SergeantDunhamdeliberatedmorethananhourontheproprietyofthisproposal。for，thoughsufficientlypromptwhenhismindwasreallymadeup，hewashabit-
　　uallythoughtfulandwary。Thehabitofsuperintendingthepersonalpoliceofthegarrisonhadmadehimac-
　　quaintedwithcharacter，andhehadlongbeendisposedtothinkwellofJasper。Stillthatsubtlepoison，suspicion，hadenteredhissoul。andsomuchweretheartificesandintriguesoftheFrenchdreaded，that，especiallywarnedashehadbeenbyhiscommander，itisnottobewonderedthattherecollectionofyearsofgoodconductshouldvan-
　　ishundertheinfluenceofadistrustsokeen，andseeminglysoplausible。InthisembarrassmenttheSergeantconsultedtheQuartermaster，whoseopinion，ashissuperior，hefeltboundtorespect，thoughatthemomentindependentofhiscontrol。Itisanunfortunateoccurrenceforonewhoisinadilemmatoaskadviceofanotherwhoisdesirousofstandingwellinhisfavor，thepartyconsultedbeingalmostcertaintotrytothinkinthemannerwhichwillbethemostagreeabletothepartyconsulting。Inthepresentinstanceitwasequallyunfortunate，asrespectsacandidconsiderationofthesubject，thatCap，insteadoftheSer-
　　geanthimself，madethestatementofthecase。fortheearnestoldsailorwasnotbackwardinlettinghislistenerperceivetowhichsidehewasdesirousthattheQuarter-
　　mastershouldlean。LieutenantMuirwasmuchtoopol-
　　itictooffendtheuncleandfatherofthewomanhehopedandexpectedtowin，hadhereallythoughtthecasead-
　　mittedofdoubt。but，inthemannerinwhichthefactsweresubmittedtohim，hewasseriouslyinclinedtothinkthatitwouldbewelltoputthecontrolofthe_Scud_tem-
　　porarilyintothemanagomentofCap，asaprecautionagainsttreachery。ThisopinionthendecidedtheSer-
　　geant，whoforthwithsetabouttheexecutionoftheneces-
　　sarymeasures。
　　Withoutenteringintoanyexplanations，SergeantDun-
　　hamsimplyinformedJasperthathefeltittobehisdutytodeprivehimtemporarilyofthecommandofthecutter，andtoconferitonhisownbrother-in-law。Anaturalandinvoluntaryburstofsurprise，whichescapedtheyoungman，wasmetbyaquietremark，remindinghimthatmili-
　　taryservicewasoftenofanaturethatrequiredconceal-
　　ment，andadeclarationthatthepresentdutywasofsuchacharacterthatthisparticulararrangementhadbecomeindispensable。AlthoughJasper’sastonishmentremainedundiminished，——theSergeantcautiouslyabstainingfrommakinganyallusiontohissuspicions，——theyoungmanwasaccustomedtoobeywithmilitarysubmission。andhequietlyacquiesced，withhisownmouthdirectingthelittlecrewtoreceivetheirfurtherordersfromCapuntilanotherchangeshouldbeeffected。When，however，hewastoldthecaserequiredthatnotonlyhehimself，buthisprinci-
　　palassistant，who，onaccountofhislongacquaintancewiththelake，wasusuallytermedthepilot，weretoremainbelow，therewasanalterationinhiscountenanceandmannerthatdenotedstrongfeeling，thoughitwassowellmasteredastoleaveeventhedistrustfulCapindoubtastoitsmeaning。Asamatterofcourse，however，whendis-
　　trustexists，itwasnotlongbeforetheworstconstructionwasputuponit。
　　AssoonasJasperandthepilotwerebelow，thesentinelatthehatchreceivedprivateorderstopayparticularat-
　　tentiontoboth。toallowneithertocomeondeckagainwithoutgivinginstantnoticetothepersonwhomightthenbeinchargeofthecutter，andtoinsistonhisreturnbelowassoonaspossible。Thisprecaution，however，wasuncalledfor。Jasperandhisassistantboththrowingthem-
　　selvessilentlyontheirpallets，whichneitherquittedagainthatnight。
　　Andnow，Sergeant，saidCap，assoonashefoundhimselfmasterofthedeck，youwilljusthavethegood-
　　nesstogivemethecoursesanddistance，thatImayseetheboatkeepsherheadtherightway。
　　Iknownothingofeither，brotherCap，returnedDun-
　　ham，notalittleembarrassedatthequestion。WemustmakethebestofourwaytothestationamongtheThou-
　　sandIslands，where’weshallland，relievethepartythatisalreadyout，andgetinformationforourfuturegovern-
　　ment。’That’sit，nearlywordforword，asitstandsinthewrittenorders。
　　Butyoucanmusterachart——somethinginthewayofbearingsanddistances，thatImayseetheroad？
　　IdonotthinkJaspereverhadanythingofthesorttogoby。
　　Nochart，SergeantDunham！
　　Notascrapofapeneven。Oursailorsnavigatethislakewithoutanyaidfrommaps。
　　Thedeviltheydo！TheymustberegularYahoos。
　　Anddoyousuppose，SergeantDunham，thatIcanfindoneislandoutofathousandwithoutknowingitsnameoritsposition，withoutevenacourseoradistance？
　　Asforthe_name_，brotherCap，youneednotbeparticu-
　　lar，fornotoneofthewholethousand_has_aname，andsoamistakecanneverbemadeonthatscore。Asfortheposition，neverhavingbeentheremyself，Icantellyounothingaboutit，nordoIthinkitspositionofanypar-
　　ticularconsequence，providedwefindthespot。Perhapsoneofthehandsondeckcantellustheway。
　　Holdon，Sergeant——holdonamoment，ifyouplease，SergeantDunham。IfIamtocommandthiscraft，itmustbedone，ifyouplease，withoutholdinganycouncilsofwarwiththecookandcabin-boy。Aship-masterisaship-master，andhemusthaveanopinionofhisown，evenifitbeawrongone。Isupposeyouknowservicewellenoughtounderstandthatitisbetterinacommandertogowrongthantogonowhere。Atallevents，theLordHighAdmiralcouldn’tcommandayawlwithdignity，ifheconsultedthecockswaineverytimehewishedtogoashore。Nosir，ifIsink，Isink！but，d——me，I’llgodownship-shapeandwithdignity。
　　But，brotherCap，Ihavenowishtogodownanywhere，unlessitbetothestationamongtheThousandIslandswhitherwearebound。
　　Well，well，Sergeant，ratherthanaskadvice——thatis，direct，barefacedadvice——ofaforemasthand，oranyotherthanaquarter-deckofficer，Iwouldgoroundtothewholethousand，andexaminetbemonebyoneuntilwegottherighthaven。Butthereissuchathingascomingatanopinionwithoutmanifestingignorance，andIwillmanagetorouseallthereisoutofthesehands，andmakethemthinkallthewhilethatIamcrammingthemwithmyownexperience！Wearesometimesobligedtousetheglassatseawhenthereisnothinginsight，ortoheavetheleadlongbeforewestrikesoundings。Whenayoungster，sailedtwov’y’geswithamanwhonavigatedhisshipprettymuchbythelattersortofinformation，whichsometimesanswers。
　　Iknowwearesteeringintherightdirectionatpres-
　　ent，returnedtheSergeant。butinthecourseofafewhoursweshallbeupwithaheadland，wherewemustfeelourwaywithmorecaution。
　　Leavemetopumpthemanatthewheel，brother，andyoushallseethatIwillmakehimsuckinaveryfewminutes。
　　CapandtheSergeantnowwalkedaft，untiltheystoodbythesailorwhowasatthehelm，Capmaintaininganairofsecurityandtranquillity，likeonewhowasentirelycon-
　　fidentofhisownpowers。
