Asallparties，Mabelexcepted，seemedsatisfiedwiththecoursethediscussionhadtaken，nooneappearedtothinkitnecessarytopursuethesubject。SupperwasnosoonerendedthantheSergeantdismissedhisguests，andthenheldalongandconfidentialdialoguewithhisdaughter。
Hewaslittleaddictedtogivingwaytothegentleremo-
tions，butthenoveltyofhispresentsituationawakenedfeelingsthathewasunusedtoexperience。Thesoldierorthesailor，solongasheactsundertheimmediatesuper-
visionofasuperior，thinkslittleoftherisksheruns，butthemomenthefeelstheresponsibilityofcommand，allthehazardsofhisundertakingbegintoassociatethemselvesinhismind：withthechancesofsuccessorfailure。Whilehedwellslessonhisownpersonaldanger，perhaps，thanwhenthatistheprincipalconsideration，hehasmorelivelygeneralperceptionsofalltherisks，andsubmitsmoretotheinfluenceofthefeelingswhichdoubtcreates。SuchwasnowthecasewithSergeantDunham，who，insteadoflookingforwardtovictoryascertain，accordingtohisusualhabits，begantofeelthepossibilitythathemightbepartingwithhischildforever。
NeverbeforehadMabelstruckhimassobeautifulassheappearedthatnight。Possiblysheneverhaddisplayedsomanyengagingqualitiestoherfather。forconcernonhisaccounthadbeguntobeactiveinherbreast。andthenhersympathiesmetwithunusualencouragementthroughthosewhichhadbeenstirredupinthesternerbosomoftheveteran。Shehadneverbeenentirelyathereasewithherparent，thegreatsuperiorityofhereducationcreatingasortofchasm，whichhadbeenwidenedbythemilitaryseverityofmannerhehadacquiredbydealingsolongwithbeingswhocouldonlybekeptinsubjectionbyanunremitteddiscipline。Onthepresentoccasion，however，theconversationbetweenthefatheranddaughterbecamemoreconfidentialthanusual，untilMabelrejoicedtofiudthatitwasgraduallybecomingendearing，astateoffeel-
ingthatthewarm-heartedgirlhadsilentlypinedforinvaineversinceherarrival。
Thenmotherwasaboutmyheight？Mabelsaid，assheheldoneofherfather’shandsinbothherown，lookingupintohisfacewithhumideyes。Ihadthoughthertaller。
Thatisthewaywithmostchildrenwhogetahabitofthinkingoftheirparentswithrespect，untiltheyfancythemlargerandmorecommandingthantheyactuallyare。
Yourmother，Mabel，wasasnearyourheightasonewomancouldbetoanother。
Andhereyes，father？
Hereyeswerelikethine，child，too。blueandsoft，andinvitinglike，thoughhardlysolaughing。
Minewillneverlaughagain，dearestfather，ifyoudonottakecareofyourselfinthisexpedition。
Thankyou，Mabel——hem——thankyou，child。butI
mustdomyduty。IwishIhadseenyoucomfortablymarriedbeforeweleftOswego。mymindwouldbeeasier。
Married！——towhom，father？
YouknowthemanIwishyoutolove。Youmaymeetwithmanygayer，andmanydressedinfinerclother。butwithnonewithsotrueaheartandjustamind。
Nonefather？
Iknowofnone。intheseparticularsPathfinderhasfewequalsatleast。
ButIneednotmarryatall。Youaresingle，andI
canremaintotakecareofyou。
Godblessyou，Mabel！Iknowyouwould，andIdonotsaythatthefeelingisnotright，forIsupposeitis。
andyetIbelievethereisanotherthatismoreso。
Whatcanbemorerightthantohonorone’sparents？
Itisjustasrighttohonorone’shusband，mydearchild。
ButIhavenohusband，father。
Thentakeoneassoonaspossible，thatyoumayhaveahusbandtohonor。Icannotliveforever，Mabel，butmustdropoffinthecourseofnatureerelong，ifIamnotcarriedoffinthecourseofwar。Youareyoung，andmayyetlivelong。anditisproperthatyoushouldhaveamaleprotector，whocanseeyousafethroughlife，andtakecareofyouinage，asyounowwishtotakecareofme。
Anddoyouthink，father，saidMabel，playingwithhissinewyfingerswithherownlittlehands，andlookingdownatthem，asiftheyweresubjectsofintenseinterest，thoughherlipscurledinaslightsmileasthewordscamefromthem，——anddoyouthink，father，thatPathfinderisjustthemantodothis？Ishenot，withintenortwelveyears，asoldasyourself？
Whatofthat？Hislifehasbeenoneofmoderationandexercise，andyearsarelesstobecounted，girl，thanconstitution。Doyouknowanothermorelikelytobeyourprotector？
Mabeldidnot。atleastanotherwhohadexpressedadesiretothateffect，whatevermighthavebeenherhopesandherwishes。
Nay，father，wearenottalkingofanotber，butofthePathfinder，sheansweredevasively。Ifhewereyounger，Ithinkitwouldbemorenaturalformetothinkofhimforahusband。
’Tisallintheconstitution，Itellyou，child。Pathfinderisayoungermanthanhalfoursubalterns。
Heiscertainlyyoungerthanone，sir——LieutenantMuir。
Mabel’slaughwasjoyousandlight-hearted，asifjustthenshefeltnocare。
Thatheis——youngenoughtobehisgrandson。heisyoungerinyears，too。Godforbid，Mabel，thatyoushouldeverbecomeanofficer’slady，atleastuntilyouareanofficer’sdaughter！
Therewillbelittlefearofthat，father，ifImarryPathfinder，returnedthegirl，lookinguparchlyintheSergeant’sfaceagain。
Notbytheking’scommission，perhaps，thoughthemanisevennowthefriendandcompanionofgenerals。
IthinkIcoulddiehappy，Mabel，ifyouwerehiswife。
Father！
’Tisasadthingtogointobattlewiththeweightofanunprotecteddaughterlaidupontheheart。
Iwouldgivetheworldtolightenyoursofitsload，mydearsir。
Itmightbedone，saidtheSergeant，lookingfondlyathischild。thoughIcouldnotwishtoputaburthenonyoursinordertodoso。
Thevoicewasdeepandtremulous，andneverbeforehadMabelwitnessedsuchashowofaffectioninherparent。
Thehabitualsternnessofthemanlentaninteresttohisemotionswhichtheymightotherwisehavewanted，andthedaughter’sheartyearnedtorelievethefather’smind。
Father，speakplainly！shecried，almostconvulsively。
Nay，Mabel，itmightnotberight。yourwishesandminemaybeverydifferent。
Ihavenowishes——knownothingofwhatyoumean。
Wouldyouspeakofmyfuturemarriage？
IfIcouldseeyoupromisedtoPathfinder——knowthatyouwerepledgedtobecomehiswife，letmyownfatebewhatitmight，IthinkIcoulddiehappy。ButIwillasknopledgeofyou，mychild。Iwillnotforceyoutodowhatyoumightrepent。Kissme，Mabel，andgotoyourbed。
HadSergeantDunhamexactedofMabelthepledgethathereallysomuchdesired，hewouldhaveencounteredaresistancethathemighthavefounditdifficulttoover-
come。but，bylettingnaturehaveitscourse，heenlistedapowerfulallyonhisside，andthewarm-hearted，generous-
