SergeantDunhamgavethedesiredpromiseverycheer-
　　fully。forhehadcompletelywroughthimselfupintothebeliefthatthemanhesomuchesteemedhimselfmustbeacceptabletohisdaughter。Hehadmarriedawomanmuchyoungerthanhimself，andhesawnounfitnessintherespectiveyearsoftheintendedcouple。Mabelwasedu-
　　catedsomuchabovehim，too，thathewasnotawareofthedifferencewhichactuallyexistedbetweentheparentandchildinthisrespect。ItfollowedthatSergeantDun-
　　hamwasnotaltogetherqualifiedtoappreciatehisdaugh-
　　ter’stastes，ortoformaveryprobableconjecturewhatwouldbethedirectiontakenbythosefeelingswhichoftenerdependonimpulsesandpassionthanonreason。
　　Still，theworthysoldierwasnotsowronginhisestimateofthePathfinder’schancesasmightatfirstappear。Know-
　　ingallthesterlingqualitiesoftheman，histruth，integ-
　　rityofpurpose，courage，self-devotion，disinterestedness，itwasfarfromunreasonabletosupposethatqualitieslikethesewouldproduceadeepimpressiononanyfemaleheart。
　　andthefathererredprincipallyinfancyingthatthedaughtermightknowasitmightbebyintuitionwhathehimselfhadacquiredbyyearsofintercourseandadventure。
　　AsPathfinderandhismilitaryfrienddescendedthehilltotheshoreofthelake，thediscoursedidnotflag。ThelattercontinuedtopersuadetheformerthathisdiffidencealonepreventedcompletesuccesswithMabel，andthathehadonlytopersevereinordertoprevail。Pathfinderwasmuchtoomodestbynature，andhadbeentooplainly，thoughsodelicately，discouragedintherecentinterviewtobelieveallheheard。stillthefatherusedsomanyargu-
　　inentswhichseemedplausible，anditwassogratefultofancythatthedaughtermightyetbehis，thatthereaderisnottobesurprisedwhenheistoldthatthisunsophis-
　　ticatedbeingdidnotviewMabel’srecentconductinpre-
　　ciselythelightinwhichhemaybeinclinedtoviewithimself。HedidnotcreditallthattheSergeanttoldhim，itistrue。buthebegantothinkvirgincoynessandigno-
　　ranceofherownfeelingsmighthaveinducedMabeltousethelanguageshehad。
　　TheQuartermasterisnofavorite，saidPathfinderinanswertooneofhiscompanion’sremarks。Mabelwillneverlookonhimasmorethanonewhohashadfourorfivewivesalready。
　　Whichismorethanhisshare。Amanmaymarrytwicewithoutoffencetogoodmoralsanddecency，Iallow！
　　butfourtimesisanaggravation。
　　IshouldthinkevenmarryingoncewhatMasterCapcallsacircumstance，putinPathfinder，laughinginhisquietway，forbythistimehisspiritshadrecoveredsomeoftheirbuoyancy。
　　Itis，indeed，myfriend，andamostsolemncircum-
　　stancetoo。IfitwerenotthatMabelistobeyourwife，Iwouldadviseyoutoremainsingle。Buthereisthegirlherself，anddiscretionistheword。
　　Ah’sme，Sergeant，Ifearyouaremistaken！
　　CHAPTERXIX。
　　ThuswasthisplaceAhappyruralseatofvariousview。
　　MILTON。
　　Mabelwasinwaitingonthebeach，andthecanoewassoonlaunched。Pathfindercarriedthepartyoutthroughthesurfinthesameskillfulmannerthathehadbroughtitin。andthoughMabel’scolorheightenedwithexcite-
　　ment，andherheartseemedoftenreadytoleapoutofhermouthagain，theyreachedthesideofthe_Scud_withouthavingreceivedevenadropofspray。
　　Ontarioislikeaquick-temperedman，suddentobean-
　　gered，andassoonappeased。Theseahadalreadyfallen。
　　andthoughthebreakersboundedtheshore，farastheeyecouldreach，itwasmerelyinlinesofbrightness，thatap-
　　pearedandvanishedlikethereturningwavesproducedbyastonewhichhadbeendroppedintoapool。Thecableofthe_Scud_wasscarcelyseenabovethewater，andJasperhadalreadyhoistedhissails，inreadinesstodepartassoonastheexpectedbreezefromtheshoreshouldfillthecan-
　　vas。
　　Itwasjustsunsetasthecutter’smainsailflappedanditsstembegantoseverthewater。Theairwaslightandsoutherly，andtheheadofthevesselwaskeptlookingupalongthesouthshore，itbeingtheintentiontogettotheeastwardagainasfastaspossible。Thenightthatsuc-
　　ceededwasquiet。andtherestofthosewhosleptdeepandtranquil。
　　Somedifficultyoccurredconcerningthecommandofthevessel，butthematterhadbeenfinallysettledbyanamicablecompromise。AsthedistrustofJasperwasfarfrombeingappeased，Capretainedasupervisorypower，whiletheyoungmanwasallowedtoworkthecraft，sub-
　　ject，atalltimes，tothecontrolandinterferenceoftheoldseaman。TothisJasperconsented，inpreferencetoex-
　　posingMabelanylongertotbedangersoftheirpresentsituation。for，nowthattheviolenceoftheelementshadceased，hewellknewthatthe_Montcalm_wouldbeinsearchofthem。Hehadthediscretion，however，nottorevealhisapprehensionsonthishead。forithappenedthattheverymeanshedeemedthebesttoescapetheenemywerethosewhichwouldbemostlikelytoawakennewsuspi-
　　cionsofhishonestyinthemindsofthosewhoheldthepowertodefeathisintentions。Inotherwords，JasperbelievedthatthegallantyoungFrenchman，whocom-
　　mandedtheshipoftheenemy，wouldquithisanchorageunderthefortatNiagara，andstandupthelake，assoonasthewindabated，inordertoascertainthefateofthe_Scud_，keepingmidwaybetweenthetwoshoresasthebestmeansofcommandingabroadview。andthat，onhispart，itwouldbeexpedienttohugonecoastortheother，notonlytoavoidameeting，butasaffordingachanceofpass-
　　ingwithoutdetectionbyblendinghissailsandsparswithobjectsontheland。Hepreferredthesouthbecauseitwastheweathershore，andbecausehethoughtitwasthatwhichtheenemywouldtheleastexpecthimtotake，thoughitnecessarilylednearhissettlements，andinfrontofoneofthestrongestpostsheheldinthatpartoftheworld。
　　Ofallthis，however，Capwashappilyignorant，andtheSergeant’smindwastoomuchoccupiedwiththedetailsofhismilitarytrusttoenterintotheseniceties，whichsoproperlybelongedtoanotherprofession。Nooppositionwasmade，therefore，andbeforemorningJasperhadap-
　　parentlydroppedquietlyintoallhisformerauthority，is-
　　suinghisordersfreely，andmeetingwithobediencewith-
　　outhesitationorcavil。
　　Theappearanceofdaybroughtallonboardondeckagain。and，asisusualwithadventurersonthewater，theopeninghorizonwascuriouslyexamined，asobjectsstartedoutoftheobscurity，andthepanoramabrightenedunderthegrowinglight。East，west，andnorthnothingwasvisi-
　　blebutwaterglitteringintherisingsun。butsouthwardstretchedtheendlessbeltofwoodsthatthenheldOntarioinasettingofforestverdure。Suddenlyanopeningap-
　　pearedahead，andthenthemassivewallsofachateau-look-
　　inghouse，withoutworks，bastions，blockhouses，andpali-
　　sadoes，frownedonaheadlandthatborderedtheoutletofabroadstream。Justasthefortbecamevisible，alittlecloudroseoverit，andthewhiteensignofFrancewasseenflutteringfromaloftyflagstaff。
　　Capgaveanejaculationashewitnessedthisungratefulexhibition，andhecastaquicksuspiciousglanceathisbrother-in-law。