　　Thisisawholesomeair，mylad，Capobserved，inthemannerthatasuperioronboardavesselsometimesconde-
　　scendstousetoafavoredinferior。Ofcourseyouhaveitinthisfashionoffthelandeverynight？
　　Atthisseasonoftheyear，sir，themanreturned，touchinghishat，outofrespect，tohisnewcommanderandSergeantDunham’sconnection。
　　Thesamething，Itakeit，amongtheThousandIs-
　　lands？Thewindwillstand，ofcourse，thoughweshallthenhavelandoneverysideofus。
　　Whenwegetfarthereast，sir，thewindwillprobablyshift，fortherecanthenbenoparticularland-breeze。
　　Ay，ay。somuchforyourfreshwater！Ithasalwayssometrickthatisopposedtonature。Now，downamongtheWestIndiaIslands，oneisjustascertainofhavingaland-breezeasheisofhavingasea-breeze。Inthatrespectthereisnodifference，thoughit’squiteinruleitshouldbedifferentuphereonthisbitoffreshwater。Ofcourse，mylad，youknowallaboutthesesaidThousandIslands？
　　Lordblessyou，MasterCap，nobodyknowsallaboutthemoranythingaboutthem。Theyareapuzzletotheoldestsailoronthelake，andwedon’tpretendtoknoweventheirnames。Forthatmatter，mostofthemhavenomorenamesthanachildthatdiesbeforeitischris-
　　tened。
　　AreyouaRomanCatholic？demandedtheSergeantsharply。
　　No，sir，noranythingelse。I’mageneralizeraboutreligion，nevertroublingthatwhichdon’ttroubleme。
　　Hum！ageneralizer。thatis，nodoubt，oneofthenewsectsthatafflictthecountry，mutteredMr。Dunham，whosegrandfatherhadbeenaNewJerseyQuaker，hisfatheraPresbyterian，andwhohadjoinedtheChurchofEnglandhimselfafterheenteredthearmy。
　　Itakeit，John——resumedCap。YournameisJack，Ibelieve？
　　No，sir。IamcalledRobert。
　　Ay，Robert，it’sverymuchthesamething，JackorBob。weusethetwoindifferently。Isay，Bob，it’sgoodholdingground，isit，downatthissamestationforwhichwearebound？
　　Blessyou，sir！IknownomoreaboutitthanoneoftheMohawks，orasoldierofthe55th。
　　Didyouneveranchorthere？
　　Never，sir。MasterEau-doucealwaysmakesfasttotheshore。
　　Butinrunninginforthetown，youkepttheleadgoing，outofquestion，andmusthavetallowedasusual。
　　Tallow！——andtown，too！Blessyourheart，MasterCap！thereisnomoretownthanthereisonyourchin，andnothalfasmuchtallow！
　　TheSergeantsmiledgrimly，buthisbrother-in-lawdidnotdetectthisproofofhumor。
　　Nochurchtower，norlight，norfort，ha？Thereisagarrison，asyoucallithereaway，atleast？
　　AskSergeantDunham，sir，ifyouwishtoknowthat。
　　Allthegarrisonisonboardthe_Scud_。
　　Butinrunningin，Bob，whichofthechannelsdoyouthinkthebest？theoneyouwentlast，or——or——or——ay，ortheother？
　　Ican’tsay，sir。Iknownothingofeither。
　　Youdidn’tgotosleep，fellow，atthewheel，didyou？
　　Notatthewheel，sir，butdowninthefore-peakinmyberth。Eau-doucesentusbelow，soldiersandall，withtheexceptionofthepilot，andweknownomoreoftheroadthanifwehadneverbeenoverit。Thishehasalwaysdoneingoinginandcomingout。and，forthelifeofme，Icouldtellyounothingofthechannel，orthecourse，afterweareoncefairlyupwiththeislands。NooneknowsanythingofeitherbutJasperandthepilot。
　　Hereisacircumstanceforyou，Sergeant，saidCap，leadinghisbrother-in-lawalittleaside。thereisnooneonboardtopump，fortheyallsuckfromignoranceatthefirststrokeofthebrake。HowthedevilamItofindthewaytothisstationforwhichwearebound？
　　Sureenough，brotherCap，yourquestionismoreeasilyputthananswered。Istherenosuchthingasfiguringitoutbynavigation？Ithoughtyousalt-watermarinerswereabletodoassmallathingasthat。Ihaveoftenreadoftheirdiscoveringislands，surely。
　　Thatyouhave，brother，thatyouhave。andthisdis-
　　coverywouldbethegreatestofthemall。foritwouldnotonlybediscoveringoneisland，butoneislandoutofathousand。
　　Still，thesailorsofthelakehaveamethodoffindingtheplacestheywishtogoto。
　　IfIhaveunderstoodyou，Sergeant，thisstationorblock-houseisparticularlyprivate。
　　Itis，indeed，theutmostcarehavingbeentakentopreventaknowledgeofitspositionfromreachingtheenemy。
　　Andyouexpectme，astrangeronyourlake，tofindthisplacewithoutchart，course，distance，latitude，longi-
　　tude，orsoundings，——ay，d——me，ortallow！Allowmetoaskifyouthinkamarinerrunsbyhisnose，likeoneofPathfinder’shounds？
　　Well，brother，youmayyetlearnsomethingbyques-
　　tioningtheyoungmanatthehelm。Icanhardlythinkthatheisasignorantashepretendstobe。
　　Hum！——thislookslikeanothercircumstance。Forthatmatter，thecaseisgettingtobesofullofcircum-
　　stancesthatonehardlyknowshowtofootuptheevidence。
　　Butwewillsoonseehowmuchtheladknows。
　　CapandtheSergeantnowreturnedtotheirstationnearthehelm，andtheformerrenewedhisinquiries。
　　Doyouhappentoknowwhatmaybethelatitudeandlongitudeofthissaidisland，mylad？heasked。
　　Thewhat，sir？
　　Why，thelatitudeorlongitude——oneorboth。I’mnotparticularwhich，asImerelyinquireinordertoseehowtheybringupyoungmenonthisbitoffreshwater。
　　I’mnotparticularabouteithermyself，sir，andsoIdonothappentoknowwhatyoumean。
　　NotwhatImean！Youknowwhatlatitudeis？
　　NotI，sir！returnedtheman，hesitating。ThoughIbelieveitisFrenchfortheupperlakes。
　　Whe-e-e-w-！whistledCap，drawingouthisbreathlikethebrokenstopofanorgan。latitude，Frenchforupperlakes！Hark’e，youngman，doyouknowwhatlongitudemeans？
　　IbelieveIdo，sir。thatis，fivefeetsix，theregulationheightforsoldiersintheking’sservice。
　　There’sthelongitudefoundoutforyou，Sergeant，intherattlingofabrace-block！Youhavesomenotionaboutadegree，andminutesandseconds，Ihope？
　　Yes，sir。degreemeansmybetters。andminutesandsecondsarefortheshortorlonglog-lines。Weallknowthesethingsaswellasthesalt-waterpeople。
　　D——me，brotherDunham，ifIthinkevenFaithcangetalongonthislake，muchastheysayitcandowithmountains。Well，mylad，youunderstandtheazimuth，andmeasuringdistances，andhowtoboxthecompass。
　　Asforthefirst，sir，Ican’tsayIdo。Thedistancesweallknow，aswemeasurethemfrompointtopoint。andasforboxingthecompass，Iwillturnmybacktonoad-
　　miralinhisMajesty’sfleet。Nothe，notheandbyeast，nothe，nothe-east，nothe-eastandbynothe，nothe-east，nothe-eastandbyeast，east-nothe-east，eastandbynothe-
　　east——
　　Thatwilldo，thatwilldo。You’llbringaboutashiftofwindifyougooninthismanner。Iseeveryplainly，Sergeant，walkingawayagain，anddroppinghisvoice，we’venothingtohopeforfromthatchap。I’llstandontwohourslongeronthistack，whenwe’llheave-toandgetthesoundings，afterwhichwewillbegovernedbycircumstances。
　　TothistheSergeantmadenoobjections。andasthewindgrewlighter，asusualwiththeadvanceofnight，andtherewerenoimmediateobstaclestothenavigation，hemadeabedofasailondeck，andwassoonlostinthesoundsleepofasoldier。Capcontinuedtowalkthedeck，forhewasonewhoseironframesetfatigueatdefiance，andnotoncethatnightdidheclosehiseyes。
