JasperissatisfiedthatIcanpassonebulletthroughtwopotatoes，asIsentmybulletthroughthegulls。andheknowsnoothermanonthefrontiercandothesamething。
　　Butwiththecalashbeforehiseyes，andthehopeofgivingittoyou，theladwasinclinedtothinkbetterofhimself，justatthatmoment，perhaps，thanheought。No，no，there’snothingmeanordistrustfulaboutJasperEau-
　　douce，thoughitisagiftnaturaltoallyoungmentowishtoappearwellintheeyesofhandsomeyoungwomen。
　　I’lltrytoforgetall，butthekindnessyou’vebothshowntoapoormotherlessgirl，saidMabel，strugglingtokeepdownemotionsshescarcelyknewhowtoaccountforherself。Believeme，Pathfinder，Icanneverforgetallyouhavealreadydoneforme——youandJasper。andthisnewproofofyourregardisnotthrownaway。Here，hereisabroochthatisofsilver，andIofferitasatokenthatIoweyoulifeorliberty。
　　WhatshallIdowiththis，Mabel？askedthebewil-
　　deredhunter，holdingthesimpletrinketinhishand。I
　　haveneitherbucklenorbuttonaboutme，forIwearnothingbutleathernstrings，andthemofgooddeer-skins。
　　It’sprettytotheeye，butitisprettierfaronthespotitcamefromthanitcanbeaboutme。
　　Nay，putitinyourhunting-shirt。itwillbecomeitwell。Remember，Pathfinder，thatitisatokenoffriend-
　　shipbetweenus，andasignthatIcanneverforgetyouoryourservices。
　　Mabelthensmiledanadieu。and，boundingupthebank，shewassoonlosttoviewbehindthemoundofthefort。
　　CHAPTERXII。
　　Lo！duskymassesstealindubioussight，Alongtheleaguer’dwall，andbristlingbank，Ofthearm’driver。whilewithstragglinglight，Thestarspeepthroughthevapor，dimanddank。
　　BYRON。
　　AfewhourslaterMabelDunhamwasonthebastionthatoverlookedtheriverandthelake，seeminglyindeepthought。Theeveningwascalmandsoft，andtheques-
　　tionhadarisenwhetherthepartyfortheThousandIslandswouldbeabletogetoutthatnightornot，onaccountofthetotalabsenceofwind。Thestores，arms，andammuni-
　　tionwerealreadyshipped，andevenMabel’seffectswereonboard。butthesmalldraftofmenthatwastogowasstillashore，therebeingnoapparentprospectofthecutter’sgettingunderway。Jasperhadwarpedthe_Scud_outofthecove，andsofarupthestreamastoenablehimtopassthroughtheoutletoftheriverwheneverhechose。buttherehestilllay，ridingatsingleanchor。Thedraftedmenwereloungingabouttheshoreofthecove，undecidedwhetherornottopulloff。
　　Thesportsofthemorninghadleftaquietinthegarri-
　　sonwhichwasinharmonywiththewholeofthebeautifulscene，andMabelfeltitsinfluenceonherfeelings，thoughprobablytoolittleaccustomedtospeculateonsuchsensa-
　　tionstobeawareofthecause。Everythingnearappearedlovelyandsoothing，whilethesolemngrandeurofthesilentforestandplacidexpanseofthelakelentasub-
　　limitythatotherscenesmighthavewanted。Forthefirsttime，Mabelfelttheholdthatthetownsandcivilizationhadgainedonherhabitssensiblyweakened。andthewarm-heartedgirlbegantothinkthatalifepassedamidobjectssuchasthosearoundhermightbehappy。Howfartheexperienceofthelastdayscameinaidofthecalmandholyeventide，andcontributedtowardsproducingthatyoungconviction，maybesuspected，ratherthanaffirmed，inthisearlyportionofourlegend。
　　Acharmingsunset，Mabel！saidtheheartyvoiceofheruncle，soclosetotheearofourheroineastocausehertostart，——acharmingsunset，girl，forafresh-watercon-
　　cern，thoughweshouldthinkbutlittleofitatsea。
　　Andisnotnaturethesameonshoreoratsea——onalakelikethisorontheocean？Doesnotthesunshineonallalike，dearuncle。andcanwenotfeelgratitudefortheblessingsofProvidenceasstronglyonthisremotefrontierasinourownManhattan？
　　Thegirlhasfalleninwithsomeofhermother’sbooks。
　　Isnotnaturethesame，indeed！Now，Mabel，doyouimaginethatthenatureofasoldieristhesameasthatofaseafaringman？You’verelationsinbothcallings，andoughttobeabletoanswer。
　　Butuncle，Imeanhumannature。
　　SodoI，girl。thehumannatureofaseaman，andthehumannatureofoneofthesefellowsofthe55th，notevenexceptingyourownfather。Herehavetheyhadashooting-match——target-firingIshouldcallit——thisday，andwhatadifferentthinghasitbeenfromatarget-firingafloat！Thereweshouldhavesprungourbroadside，sportedwithroundshot，atanobjecthalfamileoff，attheverynearest。andthepotatoes，iftherehappenedtobeanyonboard，asverylikelywouldnothavebeenthecase，wouldhavebeenleftinthecook’scoppers。Itmaybeanhonorablecalling，thatofasoldier，Mabel。butanexperiencedhandseesmanyfolliesandweaknessesinoneoftheseforts。Asforthatbitofalake，youknowmyopinionofitalready，andIwishtodisparagenothing。Norealseafarerdisparagesanything。but，d——me，ifIregardthishereOntario，astheycallit，asmorethansomuchwaterinaship’sscuttle-butt。Now，lookyouhere，Mabel，ifyouwishtounderstandthedifferencebetweentheoceanandalake，Icanmakeyoucomprehenditwithasinglelook：thisiswhatonemaycallacalm，seeingthatthereisnowind。though，toownthetruth，Idonotthinkthecalmsareascalmasthemwegetoutside——
　　Uncle，thereisnotabreathofair。Idonotthinkitpossiblefortheleavestobemoreimmovablystillthanthoseoftheentireforestareatthisverymoment。
　　Leaves！whatareleaves，child？therearenoleavesatsea。Ifyouwishtoknowwhetheritisadeadcalmornot，tryamouldcandle，——yourdipsflaringtoomuch，——
　　andthenyoumaybecertainwhetherthereisorisnotanywind。Ifyouwereinalatitudewheretheairwassostillthatyoufoundadifficultyinstirringittodrawitininbreathing，youmightfancyitacalm。Peopleareoftenonashortallowanceofairinthecalmlatitudes。Here，again，lookatthatwater！Itislikemilkinapan，withnomoremotionnowthanthereisinafullhogsheadbeforethebungisstarted。Ontheoceanthewaterisneverstill，lettheairbeasquietasitmay。
　　Thewateroftheoceanneverstill，UncleCap？noteveninacalm？
　　Blessyourheart，no，child！Theoceanbreatheslikealivingbeing，anditsbosomisalwaysheaving，asthepoetizerscallit，thoughtherebenomoreairthanistobefoundinasiphon。Nomaneversawtheoceanstilllikethislake。butitheavesandsetsasifithadlungs。
　　Andthislakeisnotabsolutelystill，foryouperceivethereisalittlerippleontheshore，andyoumayevenhearthesurfplungingatmomentsagainsttherocks。
　　Alld——dpoetry！LakeOntarioisnomoretheAtlanticthanaPowlesHookperiagilaisafirst-rate。ThatJasper，notwithstanding，isafinelad，andwantsinstructiononlytomakeamanofhim。
　　Doyouthinkhimignorant，uncle？answeredMabel，prettilyadjustingherhair，inordertodowhichshewasobliged，orfanciedshewasobliged，toturnawayherface。
　　TomeJasperEau-douceappearstoknowmorethanmostoftheyoungmenofhisclass。Hehasreadbutlittle，forbooksarenotplentyinthispartoftheworld。
