首页 >出版文学> The Pathfinder>第15章

第15章

  HethoughtofPathfinder,buthedistrustedhisknowl-
  edge。HethoughtofMabel,butfortheparenttoappealtothechildforsuchsuccorappearedlikereversingtheorderofnature。Thenitwasthathefeltthefullre-
  sponsibilityoftheparentalcharacter,andhadsomeclearglimpseofthemannerinwhichhehimselfhaddischargedthetrusttowardsanorphanchild。Whilethoughtslikethesewererisinginhismind,Mabel,whowatchedtheslightestchangeinhisbreathing,heardaguardedknockatthedoor。SupposingitmightbeChingachgook,sherose,undidtwoofthebars,andheldthethirdinherhand,assheaskedwhowasthere。Theanswerwasinheruncle’svoice,andheimploredhertogivehiminstantadmission。
  Withoutaninstantofhesitation,sheturnedthebar,andCapentered。Hehadbarelypassedtheopening,whenMabelclosedthedooragain,andsecureditasbefore,forpracticehadrenderedherexpertinthisportionofherduties。
  Thesturdyseaman,whenhehadmadesureofthestateofhisbrother-in-law,andthatMabel,aswellashimself,wassafe,wassoftenednearlytotears。Hisownappear-
  anceheexplainedbysayingthathehadbeencarelesslyguarded,undertheimpressionthatheandtheQuarter-
  masterweresleepingunderthefumesofliquorwithwhichtheyhadbeenpliedwithaviewtokeepthemquietintheexpectedengagement。Muirhadbeenleftasleep,orseem-
  ingtosleep。butCaphadrunintothebushesonthealarmoftheattack,andhavingfoundPathfinder’scanoe,hadonlysucceeded,atthatmoment,ingettingtotheblockhouse,whitherhehadcomewiththekindintentofescapingwithhisniecebywater。ItisscarcelynecessarytosaythathechangedhisplanwhenheascertainedthestateoftheSergeant,andtheapparentsecurityofhispresentquarters。
  Iftheworstcomestotheworst,MasterPathfinder,
  saidhe,wemuststrike,andthatwillentitleustore-
  ceivequarter。Weoweittoourmanhoodtoholdoutareasonabletime,andtoourselvestohauldowntheensigninseasontomakesavingconditions。IwishedMasterMuirtodothesamethingwhenwewerecapturedbythesechapsyoucallvagabonds——andrightlyaretheynamed,forvilervagabondsdonotwalktheearth——
  You’vefoundouttheircharacters?interruptedPathfinder,whowasalwaysasreadytochimeinwithabuseoftheMingosaswiththepraisesofhisfriends。
  Now,hadyoufallenintothehandsoftheDelawares,youwouldhavelearnedthedifference。
  Well,tometheyseemmuchofamuchness。black-
  guardsforeandaft,alwaysexceptingourfriendtheSer-
  pent,whoisagentlemanforanIndian。But,whenthesesavagesmadetheassaultonus,killingCorporalM’Nabandhismenasiftheyhadbeensomanyrabbits,Lieuten-
  antMuirandmyselftookrefugeinoneoftheholesofthishereisland,ofwhichtherearesomanyamongtherocks,andthereweremainedstowedawayliketwoleaguersinaship’shold,untilwegaveoutforwantofgrub。A
  manmaysaythatgrubisthefoundationofhumannature。
  IdesiredtheQuartermastertomaketerms,forwecouldhavedefendedourselvesforanhourortwointheplace,badasitwas。buthedeclined,onthegroundthattheknaveswouldn’tkeepfaithifanyofthemwerehurt,andsotherewasnouseinaskingthemto。Iconsentedtostrike,ontwoprinciples。one,thatwemightbesaidtohavestruckalready,forrunningbelowisgenerallythoughttobegivinguptheship。andtheother,thatwehadanenemyinourstomachsthatwasmoreformidableinhisattacksthantheenemyondeck。Hungerisad——blecircumstance,asanymanwhohaslivedoniteight-and-
  fortyhourswillacknowledge。
  Uncle,saidMabelinamournfulvoiceandwithanexpostulatorymanner,mypoorfatherissadly,sadlyhurt!
  True,Magnet,true。Iwillsitbyhim,anddomybestatconsolation。Arethebarswellfastened,girl?foronsuchanoccasionthemindshouldbetranquilandundis-
  turbed。
  Wearesafe,Ibelieve,fromallbutthisheavyblowofProvidence。
  Well,then,Magnet,doyougouptotheflooraboveandtrytocomposeyourself,whilePathfinderrunsaloftandtakesalook-outfromthecross-trees。Yourfathermaywishtosaysomethingtomeinprivate,anditmaybewelltoleaveusalone。Thesearesolemnscenes,andin-
  experiencedpeople,likemyself,donotalwayswishwhattheysaytobeoverheard。
  Althoughtheideaofheruncle’saffordingreligiouscon-
  solationbythesideofadeath-bedcertainlyneverob-
  trudeditselfontheimaginationofMabel,shethoughttheremightbeaproprietyintherequestwithwhichshewasunacquainted,andshecompliedaccordingly。Path-
  finderhadalreadyascendedtotherooftomakehissur-
  vey,andthebrothers-in-lawwereleftalone。CaptookaseatbythesideoftheSergeant,andbethoughthimseri-
  ouslyofthegravedutyhehadbeforehim。Asilenceofseveralminutessucceeded,duringwhichbriefspacethemarinerwasdigestingthesubstanceofhisintendeddis-
  course。
  Imustsay,SergeantDunham,Capatlengthcom-
  mencedinhispeculiarmanner,thattherehasbeenmis-
  managementsomewhereinthisunhappyexpedition。and,thepresentbeinganoccasionwhentruthoughttobespoken,andnothingbutthetruth,Ifeelitmydutytobesayasmuchinplainlanguage。Inshort,Sergeant,onthispointtherecannotwellbetwoopinions。for,seamanasIam,andnosoldier,Icanseeseveralerrorsmyself,thatitneedsnogreateducationtodetect。
  Whatwouldyouhave,brotherCap?returnedtheotherinafeeblevoice。whatisdoneisdone。anditisnowtoolatetoremedyit。
  Verytrue,brotherDunham,butnottorepentofit。
  theGoodBooktellsusitisnevertoolatetorepent。andI’ve,alwaysneardthatthisisthepreciousmoment。Ifyou’veanythingonyourmind,Sergeant,hoistitoutfreely。
  for,youknow,youtrustittoafriend。Youweremyownsister’shusband,andpoorlittleMagnetismyownsister’sdaughter。and,livingordead,Ishallalwayslookuponyouasabrother。It’sathousandpitiesthatyoudidn’tlieoffandonwiththeboats,andsendacanoeaheadtoreconnoitre。inwhichcaseyourcommandwouldhavebeensaved,andthisdisasterwouldnothavebefallenusall。Well,Sergeant,weare_all_mortal。thatissomecon-
  solation,Imakenodoubt。andifyougobeforealittle,why,wemustfollow。Yes,that_must_giveyouconsola-
  tion。
  Iknowallthis,brotherCap。andhopeI’mpreparedtomeetasoldier’sfate——thereispoorMabel——
  Ay,ay,that’saheavydrag,Iknow。butyouwouldn’ttakeherwithyouifyoucould,Sergeant。andsothebetterwayistomakeaslightoftheseparationasyoucan。
  Mabelisagoodgirl,andsowashermotherbeforeher。
  shewasmysister,anditshallbemycaretoseethatherdaughtergetsagoodhusband,ifourlivesandscalpsarespared。forIsupposenoonewouldcareaboutenteringintoafamilythathasnoscalps。
  Brother,mychildisbetrothed。shewillbecomethewifeofPathfinder。
  Well,brotherDunham,everymanhashisopinionsandhismannerofviewingthings。and,tomynotion,thismatchwillbeanythingbutagreeabletoMabel。Ihavenoobjectiontotheageoftheman。I’mnotoneofthemthatthinksitnecessarytobeaboytomakeagirlhappy,but,onthewhole,Ipreferamanofaboutfiftyforahus-
  band。stillthereoughtnottobeanycircumstancebe-
  tweenthepartiestomakethemunhappy。Circumstancesplaythedevilwithmatrimony,andIsetitdownasonethatPathfinderdon’tknowasmuchasmyniece。You’veseenbutlittleofthegirl,Sergeant,andhavenotgottherunofherknowledge。butletherpayitoutfreely,asshewilldowhenshegetstobethoroughlyacquainted,andyou’llfallinwithbutfewschoolmastersthatcankeeptheirluffsinhercompany。
  She’sagoodchild——adear,goodchild,mutteredtheSergeant,hiseyesfillingwithtears。anditismymis-
  fortunethatIhaveseensolittleofher。
  Sheisindeedagoodgirl,andknowsaltogethertoomuchforpoorPathfinder,whoisareasonablemanandanexperiencedmaninhisownway。butwhohasnomoreideaofthemainchancethanyouhaveofsphericaltrigo-
  nometry,Sergeant。
  Ah,brotherCap,hadPathfinderbeenwithusintheboatsthissadaffairmightnothavehappened!