　　ItwasbroaddaylightwhenSergeantDunhamawoke，andtheexclamationofsurprisethatescapedhim，asherosetohisfeetandbegantolookabouthim，wasstrongerthanitwasusualforonesodrilledtosuffertobeheard。
　　Hefoundtheweatherentirelychanged，theviewboundedbydrivingmistthatlimitedthevisiblehorizontoacircleofaboutamileindiameter，thelakeragingandcoveredwithfoam，andthe_Scud_lying-to。Abriefconversationwithhisbrother-in-lawlethimintothesecretsofallthesesuddenchanges。
　　AccordingtotheaccountofMasterCap，thewindhaddiedawaytoacalmaboutmidnight，orjustashewasthinkingofheaving-to，tosound，forislandsaheadwerebeginningtobeseen。AtoneA。M。itbegantoblowfromthenorth-east，accompaniedbyadrizzle，andhestoodofftothenorthwardandwestward，knowingthatthecoastofNewYorklayintheoppositedirection。Athalf-pastonehestowedtheflying-jib，reefedthemainsail，andtookthebonnetoffthejib。Attwohewascompelledtogetasecondreefaft。andbyhalf-pasttwohehadputabal-
　　ance-reefinthesail，andwaslying-to。
　　Ican’tsaybuttheboatbehaveswell，Sergeant，theoldsailoradded，butitblowsforty-twopounders。Ihadnoideatherewereanysuchcurrentsofairuphereonthisbitoffreshwater，thoughIcarenottheknottingofayarnforit，asyourlakehasnowsomewhatofanaturallook。andifthisd——dwaterhadasavorofsaltaboutit，onemightbecomfortable。
　　Howlonghaveyoubeenheadinginthisdirection，brotherCap？inquiredtheprudentsoldier。andatwhatratemaywebegoingthroughthewater？
　　Why，twoorthreehours，mayhap，andshewentlikeahorseforthefirstpairofthem。Oh，we’veafineoffingnow！for，toownthetruth，littlerelishingtheneighbor-
　　hoodofthemsaidislands，althoughtheyaretowindward，Itookthehelmmyself，andrunherofffreeforsomeleagueortwo。Wearewelltoleewardofthem，I’llengage-Isaytoleeward。forthoughonemightwishtobewelltowindwardofoneisland，orevenhalfadozen，whenitcomestoathousand，thebetterwayistogiveitupatonce，andtoslidedownundertheirleeasfastaspossible。
　　No，no。theretheyareupyonderinthedingle。andtheretheymaystay，foranythingCharlesCapcares。
　　Asthenorthshoreliesonlysomefiveorsixleaguesfromus，brother，andIknowthereisalargebayinthatquarter，mightitnotbewelltoconsultsomeofthecrewconcerningourposition，if，indeed，wedonotcallupJas-
　　perEau-douce，andtellhimtocarryusbacktoOswego？
　　Foritisquiteimpossibleweshouldeverreachthestationwiththiswinddirectlyinourteeth。
　　Thereareseveralseriousprofessionalreasons，Sergeant，againstallyourpropositions。Inthefirstplace，anad-
　　missionofignoranceonthepartofacommanderwoulddestroydiscipline。Nomatter，brother。Iunderstandyourshakeofthehead，butnothingcapsizesdisciplinesomuchastoconfessignorance。Ionceknewamasterofavesselwhowentaweekonawrongcourseratherthanallowhehadmadeamistake。anditwassurprisinghowmuchheroseintheopinionsofhispeople，justbecausetheycouldnotunderstandhim。
　　Thatmaydoonsaltwater，brotherCap，butitwillhardlydoonfresh。RatherthanwreckmycommandontheCanadashore，IshallfeelitadutytotakeJasperoutofarrest。
　　AndmakeahaveninFrontenac。No，Sergeant。the_Scud_isingoodhands，andwillnowlearnsomethingofseamanship。Wehaveafineoffing，andnoonebutamad-
　　manwouldthinkofgoinguponacoastinagalelikethis。
　　Ishallwareeverywatch，andthenweshallbesafeagainstalldangersbutthoseofthedrift，which，inalightlowcraftlikethis，withouttop-hamper，willbenexttonoth-
　　ing。Leaveitalltome，Sergeant，andIpledgeyouthecharacterofCharlesCapthatallwillgowell。
　　SergeantDunhamwasfaintoyield。Hehadgreatcon-
　　fidenceinhisconnection’sprofessionalskill，andhopedthathewouldtakesuchcareofthecutteraswouldamplyjustifyhisopinionofhim。Ontheotherhand，asdis-
　　trust，likecare，growsbywhatitfeedson，heentertainedsomuchapprehensionoftreachery，thathewasquitewill-
　　inganyonebutJaspershouldjustthenhavethecontrolofthefateofthewholeparty。Truth，moreover，compelsustoadmitanothermotive。Theparticulardutyonwhichhewasnowsentofrightshouldhavebeenconfidedtoacommissionedofficer。andMajorDuncanhadexcitedagooddealofdiscontentamongthesubalternsofthegar-
　　rison，byhavingconfidedittooneoftheSergeant’shum-
　　blestation。Toreturnwithouthavingevenreachedthepointofdestination，therefore，thelatterfeltwouldbeafailurefromwhichhewasnotlikelysoontorecover，andthemeasurewouldatoncebethemeansofplacingasupe-
　　riorinhisshoes。
　　CHAPTERXVI。
　　Thougloriousmirror，wheretheAlmighty’sformGlassesitselfintempests。inalltime，Calmorconvulsed——inbreeze，orgale，orstorm，Icingthepole，orinthetorridclimeDark-heaving——boundless，endless，andsublime——
　　Theimageofeternity。thethroneOftheInvisible。evenfromoutthyslimeThemonstersofthedeeparemade。eachzoneObeysthee。thougoestforth，dread，fathomless，alone。
　　BYRON。
　　Asthedayadvanced，thatportionoftheinmatesofthevesselwhichhadthelibertyofdoingsoappearedondeck。
　　Asyettheseawasnotveryhigh，fromwhichitwasinferredthatthecutterwasstillundertheleeoftheislands。butitwasapparenttoallwhounderstoodthelakethattheywereabouttoexperienceoneoftheheavyautumnalgalesofthatregion。Landwasnowherevisible。andthehori-
　　zononeverysideexhibitedthatgloomyvoid，whichlendstoallviewsonvastbodiesofwaterthesublimityofmys-
　　tery。Theswells，or，aslandsmentermthem，thewaves，wereshortandcurling，breakingofnecessitysoonerthanthelongerseasoftheocean。whiletheelementitself，in-
　　steadofpresentingthatbeautifulhuewhichrivalsthedeeptintofthesouthernsky，lookedgreenandangry，thoughwantinginthelustrethatisderivedfromtheraysofthesun。
　　Thesoldiersweresoonsatisfiedwiththeprospect，andonebyonetheydisappeared，untilnonewereleftondeckbutthecrew，theSergeant，Cap，Pathfinder，theQuarter-
　　master，andMabel。Therewasashadeonthebrowofthelast，whohadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththerealstateofthings，andwhohadfruitlesslyventuredanappealinfavorofJasper’srestorationtothecommand。Anight’srestandanight’sreflectionappearedalsotohaveconfirmedthePathfinderinhisopinionoftheyoungman’sinno-
　　cence。andhe，too，hadmadeawarmappealonbehalfofhisfriend，thoughwiththesamewantofsuccess。
　　Severalhourspassedaway，thewindgraduallygettingheavierandthesearising，untilthemotionofthecuttercompelledMabelandtheQuartermastertoretreatalso。
