ThisisamelancholyaffairforpoorMabel，saidhe，blowinghisnose，andspeakingwithaslighttremor。
YouandI，Sergeant，areoldfellows，andusedtobeingneardeath，ifnottoactuallydying。ourtradesfitusforsuchscenes。butpoorMabel！——sheisanaffectionateandkind-heartedgirl，andIhadhopedtoseehercomfortablysettled，andamother，beforemytimecame。Well，well！
wemusttakethebadwiththegoodineveryv’y’ge。andtheonlyseriousobjectionthatanoldseafaringmancanwithproprietymaketosuchaneventis，thatitshouldhappenonthisbitofd——dfreshwater。
SergeantDunhamwasabraveman，andhadshownhisspiritinscenesthatlookedmuchmoreappallingthanthis。butonallsuchoccasionshehadbeenabletoacthisIpartagainsthisfoes，whileherehewaspresseduponbyanenemywhomhehadnomeansofresisting。Forhim-
selfhecaredfarlessthanforhisdaughter，feelingsomeofthatself-reliancewhichseldomdesertsamanoffirmnesswhoisinvigoroushealth，andwhohasbeenaccustomedtopersonalexertionsinmomentsofjeopardy。butasrespectsMabelhesawnomeansofescape，and，withafather’sfondness，heatoncedeterminedthat，ifeitherwasdoomedtoperish，heandhisdaughtermustperishtogether。
Doyouthinkthismustcometopass？heaskedofCapfirmly，butwithstrongfeeling。
Twentyminuteswillcarryusintothebreakers。andlookforyourself，Sergeant：whatchancewilleventhestoutestmanamongushaveinthatcaldrontoleeward？
Theprospectwas，indeed，littlecalculatedtoencouragehope。Bythistimethe_Scud_waswithinamileoftheshore，onwhichthegalewasblowingatrightangles，withaviolencethatforbadetheideaofshowinganyadditionalcanvaswithaviewtoclawoff。Thesmallportionofthemainsailactuallyset，andwhichmerelyservedtokeeptheheadofthe_Scud_sonearthewindastopreventthewavesfrombreakingoverher，quiveredunderthegusts，asifateachmomentthestoutthreadswhichheldthecomplicatedfabrictogetherwereabouttobetornasunder。Thedriz-
zlehadceased。buttheair，forahundred，feetabovethesurfaceofthelake，wasfilledwithdazzlingspray，whichhadanappearancenotunlikethatofabrilliantmist，whileaboveallthesunwasshininggloriouslyinacloud-
lesssky。Jasperhadnotedtheomen，andhadforetoldthatitannouncedaspeedyterminationtothegale，thoughthenexthourortwomustdecidetheirfate。Betweenthecutterandtheshoretheviewwasstillmorewildandap-
palling。Thebreakersextendednearlyhalfamile。whilethewaterwithintheirlinewaswhitewithfoam，theairabovethemwassofarfilledwithvaporandsprayastorenderthelandbeyondhazyandindistinct。Stillitcouldbeseenthatthelatterwashigh，——notausualthingfortheshoresofOntario，——andthatitwascoveredwiththeverdantmantleoftheinterminableforest。
WhiletheSergeantandCapweregazingatthissceneinsilence，Jasperandhispeoplewereactivelyengagedontheforecastle。Nosoonerhadtheyoungmanreceivedpermissiontoresumehisoldemployment，than，appealingtosomeofthesoldiersforaid，hemusteredfiveorsixas-
sistants，andsetaboutinearnesttheperformanceofadutywhichhadbeentoolongdelayed。Onthesenarrowwatersanchorsareneverstowedin-board，orcablesthatarein-
tendedforserviceunbent，andJasperwassavedmuchofthelaborthatwouldhavebeennecessaryinavesselatsea。
Thetwobowersweresoonreadytobeletgo，rangesofthecableswereoverhauled，andthenthepartypausedtolookaboutthem。Nochangesforthebetterhadoccurred，butthecutterwasfallingslowlyin，andeachinstantrendereditmorecertainthatshecouldnotgainaninchtowind-
ward。
Onelong，earnestsurveyofthelakeended，Jaspergavenewordersinasimilarmannertoprovehowmuchhethoughtthatthetimepressed。Twokedgesweregotondeck，andhawserswerebenttothem。theinnerendsofthehawserswerebent，intheirturns，tothecrownsoftheanchors，andeverythingwasgotreadytothrowthemover-
boardatthepropermoment。Thesepreparationscom-
pleted，Jasper’smannerchangedfromtheexcitementofexertiontoalookofcalmbutsettledconcern。Hequittedtheforecastle，wheretheseasweredashingin-boardateveryplungeofthevessel，thedutyjustmentionedhavingbeenexecutedwiththebodiesofthecrewfrequentlyburiedinthewater，andwalkedtoadrierpartofthedeck，aft。
HerehewasmetbythePathfinder，whowasstandingnearMabelandtheQuartermaster。Mostofthoseonboard，withtheexceptionoftheindividualswhohavealreadybeenparticularlymentioned，werebelow，someseekingre-
lieffromphysicalsufferingontheirpallets，andotherstardilybethinkingthemoftheirsins。Forthefirsttime，mostprobably，sinceherkeelhaddippedintothelimpidwatersofOntario，thevoiceofprayerwas，heardonboardthe_Scud_。
Jasper，commencedhisfriend，theguide，Ihavebeenofnousethismorning，formygiftsareoflittleaccount，asyouknow，inavessellikethis。but，shoulditpleaseGodtolettheSergeant’sdaughterreachtheshorealive，myacquaintancewiththeforestmaystillcarryherthroughinsafetytothegarrison。
’Tisafearfuldistancethither，Pathfinder！Mabelre-
joined，thepartybeingsoneartogetherthatallwhichwassaidbyonewasoverheardbytheothers。Iamafraidnoneofuscouldlivetoreachthefort。
Itwouldbeariskypath，Mabel，andacrookedone。
thoughsomeofyoursexhaveundergoneevenmorethanthatinthiswilderness。But，Jasper，eitheryouorI，orbothofus，mustmanthisbarkcanoe。Mabel’sonlyohancewilllieingettingthroughthebreakersinthat。
IwouldwillinglymananythingtosaveMabel，an-
sweredJasper，withamelancholysmile。butnohumanhand，Pathfinder，couldcarrythatcanoethroughyonderbreakersinagalelikethis。Ihavehopesfromanchoring，afterall。foroncebeforehavewesavedthe_Scud_inanextremitynearlyasgreatasthis。
Ifwearetoanchor，Jasper，theSergeantinquired，whynotdoitatonce？Everyfootweloseindriftingnowwouldcomeintothedistanceweshallprobablydragwhentheanchorsareletgo。
JasperdrewnearertotheSergeant，andtookhishand，pressingitearnestly，andinawaytodenotestrong，almostuncontrollablefeelings。
SergeantDunham，saidhesolemnly，youareagoodman，thoughyouhavetreatedmeharshlyinthisbusiness。
Youloveyourdaughter？
Thatyoucanuotdoubt，Eau-douce，returnedtheSer-
geanthuskily。
Willyougiveher——giveusall——theonlychanceforlifethatisleft？
Whatwouldyouhavemedo，boy，whatwouldyouhavemedo？Ihaveactedaccordingtomyjudgmenthitherto，-whatwouldyouhavemedo？
SupportmeagainstMasterCapforfiveminutes，andallthatmancandotowardssavingthe_Scud_shallbedone。
