Theplanofthistalesuggesteditselftothewritermanyyearssince，thoughthedetailsarealtogetherofrecentin-
　　vention。TheideaofassociatingseamenandsavagesinincidentsthatmightbesupposedcharacteristicoftheGreatLakeshavingbeenmentionedtoaPublisher，thelatterobtainedsomethinglikeapledgefromtheAuthortocarryoutthedesignatsomefutureday，whichpledgeisnowtardilyandimperfectlyredeemed。
　　Thereadermayrecognizeanoldfriendundernewcir-
　　cumstancesintheprincipalcharacterofthislegend。Iftheexhibitionmadeofthisoldacquaintance，inthenovelcircumstancesinwhichhenowappears，shouldbefoundnottolessenhisfavorwiththePublic，itwillbeasourceofextremegratificationtothewriter，sincehehasanin-
　　terestintheindividualinquestionthatfallslittleshortofreality。Itisnotaneasytask，however，tointroducethesamecharacterinfourseparateworks，andtomaintainthepeculiatritiesthatareindispensabletoidentity，withontincurringariskoffatiguingthereaderwithsameness。
　　andthepresentexperimenthasbeensolongdelayedquiteasmuchfromdoubtsofitssuccessasfromanyothercause。
　　Inthis，asineveryotherundertaking，itmustbetheendthatwillcrownthework。
　　TheIndiancharacterhassolittlevariety，thatithasbeenmyobjecttoavoiddwellingonittoomuchonthepresentoccasion。itsassociationwiththesailor，too，itisfeared，willbefoundtohavemorenoveltythaninterest。
　　ItmaystrikethenoviceasananachronismtoplacevesselsontheOntariointhemiddleoftheeighteenthcentury。
　　butinthisparticularfactswillfullybearoutalltheli-
　　censeofthefiction。Althoughtheprecisevesselsmen-
　　tionedinthesepagesmayneverhaveexistedonthatwateroranywhereelse，otherssonearlyresemblingthemareknowntohavenavigatedthatinlandsea，evenataperiodmuchearlierthantheonejustmentioned，astoformasufficientauthorityfortheirintroductionintoaworkoffiction。Itisafactnotgenerallyremembered，howeverwellknownitmaybe，thatthereareisolatedspotsalongthelineofthegreatlakesthatdateassettlementsasfarbackasmanyoftheolderAmericantowns，andwhichweretheseatsofaspeciesofcivilizationlongbeforethegreaterportionofeventheolderStateswasrescuedfromthewil-
　　derness。
　　Ontarioinourowntimeshasbeenthesceneofimportantnavalevolutions。Fleetshavemanoeuveredonthosewaters，which，halfacenturyago，wereasdesertedaswaterswellcanbe。andthedayisnotdistantwhenthewholeofthatvastrangeoflakeswillbecometheseatofempire，andfraughtwithalltheinterestsofhumansociety。Apass-
　　ingglimpse，eventhoughitbeinaworkoffiction，ofwhatthatvastregionsolatelywas，mayhelptomakeupthesumofknowledgebywhichaloneajustappreciationcanbeformedofthewonderfulmeansbywhichProvi-
　　denceisclearingthewayfortheadvancementofciviliza-
　　tionacrossthewholeAmericancontinent。
　　THEPATHFINDER。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　Theturfshallbemyfragrantshrine。
　　Mytemple，Lord！thatarchofthine。
　　Mycenser’sbreaththemountainairs，Andsilentthoughtsmyonlyprayers。
　　MOORE
　　Thesublimityconnectedwithvastnessisfamiliartoeveryeye。Themostabstruse，themostfar-reaching，perhapsthemostchastenedofthepoet’sthoughts，crowdontheimaginationashegazesintothedepthsoftheillimitablevoid。Theexpanseoftheoceanisseldomseenbythenovicewithindifference。andthemind，evenintheobscurityofnight，findsaparalleltothatgrandeur，whichseemsinseparablefromimagesthatthesensescan-
　　notcompass。Withfeelingsakintothisadmirationandawe——theoffspringofsublimity——werethedifferentchar-
　　acterswithwhichtheactionofthistalemustopen，gazingonthescenebeforethem。Fourpersonsinall，——twoofeachsex，——theyhadmanagedtoascendapileoftrees，thathadbeenuptornbyatempest，tocatchaviewoftheobjectsthatsurroundedthem。Itisstillthepracticeofthecoun-
　　trytocallthesespotswind-rows。Bylettinginthelightofheavenuponthedarkanddamprecessesofthewood，theyformasortofoasesinthesolemnobscurityofthevirginforestsofAmerica。Theparticularwind-rowofwhichwearewritinglayonthebrowofagentleaccliv-
　　ity。and，thoughsmall，ithadopenedthewayforanex-
　　tensiveviewtothosewhomightoccupyitsuppermargin，arareoccurrencetothetravellerinthewoods。Philosophyhasnotyetdeterminedthenatureofthepowerthatsooftenlaysdesolatespotsofthisdescription。someascrib-
　　ingittothewhirlwindswhichproducewaterspoutsontheocean，whileothersagainimputeittosuddenandviolentpassagesofstreamsoftheelectricfluid。buttheeffectsinthewoodsarefamiliartoall。Ontheuppermarginoftheopening，theviewlessinfluencehadpiledtreeontree，insuchamannerashadnotonlyenabledthetwomalesofthepartytoascendtoanelevationofsomethirtyfeetabovetheleveloftheearth，but，withalittlecareandencouragement，toinducetheirmoretimidcompanionstoaccompanythem。Thevasttrunkswhichhadbeenbrokenanddrivenbytheforceofthegustlayblendedlikejack-
　　straws。whiletheirbranches，stillexhalingthefragranceofwitheringleaves，wereinterlacedinamannertoaffordsufficientsupporttothehands。Onetreehadbeencom-
　　pletelyuprooted，anditslowerend，filledwithearth，hadbeencastuppermost，inawaytosupplyasortofstagingforthefouradventurers，whentheyhadgainedthede-
　　sireddistancefromtheground。
　　Thereaderistoanticipatenoneoftheappliancesofpeopleofconditioninthedescriptionofthepersonalap-
　　pearancesofthegroupinquestion。Theywereallway-
　　farersinthewilderness。andhadtheynotbeen，neithertheirprevioushabits，northeiractualsocialpositions，wouldhaveaccustomedthemtomanyoftheluxuriesofrank。Twooftheparty，indeed，amaleandfemale，be-
　　longedtothenativeownersofthesoil，beingIndiansofthewell-knowntribeoftheTuscaroras。whiletheircom-
　　panionswere——aman，whoboreabouthimthepeculiaritiesofonewhohadpassedhisdaysontheocean，andwas，too，inastationlittle，ifany，abovethatofacommonmariner。
　　andhisfemaleassociate，whowasamaidenofaclassinnogreatdegreesuperiortohisown。thoughheryouth，sweetnessandcountenance，andamodest，butspiritedmien，lentthatcharacterofintellectandrefinementwhichaddssomuchtothecharmofbeautyinthesex。Onthepresentoccasion，herfullblueeyereflectedthefeelingofsublimitythatthesceneexcited，andherpleasantfacewasbeamingwiththepensiveexpressionwithwhichalldeepemotions，eventhoughtheybringthemostgratefulpleasure，shadowthecountenancesoftheingenuousandthoughful。