mindedMabelwasreadytoconcedetoheraffectionsmuchmorethanshewouldeverhaveyieldedtomenace。Atthattouchingmomentshethoughtonlyofherparent，whowasabouttoquither，perhapsforever。andallofthatardentloveforhim，whichhadpossiblybeenasmuchfedbytheimaginationasbyanythingelse，butwhichhadreceivedalittlecheckbytherestrainedintercourseofthelastfortnight，nowreturnedwithaforcethatwasincreasedbypureandintensefeeling。Herfatherseemedallinalltoher，andtorenderhimhappytherewasnopropersac-
rificewhichshewasnotreadytomake。Onepainful，rapid，almostwildgleamofthoughtshotacrossthebrainofthegirl，andherresolutionwavered。butendeavoringtotracethefoundationofthepleasinghopeonwhichitwasbased，shefoundnothingpositivetosupportit。Trainedlikeawomantosubduehermostardentfeelings，herthoughtsrevertedtoherfather，andtotheblessingsthatawaitedthechildwhoyieldedtoaparent’swishes。
Father，shesaidquietly，almostwithaholycalm，Godblessesthedutifuldaughter。
Hewill，Mabel。wehavetheGoodBookforthat。
Iwillmarrywhomeveryoudesire。
Nay，nay，Mabel，youmayhaveachoiceofyourown——
Ihavenochoice。thatis，nonehaveaskedmetohaveachoice，butPathfinderandMr。Muir。andbetween_them_，neitherofuswouldhesitate。No，father。Iwillmarrywhomeveryoumaychoose。
Thouknowestmychoice，belovedchild。noneothercanmaketheeashappyasthenoble-heartedguide。
Well，then，ifhewishit，ifheaskmeagain——for，father，youwouldnothavemeoffermyself，orthatanyoneshoulddothatofficeforme，andthebloodstoleacrossthepallidcheeksofMabelasshespoke，forhighandgen-
erousresolutionshaddrivenbackthestreamoflifetoherheart。noonemustspeaktohimofit。butifheseekmeagain，and，knowingallthatatruegirloughttotellthemanshemarries，hethenwishestomakemehiswife，Iwillbehis。
Blessyou，myMabel！Godinheavenblessyou，andre-
wardyouasapiousdaughterdeservestoberewarded！
Yes，father，putyourmindatpeace。goonthisexpe-
ditionwithalightheart，andtrustinGod。Formeyouwillhavenownocare。Inthespring——Imusthavealit-
tletime，father——butinthespringIwillmarryPathfinder，ifthatnoble-heartedhuntershallthendesireit。
Mabel，helovesyouasIlovedyourmother。Ihaveseenhimweeplikeachildwhenspeakingofhisfeelingstowardsyou。
Yes，Ibelieveit。I’veseenenoughtosatisfymethathethinksbetterofmethanIdeserve。andcertainlythemanisnotlivingforwhomIhavemorerespectthanforPathfinder。notevenforyou，dearfather。
Thatisasitshouldbe，child，andtheunionwillbeblessed。MayInottellPathfinderthis？
Iwouldratheryouwouldnot，father。Letitcomeofitself，comenaturally。ThesmilethatilluminatedMabel’shandsomefacewasangelic，asevenherparentthought，thoughonebetterpractisedindetectingthepassingemo-
tions，astheybetraythemselvesinthecountenance，mighthavetracedsomethingwildandunnaturalinit。No，no，_we_mustletthingstaketheircourse。father，youhavemysolemnpromise。
Thatwilldo，thatwilldo，Mabel，nowkissme。Godblessandprotectyou，girl！youareagooddaughter。
Mabelthrewherselfintoherfather’sarms——itwasthefirsttimeinherlife——andsobbedonhisbosomlikeanin-
fant。Thesternsoldier’sheartwasmelted，andthetearsofthetwomingled。butSergeantDunhamsoonstarted，asifashamedofhimself，and，gentlyforcinghisdaughterfromhim，hebadehergood-night，andsoughthispallet。Mabelwentsobbingtotherudecornerthathadbeenpreparedforherreception。andinafewminutesthehutwasun-
disturbedbyanysound，savetheheavybreathingoftheveteran。
CHAPTERXX。
Wandering，Ifoundonmyruinouswalk，Bythedialstone，agedandgreen，Oneroseofthewilderness，leftonitsstalk，Tomarkwhereagardenhadbeen。
CAMPBELL。
ItwasnotonlybroaddaylightwhenMabelawoke，butthesunhadactuallybeenupsometime。Hersleephadbeeutranquil，forsherestedonanapprovingconscience，andfatiguecontributedtorenderitsweet。andnosoundofthosewhohadbeensoearlyinmotionhadinterferedwithherrest。Springingtoherfeetandrapidlydressingherself，thegirlwassoonbreathingthefragranceofthemorningintheopenair。Forthefirsttimeshewassen-
siblystruckwiththesingularbeauties，aswellaswiththeprofoundretirement，ofherpresentsituation。Thedayprovedtobeoneofthoseoftheautumnalglory，socom-
montoaclimatethatismoreabusedthanappreciated，anditsinfluencewaseverywayinspiritingandgenial。
Mabelwasbenefittedbythiscircumstance。for，asshefancied，herheartwasheavyonaccountofthedangerstowhichafather，whomshenowbegantoloveaswomenlovewhenconfidenceiscreated，wasexposed。
Buttheislandseemedabsolutelydeserted。Theprevi-
ousnight，thebustleofthearrivalhadgiventhespotanappearanceoflifewhichwasnowentirelygone。andourheroinehadturnedhereyesnearlyaroundoneveryobjectinsight，beforeshecaughtaviewofasinglehumanbeingtoremovethesenseofuttersolitude。Then，indeed，shebeheldallwhowereleftbehind，collectedinagrouparoundafirewhichmightbesaidtobelongtothecamp。
Thepersonofheruncle，towhomshewassomuchaccus-
tomed，reassuredMabel。andsheexaminedtheremainderwithacuriositynaturaltohersituation。BesidesCapandtheQuartermaster，thereweretheCorporal，thethreesol-
diers，andthewomanwhowascooking。Thehutsweresilentandempty。andthelowbuttower-likesummitoftheblockhouseroseabovethebushes，bywhichitwashalfconcealed，inpicturesquebeauty。Thesunwasjustcast-
ingitsbrightnessintotheopenplacesoftheglade，andthevaultoverherheadwasimpendinginthesoftsub-
limityofthebluevoid。Notacloudwasvisible，andshesecretlyfanciedthecircumstancemightbetakenasahar-
bingerofpeaceandsecurity。
Perceivingthatalltheotherswereoccupiedwiththatgreatconcernofhumannature，abreakfast，Mabelwalked，unobserved，towardsanendoftheislandwhereshewascompletelyshutoutofviewbythetreesandbushes。Hereshegotastandontheveryedgeofthewater，byforcingasidethelowbranches，andstoodwatchingthebarelyperceptibleflowandre-flowoftheminiaturewaveswhichlavedtheshore。asortofphysicalechototheagitationthatprevailedonthelakefiftymilesaboveher。Theglimpsesofnaturalscenerythatofferedwereverysoftandpleasing。andourheroine，whohadaquickeyeforallthatwaslovelyinnature，wasnotslowinselectingthemoststrikingbitsoflandscape。Shegazedthroughthedifferentvistasformedbytheopeningsbetweentheislands，andthoughtshehadneverlookedonaughtmorelovely。
