Nay，thatistheonlydifficultyinbelievingthestory，
rejoinedtheguide。Itseemsunreasonabletogiveananimalthatlivesinthewaterwings，whichseeminglycanbeofnousetoit。
Anddoyousupposethatthefishesaresuchassesastoflyaboutunderwater，whentheyareoncefairlyfittedoutwithwings？
Nay，Iknownothingofthematter。butthatfishshouldflyintheairseemsmorecontrarytonatur’still，thanthatthe’yshouldflyintheirownelement——thatinwhichtheywerebornandbroughtup，asonemightsay。
Somuchforcontractedideas，Magnet。Thefishflyoutofwatertorunawayfromtheirenemiesinthewater。
andthereyouseenotonlythefact，butthereasonforit。
ThenIsupposeitmustbetrue，saidtheguidequietly。
Howlongaretheirflights？
Notquiteasfarasthoseofpigeons，perhaps。butfarenoughtomakeanoffing。Asforthosesquirrelsofyours，we’llsaynomoreaboutthem，friendPathfinder，asIsup-
posetheywerementionedjustasamake-weighttothefish，infavorofthewoods。Butwhatisthisthingan-
choredhereunderthehill？
ThatisthecutterofJasper，uncle，saidMabelhur-
riedly。andaveryprettyvesselIthinkitis。Itsname，too，isthe_Scud_。
Ay，itwilldowellenoughforalake，perhaps，butit’snogreataffair。Theladhasgotastandingbowsprit，andwhoeversawacutterwithastandingbowspritbefore？
Butmaytherenotbesomegoodreasonforit，onalakelikethis，uncle？
Sureenough——Imustrememberthisisnottheocean，thoughitdoeslooksomuchlikeit。
Ah，uncle！thenOntariodoeslookliketheocean，afterall？
Inyoureyes，Imean，andthoseofPathfinder。notintheleastinmine，Magnet。Nowyoumightsetmedownoutyonder，inthemiddleofthisbitofapond，andthat，too，inthedarkestnightthateverfellfromtheheavens，andinthesmallestcanoe，andIcouldtellyouitwasonlyalake。Forthatmatter，the_Dorothy_thenameofhisvesselwouldfinditoutasquickasIcouldmyself。I
donotbelievethatbrigwouldmakemorethanacoupleofshortstretches，atthemost，beforeshewouldperceivethedifferencebetweenOntarioandtheoldAtlantic。I
oncetookherdownintooneofthelargeSouthAmericanbays，andshebehavedherselfasawkwardlyasaboobywouldinachurchwiththecongregationinahurry。AndJaspersailsthatboat？Imusthaveacruisewiththelad，Magnet，beforeIquityou，justforthenameofthething。
ItwouldneverdotosayIgotinsightofthispond，andwentawaywithouttakingatriponit。
Wellwell，youneedn’twaitlongforthat，returnedPathfinder。fortheSergeantisabouttoembarkwithapartytorelieveapostamongtheThousandIslands。andasIheardhimsayheintendedthatMabelshouldgoalong，youcanjointhecompanytoo。
Isthistrue，Magnet？
Ibelieveitis，returnedthegirl，aflushsoimper-
ceptibleastoescapetheobservationofhercompanionsglowingonhercheeks。thoughIhavehadsolittleop-
portunitytotalkwithmydearfatherthatIamnotquitecertain。Herehecomes，however，andyoucaninquireofhimself。
Notwithstandinghishumblerank，therewassomethinginthemienandcharacterofSergeantDunhamthatcom-
mandedrespect：ofatall，imposingfigure，graveandsaturninedisposition，andaccurateandpreciseinhisactsandmannerofthinking，evenCap，dogmaticalandsuper-
ciliousasheusuallywaswithlandsmen，didnotpresumetotakethesamelibertieswiththeoldsoldierashedidwithhisotherfriends。ItwasoftenremarkedthatSer-
geantDunhamreceivedmoretruerespectfromDuncanofLundie，theScotchlairdwhocommandedthepost，thanmostofthesubalterns。forexperienceandtriedserviceswereofquiteasmuchvalueintheeyesoftheveteranmajorasbirthandmoney。WhiletheSergeantneverevenhopedtoriseanyhigher，hesofarrespectedhimselfandhispresentstationasalwaystoactinawaytocommandattention。andthehabitofmixingsomuchwithinferiors，whosepassionsanddispositionshefeltitnecessarytore-
strainbydistanceanddignity，hadsofarcoloredhiswholedeportment，thatfewwerealtogetherfreefromitsinflu-
ence。Whilethecaptainstreatedhimkindlyandasanoldcomrade，thelieutenantsseldomventuredtodissentfromhismilitaryopinions。andtheensigns，itwasremarked，actuallymanifestedaspeciesofrespectthatamountedtosomethingverylikedeference。Itisnowonder，then，thattheannouncementofMabelputasuddentermina-
tiontothesingulardialoguewehavejustrelated，thoughithadbeenoftenobservedthatthePathfinderwastheonlymanonthatfrontier，beneaththeconditionofagentleman，whopresumedtotreattheSergeantatallasanequal，orevenwiththecordialfamiliarityofafriend。
Goodmorrow，brotherCap，saidtheSergeantgivingthemilitarysalute，ashewalked，inagrave，statelyman-
ner，onthebastion。MymorningdutyhasmademeseemforgetfulofyouandMabel。butwehavenowanhourortwotospare，andtogetacquainted。Doyounotperceive，brother，astronglikenessonthegirltoherwehavesolonglost？
Mabelistheimageofhermother，Sergeant，asIhavealwayssaid，withalittleofyourfirmerfigure。though，forthatmatter，theCapswereneverwantinginspringandactivity。
Mabelcastatimidglanceatthestern，rigidcountenanceofherfather，ofwhomshehadeverthought，asthewarm-
hearteddwellontheaffectionoftheirabsentparents。
and，asshesawthatthemusclesofhisfacewereworking，notwithstandingthestiffnessandmethodofhismanner，herveryheartyearnedtothrowherselfonhisbosomandtoweepatwill。Buthewassomuchcolderinexternals，somuchmoreformalanddistantthanshehadexpectedtofindhim，thatshewouldnothavedaredtohazardthefreedom，evenhadtheybeenalone。
Youhavetakenalongandtroublesomejourney，brother，onmyaccount。andwewilltrytomakeyoucom-
fortablewhileyoustayamongus。
Ihearyouarelikelytoreceiveorderstoliftyouran-
chor，Sergeant，andtoshiftyourberthintoapartoftheworldwheretheysaythereareathousandislands。
Pathfinder，thisissomeofyourforgetfulness？
Nay，nay，Sergeant，Iforgotnothing。butitdidnotseemtomenecessarytohideyourintentionssoverycloselyfromyourownfleshandblood。
Allmilitarymovementsoughttobemadewithaslittleconversationaspossible，returnedtheSergeant，tappingtheguide’sshoulderinafriendly，butreproachfulmanner。YouhavepassedtoomuchofyourlifeinfrontoftheFrenchnottoknowthevalueofsilence。Butnomatter。thethingmustsoonbeknown，andthereisnogreatuseintryingnowtoconcealit。Weshallembarkareliefpartyshortlyforapostonthelake，thoughIdonotsayitisfortheThousandIslands，andImayhavetogowithit。inwhichcaseIintendtotakeMabeltomakemybrothforme。andIhope，brother，youwillnotdespiseasoldier’sfareforamonthorso。
Thatwilldependonthemannerofmarching。Ihavenoloveforwoodsandswamps。
Weshallsailinthe_Scud_。and，indeed，thewholeservice，whichisnostrangertous，islikelyenoughtopleaseoneaccustomedtothewater。