  Thatisquitelikely。forhisworstenemywillallowthatthemanisagoodguide。butthen,Sergeant,ifthetruthmustbespoken,youhavemanagedthisexpeditioninaloosewayaltogether。Youshouldhavehove-tooffyourhaven,andsentinaboattoreconnoitre,asItoldyoubefore。Thatisamattertoberepentedof?andI
  tellittoyou,becausetruth,insuchacase,oughttobespoken。
  Myerrorsaredearlypaidfor,brother。andpoorMabel,Ifear,willbethesufferer。Ithink,however,thatthecalamitywouldnothavehappenedhadtherenotbeentreason。Ifearme,brother,thatJasperEau-doucehasplayedusfalse。
  Thatisjustmynotion。forthisfresh-waterlifemustsoonerorlaterundermineanyman’smorals。LieutenantMuirandmyselftalkedthismatteroverwhilewelayinabitofaholeouthere,onthisisland。andwebothcametotheconclusionthatnothingshortofJasper’streacherycouldhavebroughtusallintothisinfernalscrape。Well,Sergeant,youhadbettercomposeyourmind,andthinkofothermatters。for,whenavesselisabouttoenterastrangeport,itismoreprudenttothinkoftheanchorageinsidethantobeunder-runningalltheeventsthathaveturnedupduringthev’y’ge。There’sthelog-bookex-
  presslytonoteallthesemattersin。andwhatstandstheremustformthecolumnoffiguresthat’stobepostedupfororagainstus。Hownow,Pathfinder!isthereanythinginthewind,thatyoucomedowntheladderlikeanIndianinthewakeofascalp?
  TheguideraisedafingerforsilenceandthenbeckonedtoCaptoascendthefirstladder,andtoallowMabeltotakehisplaceatthesideoftheSergeant。
  Wemustbeprudent,andwemustbeboldtoo,saidheinalowvoice。Theriptylesareinearnestintheirintentiontofiretheblock。fortheyknowthereisnownothingtobegainedbylettingitstand。IhearthevoiceofthatvagabondArrowheadamongthem,andheisurg-
  ingthemtosetabouttheirdevilrythisverynight。Wemustbestirring,Saltwater,anddoingtoo。Luckilytherearefourorfivebarrelsofwaterintheblock,andthesearesomethingtowardsasiege。Myreckoningiswrong,too,orweshallyetreapsomeadvantagefromthathonestfel-
  low’s,theSarpent,beingatliberty。
  Capdidnotwaitforasecondinvitation。but,stealingaway,hewassoonintheupperroomwithPathfinder,whileMabeltookhispostatthesideofherfather’shumblebed。Pathfinderhadopenedaloop,havingsofarcon-
  cealedthelightthatitwouldnotexposehimtoatreacher-
  ousshot。and,expectingasummons,hestoodwithhisfacenearthehole,readytoanswer。ThestillnessthatsucceededwasatlengthbrokenbythevoiceofMuir。
  MasterPathfinder,calledouttheScotchman,afriendsummonsyoutoaparley。Comefreelytooneoftheloops。foryou’venothingtofearsolongasyouareinconversewithanofficerofthe55th。
  Whatisyourwill,Quartermaster?whatisyourwill?
  Iknowthe55th,andbelieveittobeabraveregiment。
  thoughIratherinclinetothe60thasmyfavorite,andtotheDelawaresmorethantoeither。butwhatwouldyouhave,Quartermaster?Itmustbeapressingerrandthatbringsyouundertheloopsofablockhouseatthishourofthenight,withthesartaintyofKilldeerbeinginsideofit。
  Oh,you’llno’harmafriend,Pathfinder,I’mcertain。
  andthat’smysecurity。You’reamanofjudgment,andhavegainedtoogreatanameonthisfrontierforbraverytofeelthenecessityoffoolhardinesstoobtainacharacter。
  You’llverywellunderstand,mygoodfriend,thereisasmuchcredittobegainedbysubmittinggracefully,whenresistancebecomesimpossible,asbyobstinatelyholdingoutcontrarytotherulesofwar。Theenemyistoostrongforus,mybravecomrade,andIcometocounselyoutogiveuptheblock,onconditionofbeingtreatedasapris-
  onerofwar。
  Ithankyouforthisadvice,Quartermaster,whichisthemoreacceptableasitcostsnothing。butIdonotthinkitbelongstomygiftstoyieldaplacelikethiswhilefoodandwaterlast。
  Well,I’dbethelast,Pathfinder,torecommendany-
  thingagainstsobravearesolution,didIseethemeansofmaintainingit。Butye’llrememberthatMasterCaphasfallen。
  Nothe,nothe!roaredtheindividualinquestionthroughanotherloop。andsofarfromthat,Lieutenant,hehasrisentotheheightofthisherefortification,andhasnomindtoputhisheadofhairintothehandsofsuchbarbersagain,solongashecanhelpit。Ilookuponthisblockhouseasacircumstance,andhavenomindtothrowitaway。
  Ifthatisalivingvoice,returnedMuir,Iamgladtohearit。forweallthoughtthemanhadfalleninthelatefearfulconfusion。But,MasterPathfinder,althoughye’reenjoyingthesocietyofourfriendCap,——andagreatpleasuredoIknowittobe,bytheexperienceoftwodaysandanightpassedinaholeintheearth,——we’velostthatofSergeantDunham,whohasfallen,withallthebravemenheledinthelateexpedition。Lundiewouldhaveitso,thoughitwouldhavebeenmorediscreetandbecomingtosendacommissionedofficerincommand。Dunhamwasabraveman,notwithstanding,andshallhavejusticedonehismemory。Inshort,wehaveallactedforthebest,andthatisasmuchascouldbesaidinfavorofPrinceEugene,theDukeofMarlborough,orthegreatEarlofStairhim-
  self。
  You’rewrongag’in,Quartermaster,you’rewrongag’in,answeredPathfinder,resortingtoarusetomagnifyhisforce。TheSergeantissafeintheblocktoo,whereonemightsaythewholefamilyiscollected。
  WellIrejoicetohearit,forwehadcertainlycountedtheSergeantamongtheslain。IfprettyMabelisintheblockstill,lethernotdelayaninstant,forheaven’ssake,inquittingit,fortheenemyisabouttoputittothetrialbyfire。Yeknowthepotencyofthatdreadelement,andwillbeactingmorelikethediscreetandexperiencedwar-
  riorye’reuniversallyallowedtobe,inyieldingaplaceyoucanna’defend,thanindrawingdownruinonyourselfandcompanions。
  Iknowthepotencyoffire,asyoucallit,Quarter-
  master。andamnottobetold,atthislatehour,thatitcanbeusedforsomethingelsebesidescookingadinner。
  ButImakenodoubtyou’veheardofthepotencyofKill-
  deer,andthemanwhoattemptstolayapileofbrushagainsttheselogswillgetatasteofhispower。Asforarrows,itisnotintheirgifttosetthisbuildingonfire,forwe’venoshinglesonourroof,butgoodsolidlogsandgreenbark,andplentyofwaterbesides。Theroofissoflat,too,asyouknowyourself,Quartermaster,thatwecanwalkonit,andsonodangeronthatscorewhilewaterlasts。I’mpeaceableenoughifletalone。buthewhoen-
  divorstoburnthisblockovermyheadwillfindthefiresquinchedinhisownblood。
  Thisisidleandromantictalk,Pathfinder,andye’llnomaintainityourselfwhenyecometomeditateontherealities。Ihopeye’llno’gainsaytheloyaltyorthecour-
  ageofthe55th,andIfeelconvincedthatacouncilofwarwoulddecideontheproprietyofasurrenderforthwith。
  Na,na,Pathfinder,foolhardinessisnamairlikethebrav-
  eryo’WallaceorBrucethanAlbanyontheHudsonisliketheoldtownofEdinbro’。
  Aseachofusseemstohavemadeuphismind,Quar-
  termaster,morewordsareuseless。Iftheriptylesnearyouaredisposedtosetabouttheirhellishjob,letthembeginatonce。Theycanburnwood,andI’llburnpow-
  der。IfIwereanIndianatthestake,IsupposeIcouldbragaswellastherestofthem。but,mygiftsandnatur’
  beingbothwhite,myturnisratherfordoingthantalk-
  ing。You’vesaidquiteenough,consideringyoucarrytheking’scommission。andshouldweallbeconsumed,noneofuswillbearyouanymalice。
  Pathfinder,ye’llno’beexposingMabel,prettyMabelDunham,tosic’acalamity!
