Youareyoungandhot-headed，returnedPathfinder，withadignitythatimpressedhislistenerswithakeensenseofhismoralsuperiority。butmylifehasbeenpassedamongdangersofthissort，andmyexperienceandgiftsarenottobemasteredbytheimpatienceofaboy。
Asforcourage，Jasper，Iwillnotsendbackanangryandunmeaningwordtomeetanangryandanunmeaningword。
forIknowthatyouaretrueinyourstationandaccordingtoyourknowledge。buttaketheadviceofonewhofacedtheMingoswhenyouwereachild，andknowthattheircun-
ningiseasiersarcumventedbyprudencethanoutwittedbyfoolishness。
Iaskyourpardon，Pathfinder，saidtherepentantJasper，eagerlygraspingthehandthattheotherpermittedhimtoseize。Iaskyourpardon，humblyandsincerely。
’Twasafoolish，aswellaswickedthingtohintofamanwhoseheart，inagoodcause，isknowntobeasfirmastherocksonthelakeshore。
ForthefirsttimethecolordeepenedonthecheekofthePathfinder，andthesolemndignitywhichhehadas-
sumed，underapurelynaturalimpulse，disappearedintheexpressionoftheearnestsimplicityinherentinallhisfeelings。Hemetthegraspofhisyoungfriendwithasqueezeascordialasifnochordhadjarredbetweenthem，andaslightsternnessthathadgatheredabouthiseyedisappearedinalookofnaturalkindness。
’Tiswell，Jasper，heanswered，laughing。Ibearnoill-will，norshallanyoneonmybehalf。Mynatur’isthatofawhiteman，andthatistobearnomalice。ItmighthavebeenticklishworktohavesaidhalfasmuchtotheSarpenthere，thoughheisaDelaware，forcolorwillhaveitsway——
Atouchonhisshouldercausedthespeakertocease。
Mabelwasstandingerectinthecanoe，herlight，butswell-
ingformbentforwardinanattitudeofgracefulearnest-
ness，herfingeronherlips，herheadaverted，herspiritedeyesrivetedonanopeninginthebushes，andonearmex-
tendedwithafishing-rod，theendofwhichhadtouchedthePathfinder。Thelatterbowedhisheadtoalevelwithalook-outnearwhichhehadintentionallykepthimselfandthenwhisperedtoJasper，——
TheaccursedMingos！Standtoyourarms，mymen，butlayquietasthecorpsesofdeadtrees！
Jasperadvancedrapidly，butnoiselessly，tothecanoe，andwithagentleviolenceinducedMabeltoplaceherselfinsuchanattitudeasconcealedherentirebody，thoughitwouldhaveprobablyexceededhismeanstoinducethegirlsofartolowerherheadthatshecouldnotkeephergazefastenedontheirenemies。Hethentookhisownpostnearher，withhisriflecockedandpoised，inreadinesstofire。ArrowheadandChingachgookcrawledtothecover，andlayinwaitlikesnakes，withtheirarmspreparedforservice，whilethewifeoftheformerbowedherheadbe-
tweenherknees，covereditwithhercalicorobe，andre-
mainedpassiveandimmovable。Caploosenedbothhispistolsintheirbelt，butseemedquiteatalosswhatcoursetopursue。ThePathfinderdidnotstir。Hehadoriginallygotapositionwherehemightaimwithdeadlyeffectthroughtheleaves，andwherehecouldwatchthemovementsofhisenemies。andhewasfartoosteadytobedisconcertedatamomentsocritical。
Itwastrulyanalarminginstant。JustasMabeltouchedtheshoulderofherguide，threeoftheIroquoishadap-
earedinthewater，atthebendoftheriver，withinahundredyardsofthecover，andhaltedtoexaminethestreambelow。Theywereallnakedtothewaist，armedforanexpeditionagainsttheirfoes，andintheirwar-
paint。Itwasapparentthattheywereundecidedastothecoursetheyoughttopursueinordertofindthefugitives。
Onepointeddowntheriver，asecondupthestream，andthethirdtowardstheoppositebank。Theyevidentlydoubted。
CHAPTERV
Deathishereanddeathisthere，Deathisbusyeverywhere。
SHELLEY
Itwasabreathlessmoment。Theonlycluethefugitivespossessedtotheintentionsoftheirpursuerswasintheirgesturesandtheindicationswhichescapedtheminthefuryofdisappointment。Thatapartyhadreturnedalready，ontheirownfootsteps，byland，wasprettycertain。
andallthebenefitexpectedfromtheartificeofthefirewasnecessarilylost。Butthatconsiderationbecameoflittlemomentjustthen。forthepartywasmenacedwithanimmediatediscoverybythosewhohadkeptonalevelwiththeriver。Allthefactspresentedthemselvesclearly，andasitmightbebyintuition，tothemindofPathfinder，whoperceivedthenecessityofimmediatedecisionandofbeinginreadinesstoactinconcert。Withoutmakinganynoise，therefore，hemanagedtogetthetwoIndiansandJaspernearhim，whenheopenedhiscommunicationsinawhisper。
Wemustbeready，wemustbeready，hesaid。Therearebutthreeofthescalpingdevils，andwearefive，fourofwhommaybesetdownasmanfulwarriorsforsuchaskrimmage。Eau-douce，doyoutakethefellowthatispaintedlikedeath。Chingachgook，Igiveyouthechief。
andArrowheadmustkeephiseyeontheyoungone。Theremustbenomistake，fortwobulletsinthesamebodywouldbesinfulwaste，withoneliketheSergeant’sdaughterindanger。Ishallholdmyselfinresarveagainstaccident，lestafourthreptileappear，foroneofyourhandsmayproveunsteady。BynomeansfireuntilIgivetheword。
wemustnotletthecrackoftheriflebeheardexceptinthelastresort，sincealltherestofthemiscreantsarestillwithinhearing。Jasper，boy，incaseofanymovementbehindusonthebank，ItrusttoyoutorunoutthecanoewiththeSergeant’sdaughter，andtopullforthegarrison，byGod’sleave。
ThePathfinderhadnosoonergiventhesedirectionsthanthenearapproachoftheirenemiesrenderedprofoundsilencenecessary。TheIroquoisintheriverwereslowlydescendingthestream。keepingofnecessitynearthebusheswhichoverhungthewater，whiletherustlingofleavesandthesnappingoftwigssoongavefearfulevidencethatanotherpartywasmovingalongthebank，atanequallygraduatedpace。anddirectlyabreastofthem。Inconsequenceofthedistancebetweenthebushesplantedbythefugitivesandthetrueshore，thetwopartiesbecamevisibletoeachotherwhenoppositethatprecisepoint。
Bothstopped，andaconversationensued，thatmaybesaidtohavepasseddirectlyovertheheadsofthosewhowereconcealed。Indeed，nothingshelteredthetravellersbutthebranchesandleavesofplants，sopliantthattheyyieldedtoeverycurrentofair，andwhichapuffofwindalittlestrongerthancommonwouldhaveblownaway。
Fortunatelythelineofsightcarriedtheeyesofthetwopartiesofsavages，whethertheystoodinthewaterorontheland，abovethebushes，andtheleavesappearedblendedinawaytoexcitenosuspicion。Perhapstheverybold-
nessoftheexpedientalonepreventedanimmediateex-
posure。Theconversationwhichtookplacewasconductedearnestly，butinguardedtones，asifthosewhospokewishedtodefeattheintentionsofanylisteners。ItwasinadialectthatboththeIndianwarriorsbeneath，aswellasthePathfinder，understood。EvenJaspercomprehendedaportionofwhatwassaid。
Thetrailiswashedawaybythewater！saidonefrombelow，whostoodsoneartheartificialcoverofthefugi-
tives，thathemighthavebeenstruckbythesalmon-spearthatlayinthebottomofJasper’scanoe。WaterhaswasheditsoclearthataYengeesehoundcouldnotfollow。
