Youareyoungandhot-headed，returnedPathfinder，withadignitythatimpressedhislistenerswithakeensenseofhismoralsuperiority。butmylifehasbeenpassedamongdangersofthissort，andmyexperienceandgiftsarenottobemasteredbytheimpatienceofaboy。
　　Asforcourage，Jasper，Iwillnotsendbackanangryandunmeaningwordtomeetanangryandanunmeaningword。
　　forIknowthatyouaretrueinyourstationandaccordingtoyourknowledge。buttaketheadviceofonewhofacedtheMingoswhenyouwereachild，andknowthattheircun-
　　ningiseasiersarcumventedbyprudencethanoutwittedbyfoolishness。
　　Iaskyourpardon，Pathfinder，saidtherepentantJasper，eagerlygraspingthehandthattheotherpermittedhimtoseize。Iaskyourpardon，humblyandsincerely。
　　’Twasafoolish，aswellaswickedthingtohintofamanwhoseheart，inagoodcause，isknowntobeasfirmastherocksonthelakeshore。
　　ForthefirsttimethecolordeepenedonthecheekofthePathfinder，andthesolemndignitywhichhehadas-
　　sumed，underapurelynaturalimpulse，disappearedintheexpressionoftheearnestsimplicityinherentinallhisfeelings。Hemetthegraspofhisyoungfriendwithasqueezeascordialasifnochordhadjarredbetweenthem，andaslightsternnessthathadgatheredabouthiseyedisappearedinalookofnaturalkindness。
　　’Tiswell，Jasper，heanswered，laughing。Ibearnoill-will，norshallanyoneonmybehalf。Mynatur’isthatofawhiteman，andthatistobearnomalice。ItmighthavebeenticklishworktohavesaidhalfasmuchtotheSarpenthere，thoughheisaDelaware，forcolorwillhaveitsway——
　　Atouchonhisshouldercausedthespeakertocease。
　　Mabelwasstandingerectinthecanoe，herlight，butswell-
　　ingformbentforwardinanattitudeofgracefulearnest-
　　ness，herfingeronherlips，herheadaverted，herspiritedeyesrivetedonanopeninginthebushes，andonearmex-
　　tendedwithafishing-rod，theendofwhichhadtouchedthePathfinder。Thelatterbowedhisheadtoalevelwithalook-outnearwhichhehadintentionallykepthimselfandthenwhisperedtoJasper，——
　　TheaccursedMingos！Standtoyourarms，mymen，butlayquietasthecorpsesofdeadtrees！
　　Jasperadvancedrapidly，butnoiselessly，tothecanoe，andwithagentleviolenceinducedMabeltoplaceherselfinsuchanattitudeasconcealedherentirebody，thoughitwouldhaveprobablyexceededhismeanstoinducethegirlsofartolowerherheadthatshecouldnotkeephergazefastenedontheirenemies。Hethentookhisownpostnearher，withhisriflecockedandpoised，inreadinesstofire。ArrowheadandChingachgookcrawledtothecover，andlayinwaitlikesnakes，withtheirarmspreparedforservice，whilethewifeoftheformerbowedherheadbe-
　　tweenherknees，covereditwithhercalicorobe，andre-
　　mainedpassiveandimmovable。Caploosenedbothhispistolsintheirbelt，butseemedquiteatalosswhatcoursetopursue。ThePathfinderdidnotstir。Hehadoriginallygotapositionwherehemightaimwithdeadlyeffectthroughtheleaves，andwherehecouldwatchthemovementsofhisenemies。andhewasfartoosteadytobedisconcertedatamomentsocritical。
　　Itwastrulyanalarminginstant。JustasMabeltouchedtheshoulderofherguide，threeoftheIroquoishadap-
　　earedinthewater，atthebendoftheriver，withinahundredyardsofthecover，andhaltedtoexaminethestreambelow。Theywereallnakedtothewaist，armedforanexpeditionagainsttheirfoes，andintheirwar-
　　paint。Itwasapparentthattheywereundecidedastothecoursetheyoughttopursueinordertofindthefugitives。
　　Onepointeddowntheriver，asecondupthestream，andthethirdtowardstheoppositebank。Theyevidentlydoubted。
　　CHAPTERV
　　Deathishereanddeathisthere，Deathisbusyeverywhere。
　　SHELLEY
　　Itwasabreathlessmoment。Theonlycluethefugitivespossessedtotheintentionsoftheirpursuerswasintheirgesturesandtheindicationswhichescapedtheminthefuryofdisappointment。Thatapartyhadreturnedalready，ontheirownfootsteps，byland，wasprettycertain。
　　andallthebenefitexpectedfromtheartificeofthefirewasnecessarilylost。Butthatconsiderationbecameoflittlemomentjustthen。forthepartywasmenacedwithanimmediatediscoverybythosewhohadkeptonalevelwiththeriver。Allthefactspresentedthemselvesclearly，andasitmightbebyintuition，tothemindofPathfinder，whoperceivedthenecessityofimmediatedecisionandofbeinginreadinesstoactinconcert。Withoutmakinganynoise，therefore，hemanagedtogetthetwoIndiansandJaspernearhim，whenheopenedhiscommunicationsinawhisper。
　　Wemustbeready，wemustbeready，hesaid。Therearebutthreeofthescalpingdevils，andwearefive，fourofwhommaybesetdownasmanfulwarriorsforsuchaskrimmage。Eau-douce，doyoutakethefellowthatispaintedlikedeath。Chingachgook，Igiveyouthechief。
　　andArrowheadmustkeephiseyeontheyoungone。Theremustbenomistake，fortwobulletsinthesamebodywouldbesinfulwaste，withoneliketheSergeant’sdaughterindanger。Ishallholdmyselfinresarveagainstaccident，lestafourthreptileappear，foroneofyourhandsmayproveunsteady。BynomeansfireuntilIgivetheword。
　　wemustnotletthecrackoftheriflebeheardexceptinthelastresort，sincealltherestofthemiscreantsarestillwithinhearing。Jasper，boy，incaseofanymovementbehindusonthebank，ItrusttoyoutorunoutthecanoewiththeSergeant’sdaughter，andtopullforthegarrison，byGod’sleave。
　　ThePathfinderhadnosoonergiventhesedirectionsthanthenearapproachoftheirenemiesrenderedprofoundsilencenecessary。TheIroquoisintheriverwereslowlydescendingthestream。keepingofnecessitynearthebusheswhichoverhungthewater，whiletherustlingofleavesandthesnappingoftwigssoongavefearfulevidencethatanotherpartywasmovingalongthebank，atanequallygraduatedpace。anddirectlyabreastofthem。Inconsequenceofthedistancebetweenthebushesplantedbythefugitivesandthetrueshore，thetwopartiesbecamevisibletoeachotherwhenoppositethatprecisepoint。
　　Bothstopped，andaconversationensued，thatmaybesaidtohavepasseddirectlyovertheheadsofthosewhowereconcealed。Indeed，nothingshelteredthetravellersbutthebranchesandleavesofplants，sopliantthattheyyieldedtoeverycurrentofair，andwhichapuffofwindalittlestrongerthancommonwouldhaveblownaway。
　　Fortunatelythelineofsightcarriedtheeyesofthetwopartiesofsavages，whethertheystoodinthewaterorontheland，abovethebushes，andtheleavesappearedblendedinawaytoexcitenosuspicion。Perhapstheverybold-
　　nessoftheexpedientalonepreventedanimmediateex-
　　posure。Theconversationwhichtookplacewasconductedearnestly，butinguardedtones，asifthosewhospokewishedtodefeattheintentionsofanylisteners。ItwasinadialectthatboththeIndianwarriorsbeneath，aswellasthePathfinder，understood。EvenJaspercomprehendedaportionofwhatwassaid。
　　Thetrailiswashedawaybythewater！saidonefrombelow，whostoodsoneartheartificialcoverofthefugi-
　　tives，thathemighthavebeenstruckbythesalmon-spearthatlayinthebottomofJasper’scanoe。WaterhaswasheditsoclearthataYengeesehoundcouldnotfollow。
　　Thepale-faceshavelefttheshoreintheircanoes，