Whilethusoccupied，Mabelwassuddenlyalarmedbyfancyingthatshecaughtaglimpseofahumanformamongthebushesthatlinedtheshoreoftheislandwhichlaydirectlybeforeher。Thedistanceacrossthewaterwasnotahundredyards。and，thoughshemightbemistaken，andherfancywaswanderingwhentheformpassedbe-
forehersight，stillshedidnotthinkshecouldbedeceived。
Awarethathersexwouldbenoprotectionagainstariflebullet，shouldanIroquoisgetaviewofher，thegirlin-
stinctivelydrewback，takingcaretoconcealpersonasmuchaspossiblebytheleaves，whileshekeptherownlookrivetedontheoppositeshore，vainlywaitingforsometimeintheexpectationofthestranger。Shewasabouttoquitherpostinthebushesandhastentoheruncle，inordertoacquainthimofhersuspicions，whenshesawthebranchofanalderthrustbeyondthefringeofbushesontheotherisland，andwavedtowardshersignificantly，andasshefanciedintokenofamity。Thiswasabreathlessandatryingmomenttooneasinexperiencedinfrontierwarfareasourheroineandyetshefeltthegreatnecessitythatexistedforpreservingherrecollection，andofactingwithsteadinessanddiscretion。
ItwasoneofthepeculiaritiesoftheexposuretowhichthosewhodweltonthefrontiersofAmericawereliable，tobringoutthemoralqualitiesofthewomentoadegreewhichtheymustthemselves，underothercircumstances，havebelievedtheywereincapableofmanifesting。andMabelwellknewthatthebordererslovedtodwellintheirlegendsonthepresenceofmind，fortitude，andspiritthattheirwivesandsistershaddisplayedundercircumstancesthemosttrying。Heremulationhadbeenawakenedbywhatshehadheardonsuchsubjects。anditatoncestruckherthatnowwasthemomentforhertoshowthatshewastrulySergeantDunham’schild。Themotionofthebranchwassuchasshebelievedindicatedamity。and，afteramoment’shesitation，shebrokeoffatwig，fastenedittoastickand，thrustingitthroughanopening，waveditinreturn，imitatingascloselyaspossiblethemanneroftheother。
Thisdumbshowlastedtwoorthreeminutesonbothsides，whenMabelperceivedthatthebushesoppositewerecautiouslypushidaside，andahumanfaceappearedatanopening。AglancesufficedtoletMabelseethatitwasthecountenanceofared-skin，aswellasthatofawoman。A
secondandabetterlooksatisfiedherthatitwasthefaceoftheDew-of-June，thewifeofArrowhead。Duringthetimeshehadtravelledincompanywiththiswoman，Mabelhadbeenwonbythegentlenessofmanner，themeeksimplicity，andthemingledaweandaffectionwithwhichsheregardedherhusband。OnceortwiceinthecourseofthejourneyshefanciedtheTuscarorahadmani-
festedtowardsherselfanunpleasantdegreeofattention。
andonthoseoccoasionsithadstruckherthathiswifeexhibitedsorrowandmortification。AsMabel，however，hadmorethancompensatedforanypainshemightinthiswayunintentionallyhavecausedhercompanion，byherownkindnessofmannerandattentions，thewomanhadshownmuchattachmenttoher，andtheyhadparted，withadeepconvictiononthemindofourheroinethatintheDew-of-Juneshehadlostafriend。
Itisuselesstoattempttoanalyzeallthewaysbywhichthehumanheartisledintoconfidence。Suchafeeling，however，hadtheyoungTuscarorawomanawakenedinthebreastofourheroine。andthelatter，undertheim-
pressionthatthisextraordinaryvisitwasintendedforherowngood，felteverydispositiontohaveaclosercommu-
nication。Shenolongerhesitatedaboutshowingherselfclearofthebushes，andwasnotsorrytoseetheDew-of-
Juneimitateherconfidence，bysteppingfearlesslyoutofherowncover。Thetwogirls，fortheTuscarora，thoughmarried，wasevenyoungerthanMabel，nowopenlyex-
changedsignsoffriendship，andthelatterbeckonedtoherfriendtoapproach，thoughsheknewnotthemannerherselfinwhichthisobjectcouldbeeffected。ButtheDew-of-Junewasnotslowinlettingitbeseenthatitwasinherpower。for，disappearinginamoment，shesoonshowedherselfagainintheendofabarkcanoe，thebowsofwhichshehaddrawntotheedgeofthebushes，andofwhichthebodystilllayinasortofcoveredcreek。Mabelwasabouttoinvitehertocross，whenherownnamewascalledaloudinthestentorianvoiceofheruncle。MakingahurriedgesturefortheTuscaroragirltoconcealherself，Mabelsprangfromthebushesandtrippedupthegladetowardsthesound，andperceivedthatthewholepartyhadjustseatedthemselvesatbreakfast。Caphavingbarelyputhisappetiteundersufficientrestrainttosummonhertojointhem。ThatthiswasthemostfavorableinstantfortheinterviewflashedonthemindofMabel。and，excusingherselfonthepleaofnotbeingpreparedforthemeal，sheboundedbacktothethicket，andsoonrenewedhercommunicationswiththeyoungIndianwoman。
Dew-of-Junewasquickofcomprehension。andwithhalfadozennoiselessstrokesofthepaddles，hercanoewasconcealedinthebushesofStationIsland。Inanotherminute，Mabelheldherhand，andwasleadingherthroughthegrovetowardsherownhut。Fortunatelythelatterwassoplacedastobecompletelyhidfromthesightofthoseatthefire，andtheybothentereditunseen。Hastilyexplainingtoherguest，inthebestmannershecould，thenecessityofquittingherforashorttime，Mabel，firstplac-
ingtheDew-of-Juneinherownroom，withafullcertaintythatshewouldnotquitituntiltoldtodoso，wenttothefireandtookherseatamongtherest，withallthecom-
posureitwasinherpowertocommand。
Latecome，lateserved，Mabel，saidheruncle，be-
tweenmouthfulsofbroiledsalmon。forthoughthecook-
erymightbeveryunsophisticatedonthatremotefrontier，theviandsweregenerallydelicious，——latecome，lateserved。itisagoodrule，andkeepslaggardsuptotheirwork。
Iamnolaggard，uncle。forIhavebeenstirringnearlyanhour，andexploringourisland。
It’slittleyou’llmakeo’that，MistressMabel，putinMuir。that’slittlebynature。Lundie——oritmightbebettertostylehimMajorDuncaninthispresencethiswassaidinconsiderationofthecorporalandthecommonmen，thoughtheyweretakingtheirmealalittleapart——
hasnotaddedanempiretohisMajesty’sdominionsingettingpossessionofthisisland，whichislikelytoequalthatofthecelebratedSanchoinrevenuesandprofits——
Sancho，ofwhom，doubtless，MasterCap，you’lloftenhavebeenreadinginyourleisurehours，moreespeciallyincalmsandmomentsofinactivity。
Iknowthespotyoumean，Quartermaster。Sancho’sIsland——coralrock，ofnewformation，andasbadaland-
fall，inadarknightandblowingweather，asasinnercouldwishtokeepclearof。It’safamousplaceforcocoa-
nutsandbitterwater，thatSancho’sIsland。
It’sno’veryfamousfordinners，returnedMuir，re-