  MabelDunhamisbythesideofherwoundedfather,andGodwillcareforthesafetyofapiouschild。Notahair,ofherheadshallfall,whilemyarmandsightremaintrue。andthough_you_maytrusttheMingos,MasterMuir,Iputnofaithinthem。You’veaknavishTuscarorainyourcompanythere,whohasartandmaliceenoughtospoilthecharacterofanytribewithwhichheconsorts,thoughhefoundtheMingosreadyruinedtohishands,I
  fear。Butenoughsaid。nowleteachpartygototheuseofhismeansandhisgifts。
  ThroughoutthisdialoguePathfinderhadkepthisbodycovered,lestatreacherousshotshouldbeaimedattheloop。andhenowdirectedCaptoascendtotheroofinordertobeinreadinesstomeetthefirstassault。Al-
  thoughthelatterusedsufficientdiligence,hefoundnolessthantenblazingarrowsstickingtothebark,whiletheairwasfilledwiththeyellsandwhoopsoftheenemy。
  Arapiddischargeofriflesfollowed,andthebulletscamepatteringagainstthelogs,inawaytoshowthatthestrug-
  glehadindeedseriouslycommenced。
  Theseweresounds,however,thatappalledneitherPath-
  findernorCap,whileMabelwastoomuchabsorbedinherafflictiontofeelalarm。Shehadgoodsenseenough,too,tounderstandthenatureofthedefences,andfullytoap-
  preciatetheirimportance。Asforherfather,thefamiliarnoisesrevivedhim。anditpainedhischild,atsuchamoment,toseethathisglassyeyebegantokindle,andthatthebloodreturnedtoacheekithaddeserted,ashelistenedtotheuproar。ItwasnowMabelfirstperceivedthathisreasonbeganslightlytowander。
  Orderupthelightcompanies,hemuttered,andletthegrenadierscharge!Dotheydaretoattackusinourfort?Whydoesnottheartilleryopenonthem?
  Atthatinstanttheheavyreportofagunburstonthenight。andthecrashingofrendingwoodwasheard,asaheavyshottorethelogsintheroomabove,andthewholeblockshookwiththeforceofashellthatlodgedinthework。ThePathfindernarrowlyescapedthepassageofthisformidablemissileasitentered。butwhenitexploded,Mabelcouldnotsuppressashriek,forshesupposedalloverherhead,whetheranimateorinanimate,destroyed。
  Toincreaseherhorror,herfathershoutedinafranticvoicetocharge!
  Mabel,saidPathfinder,withhisheadatthetrap,thisistrueMingowork——morenoisethaninjury。ThevagabondshavegotthehowitzerwetookfromtheFrench,andhavedischargeditag’intheblock。butfortunatelytheyhavefiredofftheonlyshellwehad,andthereisanindofitsuseforthepresent。Thereissomeconfusionamongthestoresupinthisloft,butnooneishurt。Youruncleisstillontheroof。and,asformyself,I’verunthegauntletoftoomanyriflestobeskearyaboutsuchathingasahowitzer,andthatinIndianhands。
  Mabelmurmuredherthanks,andtriedtogiveallherattentiontoherfather,whoseeffortstorisewereonlycounteractedbyhisdebility。Duringthefearfulminutesthatsucceeded,shewassomuchoccupiedwiththecareoftheinvalidthatshescarcelyheededtheclamorthatreignedaroundher。Indeed,theuproarwassogreat,that,hadnotherthoughtsbeenotherwiseemployed,con-
  fusionoffacultiesratherthanalarmwouldprobablyhavebeentheconsequence。
  Cappreservedhiscoolnessadmirably。Hehadapro-
  foundandincreasingrespectforthepowerofthesavages,andevenforthemajestyoffreshwater,itistrue。buthisapprehensionsoftheformerproceededmorefromhisdreadofbeingscalpedandtorturedthanfromanyun-
  manlyfearofdeath。and,ashewasnowonthedeckofahouse,ifnotonthedeckofaship,andknewthattherewaslittledangerofboarders,hemovedaboutwithafear-
  lessnessandarashexposureofhispersonthatPathfinder,hadhebeenawareofthefact,wouldhavebeenthefirsttocondemn。Insteadofkeepinghisbodycovered,agreeablytotheusagesofIndianwarfare,hewasseenoneverypartoftheroof,dashingthewaterrightandleft,withtheap-
  parentsteadinessandunconcernhewouldhavemanifestedhadhebeenasailtrimmerexercisinghisartinabattleafloat。Hisappearancewasoneofthecausesoftheex-
  traordinaryclamoramongtheassailants。who,unusedtoseetheirenemiessoreckless,openeduponhimwiththeirtongues,likeapackthathasthefoxinview。Stillheap-
  pearedtopossessacharmedlife。for,thoughthebulletswhistledaroundhimoneveryside,andhisclotheswereseveraltimestorn,nothingcuthisskin。Whentheshellpassedthroughthelogsbelow,theoldsailordroppedhisbucket,wavedhishat,andgavethreecheers。inwhichheroicacthewasemployedasthedangerousmissileex-
  ploded。Thischaracteristicfeatprobablysavedhislife。
  forfromthatinstanttheIndiansceasedtofireathim,andeventoshoottheirflamingarrowsattheblock,hav-
  ingtakenupthenotionsimultaneously,andbycommonconsent,thattheSaltwaterwasmad。anditwasasingulareffectoftheirmagnanimitynevertoliftahandagainstthosewhomtheyimagineddevoidofreason。
  TheconductofPathfinderwasverydifferent。Every-
  thinghedidwasregulatedbythemostexactcalculation,theresultoflongexperienceandhabitualthoughtfulness。
  Hispersonwaskeptcarefullyoutofalinewiththeloops,andthespotthatheselectedforhislook-outwasonequiteremovedfromdanger。Thiscelebratedguidehadoftenbeenknowntoleadforlornhopes:hehadoncestoodatthestake,sufferingunderthecrueltiesandtauntsofsavageingenuityandsavageferocitywithoutquailing。andlegendsofhisexploits,coolness,anddaringweretobeheardallalongthatextensivefrontier,orwherevermendweltandmencontended。Butonthisoccasion,onewhodidnotknowhishistoryandcharactermighthavethoughthisexceedingcareandstudiedattentiontoself-preservationproceededfromanunworthymotive。Butsuchajudgewouldnothaveunderstoodhissubject。thePathfinderbethoughthimofMabel,andofwhatmightpossiblybetheconsequencestothatpoorgirlshouldanycasualtybefallhimself。Buttherecollectionratherquickenedhisintel-
  lectthanchangedhiscustomaryprudence。Hewas,infact,oneofthosewhowassounaccustomedtofear,thatheneverbethoughthimoftheconstructionsothersmightputuponhisconduct。Butwhileinmomentsofdangerheactedwiththewisdomoftheserpent,itwasalsowiththesimplicityofachild。