Thepale-faceshavelefttheshoreintheircanoes，
answeredthespeakeronthebank。
Itcannotbe。Theriflesofourwarriorsbelowarecertain。
ThePathfindergaveasignificantglanceatJasper，andheclinchedhisteethinordertosuppressthesoundofhisownbreathing。
Letmyyoungmenlookasiftheireyeswereeagles’，
saidtheeldestwarrioramongthosewhowerewadingintheriver。Wehavebeenawholemoononthewar-path，andhavefoundbutonescalp。Thereisamaidenamongthem，andsomeofourbraveswantwives。
HappilythesewordswerelostonMabel。butJasper’sfrownbecamedeeper，andhisfacefiercelyflushed。
Thesavagesnowceasedspeaking，andthepartywhichwasconcealedheardtheslowandguardedmovementsofthosewhowereonthebank，astheypushedthebushesasideintheirwaryprogress。Itwassoonevidentthatthelatterhadpassedthecover。butthegroupinthewaterstillremained，scanningtheshorewitheyesthatglaredthroughtheirwar-paintlikecoalsoflivingfire。Afterapauseoftwoorthreeminutes，thesethreebeganalsotodescendthestream，thoughitwasstepbystep，asmenmovewholookforanobjectthathasbeenlost。Inthismannertheypassedtheartificialscreen，andPathfinderopenedhismouthinthatheartybutnoiselesslaughthatnatureandhabithadcontributedtorenderapeculiarityoftheman。Histriumph，however，waspremature。forthelastoftheretiringparty，justatthismomentcastingalookbehindhim，suddenlystopped。andhisfixedatti-
tudeandsteadygazeatoncebetrayedtheappallingfactthatsomeneglectedbushhadawakenedhissuspicions。
Itwasperhapsfortunatefortheconcealedthatthewarriorwhomanifestedthesefearfulsignsofdistrustwasyoung，andhadstillareputationtoacquire。Heknewtheimportanceofdiscretionandmodestyinoneofhisyears，andmostofalldidhedreadtheridiculeandcon-
temptthatwouldcertainlyfollowafalsealarm。Withoutrecallinganyofhiscompanions，therefore，heturnedonhisownfootsteps。and，whiletheotherscontinuedtode-
scendtheriver，hecautiouslyapproachedthebushes，onwhichhislookswerestillfastened，asbyacharm。Someoftheleaveswhichwereexposedtothesunhaddroopedalittle，andthisslightdeparturefromtheusualnaturallawshadcaughtthequickeyesoftheIndian。forsoprac-
tisedandacutedothesensesofthesavagebecome，moreespeciallywhenheisonthewar-path，thattriflesappar-
entlyofthemostinsignificantsortoftenprovetobecluestoleadhimtohisobject。
Thetriflingnatureofthechangewhichhadarousedthesuspicionofthisyouthwasanadditionalmotivefornotacquaintinghiscompanionswithhisdiscovery。Shouldhereallydetectanything，hisglorywouldbethegreaterforbeingunshared。andshouldhenot，hemighthopetoescapethatderisionwhichtheyoungIndiansomuchdreads。Thentherewerethedangersofanambushandasurprise，towhicheverywarriorofthewoodsiskeenlyalive，torenderhisapproachslowandcautious。Incon-
sequenceofthedelaythatproceededfromthesecombinedcauses，thetwopartieshaddescendedsomefiftyorsixtyyardsbeforetheyoungsavagewasagainnearenoughtothebushesofthePathfindertotouchthemwithhishand。
Notwithstandingtheircriticalsituation，thewholepartybehindthecoverhadtheireyesfastenedontheworkingcountenanceoftheyoungIroquois，whowasagitatedbyconflictingfeelings。Firstcametheeagerhopeofobtain-
ingsuccesswheresomeofthemostexperiencedofhistribehadfailed，andwithitadegreeofglorythathadseldomfallentotheshareofoneofhisyearsorabraveonhisfirstwar-path。thenfolloweddoubts，asthedroopingleavesseemedtoriseagainandtoreviveinthecurrentsofair。anddistrustofhiddendangerlentitsexcitingfeelingtokeeptheeloquentfeaturesinplay。Soveryslight，however，hadbeenthealterationproducedbytheheatonthebushesofwhichthestemswereinthewater，thatwhentheIroquoisactuallylaidhishandontheleaves，hefanciedthathehadbeendeceived。Asnomaneverdistrustsstronglywithoutusingallconvenientmeansofsatisfyinghisdoubts，however，theyoungwarriorcau-
tiouslypushedasidethebranchesandadvancedastepwithinthehiding-place，whentheformsoftheconcealedpartymethisgaze，resemblingsomanybreathlessstatues。
Thelowexclamation，theslightstart，andtheglaringeye，werehardlyseenandheard，beforethearmofChingach-
gookwasraised，andthetomahawkoftheDelawarede-
scendedontheshavenheadofhisfoe。TheIroquoisraisedhishandsfrantically，boundedbackward，andfellintothewater，ataspotwherethecurrentsweptthebodyaway，thestrugglinglimbsstilltossingandwrithingintheagonyofdeath。TheDelawaremadeavigorousbutunsuccessfulattempttoseizeanarm，withthehopeofsecuringthescalp。butthebloodstainedwaterswhirleddownthecurrent，carryingwiththemtheirquiveringburthen。
Allthispassedinlessthanaminute，andtheeventsweresosuddenandunexpected，thatmenlessaccustomedthanthePathfinderandhisassociatestoforestwarfarewouldhavebeenatalosshowtoact。
Thereisnotamomenttolose，saidJasper，tearingasidethebushes，ashespokeearnestly，butinasuppressedvoice。DoasIdo，MasterCap，ifyouwouldsaveyourniece。andyou，Mabel，lieatyourlengthinthecanoe。
Thewordswerescarcelyutteredwhen，seizingthebowofthelightboathedraggeditalongtheshore，wadinghimself，whileCapaidedbehind，keepingsonearthebankastoavoidbeingseenbythesavagesbelow，andstrivingtogaintheturnintheriverabovehimwhichwouldef-
fectuallyconcealthepartyfromtheenemy。ThePath-
finder’scanoelaynearesttothebank，andwasnecessarilythelasttoquittheshore。TheDelawareleapedonthenar-
rowstrandandplungedintotheforest，itbeinghisassigneddutytowatchthefoeinthatquarter，whileArrowheadmotionedtohiswhitecompaniontoseizethebowoftheboatandtofollowJasper。Allthiswastheworkofaninstant。butwhenthePathfinderreachedthecurrentthatwassweepingroundtheturn，hefeltasuddenchangeintheweighthewasdragging，and，lookingback，hefoundthatboththeTuscaroraandhiswifehaddesertedhim。
Thethoughtoftreacheryflasheduponhismind，buttherewasnotimetopause，forthewailingshoutthatarosefromthepartybelowproclaimedthatthebodyoftheyoungIroquoishadfloatedaslowasthespotreachedbyhisfriends。Thereportofariflefollowed。andthentheguidesawthatJasper，havingdoubledthebendintheriver，wascrossingthestream，standingerectinthesternofthecanoe，whileCapwasseatedforward，bothpropel-
lingthelightboatwithvigorousstrokesofthepaddles。
Aglance，athought，andanexpedientfollowedeachotherquicklyinonesotrainedinthevicissitudesofthefrontierwarfare。Springingintothesternofhisowncanoe，heurgeditbyavigorousshoveintothecurrent，andcom-
mencedcrossingthestreamhimself，atapointsomuchlowerthanthatofhiscompanionsastoofferhisownpersonforatargettotheenemy，wellknowingthattheirkeendesiretosecureascalpwouldcontrolallotherfeelings。
Keepwellupthecurrent，Jasper，shoutedthegallantguide，ashesweptthewaterwithlong，steady，vigorousstrokesofthepaddle。keepwellupthecurrent，andpullforthealderbushesopposite。PresarvetheSergeant’sdaughterbeforeallthings，andleavetheseMingoknavestotheSarpentandme。
