Ihavecomesir，atyourbidding，toknowmyfor-
　　tune，saidtheQuartermaster，inastrongScotchaccent，assoonashehadtakentheseatwhichwasprofferedtohim。Tosaythetruthtoyou，MajorDuncan，thisgirlismakingasmuchhavocinthegarrisonastheFrenchdidbeforeTy：Ineverwitnessedsogeneralaroutinsoshortatime！
　　Surely，Davy，youdon’tmeantopersuademethatyouryoungandunsophisticatedheartisinsuchaflame，afteroneweek’signition？Why，man，thisisworsethantheaffairinSootland，whereitwassaidtheheatwithinwassointensethatitjustburntaholethroughyourownpre-
　　ciousbody，andleftaplaceforallthelassiestopeerinat，toseewhatthecombustiblematerialwasworth。
　　Ye’llhaveyourownway，MajorDuncan。andyourfatherandmotherwouldhavetheirsbeforeye，eveniftheenemywereinthecamp。Iseenothingsoextraordi-
　　nar’inyoungpeoplefollowingthebentoftheirinclina-
　　tionsandwishes。
　　Butyou’vefollowedyourssooften，Davy，thatIshouldthinkbythistimeithadlosttheedgeofnovelty。In-
　　cludingthatinformalaffairinScotland，whenyouwerealad，you’vebeenmarriedfourtimesalready。
　　Onlythree，Major，asIhopetogetanotherwife。I’venotyethadmynumber：no，no。onlythree。
　　I’mthinking，Davy，youdon’tincludethefirstaffairImentioned。thatinwhichtherewasnoparson。
　　AndwhyshouldIMajor？Thecourtsdecidedthatitwasnomarriage。andwhatmorecouldamanwant？
　　Thewomantookadvantageofaslightamorouspropensitythatmaybeaweaknessinmydisposition，perhaps，andinveigledmeintoacontractwhichwasfoundtobeillegal。
　　IfIrememberright，Muir，therewerethoughttobetwosidestothatquestion，inthetimeofit？
　　Itwouldbebutanindifferentquestion，mydearMajor，thathadn’ttwosidestoit。andI’veknownmanythathadthree。Butthepoorwoman’sdead，andtherewasnoissue。sonothingcameofitafterall。Then，Iwasparticularlyunfortunatewithmysecondwife。Isaysec-
　　ond，Major，outofdeferencetoyou，andonthemeresup-
　　positionthatthefirstwasamarriageatall。butfirstorsecond，IwasparticularlyunfortunatewithJeannieGraham，whodiedinthefirstlustrum，leavingneitherchicknorchielbehindher。Idothink，ifJeanniehadsurvived，Inevershouldhaveturnedmythoughtstowardsanotherwife。
　　Butasshedidnot，youmarriedtwiceafterherdeath。
　　andaredesirousofdoingsoathirdtime。
　　Thetruthcanneverjustlybegainsaid，MajorDuncan，andIamalwaysreadytoavowit。I’mthinking，Lundie，youaremelancholarthisfineevening？
　　No，Muir，notmelancholyabsolutely。butalittlethoughtful，Iconfess。Iwaslookingbacktomyboyishdays，whenI，thelaird’sson，andyou，theparson’s，roamedaboutournativehills，happyandcarelessboys，takinglit-
　　tleheedtothefuture。andthenhavefollowedsomethoughts，thatmaybealittlepainful，concerningthatfutureasithasturnedouttobe。
　　Surely，Lundie，yedonotcomplainofyerportionofit。You’verisentobeamajor，andwillsoonbealieute-
　　nant-colonel，ifletterstellthetruth。whileIamjustonestephigherthanwhenyourhonoredfathergavememyfirstcommission，andapoordeevilofaquartermaster。
　　Andthefourwives？
　　Three，Lundie。threeonlythatwerelegal，evenunderourownliberalandsanctifiedlaws。
　　Well，then，letitbethree。Yeknow，Davy，saidMajorDuncan，insensiblydroppingintothepronunciationanddialectofhisyouth，asismuchthepracticewitheducatedScotchmenastheywarmwithasubjectthatcomesneartheheart，——yeknow，Davy，thatmyownchoicehaslongbeenmade，andinhowanxiousandhope-
　　weariedamannerI’vewaitedforthathappyhourwhenI
　　cancallthewomanI’vesolonglovedawife。andherehaveyou，withoutfortune，name，birth，ormerit——Imeanparticularmerit——
　　Na，na。dinnasaythat，Lundie。TheMuirsareofgudebluid。
　　Well，then，withoutaughtbutbluid，ye’vewivedfourtimes——
　　Itallyebutthrice，Lundie。Ye’llweakenauldfriendshipifyecallitfour。
　　Putitatyerownnumber，Davy。andit’sfarmorethanyershare。Ourliveshavebeenverydifferent，onthescoreofmatrimony，atleast。youmustallowthat，myoldfriend。
　　Andwhichdoyouthinkhasbeenthegainer，Major，speakingasfranklythegitheraswedidwhenlads？
　　Nay，I’venothingtoconceal。Mydayshavepassedinhopedeferred，whileyourshavepassedin——
　　Notinhoperealized，Igiveyouminehonor，MajorDuncan，interruptedtheQuartermaster。Eachnewex-
　　perimentIhavethoughtmightproveanadvantage。butdisappointmentseemsthelotofman。Ah！thisisavainworldofours，Lundie，itmustbeowned。andinnothingvainerthaninmatrimony。
　　Andyetyouarereadytoputyourneckintothenooseforthefifthtime？
　　Idesiretosay，itwillbebutthefourth，MajorDun-
　　can，saidtheQuartermasterpositively。then，instantlychangingtheexpressionofhisfacetooneofboyishrap-
　　ture，headded，ButthisMabelDunhamisa_raraavis！_
　　OurScotchlassiesarefairandpleasant。butitmustbeownedthesecolonialsareofsurpassingcomeliness。
　　Youwilldowelltorecollectyourcommissionandblood，Davy。Ibelieveallfourofyourwives——
　　IwishmydearLundie，ye’dbemoreaccurateinyerarithmetic。Threetimesonemakethree。
　　Allthree，then，werewhatmightbetermedgentle-
　　women？
　　That’sjustit，Major。Threeweregentlewomen，asyousay，andtheconnectionsweresuitable。
　　Andthefourthbeingthedaughterofmyfather’sgar-
　　dener，theconnectionwasunsuitable。Buthaveyounofearthatmarryingthechildofanon-commissionedoffi-
　　cer，whoisinthesamecorpswithyourself，willhavetheeffecttolessenyourconsequenceintheregiment？
　　That’sjustbeenmyweaknessthroughlife，MajorDuncan。forI’vealwaysmarriedwithoutregardtoconse-
　　quences。Everymanhashisbesettingsin，andmatri-
　　mony，Ifear，ismine。Andnowthatwehavediscussedwhatmaybecalledtheprinciplesoftheconnection，IwilljustaskifyoudidmethefavortospeaktotheSergeantonthetriflingaffair？
　　Idid，David。andamsorrytosay，foryourhopes，thatIseenogreatchanceofyoursucceeding。
　　Notsucceeding！Anofficer，andaquartermasterinthebargain，andnotsucceedwithasergeant’sdaugh-
　　ter！
　　It’sjustthat，Davy。
　　Andwhynot，Lundie？Willyehavethegoodnesstoanswerjustthat？
　　Thegirlisbetrothed。Handplighted，wordpassed，lovepledged，——no，hangmeifIbelievethateither。butsheisbetrothed。
　　Well，that’sanobstacle，itmustbeavowed，Major，thoughitcountsforlittleiftheheartisfree。
　　Quitetrue。andIthinkitprobabletheheartisfreeinthiscase。fortheintendedhusbandappearstobethechoiceofthefatherratherthanofthedaughter。