Ay，tosalt-waterifyouwill，butnottolake-water。Ifyouhavenopersontohandlethatbitofacutterforyou，Ihavenoobjectiontoshipforthev’y’ge，notwithstanding。
thoughIshalllookonthewholeaffairassomuchtimethrownawayforIconsideritanimpositiontocallsailingaboutthispondgoingtosea。
Jasperiseverywayabletomanagethe_Scud_，brotherCap。andinthatlightIcannotsaythatwehaveneedofyourservices，thoughweshallbegladofyourcompany。
Youcannotreturntothesettlementuntilapartyissentin，andthatisnotlikelytohappenuntilaftermyreturn。
Well，Pathfinder，thisisthefirsttimeIeverknewmenonthetrailoftheMingosandyounotattheirhead。
Tobehonestwithyou，Sergeant，returnedtheguide，notwithoutalittleawkwardnessofmanner，andaper-
ceptibledifferenceinthehueofafacethathadbecomesouniformlyredbyexposure，Ihavenotfeltthatitwasmygiftthismorning。Inthefirstplace，Iverywellknowthatthesoldiersofthe55tharenottheladstoovertakeIroquoisinthewoods。andtheknavesdidnotwaittobesurroundedwhentheyknewthatJasperhadreachedthegarrison。Thenamanmaytakealittlerestafterasum-
merofhardwork，andnoimpeachmentofhisgood-will。
Besides，theSarpentisoutwiththem。andifthemis-
creantsaretobefoundatall，youmaytrusttohisinmityandsight：thefirstbeingstronger，andthelastnearly，ifnotquiteasgoodasmyown。Helovestheskulkingvagabondsaslittleasmyself。and，forthatmatter，ImaysaythatmyownfeelingstowardsaMingoarenotmuchmorethanthegiftsofaDelawaregraftedonaChristianstock。No，no，IthoughtIwouldleavethehonorthistime，ifhonorthereistobe，totheyoungensignthatcommands，who，ifhedon’tlosehisscalp，mayboastofhiscampaigninhisletterstohismotherwhenhegetsin。
IthoughtIwouldplayidleronceinmylife。
Andnoonehasabetterright，iflongandfaithfulserviceentitlesamantoafurlough，returnedtheSer-
geantkindly。Mabelwillthinknonetheworseofyouforpreferringhercompanytothetrailofthesavages。
and，Idaresay，willbehappytogiveyouapartofherbreakfastifyouareinclinedtoeat。Youmustnotthink，girl，however，thatthePathfinderisinthehabitoflettingprowlersaroundthefortbeataretreatwithouthearingthecrackofhisrifle。
IfIthoughtshedid，Sergeant，thoughnotmuchgiventoshowyandparadeevolutions，IwouldshoulderKilldeerandquitthegarrisonbeforeherprettyeyeshadtimetofrown。No，no。Mabelknowsmebetter，thoughwearebutnewacquaintances，fortherehasbeennowantofMingostoenliventheshortmarchwehavealreadymadeincompany。
Itwouldneedagreatdealoftestimony，Pathfinder，tomakemethinkillofyouinanyway，andmorethanallinthewayyoumention，returnedMabel，coloringwiththesincereearnestnesswithwhichsheendeavoredtoremoveanysuspiciontothecontraryfromhismind。Bothfatheranddaughter，Ibelieve，oweyoutheirlives，andbelieveme，thatneitherwilleverforgetit。
Thankyou，Mabel，thankyouwithallmyheart。ButIwillnottakeadvantageofyourignoranceneither，girl，andthereforeshallsay，IdonotthinktheMingoswouldhavehurtahairofyourhead，hadtheysucceededbytheirdevilriesandcontrivancesingettingyouintotheirhands。
Myscalp，andJasper’s，andMasterCap’sthere，andtheSarpent’stoo，wouldsartainlyhavebeensmoked。butasfortheSergeant’sdaughter，Idonotthinktheywouldhavehurtahairofherhead。
AndwhyshouldIsupposethatenemies，knowntospareneitherwomennorchildren，wouldhaveshownmoremercytomethantoanother？Ifeel，Pathfinder，thatI
oweyoumylife。
Isaynay，Mabel。theywouldn’thavehadthehearttohurtyou。No，notevenafieryMingodevilwouldhavehadthehearttohurtahairofyourhead。BadasIsus-
pectthevampirestobe，Idonotsuspectthemofanythingsowickedasthat。Theymighthavewishedyou，nay，forcedyoutobecomethewifeofoneoftheirchiefs，andthatwouldbetormentenoughtoaChristianyoungwoman。butbeyondthatIdonotthinkeventheMingosthemselveswouldhavegone。
Well，then，Ishallowemyescapefromthisgreatmis-
fortuetoyou，saidMabel，takinghishardhandintoherownfranklyandcordially，andcertainlyinawaytode-
lightthehonestguide。TomeitwouldbealightereviltobekilledthantobecomethewifeofanIndian。
Thatishergift，Sergeant，exclaimedPathfinder，turningtohisoldcomradewithgratificationwrittononeverylineamentofhishonestcountenance，anditwillhaveitsway。ItelltheSarpentthatnoChristianizingwillevermakeevenaDelawareawhiteman。noranywhoopingandyellingconvertapale-faceintoared-skin。
ThatisthegiftofayoungwomanbornofChristianparents，anditoughttobemaintained。
Youareright，Pathfinder。andsofarasMabelDun-
hamisconcerned，it_shall_bemaintained。Butitistimetobreakyourfasts。andifyouwillfollowme，brotherCap，Iwillshowyouhowwepoorsoldierslivehereonadistantfrontier。
CHAPTERIX。
Now，myco-matesandpartnersinexile，HathnotoldcustommadethislifemoresweetThanthatofpaintedpomp？ArenotthesewoodsMorefreefromperilthantheenviouscourt？
HerefeelwebutthepenaltyofAdam。
_AsYouLikeIt。_
SergeantDunhammadenoemptyvauntwhenhegavethepromiseconveyedintheclosingwordsofthelastchapter。Notwithstandrngtheremotefrontierpostionoftheposttheywholivedatitenjoyedatablethat，inmanyrespects，kingsandprincesmighthaveenvied。AtthePeriodofourtale，and，indeed，forhalfacenturylater，thewholeofthatvastregionwhichhasbeencalledtheWest，orthenewcountriessincethewaroftherevolution，layacomparativelyunpeopeddesert，teemingwithallthelivingproductionsofnaturethatproperlybelongedtotheclimate，manandthedomesticanimalsexcepted。ThefewIndiansthatroameditsforeststhencouldproducenovisibleeffectsontheabundanceofthegame。andthescatteredgarrisons，oroccasionalhunters，thathereandthereweretobemetwithonthatvastsurface，hadnootherinfluencethanthebeeonthebuckwheatfield，orthehumming-birdontheflower。
Themarvelsthathavedescendedtoourowntimes，inthewayoftradition，concerningthequantitiesofbeasts，birds，andfishesthatwerethentobemetwith，ontheshoresofthegreatlakesinparticular，areknowntobesustainedbytheexperienceoflivingmen，elsemightwehesitateaboutrelatingthem。buthavingbeeneye-
witnessesofsomeoftheseprodigies，ourofficeshallbedischargedwiththeconfidencethatcertaintycanimpart。
Oswegowasparticularlywellplacedtokeepthelarderofanepicureamplysupplied。Fishofvarioussortsaboundedinitsriver，andthesportsmanhadonlytocasthislinetohaulinabassorsomeothermemberofthefinnytribe，whichthenpeopledthewaters，astheairabovetheswampsofthisfruitfullatitudeareknowntobefilledwithinsects。