Jasperflourishedhispaddleasasignalofunderstand-
ing，whileshotsucceededshotinquicksuccession，allnowbeingaimedatthesolitarymaninthenearestcanoe。
Ay，emptyyourrifleslikesimpletonsasyouare，saidthePathfinder，whohadacquiredahabitofspeakingwhenalone，frompassingsomuchofhistimeinthesolitudeoftheforest。emptyyourrifleswithanunsteadyaim，andgivemetimetoputyarduponyardofriverbetweenus。
IwillnotrevileyoulikeaDelawareoraMohican。formygiftsareawhiteman’sgifts，andnotanIndian’s。andboastinginbattleisnopartofaChristianwarrior。butI
maysayhere，allalonebymyself，thatyouarelittlebetterthansomanymenfromthetownshootingatrobinsintheorchards。Thatwaswellmeant，throwingbackhishead，asariflebulletcutalockofhairfromhistemple。
buttheleadthatmissesbyaninchisasuselessastheleadthatneverquitsthebarrel。Bravelydone，Jasper！
theSergeant’ssweetchildmustbesaved，evenifwegoinwithoutourownscalps。
BythistimethePathfinderwasinthecentreoftheriver，andalmostabreastofhisenemies，whiletheothercanoe，impelledbythevigorousarmsofCapandJasper，hadnearlygainedtheoppositeshoreattheprecisespotthathadbeenpointedouttothem。Theoldmarinernowplayedhispartmanfully。forhewasonhisproperele-
ment，lovedhisniecesincerely，hadaproperregardforhisownperson，andwasnotunusedtofire，thoughhisexperiencecertainlylayinaverydifferentspeciesofwarfare。Afewstrokesofthepaddlesweregiven，andthecanoeshotintothebushes，MabelwashurriedtolandbyJasper，andforthepresentallthreeofthefugitivesweresafe。
NotsowiththePathfinder：hishardyself-devotionhadbroughthimintoasituationofunusualexposure，thehazardsofwhichweremuchincreasedbythefactthat，justashedriftednearesttotheenemythepartyontheshorerusheddownthebankandjoinedtheirfriendswhostillstoodinthewater。TheOswegowasaboutacable’slengthinwidthatthispoint，and，thecanoebeinginthecentre，theobjectwasonlyahundredyardsfromtheriflesthatwereconstantlydischargedatit。or，attheusualtargetdistanceforthatweapon。
InthisextremitythesteadinessandskillofthePath-
finderdidhimgoodservice。Heknewthathissafetyde-
pendedaltogetheronkeepinginmotion。forastationaryobjectatthatdistance，wouldhavebeenhitnearlyeveryshot。Norwasmotionofitselfsufficient。for，accustomedtokilltheboundingdeer，hisenemiesprobablyknewhowtovarythelineofaimsoastostrikehim，shouldhecon-
tinuetomoveinanyonedirection。Hewasconsequentlycompelledtochangethecourseofthecanoe，——atonemo-
mentshootingdownwiththecurrent，withtheswiftnessofanarrow。andatthenextcheckingitsprogressinthatdirection，toglanceathwartthestream。LuckilytheIroquoiscouldnotreloadtheirpiecesinthewater，andthebushesthateverywherefringedtheshorerendereditdiffi-
culttokeepthefugitiveinviewwhenontheland。Aidedbythesecircumstances，andhavingreceivedthefireofallhisfoes，thePathfinderwasgainingfastindistance，bothdownwardsandacrossthecurrent，whenanewdangersuddenly，ifnotunexpectedly，presenteditself，bytheap-
pearanceofthepartythathadbeenleftinambushbelowwithaviewtowatchtheriver。
Thesewerethesavagesalludedtointheshortdialoguealreadyrelated。Theywerenolessthanteninnumber。
and，understandingalltheadvantagesoftheirbloodyoc-
cupation，theyhadpostedthemselvesataspotwherethewaterdashedamongrocksandovershallows，inawaytoformarapidwhich，inthelanguageofthecountry，iscalledarift。ThePathfindersawthat，ifheenteredthisrift，heshouldbecompelledtoapproachapointwheretheIroquoishadpostedthemselves，forthecurrentwasirre-
sistible，andtherocksallowednoothersafepassage，whiledeathorcaptivitywouldbetheprobableresultoftheattempt。Allhisefforts，therefore，wereturnedtowardreachingthewesternshore，thefoebeingallontheeasternsideoftheriver。buttheexploitsurpassedhumanpower，andtoattempttostemthestreamwouldatoncehavesofardiminishedthemotionofthecanoeastorenderaimcertain。Inthisexigencytheguidecametoadecisionwithhisusualcoolpromptitude，makinghispreparationsaccordingly。Insteadofendeavoringtogainthechannel，hesteeredtowardstheshallowestpartofthestream，onreachingwhichheseizedhisrifleandpack，leapedintothewater，andbegantowadefromrocktorock，takingthedirectionofthewesternshore。Thecanoewhirledaboutinthefuriouscurrent，nowrollingoversomeslip-
perystone，nowfilling，andthenemptyingitself，untilitlodgedontheshore，withinafewyardsofthespotwheretheIroquoishadpostedthemselves。
InthemeanwhilethePathfinderwasfarfrombeingoutofdanger。forthefirstminute，admirationofhisprompti-
tudeanddaring，whicharesohighvirtuesinthemindofanIndian，kepthisenemiesmotionless。butthedesireofrevenge，andthecravingsforthemuch-prizedtrophy，soonovercamethistransientfeeling，andarousedthemfromtheirstupor。Rifleflashedafterrifle，andthebulletswhistledaroundtheheadofthefugitive，amidtheroarofthewaters。Stillheproceededlikeonewhoboreacharmedlife。for，whilehisrudefrontiergarmentsweremorethanoncecut，hisskinwasnotrazed。
AsthePathfinder，inseveralinstances，wascompelledtowadeinwaterwhichrosenearlytohisarms，whilehekepthisrifleandammunitionelevatedabovetheragingcurrent，thetoilsoonfatiguedhim，andhewasgladtostopatalargestone，orasmallrock，whichrosesohighabovetheriverthatitsuppersurfacewasdry。Onthisstoneheplacedhispowder-horn，gettingbehindithim-
self，soastohavetheadvantageofapartialcoverforhisbody。Thewesternshorewasonlyfiftyfeetdistant，butthequiet，swift，darkcurrentthatglancedthroughtheintervalsufficientlyshowedthatherehewouldbecom-
pelledtoswim。
AshortcessationinthefiringnowtookplaceonthepartoftheIndians，whogatheredaboutthecanoe，and，havingfoundthepaddles，werepreparingtocrosstheriver。
Pathfinder，calledavoicefromamongthebushes，atthepointnearesttothepersonaddressed，onthewesternshore。
Whatwouldyouhave，Jasper？
Beofgoodheart——friendsareathand，andnotasingleMingoshallcrosswithoutsufferingforhisboldness。Hadyounotbetterleavetherifleontherock，andswimtousbeforetherascalscangetafloat？
Atruewoodsmanneverquitshispiecewhilehehasanypowderinhishornorabulletinhispouch。Ihavenotdrawnatriggerthisday，Eau-douce，andshouldn’trelishtheideaofpartingwiththosereptileswithoutcaus-
ingthemtoremembermyname。Alittlewaterwillnotharmmylegs。andIseethatblackguard，Arrowhead，amongthescamps，andwishtosendhimthewageshehassofaithfullyearned。YouhavenotbroughttheSergeant’sdaughterdownhereinarangewiththeirbullets，Ihope，Jasper？
Sheissafeforthepresentatleast。thoughalldependsonourkeepingtneriverbetweenusandtheenemy。Theymustknowourweaknessnow。and，shouldtheycross，nodoubtsomeoftheirpartywillbeleftontheotherside。