TheSergeanthesitated，forhewastoomuchofadis-
ciplinariantoflyinthefaceofregularorders。Hedis-
likedtheappearanceofvacillation，too。andthenhehadaprofoundrespectforhiskinsman’sseamanship。Whilehewasdeliberating，Capcamefromtheposthehadsometimeoccupied，whichwasatthesideofthemanatthehelm，anddrewnighthegroup。
MasterEau-douce，saidhe，assoonasnearenoughtobeheard，Ihavecometoinquireifyouknowanyspotnearbywherethiscuttercanbebeached？Themomenthasarrivedwhenwearedriventothishardalternative。
ThatinstantofindecisiononthepartofCapsecuredthetriumphofJasper。LookingattheSergeant，theyoungmanreceivedanodthatassuredhimofallheasked，andhelostnotoneofthosemomentsthatweregettingtobesoveryprecious。
ShallItakethehelm，heinquiredofCap，andseeifwecanreachacreekthatliestoleeward？
Doso，doso，saidtheother，hemmingtoclearhisthroat。forhefeltoppressedbyaresponsibilitythatweighedalltheheavieronhisshouldersonaccountofhisignorance。Doso，Eau-douce，since，tobefrankwithyou，Icanseenothingbettertobedone。Wemustbeachorswamp。
Jasperrequirednomore。springingaft，hesoonhadthetillerinhisownhands。Thepilotwaspreparedforwhatwastofollow。and，atasignfromhisyoungcommander，theragofsailthathadsolongbeensetwastakenin。Atthatmoment，Jasper，watchinghistime，putthehelmup。
theheadofastaysailwasloosenedforward，andthelightcutter，asifconsciousshewasnowunderthecontroloffamiliarhands，felloff，andwassooninthetroughofthesea。Thisperilousinstantwaspassedinsafety，andatthenextmomentthelittlevesselappearedflyingdowntowardthebreakersataratethatthreatenedinstantdestruction。
Thedistanceshadbecomesoshort，thatfiveorsixminutessufficedforallthatJasperwished，andheputthehelmdownagain，whenthebowsofthe_Scud_cameuptothewind，notwithstandingtheturbulenceofthewaters，asgracefullyastheduckvariesitslineofdirectionontheglassypond。AsignfromJaspersetallinmotionontheforecastle，andakedgewasthrownfromeachbow。ThefearfulnatureofthedriftwasnowapparenteventoMabel’seyes，forthetwohawsersranoutliketow-lines。Assoonastheystraightenedtoaslightstrain，bothanchorswereletgo，andcablewasgiventoeach，nearlytothebetter-
ends。Itwasnotadifficulttasktosnubsolightacraftwithground-tackleofaqualitybetterthancommon。andinlessthantenminutesfromthemomentwhenJasperwenttothehelm，the_Scud_wasriding，headtosea，withthetwocablesstretchedaheadinlinesthatresembledbarsofiron。
Thisisnotwelldone，MasterJasper！angrilyex-
claimedCap，assoonasheperceivedthetrickwhichhadbeenplayedhim。thisisnotwelldone，sir。Iorderyoutocut，andtobeachthecutterwithoutamoment’sdelay。
Noone，however，seemeddisposedtocomplywiththisorder。forsolongasEau-doucesawfittocommand，hisownpeopleweredisposedtoobey。Findingthatthemenremainedpassive，Cap，whobelievedtheywereintheut-
mostperil，turnedfiercelytoJasper，andrenewedhisre-
monstrances。
Youdidnotheadforyourpretendedcreek，addedhe，afterdealinginsomeobjurgatoryremarksthatwedonotdeemitnecessarytorecord，butsteeredforthatbluff，whereeverysoulonboardwouldhavebeendrowned，hadwegoneashore。
Andyouwishtocut，andputeverysoulashoreatthatveryspot！Jasperretorted，alittledrily。
Throwalead-lineoverboard，andascertainthedrift！
Capnowroaredtothepeopleforward。AsignfromJas-
persustainingthisorder，itwasinstantlyobeyed。Allondeckwatched，withnearlybreathlessinterest，theresultoftheexperiment。Theleadwasnosooneronthebottom，thanthelinetendedforward，andinabouttwominutesitwasseenthatthecutterhaddriftedherlengthdeadintowardsthebluff。Jasperlookedgravely，forhewellknewnothingwouldholdthevesseldidshegetwithinthevor-
texofthebreakers，thefirstlineofwhichwasappearinganddisappearingaboutacable’slengthdirectlyundertheirstern。
Traitor！exclaimedCap，shakingafingerattheyoungcommander，thoughpassionchokedtherest。Youmustanswerforthiswithyourlife！headdedafterashortpause。IfIwereattheheadofthisexpedition，Sergeant，Iwouldhanghimattheendofthemain-boom，lestheescapedrowning。
Moderateyourfeelings，brother。bemoremoderate，I
bcseechyou。Jasperappearstohavedoneallforthebest，andmattersmaynotbesobadasyoubelievethem。
Whydidhenotrunforthecreekhementioned？——whyhashebroughtushere，deadtowindwardofthatbluff，andtoaspotwhereeventhebreakersareonlyofhalftheordinarywidth，asifinahurrytodrownallonboard？
Iheadedforthebluff，fortheprecisereasonthatthebreakersaresonarrowatthisspot，answeredJaspermildly，thoughhisgorgehadrisenatthelanguagetheotherheld。
Doyoumeantotellanoldseamanlikemethatthiscuttercouldliveinthosebreakers？
Idonot，sir。Ithinkshewouldfillandswampifdrivenintothefirstlineofthem。Iamcertainshewouldneverreachtheshoreonherbottom，iffairlyentered。I
hopetokeepherclearofthemaltogether。
Withadriftofherlengthinaminute？
Thebackingoftheanchorsdoesnotyetfairlytell，nordoIevenhopethat_they_willentirelybringherup。
Onwhat，then，doyourely？Tomooracraft，headandstern，byfaith，hope，andcharity？
No，sir，Itrusttotheunder-tow。IheadedforthebluffbecauseIknewthatitwasstrongeratthatpointthanatanyother，andbecausewecouldgetnearerinwiththelandwithoutenteringthebreakers。
Thiswassaidwithspirit，thoughwithoutanyparticularshowofresentment。ItseffectonCapwasmarked，thefeelingthatwasuppermostbeingevidentlythatofsurprise。
Under-tow！herepeated。whothedevileverheardofsavingavesselfromgoingashorebytheunder-tow？
Thismayneverhappenontheocean，sir，Jasperan-
sweredmodestly。butwehaveknownittohappenhere。
Theladisright，brother，putintheSergeant。for，thoughIdonotwellunderstandit，Ihaveoftenheardthesailorsofthelakespeakofsuchathing。WeshalldowelltotrusttoJasperinthisstrait。
Capgrumbledandswore。but，astherewasnoremedy，hewascompelledtoacquiesce。Jasper，beingnowcalledontoexplainwhathemeantbytheunder-tow，gavethisaccountofthematter。Thewaterthatwasdrivenupontheshorebythegalewasnecessarilycompelledtofinditslevelbyreturningtothelakebysomesecretchannels。
Thiscouldnotbedoneonthesurface，wherebothwindandwaveswereconstantlyurgingittowardstheland，anditnecessarilyformedasortoflowereddy，bymeansofwhichitflowedbackagaintoitsancientandproperbed。
Thisinferiorcurrenthadreceivedthenameoftheunder-