　　answeredthespeakeronthebank。
　　Itcannotbe。Theriflesofourwarriorsbelowarecertain。
　　ThePathfindergaveasignificantglanceatJasper，andheclinchedhisteethinordertosuppressthesoundofhisownbreathing。
　　Letmyyoungmenlookasiftheireyeswereeagles’，
　　saidtheeldestwarrioramongthosewhowerewadingintheriver。Wehavebeenawholemoononthewar-path，andhavefoundbutonescalp。Thereisamaidenamongthem，andsomeofourbraveswantwives。
　　HappilythesewordswerelostonMabel。butJasper’sfrownbecamedeeper，andhisfacefiercelyflushed。
　　Thesavagesnowceasedspeaking，andthepartywhichwasconcealedheardtheslowandguardedmovementsofthosewhowereonthebank，astheypushedthebushesasideintheirwaryprogress。Itwassoonevidentthatthelatterhadpassedthecover。butthegroupinthewaterstillremained，scanningtheshorewitheyesthatglaredthroughtheirwar-paintlikecoalsoflivingfire。Afterapauseoftwoorthreeminutes，thesethreebeganalsotodescendthestream，thoughitwasstepbystep，asmenmovewholookforanobjectthathasbeenlost。Inthismannertheypassedtheartificialscreen，andPathfinderopenedhismouthinthatheartybutnoiselesslaughthatnatureandhabithadcontributedtorenderapeculiarityoftheman。Histriumph，however，waspremature。forthelastoftheretiringparty，justatthismomentcastingalookbehindhim，suddenlystopped。andhisfixedatti-
　　tudeandsteadygazeatoncebetrayedtheappallingfactthatsomeneglectedbushhadawakenedhissuspicions。
　　Itwasperhapsfortunatefortheconcealedthatthewarriorwhomanifestedthesefearfulsignsofdistrustwasyoung，andhadstillareputationtoacquire。Heknewtheimportanceofdiscretionandmodestyinoneofhisyears，andmostofalldidhedreadtheridiculeandcon-
　　temptthatwouldcertainlyfollowafalsealarm。Withoutrecallinganyofhiscompanions，therefore，heturnedonhisownfootsteps。and，whiletheotherscontinuedtode-
　　scendtheriver，hecautiouslyapproachedthebushes，onwhichhislookswerestillfastened，asbyacharm。Someoftheleaveswhichwereexposedtothesunhaddroopedalittle，andthisslightdeparturefromtheusualnaturallawshadcaughtthequickeyesoftheIndian。forsoprac-
　　tisedandacutedothesensesofthesavagebecome，moreespeciallywhenheisonthewar-path，thattriflesappar-
　　entlyofthemostinsignificantsortoftenprovetobecluestoleadhimtohisobject。
　　Thetriflingnatureofthechangewhichhadarousedthesuspicionofthisyouthwasanadditionalmotivefornotacquaintinghiscompanionswithhisdiscovery。Shouldhereallydetectanything，hisglorywouldbethegreaterforbeingunshared。andshouldhenot，hemighthopetoescapethatderisionwhichtheyoungIndiansomuchdreads。Thentherewerethedangersofanambushandasurprise，towhicheverywarriorofthewoodsiskeenlyalive，torenderhisapproachslowandcautious。Incon-
　　sequenceofthedelaythatproceededfromthesecombinedcauses，thetwopartieshaddescendedsomefiftyorsixtyyardsbeforetheyoungsavagewasagainnearenoughtothebushesofthePathfindertotouchthemwithhishand。
　　Notwithstandingtheircriticalsituation，thewholepartybehindthecoverhadtheireyesfastenedontheworkingcountenanceoftheyoungIroquois，whowasagitatedbyconflictingfeelings。Firstcametheeagerhopeofobtain-
　　ingsuccesswheresomeofthemostexperiencedofhistribehadfailed，andwithitadegreeofglorythathadseldomfallentotheshareofoneofhisyearsorabraveonhisfirstwar-path。thenfolloweddoubts，asthedroopingleavesseemedtoriseagainandtoreviveinthecurrentsofair。anddistrustofhiddendangerlentitsexcitingfeelingtokeeptheeloquentfeaturesinplay。Soveryslight，however，hadbeenthealterationproducedbytheheatonthebushesofwhichthestemswereinthewater，thatwhentheIroquoisactuallylaidhishandontheleaves，hefanciedthathehadbeendeceived。Asnomaneverdistrustsstronglywithoutusingallconvenientmeansofsatisfyinghisdoubts，however，theyoungwarriorcau-
　　tiouslypushedasidethebranchesandadvancedastepwithinthehiding-place，whentheformsoftheconcealedpartymethisgaze，resemblingsomanybreathlessstatues。
　　Thelowexclamation，theslightstart，andtheglaringeye，werehardlyseenandheard，beforethearmofChingach-
　　gookwasraised，andthetomahawkoftheDelawarede-
　　scendedontheshavenheadofhisfoe。TheIroquoisraisedhishandsfrantically，boundedbackward，andfellintothewater，ataspotwherethecurrentsweptthebodyaway，thestrugglinglimbsstilltossingandwrithingintheagonyofdeath。TheDelawaremadeavigorousbutunsuccessfulattempttoseizeanarm，withthehopeofsecuringthescalp。butthebloodstainedwaterswhirleddownthecurrent，carryingwiththemtheirquiveringburthen。
　　Allthispassedinlessthanaminute，andtheeventsweresosuddenandunexpected，thatmenlessaccustomedthanthePathfinderandhisassociatestoforestwarfarewouldhavebeenatalosshowtoact。
　　Thereisnotamomenttolose，saidJasper，tearingasidethebushes，ashespokeearnestly，butinasuppressedvoice。DoasIdo，MasterCap，ifyouwouldsaveyourniece。andyou，Mabel，lieatyourlengthinthecanoe。
　　Thewordswerescarcelyutteredwhen，seizingthebowofthelightboathedraggeditalongtheshore，wadinghimself，whileCapaidedbehind，keepingsonearthebankastoavoidbeingseenbythesavagesbelow，andstrivingtogaintheturnintheriverabovehimwhichwouldef-
　　fectuallyconcealthepartyfromtheenemy。ThePath-
　　finder’scanoelaynearesttothebank，andwasnecessarilythelasttoquittheshore。TheDelawareleapedonthenar-
　　rowstrandandplungedintotheforest，itbeinghisassigneddutytowatchthefoeinthatquarter，whileArrowheadmotionedtohiswhitecompaniontoseizethebowoftheboatandtofollowJasper。Allthiswastheworkofaninstant。butwhenthePathfinderreachedthecurrentthatwassweepingroundtheturn，hefeltasuddenchangeintheweighthewasdragging，and，lookingback，hefoundthatboththeTuscaroraandhiswifehaddesertedhim。
　　Thethoughtoftreacheryflasheduponhismind，buttherewasnotimetopause，forthewailingshoutthatarosefromthepartybelowproclaimedthatthebodyoftheyoungIroquoishadfloatedaslowasthespotreachedbyhisfriends。Thereportofariflefollowed。andthentheguidesawthatJasper，havingdoubledthebendintheriver，wascrossingthestream，standingerectinthesternofthecanoe，whileCapwasseatedforward，bothpropel-
　　lingthelightboatwithvigorousstrokesofthepaddles。
　　Aglance，athought，andanexpedientfollowedeachotherquicklyinonesotrainedinthevicissitudesofthefrontierwarfare。Springingintothesternofhisowncanoe，heurgeditbyavigorousshoveintothecurrent，andcom-
　　mencedcrossingthestreamhimself，atapointsomuchlowerthanthatofhiscompanionsastoofferhisownpersonforatargettotheenemy，wellknowingthattheirkeendesiretosecureascalpwouldcontrolallotherfeelings。
　　Keepwellupthecurrent，Jasper，shoutedthegallantguide，ashesweptthewaterwithlong，steady，vigorousstrokesofthepaddle。keepwellupthecurrent，andpullforthealderbushesopposite。PresarvetheSergeant’sdaughterbeforeallthings，andleavetheseMingoknavestotheSarpentandme。