　　Thedirtytableclothhunguptoair，asmynameisCharlesCap！hemuttered。andwehuggingthisd——dshoreasifitwereourwifeandchildrenmetonthereturnfromanIndiav’y’ge！Hark’e，Jasper，areyouinsearchofacargooffrogs，thatyoukeepsonearintothisNewFrance？
　　Ihugtheland，sir，inthehopeofpassingtheenemy’sshipwithoutbeingseen，forIthinkshemustbesome-
　　wheredownheretoleeward。
　　Ay，ay，thissoundswell，andIhopeitmayturnoutasyousay。Itrustthereisnounder-towhere？
　　Weareonaweathershore，now，saidJasper，smiling。
　　andIthinkyouwilladmit，MasterCap，thatastrongunder-towmakesaneasycable：weoweallourlivestotheunder-towofthisverylake。
　　Frenchflummery！growledCap，thoughhedidnotcaretobeheardbyJasper。Givemeafair，honest，English-Yankee-Americantow，aboveboard，andabovewatertoo，ifImusthaveatowatall，andnoneofyoursneakingdriftthatisbelowthesurface，whereonecanneitherseenorfeel。Idaresay，ifthetruthcouldbecomeat，thatthislateescapeofourswasallacontrivedaffair。
　　Wehavenowagoodopportunity，atleast，torecon-
　　noitretheenemy’spostatNiagara，brother，forsuchItakethisforttobe，putintheSergeant。Letusbealleyesinpassing，andrememberthatwearealmostinfaceoftheenemy。
　　ThisadviceoftheSergeantneedednothingtoenforceit。fortheinterestandnoveltyofpassingaspotoccupiedbyhumanbeingswereofthemselvessufficienttoattractdeepattentioninthatsceneofavastbutdesertednature。
　　Thewindwasnowfreshenoughtourgethe_Scud_throughthewaterwithconsiderablevelocity，andJaspereasedherhelmassheopenedtheriver，andluffednearlyintothemouthofthatnoblestrait，orriver，asitistermed。A
　　dull，distant，heavyroarcamedownthroughtheopeninginthebanks，swellingonthecurrentsoftheair，likethedeepernotesofsomeimmenseorgan，andoccasionallyseemingtocausetheearthitselftotremble。
　　Thatsoundslikesurfonsomelongunbrokencoast！
　　exclaimedCap，asaswell，deeperthancommon，cametohisears。
　　Ay，thatissuchsurfaswehaveinthisquarteroftheworld，Pathfinderanswered。Thereisnounder-towthere，MasterCap。butallthewaterthatstrikestherocksstaysthere，sofarasgoingbackagainisconsarned。ThatisoldNiagarathatyouhear，orthisnoblestreamtum-
　　blingdownamountain。
　　Noonewillhavetheimpudencetopretendthatthisfinebroadriverfallsoveryonderhills？
　　Itdoes，MasterCap，itdoes。andallforthewantofstairs，oraroadtocomedownby。Thisisnatur’，aswehaveituphereaway，thoughIdaresayyoubeatusdownontheocean。Ah’sme，Mabel！apleasanthouritwouldbeifwecouldwalkontheshoresometenorfifteenmilesupthisstream，andgazeonallthatGodhasdonethere。
　　Youhave，then，seentheserenownedfalls，Path-
　　finder？thegirleagerlyinquired。
　　Ihave——yes，Ihave。andanawfulsightIwitnessedatthatsametime。TheSarpentandIwereoutscoutingaboutthegarrisonthere，whenhetoldmethatthetradi-
　　tionsofhispeoplegaveanaccountofamightycataractinthisneighborhood，andheaskedmetovaryfromthelineofmarchalittletolookatthewonder。Ihadheardsomemarvelsconsarningthespotfromthesoldiersofthe60th，whichismynat’ralcorpslike，andnotthe55th，withwhichIhavesojournedsomuchoflate。buttherearesomanyterribleliarsinallrijimentsthatIhardlybelievedhalftheyhadtoldme。Well，wewent。andthoughweexpectedtobeledbyourears，andtohearsomeofthatawfulroaringthatwehearto-day，weweredisappointed，fornatur’wasnotthenspeakinginthunder，assheisthismorning。Thusitisintheforest，MasterCap。therebeingmomentswhenGodseemstobewalkingabroadinpower，andthen。again，thereisacalmoverall，asifHisspiritlayinquietalongthe’arth。Well，wecamesud-
　　denlyuponthestream，ashortdistanceabovethefall，andayoungDelaware，whowasinourcompany，foundabarkcanoe，andhewouldpushintothecurrenttoreachanislandthatliesintheverycentreoftheconfusionandstrife。Wetoldhimofhisfolly，wedid。andwereasonedwithhimonthewickednessoftemptingProvidencebyseekingdangerthatledtonoind。buttheyouthamongtheDelawaresareverymuchthesameastheyouthamongthesoldiers，riskyandvain。Allwecouldsaydidnotchangehismind，andtheladhadhisway。Tomeitseems，Mabel，thatwheneverathingisreallygrandandpotent，ithasaquietmajestyaboutit，altogetherunlikethefrothyandflusteringmannerofsmallermatters，andsoitwaswiththemrapids。Thecanoewasnosoonerfairlyinthem，thandownitwent，asitmightbe，asonesailsthroughtheaironthe’arth，andnoskilloftheyoungDelawarecouldresistthestream。Andyethestruggledmanfullyforlife，usingthepaddletothelast，likethedeerthatisswimmingtocastthehounds。Atfirstheshotacrossthecurrentsoswiftly，thatwethoughthewouldprevail。buthehadmiscalculatedhisdistance，andwhenthetruthreallystruckhim，heturnedtheheadup-stream，andstruggledinawaythatwasfearfultolookat。IcouldhavepitiedhimevenhadhebeenaMingo。Forafewmomentshiseffortsweresofranticthatheactuallypre-
　　vailedoverthepowerofthecataract。butnatur’hasitslimits，andonefalteringstrokeofthepaddlesethimback，andthenhelostground，footbyfoot，inchbyinch，untilhegotnearthespotwheretheriverlookedevenandgreen，andasifitweremadeofmillionsofthreadsofwater，allbentoversomehugerock，whenheshotback-
　　wardslikeanarrowanddisappeared，thebowofthecanoetippingjustenoughtoletusseewhathadbecomeofhim。
　　ImetaMohawksomeyearslaterwhohadwitnessedthewholeaffairfromthebedofthestreambelow，andhetoldmethattheDelawarecontinuedtopaddleintheairuntilhewaslostinthemistsofthefalls。
　　Andwhatbecameofthepoorwretch？demandedMabel，whohadbeenstronglyinterestedbythenaturaleloquenceofthespeaker。
　　Hewenttothehappyhunting-groundsofhispeople，nodoubt。forthoughhewasriskyandvain，hewasalsojustandbrave。Yes，hediedfoolishly，buttheManitouofthered-skinshascompassiononhiscreatursaswellastheGodofaChristian。
　　Agunatthismomentwasdischargedfromablockhousenearthefort。andtheshot，oneoflightweight，camewhistlingoverthecutter’smast，anadmonitiontoap-
　　proachnonearer。Jasperwasatthehelm，andhekeptaway，smilingatthesametimeasifhefeltnoangerattherudenessofthesalutation。The_Scud_wasnowinthecurrent，andheroutwardsetsooncarriedherfarenoughtoleewardtoavoidthedangerofarepetitionoftheshot，andthenshequietlycontinuedhercoursealongtheland。
　　Assoonastheriverwasfairlyopened，Jasperascertainedthatthe_Montcalm_wasnotatanchorinit。andamansentaloftcamedownwiththereportthatthehorizonshowednosail。ThehopewasnowstrongthattheartificeofJasperhadsucceeded，andthattheFrenchcommanderhadmissedthembykeepingthemiddleofthelakeashesteeredtowardsitshead。
　　Allthatdaythewindhungtothesouthward，andthecuttercontinuedhercourseaboutaleaguefromtheland，runningsixoreightknotsthehourinperfectlysmoothwater。Althoughthescenehadonefeatureofmonotony，theoutlineofunbrokenforest，itwasnotwithoutitsin-