　　buthehasthoughtmuch，asleastsoitseemstome，foronesoyoung。
　　Heisignorant，asallmustbewhonavigateaninlandwaterlikethis。No，no，Mabel。webothowesomethingtoJasperandthePathfinder，andIhavebeenthinkinghowIcanbestservethem，forIholdingratitudetobetheviceofahog。fortreattheanimaltoyourowndinner，andhewouldeatyouforthedessert。
　　Verytrue，dearuncle。weoughtindeedtodoallwecantoexpressourpropersenseoftheservicesofboththesebravemen。
　　Spokenlikeyourmother’sdaughter，girl，andinawaytodocredittotheCapfamily。Now，I’vehituponatraversethatwilljustsuitallparties。and，assoonaswegetbackfromthislittleexpeditiondownthelakeamongthemthereThousandIslands，andIamreadytoreturn，itismyintentiontoproposeit。
　　Dearestuncle！thisissoconsiderateinyou，andwillbesojust！MayIaskwhatyourintentionsare？
　　Iseenoreasonforkeepingthemasecretfromyou，Mabel，thoughnothingneedbesaidtoyourfatheraboutthem。fortheSergeanthashisprejudices，andmightthrowdifficultiesintheway。NeitherJaspernorhisfriendPathfindercanevermakeanythinghereabouts，andIproposetotakebothwithmedowntothecoast，andgetthemfairlyafloat。Jasperwouldfindhissea-legsinafort-
　　night，andatwelvemonth’sv’y’gewouldmakehimaman。
　　AlthoughPathfindermighttakemoretime，ornevergettoberatedable，yetonecouldmakesomethingofhimtoo，particularlyasalook-out，forhehasunusuallygoodeyes。
　　Uncle，doyouthinkeitherwouldconsenttothis？
　　saidMabelsmiling。
　　DoIsupposethemsimpletons？whatrationalbeingwouldneglecthisownadvancement？LetJasperalonetopushhisway，andtheladmayyetdiethemasterofsomesquare-riggedcraft。
　　Andwouldhebeanythehappierforit，dearuncle？
　　Howmuchbetterisittobethemasterofasquare-riggedcraftthantobemasterofaround-riggedcraft？
　　Pooh，pooh，Magnet！youarejustfittoreadlecturesaboutshipsbeforesomehystericalsociety。youdon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout。leavethesethingstome，andthey’llbeproperlymanaged。Ah！hereisthePathfinderhimself，andImayjustaswelldrophimahintofmybenevolentintentionsasregardshimself。Hopeisagreatencouragerofourexertions。
　　Capnoddedhishead，andthenceasedtospeak，whilethehunterapproached，notwithhisusualfrankandeasymanner，butinawaytoshowthathewasslightlyem-
　　barrassed，ifnotdistrustfulofhisreception。
　　Uncleandniecemakeafamilyparty，saidPathfinder，whennearthetwo，andastrangermaynotproveawel-
　　comecompanion？
　　Youarenostranger，MasterPathfinder，returnedCap，andnoonecanbemorewelcomethanyourself。
　　Weweretalkingofyoubutamomentago，andwhenfriendsspeakofanabsentman，hecanguesswhattheyhavesaid。
　　Iasknosecrets。Everymanhashisenemies，andI
　　havemine，thoughIcountneitheryou，MasterCap，norprettyMabelhereamongthenumber。AsfortheMingos，Iwillsaynothing，thoughtheyhavenojustcausetohateme。
　　ThatI’llanswerfor，Pathfinder！foryoustrikemyfancyasbeingwell-disposedandupright。Thereisamethod，however，ofgettingawayfromtheenmityofeventheseMingos。andifyouchoosetotakeit，noonewillmorewillinglypointitoutthanmyself，withoutachargeformyadviceeither。
　　Iwishnoenemies，Saltwater，forsothePathfinderhadbeguntocallCap，having，insensiblytohimself，adoptedtheterm，bytranslatingthenamegivenhimbytheIndiansinandaboutthefort，——Iwishnoenemies。
　　I’masreadytoburythehatchetwiththeMingosaswiththeFrench，thoughyouknowthatitdependsonOnegreaterthaneitherofussototurntheheartastoleaveamanwithoutenemies。
　　Byliftingyouranchor，andaccompanyingmedowntothecoast，friendPathfinder，whenwegetbackfromthisshortcruiseonwhichwearebound，youwillfindyourselfbeyondthesoundofthewar-whoop，andsafeenoughfromanyIndianbullet。
　　AndwhatshouldIdoonthesaltwater？Huntinyourtowns？Followthetrailsofpeoplegoingandcom-
　　ingfrommarket，andambushdogsandpoultry？Youarenofriendtomyhappiness，MasterCap，ifyouwouldleadmeoutoftheshadesofthewoodstoputmeinthesunoftheclearings。
　　Ididnotproposetoleaveyouinthesettlements，Pathfinder，buttocarryyououttosea，whereamancanonlybesaidtobreathefreely。Mabelwilltellyouthatsuchwasmyintention，beforeawordwassaidonthesubject。
　　AndwhatdoesMabelthinkwouldcomeofsuchachange？Sheknowsthatamanhashisgifts，andthatitisasuselesstopretendtoothersastowithstandthemthatcomefromProvidence。Iamahunter，andascout，oraguide，Saltwater，anditisnotinmetoflysomuchinthefaceofHeavenastotrytobecomeanythingelse。AmI
　　right，Mabel，orareyousomuchawomanastowishtoseeanatur’altered？
　　Iwouldwishtoseenochangeinyou，Pathfinder，
　　Mabelanswered，withacordialsincerityandfranknessthatwentdirectlytothehunter’sheart。andmuchasmyuncleadmiresthesea，andgreatasisallthegoodthathethinksmaycomeofit，Icouldnotwishtoseethebestandnoblesthunterofthewoodstransformedintoanad-
　　miral。Remainwhatyouare，mybravefriend，andyouneedfearnothingshortoftheangerofGod。
　　Doyouhearthis，Saltwater？doyouhearwhattheSergeant’sdaughterissaying，andsheismuchtooupright，andfair-minded，andpretty，nottothinkwhatshesays。
　　SolongassheissatisfiedwithmeasIam，IshallnotflyinthefaceofthegiftsofProvideuce，bystrivingtobecomeanythingelse。Imayseemuselesshereinagarrison。butwhenwegetdownamongtheThousandIslands，theremaybeanopportunitytoprovethatasurerifleissometimesaGodsend。
　　Youarethentobeofourparty？saidMabel，smilingsofranklyandsosweetlyontheguidethathewouldhavefollowedhertotheendoftheearth。Ishallbetheonlyfemale，withtheexceptionofonesoldier’swife，andshallfeelnonethelesssecure，Pathfinder，becauseyouwillbeamongourprotectors。
　　TheSergeantwoulddothat，Mabel，thoughyouwerenotofhiskin。Noonewilloverlookyou。Ishouldthinkyouruncleherewouldlikeanexpeditionofthissort，whereweshallgowithsails，andhavealookataninlandsea？
　　Yourinlandseaisnogreatmatter，MasterPathfinder，andIexpectnothingfromit。Iconfess，however，Ishouldliketoknowtheobjectofthecruise。foronedoesnotwishtobeidle，andmybrother-in-law，theSergeant，isasclose-mouthedasafreemason。Doyouknow，Mabel，whatallthismeans？
　　Notintheleast，uncle。Idarenotaskmyfatheranyquestionsabouthisduty，forhethinksitisnotawoman’sbusiness。andallIcansayis，thatwearetosailassoonasthewindwillpermit，andthatwearetobeabsentamonth。
　　PerhapsMasterPathfindercangivemeausefulhint。
　　forav’y’gewithoutanobjectisneverpleasanttoanoldsailor。