　　Jasperflourishedhispaddleasasignalofunderstand-
　　ing，whileshotsucceededshotinquicksuccession，allnowbeingaimedatthesolitarymaninthenearestcanoe。
　　Ay，emptyyourrifleslikesimpletonsasyouare，saidthePathfinder，whohadacquiredahabitofspeakingwhenalone，frompassingsomuchofhistimeinthesolitudeoftheforest。emptyyourrifleswithanunsteadyaim，andgivemetimetoputyarduponyardofriverbetweenus。
　　IwillnotrevileyoulikeaDelawareoraMohican。formygiftsareawhiteman’sgifts，andnotanIndian’s。andboastinginbattleisnopartofaChristianwarrior。butI
　　maysayhere，allalonebymyself，thatyouarelittlebetterthansomanymenfromthetownshootingatrobinsintheorchards。Thatwaswellmeant，throwingbackhishead，asariflebulletcutalockofhairfromhistemple。
　　buttheleadthatmissesbyaninchisasuselessastheleadthatneverquitsthebarrel。Bravelydone，Jasper！
　　theSergeant’ssweetchildmustbesaved，evenifwegoinwithoutourownscalps。
　　BythistimethePathfinderwasinthecentreoftheriver，andalmostabreastofhisenemies，whiletheothercanoe，impelledbythevigorousarmsofCapandJasper，hadnearlygainedtheoppositeshoreattheprecisespotthathadbeenpointedouttothem。Theoldmarinernowplayedhispartmanfully。forhewasonhisproperele-
　　ment，lovedhisniecesincerely，hadaproperregardforhisownperson，andwasnotunusedtofire，thoughhisexperiencecertainlylayinaverydifferentspeciesofwarfare。Afewstrokesofthepaddlesweregiven，andthecanoeshotintothebushes，MabelwashurriedtolandbyJasper，andforthepresentallthreeofthefugitivesweresafe。
　　NotsowiththePathfinder：hishardyself-devotionhadbroughthimintoasituationofunusualexposure，thehazardsofwhichweremuchincreasedbythefactthat，justashedriftednearesttotheenemythepartyontheshorerusheddownthebankandjoinedtheirfriendswhostillstoodinthewater。TheOswegowasaboutacable’slengthinwidthatthispoint，and，thecanoebeinginthecentre，theobjectwasonlyahundredyardsfromtheriflesthatwereconstantlydischargedatit。or，attheusualtargetdistanceforthatweapon。
　　InthisextremitythesteadinessandskillofthePath-
　　finderdidhimgoodservice。Heknewthathissafetyde-
　　pendedaltogetheronkeepinginmotion。forastationaryobjectatthatdistance，wouldhavebeenhitnearlyeveryshot。Norwasmotionofitselfsufficient。for，accustomedtokilltheboundingdeer，hisenemiesprobablyknewhowtovarythelineofaimsoastostrikehim，shouldhecon-
　　tinuetomoveinanyonedirection。Hewasconsequentlycompelledtochangethecourseofthecanoe，——atonemo-
　　mentshootingdownwiththecurrent，withtheswiftnessofanarrow。andatthenextcheckingitsprogressinthatdirection，toglanceathwartthestream。LuckilytheIroquoiscouldnotreloadtheirpiecesinthewater，andthebushesthateverywherefringedtheshorerendereditdiffi-
　　culttokeepthefugitiveinviewwhenontheland。Aidedbythesecircumstances，andhavingreceivedthefireofallhisfoes，thePathfinderwasgainingfastindistance，bothdownwardsandacrossthecurrent，whenanewdangersuddenly，ifnotunexpectedly，presenteditself，bytheap-
　　pearanceofthepartythathadbeenleftinambushbelowwithaviewtowatchtheriver。
　　Thesewerethesavagesalludedtointheshortdialoguealreadyrelated。Theywerenolessthanteninnumber。
　　and，understandingalltheadvantagesoftheirbloodyoc-
　　cupation，theyhadpostedthemselvesataspotwherethewaterdashedamongrocksandovershallows，inawaytoformarapidwhich，inthelanguageofthecountry，iscalledarift。ThePathfindersawthat，ifheenteredthisrift，heshouldbecompelledtoapproachapointwheretheIroquoishadpostedthemselves，forthecurrentwasirre-
　　sistible，andtherocksallowednoothersafepassage，whiledeathorcaptivitywouldbetheprobableresultoftheattempt。Allhisefforts，therefore，wereturnedtowardreachingthewesternshore，thefoebeingallontheeasternsideoftheriver。buttheexploitsurpassedhumanpower，andtoattempttostemthestreamwouldatoncehavesofardiminishedthemotionofthecanoeastorenderaimcertain。Inthisexigencytheguidecametoadecisionwithhisusualcoolpromptitude，makinghispreparationsaccordingly。Insteadofendeavoringtogainthechannel，hesteeredtowardstheshallowestpartofthestream，onreachingwhichheseizedhisrifleandpack，leapedintothewater，andbegantowadefromrocktorock，takingthedirectionofthewesternshore。Thecanoewhirledaboutinthefuriouscurrent，nowrollingoversomeslip-
　　perystone，nowfilling，andthenemptyingitself，untilitlodgedontheshore，withinafewyardsofthespotwheretheIroquoishadpostedthemselves。
　　InthemeanwhilethePathfinderwasfarfrombeingoutofdanger。forthefirstminute，admirationofhisprompti-
　　tudeanddaring，whicharesohighvirtuesinthemindofanIndian，kepthisenemiesmotionless。butthedesireofrevenge，andthecravingsforthemuch-prizedtrophy，soonovercamethistransientfeeling，andarousedthemfromtheirstupor。Rifleflashedafterrifle，andthebulletswhistledaroundtheheadofthefugitive，amidtheroarofthewaters。Stillheproceededlikeonewhoboreacharmedlife。for，whilehisrudefrontiergarmentsweremorethanoncecut，hisskinwasnotrazed。
　　AsthePathfinder，inseveralinstances，wascompelledtowadeinwaterwhichrosenearlytohisarms，whilehekepthisrifleandammunitionelevatedabovetheragingcurrent，thetoilsoonfatiguedhim，andhewasgladtostopatalargestone，orasmallrock，whichrosesohighabovetheriverthatitsuppersurfacewasdry。Onthisstoneheplacedhispowder-horn，gettingbehindithim-
　　self，soastohavetheadvantageofapartialcoverforhisbody。Thewesternshorewasonlyfiftyfeetdistant，butthequiet，swift，darkcurrentthatglancedthroughtheintervalsufficientlyshowedthatherehewouldbecom-
　　pelledtoswim。
　　AshortcessationinthefiringnowtookplaceonthepartoftheIndians，whogatheredaboutthecanoe，and，havingfoundthepaddles，werepreparingtocrosstheriver。
　　Pathfinder，calledavoicefromamongthebushes，atthepointnearesttothepersonaddressed，onthewesternshore。
　　Whatwouldyouhave，Jasper？
　　Beofgoodheart——friendsareathand，andnotasingleMingoshallcrosswithoutsufferingforhisboldness。Hadyounotbetterleavetherifleontherock，andswimtousbeforetherascalscangetafloat？
　　Atruewoodsmanneverquitshispiecewhilehehasanypowderinhishornorabulletinhispouch。Ihavenotdrawnatriggerthisday，Eau-douce，andshouldn’trelishtheideaofpartingwiththosereptileswithoutcaus-
　　ingthemtoremembermyname。Alittlewaterwillnotharmmylegs。andIseethatblackguard，Arrowhead，amongthescamps，andwishtosendhimthewageshehassofaithfullyearned。YouhavenotbroughttheSergeant’sdaughterdownhereinarangewiththeirbullets，Ihope，Jasper？
　　Sheissafeforthepresentatleast。thoughalldependsonourkeepingtneriverbetweenusandtheenemy。Theymustknowourweaknessnow。and，shouldtheycross，nodoubtsomeoftheirpartywillbeleftontheotherside。