　　Andtrulythescenewasofanaturedeeplytoimpresstheimaginationofthebeholder。Towardsthewest，inwhichdirectionthefacesofthepartywereturned，theeyerangedoveranoceanofleaves，gloriousandrichinthevariedandlivelyverdureofagenerousvegetation，andshadedbytheluxurianttintswhichbelongtotheforty-seconddegreeoflatitude。Theelmwifhitsgracefulandweep-
　　ingtop，therichvarietiesofthemaple，mostofthenobleoaksoftheAmericanforest，withthebroad-leavedlindenknownintheparlanceoftheconutryasthebasswood，mingledtheiruppermostbranches，formingonebroadandseeminglyinterminablecarpetoffoliagewhichstretchedawaytowardsthesettingsun，untilitboundedthehori-
　　zon，byblendingwiththeclouds，asthewavesandtheskymeetatthebaseofthevaultofheaven。Hereandthere，bysomeaccidentofthetempests，orbyacapriceofnature，atriflingopeningamongthesegiantmembersoftheforestpermittedaninferiortreetostruggleupwardtowardthelight，andtoliftitsmodestheadnearlytoalevelwiththesurroundingsurfaceofverdure。Ofthisclasswerethebirch，atreeofsomeaccountinregionslessfavored，thequiveringaspen，variousgenerousnut-woods，anddiversotherswhichresembledtheignobleandvulgar，thrownbycircumstancesintothepresenceofthestatelyandgreat。
　　Hereandthere，too，thetallstraighttrunkofthepinepiercedthevastfield，risinghighaboveit，likesomegrandmonumentrearedbyartonaplainofleaves。
　　Itwasthevastnessoftheview，thenearlyunbrokensurfaceofverdure，thatcontainedtheprincipleofgrandeur。
　　Thebeautywastobetracedinthedelicatetints，relievedbygraduationsoflightandshade。whilethesolemnreposeinducedthefeelingalliedtoawe。
　　Uncle，saidthewondering，butpleasedgirl，address-
　　inghermalecompanion，whosearmsherathertouchedthanleanedon，tosteadyherownlightbutfirmfooting，thisislikeaviewoftheoceanyousomuchlove！
　　Somuchforignorance，andagirl’sfancy，Magnet，-
　　atermofaffectionthesailoroftenusedinallusiontohisniece’spersonalattractions。noonebutachildwouldthinkoflikeningthishandfulofleavestoalookattherealAtlantic。Youmightseizeallthesetree-topstoNeptune’sjacket，andtheywouldmakenomorethananosegayforhisbosom。
　　Morefancifulthantrue，Ithink，uncle。Lookthither。
　　itmustbemilesonmiles，andyetweseenothingbutleaves！whatcouldonebehold，iflookingattheocean？
　　More！returnedtheuncle，givinganimpatientgesturewiththeelbowtheothertouched，forhisarmswerecrossed，andthehandswerethrustintothebosomofavestofredcloth，afashionofthetimes，——more，Mag-
　　net！say，rather，whatless？Whereareyourcombingseas，yourbluewater，yourrollers，yourbreakers，yourwhales，oryourwaterspouts，andyourendlessmotion，inthisbitofaforest，child？
　　Andwhereareyourtree-tops，yoursolemnsilence，yourfragrantleaves，andyourbeautifulgreen，uncle，ontheocean？
　　Tut，Magnet！ifyourunderstoodthething，youwouldknowthatgreenwaterisasailor’sbane。Hescarcelyrelishesagreenhornless。
　　Butgreentreesareadifferentthing。Hist！thatsoundistheairbreathingamongtheleaves！
　　Youshouldhearanor-westerbreathe，girl，ifyoufancywindaloft。Now，whereareyourgales，andhurri-
　　canes，andtrades，andlevanters，andsuchlikeincidents，inthisbitofaforest？andwhatfisheshaveyouswim-
　　mingbeneathyondertamesurface？
　　Thattherehavebeentempestshere，thesesignsaroundusplainlyshow。andbeasts，ifnotfishes，arebeneaththoseleaves。
　　Idonotknowthat，returnedtheuncle，withasailor’sdogmatism。TheytoldusmanystoriesatAlbanyofthewildanimalsweshouldfallinwith，andyetwehaveseennothingtofrightenaseal。Idoubtifanyofyourinlandanimalswillcomparewithalowlatitudeshark。
　　See！exclaimedtheniece，whowasmoreoccupiedwiththesublimityandbeautyoftheboundlesswood
　　thanwithheruncle’sarguments。yonderisasmokecurlingoverthetopsofthetrees——canitcomefromahouse？
　　Ay，ay。thereisalookofhumanityinthatsmoke，
　　returnedtheoldseaman，whichisworthathousandtrees。
　　ImustshowittoArrowhead，whomayberunningpastaportwithoutknowingit。Itisprobablethereisacaboosewherethereisasmoke。
　　Asheconcluded，theuncledrewahandfromhisbosom，touchedthemaleIndian，whowasstandingnearhim，lightlyontheshoulder，andpointedoutatthinlineofvaporwhichwasstealingslowlyoutofthewildernessofleaves，atadistanceofaboutamile，andwasdiffusingitselfinalmostimperceptiblethreadsofhumidityinthequiveringatmosphere。TheTuscarorawasoneofthosenoble-lookingwarriorsoftenermetwithamongtheabo-
　　riginesofthiscontinentacenturysincethanto-day。and，whilehehadmingledsufficientlywiththecoloniststobefamiliarwiththeirhabitsandevenwiththeirlanguage，hehadlostlittle，ifany，ofthewildgrandeurandsimpledignityofachief。Betweenhimandtheoldseamantheintercoursehadbeenfriendly，butdistant。fortheIndianhadbeentoomuchaccustomedtominglewiththeofficersofthedifferentmilitarypostshehadfrequentednottounderstandthathispresentcompanionwasonlyasubor-
　　dinate。Soimposing，indeed，hadbeenthequietsuperior-
　　ityoftheTuscarora’sreserve，thatCharlesCap，forsowastheseamannamed，inhismostdogmaticalorfacetiousmoments，hadnotventuredonfamiliarityinaninter-
　　coursewhichhadnowlastedmorethanaweek。Thesightofthecurlingsmoke，however，hadstruckthelatterlikethesuddenappearanceofasailatsea。and，forthefirsttimesincetheymet，heventuredtotouchthewarrior，ashasbeenrelated。
　　ThequickeyeoftheTuscarorainstantlycaughtasightofthesmoke。andforfullaminutehestood，slightlyraisedontiptoe，withdistendednostrils，likethebuckthatscentsataintintheair，andagazeasrivetedasthatofthetrainedpointerwhilehewaitshismaster’saim。Then，fallingbackonhisfeet，alowexclamation，inthesofttonesthatformsosingularacontrasttoitsharshercriesintheIndianwarrior’svoice，wasbarelyaudible。other-
　　wise，hewasundisturbed。Hiscountenancewascalm，andhisquick，dark，eagleeyemovedovertheleafypanorama，asiftotakeinataglanceeverycircumstancethatmightenlightenhismind。Thatthelongjourneytheyhadat-
　　temptedtomakethroughabroadbeltofwildernesswasnecessarilyattendedwithdanger，bothuncleandniecewellknew。thoughneithercouldatoncedeterminewhetherthesignthatotherswereintheirvicinitywastheharbingerofgoodorevil。
　　TheremustbeOneidasorTuscarorasnearus，Arrow-