tow，and，asitwouldnecessarilyactonthebottomofavesselwhichdrewasmuchwaterasthe_Scud_，Jaspertrustedtotheaidofthisreactiontokeephiscablesfromparting。Inshort，theupperandlowercurrentswould，inamanner，counteracteachother。
Simpleandingeniousaswasthistheory，however，asyettherewaslittleevidenceofitsbeingreducedtopractice。
Thedriftcontinued。though，asthekedgesandhawserswithwhichtheanchorswerebackedtookthestrains，itbecamesensiblyless。Atlengththemanattheleadan-
nouncedthejoyfulintelligencethattheanchorshadceasedtodrag，andthatthevesselhadbroughtup！Atthispre-
cisemomentthefirstlineofbreakerswasaboutahundredfeetasternofthe_Scud_，evenappearingtoapproachmuchnearerasthefoamvanishedandreturnedontheragingsurges。Jaspersprangforward，and，castingaglanceoverthebows，hesmiledintriumph，ashepointedexultinglytothecables。Insteadofresemblingbarsofironinrigid-
ity，asbefore，theywerecurvingdownwards，andtoasea-
man’ssensesitwasevidentthatthecutterroseandfellontheseasastheycameinwiththeeaseofashipinatides-way，whenthepowerofthewindisrelievedbythecounteractingpressureofthewater。
’Tistheundertow！heexclaimedwithdelight，fairlyboundingalongthedecktosteadythehelm，inorderthatthecuttermightridestilleasier。Providencehasplacedusdirectlyinitscurrent，andthereisnolongeranydan-
ger。
Ay，ay，Providenceisagoodseaman，growledCap，andoftenhelpslubbersoutofdifficulty。Under-toworupper-tow，thegalehasabated。and，fortunatelyforusall，theanchorshavemetwithgoodholding-ground。Thenthisd——dfreshwaterhasanunnaturalwaywithit。
Menareseldominclinedtoquarrelwithgoodfortune，butitisindistressthattheygrowclamorousandcritical。
MostonboardweredisposedtobelievethattheyhadbeensavedfromshipwreckbytheskillandknowledgeofJas-
per，withoutregardingtheopinionsofCap，whoseremarkswerenowlittleheeded。
Therewashalfanhourofuncertaintyanddoubt，itistrue，duringwhichperiodtheleadwasanxiouslywatched。
andthenafeelingofsecuritycameoverall，andthewearysleptwithoutdreamingofinstantdeath。
CHAPTERXVIII。
Itistobeallmadeofsighsandtears。
Itistobeallmadeoffaithandservice。
Itistobeallmadeofphantasy。
Allmadeofpassion，andallmadeofwishes。
Alladoration，duty，andobservance。
Allhumbleness，allpatience，andimpatience。
Allpurity，alltrial，allobservance。
SHAKESPEARE。
Itwasnearnoonwhenthegalebroke。andthenitsforceabatedassuddenlyasitsviolencehadarisen。Inlessthantwohoursafterthewindfell，thesurfaceofthelake，thoughstillagitated，wasnolongerglitteringwithfoam。
andindoublethattime，theentiresheetpresentedtheor-
dinarysceneofdisturbedwater，thatwasunbrokenbytheviolenceofatempest。Stillthewavescamerollinginces-
santlytowardstheshore，andthelinesofbreakersre-
mained，thoughthesprayhadceasedtofly。thecombingoftheswellswasmoremoderate，andallthattherewasofviolenceproceededfromtheimpulsionofwindwhichhadabated。
Asitwasimpossibletomakeheadagainsttheseathatwasstillup，withthelightopposingairthatblewfromtheeastward，allthoughtsofgettingunderwaythatafternoonwereabandoned。Jasper，whohadnowquietlyre-
sumedthecommandofthe_Scud_，busiedhimself，however，inheaving-uptheanchors，whichwereliftedinsuccession。
thekedgesthatbackedthemwereweighed，andeverythingwasgotinreadinessforapromptdeparture，assoonasthestateoftheweatherwouldallow。Inthemeantime，theywhohadnoconcernwiththesedutiessoughtsuchmeansofamusementastheirpeculiarcircumstancesallowed。
Asiscommonwiththosewhoareunusedtotheconfine-
mentofavessel，Mabelcastwistfuleyestowardstheshore。
norwasitlongbeforesheexpressedawishthatitwerepossibletoland。ThePathfinderwasnearheratthetime，andheassuredherthatnothingwouldbeeasier，astheyhadabarkcanoeondeck，whichwasthebestpossiblemodeofconveyancetogothroughasurf。Aftertheusualdoubtsandmisgivings，theSergeantwasappealedto。hisopinionprovedtobefavorable，andpreparationstocarrythewhimintoeffectwereimmediatelymade。
ThepartywhichwastolandconsistedofSergeantDunham，hisdaughter，andthePathfinder。Accustomedtothecanoe，Mabeltookherseatinthecentrewithgreatsteadiness，herfatherwasplacedinthebows，whiletheguideassumedtheofficeofconductor，bysteeringinthestern。Therewaslittleneedofimpellingthecanoebymeansofthepaddle，fortherollerssentitforwardatmo-
mentswithaviolencethatseteveryefforttogovernitsmovementsatdefiance。Morethanonce，beforetheshorewasreached，Mabelrepentedofhertemerity，butPath-
finderencouragedher，andreallymanifestedsomuchself-
possession，coolness，andstrengthofarmhimself，thatevenafemalemighthavehesitatedaboutowningallherap-
prehensions。Ourheroinewasnocoward。andwhileshefeltthenoveltyofhersituation，inlandingthroughasurf，shealsoexperiencedafairproportionofitswilddelight。
Atmoments，indeed，herheartwasinhermouth，asthebubbleofaboatfloatedontheverycrestofafoamingbreaker，appearingtoskimthewaterlikeaswallow，andthensheflushedandlaughed，as，leftbytheglancingele-
ment，theyappearedtolingerbehindasifashamedofhav-
ingbeenoutdoneintheheadlongrace。Afewminutessufficedforthisexcitement。forthoughthedistancebe-
tweenthecutterandthelandconsiderablyexceededaquarterofamile，theintermediatespacewaspassedinaveryfewminutes。
Onlanding，theSergeantkissedhisdaughterkindly，forhewassomuchofasoldierasalwaystofeelmoreathomeon_terrafirma_thanwhenafloat。and，takinghisgun，heannouncedhisintentiontopassanhourinquestofgame。
Pathfinderwillremainnearyou，girl，andnodoubthewilltellyousomeofthetraditionsofthispartoftheworld，orsomeofhisownexperienceswiththeMingos。
Theguidelaughed，promisedtohaveacareofMabel，andinafewminutesthefatherhadascendedasteepac-
clivityanddisappearedintheforest。Theotherstookan-
otherdirection，which，afterafewminutesofasharpas-
centalso，broughtthemtoasmallnakedpointonthepromontory，wheretheeyeoverlookedanextensiveandverypeculiarpanorama。HereMabelseatedherselfonafragmentoffallenrocktorecoverherbreathandstrength，whilehercompanion，onwhosesinewsnopersonalexertionseemedtomakeanyimpression，stoodatherside，leaninginhisownandnotungracefulmanneronhislongrifle。
Severalminutespassed，andneitherspoke。Mabel，inpar-