　　Thiscanoeingtouchesyourgiftsratherthanmine，boy，thoughIwillhandleapaddlewiththebestMingothateverstruckasalmon。Iftheycrossbelowtherift，whycan’twecrossinthestillwaterabove，andkeepplay-
　　ingatdodgeandturnwiththewolves？
　　Because，asIhavesaid，theywillleaveapartyontheothershore。andthen，Pathfinder，wouldyouexposeMabel，totheriflesoftheIroquois？
　　TheSergeant’sdaughtermustbesaved，returnedtheguide，withcalmenergy。Youareright，Jasper。shehasnogifttoauthorizeherinofferinghersweetfaceandtenderbodytoaMingorifle。Whatcanbedone，then？
　　Theymustbekeptfromcrossingforanhourortwo，ifpossible，whenwemustdoourbestinthedarkness。
　　Iagreewithyou，Pathfinder，ifitcanbeeffected。butarewestrongenoughforsuchapurpose？
　　TheLordiswithus，boy，theLordiswithus。anditisunreasonabletosupposethatoneliketheSergeant’sdaughterwillbealtogetherabandonedbyProvidenceinsuchastrait。Thereisnotaboatbetweenthefallsandthegarrison，exceptthesetwocanoes，tomysartainknowl-
　　edge。andIthinkitwillgobeyondred-skingiftstocrossinthefaceoftworiflesliketheseofyournandmine。I
　　willnotvaunt，Jasper。butitiswellknownonallthisfrontierthatKilldeerseldomfails。
　　Yourskillisadmittedbyall，farandnear，Pathfinder。
　　butarifletakestimetobeloaded。norareyouontheland，aidedbyagoodcover，whereyoucanworktotheadvantageyouareusedto。Ifyouhadourcanoe，mightyounotpasstotheshorewithadryrifle？
　　Cananeaglefly，Jasper？returnedtheother，laugh-
　　inginhisusualmanner，andlookingbackashespoke。
　　Butitwouldbeunwisetoexposeyourselfonthewater。
　　forthemmiscreantsarebeginningtobethinkthemagainofpowderandbullets。
　　Itcanbedonewithoutanysuchchances。MasterCaphasgoneuptothecanoe，andwillcastthebranchofatreeintotherivertotrythecurrent，whichsetsfromthepointaboveinthedirectionofyourrock。See，thereitcomesalready。ifitfloatfairly，youmustraiseyourarm，whenthecanoewillfollow。Atallevents，iftheboatshouldpassyou，theeddybelowwillbringitup，andIcanrecoverit。
　　WhileJasperwasstillspeaking，thefloatingbranchcameinsight。and，quickeningitsprogresswiththein-
　　creasingvelocityofthecurrent，itsweptswiftlydowntowardsthePathfinder，whoseizeditasitwaspassing，andhelditintheairasasignofsuccess。Capunderstoodthesignal，andpresentlythecanoewaslaunchedintothestream，withacautionandanintelligencethatthehabitsofthemarinerhadfittedhimtoobserve。Itfloatedinthesamedirectionasthebranch，andinaminutewasar-
　　restedbythePathfinder。
　　Thishasbeendonewithafrontierman’sjudgmentJasper，saidtheguide，laughing。butyouhaveyourgifts，whichinclinemosttothewater，asmineinclinetothewoods。NowletthemMingoknavescocktheirriflesandgetrests，forthisisthelastchancetheyarelikelytohaveatamanwithoutacover。
　　Nay，shovethecanoetowardstheshore，quarteringthecurrent，andthrowyourselfintoitasitgoesoff，saidJaspereagerly。Thereislittleuseinrunninganyrisk。
　　Ilovetostandupfacetofacewithmyenemieslikeaman，whiletheysetmetheexample，returnedthePath-
　　finderproudly。Iamnotared-skinborn，anditismoreawhiteman’sgiftstofightopenlythantolieinambush-
　　ment。
　　AndMabel？
　　True，boy，true。theSergeant’sdaughtermustbesaved。
　　and，asyousay，foolishrisksonlybecomeboys。Thinkyouthatyoucancatchthecanoewhereyoustand？
　　Therecanbenodoubt，ifyougiveavigorouspush。
　　Pathfindermadethenecessaryeffort。thelightbarkshotacrosstheinterveningspace，andJasperseizeditasitcametoland。Tosecurethecanoe，andtotakeproperpositionsinthecover，occupiedthefriendsbutamoment，whentheyshookhandscordially，likethosewhohadmetafteralongseparation。
　　Now，Jasper，weshallseeifaMingoofthemalldarescrosstheOswegointheteethofKildeer！Youarehandierwiththeoarandthepaddleandthesailthanwiththerifle，perhaps。butyouhaveastoutheartandasteadyhand，andthemarethingsthatcountinafight。
　　Mabelwillfindmebetweenherandherenemies，saidJaspercalmly。
　　Yes，yes，theSergeant’sdaughtermustbeprotected。
　　Ilikeyou，boy，onyourownaccount。butIlikeyouallthebetterthatyouthinkofonesofeebleatamomentwhenthereisneedofallyourmanhood。See，Jasper！threeoftheknavesareactuallygettingintothecanoe！Theymustbelievewehavefled，ortheywouldnotsurelyven-
　　turesomuch，directlyintheveryfaceofKilldeer。
　　SureenoughtheIroquoisdidappearbentonventuringacrossthestream。for，asthePathfinderandhisfriendsnowkepttheirpersonsstrictlyconcealed，theirenemiesbegantothinkthatthelatterhadtakentoflight。Suchacoursewasthatwhichmostwhitemenwouldhavefol-
　　lowed。butMabelwasunderthecareofthosewhoweremuchtoowellskilledinforestwarfaretoneglecttode-
　　fendtheonlypassthat，intruth，nowofferedevenaprobablechanceforprotection。
　　AsthePathfinderhadsaid，threewarriorswereinthecanoe，twoholdingtheirriflesatapoise，astheykneltinreadinesstoaimthedeadlyweapons，andtheotherstand-
　　ingerectinthesterntowieldthepaddle。Inthisman-
　　nertheylefttheshore，havinghadtheprecautiontohaulthecanoe，previouslytoenteringit，sofarupthestreamastohavegotintothecomparativelystillwaterabovetherift。
　　Itwasapparentataglancethatthesavagewhoguidedtheboatwasskilledintheart。forthelongsteadysweepofhispaddlesentthelightbarkovertheglassysurfaceofthetranquilriverasifitwereafeatherfloatinginair。
　　ShallIfire？demandedJasperinawhisper，trem-
　　blingwitheagernesstoengage。
　　Notyet，boy，notyet。Therearebutthreeofthem，andifMasterCapyonderknowshowtousethepopgunshecarriesinhisbelt，wemayevenletthemland，andthenweshallrecoverthecanoe。
　　ButMabel——？
　　NofearfortheSergeant’sdaughter。Sheissafeinthehollowstump，yousay，withtheopeningjudgmaticallyhidbythebrambles。Ifwhatyoutellmeofthemannerinwhichyouconcealedthetrailbetrue，thesweetonemightliethereamonthandlaughattheMingos。
　　Wearenevercertain。Iwishwehadbroughthernearertoourowncover！
　　Whatfor，Eau-douce？Toplaceherprettylittleheadandleapingheartamongflyingbullets？No，no：sheisbetterwheresheis，becausesheissafer。
　　Wearenevercertain。Wethoughtourselvessafebe-
　　hindthebushes，andyetyousawthatwewerediscovered。
　　AndtheMingoimppaidforhiscuriosity，astheseknavesareabouttodo。
　　The，Pathfinderceasedspeaking。foratthatinstantthesharpreportofariflewasheard，whentheIndianinthesternofthecanoeleapedhighintotheair，andfellintothewater，holdingthepaddleinhishand。Asmallwreathofsmokefloatedoutfromamongthebushesoftheeasternshore，andwassoonabsorbedbytheatmosphere。
　　ThatistheSarpenthissing！exclaimedthePath-
　　finderexultingly。AbolderoratruerheartneverbeatinthebreastofaDelaware。Iamsorrythatheinterfered。
　　buthecouldnothaveknownourcondition。