　　Capworeseveraltimes。anditwasnowevideutthatthe_Scud_wasdriftingintothebroaderanddeeperpartsofthelake，theseasragingdownuponherinawaythatnonebutavesselofsuperiormouldandbuildcouldhavelongriddenandwithstood。Allthis，however，gaveCapnouneasiness。but，likethehunterthatprickshisearsatthesoundofthehorn，orthewar-horsethatpawsandsnortswithpleasureattherollofthedrum，thewholesceneawakenedallthatwasmanwithinhim。andinsteadofthecaptious，supercilious，anddogmaticcritic，quarrellingwithtriflesandexaggeratingimmaterialthings，hebegantoexhibitthequalitiesofthehardyandexperiencedseamanwhichhetrulywas。Thehandssoonimbibedarespectforhisskill。and，thoughtheywonderedatthedisappear-
　　anceoftheiroldcommanderandthepilot，forwhichnoreasonhadbeenpubliclygiven，theysoonyieldedanim-
　　plicitandcheerfulobediencetothenewone。
　　Thisbitoffreshwater，afterall，brotherDunham，hassomespirit，Ifind，criedCapaboutnoon，rubbinghishandsinpuresatisfactionatfindinghimselfoncemorewrestlingwiththeelements。Thewindseemstobeanhonestold-fashionedgale，andtheseashaveafancifulre-
　　semblancetothoseoftheGulfStream。Ilikethis，Ser-
　　geant，Ilikethis，andshallgettorespectyourlake，ifitholdouttwenty-fourhourslongerinthefashioninwhichithasbegun。
　　Land，ho！shoutedthemanwhowasstationedontheforecastle。
　　Caphurriedforward。andthere，sureenough，thelandwasvisiblethroughthedrizzle，atthedistanceofabouthalfamile，thecutterheadingdirectlytowardsit。Thefirstimpulseoftheoldseamanwastogiveanordertostandby，towareoffshore。butthecool-headedsoldierrestrainedhim。
　　Bygoingalittlenearer，saidtheSergeant，someofusmayrecognizetheplace。MostofusknowtheAmeri-
　　canshoreinthispartofthelake。anditwillbesomethinggainedtolearnourposition。
　　Verytrue，verytrue。if，indeed，thereisanychanceofthatwewillholdon。Whatisthisoffhere，alittleonourweather-bow？Itlookslikealowheadland。
　　Thegarrison，byJove！exclaimedtheother，whosetrainedeyesoonerrecognizedthemilitaryoutlinesthanthelessinstructedsensesofhisconnection。
　　TheSergeantwasnotmistaken。Therewasthefort，sureenough，thoughitlookeddimandindistinctthroughthefinerain，asifitwereseenintheduskofeveningorthehazeofmorning。Thelow，sodded，andverdantram-
　　parts，thesombrepalisdes，nowdarkerthaneverwithwater，theroofofahouseortwo，thetall，solitaryflagstaff，withitshalyardsblownsteadilyoutintoacurvethatap-
　　pearedtracedinimmovablelinesintheair，wereallsoontobeseenthoughnosignofanimatedlifecouldbedis-
　　covered。Eventhesentinelwashoused。andatfirstitwasbelievedthatnoeyewoulddetectthepresenceoftheirownvessel。Buttheunceasingvigilanceofabordergar-
　　risondidnotslumber：oneofthelook-outsprobablymadetheinterestingdiscovery。amanortwowereseenonsomeelevatedstands，andthentheentirerampartsnextthelakeweredottedwithhumanbeings。
　　Thewholescenewasoneinwhichsublimitywassingu-
　　larlyrelievedbythepicturesque。Theragingofthetem-
　　pesthadacharacterofdurationthatrenderediteasytoimagineitmightbeapermanentfeatureofthespot。Theroarofthewindwaswithoutintermission，andtheragingwateransweredtoitsdullbutgrandstrainswithhissingspray，amenacingwash，andsullensurges。Thedrizzlemadeamediumfortheeyewhichcloselyresembledthatofathinmist，softeningandrenderingmysterioustheim-
　　agesitrevealed，whilethegenialfeelingthatisapttoac-
　　companyagaleofwindonwatercontributedtoaidthemilderinfluencesofthemoment。Thedarkinterminableforesthoveupoutoftheobscurity，grand，sombre，andimpressive，whilethesolitary，peculiar，andpicturesqueglimpsesoflifethatwerecaughtinandaboutthefort，formedarefugefortheeyetoretreattowhenoppressedwiththemoreimposingobjectsofnature。
　　Theyseeus，saidtheSergeant，andthinkwehavereturnedonaccountofthegale，andhavefallentoleewardoftheport。Yes，thereisMajorDuncanhimselfonthenorth-easternbastion。Iknowhimbyhisheight，andbytheofficersaroundhim。
　　Sergeant，itwouldbeworthstandingalittlejeering，ifwecouldfetchintotheriver，andcomesafelytoananchor。
　　Inthatcase，too，wemightlandthisMasterEau-douce，andpurifytheboat。
　　Itwouldindeed。but，aspoorasailorasIam，Iwellknowitcannotbedone。Nothingthatsailsthelakecanturntowindwardagainstthisgale。andthereisnoan-
　　chorageoutsideinweatherlikethis。
　　Iknowit，Iseeit，Sergeant。andpleasantasisthatsighttoyoulandsmen，wemustleaveit。Formyself，I
　　amneversohappyinheavyweatheraswhenIamcertainthatthelandisbehindme。
　　The_Scud_hadnowforgedsonearin，thatitbecamein-
　　dispensabletolayherheadoffshoreagain，andtheneces-
　　saryordersweregiven。Thestorm-staysailwassetforward，thegafflowered，thehelmputup，andthelightcraft，thatseemedtosportwiththeelementslikeaduck，felloffalittle，drewaheadswiftly，obeyedherrudder，andwassoonflyingawayonthetopofthesurges，deadbeforethegale。
　　Whilemakingthisrapidflight，thoughthelandstillre-
　　mainedinviewonherlarboardbeam，thefortandthegroupsofanxiousspectatorsonitsrampartwereswallowedupinthemist。Thenfollowedtheevolutionsnecessarytobringtheheadofthecutteruptothewind，whensheagainbegantowallowherwearywaytowardsthenorthshore。
　　Hoursnowpassedbeforeanyfurtherchangewasmade，thewindincreasinginforce，untileventhedogmaticalCapfairlyadmitteditwasblowingathoroughgaleofwind。Aboutsunsetthe_Scud_woreagaintokeepheroffthenorthshoreduringthehoursofdarkness。andatmid-
　　nighthertemporarymaster，who，byquestioningthecrewinanindirectmanner，hadobtainedsomegeneralknowl-
　　edgeofthesizeandshapeofthelake，believedhimselftobeaboutmidwaybetweenthetwoshores。Theheightandlengthoftheseasaidedthisimpression。anditmustbeaddedthatCapbythistimebegantofeelarespectforfreshwaterwhichtwenty-fourhoursearlierhewouldhavederidedasimpossible。Justasthenightturned，thefuryofthewindbecamesogreatthathefounditimpossibletobearupagainstit，thewaterfallingonthedeckofthelit-
　　tlecraftinsuchmassesastocauseittoshaketothecen-
　　tre，and，thoughavesselofsingularlylivelyqualities，tothreatentoburyitbeneathitsweight。Thepeopleofthe_Scud_averredthatneverbeforehadtheybeenoutinsuchatempest，whichwastrue。for，possessingaperfectknowl-
　　edgeofalltheriversandheadlandsandhavens，Jasperwouldhavecarriedthecutterinshorelongerethis，andplacedherinsafetyinsomesecureanchorage。ButCapstilldisdainedtoconsulttheyoungmaster，whocontinuedbelow，determiningtoactlikeamarinerofthebroadocean。