　　head，saidCap，addressinghisIndiancompanionbyhisconventionalEnglishname。willitnotbewelltojoincompanywiththem，andgetacomfortableberthforthenightintheirwigwam？
　　Nowigwamthere，Arrowheadansweredinhisun-
　　movedmanner——toomuchtree。
　　ButIndiansmustbethere。perhapssomeoldmess-
　　matesofyourown，MasterArrowhead。
　　NoTuscarora——noOneida——noMohawk——pale-facefire。
　　Thedevilitis？Well，Magnet，thissurpassesaseaman’sphilosophy：weoldsea-dogscantellalubber’snestfromamate’shammock。butIdonotthinktheoldestadmiralinhisMajesty’sfleetcantellaking’ssmokefromacollier’s。
　　Theideathathumanbeingswereintheirvicinity，inthatoceanofwilderness，haddeepenedtheflushonthebloomingcheekandbrightenedtheeyeofthefaircrea-
　　tureathisside。butshesoonturnedwithalookofsur-
　　prisetoherrelative，andsaidhesitatingly，forbothhadoftenadmiredtheTuscarora’sknowledge，or，wemightalmostsay，instinct，——
　　Apale-face’sfire！Surely，uncle，hecannotknow_that_？
　　Tendayssince，child，Iwouldhavesworntoit。butnowIhardlyknowwhattobelieve。MayItakethelib-
　　ertyofasking，Arrowhead，whyyoufancythatsmoke，now，apale-face’ssmoke，andnotared-skin’s？
　　Wetwood，returnedthewarrior，withthecalmnesswithwhichthepedagoguemightpointoutanarithmeticaldemonstrationtohispuzzledpupil。Muchwet——muchsmoke。muchwater——blacksmoke。
　　But，beggingyourpardon，MasterArrowhead，thesmokeisnotblack，noristheremuchofit。Tomyeye，now，itisaslightandfancifulasmokeaseverrosefromacaptain’stea-kettle，whennothingwaslefttomakethefirebutafewchipsfromthedunnage。
　　Toomuchwater，returnedArrowhead，withaslightnodofthehead。Tuscaroratoocunningtomakefirewithwater！pale-facetoomuchbook，andburnanything。
　　muchbook，littleknow。
　　Well，that’sreasonable，Iallow，saidCap，whowasnodevoteeoflearning：hemeansthatasahitatyourread-
　　ing，Magnet。forthechiefhassensiblenotionsofthingsinhisownway。Howfar，now，Arrowhead，doyoumakeus，byyourcalculation，fromthebitofapondthatyoucalltheGreatLake，andtowardswhichwehavebeensomanydaysshapingourcourse？
　　TheTuscaroralookedattheseamanwithquietsuperi-
　　orityasheanswered，Ontario，likeheaven。onesun，andthegreattravellerwillknowit。
　　Well，Ihavebeenagreattraveller，Icannotdeny。
　　butofallmyv’y’gesthishasbeenthelongest，theleastprofitable，andthefarthestinland。Ifthisbodyoffreshwaterissonigh，Arrowhead，andsolarge，onemightthinkapairofgoodeyeswouldfinditout。forapparentlyevery-
　　thingwithinthirtymilesistobeseenfromthislook-
　　out。
　　Look，saidArrowhead，stretchinganarmbeforehimwithquietgrace。Ontario！
　　Uncle，youareaccustomedtocry’Landho！’butnot’Waterho！’andyoudonotseeit，criedtheniece，laugh-
　　ing，asgirlswilllaughattheirownidleconceits。
　　Hownow，Magnet！dostsupposethatIshouldn’tknowmynativeelementifitwereinsight？
　　ButOntarioisnotyournativeelement，dearuncle。
　　foryoucomefromthesaltwater，whilethisisfresh。
　　Thatmightmakesomedifferencetoyouryoungmar-
　　iner，butnonetotheoldone。Ishouldknowwater，child，wereItoseeitinChina。
　　Ontario，repeatedArrowhead，withemphasis，againstretchinghishandtowardsthenorth-west。
　　CaplookedattheTuscarora，forthefirsttimesincetheiracquaintance，withsomethinglikeanairofcontempt，thoughhedidnotfailtofollowthedirectionofthechief’seyeandarm，bothofwhichweredirectedtowardsavacantpointintheheavens，ashortdistanceabovetheplainofleaves。
　　Ay，ay。thisismuchasIexpected，whenIleftthecoastinsearchofafresh-waterpond，resumedCap，shrugginghisshoulderslikeonewhosemindwasmadeup，andwhothoughtnomoreneedbesaid。Ontariomaybethere，or，forthatmatter，itmaybeinmypocket。Well，Isupposetherewillberoomenough，whenwereachit，toworkourcanoe。ButArrowhead，iftherebepale-facesinourneighborhood，IconfessIshouldliketogetwithinhailofthem。
　　TheTuscaroranowgaveaquietinclinationofhishead，andthewholepartydescendedfromtherootsoftheup-
　　torntreeinsilence。Whentheyreachedtheground，Arrowheadintimatedhisintentiontogotowardsthefire，andascertainwhohadlightedit。whileheadvisedhiswifeandthetwootherstoreturntoacanoe，whichtheyhadleftintheadjacentstream，andawaithisreturn。
　　Why，chief，thismightdoonsoundings，andinanoffingwhereoneknewthechannel，returnedoldCap。
　　butinanunknownregionlikethisIthinkitunsafetotrustthepilotalonetoofarfromtheship：so，withyourleave，wewillnotpartcompany。
　　Whatmybrotherwant？askedtheIndiangravely，thoughwithouttakingoffenceatadistrustthatwassuffi-
　　cientlyplain。
　　Yourcompany，MasterArrowhead，andnomore。Iwillgowithyouandspeakthesestrangers。
　　TheTuscaroraassentedwithoutdifficulty，andagainhedirectedhispatientandsubmissivelittlewife，whoseldomturnedherfullrichblackeyeonhimbuttoex-
　　pressequallyherrespect，herdread，andherlove，topro-
　　ceedtotheboat。ButhereMagnetraisedadifficulty。
　　Althoughspirited，andofunusualenergyundercircum-
　　stancesoftrial，shewasbutwoman。andtheideaofbeingentirelydesertedbyhertwomaleprotectors，inthemidstofawildernessthathersenseshadjusttoldherwasseem-
　　inglyillimitable，becamesokeenlypainful，thatsheex-
　　pressedawishtoaccompanyheruncle。
　　Theexercisewillbearelief，dearsir，aftersittingsolonginthecanoe，sheadded，astherichbloodslowlyre-
　　turnedtoacheekthathadpaledinspiteofhereffortstobecalm。andtheremaybefemaleswiththestrangers。
　　Come，then，child。itisbutacable’slength，andweshallreturnanhourbeforethesunsets。
　　Withthispermission，thegirl，whoserealnamewasMabelDunham，preparedtobeoftheparty。whiletheDew-of-June，asthewifeofArrowheadwascalled，pas-
　　sivelywentherwaytowardsthiecanoe，toomuchaccus-
　　tomedtoobedience，solitude，andthegloomoftheforesttofeelapprehension。
　　Thethreewhoremainedinthewind-rownowpickedtheirwayarounditstangledmaze，andgainedthemarginofthewoods。AfewglancesoftheeyesufficedforArrow-
　　head。butoldCapdeliberatelysetthesmokebyapocket-
　　compass，beforehetrustedhimselfwithintheshadowsofthetrees。
　　Thissteeringbythenose，Magnet，maydowellenoughforanIndian，butyourthoroughbredknowsthevirtueoftheneedle，saidtheuncle，ashetrudgedattheheelsofthelight-steppingTuscarora。Americawouldneverhavebeendiscovered，takemywordforit，ifColumbushadbeennothingbutnostrils。FriendArrowhead，didsteverseeamachinelikethis？
