Nay，thatistheonlydifficultyinbelievingthestory，
　　rejoinedtheguide。Itseemsunreasonabletogiveananimalthatlivesinthewaterwings，whichseeminglycanbeofnousetoit。
　　Anddoyousupposethatthefishesaresuchassesastoflyaboutunderwater，whentheyareoncefairlyfittedoutwithwings？
　　Nay，Iknownothingofthematter。butthatfishshouldflyintheairseemsmorecontrarytonatur’still，thanthatthe’yshouldflyintheirownelement——thatinwhichtheywerebornandbroughtup，asonemightsay。
　　Somuchforcontractedideas，Magnet。Thefishflyoutofwatertorunawayfromtheirenemiesinthewater。
　　andthereyouseenotonlythefact，butthereasonforit。
　　ThenIsupposeitmustbetrue，saidtheguidequietly。
　　Howlongaretheirflights？
　　Notquiteasfarasthoseofpigeons，perhaps。butfarenoughtomakeanoffing。Asforthosesquirrelsofyours，we’llsaynomoreaboutthem，friendPathfinder，asIsup-
　　posetheywerementionedjustasamake-weighttothefish，infavorofthewoods。Butwhatisthisthingan-
　　choredhereunderthehill？
　　ThatisthecutterofJasper，uncle，saidMabelhur-
　　riedly。andaveryprettyvesselIthinkitis。Itsname，too，isthe_Scud_。
　　Ay，itwilldowellenoughforalake，perhaps，butit’snogreataffair。Theladhasgotastandingbowsprit，andwhoeversawacutterwithastandingbowspritbefore？
　　Butmaytherenotbesomegoodreasonforit，onalakelikethis，uncle？
　　Sureenough——Imustrememberthisisnottheocean，thoughitdoeslooksomuchlikeit。
　　Ah，uncle！thenOntariodoeslookliketheocean，afterall？
　　Inyoureyes，Imean，andthoseofPathfinder。notintheleastinmine，Magnet。Nowyoumightsetmedownoutyonder，inthemiddleofthisbitofapond，andthat，too，inthedarkestnightthateverfellfromtheheavens，andinthesmallestcanoe，andIcouldtellyouitwasonlyalake。Forthatmatter，the_Dorothy_thenameofhisvesselwouldfinditoutasquickasIcouldmyself。I
　　donotbelievethatbrigwouldmakemorethanacoupleofshortstretches，atthemost，beforeshewouldperceivethedifferencebetweenOntarioandtheoldAtlantic。I
　　oncetookherdownintooneofthelargeSouthAmericanbays，andshebehavedherselfasawkwardlyasaboobywouldinachurchwiththecongregationinahurry。AndJaspersailsthatboat？Imusthaveacruisewiththelad，Magnet，beforeIquityou，justforthenameofthething。
　　ItwouldneverdotosayIgotinsightofthispond，andwentawaywithouttakingatriponit。
　　Wellwell，youneedn’twaitlongforthat，returnedPathfinder。fortheSergeantisabouttoembarkwithapartytorelieveapostamongtheThousandIslands。andasIheardhimsayheintendedthatMabelshouldgoalong，youcanjointhecompanytoo。
　　Isthistrue，Magnet？
　　Ibelieveitis，returnedthegirl，aflushsoimper-
　　ceptibleastoescapetheobservationofhercompanionsglowingonhercheeks。thoughIhavehadsolittleop-
　　portunitytotalkwithmydearfatherthatIamnotquitecertain。Herehecomes，however，andyoucaninquireofhimself。
　　Notwithstandinghishumblerank，therewassomethinginthemienandcharacterofSergeantDunhamthatcom-
　　mandedrespect：ofatall，imposingfigure，graveandsaturninedisposition，andaccurateandpreciseinhisactsandmannerofthinking，evenCap，dogmaticalandsuper-
　　ciliousasheusuallywaswithlandsmen，didnotpresumetotakethesamelibertieswiththeoldsoldierashedidwithhisotherfriends。ItwasoftenremarkedthatSer-
　　geantDunhamreceivedmoretruerespectfromDuncanofLundie，theScotchlairdwhocommandedthepost，thanmostofthesubalterns。forexperienceandtriedserviceswereofquiteasmuchvalueintheeyesoftheveteranmajorasbirthandmoney。WhiletheSergeantneverevenhopedtoriseanyhigher，hesofarrespectedhimselfandhispresentstationasalwaystoactinawaytocommandattention。andthehabitofmixingsomuchwithinferiors，whosepassionsanddispositionshefeltitnecessarytore-
　　strainbydistanceanddignity，hadsofarcoloredhiswholedeportment，thatfewwerealtogetherfreefromitsinflu-
　　ence。Whilethecaptainstreatedhimkindlyandasanoldcomrade，thelieutenantsseldomventuredtodissentfromhismilitaryopinions。andtheensigns，itwasremarked，actuallymanifestedaspeciesofrespectthatamountedtosomethingverylikedeference。Itisnowonder，then，thattheannouncementofMabelputasuddentermina-
　　tiontothesingulardialoguewehavejustrelated，thoughithadbeenoftenobservedthatthePathfinderwastheonlymanonthatfrontier，beneaththeconditionofagentleman，whopresumedtotreattheSergeantatallasanequal，orevenwiththecordialfamiliarityofafriend。
　　Goodmorrow，brotherCap，saidtheSergeantgivingthemilitarysalute，ashewalked，inagrave，statelyman-
　　ner，onthebastion。MymorningdutyhasmademeseemforgetfulofyouandMabel。butwehavenowanhourortwotospare，andtogetacquainted。Doyounotperceive，brother，astronglikenessonthegirltoherwehavesolonglost？
　　Mabelistheimageofhermother，Sergeant，asIhavealwayssaid，withalittleofyourfirmerfigure。though，forthatmatter，theCapswereneverwantinginspringandactivity。
　　Mabelcastatimidglanceatthestern，rigidcountenanceofherfather，ofwhomshehadeverthought，asthewarm-
　　hearteddwellontheaffectionoftheirabsentparents。
　　and，asshesawthatthemusclesofhisfacewereworking，notwithstandingthestiffnessandmethodofhismanner，herveryheartyearnedtothrowherselfonhisbosomandtoweepatwill。Buthewassomuchcolderinexternals，somuchmoreformalanddistantthanshehadexpectedtofindhim，thatshewouldnothavedaredtohazardthefreedom，evenhadtheybeenalone。
　　Youhavetakenalongandtroublesomejourney，brother，onmyaccount。andwewilltrytomakeyoucom-
　　fortablewhileyoustayamongus。
　　Ihearyouarelikelytoreceiveorderstoliftyouran-
　　chor，Sergeant，andtoshiftyourberthintoapartoftheworldwheretheysaythereareathousandislands。
　　Pathfinder，thisissomeofyourforgetfulness？
　　Nay，nay，Sergeant，Iforgotnothing。butitdidnotseemtomenecessarytohideyourintentionssoverycloselyfromyourownfleshandblood。
　　Allmilitarymovementsoughttobemadewithaslittleconversationaspossible，returnedtheSergeant，tappingtheguide’sshoulderinafriendly，butreproachfulmanner。YouhavepassedtoomuchofyourlifeinfrontoftheFrenchnottoknowthevalueofsilence。Butnomatter。thethingmustsoonbeknown，andthereisnogreatuseintryingnowtoconcealit。Weshallembarkareliefpartyshortlyforapostonthelake，thoughIdonotsayitisfortheThousandIslands，andImayhavetogowithit。inwhichcaseIintendtotakeMabeltomakemybrothforme。andIhope，brother，youwillnotdespiseasoldier’sfareforamonthorso。
　　Thatwilldependonthemannerofmarching。Ihavenoloveforwoodsandswamps。
　　Weshallsailinthe_Scud_。and，indeed，thewholeservice，whichisnostrangertous，islikelyenoughtopleaseoneaccustomedtothewater。