　　Itwasoneinthemorningwhenthestorm-staysailwasagaingotonthe_Scud_，theheadofthemainsaillowered，andthecutterputbeforethewind。Althoughthecanvasnowexposedwasmerelyaraginsurface，thelittlecraftnoblyjustifiedtheuseofthenameshebore。Foreighthoursdidshescudintruth。anditwasalmostwiththevelocityofthegullsthatwheeledwildlyoverherinthetempest，apparentlyafraidtoalightintheboilingcaldronofthelake。Thedawnofdaybroughtlittlechange。fornootherhorizonbecamevisiblethanthelittlecircleofdrizzlingskyandwateralreadydescribed，inwhichitseemedasiftheelementswereriotinginasortofchaoticconfusion。Duringthistimethecrewandpassengersofthecutterwereofnecessitypassive。Jasperandthepilotremainedbelow。but，themotionofthevesselhavingbe-
　　comeeasier，nearlyalltherestwereondeck。Themorn-
　　ingmealhadbeentakeninsilence，andeyemeteye，asiftheirownersaskedeachother，indumbshow，whatwastobetheendofthisstrifeintheelements。Cap，however，wasperfectlycomposed，andhisfacebrightened，hisstepgrewfirmer，andhiswholeairmoreassured，asthestormincreased，makinglargerdemandsonhisprofessionalskillandpersonalspirit。Hestoodontheforecastle，hisarmscrossed，balancinghisbodywithaseaman’sinstinct，whilehiseyeswatchedthecapsoftheseas，astheybrokeandglancedpastthereelingcutter，itselfinsuchswiftmotion，asiftheywerethescudflyingathwartthesky。AtthissublimeinstantoneofthehandsgavetheunexpectedcryofAsail！
　　TherewassomuchofthewildandsolitarycharacterofthewildernessaboutOntario，thatonescarcelyexpectedtomeetwithavesselonitswaters。The_Scud_herself，tothosewhowereinher，resembledamanthreadingtheforestalone，andthemeetingwaslikethatoftwosolitaryhuntersbeneaththebroadcanopyofleavesthatthencov-
　　eredsomanymillionsofacresonthecontinentofAmerica。
　　Thepeculiarstateoftheweatherservedtoincreasetheromantic，almostsupernaturalappearanceofthepassage。
　　Capaloneregardeditwithpractisedeyes，andevenhefelthisironnervesthrillunderthesensationsthatwereawak-
　　enedbythewildfeaturesofthescene。
　　Thestrangevesselwasabouttwocables’lengthaheadofthe_Scud_，standingbythewindathwartherbows，andsteeringacoursetorenderitprobablethatthelatterwouldpasswithinafewyardsofher。Shewasafull-riggedship。
　　and，seenthroughthemistymediumofthetempest，themostexperiencedeyecoulddetectnoimperfectioninhergearorconstruction。Theonlycanvasshehadsetwasaclose-reefedmain-topsail，andtwosmallstorm-staysails，oneforwardandtheotheraft。Stillthepowerofthewindpressedsoharduponherastobearherdownnearlytoherbeam-ends，wheneverthehullwasnotrightedbythebuoyancyofsomewaveunderherlee。Hersparswereallintheirplaces，andbyhermotionthroughthewater，whichmighthaveequalledfourknotsinthehour，itwasapparentthatshesteeredalittlefree。
　　Thefellowmustknowhispositionwell，saidCap，asthecutterflewdowntowardstheshipwithavelocityalmostequallingthatofthegale，forheisstandingboldlytothesouthward，whereheexpectstofindanchorageorahaven。Nomaninhissenseswouldrunofffreeinthatfashion，thatwasnotdriventoscudding，likeourselves，whodidnotperfectlyunderstandwherehewasgoing。
　　Wehavemadeanawfulrun，captain，returnedthemantowhomthisremarkhadbeenaddressed。ThatistheFrenchking’sship，Lee-my-calm_LeMontcalm_，andsheisstandinginfortheNiagara，whereherownerhasagarrisonandaport。We’vemadeanawfulrunofit！
　　Ay，badlucktohim！Frenchman-like，heskulksintoportthemomentheseesanEnglishbottom。
　　Itmightbewellforusifwecouldfollowhim，re-
　　turnedtheman，shakinghisheaddespondingly，forwearegettingintotheendofabayuphereattheheadofthelake，anditisuncertainwhetherweevergetoutofitagain！
　　Pooh，man，pooh！Wehaveplentyofsearoom，andagoodEnglishhullbeneathus。WearenoJohnnyCrapaudstohideourselvesbehindapointorafortonaccountofapuffofwind。Mindyourhelm，sir！
　　Theorderwasgivenonaccountofthemenacingappear-
　　anceoftheapproachingpassage。The_Scud_wasnowhead-
　　ingdirectlyforthefore-footoftheFrenchman。and，thedistancebetweenthetwovesselshavingdiminishedtoahundredyards，itwasmomentarilyquestionableiftherewasroomtopass。
　　Port，sir，port，shoutedCap。Portyourhelmandpassastern！
　　ThecrewoftheFrenchmanwereseenassemblingtowindward，andafewmusketswerepointed，asiftoorderthepeopleofthe_Scud_tokeepoff。Gesticulationswereobserved，buttheseawastoowildandmenacingtoadmitoftheordinaryexpedientsofwar。Thewaterwasdrip-
　　pingfromthemuzzlesoftwoorthreelightgunsonboardtheship，butnoonethoughtoflooseningthemforserviceinsuchatempest。Herblacksides，astheyemergedfromawave，glistenedandseemedtofrown。butthewindhowledthroughherrigging，whistlingthethousandnotesofaship。andthehailsandcriesthatescapeaFrenchmanwithsomuchreadinesswereinaudible。
　　Lethimhalloohimselfhoarse！growledCap。Thisisnoweathertowhispersecretsin。Port，sir，port！
　　Themanatthehelmobeyed，andthenextsendoftheseadrovethe_Scud_downuponthequarteroftheship，sonearherthattheoldmarinerhimselfrecoiledastep，inavagueexpectationthat，atthenextsurgeahead，shewoulddrivebowsforemostdirectlyintotheplanksoftheothervessel。Butthiswasnottobe：risingfromthecrouchingpostureshehadtaken，likeapantherabouttoleap，thecutterdashedonward，andatthenextinstantshewasglancingpastthesternofherenemy，justclearingtheendofherspanker-boomwithherownloweryard。
　　TheyoungFrenchmanwhocommandedthe_Montcalm_
　　leapedonthetaffrail。and，withthathigh-tonedcourtesywhichrelieveseventheworstactsofhiscountrymen，heraisedhiscapandsmiledasalutationasthe_Scud_shotpast。Therewere_bonhomie_andgoodtasteinthisactofcourtesy，whencircumstancesallowedofnoothercommu-
　　nications。buttheywerelostonCap，who，withaninstinctquiteastruetohisrace，shookhisfistmenacingly，andmutteredtohimself，——
　　Ay，ay，it’sd——dluckyforyouI’venoarmamentonboardhere，orI’dsendyouintogetnewcabin-windowsfitted。Sergeant，he’sahumbug。
　　’Twascivil，brotherCap，returnedtheother，loweringhishandfromthemilitarysalutewhichhisprideasasol-
　　dierhadinducedhimtoreturn，——’twascivil，andthat’sasmuchasyoucanexpectfromaFrenchman。Whathereallymeantbyitnoonecansay。
　　Heisnotheadinguptothisseawithoutanobject，neither。Well，lethimrunin，ifhecangetthere，wewillkeepthelake，likeheartyEnglishmariners。
　　Thissoundedgloriously，butCapeyedwithenvytheglitteringblackmassofthe_Montcalm’s_hull，herwavingtopsail，andthemistytraceryofherspars，asshegrewlessandlessdistinct，andfinallydisappearedinthedrizzle，inaformasshadowyasthatofsomeunrealimage。Gladlywouldhehavefollowedinherwakehadhedared。for，toownthetruth，theprospectofanotherstormynightinthemidstofthewildwatersthatwereragingaroundhimbroughtlittleconsolation。Stillhehadtoomuchprofes-