　　TheIndianturned，castatglanceatthecompass，whichCapheldinawaytodirecthiscourse，andgravelyan-
　　swered，Apale-faceeye。TheTuscaroraseeinhishead。
　　TheSalt-waterforsotheIndianstyledhiscompanion
　　alleyenow。notongue。
　　Hemeans，uncle，thatwehadneedsbesilent，perhapshedistruststhepersonsweareabouttomeet。
　　Ay，’tisanIndian’sfashionofgoingtoquarters。Youperceivehehasexaminedtheprimingofhisrifle，anditmaybeaswellifIlooktothatofmyownpistols。
　　Withoutbetrayingalarmatthesepreparations，towhichshehadbecomeaccustomedbyherlongjourneyinthewilderness，MabelfollowedwithastepaselasticasthatoftheIndian，keepingcloseintherearofhercompanions。
　　Forthefirsthalfmilenoothercautionbeyondarigidsilencewasobserved。butasthepartydrewnearertothespotwherethefirewasknowntobe，muchgreatercarebecamenecessary。
　　Theforest，asusual，hadlittletointercepttheviewbelowthebranchesbutthetallstraighttrunksoftrees。
　　Everythingbelongingtovegetationhadstruggledtowardsthelight，andbeneaththeleafycanopyonewalked，asitmightbe，throughavastnaturalvault，upheldbymyriadsofrusticcolumns。Thesecolumnsortrees，however，oftenservedtoconcealtheadventurer，thehunter，orthefoe。
　　and，asArrowheadswiftlyapproachedthespotwherehispractisedandunerrimigsensestoldhimthestrangersoughttobe，hisfootstepgraduallybecamelighter，hiseyemorevigilant，andhispersonwasmorecarefullyconcealed。
　　See，Saltwater，saidheexulting，pointingthroughthevistaoftrees。pale-facefire！
　　BytheLord，thefellowisright！mutteredCap。
　　theretheyare，sureenough，andeatingtheirgrubasquietlyasiftheywereinthecabinofathree-decker。
　　Arrowheadisbuthalfright！whisperedMabel，fortherearetwoIndiansandonlyonewhiteman。
　　Pale-faces，saidtheTuscarora，holdinguptwofingers。
　　redman，holdingupone。
　　Well，rejoinedCap，itishardtosaywhichisrightandwhichiswrong。Oneisentirelywhite，andafinecomelyladheis，withanairofrespectabilityabouthim。
　　oneisared-skinasplainaspaintandnaturecanmakehim。butthethirdchapishalf-rigged，beingneitherbrignorschooner。
　　Pale-faces，repeatedArrowhead，againraisingtwofingers，redman，showingbutone。
　　Hemustberight，uncle。forhiseyeseemsnevertofail。Butitisnowurgenttoknowwhetherwemeetasfriendsorfoes。TheymaybeFrench。
　　Onehailwillsoonsatisfyusonthathead，returnedCap。Standyoubehindthetree，Magnet，lesttheknavestakeitintotheirheadstofireabroadsidewithoutaparley，andIwillsoonlearnwhatcolorstheysailunder。
　　Theunclehadplacedhistwohandstohismouthtoformatrumpet，andwasabouttogivethepromisedhail，whenarapidmovementfromthehandofArrowheadde-
　　featedtheintentionbyderangingtheinstrument。
　　Redman，Mohican，saidtheTuscarora。good。pale-
　　faces，Yengeese。
　　Theseareheavenlytidings，murmuredMabel，wholittlerelishedtheprospectofadeadlyfrayinthatremotewilderness。Letusapproachatonce，dearuncle，andproclaimourselvesfriends。
　　Good，saidtheTuscaroraredmancool，andknow。
　　pale-facehurried，andfire。Letthesquawgo。
　　What！saidCapinastonishment。sendlittleMag-
　　netaheadasalookout，whiletwolubbers，likeyouandme，lie-totoseewhatsortofaland-fallshewillmake！
　　IfIdo，I——
　　Itiswisest，uncle，interruptedthegenerousgirl，andIhavenofear。NoChristian，seeingawomanap-
　　proachalone，wouldfireuponher。andmypresencewillbeapledgeofpeace。Letmegoforward，asArrowheadwishes，andallwillbewell。Weare，asyet，unseen，andthesurpriseofthestrangerswillnotpartakeofalarm。
　　Good，returnedArrowhead，whodidnotconcealhisapprobationofMabel’sspirit。
　　Ithasanunseaman-likelook，answeredCap。but，beinginthewoods，noonewillknowit。Ifyouthink，Mabel——
　　Uncle，Iknow。Thereisnocausetofearforme。andyouarealwaysnightoprotectme。
　　Well，takeoneofthepistols，then——
　　Nay，Ihadbetterrelyonmyyouthandfeebleness，
　　saidthegirl，smiling，whilehercolorheightenedunderherfeelings。AmongChristianmen，awoman’sbestguardisherclaimtotheirprotection。Iknownothingofarms，andwishtoliveinignoranceofthem。
　　Theuncledesisted。and，afterreceivingafewcautiousinstructionsfromtheTuscarora，Mabelralliedallherspirit，andadvancedalonetowardsthegroupseatednearthefire。Althoughtheheartofthegirlbeatquick，herstepwasfirm，andhermovements，seemingly，werewith-
　　outreluctance。Adeath-likesilencereignedintheforest，fortheytowardswhomsheapproachedweretoomuchoc-
　　cupiedinappeasingtheirhungertoaverttheirlooksforaninstantfromtheimportantbusinessinwhichtheywereallengaged。WhenMabel，however，hadgotwithinahundredfeetofthefire，shetroduponadriedstick，andthetriflingnoiseproducedbyherlightfootstepcausedtheMohican，asArrowheadhadpronouncedtheIndiantobe，andhiscompanion，whosecharacterhadbeenthoughtsoequivocal，torisetotheirfeet，asquickasthought。Bothglancedattheriflesthatleanedagainstatree。andtheneachstoodwithoutstretchingoutanarm，ashiseyesfellontheformofthegirl。TheIndianutteredafewwordstohiscompanion，andresumedhisseatandhismealascalmlyasifnointerruptionhadoccurred。Onthecontrary，thewhitemanleftthefire，andcameforwardtomeetMabel。
　　Thelattersaw，asthestrangerapproachedthatshewasabouttobeaddressedbyoneofherowncolor，thoughhisdresswassostrangeamixtureofthehabitsofthetworaces，thatitrequiredanearlooktobecertainofthefact。
　　Hewasofmiddleage。buttherewasanopenhonesty，atotalabsenceofguile，inhisface，whichotherwisewouldnothavebeenthoughthandsome，thatatonceassuredMagnetshewasinnodanger。Stillshepaused。
　　Fearnothing，youngwoman，saidthehunter，forsuchhisattirewouldindicatehimtobe。youhavemetChristianmeninthewilderness，andsuchasknowhowtotreatallkindlywhoaredisposedtopeaceandjustice。I
　　amamanwellknowninalltheseparts，andperhapsoneofmynamesmayhavereachedyourears。BytheFrenchersandthered-skinsontheothersideoftheBigLakes，IamcalledLaLongueCarabine。bytheMohicans，ajust-mindedanduprighttribe，whatisleftofthem，HawkEye。whilethetroopsandrangersalongthissideofthewatercallmePathfinder，inasmuchasIhaveneverbeenknowntomissoneendofthetrail，whentherewasaMingo，orafriendwhostoodinneedofme，attheother。