　　Ay，tosalt-waterifyouwill，butnottolake-water。Ifyouhavenopersontohandlethatbitofacutterforyou，Ihavenoobjectiontoshipforthev’y’ge，notwithstanding。
　　thoughIshalllookonthewholeaffairassomuchtimethrownawayforIconsideritanimpositiontocallsailingaboutthispondgoingtosea。
　　Jasperiseverywayabletomanagethe_Scud_，brotherCap。andinthatlightIcannotsaythatwehaveneedofyourservices，thoughweshallbegladofyourcompany。
　　Youcannotreturntothesettlementuntilapartyissentin，andthatisnotlikelytohappenuntilaftermyreturn。
　　Well，Pathfinder，thisisthefirsttimeIeverknewmenonthetrailoftheMingosandyounotattheirhead。
　　Tobehonestwithyou，Sergeant，returnedtheguide，notwithoutalittleawkwardnessofmanner，andaper-
　　ceptibledifferenceinthehueofafacethathadbecomesouniformlyredbyexposure，Ihavenotfeltthatitwasmygiftthismorning。Inthefirstplace，Iverywellknowthatthesoldiersofthe55tharenottheladstoovertakeIroquoisinthewoods。andtheknavesdidnotwaittobesurroundedwhentheyknewthatJasperhadreachedthegarrison。Thenamanmaytakealittlerestafterasum-
　　merofhardwork，andnoimpeachmentofhisgood-will。
　　Besides，theSarpentisoutwiththem。andifthemis-
　　creantsaretobefoundatall，youmaytrusttohisinmityandsight：thefirstbeingstronger，andthelastnearly，ifnotquiteasgoodasmyown。Helovestheskulkingvagabondsaslittleasmyself。and，forthatmatter，ImaysaythatmyownfeelingstowardsaMingoarenotmuchmorethanthegiftsofaDelawaregraftedonaChristianstock。No，no，IthoughtIwouldleavethehonorthistime，ifhonorthereistobe，totheyoungensignthatcommands，who，ifhedon’tlosehisscalp，mayboastofhiscampaigninhisletterstohismotherwhenhegetsin。
　　IthoughtIwouldplayidleronceinmylife。
　　Andnoonehasabetterright，iflongandfaithfulserviceentitlesamantoafurlough，returnedtheSer-
　　geantkindly。Mabelwillthinknonetheworseofyouforpreferringhercompanytothetrailofthesavages。
　　and，Idaresay，willbehappytogiveyouapartofherbreakfastifyouareinclinedtoeat。Youmustnotthink，girl，however，thatthePathfinderisinthehabitoflettingprowlersaroundthefortbeataretreatwithouthearingthecrackofhisrifle。
　　IfIthoughtshedid，Sergeant，thoughnotmuchgiventoshowyandparadeevolutions，IwouldshoulderKilldeerandquitthegarrisonbeforeherprettyeyeshadtimetofrown。No，no。Mabelknowsmebetter，thoughwearebutnewacquaintances，fortherehasbeennowantofMingostoenliventheshortmarchwehavealreadymadeincompany。
　　Itwouldneedagreatdealoftestimony，Pathfinder，tomakemethinkillofyouinanyway，andmorethanallinthewayyoumention，returnedMabel，coloringwiththesincereearnestnesswithwhichsheendeavoredtoremoveanysuspiciontothecontraryfromhismind。Bothfatheranddaughter，Ibelieve，oweyoutheirlives，andbelieveme，thatneitherwilleverforgetit。
　　Thankyou，Mabel，thankyouwithallmyheart。ButIwillnottakeadvantageofyourignoranceneither，girl，andthereforeshallsay，IdonotthinktheMingoswouldhavehurtahairofyourhead，hadtheysucceededbytheirdevilriesandcontrivancesingettingyouintotheirhands。
　　Myscalp，andJasper’s，andMasterCap’sthere，andtheSarpent’stoo，wouldsartainlyhavebeensmoked。butasfortheSergeant’sdaughter，Idonotthinktheywouldhavehurtahairofherhead。
　　AndwhyshouldIsupposethatenemies，knowntospareneitherwomennorchildren，wouldhaveshownmoremercytomethantoanother？Ifeel，Pathfinder，thatI
　　oweyoumylife。
　　Isaynay，Mabel。theywouldn’thavehadthehearttohurtyou。No，notevenafieryMingodevilwouldhavehadthehearttohurtahairofyourhead。BadasIsus-
　　pectthevampirestobe，Idonotsuspectthemofanythingsowickedasthat。Theymighthavewishedyou，nay，forcedyoutobecomethewifeofoneoftheirchiefs，andthatwouldbetormentenoughtoaChristianyoungwoman。butbeyondthatIdonotthinkeventheMingosthemselveswouldhavegone。
　　Well，then，Ishallowemyescapefromthisgreatmis-
　　fortuetoyou，saidMabel，takinghishardhandintoherownfranklyandcordially，andcertainlyinawaytode-
　　lightthehonestguide。TomeitwouldbealightereviltobekilledthantobecomethewifeofanIndian。
　　Thatishergift，Sergeant，exclaimedPathfinder，turningtohisoldcomradewithgratificationwrittononeverylineamentofhishonestcountenance，anditwillhaveitsway。ItelltheSarpentthatnoChristianizingwillevermakeevenaDelawareawhiteman。noranywhoopingandyellingconvertapale-faceintoared-skin。
　　ThatisthegiftofayoungwomanbornofChristianparents，anditoughttobemaintained。
　　Youareright，Pathfinder。andsofarasMabelDun-
　　hamisconcerned，it_shall_bemaintained。Butitistimetobreakyourfasts。andifyouwillfollowme，brotherCap，Iwillshowyouhowwepoorsoldierslivehereonadistantfrontier。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　Now，myco-matesandpartnersinexile，HathnotoldcustommadethislifemoresweetThanthatofpaintedpomp？ArenotthesewoodsMorefreefromperilthantheenviouscourt？
　　HerefeelwebutthepenaltyofAdam。
　　_AsYouLikeIt。_
　　SergeantDunhammadenoemptyvauntwhenhegavethepromiseconveyedintheclosingwordsofthelastchapter。Notwithstandrngtheremotefrontierpostionoftheposttheywholivedatitenjoyedatablethat，inmanyrespects，kingsandprincesmighthaveenvied。AtthePeriodofourtale，and，indeed，forhalfacenturylater，thewholeofthatvastregionwhichhasbeencalledtheWest，orthenewcountriessincethewaroftherevolution，layacomparativelyunpeopeddesert，teemingwithallthelivingproductionsofnaturethatproperlybelongedtotheclimate，manandthedomesticanimalsexcepted。ThefewIndiansthatroameditsforeststhencouldproducenovisibleeffectsontheabundanceofthegame。andthescatteredgarrisons，oroccasionalhunters，thathereandthereweretobemetwithonthatvastsurface，hadnootherinfluencethanthebeeonthebuckwheatfield，orthehumming-birdontheflower。
　　Themarvelsthathavedescendedtoourowntimes，inthewayoftradition，concerningthequantitiesofbeasts，birds，andfishesthatwerethentobemetwith，ontheshoresofthegreatlakesinparticular，areknowntobesustainedbytheexperienceoflivingmen，elsemightwehesitateaboutrelatingthem。buthavingbeeneye-
　　witnessesofsomeoftheseprodigies，ourofficeshallbedischargedwiththeconfidencethatcertaintycanimpart。
　　Oswegowasparticularlywellplacedtokeepthelarderofanepicureamplysupplied。Fishofvarioussortsaboundedinitsriver，andthesportsmanhadonlytocasthislinetohaulinabassorsomeothermemberofthefinnytribe，whichthenpeopledthewaters，astheairabovetheswampsofthisfruitfullatitudeareknowntobefilledwithinsects。