Amongotherswasthesalmonofthelakes，avarietyofthatwell-knownspecies，thatisscarcelyinferiortothedelicioussalmonofnorthernEurope。Ofthedifferentmigratorybirdsthatfrequentforestsandwaters，therewasthesameaffluence，hundredsofacresofgeeseandducksbeingoftenseenatatimeinthegreatbaysthatindenttheshoresofthelake。Deer，bears，rabbits，andsquirrels，withdiversotherquadrupeds，amongwhichwassometimesincludedtheelk，ormoose，helpedtocompletethesumofthenaturalsuppliesonwhichallthepostsde-
pended，moreorless，torelievetheunavoidableprivationsoftheirremotefrontierpositions。
Inaplacewhereviandsthatwouldelsewherebedeemedgreatluxuriesweresoabundant，noonewasexcludedfromtheirenjoyment。ThemeanestindividualatOswegohabituallyfeastedongamethatwouldhaveformedtheboastofaParisiantable。anditwasnomorethanahealthfulcommentaryonthecapricesoftaste，andofthewaywardnessofhumandesires，thattheverydietwhichinothersceneswouldhavebeendeemedthesubjectofenvyandrepiningsgottopallontheappetite。Thecoarseandregularfoodofthearmy，whichitbecamenecessarytohusbandonaccountofthedifficultyoftrans-
portation，roseintheestimationofthecommonsoldier。
andatanytimehewouldcheerfullydeserthisvenison，andducks，andpigeons，andsalmon，tobanquetonthesweetsofpickledpork，stringyturnips，andhalf-cookedcabbage。
ThetableofSergeantDunham，asamatterofcourse，partookoftheabundanceandluxuriesofthefrontier，aswellasofitsprivations。Adeliciousbroiledsalmonsmokedonahomelyplatter，hotvenisonsteakssentuptheirappetizingodors，andseveraldishesofcoldmeats，allofwhichwerecomposedofgame，hadbeensetbeforetheguests，inhonorofthenewlyarrivedvisitors，andinvindicationoftheoldsoldier’shospitality。
Youdonotseemtobeonshortallowanceinthisquarteroftheworld，Sergeant，saidCap，afterhehadgotfairlyinitiatedintothemysteriesofthedifferentdishes。
yoursalmonmightsatisfyaScotsman。
Itfailstodoit，notwithstanding，brotherCap。foramongtwoorthreehundredofthefellowsthatwehaveinthisgarrisontherearenothalfadozenwhowillnotswearthatthefishisunfittobeeaten。Evensomeofthelads，whonevertastedvenisonexceptaspoachersathome，turnuptheirnosesatthefattesthaunchesthatwegethere。
Ay，thatisChristiannatur’，putinPathfinder。andImustsayitisnonetoitscredit。Now，ared-skinneverrepines，butisalwaysthankfulforthefoodhegets，whetheritbefatorlean，venisonorbear，wildturkey’sbreastorwildgoose’swing。Totheshameofuswhitemenbeitsaid，thatwelookuponblessingswithoutsatis-
faction，andconsidertriflingevilsasmattersofgreatac-
count。
Itissowiththe55th，asIcananswer，thoughIcannotsayasmuchfortheirChristianity，returnedtheSergeant。
Eventhemajorhimself，oldDuncanofLundie，willsometimesswearthatanoatmealcakeisbetterfarethantheOswegobass，andsighforaswallowofHighlandwater，when，ifsominded，hehasthewholeofOntariotoquenchhisthirstin。
HasMajorDuncanawifeandchildren？askedMabel，whosethoughtsnaturallyturnedtowardsherownsexinhernewsituation。
Nothe，girl。thoughtheydosaythathehasabe-
trothedathome。Thelady，itseems，iswillingtowait，ratherthansufferthehardshipsofserviceinthiswildregion。allofwhich，brotherCap，isnotaccordingtomynotionsofawoman’sduties。Yoursisterthoughtdiffer-
ently。
Ihope，Sergeant，youdonotthinkofMabelforasol-
dier’swife，returnedCapgravely。Ourfamilyhasdoneitsshareinthatwayalready，andit’shightimethattheseawasagainremembered。
Idonotthinkoffindingahusbandforthegirlinthe55th，oranyotherregiment，Icanpromiseyou，brother。
thoughIdothinkitgettingtobetimethatthechildwererespectablymarried。
Father！
’Tisnottheirgifts，Sergeant，totalkofthesemattersinsoopenamanner，saidtheguide。forI’veseenitverifiedbyexperience，thathewhowouldfollowthetrailofavirgin’sgood-willmustnotgoshoutingouthisthoughtsbehindher。So，ifyouplease，wewilltalkofsomethingelse。
Well，then，brotherCap，Ihopethatbitofacoldroastedpigistoyourmind。youseemtofancythefood。
Ay，ay。givemecivilizedgrubifImusteat，returnedthepertinaciousseaman。Venisoniswellenoughforyourinlandsailors，butweoftheoceanlikealittleofthatwhichweunderstand。
HerePathfinderlaiddownhisknifeandfork，andin-
dulgedinaheartylaugh，thoughinhisalwayssilentman-
ner。thenheasked，withalittlecuriosityinhismanner，——
Don’t，youmisstheskin，MasterCap？don’tyoumisstheskin？
Itwouldhavebeenbetterforitsjacket，Ithinkmy-
self，Pathfinder。butIsupposeitisafashionofthewoodstoserveupshoatsinthisstyle。
Well，well，amanmaygoroundthe’arthandnotknoweverything。Ifyouhadhadtheskinningofthatpig，MasterCap，itwouldhaveleftyousorehands。Thecratur’isahedgehog！
Blastme，ifIthoughtitwholesomenaturalporkeither！returnedCap。ButthenIbelievedevenapigmightlosesomeofitsgoodqualitiesuphereawayinthewoods。
Iftheskinningofit，brother，doesnotfalltomyduty。Pathfinder，Ihopeyoudidn’tfindMabeldisobedi-
entonthemarch？
Notshe，notshe。IfMabelisonlyhalfaswellsatisfiedwithJasperandPathfinderasthePathfinderandJasperaresatisfiedwithher，Sergeant，weshallbefriendsfortheremainderofourdays。
Astheguidespoke，heturnedhiseyestowardstheblushinggirl，withasortofinnocentdesiretoknowheropinion。andthen，withaninborndelicacy，whichprovedhewasfarsuperiortothevulgardesiretoinvadethesanctityoffemininefeeling，helookedathisplate，andseemedtoregrethisownboldness。
Well，well，wemustrememberthatwomenarenotmen，myfriend，resumedtheSergeant，andmakeproperallowancesfornatureandeducation。Arecruitisnotaveteran。Anymanknowsthatittakeslongertomakeagoodsoldierthanittakestomakeanythingelse。
Thisisnewdoctrine，Sergeant，saidCapwithsomespirit。Weoldseamenareapttothinkthatsixsoldiers，ay，andcapitalsoldierstoo，mightbemadewhileonesailorisgettinghiseducation。
Ay，brotherCap，I’veseensomethingoftheopinionswhichseafaringmenhaveofthemselves，returnedthebrother-in-law，withasmileasblandascomportedwithhissaturninefeatures。forIwasmanyyearsoneofthegarrisoninaseaport。YouandIhaveconversedonthesubjectbeforeandI’mafraidweshallneveragree。ButifyouwishtoknowwhatthedifferenceisbetweenarealsoldierandmaninwhatIshouldcallastateofnature，youhaveonlytolookatabattalionofthe55thonparadethisafternoon，andthen，whenyougetbacktoYork，ex-
amineoneofthemilitiaregimentsmakingitsgreatestefforts。
Well，tomyeye，Sergeant，thereisverylittledifference，notmorethanyou’llfindbetweenabrigandasnow。Tometheyseemalike：allscarlet，andfeathers，andpowder，andpipeclay。
