Myfatherhasleftyouaresponsiblecommand，Corpo-
　　ral，shesaid，assoonasshecouldcatchM’Nabalittleapart。forshouldtheislandfallintothehandsoftheenemy，notonlyshouldwebecaptured，butthepartythatisnowoutwouldinallprobabilitybecometheirprisonersalso。
　　ItneedsnojourneyfromScotlandtothisplacetoknowthefactsneedfultobeo’thatwayofthinking。re-
　　turnedM’Nabdrily。
　　Idonotdoubtyourunderstandingitaswellasmyelf，Mr。M’Nab，butI’mfearfulthatyouveterans，accustomedasyouaretodangersandbattles，arealittleapttooverlooksomeoftheprecautionsthatmaybenecessaryinasitua-
　　tionaspeculiarasours。
　　TheysayScotlandisnoconqueredcountry，youngwoman，butI’mthinkingtheremustbesomemistak’inthematter，aswe，herchildren，aresodrowsy-headedandapttobeo’ertakenwhenweleastexpectit。
　　Nay，mygoodfriend，youmistakemymeaning。Inthefirstplace，I’mnotthinkingofScotlandatall，butofthisisland。andthenIamfarfromdoubtingyourvigi-
　　lancewhenyouthinkitnecessarytopractiseit。butmygreatfearisthattheremaybedangertowhicbyourcour-
　　agewillmakeyouindifferent。
　　Mycourage，MistressDunham，isdoubtlessofaverypoolquality，beingnothingbutScottishcourage。yourfather’sisYankee，andwerehehereamangusweshouldseedifferentpreparations，beyondadoubt。Well，timesaregettingwrang，whenforeignersholdcommissionsandcarryhalberdsinScottishcorps。andInowonderthatbattlesarelost，andcampaignsgowrangendforemost。
　　Mabelwasalmostindespair。butthequietwarningofJunewasstilltoovividlyimpressedonhermindtoallowhertoyieldthematter。Shechangedhermodeofoperat-
　　ing，therefore，stillclingingtothehopeofgettingthewholepartywithintheblockhouse，withoutbeingcorn-
　　pelledtobetraythesourcewhencesheobtainedhernoticesofthenecessityofvigilance。
　　Idaresayyouareright，CorporalM’Nab，sheob-
　　served。forI’veoftenheardoftbeheroesofyourcoun-
　　try，whohavebeenamongthefirstoftbecivilizedworld，ifwhattheytellmeofthemistrue。
　　HaveyoureadthehistoryofScotland，MistressDun-
　　ham？demandedtheCorporal，lookingupathisprettycompanion，forthefirsttimewithsomethinglikeasmileonhishard，repulsivecountenance。
　　Ihavereadalittleofit，Corporal，butI’veheardmuchmore。TheladywhobroughtmeuphadScottishbloodinherveins，andwasfondofthesubject。
　　I’llwarrantye，theSergeantno’troubledhimselftoexpatiateontherenownofthecountrywherehisregimentwasraised？
　　Myfatherhasotherthingstothinkof，andthelittleIknowwasgotfromtheladyIhavementioned。
　　She’llno’beforgettingtotallyeo’Wallace？
　　OfhimI’veevenreadagooddeal。
　　Ando’Bruce，andtheaffairofBannockburn？
　　Ofthattoo，aswellasofCullodenMuir。
　　Thelastofthesebattleswasthenarecentevent，ithav-
　　ingactuallybeenfoughtwithintherecollectionofourheroine，whosenotionsofit，however，weresoconfusedthatshescarcelyappreciatedtheeffectherallusionmightproduceonhercompanion。Sheknewithadbeenavic-
　　tory，andhadoftenheardtheguestsofherpatronessmen-
　　tionitwithtriumph。andshefanciedtheirfeelingswouldfindasympatheticchordinthoseofeveryBritishsoldier。
　　Unfortunately，M’NabhadfoughtthroughoutthatlucklessdayonthesideofthePretender。andadeepscarthatgarnishedhisfacehadbeenlefttherebythesabreofaGermansoldierintheserviceoftheHouseofHanover。
　　HefanciedthathiswoundbledafreshatMabel’sallusion。
　　anditiscertainthatthebloodrushedtohisfaceinator-
　　rent，asifitwouldpouroutofhisskinatthecicatrix。
　　Hoot！hootawa’！hefairlyshouted，withyourCul-
　　lodenandSherriffmuirs，youngwoman。ye’llno’beun-
　　derstandingthesubjectatall，andwillmanifestnotonlywisdombutmodestyinspeakingo’youraincountryanditsmanyfailings。KingGeorgehassomeloyalsubjectsinthecolonies，nadoubt，but’twillbealangtimebeforeheseesorhearsanyguidofthem。
　　MabelwassurprisedattheCorporal’sheat，forshehadnotthesmallestideawheretheshoepinched。butshewasdeterminednottogiveupthepoint。
　　I’vealwaysheardthattheScotchhadtwoofthegoodqualitiesofsoldiers，shesaid，courageandcircumspec-
　　tion。andIfeelpersuadedthatCorporalM’Nabwillsus-
　　tainthenationalrenown。
　　Askyerownfather，MistressDunham。heisacquaint’
　　withCorporalM’Nab，andwillno’bebackwardtopointouthisdemerits。Wehavebeeninbattlethegither，andheismysuperiorofficer，andhasasorto’officialrighttogivethecharactersofhissubordinates。
　　Myfatherthinkswellofyou，M’Nab，orhewouldnothaveleftyouinchargeofthisislandandallitcontains，hisowndaughterincluded。Amongotherthings，Iwellknowthathecalculateslargelyonyourprudence。Heexpectstheblockhouseinparticulartobestrictlyattendedto。
　　Ifhewishestodefendthehonorofthe55thbehindlogs，heoughttohaveremainedincommandhimsel’。for，tospeakfrankly，itgoesagainstaScotchman’sbluidandopinionstobebeatenoutofthefieldevenbeforeheisat-
　　tacked。Wearebroadswordmen，andlovetostandfoottofootwiththefoe。ThisAmericanmodeoffighting，thatisgettingintosomuchfavor，willdestroytherepu-
　　tationofhisMajesty’sarmy，ifitno’destroyitsspirit。
　　Notruesoldierdespisescaution。EvenMajorDuncanhimself，thanwhomthereisnonebraver，iscelebratedforhiscareofhismen。
　　Lundiehashisweakness，andisfastforgettingthebroadswordandopenheathsinhistreeandriflepractice。
　　But，MistressDunham，tak’thewordofanoldsoldier，whohasseenhisfifty-fifthyear，whenhetallsyethatthereisnosurermethodtoencourageyourenemythantoseemtofearhim。andthatthereisnodangerinthisIndianwarfarethatthefanciesandimaginationsofyourAmeri-
　　canshavenotenlargedupon，untiltheyseeasavageineverybush。WeScotscomefromanakedregion，andhavenoneedandlessrelishforcovers，andsoye’llbeseeing，MistressDunham——
　　TheCorporalgaveaspringintotheair，fellforwardonhisface，androlledoveronhisback，thewholepassingsosuddenlythatMabelhadscarcelyheardthesharpcrackoftheriflethathadsentabulletthroughhisbody。Ourheroinedidnotshriek——didnoteventremble。fortheoccurrencewastoosudden，tooawful，andtoounexpectedforthatexhibitionofweakness。onthecontrary，shesteppedhastilyforward，withanaturalimpulsetoaidhercompanion。TherewasjustenoughoflifeleftinM’Nabtobetrayhisentireconsciousnessofallthathadpassed。
　　Hiscountenancehadthewildlookofonewhohadbeenovertakenbydeathbysurprise。andMabel，inhercoolermoments，fanciedthatitshowedthetardyrepentanceofawillfulandobstinatesinner。
