Hehasindeed，Pathfinder。and，thoughIhavebeenloathtobelieveanythingtotheinjuryofJasper，IhaveafeelingwhichtellsmeIoughttodistrusthim。Doyoubelieveinpresentiments，myfriend？
　　Inwhat，Sergeant？
　　Presentiments，——asortofsecretforeknowledgeofeventsthatareabouttohappen。TheScotchofourregi-
　　mentaregreatsticklersforsuchthings。andmyopinionofJasperischangingsofast，thatIbegintofeartheremustbesometruthintheirdoctrines。
　　Butyou’vebeentalkingwithDuncanofLundiecon-
　　cerningJasper，andhiswordshaveraisedmisgivings。
　　Notit，notsointheleast。for，whileconversingwiththeMajor，myfeelingswerealtogethertheotherway。andIendeavoredtoconvincehimallIcouldthathedidtheboyinjustice。Butthereisnouseinholdingoutagainstapresentiment，Ifind。andIfearthereissomethinginthesuspicionafterall。
　　Iknownothingofpresentiments，Sergeant。butIhaveknownJasperEau-doucesincehewasaboy，andIhaveasmuchfaithinhishonestyasIhaveinmyown，orthatoftheSarpenthimself。
　　ButtheSerpent，Pathfinder，hashistricksandam-
　　bushesinwaraswellasanother。
　　Ay，themarehisnat’ralgifts，andaresuchasbelongtohispeople。Neitherred-skinnorpale-facecandenynatur’。butChingachgookisnotamantofeelapre-
　　sentimentagainst。
　　ThatIbelieve。norshouldIhavethoughtillofJasperthisverymorning。Itseemstome，Pathfinder，sinceI’vetakenupthispresentiment，thattheladdoesnotbustleabouthisdecknaturally，asheusedtodo。butthatheissilentandmoodyandthoughtful，likeamanwhohasaloadonhisconscience。
　　Jasperisnevernoisy。andhetellsmenoisyshipsaregenerallyill-workedships。MasterCapagreesinthistoo。
　　No，no。IwillbelievenaughtagainstJasperuntilIseeit。
　　Sendforyourbrother，Sergeant，andletusquestionhiminthismatter。fortosleepwithdistrustofone’sfriendintheheartislikesleepingwithleadthere。Ihavenofaithinyourpresentiments。
　　TheSergeant，althoughhescarcelyknewhimselfwithwhatobject，complied，andCapwassummonedtojoinintheconsultation。AsPathfinderwasmorecollectedthanhiscompanion，andfeltsostrongaconvictionofthegoodfaithofthepartyaccused，heassumedtheofficeofspokes-
　　man。
　　Wehaveaskedyoutocomedown，MasterCap，hecommenced，inordertoinquireifyouhaveremarkedanythingoutofthecommonwayinthemovementsofEau-doucethisevening。
　　Hismovementsarecommonenough，Idaresay，forfreshwater，MasterPathfinder，thoughweshouldthinkmostofhisproceedingsirregulardownonthecoast。
　　Yes，yes。weknowyouwillneveragreewiththeladaboutthemannerthecutteroughttobemanaged。butitisonanotherpointwewishyouropinion。
　　ThePathfinderthenexplainedtoCapthenatureofthesuspicionswhichtheSergeantentertained，andthereasonswhytheyhadbeenexcited，sofarasthelatterhadbeencommunicatedbyMajorDuncan。
　　TheyoungstertalksFrench，doeshe？saidCap。
　　Theysayhespeaksitbetterthancommon，returnedtheSergeantgravely。Pathfinderknowsthistobetrue。
　　I’llnotgainsayit，answeredtheguide。atleast，theytellmesuchisthefact。Butthiswouldprovenothingag’inaMississagua，and，leastofall，ag’inonelikeJasper。
　　IspeaktheMingodialectmyself，havinglearntitwhileaprisoneramongthereptyles。butwhowillsayIamtheirfriend？NotthatIamanenemy，either，accordingtoIn-
　　diannotions。thoughIamtheirenemy，Iwilladmit，agree-
　　abletoChristianity。
　　AyPathfinder。butJasperdidnotgethisFrenchasaprisoner：hetookitinhisboyhood，whenthemindiseasilyimpressed，andgetsitspermanentnotions。whennaturehasapresentiment，asitwere，whichwaythecharacterislikelytoincline。
　　Averyjustremark，addedCap，forthatisthetimeoflifewhenwealllearnthecatechism，andothermoralimprovements。TheSergeant’sobservationshowsthatheunderstandshumannature，andIagreewithhimper-
　　fectly。it_is_adamnablethingforayoungster，uphere，onthisbitoffreshwater，totalkFrench。IfitweredownontheAtlantic，now，whereaseafaringmanhasoccasionsometimestoconversewithapilot，oralinguister，inthatlanguage，Ishouldnotthinksomuchofit，——thoughwealwayslookwithsuspicion，eventhere，atashipmatewhoknowstoomuchofthetongue。butuphere，onOntario，Iholdittobeamostsuspiciouscircumstance。
　　ButJaspermusttalkinFrenchtothepeopleontheothershore，saidPathfinder，orholdhistongue，astherearenonebutFrenchtospeakto。
　　Youdon’tmeantotellme，Pathfinder，thatFrancelieshereaway，ontheoppositecoast？criedCap，jerkingathumboverhisshoulderinthedirectionoftheCanadas。
　　thatonesideofthisbitoffreshwaterisYork，andtheotherFrance？
　　ImeantotellyouthisisYork，andthatisUpperCanada。andthatEnglishandDutchandIndianarespokeninthefirst，andFrenchandIndianinthelast。
　　EventheMingoshavegotmanyoftheFrenchwordsintheirdialect，anditisnoimprovement，neither。
　　Verytrue：andwhatsortofpeoplearetheMingos，myfriend？inquiredtheSergeant，touchingtheotheronhisshoulder，bywayofenforcingaremark，theinherenttruthofwhichsensiblyincreaseditsvalueintheeyesofthespeaker：nooneknowsthembetterthanyourself，andI
　　askyouwhatsortofatribearethey？
　　JasperisnoMingo，Sergeant。
　　HespeaksFrench，andhemightaswellbe，inthatparticular。BrotherCap，canyourecollectnomovementofthisunfortunateyoungman，inthewayofhiscalling，thatwouldseemtodenotetreachery？
　　Notdistinctly，Sergeant，thoughhehasgonetoworkwrong-endforemosthalfhistime。Itistruethatoneofhishandscoiledaropeagainstthesun，andhecalledit_querling_arope，too，whenIaskedhimwhathewasabout。
　　butIamnotcertainthatanythingwasmeantbyit。
　　though，Idaresay，theFrenchcoilhalftheirrunningrig-
　　gingthewrongway，andmaycallit’querlingitdown，’
　　too，forthatmatter。ThenJasperhimselfbelayedtheendofthejib-halyardstoastretcherintherigging，insteadofbringingintothemast，wheretheybelong，atleastamongBritishsailors。
　　IdaresayJaspermayhavegotsomeCanadanotionsaboutworkinghiscraft，frombeingsomuchontheotherside，Pathfinderinterposed。butcatchinganidee，oraword，isn’ttreacheryandbadfaith。IsometimesgetanideefromtheMingosthemselves。butmyhearthasalwaysbeenwiththeDelawares。No，no，Jasperistrue。andthekingmighttrusthimwithhiscrown，justashewouldtrusthiseldestson，who，asheistowearitoneday，oughttobethelastmantowishtostealit。
　　Finetalking，finetalking！saidCap。allfinetalk-