Somuch，sir，forthejudgmentofasailor，returnedtheSergeantwithdignity。butperhapsyouarenotawarethatitrequiresayeartoteachatruesoldierhowtoeat？
Somuchtheworseforhim。Themilitiaknowhowtoeatatstarting。forIhaveoftenheardthat，ontheirmarches，theycommonlyeatallbeforethem，eveniftheydonothingelse。
Theyhavetheirgifts，Isuppose，likeothermen，ob-
servedPathfinder，withaviewtopreservethepeace，whichwasevidentlyinsomedangerofbeingbrokenbytheob-
stinatepredilectionofeachofthedisputantsinfavorofhisowncalling。andwhenamanhashisgiftfromProvidence，itiscommonlyidletoendeavortobearupagainstit。The55th，Sergeant，isajudicousregimentinthewayofeating，asIknowfromhavingbeensolonginitscompanythoughIdaeesaymilitiacorpscouldbefoundthatwouldoutdotheminfeatsofthatnatur’too。
Uncle。saidMabel，ifyouhavebreakfasted，Iwillthankyoutogooutuponthebastionwithmeagain。
Wehaveneitherofushalfseenthelake，anditwouldbehardlyseemlyforayoungwomantobewalkingaboutthefort，thefirstdayofherarrival，quitealone。
CapunderstoodthemotiveofMabel。andhaving，atthebottom，aheartyfriendshipforhisbrother-in-law，hewaswillingenoughtodefertheargumentuntiltheyhadbeenlongertogether，fortheideaofabandoningitalto-
gethernevercrossedthemindofonesodogmaticalandobstinate。Heaccordinglyaccompaniedhisniece，leavingSergeantDunhamandhisfriend，thePathfinder，alonetogether。Assoonashisadversaryhadbeataretreat，theSergeant，whodidnotquitesowellunderstandthemanoeuvreofhisdaughter，turnedtohiscompanion，and，withasmilewhichwasnotwithouttriumph，here-
marked，——
Thearmy，Pathfinder，hasneveryetdoneitselfjusticeinthewayofassertingitsrights。andthoughmodestybecomesaman，whetherheisinaredcoatorablackone，or，forthatmatter，inhisshirt-sleeves，Idon’tliketoletagoodopportunityslipofsayingawordinitsbehalf。
Well，myfriend，layinghisownhandononeofthePath-
finder’s，andgivingitaheartysqueeze，howdoyoulikethegirl？
Youhavereasontobeproudofher，Sergeant。Ihaveseenmanyofhersex，andsomethatweregreatandbeau-
tiful。butneverbeforedidImeetwithoneinwhomI
thoughtProvidencehadsowellbalancedthedifferentgifts。
Andthegoodopinion，Icantellyou，Pathfinder，ismutual。Shetoldmelastnightallaboutyourcoolness，andspirit，andkindness，——particularlythelast，forkind-
nesscountsformorethanhalfwithfemales，myfriend，——
andthefirstinspectionseemstogivesatisfactiononbothsides。Brushuptheuniform，andpayalittlemoreatten-
tiontotheoutside，Pathfinder，andyouwillhavethegirlheartandhand。
Nay，nay，Sergeant，I’veforgottennothingthatyouhavetoldme，andgrudgenoreasonablepainstomakemyselfaspleasantintheeyesofMabelassheisgettingtobeinmine。IcleanedandbrightenedupKilldeerthismorningassoonasthesunrose。and，inmyjudgment，thepieceneverlookedbetterthanitdoesatthisverymoment。
Thatisaccordingtoyourhuntingnotions，Pathfinder。
butfirearmsshouldsparkleandglitterinthesun，andI
neveryetcouldseeanybeautyinacloudedbarrel。
LordHowethoughtotherwise，Sergeant。andhewasaccountedagoodsoldier。
Verytrue。hislordshiphadallthebarrelsofhisregi-
mentdarkened，andwhatgoodcameofit？Youcanseehis’scutcheonhangingintheEnglishchurchatAlbany。
No，no，myworthyfriend，asoldiershouldbeasoldier，andatnotimeoughthetobeashamedorafraidtocarryabouthimthesignsandsymbolsofhishonorabletrade。
HadyoumuchdiscoursewithMabel，Pathfinder，asyoucamealonginthecanoe？
Therewasnotmuchopportunity，Sergeant，andthenIfoundmyselfsomuchbeneathherinidees，thatIwasafraidtospeakofmuchbeyondwhatbelongedtomyowngifts。
Thereinyouarepartlyrightandpartlywrong，myfriend。Womenlovetriflingdiscourse，thoughtheyliketohavemostofittothemselves。NowyouknowI’mamanthatdonotloosenmytongueateverygiddythought。
andyetthereweredayswhenIcouldseethatMabel’smotherthoughtnonetheworseofmebecauseIdescendedalittlefrommymanhood。Itistrue，Iwastwenty-twoyearsyoungerthenthanIamto-day。and，moreover，insteadofbeingtheoldestsergeantintheregiment，Iwastheyoungest。Dignityiscommandinganduseful，andthereisnogettingonwithoutit，asrespectsthemen。butifyouwouldbethoroughlyesteemedbyawoman，itisnecessarytocondescendalittleonoccasions。
Ah’sme，Sergeant，Isometimesfearitwillneverdo。
WhydoyouthinksodiscouraginglyofamatteronwhichIthoughtbothourmindsweremadeup？
Wedidagree，ifMabelshouldprovewhatyoutoldmeshewas，andifthegirlcouldfancyarudehunterandguide，thatIshouldquitsomeofmywanderingways，andtrytohumanizemyminddowntoawifeandchildren。
ButsinceIhaveseenthegirl，Iwillownthatmanymis-
givingshavecomeoverme。
How’sthis？interruptedtheSergeantsternly。didInotunderstandyoutosaythatyouwerepleased？——andisMabelayoungwomantodisappointexpectation？
Ah，Sergeant，itisnotMabelthatIdistrust，butmy-
self。Iambutapoorignorantwoodsman，afterall。andperhapsI’mnot，intrutb，asgoodasevenyouandImaythinkme。
Ifyoudoubtyourownjudgmentofyourself，Path-
finder，Ibegyouwillnotdoubtmine。AmInotaccus-
tomedtojudgemen’scharacter？andamIoftendeceived？
AskMajorDuncan，sir，ifyoudesireanyassurancesinthisparticular。
But，Sergeant，wehavelongbeenfriends。havefi’tsidebysideadozentimes，andhavedoneeachothermanyservices。Whenthisisthecase，menareapttothinkoverkindlyofeachother。andIfearmethatthedaughtermaynotbesolikelytoviewaplainignoranthunterasfavor-
ablyasthefatherdoes。
Tut，tut，Pathfinder！youdon’tknowyourself，man，andmayputallfaithinmyjudgment。Inthefirstplaceyouhaveexperience。and，asallgirlsmustwantthat，noprudentyoungwomanwouldoverlooksuchaqualification。
Thenyouarenotoneofthecoxcombsthatstrutaboutwhentheyfirstjoinaregiment。butamanwhohasseenservice，andwhocarriesthemarksofitonhispersonandcountenance。Idaresayyouhavebeenunderfiresomethirtyorfortytimes，countingalltheskirmishesandam-
bushesthatyou’veseen。
Allofthat，Sergeant，allofthat。butwhatwillitavailingainingthegood-willofatender-heartedyoungfemale？
Itwillgaintheday。Experienceinthefieldisasgoodinloveasinwar。Butyouareashonest-heartedandasloyalasubjectasthekingcanboastof——Godblesshim！
Thatmaybetoo。butI’mafearedI’mtoorudeandtoooldandtoowildliketosuitthefancyofsuchayounganddelicategirlasMabel，whohasbeenunusedtoourwildernessways，andmaythinkthesettlementsbettersuitedtohergiftsandinclinations。
Thesearenewmisgivingsforyou，myfriend。andI
wondertheywereneverparadedbefore。