  Forthefirsttenminutesoftheassault,Pathfinderneverraisedthebreechofhisriflefromthefloor,exceptwhenhechangedhisownposition,forhewellknewthatthebulletsoftheenemywerethrownawayuponthemassivelogsofthework。andashehadbeenatthecaptureofthehowitzerhefeltcertainthatthesavageshadnoothershellthantheonefoundinitwhenthepiecewastaken。
  Thereexistednoreason,therefore,todreadthefireoftheassailants,exceptasacasualbulletmightfindapassagethroughaloophole。Oneortwooftheseaccidentsdidoccur,buttheballsenteredatananglethatdeprivedthemofallchanceofdoinganyinjurysolongastheIndianskeptneartheblock。andifdischargedfromadistance,therewasscarcelythepossibilityofoneinahundred’sstrikingtheapertures。ButwhenPathfinderheardthesoundofmocassinedfeetandtherustlingofbrushatthefootofthebuilding,heknewthattheattempttobuildafireagainstthelogswasabouttoberenewed。HenowsummonedCapfromtheroof,where,indeed,allthedangerhadceased,anddirectedhimtostandinreadinesswithhiswaterataholeimmediatelyoverthespotassailed。
  Onelesstrainedthanourherowouldhavebeeninahurrytorepelthisdangerousattemptalso,andmighthaveresortedtohismeansprematurely。notsowithPathfinder。
  Hisaimwasnotonlytoextinguishthefire,aboutwhichhefeltlittleapprehension,buttogivetheenemyalessonthatwouldrenderhimwaryduringtheremainderofthenight。Inordertoeffectthelatterpurpose,itbecamenecessarytowaituntilthelightoftheintendedconflagra-
  tionshoulddirecthisaim,whenhewellknewthataveryslighteffortofhisskillwouldsuffice。TheIroquoiswerepermittedtocollecttheirheapofdriedbrush,topileitagainsttheblock,tolightit,andtoreturntotheircoverswithoutmolestation。AllthatPathfinderwouldsufferCaptodo,wastorollabarrelfilledwithwatertotheholeimmediatelyoverthespot,inreadinesstobeusedattheproperinstant。Thatmoment,however,didnotarrive,inhisjudgment,untiltheblazeilluminatedthesurroundingbushes,andtherehadbeentimeforhisquickandpractisedeyetodetecttheformsofthreeorfourlurkingsavages,whowerewatchingtheprogressoftheflames,withthecoolindifferenceofmenaccustomedtolookonhumanmiserywithapathy。Then,indeed,hespoke。
  Areyouready,friendCap?heasked。Theheatbeginstostrikethroughthecrevices。andalthoughthesegreenlogsarenotofthefierynatur’ofanill-temperedman,theymaybekindledintoablazeifoneprovokesthemtoomuch。Areyoureadywiththebarrel?Seethatithastherightcut,andthatnoneofthewateriswasted。
  Allready!answeredCap,inthemannerinwhichaseamanrepliestosuchademand。
  Thenwaitfortheword。Neverbeover-impatientinacriticaltime,norfool-riskyinabattle。Waitfortheword。
  WhilethePathfinderwasgivingthesedirections,hewasalsomakinghisownpreparations。forhesawitwastimetoact。Killdeerwasdeliberatelyraised,pointed,anddis-
  charged。Thewholeprocessoccupiedabouthalfaminute,andastheriflewasdrawnintheeyeofthemarksmanwasappliedtothehole。
  Thereisoneriptyletheless,Pathfindermutteredtohimself。I’veseenthatvagabondafore,andknowhimtobeamarcilessdevil。Well,well!themanactedaccord-
  ingtohisgifts,andhehasbeenrewardedaccordingtohisgifts。Onemoreoftheknaves,andthatwillsarvetheturnforto-night。Whendaylightappears,wemayhavehotterwork。
  Allthistimeanotherriflewasbeinggotready。andasPathfinderceased,asecondsavagefell。Thisindeedsufficed。for,indisposedtowaitforathirdvisitationfromthesamehand,thewholeband,whichhadbeencrouchinginthebushesaroundtheblock,ignorantofwhowasandwhowasnotexposedtoview,leapedfromtheircoversandfledtodifferentplacesforsafety。
  Now,pouraway,MasterCap,saidPathfinder。I’vemademymarkontheblackguards。andweshallhavenomorefireslightedto-night。
  Scaldings!criedCap,upsettingthebarrel,withacarethatatonceandcompletelyextinguishedtheflames。
  Thisendedthesingularconflict。andtheremainderofthenightpassedinpeace。PathfinderandCapwatchedalternately,thoughneithercanbesaidtohaveslept。
  Sleepindeedscarcelyseemednecessarytothem,forbothwereaccustomedtoprotractedwatchings。andtherewereseasonsandtimeswhentheformerappearedtobeliterallyinsensibletothedemandsofhungerandthirstandcalloustotheeffectsoffatigue。
  Mabelwatchedbyherfather’spallet,andbegantofeelhowmuchourhappinessinthisworlddependsevenonthingsthatareimaginary。Hithertoshehadvirtuallylivedwithoutafather,theconnectionwithherremainingparentbeingidealratherthanpositive。butnowthatshewasabouttolosehim,shethoughtforthemomentthattheworldwouldbeavoidafterhisdeath,andthatshecouldneverbeacquaintedwithhappinessagain。
  CHAPTERXXV。
  Therewasaroaringinthewindallnight。
  Theraincameheavily,andfellinfloods。
  Butnowthesunisrisingcalmandbright。
  Thebirdsaresinginginthedistantwoods。
  WORDSWORTH。
  Asthelightreturned,PathfinderandCapascendedagaintotheroof,withaviewtoreconnoitrethestateofthingsoncemoreontheisland。Thispartoftheblock-
  househadalowbattlementaroundit,whichaffordedaconsiderableprotectiontothosewhostoodinitscentre。
  theintentionhavingbeentoenablemarksmentoliebe-
  hinditandtofireoveritstop。Bymakingproperuse,therefore,oftheseslightdefences,——slightastoheight,thoughabundantlyampleasfarastheywent,——thetwolook-outscommandedaprettygoodviewoftheisland,itscoversexcepted,andofmostofthechannelsthatledtothespot。
  Thegalewasstillblowingveryfreshatsouth。andtherewereplacesintheriverwhereitssurfacelookedgreenandangry,thoughthewindhadhardlysweepenoughtoraisethewaterintofoam。Theshapeofthelittleislandwasnearlyoval,anditsgreaterlengthwasfromeasttowest。
  Bykeepinginthechannelsthatwashedit,inconsequenceoftheirseveralcoursesandofthedirectionofthegale,itwouldhavebeenpossibleforavesseltorangepasttheislandoneitherofitsprincipalsides,andalwaystokeepthewindverynearlyabeam。ThesewerethefactsfirstnoticedbyCap,andexplainedtohiscompanion。forthehopesofbothnowrestedonthechancesofreliefsentfromOswego。Atthisinstant,whiletheystoodgazinganxiouslyaboutthem,Capcriedout,inhislusty,heartymanner,Sail,ho!