ticular，beinglostinadmirationoftheview。
Thepositionthetwohadobtainedwassufficientlyele-
vatedtocommandawidereachofthelake，whichstretchedawaytowardsthenorth-eastinaboundlesssheet，glitter-
ingbeneaththeraysofanafternoon’ssun，andyetbetray-
ingtheremainsofthatagitationwhichithadenduredwhiletossedbythelatetempest。Thelandsetboundstoitslimitsinahugecrescent，disappearingindistanceto-
wardsthesouth-eastandthenorth。Farastheeyecouldreach，nothingbutforestwasvisible，notevenasolitarysignofcivilizationbreakinginupontheuniformandgrandmagnificenceofnature。Thegalehaddriventhe_Scud_beyondthelineofthosefortswithwhichtheFrenchwerethenendeavoringtogirdtheEnglishNorthAmeri-
canpossessions。for，followingthechannelsofcommuni-
cationbetweenthegreatlakes，theirpostswereonthebanksoftheNiagara，whileouradventurershadreachedapointmanyleagueswestwardofthatcelebratedstrait。
Thecutterrodeatsingleanchor，withoutthebreakers，re-
semblingsomewell-imaginedandaccurately-executedtoy，intendedratherforaglasscasethanforstruggleswiththeelementswhichshehadsolatelygonethrough，whilethecanoelayonthenarrowbeach，justoutofreachofthewavesthatcameboomingupontheland，aspeckupontheshingles。
Weareveryfarherefromhumanhabitations！ex-
claimedMabel，when，afteralongsurveyofthescene，itsprincipalpeculiaritiesforcedthemselvesonheractiveandeverbrilliantimagination。thisisindeedbeingonafrontier。
Havetheymoresightlyscenesthanthisnearertheseaandaroundtheirlargetowns？demandedPathfinder，withaninteresthewasapttodiscoverinsuchasubject。
Iwillnotsaythat：thereismoretoremindoneofhisfellow-beingstherethanhere。less，perhaps，toremindoneofGod。
Ay，Mabel，thatiswhatmyownfeelingssay。Iambutapoorhunter，Iknow，untaughtandunlarned。butGodisasnearme，inthismyhome，asheisnearthekinginhisroyalpalace。
Whocandoubtit？returnedMabel，lookingfromtheviewupintothehard-featuredbuthonestfaceofhercom-
panion，thoughnotwithoutsurpriseattheenergyofhismanner。OnefeelsnearertoGodinsuchaspot，Ithink，thanwhenthemindisdistractedbytheobjectsofthetowns。
YousayallIwishtosaymyself，Mabel，butinsomuchplainerspeech，thatyoumakemeashamedofwishingtoletothersknowwhatIfeelonsuchmatters。Ihavecoastedthislakeinsearchofskinsaforethewar，andhavebeenherealready。notatthisveryspot，forwelandedyonder，whereyoumayseetheblastedoakthatstandsabovetheclusterofhemlocks——
How，Pathfinder，canyourememberallthesetriflessoaccurately？
Theseareourstreetsandhouses，ourchurchesandpalaces。Rememberthem，indeed！Ioncemadeanap-
pointmentwiththeBigSarpent，tomeetattwelveo’clockatnoon，nearthefootofacertainpine，attheendofsixmonths，whenneitherofuswaswithinthreehundredmilesofthespot。Thetreestood，andstandsstill，unlessthejudgmentofProvidencehaslightedonthattoo，inthemidstoftheforest，fiftymilesfromanysettlement，butinamostextraordinaryneighborhoodforbeaver。
Anddidyoumeetatthatveryspotandhour？
Doesthesunriseandset？WhenIreachedthetree，IfoundtheSarpentleaningagainstitstrunkwithtornleggingsandmuddiedmoecassins。TheDelawarehadgotintoaswamp，anditworriedhimnotalittletofindhiswayoutofit。butasthesunwhichcomesovertheeasternhillsinthemorninggoesdownbehindthewesternatnight，sowashetruetotimeandplace。NofearofChin-
gachgookwhenthereiseitherafriendoranenemyinthecase。Heisequallysartainwitheach。
AndwhereistheDelawarenow？whyishenotwithusto-day？
HeisscoutingontheMingotrail，whereIoughttohavebeentoo，butforagreathumaninfirmity。
Youseemabove，beyond，superiortoallinfirmity，Path-
finder。Ineveryetmetwithamanwhoappearedtobesolittleliabletotheweaknessesofnature。
Ifyoumeaninthewayofhealthandstrength，Mabel，Providencehasbeenkindtome。thoughIfancytheopenair，longhunts，activescoutings，forestfare，andthesleepofagoodconscience，mayalwayskeepthedoctorsatadis-
tance。ButIamhumanafterall。yes，IfindI’mveryhumaninsomeofmyfeelings。
Mabellookedsurprised，anditwouldbenomorethandelineatingthecharacterofhersex，ifweaddedthathersweetcountenanceexpressedagooddealofcuriosity，too，thoughhertonguewasmorediscreet。
Thereissomethingbewitchinginthiswildlifeofyours，Pathfinder，sheexclaimed，atingeofenthusiasmmantlinghercheeks。IfindI’mfastgettingtobeafrontiergirl，andamcomingtoloveallthisgrandsilenceofthewoods。Thetownsseemtametome。and，asmyfatherwillprobablypasstheremainderofhisdayshere，wherehehasalreadylivedsolong，IbegintofeelthatI
shouldbehappytocontinuewithhim，andnottoreturntothesea-shore。
Thewoodsareneversilent，Mabel，tosuchasunder-
standtheirmeaning。DaysatatimehaveItravelledthemalone，withoutfeelingthewantofcompany。and，asforconversation，forsuchascancomprehendtheirlan-
guage，thereisnowantofrationalandinstructivedis-
course。
Ibelieveyouarehappierwhenalone，Pathfinder，thanwhenminglingwithyourfellow-creatures。
Iwillnotsaythat，Iwillnotsayexactlythat。IhaveseenthetimewhenIhavethoughtthatGodwassufficientformeintheforest，andthatIhavecravednomorethanHisbountyandHiscare。Butotherfeelingshavegotuppermost，andIsupposenatur’willhaveitsway。Allothercreatursmate，Mabel，anditwasintendedmanshoulddosotoo。
Andhaveyouneverbethoughtyouofseekingawife，Pathfinder，toshareyourfortunes？inquiredthegirl，withthedirectnessandsimplicitythatthepureofheartandtheundesigningarethemostapttomanifest，andwiththatfeelingofaffectionwhichisinbredinhersex。Tomeitseemsyouonlywantahometoreturntofromyourwanderingstorenderyourlifecompletelyhappy。WereIaman，itwouldbemydelighttoroamthroughtheseforestsatwill，ortosailoverthisbeautifullake。
Iunderstandyou，Mabel。andGodblessyouforthink-
ingofthewelfareofmenashumbleasweare。Wehaveourpleasures，itistrue，aswellasourgifts，butwemightbehappier。yes，Idothinkwemightbehappier。
Happier！inwhatway，Pathfinder？Inthispureair，withthesecoolandshadedforeststowanderthrough，thislovelylaketogazeatandsailupon，withclearconsciences，andabundanceforalltheirrealwants，menoughttobenothinglessthanasperfectlyhappyastheirinfirmitieswillallow。
Everycreatur’hasitsgifts，Mabel，andmenhavetheirs，answeredtheguide，lookingstealthilyathisbeau-