　　ing，MasterPathfinder，butd——dlittlelogic。Inthefirstplace，theking’smajestycannotlendhiscrown，itbeingcontrarytothelawsoftherealm，whichrequirehimtowearitatalltimes，inorderthathissacredpersonmaybeknown，justasthesilveroarisnecessarytoasheriff’sofficerafloat。Inthenextplace，it’shightreason，bylaw，fortheeldestsonofhismajestyevertocovetthecrown，ortohaveachild，exceptinlawfulwedlock，aseitherwouldderangethesuccession。Thusyousee，friendPath-
　　finderthatinordertoreasontruly，onemustgetunderway，asitmightbe，ontherighttack。Lawisreason，andreasonisphilosophy，andphilosophyisasteadydrag。
　　whenceitfollowsthatcrownsareregulatedbylaw，reason，andphilosophy。
　　Iknowlittleofallthis。MasterCap。butnothingshortofseeingandfeelingwillmakemethinkJasperWesternatraitor。
　　Thereyouarewrongagain，Pathfinder。forthereisawayofprovingathingmuchmoreconclusivelythaneitherseeingorfeeling，orbybothtogether。andthatisbyacircumstance。
　　Itmaybesointhesettlements。butitisnotsohereonthelines。
　　Itissoinnature，whichismonarchoverall。Therewasacircumstance，justafterwecameonboardthiseven-
　　ing，thatisextremelysuspicious，andwhichmaybesetdownatonceasamakeweightagainstthislad。Jasperbentontheking’sensignwithhisownhands。and，whilehepretendedtobelookingatMabelandthesoldier’swife，givingdirectionsaboutshowingthembelowhere，andathat，hegottheflaguniondown！
　　Thatmighthavebeenaccident，returnedtheSer-
　　geant，forsuchathinghashappenedtomyself。besides，thehalyardsleadtoapulley，andtheflagwouldhavecomeright，ornot，accordingtothemannerinwhichtheladhoistedit。
　　Apulley！exclaimedCap，withstrongdisgust。I
　　wish，SergeantDunham，Icouldprevailonyoutouseproperterms。Anensign-halyard-blockisnomoreapul-
　　leythanyourhalbertisaboarding-pike。Itistruethatbyhoistingononepart，anotherpartwouldgouppermost。
　　butIlookuponthataffairoftheensign，nowyouhavementionedyoursuspicions，asacircumstance，andshallbearitinmind。Itrustsupperisnottobeoverlooked，however，evenifwehaveaholdfulloftraitors。
　　Itwillbedulyattendedto，brotherCap。butIshallcountonyouforaidinmanagingthe_Scud_，shouldany-
　　thingoccurtoinducemetoarrestJasper。
　　I’llnotfailyou，Sergeant。andinsuchaneventyou’llprobablylearnwhatthiscuttercanreallyperform。for，asyet，Ifancyitisprettymuchmatterofguesswork。
　　Well，formypart，saidPathfinder，drawingaheavysigh，IshallclingtothehopeofJasper’sinnocence，andrecommendplaindealing，byaskingtheladhimself，with-
　　outfurtherdelay，whetherheisorisnotatraitor。I’llputJasperWesternagainstallthepresentimentsandcir-
　　cumstancesinthecolony。
　　Thatwillneverdo，rejoinedtheSergeant。There-
　　sponsibilityofthisaffairrestswithme，andIrequestandenjointhatnothingbesaidtoanyonewithoutmyknowl-
　　edge。Wewillallkeepwatchfuleyesaboutus，andtakepropernoteofcircumstances。
　　Ay，ay！circumstancesarethethingsafterall，re-
　　turnedCap。Onecircumstanceisworthfiftyfacts。ThatIknowtobethelawoftherealm。Manyamanhasbeenhangedoncircumstances。
　　Theconversationnowceased，and，afterashortdelay，thewholepartyreturnedtothedeck，eachindividualdis-
　　posedtoviewtheconductofthesuspectedJasperinthemannermostsuitedtohisownhabitsandcharacter。
　　CHAPTERXIV。
　　Evensuchaman，sofaint，sospiritless，Sodull，sodeadinlook，sowoe-begone，DrewPriam’sCurtaininthedeadofnight，Andwouldhavetoldhim，halfhisTroywasburned。
　　SHAKESPEARE。
　　Allthistimematterswereelsewherepassingintheirusualtrain。Jasper，liketheweatherandhisvessel，seemedtobewaitingfortheland-breeze。whilethesoldiers，ac-
　　customedtoearlyrising，had，toaman，soughttheirpalletsinthemainhold。Noneremainedondeckbutthepeopleofthecutter，Mr。Muir，andthetwofemales。TheQuar-
　　termasterwasendeavoringtorenderhimselfagreeabletoMabel，whileourheroineherself，littleaffectedbyhisas-
　　siduities，whichsheascribedpartlytothehabitualgallantryofasoldier，andpartly，perhaps，toherownprettyface，wasenjoyingthepeculiaritiesofasceneandsituationwhich，toher，werefullofthecharmsofnovelty。
　　Thesailshadbeenhoisted，butasyetnotabreathofairwasinmotion。andsostillandplacidwasthelake，thatnotthesmallestmotionwasperceptibleinthecutter。
　　Shehaddriftedintheriver-currenttoadistancealittleexceedingaquarterofamilefromtheland，andthereshelay，beautifulinhersymmetryandform，butlikeafix-
　　ture。YoungJasperwasonthequarter-deck，nearenoughtohearoccasionallytheconversationwhichpassed。buttoodiffidentofhisownclaim，andtoointentonhisduties，toattempttomingleinit。ThefineblueeyesofMabelfollowedhismotionsincuriousexpectation，andmorethanoncetheQuartermasterhadtorepeathiscomplimentsbeforesheheardthem，sointentwassheonthelittleoc-
　　currencesofthevessel，and，wemightadd，soindifferenttotheeloquenceofhercompanion。Atlength，evenMr。
　　Muirbecamesilent，andtherewasadeepstillnessonthewater。Presentlyanoar-bladefellinaboatbeneaththefort，andthesoundreachedthecutterasdistinctlyasifithadbeenproducedonherdeck。Thencameamurmur，likeasighofthenight，aflutteringofthecanvas，thecreakingoftheboom，andtheflapofthejib。Thesewell-
　　knownsoundswerefollowedbyaslightheelinthecutter，andbythebellyingofallthesails。
　　Here’sthewind，Anderson，calledoutJaspertotheoldestofhissailors。takethehelm。
　　Thisbrieforderwasobeyed。thehelmwasputup，thecutter’sbowsfelloff，andinafewminutesthewaterwasheardmurmuringunderherhead，asthe_Scud_glancedthroughthelakeattherateoffivemilesinthehour。Allthispassedinprofoundsilence，whenJasperagaingavetheordertoeaseoffthesheetsalittleandkeepheralongtheland。
　　Itwasatthisinstantthatthepartyfromtheafter-cabinreappearedonthequarter-deck。
　　You’venoinclination，Jasperlad，totrustyourselftoonearourneighbourstheFrench，observedMuir，whotookthatoccasiontorecommencethediscourse。Well，well，yourprudencewillneverbequestionedbyme，forIliketheCanadasaslittleasyoucanpossiblylikethemyourself。
　　Ihugthisshore，Mr。Muir，onaccountofthewind。
　　Theland-breezeisalwaysfreshestclosein，providedyouarenotsonearastomakealeeofthetrees。WehaveMexicoBaytocross。andthat，onthepresentcourse，willgiveusquiteoffingenough。