　　terestandpleasures。Variousheadlandspresentedthem-
　　selves，andthecutter，inrunningfromonetoanother，stretchedacrossbayssodeepasalmosttodeservethenameofgulfs。Butnowheredidtheeyemeetwiththeevidencesofcivilization。riversoccasionallypouredtheirtributeintothegreatreservoirofthelake，buttheirbankscouldbetracedinlandformilesbythesameoutlinesoftrees。andevenlargebays，thatlayembosomedinwoods，communicatingwithOntarioonlybynarrowoutlets，ap-
　　pearedanddisappeared，withoutbringingwiththemasin-
　　gletraceofahumanhabitation。
　　Ofallonboard，thePathfinderviewedthescenewiththemostunmingleddelight。Hiseyesfeastedontheend-
　　lesslineofforest，andmorethanoncethatday，notwith-
　　standinghefounditsogratefultobenearMabel，listen-
　　ingtoherpleasantvoice，andechoing，infeelingsatleast，herjoyouslaugh，didhissoulpinetobewanderingbe-
　　neaththehigharchesofthemaples，oaks，andlindens，wherehishabitshadinducedhimtofancylastingandtruejoyswereonlytobefound。Capviewedtheprospectdifferently。morethanonceheexpressedhisdisgustattherebeingnolighthouses，church-towers，beacons，orroad-
　　steadswiththeirshipping。Suchanothercoast，hepro-
　　tested，theworlddidnotcontain。and，takingtheSer-
　　geantaside，hegravelyassuredhimthattheregioncouldnevercometoanything，asthehavenswereneglected，therivershadadesertedanduselesslook，andthateventhebreezehadasmelloftheforestaboutit，whichspokeillofitsproperties。
　　Butthehumorsofthedifferentindividualsinherdidnotstaythespeedofthe_Scud：_whenthesunwassetting，shewasalreadyahundredmilesonherroutetowardsOswego，intowhichriverSergeantDunhamnowthoughtithisdutytogo，inordertoreceiveanycommunicationsthatMajorDuncanmightpleasetomake。Withaviewtoeffectthispurpose，Jaspercontinuedtohugtheshoreallnight。andthoughthewindbegantofailhimtowardsmorning，itlastedlongenoughtocarrythecutteruptoapointthatwasknowntobebutaleagueortwofromthefort。Herethebreezecameoutlightatthenorthward，andthecutterhauledalittlefromtheland，inordertoobtainasafeoffingshoulditcomeontoblow，orshouldtheweatheragaingettobeeasterly。
　　Whenthedaydawned，thecutterhadthemouthoftheOswegowellunderthelee，distantabouttwomiles。andjustasthemorninggunfromthefortwasfired，Jaspergavetheordertoeaseoffthesheets，andtobearupforhisport。Atthatmomentacryfromtheforecastledrewalleyestowardsthepointontheeasternsideoftheoutlet，andthere，justwithouttherangeofshotfromthelightgunsoftheworks，withhercanvasreducedtobarelyenoughtokeepherstationary，laythe_Montcalm_，evidentlyinwaitingfortheirappearance。
　　Topassherwasimpossible，forbyfillinghersailstheFrenchshipcouldhaveinterceptedtheminafewmin-
　　utes。andthecircumstancescalledforapromptdecision。
　　Afterashortconsultation，theSergeantagainchangedhisplan，determiningtomakethebestofhiswaytowardsthestationforwhichhehadbeenoriginallydestined，trustingtothespeedofthe_Scud_tothrowtheenemysofarasternastoleavenocluetohermovements。
　　Thecutteraccordinglyhauleduponawindwiththeleastpossibledelay，witheverythingsetthatwoulddraw。
　　Gunswerefiredfromthefort，ensignsshown，andtherampartswereagaincrowded。ButsympathywasalltheaidthatLundiecouldlendtohisparty。andthe_Mont-
　　calm_，alsofiringfourorfivegunsofdefiance，andthrowingabroadseveralofthebannersofFrance，wassooninchaseunderacloudofcanvas。
　　Forseveralhoursthetwovesselswerepressingthroughthewaterasfastaspossible，makingshortstretchestowindward，apparentlywithaviewtokeeptheportundertheirlee，theonetoenteritifpossible，andtheothertointerceptitintheattempt。
　　AtmeridiantheFrenchshipwashulldown，deadtoleeward，thedisparityofsailingonawindbeingverygreat，andsomeislandswerenearby，behindwhichJas-
　　persaiditwouldbepossibleforthecuttertoconcealherfuturemovements。AlthoughCapandtheSergeant，andparticularlyLieutenantMuir，tojudgebyhislanguage，stillfeltagooddealofdistrustoftheyoungman，andFrontenacwasnotdistant，thisadvicewasfollowed。fortimepressed，andtheQuartermasterdiscreetlyobservedthatJaspercouldnotwellbetraythemwithoutrunningopenlyintotheenemy’sharbor，asteptheycouldatanytimeprevent，sincetheonlycruiserofforcetheFrenchpossessedatthemomentwasundertheirleeandnotinasituationtodothemanyimmediateinjury。
　　Lefttohimself，JasperWesternsoonprovedhowmuchwasreallyinhim。Heweatheredupontheislands，passedthem，andoncomingouttotheeastward，keptbroadaway，withnothinginsightinhiswakeortoleeward。
　　Bysunsetagainthecutterwasupwiththefirstoftheislandsthatlieintheoutletofthelake。andereitwasdarkshewasrunningthroughthenarrowchannelsonherwaytothelong-soughtstation。Atnineo’clock，however，Capinsistedthattheyshouldanchor。forthemazeofislandsbecamesocomplicatedandobscure，thathefeared，ateveryopening，thepartywouldfindthemselvesunderthegunsofaFrenchfort。Jasperconsentedcheerfully，itbeingapartofhisstandinginstructionstoapproachthestationundersuchcircumstancesaswouldpreventthemenfromobtaininganyveryaccuratenotionsofitsposi-
　　tion，lestadesertermightbetraythelittlegarrisontotheenemy。
　　The_Scud_wasbroughttoinasmallretiredbay，whereitwouldhavebeendifficulttofindherbydaylight，andwhereshewasperfectlyconcealedatnight，whenallbutasolitarysentinelondecksoughttheirrest。Caphadbeensoharassedduringthepreviouseight-and-fortyhours，thathisslumberswerelonganddeep。nordidheawakefromhisfirstnapuntilthedaywasjustbeginningtodawn。Hiseyeswerescarcelyopen，however，whenhisnauticalinstincttoldhimthatthecutterwasunderway。
　　Springingup，hefoundthe_Scud_threadingtheislandsagain，withnooneondeckbutJasperandthepilot，un-
　　lessthesentinelbeexcepted，whohadnotintheleastinterferedwithmovementsthathehadeveryreasontobelievewereasregularastheywerenecessary。
　　How’sthis，MasterWestern？demandedCap，withsufficientfiercenessfortheoccasion。areyourunningusintoFrontenacatlast，andweallasleepbelow，likesomanymarinerswaitingforthe’sentrygo’？
　　Thisisaccordingtoorders，MasterCap，MajorDuncanhavingcommandedmenevertoapproachthestationun-
　　lessatamomentwhenthepeoplewerebelow。forhedoesnotwishthereshouldbemorepilotsinthosewatersthanthekinghasneedof。
　　Whe-e-e-w！aprettyjobIshouldhavemadeofrunningdownamongthesebushesandrockswithnooneondeck！Why，aregularYorkbranchcouldmakenoth-
　　ingofsuchachannel。
　　Ialwaysthought，sir，saidJasper，smiling，youwouldhavedonebetterhadyouleftthecutterinmyhandsuntilshehadsafelyreachedherplaceofdestination。
　　Weshouldhavedoneit，Jasper，weshouldhavedoneit，haditnotbeenforacircumstance。thesecircumstancesareseriousmatters，andnoprudentmanwilloverlookthem。