Thiscanoeingtouchesyourgiftsratherthanmine，boy，thoughIwillhandleapaddlewiththebestMingothateverstruckasalmon。Iftheycrossbelowtherift，whycan’twecrossinthestillwaterabove，andkeepplay-
ingatdodgeandturnwiththewolves？
Because，asIhavesaid，theywillleaveapartyontheothershore。andthen，Pathfinder，wouldyouexposeMabel，totheriflesoftheIroquois？
TheSergeant’sdaughtermustbesaved，returnedtheguide，withcalmenergy。Youareright，Jasper。shehasnogifttoauthorizeherinofferinghersweetfaceandtenderbodytoaMingorifle。Whatcanbedone，then？
Theymustbekeptfromcrossingforanhourortwo，ifpossible，whenwemustdoourbestinthedarkness。
Iagreewithyou，Pathfinder，ifitcanbeeffected。butarewestrongenoughforsuchapurpose？
TheLordiswithus，boy，theLordiswithus。anditisunreasonabletosupposethatoneliketheSergeant’sdaughterwillbealtogetherabandonedbyProvidenceinsuchastrait。Thereisnotaboatbetweenthefallsandthegarrison，exceptthesetwocanoes，tomysartainknowl-
edge。andIthinkitwillgobeyondred-skingiftstocrossinthefaceoftworiflesliketheseofyournandmine。I
willnotvaunt，Jasper。butitiswellknownonallthisfrontierthatKilldeerseldomfails。
Yourskillisadmittedbyall，farandnear，Pathfinder。
butarifletakestimetobeloaded。norareyouontheland，aidedbyagoodcover，whereyoucanworktotheadvantageyouareusedto。Ifyouhadourcanoe，mightyounotpasstotheshorewithadryrifle？
Cananeaglefly，Jasper？returnedtheother，laugh-
inginhisusualmanner，andlookingbackashespoke。
Butitwouldbeunwisetoexposeyourselfonthewater。
forthemmiscreantsarebeginningtobethinkthemagainofpowderandbullets。
Itcanbedonewithoutanysuchchances。MasterCaphasgoneuptothecanoe，andwillcastthebranchofatreeintotherivertotrythecurrent，whichsetsfromthepointaboveinthedirectionofyourrock。See，thereitcomesalready。ifitfloatfairly，youmustraiseyourarm，whenthecanoewillfollow。Atallevents，iftheboatshouldpassyou，theeddybelowwillbringitup，andIcanrecoverit。
WhileJasperwasstillspeaking，thefloatingbranchcameinsight。and，quickeningitsprogresswiththein-
creasingvelocityofthecurrent，itsweptswiftlydowntowardsthePathfinder，whoseizeditasitwaspassing，andhelditintheairasasignofsuccess。Capunderstoodthesignal，andpresentlythecanoewaslaunchedintothestream，withacautionandanintelligencethatthehabitsofthemarinerhadfittedhimtoobserve。Itfloatedinthesamedirectionasthebranch，andinaminutewasar-
restedbythePathfinder。
Thishasbeendonewithafrontierman’sjudgmentJasper，saidtheguide，laughing。butyouhaveyourgifts，whichinclinemosttothewater，asmineinclinetothewoods。NowletthemMingoknavescocktheirriflesandgetrests，forthisisthelastchancetheyarelikelytohaveatamanwithoutacover。
Nay，shovethecanoetowardstheshore，quarteringthecurrent，andthrowyourselfintoitasitgoesoff，saidJaspereagerly。Thereislittleuseinrunninganyrisk。
Ilovetostandupfacetofacewithmyenemieslikeaman，whiletheysetmetheexample，returnedthePath-
finderproudly。Iamnotared-skinborn，anditismoreawhiteman’sgiftstofightopenlythantolieinambush-
ment。
AndMabel？
True，boy，true。theSergeant’sdaughtermustbesaved。
and，asyousay，foolishrisksonlybecomeboys。Thinkyouthatyoucancatchthecanoewhereyoustand？
Therecanbenodoubt，ifyougiveavigorouspush。
Pathfindermadethenecessaryeffort。thelightbarkshotacrosstheinterveningspace，andJasperseizeditasitcametoland。Tosecurethecanoe，andtotakeproperpositionsinthecover，occupiedthefriendsbutamoment，whentheyshookhandscordially，likethosewhohadmetafteralongseparation。
Now，Jasper，weshallseeifaMingoofthemalldarescrosstheOswegointheteethofKildeer！Youarehandierwiththeoarandthepaddleandthesailthanwiththerifle，perhaps。butyouhaveastoutheartandasteadyhand，andthemarethingsthatcountinafight。
Mabelwillfindmebetweenherandherenemies，saidJaspercalmly。
Yes，yes，theSergeant’sdaughtermustbeprotected。
Ilikeyou，boy，onyourownaccount。butIlikeyouallthebetterthatyouthinkofonesofeebleatamomentwhenthereisneedofallyourmanhood。See，Jasper！threeoftheknavesareactuallygettingintothecanoe！Theymustbelievewehavefled，ortheywouldnotsurelyven-
turesomuch，directlyintheveryfaceofKilldeer。
SureenoughtheIroquoisdidappearbentonventuringacrossthestream。for，asthePathfinderandhisfriendsnowkepttheirpersonsstrictlyconcealed，theirenemiesbegantothinkthatthelatterhadtakentoflight。Suchacoursewasthatwhichmostwhitemenwouldhavefol-
lowed。butMabelwasunderthecareofthosewhoweremuchtoowellskilledinforestwarfaretoneglecttode-
fendtheonlypassthat，intruth，nowofferedevenaprobablechanceforprotection。
AsthePathfinderhadsaid，threewarriorswereinthecanoe，twoholdingtheirriflesatapoise，astheykneltinreadinesstoaimthedeadlyweapons，andtheotherstand-
ingerectinthesterntowieldthepaddle。Inthisman-
nertheylefttheshore，havinghadtheprecautiontohaulthecanoe，previouslytoenteringit，sofarupthestreamastohavegotintothecomparativelystillwaterabovetherift。
Itwasapparentataglancethatthesavagewhoguidedtheboatwasskilledintheart。forthelongsteadysweepofhispaddlesentthelightbarkovertheglassysurfaceofthetranquilriverasifitwereafeatherfloatinginair。
ShallIfire？demandedJasperinawhisper，trem-
blingwitheagernesstoengage。
Notyet，boy，notyet。Therearebutthreeofthem，andifMasterCapyonderknowshowtousethepopgunshecarriesinhisbelt，wemayevenletthemland，andthenweshallrecoverthecanoe。
ButMabel——？
NofearfortheSergeant’sdaughter。Sheissafeinthehollowstump，yousay，withtheopeningjudgmaticallyhidbythebrambles。Ifwhatyoutellmeofthemannerinwhichyouconcealedthetrailbetrue，thesweetonemightliethereamonthandlaughattheMingos。
Wearenevercertain。Iwishwehadbroughthernearertoourowncover！
Whatfor，Eau-douce？Toplaceherprettylittleheadandleapingheartamongflyingbullets？No，no：sheisbetterwheresheis，becausesheissafer。
Wearenevercertain。Wethoughtourselvessafebe-
hindthebushes，andyetyousawthatwewerediscovered。
AndtheMingoimppaidforhiscuriosity，astheseknavesareabouttodo。
The，Pathfinderceasedspeaking。foratthatinstantthesharpreportofariflewasheard，whentheIndianinthesternofthecanoeleapedhighintotheair，andfellintothewater，holdingthepaddleinhishand。Asmallwreathofsmokefloatedoutfromamongthebushesoftheeasternshore，andwassoonabsorbedbytheatmosphere。
ThatistheSarpenthissing！exclaimedthePath-
finderexultingly。AbolderoratruerheartneverbeatinthebreastofaDelaware。Iamsorrythatheinterfered。
buthecouldnothaveknownourcondition。