  Pathfinderturnedquicklyinthedirectionofhiscom-
  panion’sface。andthere,sureenough,wasjustvisibletheobjectoftheoldsailor’sexclamation。Theelevationen-
  abledthetwotooverlookthelowlandofseveraloftheadjacentislands。andthecanvasofavesselwasseenthroughthebushesthatfringedtheshoreofonethatlaytothesouthwardandwestward。Thestrangerwasunderwhatseamencalllowsail。butsogreatwasthepowerofthewind,thatherwhiteoutlineswereseenflyingpasttheopeningsoftheverdurewiththevelocityofafast-travellinghorse——resemblingaclouddrivingintheheavens。
  ThatcannotbeJasper,saidPathfinderindisappoint-
  ment。forbedidnotrecognizethecutterofhisfriendintheswift-passingobject。No,no,theladisbehindthehour。andthatissomecraftwhichtheFrenchershavesenttoaidtheirfriends,theaccursedMingos。
  Thistimeyouareoutinyourreckoning,friendPath-
  finder,ifyouneverwerebefore,returnedCapinaman-
  nerthathadlostnoneofitsdogmatismbythecriticalcir-
  cumstancesinwhichtheywereplaced。Freshwaterorsalt,thatistheheadofthe_Scud’s_mainsail,foritiscutwithasmallergorethancommon。andthenyoucanseethatthegaffhasbeenfished——quiteneatlydone,Iadmit,butfished。
  Icanseenoneofthis,Iconfess,answeredPathfinder,towhomeventhetermsofhiscompanionwereGreek。
  No!Well,Iownthatsurprisesme,forIthoughtyoureyescouldseeanything!Nowtomenothingisplainerthanthatgoreandthatfish。andImustsay,myhonestfriend,thatinyourplaceIshouldapprehendthatmysightwasbeginningtofail。
  IfJasperistrulycoming,Ishallapprehendbutlittle。
  WecanmakegoodtheblockagainstthewholeMingona-
  tionforthenexteightortenhours。andwithEau-doucetocovertheretreat,Ishalldespairofnothing。Godsendthattheladmaynotrunalongsideofthebank,andfallintoanambushment,asbefelltheSergeant!
  Ay,there’sthedanger。Thereoughttohavebeensig-
  nalsconcerted,andananchorage-groundbuoyedout,andevenaquarantinestationoralazarettowouldhavebeenuseful,couldwehavemadetheseMinks-horespectthelaws。Iftheladfetchesup,asyousay,anywhereintheneighborhoodofthisisland,wemaylookuponthecutteraslost。And,afterall,MasterPathfinder,oughtwenottosetdownthissameJasperasasecretallyoftheFrench,ratherthanasafriendofourown?IknowtheSergeantviewsthematterinthatlight。andImustsaythiswholeaffairlooksliketreason。
  Weshallsoonknow,weshallsoonknow,MasterCap。
  forthere,indeed,comesthecutterclearoftheotherisland,andfiveminutesmustsettlethematter。Itwouldbenomorethanfair,however,ifwecouldgivetheboysomesigninthewayofwarning。Itisnotrightthatheshouldfallintothetrapwithoutanoticethatithasbeenlaid。
  Anxietyandsuspense,notwithstanding,preventedeitherfromattemptingtomakeanysignal。Itwasnoteasy,truly,toseehowitcouldbedone。forthe_Scud_camefoamingthroughthechannel,ontheweathersideoftheisland,ataratethatscarcelyadmittedofthenecessarytime。Norwasanyonevisibleonherdecktomakesignsto。evenherhelmseemeddeserted,thoughhercoursewasassteadyasherprogresswasrapid。
  Capstoodinsilentadmirationofaspectaclesounusual。
  But,asthe_Scud_drewnearer,hispractisedeyedetectedthehelminplaybymeansoftiller-ropes,thoughtheper-
  sonwhosteeredwasconcealed。Asthecutterhadweather-
  boardsofsomelittleheight,themysterywasexplained,nodoubtremainingthatherpeoplelaybehindthelatter,inordertobeprotectedfromtheriflesoftheenemy。Asthisfactshowedthatnoforcebeyondthatofthesmallcrewcouldbeonboard,Pathfinderreceivedhiscompan-
  ion’sexplanationwithanominousshakeofthehead。
  ThisprovesthattheSarpenthasnotreachedOswego,
  saidhe,andthatwearenottoexpectsuccorfromthegarrison。IhopeLundiehasnottakenitintohisheadtodisplacethelad,forJasperWesternwouldbeahostofhimselfinsuchastrait。Wethree,MasterCap,oughttomakeamanfulwarfare:you,asaseaman,tokeepuptheintercoursewiththecutter。Jasper,asalakerwhoknowsallthatisnecessarytobedoneonthewater。andI,withgiftsthatareasgoodasanyamongtheMingos,letmebewhatImayinotherparticulars。IsayweoughttomakeamanfulfightinMabel’sbehalf。
  Thatweought,andthatwewill,answeredCaphear-
  tily。forhebegantohavemoreconfidenceinthesecurityofhisscalpnowthathesawthesunagain。Isetdownthearivalofthe_Scud_asonecircumstance,andthechancesofOh-deuce’shonestyasanother。ThisJasperisayoungmanofprudence,youfind。forhekeepsagoodoffing,andseemsdeterminedtoknowhowmattersstandontheislandbeforeheventurestobringup。
  Ihaveit!Ihaveit!exclaimedPathfinder,withex-
  ultation。ThereliesthecanoeoftheSarpentonthecut-
  ter’sdeck。andthechiefhasgotonboard,andnodoubthasgivenatrueaccountofourcondition。for,unlikeaMingo,aDelawareissartaintogetastoryright,ortoholdhistongue。
  Thatcanoemaynotbelongtothecutter,saidthecaptiousseaman。Oh-deucehadoneonboardwhenhesailed。
  Verytrue,friendCap。butifyouknowyoursailsandmastsbyyourgoresandfishes,Iknowmycanoesandmypathsbyfrontierknowledge。Ifyoucanseenewclothinasail,Icanseenewbarkinacanoe。ThatistheboatoftheSarpent,andthenoblefellowhasstruckoffforthegarrisonassoonashefoundtheblockbeseiged,hasfalleninwiththe_Scud_,and,aftertellinghisstory,hasbroughtthecutterdownheretoseewhatcanbedone。TheLordgrantthatJasperWesternbestillonboardher!