　　Andwhomayitbe，Major？askedtheQuartermas-
　　ter，whoviewedthewholematterwiththephilosophyandcoolnessacquiredbyuse。Idonotrecollectanyplausi-
　　blesuitorthatislikelytostandinmyway。
　　No，youaretheonly_plausible_suitoronthefrontier，Davy。ThehappymanisPathfinder。
　　Pathfinder，MajorDuncan！
　　Nomore，noranyless，DavidMuir。Pathfinderistheman。butitmayrelieveyourjealousyalittletoknowthat，inmyjudgmentatleast，itisamatchofthefather’sratherthanofthedaughter’sseeking。
　　Ithoughtasmuch！exclaimedtheQuartermaster，drawingalongbreath，likeonewhofeltrelieved。it’squiteimpossiblethatwithmyexperienceinhumannature-
　　Particularlyhu-woman’snature，David。
　　Yewillhaveyerjoke，Lundie，letwhowillsuffer。
　　ButIdidnotthinkitpossibleIcouldbedeceivedastotheyoungwoman’sinclinations，whichIthinkImayboldlypronouncetobealtogetherabovetheconditionofPathfinder。Asfortheindividualhimself——why，timewillshow。
　　Now，tellmefrankly，DavyMuir，saidLundie，step-
　　pingshortinhiswalk，andlookingtheotherearnestlyinthefacewithacomicalexpressionofsurprise，thatren-
　　deredtheveteran’scountenanceridiculouslyearnest，——
　　doyoureallysupposeagirllikethedaughterofSer-
　　geantDunhamcantakeaseriousfancytoamanofyouryearsandappearance，andexperience，Imightadd？
　　Hout，awa’，Lundie！yedinnaknowthesax，andthat’sthereasonyerunmarriedinyerforty-fifthyear。It’safearfu’timeye’vebeenabachelor，Major！
　　Andwhatmaybeyourage，LieutenantMuir，ifImaypresumetoasksodelicateaquestion？
　　Forty-seven。I’llno’denyit，Lundie。andifIgetMabel，there’llbejustawifeforeverytwalustrums。ButIdidnathinkSergeantDunhamwouldbesohumblemindedastodreamofgivingthatsweetlassofhistoonelikethePathfinder。
　　There’snodreamaboutit，Davy。themanisasseri-
　　ousasasoldierabouttobeflogged。
　　Well，well，Major，weareauldfriends，——bothranintotheScotchoravoidedit，astheyapproachedordrewawayfromtheiryoungerdays，inthedialogue，——andoughttoknowhowtotakeandgiveajoke，offduty。Itispossibletheworthymanhasnotunderstoodmyhints，orheneverwouldhavethoughtofsuchathing。Thedifferencebetweenanofficer’sconsortandaguide’swomanisasvastasthatbetweentheantiquityofScotlandandtheantiquityofAmerica。I’mauldblood，too，Lundie。
　　TakemywordforitDavy，yourantiquitywilldoyounogoodinthisaffair。andasforyourblood，itisnotolderthanyourbones。Well，well，man，yeknowtheSergeant’sanswer。andsoyeperceivethatmyinfluence，onwhichyecountedsomuch，candonoughtforye。Letustakeaglassthegither，Davy，forauldacquaintancesake。andthenye’llbedoingwelltorememberthepartythatmarchesthemorrow，andtoforgetMabelDunhamasfastaseveryoucan。
　　Ah，Major！Ihavealwaysfounditeasiertoforgetawifethantoforgetasweetheart。Whenacouplearefairlymarried，allissettledbutthedeath，asonemaysay，whichmustfinallypartusall。anditseemstomeawfu’
　　irreverenttodisturbthedeparted。whereasthereissomuchanxietyandhopeandfelicityinexpectationlike，withthelassie，thatitkeepsthoughtalive。
　　Thatisjustmyideaofyoursituation，Davy。forI
　　neversupposedyouexpectedanymorefelicitywitheitherofyourwives。Now，I’veheardoffellowswhoweresostupidastolookforwardtohappinesswiththeirwivesevenbeyondthegrave。Idrinktoyoursuccess，ortoyourspeedyrecoveryfromthisattack，Lieutenant。andI
　　admonishyoutobemorecautiousinfuture，assomeoftheseviolentcasesmayyetcarryyouoff。
　　Manythanks，dearMajor。andaspeedyterminationtoanoldcourtship，ofwhichIknowsomething。Thisisrealmountaindew，Lundie，anditwarmstheheartlikeagleamofbonnieScotland。Asforthemenyou’vejustmentioned，theycouldhavehadbutonewifeapiece。forwherethereareseveral，thedeedsofthewomenthem-
　　selvesmaycarrythemdifferentways。Ithinkareasona-
　　blehusbandoughttobesatisfiedwithpassinghisallottedtimewithanyparticularwifeinthisworld，andnottogoaboutmopingforthingsunattainable。I’minfinitelyobligedtoyou，MajorDuncan，forthisandallyourotheractsoffriendship。andifyoucouldbutaddanother，I
　　shouldthinkyouhadnotaltogetherforgottentheplay-
　　fellowofyourboyhood。
　　Well，Davy，iftherequestbereasonable，andsuchasasuperioroughttogrant，outwithit，man。
　　Ifyecouldonlycontrivealittleserviceforme，downamongtheThousandIsles，forafortnightorso，Ithinkthismattermightbesettledtothesatisfactionofallpar-
　　ties。Justremember，Lundie，thelassieistheonlymar-
　　riageablewhitefemaleonthisfrontier。
　　Thereisalwaysdutyforoneinyourlineatapost，howeversmall。butthisbelowcanbedonebytheSer-
　　geantaswellasbytheQuartermaster-general，andbettertoo。
　　Butnotbetterthanbyaregimentalofficer。Thereisgreatwaste，incommon，amongtheorderlies。
　　I’llthinkofit，Muir，saidtheMajor，laughing，andyoushallhavemyanswerinthemorning。Herewillbeafineoccasion，man，themorrow，toshowyourselfoffbe-
　　forethelady。youareexpertwiththerifle，andprizesaretobewon。Makeupyourmindtodisplayyourskill，andwhoknowswhatmayyethappenbeforethe_Scud_sails。
　　I’mthinkingmostoftheyoungmenwilltrytheirhandsinthissport，Major！
　　Thatwillthey，andsomeoftheoldonestoo，ifyouappear。Tokeepyouincountenance，I’lltryashotortwomyself，Davy。andyouknowIhavesomenamethatway。
　　Itmight，indeed，dogood。Thefemaleheart，MajorDuncan，issusceptibleinmanydifferentmodes，andsometimesinawaythattherulesofphilosophymightreject。Somerequireasuitortositdownbeforethem，asitmightbe，inaregularsiege，andonlycapitulatewhentheplacecanholdoutnolonger。others，again，liketobecarriedbystorm。whiletherearehussieswhocanonlybecaughtbyleadingthemintoanambush。Thefirstisthemostcreditableandofficer-likeprocess，perhaps。butI
　　mustsayIthinkthelastthemostpleasing。
　　Anopinionformedfromexperience，outofallquestion。
　　Andwhatofthestormingparties？
　　Theymaydoforyoungermen，Lundie，returnedtheQuartermaster，risingandwinking，alibertythatheoftentookwithhiscommandingofficeronthescoreofalongintimacy。everyperiodoflifehasitsnecessities，andatforty-sevenit’sjustaswelltotrustalittletothehead。I
　　wishyouaverygoodeven，MajorDuncan，andfreedomfromgout，withasweetandrefreshingsleep。
　　Thesametoyourself，Mr。Muir，withmanythanks。
　　Rememberthepassageofarmsforthemorrow。