　　Ye’llbegettingintotheblockhouseasfastaspossible，
　　M’Nabwhispered，asMabelleanedoverhimtocatchhisdyingwords。
　　Thencameoverourheroinethefullconsciousnessofhersituationandofthenecessityofexertion。Shecastarapidglanceatthebodyatherfeet，sawthatithadceasedtobreathe，andfled。Itwasbutafewminutes’runtotheblockhouse，thedoorofwhichMabelhadbarelygainedwhenitwasclosedviolentlyinherfacebyJennie，thesol-
　　dier’swife，whoinblindterrorthoughtonlyofherownsafety。ThereportsoffiveorsixrifleswereheardwhileMabelwascallingoutforadmittance。andtheadditionalterrortheyproducedpreventedthewomanwithinfromundoingquicklytheveryfasteningsshehadbeensoexpertinapplying。Afteraminute’sdelay，however，Mabelfoundthedoorreluctantlyyieldingtoherconstantpres-
　　sure，andsheforcedherslenderbodythroughtheopeningtheinstantitwaslargeenoughtoallowofitspassage。BythistimeMabel’sheartceasedtobeattulmultuouslyandshegainedsufficientself-commandtoactcollectedly。Insteadofyieldingtothealmostconvulsiveeffortsofhercompaniontoclosethedooragain，shehelditopenlongenoughtoascertainthatnoneofherownpartywasinsight，orlikelyontheinstanttoendeavortogainadmis-
　　sion：thensheallowedtheopeningtobeshut。Herordersandproceedingsnowbecamemorecalmandrational。
　　Butasinglebarwascrossed，andJenniewasdirectedtostandinreadinesstoremoveeventhatatanyapplicationfromafriend。Shethenascendedtheladdertotheroomabove，wherebymeansofaloopholeshewasenabledtogetasgoodaviewoftheislandasthesurroundingbusheswouldallow。Admonishingherassociatebelowtobefirmandsteady，shemadeascarefulanexaminationoftheen-
　　vironsashersituationpermitted。
　　Tohergreatsurprise，Mabelcouldnotatfirstseealiv-
　　ingsoulontheisland，friendorenemy。NeitherFrench-
　　mannorIndianwasvisible，thoughasmallstragglingwhitecloudthatwasfloatingbeforethewindtoldherinwhichquartersheoughttolookforthem。TherifleshadbeendischargedfromthedirectionoftheislandwhenceJunehadcome，thoughwhethertheenemywereonthatisland，orhadactuallylandedonherown，Mabelcouldnotsay。GoingtotheloopthatcommandedaviewofthespotwhereM’Nablay，herbloodcurdledatperceivingallthreeofhissoldierslyingapparentlylifelessathisside。
　　Thesemenhadrushedtoacommoncentreatthefirstalarm，andhadbeenshotdownalmostsimultaneouslybytheinvisiblefoewhomtheCorporalhadaffectedtodespise。
　　NeitherCapnorLieutenantMuirwastobeseen。Withabeatingheart，Mabelexaminedeveryopeningthroughthetrees，andascendedeventotheupperstoryorgarretoftheblockhouse，whereshegotafullviewofthewholeisland，sofarasitscoverswouldallow，butwithnobettersuccess。Shehadexpectedtoseethebodyofherunclelyingonthegrasslikethoseofthesoldiers，butitwasnowherevisible。Turningtowardsthespotwheretheboatlay，Mabelsawthatitwasstillfastenedtotheshore。andthenshesupposedthatbysomeaccidentMuirhadbeenpreventedfromeffectinghisretreatinthatquarter。Inshort，theislandlayinthequietofthegrave，thebodiesofthesoldiersrenderingthesconeasfearfulasitwasex-
　　traordinary。
　　ForGod’sholysake，MistressMabel，calledoutthewomanfrombelow。for，thoughherfearhadbecometooungovernabletoallowhertokeepsilence，ourheroine’ssuperiorrefinement，morethantheregimentalstationofherfather，stillcontrolledhermodeofaddress，——MistressMabel，tellmeifanyofourfriendsareliving！IthinkI
　　heargroansthatgrowfainterandfainter，andfearthattheywillallbetomahawked！
　　Mabelnowrememberedthatoneofthesoldierswasthiswoman’shusband，andshetrembledatwhatmightbetheimmediateeffectofhersorrow，shouldhisdeathbecomesuddenlyknowntoher。Thegroans，too，gavealittlehope，thoughshefearedtheymightcomefromheruncle，wholayoutofview。
　　WeareinHisholykeeping，Jennie，sheanswered。
　　WemusttrustinProvidence，whileweneglectnoneofitsbenevolentmeansofprotectingourselves。Becare-
　　fulwiththedoor。onnoaccountopenitwithoutmydi-
　　rections。
　　Oh，tellme，MistressMabel，ifyoucananywhereseeSandy！IfIcouldonlylethimknowthatI’minsafety，theguidmanwouldbeeasierinhismind，whetherfreeoraprisoner。
　　SandywasJennie’shusband，andhelaydeadinplainviewoftheloopfromwhichourheroinewasthenlooking。
　　Youno’tellmeifyou’reseeingofSandy，thewomanrepeatedfrombelow，impatientatMabel’ssilence。
　　TherearesomeofourpeoplegatheredaboutthebodyofM’Nab，wastheanswer。foritseemedsacrilegiousinhereyestotelladirectuntruthundertheawfulcircum-
　　stancesinwhichshewasplaced。
　　IsSandyamangthem？demandedthewoman，inavoicethatsoundedappallingbyitshoarsenessandenergy。
　　Hemaybecertainly。forIseeone，two，three，four，andallinthescarletcoatsoftheregiment。
　　Sandy！calledoutthewomanfrantically。whyd’yeno’careforyoursal’，Sandy？Comehithertheinstant，man，andshareyourwife’sfortunesinwealorwoe。It’sno’amomentforyoursillydisciplineandvain-gloriousnotionsofhonor！Sandy！Sandy！
　　Mabelheardthebarturn，andthenthedoorcreakedonitshinges。Expectation，nottosayterror，heldherinsus-
　　penseattheloop，andshesoonbeheldJennierushingthroughthebushesinthedirectionoftheclusterofthedead。Ittookthewomanbutaninstanttoreachthefatalspot。Sosuddenandunexpectedhadbeentheblow，thatsheinherterrordidnotappeartocomprehenditsweight。Somewildandhalf-franticnotionofadeceptiontroubledherfancy，andsheimaginedthatthemenweretriflingwithherfears。Shetookherhusband’shand，anditwasstillwarm，whileshethoughtacovertsmilewasstrugglingonhislip。
　　Whywillyefoollifeaway，Sandy？shecried，pullingatthearm。Ye’llallbemurderedbytheseaccursedIndians，andyouno’takin’totheblockliketrustysol-
　　diers！Awa’！awa’！andno’belosingthepreciousmo-
　　ments。
　　Inherdesperateefforts，thewomanpulledthebodyofherhusbandinawaytocausetheheadtoturncompletelyover，whentbesmallholeinthetemple，causedbytheen-
　　tranceofariflebullet，andafewdropsofbloodtricklingovertheskin，revealedthemeaningofherhusband’ssi-
　　lence。Asthehorridtruthflashedinitsfullextentonhermind，thewomanclaspedherhands，gaveashriekthatpiercedthegladesofeveryislandnear，andfellatlengthonthedeadbodyofthesoldier。Thrilling，heart-
　　reaching，appallingaswasthatshriek，itwasmelodytothecrythatfolloweditsoquicklyastoblendthesounds。