　　Thecanoehadnosoonerlostitsguidethanitfloatedwiththestream，andwassoonsuckedintotherapidsoftherift。Perfectlyhelpless，thetworemainingsavagesgazedwildlyaboutthem，butcouldoffernoresistancetothepoweroftheelement。ItwasperhapsfortunateforChingachgookthattheattentionofmostoftheIroquoiswasintentlygiventothesituationofthoseintheboat，elsewouldhisescapehavebeentothelastdegreedifficult，ifnottotallyimpracticable。Butnotafoemoved，excepttoconcealhispersonbehindsomecover。andeveryeyewasrivetedonthetworemainingadventurers。Inlesstimethanhasbeennecessarytorecordtheseoccurrences，thecanoewaswhirlingandtossingintherift，whileboththesavageshadstretchedthemselvesinitsbottom，astheonlymeansofpreservingtheequilibrium。Thisnaturalexpedientsoonfailedthem。for，strikingarock，thelightdraftrolledover，andthetwowarriorswerethrownintotheriver。Thewaterisseldomdeeponarift，exceptinparticularplaceswhereitmayhavewornchannels。andtherewaslittletobeapprehendedfromdrowning，thoughtheirarmswerelost。andthetwosavageswerefaintomakethebestoftheirwaytothefriendlyshore，swim-
　　mingandwadingascircumstancesrequired。Thecanoeitselflodgedonarockinthecentreofthestream，whereforthemomentitbecameuselesstobothparties。
　　Nowisourtime，Pathfinder，criedJasper，asthetwoIroquoisexposedmostoftheirpersonswhilewadingintheshallowestpartoftherapids：thefellowupstreamismine，andyoucantakethelower。
　　Soexcitedhadtheyoungmanbecomebyalltheinci-
　　dentsofthestirringscene，thatthebulletspedfromhisrifleashespoke，butuselessly，asitwouldseem，forboththefugitivestossedtheirarmsindisdain。ThePath-
　　finderdidnotfire。
　　No，no，Eau-douce，heanswered。Idonotseekbloodwithoutacause。andmybulletiswellleatheredandcarefullydrivendown，forthetimeofneed。IlovenoMingo，asisjust，seeinghowmuchIhaveconsortedwiththeDelawares，whoaretheirmortalandnaturalenemies。butIneverpulltriggerononeofthemiscreantsunlessitbeplainthathisdeathwillleadtosomegoodend。Thedeerneverleapedthatfellbymyhandwan-
　　tonly。BylivingmuchalonewithGodinthewildernessamangetstofeelthejusticeofsuchopinions。Onelifeissufficientforourpresentwants。andtheremayyetbeoccasiontouseKilldeerinbehalfoftheSarpent，whohasdoneanuntimorsomethingtoletthemrampantdevilssoplainlyknowthatheisintheirneighborhood。AsI’mawickedsinner，thereisoneofthemprowlingalongthebankthisverymoment，likeoneoftheboysofthegarrisonskulkingbehindafallentreetogetashotatasquirrel！
　　AsthePathfinderpointedwithhisfingerwhilespeak-
　　ing，thequickeyeofJaspersooncaughttheobjecttowardswhichitwasdirected。Oneoftheyoungwarriorsoftheenemy，burningwithadesiretodistinguishhimself，hadstolenfromhispartytowardsthecoverinwhichChin-
　　gachgookhadconcealedhimself。andasthelatterwasdeceivedbytheapparentapathyofhisfoes，aswellasen-
　　gagedinsomefurtherpreparationsofhisown，hehadevidentlyobtainedapositionwherehegotasightoftheDelaware。Thiscircumstancewasapparentbythear-
　　rangementstheIroquoiswasmakingtofire，forChingach-
　　gookhimselfwasnotvisiblefromthewesternsideoftheriver。TheriftwasatabendintheOswego，andthesweepoftheeasternshoreformedacurvesowidethatChingach-
　　gookwasquiteneartohisenemiesinastraightdirection，thoughseparatedbyseveralhundredfeetontheland，ow-
　　ingtowhichfactairlinesbroughtbothpartiesnearlyequidistantfromthePathfinderandJasper。Thegeneralwidthoftheriverbeingalittlelessthantwohundredyards，suchnecessarilywasaboutthedistancebetweenhistwoobserversandtheskulkingIroquois。
　　TheSarpentmustbethereabouts，observedPath-
　　finder，whoneverturnedhiseyeforaninstantfromtheyoungwarrior。andyethemustbestrangelyoffhisguardtoallowaMingodeviltogethisstandsonear，withmanifestsignsofbloodshedinhisheart。
　　See！interruptedJasper——thereisthebodyoftheIndiantheDelawareshot！Ithasdriftedonarock，andthecurrenthasforcedtheheadandfaceabovethewater。
　　Quitelikely，boy，quitelikely。Humannatur’islittlebetterthanalogofdriftwood，whenthelifethatwasbreathedintoitsnostrilsisdeparted。ThatIroquoiswillneverharmanyonemore。butyonderskulkingsavageisbentontakingthescalpofmybestandmosttriedfriend。
　　ThePathfindersuddenlyinterruptedhimselfbyraisinghisrifle，aweaponofunusuallength，withadmirablepre-
　　cision，andfiringtheinstantithadgotitslevel。TheIroquoisontheoppositeshorewasintheactofaimingwhenthefatalmessengerfromKilldeerarrived。Hisriflewasdischarged，itistrue，butitwaswiththemuzzleintheair，whilethemanhimselfplungedintothebushes，quiteevidentlyhurt，ifnotslain。
　　Theskulkingreptylebroughtitonhimself，mutteredPathfindersternly，as，droppingthebuttofhisrifle，hecarefullycommencedreloadingit。ChingachgookandI
　　haveconsortedtogethersincewewereboys，andhavefi’tincompanyontheHorican，theMohawk，theOntario，andalltheotherbloodypassesbetweenthecountryoftheFrenchersandourown。anddidthefoolishknavebelievethatIwouldstandbyandseemybestfriendcutoffinanambushment？
　　WehaveservedtheSarpentasgoodaturnasheservedus。Thoserascalsaretroubled，Pathfinder，andarefallingbackintotheircovers，sincetheyfindwecanreachthemacrosstheriver。
　　Theshotisnogreatmatter，Jasper，nogreatmatter。
　　Askanyofthe60th，andtheycantellyouwhatKilldeercando，andhasdone，andthat，too，whenthebulletswereflyingaboutourheadslikehailstones。No，no！thisisnogreatmatter，andtheunthoughtfulvagabonddrewitdownonhimself。
　　Isthatadog，oradeer，swimmingtowardsthisshore？
　　Pathfinderstarted，forsureenoughanobjectwascross-
　　ingthestream，abovetherift，towardswhich，however，itwasgraduallysettingbytheforceofthecurrent。A
　　secondlooksatisfiedboththeobserversthatitwasaman，andanIndian，thoughsoconcealedasatfirsttorenderitdoubtful。Somestratagemwasapprehended，andtheclosestattentionwasgiventothemovementsofthestranger。
　　Heispushingsomethingbeforehimasheswims，andhisheadresemblesadriftingbush，saidJasper。
　　’TisIndiandevilry，boy。butChristianhonestyshallcircumventtheirarts。
　　Asthemanslowlyapproached，theobserversbegantodoubttheaccuracyoftheirfirstimpressions，anditwasonlywhentwo-thirdsofthestreamwerepassedthatthetruthwasreallyknown。
　　TheBigSarpent，asIlive！exclaimedPathfinder，lookingathiscompanion，andlaughinguntilthetearscameintohiseyeswithpuredelightatthesuccessoftheartifice。Hehastiedbushestohishead，soastohideit，putthehornontop，lashedtherifletothatbitoflogheispushingbeforehim，andhascomeovertojoinhisfriends。Ah’sme！ThetimesandtimesthatheandI
　　havecutsuchpranks，rightintheteethofMingosragingforourblood，inthegreatthoroughfareroundandaboutTy！
　　ItmaynotbetheSerpentafterall，Pathfinder。IcanseenofeaturethatIremember。
　　Feature！WholooksforfeaturesinanIndian？No，no，boy。’tisthepaintthatspeaks，andnonebutaDela-