BecauseIneverknewmyownworthlessness，perhaps，untilIsawMabel。Ihavetravelledwithsomeasfair，andhaveguidedthemthroughtheforest，andseenthemintheirperilsandintheirgladness。buttheywerealwaystoomuchabovemetomakemethinkofthemasmorethansomanyfeebleonesIwasboundtoprotectandde-
fend。Thecaseisnowdifferent。MabelandIaresonearlyalike，thatIfeelweigheddownwithaloadthatishardtobear，atfindingussounlike。Idowish，Sergeant，thatIwastenyearsyounger，morecomelytolookat，andbettersuitedtopleaseahandsomeyoungwoman’sfancy。
Cheerup，mybravefriend，andtrusttoafather’sknowl-
edgeofwomankind。Mabelhalflovesyoualready，andafortnight’sintercourseandkindness，downamongtheislandsyonderwillcloserankswiththeotherhalf。Thegirlasmuchastoldmethisherselflastnight。
Canthisbeso，Sergeant？saidtheguide，whosemeekandmodestnatureshrankfromviewinghimselfincolorssofavorable。Canthisbetrulyso？IambutapoorhunterandMabel，Isee，isfittobeanofficer’slady。Doyouthinkthegirlwillconsenttoquitallherbelovedset-
tlementusages，andhervisitingsandchurch-goings，todwellwithaplainguideandhunteruphereawayinthewoods？Willshenotintheend，craveheroldways，andabetterman？
Abetterman，Pathfinder，wouldbehardtofind，re-
turnedthefather。Asfortownusages，theyaresoonforgotteninthefreedomoftheforest，andMabelhasjustspiritenoughtodwellonafrontier。I’venotplannedthismarriage，myfriend，withoutthinkingitover，asageneraldoeshiscampaign。Atfirst，Ithoughtofbringingyouintotheregiment，thatyoumightsucceedmewhenI
retire，whichmustbesoonerorlater。butonreflection，PathfinderIthinkyouarescarcelyfittedfortheoffice。
Still，ifnotasoldierinallthemeaningsoftheword，youareasoldierinitsbestmeaning，andIknowthatyouhavethegood-willofeveryofficerinthecorps。AslongasI
live，Mabelcandwellwithme，andyouwillalwayshaveahomewhenyoureturnfromyourscoutingsandmarches。
Thisisverypleasanttothinkof，Sergeant，ifthegirlcanonlycomeintoourwisheswithgood-will。But，ah’sme！itdoesnotseemthatonelikemyselfcaneverbeagree-
ableinherhandsomeeyes。IfIwereyounger，andmorecomely，now，asJasperWesternis，forinstance，theremightbeachance——yes，then，indeed，theremightbesomechance。
ThatforJasperEau-douce，andeveryyounkeroftheminoraboutthefort！returnedtheSergeant，snappinghisfingers。Ifnotactuallyayounger，youareayounger-look-
ing，ay，andabetter-lookingmanthanthe_Scud’s_master-
Anan？saidPathfinder，lookingupathiscompanionwithanexpressionofdoubt，asifhedidnotunderstandhismeaning。
Isayifnotactuallyyoungerindaysandyears，youlookmorehardyandlikewhipcordthanJasper，oranyofthem。andtherewillbemoreofyou，thirtyyearshence，thanofallofthemputtogether。Agoodconsciencewillkeeponelikeyouamereboyallhislife。
JasperhasasclearaconscienceasanyyouthIknow，Sergeant，andisaslikelytowearonthataccountasanyinthecolony。
Thenyouaremyfriend，squeezingtheother’shand，-mytried，sworn，andconstantfriend。
Yes，wehavebeenfriends，Sergeant，neartwentyyearsbeforeMabelwasborn。
Trueenough。beforeMabelwasborn，wewerewell-
triedfriends。andthehussywouldneverdreamofrefus-
ingtomarryamanwhowasherfather’sfriendbeforeshewasborn。
Wedon’tknow，Sergeant，wedon’tknow。Likeloveslike。Theyoungprefertheyoungforcompanions，andtheoldtheold。
Notforwives，Pathfinder。Ineverknewanoldman，now，whohadanobjectiontoayoungwife。Thenyouarerespectedandesteemedbyeveryofficerinthefort，asIhavesaidalready，anditwillpleaseherfancytolikeamanthateveryoneelselikes。
IhopeIhavenoenemiesbuttheMingos，returnedtheguide，strokingdownhishairmeeklyandspeakingthoughtfully。I’vetriedtodoright，andthatoughttomakefriends，thoughitsometimesfails。
Andyoumaybesaidtokeepthebestcompany。forevenoldDuncanofLundieisgladtoseeyou，andyoupasshoursinhissociety。Ofalltheguides，heconfidesmostinyou。
Ay，evengreaterthanheishavemarchedbymysidefordays，andhaveconversedwithmeasifIweretheirbrother。but，Sergeant，Ihaveneverbeenpuffedupbytheircompany，forIknowthatthewoodsoftenbringmentoalevelwhowouldnotbesointhesettlements。
Andyouareknowntobethegreatestrifleshotthateverpulledtriggerinallthisregion。
IfMabelcouldfancyamanforthat，Imighthavenogreatreasontodespair。andyet，Sergeant，IsometimesthinkthatitisallasmuchowingtoKilldeerastoanyskillofmyown。Itissartainlyawonderfulpiece，andmightdoasmuchinthehandsofanother。
Thatisyourownhumbleopinionofyourself，Path-
finder。butwehaveseentoomanyfailwiththesameweapon，andyousucceedtoooftenwiththeriflesofothermen，toallowmetoagreewithyou。Wewillgetupashootingmatchinadayortwo，whenyoucallshowyourskill，andwhenMabelwillformsomejudgmentconcern-
ingyourtruecharacter。
Willthatbefair，Sergeant？EverybodyknowsthatKilldeerseldommisses。andoughtwetomakeatrialofthissortwhenweallknowwhatmustbetheresult？
Tut，tut，man！IforeseeImustdohalfthiscourtingforyou。Foronewhoisalwaysinsideofthesmokeinaskirmish，youarethefaintest-heartedsuitorIevermetwith。Remember，Mabelcomesofaboldstock。andthegirlwillbeaslikelytoadmireamanashermotherwasbeforeher。
HeretheSergeantarose，andproceededtoattendtohisnever-ceasingduties，withoutapology。thetermsonwhichtheguidestoodwithallinthegarrisonrenderingthisfreedomquiteamatterofcourse。
Thereaderwillhavegatheredfromtheconversationjustrelated，oneoftheplansthatSergeantDunhamhadinviewincausinghisdaughtertobebroughttothefrontier。Althoughnecessarilymuchweanedfromthecaressesandblandishmentsthathadrenderedhischildsodeartohimduringthefirstyearortwoofhiswidowerhood，hehadstillastrongbutsomewhatlatentloveforher。
Accustomedtocommandandtoobey，withoutbeingques-
tionedhimselforquestioningothers，concerningtherea-
sonablenessofthemandates，hewasperhapstoomuchdisposedtobelievethathisdaughterwouldmarrythemanhemightselect，whilehewasfarfrombeingdisposedtodoviolencetoherwishes。Thefactwas。fewknewthePathfinderintimatelywithoutsecretlybelievinghimtobeoneofextraordinaryqualities。Everthesame，simple-
minded，faithful，utterlywithoutfear，andyetprudent，foremostinallwarrantableenterprises，orwhattheopinionofthedayconsideredassuch，andneverengagedinany-