　　Theterrificwar-whooparoseoutofthecoversoftheisland，andsometwentysavages，horribleintheirpaintandtheotherdevicesofIndianingenuity，rushedforward，eagertosecurethecovetedscalps。Arrowheadwasfore-
　　most，anditwashistomahawkthatbrainedtheinsensibleJennie。andherreekinghairwashangingathisgirdleasatrophyinlessthantwominutesaftershehadquittedtheblockhouse。Hiscompanionswereequallyactive，andM’Nabandhissoldiersnolongerpresentedthequietas-
　　pectofmenwhoslumbered。Theywereleftintheirgore，unequivocallybutcheredcorpses。
　　Allthispassedinmuchlesstimethanhasbeenrequiredtorelateit，andallthisdidMabelwitness。Shehadstoodrivetedtothespot，gazingonthewholehorriblescene，asifenchainedbysomecharm，nordidtheideaofselforofherowndangeronceobtrudeitselfonherthoughts。Butnosoonerdidsheperceivetheplacewherethemenhadfallencoveredwithsavages，exultinginthesuccessoftheirsurprise，thanitoccurredtoherthatJenniehadlefttheblockhousedoorunbarred。Herheartbeatviolently，forthatdefencealonestoodbetweenherandimmediatedeath，andshesprangtowardtheladderwiththeintentionofdescendingtomakesureofit。Herfoothadnotyetreachedthefloorofthesecondstory，however，whensheheardthedoorgratingonitshinges，andshegaveherselfupforlost。Sinkingonherknees，theterrifiedbutcour-
　　ageousgirlendeavoredtoprepareherselffordeath，andtoraiseherthoughtstoGod。Theinstinctoflife，how-
　　ever，wastoostrongforprayer，andwhileherlipsmoved，thejealoussenseswatchedeverysoundbeneath。Whenherearsheardthebars，whichwentonpivotssecuredtothecentreofthedoor，turningintotheirfastenings，notone，assheherselfhaddirected，withaviewtoadmitheruncleshouldheapply，butallthree，shestartedagaintoherfeet，allspiritualcontemplationsvanishinginheractualtemporalcondition，anditseemedasifallherfac-
　　ultieswereabsorbedinthesenseofhearing。
　　Thethoughtsareactiveinamomentsofearful。AtfirstMabelfanciedthatherunclehadenteredtheblock-
　　house，andshewasabouttodescendtheladderandthrowherselfintohisarms。thentheideathatitmightbeanIndian，whohadbarredthedoortoshutoutintruderswhileheplunderedatleisure，arrestedthemovement。Theprofoundstillnessbelowwasunlikethebold，restlessmove-
　　mentsofCap，anditseemedtosavormoreoftheartificesofanenemy。Ifafriendatall，itcouldonlybeheruncleortheQuartermaster。forthehorribleconvictionnowpre-
　　senteditselftoourheroinethattothesetwoandherselfwerethewholepartysuddenlyreduced，if，indeed，thetwolattersurvived。ThisconsiderationheldMabelincheck，andforfulltwominutesmoreabreathlesssilencereignedinthebuilding。Duringthistimethegirlstoodatthefootoftheupperladder，thetrapwhichledtotheloweropeningontheoppositesideofthefloor。theeyesofMabelwererivetedonthisspot，forshenowbegantoex-
　　pecttoseeateachinstantthehorriblesightofasavagefaceatthehole。Thisapprehensionsoonbecamesoin-
　　tense，thatshelookedaboutherforaplaceofconceal-
　　ment。Theprocrastinationofthecatastropheshenowfullyexpected，thoughitwereonlyforamoment，affordedarelief。Theroomcontainedseveralbarrels。andbehindtwooftheseMabelcrouched，placinghereyesatanopen-
　　ingbywhichshecouldstillwatchthetrap。Shemadeanotherefforttopray。butthemomentwastoohorribleforthatrelief。Shethought，too，thatsheheardalowrustling，asifonewereascendingthelowerladderwithaneffortatcautionsogreatastobetrayitselfbyitsownex-
　　cess。thenfollowedacreakingthatshewascertaincamefromoneofthestepsoftheladder，whichhadmadethesamenoiseunderherownlightweightassheascended。
　　Thiswasoneofthoseinstantsintowhicharecompressedthesensationsofyearsofordinaryexistence。Life，death，eternity，andextremebodilypainwereallstandingoutinboldrelieffromtheplaneofevery-dayoccurrences。andshemighthavebeentakenatthatmomentforabeautifulpallidrepresentationofherself，equallywithoutmotionandwithoutvitality。Butwhilesuchwastheoutwardappearanceoftheform，neverhadtherebeenatimeinherbriefcareerwhenMabelheardmoreacutely，sawmoreclearly，orfeltmorevividly。Asyet，nothingwasvisibleatthetrap，butherears，renderedexquisitelysensitivebyintensefeeling，distinctlyacquaintedherthatsomeonewaswithinafewinchesoftheopeninginthefloor。Nextfollowedtheevidenceofhereyes，whichbeheldthedarkhairofanIndianrisingsoslowlythroughthepassagethatthemovementsoftheheadmightbelikenedtothatoftheminute-handofaclock。thencamethedarkskinandwildfeatures，untilthewholeoftheswarthyfacehadrisenabovethefloor。Thehumancountenanceseldomappearstoadvantagewhenpartiallyconcealed。andMabelimaginedmanyadditionalhorrorsasshefirstsawtheblack，rovingeyesandtheexpressionofwildnessasthesavagecounte-
　　nancewasrevealed，asitmightbe，inchbyinch。butwhentheentireheadwasraisedabovethefloor，asecondandabetterlookassuredourheroinethatshesawthegentle，anxious，andevenhandsomefaceofJune。
　　CHAPTERXXII。
　　SpectrethoughIbe，Iamnotsenttoscaretheeordeceive。
　　Butinrewardofthyfidelity。
　　WORDSWORTH。
　　Itwouldbedifficulttosaywhichevincedthemostsat-
　　isfaction，whenMabelsprangtoherfeetandappearedinthecentreoftheroom，ourheroine，onfindingthathervisitorwasthewifeofArrowhead，andnotArrowheadhimself，orJune，atdiscoveringthatheradvicehadbeenfollowed，andthattheblockhousecontainedthepersonshehadsoanxiouslyandalmosthopelesslysought。Theyembracedeachother，andtheunsophisticatedTuscarorawomanlaughedinhersweetaccentsassheheldherfriendatarm’slength，andmadecertainofherpresence。
　　Blockhousegood，saidtheyoungIndian。gotnoscalp。
　　Itisindeedgood，June，Mabelanswered，withashud-
　　der，veilinghereyesatthesametime，asiftoshutoutaviewofthehorrorsshehadsolatelywitnessed。Tellme，forGod’ssake，ifyouknowwhathasbecomeofmydearuncle！Ihavelookedinalldirectionswithoutbeingabletoseehim。
　　Nohereinblockhouse？Juneasked，withsomecuri-
　　osity。
　　Indeedheisnot：Iamquitealoneinthisplace。Jen-
　　nie，thewomanwhowaswithme，havingrushedouttojoinherhusband，andperishingforherimprudence。
　　Juneknow，Junesee。verybad，Arrowheadnofeelforanywife。nofeelforhisown。
　　Ah，June，yourlife，atleast，issafe！
　　Don’tknow。Arrowheadkillme，ifheknowall。