tifulcompanion，whosecheekshadflushedandeyesbright-
enedundertheardoroffeelingsexcitedbythenoveltyofherstrikingsituation。andallmustobeythem。Doyouseeyonderpigeonthatisjustalightin’onthebeach——
hereinalinewiththefallenchestnut？
Certainly。itistheonlythingstirringwithlifeinit，besidesourselves，thatistobeseeninthisvastsolitude。
Notso，Mabel，notso。Providencemakesnothingthatlivestolivequitealone。Hereisitsmate，justrisingonthewing。ithasbeenfeedingneartheotherbeach，butitwillnotlongbeseparatedfromitscompanion。
Iunderstandyou，Pathfinder，returnedMabel，smilingsweetly，thoughascalmlyasifthediscoursewaswithherfather。Butahuntermayfindamate，eveninthiswildregion。TheIndiangirlsareaffectionateandtrue，Iknow。
forsuchwasthewifeofArrowhead，toahusbandwhooftenerfrownedthansmiled。
Thatwouldneverdo，Mabel，andgoodwouldnevercomeofit。Kindmustclingtokind，andcountrytocoun-
try，ifonewouldfindhappiness。If，indeed，Icouldmeetwithonelikeyou，whowouldconsenttobeahunter’swife，andwhowouldnotscornmyignoranceandrudeness，then，indeed，wouldallthetoilofthepastappearlikethesport-
ingoftheyoungdeer，andallthefuturelikesunshine。
Onelikeme！Agirlofmyyearsandindiscretionwouldhardlymakeafitcompanionfortheboldestscoutandsuresthunteronthelines。
Ah，Mabel！IfearmethatIhavebeenimprovingared-
skin’sgiftswithapale-face’snatur’？SuchacharacterwouldinsureawifeinanIndianvillage。
Surely，surely，Pathfinder，youwouldnotthinkofchoosingonesoignorant，sofrivolous，sovain，andsoin-
experiencedasIforyourwife？Mabelwouldhaveadded，andasyoung。butaninstinctivefeelingofdelicacyre-
pressedthewords。
Andwhynot，Mabel？Ifyouareignorantoffrontierusages，youknowmorethanallofusofpleasantanecdotesandtowncustoms：asforfrivolous，Iknownotwhatitmeans。butifitsignifiesbeauty，ah’sme！Ifearitisnofaultinmyeyes。Vainyouarenot，asisseenbythekindmannerinwhichyoulistentoallmyidletalesaboutscoutingsandtrails。andasforexperielice，thatwillcomewithyears。Besides，Mabel，Ifearmenthinklittleofthesematterswhentheyareabouttotakewives：Ido。
Pathfinder，yourwords，——yourlooks：——surelyallthisismeantintrifling。youspeakinpleasantry？
Tomeitisalwaysagreeabletobenearyou，Mabel。andIshouldsleepsounderthisblessednightthanIhavedoneforaweekpast，couldIthinkthatyoufindsuchdiscourseaspleasantasIdo。
WeshallnotsaythatMabelDunhamhadnotbelievedherselfafavoritewiththeguide。Thisherquickfemi-
ninesagacityhadearlydiscovered。andperhapsshehadoccasionallythoughttherehadmingledwithhisregardandfriendshipsomeofthatmanlytendernesswhichtherudersexmustbecoarse，indeed，nottoshowonoccasionstothegentler。buttheideathatheseriouslysoughtherforhiswifehadneverbeforecrossedthemindofthespir-
itedandingenuousgirl。Now，however，agleamofsome-
thinglikethetruthbrokeinuponherimagination，lessinducedbythewordsofhercompanion，perhaps，thanbyhismanner。Lookingearnestlyintotherugged，honestcountenanceofthescout，Mabel’sownfeaturesbecameconcernedandgrave。andwhenshespokeagain，itwaswithagentlenessofmannerthatattractedhimtoherevenmorepowerfullythanthewordsthemselveswerecalculatedtorepel。
YouandIshouldunderstandeachother，Pathfinder，
saidshewithanearnestsincerity。norshouldtherebeanycloudbetweenus。Youaretoouprightandfranktomeetwithanythingbutsincerityandfranknessinreturn。
Surely，surely，allthismeansnothing，——hasnoothercon-
nectionwithyourfeelingsthansuchafriendshipasoneofyourwisdomandcharacterwouldnaturallyfeelforagirllikeme？
Ibelieveit’sallnat’ral，Mabelyes。Ido：theSergeanttellsmehehadsuchfeelingstowardsyourownmother，andIthinkI’veseensomethinglikeitintheyoungpeopleIhavefromtimetotimeguidedthroughthewilderness。
Yes，yes，Idaresayit’sallnat’ralenough，andthatmakesitcomesoeasy，andisagreatcomforttome。
Pathfinder，yourwordsmakemeuneasy。Speakplainer，orchangethesubjectforever。Youdonot，cannotmeanthat——youcannotwishmetounderstand——eventhetongueofthespiritedMabelfaltered，andsheshrank，withmaidenshame，fromaddingwhatshewishedsoearnestlytosay。Rallyinghercourage，however，anddeterminedtoknowallassoonandasplainlyaspossible，afteramo-
ment’shesitation，shecontinued，——Imean，Pathfinder，thatyoudonotwishmetounderstandthatyouseriouslythinkofmeasawife？
Ido，Mabel。that’sit，that’sjustit。andyouhaveputthematterinamuchbetterpointofviewthanIwithmyfor-
estgiftsandfrontierwayswouldeverbeabletodo。TheSergeantandIhaveconcludedonthematter，ifitisagree-
abletoyou，ashethinksislikelytobethecase。thoughI
doubtmyownpowertopleaseonewhodeservesthebesthusbandAmericacanproduce。
Mabel’scountenancechangedfromuneasinesstosur-
prise。andthen，byatransitionstillquicker，fromsurprisetopain。
Myfather！sheexclaimed，——mydearfatherhasthoughtofmybecomingyourwife，Pathfinder？
Yes，hehas，Mabel，hehas，indeed。Hehaseventhoughtsuchathingmightbeagreeabletoyou，andhasalmostencouragedmetofancyitmightbetrue。
Butyouyourself，——youcertainlycancarenothingwhetherthissingularexpectationshalleverberealizedornot？
Anan？
Imean，Pathfinder，thatyouhavetalkedofthismatchmoretoobligemyfatherthananythingelse。thatyourfeel-
ingsarenowayconcerned，letmyanswerbewhatitmay？
ThescoutlookedearnestlyintothebeautifulfaceofMabel，whichhadflushedwiththeardorandnoveltyofhersensations，anditwasnotpossibletomistakethein-
tenseadmirationthatbetrayeditselfineverylineamentofhisingenuouscountenance。
Ihaveoftenthoughtmyselfhappy，Mabel，whenrang-
ingthewoodsonasuccessfulhunt，breathingthepureairofthehills，andfilledwithvigorandhealth。butInowknowthatithasallbeenidlenessandvanitycomparedwiththedelightitwouldgivemetoknowthatyouthoughtbetterofmethanyouthinkofmostothers。
Betterofyou！——Ido，indeed，thinkbetterofyou，Path-
finder，thanofmostothers：IamnotcertainthatIdonotthinkbetterofyouthanofanyother。foryourtruth，hon-
esty，simplicity，justice，andcouragearescarcelyequalledbyanyofearth。
Ah，Mabel，thesearesweetandencouragingwordsfromyou！andtheSergeant，afterall，wasnotsonearwrongasIfeared。