　　I’mrightgladit’snottheBayofMexico，putinCap，whichisapartoftheworldIwouldrathernotvisitinoneofyourinlandcraft。Doesyourcutterbearaweatherhelm，masterEau-douce？
　　Sheiseasyonherrudder，masterCap。butlikeslook-
　　ingupatthebreezeaswellasanother，wheninlivelymotion。
　　Isupposeyouhavesuchthingsasreefs，thoughyoucanhardlyhaveoccasiontousethem？
　　Mabel’sbrighteyedetectedthesmilethatgleamedforaninstantonJasper’shandsomeface。butnooneelsesawthatmomentaryexhibitionofsurpriseandcontempt。
　　Wehavereefs，andoftenhaveoccasiontousethem，
　　quietlyreturnedtheyoungman。Beforewegetin，Mas-
　　terCap，anopportunitymayoffertoshowyouthemannerinwhichwedoso。forthereiseasterlyweatherbrewing，andthewindcannotchop，evenontheoceanitself，morereadilythanitfliesroundonLakeOntario。
　　Somuchforknowingnobetter！IhaveseenthewindintheAtlanticflyroundlikeacoach-wheel，inawaytokeepyoursailsshakingforanhour，andtheshipwouldbecomeperfectlymotionlessfromnotknowingwhichwaytoturn。
　　Wehavenosuchsuddenchangeshere，certainly，
　　Jaspermildlyanswered。thoughwethinkourselvesliabletounexpectedshiftsofwind。Ihope，however，tocarrythisland-breezeasfarasthefirstislands。afterwhichtherewillbelessdangerofourbeingseenandfollowedbyanyofthelook-outboatsfromFrontenac。
　　DoyouthiuktheFrenchkeepspiesoutonthebroadlake，Jasper？inquiredthePathfinder。
　　Weknowtheydo。onewasoffOswegoduringthenightofMondaylast。Abarkcanoecamecloseinwiththeeasternpoint，andlandedanIndianandanofficer。
　　Hadyoubeenoutlyingthatnight，asusual，weshouldhavesecuredone，ifnotbothofthem。
　　Itwastoodarktobetraythecolorthatdeepenedontheweather-burntfeaturesoftheguide。forhefeltthecon-
　　sciousnessofhavinglingeredinthefortthatnight，listen-
　　ingtothesweettonesofMabel’svoiceasshesangballadstoherfather，andgazingatthecountenancewhich，tohim，wasradiantwithcharms。Probityinthoughtanddeedbeingthedistinguishingqualityofthisextraordinaryman’smind，whilehefeltthatasortofdisgraceoughttoattachtohisidlenessontheoccasionmentioned，thelastthoughtthatcouldoccurwouldbetoattempttopalliateordenyhisnegligence。
　　Iconfessit，Jasper，Iconfessit，saidhehumbly。
　　HadIbeenoutthatnight，——andInowrecollectnosuffi-
　　cientreasonwhyIwasnot，——itmight，indeed，haveturnedoutasyousay。
　　Itwastheeveningyoupassedwithus，Pathfinder，
　　Mabelinnocentlyremarked。surelyonewholivessomuchofhistimeintheforest，infrontoftheenemy，maybeexcusedforgivingafewhoursofhistimetoanoldfriendandhisdaughter。
　　Nay，nay，I’vedonelittleelsebutidlesincewereachedthegarrison，returnedtheother，sighing。anditiswellthattheladshouldtellmeofit：theidlerneedsarebuke-yes，heneedsarebuke。
　　Rebuke，Pathfinder！Ineverdreamtofsayingany-
　　thingdisagreeable，andleastofallwouldIthinkofre-
　　bukingyou，becauseasolitaryspyandanIndianortwohaveescapedus。NowIknowwhereyouwere，Ithinkyourabsencethemostnaturalthingintheworld。
　　Ithinknothingofwhatyousaid，Jasper，sinceitwasdeserved。Weareallhuman，andalldowrong。
　　Thisisunkind，Pathfinder。
　　Givemeyourhand，lad，givemeyourhand。Itwasn’tyouthatgavethelesson。itwasconscience。
　　Well，well，interruptedCap。nowthislattermatterissettledtothesatisfactionofallparties，perhapsyouwilltellushowithappenedtobeknownthattherewerespiesnearussolately。Thislooksamazinglylikeacircum-
　　stance。
　　Asthemarinerutteredthelastsentence，hepressedafootslilyonthatoftheSergeant，andnudgedtheguidewithhiselbow，winkingatthesametime，thoughthissignwaslostintheobscurity。
　　Itisknown，becausetheirtrailwasfoundnextdaybytheSerpent，anditwasthatofamilitarybootandamoc-
　　cassin。Oneofourhunters，moreover，sawthecanoecross-
　　ingtowardsFrontenacnextmorning。
　　Didthetrailleadnearthegarrison，Jasper？Path-
　　finderaskedinamannersomeekandsubduedthatitre-
　　sembledthetoneofarebukedschoolboy。Didthetrailleadnearthegarrison，lad？
　　Wethoughtnot。though，ofcourse，itdidnotcrosstheriver。Itwasfolloweddowntotheeasternpoint，attheriver’smouth，wherewhatwasdoinginport，mightbeseen。butitdidnotcross，aswecoulddiscover。
　　Andwhydidn’tyougetunderweigh，MasterJasper，
　　Capdemanded，andgivechase？OnTuesdaymorningitblewagoodbreeze。oneinwhichthiscuttermighthaverunnineknots。
　　Thatmaydoontheocean，MasterCap，putinPath-
　　finder，butitwouldnotdohere。Waterleavesnotrail，andaMingoandaFrenchmanareamatchforthedevilinapursuit。
　　Whowantsatrailwhenthechasecanbeseenfromthedeck，asJasperheresaidwasthecasewiththiscanoe？
　　anditmatterednothingifthereweretwentyofyourMingosandFrenchmen，withagoodBritish-builtbottomintheirwake。I’llengage，MasterEau-douce，hadyougivenmeacallthatsaidTuesdaymorning，thatweshouldhaveover-
　　hauledtheblackguards。
　　Idaresay，MasterCap，thattheadviceofasoldasea-
　　manasyoumighthavedonenoharmtoasyoungasailorasmyself，butitisalongandahopelesschasethathasabarkcanoeinit。
　　Youwouldhavehadonlytopressithard，todriveitashore。
　　Ashore，masterCap！Youdonotunderstandourlakenavigationatall，ifyousupposeitaneasymattertoforceabarkcanoeashore。Assoonastheyfindthemselvespressed，thesebubblespaddlerightintothewind’seye，andbeforeyouknowit，youfindyourselfamileortwodeadundertheirlee。
　　Youdon’twishmetobelieve，MasterJasper，thatanyoneissoheedlessofdrowningastoputoffintothislakeinoneofthemeggshellswhenthereisanywind？
　　IhaveoftencrossedOntarioinabarkcanoe，evenwhentherehasbeenagooddealofseaon。Wellmanaged，theyarethedriestboatsofwhichwehaveanyknowl-
　　edge。
　　Capnowledhisbrother-in-lawandPathfinderaside，whenheassuredhimthattheadmissionofJaspercon-
　　cerningthespieswasacircumstance，andastrongcir-
　　cumstance，andassuchitdeservedhisdeliberateinvestiga-
　　tion。whilehisaccountofthecanoeswassoimprobableastoweartheappearanceofbrow-beatingthelisteners。
　　Jasperspokeconfidentlyofthecharacterofthetwoindi-
　　vidualswhohadlanded，andthisCapdeemedprettystrongproofthatheknewmoreaboutthemthanwastobegath-
　　eredfromameretrail。Asformocassins，hesaidthattheywereworninthatpartoftheworldbywhitemenaswellasbyIndians。hehadpurchasedapairhimself。andboots，itwasnotorious，didnotparticularlymakeasoldier。