　　Godblessandprotectyou，June！He_will_blessandprotectyouforthishumanity。Tellmewhatistobedone，andifmypooruncleisstillliving？
　　Don’tknow。Saltwaterhasboat。maybehegoonriver。
　　Theboatisstillontheshore，butneithermyunclenortheQuartermasterisanywheretobeseen。
　　Nokill，orJunewouldsee。Hideaway！Redmanhide。noshameforpale-face。
　　ItisnottheshamethatIfearforthem，buttheop-
　　portunity。Yourattackwasawfullysudden，June！
　　Tuscarora！returnedtheother，smilingwithexultationatthedexterityofherhusband。Arrowheadgreatwar-
　　rior！
　　Youaretoogoodandgentleforthissortoflife，June。
　　youcannotbehappyinsuchscenes？
　　June’scountenancegrewclouded，andMabelfanciedtherewassomeofthesavagefireofachiefinherfrownassheanswered，——
　　Yengeesetoogreedy，takeawayallhunting-grounds。
　　chaseSixNationfrommorningtonight。wickedking，wickedpeople。Pale-faceverybad。
　　Mabelknewthat，eveninthatdistantday，therewasmuchtruthinthisopinion，thoughshewastoowellin-
　　structednottounderstandthatthemonarch，inthis，asinathousandothercases，wasblamedforactsofwhichhewasmostprobablyignorant。Shefeltthejusticeoftherebuke，therefore，toomuchtoattemptananswer，andherthoughtsnaturallyrevertedtoherownsituation。
　　AndwhatamItodo，June？shedemanded。Itcannotbelongbeforeyourpeoplewillassaultthisbuild-
　　ing。
　　Blockhousegood——gotnoscalp。
　　Buttheywillsoondiscoverthatithasgotnogarrisontoo，iftheydonotknowitalready。Youyourselftoldmethenumberofpeoplethatwereontheisland，anddoubtlessyoulearneditfromArrowhead。
　　Arrowheadknow，answeredJune，holdingupsixfin-
　　gers，toindicatethenumberofthemen。Allredmenknow。Fourlosescalpalready。twogot’emyet。
　　Donotspeakofit，June。thehorridthoughtcurdlesmyblood。YourpeoplecannotknowthatIamaloneintheblockhouse，butmayfancymyuncleandtheQuarter-
　　masterwithme，andmaysetfiretothebuilding，inordertodislodgethem。Theytellmethatfireisthegreatdan-
　　gertosuchplaces。
　　Noburnblockhouse，saidJunequietly。
　　Youcannotknowthat，mygoodJune，andIhavenomeanstokeepthemoff。
　　Noburnblockhouse。Blockhousegood。gotnoscalp。
　　Buttellmewhy，June。Ifeartheywillburnit。
　　Blockhousewet——muchrain——logsgreen——noburneasy。
　　Redmanknowit——finet’ing——thennoburnittotellYengeesethatIroquoisbeenhere。Fadercomeback，missblockhouse，nofound。No，no。Indiantoomuchcunning。notouchanything。
　　Iunderstandyou，June，andhopeyourpredictionmaybetrue。for，asregardsmydearfather，shouldheescape——
　　perhapsheisalreadydeadorcaptured，June？
　　Notouchfader——don’tknowwherehegone——watergotnotrail——redmancan’tfollow。Noburnblockhouse——
　　blockhousegood。gotnoscalp。
　　Doyouthinkitpossibleformetoremainheresafelyuntilmyfatherreturns？
　　Don’tknow。daughtertellbestwhenfadercomeback。
　　MabelfeltuneasyattheglanceofJune’sdarkeyeassheutteredthis。fortheunpleasantsurmisearosethathercompanionwasendeavoringtodiscoverafactthatmightbeusefultoherownpeople，whileitwouldleadtothedestructionofherparentandhisparty。Shewasabouttomakeanevasiveanswer，whenaheavypushattheouterdoorsuddenlydrewallherthoughtstotheimmediatedanger。
　　Theycome！sheexclaimed。Perhaps，June，itismyuncleortheQuartermaster。IcannotkeepoutevenMr。Muiratamomentlikethis。
　　Whynolook？plentyloophole，madepurpose。
　　Mabeltookthehint，and，goingtooneofthedownwardloops，thathadbeencutthroughthelogsinthepartthatoverhungthebasement，shecautiouslyraisedthelittleblockthatordinarilyfilledthesmallhole，andcaughtaglanceatwhatwaspassingatthedoor。Thestartandchangingcountenancetoldhercompanionthatsomeofherownpeoplewerebelow。
　　Redman，saidJune，liftingafingerinadmonitiontobeprudent。
　　Four。andhorribleintheirpaintandbloodytrophies。
　　Arrowheadisamongthem。
　　Junehadmovedtoacorner，whereseveralsparerifleshadbeendeposited，andhadalreadytakenoneintoherhand，whenthenameofherhusbandappearedtoarresthermovements。Itwasbutforaninstant，however，forsheimmediatelywenttotheloop，andwasabouttothrustthemuzzleofthepiecethroughit，whenafeelingofnaturalaversioninducedMabeltoseizeherarm。
　　No，no，no，June！saidthelatter。notagainstyourownhusband，thoughmylifebethepenalty。
　　NohurtArrowhead，returnedJune，withaslightshudder，nohurtredmanatall。Nofireat’em。onlyscare。
　　MabelnowcomprehendedtheintentionofJune，andnolongeropposedit。Thelatterthrustthemuzzleoftheriflethroughtheloophole。and，takingcaretomakenoiseenoughtoattractattraction，shepulledthetrigger。ThepiecehadnosoonerbeendischargedthanMabelreproachedherfriendfortheveryactthatwasintendedtoserveher。
　　Youdeclareditwasnotyourintentiontofire，shesaid，andyoumayhavedestroyedyourownhusband。
　　AllrunawaybeforeIfire，returnedJune，laughing，andgoingtoanotherlooptowatchthemovementsofherfriends，laughingstillheartier。See！getcover——everywarrior。ThinkSaltwaterandQuartermasterhere。Takegoodcarenow。
　　Heavenbepraised！Andnow，June，Imayhopeforalittletimetocomposemythoughtstoprayer，thatImaynotdielikeJennie，thinkingonlyoflifeandthethingsoftheworld。
　　Junelaidasidetherifle，andcameandseatedherselfneartheboxonwhichMabelhadsunk，underthatphysi-
　　calreactionwhichaccompaniesjoyaswellassorrow。Shelookedsteadilyinourheroine’sface，andthelatterthoughtthathercountenancehadanexpressionofseveritymingledwithitsconcern。
　　Arrowheadgreatwarrior，saidtheTuscarora’swife。
　　Allthegirlsoftribelookathimmuch。Thepale-facebeautyhaseyestoo？
　　June！——whatdothesewords——thatlook——imply？whatwouldyousay？
　　Whyyouso’fraidJuneshootArrowhead？
　　Woulditnothavebeenhorribletoseeawifedestroyherownhusband？No，June，ratherwouldIhavediedmyself。
　　Verysure，datall？
　　Thatwasall，June，asGodismyjudge！——andsurelythatwasenough。No，no！therehavebeensufficienthor-
　　rorsto-day，withoutincreasingthembyanactlikethis。
　　Whatothermotivecanyoususpect？
　　Don’tknow。PoorTuscaroragirlveryfoolish。Arrow-
　　headgreatchief，andlookallroundhim。Talkofpale-
　　facebeautyinhissleep。Greatchieflikemanywives。
　　Canachiefpossessmorethanonewife，June，amongyourpeople？
　　Haveasmanyashecankeep。Greathuntermarryoften。ArrowheadgotonlyJunenow。buthelooktoomuch，seetoomuch，talktoomuchofpale-facegirl。