　　Thereisnogreatsecret，Saltwater，concerningourportandobject，thoughitisforbiddentotalkmuchabouteitherinthegarrison。Iamnosoldier，however，andcanusemytongueasIplease，thoughaslittlegivenasanothertoidleconversation，Ihope。still，aswesailsosoon，andyouarebothtobeoftheparty，youmayaswellbetoldwhereyouaretobecarried。YouknowthattherearesuchthingsastheThousandIslands，Isuppose，MasterCap？
　　Ay，whataresocalledhereaway，thoughItakeitforgrantedthattheyarenotrealislauds，suchaswefallinwithontheocean。andthatthethousandmeanssomesuchmatterastwoorthree。
　　Myeyesaregood，andyethaveIoftenbeenfoiledintryingtocountthemveryislands。
　　Ay，ay，I’veknownpeoplewhocouldn’tcountbeyondacertainnumber。Yourrealland-birdsneverknowtheirownroosts，eveninaland-fallatsea。HowmanytimeshaveIseenthebeach，andhouses，andchurches，whenthepassengershavenotbeenabletoseeanythingbutwater！
　　Ihavenoideathatamancangetfairlyoutofsightoflandonfreshwater。Thethingappearstometobeirra-
　　tionalandimpossible。
　　Youdon’tknowthelakes，MasterCap，oryouwouldnotsaythat。BeforewegettotheThousandIslands，youwillhaveothernotionsofwhatnatur’hasdoneinthiswilderness。
　　Ihavemydoubtswhetheryouhavesuchathingasarealislandinallthisregion。
　　We’llshowyouhundredsofthem。notexactlyathou-
　　sand，perhaps，butsomanythateyecannotseethemall，nortonguecountthem。
　　I’llengage，whenthetruthcomestobeknown，they’llturnouttobenothingbutpeninsulas，orpromontories。orcontinents。thoughthesearematters，Idaresay，ofwhichyouknowlittleornothing。But，islandsornoislands，whatistheobjectofthecruise，MasterPathfinder？
　　Therecanbenoharmingivingyousomeideaofwhatwearegoingtodo。Beingsooldasailor，MasterCap，you’veheard，nodoubt，ofsuchaportasFrontenac？
　　Whohasn’t？IwillnotsayI’veeverbeeninsidetheharbor，butI’vefrequentlybeenofftheplace。
　　Thenyouareabouttogoupongroundwithwhichyouareacquainted。Thesegreatlakes，youmustknow，makeachain，thewaterpassingoutofoneintotheother，untilitreachesErie，whichisasheetoffheretothewest-
　　ward，aslargeasOntarioitself。Well，outofEriethewatercomes，untilitreachesalowmountainlike，overtheedgeofwhichitpasses。
　　Ishouldliketoknowhowthedevilitcandothat？
　　Why，easyenough，MasterCap，returnedPathfinder，laughing，seeingthatithasonlytofalldownhill。HadIsaidthewaterwent_up_themountain，therewouldhavebeennatur’ag’init。butweholditnogreatmatterforwatertorundownhill——thatis，_fresh_water。
　　Ay，ay，butyouspeakofthewaterofalake’scomingdownthesideofamountain。it’sintheteethofreason，ifreasonhasanyteeth。
　　Well，well，wewillnotdisputethepoint。butwhatI’veseenI’veseen。AftergettingintoOntario，allthewaterof_all_thelakespassesdownintotheseabyariver。
　　andinthenarrowpartofthesheet，whereitisneitherrivernorlake，lietheislandsspokenof。NowFrontenacisapostoftheFrenchersabovethesesameislands。and，astheyholdthegarrisonbelow，theirstoresandammuni-
　　tionaresentuptherivertoFrontenac，tobeforwardedalongtheshoresofthisandtheotherlakes，inordertoenabletheenemytoplayhisdevilriesamongthesavages，andtotakeChristianscalps。
　　Andwillourpresencepreventthesehorribleacts？
　　demandedMabel，withinterest。
　　Itmayoritmaynot，asProvidencewills。Lundie，astheycallhim，hewhocommandsthisgarrison，sentapartydowntotakeastationamongtheislands，tocutoffsomeoftheFrenchboats。andthisexpeditionofourswillbethesecondrelief。Asyetthey’venotdonemuch，thoughtwobateauxloadedwithIndiangoodshavebeentaken。
　　butarunnercameinlastweek，andbroughtsuchtidingsthattheMajorisabouttomakealastefforttocircumventtheknaves。Jasperknowstheway，andweshallbeingoodhands，fortheSergeantisprudent，andofthefirstqualityatanambushment。yes，heisbothprudentandalert。
　　Isthisall？saidCapcontemptuously。bytheprep-
　　arationsandequipments，Ihadthoughttherewasaforcedtradeinthewind，andthatanhonestpennymightbeturnedbytakinganadventure。Isupposetherearenosharesinyourfresh-waterprize-money？
　　Anan？
　　Itakeitforgrantedthekinggetsallinthesesoldier-
　　ingparties，andambushments，asyoucallthem。
　　Iknownothingaboutthat，MasterCap。Itakemyshareoftheleadandpowderifanyfallsintoourhands，andsaynothingtothekingaboutit。Ifanyonefaresbetter，itisnotI。thoughitistimeIdidbegintothinkofahouseandfurnitureandahome。
　　AlthoughthePathfinderdidnotdaretolookatMabelwhilehemadethisdirectallusiontohischangeoflife，hewouldhavegiventheworldtoknowwhethershewaslis-
　　tening，andwhatwastheexpressionofhercountenance。
　　Mabellittlesuspectedthenatureoftheallusion，however。
　　andhercountenancewasperfectlyunembarrassedassheturnedhereyestowardstheriver，wheretheappearanceofsomemovementonboardthe_Scud_begantobevisible。
　　Jasperisbringingthecutterout，observedtheguide，whoselookwasdrawninthesamedirectionbythefallofsomeheavyarticleonthedeck。Theladseesthesignsofwind，nodoubt，andwishestobereadyforit。
　　Ay，nowweshallhaveanopportunityoflearningseamanship，returnedCap，withasneer。Thereisanicetyingettingacraftunderhercanvasthatshowsthethoroughbredmarinerasmuchasanythingelse。It’slikeasoldierbuttoninghiscoat，andonecanseewhetherhebeginsatthetoporthebottom。
　　IwillnotsaythatJasperisequaltoyourseafarersbelow，observedPathfinder，acrosswhoseuprightmindanunworthyfeelingofenvyorofjealousyneverpassed。
　　butheisaboldboy，andmanageshiscutterasskillfullyasanymancandesire，onthislakeatleast。Youdidn’tfindhimbackwardsattheOswegoFalls，MasterCap，wherefreshwatercontrivestotumbledownhillwithlittledifficulty。
　　Capmadenootheranswerthanadissatisfiedejaculation，andthenageneralsilencefollowed，allonthebastionstudyingthemovementsofthecutterwiththeinterestthatwasnaturaltotheirownfutureconnectionwiththevessel。Itwasstilladeadcalm，thesurfaceofthelakeliterallyglitteringwiththelastraysofthesun。The_Scud_hadbeenwarpeduptoakedgethatlayahundredyardsabovethepointsoftheoutlet，whereshehadroomtomanoeuvreintheriverwhichthenformedtheharborofOswego。Butthetotalwantofairpreventedanysuchat-
　　tempt，anditwassoonevidentthatthelightvesselwastobetakenthroughthepassageunderhersweeps。Notasailwasloosened。butassoonasthekedgewastripped，theheavyfallofthesweepswasheard，whenthecutter，withherheadupstream，begantosheertowardsthecentreofthecurrent。onreachingwhich，theeffortsofthemenceased，andshedriftedtowardstheoutlet。Inthenarrowpassitselfhermovementwasrapid，andinlessthanfiveminutesthe_Scud_wasfloatingoutsideofthetwolowgravellypointswhichinterceptedthewavesofthelake。