  Yes,yes。itmightnotbeamiss。for,traitororloyal,theladhasahandywaywithhiminagale,itmustbeowned。
  Andincomingoverwaterfalls!saidPathfinder,nudg-
  ingtheribsofhiscompanionwithanelbow,andlaughinginhissilentbutheartymanner。Wewillgivetheboyhisdue,thoughhescalpsusallwithhisownhand。
  The_Scud_wasnowsonear,thatCapmadenoreply。
  Thescene,justatthatinstant,wassopeculiar,thatitmeritsaparticulardescription,whichmayalsoaidthereaderinformingamoreaccuratenatureofthepicturewewishtodraw。
  Thegalewasstillblowingviolently。Manyofthesmallertreesbowedtheirtops,asifreadytodescendtotheearth,whiletherushingofthewindthroughthebranchesofthegrovesresembledtheroarofdistantchariots。
  Theairwasfilledwithleaves,which,atthatlateseason,werereadilydrivenfromtheirstems,andflewfromislandtoislandlikeflightsofbirds。Withthisexception,thespotseemedsilentasthegrave。Thatthesavagesstillremained,wastobeinferredfromthefactthattheircanoes,togetherwiththeboatsofthe55th,layinagroupinthelittlecovethathadbeenselectedasaharbor。Otherwise,notasignoftheirpresencewastobedetected。Thoughtakenen-
  tirelybysurprisebythecutter,thesuddenreturnofwhichwasaltogetherunlooked-for,souniformaudinbredweretheirhabitsofcautionwhileonthewar-path,thatthein-
  stantanalarmwasgiveneverymanhadtakentohiscoverwiththeinstinctandcunningofafoxseekinghishole。
  Thesamestillnessreignedintheblockhouse。forthoughPathfinderandCapcouldcommandaviewofthechan-
  nel,theytooktheprecautionnecessarytolieconcealed。
  Theunusualabsenceofanythinglikeanimallifeonboardthe_Scud_,too,wasstillmoreremarkable。AstheIndianswitnessedherapparentlyundirectedmovements,afeelingofawegainedafootingamongthem,andsomeofthebold-
  estoftheirpartybegantodistrusttheissueofanexpedi-
  tionthathadcommencedsoprosperotisly。EvenArrow-
  head,accustomedashewastointercoursewiththewhitesonbothsidesofthelakes,fanciedtherewassomethingominousintheappearanceofthisunmannedvessel,andhewouldgladlyatthatmomenthavebeenlandedagainonthemain。
  Inthemeantimetheprogressofthecutterwassteadyandrapid。Sheheldherwaymid-channel,nowincliningtothegusts,andnowrisingagain,likethephilosopherthatbendstothecalamitiesoflifetoresumehiserectat-
  titudeastheypassaway,butalwayspilingthewaterbe-
  neathherbowsinfoam。Althoughshewasundersoveryshortcanvas,hervelocitywasgreat,andtherecouldnothaveelapsedtenminutesbetweenthetimewhenhersailswerefirstseenglancingpastthetreesandbushesinthedistanceandthemomentwhenshewasabreastoftheblockhouse。CapandPathfinderleanedforward,asthecut-
  tercamebeneaththeireyrie,eagertogetabetterviewofherdeck,when,tothedelightofboth,JasperEau-doucespranguponhisfeetandgavethreeheartycheers。Re-
  gardlessofallrisk,Capleapedupontherampartoflogsandreturnedthegreeting,cheerforcheer。Happily,thepolicyoftheenemysavedthelatter。fortheystilllayquiet,notariflebeingdischarged。Ontheotherhand,Pathfinderkeptinviewtheuseful,utterlydisregardingthemeredramaticpartofwarfare。Themomenthebe-
  heldhisfriendJasper,hecalledouttohimwithstentorianlungs,——
  Standbyus,lad,andtheday’sourown!Give’emagristinyonderbushes,andyou’llput’emuplikepart-
  ridges。
  PartofthisreachedJasper’sears,butmostwasborneofftoleewardonthewingsofthewind。Bythetimethiswassaid,the_Scud_haddrivenpast,andinthenextmomentshewashidfromviewbythegroveinwhichtheblockhousewaspartiallyconcealed。
  Twoanxiousminutessucceeded。but,attheexpirationofthatbriefspace,thesailswereagaingleamingthroughthetrees,Jasperhavingwore,jibed,andhauledupundertheleeoftheislandontheothertack。Thewindwasfreeenough,ashasbeenalreadyexplained,toadmitofthismanoeuvre。andthecutter,catchingthecurrentunderherleebow,wasbreasteduptohercourseinawaythatshowedshewouldcomeouttowindwardoftheislandagainwithoutanydifficulty。Thiswholeevolutionwasmadewiththegreatestfacility,notasheetbeingtouched,thesailstrimmingthemselves,therudderalonecontrollingtheadmirablemachine。Theobjectappearedtobeare-
  connoissance。When,however,the_Scud_hadmadethecir-
  cuitoftheentireisland,andhadagaingotherweatherlypositioninthechannelbywhichshehadfirstapproached,herhelmwasputdown,andshetacked。Thenoiseofthemainsailflappingwhenitfilled,lose-reefedasitwas,soundedlikethereportofagun,andCaptrembledlesttheseamsshouldopen。
  HisMajestygivesgoodcanvas,itmustbeowned,
  mutteredtheoldseaman。anditmustbeowned,too,thatboyhandleshisboatasifhewerethoroughlybred!
  D——me,MasterPathfinder,ifIbelieve,afterallthathasbeenreportedinthematter,thatthisMisterOh-deucegothistradeonthisbitoffreshwater。
  Hedid。yes,hedid。Heneversawtheocean,andhascomebyhiscallingaltogetheruphereonOntario。Ihaveoftenthoughthehasanat’ralgiftinthewayofschoonersandsloops,andhaverespectedhimaccordingly。Asfortreasonandlyingandblack-heartedvices,friendCap,JasperWesternisasfreeasthemostvirtuousestoftheDelawarewarriors。andifyoucravetoseeatrulyhonestman,youmustgoamongthattribetodiscoverhim。
  Therehecomesround!exclaimedthedelightedCap,the_Scud_atthismomentfillingonheroriginaltack。andnowweshallseewhattheboywouldbeat。hecannotmeantokeeprunningupanddownthesepassages,likeagirlfootingitthroughacountry-dance。
  The_Scud_nowkeptsomuchaway,thatforamomentthetwoobserversontheblockhousefearedJaspermeanttocome-to。andthesavages,intheirlairs,gleamedoutuponherwiththesortofexultationthatthecrouchingtigermaybesupposedtofeelasheseeshisunconsciousvictimapproachhisbed。ButJasperhadnosuchinten-
  tion:familiarwiththeshore,andacquaintedwiththedepthofwateroneverypartoftheisland,hewellknewthatthe_Scud_mightberunagainstthebankwithimpu-
  nity,andheventuredfearlesslysonear,that,ashepassedthroughthelittlecove,hesweptthetwoboatsofthesol-
  diersfromtheirfasteningsandforcedthemoutintothechannel,towingthemwiththecutter。AsallthecanoeswerefastenedtothetwoDunhamboats,bythisboldandsuccessfulattemptthesavageswereatoncedeprivedofthemeansofquittingtheisland,unlessbyswimming,andtheyappearedtobeinstantlyawareoftheveryimportantfact。Risinginabody,theyfilledtheairwithyells,andpouredinaharmlessfire。Whileupinthisunguardedmanner,tworiflesweredischargedbytheiradversaries。
  Onecamefromthesummitoftheblock,andanIroquoisfelldeadinhistracks,shotthroughthebrain。Theothercamefromthe_Scud_。ThelastwasthepieceoftheDela-
  ware,but,lesstruethanthatofhisfriend,itonlymaimedanenemyforlife。Thepeopleofthe_Scud_shouted,andthesavagessankagain,toaman,asifitmightbeintotheearth。
  ThatwastheSarpent’svoice,saidPathfinder,assoonasthesecondpiecewasdischarged。IknowthecrackofhisrifleaswellasIdothatofKilldeer。’Tisagoodbar-
  rel,thoughnotsartaindeath。Well,well,withChingach-
  gookandJasperonthewater,andyouandIintheblock,friendCap,itwillbehardifwedon’tteachtheseMingoscampstherationalityofafight。
  Allthistimethe_Scud_wasinmotion。Assoonashehadreachedtheendoftheisland,Jaspersenthisprizesadrift。andtheywentdownbeforethewinduntiltheystrandedonapointhalfamiletoleeward。Hethenwore,andcamestemmingthecurrentagain,throughtheotherpassage。Thoseonthesummitoftheblockcouldnowperceivethatsomethingwasinagitationonthedeckofthe_Scud_。and,totheirgreatdelight,justasthecuttercameabreastoftheprincipalcove,onthespotwheremostoftheenemylay,thehowitzerwhichcomposedhersolearmamentwasunmasked,andashowerofcase-shotwassenthissingintothebushes。AbevyofquailwouldnothaverisenquickerthanthisunexpecteddischargeofironhailputuptheIroquois。whenasecondsavagefellbyamessengersentfromKilldeer,andanotherwentlimpingawaybyavisitfromtherifleofChingachgook。Newcoverswereimmediatelyfound,however。andeachpartyseemedtopreparefortherenewalofthestrifeinanotherform。ButtheappearanceofJune,bearingawhiteflag,andaccompaniedbytheFrenchofficerandMuir,stayedthehandsofall,andwastheforerunnerofanotherparley。
  Thenegotiationthatfollowedwasheldbeneaththeblockhouse。andsonearitasatoncetoputthosewhowereuncoveredcompletelyatthemercyofPathfinder’sunerringaim。Jasperanchoreddirectlyabeam。andthehowitzer,too,waskepttraineduponthenegotiators:sothatthebeseigedandtheirfriends,withtheexceptionofthemanwhoheldthematch,hadnohesitationaboutex-
  posingtheirpersons。Chingachgookalonelayinambush。
  more,however,fromhabitthandistrust。
  You’vetriumphed,Pathfinder,calledouttheQuarter-
  master,andCaptainSanglierhascomehimselftoofferterms。You’llno’bedenyingabraveenemyhonorableretreat,whenhehasfoughtyefairly,anddoneallthecredithecouldtokingandcountry。Yearetooloyalasubjectyourselftovisitloyaltyandfidelitywithaheavyjudgment。Iamauthorizedtooffer,onthepartoftheenemy,anevacuationoftheisland,amutualexchangeofprisoners,andarestorationofscalps。Intheabsenceofbaggageandartillery,littlemorecanbedone。
  Astheconversationwasnecessarilycarriedoninahighkey,bothonaccountofthewindandofthedistance,allthatwassaidwasheardequallybythoseintheblockandthoseinthecutter。
  Whatdoyousaytothat,Jasper?calledoutPath-
  finder。Youheartheproposal。Shallweletthevaga-
  bondsgo?orshallwemarkthem,astheymarktheirsheepinthesettlements,thatwemayknowthemagain?