thingtocallablushtohischeekorcensureonhisacts，itwasnotpossibletolivemuchwiththisbeingandnotfeelrespectandadmirationforhimwhichhadnoreferencetohispositioninlife。Themostsurprisingpeculiarityaboutthemanhimselfwastheentireindifferencewithwhichheregardedalldistinctionswhichdidnotdependonpersonalmerit。Hewasrespectfultohissuperiorsfromhabit。buthadoftenbeenknowntocorrecttheirmistakesandtoreprovetheirviceswithafearlessnessthatprovedhowessentiallyheregardedthemorematerialpoints，andwithanaturaldiscriminationthatappearedtoseteducationatdefiance。Inshort，adisbelieverintheabilityofmantodistinguishbetweengoodandevilwith-
outtheaidofinstruction，wouldhavebeenstaggeredbythecharacterofthisextraordinaryinhabitantofthefron-
tier。Hisfeelingsappearedtopossessthefreshnessandnatureoftheforestinwhichhepassedsomuchofhistime。andnocasuistcouldhavemadeclearerdecisionsinmattersrelatingtorightandwrong。andyethewasnotwithouthisprejudices，which，thoughfew，andcoloredbythecharacterandusagesoftheindividual，weredeep-
rooted，andalmostformedapartofhisnature。ButthemoststrikingfeatureaboutthemoralorganizationofPathfinderwashisbeautifulandunerringsenseofjustice。
Thisnobletrait——andwithoutitnomancanbetrulygreat，withitnomanotherthanrespectable——probablyhaditsunseeninfluenceonallwhoassociatedwithhim。forthecommonandunprincipledbrawlerofthecamphadbeenknowntoreturnfromanexpeditionmadeinhiscompanyrebukedbyhissentiments，softenedbyhislanguage，andimprovedbyhisexample。Asmighthavebeenexpected，withsoelevatedaqualityhisfidelitywasliketheimmov-
ablerock。treacheryinhimwasclassedamongthethingswhichareimpossible。andasheseldomretiredbeforehisenemies，sowasheneverknown，underanycircumstancesthatadmittedofanalternative，toabandonafriend。Theaffinitiesofsuchacharacterwere，asamatterofcourse，thoseoflikeforlike。Hisassociatesandintimates，thoughmoreorlessdeterminedbychance，weregenerallyofthehighestorderastomoralpropensities。forheappearedtopossessaspeciesofinstinctivediscrimination，whichledhim，insensiblytohimself，mostprobably，toclingclosesttothosewhosecharacterswouldbestrewardhisfriend-
ship。Inshort，itwassaidofthePathfinder，byoneac-
customedtostudyhisfellows，thathewasafairexampleofwhatajust-mindedandpuremanmightbe，whileun-
temptedbyunrulyorambitiousdesires，andlefttofollowthebiasofhisfeelings，amidthesolitarygrandeurandennoblinginfluencesofasublimenature。neitherledasidebytheinducementswhichinfluencealltodoevilamidtheincentivesofcivilization，norforgetfuloftheAlmightyBeingwhosespiritpervadesthewildernessaswellasthetowns。
SuchwasthemanwhomSergeantDunhamhadselectedasthehusbandofMabel。Inmakingthischoice，hehadnotbeenasmuchgovernedbyaclearandjudiciousviewofthemeritsoftheindividual，perhaps，asbyhisownlikings。stillnooneknewthePathfindersointimatelyashimselfwithoutalwaysconcedingtothehonestguideahighplaceinhisesteemonaccountoftheseveryvirtues。
Thathisdaughtercouldfindanyseriousobjectionstothematchtheoldsoldierdidnotapprehend。while，ontheotherhand，hesawmanyadvantagestohimselfindimperspective，connectedwiththedeclineofhisdays，andaneveningoflifepassedamongdescendantswhowereequallydeartohimthroughbothparents。Hehadfirstmadethepropositiontohisfriend，whohadlistenedtoitkindly，butwho，theSergeantwasnowpleasedtofind，alreadybetrayedawillingnesstocomeintohisownviewsthatwasproportionedtothedoubtsandmisgivingspro-
ceedingfromhishumbledistrustofhimself。
CHAPTERX。
ThinknotIlovehim，thoughIaskforhim。
’Tisbutapeevishboy：——yethetalkswell——
ButwhatcareIforwords？
Aweekpassedintheusualroutineofagarrison。Mabelwasbecomingusedtoasituationthat，atfirstshehadfoundnotonlynovel，butalittleirksome。andtheofficersandmenintheirturn，graduallyfamiliarizedtothepresenceofayoungandbloominggirl，whoseattireandcarriagehadthatairofmodestgentilityaboutthemwhichshehadobtainedinthefamilyofherpatroness，annoyedherlessbytheirill-concealedadmiration，whiletheygratifiedherbytherespectwhich，shewasfaintothink，theypaidheronaccountofherfather。butwhich，intruth，wasmoretobeattributedtoherownmodestbutspiriteddeport-
ment，thantoanydeferencefortheworthySergeant。
Acquaintancesmadeinaforest，orinanycircumstancesofunusualexcitement，soonattaintheirlimits。Mabelfoundoneweek’sresidenceatOswegosufficienttodeter-
mineherastothosewithwhomshemightbeintimateandthosewhomsheoughttoavoid。Thesortofneutralpositionoccupiedbyherfather，whowasnotanofficer，whilehewassomuchmorethanacommonsoldier，bykeepingheralooffromthetwogreatclassesofmilitarylife，lessenedthenumberofthosewhomshewascom-
pelledtoknow，andmadethedutyofdecisioncompara-
tivelyeasy。Stillshesoondiscoveredthattherewereafew，evenamongthosethatcouldaspiretoaseatattheCommandant’stable，whoweredisposedtooverlookthehalbertforthenoveltyofawell-turnedfigureandofapretty，winningface。andbytheendofthefirsttwoorthreedaysshehadadmirersevenamongthegentlemen。
TheQuartermaster，inparticular，amiddle-agedsoldier，whohadmorethanoncetriedtheblessingsofmatrimonyalready，butwasnowawidower，wasevidentlydisposedtoincreasehisintimacywiththeSergeant，thoughtheirdutiesoftenbroughtthemtogether。andtheyoungstersamonghismessmatesdidnotfailtonotethatthismanofmethod，whowasaScotsmanofthenameofMuir，wasmuchmorefrequentinhisvisitstothequartersofhissubordinatethanhadformerlybeenhiswont。Alaugh，orajoke，inhonoroftheSergeant’sdaughter，how-
ever，limitedtheirstrictures。thoughMabelDunham
wassoonatoastthateventheensign，orthelieutenant，didnotdisdaintogive。
Attheendoftheweek，DuncanofLundiesentforSergeantDunham，aftereveningroll-call，onbusinessofanaturethat，itwasunderstood，requiredapersonalcon-
ference。Theoldveterandweltinamovablehut，which，beingplacedontrucks，hecouldordertobewheeledaboutatpleasure，sometimeslivinginonepartoftheareawithinthefort，andsometimesinanother。Onthepresentocca-
sion，hehadmadeahaltnearthecentre。andtherehewasfoundbyhissubordinate，whowasadmittedtohispresencewithoutanydelayordancingattendanceinanante-chamber。Inpointoffact，therewasverylittledif-
ferenceinthequalityoftheaccommodationsallowedtotheofficersandthoseallowedtothemen，theformerbeingmerelygrantedthemostroom。
Walkin，Sergeant，walkin，mygoodfriend，saidoldLundieheartily，ashisinferiorstoodinarespectfulatti-
tudeatthedoorofasortoflibraryandbedroomintowhichhehadbeenushered——walkin，andtakeaseatonthatstool。Ihavesentforyou，man。todiscussanythingbutrostersandpay-rollsthisevening。Itisnowmanyyearssincewehavebeencomrades，and’auldlangsyne’