Thecanoehadnosoonerlostitsguidethanitfloatedwiththestream，andwassoonsuckedintotherapidsoftherift。Perfectlyhelpless，thetworemainingsavagesgazedwildlyaboutthem，butcouldoffernoresistancetothepoweroftheelement。ItwasperhapsfortunateforChingachgookthattheattentionofmostoftheIroquoiswasintentlygiventothesituationofthoseintheboat，elsewouldhisescapehavebeentothelastdegreedifficult，ifnottotallyimpracticable。Butnotafoemoved，excepttoconcealhispersonbehindsomecover。andeveryeyewasrivetedonthetworemainingadventurers。Inlesstimethanhasbeennecessarytorecordtheseoccurrences，thecanoewaswhirlingandtossingintherift，whileboththesavageshadstretchedthemselvesinitsbottom，astheonlymeansofpreservingtheequilibrium。Thisnaturalexpedientsoonfailedthem。for，strikingarock，thelightdraftrolledover，andthetwowarriorswerethrownintotheriver。Thewaterisseldomdeeponarift，exceptinparticularplaceswhereitmayhavewornchannels。andtherewaslittletobeapprehendedfromdrowning，thoughtheirarmswerelost。andthetwosavageswerefaintomakethebestoftheirwaytothefriendlyshore，swim-
mingandwadingascircumstancesrequired。Thecanoeitselflodgedonarockinthecentreofthestream，whereforthemomentitbecameuselesstobothparties。
Nowisourtime，Pathfinder，criedJasper，asthetwoIroquoisexposedmostoftheirpersonswhilewadingintheshallowestpartoftherapids：thefellowupstreamismine，andyoucantakethelower。
Soexcitedhadtheyoungmanbecomebyalltheinci-
dentsofthestirringscene，thatthebulletspedfromhisrifleashespoke，butuselessly，asitwouldseem，forboththefugitivestossedtheirarmsindisdain。ThePath-
finderdidnotfire。
No，no，Eau-douce，heanswered。Idonotseekbloodwithoutacause。andmybulletiswellleatheredandcarefullydrivendown，forthetimeofneed。IlovenoMingo，asisjust，seeinghowmuchIhaveconsortedwiththeDelawares，whoaretheirmortalandnaturalenemies。butIneverpulltriggerononeofthemiscreantsunlessitbeplainthathisdeathwillleadtosomegoodend。Thedeerneverleapedthatfellbymyhandwan-
tonly。BylivingmuchalonewithGodinthewildernessamangetstofeelthejusticeofsuchopinions。Onelifeissufficientforourpresentwants。andtheremayyetbeoccasiontouseKilldeerinbehalfoftheSarpent，whohasdoneanuntimorsomethingtoletthemrampantdevilssoplainlyknowthatheisintheirneighborhood。AsI’mawickedsinner，thereisoneofthemprowlingalongthebankthisverymoment，likeoneoftheboysofthegarrisonskulkingbehindafallentreetogetashotatasquirrel！
AsthePathfinderpointedwithhisfingerwhilespeak-
ing，thequickeyeofJaspersooncaughttheobjecttowardswhichitwasdirected。Oneoftheyoungwarriorsoftheenemy，burningwithadesiretodistinguishhimself，hadstolenfromhispartytowardsthecoverinwhichChin-
gachgookhadconcealedhimself。andasthelatterwasdeceivedbytheapparentapathyofhisfoes，aswellasen-
gagedinsomefurtherpreparationsofhisown，hehadevidentlyobtainedapositionwherehegotasightoftheDelaware。Thiscircumstancewasapparentbythear-
rangementstheIroquoiswasmakingtofire，forChingach-
gookhimselfwasnotvisiblefromthewesternsideoftheriver。TheriftwasatabendintheOswego，andthesweepoftheeasternshoreformedacurvesowidethatChingach-
gookwasquiteneartohisenemiesinastraightdirection，thoughseparatedbyseveralhundredfeetontheland，ow-
ingtowhichfactairlinesbroughtbothpartiesnearlyequidistantfromthePathfinderandJasper。Thegeneralwidthoftheriverbeingalittlelessthantwohundredyards，suchnecessarilywasaboutthedistancebetweenhistwoobserversandtheskulkingIroquois。
TheSarpentmustbethereabouts，observedPath-
finder，whoneverturnedhiseyeforaninstantfromtheyoungwarrior。andyethemustbestrangelyoffhisguardtoallowaMingodeviltogethisstandsonear，withmanifestsignsofbloodshedinhisheart。
See！interruptedJasper——thereisthebodyoftheIndiantheDelawareshot！Ithasdriftedonarock，andthecurrenthasforcedtheheadandfaceabovethewater。
Quitelikely，boy，quitelikely。Humannatur’islittlebetterthanalogofdriftwood，whenthelifethatwasbreathedintoitsnostrilsisdeparted。ThatIroquoiswillneverharmanyonemore。butyonderskulkingsavageisbentontakingthescalpofmybestandmosttriedfriend。
ThePathfindersuddenlyinterruptedhimselfbyraisinghisrifle，aweaponofunusuallength，withadmirablepre-
cision，andfiringtheinstantithadgotitslevel。TheIroquoisontheoppositeshorewasintheactofaimingwhenthefatalmessengerfromKilldeerarrived。Hisriflewasdischarged，itistrue，butitwaswiththemuzzleintheair，whilethemanhimselfplungedintothebushes，quiteevidentlyhurt，ifnotslain。
Theskulkingreptylebroughtitonhimself，mutteredPathfindersternly，as，droppingthebuttofhisrifle，hecarefullycommencedreloadingit。ChingachgookandI
haveconsortedtogethersincewewereboys，andhavefi’tincompanyontheHorican，theMohawk，theOntario，andalltheotherbloodypassesbetweenthecountryoftheFrenchersandourown。anddidthefoolishknavebelievethatIwouldstandbyandseemybestfriendcutoffinanambushment？
WehaveservedtheSarpentasgoodaturnasheservedus。Thoserascalsaretroubled，Pathfinder，andarefallingbackintotheircovers，sincetheyfindwecanreachthemacrosstheriver。
Theshotisnogreatmatter，Jasper，nogreatmatter。
Askanyofthe60th，andtheycantellyouwhatKilldeercando，andhasdone，andthat，too，whenthebulletswereflyingaboutourheadslikehailstones。No，no！thisisnogreatmatter，andtheunthoughtfulvagabonddrewitdownonhimself。
Isthatadog，oradeer，swimmingtowardsthisshore？
Pathfinderstarted，forsureenoughanobjectwascross-
ingthestream，abovetherift，towardswhich，however，itwasgraduallysettingbytheforceofthecurrent。A
secondlooksatisfiedboththeobserversthatitwasaman，andanIndian，thoughsoconcealedasatfirsttorenderitdoubtful。Somestratagemwasapprehended，andtheclosestattentionwasgiventothemovementsofthestranger。
Heispushingsomethingbeforehimasheswims，andhisheadresemblesadriftingbush，saidJasper。
’TisIndiandevilry，boy。butChristianhonestyshallcircumventtheirarts。
Asthemanslowlyapproached，theobserversbegantodoubttheaccuracyoftheirfirstimpressions，anditwasonlywhentwo-thirdsofthestreamwerepassedthatthetruthwasreallyknown。
TheBigSarpent，asIlive！exclaimedPathfinder，lookingathiscompanion，andlaughinguntilthetearscameintohiseyeswithpuredelightatthesuccessoftheartifice。Hehastiedbushestohishead，soastohideit，putthehornontop，lashedtherifletothatbitoflogheispushingbeforehim，andhascomeovertojoinhisfriends。Ah’sme！ThetimesandtimesthatheandI
havecutsuchpranks，rightintheteethofMingosragingforourblood，inthegreatthoroughfareroundandaboutTy！
ItmaynotbetheSerpentafterall，Pathfinder。IcanseenofeaturethatIremember。
Feature！WholooksforfeaturesinanIndian？No，no，boy。’tisthepaintthatspeaks，andnonebutaDela-