　　Amongotherswasthesalmonofthelakes，avarietyofthatwell-knownspecies，thatisscarcelyinferiortothedelicioussalmonofnorthernEurope。Ofthedifferentmigratorybirdsthatfrequentforestsandwaters，therewasthesameaffluence，hundredsofacresofgeeseandducksbeingoftenseenatatimeinthegreatbaysthatindenttheshoresofthelake。Deer，bears，rabbits，andsquirrels，withdiversotherquadrupeds，amongwhichwassometimesincludedtheelk，ormoose，helpedtocompletethesumofthenaturalsuppliesonwhichallthepostsde-
　　pended，moreorless，torelievetheunavoidableprivationsoftheirremotefrontierpositions。
　　Inaplacewhereviandsthatwouldelsewherebedeemedgreatluxuriesweresoabundant，noonewasexcludedfromtheirenjoyment。ThemeanestindividualatOswegohabituallyfeastedongamethatwouldhaveformedtheboastofaParisiantable。anditwasnomorethanahealthfulcommentaryonthecapricesoftaste，andofthewaywardnessofhumandesires，thattheverydietwhichinothersceneswouldhavebeendeemedthesubjectofenvyandrepiningsgottopallontheappetite。Thecoarseandregularfoodofthearmy，whichitbecamenecessarytohusbandonaccountofthedifficultyoftrans-
　　portation，roseintheestimationofthecommonsoldier。
　　andatanytimehewouldcheerfullydeserthisvenison，andducks，andpigeons，andsalmon，tobanquetonthesweetsofpickledpork，stringyturnips，andhalf-cookedcabbage。
　　ThetableofSergeantDunham，asamatterofcourse，partookoftheabundanceandluxuriesofthefrontier，aswellasofitsprivations。Adeliciousbroiledsalmonsmokedonahomelyplatter，hotvenisonsteakssentuptheirappetizingodors，andseveraldishesofcoldmeats，allofwhichwerecomposedofgame，hadbeensetbeforetheguests，inhonorofthenewlyarrivedvisitors，andinvindicationoftheoldsoldier’shospitality。
　　Youdonotseemtobeonshortallowanceinthisquarteroftheworld，Sergeant，saidCap，afterhehadgotfairlyinitiatedintothemysteriesofthedifferentdishes。
　　yoursalmonmightsatisfyaScotsman。
　　Itfailstodoit，notwithstanding，brotherCap。foramongtwoorthreehundredofthefellowsthatwehaveinthisgarrisontherearenothalfadozenwhowillnotswearthatthefishisunfittobeeaten。Evensomeofthelads，whonevertastedvenisonexceptaspoachersathome，turnuptheirnosesatthefattesthaunchesthatwegethere。
　　Ay，thatisChristiannatur’，putinPathfinder。andImustsayitisnonetoitscredit。Now，ared-skinneverrepines，butisalwaysthankfulforthefoodhegets，whetheritbefatorlean，venisonorbear，wildturkey’sbreastorwildgoose’swing。Totheshameofuswhitemenbeitsaid，thatwelookuponblessingswithoutsatis-
　　faction，andconsidertriflingevilsasmattersofgreatac-
　　count。
　　Itissowiththe55th，asIcananswer，thoughIcannotsayasmuchfortheirChristianity，returnedtheSergeant。
　　Eventhemajorhimself，oldDuncanofLundie，willsometimesswearthatanoatmealcakeisbetterfarethantheOswegobass，andsighforaswallowofHighlandwater，when，ifsominded，hehasthewholeofOntariotoquenchhisthirstin。
　　HasMajorDuncanawifeandchildren？askedMabel，whosethoughtsnaturallyturnedtowardsherownsexinhernewsituation。
　　Nothe，girl。thoughtheydosaythathehasabe-
　　trothedathome。Thelady，itseems，iswillingtowait，ratherthansufferthehardshipsofserviceinthiswildregion。allofwhich，brotherCap，isnotaccordingtomynotionsofawoman’sduties。Yoursisterthoughtdiffer-
　　ently。
　　Ihope，Sergeant，youdonotthinkofMabelforasol-
　　dier’swife，returnedCapgravely。Ourfamilyhasdoneitsshareinthatwayalready，andit’shightimethattheseawasagainremembered。
　　Idonotthinkoffindingahusbandforthegirlinthe55th，oranyotherregiment，Icanpromiseyou，brother。
　　thoughIdothinkitgettingtobetimethatthechildwererespectablymarried。
　　Father！
　　’Tisnottheirgifts，Sergeant，totalkofthesemattersinsoopenamanner，saidtheguide。forI’veseenitverifiedbyexperience，thathewhowouldfollowthetrailofavirgin’sgood-willmustnotgoshoutingouthisthoughtsbehindher。So，ifyouplease，wewilltalkofsomethingelse。
　　Well，then，brotherCap，Ihopethatbitofacoldroastedpigistoyourmind。youseemtofancythefood。
　　Ay，ay。givemecivilizedgrubifImusteat，returnedthepertinaciousseaman。Venisoniswellenoughforyourinlandsailors，butweoftheoceanlikealittleofthatwhichweunderstand。
　　HerePathfinderlaiddownhisknifeandfork，andin-
　　dulgedinaheartylaugh，thoughinhisalwayssilentman-
　　ner。thenheasked，withalittlecuriosityinhismanner，——
　　Don’t，youmisstheskin，MasterCap？don’tyoumisstheskin？
　　Itwouldhavebeenbetterforitsjacket，Ithinkmy-
　　self，Pathfinder。butIsupposeitisafashionofthewoodstoserveupshoatsinthisstyle。
　　Well，well，amanmaygoroundthe’arthandnotknoweverything。Ifyouhadhadtheskinningofthatpig，MasterCap，itwouldhaveleftyousorehands。Thecratur’isahedgehog！
　　Blastme，ifIthoughtitwholesomenaturalporkeither！returnedCap。ButthenIbelievedevenapigmightlosesomeofitsgoodqualitiesuphereawayinthewoods。
　　Iftheskinningofit，brother，doesnotfalltomyduty。Pathfinder，Ihopeyoudidn’tfindMabeldisobedi-
　　entonthemarch？
　　Notshe，notshe。IfMabelisonlyhalfaswellsatisfiedwithJasperandPathfinderasthePathfinderandJasperaresatisfiedwithher，Sergeant，weshallbefriendsfortheremainderofourdays。
　　Astheguidespoke，heturnedhiseyestowardstheblushinggirl，withasortofinnocentdesiretoknowheropinion。andthen，withaninborndelicacy，whichprovedhewasfarsuperiortothevulgardesiretoinvadethesanctityoffemininefeeling，helookedathisplate，andseemedtoregrethisownboldness。
　　Well，well，wemustrememberthatwomenarenotmen，myfriend，resumedtheSergeant，andmakeproperallowancesfornatureandeducation。Arecruitisnotaveteran。Anymanknowsthatittakeslongertomakeagoodsoldierthanittakestomakeanythingelse。
　　Thisisnewdoctrine，Sergeant，saidCapwithsomespirit。Weoldseamenareapttothinkthatsixsoldiers，ay，andcapitalsoldierstoo，mightbemadewhileonesailorisgettinghiseducation。
　　Ay，brotherCap，I’veseensomethingoftheopinionswhichseafaringmenhaveofthemselves，returnedthebrother-in-law，withasmileasblandascomportedwithhissaturninefeatures。forIwasmanyyearsoneofthegarrisoninaseaport。YouandIhaveconversedonthesubjectbeforeandI’mafraidweshallneveragree。ButifyouwishtoknowwhatthedifferenceisbetweenarealsoldierandmaninwhatIshouldcallastateofnature，youhaveonlytolookatabattalionofthe55thonparadethisafternoon，andthen，whenyougetbacktoYork，ex-
　　amineoneofthemilitiaregimentsmakingitsgreatestefforts。
　　Well，tomyeye，Sergeant，thereisverylittledifference，notmorethanyou’llfindbetweenabrigandasnow。Tometheyseemalike：allscarlet，andfeathers，andpowder，andpipeclay。