shouldcountforsomething，evenbetweenamajorandhisorderly，aScotandaYankee。Sityedown，man，andjustputyourselfatyourease。Ithasbeenafineday，Sergeant。
Ithasindeed，MajorDuncan，returnedtheother，who，thoughhecompliedsofarastotaketheseat，wasmuchtoopractisednottounderstandthedegreeofrespectitwasnecessarytomaintaininhismanner。averyfineday，sir，ithasbeenandwemaylookformoreofthematthisseason。
Ihopesowithallmyheart。Thecropslookwellasitismanandyou’llbefindingthatthe55thmakealmostasgoodfarmersassoldiers。IneversawbetterpotatoesinScotlandthanwearelikelytohaveinthatnewpatchofours。
Theypromiseagoodyield，MajorDuncan。and，inthatlight，amorecomfortablewinterthanthelast。
Lifeisprogressive，Sergeant，initscomfortsaswellasinitsneedofthem。Wegrowold，andIbegintothinkittimetoretireandsettleinlife。Ifeelthatmyworkingdaysarenearlyover。
Theking，Godblesshim！sir，hasmuchgoodserviceinyourhonoryet。
Itmaybeso，SergeantDunham，especiallyifheshouldhappentohaveasparelieutenant-colonelcyleft。
The55thwillbehonoredthedaythatcommissionisgiventoDuncanofLundie，sir。
AndDuncanofLundiewillbehonoredthedayhere-
ceivesit。But，Sergeant，ifyouhaveneverhadalieutenant-
colonelcy，youhavehadagoodwife，andthatisthenextthingtorankinmakingamanhappy。
Ihavebeenmarried，MajorDuncan。butitisnowalongtimesinceIhavehadnodrawbackontheloveIbearhismajestyandmyduty。
What，man！noteventheloveyoubearthatactivelittleround-limbed，rosy-cheekeddaughterthatIhaveseenintheforttheselastfewdays！Outuponyou，Ser-
geant！oldfellowasIam，Icouldalmostlovethatlittlelassiemyself，andsendthelieuteuant-colonelcytothedevil。
WeallknowwhereMajorDuncan’sheartis，andthatisinScotland，whereabeautifulladyisreadyandwillingtomakehimhappy，assoonashisownsenseofdutyshallpermit。
Ay，hopeiseverafar-offthing，Sergeant，returnedthesuperior，ashadeofmelancholypassingoverhishardScottishfeaturesashespoke。andbonnieScotlandisafar-offcountry。Well，ifwehavenoheatherandoatmealinthisregion，wehavevenisonforthekillingofitandsalmonasplentyasatBerwick-upon-Tweed。Isittrue，Sergeantthatthemencomplainofhavingbeenover-
venisonedandover-pigeonedoflate？
Notforsomeweeks，MajorDuncan，forneitherdeernorbirdsaresoplentyatthisseasonastheyhavebeen。
Theybegintothrowtheirremarksaboutconcerningthesalmon，butItrustweshallgetthroughthesummerwithoutanyseriousdisturbanceonthescoreoffood。TheScotchinthebattaliondo，indeed，talkmorethanispru-
dentoftheirwantofoatmeal，grumblingoccasionallyofourwheatenbread。
Ah，thatishumannature，Sergeant！pure，unadul-
teratedScotchhumannature。Acake，man，tosaythetruth，isanagreeablemorsel，andIoftenseethetimewhenIpineforabitemyself。
Ifthefeelinggetstobetroublesome，MajorDuncan，——
inthemen，Imean，sir，forIwouldnotthinkofsayingsodisrespectfulathingtoyourhonor，——butifthemeneverpineseriouslyfortheirnaturalfood，Iwouldhumblyrecommendthatsomeoatmealbeimported，orpreparedinthiscountryforthem，andIthinkweshallhearnomoreofit。Averylittlewouldanswerforacure，sir。
Youareawag，Sergeant。buthangmeifIamsureyouarenotright。Theremaybesweeterthingsinthisworld，afterall，thanoatmeal。Youhaveasweetdaughter，Dunham，forone。
Thegirlislikehermother，MajorDuncan，andwillpassinspection，saidtheSergeantproudly。NeitherwasbroughtuponanythingbetterthangoodAmericanflour。Thegirlwillpassinspection，sir。
Thatwouldshe，I’llanswerforit。Well，Imayaswellcometothepointatonce，man，andbringupmyreserveintothefrontofthebattle。HereisDavyMuir，thequartermaster，disposedtomakeyourdaughterhiswife，andhehasjustgotmetoopenthemattertoyou，beingfearfulofcompromisinghisowndignity。andImayaswelladdthathalftheyoungstersintheforttoasther，andtalkofherfrommorningtillnight。
Sheismuchhonored，sir，returnedthefatherstiffly。
butItrustthegentlemenwillfindsomethingmoreworthyofthemtotalkabouterelong。Ihopetoseeherthewifeofanhonestmanbeforemanyweeks，sir。
Yes，Davyisanhonestman，andthatismorethancanbesaidforallinthequartermaster’sdepartment，I’mthinking，Sergeant，returnedLundie，withaslightsmile。
Well，thenmayItelltheCupid-strickenyouththatthematterisasgoodassettled？
Ithankyourhonor。butMabelisbetrothedtoan-
other。
Thedevilsheis！Thatwillproduceastirinthefort。
thoughI’mnotsorrytoheariteither，for，tobefrankwithyou，Sergeant，I’mnogreatadmirerofunequalmatches。
Ithinkwithyourhonor，andhavenodesiretoseemydaughteranofficer’slady。Ifshecangetashighashermotherwasbeforeher，itoughttosatisfyanyreasonablewoman。
AndmayIask，Sergeant，whoistheluckymanthatyouintendtocallson-in-law？
ThePathfinder，yourhonor。
Pathfinder！
Thesame，MajorDuncan。andinnaminghimtoyou，Igiveyouhiswholehistory。Nooneisbetterknownonthisfrontierthanmyhonest，brave，true-heartedfriend。
Allthatistrueenough。butishe，afterall，thesortofpersontomakeagirloftwentyhappy？
Whynot，yourhonor？Themanisattheheadofhiscalling。ThereisnootherguideorscoutconnectedwiththearmywhohashalfthereputationofPathfinder，orwhodeservestohaveithalfaswell。
Verytrue，Sergeant。butisthereputationofascoutexactlythesortofrenowntocaptivateagirl’sfancy？
Talkingofgirls’fancies，sir，isinmyhumbleopinionmuchliketalkingofarecruit’sjudgment。Ifweweretotakethemovementsoftheawkwardsquad，sir，asaguide，weshouldneverformadecentlineinbattalion，MajorDuncan。
Butyourdaughterhasnothingawkwardabouther：
foragenteelergirlofherclasscouldnotbefoundinoldAlbionitself。Issheofyourwayofthinkinginthismatter？——thoughIsupposeshemustbe，asyousaysheisbetrothed。
Wehavenotyetconversedonthesubject，yourhonor。
butIconsiderhermindasgoodasmadeup，fromseverallittlecircumstanceswhichmightbenamed。
Andwhatarethesecircumstances，Sergeant？askedtheMajor，whobegantotakemoreinterestthanhehadatfirstfeltonthesubject。Iconfessalittlecuriositytoknowsomethingaboutawoman’smind，being，asyouknow，abachelormyself。
Why，yourhonor，whenIspeakofthePathfindertothegirl，shealwayslooksmefullintheface。chimesinwitheverythingIsayinhisfavor，andhasafrankopenwaywithher，whichsaysasmuchasifshehalfconsideredhimalreadyasahusband。
Hum！andthesesigns，youthink，Dunham，arefaith-
fultokensofyourdaughter’sfeelings？
