。andtheholycalmintowhichhergriefwascompressed，renderedher，forthemoment，anobjectofsomethingverylikeaweandvenerationtohercompan-
ions。