　　Somuch，sir，forthejudgmentofasailor，returnedtheSergeantwithdignity。butperhapsyouarenotawarethatitrequiresayeartoteachatruesoldierhowtoeat？
　　Somuchtheworseforhim。Themilitiaknowhowtoeatatstarting。forIhaveoftenheardthat，ontheirmarches，theycommonlyeatallbeforethem，eveniftheydonothingelse。
　　Theyhavetheirgifts，Isuppose，likeothermen，ob-
　　servedPathfinder，withaviewtopreservethepeace，whichwasevidentlyinsomedangerofbeingbrokenbytheob-
　　stinatepredilectionofeachofthedisputantsinfavorofhisowncalling。andwhenamanhashisgiftfromProvidence，itiscommonlyidletoendeavortobearupagainstit。The55th，Sergeant，isajudicousregimentinthewayofeating，asIknowfromhavingbeensolonginitscompanythoughIdaeesaymilitiacorpscouldbefoundthatwouldoutdotheminfeatsofthatnatur’too。
　　Uncle。saidMabel，ifyouhavebreakfasted，Iwillthankyoutogooutuponthebastionwithmeagain。
　　Wehaveneitherofushalfseenthelake，anditwouldbehardlyseemlyforayoungwomantobewalkingaboutthefort，thefirstdayofherarrival，quitealone。
　　CapunderstoodthemotiveofMabel。andhaving，atthebottom，aheartyfriendshipforhisbrother-in-law，hewaswillingenoughtodefertheargumentuntiltheyhadbeenlongertogether，fortheideaofabandoningitalto-
　　gethernevercrossedthemindofonesodogmaticalandobstinate。Heaccordinglyaccompaniedhisniece，leavingSergeantDunhamandhisfriend，thePathfinder，alonetogether。Assoonashisadversaryhadbeataretreat，theSergeant，whodidnotquitesowellunderstandthemanoeuvreofhisdaughter，turnedtohiscompanion，and，withasmilewhichwasnotwithouttriumph，here-
　　marked，——
　　Thearmy，Pathfinder，hasneveryetdoneitselfjusticeinthewayofassertingitsrights。andthoughmodestybecomesaman，whetherheisinaredcoatorablackone，or，forthatmatter，inhisshirt-sleeves，Idon’tliketoletagoodopportunityslipofsayingawordinitsbehalf。
　　Well，myfriend，layinghisownhandononeofthePath-
　　finder’s，andgivingitaheartysqueeze，howdoyoulikethegirl？
　　Youhavereasontobeproudofher，Sergeant。Ihaveseenmanyofhersex，andsomethatweregreatandbeau-
　　tiful。butneverbeforedidImeetwithoneinwhomI
　　thoughtProvidencehadsowellbalancedthedifferentgifts。
　　Andthegoodopinion，Icantellyou，Pathfinder，ismutual。Shetoldmelastnightallaboutyourcoolness，andspirit，andkindness，——particularlythelast，forkind-
　　nesscountsformorethanhalfwithfemales，myfriend，——
　　andthefirstinspectionseemstogivesatisfactiononbothsides。Brushuptheuniform，andpayalittlemoreatten-
　　tiontotheoutside，Pathfinder，andyouwillhavethegirlheartandhand。
　　Nay，nay，Sergeant，I’veforgottennothingthatyouhavetoldme，andgrudgenoreasonablepainstomakemyselfaspleasantintheeyesofMabelassheisgettingtobeinmine。IcleanedandbrightenedupKilldeerthismorningassoonasthesunrose。and，inmyjudgment，thepieceneverlookedbetterthanitdoesatthisverymoment。
　　Thatisaccordingtoyourhuntingnotions，Pathfinder。
　　butfirearmsshouldsparkleandglitterinthesun，andI
　　neveryetcouldseeanybeautyinacloudedbarrel。
　　LordHowethoughtotherwise，Sergeant。andhewasaccountedagoodsoldier。
　　Verytrue。hislordshiphadallthebarrelsofhisregi-
　　mentdarkened，andwhatgoodcameofit？Youcanseehis’scutcheonhangingintheEnglishchurchatAlbany。
　　No，no，myworthyfriend，asoldiershouldbeasoldier，andatnotimeoughthetobeashamedorafraidtocarryabouthimthesignsandsymbolsofhishonorabletrade。
　　HadyoumuchdiscoursewithMabel，Pathfinder，asyoucamealonginthecanoe？
　　Therewasnotmuchopportunity，Sergeant，andthenIfoundmyselfsomuchbeneathherinidees，thatIwasafraidtospeakofmuchbeyondwhatbelongedtomyowngifts。
　　Thereinyouarepartlyrightandpartlywrong，myfriend。Womenlovetriflingdiscourse，thoughtheyliketohavemostofittothemselves。NowyouknowI’mamanthatdonotloosenmytongueateverygiddythought。
　　andyetthereweredayswhenIcouldseethatMabel’smotherthoughtnonetheworseofmebecauseIdescendedalittlefrommymanhood。Itistrue，Iwastwenty-twoyearsyoungerthenthanIamto-day。and，moreover，insteadofbeingtheoldestsergeantintheregiment，Iwastheyoungest。Dignityiscommandinganduseful，andthereisnogettingonwithoutit，asrespectsthemen。butifyouwouldbethoroughlyesteemedbyawoman，itisnecessarytocondescendalittleonoccasions。
　　Ah’sme，Sergeant，Isometimesfearitwillneverdo。
　　WhydoyouthinksodiscouraginglyofamatteronwhichIthoughtbothourmindsweremadeup？
　　Wedidagree，ifMabelshouldprovewhatyoutoldmeshewas，andifthegirlcouldfancyarudehunterandguide，thatIshouldquitsomeofmywanderingways，andtrytohumanizemyminddowntoawifeandchildren。
　　ButsinceIhaveseenthegirl，Iwillownthatmanymis-
　　givingshavecomeoverme。
　　How’sthis？interruptedtheSergeantsternly。didInotunderstandyoutosaythatyouwerepleased？——andisMabelayoungwomantodisappointexpectation？
　　Ah，Sergeant，itisnotMabelthatIdistrust，butmy-
　　self。Iambutapoorignorantwoodsman，afterall。andperhapsI’mnot，intrutb，asgoodasevenyouandImaythinkme。
　　Ifyoudoubtyourownjudgmentofyourself，Path-
　　finder，Ibegyouwillnotdoubtmine。AmInotaccus-
　　tomedtojudgemen’scharacter？andamIoftendeceived？
　　AskMajorDuncan，sir，ifyoudesireanyassurancesinthisparticular。
　　But，Sergeant，wehavelongbeenfriends。havefi’tsidebysideadozentimes，andhavedoneeachothermanyservices。Whenthisisthecase，menareapttothinkoverkindlyofeachother。andIfearmethatthedaughtermaynotbesolikelytoviewaplainignoranthunterasfavor-
　　ablyasthefatherdoes。
　　Tut，tut，Pathfinder！youdon’tknowyourself，man，andmayputallfaithinmyjudgment。Inthefirstplaceyouhaveexperience。and，asallgirlsmustwantthat，noprudentyoungwomanwouldoverlooksuchaqualification。
　　Thenyouarenotoneofthecoxcombsthatstrutaboutwhentheyfirstjoinaregiment。butamanwhohasseenservice，andwhocarriesthemarksofitonhispersonandcountenance。Idaresayyouhavebeenunderfiresomethirtyorfortytimes，countingalltheskirmishesandam-
　　bushesthatyou’veseen。
　　Allofthat，Sergeant，allofthat。butwhatwillitavailingainingthegood-willofatender-heartedyoungfemale？
　　Itwillgaintheday。Experienceinthefieldisasgoodinloveasinwar。Butyouareashonest-heartedandasloyalasubjectasthekingcanboastof——Godblesshim！
　　Thatmaybetoo。butI’mafearedI’mtoorudeandtoooldandtoowildliketosuitthefancyofsuchayounganddelicategirlasMabel，whohasbeenunusedtoourwildernessways，andmaythinkthesettlementsbettersuitedtohergiftsandinclinations。
　　Thesearenewmisgivingsforyou，myfriend。andI
　　wondertheywereneverparadedbefore。