　　AlthoughmuchofthislogicwasthrownawayontheSer-
　　geant，stillitproducedsomeeffect。Hethoughtitalittlesingularhimself，thatthereshouldhavebeenspiesdetectedsonearthefortandheknownothingofit。nordidhebelievethatthiswasabranchofknowledgethatfellpar-
　　ticularlywithinthesphereofJasper。Itwastruethatthe_Scud_had，onceortwice，beensentacrossthelaketolandmenofthischaracter，ortobringthemoff。butthenthepartplayedbyJasper，tohisowncertainknowledge，wasverysecondary，themasterofthecutterremainingasignorantasanyoneelseofthepurportofthevisitsofthosewhomhehadcarriedtoandfro。nordidheseewhyhealone，ofallpresent，shouldknowanythingofthelatevisit。Pathfinderviewedthematterdifferently。Withhishabitualdiffidence，hereproachedhimselfwithaneglectofduty，andthatknowledge，ofwhichthewantstruckhimasafaultinonewhosebusinessitwastopossessit，appearedameritintheyoungman。Hesawnothingex-
　　traordinaryinJasper’sknowingthefactshehadrelated。
　　whilehedidfeelitwasunusual，nottosaydisgraceful，thathehimselfnowheardofthemforthefirsttime。
　　Asformocassins，MasterCap，saidhe，whenashortpauseinvitedhimtospeak，theymaybewornbypale-
　　facesaswellasbyred-skins，itistrue，thoughtheyneverleavethesametrailonthefootofoneasonthefootoftheother。AnyonewhoisusedtothewoodscantellthefootstepofanIndianfromthefootstepofawhiteman，whetheritbemadebyabootoramoccassin。ItwillneedbetterevidencethanthistopersuademeintothebeliefthatJasperisfalse。
　　Youwillallow，Pathfinder，thattherearesuchthingsintheworldastraitors？putinCaplogically。
　　Ineverknewanhonest-mindedMingo，——onethatyoucouldputfaithin，ifhehadatemptationtodeceiveyou。
　　Cheatingseemstobetheirgift，andIsometimesthinktheyoughttobepitiedforit，ratherthanpersecuted。
　　ThenwhynotbelievethatthisJaspermayhavethesameweakness？Amanisaman，andhumannatureissometimesbutapoorconcern，asIknowbyexperience。
　　Thiswastheopeningofanotherlonganddesultoryconversation，inwhichtheprobabilityofJasper’sguiltorinnocencewasargued_pro_and_con。_，untilboththeSergeantandhisbrother-in-lawhadnearlyreasonedthemselvesintosettledconvictionsinfavorofthefirst，whiletheircorn-
　　paniongrewsturdierandsturdierinhisdefenceoftheaccused，andstillmorefixedinhisopinionofhisbeingunjustlychargedwithtreachery。Inthistherewasnothingoutofthecommoncourseofthings。forthereisnomorecertainwayofarrivingatanyparticularnotion，thanbyundertakingtodefendit。andamongthemostobstinateofouropinionsmaybeclassedthosewhicharederivedfromdiscussionsinwhichweaffecttosearchfortruth，whileinrealityweareonlyfortifyingprejudice。
　　BythistimetheSergeanthadreachedastateofmindthatdisposedhimtovieweveryactoftheyoungsailorwithdistrust，andhesoongottocoincidewithhisrelativeindeemingthepeculiarknowledgeofJasper，inreferencetothespies，abranchofinformationthatcertainlydidnotcomewithinthecircleofhisregularduties，asacir-
　　cumstance。
　　Whilethismatterwasthusdiscussednearthetaffrail，Mabelsatsilentlybythecompanion-way，Mr。Muirhavinggonebelowtolookafterhispersonalcomforts，andJasperstandingalittlealoof，withhisarmscrossed，andhiseyeswanderingfromthesailstotheclouds，fromthecloudstotheduskyoutlineoftheshore，fromtheshoretothelake，andfromthelakebackagaintothesails。Ourheroine，too，begantocommunewithherownthoughts。Theex-
　　citementofthelatejourney，theincidentswhichmarkedthedayofherarrivalatthefort，themeetingwithafatherwhowasvirtuallyastrangertoher，thenoveltyofherlatesituationinthegarrison，andherpresentvoyage，formedavistaforthemind’seyetolookbackthrough，whichseemedlengthenedintomonths。Shecouldwithdifficultybelievethatshehadsorecentlyleftthetown，withalltheusagesofcivilizedlife。andshewonderedinparticularthattheincidentswhichhadoccurredduringthedescentoftheOswegohadmadesolittleimpressiononhermind。
　　Tooinexperiencedtoknowthatevents，whencrowded，havetheeffectoftime，orthatthequicksuccessionofnoveltiesthatpassbeforeusintravellingelevatesobjects，inameasure，tothedignityofevents，shedrewuponhermemoryfordaysanddates，inordertomakecertainthatshehadknownJasper，andthePathfinder，andherownfather，butlittlemorethanafortnight。Mabelwasagirlofheartratherthanofimagination，thoughbynomeansdeficientinthelast，andshecouldnoteasilyaccountforthestrengthofherfeelingsinconnectionwiththosewhoweresolatelystrangerstoher。forshewasnotsufficientlyaccustomedtoanalyzehersensationstounderstandthenatureoftheinfluencesthathavejustbeenmentioned。
　　Asyet，however，herpuremindwasfreefromtheblightofdistrust，andshehadnosuspicionoftheviewsofeitherofhersuitors。andoneofthelastthoughtsthatcouldhavevoluntarilydisturbedherconfidencewouldhavebeentosupposeitpossibleeitherofhercompanionswasatraitortohiskingandcountry。
　　America，atthetimeofwhichwearewriting，wasre-
　　markableforitsattachmenttotheGermanfamilythatthensatontheBritishthrone。for，asisthefactwithallprovinces，thevirtuesandqualitiesthatareproclaimednearthecentreofpower，asincenseandpolicy，gettobeapartofpoliticalfaithwiththecredulousandignorantatadistance。Thistruthisjustasapparentto-day，incon-
　　nectionwiththeprodigiesoftherepublic，asitthenwasinconnectionwiththosedistantrulers，whosemeritsitwasalwayssafetoapplaud，andwhosedemeritsitwastreasontoreveal。Itisaconsequenceofthismentalde-
　　pendence，thatpublicopinionissomuchplacedatthemercyofthedesigning。andtheworld，inthemidstofitsidleboastsofknowledgeandimprovement，islefttore-
　　ceiveitstruths，onallsuchpointsastouchtheinterestsofthepowerfulandmanaging，throughsuchamedium，andsuchamediumonly，asmayservetheparticularviewsofthosewhopullthewires。PresseduponbythesubjectsofFrance，whowerethenencirclingtheBritishcolonieswithabeltoffortsindsettlementsthatcompletelysecuredthesavagesforallies，itwouldhavebeendifficulttosaywhethertheAmericanslovedtheEnglishmorethantheyhatedtheFrench。andthosewhothenlivedprobablywouldhaveconsideredthealliancewhichtookplacebe-