pressingthesmilewhichwasstrugglingtohislipsoutofrespecttoMabel。nordoIthinkthere’llbemuchtochoosebetweenitsrevenueandthatofthisspot。Inmyjudgment，MasterCap，thisisaveryunmilitaryposition，andIlooktosomecalamitybefallingit，soonerorlater。
Itistobehopednotuntilourturnofdutyisover，
observedMabel。IhavenowishtostudytheFrenchlanguage。
Wemightthinkourselveshappy，diditnotprovetobetheIroquois。IhavereasonedwithMajorDuncanontheoccupationofthisposition，but’awilfu’manmaunha’hisway。’Myfirstobjectinaccompanyingthispartywastoendeavortomakemyselfacceptableandusefultoyourbeautifulniece，MasterCap。andthesecondwastotakesuchanaccountofthestoresthatbelongtomypar-
ticulardepartmentasshallleavenoquestionopentocon-
troversy，concerningthemannerofexpenditure，whentheyshallhavedisappearedbymeansoftheenemy。
Doyoulookuponmattersassoserious？demandedCap，actuallysuspendinghismasticationofabitofveni-
son——forhepassedalternatelyfromfishtofleshandbackagain——intheinteresthetookintheanswer。Isthedangerpressing？
I’llno’sayjustthat。andI’llno’sayjustthecontrary。
Thereisalwaysdangerinwar，andthereismoreofitattheadvancedpoststhanatthemainencampment。Itought，therefore，tooccasionnosurprisewerewetobevisitedbytheFrenchatanymoment。
Andwhatthedevilistobedoneinthatcase？Sixmenandtwowomenwouldmakebutapoorjobindefend-
ingsuchaplaceasthis，shouldtheenemyinvadeus。as，nodoubt，Frenchman-like，theywouldtakeverygoodcaretocomestrong-handed。
Thatwemaydependon——someveryformidableforceattheverylowest。Amilitarydispositionmightbemadeindefenceoftheisland，outofallquestion，andaccord-
ingtotheartofwar，thoughwewouldprobablyfailintheforcenecessarytocarryoutthedesigninanyverycreditablemanner。Inthefirstplace，adetachmentshouldbesentofftotheshore，withorderstoannoytheenemyinlanding。astrongpartyoughtinstantlytobethrownintotheblockhouse，asthecitadel，foronthatallthedif-
ferentdetachmentswouldnaturallyfallbackforsupport，astheFrenchadvanced。andanentrenchedcampmightbelaidoutaroundthestronghold，asitwouldbeveryun-
militaryindeedtoletthefoegetnearenoughtothefootofthewallstominethem。Chevaux-de-frisewouldkeepthecavalryincheck。andasfortheartillery，redoubtsshouldbethrownupundercoverofyonwoods。Strongskirmishingparties，moreover，wouldbeexceedinglyser-
viceableinretardingthemarchoftheenemy。andthesedifferenthuts，ifproperlypiquetedandditched，wouldbeconvertedintoveryeligiblepositionsforthatobject。
Whe-e-e-w-，Quartermaster！Andwhothed——listofindallthementocarryoutsuchaplan？
Theking，outofallquestion，MasterCap。Itishisquarrel，andit’sjustheshouldbeartheburtheno’it。
Andweareonlysix！Thisisfinetalking，withavengeance。Youcouldbesentdowntotheshoretoop-
posethelanding，Mabelmightskirmishwithhertongueatleast，thesoldier’swifemightactchevaux-de-frisetoentanglethecavalry，thecorporalshouldcommandtheentrenchedcamp，histhreemencouldoccupythefivehuts，andIwouldtaketheblockhouse。Whe-e-e-w！
youdescribewell，Lieutenant。andshouldhavebeenalimnerinsteadofasoldier。
Na，I’vebeenveryliteralanduprightinmyexpositionofmatters。ThatthereisnogreaterforceheretocarryouttheplanisafaultofhisMajesty’sministers，andnoneofmine。
Butshouldourenemyreallyappear，askedMabel，withmoreinterestthanshemighthaveshown，hadshenotrememberedtheguestinthehut，whatcourseoughtwetopursue？
Myadvicewouldbetoattempttoachievethat，prettyMabel，whichrenderedXenophonsojustlycelebrated。
Ithinkyoumeanaretreat，thoughIhalfguessatyourallusion。
You’veimaginedmymeaningfromthepossessionofastrongnativesense，younglady。IamawarethatyourworthyfatherhaspointedouttotheCorporalcertainmodesandmethodsbywhichhefanciesthisislandcouldbeheld，incasetheFrenchshoulddiscoveritsposition。
buttheexcellentSergeant，thoughyourfather，andasgoodamaninhisdutiesaseverwieldedaspontoon，isnotthegreatLordStair，oreventheDukeofMarlborough。I’llnotdenytheSergeant’smeritsinhisparticularsphere。
thoughIcannotexaggeratequalities，howeverexcellent，intothoseofmenwhomaybeinsometriflingdegreehissuperiors。SergeantDunhamhastakencounselofhisheart，insteadofhishead，inresolvingtoissuesuchorders。
but，ifthefortfall，theblamewilllieonhimthatorderedittobeoccupied，andnotonhimwhosedutyitwastodefendit。Whatevermaybethedeterminationofthelatter，shouldtheFrenchandtheiralliesland，agoodcommanderneverneglectsthepreparationsnecessarytoeffectaretreat。andIwouldadviseMasterCap，whoistheadmiralofournavy，tohaveaboatinreadinesstoevacuatetheisland，ifneedcomestoneed。Thelargestboatthatwehaveleftcarriesaveryamplesail。andbyhaulingitroundhere，andmooringitunderthosebushes，therewillbeaconvenientplaceforahurriedembarka-
tion。andthenyou’llperceive，prettyMabel，thatitisscarcelyfiftyyardsbeforeweshallbeinachannelbetweentwootherislands，andhidfromthesightofthosewhomayhappentobeonthis。
Allthatyousayisverytrue，Mr。Muir。butmaynottheFrenchcomefromthatquarterthemselves？Ifitissogoodforaretreat，itisequallygoodforanadvance。
They’llno’havethesensetodosodiscreetathing，
returnedMuir，lookingfurtivelyandalittleuneasilyaroundhim。they’llno’havesufficientdiscretion。YourFrenchareahead-over-heelsnation，andusuallycomeforwardinarandomway。sowemaylookforthem，iftheycomeatall，ontheothersideoftheisland。
Thediscoursenowbecameexceedinglydesultory，touch-
ingprincipally，however，ontheprobabilitiesofaninva-
sion，andthebestmeansofmeetingit。
TomostofthisMabelpaidbutlittleattention。thoughshefeltsomesurprisethatLieutenantMuir，anofficerwhosecharacterforcouragestoodwell，shouldopenlyrecommendanabandonmentofwhatappearedtohertobedoublyaduty，herfather’scharacterbeingconnectedwiththedefenceoftheisland。Hermind，however，wassomuchoccupiedwithherguest，that，seizingthefirstfavorablemoment，sheleftthetable，andwassooninherownhutagain。Carefullyfasteningthedoor，andseeingthatthesimplecurtainwasdrawnbeforethesinglelittlewindow，MabelnextledtheDew-of-June，orJune，asshewasfamiliarlytermedbythosewhospoketoherinEng-
lish，intotheouterroom，makingsignsofaffectionandconfidence。
Iamgladtoseeyou，June，saidMabel，withoneofhersweetestsmiles，andinherownwinningvoice，——verygladtoseeyou。Whathasbroughtyouhither，andhowdidyoudiscovertheisland？