　　Well，sir，Ihopethereisnowanendofthem。Weshallarriveinlessthananhourifthewindholds，andthenyou’llbesafefromanycircumstancesthatIcancontrive。
　　Humph！
　　Capwasobligedtoacquiesce。and，aseverythingaroundhimhadtheappearanceofJasper’sbeingsincere，therewasnotmuchdifficultyinmakinguphismindtosubmit。
　　Itwouldnothavebeeneasyindeedforapersonthemostsensitiveonthesubjectofcircumstancestofancythatthe_Scud_wasanywhereinthevicinityofaportsolonges-
　　tablishedandsowellknownonthefrontiersasFronte-
　　nac。Theislandsmightnothavebeenliterallyathousandinnumber，buttheyweresonumerousandsmallastobafflecalculation，thoughoccasionallyoneoflargersizethancommonwaspassed。Jasperhadquittedwhatmighthavebeentermedthemainchannel，andwaswindinghisway，withagoodstiffbreezeandafavorablecurrent，throughpassesthatweresometimessonarrowthatthereappearedtobebarelyroomsufficientforthe_Scud’s_sparstoclearthetrees，whileatothermomentsheshotacrosslittlebays，andburiedthecutteragainamidrocks，forests，andbushes。Thewaterwassotransparentthattherewasnooccasionforthelead，andbeingofveryequaldepth，littleriskwasactuallyrun，thoughCap，withhismaritimehabits，wasinaconstantfeverlesttheyshouldstrike。
　　Igiveitup，Igiveitup，Pathfinder！theoldseamanatlengthexclaimed，whenthelittlevesselemergedinsafetyfromthetwentiethofthesenarrowinletsthroughwhichshehadbeensoboldlycarried。thisisdefyingtheverynatureofseamanship，andsendingallitslawsandrulestothed——l！
　　Nay，nay，Saltwater，’tistheperfectionoftheart。YouperceivethatJasperneverfalters，but，likeahoundwithatruenose，herunswithhisheadhighasifhehadastrongscent。Mylifeonit，theladbringsusoutrightintheind，ashewouldhavedoneinthebeginninghadwegivenhimleave。
　　Nopilot，nolead，nobeacons，buoys，orlighthouses，no——
　　Trail，interruptedPathfinder。forthattomeisthemostmysteriouspartofthebusiness。Waterleavesnotrail，aseveryoneknows。andyethereisJaspermovingaheadasboldlyasifhehadbeforehiseyestheprintsofthemoccassinsonleavesasplainlyaswecanseethesunintheheaven。
　　D——me，ifIbelievethereisevenanycompass！
　　Standbytohauldownthejib，calledoutJasper，whomerelysmiledattheremarksofhiscompanion。
　　Hauldown——starboardyourhelm——starboardhard——so-meether——gentlytherewiththehelm——touchherlightly-nowjumpashorewiththefast，lad——no，heave。therearesomeofourpeoplereadytotakeit。
　　Allthispassedsoquicklyasbarelytoallowthespectatortimetonotethedifferentevolutions，erethe_Scud_hadbeenthrownintothewinduntilhermainsailshivered，nextcastalittlebytheuseoftherudderonly，andthenshesetbodilyalongsideofanaturalrockyquay，whereshewasimmediatelysecuredbygoodfastsruntotheshore。Inaword，thestationwasreached，andthemenofthe55thweregreetedbytheirexpectingcomrades，withthesatis-
　　factionwhichareliefusuallybrings。
　　Mabelsprangupontheshorewithadelightwhichshedidnotcaretoexpress。andherfatherledhismenafterherwithanalacritywhichprovedhowweariedhehadbe-
　　comeofthecutter。Thestation，astheplacewasfami-
　　liarlytermedbythesoldiersofthe55th，wasindeedaspottoraiseexpectationsofenjoymentamongthosewhohadbeencoopedupsolonginavesselofthedimensionsofthe_Scud_。Noneoftheislandswerehigh，thoughalllayatasufficientelevationabovethewatertorenderthemperfectlyhealthyandsecure。Eachhadmoreorlessofwood。andthegreaternumberatthatdistantdaywereclothedwiththevirginforest。Theoneselectedbythetroopsfortheirpurposewassmall，containingabouttwentyacresofland，andbysomeoftheaccidentsofthewilder-
　　nessithadbeenpartlystrippedofitstrees，probablycen-
　　turiesbeforetheperiodofwhichwearewriting，andalittlegrassygladecoverednearlyhalfitssurface。
　　TheshoresofStationIslandwerecompletelyfringedwithbushes，andgreatcarehadbeentakentopreservethem，astheyansweredasascreentoconcealthepersonsandthingscollectedwithintheircircle。Favoredbythisshelter，aswellasbythatofseveralthicketsoftreesanddifferentcopses，somesixoreightlowhutsbadbeenerectedtobeusedasquartersfortheofficerandhismen，tocon-
　　tainstores，andtoservethepurposesofkitchen，hospital，etc。Thesehutswerebuiltoflogsintheusualmanner，hadbeenroofedbybarkbroughtfromadistance，lestthesignsoflaborshouldattractattention，and，astheyhadnowbeeninhabitedsomemonths，wereascomfortableasdwellingsofthatdescriptionusuallyevergettobe。
　　Attheeasternextremityoftheisland，however，wasasmall，densely-woodedpeninsula，withathicketofunder-
　　brushsocloselymattedasnearlytopreventthepossibilityofseeingacrossit，solongastheleavesremainedonthebranches。Nearthenarrowneckthatconnectedthisacrewiththerestoftheisland，asmallblockhousehadbeenerected，withsomeattentiontoitsmeansofresistance。
　　Thelogswerebullet-proof，squaredandjointedwithacaretoleavenodefencelesspoints。thewindowswereloop-
　　holes，thedoormassiveandsmall，andtheroof，liketherestofthestructure，wasframedofhewntimber，coveredproperlywithbarktoexcludetherain。Thelowerapart-
　　mentasusualcontainedstoresandprovisions。hereindeedthepartykeptalltheirsupplies。thesecondstorywasin-
　　tendedforadwelling，aswellasforthecitadel，andalowgarretwassubdividedintotwoorthreerooms，andcouldholdthepalletsofsometenorfifteenpersons。Allthearrangementswereexceedinglysimpleandcheap，buttheyweresufficienttoprotectthesoldiersagainsttheeffectsofasurprise。Asthewholebuildingwasconsiderablylessthanfortyfeethigh，itssummitwasconcealedbythetopsofthetrees，exceptfromtheeyesofthosewhohadreachedtheinterioroftheisland。Onthatsidetheviewwasopenfromtheupperloops，thoughbusheseventhere，moreorless，concealedthebaseofthewoodentower。
　　Theobjectbeingpurelydefence，carehadbeentakentoplacetheblockhousesonearanopeninginthelimestonerockthatformedthebaseoftheislandastoadmitofabucketbeingdroppedintothewater，inordertoobtainthatgreatessentialintheeventofasiege。Inordertofacilitatethisoperation，andtoenfiladethebaseofthebuilding，theupperstoriesprojectedseveralfeetbeyondthelowerinthemannerusualtoblockhouses，andpiecesofwoodfilledtheaperturescutinthelogflooring，whichwereintendedasloopsandtraps。Thecommunicationsbetweenthedifferentstorieswerebymeansofladders。Ifweaddthattheseblockhouseswereintendedascitadelsforgarrisonsorsettlementstoretreatto，inthecasesofattacks，thegeneralreaderwillobtainasufficientlycorrectideaofthearrangementsitisourwishtoexplain。