　　tweenthecis-AtlanticsubjectsandtheancientrivalsoftheBritishcrown，sometwentyyearslater，asanevententirelywithoutthecircleofprobabilities。Disaffectionwasarareoffence。and，mostofall，wouldtreason，thatshouldfavorFranceorFrenchmen，havebeenodiousintheeyesoftheprovincials。ThelastthingthatMabelwouldsuspectofJasperwastheverycrimewithwhichhenowstoodsecretlycharged。andifothersnearheren-
　　duredthepainsofdistrust，she，atleast，wasfilledwiththegenerousconfidenceofawoman。Asyetnowhisperhadreachedhereartodisturbthefeelingofreliancewithwhichshehadearlyregardedtheyoungsailor，andherownmindwouldhavebeenthelasttosuggestsuchathoughtofitself。Thepicturesofthepastandofthepresent，therefore，thatexhibitedthemselvessorapidlytoheractiveimagination，wereuncloudedwithashadethatmightaffectanyinwhomshefeltaninterest。andereshehadmused，inthemannerrelated，aquarterofanhour，thewholescenearoundherwasfilledwithunalloyedsatis-
　　faction。
　　Theseasonandthenight，torepresentthemtruly，wereofanaturetostimulatethesensationswhichyouth，health，andhappinessarewonttoassociatewithnovelty。
　　Theweatherwaswarm，asisnotalwaysthecaseinthatregioneveninsummer，whiletheairthatcameofftheland，inbreathingcurrents，broughtwithitthecoolnessandfragranceoftheforest。Thewindwasfarfrombeingfresh，thoughtherewasenoughofittodrivethe_Scud_
　　merrilyahead，and，perhaps，tokeepattentionalive，intheuncertaintythatmoreorlessaccompaniesdarkness。
　　Jasper，however，appearedtoregarditwithcomplacency，aswasapparentbywhathesaidinashortdialoguethatnowoccurredbetweenhimandMabel。
　　Atthisrate，Eau-douce，——forsoMabelhadalreadylearnedtostyletheyoungsailor，——saidourheroine，wecannotbelonginreachingourplaceofdestination。
　　Hasyourfatherthentoldyouwhatthatis，Mabel？
　　Hehastoldmenothing。myfatheristoomuchofasoldier，andtoolittleusedtohaveafamilyaroundhim，totalkofsuchmatters。Isitforbiddentosaywhitherwearebound？
　　Itcannotbefar，whilewesteerinthisdirection，forsixtyorseventymileswilltakeusintotheSt。Lawrence，whichtheFrenchmightmaketoohotforus。andnovoyageonthislakecanbeverylong。
　　SosaysmyuncleCap。buttome，Jasper，Ontarioandtheoceanappearverymuchthesame。
　　Youhavethenbeenontheocean。whileI，whopre-
　　tendtobeasailor，haveneveryetseensaltwater。Youmusthaveagreatcontemptforsuchamarinerasmyself，inyourheart，MabelDunham？
　　ThenIhavenosuchthinginmyheart，JasperEau-
　　douce。WhatrighthaveI，agirlwithoutexperienceorknowledge，todespiseany，muchlessonelikeyou，whoaretrustedbytheMajor，andwhocommandavessellikethis？Ihaveneverbeenontheocean，thoughIhaveseenit。and，Irepeat，IseenodifferencebetweenthislakeandtheAtlantic。
　　Norinthemthatsailonboth？Iwasafraid，Mabel，yourunclehadsaidsomuchagainstusfresh-watersailors，thatyouhadbeguntolookuponusaslittlebetterthanpretenders？
　　Giveyourselfnouneasinessonthataccount，Jasper。
　　forIknowmyuncle，andhesaysasmanythingsagainstthosewholiveashore，whenatYork，ashenowsaysagainstthosewhosailonfreshwater。No，no，neithermyfathernormyselfthinkanythingofsuchopinions。MyuncleCap，ifhespokeopenly，wouldbefoundtohaveevenaworsenotionofasoldierthanofasailorwhoneversawthesea。
　　Butyourfather，Mabel，hasabetteropinionofsoldiersthanofanyoneelse？hewishesyoutobethewifeofasoldier？
　　JasperEau-douce！——Ithewifeofasoldier！Myfatherwishesit！Whyshouldhewishanysuchthing？WhatsoldieristhereinthegarrisonthatIcouldmarry——thathecould_wishme_tomarry？
　　Onemayloveacallingsowellastofancyitwillcoverathousandimperfections。
　　Butoneisnotlikelytolovehisowncallingsowellastocausehimtooverlookeverythingelse。Yousaymyfatherwishesmetomarryasoldier。andyetthereisnosoldieratOswegothathewouldbelikelytogivemeto。
　　Iaminanawkwardposition。forwhileIamnotgoodenoughtobethewifeofoneofthegentlemenofthegarri-
　　son，Ithinkevenyouwilladmit，Jasper，Iamtoogoodtobethewifeofoneofthecommonsoldiers。
　　AsMabelspokethusfranklysheblushed，sheknewnotwhy，thoughtheobscurityconcealedthefactfromhercompanion。andshelaughedfaintly，likeonewhofeltthatthesubject，howeverembarrassingitmightbe，de-
　　servedtobetreatedfairly。Jasper，itwouldseem，viewedherpositiondifferentlyfromherself。
　　ItistrueMabel，saidhe，youarenotwhatiscafle~
　　alady，inthecommonmeaningoftheword。
　　Notinanymeaning，Jasper，thegenerousgirleagerlyinterrupted：onthathead，Ihavenovanities，Ihope。
　　Providencehasmademethedaughterofasergeant，andI
　　amcontenttoremaininthestationinwhichIwasborn。
　　Butalldonotremaininthestationsinwhichtheywereborn，Mabel。forsomeriseabovethem，andsomefallbelowthem。Manysergeantshavebecomeofficers——evengenerals。andwhymaynotsergeants’daughtersbecomeofficers’ladies？
　　InthecaseofSergeantDunham’sdaughter，Iknownobetterreasonthanthefactthatnoofficerislikelytowishtomakeherhiswife，returnedMabel，laughing。
　　_You_maythinkso。buttherearesomeinthe55ththatknowbetter。Thereiscertainlyoneofficerinthatregi-
　　ment，Mabel，whodoeswishtomakeyouhiswife。
　　Quickastheflashinglightning，therapidthoughtsofMabelDunhamglancedoverthefiveorsixsubalternsofthecorps，who，byageandinclinations，wouldbethemostlikelytoformsuchawish。andweshoulddoinjusticetoherhabits，perhaps，werewenottosaythatalivelysensa-
　　tionofpleasurerosemomentarilyinherbosom，atthethoughtofbeingraisedaboveastationwhich，whatevermightbeherprofessionsofcontentment，shefeltthatshehadbeentoowelleducatedtofillwithperfectsatisfaction。
　　Butthisemotionwasastransientasitwassudden。forMabelDunhamwasagirloftoomuchpureandwomanlyfeelingtoviewthemarriagetiethroughanythingsoworldlyasthemereadvantagesofstation。Thepassingemotionwasathrillproducedbyfactitioushabits，whilethemoresettledopinionwhichremainedwastheoffspringofnatureandprinciples。
　　Iknownoofficerinthe55th，oranyotherregiment，whowouldbelikelytodosofoolishathing。nordoI
　　thinkImyselfwoulddosofoolishathingastomarryanofficer。
　　Foolish，Mabel！
　　Yes，foolish，Jasper。Youknow，aswellasIcanknow，whattheworldwouldthinkofsuchmatters。andIshouldbesorry，verysorry，tofindthatmyhusbandeverregrettedthathehadsofaryieldedtoafancyforafaceorafigureastohavemarriedthedaughterofonesomuchhisin-