Speakslow，saidJune，returningsmileforsmile，andpressingthelittlehandsheheldwithoneofherownthatwasscarcelylarger，thoughithadbeenhardenedbylabor。
moreslow——tooquick。
Mabelrepeatedherquestions，endeavoringtorepresstheimpetuosityofherfeelings。andshesucceededinspeak-
ingsodistinctlyastobeunderstood。
June，friend，returnedtheIndianwoman。
Ibelieveyou，June——frommysoulIbelieveyou。whathasthistodowithyourvisit？
Friendcometoseefriend，answeredJune，againsmilingopenlyintheother’sface。
Thereissomeotherreason，June，elsewouldyouneverrunthisrisk，andalone。Youarealone，June？
Junewidyou，nooneelse。Junecomealone，paddlecanoe。
Ihopeso，Ithinkso——nay，Iknowso。Youwouldnotbetreacherouswithme，June？
Whattreacherous？
Youwouldnotbetrayme，wouldnotgivemetotheFrench，totheIroquois，toArrowhead？
Juneshookherheadearnestly。
Youwouldnotsellmyscalp？
HereJunepassedherarmfondlyaroundtheslenderwaistofMabelandpressedhertoherheartwithatender-
nessandaffectionthatbroughttearsintotheeyesofourheroine。Itwasdoneinthefondcaressingmannerofawoman，anditwasscarcelypossiblethatitshouldnotob-
taincreditforsinceritywithayoungandingenuousper-
sonofthesamesex。Mabelreturnedthepressure，andthenheldtheotheroffatthelengthofherarm，lookedhersteadilyintheface，andcontinuedherinquiries。
IfJunehassomethingtotellherfriend，letherspeakplainly，shesaid。Myearsareopen。
June’fraidArrowheadkillher。
ButArrowheadwillneverknowit。Mabel’sbloodmountedtohertemplesasshesaidthis。forshefeltthatshewasurgingawifetobetreacheroustoherhusband。
Thatis，Mabelwillnottellhim。
HeburytomahawkinJune’shead。
Thatmustneverbe，dearJune。Iwouldratheryoushouldsaynomorethanrunthisrisk。
Blockhousegoodplacetosleep，goodplacetostay。
DoyoumeanthatImaysavemylifebykeepingintheblockhouse，June？Surely，surely，Arrowheadwillnothurtyoufortellingmethat。Hecannotwishmeanygreatharm，forIneverinjuredhim。
Arrowheadwishnoharmtohandsomepale-face，re-
turnedJune，avertingherface。and，thoughshealwaysspokeihthesoft，gentlevoiceofanIndiangirl，nowper-
mittingitsnotestofallsolowastocausethemtosoundmelancholyandtimid。Arrowheadlovepale-facegirl。
Mabelblushed，sheknewnotwhy，andforamomentherquestionswererepressedbyafeelingofinherentdeli-
cacy。Butitwasnecessarytoknowmore，forherappre-
hensionshadbeenkeenlyawakened，andsheresumedherinquiries。
Arrowheadcanhavenoreasontoloveortohate_me_，
shesaid。Ishenearyou？
Husbandalwaysnearwife，here，saidJune，layingherhandonherheart。
Excellentcreature！Buttellme，June，oughtItokeepintheblockhouseto-day——thismorning——now？
Blockhouseverygood。goodforwomen。Blockhousegotnoscalp。
IfearIunderstandyouonlytoowell，June。Doyouwishtoseemyfather？
Nohere。goneaway。
Youcannotknowthat，June。youseetheislandisfullofhissoldiers。
Nofull。goneaway，——hereJuneheldupfourofherfingers，——somanyred-coats。
AndPathfinder？wouldyounotliketoseethePath-
finder？HecantalktoyouintheIroquoistongue。
Tonguegonewidhim，saidJune，laughing。keeptongueinhismout’。
Therewassomethingsosweetandcontagiousinthein-
fantinelaughofanIndiangirl，thatMabelcouldnotre-
frainfromjoininginit，muchasherfearswerearousedbyallthathadpassed。
Youappeartoknow，ortothinkyouknow，allaboutus，June。ButifPathfinderbegone，Eau-doucecanspeakFrenchtoo。YouknowEau-douce。shallIrunandbringhimtotalkwithyou？
Eau-doucegonetoo，allbutheart。thatthere。AsJunesaidthis，shelaughedagain。lookedindifferentdi-
rections，asifunwillingtoconfusetheother，andlaidherhandonMabel’sbosom。
OurheroinehadoftenheardofthewonderfulsagacityoftheIndians，andofthesurprisingmannerinwhichtheynotedallthings，whiletheyappearedtoregardnone。
butshewasscarcelypreparedforthedirectionthedis-
coursehadsosingularlytaken。Willingtochangeit，andatthesametimetrulyanxioustolearnhowgreatthedangerthatimpendedoverthemmightreallybe，sherosefromthecamp-stoolonwhichshehadbeenseated。and，byassuminganattitudeoflessaffectionateconfidence，shehopedtohearmoreofthatshereallydesiredtolearn，andtoavoidallusionstothatwhichshefoundsoembar-
rassing。
Youknowhowmuchorhowlittleyououghttotellme，June，shesaid。andIhopeyoulovemewellenoughtogivemetheinformationIoughttohear。Mydearuncle，too，isontheisland，andyouare，oroughttobe，hisfriendaswellasmine。andbothofuswillrememberyourconductwhenwegetbacktoOswego。
Maybe，nevergetback。whoknow？Thiswassaiddoubtingly，orasonewholaysdownanuncertainpropo-
sition，andnotwithataunt，oradesiretoalarm。
NooneknowswhatwillhappenbutGod。OurlivesareinHishands。Still，IthinkyouaretobeHisinstru-
mentinsavingus。
ThispassedJune’scomprehension，andsheonlylookedherignorance。foritwasevidentshewishedtobeofuse。
Blockhouseverygood，sherepeated，assoonashercountenanceceasedtoexpressuncertainty，layingstrongemphasisonthelasttwowords。
Well，Iunderstandthis，June，andwillsleepinitto-
night。OfcourseIamtotellmyunclewhatyouhavesaid？
TheDew-of-Junestarted，andshediscoveredaverymanifestuneasinessattheinterrogatory。
No，no，no，no！sheanswered，withavolubilityandvehemencethatwasimitatedfromtheFrenchoftheCan-
adas。nogoodtotellSaltwater。Hemuchtalkandlongtongue。Thinkswoodsallwater，understandnot’ing。
TellArrowhead，andJunedie。
Youdomydearuncleinjustice，forhewouldbeaslittlelikelytobetrayyouasanyone。
Nounderstand。Saltwatergottongue，butnoeyes，noears，nonose——not’ingbuttongue，tongue，tongue！
AlthoughMabeldidnotexactlycoincideinthisopinion，shesawthatCaphadnottheconfidenceoftheyoungIn-
dianwoman，andthatitwasidletoexpectshewouldcon-
senttohisbeingadmittedtotheirinterview。
Youappeartothinkyouknowoursituationprettywell，June，Mabelcontinued。haveyoubeenontheislandbeforethisvisit？
Justcome。
Howthendoyouknowthatwhatyousayistrue？
myfather，thePathfinder，andEau-doucemayallbeherewithinsoundofmyvoice，ifIchoosetocallthem。
Allgone，saidJunepositively，smilinggood-humoredlyatthesametime。
Nay，thisismorethanyoucansaycertainly，nothav-
ingbeenovertheislandtoexamineit。
Gotgoodeyes。seeboatwithmengoaway——seeshipwithEau-douce。
Thenyouhavebeensometimewatchingus：Ithink，however，youhavenotcountedthemthatremain。