　　sionalpridetobetrayhisuneasiness，andthoseunderhiscarereliedonhisknowledgeandresources，withtheim-
　　plicitandblindconfidencethattheignorantareapttofeel。
　　Afewhourssucceeded，anddarknesscameagaintoincreasetheperilsofthe_Scud_。Alullinthegale，how-
　　ever，hadinducedCaptocomebythewindoncemore，andthroughoutthenightthecutterwaslying-toasbefore，head-reachingasamatterofcourse，andoccasionallywar-
　　ingtokeepofftheland。Itisunnecessarytodwellontheincidentsofthisnight，whichresembledthoseofanyothergaleofwind。Therewerethepitchingofthevessel，thehissingofthewaters，thedashingofspray，theshocksthatmenacedannihilationtothelittlecraftassheplungedintotheseas，theundyinghowlofthewind，andthefear-
　　fuldrift。Thelastwasthemostseriousdanger。for，thoughexceedinglyweatherlyunderhercanvas，andto-
　　tallywithouttop-hamper，the_Scud_wassolight，thatthecombingoftheswellswouldseemattimestowashherdowntoleewardwithavelocityasgreatasthatofthesurgesthemselves。
　　DuringthisnightCapsleptsoundly，andforseveralhours。Thedaywasjustdawningwhenhefelthimselfshakenbytheshoulder。andarousinghimself，hefoundthePathfinderstandingathisside。Duringthegaletheguidehadappearedlittleondeck，forhisnaturalmodestytoldhimthatseamenaloneshouldinterferewiththeman-
　　agementofthevessel。andhewaswillingtoshowthesamerelianceonthosewhohadchargeofthe_Scud_，asheexpectedthosewhofollowedthroughtheforesttomani-
　　festinhisownskill。buthenowthoughthimselfjustifiedininterfering，whichhedidinhisownunsophisticatedandpeculiarmanner。
　　Sleepissweet，MasterCap，saidhe，assoonastheeyesofthelatterwerefairlyopen，andhisconsciousnesshadsufficientlyreturned，——sleepissweet，asIknowfromex-
　　perience，butlifeissweeterstill。Lookaboutyou，andsayifthisisexactlythemomentforacommandertobeoffhisfeet。
　　Hownow？hownow，MasterPathfinder？growledCap，inthefirstmomentsofhisawakenedfaculties。Areyou，too，gettingonthesideofthegrumblers？WhenashoreIadmiredyoursagacityinrunningthroughtheworstshoalswithoutacompass。andsincewehavebeenafloat，yourmeeknessandsubmissionhavebeenaspleas-
　　antasyourconfidenceonyourownground。Ilittleex-
　　pectedsuchasummonsfromyou。
　　Asformyself，MasterCap，IfeelIhavemygifts，andIbelievethey’llinterferewiththoseofnootherman。butthecasemaybedifferentwithMabelDunham。Shehashergifts，too，itistrue。buttheyarenotrudelikeours，butgentleandwomanish，astheyoughttobe。It’sonheraccountthatIspeak，andnotonmyown。
　　Ay，ay，Ibegintounderstand。Thegirlisagoodgirl，myworthyfriend。butsheisasoldier’sdaughterandasailor’sniece，andoughtnottobetootameortootenderinagale。Doessheshowanyfear？
　　Notshe！notshe！Mabelisawoman，butsheisrea-
　　sonableandsilent。NotawordhaveIheardfromherconcerningourdoings。thoughIdothink，MasterCap，shewouldlikeitbetterifJasperEau-doucewereputintohisproperplace，andthingswererestoredtotheiroldsit-
　　uation，like。Thisishumannatur’。
　　I’llwarrantit——girl-like，andDunham-like，too。Any-
　　thingisbetterthananolduncle，andeverybodyknowsmorethananoldseaman。_This_ishumannatur’，MasterPathfinder，andd——meifI’mthemantosheerafathom，starboardorport，forallthehumannatur’thatcanbefoundinaminxoftwenty——ay，orloweringhisvoicealittleforallthatcanbeparadedinhisMajesty’s55thregimentoffoot。I’venotbeenatseafortyyears，tocomeuponthisbitoffreshwatertobetaughthumannatur’。
　　Howthisgaleholdsout！ItblowsashardatthismomentasifBoreashadjustclappedhishanduponthebellows。
　　Andwhatisallthistoleeward？rubbinghiseyes——
　　land！assureasmynameisCap——andhighland，too。
　　ThePathfindermadenoimmediateanswer。but，shak-
　　inghishead，hewatchedtheexpressionofhiscompanion’sface，withalookofstronganxietyinhisown。
　　Land，ascertainasthisisthe_Scud！_repeatedCap。
　　aleeshore，andthat，too，withinaleagueofus，withasprettyalineofbreakersasonecouldfindonthebeachofallLongIsland！
　　Andisthatencouraging？orisitdisheartening？in-
　　quiredthePathfinder。
　　Ha！encouraging——disheartening！——why，neither。No，no，thereisnothingencouragingaboutit。andasfordis-
　　heartening，nothingoughttodisheartenaseaman。Younevergetdisheartenedorafraidinthewoods，myfriend？
　　I’llnotsaythat，I’llnotsaythat。Whenthedangerisgreat，itismygifttoseeit，andknowit，andtotrytoavoidit。elsewouldmyscalplongsincehavebeendryinginaMingowigwam。Onthislake，however，Icanseenotrail，andIfeelitmydutytosubmit。thoughIthinkweoughttorememberthereissuchapersonasMabelDun-
　　hamonboard。Butherecomesherfather，andhewillnaturallyfeelforhisownchild。
　　Weareseriouslysituated，Ibelieve，brotherCap，saidtheSergeant，whenhehadreachedthespot，bywhatI
　　cangatherfromthetwohandsontheforecastle？Theytellmethecuttercannotcarryanymoresail，andherdriftissogreatweshallgoashoreinanhourortwo。Ihopetheirfearshavedeceivedthem？
　　Capmadenoreply。buthegazedatthelandwitharue-
　　fulface，andthenlookedtowindwardwithanexpressionofferocity，asifhewouldgladlyhavequarrelledwiththeweather。
　　Itmaybewell，brother，theSergeantcontinued，tosendforJasperandconsulthimastowhatistobedone。
　　TherearenoFrenchheretodread。and，underallcircum-
　　stances，theboywillsaveusfromdrowningifpossible。
　　Ay，ay，’tisthesecursedcircumstancesthathavedoneallthemischief。Butletthefellowcome。lethimcome。
　　afewwell-managedquestionswillbringthetruthoutofhim，I’llwarrantyou。
　　ThisacquiescenceonthepartofthedogmaticalCapwasnosoonerobtained，thanJasperwassentfor。Theyoungmaninstantlymadehisappearance，hiswholeair，counte-
　　nance，andmienexpressiveofmortification，humility，and，ashisobserversfancied，rebukeddeception。Whenhefirststeppedondeck，Jaspercastonehurried，anxiousglancearound，asifcurioustoknowthesituationofthecutter。
　　andthatglancesufficed，itwouldseem，tolethimintothesecretofallherperils。Atfirsthelookedtowindward，asisusualwitheveryseaman。thenheturnedroundthehorizon，untilhiseyecaughtaviewofthehighlandstoleeward，whenthewholetruthburstuponhimatonce。
　　I’vesentforyou，MasterJasper，saidCap，foldinghisarms，andbalancinghisbodywiththedignityofthefore-
　　castle，inordertolearnsomethingaboutthehaventoleeward。Wetakeitforgrantedyoudonotbearmalicesohardastowishtodrownusall，especiallythewomen。andIsupposeyouwillbemanenoughtohelpusrunthecut-
　　terintosomesafeberthuntilthisbitofagalehasdoneblowing！
　　IwoulddiemyselfratherthanharmshouldcometoMabelDunham，theyoungmanearnestlyanswered。
