HethoughtofPathfinder，buthedistrustedhisknowl-
edge。HethoughtofMabel，butfortheparenttoappealtothechildforsuchsuccorappearedlikereversingtheorderofnature。Thenitwasthathefeltthefullre-
sponsibilityoftheparentalcharacter，andhadsomeclearglimpseofthemannerinwhichhehimselfhaddischargedthetrusttowardsanorphanchild。Whilethoughtslikethesewererisinginhismind，Mabel，whowatchedtheslightestchangeinhisbreathing，heardaguardedknockatthedoor。SupposingitmightbeChingachgook，sherose，undidtwoofthebars，andheldthethirdinherhand，assheaskedwhowasthere。Theanswerwasinheruncle’svoice，andheimploredhertogivehiminstantadmission。
Withoutaninstantofhesitation，sheturnedthebar，andCapentered。Hehadbarelypassedtheopening，whenMabelclosedthedooragain，andsecureditasbefore，forpracticehadrenderedherexpertinthisportionofherduties。
Thesturdyseaman，whenhehadmadesureofthestateofhisbrother-in-law，andthatMabel，aswellashimself，wassafe，wassoftenednearlytotears。Hisownappear-
anceheexplainedbysayingthathehadbeencarelesslyguarded，undertheimpressionthatheandtheQuarter-
masterweresleepingunderthefumesofliquorwithwhichtheyhadbeenpliedwithaviewtokeepthemquietintheexpectedengagement。Muirhadbeenleftasleep，orseem-
ingtosleep。butCaphadrunintothebushesonthealarmoftheattack，andhavingfoundPathfinder’scanoe，hadonlysucceeded，atthatmoment，ingettingtotheblockhouse，whitherhehadcomewiththekindintentofescapingwithhisniecebywater。ItisscarcelynecessarytosaythathechangedhisplanwhenheascertainedthestateoftheSergeant，andtheapparentsecurityofhispresentquarters。
Iftheworstcomestotheworst，MasterPathfinder，
saidhe，wemuststrike，andthatwillentitleustore-
ceivequarter。Weoweittoourmanhoodtoholdoutareasonabletime，andtoourselvestohauldowntheensigninseasontomakesavingconditions。IwishedMasterMuirtodothesamethingwhenwewerecapturedbythesechapsyoucallvagabonds——andrightlyaretheynamed，forvilervagabondsdonotwalktheearth——
You’vefoundouttheircharacters？interruptedPathfinder，whowasalwaysasreadytochimeinwithabuseoftheMingosaswiththepraisesofhisfriends。
Now，hadyoufallenintothehandsoftheDelawares，youwouldhavelearnedthedifference。
Well，tometheyseemmuchofamuchness。black-
guardsforeandaft，alwaysexceptingourfriendtheSer-
pent，whoisagentlemanforanIndian。But，whenthesesavagesmadetheassaultonus，killingCorporalM’Nabandhismenasiftheyhadbeensomanyrabbits，Lieuten-
antMuirandmyselftookrefugeinoneoftheholesofthishereisland，ofwhichtherearesomanyamongtherocks，andthereweremainedstowedawayliketwoleaguersinaship’shold，untilwegaveoutforwantofgrub。A
manmaysaythatgrubisthefoundationofhumannature。
IdesiredtheQuartermastertomaketerms，forwecouldhavedefendedourselvesforanhourortwointheplace，badasitwas。buthedeclined，onthegroundthattheknaveswouldn’tkeepfaithifanyofthemwerehurt，andsotherewasnouseinaskingthemto。Iconsentedtostrike，ontwoprinciples。one，thatwemightbesaidtohavestruckalready，forrunningbelowisgenerallythoughttobegivinguptheship。andtheother，thatwehadanenemyinourstomachsthatwasmoreformidableinhisattacksthantheenemyondeck。Hungerisad——blecircumstance，asanymanwhohaslivedoniteight-and-
fortyhourswillacknowledge。
Uncle，saidMabelinamournfulvoiceandwithanexpostulatorymanner，mypoorfatherissadly，sadlyhurt！
True，Magnet，true。Iwillsitbyhim，anddomybestatconsolation。Arethebarswellfastened，girl？foronsuchanoccasionthemindshouldbetranquilandundis-
turbed。
Wearesafe，Ibelieve，fromallbutthisheavyblowofProvidence。
Well，then，Magnet，doyougouptotheflooraboveandtrytocomposeyourself，whilePathfinderrunsaloftandtakesalook-outfromthecross-trees。Yourfathermaywishtosaysomethingtomeinprivate，anditmaybewelltoleaveusalone。Thesearesolemnscenes，andin-
experiencedpeople，likemyself，donotalwayswishwhattheysaytobeoverheard。
Althoughtheideaofheruncle’saffordingreligiouscon-
solationbythesideofadeath-bedcertainlyneverob-
trudeditselfontheimaginationofMabel，shethoughttheremightbeaproprietyintherequestwithwhichshewasunacquainted，andshecompliedaccordingly。Path-
finderhadalreadyascendedtotherooftomakehissur-
vey，andthebrothers-in-lawwereleftalone。CaptookaseatbythesideoftheSergeant，andbethoughthimseri-
ouslyofthegravedutyhehadbeforehim。Asilenceofseveralminutessucceeded，duringwhichbriefspacethemarinerwasdigestingthesubstanceofhisintendeddis-
course。
Imustsay，SergeantDunham，Capatlengthcom-
mencedinhispeculiarmanner，thattherehasbeenmis-
managementsomewhereinthisunhappyexpedition。and，thepresentbeinganoccasionwhentruthoughttobespoken，andnothingbutthetruth，Ifeelitmydutytobesayasmuchinplainlanguage。Inshort，Sergeant，onthispointtherecannotwellbetwoopinions。for，seamanasIam，andnosoldier，Icanseeseveralerrorsmyself，thatitneedsnogreateducationtodetect。
Whatwouldyouhave，brotherCap？returnedtheotherinafeeblevoice。whatisdoneisdone。anditisnowtoolatetoremedyit。
Verytrue，brotherDunham，butnottorepentofit。
theGoodBooktellsusitisnevertoolatetorepent。andI’ve，alwaysneardthatthisisthepreciousmoment。Ifyou’veanythingonyourmind，Sergeant，hoistitoutfreely。
for，youknow，youtrustittoafriend。Youweremyownsister’shusband，andpoorlittleMagnetismyownsister’sdaughter。and，livingordead，Ishallalwayslookuponyouasabrother。It’sathousandpitiesthatyoudidn’tlieoffandonwiththeboats，andsendacanoeaheadtoreconnoitre。inwhichcaseyourcommandwouldhavebeensaved，andthisdisasterwouldnothavebefallenusall。Well，Sergeant，weare_all_mortal。thatissomecon-
solation，Imakenodoubt。andifyougobeforealittle，why，wemustfollow。Yes，that_must_giveyouconsola-
tion。
Iknowallthis，brotherCap。andhopeI’mpreparedtomeetasoldier’sfate——thereispoorMabel——
Ay，ay，that’saheavydrag，Iknow。butyouwouldn’ttakeherwithyouifyoucould，Sergeant。andsothebetterwayistomakeaslightoftheseparationasyoucan。
Mabelisagoodgirl，andsowashermotherbeforeher。
shewasmysister，anditshallbemycaretoseethatherdaughtergetsagoodhusband，ifourlivesandscalpsarespared。forIsupposenoonewouldcareaboutenteringintoafamilythathasnoscalps。
Brother，mychildisbetrothed。shewillbecomethewifeofPathfinder。
Well，brotherDunham，everymanhashisopinionsandhismannerofviewingthings。and，tomynotion，thismatchwillbeanythingbutagreeabletoMabel。Ihavenoobjectiontotheageoftheman。I’mnotoneofthemthatthinksitnecessarytobeaboytomakeagirlhappy，but，onthewhole，Ipreferamanofaboutfiftyforahus-