  WhathasbefallenMabelDunham?demandedtheyoungman,withafrownonhishandsomeface,thatwasvisibleeventothoseontheblock。Ifahairofherheadhasbeentouched,itwillgohardwiththewholeIro-
  quoistribe。
  Nay,nay,sheissafebelow,nursingadyingparent,asbecomeshersex。WeowenogrudgeonaccountoftheSergeant’shurt,whichcomesoflawfulwarfare。andasforMabel——
  Sheishere!exclaimedthegirlherself,whohadmountedtotheroofthemomentshefoundthedirectionthingsweretaking,——sheishere!and,inthenameofourholyreligion,andofthatGodwhomweprofesstowor-
  shipincommon,lettherebenomorebloodshed!Enoughhasbeenspiltalready。andifthesemenwillgoaway,Pathfinder——iftheywilldepartpeaceably,Jasper——oh,donotdetainoneofthem!Mypoorfatherisapproachinghisend,anditwerebetterthatheshoulddrawhislastbreathinpeacewiththeworld。Go,go,FrenchmenandIndians!wearenolongeryourenemies,andwillharmnoneofyou。
  Tut,tut,Magnet!putinCap。thissoundsreligious,perhaps,orlikeabookofpoetry。butitdoesnotsoundlikecommonsense。Theenemyisjustreadytostrike。
  Jasperisanchoredwithhisbroadsidetobear,and,nodoubt,withspringsonhiscables。Pathfinder’seyeandhandareastrueastheneedle。andweshallgetprize-
  money,head-money,andhonorinthebargain,ifyouwillnotinterfereforthenexthalf-hour。
  Well,saidPathfinder,IinclinetoMabel’swayofthinking。There_has_beenenoughbloodshedtoanswerourpurposeandtosarvetheking。andasforhonor,inthatmeaning,itwilldobetterforyoungensignsandre-
  cruitsthanforcool-headed,obsarvantChristianmen。
  Thereishonorindoingwhat’sright,andunhonorindoingwhat’swrong。andIthinkitwrongtotakethelifeevenofaMingo,withoutausefulendinview,Ido。andnghttohearreasonatalltimes。So,LieutenantMuir,letusknowwhatyourfriendstheFrenchersandIndianshavetosayforthemselves。
  Myfriends!saidMuir,starting。you’llno’becallingtheking’senemiesmyfriends,Pathfinder,becausethefortuneofwarhasthrownmeintotheirhands?Someofthegreatestwarriors,bothofancientaudmoderntimes,havebeenprisonersofwar。andyonisMasterCap,whocantestifywhetherwedidnotdoallthatmencouldde-
  visetoescapethecalamity。
  Ay,ay,drilyansweredCap。escapeistheproperword。Weranbelowaudhidourselves,andsodiscreetly,thatwemighthaveremainedintheholetothishour,haditnotbeenforthenecessityofre-stowingthebreadlockers。
  Youburrowedonthatoccasion,Quartermaster,ashandilyasafox。andhowthed——lyouknewsowellwheretofindthespotisamatterofwondertome。Aregularskulkonboardshipdoesnottrailaftmorereadilywhenthejibistobestowed,thanyouwentintothatsamehole。
  Anddidyeno’follow?Therearemomentsinaman’slifewhenreasonascendstoinstinct——
  Andmendescendintoholes,interruptedCap,laugh-
  inginhisboisterousway,whilePathfinderchimedin,inhispeculiarmanner。EvenJasper,thoughstillfilledwithconcernforMabel,wasobligedtosmile。Theysaythed——lwouldn’tmakeasailorifhedidn’tlookaloft。andnowitseemshe’llnotmakeasoldierifhedoesn’tlookbelow!
  Thisburstofmerriment,thoughitwasanythingbutagreeabletoMuir,contributedlargelytowardskeepingthepeace。Capfanciedhehadsaidathingmuchbetterthancommon。andthatdisposedhimtoyieldhisownopiniononthemainpoint,solongashegotthegoodopin-
  ionofhiscompanionsonhisnovelclaimtobeawit。
  Afterashortdiscussion,allthesavagesontheislandwerecollectedinabody,withoutarms,atthedistanceofahun-
  dredyardsfromtheblock,andunderthegunofthe_Scud_。
  whilePathfinderdescendedtothedooroftheblockhouseandsettledthetermsonwhichtheislandwastobefinallyevacuatedbytheenemy。Consideringallthecircum-
  stances,theconditionswerenotverydiscreditabletoeitherparty。TheIndianswerecompelledtogiveupalltheirarms,eventotheirknivesandtomahawks,asameasureofprecaution,theirforcebeingstillquadruplethatoftheirfoes。TheFrenchofficer,MonsieurSanglier,ashewasusuallystyled,andchosetocallhimself,remonstratedagainstthisactasonelikelytoreflectmorediscreditonhiscommandthananyotherpartoftheaffair。butPath-
  finder,whohadwitnessedoneortwoIndianmassacres,andknewhowvaluelesspledgesbecamewhenputinop-
  positiontointerestwhereasavagewasconcerned,wasob-
  durate。Thesecondstipulationwasofnearlythesameimportance。ItcompelledCaptainSangliertogiveupallhisprisoners,whohadbeenkeptwellguardedintheveryholeorcaveinwhichCapandMuirhadtakenrefuge。
  Whenthesemenwereproduced,fourofthemwerefoundtobeunhurt。theyhadfallenmerelytosavetheirlives,acommonartificeinthatspeciesofwarfare。andofthere-
  mainder,twoweresoslightlyinjuredasnottobeunfitforservice。Astheybroughttheirmusketswiththem,thisadditiontohisforceimmediatelyputPathfinderathisease。for,havingcollectedallthearmsoftheenemyintheblockhouse,hedirectedthesementotakepossessionofthebuilding,stationingaregularsentinelatthedoor。Theremainderofthesoldiersweredead,thebadlywoundedhavingbeeninstantlydespatchedinordertoobtainthemuch-covetedscalps。
  AssoonasJasperwasmadeacquaintedwiththeterms,andthepreliminarieshadbeensofarobservedastoren-
  deritsafeforhimtobeabsent,hegotthe_Scud_underweigh。and,runningdowntothepointwheretheboatshadstranded,hetookthemintowagain,and,makingafewstretches,broughtthemintotheleewardpassage。
  Hereallthesavagesinstantlyembarked,whenJaspertooktheboatsintowathirdtime,and,runningoffbeforethewind,hesoonsetthemadriftfullamiletoleewardoftheisland。TheIndianswerefurnishedwithbutasingleoarineachboattosteerwith,theyoungsailorwellknowingthatbykeepingbeforethewindtheywouldlandontheshoresofCanadainthecourseofthemorning。
  CaptainSanglier,Arrowhead,andJunealoneremained,whenthisdispositionhadbeenmadeoftherestoftheparty:theformerhavingcertainpaperstodrawupandsignwithLieutenantMuir,whoinhiseyespossessedthevirtueswhichareattachedtoacommission。andthelat-
  terpreferring,forreasonsofhisown,nottodepartincom-
  panywithhislatefriends,theIroquis。Canoeswerede-
  tainedforthedepartureofthesethree,whenthepropermomentshouldarrive。
  Inthemeantime,orwhilethe_Scud_wasrunningdownwiththeboatsintow,PathfinderandCap,aidedbyproperassistants,busiedthemselveswithpreparingabreakfast。