　　Iknewit！Iknewit！criedthePathfinder，clappinghishandkindlyonJasper’sshoulder。Theladisastrueasthebestcompassthateverranaboundary，orbroughtamanofffromablindtrail。Itisamortalsintobelieveotherwise。
　　Humph！ejaculatedCap。especiallythewomen！
　　Asif_they_wereinanyparticulardanger。Nevermind，youngman。weshallunderstandeachotherbytalkingliketwoplainseamen。Doyouknowofanyportunderourlee？
　　None。Thereisalargebayatthisendofthelake。butitisunknowntousall，andnoteasyofentrance。
　　Andthiscoasttoleeward——ithasnothingparticulartorecommendit，Isuppose？
　　ItisawildernessuntilyoureachthemouthoftheNi-
　　agarainonedirection，andFrontenacintheother。Northandwest，theytellme，thereisnothingbutforestandprairiesforathousandmiles。
　　ThankGod！then，therecanbenoFrench。Aretheremanysavages，hereaway，ontheland？
　　TheIndiansaretobefoundinalldirections。thoughtheyarenowhereverynumerous。Byaccident，wemightfindapartyatanypointontheshore。orwemightpassmonthstherewithoutseeingone。
　　Wemusttakeourchauce，then，astotheblackguards。
　　but，tobefrankwithyou，MasterWestern，ifthislittleunpleasantmatterabouttheFrenchhadnotcometopass，whatwouldyounowdowiththecutter？
　　Iamamuchyoungersailorthanyourself，MasterCap，
　　saidJaspermodestly，andamhardlyfittedtoadviseyou。
　　Ay，ay，weallknowthat。Inacommoncase，perhapsnot。Butthisisanuncommoncase，andacircumstance。
　　andonthisbitoffreshwaterithaswhatmaybecalleditspeculiarities。andso，everythingconsidered，youmaybefittedtoadviseevenyourownfather。Atallevents，youcanspeak，andIcanjudgeofyouropinions，agreeablytomyownexperience。
　　Ithink，sir，beforetwohoursareover，thecutterwillhavetoanchor。
　　Anchor！——notouthereinthelake？
　　No，sir。butinyonder，neartheland。
　　Youdonotmeantosay，MasterEau-douce，youwouldanchoronaleeshoreinagaleofwind？
　　IfIwouldsavemyvessel，thatisexactlywhatIwoulddo，MasterCap。
　　Whe-e-e-w！——thisisfreshwater，withavengeance！
　　Hark’e，youngman，I’vebeenaseafaringanimal，boyandman，forty-oneyears，andIneveryetheardofsuchathing。I’dthrowmyground-tackleoverboardbeforeI
　　wouldbeguiltyofsolubberlyanact！
　　Thatiswhatwedoonthislake，modestlyrepliedJasper，whenwearehardpressed。Idaresaywemightdobetter，hadwebeenbettertaught。
　　Thatyoumight，indeed！No。nomaninducesmetocommitsuchasinagainstmyownbringingup。IshouldneverdareshowmyfaceinsideofSandyHookagain，hadIcommittedsoknow-nothinganexploit。Why，Path-
　　finder，here，hasmoreseamanshipinhimthanthatcomesto。Youcangobelowagain，MasterEau-douce。
　　Jasperquietlybowedandwithdrew。still，ashepasseddowntheladder，thespectatorsobservedthathecastalingeringanxiouslookatthehorizontowindwardandthelandtoleeward，andthendisappearedwithconcernstronglyexpressedineverylineamentofhisface。
　　CHAPTERXVII。
　　Hisstillrefutedquirkshestillrepeats。
　　New-raisedobjectionswithnewquibblesmeets，Tillsinkinginthequicksandhedefends，Hediesdisputing，andthecontestends。
　　COWPER。
　　Asthesoldier’swifewassickinherberth，MabelDun-
　　hamwastheonlypersonintheoutercabinwhenJasperreturnedtoit。for，byanactofgraceintheSergeant，hehadbeenpermittedtoresumehisproperplaceinthispartofthevessel。Weshouldbeascribingtoomuchsimplicityofcharactertoourheroine，ifwesaidthatshehadfeltnodistrustoftheyoungmaninconsequenceofhisarrest。
　　butweshouldalsobedoinginjusticetoherwarmthoffeelingandgenerosityofdisposition，ifwedidnotadd，thatthisdistrustwasinsignificantandtransient。Ashenowtookhisseatnearher，hiswholecountenancecloudedwiththeuneasinesshefeltconcerningthesituationofthecutter，everythinglikesuspicionwasbanishedfromhermind，andshesawinhimonlyaninjuredman。
　　Youletthisaffairweightooheavilyonyourmind，Jasper，saidsheeagerly，orwiththatforgetfuluessofselfwithwhichtheyouthfulofhersexarewonttobetraytheirfeelingswhenastrongandgenerousinteresthasattainedtheascendency。noonewhoknowsyoucan，ordoes，believeyouguilty。Pathfindersayshewillpledgehislifeforyou。
　　Thenyou，Mabel，returnedtheyouth，hiseyesflashingfire，donotlookuponmeasthetraitoryourfatherseemstobelievemetobe？
　　Mydearfatherisasoldier，andisobligedtoactasone。
　　Myfather’sdaughterisnot，andwillthinkofyouassheoughttothinkofamanwhohasdonesomuchtoserveheralready。
　　Mabel，I’mnotusedtotalkingwithonelikeyou，orsayingallIthinkandfeelwithany。Ineverhadasister，andmymotherdiedwhenIwasachild，sothatIknowlittlewhatyoursexmostlikestohear——
　　Mabelwouldhavegiventheworldtoknowwhatlaybe-
　　hindtheteemingwordatwhichJasperhesitated。buttheindefinableandcontrolliugsenseofwomanlydiffidencemadehersuppresshercuriosity。Shewaitedinsilenceforhimtoexplainhisownmeaning。
　　Iwishtosay，Mabel，theyoungmancontinued，afterapausewhichhefoundsufficientlyembarrassing，thatIamunusedtothewaysandopinionsofonelikeyou，andthatyoumustimagineallIwouldadd。
　　Mabelhadimaginationenoughtofancyanything，butthereareideasandfeelingsthathersexprefertohaveex-
　　pressedbeforetheyyieldthemalltheirownsympathies，andshehadavagueconsciousnessthattheseofJaspermightproperlybeenumeratedintheclass。Withareadi-
　　nessthatbelongedtohersex，therefore，shepreferredchangingthediscoursetopermittingittoproceedanyfurtherinamannersoawkwardandsounsatisfactory。
　　Tellmeonething，Jasper，andIshallbecontent，saidshe，speakingnowwithafirinnesswhichdenotedconfi-
　　dence，notonlyinherself，butinhercompanion：youdonotdeservethiscruelsuspicionwhichrestsuponyou？
　　Idonot，Mabel！answeredJasper，lookingintoherfullblueeyeswithanopennessandsimplicitythatmighthaveshakenstrongerdistrust。AsIhopeformercyhereafter，Idonot！
　　Iknewit——Icouldhaveswornit！returnedthegirlwarmly。Andyetmyfathermeanswell——butdonotletthismatterdisturbyou，Jasper。
　　Thereissomuchmoretoapprehendfromanotherquarterjustnow，thatIscarcelythinkofit。
　　Jasper！
　　Idonotwishtoalarmyou，Mabel。butifyourunclecouldbepersuadedtochangehisnotionsabouthandlingthe_Scud_：andyetheissomuchmoreexperiencedthanIam，thatheought，perhaps，toplacemorerelianceonhisownjudgmentthanonmine。
　　Doyouthinkthecutterinanydanger？demandedMabel，quickasthought。
　　Ifearso。atleastshewouldhavebeenthoughtingreatdangerbyusofthelake。perhapsanoldseamanoftheoceanmayhavemeansofhisowntotakecareofher。
　　Jasper，allagreeingivingyoucreditforskillinman-
　　agingthe_Scud_。Youknowthelake，youknowthecut-
　　ter。you_must_bethebestjudgeofourrealsituation。
　　Myconcernforyou，Mabel，maymakememorecow-