　　TheQuartermasterwithdrew，leavingLundieinhislibrarytoreflectonwhathadjustpassed。UsehadsoaccustomedMajorDuncantoLieutenantMuirandallhistraitsandhumors，thattheconductofthelatterdidnotstriketheformerwiththesameforceasitwillprobablythereader。Intruth，whileallmenactunderonecom-
　　monlawthatistermednature，thevarietiesintheirdis-
　　positions，modesofjudging，feelings，andselfishnessareinfinite。
　　CHAPTERXI。
　　Compelthehawketositthatisunmann’d，Ormakethehound，untaught，todrawthedeere，Orbringthefreeagainsthiswillinband，Ormovethesadapleasanttaletoheere，Yourtimeislost，andyounowhittheneere！
　　Solovenelearnes，offorcethehearttoknit：
　　Sheservesbutthosethatfeelsweetfancies’fit。
　　_MirrorforMagistrates。_
　　Itisnotoftenthathopeisrewardedbyfruitionsocompletelyasthewishesoftheyoungmenofthegarrisonweremetbythestateoftheweatheronthesucceedingday。TheheatsofsummerwerelittlefeltatOswegoattheperiodofwhichwearewriting。fortheshadeoftheforest，addedtotherefreshingbreezesfromthelake，sofarreducedtheinfluenceofthesunastorenderthenightsalwayscoolandthedaysseldomoppressive。
　　ItwasnowSeptember，amonthinwhichthestronggalesofthecoastoftenappeartoforcethemselvesacrossthecountryasfarasthegreatlakes，wheretheinlandsailorsometimesfeelsthatgenialinfluencewhichcharac-
　　terizesthewindsoftheoceaninvigoratinghisframe，cheeringhisspirits，andarousinghismoralforce。SuchadaywasthatonwhichthegarrisonofOswegoassembledtowitnesswhatitscommanderhadjocularlycalledapassageofarms。Lundiewasascholarinmilitarymattersatleast，anditwasoneofhissourcesofhonestpridetodirectthereadingandthoughtsoftheyoungmenunderhisorderstothemoreintellectualpartsoftheirprofession。Foroneinhissituation，hislibrarywasbothgoodandextensive，anditsbookswerefreelylenttoallwhodesiredtousethem。Amongotherwhimsthathadfoundtheirwayintothegarrisonthroughthesemeans，wasarelishforthesortofamusementinwhichitwasnowabouttoindulge。andaroundwhichsomechroniclesofthedaysofchivalryhadinducedthemtothrowaparadeandromancenotunsuitedtothecharactersandhabitsofsoldiers，ortotheinsulatedandwildpostoccupiedbythisparticulargarrison。Whilesoearnestlybentonpleasure，however，theyonwhomthatdutydevolveddidnotneglectthesafetyofthegarrison。Onestandingontherampartsofthefort，andgazingonthewasteofglitteringwaterthatboundedtheviewallalongthenorthernhorizon，andontheslumberingandseeminglyboundlessforestwhichfilledtheotherhalfofthepanorama，wouldhavefanciedthespottheveryabodeofpeacefulnessandsecurity。butDuncanofLundietoowellknewthatthewoodsmight，atanymoment，giveuptheirhundreds，bentonthedestruc-
　　tionofthefortandallitcontained。andthateventhetreacherouslakeofferedahighwayofeasyapproachbywhichhismorecivilizedandscarcelylesswilyfoes，theFrench，couldcomeuponhimatanunguardedmoment。
　　Partiesweresentoutunderoldandvigilantofficers，menwhocaredlittleforthesportsoftheday，toscourthefor-
　　est。andoneentirecompanyheldthefort，underarms，withorderstomaintainavigilanceasstrictasifanenemyofsuperiorforcewasknowntobenear。Withtheseprecautions，theremainderoftheofficersandmenabandonedthemselves，withoutapprehension，tothebusi-
　　nessofthemorning。
　　Thespotselectedforthesportswasasortofesplanade，alittlewestofthefort，andontheimmediatebankofthelake。Ithadbeenclearedofitstreesandstumps，thatitmightanswerthepurposeofaparade-ground，asitpos-
　　sessedtheadvantagesofhavingitsrearprotectedbythewater，andoneofitsflanksbytheworks。Mendrillingonitcouldbeattacked，consequently，ontwosidesonly。
　　andastheclearedspacebeyondit，inthedirectionofthewestandsouth，waslarge，anyassailantswouldbecom-
　　pelledtoquitthecoverofthewoodsbeforetheycouldmakeanapproachsufficientlyneartorenderthemdan-
　　gerous。
　　Althoughtheregulararmsoftheregimentweremus-
　　kets，somefiftyrifleswereproducedonthepresentocca-
　　sion。Everyofficerhadoneasapartofhisprivateprovi-
　　sionforamusement。manybelongedtothescoutsandfriendlyIndians，ofwhommoreorlesswerealwayshang-
　　ingaboutthefort。andtherewasapublicprovisionofthemfortheuseofthosewhofollowedthegamewiththeexpressobjectofobtainingsupplies。Amongthosewhocarriedtheweaponweresomefiveorsix，whohadreputa-
　　tionforknowinghowtouseitparticularlywell——sowell，indeed，astohavegiventhemacelebrityonthefrontier。
　　twicethatnumberwhowerebelievedtobemuchbetterthancommon。andmanywhowouldhavebeenthoughtex-
　　pertinalmostanysituationbutthepreciseoneinwhichtheynowhappenedtobeplaced。
　　Thedistancewasahundredyards，andtheweaponwastobeusedwithoutarest。thetarget，aboard，withthecustomarycircularlinesinwhitepaint，havingthebull’s-
　　eyeinthecentre。Thefirsttrialsinskillcommencedwithchallengesamongthemoreignobleofthecompeti-
　　torstodisplaytheirsteadinessanddexterityinidlecom-
　　petition。Nonebutthecommonmenengagedinthisstrife，whichhadlittletointerestthespectators，amongwhomnoofficerhadyetappeared。
　　MostofthesoldierswereScotch，theregimenthavingbeenraisedatStirlinganditsvicinitynotmanyyearsbefore，though，asinthecaseofSergeantDunham，manyAmericanshadjoineditsinceitsarrivalinthecolonies。
　　Asamatterofcourse，theprovincialsweregenerallythemostexpertmarksmen。andafteradesultorytrialofhalfanhouritwasnecessarilyconcededthatayouthwhohadbeenborninthecolonyofNewYork，andwhocomingofDutchextraction，wasthemostexpertofallwhohadyettriedtheirskill。Itwasjustasthisopinionprevailedthattheoldestcaptain，accompaniedbymostofthegen-
　　tlemenandladiesofthefort，appearedontheparade。A
　　trainofsometwentyfemalesofhumblerconditionfol-
　　lowed，amongwhomwasseenthewell-turnedform，in-
　　telligent，blooming，animatedcountenance，andneat，be-
　　comingattireofMabelDunham。
　　Offemaleswhowereofficiallyrecognizedasbelongingtotheclassofladies，therewerebutthreeinthefort，allofwhomwereofficers’wives。Mabelbeingstrictly，ashadbeenstatedbytheQuartermaster，theonlyrealcandidateformatrimonyamonghersex。