　　Thiswasnotutteredboastfully，butwiththehonestconfidenceofonewhowellknewthatbywhatevernameothersmighthaveheardofhim，hohadnoreasontoblushatthereports。TheeffectonMabelwasinstantaneous。
　　Themomentsheheardthelast_sobriquet_sheclaspedherhandseagerlyandrepeatedthewordPathfinder！
　　Sotheycallme，youngwoman，andmanyagreatlordhasgotatitlethathedidnothalfsowellmerit。though，iftruthbesaid，Iratherpridemyselfinfindingmywaywherethereisnopath，thaninfindingitwherethereis。
　　Buttheregulartroopsarebynomeansparticular，andhalfthetimetheydon’tknowthedifferencebetweenatrailandapath，thoughoneisamatterfortheeye，whiletheotherislittlemorethanscent。
　　Thenyouarethefriendmyfatherpromisedtosendtomeetus？
　　IfyouareSergeantDunham’sdaughter，thegreatProphetoftheDelawaresneverutteredmoretruth。
　　IamMabel。andyonder，hidbythetrees，aremyuncle，whosenameisCap，andaTuscaroracalledArrow-
　　head。Wedidnothopetomeetyouuntilwehadnearlyreachedtheshoresofthelake。
　　Iwishajuster-mindedIndianhadbeenyourguide，
　　saidPathfinder。forIamnoloveroftheTuscaroras，whohavetravelledtoofarfromthegravesoftheirfathersalwaystoremembertheGreatSpirit。andArrowheadisanambitiouschief。IstheDew-of-Junewithhim？
　　Hiswifeaccompaniesus，andahumbleandmildcrea-
　　turesheis。
　　Ay，andtrue-hearted。whichismorethananywhoknowhimwillsayofArrowhead。Well，wemusttakethefarethatProvidencebestows，whilewefollowthetrailoflife。IsupposeworseguidesmighthavebeenfoundthantheTuscarora。thoughhehastoomuchMingobloodforonewhoconsortsaltogetherwiththeDelawares。
　　Itis，then，perhaps，fortunatewehavemet，saidMabel。
　　Itisnotmisfortunate，atanyrate。forIpromisedtheSergeantIwouldseehischildsafetothegarrison，thoughIdiedforit。WeexpectedtomeetyoubeforeyoureachedtheFalls，wherewehaveleftourowncanoe。whilewethoughtitmightdonoharmtocomeupafewmiles，inordertobeofserviceifwanted。Itisluckywedid，forI
　　doubtifArrowheadbethemantoshootthecurrent。
　　HerecomemyuncleandtheTuscarora，andourpartiescannowjoin。AsMabelconcluded，CapandArrowhead，whosawthattheconferencewasamicable，drewnigh。andafewwordssufficedtoletthemknowasmuchasthegirlherselfhadlearnedfromthestrangers。Assoonasthiswasdone，thepartyproceededtowardsthetwowhostillremainednearthefire。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　Yea！longasNature’shumblestchildHathkepthertempleundefiledBysimplesacrifice，Earth’sfairestscenesareallhisown，HeisamonarchandhisthroneIsbuiltamidtheskies！
　　WILSON。
　　TheMohicancontinuedtoeat，thoughthesecondwhitemanrose，andcourteouslytookoffhiscaptoMabelDun-
　　ham。Hewasyoung，healthful，andmanlyinappearance。
　　andheworeadresswhich，whileitwaslessrigidlypro-
　　fessionalthanthatoftheuncle，alsodenotedoneaccus-
　　tomedtothewater。Inthatage，realseamenwereaclassentirelyapartfromtherestofmankind，theirideas，or-
　　dinarylanguage，andattirebeingasstronglyindicativeoftheircallingastheopinions，speech，anddressofaTurkdenoteaMussulman。AlthoughthePathfinderwasscarcelyintheprimeoflife，Mabelhadmethimwithasteadinessthatmayhavebeentheconsequenceofhavingbracedhernervesfortheinterview。butwhenhereyesencounteredthoseoftheyoungmanatthefire，theyfellbeforethegazeofadmirationwithwhichshesaw，orfanciedshesaw，hegreetedher。Each，intruth，feltthatinterestintheotherwhichsimilarityofage，condition，mutualcomeliness，andtheirnovelsituationwouldbelikelytoinspireintheyoungandingenuous。
　　Here，saidPathfinder，withanhonestsmilebestowedonMabel，arethefriendsyourworthyfatherhassenttomeetyou。ThisisagreatDelaware。andonewhohashadhonorsaswellastroublesinhisday。HehasanIndiannamefitforachief，but，asthelanguageisnotalwayseasyfortheinexperiencedtopronouncewenaturallyturnitintoEnglish，andcallhimtheBigSarpent。Youarenottosuppose，however，thatbythisnamewewishtosaythatheistreacherous，beyondwhatislawfulinared-skin。butthatheiswise，andhasthecunningwhichbecomesawar-
　　nor。Arrowhead，there，knowswhatImean。
　　WhilethePathfinderwasdeliveringthisaddress，thetwoIndiansgazedoneachothersteadily，andtheTus-
　　caroraadvancedandspoketotheotherinanapparentlyfriendlymanner。
　　Iliketoseethis，continuedPathfinder。thesalutesoftwored-skinsinthewoods，MasterCap，arelikethehailingoffriendlyvesselsontheocean。Butspeakingofwater，itremindsmeofmyyoungfriend，JasperWesternhere，whocanclaimtoknowsomethingofthesematters，seeingthathehaspassedhisdaysonOntario。
　　Iamgladtoseeyou，friend，saidCap，givingtheyoungfresh-watersailoracordialgrip。thoughyoumusthavesomethingstilltolearn，consideringtheschooltowhichyouhavebeensent。ThisismynieceMabel。IcallherMagnet，forareasonsheneverdreamsof，thoughyoumaypossiblyhaveeducationenoughtoguessatit，havingsomepretentionstounderstandthecompass，Isuppose。
　　Thereasoniseasilycomprehended，saidtheyoungman，involuntarilyfasteninghiskeendarkeye，atthesametime，onthesuffusedfaceofthegirl。andIfeelsurethatthesailorwhosteersbyyourMagnetwillnevermakeabadland-fall。
　　Ha！youdomakeuseofsomeoftheterms，Ifind，andthatwithpropriety。though，onthewhole，Ifearyouhaveseenmoregreenthanbluewater。
　　Itisnotsurprisingthatweshouldgetsomeofthephraseswhichbelongtotheland。forweareseldomoutofsightofittwenty-fourhoursatatime。
　　More’sthepity，boy，more’sthepity！Averylittlelandoughttogoagreatwaywithaseafaringman。Now，ifthetruthwereknown，MasterWestern，Isupposethereismoreorlesslandallroundyourlake。
　　And，uncle，istherenotmoreorlesslandaroundtheocean？saidMagnetquickly。forshedreadedaprema-
　　turedisplayoftheoldseaman’speculiardogmatism，nottosaypedantry。
　　No，child，thereismoreorlessoceanallroundtheland。that’swhatItellthepeopleashore，youngster。
　　Theyareliving，asitmightbe，inthemidstofthesea，withoutknowihgit。bysufferance，asitwere，thewaterbeingsomuchthemorepowerfulandthelargest。Butthereisnoendtoconceitinthisworld：forafellowwhoneversawsaltwateroftenfanciesheknowsmorethanonewhohasgoneroundtheHorn。No，no，thisearthisprettymuchanisland。andallthatcanbetrulysaidnottobesoiswater。
　　YoungWesternhadaprofounddeferenceforamarineroftheocean，ohwhichhehadoftenpinedtosail。buthehadalsoanaturalregardforthebroadsheetonwhichhehadpassedhislife，andwhichwasnotwithoutitsbeautiesinhiseyes。
