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