　　Somelittlepreparationhadbeenmadefortheproperreceptionofthefemales，whowereplacedonalowstagingofplanksneartheimmediatebankofthelake。Inthisvicinitytheprizesweresuspendedfromapost。Greatcarewastakentoreservethefrontseatofthestageforthethreeladiesandtheirchildren。whileMabelandthosewhobelougedtothenon-commissionedofficersoftheregi-
　　ment，occupiedthesecond。Thewivesanddaughtersoftheprivateswerehuddledtogetherintherear，somestand-
　　ingandsomesitting，astheycouldfindroom。Mabel，whohadalreadybeenadmittedtothesocietyoftheofficers’wives，onthefootingofahumblecompanion，wasagooddealnoticedbytheladiesinfront，whohadaproperappreciationofmodestself-respectandgentlere-
　　finement，thoughtheywereallfullyawareofthevalueofrank，moreparticularlyinagarrison。
　　Assoonasthisimportantportionofthespectatorshadgotintotheirplaces，Lundiegaveordersforthetrialofskilltoproceedinthemannerthathadbeenprescribedinhispreviousorders。Someeightortenofthebestmarksmenofthegarrisonnowtookpossessionofthestand，andbegantofireinsuccession。Amongthemwereofficersandmenindiscriminatelyplaced，norwerethecasualvisitorsinthefortexcludedfromthecompetition。
　　Asmighthavebeenexpectedofmenwhoseamusementsandcomfortablesubsistenceequallydependedonskillintheuseoftheirweapons，itwassoonfoundthattheywereallsufficientlyexperttohitthebull’s-eye，orthewhitespotinthecentreofthetarget。Otherswhosucceededthem，itistrue，werelesssure，theirbulletsstrikinginthedifferentcirclesthatsurroundedthecentreofthetargetwithouttouchingit。
　　Accordingtotherulesoftheday，nonecouldproceedtothesecondtrialwhohadfailedinthefirst，andthead-
　　jutantoftheplace，whoactedasmasteroftheceremonies，ormarshaloftheday，calleduponthesuccessfuladven-
　　turersbynametogetreadyforthenexteffort，whilehegavenoticethatthosewhofailedtopresentthemselvesfortheshotatthebull’s-eyewouldnecessarilybeexcludedfromallthehighertrials。JustatthismomentLundie，theQuartermaster，andJasperEau-douceappearedinthegroupatthestand，whilethePathfinderwalkedleisurelyonthegroundwithouthisbelovedrifle，forhimameasuresounusual，astobeunderstoodbyallpresentasaproofthathedidnotconsiderhimselfacompetitorforthehonorsoftheday。AllmadewayforMajorDuncan，who，asheapproachedthestandinagood-humoredway，tookhisstation，levelledhisriflecarelessly，andfired。Thebulletmissedtherequiredmarkbyseveralinches。
　　MajorDuncanisexcludedfromtheothertrials！
　　proclaimedtheAdjutant，inavoicesostrougandconfi-
　　dentthatalltheelderofficersandthesergeantswellun-
　　derstoodthatthisfailurewaspreconcerted，whilealltheyoungergentlemenandtheprivatesfeltnewencourage-
　　menttoproceedonaccountoftheevidentimpartialitywithwhichthelawsofthesportswereadministered。
　　Now，MasterEau-douce，comesyourturn，saidMuir。
　　andifyoudonotbeattheMajor，Ishallsaythatyourhandisbetterskilledwiththeoarthanwiththerifle。
　　Jasper’shandsomefaceflushed，hesteppeduponthestand，castahastyglanceatMabel，whoseprettyformheascertainedwasbendingeagerlyforwardasiftonotetheresult，droppedthebarrelofhisriflewithbutlittleap-
　　parentcareintothepalmofhislefthand，raisedthemuzzleforasingleinstantwithexceedingsteadiness，andfired。
　　Thebulletpasseddirectlythroughthecentreofthebull’s-
　　eye，muchthebestshotofthemorning，sincetheothershadmerelytouchedthepaint。
　　Wellperformed，MasterJasper，saidMuir，assoonastheresultwasdeclared。andashotthatmighthavedonecredittoanolderheadandamoreexperiencedeye。
　　I’mthinking，notwithstanding，therewassomeofayoung-
　　ster’sluckinit。foryewereno’partic’larintheaimyetook。Yemaybequick，Eau-douce，inthemovement，butyernotphilosophicnorscientificinyermanagementoftheweepon。Now，SergeantDunham，I’llthankyoutorequesttheladiestogiveacloserattentionthancom-
　　mon。forI’mabouttomakethatuseoftheriflewhichmaybecalledtheintellectual。Jasperwouldhavekilled，Iallow。butthentherewouldnothavebeenhalfthesat-
　　isfactioninreceivingsuchashotasinreceivingonethatisdischargedscientifically。
　　AllthistimetheQuartermasterwaspreparinghimselfforthescientifictrial。buthedelayedhisaimuntilhesawthattheeyeofMabel，incommonwiththoseofhercom-
　　panions，wasfastenedonhimincuriosity。Astheotherslefthimroom，outofrespecttohisrank，noonestoodnearthecompetitorbuthiscommandingofficer，towhomhenowsaidinhisfamiliarmanner，——
　　Yesee，Lundie，thatsomethingistobegainedbyex-
　　citingafemale’scuriosity。It’sanactivesentimentiscuriosity，andproperlyimprovedmayleadtogentlerin-
　　novationsintheend。
　　Verytrue，Davy。butyekeepusallwaitingwhileyemakeyourpreparations。andhereisPathfinderdrawingneartocatchalessonfromyourgreaterexperience。
　　WellPathfinder，andso_you_havecometogetanideatoo，concerningthephilosophyofshooting？Idonotwishtohidemylightunderabushel，andyerwelcometoallye’lllearn。Doyeno’meantotryashotyersel’，man？
　　WhyshouldI，Quartermaster，whyshouldI？Iwantnoneoftheprizes。andasforhonor，Ihavehadenoughofthat，ifit’sanyhonortoshootbetterthanyourself。
　　I’mnotawomantowearacalash。
　　Verytrue。butyemightfindawomanthatispreciousinyoureyestowearitforye，as——
　　Come，Davy，interruptedtheMajor，yourshotoraretreat。TheAdjutantisgettingimpatient。
　　TheQuartermaster’sdepartmentandtheAdjutant’sdepartmentareseldomcompliable，Lundie。butImready。
　　Standalittleaside，Pathfinder，andgivetheladiesanop-
　　portunity。
　　LieutenantMuirnowtookhisattitudewithagooddealofstudiedelegance，raisedhisrifleslowly，loweredit，raiseditagain，repeatedthemanmuvres，andfired。
　　Missedthetargetaltogether！shoutedthemanwhosedutyitwastomarkthebullets，andwhohadlittlerelishfortheQuartermaster’stediousscience。Missedthetarget！
　　Itcannotbe！criedMuir，hisfaceflushingequallywithindignationandshame。itcannotbe，Adjutant。forIneverdidsoawkwardathinginmylife。Iappealtotheladiesforajusterjudgment。
　　Theladiesshuttheireyeswhenyoufired！exclaimedtheregimentalwags。Yourpreparationsalarmedthem。
　　Iwillnabelievesuchcalumnyoftheleddies，norsic’
　　areproachonmyownskill，returnedtheQuartermaster，growingmoreandmoreScotchashewarmedwithhisfeelings。it’saconspiracytorobameritoriousmanofhisdues。
　　It’sadeadmiss，Muir，saidthelaughingLundie。