band。stillthereoughtnottobeanycircumstancebe-
tweenthepartiestomakethemunhappy。Circumstancesplaythedevilwithmatrimony，andIsetitdownasonethatPathfinderdon’tknowasmuchasmyniece。You’veseenbutlittleofthegirl，Sergeant，andhavenotgottherunofherknowledge。butletherpayitoutfreely，asshewilldowhenshegetstobethoroughlyacquainted，andyou’llfallinwithbutfewschoolmastersthatcankeeptheirluffsinhercompany。
She’sagoodchild——adear，goodchild，mutteredtheSergeant，hiseyesfillingwithtears。anditismymis-
fortunethatIhaveseensolittleofher。
Sheisindeedagoodgirl，andknowsaltogethertoomuchforpoorPathfinder，whoisareasonablemanandanexperiencedmaninhisownway。butwhohasnomoreideaofthemainchancethanyouhaveofsphericaltrigo-
nometry，Sergeant。
Ah，brotherCap，hadPathfinderbeenwithusintheboatsthissadaffairmightnothavehappened！
Thatisquitelikely。forhisworstenemywillallowthatthemanisagoodguide。butthen，Sergeant，ifthetruthmustbespoken，youhavemanagedthisexpeditioninaloosewayaltogether。Youshouldhavehove-tooffyourhaven，andsentinaboattoreconnoitre，asItoldyoubefore。Thatisamattertoberepentedof？andI
tellittoyou，becausetruth，insuchacase，oughttobespoken。
Myerrorsaredearlypaidfor，brother。andpoorMabel，Ifear，willbethesufferer。Ithink，however，thatthecalamitywouldnothavehappenedhadtherenotbeentreason。Ifearme，brother，thatJasperEau-doucehasplayedusfalse。
Thatisjustmynotion。forthisfresh-waterlifemustsoonerorlaterundermineanyman’smorals。LieutenantMuirandmyselftalkedthismatteroverwhilewelayinabitofaholeouthere，onthisisland。andwebothcametotheconclusionthatnothingshortofJasper’streacherycouldhavebroughtusallintothisinfernalscrape。Well，Sergeant，youhadbettercomposeyourmind，andthinkofothermatters。for，whenavesselisabouttoenterastrangeport，itismoreprudenttothinkoftheanchorageinsidethantobeunder-runningalltheeventsthathaveturnedupduringthev’y’ge。There’sthelog-bookex-
presslytonoteallthesemattersin。andwhatstandstheremustformthecolumnoffiguresthat’stobepostedupfororagainstus。Hownow，Pathfinder！isthereanythinginthewind，thatyoucomedowntheladderlikeanIndianinthewakeofascalp？
TheguideraisedafingerforsilenceandthenbeckonedtoCaptoascendthefirstladder，andtoallowMabeltotakehisplaceatthesideoftheSergeant。
Wemustbeprudent，andwemustbeboldtoo，saidheinalowvoice。Theriptylesareinearnestintheirintentiontofiretheblock。fortheyknowthereisnownothingtobegainedbylettingitstand。IhearthevoiceofthatvagabondArrowheadamongthem，andheisurg-
ingthemtosetabouttheirdevilrythisverynight。Wemustbestirring，Saltwater，anddoingtoo。Luckilytherearefourorfivebarrelsofwaterintheblock，andthesearesomethingtowardsasiege。Myreckoningiswrong，too，orweshallyetreapsomeadvantagefromthathonestfel-
low’s，theSarpent，beingatliberty。
Capdidnotwaitforasecondinvitation。but，stealingaway，hewassoonintheupperroomwithPathfinder，whileMabeltookhispostatthesideofherfather’shumblebed。Pathfinderhadopenedaloop，havingsofarcon-
cealedthelightthatitwouldnotexposehimtoatreacher-
ousshot。and，expectingasummons，hestoodwithhisfacenearthehole，readytoanswer。ThestillnessthatsucceededwasatlengthbrokenbythevoiceofMuir。
MasterPathfinder，calledouttheScotchman，afriendsummonsyoutoaparley。Comefreelytooneoftheloops。foryou’venothingtofearsolongasyouareinconversewithanofficerofthe55th。
Whatisyourwill，Quartermaster？whatisyourwill？
Iknowthe55th，andbelieveittobeabraveregiment。
thoughIratherinclinetothe60thasmyfavorite，andtotheDelawaresmorethantoeither。butwhatwouldyouhave，Quartermaster？Itmustbeapressingerrandthatbringsyouundertheloopsofablockhouseatthishourofthenight，withthesartaintyofKilldeerbeinginsideofit。
Oh，you’llno’harmafriend，Pathfinder，I’mcertain。
andthat’smysecurity。You’reamanofjudgment，andhavegainedtoogreatanameonthisfrontierforbraverytofeelthenecessityoffoolhardinesstoobtainacharacter。
You’llverywellunderstand，mygoodfriend，thereisasmuchcredittobegainedbysubmittinggracefully，whenresistancebecomesimpossible，asbyobstinatelyholdingoutcontrarytotherulesofwar。Theenemyistoostrongforus，mybravecomrade，andIcometocounselyoutogiveuptheblock，onconditionofbeingtreatedasapris-
onerofwar。
Ithankyouforthisadvice，Quartermaster，whichisthemoreacceptableasitcostsnothing。butIdonotthinkitbelongstomygiftstoyieldaplacelikethiswhilefoodandwaterlast。
Well，I’dbethelast，Pathfinder，torecommendany-
thingagainstsobravearesolution，didIseethemeansofmaintainingit。Butye’llrememberthatMasterCaphasfallen。
Nothe，nothe！roaredtheindividualinquestionthroughanotherloop。andsofarfromthat，Lieutenant，hehasrisentotheheightofthisherefortification，andhasnomindtoputhisheadofhairintothehandsofsuchbarbersagain，solongashecanhelpit。Ilookuponthisblockhouseasacircumstance，andhavenomindtothrowitaway。
Ifthatisalivingvoice，returnedMuir，Iamgladtohearit。forweallthoughtthemanhadfalleninthelatefearfulconfusion。But，MasterPathfinder，althoughye’reenjoyingthesocietyofourfriendCap，——andagreatpleasuredoIknowittobe，bytheexperienceoftwodaysandanightpassedinaholeintheearth，——we’velostthatofSergeantDunham，whohasfallen，withallthebravemenheledinthelateexpedition。Lundiewouldhaveitso，thoughitwouldhavebeenmorediscreetandbecomingtosendacommissionedofficerincommand。Dunhamwasabraveman，notwithstanding，andshallhavejusticedonehismemory。Inshort，wehaveallactedforthebest，andthatisasmuchascouldbesaidinfavorofPrinceEugene，theDukeofMarlborough，orthegreatEarlofStairhim-
self。
You’rewrongag’in，Quartermaster，you’rewrongag’in，answeredPathfinder，resortingtoarusetomagnifyhisforce。TheSergeantissafeintheblocktoo，whereonemightsaythewholefamilyiscollected。
WellIrejoicetohearit，forwehadcertainlycountedtheSergeantamongtheslain。IfprettyMabelisintheblockstill，lethernotdelayaninstant，forheaven’ssake，inquittingit，fortheenemyisabouttoputittothetrialbyfire。Yeknowthepotencyofthatdreadelement，andwillbeactingmorelikethediscreetandexperiencedwar-
riorye’reuniversallyallowedtobe，inyieldingaplaceyoucanna’defend，thanindrawingdownruinonyourselfandcompanions。
Iknowthepotencyoffire，asyoucallit，Quarter-