Ido，yourhonor，fortheystrikemeasnatural。WhenIfindaman，sir，wholooksmefullintheface，whilehepraisesanofficer，——for，beggingyourhonor’spardon，themenwillsometimespasstheirstricturesontheirbetters，-andwhenIfindamanlookingmeintheeyesashepraiseshiscaptain，Ialwayssetitdownthatthefellowishonest，andmeanswhathesays。
Istherenotsomematerialdifferenceintheageoftheintendedbridegroomandthatofhisprettybride，Ser-
geant？
Youarequiteright，sir。Pathfinderiswelladvancedtowardsforty，andMabelhaseveryprospectofhappinessthatayoungwomancanderivefromthecertaintyofpos-
sessinganexperiencedhusband。Iwasquitefortymyself，yourhonor，whenImarriedhermother。
Butwillyourdaughterbeaslikelytoadmireagreenhunting-shirt，suchasthatourworthyguidewears，withafox-skincap，asthesmartuniformofthe55th？
Perhapsnot，sir。andthereforeshewillhavethemeritofself-denial，whichalwaysmakesayoungwomanwiserandbetter。
Andareyounotafraidthatshemaybeleftawidowwhilestillayoungwoman？whatbetweenwildbeasts，andwildersavages，Pathfindermaybesaidtocarryhislifeinhishand。
’Everybullethasitsbillet，’Lundie，forsotheMajorwasfondofbeingcalledinhismomentsofcondescension，andwhennotengagedinmilitaryaffairs。andnomaninthe55thcancallhimselfbeyondorabovethechancesofsuddendeath。Inthatparticular，Mabelwouldgainnothingbyachange。Besides，sir，ifImayspeakfreelyonsuchasubject，ImuchdoubtifeverPathfinderdiesinbattle，orbyanyofthesuddenchancesofthewilderness。
Andwhyso，Sergeant？askedtheMajor。Heisasoldier，sofarasdangerisconcerned，andonethatismuchmorethanusuallyexposed。and，beingfreeofhisperson，whyshouldheexpecttoescapewhenothersdonot？
Idonotbelieve，yourhonor，thatthePathfindercon-
sidershisownchancesbetterthananyone’selse，butthemanwillneverdiebyabullet。Ihaveseenhimsooftenhandlinghisriflewithasmuchcomposureasifitwereashepherd’scrook，inthemidstoftheheaviestshowersofbullets，andundersomanyextraordinarycircumstances，thatIdonotthinkProvidencemeansheshouldeverfallinthatmanner。Andyet，iftherebeamaninhisMajesty’sdominionswhoreallydeservessuchadeath，itisPath-
finder。
Weneverknow，Sergeant，returnedLundie，withacountenancegravewiththought。andthelesswesayaboutit，perhaps，thebetter。Butwillyourdaughter——
Mabel，Ithink，youcallher——willMabelbeaswillingtoacceptonewho，afterall，isamerehanger-onofthearmy，astotakeonefromtheserviceitself？Thereisnohopeofpromotionfortheguide，Sergeant。
Heisattheheadofhiscorpsalready，yourhonor。Inshort，Mabelhasmadeuphermindonthissubject。and，asyourhonorhashadthecondescensiontospeaktomeaboutMr。Muir，Itrustyouwillbekindenoughtosaythatthegirlisasgoodasbilletedforlife。
Well，well，thisisyourownmatter，and，now——Ser-
geantDunham！
Yourhonor，saidtheother，rising，andgivingthecustomarysalute。
YouhavebeentolditismyintentiontosendyoudownamongtheThousandIslandsforthenextmonth。
Alltheoldsubalternshavehadtheirtoursofdutyinthatquarter——allthatIliketotrustatleast。andithasatlengthcometoyourturn。LieutenantMuir，itistrue，claimshisright。but，beingquartermaster，Idonotliketobreakupwell-establishedarrangements。Arethemendrafted？
Everythingisready，yourhonor。Thedraftismade，andIunderstoodthatthecanoewhichgotinlastnightbroughtamessagetosaythatthepartyalreadybelowislookingoutfortherelief。
Itdid。andyoumustsailthedayafterto-morrow，ifnotto-morrownight。Itwillbewise，perhaps，tosailinthedark。
SoJasperthinks，MajorDuncan。andIknownoonemoretobedependedoninsuchanaffairthanyoungJasperWestern。
YoungJasperEau-douce！saidLundie，aslightsmilegatheringaroundhisusuallysternmouth。Willthatladbeofyourparty，Sergeant？
Yourhonorwillrememberthatthe_Scud_neverquitsportwithouthim。
True。butallgeneralruleshavetheirexceptions。
HaveInotseenaseafaringpersonaboutthefortwithinthelastfewdays？
Nodoubt，yourhonor。itisMasterCap，abrother-in-
lawofmine，whobroughtmydaughterfrombelow。
Whynotputhiminthe_Scud_forthiscruise，Sergeant，andleaveJasperbehind？Yourbrother-in-lawwouldlikethevarietyofafresh-watercruise，andyouwouldenjoymoreofhiscompany。
Iintendedtoaskyourhonor’spermissiontotakehimalong。buthemustgoasavolunteer。Jasperistoobravealadtobeturnedoutofhiscommandwithoutareason，MajorDuncan。andI’mafraidbrotherCapdespisesfreshwatertoomuchtododutyonit。
Quiteright，Sergeant，andIleaveallthistoyourowndiscretion。Eau-doucemustretainhiscommand，onsec-
ondthoughts。YouintendthatPathfindershallalsobeoftheparty？
Ifyourhonorapprovesofit。Therewillbeserviceforboththeguides，theIndianaswellasthewhiteman。
Ithinkyouareright。Well，Sergeant，Iwishyougoodluckintheenterprise。andrememberthepostistobedestroyedandabandonedwhenyourcommandiswith-
drawn。Itwillhavedoneitsworkbythattime，orweshallhavefailedentirely，anditistooticklishapositiontobemaintainedunnecessarily。Youcanretire。
SergeantDunhamgavethecustomarysalute，turnedonhisheelsasiftheybadbeenpivots，andhadgotthedoornearlydrawntoafterhim，whenhewassuddenlyrecalled。
Ihadforgotten，Sergeant，theyoungerofficershavebeggedforashootingmatch，andto-morrowhasbeennamedfortheday。Allcompetitorswillbeadmitted，andtheprizeswillbeasilver-mountedpowderhorn，aleathernflaskditto，readingfromapieceofpaper，asIseebytheprofessionaljargonofthisbill，andasilkcalashforalady。Thelatteristoenablethevictortoshowhisgal-
lantrybymakinganofferingofittoherhebestloves。
Allveryagreeable，yourhonor，atleasttohimthatsucceeds。IsthePathfindertobepermittedtoenter？
Idonotwellseehowhecanbeexcluded，ifhechoosetocomeforward。Latterly，Ihaveobservedthathetakesnoshareinthesesports，probablyfromaconvictionofhisownunequalledskill。
That’sit，MajorDuncan。thehonestfellowknowsthereisnotamanonthefrontierwhocanequalhim，andhedoesnotwishtospoilthepleasureofothers。Ithinkwemaytrusttohisdelicacyinanything，sir。Perhapsitmaybeaswelltolethimhavehisownway？
Inthisinstancewemust，Sergeant。Whetherhewillbeassuccessfulinallothersremainstobeseen。Iwishyougoodevening，Dunham。
TheSergeantnowwithdrew，leavingDuncanofLundietohisownthoughts：thattheywerenotaltogetherdisa-
greeablewastobeinferredfromthesmileswhichocca-
sionallycoveredacountenancehardandmartialinitsusualexpression，thoughthereweremomentsinwhichallitsseveresobrietyprevailed。Halfanhourmighthavepassed，whenatapatthedoorwasansweredbyadirec-
tiontoenter。Amiddle-agedman，inthedressofanoffi-
cer，butwhoseuniformwantedtheusualsmartnessoftheprofession，madehisappearance，andwassalutedasMr。
Muir。