　　Noanchorwasletgo，butthevesselcontinuedtosetofffromtheland，untilherdarkhullwasseenrestingontheglossysurfaceofthelake，fullaquarterofamilebeyondthelowbluffwhichformedtheeasternextremityofwhatmightbecalledtheouterharbororroadstead。Heretheinfluenceoftherivercurrentceased，andshebecame，vir-
　　tually，stationary。
　　Sheseemsverybeautifultome，uncle，saidMabel，whosegazehadnotbeenavertedfromthecutterforasinglemomentwhileithadthusbeenchangingitsposi-
　　tion。Idaresayyoucanfindfaultsinherappearance，andinthewaysheismanaged。buttomyignorancebothareperfect。
　　Ay，ay。shedropsdownwithacurrentwellenough，girl，andsowouldachip。Butwhenyoucometoniceties，alloldtarlikemyselfhasnoneedofspectaclestofindfault。
　　Well，MasterCap，putintheguide，whoseldomheardanythingtoJasper’sprejudicewithoutmanifestingadis-
　　positiontointerfere，I’veheardoldandexperiencedsalt-
　　watermarinersconfessthatthe_Scud_isasprettyacraftasfloats。Iknownothingofsuchmattersmyself。butonemayhavehisownnotionsaboutaship，eventhoughtheybewrongnotions。anditwouldtakemorethanonewitnesstopersuademeJasperdoesnotkeephisboatingoodorder。
　　Idonotsaythatthecutterisdownrightlubberly，MasterPathfinder。butshehasfaults，andgreatfaults。
　　Andwhatarethey，uncle？Ifheknewthem，Jasperwouldbegladtomendthem。
　　Whatarethey？Why，fifty。ay，forthatmatterahundred。Verymaterialandmanifestfaults。
　　Donamethem，sir，andPathfinderwillmentionthemtohisfriend。
　　Namethem！itisnoeasymattertocalloffthestars，forthesimplereasonthattheyaresonumerous。Namethem，indeed！Why，myprettyniece，MissMagnet，whatdoyouthinkofthatmain-boomnow？Tomyignoranteyes，itistoppedatleastafoottoohigh。andthenthepennantisfoul。and——and——ay，d——me，ifthereisn’tatopsailgasketadrift。anditwouldn’tsurprisemeatallifthereshouldbearoundturninthathawser，ifthekedgeweretobeletgothisinstant。Faultsindeed！Noseamancouldlookatheramomentwithoutseeingthatsheisasfulloffaultsasaservantwhohasaskedforhisdischarge。
　　Thismaybeverytrue，uncle，thoughImuchquestionifJasperknowsofthem。Idonotthinkhewouldsufferthesethings，Pathfinder，iftheywereoncepointedouttohim。
　　LetJaspermanagehisowncutter，Mabel。Hisgiftliesthat-a-way，andI’llanswerforit，noonecanteachhimhowtokeepthe_Scud_outofthehandsoftheFron-
　　tenackersortheirdevilishMingofriends。Whocaresforroundturnsinkedges，andforhawsersthataretoppedtoohigh，MasterCap，solongasthecraftsailswell，andkeepsclearoftheFrenchers？IwilltrustJasperagainstalltheseafarersofthecoast，uphereonthelakes。butI
　　donotsayhehasanygiftfortheocean，fortherehehasneverbeentried。
　　Capsmiledcondescendingly，buthedidnotthinkitnecessarytopushhiscritismsanyfurtherjustasthatmoment。Bythistimethecutterhadbeguntodriftatthemercyofthecurrentsofthelake，herheadturninginalldirections，thoughslowly，andnotinawaytoattractparticularattention。Justatthismomentthejibwasloosenedandhoisted，andpresentlythecanvasswelledtowardstheland，thoughnoevidencesofairwereyettobeseenonthesurfaceofthewater。Slight，however，aswastheimpulsion，thelighthullyielded。andinanotherminutethe_Scud_wasseenstandingacrossthecurrentoftheriverwithamovementsoeasyandmoderateastobescarcelyperceptible。Whenoutofthestream，shestruckaneddyandshotuptowardstheland，undertheemi-
　　nencewherethefortstood，whenJasperdroppedhiskedge。
　　Notlubberlydone，mutteredCapinasortofsolilo-
　　quy，——notoverlubberly，thoughheshouldhaveputhishelma-starboardinsteadofa-port。foravesseloughtalwaystocome-towithherheadoffshore，whethersheisaleaguefromthelandoronlyacable’slength，sinceithasacarefullook，andlooksaresomethinginthisworld。
　　Jasperisahandylad，suddenlyobservedSergeantDunhamathisbrother-in-law’selbow。andweplacegreatrelianceonhisskillinourexpeditions。Butcome，oneandall，wehavebuthalfanhourmoreofdaylighttoembarkin，andtheboatswillbereadyforusbythetimewearereadyforthem。
　　Onthisintimationthewholepartyseparated，eachtofindthosetrifleswhichhadnotbeenshippedalready。A
　　fewtapsofthedrumgavethenecessarysignaltothesoldiers，andinaminuteallwereinmotion。
　　CHAPTERXIII。
　　Thegoblinnowthefoolalarms，Hagsmeettomumbleo’ertheircharms，Thenight-mareridesthedreamingass，Andfairiestripitonthegrass。
　　COTTON。
　　Theembarkationofsosmallapartywasamatterofnogreatdelayorembarrassment。Thewholeforcecon-
　　fidedtothecareofSergeantDunhamconsistedofbuttenprivatesandtwonon-commissionedofficers，thoughitwassoonpositivelyknownthatMr。Muirwastoaccompanytheexpedition。TheQuartermaster，however，wentasavol-
　　unteer，whilesomedutyconnectedwithhisowndepart-
　　ment，ashadbeenarrangedbetweenhimandhiscom-
　　mander，wastheavowedobject。TothesemustbeaddedthePathfinderandCap，withJasperandhissubordinates，oneofwhomwasaboy。Theparty，consequently，con-
　　sistedoflessthantwentymen，andaladoffourteen。
　　Mabelandthewifeofacommonsoldierweretheonlyfemales。
　　SergeantDunhamcarriedoffhiscommandinalargebateau，andthenreturnedforhisfinalorders，andtoseethathisbrother-in-lawanddaughterwereproperlyat-
　　tendedto。HavingpointedouttoCaptheboatthatheandMabelweretouse，heascendedthehilltoseekhislastinterviewwithLundie。
　　ItwasnearlydarkwhenMabelfoundherselfintheboatthatwastocarryherofftothecutter。Soverysmoothwasthesurfaceofthelake，thatitwasnotfoundnecessarytobringthebateauxintotherivertoreceivetheirfreights。
　　butthebeachoutsidebeingtotallywithoutsurf，andthewaterastranquilasthatofapond，everybodyembarkedthere。Whentheboatlefttheland，Mabelwouldnothaveknownthatshewasafloatonsobroadasheetofwaterbyanymovementwhichisusualtosuchcircum-
　　stances。Theoarshadbarelytimetogiveadozenstrokes，whentheboatlayatthecutter’sside。
　　Jasperwasinreadinesstoreceivehispassengers。and，asthedeckofthe_Scud_wasbuttwoorthreefeetabovethewater，nodifficultywasexperiencedingettingonboardofher。Assoonasthiswaseffected，theyoungmanpointedouttoMabelandhercompaniontheaccommoda-
　　tionspreparedfortheirreception。Thelittlevesselcon-
　　tainedfourapartmentsbelow，allbetweendeckshavingbeenexpresslyconstructedwithaviewtothetransporta-
　　tionofofficersandmen，withtheirwivesandfamilies。
　　Firstinrankwaswhatwascalledtheafter-cabin，asmallapartmentthatcontainedfourberths，andwhichenjoyedtheadvantageofpossessingsmallwindows，forthead-
　　missionofairandlight。Thiswasuniformlydevotedtofemaleswheneveranywereonboard。andasMabelandhercompanionwerealone，theyhadampleaccommoda-
　　tion。Themaincabinwaslarger，andlightedfromabove。