master。andamnottobetold，atthislatehour，thatitcanbeusedforsomethingelsebesidescookingadinner。
ButImakenodoubtyou’veheardofthepotencyofKill-
deer，andthemanwhoattemptstolayapileofbrushagainsttheselogswillgetatasteofhispower。Asforarrows，itisnotintheirgifttosetthisbuildingonfire，forwe’venoshinglesonourroof，butgoodsolidlogsandgreenbark，andplentyofwaterbesides。Theroofissoflat，too，asyouknowyourself，Quartermaster，thatwecanwalkonit，andsonodangeronthatscorewhilewaterlasts。I’mpeaceableenoughifletalone。buthewhoen-
divorstoburnthisblockovermyheadwillfindthefiresquinchedinhisownblood。
Thisisidleandromantictalk，Pathfinder，andye’llnomaintainityourselfwhenyecometomeditateontherealities。Ihopeye’llno’gainsaytheloyaltyorthecour-
ageofthe55th，andIfeelconvincedthatacouncilofwarwoulddecideontheproprietyofasurrenderforthwith。
Na，na，Pathfinder，foolhardinessisnamairlikethebrav-
eryo’WallaceorBrucethanAlbanyontheHudsonisliketheoldtownofEdinbro’。
Aseachofusseemstohavemadeuphismind，Quar-
termaster，morewordsareuseless。Iftheriptylesnearyouaredisposedtosetabouttheirhellishjob，letthembeginatonce。Theycanburnwood，andI’llburnpow-
der。IfIwereanIndianatthestake，IsupposeIcouldbragaswellastherestofthem。but，mygiftsandnatur’
beingbothwhite，myturnisratherfordoingthantalk-
ing。You’vesaidquiteenough，consideringyoucarrytheking’scommission。andshouldweallbeconsumed，noneofuswillbearyouanymalice。
Pathfinder，ye’llno’beexposingMabel，prettyMabelDunham，tosic’acalamity！
MabelDunhamisbythesideofherwoundedfather，andGodwillcareforthesafetyofapiouschild。Notahair，ofherheadshallfall，whilemyarmandsightremaintrue。andthough_you_maytrusttheMingos，MasterMuir，Iputnofaithinthem。You’veaknavishTuscarorainyourcompanythere，whohasartandmaliceenoughtospoilthecharacterofanytribewithwhichheconsorts，thoughhefoundtheMingosreadyruinedtohishands，I
fear。Butenoughsaid。nowleteachpartygototheuseofhismeansandhisgifts。
ThroughoutthisdialoguePathfinderhadkepthisbodycovered，lestatreacherousshotshouldbeaimedattheloop。andhenowdirectedCaptoascendtotheroofinordertobeinreadinesstomeetthefirstassault。Al-
thoughthelatterusedsufficientdiligence，hefoundnolessthantenblazingarrowsstickingtothebark，whiletheairwasfilledwiththeyellsandwhoopsoftheenemy。
Arapiddischargeofriflesfollowed，andthebulletscamepatteringagainstthelogs，inawaytoshowthatthestrug-
glehadindeedseriouslycommenced。
Theseweresounds，however，thatappalledneitherPath-
findernorCap，whileMabelwastoomuchabsorbedinherafflictiontofeelalarm。Shehadgoodsenseenough，too，tounderstandthenatureofthedefences，andfullytoap-
preciatetheirimportance。Asforherfather，thefamiliarnoisesrevivedhim。anditpainedhischild，atsuchamoment，toseethathisglassyeyebegantokindle，andthatthebloodreturnedtoacheekithaddeserted，ashelistenedtotheuproar。ItwasnowMabelfirstperceivedthathisreasonbeganslightlytowander。
Orderupthelightcompanies，hemuttered，andletthegrenadierscharge！Dotheydaretoattackusinourfort？Whydoesnottheartilleryopenonthem？
Atthatinstanttheheavyreportofagunburstonthenight。andthecrashingofrendingwoodwasheard，asaheavyshottorethelogsintheroomabove，andthewholeblockshookwiththeforceofashellthatlodgedinthework。ThePathfindernarrowlyescapedthepassageofthisformidablemissileasitentered。butwhenitexploded，Mabelcouldnotsuppressashriek，forshesupposedalloverherhead，whetheranimateorinanimate，destroyed。
Toincreaseherhorror，herfathershoutedinafranticvoicetocharge！
Mabel，saidPathfinder，withhisheadatthetrap，thisistrueMingowork——morenoisethaninjury。ThevagabondshavegotthehowitzerwetookfromtheFrench，andhavedischargeditag’intheblock。butfortunatelytheyhavefiredofftheonlyshellwehad，andthereisanindofitsuseforthepresent。Thereissomeconfusionamongthestoresupinthisloft，butnooneishurt。Youruncleisstillontheroof。and，asformyself，I’verunthegauntletoftoomanyriflestobeskearyaboutsuchathingasahowitzer，andthatinIndianhands。
Mabelmurmuredherthanks，andtriedtogiveallherattentiontoherfather，whoseeffortstorisewereonlycounteractedbyhisdebility。Duringthefearfulminutesthatsucceeded，shewassomuchoccupiedwiththecareoftheinvalidthatshescarcelyheededtheclamorthatreignedaroundher。Indeed，theuproarwassogreat，that，hadnotherthoughtsbeenotherwiseemployed，con-
fusionoffacultiesratherthanalarmwouldprobablyhavebeentheconsequence。
Cappreservedhiscoolnessadmirably。Hehadapro-
foundandincreasingrespectforthepowerofthesavages，andevenforthemajestyoffreshwater，itistrue。buthisapprehensionsoftheformerproceededmorefromhisdreadofbeingscalpedandtorturedthanfromanyun-
manlyfearofdeath。and，ashewasnowonthedeckofahouse，ifnotonthedeckofaship，andknewthattherewaslittledangerofboarders，hemovedaboutwithafear-
lessnessandarashexposureofhispersonthatPathfinder，hadhebeenawareofthefact，wouldhavebeenthefirsttocondemn。Insteadofkeepinghisbodycovered，agreeablytotheusagesofIndianwarfare，hewasseenoneverypartoftheroof，dashingthewaterrightandleft，withtheap-
parentsteadinessandunconcernhewouldhavemanifestedhadhebeenasailtrimmerexercisinghisartinabattleafloat。Hisappearancewasoneofthecausesoftheex-
traordinaryclamoramongtheassailants。who，unusedtoseetheirenemiessoreckless，openeduponhimwiththeirtongues，likeapackthathasthefoxinview。Stillheap-
pearedtopossessacharmedlife。for，thoughthebulletswhistledaroundhimoneveryside，andhisclotheswereseveraltimestorn，nothingcuthisskin。Whentheshellpassedthroughthelogsbelow，theoldsailordroppedhisbucket，wavedhishat，andgavethreecheers。inwhichheroicacthewasemployedasthedangerousmissileex-
ploded。Thischaracteristicfeatprobablysavedhislife。
forfromthatinstanttheIndiansceasedtofireathim，andeventoshoottheirflamingarrowsattheblock，hav-
ingtakenupthenotionsimultaneously，andbycommonconsent，thattheSaltwaterwasmad。anditwasasingulareffectoftheirmagnanimitynevertoliftahandagainstthosewhomtheyimagineddevoidofreason。
TheconductofPathfinderwasverydifferent。Every-
thinghedidwasregulatedbythemostexactcalculation，theresultoflongexperienceandhabitualthoughtfulness。