　　andye’lljistsitdownquietlywiththedisgrace。
　　No，no，Major，Pathfinderatlengthobserved。theQuartermaster_is_agoodshotforaslowoneandameasureddistance，thoughnothingextr’ornaryforrealservice。HehascoveredJasper’sbullet，aswillbeseen，ifanyonewilltakethetroubletoexaminethetarget。
　　TherespectforPathfinder’sskillandforhisquicknessandaccuracyofsightwassoprofoundandgeneral，that，theinstanthemadethisdeclaration，thespectatorsbegantodistrusttheirownopinions，andadozenrushedtothetargetinordertoascertainthefact。There，sureenough，itwasfoundthattheQuartermaster’sbullethadgonethroughtheholemadebyJasper’s，andthat，too，soac-
　　curatelyastorequireaminuteexaminationtobecertainofthecircumstance。which，however，wassoonclearlyestablished，bydiscoveringonebulletovertheotherinthestumpagainstwhichthetargetwasplaced。
　　Itoldye，ladies，yewereabouttowitnesstheinfluenceofscienceongunnery，saidtheQuartermaster，advancingtowardsthestagingoccupiedbythefemales。MajorDuncanderidestheideaofmathematicsenteringintotarget-shooting。butItellhimphilosophycolors，anden-
　　larges，andimproves，anddilates，andexplainseverythingthatbelongstohumanlife，whetheritbeashooting-matchorasermon。Inaword，philosophyisphilosophy，andthatissayingallthatthesubjectrequires。
　　Itrustyouexcludelovefromthecatalogue，observedthewifeofacaptainwhoknewthehistoryoftheQuarter-
　　master’smarriages，andwhohadawoman’smaliceagainstthemonopolizerofhersex。itseemsthatphilosophyhaslittleincommonwithlove。
　　Youwouldn’tsaythat，madam，ifyourhearthadex-
　　periencedmanytrials。It’sthemanorthewomanthathashadmanyoccasionstoimprovetheaffectionsthatcanbestspeakofsuchmatters。and，believeme，ofalllove，philosophicalisthemostlasting，asitisthemostrational。
　　Youwouldthenrecommendexperienceasanimprove-
　　mentonthepassion？
　　Yourquickmindhasconceivedtheideaataglance。
　　Thehappiestmarriagesarethoseinwhichyouthandbeautyandconfidenceononeside，relyonthesagacity，moderation，andprudenceofyears-middleage，Imean，madam，forI’llno’denythatthereissuchathingasahusband’sbeingtoooldforawife。HereisSergeantDunham’scharmingdaughter，now，toapproveofsuchsentiments，I’mcertain。hercharacterfordiscretionbeingalreadywellestablishedinthegarrison，shortashasbeenherresidenceamongus。
　　SergeantDunham’sdaughterisscarcelyafittingin-
　　terlocutorinadiscoursebetweenyouandme，LieutenantMuir，rejoinedthecaptain’slady，withcarefulrespectforherowndignity。andyonderisthePathfinderabouttotakehischance，bywayofchangingthesubject。
　　Iprotest，MajorDuncan，Iprotest，criedMuirhur-
　　ryingbacktowardsthestand，withbotharmselevatedbywayofenforcinghiswords，——Iprotestinthestrongestterms，gentlemen，againstPathfinder’sbeingadmittedintothesesportswithKilldeer，whichisapiece，tosaynothingoflonghabitthatisaltogetheroutofproportionforatrialofskillagainstGovernmentrifles。
　　Killdeeristakingitsrest，Quartermaster，returnedPathfindercalmly，andnooneherethinksofdisturbingit。Ididnotthink，myself，ofpullingatriggerto-day。
　　butSergeantDunhamhasbeenpersuadingmethatIshallnotdoproperhonortohishandsomedaughter，whocameinundermycare，ifIambackwardonsuchanoccasion。
　　I’musingJasper’srifle，Quartermaster，asyoumaysee，andthatisnobetterthanyourown。
　　LieutenantMuirwasnowobligedtoacquiesce，andeveryeyeturnedtowardsthePathfinder，ashetooktherequiredstation。Theairandattitudeofthiscelebratedguideandhunterwereextremelyfine，asheraisedhistallformandlevelledthepiece，showingperfectself-command，andathroughknowledgeofthepowerofthehumanframeaswellasoftheweapon。Pathfinderwasnotwhatisusuallytermedahandsomeman，thoughhisappearanceexcitedsomuchconfidenceandcommandedrespect。Tall，andevenmuscular，hisframemighthavebeenesteemednearlyper-
　　fect，wereitnotforthetotalabsenceofeverythinglikeflesh。Whipcordwasscarcelymorerigidthanhisarmsandlegs，or，atneed，morepliable。buttheoutlinesofhispersonwererathertooangularfortheproportionthattheeyemostapproves。Still，hismotions，beingnatural，weregraceful，and，beingcalmandregulated，theygavehimanairanddignitythatassociatedwellwiththeidea，whichwassoprevalent，ofhisservicesandpeculiarmerits。Hishonest，openfeatureswereburnttoabrightred，thatcomportedwellwiththenotionofexposureandhardships，whilehissinewyhandsdenotedforce，andaspeciesofuseremovedfromthestiffeninganddeformingeffectsoflabor。Althoughnooneperceivedanyofthosegentlerormoreinsinuatingqualitieswhichareapttowinuponawoman’saffections，asheraisedhisriflenotafemaleeyewasfastenedonhimwithoutasilentapprobationofthefreedomofhismovementsandthemanlinessofhisair。
　　Thoughtwasscarcelyquickerthanhisaim。and，asthesmokefloatedabovehishead，thebutt-endoftheriflewasseenontheground，thehandofthePathfinderwaslean-
　　ingonthebarrel，andhishonestcountenancewasillu-
　　minatedbyhisusualsilent，heartylaugh。
　　Ifonedaredtohintatsuchathing，criedMajorDuncan，IshouldsaythatthePathfinderhadalsomissedthetarget。
　　No，no，Major，returnedtheguideconfidently。that_would_beariskydeclaration。Ididn’tloadthepiece，andcan’tsaywhatwasinit。butifitwaslead，youwillfindthebulletdrivingdownthoseoftheQuartermasterandJasper，elseisnotmynamePathfinder。
　　Ashoutfromthetargetannouncedthetruthofthisassertion。
　　That’snotall，that’snotall，boys，calledouttheguide，whowasnowslowlyadvancingtowardsthestageoccupiedbythefemales。ifyoufindthetargettouchedatall，I’llowntoamiss。TheQuartermastercutthewood，butyou’llfindnowoodcutbythatlastmessenger。
　　Verytrue，Pathfinder，verytrue，answeredMuir，whowaslingeringnearMabel，thoughashamedtoaddressherparticularlyinthepresenceoftheofficers’wives。TheQuartermasterdidcutthewood，andbythatmeansheopenedapassageforyourbullet，whichwentthroughtheholehehadmade。
　　Well，Quartermaster，theregoesthenailandwe’llseewhocandriveitcloser，youorI。for，thoughIdidnotthinkofshowingwhatariflecandoto-day，nowmyhandisin，I’llturnmybacktonomanthatcarriesKingGeorge’scommission。Chingachgookisoutlying，orhemightforcemeintosomeofthenicetiesoftheart。but，asforyou，Quartermaster，ifthenaildon’tstopyou，thepotatowill。