　　ardlythancommon。but，tobefrank，Iseebutonemethodofkeepingthecutterfrombeingwreckedinthecourseofthenexttwoorthreehours，andthatyourunclerefusestotake。Afterall，thismaybemyignorance。for，ashesays，Ontarioismerelyfreshwater。
　　Youcannotbelievethiswillmakeanydifference。
　　Thinkofmydearfather，Jasper！Thinkofyourself。ofallthelivesthatdependonatimelywordfromyoutosavethem。
　　Ithinkofyou，Mabel，andthatismore，muchmore，thanalltherestputtogether！returnedtheyoungman，withastrengthofexpressionandanearnestnessoflookthatutteredinfinitelymorethanthewordsthemselves。
　　Mabel’sheartbeatquickly，andagleamofgratefulsat-
　　isfactionshotacrossherblushingfeatures。butthealarmwastoovividandtooserioustoadmitofmuchrelieffromhappierthoughts。Shedidnotattempttorepressalookofgratitude，andthenshereturnedtothefeelingwhichwasnaturallyuppermost。
　　Myuncle’sobstinacymustnotbepermittedtoocca-
　　sionthisdisaster。Gooncemoreondeck，Jasper。andaskmyfathertocomeintothecabin。
　　Whiletheyoungmanwascomplyingwiththisrequest，Mabelsatlisteningtothehowlingofthestormandthedashingofthewateragainstthecutter，inadreadtowhichshehadhithertobeenastranger。Constitutionallyanex-
　　cellentsailor，asthetermisusedamongpassengers，shehadnothithertobethoughtherofanydanger，andhadpassedhertimesincethecommencemeutofthegaleinsuchwomanlyemploymentsashersituationallowed。butnowthatalarmwasseriouslyawakened，shedidnotfailtoperceivethatneverbeforehadshebeenonthewaterinsuchatempest。TheminuteortwowhichelapsedbeforetheSergeantcameappearedanhour，andshescarcelybreathedwhenshesawhimandJasperdescendingtheladderincompany。Quickaslanguagecouldexpresshermeaning，sheacquaintedherfatherwithJasper’sopinionoftheirsituation。andentreatedhim，ifhelovedher，orhadanyregardforhisownlife，orforthoseofhismen，tointerferewithheruncle，andtoinducehimtoyieldthecontrolofthecutteragaintoitspropercommander。
　　Jasperistrue，father，addedsheearnestly。andiffalse，hecouldhavenomotiveinwreckingusinthisdis-
　　tantpartofthelakeattheriskofallourlives，hisownincluded。Iwillpledgemyownlifeforhistruth。
　　Ay，thisiswellenoughforayoungwomanwhoisfrightened，answeredthemorephlegmaticparent。butitmightnotbesoexcusableinoneincommandofanex-
　　pedition。Jaspermaythinkthechanceofdrowningingettingashorefullyrepaidbythechanceofescapingassoonashereachestheland。
　　SergeantDunham！
　　Father！
　　Theseexclamationsweremadesimultaneously，buttheywereutteredintonesexpressiveofdifferentfeelings。InJasper，surprisewastheemotionuppermost。inMabelreproach。Theoldsoldier，however，wastoomuchaccus-
　　tomedtodealfranklywithsubordinatestoheedeither。
　　andafteramoment’sthought，hecontinuedasifneitherhadspoken。NorisbrotherCapamanlikelytosubmittobetaughthisdutyonboardavessel。
　　But，father，whenallourlivesareintheutmostjeop-
　　ardy！
　　Somuchtheworse。Thefair-weathercommanderisnogreatmatter。itiswhenthingsgowrongthatthebestofficershowshimselfinhistruecolors。CharlesCapwillnotbelikelytoquitthehelmbecausetheshipisindan-
　　ger。Besides，JasperEau-douce，hesaysyourproposalinitselfhasasuspiciousairaboutit，andsoundsmoreliketreacherythanreason。
　　Hemaythinkso。butlethimsendforthepilotandhearhisopinion。ItiswellknownthatIhavenotseenthemansinceyesterdayevening。
　　Thisdoessoundreasonably，andtheexperimentshallbetried。Followmeondeckthen，thatallmaybehon-
　　estandabove-aboard。
　　Jasperobeyed，andsokeenwastheinterestofMabel，thatshetooventuredasfarasthecompanion-way，wherehergarmentsweresufficientlyprotectedagainstthevio-
　　lenceofthewindandherpersonfromthespray。Heremaidenmodestyinducedhertoremain，thoughanabsorbedwitnessofwhatwaspassing。
　　Thepilotsoonappeared，andtherewasnomistakingthelookofconcernthathecastaroundatthesceneassoonashewasintheopenair。Somerumorsofthesituationofthe_Scud_hadfoundtheirwaybelow，itistrue。butinthisinstancerumorhadlessenedinsteadofmagnifyingthedanger。Hewasallowedafewminutestolookabouthim，andthenthequestionwasputastothecoursewhichhethoughtitprudenttofollow。
　　Iseenomeansofsavingthecutterbuttoanchor，heansweredsimply，andwithouthesitation。
　　What！outhereinthelake？inquiredCap，ashehadpreviouslydoneofJasper。
　　No：butcloserin。justattheouterlineofthebreakers。
　　TheeffectofthiscommunicationwastoleavenodoubtinthemindofCapthattherewasasecretarrangementbetweenhercommanderandthepilottocastawaythe_Scud_。mostprobablywiththehopeofeffectingtheires-
　　cape。Heconsequentlytreatedtheopinionofthelatterwiththeindifferencehehadmanifestedtowardsthatoftheformer。
　　Itellyou，brotherDunham，saidhe，inanswertotheremonstrancesoftheSergeantagainsthisturningadeafeartothisdoublerepreseutation，thatnoseamanwouldgivesuchanopinionhonestly。ToanchoronaleeshoreinagaleofwindwouldbeanactofmadnessthatIcouldneverexcusetotheunderwriters，underanycircumstances，solongasaragcanbeset。buttoanchorclosetobreakerswouldbeinsanity。
　　HisMajestyunderwritesthe_Scud_，brother，andIamresponsibleforthelivesofmycommand。ThesemenarebetteracquaintedwithLakeOntariothanwecanpossiblybe，andIdothinktheirtellingthesametaleentitlesthemtosomecredit。
　　Uncle！saidMabelearnestly。butagesturefromJas-
　　perinducedthegirltorestrainherfeelings。
　　Wearedriftingdownuponthebreakerssorapidly，
　　saidtheyoungman，thatlittleneedbesaidonthedub-
　　ject。Halfanhourmustsettlethematter，onewayortheother。butIwarnMasterCapthatthesurest-footedmanamonguswillnotbeabletokeephisfeetaninstantonthedeckofthislowcraft，shouldshefairlygetwithinthem。IndeedImakelittledoubtthatweshallfillandfounderbeforethesecondlineofrollersispassed。
　　Andhowwouldanchoringhelpthematter？de-
　　mandedCapfuriously，asifhefeltthatJasperwasre-
　　sponsiblefortheeffectsofthegale，aswellasfortheopinionhehadjustgiven。
　　Itwouldatleastdonoharm，Eau-doucemildlyre-
　　plied。Bybringingthecutterheadtoseaweshouldles-
　　senherdrift。andevenifwedraggedthroughthebreak-
　　ers，itwouldbewiththeleastpossibledanger。Ihope，MasterCap，youwillallowthepilotandmyselfto_prepare_
　　foranchoring，sincetheprecautionmaydogood，andcandonoharm。
　　Overhaulyourranges，ifyouwill，andgetyouranchorsclear，withallmyheart。Wearenowinasituationthatcannotbemuchaffectedbyanythingofthatsort。Ser-
　　geant，awordwithyouafthere，ifyouplease。
　　Capledhisbrother-in-lawoutofear-shot。andthen，withmoreofhumanfeelinginhisvoiceandmannerthanhewasapttoexhibit，heopenedhisheartonthesubjectoftheirrealsituation。