Hispersonwaskeptcarefullyoutofalinewiththeloops，andthespotthatheselectedforhislook-outwasonequiteremovedfromdanger。Thiscelebratedguidehadoftenbeenknowntoleadforlornhopes：hehadoncestoodatthestake，sufferingunderthecrueltiesandtauntsofsavageingenuityandsavageferocitywithoutquailing。andlegendsofhisexploits，coolness，anddaringweretobeheardallalongthatextensivefrontier，orwherevermendweltandmencontended。Butonthisoccasion，onewhodidnotknowhishistoryandcharactermighthavethoughthisexceedingcareandstudiedattentiontoself-preservationproceededfromanunworthymotive。Butsuchajudgewouldnothaveunderstoodhissubject。thePathfinderbethoughthimofMabel，andofwhatmightpossiblybetheconsequencestothatpoorgirlshouldanycasualtybefallhimself。Buttherecollectionratherquickenedhisintel-
lectthanchangedhiscustomaryprudence。Hewas，infact，oneofthosewhowassounaccustomedtofear，thatheneverbethoughthimoftheconstructionsothersmightputuponhisconduct。Butwhileinmomentsofdangerheactedwiththewisdomoftheserpent，itwasalsowiththesimplicityofachild。
Forthefirsttenminutesoftheassault，Pathfinderneverraisedthebreechofhisriflefromthefloor，exceptwhenhechangedhisownposition，forhewellknewthatthebulletsoftheenemywerethrownawayuponthemassivelogsofthework。andashehadbeenatthecaptureofthehowitzerhefeltcertainthatthesavageshadnoothershellthantheonefoundinitwhenthepiecewastaken。
Thereexistednoreason，therefore，todreadthefireoftheassailants，exceptasacasualbulletmightfindapassagethroughaloophole。Oneortwooftheseaccidentsdidoccur，buttheballsenteredatananglethatdeprivedthemofallchanceofdoinganyinjurysolongastheIndianskeptneartheblock。andifdischargedfromadistance，therewasscarcelythepossibilityofoneinahundred’sstrikingtheapertures。ButwhenPathfinderheardthesoundofmocassinedfeetandtherustlingofbrushatthefootofthebuilding，heknewthattheattempttobuildafireagainstthelogswasabouttoberenewed。HenowsummonedCapfromtheroof，where，indeed，allthedangerhadceased，anddirectedhimtostandinreadinesswithhiswaterataholeimmediatelyoverthespotassailed。
Onelesstrainedthanourherowouldhavebeeninahurrytorepelthisdangerousattemptalso，andmighthaveresortedtohismeansprematurely。notsowithPathfinder。
Hisaimwasnotonlytoextinguishthefire，aboutwhichhefeltlittleapprehension，buttogivetheenemyalessonthatwouldrenderhimwaryduringtheremainderofthenight。Inordertoeffectthelatterpurpose，itbecamenecessarytowaituntilthelightoftheintendedconflagra-
tionshoulddirecthisaim，whenhewellknewthataveryslighteffortofhisskillwouldsuffice。TheIroquoiswerepermittedtocollecttheirheapofdriedbrush，topileitagainsttheblock，tolightit，andtoreturntotheircoverswithoutmolestation。AllthatPathfinderwouldsufferCaptodo，wastorollabarrelfilledwithwatertotheholeimmediatelyoverthespot，inreadinesstobeusedattheproperinstant。Thatmoment，however，didnotarrive，inhisjudgment，untiltheblazeilluminatedthesurroundingbushes，andtherehadbeentimeforhisquickandpractisedeyetodetecttheformsofthreeorfourlurkingsavages，whowerewatchingtheprogressoftheflames，withthecoolindifferenceofmenaccustomedtolookonhumanmiserywithapathy。Then，indeed，hespoke。
Areyouready，friendCap？heasked。Theheatbeginstostrikethroughthecrevices。andalthoughthesegreenlogsarenotofthefierynatur’ofanill-temperedman，theymaybekindledintoablazeifoneprovokesthemtoomuch。Areyoureadywiththebarrel？Seethatithastherightcut，andthatnoneofthewateriswasted。
Allready！answeredCap，inthemannerinwhichaseamanrepliestosuchademand。
Thenwaitfortheword。Neverbeover-impatientinacriticaltime，norfool-riskyinabattle。Waitfortheword。
WhilethePathfinderwasgivingthesedirections，hewasalsomakinghisownpreparations。forhesawitwastimetoact。Killdeerwasdeliberatelyraised，pointed，anddis-
charged。Thewholeprocessoccupiedabouthalfaminute，andastheriflewasdrawnintheeyeofthemarksmanwasappliedtothehole。
Thereisoneriptyletheless，Pathfindermutteredtohimself。I’veseenthatvagabondafore，andknowhimtobeamarcilessdevil。Well，well！themanactedaccord-
ingtohisgifts，andhehasbeenrewardedaccordingtohisgifts。Onemoreoftheknaves，andthatwillsarvetheturnforto-night。Whendaylightappears，wemayhavehotterwork。
Allthistimeanotherriflewasbeinggotready。andasPathfinderceased，asecondsavagefell。Thisindeedsufficed。for，indisposedtowaitforathirdvisitationfromthesamehand，thewholeband，whichhadbeencrouchinginthebushesaroundtheblock，ignorantofwhowasandwhowasnotexposedtoview，leapedfromtheircoversandfledtodifferentplacesforsafety。
Now，pouraway，MasterCap，saidPathfinder。I’vemademymarkontheblackguards。andweshallhavenomorefireslightedto-night。
Scaldings！criedCap，upsettingthebarrel，withacarethatatonceandcompletelyextinguishedtheflames。
Thisendedthesingularconflict。andtheremainderofthenightpassedinpeace。PathfinderandCapwatchedalternately，thoughneithercanbesaidtohaveslept。
Sleepindeedscarcelyseemednecessarytothem，forbothwereaccustomedtoprotractedwatchings。andtherewereseasonsandtimeswhentheformerappearedtobeliterallyinsensibletothedemandsofhungerandthirstandcalloustotheeffectsoffatigue。
Mabelwatchedbyherfather’spallet，andbegantofeelhowmuchourhappinessinthisworlddependsevenonthingsthatareimaginary。Hithertoshehadvirtuallylivedwithoutafather，theconnectionwithherremainingparentbeingidealratherthanpositive。butnowthatshewasabouttolosehim，shethoughtforthemomentthattheworldwouldbeavoidafterhisdeath，andthatshecouldneverbeacquaintedwithhappinessagain。
CHAPTERXXV。
Therewasaroaringinthewindallnight。
Theraincameheavily，andfellinfloods。
Butnowthesunisrisingcalmandbright。
Thebirdsaresinginginthedistantwoods。
WORDSWORTH。
Asthelightreturned，PathfinderandCapascendedagaintotheroof，withaviewtoreconnoitrethestateofthingsoncemoreontheisland。Thispartoftheblock-
househadalowbattlementaroundit，whichaffordedaconsiderableprotectiontothosewhostoodinitscentre。
theintentionhavingbeentoenablemarksmentoliebe-
hinditandtofireoveritstop。Bymakingproperuse，therefore，oftheseslightdefences，——slightastoheight，thoughabundantlyampleasfarastheywent，——thetwolook-outscommandedaprettygoodviewoftheisland，itscoversexcepted，andofmostofthechannelsthatledtothespot。
Thegalewasstillblowingveryfreshatsouth。andtherewereplacesintheriverwhereitssurfacelookedgreenandangry，thoughthewindhadhardlysweepenoughtoraisethewaterintofoam。Theshapeofthelittleislandwasnearlyoval，anditsgreaterlengthwasfromeasttowest。
