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