　　Butthesituationoftheislanditselfformeditsprincipalmeritasamilitaryposition。Lyinginthemidstoftwentyothers，itwasnotaneasymattertofindit。sinceboatsmightpassquitenear，and，byglimpsescaughtthroughtheopenings，thisparticularislandwouldbetakenforapartofsomeother。Indeed，thechannelsbetweentheislandswhichlayaroundtheonewehavebeendescribingweresonarrowthatitwasevendifficulttosaywhichpor-
　　tionsofthelandwereconnected，orwhichseparated，evenasonestoodinthecentre，withtheexpressdesireofascer-
　　tainingthetruth。Thelittlebayinparticular，whichJasperusedasaharbor，wassoemboweredwithbushesandshutinwithislands，that，thesailsofthecutterbeinglowered，herownpeopleononeoccasionhadsearchedforhoursbeforetheycouldfindthe_Scud_，intheirreturnfromashortexcursionamongtheadjacentchannelsinquestoffish。Inshort，theplacewasadmirablyadaptedtoitspresentobjects，anditsnaturaladvantageshadbeenasin-
　　geniouslyimprovedaseconomyandthelimitedmeansofafrontierpostwouldverywellallow。
　　Thehourwhichsucceededthearrivalofthe_Scud_wasoneofhurriedexcitement。Thepartyinpossessionhaddonenothingworthyofbeingmentioned，and，weariedwiththeirseclusion，theywerealleagertoreturntoOs-
　　wego。TheSergeantandtheofficerhecametorelievehadnosoonergonethroughthelittleceremoniesoftransfer-
　　ringthecommand，thanthelatterhurriedonboardthe_Scud_withhiswholeparty。andJasper，whowouldgladlyhavepassedthedayontheisland，wasrequiredtogetunderwayforthwith，thewindpromisingaquickpassageuptheriverandacrossthelake。Beforeseparating，how-
　　ever，LieutenantMuir，Cap，andtheSergeanthadaprivateconferencewiththeensignwhohadbeenrelieved，inwhichthelastwasmadeacquaintedwiththesuspicionsthatexistedagainstthefidelityoftheyoungsailor。
　　Promisingduecaution，theofficerembarked，andinlessthanthreehoursfromthetimewhenshehadarrivedthecutterwasagaininmotion。
　　Mabelhadtakenpossessionofahut。andwithfemalereadinessandskillshemadeallthesimplelittledomesticarrangementsofwhichthecircumstanceswouldadmit，notonlyforherowncomfort，butforthatofherfather。Tosavelabor，amess-tablewaspreparedinahutsetapartforthatpurpose，wherealltheheadsofthedetachmentweretoeat，thesoldier’swifeperformingthenecessarylabor。ThehutoftheSergeant，whichwasthebestontheisland，beingthusfreedfromanyofthevulgarofficesofahousehold，admittedofsuchadisplayofwomanlytaste，that，forthefirsttimesinceherarrivalonthefron-
　　tier，Mabelfeltproudofherhome。Assoonastheseim-
　　portantdutiesweredischarged，shestrolledoutontheisland，takingapathwhichledthroughtheprettyglade，andwhichconductedtotheonlypointnotcoveredwithbushes。Hereshestoodgazingatthelimpidwater，whichlaywithscarcelyaruffleonitatherfeet，musingonthenovelsituationinwhichshewasplaced，andpermittingapleasinganddeepexcitementtostealoverherfeelings，assherememberedthescenesthroughwhichshehadsolatelypassed，andconjecturedthosewhichstilllayveiledinthefuture。
　　You’reabeautifulfixture，inabeautifulspot，MistressMabel，saidDavidMuir，suddenlyappearingatherel-
　　bow。andI’llno’engageyou’renotjustthehandsomestofthetwo。
　　Iwillnotsay，Mr。Muir，thatcomplimentsonmyper-
　　sonarealtogetherunwelcome，forIshouldnotgaincreditforspeakingthetruth，perhaps，answeredMabelwithspirit。butIwillsaythatifyouwouldcondescendtoaddresstomesomeremarksofadifferentnature，ImaybeledtobelieveyouthinkIhavesufficientfacultiestounderstandthem。
　　Hoot！yourmind，beautifulMabel，ispolishedjustlikethebarrelofasoldier’smusket，andyourconversationisonlytoodiscreetandwiseforapoord——lwhohasbeenchewingbirchupherethesefouryearsonthelines，insteadofreceivingitinanapplicationthathasthevirtueofimpartingknowledge。Butyouareno’sorry，Itakeit，younglady，thatyou’vegotyourprettyfooton_terrafirma_
　　oncemore。
　　Ithoughtsotwohourssince，Mr。Muir。butthe_Scud_
　　lookssobeautifulasshesailsthroughthesevistasoftrees，thatIalmostregretIamnolongeroneofherpassengers。
　　AsMabelceasedspeaking，shewaved，herhandkerchiefinreturntoasalutationfromJasper，whokepthiseyesfastenedonherformuntilthewhitesailsofthecutterhadsweptroundapoint，andwerenearlylostbehinditsgreenfringeofleaves。
　　Theretheygo，andI’llno’say’joygowiththem。’butmaytheyhavethelucktoreturnsafely，forwithoutthemweshallbeindangerofpassingthewinteronthisisland。
　　unless，indeed，wehavethealternativeofthecastleatQuebec。YonJasperEau-douceisavagrantsortofalad，andtheyhavereportsofhiminthegarrisonthatitpainsmyveryhearttohear。Yourworthyfather，andalmostasworthyuncle，havenoneofthebestopinionofhim。
　　Iamsorrytohearit，Mr。Muir。Idoubtnotthattimewillremovealltheirdistrust。
　　Iftimewouldonlyremovemine，prettyMabel，re-
　　joinedtheQuartermasterinawheedlingtone，Ishouldfeelnoenvyofthecommander-in-chief。IthinkifIwereinaconditiontoretire，theSergeantwouldjuststepintomyshoes。
　　Ifmydearfatherisworthytostepintoyourshoes，Mr。
　　Muir，returnedthegirl，withmaliciouspleasure，I’msurethatthequalificationismutual，andthatyouareeverywayworthytostepintohis。
　　Thedeuceisinthechild！youwouldnotreducemetotherankofanon-commissionedofficer，Mabel？
　　No，indeed，sir。Iwasnotthinkingofthearmyatallasyouspokeofretiring。Mythoughtsweremoreegotis-
　　tical，andIwasthinkinghowmuchyouremindedmeofmydearfather，byyourexperience，wisdom，anasuitable-
　　nesstotakehisplaceastheheadofafamily。
　　Asitsbridegroom，prettyMabel，butnotasitsparentornaturalchief。Iseehowitiswithyou，lovingyourre-
　　partee，andbrilliantwithwit。Well，Ilikespiritinayoungwoman，soitbenotthespiritofascold。ThisPathfinderisallextraordinair，Mabel，iftruthmaybesaidoftheman。
　　Truthshouldbesaidofhimornothing。Pathfinderismyfriend——myveryparticularfriend，Mr。Muir，andnoevilcanbesaidofhiminmypresencethatIshallnotdeny。
　　Ishallsaynothingevilofhim，Icanassureyou，Ma-
　　bel。but，atthesametime，Idoubtifmuchgoodcanbesaidinhisfavor。
　　Heisatleastexpertwiththerifle，returnedMabel，smiling。Thatyoucannotdeny。
　　Lethimhaveallthecreditofhisexploitsinthatwayifyouplease。butheisasilliterateasaMohawk。
　　HemaynotunderstandLatin，buthisknowledgeofIroquoisisgreaterthanthatofmostmen，anditisthemoreusefullanguageofthetwointhispartoftheworld。
　　IfLundiehimselfweretocallonmeforanopinionwhichIadmiremore，yourpersonoryourwit，beautifulandcausticMabel，Ishouldbeatalosstoanswer。Myadmirationissonearlydividedbetweenthem，thatIoftenfancythisistheonethatbearsoffthepalm，andthentheother！Ah！thelateMrs。Muirwasaparagoninthatwayalso。
　　ThelatestMrs。Muir，didyousay，sir？askedMabel，lookingupinnocentlyathercompanion。
　　Hoot，hoot！ThatissomeofPathfinder’sscandal。
　　NowIdaresaythatthefellowhasbeentryingtopersuadeyou，Mabel，thatIhavehadmorethanonewifealready。