　　feriorasasergeant。
　　_Your_husband，Mabel，willnotbesolikelytothinkofthefatherastothinkofthedaughter。
　　Thegirlwastalkingwithspirit，thoughfeelingevidentlyenteredintoherpartofthediscourse。butshepausedfornearlyaminuteafterJasperhadmadethelastobserva-
　　tionbeforesheutteredanotherword。Thenshecon-
　　tinued，inamannerlessplayful，andonecriticallyatten-
　　tivemighthavefanciedinamannerslightlymelan-
　　choly，——
　　Parentandchildoughtsotoliveasnottohavetwohearts，ortwomodesoffeelingandthinking。AcommoninterestinallthingsIshouldthinkasnecessarytohappi-
　　nessinmanandwife，asbetweentheothermembersofthesamefamily。Mostofall，oughtneitherthemannorthewomantohaveanyunusualcauseforunhappiness，theworldfurnishingsomanyofitself。
　　AmItounderstand，then，Mabel，youwouldrefusetomarryanofficer，merelybecausehewasanofficer？
　　Haveyouarighttoasksuchaquestion，Jasper？saidMabelsmiling。
　　Nootherrightthanwhatastrongdesiretoseeyouhappycangive，which，afterall，maybeverylittle。Myanxietyhasbeenincreased，fromhappeningtoknowthatitisyourfather’sintentiontopersuadeyoutomarryLieutenantMuir。
　　Mydear，dearfathercanentertainnonotionsoridicu-
　　lous——nonotionsocruel！
　　Wouldit，then，becrueltowishyouthewifeofaquarter-master？
　　IhavetoldyouwhatIthinkonthatsubject，andcan-
　　notmakemywordsstronger。Havingansweredyousofrankly，Jasper，Ihavearighttoaskhowyouknowthatmyfatherthinksofanysuchthing？
　　Thathehaschosenahusbandforyou，Iknowfromhisownmouth。forhehastoldmethismuchduringourfrequentconversationswhilehehasbeensuperintendingtheshipmentofthestores。andthatMr。Muiristoofferforyou，Iknowfromtheofficerhimself，whohastoldmeasmuch。Byputtingthetwothingstogether，Ihavecometotheopinionmentioned。
　　Maynotmydearfather，Jasper，——Mabel’sfaceglowedlikefirewhileshespoke，thoughherwordsescapedherslowly，andbyasortofinvoluntaryimpulse，——maynotmydearfatherhavebeenthinkingofanother？Itdoesnotfollow，fromwhatyousay，thatMr。Muirwasinhismind。
　　Isitnotprobable，Mabel，fromallthathaspassed？
　　WhatbringstheQuartermasterhere？Hehasneverfounditnecessarybeforetoaccompanythepartiesthathavegonebelow。Hethinksofyouforhiswife。andyourfatherhasmadeuphisownmindthatyoushallbeso。Youmustsee，Mabel，thatMr。Muirfollows_you？_
　　Mabelmadenoanswer。Herfeminineinstincthad，indeed，toldherthatshewasanobjectofadmirationwiththeQuartermaster。thoughshehadhardlysupposedtotheextentthatJasperbelieved。andshe，too，hadevengatheredfromthediscourseofherfatherthathethoughtseriouslyofhavingherdisposedofinmarriage。butbynoprocessofreasoningcouldsheeverhavearrivedattheinferencethatMr。Muirwastobetheman。Shedidnotbelieveitnow，thoughshewasfarfromsuspectingthetruth。In-
　　deed，itwasherownopinionthatthesecasualremarksofherfather，whichhadstruckher，hadproceededfromageneralwishtohavehersettled，ratherthanfromanydesiretoseeherunitedtoanyparticularindividual。Thesethoughts，however，shekeptsecret。forself-respectandfemininereserveshowedhertheimproprietyofmakingthemthesubjectofdiscussionwithherpresentcompanion。
　　Bywayofchangingtheconversation，therefore，afterthepausehadlastedlongenoughtobeembarrassingtobothparties，shesaid，Ofonethingyoumaybecertain，Jasper，-andthatisallIwishtosayonthesubject，——LieutenantMuir，thoughhewereacolonel，willneverbethehusbandofMabelDunham。Andnow，tellmeofyourvoyage——
　　whenwillitend？
　　Thatisuncertain。Onceafloat，weareatthemercyofthewindsandwaves。Pathfinderwilltellyouthathewhobeginstochasethedeerinthemorningcannottellwherehewillsleepatnight。
　　Butwearenotchasingadeer，norisitmorning：soPathfinder’smoralisthrownaway。
　　Althoughwearenotchasingadeer，weareafterthatwhichmaybeashardtocatch。IcantellyounomorethanIhavesaidalready。foritisourdutytobeclose-
　　mouthed，whetheranythingdependsonitornot。Iamafraid，however，Ishallnotkeepyoulongenoughinthe_Scud_toshowyouwhatshecandoatneed。
　　Ithinkawomanunwisewhoevermarriesasailor，
　　saidMabelabruptly，andalmostinvoluntarily。
　　Thisisastrangeopinion。whydoyouholdit？
　　Becauseasailor’swifeiscertaintohavearivalinhisvessel。MyuncleCap，too，saysthatasailorshouldnevermarry。
　　Hemeanssalt-watersailors，returnedJasper，laugh-
　　ing。Ifhethinkswivesnotgoodenoughforthosewhosailontheocean，hewillfancythemjustsuitedtothosewhosailonthelakes。Ihope，Mabel，youdonottakeyouropinionsofusfresh-watermarinersfromallthatMasterCapsays。
　　Sail，ho！exclaimedtheveryindividualofwhomtheywereconversing。orboat，ho！wouldbenearerthetruth。
　　Jasperranforward。and，sureenough，asmallobjectwasdiscernibleaboutahundredyardsaheadofthecutter，andnearlyonherleebow。Atthefirstglance，hesawitwasabarkcanoe。for，thoughthedarknesspreventedhuesfrombeingdistinguished，theeyethathadbecomeaccus-
　　tomedtothenightmightdiscernformsatsomelittledis-
　　tance。andtheeyewhich，likeJasper’s，hadlongbeenfamiliarwiththingsaquatic，couldnotbeatalossindis-
　　coveringtheoutlinesnecessarytocometotheconclusionhedid。
　　Thismaybeanenemy，theyoungmanremarked。
　　anditmaybewelltooverhaulhim。
　　Heispaddlingwithallhismight，lad，observedthePathfinder，andmeanstocrossyourbowsandgettowindward，whenyoumightaswellchaseafull-grownbuckonsnow-shoes！
　　Letherluff，criedJaspertothemanatthehelm。
　　Luffup，tillsheshakes。There，steady，andholdallthat。
　　Thehelmsmancomplied。and，asthe_Scud_wasnowdashingthewaterasidemerrily，aminuteortwoputthecanoesofartoleewardastorenderescapeimpracticable。
　　Jaspernowsprangtothehelmhimselfand，byjudiciousandcarefulhandling，hegotsonearhischasethatitwassecuredbyaboat-hook。Onreceivinganorder，thetwopersonswhowereinthecanoeleftit，andnosoonerhadtheyreachedthedeckofthecutterthantheywerefoundtobeArrowheadandhiswife。
　　CHAPTERXV。
　　Whatpearlisitthatrichmencannotbuy，Thatlearningistooproudtogatherup。
　　ButwhichthepoorandthedespisedofallSeekandobtain，andoftenfindunsought？
　　Tellme——andIwilltelltheewhatistruth。
　　COWPER。
　　ThemeetingwiththeIndianandhiswifeexcitednosurpriseinthemajorityofthosewhowitnessedtheoccur-