　　Mabelwasconsciousofthisfact，whichhaddistressedhernotalittle，inthecourseoftheirjourney。butitshockedhertohearthisallusion，coming，asitdid，fromthemouthofthewifeherself。Sheknewthathabitandopinionsmadegreatdifferencesinsuchmatters。but，inadditiontothepainandmortificationsheexperiencedatbeingtheunwillingrivalofawife，shefeltanapprehensionthatjealousywouldbebutanequivocalguaranteeforherpersonalsafetyinherpresentsituation。AcloserlookatJune，however，reassuredher。for，whileitwaseasytotraceintheunpractisedfeaturesofthisunsophisticatedbeingthepainofblightedaffections，nodistrustcouldhavetorturedtheearnestexpressionofherhonestcounte-
　　nanceintothatoftreacheryorhate。
　　Youwillnotbetrayme，June？Mabelsaid，pressingtheother’shand，andyieldingtoanimpulseofgenerousconfidence。Youwillnotgiveuponeofyourownsextothetomahawk？
　　Notomahawktouchyou。Arrowheadnolet’em。IfJunemusthavesister-wife，lovetohaveyou。
　　No，June。myreligion，myfeelings，bothforbidit。
　　and，ifIcouldbethewifeofanIndianatall，Iwouldnevertaketheplacethatisyoursinawigwam。
　　Junemadenoanswer，butshelookedgratified，andevengrateful。Sheknewthatfew，perhapsnoIndiangirlwithinthecircleofArrowhead’sacquaintance，couldcom-
　　parewithherselfinpersonalattractions。and，thoughitmightsuitherhusbandtomarryadozenwives，sheknewofnoone，besideMabel，whoseinfluenceshecouldreallydread。Sokeenaninterest，however，hadshetakeninthebeauty，winningmanners，kindness，andfemininegentle-
　　nessofourheroine，thatwhenjealousycametochillthesefeelings，ithadratherlentstrengthtothatinterest。and，underitswaywardinfluence，hadactuallybeenoneofthestrongestoftheincentivesthathadinducedhertorisksomuchinordertosaveherimaginaryrivalfromtheconse-
　　quencesoftheattackthatshesowellknewwasabouttotakeplace。Inaword，June，withawife’skeennessofperception，haddetectedArrowhead’sadmirationofMabel。
　　and，insteadoffeelingthatharrowingjealousythatmighthaverenderedherrivalhateful，aswouldhavebeenapttobethecasewithawomanunaccustomedtodefertothesuperiorrightsofthelordlysex，shehadstudiedthelooksandcharacterofthepale-facebeauty，until，meetingwithnothingtorepelherownfeelings，buteverythingtoen-
　　couragethem，shehadgottoentertainanadmirationandloveforher，which，thoughcertainlyverydifferent，wasscarcelylessstrongthanthatofherhusband’s。Arrow-
　　headhimselfhadsenthertowarnMabelofthecomingdanger，thoughhewasignorantthatshehadstolenupontheislandintherearoftheassailants，andwasnowin-
　　trenchedinthecitadelalongwiththeobjectoftheirjointcare。Onthecontrary，hesupposed，ashiswifehadsaid，thatCapandMuirwereintheblockhousewithMabel，andthattheattempttorepelhimandhiscompanionshadbeenmadebythemen。
　　JunesorrytheLily——forsotheIndian，inherpoeti-
　　callanguage，hadnamedourheroine——JunesorrytheLilynomarryArrowhead。Hiswigwambig，andagreatchiefmustgetwivesenoughtofillit。
　　Ithankyou，June，forthispreference，whichisnotaccordingtothenotionofuswhitewomen，returnedMabel，smilinginspiteofthefearfulsituationinwhichshewasplaced。butImaynot，probablynevershall，marryatall。
　　Musthavegoodhusband，saidJune。marryEau-
　　douce，ifdon’tlikeArrowhead。
　　June！thisisnotafitsubjectforagirlwhoscarcelyknowsifsheistoliveanotherhourornot。Iwouldobtainsomesignsofmydearuncle’sbeingaliveandsafe，ifpos-
　　sible。
　　Junegosee。
　　Canyou？——willyou？——woulditbesafeforyoutobeseenontheisland？isyourpresenceknowntothewarriors，andwouldtheybepleasedtofindawomanonthewar-
　　pathwiththem？
　　AllthisMabelaskedinrapidconnection，fearingthattheanswermightnotbeasshewished。ShehadthoughtitextraordinarythatJuneshouldbeoftheparty，and，im-
　　probableasitseemed，shehadfanciedthatthewomanhadcovertlyfollowedtheIroquoisinherowncanoe，andhadgotintheiradvance，merelytogiveherthenoticewhichhadprobablysavedherlife。Butinallthisshewasmistaken，asJune，inherimperfectmanner，nowfoundmeanstoletherknow。
　　Arrowhead，thoughachief，wasindisgracewithhisownpeople，andwasactingwiththeIroquoistemporarily，thoughwithaperfectunderstanding。Hehadawigwam，itistrue，butwasseldominit。feigningfriendshipfortheEnglish，hehadpassedthesummerostensiblyintheirservice，whilehewas，intruth，actingfortheFrench，andhiswifejourneyedwithhiminhismanymigrations，mostofthedistancesbeingpassedoverincanoes。Inaword，herpresencewasnosecret，herhusbandseldommovingwithouther。EnoughofthistoemboldenMabeltowishthatherfriendmightgoout，toascertainthefateofheruncle，didJunesucceedinlettingtheotherknow。anditwassoonsettledbetweenthemthattheIndianwomanshouldquittheblockhousewiththatobjectthemomentafavorableopportunityoffered。
　　Theyfirstexaminedtheisland，asthoroughlyastheirpositionwouldallow，fromthedifferentloops，andfoundthatitsconquerorswerepreparingforafeast，havingseizedupontheprovisionsoftheEnglishandrifledthehuts。
　　Mostofthestoreswereintheblockhouse。butenoughwerefoundoutsidetorewardtheIndiansforanattackthathadbeenattendedbysolittlerisk。Apartyhadalreadyremovedthedeadbodies，andMabelsawthattheirarmswerecollectedinapilenearthespotchosenforthebanquet。Junesuggestedthat，bysomesignswhichsheunderstood，thedeadthemselveswerecarriedintoathicketandeitherburiedorconcealedfromview。Noneofthemoreprominentobjectsontheisland，however，weredis-
　　turbed，itbeingthedesireoftheconquerorstolurethepartyoftheSergeantintoanambushonitsreturn。Junemadehercompanionobserveamaninatree，alook-out，asshesaid，togivetimelynoticeoftheapproachofanyboat，although，thedepartureoftheexpeditionbeingsorecent，nothingbutsomeunexpectedeventwouldbelikelytobringitbacksosoon。Theredidnotappeartobeanyintentiontoattacktheblockhouseimmediately。buteveryindication，asunderstoodbyJune，rathershowedthatitwastheintentionoftheIndianstokeepitbesiegeduntilthereturnoftheSergeant’sparty，lest，thesignsofanas-
　　saultshouldgiveawarningtoeyesaspractisedasthoseofPathfinder。Theboat，however，hadbeensecured，andwasremovedtothespotwherethecanoesoftheIndianswerehidinthebushes。
　　Junenowannouncedherintentiontojoinherfriends，themomentbeingparticularlyfavorableforhertoquittheblockhouse。Mabelfeltsomedistrustastheyde-