　　You’reoverboastfulthismorning，Pathfinder。butyou’llfindyou’venogreenboyfreshfromthesettlementsandthetownstodealwith，Iwillassureye！
　　Iknowthatwell，Quartermaster。Iknowthatwell，andshallnotdenyyourexperience。You’velivedmanyyearsonthefrontiers，andI’veheardofyouinthecol-
　　onies，andamongtheIndians，too，quiteahumanlifeago。
　　Na，na，interruptedMuirinhisbroadestScotch，thisisinjustice，man。I’veno’livedsoverylong，neither。
　　I’lldoyoujustice，Lieutenant，evenifyougetthebestinthepotatotrial。Isayyou’vepassedagoodhumanlife，forasoldier，inplaceswheretherifleisdailyused，andI
　　knowyouareacreditableandingeniousmarksman。butthenyouarenotatruerifle-shooter。Asforboasting，I
　　hopeI’mnotavaintalkeraboutmyownexploits。butaman’sgiftsarehisgifts，andit’sflyinginthefaceofProv-
　　idencetodenythem。TheSergeant’sdaughter，here，shalljudgebetweenus，ifyouhavethestomachtosubmittosoprettyajudge。
　　ThePathfinderhadnamedMabelasthearbiterbecauseheadmiredher，andbecause，inhiseyes，rankhadlittleornovalue。butLieutenantMuirshrankatsuchareferenceinthepresenceofthewivesoftheofficers。Hewouldgladlykeephimselfconstantlybeforetheeyesandtheimaginationoftheobjectofhiswishes。buthewasstilltoomuchundertheinfluenceofoldprejudices，andper-
　　hapstoowary，toappearopenlyashersuitor，unlesshesawsomethingverylikeacertaintyofsuccess。OnthediscretionofMajorDuncanhehadafullreliance，andheapprehendednobetrayalfromthatquarter。buthewasquiteaware，shoulditevergetabroadthathehadbeenrefusedbythechildofanon-commissionedofficer，hewouldfindgreatdifficultyinmakinghisapproachestoanyotherwomanofaconditiontowhichhemightreasonablyaspire。Notwithstandingthesedoubtsandmisgivings，Mabellookedsoprettily，blushedsocharmingly，smiledsosweetly，andaltogetherpresentedsowinningapictureofyouth，spirit，modesty，andbeauty，thathefounditex-
　　ceedinglytemptingtobekeptsoprominentlybeforeherimagination，andtobeabletoaddressherfreely。
　　Youshallhaveityourownway，Pathfinder，hean-
　　swered，assoonashisdoubtshadsettleddownintode-
　　termination。letthe，Sergeant’sdaughter——hischarmingdaughter，Ishouldhavetermedher——betheumpirethen。
　　andtoherwewillbothdedicatetheprize，thatoneortheothermustcertainlywin。Pathfindermustbehumored，ladies，asyouperceive，else，nodoubt，weshouldhavehadthehonortosubmitourselvestooneofyourcharmingsociety。
　　AcallforthecompetitorsnowdrewtheQuartermasterandhisadversaryaway，andinafewmomentsthesecondtrialofskillcommenced。Acommonwroughtnailwasdrivenlightlyintothetarget，itsheadhavingbeenfirsttouchedwithpaint，andthemarksmanwasrequiredtohitit，orhelosthischancesinthesucceedingtrials。Noonewaspermittedtoenter，onthisoccasion，whohadalreadyfailedintheessayagainstthebull’s-eye。
　　Theremighthavebeenhalfadozenaspirantsforthehonorsofthistrial。oneortwo，whohadbarelysucceededintouchingthespotofpaintinthepreviousstrife，pre-
　　ferringtoresttheirreputationsthere，feelingcertainthattheycouldnotsucceedinthegreatereffortthatwasnowexactedofthem。Thefirstthreeadventurersfailed，allcomingverynearthemark，butneithertouchingit。
　　ThefourthpersonwhbpresentedhimselfwastheQuarter-
　　master，who，aftergoingthroughhisusualattitudes，sofarsucceededastocarryawayasmallportionoftheheadofthenail，plantinghisbulletbythesideofitspoint。Thiswasnotconsideredanextraordinaryshot，thoughitbroughttheadventurerwithinthecategory。
　　You’vesavedyourbacon，Quartermaster，astheysayinthesettlementsoftheircreaturs，criedPathfinder，laughing。butitwouldtakealongtimetobuildahousewithahammernobetterthanyours。Jasper，here，willshowyouhowanailistobestarted，ortheladhaslostsomeofhissteadinessofhandandsartaintyofeye。Youwouldhavedonebetteryourself，Lieutenant，hadyounotbeensomuchbentonsoldierizingyourfigure。Shootingisanaturalgift，andistobeexercisedinanaturalway。
　　Weshallsee，Pathfinder。Icallthataprettyattemptatanail。andIdoubtifthe55thhasanotherhammer，asyoucallit，thatcandojustthesamethingoveragain。
　　Jasperisnotinthe55th，buttheregoeshisrap。
　　AsthePathfinderspoke，thebulletofEau-doucehitthenailsquare，anddroveitintothetarget，withinaninchofthehead。
　　Beallreadytoclenchit，boys！criedoutPathfinder，steppingintohisfriend’strackstheinstanttheywerevacant。Nevermindanewnail。Icanseethat，thoughthepaintisgone，andwhatIcanseeIcanhit，atahun-
　　dredyards，thoughitwereonlyamosquito’seye。Bereadytoclench！
　　Theriflecracked，thebulletspeditsway，andtheheadofthenailwasburiedinthewood，coveredbythepieceofflattenedlead。
　　Well，Jasper，lad，continuedPathfinder，droppingthebutt-endofhisrifletotheground，andresumingthedis-
　　course，asifhethoughtnothingofhisownexploit，youimprovedaily。Afewmoretrampsonlandinmycom-
　　pany，andthebestmarksmanonthefrontierswillhaveoccasiontolookkeenlywhenhetakeshisstandag’inyou。
　　TheQuartermasterisrespectable，buthewillnevergetanyfarther。whereasyou，Jasper，havethegift，andmayonedaydefyanywhopulltrigger。
　　Hoot，hoot！exclaimedMuir。doyoucallhittingtheheadofthenailrespectableonly，whenit’stheper-
　　fectionoftheart？Anyonetheleastrefinedandelevatedinsentimentknowsthatthedelicatetouchesdenotethemaster。whereasyoursledge-hammerblowscomefromtherudeanduninstructed。If’amissisasgoodasamile，’ahitoughttobebetter，Pathfinder，whetheritwoundorkill。
　　Thesurestwayofsettlingthisrivalrywillbetomakeanothertrial，observedLundie，andthatwillbeofthepotato。You’reScotch，Mr。Muir，andmightfarebetterwereitacakeorathistle。butfrontierlawhasdeclaredfortheAmericanfruit，andthepotatoitshallbe。
　　AsMajorDuncanmanifestedsomeimpatienceofman-
　　ner，Muirhadtoomuchtacttodelaythesportsanylongerwithhisdiscursiveremarks，butjudiciouslypreparedhim-
　　selfforthenextappeal。Tosaythetruth，theQuarter-
　　masterhadlittleornofaithinhisownsuccessinthetrialofskillthatwastofollow，norwouldhehavebeensofreeinpresentinghimselfasacompetitoratallhadhean-