　　ItwasnowappropriatedtotheQuartermaster，theSer-
　　geant，Cap，andJasper。thePathfinderroamingthroughanypartofthecutterhepleased，thefemaleapartmentexcepted。Thecorporalsandcommonsoldiersoccupiedthespacebeneaththemainhatch，whichhadadeckforsuchapurpose，whilethecrewwereberthed，asusual，intheforecastle。Althoughthecutterdidnotmeasurequitefiftytons，thedraftofofficersandmenwassolight，thattherewasampleroomforallonboard，therebeingspaceenoughtoaccommodatetreblethenumber，ifnecessary。
　　AssoonasMabelhadtakenpossessionofherownreallycomfortablecabin，indoingwhichshecouldnotabstainfromindulginginthepleasantreflectionthatsomeofJasper’sfavorhadbeenespeciallymanifestedinherbe-
　　half，shewentondeckagain。Hereallwasmomentarilyinmotion。themenwererovingtoandfro，inquestoftheirknapsacksandothereffects。butmethodandhabitsoonreducedthingstoorder，whenthestillnessonboardbecameevenimposing，foritwasconnectedwiththeideaoffutureadventureandominouspreparation。
　　Darknesswasnowbeginningtorenderobjectsonshoreindistinct，thewholeofthelandformingoneshapelessblackoutlineofevenforestsummits，tobedistinguishedfromtheimpendingheavensonlybythegreaterlightofthesky。Thestars，however，soonbegantoappearinthelatter，oneafteranother，intheirusualmild，placidlustre，bringingwiththemthatsenseofquietwhichordinarilyaccompaniesnight。Therewassomethingsoothing，aswellasexciting，insuchascene。andMabel，whowasseatedonthequarter-deck，sensiblyfeltbothinfluences。
　　ThePathfinderwasstandingnearher，leaning，asusual，onhislongrifle，andshefanciedthat，throughthegrow-
　　ingdarknessofthehour，shecouldtraceevenstrongerlinesofthoughtthanusualinhisruggedcountenance。
　　Toyou，Pathfinder，expeditionslikethiscanbenogreatnovelty，saidshe。thoughIamsurprisedtofindhowsilentandthoughtfulthemenappeartobe。
　　Welearnthisbymakingwarag’inIndians。Yourmilitiaaregreattalkersandlittledoersingeneral。butthesoldierwhohasoftenmettheMingoslearnstoknowthevalueofaprudenttongue。Asilentarmy，inthewoods，isdoublystrong。andanoisyone，doublyweak。
　　Iftonguesmadesoldiers，the，womenofacampwouldgenerallycarrytheday。
　　Butweareneitheranarmy，norinthewoods。TherecanbenodangerofMingosinthe_Scud_。
　　NooneissafefromaMingo，whodoesnotunderstandhisverynatur’。andeventhenhemustactuptohisownknowledge，andthatclosely。AskJasperhowhegotcom-
　　mandofthisverycutter。
　　Andhow_did_hegetcommand？inquiredMabel，withanearnestnessandinterestthatquitedelightedhersimple-
　　mindedandtrue-heartedcompanion，whowasneverbetterpleasedthanwhenhehadanopportunityofsayingaughtinfavorofafriend。Itishonorabletohimthathehasreachedthisstationwhileyetsoyoung。
　　Thatisit。buthedeserveditall，andmore。Afrigatewouldn’thavebeentoomuchtopayforsomuchspiritandcoolness，hadtherebeensuchathingonOntario，asthereisnot，hows’ever，orlikelytobe。
　　ButJasper——youhavenotyettoldmehowhegotthecommandoftheschooner。
　　Itisalongstory，Mabel，andoneyourfather，theSer-
　　geant，cantellmuchbetterthanI。forhewaspresent，whileIwasoffonadistantscouting。Jasperisnotgoodatastory，Iwillownthat。Ihaveheardhimquestionedaboutthisaffair，andhenevermadeagoodtaleofit，al-
　　thougheverybodyknowsitwasagoodthing。The_Scud_
　　hadnearfallenintothehandsoftheFrenchandtheMingos，whenJaspersavedher，inawaywhichnonebutaquick-wittedmindandaboldheartwouldhaveat-
　　tempted。TheSergeantwilltellthetalebetterthanI
　　can，andIwishyoutoquestionhimsomeday，whennothingbetteroffers。
　　Mabeldeterminedtoaskherfathertorepeattheinci-
　　dentsoftheaffairthatverynight。foritstruckheryoungfancythatnothingbettercouldwellofferthantolistentothepraisesofonewhowasabadhistorianofhisownex-
　　ploits。
　　Willthe_Scud_remainwithuswhenwereachtheisland？sheasked，afteralittlehesitationabouttheproprietyofthequestion。orshallwebelefttoour-
　　selves？
　　That’sasmaybe：Jasperdoesnotoftenkeepthecutteridlewhenanythingistobedone。andwemayexpectactivityonhispart。Mygifts，however，runsolittletowardsthewaterandvesselsgenerally，unlessitbeamongrapidsandfallsandincanoes，thatIpretendtoknownothingaboutit。WeshallhaveallrightunderJasper，Imakenodoubt，whocanfindatrailonOntarioaswellasaDelawarecanfindoneontheland。
　　AndourownDelaware，Pathfinder——theBigSerpent——
　　whyishenotwithusto-night？
　　Yourquestionwouldhavebeenmorenaturalhadyousaid，Whyare_you_here，Pathfinder？TheSarpentisinhisplace，whileIamnotinmine。Heisout，withtwoorthreemore，scoutingthelakeshores，andwilljoinusdownamongtheislands，withthetidingshemaygather。TheSergeantistoogoodasoldiertoforgethisrearwhileheisfacingtheenemyinfront。It’sathousandpities，Mabel，yourfatherwasn’tbornageneral，assomeoftheEnglisharewhocomeamongus。forIfeelsartainhewouldn’tleaveaFrencherintheCanadasaweek，couldhehavehisownwaywiththem。
　　Shallwehaveenemiestofaceinfront？askedMabel，smiling，andforthefirsttimefeelingaslightapprehen-
　　sionaboutthedangersoftheexpedition。Arewelikelytohaveanengagement？
　　Ifwehave，Mabel，therewillbemenenoughreadyandwillingtostandbetweenyouandharm。Butyouareasoldier’sdaughter，and，weallknow，havethespiritofone。Don’tletthefearofabattlekeepyourprettyeyesfromsleeping。
　　Idofeelbraverouthereinthewoods，Pathfinder，thanIeverfeltbeforeamidtheweaknessesofthetowns，althoughIhavealwaystriedtorememberwhatIowetomydearfather。
　　Ay，yourmotherwassobeforeyou。’YouwillfindMabel，likehermother，noscreamer，orafaint-heartedgirl，totroubleamaninhisneed。butonewhowoulden-
　　couragehermate，andhelptokeephisheartupwhensorestprestbydanger，’saidtheSergeanttome，beforeI
　　everlaideyesonthatsweetcountenanceofyours，——hedid！
　　Andwhyshouldmyfatherhavetoldyouthis，Path-
　　finder？thegirldemandedalittleearnestly。Perhapshefanciedyouwouldthinkthebetterofmeifyoudidnotbelievemeasillycoward，assomanyofmysexlovetomakethemselvesappear。
　　Deception，unlessitwereattheexpenseofhisenemiesinthefield，——nay，concealmentofevenathought，——wassolittleinaccordancewiththePathfinder’sverynature，thathewasnotalittleembarrassedbythissimpleques-
　　tion。Insuchastraitheinvoluntarilytookrefugeina，middlecourse，notrevealingthatwhichhefanciedoughtnottobetold，noryetabsolutelyconcealingit。
　　Youmustknow，Mabel，saidhe，thattheSergeantandIareoldfriends，andhavestoodsidebyside——or，ifnotactuallysidebyside，Ialittleinadvance，asbecameascout，andyourfatherwithhisownmen，asbettersuitedasoldieroftheking——onmanyahardfi’tandbloodyday。