　　BecauseIneverknewmyownworthlessness，perhaps，untilIsawMabel。Ihavetravelledwithsomeasfair，andhaveguidedthemthroughtheforest，andseenthemintheirperilsandintheirgladness。buttheywerealwaystoomuchabovemetomakemethinkofthemasmorethansomanyfeebleonesIwasboundtoprotectandde-
　　fend。Thecaseisnowdifferent。MabelandIaresonearlyalike，thatIfeelweigheddownwithaloadthatishardtobear，atfindingussounlike。Idowish，Sergeant，thatIwastenyearsyounger，morecomelytolookat，andbettersuitedtopleaseahandsomeyoungwoman’sfancy。
　　Cheerup，mybravefriend，andtrusttoafather’sknowl-
　　edgeofwomankind。Mabelhalflovesyoualready，andafortnight’sintercourseandkindness，downamongtheislandsyonderwillcloserankswiththeotherhalf。Thegirlasmuchastoldmethisherselflastnight。
　　Canthisbeso，Sergeant？saidtheguide，whosemeekandmodestnatureshrankfromviewinghimselfincolorssofavorable。Canthisbetrulyso？IambutapoorhunterandMabel，Isee，isfittobeanofficer’slady。Doyouthinkthegirlwillconsenttoquitallherbelovedset-
　　tlementusages，andhervisitingsandchurch-goings，todwellwithaplainguideandhunteruphereawayinthewoods？Willshenotintheend，craveheroldways，andabetterman？
　　Abetterman，Pathfinder，wouldbehardtofind，re-
　　turnedthefather。Asfortownusages，theyaresoonforgotteninthefreedomoftheforest，andMabelhasjustspiritenoughtodwellonafrontier。I’venotplannedthismarriage，myfriend，withoutthinkingitover，asageneraldoeshiscampaign。Atfirst，Ithoughtofbringingyouintotheregiment，thatyoumightsucceedmewhenI
　　retire，whichmustbesoonerorlater。butonreflection，PathfinderIthinkyouarescarcelyfittedfortheoffice。
　　Still，ifnotasoldierinallthemeaningsoftheword，youareasoldierinitsbestmeaning，andIknowthatyouhavethegood-willofeveryofficerinthecorps。AslongasI
　　live，Mabelcandwellwithme，andyouwillalwayshaveahomewhenyoureturnfromyourscoutingsandmarches。
　　Thisisverypleasanttothinkof，Sergeant，ifthegirlcanonlycomeintoourwisheswithgood-will。But，ah’sme！itdoesnotseemthatonelikemyselfcaneverbeagree-
　　ableinherhandsomeeyes。IfIwereyounger，andmorecomely，now，asJasperWesternis，forinstance，theremightbeachance——yes，then，indeed，theremightbesomechance。
　　ThatforJasperEau-douce，andeveryyounkeroftheminoraboutthefort！returnedtheSergeant，snappinghisfingers。Ifnotactuallyayounger，youareayounger-look-
　　ing，ay，andabetter-lookingmanthanthe_Scud’s_master-
　　Anan？saidPathfinder，lookingupathiscompanionwithanexpressionofdoubt，asifhedidnotunderstandhismeaning。
　　Isayifnotactuallyyoungerindaysandyears，youlookmorehardyandlikewhipcordthanJasper，oranyofthem。andtherewillbemoreofyou，thirtyyearshence，thanofallofthemputtogether。Agoodconsciencewillkeeponelikeyouamereboyallhislife。
　　JasperhasasclearaconscienceasanyyouthIknow，Sergeant，andisaslikelytowearonthataccountasanyinthecolony。
　　Thenyouaremyfriend，squeezingtheother’shand，-mytried，sworn，andconstantfriend。
　　Yes，wehavebeenfriends，Sergeant，neartwentyyearsbeforeMabelwasborn。
　　Trueenough。beforeMabelwasborn，wewerewell-
　　triedfriends。andthehussywouldneverdreamofrefus-
　　ingtomarryamanwhowasherfather’sfriendbeforeshewasborn。
　　Wedon’tknow，Sergeant，wedon’tknow。Likeloveslike。Theyoungprefertheyoungforcompanions，andtheoldtheold。
　　Notforwives，Pathfinder。Ineverknewanoldman，now，whohadanobjectiontoayoungwife。Thenyouarerespectedandesteemedbyeveryofficerinthefort，asIhavesaidalready，anditwillpleaseherfancytolikeamanthateveryoneelselikes。
　　IhopeIhavenoenemiesbuttheMingos，returnedtheguide，strokingdownhishairmeeklyandspeakingthoughtfully。I’vetriedtodoright，andthatoughttomakefriends，thoughitsometimesfails。
　　Andyoumaybesaidtokeepthebestcompany。forevenoldDuncanofLundieisgladtoseeyou，andyoupasshoursinhissociety。Ofalltheguides，heconfidesmostinyou。
　　Ay，evengreaterthanheishavemarchedbymysidefordays，andhaveconversedwithmeasifIweretheirbrother。but，Sergeant，Ihaveneverbeenpuffedupbytheircompany，forIknowthatthewoodsoftenbringmentoalevelwhowouldnotbesointhesettlements。
　　Andyouareknowntobethegreatestrifleshotthateverpulledtriggerinallthisregion。
　　IfMabelcouldfancyamanforthat，Imighthavenogreatreasontodespair。andyet，Sergeant，IsometimesthinkthatitisallasmuchowingtoKilldeerastoanyskillofmyown。Itissartainlyawonderfulpiece，andmightdoasmuchinthehandsofanother。
　　Thatisyourownhumbleopinionofyourself，Path-
　　finder。butwehaveseentoomanyfailwiththesameweapon，andyousucceedtoooftenwiththeriflesofothermen，toallowmetoagreewithyou。Wewillgetupashootingmatchinadayortwo，whenyoucallshowyourskill，andwhenMabelwillformsomejudgmentconcern-
　　ingyourtruecharacter。
　　Willthatbefair，Sergeant？EverybodyknowsthatKilldeerseldommisses。andoughtwetomakeatrialofthissortwhenweallknowwhatmustbetheresult？
　　Tut，tut，man！IforeseeImustdohalfthiscourtingforyou。Foronewhoisalwaysinsideofthesmokeinaskirmish，youarethefaintest-heartedsuitorIevermetwith。Remember，Mabelcomesofaboldstock。andthegirlwillbeaslikelytoadmireamanashermotherwasbeforeher。
　　HeretheSergeantarose，andproceededtoattendtohisnever-ceasingduties，withoutapology。thetermsonwhichtheguidestoodwithallinthegarrisonrenderingthisfreedomquiteamatterofcourse。
　　Thereaderwillhavegatheredfromtheconversationjustrelated，oneoftheplansthatSergeantDunhamhadinviewincausinghisdaughtertobebroughttothefrontier。Althoughnecessarilymuchweanedfromthecaressesandblandishmentsthathadrenderedhischildsodeartohimduringthefirstyearortwoofhiswidowerhood，hehadstillastrongbutsomewhatlatentloveforher。
　　Accustomedtocommandandtoobey，withoutbeingques-
　　tionedhimselforquestioningothers，concerningtherea-
　　sonablenessofthemandates，hewasperhapstoomuchdisposedtobelievethathisdaughterwouldmarrythemanhemightselect，whilehewasfarfrombeingdisposedtodoviolencetoherwishes。Thefactwas。fewknewthePathfinderintimatelywithoutsecretlybelievinghimtobeoneofextraordinaryqualities。Everthesame，simple-
　　minded，faithful，utterlywithoutfear，andyetprudent，foremostinallwarrantableenterprises，orwhattheopinionofthedayconsideredassuch，andneverengagedinany-