Bykeepinginthechannelsthatwashedit，inconsequenceoftheirseveralcoursesandofthedirectionofthegale，itwouldhavebeenpossibleforavesseltorangepasttheislandoneitherofitsprincipalsides，andalwaystokeepthewindverynearlyabeam。ThesewerethefactsfirstnoticedbyCap，andexplainedtohiscompanion。forthehopesofbothnowrestedonthechancesofreliefsentfromOswego。Atthisinstant，whiletheystoodgazinganxiouslyaboutthem，Capcriedout，inhislusty，heartymanner，Sail，ho！
Pathfinderturnedquicklyinthedirectionofhiscom-
panion’sface。andthere，sureenough，wasjustvisibletheobjectoftheoldsailor’sexclamation。Theelevationen-
abledthetwotooverlookthelowlandofseveraloftheadjacentislands。andthecanvasofavesselwasseenthroughthebushesthatfringedtheshoreofonethatlaytothesouthwardandwestward。Thestrangerwasunderwhatseamencalllowsail。butsogreatwasthepowerofthewind，thatherwhiteoutlineswereseenflyingpasttheopeningsoftheverdurewiththevelocityofafast-travellinghorse——resemblingaclouddrivingintheheavens。
ThatcannotbeJasper，saidPathfinderindisappoint-
ment。forbedidnotrecognizethecutterofhisfriendintheswift-passingobject。No，no，theladisbehindthehour。andthatissomecraftwhichtheFrenchershavesenttoaidtheirfriends，theaccursedMingos。
Thistimeyouareoutinyourreckoning，friendPath-
finder，ifyouneverwerebefore，returnedCapinaman-
nerthathadlostnoneofitsdogmatismbythecriticalcir-
cumstancesinwhichtheywereplaced。Freshwaterorsalt，thatistheheadofthe_Scud’s_mainsail，foritiscutwithasmallergorethancommon。andthenyoucanseethatthegaffhasbeenfished——quiteneatlydone，Iadmit，butfished。
Icanseenoneofthis，Iconfess，answeredPathfinder，towhomeventhetermsofhiscompanionwereGreek。
No！Well，Iownthatsurprisesme，forIthoughtyoureyescouldseeanything！Nowtomenothingisplainerthanthatgoreandthatfish。andImustsay，myhonestfriend，thatinyourplaceIshouldapprehendthatmysightwasbeginningtofail。
IfJasperistrulycoming，Ishallapprehendbutlittle。
WecanmakegoodtheblockagainstthewholeMingona-
tionforthenexteightortenhours。andwithEau-doucetocovertheretreat，Ishalldespairofnothing。Godsendthattheladmaynotrunalongsideofthebank，andfallintoanambushment，asbefelltheSergeant！
Ay，there’sthedanger。Thereoughttohavebeensig-
nalsconcerted，andananchorage-groundbuoyedout，andevenaquarantinestationoralazarettowouldhavebeenuseful，couldwehavemadetheseMinks-horespectthelaws。Iftheladfetchesup，asyousay，anywhereintheneighborhoodofthisisland，wemaylookuponthecutteraslost。And，afterall，MasterPathfinder，oughtwenottosetdownthissameJasperasasecretallyoftheFrench，ratherthanasafriendofourown？IknowtheSergeantviewsthematterinthatlight。andImustsaythiswholeaffairlooksliketreason。
Weshallsoonknow，weshallsoonknow，MasterCap。
forthere，indeed，comesthecutterclearoftheotherisland，andfiveminutesmustsettlethematter。Itwouldbenomorethanfair，however，ifwecouldgivetheboysomesigninthewayofwarning。Itisnotrightthatheshouldfallintothetrapwithoutanoticethatithasbeenlaid。
Anxietyandsuspense，notwithstanding，preventedeitherfromattemptingtomakeanysignal。Itwasnoteasy，truly，toseehowitcouldbedone。forthe_Scud_camefoamingthroughthechannel，ontheweathersideoftheisland，ataratethatscarcelyadmittedofthenecessarytime。Norwasanyonevisibleonherdecktomakesignsto。evenherhelmseemeddeserted，thoughhercoursewasassteadyasherprogresswasrapid。
Capstoodinsilentadmirationofaspectaclesounusual。
But，asthe_Scud_drewnearer，hispractisedeyedetectedthehelminplaybymeansoftiller-ropes，thoughtheper-
sonwhosteeredwasconcealed。Asthecutterhadweather-
boardsofsomelittleheight，themysterywasexplained，nodoubtremainingthatherpeoplelaybehindthelatter，inordertobeprotectedfromtheriflesoftheenemy。Asthisfactshowedthatnoforcebeyondthatofthesmallcrewcouldbeonboard，Pathfinderreceivedhiscompan-
ion’sexplanationwithanominousshakeofthehead。
ThisprovesthattheSarpenthasnotreachedOswego，
saidhe，andthatwearenottoexpectsuccorfromthegarrison。IhopeLundiehasnottakenitintohisheadtodisplacethelad，forJasperWesternwouldbeahostofhimselfinsuchastrait。Wethree，MasterCap，oughttomakeamanfulwarfare：you，asaseaman，tokeepuptheintercoursewiththecutter。Jasper，asalakerwhoknowsallthatisnecessarytobedoneonthewater。andI，withgiftsthatareasgoodasanyamongtheMingos，letmebewhatImayinotherparticulars。IsayweoughttomakeamanfulfightinMabel’sbehalf。
Thatweought，andthatwewill，answeredCaphear-
tily。forhebegantohavemoreconfidenceinthesecurityofhisscalpnowthathesawthesunagain。Isetdownthearivalofthe_Scud_asonecircumstance，andthechancesofOh-deuce’shonestyasanother。ThisJasperisayoungmanofprudence，youfind。forhekeepsagoodoffing，andseemsdeterminedtoknowhowmattersstandontheislandbeforeheventurestobringup。
Ihaveit！Ihaveit！exclaimedPathfinder，withex-
ultation。ThereliesthecanoeoftheSarpentonthecut-
ter’sdeck。andthechiefhasgotonboard，andnodoubthasgivenatrueaccountofourcondition。for，unlikeaMingo，aDelawareissartaintogetastoryright，ortoholdhistongue。
Thatcanoemaynotbelongtothecutter，saidthecaptiousseaman。Oh-deucehadoneonboardwhenhesailed。
Verytrue，friendCap。butifyouknowyoursailsandmastsbyyourgoresandfishes，Iknowmycanoesandmypathsbyfrontierknowledge。Ifyoucanseenewclothinasail，Icanseenewbarkinacanoe。ThatistheboatoftheSarpent，andthenoblefellowhasstruckoffforthegarrisonassoonashefoundtheblockbeseiged，hasfalleninwiththe_Scud_，and，aftertellinghisstory，hasbroughtthecutterdownheretoseewhatcanbedone。TheLordgrantthatJasperWesternbestillonboardher！
Yes，yes。itmightnotbeamiss。for，traitororloyal，theladhasahandywaywithhiminagale，itmustbeowned。
Andincomingoverwaterfalls！saidPathfinder，nudg-
ingtheribsofhiscompanionwithanelbow，andlaughinginhissilentbutheartymanner。Wewillgivetheboyhisdue，thoughhescalpsusallwithhisownhand。
The_Scud_wasnowsonear，thatCapmadenoreply。
Thescene，justatthatinstant，wassopeculiar，thatitmeritsaparticulardescription，whichmayalsoaidthereaderinformingamoreaccuratenatureofthepicturewewishtodraw。
Thegalewasstillblowingviolently。Manyofthesmallertreesbowedtheirtops，asifreadytodescendtotheearth，whiletherushingofthewindthroughthebranchesofthegrovesresembledtheroarofdistantchariots。