　　It’sthewayofusskirmisherstothinklittleofthefightwhentheriflehasdonecracking。andatnight，aroundourfires，oronourmarches，wetalkofthethingswelove，justasyouyoungwomenconvarseaboutyourfanciesandopinionswhenyougettogethertolaughoveryouridees。
　　NowitwasnaturalthattheSergeant，havingsuchadaughterasyou，shouldloveherbetterthananythingelse，andthatheshouldtalkofheroftenerthanofanythingelse，——whileI，havingneitherdaughter，norsister，normother，norkith，norkin，noranythingbuttheDelawarestolove，Inaturallychimedin，asitwere，andgottoloveyou，Mabel，beforeIeversawyou——yes，Idid——justbytalk-
　　ingaboutyousomuch。
　　Andnowyou_have_seenme，returnedthesmilinggirl，whoseunmovedandnaturalmannerprovedhowlittleshewasthinkingofanythingmorethanparentalorfraternalregard，youarebeginningtoseethefollyofformingfriendshipsforpeoplebeforeyouknowanythingaboutthem，exceptbyhearsay。
　　Itwasn’tfriendship——itisn’tfriendship，Mabel，thatIfeelforyou。IamthefriendoftheDelawares，andhavebeensofromboyhood。butmyfeelingsforthem，orforthebestofthem，arenotthesameasthoseIgotfromtheSergeantforyou。and，especially，nowthatIbegintoknowyoubetter。I’msometimesafeareditisn’twhole-
　　someforonewhoismuchoccupiedinaverymanlycall-
　　ing，likethatofaguideorscout，orasoldiereven，toformfriendshipsforwomen，——youngwomeninparticular，——astheyseemtometolessentheloveofenterprise，andtoturnthefeelingsawayfromtheirgiftsandnaturaloccu-
　　pations。
　　Yousurelydonotmean，Pathfinder，thatafriendshipforagirllikemewouldmakeyoulessbold，andmoreun-
　　willingtomeettheFrenchthanyouwerebefore？
　　Notso，notso。Withyouindanger，forinstance，I
　　fearImightbecomefoolhardy。butbeforewebecamesointimate，asImaysay，Ilovedtothinkofmyscoutings，andofmymarches，andoutlyings，andfights，andotheradventures：butnowmymindcareslessaboutthem。I
　　thinkmoreofthebarracks，andofeveningspassedindis-
　　course，offeelingsinwhichtherearenowranglingsandbloodshed，andofyoungwomen，andoftheirlaughsandtheircheerful，softvoices，theirpleasantlooksandtheirwinningways。IsometimestelltheSergeantthatheandhisdaughterwillbethespoilingofoneofthebestandmostexperiencedscoutsonthelines。
　　Notthey，Pathfinder。theywilltrytomakethatwhichisalreadysoexcellent，perfect。Youdonotknowus，ifyouthinkthateitherwishestoseeyouintheleastchanged。
　　Remainasatpresent，thesamehonest，upright，conscien-
　　tious，fearless，intelligent，trustworthyguidethatyouare，andneithermydearfathernormyselfcaneverthinkofyoudifferentlyfromwhatwenowdo。
　　ItwastoodarkforMabeltonotetheworkingsofthecountenanceofherlistener。butherownsweetfacewasturnedtowardshim，asshespokewithanenergyequaltoherfrankness，inawaytoshowhowlittleembarrassedwereherthoughts，andhowsincerewereherwords。Hercountenancewasalittleflushed，itistrue。butitwaswithearnestnessandtruthoffeeling，thoughnonervethrilled，nolimbtrembled，nopulsationquickened。Inshort，hermannerandappearancewerethoseofasincere-mindedandfrankgirl，makingsuchadeclarationofgood-willandregardforoneoftheothersexasshefeltthathisservicesandgoodqualitiesmerited，withoutanyoftheemotionthatinvariablyaccompaniestheconsciousnessofanin-
　　clinationwhichmightleadtosofterdisclosures。
　　ThePathfinderwastoounpractised，however，toenterintodistinctionsofthiskind，andhishumblenaturewasencouragedbythedirectnessandstrengthofthewordshehadjustheard。Unwilling，ifnotunable，tosayanymore，hewalkedaway，andstoodleaningonhisrifleandlookingupatthestarsforfulltenminutesinprofoundsilence。
　　Inthemeanwhiletheinterviewonthebastion，towhichwehavealreadyalluded，tookplacebetweenLundieandtheSergeant。
　　Havethemen’sknapsacksbeenexamined？demandedMajorDuncan，afterhehadcasthiseyeatawrittenreport，handedtohimbytheSergeant，butwhichitwastoodarktoread。
　　All，yourhonor。andallareright。
　　Theammunition——arms？
　　Allinorder，MajorDuncan，andfitforanyservice。
　　Youhavethemennamedinmyowndraft，Dunham？
　　Withoutanexception，sir。Bettermencouldnotbefoundintheregiment。
　　Youhaveneedofthebestofourmen，Sergeant。Thisexperimenthasnowbeentriedthreetimes。alwaysunderoneoftheensigns，whohaveflatteredmewithsuccess，buthaveasoftenfailed。Aftersomuchpreparationandexpense，Idonotliketoabandontheprojectentirely。
　　butthiswillbethelasteffort。andtheresultwillmainlydependonyouandonthePathfinder。
　　Youmaycountonusboth，MajorDuncan。Thedutyyouhavegivenusisnotaboveourhabitsandexperience，andIthinkitwillbewelldone。IknowthatthePath-
　　finderwillnotbewanting。
　　Onthat，indeed，itwillbesafetorely。Heisamostextraordinaryman，Dunham——onewholongpuzzledme。
　　butwho，nowthatIunderstandhim，commandsasmuchofmyrespectasanygeneralinhismajesty’sservice。
　　Iwasinhopes，sir，thatyouwouldcometolookattheproposedmarriagewithMabelasathingIoughttowishandforward。
　　Asforthat，Sergeant，timewillshow，returnedLundie，smiling。thoughhere，too，theobscurityconcealedtbenicershadesofexpression。onewomanissometimesmoredifficulttomanagethanawholeregimentofmen。
　　Bytheway，youknowthatyourwould-beson-in-law，theQuartermaster，willbeoftheparty。andItrustyouwillatleastgivehimanequalchanceinthetrialforyourdaughter’ssmiles。
　　Ifrespectforhisrank，sir，didnotcausemetodothis，yourhonor’swishwouldbesufficient。
　　Ithankyou，Sergeant。Wehaveservedmuchtogether，andoughttovalueeachotherinourseveralstations。
　　Understandme，however，IasknomoreforDavyMuirthanaclearfieldandnofavor。Inlove，asinwar，eachmanmustgainhisownvictories。Areyoucertainthattherationshavebeenproperlycalculated？
　　I’llanswerforit，MajorDuncan。butiftheywerenot，wecannotsufferwithtwosuchhuntersasPathfinderandtheSerpentincompany。
　　Thatwillneverdo，Dunham，interruptedLundiesharply。anditcomesofyourAmericanbirthandAmericantraining。Nothoroughsoldiereverreliesonanythingbuthiscommissaryforsupplies。andIbegthatnopartofmyregimentmaybethefirsttosetanexampletothecontrary。
　　Youhaveonlytocommand，MajorDuncan，tobeobeyed。andyet，ifImightpresume，sir——
　　Speakfreely，Sergeant。youaretalkingwithafriend。
　　IwasmerelyabouttosaythatIfindeventheScotchsoldierslikevenisonandbirdsquiteaswellaspork，whentheyaredifficulttobehad。
　　Thatmaybeverytrue。butlikesanddislikeshavenothingtodowithsystem。Anarmycanrelyonnothingbutitscommissaries。Theirregularityoftheprovincialshasplayedthedevilwiththeking’sservicetoooftentobewinkedatanylonger。