Nay，Pathfinder，inthenameofallthatissacredandjsut，donotletusmisunderstandeachotherinamatterofsomuchimportance。WhileIesteem，respect，nay，reverenceyou，almostasmuchasIreverencemyowndearfather，itisimpossiblethatIshouldeverbecomeyourwife——thatI——
Thechangeinhercompanion’scountenancewassosud-
denandsogreat，thatthemomenttheeffectofwhatshehadutteredbecamevisibleinthefaceofthePathfinder，Mabelarrestedherownwords，notwithstandingherstrongdesiretobeexplicit，thereluctancewithwhichshecouldatanytimecausepainnbeingsufficientofitselftoinducethepause。Neitherspokeforsometime，theshadeofdis-
appointmentthatcrossedtheruggedlineamentsofthehunteramountingsonearlytoanguishastofrightenhiscompanion，whilethesensationofchokingbecamesostronginthePathfinderthathefairlygripedhisthroat，likeonewhosoughtphysicalreliefforphysicalsuffering。Theconvulsivemannerinwhichhisfingersworkedactuallystruckthealarmedgirlwithafeelingofawe。
Nay，Pathfinder，Mabeleagerlyadded，theinstantshecouldcommandhervoice，——ImayhavesaidmorethanI
mean。forallthingsofthisnaturearepossible，andwomen，theysay，areneversureoftheirownminds。WhatIwishyoutounderstandis，thatitisnotlikelythatyouandIshouldeverthinkofeachotherasmanandwifeoughttothinkofeachother。
Idonot——Ishallneverthinkinthatwayagain，Mabel，
gaspedforththePathfinder，whoappearedtoutterhiswordslikeonejustraisedabovethepressureofsomesuffo-
catingsubstance。No，no，Ishallneverthinkofyou，oranyoneelse，againinthatway。
Pathfinder，dearPathfinder，understandme。donotattachmoremeaningtomywordsthanIdomyself：amatchlikethatwouldbeunwise，unnatural，perhaps。
Yes，unnat’ral——ag’innatur’。andsoItoldtheSer-
geant，buthe_would_haveitotherwise。
Pathfinder！oh，thisisworsethanIcouldhaveim-
agined！Takemyhand，excellentPathfinder，andletmeseethatyoudonothateme。ForGod’ssake，smileuponmeagain。
Hateyou，Mabel！Smileuponyou！Ah’sme！
Nay，givemeyourhand。yourhardy，true，andmanlyhand——both，both，Pathfinder！forIshallnotbeeasyuntilIfeelcertainthatwearefriendsagain，andthatallthishasbeenamistake。
Mabel！saidtheguide，lookingwistfullyintothefaceofthegenerousandimpetuousgirl，assheheldhistwohardandsunburnthandsinherownprettyanddelicatefingers，andlaughinginhisownsilentandpeculiarman-
ner，whileanguishgleamedoverlineamentswhichseemedincapableofdeception，evenwhileagitatedwithemotionssoconflicting，——Mabel！theSergeantwaswrong。
Thepent-upfeeliugscouldendurenomore，andthetearsrolleddownthecheeksofthescoutlikerain。Hisfingersagainworkedconvulsivelyathisthroat。andhisbreastheaved，asifitpossessedatenantofwhichitwouldberid，byanyeffort，howeverdesperate。
Pathfinder！Pathfinder！Mabelalmostshrieked。
anythingbutthis，anythingbutthis！Speaktome，Pathfinder！Smileagain，sayonekindword，anythingtoproveyoucanforgiveme。
TheSergeantwaswrong！exclaimedtheguide，laugh-
ingamidhisagony，inawaytoterrifyhiscompanionbytheunnaturalmixtureofanguishandlight-heartedness。
Iknewit，Iknewit，andsaidit。yes，theSergeantwaswrongafterall。
Wecanbefriends，thoughwecannotbemanandwife，
continuedMabel，almostasmuchdisturbedashercompan-
ion，scarcelyknowingwhatshesaid。wecanalwaysbefriends，andalwayswill。
IthoughttheSergeantwasmistaken，resumedthePathfinder，whenagreatefforthadenabledhimtocom-
mandhimself，forIdidnotthinkmygiftsweresuchaswouldpleasethefancyofatown-bredgirl。Itwouldhavebeenbetter，Mabel，hadhenotover-presuadedmeintoadifferentnotion。anditmighthavebeenbetter，too，hadyounotbeensopleasantandconfidinglike。yes，itwould。
IfIthoughtanyerrorofminehadraisedfalseexpec-
tationsinyou，Pathfinder，howeverunintentionallyonmypart，Ishouldneverforgivemyself。for，believeme，I
wouldratherendurepaininmyownfeelingsthanyoushouldsuffer。
That’sjustit，Mabel，that’sjustit。Thesespeechesaudopinions，spokeninsosoftavoice，andinawayI’msounusedtointhewoods，havedonethemischief。ButI
nowseeplainly，andbegintounderstandthedifferencebetweenusbetter，andwillstrivetokeepdownthought，andtogoabroadagainasIusedtodo，lookingforthegameandtheinimy。Ah’sme，Mabel！Ihaveindeedbeenonafalsetrailsincewemet。
Inalittlewhileyouwillforgetallthis，andthinkofmeasafriend，whoowesyouherlife。
Thismaybethewayinthetowns，butIdoubtifit’snat’raltothewoods。Withus，whentheeyeseesalovelysight，itisapttokeepitlonginview，orwhenthemindtakesinanuprightandproperfeeling，itisloathtopartwithit。
Youwillforgetitall，whenyoucomeseriouslytorecol-
lectthatIamaltogetherunsuitedtobeyourwife。
SoItoldtheSergeant。buthewouldhaveitotherwise。
Iknewyouwastooyoungandbeautifulforoneofmiddleage，likemyself，andwhoneverwascomelytolookateveninyouth。andthenyourwayshavenotbeenmyways。norwouldahunter’scabinbeafittingplaceforonewhowasedicatedamongchiefs，asitwere。IfIwereyoungerandcomelierthough，likeJasperEau-douce——
NevermindJasperEau-douce，interruptedMabelim-
patiently。wecantalkofsomethingelse。
Jasperisaworthylad，Mabel。ay，andacomely，re-
turnedtheguilelessguide，lookingearnestlyatthegirl，asifhedistrustedherjudgmentinspeakingslightinglyofhisfriend。WereIonlyhalfascomelyasJasperWes-
tern，mymisgivingsinthisaffairwouldnothavebeensogreat，andtheymightnothavebeensotrue。
WewillnottalkofJasperWestern，repeatedMabel，thecolormountingtohertemples。hemaybegoodenoughinagale，oronthelake，butheisnotgoodenoughtotalkofhere。
Ifearme，Mabel，heisbetterthanthemanwhoislikelytobeyourhusband，thoughtheSergeantsaysthatnevercantakeplace。ButtheSergeantwaswrongonce，andhemaybewrongtwice。
Andwhoislikelytobemyhusband，Pathfinder！Thisisscarcelylessstrangethanwhathasjustpassedbetweenus。
Iknowitisnat’ralforliketoseeklike，andforthemthathaveconsortedmuchwithofficers’ladiestowishtobeofficers’ladiesthemselves。But，Mabel。Imayspeakplainlytoyou，Iknow。andIhopemywordswillnotgiveyoupain。for，nowIunderstandwhatitistobedisap-
pointedinsuchfeelings，Iwouldn’twishtocauseevenaMingosorrowonthishead。Buthappinessisnotalwaystobefoundinamarquee，anymorethaninatent。andthoughtheofficers’quartersmaylookmoretemptingthantherestofthebarracks，thereisoftengreatmiserybetweenhusbandandwifeinsideoftheirdoors。