　　rence。butMabel，andallwhoknewofthemannerinwhichthischiefhadbeenseparatedfromthepartyofCap，simultaneouslyentertainedsuspicions，whichitwasfareasiertofeelthantofollowoutbyanyplausiblecluetocertainty。Pathfinder，whoalonecouldconversefreelywiththeprisoners，forsuchtheymightnowbeconsidered，tookArrowheadaside，andheldalongconversationwithhim，concerningthereasonsofthelatterforhavingde-
　　sertedhischargeandthemannerinwhichhehadbeensinceemployed。
　　TheTuscaroramettheseinquiries，andhegavehisan-
　　swerswiththestoicismofanIndian。Asrespectsthesep-
　　aration，hisexcuseswereverysimplymade，andtheyseemedtobesufficientlyplausible。Whenhefoundthatthepartywasdiscoveredinitsplaceofconcealment，henaturallysoughthisownsafety，whichhesecuredbyplungingintothewoods。Inaword，hehadrunawayinordertosavehislife。
　　Thisiswell，returnedPathfinder，affectingtobelievetheother’sapologies。mybrotherdidverywisely。buthiswomanfollowed？
　　Donotthepale-faces’womenfollowtheirhusbands？
　　WouldnotPathfinderhavelookedbacktoseeifonehelovedwascoming？
　　Thisappealwasmadetotheguidewhilehewasinamostfortunateframeofmindtoadmititsforce。forMabelandherblandishmentsandconstancywerebecom-
　　ingimagesfamiliartohisthoughts。TheTuscarora，thoughhecouldnottracethereason，sawthathisexcusewasadmitted，andhestoodwithquietdignityawaitingthenextinquiry。
　　Thisisreasonableandnatural，returnedPathfinder。
　　thisisnatural，andmaybeso。Awomanwouldbelikelytofollowthemantowhomshehadplightedfaith，andhusbandandwifeareoneflesh。Yourwordsarehonest，Tuscarora，changingthelanguagetothedialectoftheother。Yourwordsarehonest，andverypleasantandjust。Butwhyhasmybrotherbeensolongfromthefort？
　　Hisfriendshavethoughtofhimoften，buthaveneverseenhim。
　　Ifthedoefollowsthebuck，oughtnotthebucktofol-
　　lowthedoe？answeredtheTuscarora，smiling，ashelaidafingersignificantlyontheshoulderofhisinterrogator。
　　Arrowhead’swifefollowedArrowhead。itwasrightinArrowheadtofollowhiswife。Shelostherway，andtheymadehercookinastrangewigwam。
　　Iunderstandyou，Tuscarora。ThewomanfellintothehandsoftheMingos，andyoukeptupontheirtrail。
　　Pathfindercanseeareasonaseasilyashecanseethemossonthetrees。Itisso。
　　Andhowlonghaveyougotthewomanback，andinwhatmannerhasitbeendone？
　　Twosuns。TheDew-of-Junewasnotlongincomingwhenherhusbandwhisperedtoherthepath。
　　Well，well，allthisseemsnatural，andaccordingtomatrimony。But，Tuscarora，howdidyougetthatcanoe，andwhyareyoupaddlingtowardstheSt。Lawrencein-
　　steadofthegarrison？
　　Arrowheadcantellhisownfromthatofanother。
　　Thiscanoeismine。Ifounditontheshorenearthefort。
　　Thatsoundsreasonable，too，forthecanoedoesbelongtotheman，andanIndianwouldmakefewwordsabouttakingit。Still，itisextraordinarythatwesawnothingofthefellowandhiswife，forthecanoemusthavelefttheriverbeforewedidourselves。
　　Thisidea，whichpassedrapidlythroughthemindoftheguide，wasnowputtotheIndianintheshapeofaquestion。
　　Pathfinderknowsthatawarriorcanhaveshame。Thefatherwouldhaveaskedmeforhisdaughter，andIcouldnotgivehertohim。IsenttheDew-of-Juneforthecanoe，andnoonespoketothewoman。ATuscarorawomanwouldnotbefreeinspeakingtostrangemen。
　　Allthis，too，wasplausible，andinconformitywithIn-
　　diancharacterandcustoms。Aswasusual，ArrowheadhadreceivedonehalfofhiscompensationpreviouslytoquittingtheMohawk。andhisrefrainingtodemandtheresiduewasaproofofthatconscientiousconsiderationofmutualrightsthatquiteasoftendistinguishesthemoral-
　　ityofasavageasthatofaChristian。TooneasuprightasPathfinder，Arrowheadhadconductedhimselfwithdelicacyandpropriety，thoughitwouldhavebeenmoreinaccordancewithhisownfranknaturetohavemetthefather，andabidedbythesimpletruth。Still，accustomedtothewaysofIndians，hesawnothingoutoftheordinarytrackofthingsinthecoursetheotherhadtaken。
　　Thisrunslikewaterflowingdownhill，Arrowhead，
　　heanswered，afteralittlereflection，andtruthobligesmetoownit。Itwasthegiftofared-skintoactinthisway，thoughIdonotthinkitwasthegiftofapale-face。Youwouldnotlookuponthegriefofthegirl’sfather？
　　Arrowheadmadeaquietinclinationofthebodyasiftoassent。
　　Onethingmoremybrotherwilltellme，continuedPaLhfinder，andtherewillbenocloudbetweenhiswig-
　　wamandthestrong-houseoftheYengeese。Ifhecanblowawaythisbitoffogwithhisbreath，hisfriendswilllookathimashesitsbyhisownfire，andhecanlookatthemastheylayasidetheirarms，andforgetthattheyarewarriors。WhywastheheadofArrowhead’scanoelookingtowardstheSt。Lawrence，wheretherearenonebutene-
　　miestobefound？
　　WhywerethePathfinderandhisfriendslookingthesameway？askedtheTuscaroracalmly。ATuscaroramaylookinthesamedirectionasaYengeese。
　　Why，toownthetruth，Arrowhead，weareoutscoutinglike。thatis，sailing——inotherwords，weareontheking’sbusiness，andwehavearighttobehere，thoughwemaynothavearighttosay_why_wearehere。
　　Arrowheadsawthebigcanoe，andhelovestolookonthefaceofEau-douce。Hewasgoingtowardsthesunateveninginordertoseekhiswigwam。but，findingthattheyoungsailorwasgoingtheotherway，heturnedthathemightlookinthesamedirection。Eau-douceandArrowheadweretogetheronthelasttrail。
　　Thismayallbetrue，Tuscarora，andyouarewelcome。
　　Youshalleatofourvenison，andthenwemustseparate。
　　Thesettingsunisbehindus，andbothofusmovequick：
　　mybrotherwillgettoofarfromthatwhichheseeks，unlessheturnsround。
　　Pathfindernowreturnedtotheothers，andrepeatedtheresultofhisexamination。HeappearedhimselftobelievethattheaccountofArrowheadmightbetrue，thoughheadmittedthatcautionwouldbeprudentwithonehedisliked。buthisauditors，Jasperexcepted，seemedlessdisposedtoputfaithintheexplanations。
　　Thischapmustbeironedatonce，brotherDunham，
　　saidCap，assoonasPathfinderfinishedhisnarration。
　　hemustbeturnedovertothemaster-at-arms，ifthereisanysuchofficeronfreshwater，andacourt-martialoughttobeorderedassoonaswereachport。
　　Ithinkitwisesttodetainthefellow，theSergeantanswered。butironsareunnecessarysolongashere-
　　mainsinthecutter。Inthemorningthemattershallbeinquiredinto。