　　thingtocallablushtohischeekorcensureonhisacts，itwasnotpossibletolivemuchwiththisbeingandnotfeelrespectandadmirationforhimwhichhadnoreferencetohispositioninlife。Themostsurprisingpeculiarityaboutthemanhimselfwastheentireindifferencewithwhichheregardedalldistinctionswhichdidnotdependonpersonalmerit。Hewasrespectfultohissuperiorsfromhabit。buthadoftenbeenknowntocorrecttheirmistakesandtoreprovetheirviceswithafearlessnessthatprovedhowessentiallyheregardedthemorematerialpoints，andwithanaturaldiscriminationthatappearedtoseteducationatdefiance。Inshort，adisbelieverintheabilityofmantodistinguishbetweengoodandevilwith-
　　outtheaidofinstruction，wouldhavebeenstaggeredbythecharacterofthisextraordinaryinhabitantofthefron-
　　tier。Hisfeelingsappearedtopossessthefreshnessandnatureoftheforestinwhichhepassedsomuchofhistime。andnocasuistcouldhavemadeclearerdecisionsinmattersrelatingtorightandwrong。andyethewasnotwithouthisprejudices，which，thoughfew，andcoloredbythecharacterandusagesoftheindividual，weredeep-
　　rooted，andalmostformedapartofhisnature。ButthemoststrikingfeatureaboutthemoralorganizationofPathfinderwashisbeautifulandunerringsenseofjustice。
　　Thisnobletrait——andwithoutitnomancanbetrulygreat，withitnomanotherthanrespectable——probablyhaditsunseeninfluenceonallwhoassociatedwithhim。forthecommonandunprincipledbrawlerofthecamphadbeenknowntoreturnfromanexpeditionmadeinhiscompanyrebukedbyhissentiments，softenedbyhislanguage，andimprovedbyhisexample。Asmighthavebeenexpected，withsoelevatedaqualityhisfidelitywasliketheimmov-
　　ablerock。treacheryinhimwasclassedamongthethingswhichareimpossible。andasheseldomretiredbeforehisenemies，sowasheneverknown，underanycircumstancesthatadmittedofanalternative，toabandonafriend。Theaffinitiesofsuchacharacterwere，asamatterofcourse，thoseoflikeforlike。Hisassociatesandintimates，thoughmoreorlessdeterminedbychance，weregenerallyofthehighestorderastomoralpropensities。forheappearedtopossessaspeciesofinstinctivediscrimination，whichledhim，insensiblytohimself，mostprobably，toclingclosesttothosewhosecharacterswouldbestrewardhisfriend-
　　ship。Inshort，itwassaidofthePathfinder，byoneac-
　　customedtostudyhisfellows，thathewasafairexampleofwhatajust-mindedandpuremanmightbe，whileun-
　　temptedbyunrulyorambitiousdesires，andlefttofollowthebiasofhisfeelings，amidthesolitarygrandeurandennoblinginfluencesofasublimenature。neitherledasidebytheinducementswhichinfluencealltodoevilamidtheincentivesofcivilization，norforgetfuloftheAlmightyBeingwhosespiritpervadesthewildernessaswellasthetowns。
　　SuchwasthemanwhomSergeantDunhamhadselectedasthehusbandofMabel。Inmakingthischoice，hehadnotbeenasmuchgovernedbyaclearandjudiciousviewofthemeritsoftheindividual，perhaps，asbyhisownlikings。stillnooneknewthePathfindersointimatelyashimselfwithoutalwaysconcedingtothehonestguideahighplaceinhisesteemonaccountoftheseveryvirtues。
　　Thathisdaughtercouldfindanyseriousobjectionstothematchtheoldsoldierdidnotapprehend。while，ontheotherhand，hesawmanyadvantagestohimselfindimperspective，connectedwiththedeclineofhisdays，andaneveningoflifepassedamongdescendantswhowereequallydeartohimthroughbothparents。Hehadfirstmadethepropositiontohisfriend，whohadlistenedtoitkindly，butwho，theSergeantwasnowpleasedtofind，alreadybetrayedawillingnesstocomeintohisownviewsthatwasproportionedtothedoubtsandmisgivingspro-
　　ceedingfromhishumbledistrustofhimself。
　　CHAPTERX。
　　ThinknotIlovehim，thoughIaskforhim。
　　’Tisbutapeevishboy：——yethetalkswell——
　　ButwhatcareIforwords？
　　Aweekpassedintheusualroutineofagarrison。Mabelwasbecomingusedtoasituationthat，atfirstshehadfoundnotonlynovel，butalittleirksome。andtheofficersandmenintheirturn，graduallyfamiliarizedtothepresenceofayoungandbloominggirl，whoseattireandcarriagehadthatairofmodestgentilityaboutthemwhichshehadobtainedinthefamilyofherpatroness，annoyedherlessbytheirill-concealedadmiration，whiletheygratifiedherbytherespectwhich，shewasfaintothink，theypaidheronaccountofherfather。butwhich，intruth，wasmoretobeattributedtoherownmodestbutspiriteddeport-
　　ment，thantoanydeferencefortheworthySergeant。
　　Acquaintancesmadeinaforest，orinanycircumstancesofunusualexcitement，soonattaintheirlimits。Mabelfoundoneweek’sresidenceatOswegosufficienttodeter-
　　mineherastothosewithwhomshemightbeintimateandthosewhomsheoughttoavoid。Thesortofneutralpositionoccupiedbyherfather，whowasnotanofficer，whilehewassomuchmorethanacommonsoldier，bykeepingheralooffromthetwogreatclassesofmilitarylife，lessenedthenumberofthosewhomshewascom-
　　pelledtoknow，andmadethedutyofdecisioncompara-
　　tivelyeasy。Stillshesoondiscoveredthattherewereafew，evenamongthosethatcouldaspiretoaseatattheCommandant’stable，whoweredisposedtooverlookthehalbertforthenoveltyofawell-turnedfigureandofapretty，winningface。andbytheendofthefirsttwoorthreedaysshehadadmirersevenamongthegentlemen。
　　TheQuartermaster，inparticular，amiddle-agedsoldier，whohadmorethanoncetriedtheblessingsofmatrimonyalready，butwasnowawidower，wasevidentlydisposedtoincreasehisintimacywiththeSergeant，thoughtheirdutiesoftenbroughtthemtogether。andtheyoungstersamonghismessmatesdidnotfailtonotethatthismanofmethod，whowasaScotsmanofthenameofMuir，wasmuchmorefrequentinhisvisitstothequartersofhissubordinatethanhadformerlybeenhiswont。Alaugh，orajoke，inhonoroftheSergeant’sdaughter，how-
　　ever，limitedtheirstrictures。thoughMabelDunham
　　wassoonatoastthateventheensign，orthelieutenant，didnotdisdaintogive。
　　Attheendoftheweek，DuncanofLundiesentforSergeantDunham，aftereveningroll-call，onbusinessofanaturethat，itwasunderstood，requiredapersonalcon-
　　ference。Theoldveterandweltinamovablehut，which，beingplacedontrucks，hecouldordertobewheeledaboutatpleasure，sometimeslivinginonepartoftheareawithinthefort，andsometimesinanother。Onthepresentocca-
　　sion，hehadmadeahaltnearthecentre。andtherehewasfoundbyhissubordinate，whowasadmittedtohispresencewithoutanydelayordancingattendanceinanante-chamber。Inpointoffact，therewasverylittledif-
　　ferenceinthequalityoftheaccommodationsallowedtotheofficersandthoseallowedtothemen，theformerbeingmerelygrantedthemostroom。
　　Walkin，Sergeant，walkin，mygoodfriend，saidoldLundieheartily，ashisinferiorstoodinarespectfulatti-
　　tudeatthedoorofasortoflibraryandbedroomintowhichhehadbeenushered——walkin，andtakeaseatonthatstool。Ihavesentforyou，man。todiscussanythingbutrostersandpay-rollsthisevening。Itisnowmanyyearssincewehavebeencomrades，and’auldlangsyne’