　　Whatyousay，sir，heansweredmodestly，maybetrueastotheAtlantic。butwehavearespectforthelanduphereonOntario。
　　Thatisbecauseyouarealwaysland-locked，returnedCap，laughingheartily。butyonderisthethePathfinder，astheycallhim，withsomesmokingplatters，invitingustoshareinhismess。andIwillconfessthatonegetsnovenisonatsea。MasterWestern，civilitytogirls，atyourtimeoflife，comesaseasyastakingintheslackoftheensignhalyards。andifyouwilljustkeepaneyetoherkidandcan，whileIjointhemessofthePathfinderandourIndianfriends，Imakenodoubtshewillrememberit。
　　MasterCaputteredmorethanhewasawareofatthetime。JasperWesterndidattendtothewantsofMabel，andshelongrememberedthekind，manlyattentionoftheyoungsailoratthistheirfirstinterview。Heplacedtheendofalogforaseat，obtainedforheradeliciousmorselofthevenison，gaveheradraughtofpurewaterfromthespring，andashesatnearher，fastwonhiswaytoheresteembyhisgentlebutfrankmannerofmanifestinghiscare。homagethatwomanalwayswishestoreceive，butwhichisneversoflatteringorsoagreeableaswhenitcomesfromtheyoungtothoseoftheirownage——fromthemanlytothegentle。Likemostofthosewhopasstheirtimeexcludedfromthesocietyofthesoftersex，youngWesternwasearnest，sincere，andkindinhisattentions，which，thoughtheywantedaconventionalrefinement，which，perhaps，Mabelnevermissed，hadthosewinningqualitiesthatproveverysufficientassubstitutes。Leav-
　　ingthesetwounsophisticatedyoungpeopletobecomeac-
　　quaintedthroughtheirfeelings，ratherthantheirexpressedthoughts，wewillturntothegroupinwhichtheunclehadalreadybecomeaprincipalactor。
　　Thepartyhadtakentheirplacesaroundaplatterofvenisonsteaks，whichservedforthecommonuse，andthediscoursenaturallypartookofthecharactersofthediffer-
　　entindividualswhichcomposedit。TheIndiansweresilentandindustrioustheappetiteoftheaboriginalAmericanforvenisonbeingseeminglyinappeasable，whilethetwowhitemenwerecommunicative，eachofthelatterbeinggarrulousandopinionatedinhisway。But，asthedialoguewillputthereaderinpossessionofcertainfactsthatmayrenderthesucceedingnarrativemoreclear，itwillbewelltorecordit。
　　Theremustbesatisfactioninthislifeofyours，nodoubtMr。Pathfinder，continuedCap，whenthehungerofthetravellerswassofarappeasedthattheybegantopickandchooseamongthesavorymorsels。ithassomeofthechancesandluckthatweseamenlike。andifoursisallwater，yoursisallland。
　　Nay，wehavewatertoo，inourjourneyingsandmarches，returnedhiswhitecompanion。weborder-
　　menhandlethepaddleandthespearalmostasmuchastherifleandthehunting-knife。
　　Ay。butdoyouhandlethebraceandthebow-line，thewheelandthelead-line，thereef-pointandthetop-rope？
　　Thepaddleisagoodthing，outofdoubt，inacanoe。butofwhatuseisitintheship？
　　Nay，Irespectallmenintheircallings，andIcanbe-
　　lievethethingsyoumentionhavetheiruses。Onewhohaslived，likemyself，incompanywithmanytribes，un-
　　derstandsdifferencesinusages。ThepaintofaMingoisnotthepaintofaDelaware。andhewhoshouldexpecttoseeawarriorinthedressofasquawmightbedisappointed。
　　Iamnotyetveryold，butIhavelivedinthewoods，andhavesomeacquaintancewithhumannatur’。Ineverbe-
　　lievemuchinthelearningofthemthatdwellintowns，forIneveryetmetwithonethathadaneyeforarifleoratrail。
　　That’smymannerofreasoning，MasterPathfinder，toayarn。Walkingaboutstreets，goingtochurchofSun-
　　days，andhearingsermons，neveryetmadeamanofahumanbeing。Sendtheboyoutuponthebroadocean，ifyouwishtoopenhiseyes，andlethimlookuponforeignnations，orwhatIcallthefaceofnature，ifyouwishhimtounderstandhisowncharacter。Now，thereismybrother-in-law，theSergeant：heisasgoodafellowaseverbrokeabiscuit，inhisway。butwhatishe，afterall？
　　Why，nothingbutasoldier。Asergeant，tobesure，butthatisasortofasoldier，youknow。WhenhewishedtomarrypoorBridget，mysister，Itoldthegirlwhathewas，asindutybound，andwhatshemightexpectfromsuchahusband。butyouknowhowitiswithgirlswhentheirmindsarejammedbyaninclination。Itistrue，theSer-
　　geanthasriseninhiscalling，andtheysayheisanim-
　　portantmanatthefort。buthispoorwifehasnotlivedtoseeitall，forshehasnowbeendeadthesefourteenyears。
　　Asoldier’scallingishonorable，providedhehasfi’tonlyonthesideofright，returnedthePathfinder。andastheFrenchersarealwayswrong，andhissacredMajestyandthesecoloniesarealwaysright，ItakeittheSergeanthasaquietconscienceaswellasagoodcharacter。IhaveneversleptmoresweetlythanwhenIhavefi’ttheMingos，thoughitisthelawwithmetofightalwayslikeawhitemanandneverlikeanIndian。TheSarpent，here，hashisfashions，andIhavemine。andyethavewefi’tsidebysidethesemanyyears。withouteitherthinkingahardthoughtconsarningtheother’sways。Itellhimthereisbutoneheavenandonehell，notwithstandinghistradi-
　　tions，thoughtherearemanypathstoboth。
　　Thatisrational。andheisboundtobelieveyou，though，Ifancy，mostoftheroadstothelastareondryland。TheseaiswhatmypoorsisterBridgetusedtocalla’purifyingplace，’andoneisoutofthewayoftempta-
　　tionwhenoutofsightofland。Idoubtifasmuchcanbesaidinfavorofyourlakesuphereaway。
　　Thattownsandsettlementsleadtosin，Iwillallow。
　　butourlakesareborderedbytheforests，andoneiseverydaycalledupontoworshipGodinsuchatemple。Thatmenarenotalwaysthesame，eveninthewilderness，I
　　mustadmitforthedifferencebetweenaMingoandaDelawareisasplaintobeseenasthedifferencebetweenthesunandthemoon。Iamglad，friendCap，thatwehavemet，however，ifitbeonlythatyoumaytelltheBigSarpentherethattherearelakesinwhichthewaterissalt。Wehavebeenprettymuchofonemindsinceouracquaintancebegan，andiftheMohicanhasonlyhalfthefaithinmethatIhaveinhim，hebelievesallthatIhavetoldhimtouchingthewhitemen’swaysandnatur’slaws。
　　butithasalwaysseemedtomethatnoneofthered-skinshavegivenasfreeabeliefasanhonestmanlikestotheaccountsoftheBigSaltLakes，andtothatoftheirbeingriversthatflowupstream。
　　Thiscomesofgettingthingswrongendforemost，
　　answeredCap，withacondescendingnod。Youhavethoughtofyourlakesandriftsastheship。andoftheoceanandthetidesastheboat。NeitherArrowhoadnortheSerpentneeddoubtwhatyouhavesaidconcerningboth，thoughIconfessmyselftosomedifficultyinswal-