Theairwasfilledwithleaves，which，atthatlateseason，werereadilydrivenfromtheirstems，andflewfromislandtoislandlikeflightsofbirds。Withthisexception，thespotseemedsilentasthegrave。Thatthesavagesstillremained，wastobeinferredfromthefactthattheircanoes，togetherwiththeboatsofthe55th，layinagroupinthelittlecovethathadbeenselectedasaharbor。Otherwise，notasignoftheirpresencewastobedetected。Thoughtakenen-
tirelybysurprisebythecutter，thesuddenreturnofwhichwasaltogetherunlooked-for，souniformaudinbredweretheirhabitsofcautionwhileonthewar-path，thatthein-
stantanalarmwasgiveneverymanhadtakentohiscoverwiththeinstinctandcunningofafoxseekinghishole。
Thesamestillnessreignedintheblockhouse。forthoughPathfinderandCapcouldcommandaviewofthechan-
nel，theytooktheprecautionnecessarytolieconcealed。
Theunusualabsenceofanythinglikeanimallifeonboardthe_Scud_，too，wasstillmoreremarkable。AstheIndianswitnessedherapparentlyundirectedmovements，afeelingofawegainedafootingamongthem，andsomeofthebold-
estoftheirpartybegantodistrusttheissueofanexpedi-
tionthathadcommencedsoprosperotisly。EvenArrow-
head，accustomedashewastointercoursewiththewhitesonbothsidesofthelakes，fanciedtherewassomethingominousintheappearanceofthisunmannedvessel，andhewouldgladlyatthatmomenthavebeenlandedagainonthemain。
Inthemeantimetheprogressofthecutterwassteadyandrapid。Sheheldherwaymid-channel，nowincliningtothegusts，andnowrisingagain，likethephilosopherthatbendstothecalamitiesoflifetoresumehiserectat-
titudeastheypassaway，butalwayspilingthewaterbe-
neathherbowsinfoam。Althoughshewasundersoveryshortcanvas，hervelocitywasgreat，andtherecouldnothaveelapsedtenminutesbetweenthetimewhenhersailswerefirstseenglancingpastthetreesandbushesinthedistanceandthemomentwhenshewasabreastoftheblockhouse。CapandPathfinderleanedforward，asthecut-
tercamebeneaththeireyrie，eagertogetabetterviewofherdeck，when，tothedelightofboth，JasperEau-doucespranguponhisfeetandgavethreeheartycheers。Re-
gardlessofallrisk，Capleapedupontherampartoflogsandreturnedthegreeting，cheerforcheer。Happily，thepolicyoftheenemysavedthelatter。fortheystilllayquiet，notariflebeingdischarged。Ontheotherhand，Pathfinderkeptinviewtheuseful，utterlydisregardingthemeredramaticpartofwarfare。Themomenthebe-
heldhisfriendJasper，hecalledouttohimwithstentorianlungs，——
Standbyus，lad，andtheday’sourown！Give’emagristinyonderbushes，andyou’llput’emuplikepart-
ridges。
PartofthisreachedJasper’sears，butmostwasborneofftoleewardonthewingsofthewind。Bythetimethiswassaid，the_Scud_haddrivenpast，andinthenextmomentshewashidfromviewbythegroveinwhichtheblockhousewaspartiallyconcealed。
Twoanxiousminutessucceeded。but，attheexpirationofthatbriefspace，thesailswereagaingleamingthroughthetrees，Jasperhavingwore，jibed，andhauledupundertheleeoftheislandontheothertack。Thewindwasfreeenough，ashasbeenalreadyexplained，toadmitofthismanoeuvre。andthecutter，catchingthecurrentunderherleebow，wasbreasteduptohercourseinawaythatshowedshewouldcomeouttowindwardoftheislandagainwithoutanydifficulty。Thiswholeevolutionwasmadewiththegreatestfacility，notasheetbeingtouched，thesailstrimmingthemselves，therudderalonecontrollingtheadmirablemachine。Theobjectappearedtobeare-
connoissance。When，however，the_Scud_hadmadethecir-
cuitoftheentireisland，andhadagaingotherweatherlypositioninthechannelbywhichshehadfirstapproached，herhelmwasputdown，andshetacked。Thenoiseofthemainsailflappingwhenitfilled，lose-reefedasitwas，soundedlikethereportofagun，andCaptrembledlesttheseamsshouldopen。
HisMajestygivesgoodcanvas，itmustbeowned，
mutteredtheoldseaman。anditmustbeowned，too，thatboyhandleshisboatasifhewerethoroughlybred！
D——me，MasterPathfinder，ifIbelieve，afterallthathasbeenreportedinthematter，thatthisMisterOh-deucegothistradeonthisbitoffreshwater。
Hedid。yes，hedid。Heneversawtheocean，andhascomebyhiscallingaltogetheruphereonOntario。Ihaveoftenthoughthehasanat’ralgiftinthewayofschoonersandsloops，andhaverespectedhimaccordingly。Asfortreasonandlyingandblack-heartedvices，friendCap，JasperWesternisasfreeasthemostvirtuousestoftheDelawarewarriors。andifyoucravetoseeatrulyhonestman，youmustgoamongthattribetodiscoverhim。
Therehecomesround！exclaimedthedelightedCap，the_Scud_atthismomentfillingonheroriginaltack。andnowweshallseewhattheboywouldbeat。hecannotmeantokeeprunningupanddownthesepassages，likeagirlfootingitthroughacountry-dance。
The_Scud_nowkeptsomuchaway，thatforamomentthetwoobserversontheblockhousefearedJaspermeanttocome-to。andthesavages，intheirlairs，gleamedoutuponherwiththesortofexultationthatthecrouchingtigermaybesupposedtofeelasheseeshisunconsciousvictimapproachhisbed。ButJasperhadnosuchinten-
tion：familiarwiththeshore，andacquaintedwiththedepthofwateroneverypartoftheisland，hewellknewthatthe_Scud_mightberunagainstthebankwithimpu-
nity，andheventuredfearlesslysonear，that，ashepassedthroughthelittlecove，hesweptthetwoboatsofthesol-
diersfromtheirfasteningsandforcedthemoutintothechannel，towingthemwiththecutter。AsallthecanoeswerefastenedtothetwoDunhamboats，bythisboldandsuccessfulattemptthesavageswereatoncedeprivedofthemeansofquittingtheisland，unlessbyswimming，andtheyappearedtobeinstantlyawareoftheveryimportantfact。Risinginabody，theyfilledtheairwithyells，andpouredinaharmlessfire。Whileupinthisunguardedmanner，tworiflesweredischargedbytheiradversaries。
Onecamefromthesummitoftheblock，andanIroquoisfelldeadinhistracks，shotthroughthebrain。Theothercamefromthe_Scud_。ThelastwasthepieceoftheDela-
ware，but，lesstruethanthatofhisfriend，itonlymaimedanenemyforlife。Thepeopleofthe_Scud_shouted，andthesavagessankagain，toaman，asifitmightbeintotheearth。
ThatwastheSarpent’svoice，saidPathfinder，assoonasthesecondpiecewasdischarged。IknowthecrackofhisrifleaswellasIdothatofKilldeer。’Tisagoodbar-
rel，thoughnotsartaindeath。Well，well，withChingach-
gookandJasperonthewater，andyouandIintheblock，friendCap，itwillbehardifwedon’tteachtheseMingoscampstherationalityofafight。