　　scendedtheladder。butatthenextinstantshewasashamedofthefeeling，asunjusttohercompanionandunworthyofherself，andbythetimetheybothstoodonthegroundherconfidencewasrestored。Theprocessofunbarringthedoorwasconductedwiththeutmostcau-
　　tion，andwhenthelastbarwasreadytobeturnedJunetookherstationnearthespotwheretheopeningmustnecessarilybe。Thebarwasjustturnedfreeofthebrackets，thedoorwasopenedmerelywideenonghtoallowherbodytopass，andJuneglidedthroughthespace。
　　Mabelclosedthedooragain，withaconvulsivemovement。
　　andasthebarturnedintoitsplace，herheartbeataudibly。
　　Shethenfeltsecure。andthetwootherbarswereturneddowninamoredeliberatemanner。Whenallwasfastagain，sheascendedtothefirstfloor，wherealoneshecouldgetaglimpseofwhatwasgoingonwithout。
　　Longandpainfullymelancholyhourspassed，duringwhichMabelhadnointelligencefromJune。Sheheardtheyellsofthesavages，forliquorhadcarriedthembe-
　　yondtheboundsofprecaution。andoccasionallycaughtglimpsesoftheirmadorgiesthroughtheloops。andatalltimeswasconsciousoftheirfearfulpresencebysoundsandsightsthatwouldhavechilledthebloodofonewhohadnotsolatelywitnessedscenessomuchmoreterrible。
　　Towardthemiddleoftheday，shefanciedshesawawhitemanontheisland，thoughhisdressandwildappearanceatfirstmadehertakehimforanewly-arrivedsavage。A
　　viewofhisface，althoughitwasswarthynaturally，andmuchdarkenedbyexposure，leftnodoubtthathercon-
　　jecturewastrue。andshefeltasiftherewasnowoneofaspeciesmorelikeherownpresent，andonetowhomshemightappealforsuccorinthelastemergency。Mabellit-
　　tleknew，alas！how，smallwastheinfluenceexercisedbythewhitesovertheirsavageallies，whenthelatterhadbeguntotasteofblood。orhowslight，indeed，wasthedispositiontodivertthemfromtheircruelties。
　　ThedayseemedamonthbyMabel’scomputation，andtheonlypartofitthatdidnotdragweretheminutesspentinprayer。Shehadrecoursetothisrelieffromtimetotime。andateacheffortshefoundherspiritfirmer，hermindmoretranquil，andherresignationmoreconfirmed。
　　SheunderstoodthereasoningofJune，andbelievedithighlyprobablethattheblockhousewouldbeleftunmo-
　　lesteduntilthereturnofherfather，inordertoenticehimintoanambuscade，andshefeltmuchlessapprehensionofimmediatedangerinconsequence。butthefutureofferedlittlegroundofhope，andherthoughtshadalreadybeguntocalculatethechancesofhercaptivity。Atsuchmo-
　　ments，Arrowheadandhisoffensiveadmirationfilledaprominentplaceinthebackground：forourheroinewellknewthattheIndiansusuallycarriedofftotheirvillages，forthepurposesofadoption，suchcaptivesastheydidnotslay。andthatmanyinstanceshadoccurredinwhichin-
　　dividualsofhersexhadpassedtheremainderoftheirlivesinthewigwamsoftheirconquerors。Suchthoughtsastheseinvariablydrovehertoherkneesandtoherprayers。
　　Whilethelightlastedthesituationofourheroinewassufficientlyalarming。butastheshadesofeveninggrad-
　　uallygatheredovertheisland，itbecamefearfullyappal-
　　ling。Bythistimethesavageshadwroughtthemselvesuptothepointoffury，fortheyhadpossessedthemselvesofalltheliquoroftheEnglish。andtheiroutcriesandgesticulationswerethoseofmentrulypossessedbyevilspirits。AlltheeffortsoftheirFrenchleadertorestrainthemwereentirelyfruitless，andhehadwiselywithdrawntoanadjacentisland，wherehehadasortofbivouac，thathemightkeepatasafedistancefromfriendssoapttorunintoexcesses。Beforequittingthespot，however，thisofficer，atgreatrisktohisownlife，hadsucceededinex-
　　tinguishingthefire，andinsecuringtheordinarymeanstorelightit。ThisprecautionhetooklesttheIndiansshouldburntheblockhouse，thepreservationofwhichwasnecessarytothesuccessofhisfutureplans。Hewouldgladlyhaveremovedallthearmsalso，butthishefoundimpracticable，thewarriorsclingingtotheirknivesandtomahawkswiththetenacityofmenwhoregardedapointofhonoraslongasafacultywasleft。andtocarryofftherifles，andleavebehindhimtheveryweaponsthatweregenerallyusedonsuchoccasions，wouldhavebeenanidleexpedient。Theextinguishingofthefireprovedtobethemostprudentmeasure。fornosoonerwastheofficer’sbackturnedthanoneofthewarriorsinfactproposedtofiretheblockhouse。Arrowheadhadalsowithdrawnfromthegroupofdrunkardsassoonashefoundthattheywerelosingtheirsenses，andhadtakenpossessionofahut，wherehehadthrownhimselfonthestraw，andsoughttherestthattwowakefulandwatchfulnightshadrenderednecessary。ItfollowedthatnoonewasleftamongtheIndianstocareforMabel，if，indeed，anyknewofherex-
　　istenceatall。andtheproposalofthedrunkardwasre-
　　ceivedwithyellsofdelightbyeightortenmoreasmuchintoxicatedandhabituallyasbrutalashimself。
　　ThiswasthefearfulmomentforMabel。TheIndians，intheirpresentcondition，wererecklessofanyriflesthattheblockhousemighthold，thoughtheydidretaindimrecollectionsofitscontaininglivingbeings，anadditionalincentivetotheirenterprise。andtheyapproacheditsbasewhoopingandleapinglikedemons。Asyettheywereexcited，notovercomebytheliquortheyhaddrunk。
　　Thefirstattemptwasmadeatthedoor，againstwhichtheyraninabody。butthesolidstructure，whichwasbuiltentirelyoflogs，defiedtheirefforts。Therushofahundredmenwiththesameobjectwouldhavebeenuse-
　　less。ThisMabel，however，didnotknow。andherheartseemedtoleapintohermouthassheheardtheheavyshockateachrenewedeffort。Atlengthwhen，shefoundthatthedoorresistedtheseassaultsasifitwereofstone，neithertremblingnoryielding，andonlybetrayingitsnotbeingapartofthewallbyrattlingalittleonitsheavyhinges，hercouragerevived，andsheseizedthefirstmo-
　　mentofacessationtolookdownthroughtheloop，inorder，ifpossible，tolearntheextentofherdanger。A
　　silence，forwhichitwasnoteasytoaccount，stimulatedhercuriosity。fornothingissoalarmingtothosewhoareconsciousofthepresenceofimminentdanger，astobeunabletotraceitsapproach。
　　MabelfoundthattwoorthreeoftheIroquoishadbeenrakingtheembers，wheretheyhadfoundafewsmallcoals，andwiththesetheywereendeavoringtolightafire。Theinterestwithwhichtheylabored，thehopeofdestroying，andtheforceofhabit，enabledthemtoactintelligentlyandinunison，solongastheirfellobjectwaskeptinview。Awhitemanwouldhaveabandonedtheattempttolightafireindespair，withcoalsthatcameoutoftheashesresemblingsparks。butthesechildrenoftheforesthadmanyexpedientsthatwereunknowntocivilization。