　　lowingthetaleabouttherebeinginlandseasatall，andstillmorethatthereisanyseaoffreshwater。Ihavecomethislongjourneyasmuchtosatisfymyowneyesconcerningthesefacts，astoobligetheSergeantandMag-
　　net，thoughthefirstwasmysister’shusband，andIlovethelastlikeachild。
　　Youarewrong，friendCap，verywrong，todistrust，thepowerofGodinanything，returnedPathfinderearnestly。TheythatliveinthesettlementsandthetownshaveconfinedandunjustopinionsconsarningthemightofHishand。butwe，whopassourtimeinHisverypresence，asitmightbe，seethingsdifferently——Imean，suchofusashavewhitenatur’s。Ared-skinhashisnotions，anditisrightthatitshouldbeso。andiftheyarenotexactlythesameasaChristianwhiteman’s，thereisnoharminit。Still，therearematterswhichbelongaltogethertotheorderingofGod’sprovidence。andthesesaltandfresh-waterlakesaresomeofthem。Idonotpretendtoaccountforthesethings，butIthinkitthedutyofalltobelieveinthem。
　　Holdonthere，MasterPathfinder，interruptedCap，notwithoutsomeheat。inthewayofaproperandmanlyfaith，Iwillturnmybackonnoone，whenafloat。Al-
　　thoughmoreaccustomedtomakeallsnugaloft，andtoshowthepropercanvas，thantopraywhenthehurricanecomes，Iknowthatwearebuthelplessmortalsattimes，andIhopeIpayreverencewherereverenceisdue。AllI
　　meantosayisthis：that，beingaccustomedtoseewaterinlargebodiessalt，IshouldliketotasteitbeforeIcanbelieveittobefresh。
　　Godhasgiventhesaltlicktothedeer。andHehasgiventoman，red-skinandwhite，thedeliciousspringatwhichtoslakehisthirst。ItisunreasonabletothinkthatHemaynothavegivenlakesofpurewatertothewest，andlakesofimpurewatertotheeast。
　　Capwasawed，inspiteofhisoverweeningdogmatism，bytheearnestsimplicityofthePathfinder，thoughhedidnotrelishtheideaofbelievingafactwhich，formanyyears，hehadpertinaciouslyinsistedcouldnotbetrue。
　　Unwillingtogiveupthepointand，atthesametime，un-
　　abletomaintainitagainstareasoningtowhichhewasun-
　　accustomed，andwhichpossessedequallytheforceoftruth，faith，andprobability，hewasgladtogetridofthesubjectbyevasion。
　　Well，well，friendPathfinder，saidhe，wewillleavetheargumentwhereitis。andwecantrythewaterwhenweoncereachit。Onlymarkmywords——Idonotsaythatitmaynotbefreshonthesurface。theAtlanticissometimesfreshonthesurface，nearthemouthsofgreatrivers。but，relyonit，Ishallshowyouawayoftastingthewatermanyfathomsdeep，ofwhichyouneverdreamed。
　　andthenweshallknowmoreaboutit。
　　Theguideseemedcontenttoletthematterrest，andtheconversationchanged。
　　Wearenotover-conceitedconsarningourgifts，ob-
　　servedthePathfinder，afterashortpause，andwellknowthatsuchasliveinthetowns，andnearthesea——
　　Onthesea，interruptedCap。
　　Onthesea，ifyouwishit，friend——haveopportunitieswhichdonotbefallusofthewilderness。Still，weknowourowncallings，andtheyarewhatIconsidernaturalcallings，andarenotparvartedbyvanityandwantonness。
　　Now，mygiftsarewiththerifle，andonatrail，andinthewayofgameandscouting。for，thoughIcanusethespearandthepaddle，Ipridenotmyselfoneither。TheyouthJasper，there，whoisdiscoursingwiththeSergeant’sdaughter，isadifferentcratur’。forhemaybesaidtobreathethewater，asitmightbe，likeafish。TheIndiansandFrenchersofthenorthshorecallhimEau-douce，onaccountofhisgiftsinthisparticular。Heisbetterattheoar，andtheropetoo，thaninmakingfiresonatrail。
　　Theremustbesomethingaboutthesegiftsofwhichyouspeak，afterall，saidCap。Nowthisfire，Iwillac-
　　knowledge，hasoverlaidallmyseamanship。Arrowhead，there，saidthesmokecamefromapale-face’sfire，andthatisapieceofphilosophywhichIholdtobeequaltosteeringinadarknightbytheedgesofthesand。
　　It’snogreatsecret，returnedPathfinder，laughingwithgreatinwardglee，thoughhabitualcautionpreventedtheemissionofanynoise。NothingiseasiertouswhopassourtimeinthegreatschoolofProvidencethantolarnitslessons。Weshouldbeasuselessonatrail，orincarryingtidingsthroughthewilderness，assomanywood-
　　chucks，didwenotsooncometoaknowledgeoftheseniceties。Eau-douce，aswecallhim，issofondofthewater，thathegatheredadampstickortwoforourfire。
　　andwetwillbringdarksmoke，asIsupposeevenyoufol-
　　lowersoftheseamustknow。It’snogreatsecret，thoughallismysterytosuchasdoesn’tstudytheLordandHismightywayswithhumilityandthankfulness。
　　ThatmustbeakeeneyeofArrowhead’stoseesoslightadifference。
　　HewouldbebutapoorIndianifhedidn’t。No，no。
　　itiswar-time，andnored-skinisoutlyingwithoutusinghissenses。Everyskinhasitsownnatur’，andeverynatur’hasitsownlaws，aswellasitsownskin。ItwasmanyyearsbeforeIcouldmasterallthesehigherbranchesofaforesteducation。forred-skinknowledgedoesn’tcomeaseasytowhite-skinnatur’，aswhatIsupposeisin-
　　tendedtobewhite-skinknowledge。thoughIhavebutlittleofthelatter，havingpassedmostofmytimeinthewilderness。
　　Youhavebeenareadyscholar，MasterPathfinder，asisseenbyyourunderstandingthesethingssowell。I
　　supposeitwouldbenogreatmatterforamanregularlybroughtuptotheseatocatchthesetrifles，ifhecouldonlybringhismindfairlytobearuponthem。
　　Idon’tknowthat。Thewhitemanhashisdifficultiesingettingred-skinhabits，quiteasmuchastheIndianingettingwhite-skinways。Asfortherealnatur’，itismyopinionthatneithercanactuallygetthatoftheother。
　　Andyetwesailors，whorunabouttheworldsomuch，saythereisbutonenature，whetheritbeintheChina-
　　manoraDutchman。Formyownpart，Iammuchofthatwayofthinkingtoo。forIhavegenerallyfoundthatallnationslikegoldandsilver，andmostmenrelishto-
　　bacco。
　　Thenyouseafaringmenknowlittleofthered-skins。
　　HaveyoueverknownanyofyourChinamenwhocouldsingtheirdeath-songs，withtheirfleshtornwithsplintersandcutwithknives，thefireragingaroundtheirnakedbodies，anddeathstaringthemintheface？UntilyoucanfindmeaChinaman，oraChristianman，thatcandoallthis，youcannotfindamanwithared-skinnatur’，lethimlookeversovaliant，orknowhowtoreadallthebooksthatwereeverprinted。
　　Itisthesavagesonlythatplayeachothersuchhellishtricks，saidMasterCap，glancinghiseyesabouthimun-
　　easilyattheapparentlyendlessarchesoftheforest。Nowhitemanisevercondemnedtoundergothesetrials。
　　Nay，thereinyouareagainmistaken，returnedthePathfinder，coollyselectingadelicatemorseloftheveni-