  mostofthepartynothavingeatenforfour-and-twentyhours。Thebriefspacethatpassedinthismannerbeforethe_Scud_came-toagainwaslittleinterruptedbydiscourse,thoughPathfinderfoundleisuretopayavisittotheSer-
  geant,tosayafewfriendlywordstoMabel,andtogivesuchdirectionsashethoughtmightsmooththepassageofthedyingman。AsforMabelherself,heinsistedonhertakingsomelightrefreshment。and,therenolongerex-
  istinganymotiveforkeepingitthere,hehadtheguardremovedfromtheblock,inorderthatthedaughtermighthavenoimpedimenttoherattentionstoherfather。Theselittlearrangementscompleted,ourheroreturnedtothefire,aroundwhichhefoundalltheremainderofthepartyassembled,includingJasper。
  CHAPTERXXVI。
  Yousawbutsorrowinitswaningform。
  Aworkingsearemainingfromastorm,Wherenowthewearywavesrollo’erthedeep,Andfaintlymurmureretheyfallasleep。
  DRYDEN。
  Menaccustomedtoawarfarelikethatwehavebeende-
  scribingarenotapttobemuchundertheinfluenceofthetenderfeelingswhilestillinthefield。Notwithstandingtheirhabits,however,morethanoneheartwaswithMabelintheblock,whiletheincidentsweareabouttorelatewereinthecourseofoccurrence。andeventheindispen-
  sablemealwaslessrelishedbythehardiestofthesoldiersthanitmighthavebeenhadnottheSergeantbeensonearhisend。
  AsPathfinderreturnedfromtheblock,hewasmetbyMuir,wholedhimasideinordertoholdaprivatediscourse。
  ThemanneroftheQuartermasterhadthatairofsupere-
  rogatorycourtesyaboutitwhichalmostinvariablydenotesartifice。for,whilephysiognomyandphrenologyarebutlamesciencesatthebest,andperhapsleadtoasmanyfalseasrightconclusions,weholdthatthereisnomoreinfallibleevidenceofinsincerityofpurpose,shortofovertacts,thanafacethatsmileswhenthereisnooccasion,andthetonguethatisoutofmeasuresmooth。Muirhadmuchofthismannerincommon,mingledwithanapparentfranknessthathisScottishintonationofvoice,Scottishaccent,andScottishmodesofexpressionweresingularlyadaptedtosustain。Heowedhispreferment,indeed,toalong-exer-
  ciseddeferencetoLundieandhisfamily。for,whiletheMajorhimselfwasmuchtooacutetobethedupeofonesomuchhisinferiorinrealtalentsandattainments,mostpersonsareaccustomedtomakeliberalconcessionstotheflatterer,evenwhiletheydistrusthistruthandareper-
  fectlyawareofhismotives。Onthepresentoccasion,thecontestinskillwasbetweentwomenascompletelytheoppositesofeachotherinalltheleadingessentialsofchar-
  acterasverywellcouldbe。PathfinderwasassimpleastheQuartermasterwaspractised。hewasassincereastheotherwasfalse,andasdirectasthelastwastortuous。
  Bothwerecoolandcalculating,andbothwerebrave,thoughindifferentmodesanddegrees。Muirneverexpos-
  inghispersonexceptforeffect,whiletheguideincludedfearamongtherationalpassions,orasasensationtobedeferredtoonlywhengoodmightcomeofit。
  Mydearestfriend,Muircommenced,——forye’llbedearertousall,byseventyandsevenfold,afteryourlateconductthaneveryewere,——ye’vejustestablishedyourselfinthislatetransaction。It’struethatthey’llnotbemak-
  ingyeacommissionedofficer,forthatspeciesofprefair-
  mentisnotmuchinyourline,normuchinyourwishes,I’mthinking。butasaguide,andacounsellor,andaloyalsubject,andanexpertmarksman,yerrenownmaybesaidtobefull。Idoubtifthecommander-in-chiefwillcarryawaywithhimfromAmericaasmuchcreditaswillfalltoyershare,andyeoughtjusttosetdownincontentandenjoyyoursal’fortheremainderofyerdays。Getmar-
  ried,man,withoutdelay,andlooktoyourprecioushappi-
  ness。forye’venooccasiontolookanylongertoyourglory。TakeMabelDunham,forHeaven’ssake,toyourbosom,andye’llhavebothabonniebrideandabonniereputation。
  Why,Quartermaster,thisisanewpieceofadvicetocomefromyourmouth。They’vetoldmeIhadarivalinyou。
  Andyehad,man,andaformidibleone,too,Icantellyou,——onethathasneveryetcourtedinvain,andyetonethathascourtedfivetimes。Lundietwitsmewithfour,andIdenythecharge。buthelittlethinksthetruthwouldoutdoevenhisarithmetic。Yes,yes,yehadarival,Path-
  finder。butye’veonenolongerinme。Ye’vemyheartywishesforyersuccesswithMabel。andwerethehonestSergeantlikelytosurvive,yemightrelyonmygoodwordwithhim,too,foracertainty。
  Ifeelyourfriendship,Quartermaster,Ifeelyourfriendship,thoughIhavenogreatneedofanyfavorwithSergeantDunham,whohaslongbeenmyfriend。Ibe-
  lievewemaylookuponthemattertobeassartainasmostthingsinwar-time。for,Mabelandherfatherconsenting,thewhole55thcouldn’tverywellputastoptoit。Ah’sme!thepoorfatherwillscarcelylivetoseewhathishearthassolongbeensetupon。
  Buthe’llhavetheconsolationofknowingitwillcometopass,indying。Oh,it’sagreatrelief,Pathfinder,forthepartingspirittofeelcertainthatthebelovedonesleftbehindwillbewellprovidedforafteritsdeparture。AlltheMistressMuirshavedulyexpressedthatsentimentwiththeirdyingbreaths。
  Allyourwives,Quartermaster,havebeenlikelytofeelthisconsolation。
  Outuponye,man!I’dno’thoughtyesuchawag。
  Well,well。pleasantwordsmakenoheart-burningsbe-
  tweenauldfri’nds。IfIcannotespouseMabel,ye’llnoobjecttomyesteemingher,andspeakingwellofher,andofyoursal’,too,onallsuitableoccasionsandinallcom-
  panies。But,Pathfinder,ye’lleasilyunderstan’thatapoordeevilwholosessuchabridewillprobablystandinneedofsomeconsolation?
  Quitelikely,quitelikely,Quartermaster,returnedthesimple-mindedguide。IknowthelossofMabelwouldbefoundheavytobebornebymyself。Itmaybearhardonyourfeelingstoseeusmarried。butthedeathoftheSergeantwillbelikelytoputitoff,andyou’llhavetimetothinkmoremanfullyofit,youwill。
  I’llbearupagainstit。yes,I’llbearupagainstit,thoughmyheart-stringscrack!andyemighthelpme,man,bygivingmesomethingtodo。Ye’llunderstandthatthisexpeditionhasbeenofaverypeculiarnature。
  forhereamI,bearingtheking’scommission,justavolun-
  teer,asitmightbe。whileamereorderlyhashadthecommand。I’vesubmittedforvariousreasons,thoughmybloodhasboiledtobeinauthority,whileyewar’battling,,forthehonorofthecountryandhisMajesty’srights——
  Quartermaster,interruptedtheguide,youfellsoearlyintotheenemy’shandsthatyourconscienceoughttobeeasilysatisfiedonthatscore。sotakemyadvice,andsaynothingaboutit。
  That’sjustmyopinion,Pathfinder。we’llallsaynoth-
  ingaboutit。SergeantDunhamis_horsdecombat_——
  Anan?saidtheguide。