　　GeneralBraddock，yourhonor，mighthavebeenad-
　　visedbyColonelWashington。
　　OutuponyourWashington！You’reallprovincialstogether，man，andupholdeachotherasifyouwereofaswornconfederacy。
　　IbelievehismajestyhasnomoreloyalsubjectsthantheAmericans，yourhonor。
　　Inthat，Dunham，I’mthinkingyou’reright。andI
　　havebeenalittletoowarm，perhaps。Idonotconsider_you_aprovincial，however，Sergeant。forthoughborninAmerica，abettersoldiernevershoulderedamusket。
　　AndColonelWashington，yourhonor？
　　Well！——andColonelWashingtonmaybeausefulsubjecttoo。HeistheAmericanprodigy。andIsupposeImayaswellgivehimallthecredityouask。YouhavenodoubtoftheskillofthisJasperEau-douce？
　　Theboyhasbeentried，sir，andfoundequaltoallthatcanberequiredofhim。
　　HehasaFrenchname，andhaspassedmuchofhisboyhoodintheFrenchcolonies。hasheFrenchbloodinhisveins，Sergeant？
　　Notadrop，yourhonor。Jasper’sfatherwasanoldcomradeofmyown，andhismothercameofanhonestandloyalfamilyinthisveryprovince。
　　HowcamehethensomuchamongtheFrench，andwhencehisname？HespeaksthelanguageoftheCanadas，too，Ifind。
　　Thatiseasilyexplained，MajorDuncan。Theboywasleftunderthecareofoneofourmarinersintheoldwar，andhetooktothewaterlikeaduck。YourhonorknowsthatwehavenoportsonOntariothatcanbenamedassuch，andhenaturallypassedmostofhistimeontheothersideofthelake，wheretheFrenchhavehadafewvesselsthesefiftyyears。Helearnedtospeaktheirlan-
　　guage，asamatterofcourse，andgothisnamefromtheIndiansandCanadians，whoarefondofcallingmenbytheirqualities，asitmightbe。
　　AFrenchmasterisbutapoorinstructorforaBritishsailor，notwithstanding。
　　Ibegyourpardon，sir：JasperEau-doucewasbroughtupunderarealEnglishseaman，onethathadsailedundertheking’spennant，andmaybecalledathorough-bred。
　　thatistosay，asubjectborninthecolonies，butnonetheworseathistrade，Ihope，MajorDuncan，forthat。
　　Perhapsnot，Sergeant，perhapsnot。noranybetter。
　　ThisJasperbehavedwell，too，whenIgavehimthecom-
　　mandofthe_Scud_。noladcouldhaveconductedhimselfmoreloyallyorbetter。
　　Ormorebravely，MajorDuncan。Iamsorrytosee，sir，thatyouhavedoubtsastothefidelityofJasper。
　　Itisthedutyofthesoldierwhoisentrustedwiththecareofadistantandimportantpostlikethis，Dunham，nevertorelaxinhisvigilance。Wehavetwoofthemostartfulenemiesthattheworldhaseverproduced，intheirseveralways，tocontendwith，——theIndiansandtheFrench，——andnothingshouldbeoverlookedthatcanleadtoinjury。
　　IhopeyourhonorconsidersmefittobeentrustedwithanyparticularreasonthatmayexistfordoubtingJasper，sinceyouhaveseenfittoentrustmewiththiscommand。
　　ItisnotthatIdoubtyou，Dunham，thatIhesitatetorevealallImayhappentoknow。butfromastrongre-
　　luctancetocirculateanevilreportconcerningoneofwhomIhavehithertothoughtwell。YoumustthinkwellofthePathfinder，oryouwouldnotwishtogivehimyourdaughter？
　　ForthePathfinder’shonestyIwillanswerwithmylife，sir，returnedtheSergeantfirmly，andnotwithoutadignityofmannerthatstruckhissuperior。Suchamandoesn’tknowhowtobefalse。
　　Ibelieveyouareright，Dunham。andyetthislastin-
　　formationhasunsettledallmyoldopinions。Ihavere-
　　ceivedananonymouscommunication，Sergeant，advisingmetobeonmyguardagainstJasperWestern，orJasperEau-douce，asheiscalled，who，italleges，hasbeenboughtbytheenemy，andgivingmereasontoexpectthatfurtherandmorepreciseinformationwillsoonbesent。
　　Letterswithoutsignaturestothem，sir，arescarcelytoberegardedinwar。
　　Orinpeace，Dunham。Noonecanentertainaloweropinionofthewriterofananonymousletter，inordinarymatters，thanmyself。theveryactdenotescowardice，meanness，andbaseness。anditusuallyisatokenoffalse-
　　hood，aswellasofothervices。Butinmattersofwaritisnotexactlythesamething。Besides，severalsuspiciouscircumstanceshavebeenpointedouttome。
　　Suchasisfitforanorderlytohear，yourhonor？
　　Certainly，oneinwhomIconfideasmuchasinyour-
　　selfDunham。Itissaid，forinstance，thatyourdaughterandherpartywerepermittedtoescapetheIroquois，whentheycamein，merelytogiveJaspercreditwithme。IamtoldthatthegentryatFrontenacwillcaremoreforthecaptureofthe_Scud_，withSergeantDunhamandapartyofmen，togetherwiththedefeatofourfavoriteplan，thanforthecaptureofagirlandthescalpofheruncle。
　　Iunderstandthehint，sir，butIdonotgiveitcredit。
　　Jaspercanhardlybetrue，andPathfinderfalse。and，asforthelast，Iwouldassoondistrustyourhonorasdistrusthim。
　　Itwouldseemso，Sergeant。itwouldindeedseemso。
　　ButJasperisnotthePathfinder，afterall。andIwillown，Dunham，Ishouldputmorefaithintheladifhedidn’tspeakFrench。
　　It’snorecommendationinmyeyes，Iassureyourhonor。buttheboylearneditbycompulsion，asitwere，andoughtnottobecondemnedtoohastilyforthecir-
　　cumstance，byyourhonor’sleave。
　　It’sad——dlingo，andneverdidanyonegood——atleastnoBritishsubject。forIsupposetheFrenchthemselvesmusttalktogetherinsomelanguageorother。IshouldhavemuchmorefaithinthisJasper，didheknownothingoftheirlanguage。Thisletterhasmademeuneasy。and，werethereanothertowhomIcouldtrustthecutter，I
　　woulddevisesomemeanstodetainhimhere。Ihavespokentoyoualreadyofabrother-in-law，whogoeswithyou，Sergeant，andwhoisasailor？
　　Arealseafaringman，yourhonor，andsomewhatpreju-
　　dicedagainstfreshwater。Idoubtifhecouldbeinducedtoriskhischaracteronalake，andI’mcertainhenevercouldfindthestation。
　　Thelastisprobablytrue，andthen，themancannotknowenoughofthistreacherouslaketobefitfortheem-
　　ployment。Youwillhavetobedoublyvigilant，Dunham。
　　Igiveyoufullpowers。andshouldyoudetectthisJasperinanytreachery，makehimasacrificeatoncetooffendedjustice。
　　Beingintheserviceofthecrown，yourhonor，heisamenabletomartiallaw。
　　Verytrue。thenironhim，fromhisheadtohisheels，andsendhimuphereinhisowncutter。Thatbrother-
　　in-lawofyoursmustbeabletofindthewayback，afterhehasoncetravelledtheroad。
　　Imakenodoubt，MajorDuncan，weshallbeabletodoallthatwillbenecessaryshouldJasperturnoutasyouseemtoanticipate。thoughIthinkIwouldriskmylifeonhistruth。
　　Ilikeyourconfidence——itspeakswellforthefellow。
　　butthatinfernalletter！thereissuchanairoftruthaboutit。nay，thereissomuchtruthinit，touchingothermatters。
　　Ithinkyourhonorsaiditwantedthenameatthebottom。agreatomissionforanhonestmantomake。
　　Quiteright，Dunham，andnoonebutarascal，andacowardlyrascalinthebargain，wouldwriteananonymousletteronprivateaffairs。Itisdifferent，however，inwar。