Junelaughed，heldupherfourfingersagain，andthenpointedtohertwothumbs。passingafingeroverthefirst，sherepeatedthewordsred-coats。andtouchingthelast，sheadded，Saltwater，Quartermaster。Allthiswasbeingveryaccurate，andMabelbegantoentertainseriousdoubtsastotheproprietyofherpermittinghervisitortodepartwithoutherbecomingmoreexplicit。Stillitwassorepugnanttoherfeelingstoabusetheconfidencethisgentleandaffectionatecreaturehadevidentlyreposedinher，thatMabelhadnosooneradmittedthethoughtofsummoningheruncle，thansherejecteditasunworthyofherselfandunjusttoherfriend。Toaidthisgoodreso-
lution，too，therewasthecertaintythatJunewouldrevealnothing，buttakerefugeinastubbornsilence，ifanyat-
temptweremadetocoerceher。
Youthink，then，June，Mabelcontinued，assoonasthesethoughtshadpassedthroughhermind，thatIhadbetterliveintheblockhouse？
Goodplaceforwoman。Blockhousegotnoscalp。
Logst’ick。
Youspeakconfidently，June。asifyouhadbeeninit，andhadmeasureditswalls。
Junelaughed。andshelookedknowing，thoughshesaidnothing。
Doesanyonebutyourselfknowhowtofindthisisland？haveanyoftheIroquoisseenit？
Junelookedsad，andshecasthereyeswarilyabouther，asifdistrustingalistener。
Tuscarora，everywhere——Oswego，here，Frontenac，Mo-
hawk——everywhere。IfheseeJune，killher。
Butwethoughtthatnooneknewofthisisland，andthatwehadnoreasontofearourencmieswhileonit。
Mucheye，Iroquois。
Eyeswillnotalwaysdo，June，Thisspotishidfromordinarysight，andfewofevenourownpeopleknowhowtofindit。
Onemancantell。someYengeesetalkFrench。
Mabelfeltachillatherheart。AllthesuspicionsagainstJasper，whichshehadhithertodisdainedentertaining，crowdedinabodyonherthoughts。andthesensationthattheybroughtwassosickening，thatforaninstantsheim-
aginedshewasabouttofaint。Arousingherself，andre-
memberingherpromisetoherfather，shearoseandwalkedupanddownthehutforaminute，fancyingthatJasper’sdelinquencieswerenaughttoher，thoughherinmostheartyearnedwiththedesiretothinkhiminnocent。
Iunderstandyourmeaning，June，shethensaid。
youwishmetoknowthatsomeonehastreacherousytoldyourpeoplewhereandhowtofindtheisland？
Junelaughed，forinhereyesartificeinwarwasoftenerameritthanacrime。butshewastootruetohertribeherselftosaymorethantheoccasionrequired。HerobjectwastosaveMabel，andMabelonly。andshesawnosuffi-
cientreasonfortravellingoutoftherecord，asthelawyersexpressit，inordertodoanythingelse。
Pale-faceknownow，sheadded。Blockhousegoodforgirl，nomatterformenandwarriors。
Butitismuchmatterwithme，June。foroneofthosemenismyuncle，whomIlove，andtheothersaremycountrymenandfriends。Imusttellthemwhathaspassed。
ThenJunebekill，returnedtheyoungIndianquietly，thoughsheevidentlyspokewithconcern。
No。theyshallnotknowthatyouhavebeenhere。
Still，theymustbeontheirguard，andwecanallgointotheblockhouse。
Arrowheadknow，seeeverything，andJunebekill。
Junecometotellyoungpale-facefriend，nottotellmen。
Everywarriorwatchhisownscalp。Junewoman，andtellwoman。notellmen。
Mabelwasgreatlydistressedatthisdeclarationofherwildfriend，foritwasnowevidenttheyoungcreatureunderstoodthathercommunicationwastogonofurther。
Shewasignoranthowfarthesepeopleconsiderthepointofhonorinterestedinherkeepingthesecret。andmostofallwassheunabletosayhowfaranyindiscretionofherownmightactuallycommitJuneandendangerherlife。
Alltheseconsiderationsflashedonhermind，andreflectiononlyrenderedtheirinfluencemorepainful。June，too，manifestlyviewedthemattergravely。forshebegantogatherupthedifferentlittlearticlesshehaddroppedintakingMabel’shand，andwaspreparingtodepart。Toattemptdetainingherwasoutofthequestion。andtopartfromher，afterallshehadhazardedtoserveher，wasre-
pugnanttoallthejustandkindfeelingsofourheroine’snature。
June，saidsheeagerly，foldingherarmsroundthegentlebutuneducatedbeing，wearefriends。Frommeyouhavenothingtofear，fornooneshallknowofyourvisit。Ifyoucouldgivemesomesignaljustbeforethedangercomes，somesignbywhichtoknowwhentogointotheblockhouse，howtotakecareofmyself。
Junepaused，forshehadbeeninearnestinherintentiontodepart。andthenshesaidquietly，BringJunepigeon。
Apigeon！WhereshallIfindapigeontobringyou？
Nexthut。bringoldone。Junegotocanoe。
IthinkIunderstandyou，June。buthadInotbetterleadyoubacktothebushes，lestyoumeetsomeofthemen？
Gooutfirst。countmen，one，two，t’ree，four，five，six-
hereJuneheldupherfingers，andlaughed——alloutoftheway——good。allbutone，callhimoneside。Thensing，andfetchpigeon。
Mabelsmiledatthereadinessandingenuityofthegirl，andpreparedtoexecuteherrequests。Atthedoor，how-
ever，shestopped，andlookedbackentreatinglyattheIn-
dianwoman。Istherenohopeofyourtellingmemore，June？shesaid。
Knowallnow，blockhousegood，pigeontell，Arrow-
headkill。
Thelastwordssufficed。forMabelcouldnoturgefurthercommunications，whenhercompanionherselftoldherthatthepenaltyofherrevelationsmightbedeathbythehandofherhusband。Throwingopenthedoor，shemadeasignofadieutoJune，andwentoutofthehut。MabelresortedtothesimpleexpedientoftheyoungIndiangirltoascer-
tainthesituationofthedifferentindividualsontheisland。
Insteadoflookingaboutherwiththeintentionofrecog-
nizingfacesanddresses，shemerelycountedthem。andfoundthatthreestillremainedatthefire，whiletwohadgonetotheboat，oneofwhomwasMr。Muir。Thesixthmanwasheruncle。andhewascoollyarrangingsomefish-
ing-tackleatnogreatdistancefromthefire。Thewomanwasjustenteringherownhut。andthisaccountedforthewholeparty。Mabelnow，affectingtohavedroppedsome-
thing，returnednearlytothehutshehadleft，warblinganair，stoopedasiftopickupsomeobjectfromtheground，andhurriedtowardsthehutJunehadmentioned。Thiswasadilapidatedstructure，andithadbeenconvertedbythesoldiersofthelastdetachmentintoasortofstore-
housefortheirlivestock。Amongotherthings，itcon-
tainedafewdozenpigeons，whichwereregalingonapileofwheatthathadbeenbroughtofffromoneofthefarmsplunderedontheCanadashore。Mabelhadnotmuchdifficultyincatchingoneofthesepigeons，althoughtheyflutteredandflewaboutthehutwithanoiselikethatofdrums。and，concealingitinherdress，shestolebacktowardsherownhutwiththeprize。Itwasempty。and，withoutdoingmorethancastaglanceinatthedoor，theeagergirlhurrieddowntotheshore。Shehadnodiffi-