Allthistimethe_Scud_wasinmotion。Assoonashehadreachedtheendoftheisland，Jaspersenthisprizesadrift。andtheywentdownbeforethewinduntiltheystrandedonapointhalfamiletoleeward。Hethenwore，andcamestemmingthecurrentagain，throughtheotherpassage。Thoseonthesummitoftheblockcouldnowperceivethatsomethingwasinagitationonthedeckofthe_Scud_。and，totheirgreatdelight，justasthecuttercameabreastoftheprincipalcove，onthespotwheremostoftheenemylay，thehowitzerwhichcomposedhersolearmamentwasunmasked，andashowerofcase-shotwassenthissingintothebushes。AbevyofquailwouldnothaverisenquickerthanthisunexpecteddischargeofironhailputuptheIroquois。whenasecondsavagefellbyamessengersentfromKilldeer，andanotherwentlimpingawaybyavisitfromtherifleofChingachgook。Newcoverswereimmediatelyfound，however。andeachpartyseemedtopreparefortherenewalofthestrifeinanotherform。ButtheappearanceofJune，bearingawhiteflag，andaccompaniedbytheFrenchofficerandMuir，stayedthehandsofall，andwastheforerunnerofanotherparley。
Thenegotiationthatfollowedwasheldbeneaththeblockhouse。andsonearitasatoncetoputthosewhowereuncoveredcompletelyatthemercyofPathfinder’sunerringaim。Jasperanchoreddirectlyabeam。andthehowitzer，too，waskepttraineduponthenegotiators：sothatthebeseigedandtheirfriends，withtheexceptionofthemanwhoheldthematch，hadnohesitationaboutex-
posingtheirpersons。Chingachgookalonelayinambush。
more，however，fromhabitthandistrust。
You’vetriumphed，Pathfinder，calledouttheQuarter-
master，andCaptainSanglierhascomehimselftoofferterms。You’llno’bedenyingabraveenemyhonorableretreat，whenhehasfoughtyefairly，anddoneallthecredithecouldtokingandcountry。Yearetooloyalasubjectyourselftovisitloyaltyandfidelitywithaheavyjudgment。Iamauthorizedtooffer，onthepartoftheenemy，anevacuationoftheisland，amutualexchangeofprisoners，andarestorationofscalps。Intheabsenceofbaggageandartillery，littlemorecanbedone。
Astheconversationwasnecessarilycarriedoninahighkey，bothonaccountofthewindandofthedistance，allthatwassaidwasheardequallybythoseintheblockandthoseinthecutter。
Whatdoyousaytothat，Jasper？calledoutPath-
finder。Youheartheproposal。Shallweletthevaga-
bondsgo？orshallwemarkthem，astheymarktheirsheepinthesettlements，thatwemayknowthemagain？
WhathasbefallenMabelDunham？demandedtheyoungman，withafrownonhishandsomeface，thatwasvisibleeventothoseontheblock。Ifahairofherheadhasbeentouched，itwillgohardwiththewholeIro-
quoistribe。
Nay，nay，sheissafebelow，nursingadyingparent，asbecomeshersex。WeowenogrudgeonaccountoftheSergeant’shurt，whichcomesoflawfulwarfare。andasforMabel——
Sheishere！exclaimedthegirlherself，whohadmountedtotheroofthemomentshefoundthedirectionthingsweretaking，——sheishere！and，inthenameofourholyreligion，andofthatGodwhomweprofesstowor-
shipincommon，lettherebenomorebloodshed！Enoughhasbeenspiltalready。andifthesemenwillgoaway，Pathfinder——iftheywilldepartpeaceably，Jasper——oh，donotdetainoneofthem！Mypoorfatherisapproachinghisend，anditwerebetterthatheshoulddrawhislastbreathinpeacewiththeworld。Go，go，FrenchmenandIndians！wearenolongeryourenemies，andwillharmnoneofyou。
Tut，tut，Magnet！putinCap。thissoundsreligious，perhaps，orlikeabookofpoetry。butitdoesnotsoundlikecommonsense。Theenemyisjustreadytostrike。
Jasperisanchoredwithhisbroadsidetobear，and，nodoubt，withspringsonhiscables。Pathfinder’seyeandhandareastrueastheneedle。andweshallgetprize-
money，head-money，andhonorinthebargain，ifyouwillnotinterfereforthenexthalf-hour。
Well，saidPathfinder，IinclinetoMabel’swayofthinking。There_has_beenenoughbloodshedtoanswerourpurposeandtosarvetheking。andasforhonor，inthatmeaning，itwilldobetterforyoungensignsandre-
cruitsthanforcool-headed，obsarvantChristianmen。
Thereishonorindoingwhat’sright，andunhonorindoingwhat’swrong。andIthinkitwrongtotakethelifeevenofaMingo，withoutausefulendinview，Ido。andnghttohearreasonatalltimes。So，LieutenantMuir，letusknowwhatyourfriendstheFrenchersandIndianshavetosayforthemselves。
Myfriends！saidMuir，starting。you’llno’becallingtheking’senemiesmyfriends，Pathfinder，becausethefortuneofwarhasthrownmeintotheirhands？Someofthegreatestwarriors，bothofancientaudmoderntimes，havebeenprisonersofwar。andyonisMasterCap，whocantestifywhetherwedidnotdoallthatmencouldde-
visetoescapethecalamity。
Ay，ay，drilyansweredCap。escapeistheproperword。Weranbelowaudhidourselves，andsodiscreetly，thatwemighthaveremainedintheholetothishour，haditnotbeenforthenecessityofre-stowingthebreadlockers。
Youburrowedonthatoccasion，Quartermaster，ashandilyasafox。andhowthed——lyouknewsowellwheretofindthespotisamatterofwondertome。Aregularskulkonboardshipdoesnottrailaftmorereadilywhenthejibistobestowed，thanyouwentintothatsamehole。
Anddidyeno’follow？Therearemomentsinaman’slifewhenreasonascendstoinstinct——
Andmendescendintoholes，interruptedCap，laugh-
inginhisboisterousway，whilePathfinderchimedin，inhispeculiarmanner。EvenJasper，thoughstillfilledwithconcernforMabel，wasobligedtosmile。Theysaythed——lwouldn’tmakeasailorifhedidn’tlookaloft。andnowitseemshe’llnotmakeasoldierifhedoesn’tlookbelow！
Thisburstofmerriment，thoughitwasanythingbutagreeabletoMuir，contributedlargelytowardskeepingthepeace。Capfanciedhehadsaidathingmuchbetterthancommon。andthatdisposedhimtoyieldhisownopiniononthemainpoint，solongashegotthegoodopin-
ionofhiscompanionsonhisnovelclaimtobeawit。
Afterashortdiscussion，allthesavagesontheislandwerecollectedinabody，withoutarms，atthedistanceofahun-
dredyardsfromtheblock，andunderthegunofthe_Scud_。
whilePathfinderdescendedtothedooroftheblockhouseandsettledthetermsonwhichtheislandwastobefinallyevacuatedbytheenemy。Consideringallthecircum-
stances，theconditionswerenotverydiscreditabletoeitherparty。TheIndianswerecompelledtogiveupalltheirarms，eventotheirknivesandtomahawks，asameasureofprecaution，theirforcebeingstillquadruplethatoftheirfoes。TheFrenchofficer，MonsieurSanglier，ashewasusuallystyled，andchosetocallhimself，remonstratedagainstthisactasonelikelytoreflectmorediscreditonhiscommandthananyotherpartoftheaffair。butPath-
finder，whohadwitnessedoneortwoIndianmassacres，andknewhowvaluelesspledgesbecamewhenputinop-
positiontointerestwhereasavagewasconcerned，wasob-