　　despatchesarefeigned，andartificeisgenerallyallowedtobejustifiable。
　　Militarymanlyartifices，sir，ifyouwill。suchasam-
　　bushes，surprises，feints，falseattacks，andevenspies。butIneverheardofatruesoldierwhocouldwishtounder-
　　minethecharacterofanhonestyoungmanbysuchmeansasthese。
　　Ihavemetwithmanystrangeevents，andsomestrangerpeople，inthecourseofmyexperience。Butfareyouwell，Sergeant。Imustdetainyounolonger。Youarenowonyourguard，andIrecommendtoyouuntiringvigilance。IthinkMuirmeansshortlytoretire。and，shouldyoufullysucceedinthisenterprise，myinfluencewillnotbewantinginendeavoringtoputyouinthevacancy，towhichyouhavemanyclaims。
　　Ihumblythankyourhonor，coollyreturnedtheSer-
　　geant，whohadbeenencouragedinthismanneranytimeforthetwentyprecedingyears，andhopeIshallneverdisgracemystation，whateveritmaybe。IamwhatnatureandProvidencehavemademe，andhopeI’msatisfied。
　　Youhavenotforgottenthehowitzer？
　　Jaspertookitonboardthismorning，sir。
　　Bewary，anddonottrustthatmanunnecessarily。
　　MakeaconfidantofPathfinderatonce。hemaybeofserviceindetectinganyvillainythatmaybestirring。Hissimplehonestywillfavorhisobservationbyconcealingit。
　　He_must_betrue。
　　Forhim，sir，myownheadshallanswer，orevenmyrankintheregiment。Ihaveseenhimtoooftentriedtodoubthim。
　　Ofallwretchedsensations，Dunham，distrust，whereoneiscompelledtoconfide，isthemostpainful。Youhavebethoughtyouofthespareflints？
　　Asergeantisasafecommanderforallsuchdetails，yourhonor。
　　Well，then，givemeyourhand，Dunham。Godblessyou！andmayyoubesuccessful！Muirmeanstoretire，——
　　bytheway，letthemanhaveanequalchancewithyourdaughter，foritmayfacilitatefutureoperationsaboutthepromotion。OnewouldretiremorecheerfullywithsuchacompanionasMabel，thanincheerlesswidowhood，andwithnothingbutoneselftolove，——andsuchaself，too，asDavy’s！
　　Ihope，sir，mychildwillmakeaprudentchoice，andIthinkhermindisalreadyprettymuchmadeupinfavorofPathfinder。Stillsheshallhavefairplay，thoughdis-
　　obedienceisthenextcrimetomutiny。
　　Havealltheammunitioncarefullyexaminedanddriedassoonasyouarrive。thedampofthelakemayaffectit。
　　Andnow，oncemore，farewell，Sergeant。BewareofthatJasper，andconsultwithMuirinanydifficulty。Ishallexpectyoutoreturn，triumphant，thisdaymonth。
　　Godblessyourhonor！Ifanythingshouldhappentome，Itrusttoyou，MajorDuncan，tocareforanoldsol-
　　dier’scharacter。
　　Relyonme，Dunham——youwillrelyonafriend。Bevigilant：rememberyouwillbeintheveryjawsofthelion——pshaw！ofnolionneither。butoftreacheroustigers：
　　intheirveryjaws，andbeyondsupport。Havetheflintscountedandexaminedinthemorning——and——farewell，Dunham，farewell！
　　TheSergeanttooktheextendedhandofhissuperiorwithproperrespect，andtheyfinallyparted。Lundiehas-
　　teningintohisownmovableabode，whiletheotherleftthefort，descendedtothebeach，andgotintoaboat。
　　ItisnottobesupposedthatSergeantDunham，afterhehadpartedfromhiscommandingofficer，waslikelytoforgettheinjunctionshehadreceived。HethoughthighlyofJasperingeneral。butdistrusthadbeeninsinuatedbe-
　　tweenhisformerconfidenceandtheobligationsofduty。
　　and，ashenowfeltthateverythingdependedonhisownvigilance，bythetimetheboatreachedthesideofthe_Scud_
　　hewasinaproperhumortoletnosuspiciouscircumstancegounheeded，oranyunusualmovementintheyoungsailorpasswithoutitscomment。Asamatterofcourse，heviewedthingsinthelightsuitedtohispeculiarmood。
　　andhisprecautions，aswellashisdistrust，partookofthehabits，opinions，andeducationoftheman。
　　The_Scud’s_kedgewasliftedassoonastheboatwiththeSergeant，whowasthelastpersonexpected，wasseentoquittheshore，andtheheadofthecutterwascasttotheeastwardbymeansofthesweeps。Afewvigorousstrokesofthelatter，inwhichthesoldiersaided，nowsentthelightcraftintothelineorthecurrentthatflowedfromtheriver，whenshewassufferedtodriftintotheoffingagain。Asyettherewasnowind，thelightandalmostimperceptibleairfromthelake，thathadexistedprevi-
　　ouslytothesettingofthesun，havingentirelyfailed。
　　Allthistimeanunusualquietprevailedinthecutter。
　　Itappearedasifthoseonboardofherfeltthattheywereenteringuponanuncertainenterprise，intheobscurityofnight。andthattheirduty，thehour，andthemanneroftheirdeparturelentasolemnitytotheirmovements。Dis-
　　ciplinealsocameinaidofthesefeelings。Mostweresilent。
　　andthosewhodidspeakspokeseldomandinlowvoices。
　　Inthismannerthecuttersetslowlyoutintothelake，untilshehadgotasfarastherivercurrentwouldcarryher，whenshebecamestationary，waitingfortheusualland-
　　breeze。Anintervalofhalfanhourfollowed，duringthewholeofwhichtimethe_Scud_layasmotionlessasalog，floatingonthewater。Whilethelittlechangesjustmen-
　　tionedwereoccurringinthesituationofthevessel，not-
　　withstandingthegeneralquietthatprevailed，allconversa-
　　tionhadnotbeenrepressed。forSergeantDunham，havingfirstascertainedthatbothhisdaughterandherfemalecompanionwereonthequarter-deck，ledthePathfindertotheafter-cabin，where，closingthedoorwithgreatcaution，andotherwisemakingcertainthathewasbeyondthereachofeavesdroppers，hecommencedasfollows：——
　　Itisnowmanyyears，myfriend，sinceyoubegantoexperiencethehardshipsanddangersofthewoodsinmycompany。
　　Itis，Sergeant。yesitis。IsometimesfearIamtoooldforMabel，whowasnotbornuntilyouandIhadfoughttheFrenchersascomrades。
　　Nofearonthataccount，Pathfinder。IwasnearyouragebeforeIprevailedonthemindofhermother。andMabelisasteady，thoughtfulgirl，onethatwillregardcharactermorethananythingelse。AladlikeJasperEau-douce，forinstance，willhavenochancewithher，thoughheisbothyoungandcomely。
　　DoesJasperthinkofmarrying？inquiredtheguide，simplybutearnestly。
　　Ishouldhopenot——atleast，notuntilhehassatisfiedeveryoneofhisfitnesstopossessawife。
　　Jasperisagallantboy，andoneofgreatgiftsinhisway。hemayclaimawifeaswellasanother。
　　Tobefrankwithyou，Pathfinder，Ibroughtyouheretotalkaboutthisveryyoungster。MajorDuncanhasre-
　　ceivedsomeinformationwhichhasledhimtosuspectthatEau-douceisfalse，andinthepayoftheenemy。Iwishtohearyouropiniononthesubject。
　　Anan？
　　Isay，theMajorsuspectsJasperofbeingatraitor——aFrenchspy——or，whatisworse，ofbeingboughttobetrayus。Hehasreceivedalettertothiseffect，andhasbeenchargingmetokeepaneyeontheboy’smovements。forhefearsweshallmeetwithenemieswhenweleastsuspectit，andbyhismeans。
　　DuncanofLundiehastoldyouthis，SergeantDun-
　　ham？