　　shouldcountforsomething，evenbetweenamajorandhisorderly，aScotandaYankee。Sityedown，man，andjustputyourselfatyourease。Ithasbeenafineday，Sergeant。
　　Ithasindeed，MajorDuncan，returnedtheother，who，thoughhecompliedsofarastotaketheseat，wasmuchtoopractisednottounderstandthedegreeofrespectitwasnecessarytomaintaininhismanner。averyfineday，sir，ithasbeenandwemaylookformoreofthematthisseason。
　　Ihopesowithallmyheart。Thecropslookwellasitismanandyou’llbefindingthatthe55thmakealmostasgoodfarmersassoldiers。IneversawbetterpotatoesinScotlandthanwearelikelytohaveinthatnewpatchofours。
　　Theypromiseagoodyield，MajorDuncan。and，inthatlight，amorecomfortablewinterthanthelast。
　　Lifeisprogressive，Sergeant，initscomfortsaswellasinitsneedofthem。Wegrowold，andIbegintothinkittimetoretireandsettleinlife。Ifeelthatmyworkingdaysarenearlyover。
　　Theking，Godblesshim！sir，hasmuchgoodserviceinyourhonoryet。
　　Itmaybeso，SergeantDunham，especiallyifheshouldhappentohaveasparelieutenant-colonelcyleft。
　　The55thwillbehonoredthedaythatcommissionisgiventoDuncanofLundie，sir。
　　AndDuncanofLundiewillbehonoredthedayhere-
　　ceivesit。But，Sergeant，ifyouhaveneverhadalieutenant-
　　colonelcy，youhavehadagoodwife，andthatisthenextthingtorankinmakingamanhappy。
　　Ihavebeenmarried，MajorDuncan。butitisnowalongtimesinceIhavehadnodrawbackontheloveIbearhismajestyandmyduty。
　　What，man！noteventheloveyoubearthatactivelittleround-limbed，rosy-cheekeddaughterthatIhaveseenintheforttheselastfewdays！Outuponyou，Ser-
　　geant！oldfellowasIam，Icouldalmostlovethatlittlelassiemyself，andsendthelieuteuant-colonelcytothedevil。
　　WeallknowwhereMajorDuncan’sheartis，andthatisinScotland，whereabeautifulladyisreadyandwillingtomakehimhappy，assoonashisownsenseofdutyshallpermit。
　　Ay，hopeiseverafar-offthing，Sergeant，returnedthesuperior，ashadeofmelancholypassingoverhishardScottishfeaturesashespoke。andbonnieScotlandisafar-offcountry。Well，ifwehavenoheatherandoatmealinthisregion，wehavevenisonforthekillingofitandsalmonasplentyasatBerwick-upon-Tweed。Isittrue，Sergeantthatthemencomplainofhavingbeenover-
　　venisonedandover-pigeonedoflate？
　　Notforsomeweeks，MajorDuncan，forneitherdeernorbirdsaresoplentyatthisseasonastheyhavebeen。
　　Theybegintothrowtheirremarksaboutconcerningthesalmon，butItrustweshallgetthroughthesummerwithoutanyseriousdisturbanceonthescoreoffood。TheScotchinthebattaliondo，indeed，talkmorethanispru-
　　dentoftheirwantofoatmeal，grumblingoccasionallyofourwheatenbread。
　　Ah，thatishumannature，Sergeant！pure，unadul-
　　teratedScotchhumannature。Acake，man，tosaythetruth，isanagreeablemorsel，andIoftenseethetimewhenIpineforabitemyself。
　　Ifthefeelinggetstobetroublesome，MajorDuncan，——
　　inthemen，Imean，sir，forIwouldnotthinkofsayingsodisrespectfulathingtoyourhonor，——butifthemeneverpineseriouslyfortheirnaturalfood，Iwouldhumblyrecommendthatsomeoatmealbeimported，orpreparedinthiscountryforthem，andIthinkweshallhearnomoreofit。Averylittlewouldanswerforacure，sir。
　　Youareawag，Sergeant。buthangmeifIamsureyouarenotright。Theremaybesweeterthingsinthisworld，afterall，thanoatmeal。Youhaveasweetdaughter，Dunham，forone。
　　Thegirlislikehermother，MajorDuncan，andwillpassinspection，saidtheSergeantproudly。NeitherwasbroughtuponanythingbetterthangoodAmericanflour。Thegirlwillpassinspection，sir。
　　Thatwouldshe，I’llanswerforit。Well，Imayaswellcometothepointatonce，man，andbringupmyreserveintothefrontofthebattle。HereisDavyMuir，thequartermaster，disposedtomakeyourdaughterhiswife，andhehasjustgotmetoopenthemattertoyou，beingfearfulofcompromisinghisowndignity。andImayaswelladdthathalftheyoungstersintheforttoasther，andtalkofherfrommorningtillnight。
　　Sheismuchhonored，sir，returnedthefatherstiffly。
　　butItrustthegentlemenwillfindsomethingmoreworthyofthemtotalkabouterelong。Ihopetoseeherthewifeofanhonestmanbeforemanyweeks，sir。
　　Yes，Davyisanhonestman，andthatismorethancanbesaidforallinthequartermaster’sdepartment，I’mthinking，Sergeant，returnedLundie，withaslightsmile。
　　Well，thenmayItelltheCupid-strickenyouththatthematterisasgoodassettled？
　　Ithankyourhonor。butMabelisbetrothedtoan-
　　other。
　　Thedevilsheis！Thatwillproduceastirinthefort。
　　thoughI’mnotsorrytoheariteither，for，tobefrankwithyou，Sergeant，I’mnogreatadmirerofunequalmatches。
　　Ithinkwithyourhonor，andhavenodesiretoseemydaughteranofficer’slady。Ifshecangetashighashermotherwasbeforeher，itoughttosatisfyanyreasonablewoman。
　　AndmayIask，Sergeant，whoistheluckymanthatyouintendtocallson-in-law？
　　ThePathfinder，yourhonor。
　　Pathfinder！
　　Thesame，MajorDuncan。andinnaminghimtoyou，Igiveyouhiswholehistory。Nooneisbetterknownonthisfrontierthanmyhonest，brave，true-heartedfriend。
　　Allthatistrueenough。butishe，afterall，thesortofpersontomakeagirloftwentyhappy？
　　Whynot，yourhonor？Themanisattheheadofhiscalling。ThereisnootherguideorscoutconnectedwiththearmywhohashalfthereputationofPathfinder，orwhodeservestohaveithalfaswell。
　　Verytrue，Sergeant。butisthereputationofascoutexactlythesortofrenowntocaptivateagirl’sfancy？
　　Talkingofgirls’fancies，sir，isinmyhumbleopinionmuchliketalkingofarecruit’sjudgment。Ifweweretotakethemovementsoftheawkwardsquad，sir，asaguide，weshouldneverformadecentlineinbattalion，MajorDuncan。
　　Butyourdaughterhasnothingawkwardabouther：
　　foragenteelergirlofherclasscouldnotbefoundinoldAlbionitself。Issheofyourwayofthinkinginthismatter？——thoughIsupposeshemustbe，asyousaysheisbetrothed。
　　Wehavenotyetconversedonthesubject，yourhonor。
　　butIconsiderhermindasgoodasmadeup，fromseverallittlecircumstanceswhichmightbenamed。
　　Andwhatarethesecircumstances，Sergeant？askedtheMajor，whobegantotakemoreinterestthanhehadatfirstfeltonthesubject。Iconfessalittlecuriositytoknowsomethingaboutawoman’smind，being，asyouknow，abachelormyself。
　　Why，yourhonor，whenIspeakofthePathfindertothegirl，shealwayslooksmefullintheface。chimesinwitheverythingIsayinhisfavor，andhasafrankopenwaywithher，whichsaysasmuchasifshehalfconsideredhimalreadyasahusband。
　　Hum！andthesesigns，youthink，Dunham，arefaith-
　　fultokensofyourdaughter’sfeelings？