　　ticipateditwouldhavebeenmade。butMajorDuncan，whowassomewhatofahumoristinhisownquietScotchway，hadsecretlyorderedittobeintroducedexpresslytomortifyhim。for，alairdhimself，Lundiedidnotrelishthenotionthatonewhomightclaimtobeagentlemanshouldbringdiscreditonhiscastebyforminganunequalalliance。Assoonaseverythingwasprepared，Muirwassummonedtothestand，andthepotatowasheldinreadi-
　　nesstobethrown。Asthesortoffeatweareabouttooffertothereader，however，maybenewtohim，awordinexplanationwillrenderthemattermoreclear。Apotatooflargesizewasselected，andgiventoonewhostoodatthedistanceoftwentyyardsfromthestand。Atthewordheave！whichwasgivenbythemarksman，thevegetablewasthrownwithagentletossintotheair，anditwasthebusinessoftheadventurertocauseaballtopassthroughitbeforeitreachedtheground。
　　TheQuartermaster，inahundredexperiments，hadoncesucceededinaccomplishingthisdifficultfeat。buthenowessayedtoperformitagain，withasortofblindhopethatwasfatedtobedisappointed。Thepotatowasthrownintheusualmanner，theriflewasdischarged，buttheflyingtargetwasuntouched。
　　Totheright-about，andfallout，Quartermaster，saidLundie，smilingatthesuccessoftheartifice。ThehonorofthesilkencalashwillliebetweenJasperEau-douceandPathfinder。
　　Andhowisthetrialtoend，Major？inquiredthelatter。Arewetohavethetwo-potatotrial，orisittobesettledbycentreandskin？
　　Bycentreandskin，ifthereisanyperceptiblediffer-
　　ence。otherwisethedoubleshotmustfollow。
　　Thisisanawfulmomenttome，Pathfinder，observedJasper，ashemovedtowardsthestand，hisfaceactuallylosingitscolorinintensityoffeeling。
　　Pathfindergazedearnestlyattheyoungman。andthen，beggingMajorDuncantohavepatienceforamoment，heledhisfriendoutofthehearingofallnearhimbeforehespoke。
　　Youseemtotakethismattertoheart，Jasper？thehunterremarked，keepinghiseyesfastenedonthoseoftheyouth。
　　Imustown，Pathfinder，thatmyfeelingswereneverbeforesomuchboundupinsuccess。
　　Anddoyousomuchcravetooutdome，anoldandtriedfriend？——andthat，asitmightbe，inmyownway？
　　Shootingismygift，boy，andnocommonhandcanequalmine。
　　Iknowit——Iknowit，Pathfinder。butyet——
　　Butwhat，Jasper，boy？——speakfreely。youtalktoafriend。
　　Theyoungmancompressedhislips，dashedahandacrosshiseye，andflushedandpaledalternately，likeagirlconfessingherlove。Then，squeezingtheother’shand，hesaidcalmly，likeonewhosemanhoodhasover-
　　comeallothersensations，Iwouldloseanarm，Path-
　　finder，tobeabletomakeanofferingofthatcalashtoMabelDunham。
　　Thehunterdroppedhiseyestotheground，andashewalkedslowlybacktowardsthestand，heseemedtoponderdeeplyonwhathehadjustheard。
　　Younevercouldsucceedinthedoubletrial，Jasper！
　　hesuddenlyremarked。
　　OfthatIamcertain，andittroublesme。
　　Whatacreatureismortalman！hepinesforthingswhicharenotofhisgiftandtreatsthebountiesofProvi-
　　dencelightly。Nomatter，nomatter。Takeyourstation，Jasper，fortheMajoriswaiting。andharke，lad，——Imusttouchtheskin，forIcouldnotshowmyfaceinthegarri-
　　sonwithlessthanthat。
　　IsupposeImustsubmittomyfate，returnedJasper，flushingandlosinghiscolorasbefore。butIwillmaketheeffort，ifIdie。
　　Whatathingismortalman！repeatedPathfinder，fallingbacktoallowhisfriendroomtotakehisarm。heoverlookshisowngifts，andcravesthoseofanother！
　　Thepotatowasthrown，Jasperfired，andtheshoutthatfollowedprecededtheannouncementofthefactthathehaddrivenhisbulletthroughitscentre，orsonearlysoastomeritthataward。
　　Hereisacompetitorworthyofyou，Pathfinder，criedMajorDuncanwithdelight，astheformertookhisstation。
　　andwemaylooktosomefineshootinginthedoubletrial。
　　Whatathingismortalman！repeatedthehunter，scarcelyseemingtonoticewhatwaspassingaroundhim，somuchwerehisthoughtsabsorbedinhisownreflections。
　　Toss！
　　Thepotatowastossed，theriflecracked，——itwasre-
　　markedjustasthelittleblackballseemedstationaryintheair，forthemarksmanevidentlytookunusualheedtohisaim，——andthenalookofdisappointmentandwondersucceededamongthosewhocaughtthefallingtarget。
　　Twoholesinone？calledouttheMajor。
　　Theskin，theskin！wastheanswer。onlytheskin！
　　How’sthis，Pathfinder？IsJasperEau-doucetocarryoffthehonorsoftheday？
　　Thecalashishis，returnedtheother，shakinghisheadandwalkingquietlyawayfromthestand。Whatacreatureismortalman！neversatisfiedwithhisowngifts，butforevercravingthatwhichProvidencedenies！
　　AsPathfinderhadnotburiedhisbulletinthepotato，buthadcutthroughtheskin，theprizewasimmediatelyadjudgedtoJasper。ThecalashwasinthehandsofthelatterwhentheQuartermasterapproached，andwithapoliteairofcordialityhewishedhissuccessfulrivaljoyofhisvictory。
　　Butnowyou’vegotthecalash，lad，it’sofnousetoyou，headded。itwillnevermakeasail，norevenanensign。I’mthinking，Eau-douce，you’dno’besorrytoseeitsvalueingoodsilleroftheking？
　　Moneycannotbuyit，Lieutenant，returnedJasper，whoseeyelightedwithallthefireofsuccessandjoy。I
　　wouldratherhavewonthiscalashthanhaveobtainedfiftynewsuitsofsailsforthe_Scud！_
　　Hoot，hoot，lad！youaregoingmadlikealltherestofthem。I’devenventuretoofferhalfaguineaforthetrifleratherthanitshouldliekickingaboutinthecabinofyourcutter，andintheendbecomeanornamentfortheheadofasquaw。
　　AlthoughJasperdidnotknowthatthewaryQuarter-
　　masterhadnotofferedhalftheactualcostoftheprize，heheardthepropositionwithindifference。Shakinghisheadinthenegative，headvancedtowardsthestage，wherehisapproachexcitedalittlecommotion，theofficers’ladies，oneandall，havingdeterminedtoacceptthepresent，shouldthegallantryoftheyoungsailorinducehimtoofferit。ButJasper’sdiffidence，nolessthanadmirationforanother，wouldhavepreventedhimfromaspiringtothehonorofcomplimentinganywhomhethoughtsomuchhissuperiors。
　　Mabel，saidhe，thisprizeisforyou，unless——
　　Unlesswhat，Jasper？answeredthegirl，losingherownbashfulnessinthenaturalandgenerouswishtore-
　　lievehisembarrassment，thoughbothreddenedinawaytobetraystrongfeeling。
　　Unlessyoumaythinktooindifferentlyofit，becauseitisofferedbyonewhomayhavenorighttobelievehisgiftwillbeaccepted。
　　Idoacceptit，Jasper。anditshallbeasignofthedangerIhavepassedinyourcompany，andofthegrati-
　　tudeIfeelforyourcareofme——yourcare，andthatofthePathfinder。
　　Nevermindme，nevermindme！exclaimedthelatter。