　　warewouldwearthatpaint：themarehiscolors，Jasper，justasyourcraftonthelakewearsSt。George’sCross，andtheFrencherssettheirtableclothstoflutteringinthewind，withallthestainsoffish-bonesandvenisonsteaksuponthem。Now，youseetheeye，lad，anditistheeyeofachief。But，Eau-douce，fierceasitisinbattle，andglassyasitlooksfromamongtheleaves，——herethePath-
　　finderlaidhisfingerslightlybutimpressivelyonhiscom-
　　panion’sarm，——Ihaveseenitshedtearslikerain。Thereisasoulandaheartunderthatredskin，relyonit。al-
　　thoughtheyareasoulandaheartwithgiftsdifferentfromourown。
　　Noonewhoisacquaintedwiththechiefeverdoubtedthat。
　　I_know_it，returnedtheotherproudly，forIhaveconsortedwithhiminsorrowandinjoy：inoneIhavefoundhimaman，howeverstricken。intheother，achiefwhoknowsthatthewomenofhistribearethemostseemlyinlightmerriment。Buthist！Itistoomuchlikethepeopleofthesettlementstopoursoftspeechesintoan-
　　other’sear。andtheSarpenthaskeensenses。HeknowsIlovehim，andthatIspeakwellofhimbehindhisback。
　　butaDelawarehasmodestyinhisinmostnatur’，thoughhewillbraglikeasinnerwhentiedtoastake。
　　TheSerpentnowreachedtheshore，directlyinthefrontofhistwocomrades，withwhoseprecisepositionhemusthavebeenacquaintedbeforeleavingtheeasternsideoftheriver，andrisingfromthewaterheshookhimselflikeadog，andmadetheusualexclamation——Hugh！
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　These，astheychange，AlmightyFather，these，ArebutthevariedGod。
　　THOMSON。
　　AsthechieflandedhewasmetbythePathfinder，whoaddressedhiminthelanguageofthewarrior’speople：
　　Wasitwelldone，Chingachgook，saidhereproachfully，toambushadozenMingosalone？Killdeerseldomfailsme，itistrue。buttheOswegomakesadistantmark，andthatmiscreantshowedlittlemorethanhisheadandshouldersabovethebushes，andanonpractysedhandandeyemighthavefailed。Youshouldhavethoughtofthis，chief——youshouldhavethoughtofthis！
　　TheGreatSerpentisaMohicanwarrior——heseesonlyhisenemieswhenheisonthewar-path，andhisfathershavestrucktheMingosfrombehind，sincethewatersbegantorun。
　　Iknowyourgifts，Iknowyourgifts，andrespectthemtoo。Nomanshallhearmecomplainthatared-skinob-
　　sarvedred-skinnatur’。Butprudenceasmuchbecomesawarriorasvalor。andhadnottheIroquoisdevilsbeenlookingaftertheirfriendswhowereinthewater，ahottrailtheywouldhavemadeofyourn。
　　WhatistheDelawareabouttodo？exclaimedJasper，whoobservedatthatmomentthatthechiefhadsuddenlyleftthePathfinderandadvancedtothewater’sedge，ap-
　　parentlywithanintentionofagainenteringtheriver。
　　Hewillnotbesomadastoreturntotheothershoreforanytriflehemayhaveforgotten？
　　Nothe，nothe。heisasprudentasheisbrave，inthemain，thoughsoforgetfulofhimselfinthelateambush-
　　ment。Hark’e，Jasper，leadingtheotheralittleaside，justastheyheardtheIndian’splungeintothewater，——
　　hark’e，lad。ChingachgookisnotaChristianwhiteman，likeourselves，butaMohicanchief，whohashisgiftsandtraditionstotellhimwhatheoughttodo。andhewhoconsortswiththemthatarenotstrictlyandaltogetherofhisownkindhadbetterleavenatur’andusetogovernhiscomrades。Aking’ssoldierwillswearandhewilldrink，anditisoflittleusetotrytopreventhim。agentlemanlikeshisdelicacies，andaladyherfeathersanditdoesnotavailmuchtostruggleagainsteither。whereasanIn-
　　dian’snatur’andgiftsaremuchstrongerthanthese，andnodoubtwerebestowedbytheLordforwiseends，thoughneitheryounormecanfollowtheminalltheirwindings。
　　Whatdoesthismean？See，theDelawareisswimmingtowardsthebodythatislodgedontherock？Whydoesheriskthis？
　　Forhonorandgloryandrenown，asgreatgentlemenquittheirquiethomesbeyondseas——where，astheytellme，hearthasnothinglefttowishfor。thatis，suchheartsascanbesatisfiedinaclearing——tocomehithertoliveongameandfighttheFrenchers。
　　Iunderstandyou——yourfriendhasgonetosecurethescalp。
　　’Tishisgift，andlethimenjoyit。Wearewhitemen，andcannotmangleadeadenemy。butitishonorintheeyesofared-skintodoso。Itmayseemsingulartoyou，Eau-douce，butI’veknownwhitemenofgreatnameandcharactermanifestasremarkableideesconsarningtheirhonor，Ihave。
　　Asavagewillbeasavage，Pathfinder，lethimkeepwhatcompanyhemay。
　　Itiswellforustosayso，lad。but，asItellyou，whitehonorwillnotalwaysconformtoreasonortothewillofGod。Ihavepasseddaysthinkingofthesematters，outinthesilentwoods，andIhavecometotheopinion，boy，that，asProvidencerulesallthings，nogiftisbestowedwithoutsomewiseandreasonableend。
　　TheSerpentgreatlyexposeshimselftotheenemy，inordertogethisscalp！Thismayloseustheday。
　　Notinhismind，Jasper。Thatonescalphasmorehonorinit，accordingtotheSarpent’snotionsofwarfare，thanaheldcoveredwithslain，thatkeptthehairontheirheads。Now，therewasthefineyoungcaptainofthe60ththatthrewawayhislifeintryingtobringoffathree-
　　pounderfromamongtheFrenchersinthelastskrimmagewehad。hethoughthewassarvinghonor。andIhaveknownayoungensignwraphimselfupinhiscolors，andgotosleepinhisblood，fancyingthathewaslyingonsomethingsoftereventhanbuffalo-skins。
　　Yes，yes。onecanunderstandthemeritofnothaulingdownanensign。
　　AndtheseareChingachgook’scolors——hewillkeepthemtoshowhischildren’schildren——HerethePath-
　　finderinterruptedhimself，shookhisheadinmelancholy，andslowlyadded，Ah’sme！noshootoftheoldMohicanstemremains！Hehasnochildrentodelightwithhistrophies。notribetohonorbyhisdeeds。heisalonemaninthisworld，andyethestandstruetohistrainingandhisgifts！Thereissomethinghonestandrespectableinthese，youmustallow，Jasper。
　　HereagreatoutcryfromtheIroquoiswassucceededbythequickreportsoftheirrifles，andsoeagerdidtheenemybecome，inthedesiretodrivetheDelawarebackfromhisvictim，thatadozenrushedintotheriver，severalofwhomevenadvancednearahundredfeetintothefoamingcur-
　　rent，asiftheyactuallymeditatedaserioussortie。ButChingachgookcontinuedunmoved，asheremainedunhurtbythemissiles，accomplishinghistaskwiththedexterityoflonghabit。Flourishinghisreekingtrophy，hegavethewar-whoopinitsmostfrightfulintonations，andforaminutethearchesofthesilentwoodsandthedeepvistaformedbythecourseoftheriverechoedwithcriessoterrificthatMabelbowedherheadinirrepressiblefear，whileheruncleforasingleinstantactuallymeditatedflight。
　　ThissurpassesallIhaveheardfromthewretches，
　　Jasperexclaimed，stoppinghisears，equallyinhorroranddisgust。
　　’Tistheirmusic，boy。theirdrumandfife。theirtrumpetsandclarions。Nodoubttheylovethosesounds。
　　fortheystirupinthemfiercefeelings，andadesireforblood，returnedthePathfinder，totallyunmoved。I
　　thoughtthemratherfrightfulwhenamereyoungster。
　　buttheyhavebecomelikethewhistleofthewhip-poor-