　　Bytheaidofafewdryleaves，whichtheyaloneknewwheretoseek，ablazewasfinallykindled，andthentheadditionofafewlightsticksmadesureoftheadvantagethathadbeenobtained。WhenMabelstoopeddownovertheloop，theIndiansweremakingapileofbrushagainstthedoor，andassheremainedgazingattheirproceedings，shesawthetwigsignite，theflamedartfrombranchtobranch，untilthewholepilewascrackingandsnappingunderabrightblaze。TheIndiansnowgaveayelloftriumph，andreturnedtotheircompanions，wellassuredthattheworkofdestructionwascommenced。Mabelre-
　　mainedlookingdown，scarcelyabletotearherselfawayfromthespot，sointenseandengrossingwastheinterestshefeltintheprogressofthefire。Asthepilekindledthroughout，however，theflamesmounted，untiltheyflashedsonearhereyesastocompelhertoretreat。Justasshereachedtheoppositesideoftheroom，towhichshehadretiredinheralarm，aforkedstreamshotupthroughtheloophole，thelidofwhichshehadleftopen，andillu-
　　minatedtherudeapartment，withMabelandherdesola-
　　tion。Ourheroinenownaturallyenoughsupposedthatherhourwascome。forthedoor，theonlymeansofretreat，hadbeenblockedupbythebrushaudfire，withhellishin-
　　genuity，andsheaddressedherself，asshebelieved，forthelasttimetoherMakerinprayer。Hereyeswereclosed，andformorethanaminuteherspiritwasabstracted。buttheinterestsoftheworldtoostronglydividedherfeelingstobealtogethersuppressed。andwhentheyinvoluntarilyopenedagain，sheperceivedthatthestreakofflamewasnolongerflaringintheroom，thoughthewoodaroundthelittleaperturehadkindled，andtheblazewasslowlymountingundertheimpulsionofacurrentofairthatsuckedinward。Abarrelofwaterstoodinacorner。andMabel，actingmorebyinstinctthanbyreason，caughtupavessel，filledit，and，pouringitonthewoodwithatremblinghand，succeededinextinguishingthefireatthatparticularspot。Thesmokepreventedherfromlookingdownagainforacoupleofminutes。butwhenshedidherheartbeathighwithdelightandhopeatfindingthatthepileofblazingbrushhadbeenoverturnedandscat-
　　tered，andthatwaterhadbeenthrownonthelogsofthedoor，whichwerestillsmokingthoughnolongerburn-
　　ing。
　　Whoisthere？saidMabel，withhermouthattheloop。WhatfriendlyhandhasamercifulProvidencesenttomysuccor？
　　Alightfootstepwasaudiblebelow，andoneofthosegentlepushesatthedoorwasheard，whichjustmovedthemassivebeamsonthehinges。
　　Whowishestoenter？Isityou，dear，dearuncle？
　　Saltwaternohere。St。Lawrencesweetwater，wastheanswer。Openquick。wanttocomein。
　　ThestepofMabelwasneverlighter，orhermovementsmorequickandnatural，thanwhileshewasdescendingtheladderandturniugthebars，forallhermotionswereearnestandactive。Thistimeshethoughtonlyofherescape，andsheopenedthedoorwitharapiditywhichdidnotadmitofcaution。Herfirstimpulsewastorushintotheopenair，intheblindhopeofquittingtheblockhouse。
　　butJunerepulsedtheattempt，andentering，shecoollybarredthedooragainbeforeshewouldnoticeMabel’seagereffortstoembraceher。
　　Blessyou！blessyou，June！criedourheroinemostfervently。youaresentbyProvidencetobemyguardianangel！
　　Nohugsotight，answeredtheTuscarorawoman。
　　Palefacewomanallcry，oralllaugh。LetJunefastendoor。
　　Mabelbecamemorerational，andinafewminutesthetwowereagainintheupperroom，seatedasbefore，handinhand，allfeelingofdistrustbetweenthembeingbanished。
　　Nowtellme，June，Mabelcommencedassoonasshehadgivenandreceivedonewarmembrace，haveyouseenorheardaughtofmypooruncle？
　　Don’tknow。Nooneseehim。noonehearhim。nooneknowanyt’ing。Saltwaterrunintoriver，It’ink，forInofindhim。Quartermastergonetoo。Ilook，andlook，andlook。butnosee’em，one，t’other，nowhere。
　　BlessedbeGod！Theymusthaveescaped，thoughthemeansarenotknowntous。IthoughtIsawaFrench-
　　manontheisland，June。
　　Yes：Frenchcaptaincome，buthegoawaytoo。
　　PlentyofIndianonisland。
　　Oh，June，June，aretherenomeanstopreventmybe-
　　lovedfatherfromfallingintothehandsofhisenemies？
　　Don’tknow。t’inkdatwarriorswaitinambush，andYengeesemustlosescalp。
　　Surely，surely，June，you，whohavedonesomuchforthedaughter，willnotrefusetohelpthefather？
　　Don’tknowfader，don’tlovefader。JunehelpherownpeoplehelpArrowhead——husbandlovescalp。
　　June，thisisnotyourself。Icannot，willnotbelievethatyouwishtoseeourmenmurdered！
　　JuneturnedherdarkeyesquietlyonMabel。andforamomentherlookwasstern，thoughitwassoonchangedintooneofmelancholycompassion。
　　Lily，Yengeesegirl？shesaid，asoneasksaquestion。
　　Certainly，andasaYengeesegirlIwouldsavemycountrymenfromslaughter。
　　Verygood，ifcan。JunenoYengeese，JuneTusca-
　　rora——gotTuscarorahusband——Tuscaroraheart——Tuscarorafeeling——alloverTuscarora。Lilywouldn’trunandtellFrenchthatherfaderwascomingtogainvictory？
　　Perhapsnot，returnedMabel，pressingahandonabrainthatfeltbewildered，——perhapsnot。butyouserveme，aidme——havesavedme，June！Whyhaveyoudonethis，ifyouonlyfeelasaTuscarora？
　　Don’tonlyfeelasTuscarora。feelasgirl，feelassquaw。
　　LoveprettyLily，andputitinmybosom。
　　Mabelmeltedintotears，andshepressedtheaffectionatecreaturetoherheart。Itwasnearaminutebeforeshecouldrenewthediscourse，butthenshesucceededinspeakingmorecalmlyandwithgreatercoherence。
　　Letmeknowtheworst，June，saidshe。To-nightyourpeoplearefeasting。whatdotheyintendtodoto-
　　morrow？
　　Don’tknow。afraidtoseeArrowhead，afraidtoaskquestion。t’inkhideawaytillYengeesecomeback。
　　Willtheynotattemptanythingagainsttheblock-
　　house？Youhaveseenwhattheycanthreateniftheywill。
　　Toomuchrum。Arrowheadsleep，ornodare。Frenchcaptaingoneaway，ornodare。Allgotosleepnow。
　　AndyouthinkIamsafeforthisnight，atleast？
　　Toomuchrum。IfLilylikeJune，mightdomuchforherpeople。
　　Iamlikeyou，June，ifawishtoservemycountrymencanmakearesemblancewithoneascourageousasyour-
　　self。
　　No，no，no！mutteredJuneinalowvoice。nogotheart，andJunenoletyou，ifhad。June’smoderpris-
　　oneronce，andwarriorsgotdrunk。modertomahawked’emall。Suchdewayredskinwomendowhenpeopleindangerandwantscalp。
　　Yousaywhatistrue，returnedMabel，shuddering，andunconsciouslydroppingJune’shand。Icannotdothat。Ihaveneitherthestrength，thecourage，northewilltodipmyhandsinblood。
　　T’inkthattoo。thenstaywhereyoube——blockhousegood——gotnoscalp。