　　Ido，yourhonor，fortheystrikemeasnatural。WhenIfindaman，sir，wholooksmefullintheface，whilehepraisesanofficer，——for，beggingyourhonor’spardon，themenwillsometimespasstheirstricturesontheirbetters，-andwhenIfindamanlookingmeintheeyesashepraiseshiscaptain，Ialwayssetitdownthatthefellowishonest，andmeanswhathesays。
　　Istherenotsomematerialdifferenceintheageoftheintendedbridegroomandthatofhisprettybride，Ser-
　　geant？
　　Youarequiteright，sir。Pathfinderiswelladvancedtowardsforty，andMabelhaseveryprospectofhappinessthatayoungwomancanderivefromthecertaintyofpos-
　　sessinganexperiencedhusband。Iwasquitefortymyself，yourhonor，whenImarriedhermother。
　　Butwillyourdaughterbeaslikelytoadmireagreenhunting-shirt，suchasthatourworthyguidewears，withafox-skincap，asthesmartuniformofthe55th？
　　Perhapsnot，sir。andthereforeshewillhavethemeritofself-denial，whichalwaysmakesayoungwomanwiserandbetter。
　　Andareyounotafraidthatshemaybeleftawidowwhilestillayoungwoman？whatbetweenwildbeasts，andwildersavages，Pathfindermaybesaidtocarryhislifeinhishand。
　　’Everybullethasitsbillet，’Lundie，forsotheMajorwasfondofbeingcalledinhismomentsofcondescension，andwhennotengagedinmilitaryaffairs。andnomaninthe55thcancallhimselfbeyondorabovethechancesofsuddendeath。Inthatparticular，Mabelwouldgainnothingbyachange。Besides，sir，ifImayspeakfreelyonsuchasubject，ImuchdoubtifeverPathfinderdiesinbattle，orbyanyofthesuddenchancesofthewilderness。
　　Andwhyso，Sergeant？askedtheMajor。Heisasoldier，sofarasdangerisconcerned，andonethatismuchmorethanusuallyexposed。and，beingfreeofhisperson，whyshouldheexpecttoescapewhenothersdonot？
　　Idonotbelieve，yourhonor，thatthePathfindercon-
　　sidershisownchancesbetterthananyone’selse，butthemanwillneverdiebyabullet。Ihaveseenhimsooftenhandlinghisriflewithasmuchcomposureasifitwereashepherd’scrook，inthemidstoftheheaviestshowersofbullets，andundersomanyextraordinarycircumstances，thatIdonotthinkProvidencemeansheshouldeverfallinthatmanner。Andyet，iftherebeamaninhisMajesty’sdominionswhoreallydeservessuchadeath，itisPath-
　　finder。
　　Weneverknow，Sergeant，returnedLundie，withacountenancegravewiththought。andthelesswesayaboutit，perhaps，thebetter。Butwillyourdaughter——
　　Mabel，Ithink，youcallher——willMabelbeaswillingtoacceptonewho，afterall，isamerehanger-onofthearmy，astotakeonefromtheserviceitself？Thereisnohopeofpromotionfortheguide，Sergeant。
　　Heisattheheadofhiscorpsalready，yourhonor。Inshort，Mabelhasmadeuphermindonthissubject。and，asyourhonorhashadthecondescensiontospeaktomeaboutMr。Muir，Itrustyouwillbekindenoughtosaythatthegirlisasgoodasbilletedforlife。
　　Well，well，thisisyourownmatter，and，now——Ser-
　　geantDunham！
　　Yourhonor，saidtheother，rising，andgivingthecustomarysalute。
　　YouhavebeentolditismyintentiontosendyoudownamongtheThousandIslandsforthenextmonth。
　　Alltheoldsubalternshavehadtheirtoursofdutyinthatquarter——allthatIliketotrustatleast。andithasatlengthcometoyourturn。LieutenantMuir，itistrue，claimshisright。but，beingquartermaster，Idonotliketobreakupwell-establishedarrangements。Arethemendrafted？
　　Everythingisready，yourhonor。Thedraftismade，andIunderstoodthatthecanoewhichgotinlastnightbroughtamessagetosaythatthepartyalreadybelowislookingoutfortherelief。
　　Itdid。andyoumustsailthedayafterto-morrow，ifnotto-morrownight。Itwillbewise，perhaps，tosailinthedark。
　　SoJasperthinks，MajorDuncan。andIknownoonemoretobedependedoninsuchanaffairthanyoungJasperWestern。
　　YoungJasperEau-douce！saidLundie，aslightsmilegatheringaroundhisusuallysternmouth。Willthatladbeofyourparty，Sergeant？
　　Yourhonorwillrememberthatthe_Scud_neverquitsportwithouthim。
　　True。butallgeneralruleshavetheirexceptions。
　　HaveInotseenaseafaringpersonaboutthefortwithinthelastfewdays？
　　Nodoubt，yourhonor。itisMasterCap，abrother-in-
　　lawofmine，whobroughtmydaughterfrombelow。
　　Whynotputhiminthe_Scud_forthiscruise，Sergeant，andleaveJasperbehind？Yourbrother-in-lawwouldlikethevarietyofafresh-watercruise，andyouwouldenjoymoreofhiscompany。
　　Iintendedtoaskyourhonor’spermissiontotakehimalong。buthemustgoasavolunteer。Jasperistoobravealadtobeturnedoutofhiscommandwithoutareason，MajorDuncan。andI’mafraidbrotherCapdespisesfreshwatertoomuchtododutyonit。
　　Quiteright，Sergeant，andIleaveallthistoyourowndiscretion。Eau-doucemustretainhiscommand，onsec-
　　ondthoughts。YouintendthatPathfindershallalsobeoftheparty？
　　Ifyourhonorapprovesofit。Therewillbeserviceforboththeguides，theIndianaswellasthewhiteman。
　　Ithinkyouareright。Well，Sergeant，Iwishyougoodluckintheenterprise。andrememberthepostistobedestroyedandabandonedwhenyourcommandiswith-
　　drawn。Itwillhavedoneitsworkbythattime，orweshallhavefailedentirely，anditistooticklishapositiontobemaintainedunnecessarily。Youcanretire。
　　SergeantDunhamgavethecustomarysalute，turnedonhisheelsasiftheybadbeenpivots，andhadgotthedoornearlydrawntoafterhim，whenhewassuddenlyrecalled。
　　Ihadforgotten，Sergeant，theyoungerofficershavebeggedforashootingmatch，andto-morrowhasbeennamedfortheday。Allcompetitorswillbeadmitted，andtheprizeswillbeasilver-mountedpowderhorn，aleathernflaskditto，readingfromapieceofpaper，asIseebytheprofessionaljargonofthisbill，andasilkcalashforalady。Thelatteristoenablethevictortoshowhisgal-
　　lantrybymakinganofferingofittoherhebestloves。
　　Allveryagreeable，yourhonor，atleasttohimthatsucceeds。IsthePathfindertobepermittedtoenter？
　　Idonotwellseehowhecanbeexcluded，ifhechoosetocomeforward。Latterly，Ihaveobservedthathetakesnoshareinthesesports，probablyfromaconvictionofhisownunequalledskill。
　　That’sit，MajorDuncan。thehonestfellowknowsthereisnotamanonthefrontierwhocanequalhim，andhedoesnotwishtospoilthepleasureofothers。Ithinkwemaytrusttohisdelicacyinanything，sir。Perhapsitmaybeaswelltolethimhavehisownway？
　　Inthisinstancewemust，Sergeant。Whetherhewillbeassuccessfulinallothersremainstobeseen。Iwishyougoodevening，Dunham。
　　TheSergeantnowwithdrew，leavingDuncanofLundietohisownthoughts：thattheywerenotaltogetherdisa-
　　greeablewastobeinferredfromthesmileswhichocca-
　　sionallycoveredacountenancehardandmartialinitsusualexpression，thoughthereweremomentsinwhichallitsseveresobrietyprevailed。Halfanhourmighthavepassed，whenatapatthedoorwasansweredbyadirec-
　　tiontoenter。Amiddle-agedman，inthedressofanoffi-
　　cer，butwhoseuniformwantedtheusualsmartnessoftheprofession，madehisappearance，andwassalutedasMr。
　　Muir。