　　willorthesongofthecat-birdinmyearnow。Allthescreechingreptylesthatcouldstandbetweenthefallsandthegarrisonwouldhavenoeffectonmynarvesatthistimeofday。Isayitnotinboasting，Jasper。forthemanthatletsincowardicethroughtheearsmusthavebutaweakheartatthebest。soundsandoutcriesbeingmoreintendedtoalarmwomenandchildrenthansuchasscouttheforestandfacethefoe。IhopetheSarpentisnowsatisfied，forherehecomeswiththescalpathisbelt。
　　JasperturnedawayhisheadastheDelawarerosefromthewater，inpuredisgustathislateerrand。butthePathfinderregardedhisfriendwiththephilosophicalin-
　　differenceofonewhohadmadeuphismindtobeindif-
　　ferenttothingshedeemedimmaterial。AstheDelawarepasseddeeperintothebusheswithaviewtowringhistriflingcalicodressandtopreparehisrifleforservice，hegaveoneglanceoftriumphathiscompanions，andthenallemotionconnectedwiththerecentexploitseemedtocease。
　　Jasper，resumedtheguide，stepdowntothestationofMasterCap，andaskhimtojoinus：wehavelittletimeforacouncil，andyetourplansmustbelaidquickly，foritwillnotbelongbeforethemMingoswillbeplottingourruin。
　　Theyoungmancomplied。andinafewminutesthefourwereassembledneartheshore，completelyconcealedfromtheviewoftheirenemies，whiletheykeptavigilantwatchovertheproceedingsofthelatter，inordertocon-
　　sultontheirownfuturemovements。
　　Bythistimethedayhadsofaradvancedastoleavebutafewminutesbetweenthepassinglightandanobscuritythatpromisedtobeevendeeperthancommon。Thesunhadalreadysetandthetwilightofalowlatitudewouldsoonpassintothedarknessofdeepnight。Mostofthehopesofthepartyrestedonthisfavorablecircumstance，thoughitwasnotwithoutitsdangersalso，astheveryob-
　　scuritywhichwouldfavortheirescapewouldbeaslikelytoconcealthemovementsoftheirwilyenemies。
　　Themomenthascome，men，Pathfindercommenced，whenourplansmustbecoollylaid，inorderthatwemayacttogether，andwitharightunderstandingofourerrandandgifts。Inanhour’stimethesewoodswillbeasdarkasmidnight。andifweareevertogainthegarrison，itmustbedoneunderfavorofthisadvantage。Whatsayyou，MasterCap？for，thoughnoneofthemostexperi-
　　encedincombatsandretreatsinthewoods，youryearsentitleyoutospeakfirstinamatterlikethisandinacouncil。
　　Well，inmyjudgment，allwehavetodoistogoonboardthecanoewhenitgetstobesodarktheenemy’slook-outscan’tseeus，andrunforthehaven，aswindandtidewillallow。
　　Thatiseasilysaid，butnotsoeasilydone，returnedtheguide。Weshallbemoreexposedintheriverthanbyfollowingthewoods。andthenthereistheOswegoriftbelowus，andIamfarfromsartainthatJasperhimselfcancarryaboatsafelythroughitinthedark。Whatsayyou，lad，astoyourownskillandjudgment？
　　IamofMasterCap’sopinionaboutusingthecanoe。
　　Mabelistootendertowalkthroughswampsandamongrootsoftreesinsuchanightasthispromisestobe，andthenIalwaysfeelmyselfstouterofheartandtruerofeyewhenafloatthanwhenashore。
　　Stoutofheartyoualwaysbe，lad，andIthinktolerablytrueofeyeforonewhohaslivedsomuchinbroadsun-
　　shineandsolittleinthewoods。Ah’sme！theOntariohasnotrees，oritwouldbeaplaintodelightahunter’sheart！Astoyouropinion，friends，thereismuchforandmuchagainstit。Forit，itmaybesaidwaterleavesnotrail——
　　Whatdoyoucallthewake？interruptedthepertina-
　　ciousanddogmaticalCap。
　　Anan？
　　Goon，saidJasper。MasterCapthinksheisontheocean——waterleavesnotrail——
　　Itleavesnone，Eau-douce，hereaway，thoughIdonotpretendtosaywhatitmayleaveonthesea。Thenacanoeisbothswiftandeasywhenitfloatswiththecur-
　　rent，andthetenderlimbsoftheSergeant’sdaughterwillbefavoredbyitsmotion。But，ontheotherhand，theriverwillhavenocoverbutthecloudsintheheavens。
　　theriftisaticklishthingforboatstoventureinto，evenbydaylight。anditissixfairlymeasuredmiles，bywater，fromthisspottothegarrison。Thenatrailonlandisnoteasytobefoundinthedark。Iamtroubled，Jasper，tosaywhichwayweoughttocounselandadvise。
　　IftheSerpentandmyselfcouldswimintotheriverandbringofftheothercanoe，theyoungsailorreplied，itwouldseemtomethatoursafestcoursewouldbethewater。
　　If，indeed！andyetitmighteasilybedone，assoonasitisalittledarker。Well，well，Iamnotsartainitwillnotbethebest。Though，wereweonlyapartyofmen，itwouldbelikeahunttothelustyandbravetoplayathide-and-seekwithyondermiscreantsontheothershore。
　　Jasper，continuedtheguide，intowhosecharacterthereenterednoingredientwhichbelongedtovaindisplayortheatricaleffect，willyouundertaketobringinthecanoe？
　　IwillundertakeanythingthatwillserveandprotectMabel，Pathfinder。
　　Thatisanuprightfeeling，andIsupposeitisnatur’。
　　TheSarpent，whoisnearlynakedalready，canhelpyou。
　　andthiswillbecuttingoffoneofthemeansofthemdevilstoworktheirharm。
　　Thismaterialpointbeingsettled，thedifferentmembersofthepartypreparedthemselvestoputtheprojectinexecution。Theshadesofeveningfellfastupontheforest。
　　andbythetimeallwasreadyfortheattempt，itwasfoundimpossibletodiscernobjectsontheoppositeshore。Timenowpressed。forIndiancunningcoulddevisesomanyexpedientsforpassingsonarrowastream，thatthePath-
　　finderwasgettingimpatienttoquitthespot。WhileJasperandhiscompanionenteredtheriver，armedwithnothingbuttheirknivesandtheDelaware’stomahawk，observingthegreatestcautionnottobetraytheirmove-
　　ments，theguidebroughtMabelfromherplaceofconceal-
　　ment，and，biddingherandCapproceedalongtheshoretothefootoftherapids，hegotintothecanoethatremainedinhispossession，inordertocarryittothesameplace。
　　Thiswaseasilyeffected。Thecanoewaslaidagainstthebank，andMabelandheruncleenteredit，takingtheirseatsasusual。whilethePathfinder，erectinthestern，heldbyabush，inordertopreventtheswiftstreamfromsweepingthemdownitscurrent。Severalminutesofintenseandbreathlessexpectationfollowed，whiletheyawaitedtheresultsoftheboldattemptoftheircomrades。
　　Itwillbeunderstoodthatthetwoadventurerswerecompelledtoswimacrossadeepandrapidchannelbeforetheycouldreachapartoftheriftthatadmittedofwad-
　　ing。Thisportionoftheenterprisewassooneffected。
　　andJasperandtheSerpentstruckthebottomsidebysideatthesameinstant。Havingsecuredfirmfooting，theytookholdofeachother’shands，andwadedslowlyandwithextremecautioninthesupposeddirectionofthecanoe。Butthedarknesswasalreadysodeepthattheysoonascertainedtheyweretobebutlittleaidedbythesenseofsight，andthattheirsearchmustbeconductedonthatspeciesofinstinctwhichenablesthewoodsmantofindhiswaywhenthesunishid，nostarsappear，andallwouldseemchaostoonelessaccustomedtothemazesoftheforest。Underthesecircumstances，JaspersubmittedtobeguidedbytheDelaware，whosehabitsbestfittedhimtotakethelead。Stillitwasnoeasymattertowadeamidtheroaringelementatthathour，andretainaclearrecol-
　　lectionofthelocalities。Bythetimetheybelievedthem-
　　selvestobeinthecentreofthestream，thetwoshoreswerediscerniblemerelybymassesofobscuritydenserthancommon，theoutlinesagainstthecloudsbeingbarelydis-