Idonotdoubtitintheleast，Pathfinder。and，diditrestwithmetodecide，Iwouldsoonerfollowyoutosomecabininthewoods，andshareyourfortune，whetheritmightbebetterorworse，thangoinsidethedoorofanyofficerIknow，withanintentionofremainingthereasitsmaster’swife。
Mabel，thisisnotwhatLundiehopes，orLundiethinks。
Andwhat，careIforLundie？Heismajorofthe55th，andmaycommandhismentowheelandmarchaboutashepleases。buthecannotcompelmetowedthegreatestorthemeanestofhismess。Besides，whatcanyouknowofLundie’swishesonsuchasubject？
FromLundie’sownmouth。TheSergeanthadtoldhimthathewishedmeforason-in-law。andtheMajor，beinganoldandatruefriend，conversedwithmeonthesubject。Heputittomeplainly，whetheritwouldnotbemoreginerousinmetoletanofficersucceed，thantostrivetomakeyoushareahunter’sfortune。Iownedthetruth，Idid。andthatwas，thatIthoughtitmight。butwhenhetoldmethattheQuartermasterwouldbehischoice，Iwouldnotabidebytheconditions。No，no，Mabel。IknowDavyMuirwell，andthoughhemaymakeyoualady，becannevermakeyouahappywoman，orhimselfagentleman。
Myfatherhasbeenverywrongifhehassaidordoneaughttocauseyousorrow，Pathfinder。andsogreatismyrespectforyou，sosinceremyfriendship，thatwereitnotforone——ImeanthatnopersonneedfearLieutenantMuir’sinfluencewithme——IwouldratherremainasIamtomydyingdaythanbecomealadyatthecostofbeinghiswife。
Idonotthinkyouwouldsaythatwhichyoudonotfeel，Mabel，returnedPathfinderearnestly。
Notatsuchamoment，onsuchasubject，andleastofalltoyou。No。LieutenantMuirmayfindwiveswherehecan——mynameshallneverbeonhiscatalogue。
Thankyou，thankyouforthat，Mabel，for，thoughthereisnolongeranyhopeforme，IcouldneverbehappywereyoutotaketotheQuartermaster。Ifearedthecom-
missionmightcountforsomething，Idid。andIknowtheman。Itisnotjealousythatmakesmespeakinthismanner，buttruth，forIknowtheman。Now，wereyoutofancyadesarvingyouth，onelikeJasperWestern，forinstance——
WhyalwaysmentionJasperEau-douce，Pathfinder？
hecanhavenoconcernwithourfriendship。letustalkofyourself，andofthemannerinwhichyouintendtopassthewinter。
Ah’sme！——I’mlittleworthatthebest，Mabel，unlessitmaybeonatrailorwiththerifle。andlessworthnowthatIhavediscoveredtheSergeant’smistake。Thereisnoneed，therefore，oftalkingofme。Ithasbeenverypleasanttometobenearyousolong，andeventofancythattheSergeantwasright。butthatisallovernow。IshallgodownthelakewithJasper，andthentherewillbebusinesstooccupyus，andthatwillkeepuselessthoughtsoutofthemind。
Andyouwillforgetthis——forgetme——no，notforgetme，either，Pathfinder。butyouwillresumeyouroldpur-
suits，andceasetothinkagirlofsufficientimportancetodisturbyourpeace？
Ineverknoweditafore，Mabel。butgirlsareofmoreaccountinthislifethanIcouldhavebelieved。Now，aforeIknowedyou，thenew-bornbabedidnotsleepmoresweetlythanIused。myheadwasnosoonerontheroot，orthestone，ormayhapontheskin，thanallwaslosttothesenses，unlessitmightbetogooverinthenightthebusinessofthedayinadreamlike。andthereIlaytillthemomentcametobestirring，andtheswallowswerenotmorecertaintobeonthewingwiththelight，thanI
tobeafootatthemomentIwishedtobe。Allthisseemedagift，andmightbecalculatedoneveninthemidstofaMingocamp。forI’vebeenoutlyinginmytime，intheveryvillagesofthevagabonds。
Andallthiswillreturntoyou，Pathfinder，foronesouprightandsincerewillneverwastehishappinessonamerefancy。Youwilldreamagainofyourhunts，ofthedeeryouhaveslain，andofthebeaveryouhavetaken。
Ah’sme，Mabel，Iwishnevertodreamagain！Beforewemet，Ihadasortofpleasureinfollowingupthehounds，infancy，asitmightbe。andeveninstrikingatrailoftheIroquois——nay，I’vebeeninskrimmagesaudambushments，inthoughtlike，andfoundsatisfactioninit，accordingtomygifts。butallthosethingshavelosttheircharmssinceI’vemadeacquaintancewithyou。Now，Ithinknolongerofanythingrudeinmydreams。buttheverylastnightwestayedinthegarrisonIimaginedIhadacabininagroveofsugarmaples，andattherootofeverytreewasaMabelDunham，whilethebirdsamongthebranchessangballadsinsteadofthenotesthatnatur’gave，andeventhedeerstoppedtolisten。Itriedtoshootafa’n，butKill-
deermissedfire，andthecreatur’laughedinmyface，aspleasantlyasayounggirllaughsinhermerriment，andthenitboundedaway，lookingbackasifexpectingmefollow。
Nomoreofthis，Pathfinder。we’lltalknomoreofthesethings，saidMabel，dashingthetearsfromhereyes：
forthesimple，earnestmannerinwhichthishardywoods-
manbetrayedthedeepholdshehadtakenofhisfeelingsnearlyprovedtoomuchforherowngenerousheart。
Now，letuslookformyfather。hecannotbedistant，asIheardhisgunquitenear。
TheSergeantwaswrong——yes，hewaswrong，andit’sofnoavailtoattempttomakethedoveconsortwiththewolf。
Herecomesmydearfather，interruptedMabel。Letuslookcheerfulandhappy，Pathfinder，assuchgoodfriendsoughttolook，andkeepeachother’ssecrets。
Apausesucceeded。theSergeant’sfootwasheardcrush-
ingthedriedtwigshardby，andthenhisformappearedshovingasidethebushesofacopsejustnear。Asheissuedintotheopenground，theoldsoldierscrutinizedhisdaughterandhercompanion，andspeakinggood-naturedly，hesaid，Mabel，child，youareyoungaudlightoffoot——
lookforabirdthatI’veshotthatfelljustbeyondthethicketofyounghemlocksontheshore。and，asJasperisshowingsignsofanintentionofgettingunderway，youneednottakethetroubletoclamberupthishillagain，butwewillmeetyouonthebeachinafewminutes。
Mabelobeyed，boundingdownthehillwiththeelasticstepofyouthandhealth。But，notwithstandingthelight-
nessofhersteps，theheartofthegirlwasheavy，andnosoonerwasshehidfromobservationbythethicket，thanshethrewherselfontherootofatreeandweptasifherheartwouldbreak。TheSergeantwatchedheruntilshedisappeared，withafather’spride，andthenturnedtohiscompanionwithasmileaskindandasfamiliarashishabitswouldallowhimtousetowardsany。
Shehashermother’slightnessandactivity，myfriend，withsomewhatofherfather’sforce，saidhe。Hermotherwasnotquitesohandsome，Ithinkmyself。buttheDunhamswerealwaysthoughtcomely，whethermenorwomen。Well，Pathfinder，Itakeitforgrantedyou’venotoverlookedtheopportunity，buthavespokenplainlytothegirl？womenlikefranknessinmattersofthissort。
IbelieveMabelandIunderstandeachotheratlast，Sergeant，returnedtheother，lookinganotherwaytoavoidthesoldier’sface。