warewouldwearthatpaint：themarehiscolors，Jasper，justasyourcraftonthelakewearsSt。George’sCross，andtheFrencherssettheirtableclothstoflutteringinthewind，withallthestainsoffish-bonesandvenisonsteaksuponthem。Now，youseetheeye，lad，anditistheeyeofachief。But，Eau-douce，fierceasitisinbattle，andglassyasitlooksfromamongtheleaves，——herethePath-
finderlaidhisfingerslightlybutimpressivelyonhiscom-
panion’sarm，——Ihaveseenitshedtearslikerain。Thereisasoulandaheartunderthatredskin，relyonit。al-
thoughtheyareasoulandaheartwithgiftsdifferentfromourown。
Noonewhoisacquaintedwiththechiefeverdoubtedthat。
I_know_it，returnedtheotherproudly，forIhaveconsortedwithhiminsorrowandinjoy：inoneIhavefoundhimaman，howeverstricken。intheother，achiefwhoknowsthatthewomenofhistribearethemostseemlyinlightmerriment。Buthist！Itistoomuchlikethepeopleofthesettlementstopoursoftspeechesintoan-
other’sear。andtheSarpenthaskeensenses。HeknowsIlovehim，andthatIspeakwellofhimbehindhisback。
butaDelawarehasmodestyinhisinmostnatur’，thoughhewillbraglikeasinnerwhentiedtoastake。
TheSerpentnowreachedtheshore，directlyinthefrontofhistwocomrades，withwhoseprecisepositionhemusthavebeenacquaintedbeforeleavingtheeasternsideoftheriver，andrisingfromthewaterheshookhimselflikeadog，andmadetheusualexclamation——Hugh！
CHAPTERVI。
These，astheychange，AlmightyFather，these，ArebutthevariedGod。
THOMSON。
AsthechieflandedhewasmetbythePathfinder，whoaddressedhiminthelanguageofthewarrior’speople：
Wasitwelldone，Chingachgook，saidhereproachfully，toambushadozenMingosalone？Killdeerseldomfailsme，itistrue。buttheOswegomakesadistantmark，andthatmiscreantshowedlittlemorethanhisheadandshouldersabovethebushes，andanonpractysedhandandeyemighthavefailed。Youshouldhavethoughtofthis，chief——youshouldhavethoughtofthis！
TheGreatSerpentisaMohicanwarrior——heseesonlyhisenemieswhenheisonthewar-path，andhisfathershavestrucktheMingosfrombehind，sincethewatersbegantorun。
Iknowyourgifts，Iknowyourgifts，andrespectthemtoo。Nomanshallhearmecomplainthatared-skinob-
sarvedred-skinnatur’。Butprudenceasmuchbecomesawarriorasvalor。andhadnottheIroquoisdevilsbeenlookingaftertheirfriendswhowereinthewater，ahottrailtheywouldhavemadeofyourn。
WhatistheDelawareabouttodo？exclaimedJasper，whoobservedatthatmomentthatthechiefhadsuddenlyleftthePathfinderandadvancedtothewater’sedge，ap-
parentlywithanintentionofagainenteringtheriver。
Hewillnotbesomadastoreturntotheothershoreforanytriflehemayhaveforgotten？
Nothe，nothe。heisasprudentasheisbrave，inthemain，thoughsoforgetfulofhimselfinthelateambush-
ment。Hark’e，Jasper，leadingtheotheralittleaside，justastheyheardtheIndian’splungeintothewater，——
hark’e，lad。ChingachgookisnotaChristianwhiteman，likeourselves，butaMohicanchief，whohashisgiftsandtraditionstotellhimwhatheoughttodo。andhewhoconsortswiththemthatarenotstrictlyandaltogetherofhisownkindhadbetterleavenatur’andusetogovernhiscomrades。Aking’ssoldierwillswearandhewilldrink，anditisoflittleusetotrytopreventhim。agentlemanlikeshisdelicacies，andaladyherfeathersanditdoesnotavailmuchtostruggleagainsteither。whereasanIn-
dian’snatur’andgiftsaremuchstrongerthanthese，andnodoubtwerebestowedbytheLordforwiseends，thoughneitheryounormecanfollowtheminalltheirwindings。
Whatdoesthismean？See，theDelawareisswimmingtowardsthebodythatislodgedontherock？Whydoesheriskthis？
Forhonorandgloryandrenown，asgreatgentlemenquittheirquiethomesbeyondseas——where，astheytellme，hearthasnothinglefttowishfor。thatis，suchheartsascanbesatisfiedinaclearing——tocomehithertoliveongameandfighttheFrenchers。
Iunderstandyou——yourfriendhasgonetosecurethescalp。
’Tishisgift，andlethimenjoyit。Wearewhitemen，andcannotmangleadeadenemy。butitishonorintheeyesofared-skintodoso。Itmayseemsingulartoyou，Eau-douce，butI’veknownwhitemenofgreatnameandcharactermanifestasremarkableideesconsarningtheirhonor，Ihave。
Asavagewillbeasavage，Pathfinder，lethimkeepwhatcompanyhemay。
Itiswellforustosayso，lad。but，asItellyou，whitehonorwillnotalwaysconformtoreasonortothewillofGod。Ihavepasseddaysthinkingofthesematters，outinthesilentwoods，andIhavecometotheopinion，boy，that，asProvidencerulesallthings，nogiftisbestowedwithoutsomewiseandreasonableend。
TheSerpentgreatlyexposeshimselftotheenemy，inordertogethisscalp！Thismayloseustheday。
Notinhismind，Jasper。Thatonescalphasmorehonorinit，accordingtotheSarpent’snotionsofwarfare，thanaheldcoveredwithslain，thatkeptthehairontheirheads。Now，therewasthefineyoungcaptainofthe60ththatthrewawayhislifeintryingtobringoffathree-
pounderfromamongtheFrenchersinthelastskrimmagewehad。hethoughthewassarvinghonor。andIhaveknownayoungensignwraphimselfupinhiscolors，andgotosleepinhisblood，fancyingthathewaslyingonsomethingsoftereventhanbuffalo-skins。
Yes，yes。onecanunderstandthemeritofnothaulingdownanensign。
AndtheseareChingachgook’scolors——hewillkeepthemtoshowhischildren’schildren——HerethePath-
finderinterruptedhimself，shookhisheadinmelancholy，andslowlyadded，Ah’sme！noshootoftheoldMohicanstemremains！Hehasnochildrentodelightwithhistrophies。notribetohonorbyhisdeeds。heisalonemaninthisworld，andyethestandstruetohistrainingandhisgifts！Thereissomethinghonestandrespectableinthese，youmustallow，Jasper。
HereagreatoutcryfromtheIroquoiswassucceededbythequickreportsoftheirrifles，andsoeagerdidtheenemybecome，inthedesiretodrivetheDelawarebackfromhisvictim，thatadozenrushedintotheriver，severalofwhomevenadvancednearahundredfeetintothefoamingcur-
rent，asiftheyactuallymeditatedaserioussortie。ButChingachgookcontinuedunmoved，asheremainedunhurtbythemissiles，accomplishinghistaskwiththedexterityoflonghabit。Flourishinghisreekingtrophy，hegavethewar-whoopinitsmostfrightfulintonations，andforaminutethearchesofthesilentwoodsandthedeepvistaformedbythecourseoftheriverechoedwithcriessoterrificthatMabelbowedherheadinirrepressiblefear，whileheruncleforasingleinstantactuallymeditatedflight。
ThissurpassesallIhaveheardfromthewretches，
Jasperexclaimed，stoppinghisears，equallyinhorroranddisgust。
’Tistheirmusic，boy。theirdrumandfife。theirtrumpetsandclarions。Nodoubttheylovethosesounds。
fortheystirupinthemfiercefeelings，andadesireforblood，returnedthePathfinder，totallyunmoved。I
thoughtthemratherfrightfulwhenamereyoungster。
buttheyhavebecomelikethewhistleofthewhip-poor-