　　Youbelieve，then，thatIamsafehere，atleastuntilmyfatherandhispeoplereturn？
　　Knowso。Nodaretouchblockhouseinmorning。
　　Hark！allstillnow——drinkrumtillheadfalldown，andsleeplikelog。
　　MightInotescape？Aretherenotseveralcanoesontheisland？MightInotgetone，andgoandgivemyfathernoticeofwhathashappened？
　　Knowhowtopaddle？demandedJune，glancinghereyefurtivelyathercompanion。
　　Notsowellasyourself，perhaps。butenoughtogetoutofsightbeforemorning。
　　Whatdothen？——couldn’tpaddlesix——ten——eightmile！
　　Idonotknow。Iwoulddomuchtowarnmyfather，andtheexcellentPathfinder，andalltherest，ofthedan-
　　gertheyarein。
　　LikePathfinder？
　　Alllikehimwhoknowhim——youwouldlikehim，nay，lovehim，ifyouonlyknewhisheart！
　　Nolikehimatall。Toogoodrifle——toogoodeye——
　　toomuchshootIroquoisandJune’speople。Mustgethisscalpifcan。
　　AndImustsaveitifIcan，June。Inthisrespect，then，weareopposedtoeachother。Iwillgoandfindacanoetheinstanttheyareallasleep，andquittheisland。
　　Nocan——Junewon’tletyou。CallArrowhead。
　　June！youwouldnotbetrayme——youcouldnotgivemeupafterallyouhavedoneforme？
　　Justso，returnedJune，makingabackwardgesturewithherhand，andspeakingwithawarmthandearnest-
　　nessMabelhadneverwitnessedinherbefore。CallArrowheadinloudvoice。Onecallfromwifewakeawar-
　　riorup。JunenoletLilyhelpenemy——noletIndianhurtLily。
　　Iunderstandyou，June，andfeelthenatureandjus-
　　ticeofyoursentiments。and，afterall，itwerebetterthatIshouldremainhere，forIhavemostprobablyoverratedmystrength。Buttellmeonething：ifmyunclecomesinthenight，andaskstobeadmitted，youwillletmeopenthedooroftheblockhousethathemayenter？
　　Sartain——heprisonerhere，andJunelikeprisonerbet-
　　terthanscalp。scalpgoodforhonor，prisonergoodforfeeling。ButSaltwaterhidesoclose，hedon’tknowwherehebehimself。
　　HereJunelaughedinhergirlish，mirthfulway，fortoherscenesofviolenceweretoofamiliartoleaveimpres-
　　sionssufficientlydeeptochangehernaturalcharacter。A
　　longanddiscursivedialoguenowfollowed，inwhichMabelendeavoredtoobtainclearernotionsofheractualsitua-
　　tion，underafainthopethatshemightpossiblybeenabledtoturnsomeofthefactsshethuslearnedtoadvantage。
　　Juneansweredallherinterrogatoriessimply，butwithacautionwhichshowedshefullydistinguishedbetweenthatwhichwasimmaterialandthatwhichmightendangerthesafetyorembarrassthefutureoperationsofherfriends。Thesubstanceoftheinformationshegavemaybesummedupasfollows。
　　ArrowheadhadlongbeenincommunicationwiththeFrench，thoughthiswasthefirstoccasiononwhichhehadentirelythrownasidethemask。Henolongerin-
　　tendedtotrusthimselfamongtheEnglish，forhehaddiscoveredtracesofdistrust，particularlyinPathfinder。
　　and，withIndianbravado，henowratherwishedtoblazonthantoconcealhistreachery。Hehadledthepartyofwarriorsintheattackontheisland，subject，however，tothesupervisionoftheFrenchmanwhohasbeenmen-
　　tioned，thoughJunedeclinedsayingwhetherhehadbeenthemeansofdiscoveringthepositionofaplacewhichhadbeenthoughttobesoconcealedfromtheenemyornot。
　　Onthispointshewouldsaynothing。butsheadmittedthatsheandherhusbandhadbeenwatchingthedepar-
　　tureofthe_Scud_atthetimetheywereovertakenandcap-
　　turedbythecutter。TheFrenchhadobtainedtheirin-
　　formationoftheprecisepositionofthestationbutveryrecently。andMabelfeltapangwhenshethoughtthattherewerecovertallusionsoftheIndianwomanwhichwouldconveythemeaningthattheintelligencehadcomefromapale-faceintheemploymentofDuncanofLundie。
　　Thiswasintimated，however，ratherthansaid。andwhenMabelhadtimetoreflectonhercompanion’swords，shefoundroomtohopethatshehadmisunderstoodher，andthatJasperWesternwouldyetcomeoutoftheaffairfreedfromeveryinjuriousimputation。
　　Junedidnothesitatetoconfessthatshehadbeensenttotheislandtoascertaintheprecisenumberandtheoc-
　　cupationsofthosewhohadbeenleftonit，thoughshealsobetrayedinher_naive_waythatthewishtoserveMabelhadinducedherprincipallytoconsenttocome。Incon-
　　sequenceofherreport，andinformationotherwiseob-
　　tained，theenemywasawareofpreciselytheforcethatcouldbebroughtagainstthem。TheyalsoknewthenumberofmenwhohadgonewithSergeantDunham，andwereacquaintedwiththeobjecthehadinview，thoughtheywereignorantofthespotwhereheexpectedtomeettheFrenchboats。Itwouldhavebeenapleasantsighttowitnesstheeagerdesireofeachofthesetwosincerefemalestoascertainallthatmightbeofconsequencetotheirrespectivefriends。andyetthenativedelicacywithwhicheachrefrainedfrompressingtheothertomakerevelationswhichwouldhavebeenimproper，aswellasthesensitive，almostintuitive，feelingwithwhicheachavoidedsayingaughtthatmightproveinjurioustoherownnation。Asrespectseachother，therewasperfectconfidence。asregardedtheirrespectivepeople，entirefidelity。JunewasquiteasanxiousasMabelcouldbeonanyotherpointtoknowwheretheSergeanthadgoneandwhenhewasexpectedtoreturn。butsheabstainedfromputtingthequestion，withadelicacythatwouldhavedonehonortothehighestcivilization。nordidsheonceframeanyotherinquiryinawaytoleadindirectlytoabetrayalofthemuch-desiredinformationonthatparticu-
　　larpoint：thoughwhenMabelofherownaccordtouchedonanymatterthatmightbypossibilitythrowalightonthesubject，shelistenedwithanintentnesswhichalmostsuspendedrespiration。
　　Inthismannerthehourspassedawayunheeded，forbothweretoomuchinterestedtothinkofrest。Natureassertedherrights，however，towardsmorning。andMabelwaspersuadedtoliedownononeofthestrawbedspro-
　　videdforthesoldiers，whereshesoonfellintoadeepsleep。
　　Junelaynearherandaquietreignedonthewholeislandasprofoundasifthedominionoftheforesthadneverbeeninvadedbyman。
　　WhenMabelawokethelightofthesunwasstreaminginthroughtheloopholes，andshefoundthatthedaywasconsiderablyadvanced。Junestilllaynearher，sleepingastranquillyasifshereposedon——wewillnotsaydown，forthesuperiorcivilizationofourowntimesre-
　　pudiatesthesimile——butonaFrenchmattress，andaspro-
　　foundlyasifshehadneverexperiencedconcern。ThemovementsofMabel，notwithstanding，soonawakenedonesoaccustomedtovigilance。andthenthetwotookasur-
　　veyofwhatwaspassingaroundthembymeansofthefriendlyapertures。