　　Inthatcasehistimewouldhavebeenthrownaway，sir，aseverybodyknowsthatyouhavebeensounfortunateastohavehadfour。
　　Onlythree，assureasmynameisDavidMuir。Thefourthispurescandal——orrather，prettyMabel，sheisyet_inpetto_，astheysayatRome。andthatmeans，inmattersoflove，intheheart，mydear。
　　Well，I’mgladI’mnotthatfourthperson，_inpetto_，orinanythingelse，asIshouldnotliketobeascandal。
　　Nofearofthat，charmingMabel。forwereyouthefourth，alltheotherswouldbeforgotten，andyourwon-
　　derfulbeautyandmeritwouldatonceelevateyoutobethefirst。Nofearofyourbeingthefourthinanything。
　　Thereisconsolationinthatassurance，Mr。Muir，saidMabel，laughing，whatevertheremaybeinyourotherassurance。forIconfessIshouldpreferbeingevenafourth-ratebeautytobeingafourthwife。
　　Sosayingshetrippedaway，leavingtheQuartermastertomeditateonhissuccess。Mabelhadbeeninducedtouseherfemalemeansofdefencethusfreely，partlybe-
　　causehersuitorhadoflatebeensopointedastostandinneedofaprettystrongrepulse，andpartlyonaccountofhisinnuendoesagainstJasperandthePathfinder。
　　Thoughfullofspiritandquickofintellect，shewasnotnaturallypert。butonthepresentoccasionshethoughtcircumstancescalledformorethanusualdecision。Whenshelefthercompanion，therefore，shebelievedshewasnowfinallyreleasedfromattentionswhichshethoughtasill-
　　bestowedastheywerecertainlydisagreeable。Notso，however，withDavidMuir。accustomedtorebuffs，andfamiliarwiththevirtueofperseverance，hesawnoreasontodespair，thoughthehalf-menacing，half-self-satisfiedmannerinwhichheshookhisheadtowardstheretreatinggirlmighthavebetrayeddesignsassinisterastheyweredetermined。Whilehewasthusoccupied，thePathfinderapproached，andgotwithinafewfeetofhimunseen。
　　’Twillneverdo，Quartermaster，’twillneverdo，com-
　　mencedthelatter，laughinginhisnoiselessway。sheisyoungandactive，andnonebutaquickfootcanovertakeher。Theytellmeyouarehersuitor，ifyouarenotherfollower。
　　AndIhearthesameofyourself，man，thoughthepre-
　　sumptionwouldbesogreatthatIscarcelycanthinkittrue。
　　Ifearyou’reright，Ido。yes，Ifearyou’reright——
　　whenIconsidermyself，whatIam，howlittleIknow，andhowrudemylifehasbeen，Ialtogetherdistrustmyclaim，eventothinkamomentofonesotutored，andgay，andlightofheart，anddelicate——
　　Youforgethandsome，coarselyinterruptedMuir。
　　Andhandsome，too，Ifear，returnedthemeekandself-abasedguide。Imighthavesaidhandsomeatonce，amongherotherqualities。fortheyoungfa’n，justasitlearnstobound，isnotmorepleasanttotheeyeofthehun-
　　terthanMabelislovelyinmine。IdoindeedfearthatallthethoughtsIhaveharboredaboutherarevainandpresumptuous。
　　Ifyouthinkthis，myfriend，ofyourownaccordandnaturalmodesty，asitmightbe，mydutytoyouasanoldfellow-campaignercompelsmetosay——
　　Quartermaster，interruptedtheother，regardinghiscompanionkeenly，youandIhavelivedtogethermuchbehindtherampartsofforts，butverylittleintheopenwoodsorinfrontoftheenemy。
　　Garrisonortent，itallpassesforpartofthesamecam-
　　paign，youknow，Pathfinder。andthenmydutykeepsmemuchwithinsightofthestorehouses，greatlycontrarytomyinclinations，asyemaywellsuppose，havingyourselftheardorofbattleinyourtemperament。ButhadyeheardwhatMabelhadjustbeensayingofyou，ye’dnothinkanotherminuteofmakingyourselfagreeabletothesaucyanduncompromisinghussy。
　　Pathfinderlookedearnestlyatthelieutenant，foritwasimpossibleheshouldnotfeelaninterestinwhatmightbeMabel’sopinion。buthehadtoomuchoftheinnateandtruefeelingofagentlemantoasktohearwhatanotherhadsaidofhim。Muir，however，wasnottobefoiledbythisself-denialandself-respect。for，believinghehadamanofgreattruthandsimplicitytodealwith，hedeterminedtopractiseonhiscredulity，asonemeansofgettingridofhisrivalry。Hethereforepursuedthesubject，assoonasheperceivedthathiscompanion’sself-denialwasstrongerthanhiscuriosity。
　　Yououghttoknowheropinion，Pathfinder，hecon-
　　tinued。andIthinkeverymanoughttohearwhathisfriendsandacquaintancessayofhim：andso，bywayofprovingmyownregardforyourcharacterandfeelings，I’lljusttellyouinasfewwordsaspossible。YouknowthatMabelhasawicked，maliciouswaywiththemeyesofherown，whenshehasamindtobeharduponone’sfeel-
　　ings。
　　Tomehereyes，LieutenantMuir，havealwaysseemedwinningandsoft，thoughIwillacknowledgethattheysometimeslaugh。yes，Ihaveknownthemtolaugh，andthatrightheartily，andwithdownrightgoodwill。
　　Well，itwasjustthatthen。hereyeswerelaughingwithalltheirmight，asitwere。andinthemidstofallherfun，shebrokeoutwithanexclamationtothiseffect：-
　　Ihope’twillno’hurtyoursensibility，Pathfinder？
　　IwillnotsayQuartermaster，Iwillnotsay。Mabel’sopinionofmeisofnomoreaccountthanthatofmostothers。
　　ThenI’llno’tellye，butjustkeepdiscretiononthesubject。andwhyshouldamanbetellinganotherwhathisfriendssayofhim，especiallywhentheyhappentosaythatwhichmaynotbepleasanttohear？I’llnotaddan-
　　otherwordtothispresentcommunication。
　　Icannotmakeyouspeak，Quartermaster，ifyouarenotsominded，andperhapsitisbetterformenottoknowMabel’sopinion，asyouseemtothinkitisnotinmyfavor。
　　Ah’sme！ifwecouldbewhatwewishtobe，insteadofbeingonlywhatweare，therewouldbeagreatdifferenceinourcharactersandknowledgeandappearance。Onemayberudeandcoarseandignorant，andyethappy，ifhedoesnotknowit。butitishardtoseeourownfailingsinthestrongestlight，justaswewishtoheartheleastaboutthem。
　　That’sjustthe_rationale_，astheFrenchsay，ofthematter。andsoIwastellingMabel，whensheranawayandleftme。Younoticedthemannerinwhichsheskippedoffasyouapproached？
　　Itwasveryobservable，answeredPathfinder，drawingalongbreathandclenchingthebarrelofhisrifleasifthefingerswouldburythemselvesintheiron。
　　Itwasmorethanobservable——itwasflagrant。that’sjusttheword，andthedictionarywouldn’tsupplyabet-
　　ter，afteranhour’ssearch。Well，youmustknow，Path-
　　finder，——forIcannotreasonablydenyyouthegratificationofhearingthis，——soyoumustknowtheminxboundedoffinthatmannerinpreferencetohearingwhatIhadtosayinyourjustification。
　　Andwhatcouldyoufindtosayinmybehalf，Quarter-
　　master？
　　Why，d’yeunderstand，myfriend，Iwasruledbycir-
　　cumstances，andno’venturedindiscreetlyintogeneralities，butwaspreparingtomeetparticulars，asitmightbe，withparticulars。Ifyouwerethoughtwild，half-savage，orofafrontierformation，Icouldtellher，yeknow，thatitcameofthefrontier，wildandhalf-savagelifeye’dled。andallherobjectionsmustceaseatonce，ortherewouldbeasortofamisunderstandingwithProvidence。
　　Anddidyoutellherthis，Quartermaster？
　　I’llno’sweartotheexactwords，buttheideawasprev-