cultyinescapingobservation，forthetreesandbushesmadeacompletecovertoherperson。AtthecanoeshefoundJune，whotookthepigeon，placeditinabasketofherownmanufacturing，and，repeatingthewords，blockhousegood，sheglidedoutofthebushesandacrossthenarrowpassage，asnoiselesslyasshehadcome。Mabelwaitedsometimetocatchasignalofleave-takingoramityafterherfriendhadlanded，butnonewasgiven。Theadjacentislands，withoutexception，wereasquietasifnoonehadeverdisturbedthesublimereposeofnature，andnowherecouldanysignorsymptombediscovered，asMabelthenthought，thatmightdenotetheproximityofthesortofdangerofwhichJunehadgivennotice。
Onreturning，however，fromtheshore，Mabelwasstruckwithalittlecircumstance，that，inanordinarysituation，wouldhaveattractednoattention，butwhich，nowthathersuspicionshadbeenaroused，didnotpassbeforeheruneasyeyeunnoticed。Asmallpieceofredbunting，suchasisusedintheensignsofships，wasflutteringatthelowerbranchofasmalltree，fastenedinawaytopermitittoblowout，ortodrooplikeavessel’spennant。
NowthatMabel’sfearswereawakened，Juneherselfcouldnothavemanifestedgreaterquicknessinanalyzingfactsthatshebelievedmightaffectthesafetyoftheparty。
Shesawataglancethatthisbitofclothcouldbeob-
servedfromanadjacentisland。thatitlaysonearthelinebetweenherownhutandthecanoeastoleavenodoubtthatJunehadpassednearit，ifnotdirectlyunderit。andthatitmightbeasignaltocommunicatesomeimportantfactconnectedwiththemodeofattacktothosewhowereprobablylyinginambushnearthem。Tearingthelittlestripofbuntingfromthetree，Mabelhastenedon，scarcelyknowingwhatherdutynextrequiredofher。Junemightbefalsetoher，buthermanner，herlooks，heraffection，andherdispositionasMabelhadknownitinthejourney，forbadetheidea。ThencametheallusiontoArrowhead’sadmirationofthepale-facebeauties，somedimrecollectionsofthelooksoftheTuscarora，andapainfulconsciousnessthatfewwivescouldviewwithkindnessonewhohades-
trangedahusband’saffections。Noneoftheseimagesweredistinctandclear，buttheyrathergleamedoverthemindofourheroinethanrestedinit，andtheyquickenedherpulses，astheydidherstep，withoutbringingwiththemthepromptandcleardecisionsthatusuallyfollowedherreflec-
tions。Shehadhurriedonwardstowardsthehutoccupiedbythesoldier’swife，intendingtoremoveatoncetotheblockhousewiththewoman，thoughshecouldpersuadenoothertofollow，whenherimpatientwalkwasinterruptedbythevoiceofMuir。
Whithersofast，prettyMabel？hecried。andwhysogiventosolitude？TheworthySergeantwillderidemybreeding，ifhehearthathisdaughterpassesthemorn-
ingsaloneandunattendedto，thoughhewellknowsitismyardentwishtobeherslaveandcompanionfromthebeginningoftheyeartoitsend。
Surely，Mr。Muir，youmusthavesomeauthorityhere？
Mabelsuddenlyarrestedherstepstosay。Oneofyourrankwouldbelistenedto，atleast，byacorporal？
Idon’tknowthat，Idon’tknowthat，interruptedMuir，withanimpatienceandappearanceofalarmthatmighthaveexcitedMabel’sattentionatanothermoment。
Commandiscommand。discipline，discipline。andau-
thority，authority。Yourgoodfatherwouldbesoregrieveddidhefindmeinterferingtosullyorcarryoffthelaurelsheisabouttowin。andIcannotcommandtheCorporalwithoutequallycommandingtheSergeant。Thewisestwaywillbeformetoremainintheobscurityofaprivateindividualinthisenterprise。anditissothatallparties，fromLundiedown，understandthetransaction。
ThisIknow，anditmaybewell，norwouldIgivemydearfatheranycauseofcomplaint。butyoumayinfluencetheCorporaltohisowngood。
I’llno’saythat，returnedMuirinhisslyScotchway。
itwouldbefarsafertopromisetoinfluencehimtohisinjury。Mankind，prettyMabel，havetheirpeculiarities。
andtoinfluenceafellow-beingtohisowngoodisoneofthemostdifficulttasksofhumannature，whiletheoppo-
siteisjusttheeasiest。You’llno’forgetthis，mydear，butbearitinmindforyouredificationandgovernment。
Butwhatisthatyou’retwistingroundyourslenderfingerasyoumaybesaidtotwisthearts？
Itisnothingbutabitofcloth——asortofflag——atriflethatishardlyworthourattentionatthisgravemoment。
If——
Atrifle！It’sno’sotriflingasyemayimagine，Mis-
tressMabel，takingthebitofbuntingfromher，andstretchingitatfulllengthwithbothhisarmsextended，whilehisfacegrewgraveandhiseyewatchful。Ye’llno’
ha’beenfindingthis，MabelDunham，inthebreakfast？
Mabelsimplyacquaintedhimwiththespotwhereandthemannerinwhichshehadfoundthebitofcloth。
Whileshewasspeaking，theeyeoftheQuartermasterwasnotquietforamoment，glancingfromtheragtothefaceofourheroine，thenbackagaintotherag。Thathissus-
picionswereawakenedwaseasytobeseen，norwashelonginlettingitbeknownwhatdirectiontheyhadtaken。
Wearenotinapartoftheworldwhereourensignsandgaudsoughttobespreadabroadtothewind，MabelDunham！hesaid，withanominousshakeofthehead。
Ithoughtasmuchmyself，Mr。Muir，andbroughtawaythelittleflaglestitmightbethemeansofbetrayingourpresenceheretotheenemy，eventhoughnothingisin-
tendedbyitsdisplay。Oughtnotmyuncletobemadeacquaintedwiththecircumstance？
Ino’seethenecessityforthat，prettyMabel。for，asyoujustlysay，itisacircumstance，andcircumstancessometimesworrytheworthymariner。Butthisflag，ifflagitcanbecalled，belongstoaseaman’scraft。Youmayperceivethatitismadeofwhatiscalledbunting，andthatisadescriptionofclothusedonlybyvesselsforsuchpur-
poses，_our_colorsbeingofsilk，asyoumayunderstand，orpaintedcanvas。It’ssurprisinglyliketheflyofthe_Scud’s_
ensign。AndnowIrecollectmetohaveobservedthatapiecehadbeencutfromthatveryflag。
Mabelfeltherheartsink，butshehadsufficientself-
commandnottoattemptananswer。
Itmustbelookedto，Muircontinued，and，afterall，IthinkitmaybewelltoholdashortconsultationwithMasterCap，thanwhomamoreloyalsubjectdoesnotex-
istintheBritishempire。
Ihavethoughtthewarningsoserious，Mabelrejoined，thatIamabouttoremovetotheblockhouse，andtotakethewomanwithme。
Idonotseetheprudenceofthat，Mabel。Theblock-
housewillbethefirstspotassailedshouldtherereallybeanattack。andit’sno’wellprovidedforasiege，thatmustbeallowed。IfImightadviseinsodelicateacontin-