　　sonashis_bonnebouche_。forthonghthesetormentsbelongonlytothered-skinnatur’，inthewayofbearingthemlikebraves，white-skinnatur’maybe，andoftenhasbeen，agonizedbythem。
　　Happily，saidCap，withanefforttoclearhisthroat，noneofhisMajesty’sallieswillbelikelytoattemptsuchdamnablecrueltiesonanyofhisMajesty’sloyalsubjects。
　　Ihavenotservedmuchintheroyalnavy，itistrue。butI
　　haveserved，andthatissomething。and，inthewayofprivateeringandworryingtheenemyinhisshipsandcargoes，I’vedonemyfullshare。ButItrusttherearenoFrenchsavagesonthissidethelake，andIthinkyousaidthatOntarioisabroadsheetofwater？
　　Nay，itisbroadinoureyes，returnedPathfinder，notcaringtoconcealthesmilewhichlightedafacewhichhadbeenburntbyexposuretoabrightred。thoughImis-
　　trustthatsomemaythinkitnarrow。andnarrowitis，ifyouwishittokeepoffthefoe。Ontariohastwoends，andtheenemythatisafraidtocrossitwillbecertaintocomeroundit。
　　Ah！thatcomesofyourd——dfresh-waterponds！
　　growledCap，hemmingsoloudlyastocausehiminstantlytorepenttheindiscretion。Noman，now，everheardofapirateorashipgettingroundoneendoftheAtlantic！
　　Mayhaptheoceanhasnoends？
　　Thatithasn’t。norsides，norbottom。Thenationwhichissnuglymooredononeofitscoastsneedfearnothingfromtheoneanchoredabeam，letitbeeversosavage，unlessitpossessestheartofshipbuilding。No，no！thepeoplewholiveontheshoresoftheAtlanticneedfearbutlittlefortheirskinsortheirscalps。Amanmayliedownatnightinthoseregions，inthehopeoffindingthehaironhisheadinthemorning，unlesshewearsawig。
　　Itisn’tsohere。Idon’twishtoflurrytheyoungwoman，andthereforeIwillbeinnowayparticular，thoughsheseemsprettymuchlisteningtoEau-douce，aswecallhim。butwithouttheedicationIhavereceived，I
　　shouldthinkitatthisverymoment，ariskyjourneytogoovertheverygroundthatliesbetweenusandthegar-
　　rison，inthepresentstateofthisfrontier。ThereareaboutasmanyIroquoisonthissideofOntarioasthereareontheother。Itisforthisveryreason，friendCap，thattheSergeanthasengagedustocomeoutandshowyouthepath。
　　What！dotheknavesdaretocruisesonearthegunsofoneofhisMajesty’sworks？
　　Donottheravensresortnearthecarcassofthedeer，thoughthefowlerisathand？Theycomethis-a-way，asitmightbe，naturally。Therearemoreorlesswhitespassingbetweenthefortsandthesettlements，andtheyaresuretobeontheirtrails。TheSarpenthascomeuponesideoftheriver，andIhavecomeuptheother，inordertoscoutfortheoutlyingrascals，whileJasperbroughtupthecanoe，likeabold-heartedsailorasheis。TheSergeanttoldhim，withtearsinhiseyes，allabouthischild，andhowhisheartyearnedforher，andhowgentleandobedientshewas，untilIthinktheladwouldhavedashedintoaMingocampsingle-handed，ratherthannota-come。
　　Wethankhim，andshallthinkthebetterofhimforhisreadiness。thoughIsupposetheboyhasrunnogreatrisk，afterall。
　　Onlytheriskofbeingshotfromacover，asheforcedthecanoeupaswiftrift，orturnedanelbowinthestream，withhiseyesfastenedontheeddies。Ofalltheriskyjourneys，thatonanambushedriveristhemostrisky，inmyjudgment，andthatriskhasJasperrun。
　　AndwhythedevilhastheSergeantsentformetotravelahundredandfiftymilesinthisoutlandishman-
　　ner？Givemeanoffing，andtheenemyinsight，andI’llplaywithhiminhisownfashion，aslongashepleases，longbowsorclosequarters。buttobeshotlikeaturtleasleepisnottomyhumor。IfitwerenotforlittleMag-
　　netthere，Iwouldtackshipthisinstant，makethebestofmywaybacktoYork，andletOntariotakecareofitself，saltwaterorfreshwater。
　　Thatwouldn’tmendthemattermuch，friendmariner，astheroadtoreturnismuchlonger，andalmostasbadastheroadtogoon。Trusttous，andwewillcarryyouthroughsafely，orloseourscalps。
　　Capworeatightsolidqueue，doneupineelskin，whilethetopofhisheadwasnearlybald。andhemechanicallypassedhishandoverbothasiftomakecertainthateachwasinitsrightplace。Hewasatthebottom，however，abraveman，andhadoftenfaceddeathwithcoolness，thoughneverinthefrightfulformsinwhichitpresenteditselfunderthebriefbutgraphicpictureofhiscom-
　　panion。Itwastoolatetoretreat。andhedeterminedtoputthebestfaceonthematter，thoughhecouldnotavoidmutteringinwardlyafewcursesontheindiscretionwithwhichhisbrother-in-law，theSergeant，hadledhimintohispresentdilemma。
　　Imakenodoubt，MasterPathfinder，heanswered，whenthesethoughtshadfoundtimetoglancethroughhismind，thatweshallreachportinsafety。Whatdis-
　　tancemaywenowbefromthefort？
　　Littlemorethanfifteenmiles。andswiftmilestoo，astheriverruns，iftheMingosletusgoclear。
　　AndIsupposethewoodswilLstretchalongstarboardandlarboard，asheretofore？
　　Anan？
　　Imeanthatweshallhavetopickourwaythroughthesedamnedtrees。
　　Nay，nay，youwillgointhecanoe，andtheOswegohasbeenclearedofitsflood-woodbythetroops。Itwillbefloatingdownstream，andthat，too，withaswiftcur-
　　rent。
　　Andwhatthedevilistopreventtheseminksofwhichyouspeakfromshootingusaswedoubleaheadland，orarebusyinsteeringclearoftherocks？
　　TheLord！——Hewhohassooftenhelpedothersingreaterdifficulties。Manyandmanyisthetimethatmyheadwouldhavebeenstrippedofhair，skin，andall，hadn’ttheLordfi’tofmyside。Inevergointoaskrimmage，friendmariner，withoutthinkingofthisgreatally，whocandomoreinbattlethanallthebattalionsofthe60th，weretheybroughtintoasingleline。
　　Ay，ay，thismaydowellenoughforascouter。butweseamenlikeouroffing，andtogointoactionwithnothinginourmindsbutthebusinessbeforeus——plainbroadsideandbroadsidework，andnotreesorrockstothickenthewater。
　　AndnoLordtoo，Idaretosay，ifthetruthwereknown。Takemywordforit，MasterCap，thatnobattleistheworsefi’tforhavingtheLordonyourside。LookattheheadoftheBigSarpent，there。youcanseethemarkofaknifeallalongbyhisleftear：nownothingbutabulletfromthislogrifleofminesavedhisscalpthatday。forithadfairlystarted，andhalfaminutemorewouldhavelefthimwithoutthewar-lock。WhentheMohicansqueezesmyhand，andintermatesthatIbe-
　　friendedhiminthatmatter，Itellhimno。itwastheLordwholedmetotheonlyspotwhereexecutioncouldbedone，orhisnecessitybemadeknown，onaccountofthesmoke。Sartain，whenIgottherightposition，Ifinishedtheaffairofmyownaccord。Forafriendunderthetomahawkisapttomakeamanthinkquickandactatonce，aswasmycase，ortheSarpent’sspiritwouldbehuntinginthehappylandofhispeopleatthisverymo-
　　ment。