　　thisisJasper’sluck，andJasper’sgift：givehimfullcreditforboth。Myturnmaycomeanotherday。mineandtheQuartermaster’s，whoseemstogrudgetheboythecalash。thoughwhat_he_canwantofitIcannotunder-
　　stand，forhehasnowife。
　　AndhasJasperEau-douceawife？orhaveyouawifeyoursel’，Pathfinder？Imaywantittohelptogetawife，orasamemorialthatIhavehadawife，orasproofhowmuchIadmirethesex，orbecauseitisafemalegar-
　　ment，orforsomeotherequallyrespectablemotive。It’snottheunreflectingthatarethemostprizedbythethoughtful，andthereisnosurersignthatamanmadeagoodhusbandtohisfirstconsort，letmetellyouall，thantoseehimspeedilylookingroundforacompetentsuc-
　　cessor。TheaffectionsaregoodgiftsfromProvidence，andtheythathavelovedonefaithfullyprovehowmuchofthisbountyhasbeenlavisheduponthembylovingan-
　　otherassoonaspossible。
　　Itmaybeso，itmaybeso。Iamnopractitionerinsuchthings，andcannotgainsayit。ButMabelhere，theSergeant’sdaughter，willgiveyoufullcreditforthewords。
　　Come，Jasper，althoughourhandsareout，letusseewhattheotherladscandowiththerifle。
　　Pathfinderandhiscompanionsretired，forthesportswereabouttoproceed。Theladies，however，werenotsomuchengrossedwithrifle-shootingastoneglectthecalash。
　　Itpassedfromhandtohand。thesilkwasfelt，thefashioncriticized，andtheworkexamined，anddiversopinionswereprivatelyventuredconcerningthefitnessofsohand-
　　someathingpassingintothepossessionofanon-commis-
　　sionedofficer’schild。
　　Perhapsyouwillbedisposedtosellthatcalash，Mabel，whenithasbeenashorttimeinyourpossession？in-
　　quiredthecaptain’slady。Wearit，Ishouldthink，younevercan。
　　Imaynotwearit，madam，returnedourheroinemodestly。butIshouldnotliketopartwithiteither。
　　IdaresaySergeantDunhamkeepsyouabovethene-
　　cessityofsellingyourclothes，child。but，atthesametime，itismoneythrownawaytokeepanarticleofdressyoucanneverwear。
　　Ishouldbeunwillingtopartwiththegiftofafriend。
　　Buttheyoungmanhimselfwillthinkallthebetterofyouforyourprudenceafterthetriumphofthedayisforgotten。Itisaprettyandabecomingcalash，andoughtnottobethrownaway。
　　I’venointentiontothrowitaway，ma’am。and，ifyouplease，wouldratherkeepit。
　　Asyouwill，child。girlsofyourageoftenoverlooktherealadvantages。Remember，however，ifyoudode-
　　terminetodisposeofthething，thatitisbespoke，andthatIwillnottakeitifyoueverevenputitonyourownhead。
　　Yes，ma’am，saidMabel，inthemeekestvoiceimagin-
　　able，thoughhereyeslookedlikediamonds，andhercheeksreddenedtothetintsoftworoses，assheplacedthefor-
　　biddengarmentoverherwell-turnedshoulders，whereshekeptitaminute，asiftotryitsfitness，andthenquietlyremoveditagain。
　　Theremainderofthesportsofferednothingofinterest。
　　Theshootingwasreasonablygood。butthetrialswereallofascalelowerthanthoserelated，andthecompetitorsweresoonlefttothemselves。Theladiesandmostoftheofficerswithdrew，andtheremainderofthefemalessoonfollowedtheirexample。Mabelwasreturningalongthelowflatrocksthatlinetheshoreofthelake，danglingherprettycalashfromaprettierfinger，whenPathfindermether。Hecarriedtheriflewhichhehadusedthatday。buthismannerhadlessofthefrankeaseofthehunteraboutitthanusual，whilehiseyeseemedrovinganduneasy。
　　Afterafewunmeaningwordsconcerningthenoblesheetofwaterbeforethem，heturnedtowardshiscompanionwithstronginterestinhiscountenance，andsaid，——
　　Jasperearnedthatcalashforyou，Mabel，withoutmuchtrialofhisgifts。
　　Itwasfairlydone，Pathfinder。
　　Nodoubt，nodoubt。Thebulletpassedneatlythroughthepotato，andnomancouldhavedonemore。thoughothersmighthavedoneasmuch。
　　Butnoonedidasmuch！exclaimedMabel，withananimationthatsheinstantlyregretted。forshesawbythepainedlookoftheguidethathewasmortifiedequallybytheremarkandbythefeelingwithwhichitwasuttered。
　　Itistrue，itistrue，Mabel，noonedidasmuchthen。
　　but——yetthereisnoreasonIshoulddenymygiftswhichcomefromProvidence——yes，yes。noonedidasmuchthere，butyoushallknowwhat_can_bedonehere。Doyouobservethegullsthatareflyingoverourheads？
　　Certainly，Pathfinder。therearetoomanytoescapenotice。
　　Here，wheretheycrosseachotherinsailingabout，
　　headded，cockingandraisinghisrifle。thetwo——thetwo。
　　Nowlook！
　　Thepiecewaspresentedquickasthought，astwoofthebirdscameinaline，thoughdistantfromeachothermanyyards。thereportfollowed，andthebulletpassedthroughthebodiesofbothvictims。Nosoonerhadthegullsfallenintothelake，thanPathfinderdroppedthebutt-endoftherifle，andlaughedinhisownpeculiarmanner，everyshadeofdissatisfactionandmortifiedpridehavinglefthishonestface。
　　Thatissomething，Mabel，thatissomething。althoughIhavenocalashtogiveyou！ButaskJasperhimself。I’llleaveitalltoJasper，foratruertongueandheartarenotinAmerica。
　　ThenitwasnotJasper’sfaultthathegainedtheprize？
　　Notit。Hedidhisbest，andhedidwell。Foronethathaswatergifts，ratherthanlandgifts，Jasperisun-
　　commonlyexpert，andabetterbackernooneneedwish，ashoreorafloat。Butitwasmyfault，Mabel，thathegotthecalash。thoughitmakesnodifference——itmakesnodifference，forthethinghasgonetotherightperson。
　　IbelieveIunderstandyou，Pathfinder，saidMabel，blushinginspiteofherself，andIlookuponthecalashasthejointgiftofyourselfandJasper。
　　Thatwouldnotbedoingjusticetothelad，neither。
　　Hewonthegarment，andhadarighttogiveitaway。Themostyoumaythink，Mabel，istobelievethat，hadIwonit，itwouldhavegonetothesameperson。
　　Iwillrememberthat，Pathfinder，andtakecarethatothersknowyourskill，asithasbeenproveduponthepoorgullsinmypresence。
　　Lordblessyou，Mabel！thereisnomoreneedofyourtalkinginfavorofmyshootingonthisfrontier，thanofyourtalkingaboutthewaterinthelakeorthesunintheheavens。EverybodyknowswhatIcandointhatway，andyourwordswouldbethrownaway，asmuchasFrenchwouldbethrownawayonanAmericanbear。
　　ThenyouthinkthatJasperknewyouweregivinghimthisadvantage，ofwhichhehadsounhandsomelyavailedhimself？saidMabel，thecolorwhichhadim-
　　partedsomuchlustretohereyesgraduallyleavingherface，whichbecamegraveandthoughtful。
　　Idonotsaythat，butveryfarfromit。Weallforgetthingsthatwehaveknown，wheneagerafterourwishes。