gency，Iwouldrecommendyourtakingrefugeintheboat，which，asyoumaynowperceive，ismostfavorablyplacedtoretreatbythatchannelopposite，whereallinitwouldbehidbytheislandsinoneortwominutes。Waterleavesnotrail，asPathfinderwellexpressesit。andthereappearstobesomanydifferentpassagesinthatquarterthatescapewouldbemorethanprobable。I’vealwaysbeenofopin-
ionthatLundiehazardedtoomuchinoccupyingapostsofaradvancedandsomuchexposedasthis。
It’stoolatetoregretitnow，Mr。Muir，andwehaveonlytoconsultourownsecurity。
Andtheking’shonor，prettyMabel。Yes，hisMajesty’sarmsandhisgloriousnamearenottobeoverlookedonanyoccasion。
ThenIthinkitmightbebetterifweallturnedoureyestowardstheplacethathasbeenbuilttomaintaintheminsteadoftheboat，saidMabel，smiling。andso，Mr。Muir，Iamfortheblockhouse，intendingtoawaittherethereturnofmyfatherandhisparty。Hewouldbesadlygrievedatfindingwehadfledwhenhegotbacksuc-
cessfulhimself，andfilledwiththeconfidenceofourhavingbeenasfaithfultoourdutiesashehasbeentohisown。
Nay，nay，forheaven’ssake，donotmisunderstandme，Mabel！Muirinterrupted，withsomealarmofmanner。
Iamfarfromintimatingthatanybutyoufemalesoughttotakerefugeintheboat。Thedutyofusmenissuffi-
cientlyplain，nodoubt，andmyresolutionhasbeenformedfromthefirsttostandorfallbytheblockhouse。
Anddidyouimagine，Mr。Muir，thattwofemalescouldrowthatheavyboatinawaytoescapethebarkcanoeofanIndian？
Ah，myprettyMabel，loveisseldomlogical，anditsfearsandmisgivingsareapttowarpthefaculties。Ionlysawyoursweetpersoninthepossessionofthemeansofsafety，andoverlookedthewantofabilitytousethem。
butyou’llnotbesocruel，lovelycreature，astoimputetomeasafaultmyintenseanxietyonyourownaccount。
Mabelhadheardenough：hermindwastoomuchoc-
cupiedwithwhathadpassedthatmorning，andwithherfears，towishtolingerlongertolistentolovespeeches，whichinhermostjoyousandbuoyantmomentsshewouldhavefoundunpleasant。Shetookahastyleaveofhercompanion，andwasabouttotripawaytowardsthehiltoftheotherwoman，whenMuirarrestedthemovementbylayingahandonherarm。
Oneword，Mabel，saidhe，beforeyouleaveme。Thislittleflagmay，oritmaynot，haveaparticularmeaning。
ifithas，nowthatweareawareofitsbeingshown，mayitnotbebettertoputitbackagain，whilewewatchvigilantlyforsomeanswerthatmaybetraytheconspiracy。andifitmeannothing，why，nothingwillfollow。
Thismaybeallright，Mr。Muir，though，ifthewholeisaccidental，theflagmightbetheoccasionofthefort’sbeingdiscovered。
Mabelstayedtoutternomore。butshewassoonoutofsight，runningintothehuttowardswhichshehadbeenfirstproceeding。TheQuartermasterremainedontheveryspotandinthepreciseattitudeinwhichshehadlefthimforquiteaminute，firstlookingattheboundingfigureofthegirlandthenatthebitofbunting，whichhestillheldbe-
forehiminawaytodenoteindecision。Hisirresolutionlastedbutforthisminute，however。forhewassoonbe-
neaththetree，wherehefastenedthemimicflagtoabranchagain，though，fromhisignoranceoftheprecisespotfromwhichithadbeentakenbyMabel，heleftitflutteringfromapartoftheoakwhereitwasstillmoreexposedthanbeforetotheeyesofanypassengerontheriver，thoughlessinviewfromtheislanditself。
CHAPTERXXI。
Eachonehashadhissuppingmess，Thecheeseisputintothepress，Thepansandbowls，cleanscaldedall，Rearedupagainstthemilk-housewall。
COTTON。
ItseemedstrangetoMabelDunham，asshepassedalongonherwaytofindherfemalecompanion，thatothersshouldbesocomposed，whilesheherselffeltasifthere-
sponsibilitiesoflifeanddeathrestedonhershoulders。ItistruethatdistrustofJune’smotivesmingledwithherforebodings。butwhenshecametorecalltheaffectionateandnaturalmanneroftheyoungIndiangirl，andalltheevidencesofgoodfaithandsincerityshehadseeninherconductduringthefamiliarintercourseoftheirjourney，sherejectedtheideawiththeunwillingnessofagenerousdispositiontobelieveillofothers。Shesaw，however，thatshecouldnotputhercompanionsproperlyontheirguardwithoutlettingthemintothesecretofherconferencewithJune。andshefoundherselfcompelledtoactcautiouslyandwithaforethoughttowhichshewasunaccustomed，moreespeciallyinamatterofsomuchmoment。
Thesoldier’swifewastoldtotransportthenecessariesintotheblockhouse，andadmonishednottobefarfromitatanytimeduringtheday。Mabeldidnotexplainherreasons。Shemerelystatedthatshehaddetectedsomesignsinwalkingabouttheisland，whichinducedhertoapprehendthattheenemyhadmoreknowledgeofitspo-
sitionthanhadbeenpreviouslybelieved，andthattheytwoatleast，woulddowelltobeinreadinesstoseekarefugeattheshortestnotice。Itwasnotdifficulttoarousetheapprehensionofthisperson，who，thoughastout-
heartedScotchwoman，wasreadyenoughtolistentoany-
thingthatconfirmedherdreadofIndiancruelties。AssoonasMabelbelievedthathercompanionwassufficientlyfrightenedtomakeherwary，shethrewoutsomehintstouchingtheinexpediencyoflettingthesoldiersknowtheextentoftheirownfears。Thiswasdonewithaviewtopreventdiscussionsandinquiriesthatmightembarrassourheroine：shedeterminingtorenderheruncle，theCor-
poral，andhismenmorecautious，byadoptingadifferentcourse。Unfortunately，theBritisharmycouldnothavefurnishedaworsepersonfortheparticulardutythathewasnowrequiredtodischargethanCorporalM’Nab，theindividualwhohadbeenleftincommandduringtheab-
senceofSergeantDunham。Ontheonehand，hewasres-
olute，prompt，familiarwithallthedetailsofasoldier’slife，andusedtowar。ontheother，hewassuperciliousasregardstheprovincials，opinionatedoneverysubjectcon-
nectedwiththenarrowlimitsofhisprofessionalpractice，muchdisposedtofancytheBritishempirethecentreofallthatisexcellentintheworld，andScotlandthefocusof，atleast，allmoralexcellenceinthatempire。Inshort，hewasanepitome，thoughonascalesuitedtohisrank，ofthoseveryqualitieswhichweresopeculiartotheserv-
antsoftheCrownthatweresentintothecolonies，astheseservantsestimatedthemselvesincomparisonwiththena-
tivesofthecountry。or，inotherwords，heconsideredtheAmericanasananimalinferiortotheparentstock，andviewedallhisnotionsofmilitaryservice，inparticular，asundigestedandabsurd。Amoreimpracticablesubject，therefore，couldnotwellhaveofferedforthepurposeofMabel，andyetshefeltobligedtolosenotimeinputtingherplaninexecution。