willorthesongofthecat-birdinmyearnow。Allthescreechingreptylesthatcouldstandbetweenthefallsandthegarrisonwouldhavenoeffectonmynarvesatthistimeofday。Isayitnotinboasting，Jasper。forthemanthatletsincowardicethroughtheearsmusthavebutaweakheartatthebest。soundsandoutcriesbeingmoreintendedtoalarmwomenandchildrenthansuchasscouttheforestandfacethefoe。IhopetheSarpentisnowsatisfied，forherehecomeswiththescalpathisbelt。
JasperturnedawayhisheadastheDelawarerosefromthewater，inpuredisgustathislateerrand。butthePathfinderregardedhisfriendwiththephilosophicalin-
differenceofonewhohadmadeuphismindtobeindif-
ferenttothingshedeemedimmaterial。AstheDelawarepasseddeeperintothebusheswithaviewtowringhistriflingcalicodressandtopreparehisrifleforservice，hegaveoneglanceoftriumphathiscompanions，andthenallemotionconnectedwiththerecentexploitseemedtocease。
Jasper，resumedtheguide，stepdowntothestationofMasterCap，andaskhimtojoinus：wehavelittletimeforacouncil，andyetourplansmustbelaidquickly，foritwillnotbelongbeforethemMingoswillbeplottingourruin。
Theyoungmancomplied。andinafewminutesthefourwereassembledneartheshore，completelyconcealedfromtheviewoftheirenemies，whiletheykeptavigilantwatchovertheproceedingsofthelatter，inordertocon-
sultontheirownfuturemovements。
Bythistimethedayhadsofaradvancedastoleavebutafewminutesbetweenthepassinglightandanobscuritythatpromisedtobeevendeeperthancommon。Thesunhadalreadysetandthetwilightofalowlatitudewouldsoonpassintothedarknessofdeepnight。Mostofthehopesofthepartyrestedonthisfavorablecircumstance，thoughitwasnotwithoutitsdangersalso，astheveryob-
scuritywhichwouldfavortheirescapewouldbeaslikelytoconcealthemovementsoftheirwilyenemies。
Themomenthascome，men，Pathfindercommenced，whenourplansmustbecoollylaid，inorderthatwemayacttogether，andwitharightunderstandingofourerrandandgifts。Inanhour’stimethesewoodswillbeasdarkasmidnight。andifweareevertogainthegarrison，itmustbedoneunderfavorofthisadvantage。Whatsayyou，MasterCap？for，thoughnoneofthemostexperi-
encedincombatsandretreatsinthewoods，youryearsentitleyoutospeakfirstinamatterlikethisandinacouncil。
Well，inmyjudgment，allwehavetodoistogoonboardthecanoewhenitgetstobesodarktheenemy’slook-outscan’tseeus，andrunforthehaven，aswindandtidewillallow。
Thatiseasilysaid，butnotsoeasilydone，returnedtheguide。Weshallbemoreexposedintheriverthanbyfollowingthewoods。andthenthereistheOswegoriftbelowus，andIamfarfromsartainthatJasperhimselfcancarryaboatsafelythroughitinthedark。Whatsayyou，lad，astoyourownskillandjudgment？
IamofMasterCap’sopinionaboutusingthecanoe。
Mabelistootendertowalkthroughswampsandamongrootsoftreesinsuchanightasthispromisestobe，andthenIalwaysfeelmyselfstouterofheartandtruerofeyewhenafloatthanwhenashore。
Stoutofheartyoualwaysbe，lad，andIthinktolerablytrueofeyeforonewhohaslivedsomuchinbroadsun-
shineandsolittleinthewoods。Ah’sme！theOntariohasnotrees，oritwouldbeaplaintodelightahunter’sheart！Astoyouropinion，friends，thereismuchforandmuchagainstit。Forit，itmaybesaidwaterleavesnotrail——
Whatdoyoucallthewake？interruptedthepertina-
ciousanddogmaticalCap。
Anan？
Goon，saidJasper。MasterCapthinksheisontheocean——waterleavesnotrail——
Itleavesnone，Eau-douce，hereaway，thoughIdonotpretendtosaywhatitmayleaveonthesea。Thenacanoeisbothswiftandeasywhenitfloatswiththecur-
rent，andthetenderlimbsoftheSergeant’sdaughterwillbefavoredbyitsmotion。But，ontheotherhand，theriverwillhavenocoverbutthecloudsintheheavens。
theriftisaticklishthingforboatstoventureinto，evenbydaylight。anditissixfairlymeasuredmiles，bywater，fromthisspottothegarrison。Thenatrailonlandisnoteasytobefoundinthedark。Iamtroubled，Jasper，tosaywhichwayweoughttocounselandadvise。
IftheSerpentandmyselfcouldswimintotheriverandbringofftheothercanoe，theyoungsailorreplied，itwouldseemtomethatoursafestcoursewouldbethewater。
If，indeed！andyetitmighteasilybedone，assoonasitisalittledarker。Well，well，Iamnotsartainitwillnotbethebest。Though，wereweonlyapartyofmen，itwouldbelikeahunttothelustyandbravetoplayathide-and-seekwithyondermiscreantsontheothershore。
Jasper，continuedtheguide，intowhosecharacterthereenterednoingredientwhichbelongedtovaindisplayortheatricaleffect，willyouundertaketobringinthecanoe？
IwillundertakeanythingthatwillserveandprotectMabel，Pathfinder。
Thatisanuprightfeeling，andIsupposeitisnatur’。
TheSarpent，whoisnearlynakedalready，canhelpyou。
andthiswillbecuttingoffoneofthemeansofthemdevilstoworktheirharm。
Thismaterialpointbeingsettled，thedifferentmembersofthepartypreparedthemselvestoputtheprojectinexecution。Theshadesofeveningfellfastupontheforest。
andbythetimeallwasreadyfortheattempt，itwasfoundimpossibletodiscernobjectsontheoppositeshore。Timenowpressed。forIndiancunningcoulddevisesomanyexpedientsforpassingsonarrowastream，thatthePath-
finderwasgettingimpatienttoquitthespot。WhileJasperandhiscompanionenteredtheriver，armedwithnothingbuttheirknivesandtheDelaware’stomahawk，observingthegreatestcautionnottobetraytheirmove-
ments，theguidebroughtMabelfromherplaceofconceal-
ment，and，biddingherandCapproceedalongtheshoretothefootoftherapids，hegotintothecanoethatremainedinhispossession，inordertocarryittothesameplace。
Thiswaseasilyeffected。Thecanoewaslaidagainstthebank，andMabelandheruncleenteredit，takingtheirseatsasusual。whilethePathfinder，erectinthestern，heldbyabush，inordertopreventtheswiftstreamfromsweepingthemdownitscurrent。Severalminutesofintenseandbreathlessexpectationfollowed，whiletheyawaitedtheresultsoftheboldattemptoftheircomrades。
Itwillbeunderstoodthatthetwoadventurerswerecompelledtoswimacrossadeepandrapidchannelbeforetheycouldreachapartoftheriftthatadmittedofwad-
ing。Thisportionoftheenterprisewassooneffected。
andJasperandtheSerpentstruckthebottomsidebysideatthesameinstant。Havingsecuredfirmfooting，theytookholdofeachother’shands，andwadedslowlyandwithextremecautioninthesupposeddirectionofthecanoe。Butthedarknesswasalreadysodeepthattheysoonascertainedtheyweretobebutlittleaidedbythesenseofsight，andthattheirsearchmustbeconductedonthatspeciesofinstinctwhichenablesthewoodsmantofindhiswaywhenthesunishid，nostarsappear，andallwouldseemchaostoonelessaccustomedtothemazesoftheforest。Underthesecircumstances，JaspersubmittedtobeguidedbytheDelaware，whosehabitsbestfittedhimtotakethelead。Stillitwasnoeasymattertowadeamidtheroaringelementatthathour，andretainaclearrecol-
lectionofthelocalities。Bythetimetheybelievedthem-
selvestobeinthecentreofthestream，thetwoshoreswerediscerniblemerelybymassesofobscuritydenserthancommon，theoutlinesagainstthecloudsbeingbarelydis-