　　alentinmymind，ye’llunderstand。Thegirlwasimpa-
　　tient，andwouldnothearthehalfIhadtosay。butawaysheskipped，asyesawwithyourowneyes，Pathfinder，asifheropinionwerefullymadeup，andshecaredtolistennolonger。Ifearhermindmaybesaidtohavecometoitsconclusion？
　　Ifearithasindeed，Quartermaster，andherfather，afterall，ismistaken。Yes，yes。theSergeanthasfallenintoagrievouserror。
　　Well，man，whyneedyelament，andundoallthegrandreputationye’vebeensomanywearyyearsmaking？
　　Shouldertheriflethatyeusesowell，andoffintothewoodswithye，forthere’snotthefemalebreathingthatisworthaheavyheartforaminute，asIknowfromexperi-
　　ence。Tak’thewordofonewhoknowsthesax，andhashadtwowives，thatwomen，afterall，areverymuchthesortofcreatureswedonotimaginethemtobe。Now，ifyouwouldreallymortifyMabel，hereisasgloriousanoccasionasanyrejectedlovercoulddesire。
　　ThelastwishIhave，Lieutenant，wouldbetomortifyMabel。
　　Well，ye’llcometothatintheend，notwithstanding。
　　forit’shumannaturetodesiretogiveunpleasantfeelingstothemthatgiveunpleasantfeelingstous。Butabetteroccasionneverofferedtomakeyourfriendsloveyou，thanistobehadatthisverymoment，andthatisthecertainmeansofcausingone’senemiestoenvyus。
　　Quartermaster，Mabelisnotmyinimy。andifshewas，thelastthingIcoulddesirewouldbetogiveheranuneasymoment。
　　Yesayso，Pathfinder，yesayso，andIdaresayyethinkso。butreasonandnaturearebothagainstyou，asye’llfindintheend。Ye’veheardthesaying’loveme，lovemydog：’well，now，thatmeans，readbackwards，’don’tloveme，don’tlovemydog。’Now，listentowhatisinyourpowertodo。Youknowweoccupyanexceedinglyprecariousanduncertainpostionhere，almostinthejawsofthelion，asitwere？
　　DoyoumeantheFrenchersbythelion，andthisislandashisjaws，Lieutenant？
　　Metaphoricallyonly，myfriend，fortheFrencharenolions，andthisislandisnotajaw——unless，indeed，itmayprovetobe，whatIgreatlyfearmaycometrue，thejaw-
　　boneofanass。
　　HeretheQuartermasterindulgedinasneeringlaugh，thatproclaimedanythingbutrespectandadmirationforhisfriendLundie’ssagacityinselectingthatparticularspotforhisoperations。
　　ThepostisaswellchosenasanyIeverputfootin，
　　saidPathfinder，lookingaroundhimasonesurveysapic-
　　ture。
　　I’llno’denyit，I’llno’denyit。Lundieisagreatsol-
　　dier，inasmallway。andhisfatherwasagreatlaird，withthesamequalification。Iwasbornontheestate，andhavefollowedtheMajorsolongthatI’vegottoreverenceallhesaysanddoes：that’sjustmyweakness，ye’llknow，Pathfinder。Well，thispostmaybethepostofanass，orofaSolomon，asmenfancy。butit’smostcriticallyplaced，asisapparentbyallLundie’sprecautionsandinjunctions。
　　TherearesavagesoutscoutingthroughtheseThousandIslandsandovertheforest，searchingforthisveryspot，asisknowntoLundiehimself，oncertaininformation。andthegreatestserviceyoucanrenderthe55thistodiscovertheirtrailsandleadthemoffonafalsescent。UnhappilySergeantDunhamhastakenupthenotionthatthedangeristobeapprehendedfromup-stream，becauseFrontenacliesaboveus。whereasallexperiencetellsusthatIndianscomeonthesidewhichismostcontrarytoreason，and，consequently，aretobeexpectedfrombelow。Takeyourcanoe，therefore，andgodown-streamamongtheislands，thatwemayhavenoticeifanydangerapproachesfromthatquarter。
　　TheBigSarpentisonthelook-outinthatquarter。
　　andasheknowsthestationwell，nodoubthewillgiveustimelynotice，shouldanywishtosarcumventusinthatdirection。
　　HeisbutanIndian，afterall，Pathfinder。andthisisanaffairthatcallsfortheknowledgeofawhiteman。
　　Lundiewillbeeternallygratefultothemanwhoshallhelpthislittleenterprisetocomeoffwithflyingcolors。
　　Totellyouthetruth，myfriend，heisconsciousitshouldneverhavebeenattempted。buthehastoomuchoftheoldlaird’sobstinacyabouthimtoownanerror，thoughitbeasmanifestasthemorningstar。
　　TheQuartermasterthencontinuedtoreasonwithhiscompanion，inordertoinducehimtoquittheislandwith-
　　outdelay，usingsuchargumentsasfirstsuggestedthem-
　　selves，sometimescontradictinghimself，andnotunfre-
　　quentlyurgingatonemomentamotivethatatthenextwasdirectlyopposedbyanother。ThePathfinder，simpleashewas，detectedtheseflawsintheLieutenant’sphilos-
　　ophy，thoughhewasfarfromsuspectingthattheypro-
　　ceededfromadesiretoclearthecoastofMabel’ssuitor。
　　HedidnotexactlysuspectthesecretobjectsofMuir，buthewasfarfrombeingblindtohissophistry。Theresultwasthatthetwoparted，afteralongdialogue，unconvinced，anddistrustfulofeachother’smotives，thoughthedistrustoftheguide，likeallthatwasconnectedwiththeman，partookofhisownupright，disinterested，andingenuousnature。
　　AconferencethattookplacesoonafterbetweenSergeantDunhamandtheLieutenantledtomoreconsequences。
　　Whenitwasended，secretorderswereissuedtothemen，theblockhousewastakenpossessionof，thehutswereoc-
　　cupied，andoneaccustomedtothemovementsofsoldiersmighthavedetectedthatanexpeditionwasinthewind。
　　Infact，justasthesunwassetting，theSergeant，whohadbeenmuchoccupiedatwhatwascalledtheharbor，cameintohisownhut，followedbyPathfinderandCap。andashetookhisseatattheneattablewhichMabelhadpre-
　　paredforhim，heopenedthebudgetofhisintelligence。
　　Youarelikelytobeofsomeusehere，mychild，theoldsoldiercommenced，asthistidyandwell-orderedsuppercantestify。andItrust，whenthepropermomentarrives，youwillshowyourselftobethedescendantofthosewhoknowhowtofacetheirenemies。
　　Youdonotexpectme，dearfather，toplayJoanofArc，andtoleadthementobattle？
　　Playwhom，child？DidyoueverhearofthepersonMabelmentions，Pathfinder？
　　NotI，Sergeant。butwhatofthat？Iamignorantandunedicated，anditistoogreatapleasuretometolistentohervoice，andtakeinherwords，tobeparticularaboutpersons。
　　Iknowher，saidCapdecidedly。shesailedapriva-
　　teeroutofMorlaixinthelastwar。andgoodcruisesshemadeofthem。
　　Mabelblushedathavinginadvertentlymadeanallusionthatwentbeyondherfather’sreading，tosaynothingofheruncle’sdogmatism，and，perhaps，alittleatthePath-
　　finder’ssimple，ingenuousearnestness。butshedidnotforbearthelesstosmile。
　　Why，father，Iamnotexpectedtofallinwiththemen，andtohelpdefendtheisland？
　　Andyetwomenhaveoftendonesuchthingsinthisquarteroftheworld，girl，asourfriend，thePathfinderhere，willtellyou。Butlestyoushouldbesurprisedatnotseeinguswhenyouawakeinthemorning，itisproperthatInowtellyouweintendtomarchinthecourseofthisverynight。
　　_We_，father！andleavemeandJennieonthisislandalone？
　　No，mydaughter。notqniteasunmilitaryasthat。WeshallleaveLieutenantMuir，brotherCap，CorporalM’Nab，andthreementocomposethegarrisonduringourab-