　　Arrowheadwasnowsummonedandtoldthedecision。
　　TheIndianlistenedgravely，andmadenoobjections。Onthecontrary，hesubmittedwiththecalmandreserveddignitywithwhichtheAmericanaboriginesareknowntoyieldtofate。andhestoodapart，anattentivebutcalmobserverofwhatwaspassing。Jaspercausedthecutter’ssailstobefilled，andthe_Scud_resumedhercourse。
　　Itwasnowgettingnearthehourtosetthewatch，andwhenitwasusualtoretireforthenight。Mostofthepartywentbelow，leavingnooneondeckbutCap，theSergeant，Jasper，andtwoofthecrew。Arrowheadandhiswifealsoremained，theformerstandingaloofinproudreserve，andthelatterexhibiting，byherattitudeandpas-
　　siveness，themeekhumilitythatcharacterizesanIndianwoman。
　　Youwillfindaplaceforyourwifebelow，Arrowhead，wheremydaughterwillattendtoherwants，saidtheSergeantkindly，whowashimselfonthepointofquittingthedeck。yonderisasailwhereyoumaysleepyourself。
　　Ithankmyfather。TheTuscarorasarenotpoor。Thewomanwilllookformyblanketsinthecanoe。
　　Asyouwish，myfriend。Wethinkitnecessarytode-
　　tainyou。butnotnecessarytoconfineortomaltreatyou。
　　Sendyoursquawintothecanoefortheblanketsandyoumayfollowheryourself，andhandusupthepaddles。Astheremaybesomesleepyheadsinthe_Scud_，Eau-douce，
　　addedtheSergeantinalowertone，itmaybewelltosecurethepaddles。
　　Jasperassented，andArrowheadandhiswife，withwhomresistanceappearedtobeoutofthequestion，silentlycompliedwiththedirections。AfewexpressionsofsharprebukepassedfromtheIndiantohiswife，whilebothwereemployedinthecanoe，whichthelatterreceivedwithsubmissivequiet，immediatelyrepairinganerrorshehadmadebylayingasidetheblanketshehadtakenandsearch-
　　ingforanotherthatwasmoretohertyrant’smind。
　　Come，bearahand，Arrowhead，saidtheSergeant，whostoodonthegunwaleoverlookingthemovementsofthetwo，whichwereproceedingtooslowlyfortheimpatienceofadrowsyman。itisgettinglate。andwesoldiershavesuchathingasreveille——earlytobedandearlytorise。
　　Arrowheadiscoming，wastheanswer，astheTusca-
　　rorasteppedtowardstheheadofhiscanoe。
　　Oneblowofhiskeenknifeseveredtheropewhichheldtheboat，andthenthecutterglancedahead，leavingthelightbubbleofbark，whichinstantlylostitsway，almoststationary。Sosuddenlyanddexterouslywasthismanoeu-
　　vreperformed，thatthecanoewasontheleequarterofthe_Scud_beforetheSergeantwasawareoftheartifice，andquiteinherwakeerehehadtimetoannounceittohiscompanions。
　　Hard-a-lee！shoutedJasper，lettingflythejib-sheetwithhisownhands，whenthecuttercameswiftlyuptothebreeze，withallhercanvasflapping，orwasrunningintothewind’seye，asseamentermit，untilthelightcraftwasahundredfeettowindwardofherformerposition。
　　Quickanddexterousaswasthismovement，andreadyashadbeentheexpedient，itwasnotquickerormorereadythanthatoftheTuscarora。Withanintelligencethatdenotedsomefamiliaritywithvessels，hehadseizedhispaddleandwasalreadyskimmingthewater，aidedbytheeffortsofhiswife。Thedirectionhetookwassouth-
　　westerly，oronalinethatledhimequallytowardsthewindandtheshore，whileitalsokepthimsofaralooffromthecutterastoavoidthedangerofthelatterfallingonboardofhimwhenshefilledontheothertack。Swiftlyasthe_Scud_hadshotintothewind，andfarasshehadforcedahead，Jasperknewitwasnecessarytocastherereshehadlostallherway。anditwasnottwominutesfromthetimethehelmhadbeenputdownbeforethelivelylittlecraftwasabackforward，andrapidlyfallingoff，inordertoallowhersailstofillontheoppositetack。
　　Hewillescape！saidJaspertheinstanthecaughtaglimpseoftherelativebearingsofthecutterandthecanoe。Thecunningknaveispaddlingdeadtowind-
　　ward，andthe_Scud_canneverovertakehim！
　　Youhaveacanoe！exclaimedtheSergeant，mani-
　　festingtheeagernessofaboytojoininthepursuit。letuslaunchit，andgivechase！
　　Itwillbeuseless。IfPathfinderhadbeenondeck，theremighthavebeenachance。butthereisnonenow。
　　Tolaunchthecanoewouldhavetakenthreeorfourmin-
　　utes，andthetimelostwouldbesufficientforthepurposesofArrowhead。
　　BothCapandtheSergeantsawthetruthofthis，whichwouldhavebeennearlyself-evidenteventooneunaccus-
　　tomedtovessels。Theshorewasdistantlessthanhalfamile，andthecanoewasalreadyglancingintoitsshadows，ataratetoshowthatitwouldreachthelandbeforeitspursuerscouldprobablygethalfthedistance。Thehelmofthe_Scud_wasreluctantlyputupagain，andthecutterworeshortroundonherheel，cominguptohercourseontheothertack，asifactingonaninstinct。AllthiswasdonebyJasperinprofoundsilence，hisassistantsunder-
　　standingwhatwasnecessary，andlendingtheiraidinasortofmechanicalimitation。Whilethesemanoeuvreswereinthecourseofexecution，CaptooktheSergeantbyabutton，andledhimtowardsthecabin-door，wherehewasoutofear-shot，andbegantounlockhisstoresofthought。
　　Hark’e，brotherDunham，saidhe，withanominousface，thisisamatterthatrequiresmaturethoughtandmuchcircumspection。
　　Thelifeofasoldier，brotherCap，isoneofconstantthoughtandcircumspection。Onthisfrontier，werewetooverlookeither，ourscalpsmightbetakenfromourheadsinthefirstnap。
　　ButIconsiderthiscaptureofArrowheadasacircum-
　　stance。andImightaddhisescapeasanother。ThisJas-
　　perFreshwatermustlooktoit。
　　Theyarebothcircumstancestruly，brother。buttheytelldifferentways。IfitisacircumstanceagainsttheladthattheIndianhasescaped，itisacircumstanceinhisfavorthathewasfirsttaken。
　　Ay，ay，buttwocircumstancesdonotcontradicteachotherliketwonegatives。Ifyouwillfollowtheadviceofanoldseaman，Sergeant，notamomentistobelostintakingthestepsnecessaryforthesecurityofthevesselandallonboardofher。Thecutterisnowslippingthroughthewaterattherateofsixknots，andasthedistancesaresoshortonthisbitofapond，wemayallfindourselvesinaFrenchportbeforemorning，andinaFrenchprisonbeforenight。
　　Thismaybetrueenough。Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo，brother？
　　InmyopinionyoushouldputthisMasterFreshwaterunderarrestonthespot。sendhimbelowunderthechargeofasentinel，andtransferthecommandofthecuttertome。Allthisyouhavepowertoperform，thecraftbelongingtothearmy，andyoubeingthecommand-
　　ingofficerofthetroopspresent。