　　tinguishablebytheraggedtopsofthetrees。Onceortwicethewanderersalteredtheircourse，inconsequenceofunexpectedlysteppingintodeepwater。fortheyknewthattheboathadlodgedontheshallowestpartoftherift。
　　Inshort，withthisfactfortheircompass，Jasperandhiscompanionwanderedaboutinthewaterfornearlyaquar-
　　terofanhour。andattheendofthatperiod，whichbegantoappearinterminabletotheyoungman，theyfoundthemselvesapparentlynonearertheobjectoftheirsearchthantheyhadbeenatitscommencement。JustastheDelawarewasabouttostop，inordertoinformhisassociatethattheywoulddowelltoreturntotheland，inordertotakeafreshdeparture，hesawtheformofamanmovingaboutinthewater，almostwithinreachofhisarm。Jas-
　　perwasathisside，andheatonceunderstoodthattheIroquoiswereengagedonthesameerrandashewashimself。
　　Mingo！heutteredinJasper’sear。TheSerpentwillshowhisbrotherhowtobecunning。
　　Theyoungsailorcaughtaglimpseofthefigureatthatinstant，andthestartlingtruthalsoflashedonhismind。
　　UnderstandingthenecessityoftrustingalltotheDela-
　　warechief，hekeptback，whilehisfriendmovedcautiouslyinthedirectioninwhichthestrangeformhadvanished。
　　Inanothermomentitwasseenagain，evidentlymovingtowardsthemselves。Thewatersmadesuchanuproarthatlittlewastobeapprehendedfromordinarysounds，andtheIndian，turninghisbead，hastilysaid，LeaveittothecunningoftheGreatSerpent。
　　Hugh！exclaimedthestrangesavage，adding，inthelanguageofhispeople，Thecanoeisfound，buttherewerenonetohelpme。Come，letusraiseitfromtherock。
　　Willingly，answeredChingachgook，whounderstoodthedialect。Lead。wewillfollow。
　　Thestranger，unabletodistinguishbetweenvoicesandaccentsamidtheragingoftherapid，ledthewayinthenecessarydirection。and，thetwootherskeepingcloseathisheels，allthreespeedilyreachedthecanoe。TheIro-
　　quoislaidholdofoneend，Chingacbgookplacedhimselfinthecentre，andJasperwenttotheoppositeextremity，asitwasimportantthatthestrangershouldnotdetectthepresenceofapale-face，adiscoverythatmightbemadebythepartsofthedresstheyoungmanstillwore，aswellasbythegeneralappearanceofhishead。
　　Lift，saidtheIroquoisinthesententiousmannerofhisrace。andbyatriflingeffortthecanoewasraisedfromtherock，heldamomentintheairtoemptyit，andthenplacedcarefullyonthewaterinitsproperposition。Allthreehelditfirmly，lestitshouldescapefromtheirhandsunderthepressureoftheviolentcurrent，whiletheIro-
　　quois，wholed，ofcourse，beingattheupperendoftheboat，tookthedirectionoftheeasternshore，ortowardsthespotwherehisfriendswaitedhisreturn。
　　AstheDelawareandJasperwellknewtheremustbeseveralmoreoftheIroquoisontherift，from。thecircum-
　　stancethattheirownappearancehadoccasionednosur-
　　priseintheindividualtheyhadmet，bothfelttheneces-
　　sityofextremecaution。Menlessboldanddeterminedwouldhavethoughtthattheywereincurringtoogreatariskbythusventuringintothemidstoftheirenemies。
　　butthesehardybordererswereunacquaintedwithfear，wereaccustomedtohazards，andsowellunderstoodthenecessityofatleastpreventingtheirfoesfromgettingtheboat，thattheywouldhavecheerfullyencounteredevengreaterriskstosecuretheirobject。Soall-importanttothesafetyofMabel，indeed，didJasperdeemtheposses-
　　sionorthedestructionofthiscanoe，thathehaddrawnhisknife，andstoodreadytoripupthebark，inordertorendertheboattemporarilyunserviceable，shouldany-
　　thingoccurtocompeltheDelawareandhimselftoaban-
　　dontheirprize。
　　Inthemeantime，theIroquois，wholedtheway，pro-
　　ceededslowlythroughthewaterinthedirectionofhisownparty，stillgraspingthecanoe，anddragginghisre-
　　luctantfollowersinhistrain。OnceChingachgookraisedhistomahawk，andwasabouttoburyitinthebrainofhisconfidingandunsuspiciousneighbor。buttheprobabilitythatthedeath-cryorthefloatingbodymightgivethealarminducedthatwarychieftochangehispurpose。Atthenextmomentheregrettedthisindecision，forthethreewhoclungtothecanoesuddenlyfoundthemselvesintheceutreofapartyofnolessthanfourotherswhowereinquestofit。
　　Aftertheusualbriefcharacteristicexclamationsofsat-
　　isfaction，thesavageseagerlylaidholdofthecanoe，forallseemedimpressedwiththenecessityofsecuringthisimportantboat，theonesideinordertoassailtheirfoes，andtheothertosecuretheirretreat。Theadditiontotheparty，however，wassounlooked-for，andsocompletelygavetheenemythesuperiority，thatforafewmomentstheingenuityandaddressofeventheDelawarewereatfault。ThefiveIroquois，whoseemedperfectlytounder-
　　standtheirerrand，pressedforwardtowardstheirownshore，withoutpausingtoconverse。theirobjectbeingintruthtoobtainthepaddles，whichtheyhadpreviouslysecured，andtoembarkthreeorfourwarriors，withalltheirriflesandpowder-horns，thewantofwhichhadalonepreventedtheircrossingtheriverbyswimmingassoonasitwasdark。
　　Inthismanner，thebodyoffriendsandfoesunitedreachedthemarginoftheeasternchannel，where，asinthecaseofthewestern，theriverwastoodeeptobewaded。
　　Hereashortpausesucceeded，itbeingnecessarytodeter-
　　minethemannerinwhichthecanoewastobecarriedacross。Oneofthefourwhohadjustreachedtheboatwasachief。andthehabitualdeferencewhichtheAmeri-
　　canIndianpaystomerit，experience，andstationkepttheotherssilentuntilthisindividualhadspoken。
　　ThehaltgreatlyaddedtothedangerofdiscoveringthepresenceofJasper，inparticular，who，however，hadtheprecautiontothrowthecapheworeintothebottomofthecanoe。Beingwithouthisjacketandshirt，theoutlineofhisfigure，intheobscurity，wouldnowbelesslikelytoattractobservation。Hisposition，too，atthesternofthecanoealittlefavoredhisconcealment，theIroquoisnatur-
　　allykeepingtheirlooksdirectedtheotherway。NotsowithChingachgook。Thiswarriorwasliterallyinthemidstofhismostdeadlyfoes，andhecouldscarcelymovewithouttouchingoneofthem。Yethewasapparentlyunmoved，thoughhekeptallhissensesonthealert，inreadinesstoescape，ortostrikeablowatthepropermo-
　　ment。Bycarefullyabstainingfromlookingtowardsthosebehindhim，helessenedthechancesofdiscovery，andwaitedwiththeindomitablepatienceofanIndianfortheinstantwhenheshouldberequiredtoact。
　　Letallmyyoungmenbuttwo，oneateachendofthecanoe，crossandgettheirarms，saidtheIroquoischief。
　　Letthetwopushovertheboat。
　　TheIndiansquietlyobeyed，leavingJasperatthestern，andtheIroquoiswhohadfoundthecanoeatthebowofthelightcraft，Chingachgookburyinghimselfsodeepintheriverastobepassedbytheotherswithoutdetection。
　　Thesplashinginthewater，thetossingarms，andthecallsofonetoanother，soonannouncedthatthefourwhohadlastjoinedthepartywerealreadyswimming。Assoonasthisfactwascertain，theDelawarerose，resumedhisformerstation，andbegantothinkthemomentforactionwascome。