　　sence。Jenniewillremainwithyouinthishut，andbrotherCapwilloccupymyplace。
　　AndMr。Muir？saidMabel，halfunconsciousofwhatsheuttered，thoughsheforesawagreatdealofunpleasantpersecutioninthearrangement。
　　Why，hecanmakelovetoyou，ifyoulikeit，girl。forheisanamorousyouth，and，havingalreadydisposedoffourwives，isimpatienttoshowhowmuchhehonorstheirmemoriesbytakingafifth。
　　TheQuartermastertellsme，saidPathfinderinno-
　　cently，thatwhenaman’sfeelingshavebeenharassedbysomanylosses，thereisnowiserwaytosoothethemthanbyploughingupthesoilanew，insuchamannerastoleavenotracesofwhathavegoneoveritbefore。
　　Ay，thatisjustthedifferencebetweenploughingandharrowing，returnedtheSergeant，withagrimsmile。
　　ButlethimtellMabelhismind，andtherewillbeanendofhissuit。Iverywellknowthat_my_daughterwillneverbethewifeofLieutenantMuir。
　　Thiswassaidinawaythatwastanatmounttodeclaringthatnodaughterofhisever_should_becomethewifeofthepersoninquestion。Mabelhadcolored，trembled，halflaughed，andlookeduneasy。but，rallyingherspirit，shesaid，inavoicesocheerfulascompletelytoconcealheragitation，But，father，wemightbetterwaituntilMr。
　　Muirmanifestsawishthatyourdaughterwouldhavehim，orratherawishtohaveyourdaughter，lestwegetthefableofsourgrapesthrownintoourfaces。
　　Andwhatisthatfable，Mabel？eagerlydemandedPathfinder，whowasanythingbutlearnedintheordinaryloreofwhitemen。Tellittous，inyourownprettyway。IdaresaytheSergeantneverheardit。
　　Mabelrepeatedthewell-knownfable，and，ashersuitorhaddesired，inherownprettyway，whichwasawaytokeephiseyesrivetedonherface，andthewholeofhishonestcountenancecoveredwithasmile。
　　Thatwaslikeafox！criedPathfinder，whenshehadceased。ay，andlikeaMingo，too，cunningandcruel。
　　thatisthewaywithboththeriptyles。Astograpes，theyaresourenoughinthispartofthecountry，eventothemthatcangetatthem，thoughIdaresaythereareseasonsandtimesandplaceswheretheyaresourertothemthatcan’t。Ishouldjudge，now，myscalpisverysourinMingoeyes。
　　Thesourgrapeswillbetheotherway，child，anditisMr。Muirwhowillmakethecomplaint。Youwouldnevermarrythatman，Mabel？
　　Notshe，putinCap。afellowwhoisonlyhalfasoldierafterall。Thestoryofthemtheregrapesisquiteacircumstance。
　　Ithinklittleofmarryinganyone，dearfatheranddearuncle，andwouldrathertalkaboutitless，ifyouplease。But，didIthinkofmarryingatall，Idobe-
　　lieveamanwhoseaffectionshavealreadybeentriedbythreeorfourwiveswouldscarcelybemychoice。
　　TheSergeantnoddedattheguide，asmuchastosay，Youseehowthelandlies。andthenhehadsufficientcon-
　　siderationforhisdaughter’sfeelingstochangethesub-
　　ject。
　　NeitheryounorMabel，brotherCap，heresumed，canhaveanylegalauthoritywiththelittlegarrisonI
　　leavebehindontheisland。butyoumaycounselandin-
　　fluence。Strictlyspeaking，CorporalM’Nabwillbethecommandingofficer，andIhaveendeavoredtoimpresshimwithasenseofhisdignity，lesthemightgivewaytoomuchtothesuperiorrankofLieutenantMuir，who，beingavolunteer，canhavenorighttointerferewiththeduty。
　　IwishyoutosustaintheCorporal，brotherCap。forshouldtheQuartermasteroncebreakthroughtheregula-
　　tionsoftheexpedition，hemaypretendtocommandme，aswellasM’Nab。
　　Moreparticularly，shouldMabelreallycuthimadriftwhileyouareabsent。Ofcourse，Sergeant，you’llleaveeverythingthatisafloatundermycare？Themostd——bleconfusionhasgrownoutofmisunderstandingsbetweencommanders-in-chief，ashoreandafloat。
　　Inonesense，brother，thoughinageneralway，theCorporaliscommander-in-chief。TheCorporalmustcom-
　　mand。butyoucancounselfreely，particularlyinallmat-
　　tersrelatingtotheboats，ofwhichIshallleaveonebehindtosecureyourretreat，shouldtherebeoccasion。IknowtheCorporalwell。heisabravemanandagoodsoldier。
　　andonethatmaybereliedon，iftheSantaCruzcanbekeptfromhim。ButthenheisaScotchman，andwillbeliabletotheQuartermaster’sinfluence，againstwhichIde-
　　sirebothyouandMabeltobeonyourguard。
　　Butwhyleaveusbehind，dearfather？Ihavecomethusfartobeacomforttoyou，andwhynotgofarther？
　　Youareagoodgirl，Mabel，andveryliketheDunhams。
　　Butyoumusthalthere。Weshallleavetheislandto-
　　morrow，beforethedaydawns，inordernottobeseenbyanypryingeyescomingfromourcover，andweshalltakethetwolargestboats，leavingyoutheotherandonebarkcanoe。WeareabouttogointothechannelusedbytheFrench，whereweshalllieinwait，perhapsaweek，toin-
　　tercepttheirsupply-boats，whichareabouttopassupontheirwaytoFrontenac，loaded，inparticular，withaheavyamountofIndiangoods。
　　Haveyoulookedwelltoyourpapers，brother？Capanxiouslydemanded。Ofcourseyouknowacaptureonthehighseasispiracy，unlessyourboatisregularlycom-
　　missioned，eitherasapublicoraprivatearmedcruiser。
　　IhavethehonortoholdtheColonel’sappointmentassergeant-majorofthe55th，returnedtheother，drawinghimselfupwithdignity，andthatwillbesufficientevenfortheFrenchking。Ifnot，IhaveMajorDuncan’swrit-
　　tenorders。
　　Nopapers，then，forawarlikecruiser？
　　Theymustsuffice，brother，asIhavenoother。ItisofvastimportancetohisMajesty’sinterests，inthispartoftheworld，thattheboatsinquestionshouldbecapturedandcarriedintoOswego。Theycontaintheblankets，trink-
　　ets，rifles，ammunition，inshort，allthestoreswithwhichtheFrenchbribetheiraccursedsavagealliestocommittheirunholyacts，settingatnoughtourholyreligionanditsprecepts，thelawsofhumanity，andallthatissacredanddearamongmen。Bycuttingoffthesesuppliesweshallderangetheirplans，andgaintimeonthem。forthearti-
　　clescannotbesentacrosstheoceanagainthisautumn。
　　But，father，doesnothisMajestyemployIndiansalso？
　　askedMabel，withsomecuriosity。
　　Certainly，girl，andhehasarighttoemploythem——
　　Godblesshim！It’saverydifferentthingwhetheranEng-
　　lishmanoraFrenchmanemploysasavage，aseverybodycanunderstand。
　　But，father，Icannotseethatthisaltersthecase。IfitbewronginaFrenchmantohiresavagestofighthisenemies，itwouldseemtobeequallywronginanEng-
　　lishman。_You_willadmitthis，Pathfinder？
　　It’sreasonable，it’sreasonable。andIhaveneverbeenoneofthemthathasraisedacryag’intheFrenchersfordoingtheverythingwedoourselves。StillitisworsetoconsortwithaMingothantoconsortwithaDelaware。
　　Ifanyofthatjusttribewereleft，Ishouldthinkitnosintosendthemoutag’inthefoe。
　　Andyettheyscalpandslayyoungandold，womenandchildren！
　　Theyhavetheirgifts，Mabel，andarenottobeblamedforfollowingthem。natur’isnatur’，thoughthedifferenttribeshavedifferentwaysofshowingit。FormypartI
　　amwhite，andendeavortomaintainwhitefeelings。
　　Thisisallunintelligibletome，answeredMabel。
　　WhatisrightinKingGeorge，itwouldseem，oughttoberightinKingLouis。