tinguishablebytheraggedtopsofthetrees。Onceortwicethewanderersalteredtheircourse，inconsequenceofunexpectedlysteppingintodeepwater。fortheyknewthattheboathadlodgedontheshallowestpartoftherift。
Inshort，withthisfactfortheircompass，Jasperandhiscompanionwanderedaboutinthewaterfornearlyaquar-
terofanhour。andattheendofthatperiod，whichbegantoappearinterminabletotheyoungman，theyfoundthemselvesapparentlynonearertheobjectoftheirsearchthantheyhadbeenatitscommencement。JustastheDelawarewasabouttostop，inordertoinformhisassociatethattheywoulddowelltoreturntotheland，inordertotakeafreshdeparture，hesawtheformofamanmovingaboutinthewater，almostwithinreachofhisarm。Jas-
perwasathisside，andheatonceunderstoodthattheIroquoiswereengagedonthesameerrandashewashimself。
Mingo！heutteredinJasper’sear。TheSerpentwillshowhisbrotherhowtobecunning。
Theyoungsailorcaughtaglimpseofthefigureatthatinstant，andthestartlingtruthalsoflashedonhismind。
UnderstandingthenecessityoftrustingalltotheDela-
warechief，hekeptback，whilehisfriendmovedcautiouslyinthedirectioninwhichthestrangeformhadvanished。
Inanothermomentitwasseenagain，evidentlymovingtowardsthemselves。Thewatersmadesuchanuproarthatlittlewastobeapprehendedfromordinarysounds，andtheIndian，turninghisbead，hastilysaid，LeaveittothecunningoftheGreatSerpent。
Hugh！exclaimedthestrangesavage，adding，inthelanguageofhispeople，Thecanoeisfound，buttherewerenonetohelpme。Come，letusraiseitfromtherock。
Willingly，answeredChingachgook，whounderstoodthedialect。Lead。wewillfollow。
Thestranger，unabletodistinguishbetweenvoicesandaccentsamidtheragingoftherapid，ledthewayinthenecessarydirection。and，thetwootherskeepingcloseathisheels，allthreespeedilyreachedthecanoe。TheIro-
quoislaidholdofoneend，Chingacbgookplacedhimselfinthecentre，andJasperwenttotheoppositeextremity，asitwasimportantthatthestrangershouldnotdetectthepresenceofapale-face，adiscoverythatmightbemadebythepartsofthedresstheyoungmanstillwore，aswellasbythegeneralappearanceofhishead。
Lift，saidtheIroquoisinthesententiousmannerofhisrace。andbyatriflingeffortthecanoewasraisedfromtherock，heldamomentintheairtoemptyit，andthenplacedcarefullyonthewaterinitsproperposition。Allthreehelditfirmly，lestitshouldescapefromtheirhandsunderthepressureoftheviolentcurrent，whiletheIro-
quois，wholed，ofcourse，beingattheupperendoftheboat，tookthedirectionoftheeasternshore，ortowardsthespotwherehisfriendswaitedhisreturn。
AstheDelawareandJasperwellknewtheremustbeseveralmoreoftheIroquoisontherift，from。thecircum-
stancethattheirownappearancehadoccasionednosur-
priseintheindividualtheyhadmet，bothfelttheneces-
sityofextremecaution。Menlessboldanddeterminedwouldhavethoughtthattheywereincurringtoogreatariskbythusventuringintothemidstoftheirenemies。
butthesehardybordererswereunacquaintedwithfear，wereaccustomedtohazards，andsowellunderstoodthenecessityofatleastpreventingtheirfoesfromgettingtheboat，thattheywouldhavecheerfullyencounteredevengreaterriskstosecuretheirobject。Soall-importanttothesafetyofMabel，indeed，didJasperdeemtheposses-
sionorthedestructionofthiscanoe，thathehaddrawnhisknife，andstoodreadytoripupthebark，inordertorendertheboattemporarilyunserviceable，shouldany-
thingoccurtocompeltheDelawareandhimselftoaban-
dontheirprize。
Inthemeantime，theIroquois，wholedtheway，pro-
ceededslowlythroughthewaterinthedirectionofhisownparty，stillgraspingthecanoe，anddragginghisre-
luctantfollowersinhistrain。OnceChingachgookraisedhistomahawk，andwasabouttoburyitinthebrainofhisconfidingandunsuspiciousneighbor。buttheprobabilitythatthedeath-cryorthefloatingbodymightgivethealarminducedthatwarychieftochangehispurpose。Atthenextmomentheregrettedthisindecision，forthethreewhoclungtothecanoesuddenlyfoundthemselvesintheceutreofapartyofnolessthanfourotherswhowereinquestofit。
Aftertheusualbriefcharacteristicexclamationsofsat-
isfaction，thesavageseagerlylaidholdofthecanoe，forallseemedimpressedwiththenecessityofsecuringthisimportantboat，theonesideinordertoassailtheirfoes，andtheothertosecuretheirretreat。Theadditiontotheparty，however，wassounlooked-for，andsocompletelygavetheenemythesuperiority，thatforafewmomentstheingenuityandaddressofeventheDelawarewereatfault。ThefiveIroquois，whoseemedperfectlytounder-
standtheirerrand，pressedforwardtowardstheirownshore，withoutpausingtoconverse。theirobjectbeingintruthtoobtainthepaddles，whichtheyhadpreviouslysecured，andtoembarkthreeorfourwarriors，withalltheirriflesandpowder-horns，thewantofwhichhadalonepreventedtheircrossingtheriverbyswimmingassoonasitwasdark。
Inthismanner，thebodyoffriendsandfoesunitedreachedthemarginoftheeasternchannel，where，asinthecaseofthewestern，theriverwastoodeeptobewaded。
Hereashortpausesucceeded，itbeingnecessarytodeter-
minethemannerinwhichthecanoewastobecarriedacross。Oneofthefourwhohadjustreachedtheboatwasachief。andthehabitualdeferencewhichtheAmeri-
canIndianpaystomerit，experience，andstationkepttheotherssilentuntilthisindividualhadspoken。
ThehaltgreatlyaddedtothedangerofdiscoveringthepresenceofJasper，inparticular，who，however，hadtheprecautiontothrowthecapheworeintothebottomofthecanoe。Beingwithouthisjacketandshirt，theoutlineofhisfigure，intheobscurity，wouldnowbelesslikelytoattractobservation。Hisposition，too，atthesternofthecanoealittlefavoredhisconcealment，theIroquoisnatur-
allykeepingtheirlooksdirectedtheotherway。NotsowithChingachgook。Thiswarriorwasliterallyinthemidstofhismostdeadlyfoes，andhecouldscarcelymovewithouttouchingoneofthem。Yethewasapparentlyunmoved，thoughhekeptallhissensesonthealert，inreadinesstoescape，ortostrikeablowatthepropermo-
ment。Bycarefullyabstainingfromlookingtowardsthosebehindhim，helessenedthechancesofdiscovery，andwaitedwiththeindomitablepatienceofanIndianfortheinstantwhenheshouldberequiredtoact。
Letallmyyoungmenbuttwo，oneateachendofthecanoe，crossandgettheirarms，saidtheIroquoischief。
Letthetwopushovertheboat。
TheIndiansquietlyobeyed，leavingJasperatthestern，andtheIroquoiswhohadfoundthecanoeatthebowofthelightcraft，Chingachgookburyinghimselfsodeepintheriverastobepassedbytheotherswithoutdetection。
Thesplashinginthewater，thetossingarms，andthecallsofonetoanother，soonannouncedthatthefourwhohadlastjoinedthepartywerealreadyswimming。Assoonasthisfactwascertain，theDelawarerose，resumedhisformerstation，andbegantothinkthemomentforactionwascome。