Somuchthebetter。Somepeoplefancythatalittledoubtanduncertaintymakesloveallthelivelier。butI
amoneofthosewhothinktheplainerthetonguespeakstheeasierthemindwillcomprehend。WasMabelsur-
prised？
Ifearshewas，Sergeant。Ifearshewastakenquitebysurprise——yes，Ido。
Well，well，surprisesinlovearelikeanambushinwar，andquiteaslawful。thoughitisnotsoeasytotellwhenawomanissurprised，astotellwhenithappenstoanen-
emy。Mabeldidnotrunaway，myworthyfriend，didshe？
No，Sergeant，Mabeldidnottrytoescape。_that_Icansaywithaclearconscience。
Ihopethegirlwastoowilling，neither！Hermotherwasshyandcoyforamonth，atleast。butfrank-
ness，afterall，isarecommendationinamanorwoman。
Thatitis，thatitis。andjudgment，too。
Youarenottolookfortoomuchjudgmentinayoungcreatureoftwenty，Pathfinder，butitwillcomewithex-
perience。Amistakeinyouorme，forinstance，mightnotbesoeasilyoverlooked。butinagirlofMabel’syears，oneisnottostrainatagnatlesttheyswallowacamel。
ThereaderwillrememberthatSergeantDunhamwasnotaHebrewscholar。
Themusclesofthelistener’sfacetwitchedastheSer-
geantwasthusdeliveringhissentiments，thoughthefor-
merhadnowrecoveredaportionofthatstoicismwhichformedsolargeapartofhischaracter，andwhichhehadprobablyimbibedfromlongassociationwiththeIndians。
Hiseyesroseandfell，andonceagleamshotathwarthishardfeaturesasifhewereabouttoindulgeinhispeculiarlaugh。butthejoyousfeeling，ifitreallyexisted，wasasquicklylostinalookalliedtoanguish。Itwasthisun-
usualmixtureofwildandkeenmentalagonywithnative，simplejoyousness，whichhadmoststruckMabel，who，intheinterviewjustrelated，hadadozentimesbeenonthepointofbelievingthathersuitor’sheartwasonlylightlytouched，asimagesofhappinessandhumorgleamedoveramindthatwasalmostinfantineinitssimplicityandnature。animpression，however，whichwassoondrivenawaybythediscoveryofemotionssopainfulandsodeep，thattheyseemedtoharrowtheverysoul。
Yousaytrue，Sergeant，Pathfinderanswered。amis-
takeinonelikeyouisamoreseriousmatter。
YouwillfindMabelsincereandhonestintheend。
giveherbutalittletime。
Ah’sme，Sergeant！
Amanofyourmeritswouldmakeanimpressiononarock，givehimtime，Pathfinder。
SergeantDunham，weareoldfellow-campaigners——
thatis，ascampaignsarecarriedonhereinthewilderness。
andwehavedonesomanykindactstoeachotherthatwecanaffordtobecandid——whathascausedyoutobelievethatagirllikeMabelcouldeverfancyonesorudeasI
am？
What？——why，avarietyofreasons，andgoodreasonstoo，myfriend。Thosesameactsofkindness，perhaps，andthecampaignsyoumention。moreover，youaremyswornandtriedcomrade。
Allthissoundswell，sofarasyouandIareconsarned。
buttheydonottouchthecaseofyourprettydaughter。
ShemaythinktheseverycampaignshavedestroyedthelittlecomelinessImayoncehavehad。andIamnotquitesartainthatbeinganoldfriendofherfatherwouldleadanyyoungmaiden’smindintoaparticularaffectionforasuitor。Likeloveslike，Itellyou，Sergeant。andmygiftsarenotaltogetherthegiftsofMabelDunham。
Thesearesomeofyouroldmodestqualms，Pathfinder，andwilldoyounocreditwiththegirl。Womendistrustmenwhodistrustthemselves，andtaketomenwhodis-
trustnothing。Modestyisacapitalthinginarecruit，I
grantyou。orinayoungsubalternwhohasjustjoined，foritpreventshisrailingatthenon-commissionedofficersbeforeheknowswhattorailat。I’mnotsureitisoutofplaceinacommissaryoraparson，butit’sthedevilandallwhenitgetspossessionofarealsoldieroralover。
Haveaslittletodowithitaspossible，ifyouwouldwinawoman’sheart。Asforyourdoctrinethatlikeloveslike，itisaswrongaspossibleinmattersofthissort。Iflikelovedlike，womenwouldloveoneanother，andmenalso。
No，no，likelovesdislike，——theSergeantwasmerelyascholarofthecamp，——andyouhavenothingtofearfromMabelonthatscore。LookatLieutenantMuir。themanhashadfivewivesalready，theytellme，andthereisnomoremodestyinhimthanthereisinacat-o’-nine-tails。
LieutenantMuirwillneverbethehusbandofMabelDunham，lethimrufflehisfeathersasmuchashemay。
Thatisasensibleremarkofyours，Pathfinder。formymindismadeupthatyoushallbemyson-in-law。IfI
wereanofficermyself，Mr。Muirmighthavesomechance。
buttimehasplacedonedoorbetweenmychildandmyself，andIdon’tintendthereshallbethatofamarqueealso。
Sergeant，wemustletMabelfollowherownfancy。sheisyoungandlightofheart，andGodforbidthatanywishofmineshouldlaytheweightofafeatheronamindthatisallgaietynow，ortakeonenoteofhappinessfromherlaughter！
Haveyouconversedfreelywiththegirl？theSergeantdemandedquickly，andwithsomeasperityofmanner。
Pathfinderwastoohonesttodenyatruthplainasthatwhichtheanswerrequired，andyettoohonorabletobetrayMabel，andexposehertotheresentmentofonewhomhewellknewtobesterninhisanger。
Wehavelaidopenourminds，hesaid。andthoughMabel’sisonethatanymanmightlovetolookat，Ifindlittlethere，Sergeant，tomakemethinkanybetterofmy-
self。
Thegirlhasnotdaredtorefuseyou——torefuseherfather’sbestfriend？
Pathfinderturnedhisfaceawaytoconcealthelookofanguishthatconsciousnesstoldhimwaspassingathwartit，buthecontinuedthediscourseinhisownquiet，manlytones。
Mabelistookindtorefuseanything，ortoutterharshwordstoadog。Ihavenotputthequestioninawaytobedownrightrefused，Sergeant。
Anddidyouexpectmydaughtertojumpintoyourarmsbeforeyouaskedher？Shewouldnothavebeenhermother’schildhadshedoneanysuchthing，nordoIthinkshewouldhavebeenmine。TheDunhamslikeplaindealingaswellastheking’smajesty。buttheyarenojumpers。Leavemetomanagethismatterforyou，Path-
finder，andthereshallbenounnecessarydelay。I’llspeaktoMabelmyselfthisveryevening，usingyournameasprincipalintheaffair。
I’drathernot，I’drathernot，Sergeant。LeavethemattertoMabelandme，andIthinkallwillcomerightintheind。Younggirlsareliketimorsomebirds。theydonotover-relishbeinghurriedorspokenharshlytonither。
LeavethemattertoMabelandme。
OnoneconditionIwill，myfriend。andthatis，thatyouwillpromiseme，onthehonorofascout，thatyouwillputthematterplainlytoMabelthefirstsuitableoppor-
tunity，andnomincingofwords。
Iwillaskher，Sergeant，onconditionthatyoupromisenottomeddleintheaffair——yes，IwillpromisetoaskMabelwhethershewillmarryme，eventhoughshelaughinmyfaceatmydoingso，onthatcondition。