durate。Thesecondstipulationwasofnearlythesameimportance。ItcompelledCaptainSangliertogiveupallhisprisoners，whohadbeenkeptwellguardedintheveryholeorcaveinwhichCapandMuirhadtakenrefuge。
Whenthesemenwereproduced，fourofthemwerefoundtobeunhurt。theyhadfallenmerelytosavetheirlives，acommonartificeinthatspeciesofwarfare。andofthere-
mainder，twoweresoslightlyinjuredasnottobeunfitforservice。Astheybroughttheirmusketswiththem，thisadditiontohisforceimmediatelyputPathfinderathisease。for，havingcollectedallthearmsoftheenemyintheblockhouse，hedirectedthesementotakepossessionofthebuilding，stationingaregularsentinelatthedoor。Theremainderofthesoldiersweredead，thebadlywoundedhavingbeeninstantlydespatchedinordertoobtainthemuch-covetedscalps。
AssoonasJasperwasmadeacquaintedwiththeterms，andthepreliminarieshadbeensofarobservedastoren-
deritsafeforhimtobeabsent，hegotthe_Scud_underweigh。and，runningdowntothepointwheretheboatshadstranded，hetookthemintowagain，and，makingafewstretches，broughtthemintotheleewardpassage。
Hereallthesavagesinstantlyembarked，whenJaspertooktheboatsintowathirdtime，and，runningoffbeforethewind，hesoonsetthemadriftfullamiletoleewardoftheisland。TheIndianswerefurnishedwithbutasingleoarineachboattosteerwith，theyoungsailorwellknowingthatbykeepingbeforethewindtheywouldlandontheshoresofCanadainthecourseofthemorning。
CaptainSanglier，Arrowhead，andJunealoneremained，whenthisdispositionhadbeenmadeoftherestoftheparty：theformerhavingcertainpaperstodrawupandsignwithLieutenantMuir，whoinhiseyespossessedthevirtueswhichareattachedtoacommission。andthelat-
terpreferring，forreasonsofhisown，nottodepartincom-
panywithhislatefriends，theIroquis。Canoeswerede-
tainedforthedepartureofthesethree，whenthepropermomentshouldarrive。
Inthemeantime，orwhilethe_Scud_wasrunningdownwiththeboatsintow，PathfinderandCap，aidedbyproperassistants，busiedthemselveswithpreparingabreakfast。
mostofthepartynothavingeatenforfour-and-twentyhours。Thebriefspacethatpassedinthismannerbeforethe_Scud_came-toagainwaslittleinterruptedbydiscourse，thoughPathfinderfoundleisuretopayavisittotheSer-
geant，tosayafewfriendlywordstoMabel，andtogivesuchdirectionsashethoughtmightsmooththepassageofthedyingman。AsforMabelherself，heinsistedonhertakingsomelightrefreshment。and，therenolongerex-
istinganymotiveforkeepingitthere，hehadtheguardremovedfromtheblock，inorderthatthedaughtermighthavenoimpedimenttoherattentionstoherfather。Theselittlearrangementscompleted，ourheroreturnedtothefire，aroundwhichhefoundalltheremainderofthepartyassembled，includingJasper。
CHAPTERXXVI。
Yousawbutsorrowinitswaningform。
Aworkingsearemainingfromastorm，Wherenowthewearywavesrollo’erthedeep，Andfaintlymurmureretheyfallasleep。
DRYDEN。
Menaccustomedtoawarfarelikethatwehavebeende-
scribingarenotapttobemuchundertheinfluenceofthetenderfeelingswhilestillinthefield。Notwithstandingtheirhabits，however，morethanoneheartwaswithMabelintheblock，whiletheincidentsweareabouttorelatewereinthecourseofoccurrence。andeventheindispen-
sablemealwaslessrelishedbythehardiestofthesoldiersthanitmighthavebeenhadnottheSergeantbeensonearhisend。
AsPathfinderreturnedfromtheblock，hewasmetbyMuir，wholedhimasideinordertoholdaprivatediscourse。
ThemanneroftheQuartermasterhadthatairofsupere-
rogatorycourtesyaboutitwhichalmostinvariablydenotesartifice。for，whilephysiognomyandphrenologyarebutlamesciencesatthebest，andperhapsleadtoasmanyfalseasrightconclusions，weholdthatthereisnomoreinfallibleevidenceofinsincerityofpurpose，shortofovertacts，thanafacethatsmileswhenthereisnooccasion，andthetonguethatisoutofmeasuresmooth。Muirhadmuchofthismannerincommon，mingledwithanapparentfranknessthathisScottishintonationofvoice，Scottishaccent，andScottishmodesofexpressionweresingularlyadaptedtosustain。Heowedhispreferment，indeed，toalong-exer-
ciseddeferencetoLundieandhisfamily。for，whiletheMajorhimselfwasmuchtooacutetobethedupeofonesomuchhisinferiorinrealtalentsandattainments，mostpersonsareaccustomedtomakeliberalconcessionstotheflatterer，evenwhiletheydistrusthistruthandareper-
fectlyawareofhismotives。Onthepresentoccasion，thecontestinskillwasbetweentwomenascompletelytheoppositesofeachotherinalltheleadingessentialsofchar-
acterasverywellcouldbe。PathfinderwasassimpleastheQuartermasterwaspractised。hewasassincereastheotherwasfalse，andasdirectasthelastwastortuous。
Bothwerecoolandcalculating，andbothwerebrave，thoughindifferentmodesanddegrees。Muirneverexpos-
inghispersonexceptforeffect，whiletheguideincludedfearamongtherationalpassions，orasasensationtobedeferredtoonlywhengoodmightcomeofit。
Mydearestfriend，Muircommenced，——forye’llbedearertousall，byseventyandsevenfold，afteryourlateconductthaneveryewere，——ye’vejustestablishedyourselfinthislatetransaction。It’struethatthey’llnotbemak-
ingyeacommissionedofficer，forthatspeciesofprefair-
mentisnotmuchinyourline，normuchinyourwishes，I’mthinking。butasaguide，andacounsellor，andaloyalsubject，andanexpertmarksman，yerrenownmaybesaidtobefull。Idoubtifthecommander-in-chiefwillcarryawaywithhimfromAmericaasmuchcreditaswillfalltoyershare，andyeoughtjusttosetdownincontentandenjoyyoursal’fortheremainderofyerdays。Getmar-
ried，man，withoutdelay，andlooktoyourprecioushappi-
ness。forye’venooccasiontolookanylongertoyourglory。TakeMabelDunham，forHeaven’ssake，toyourbosom，andye’llhavebothabonniebrideandabonniereputation。
Why，Quartermaster，thisisanewpieceofadvicetocomefromyourmouth。They’vetoldmeIhadarivalinyou。
Andyehad，man，andaformidibleone，too，Icantellyou，——onethathasneveryetcourtedinvain，andyetonethathascourtedfivetimes。Lundietwitsmewithfour，andIdenythecharge。buthelittlethinksthetruthwouldoutdoevenhisarithmetic。Yes，yes，yehadarival，Path-
finder。butye’veonenolongerinme。Ye’vemyheartywishesforyersuccesswithMabel。andwerethehonestSergeantlikelytosurvive，yemightrelyonmygoodwordwithhim，too，foracertainty。
Ifeelyourfriendship，Quartermaster，Ifeelyourfriendship，thoughIhavenogreatneedofanyfavorwithSergeantDunham，whohaslongbeenmyfriend。Ibe-
lievewemaylookuponthemattertobeassartainasmostthingsinwar-time。for，Mabelandherfatherconsenting，thewhole55thcouldn’tverywellputastoptoit。Ah’sme！thepoorfatherwillscarcelylivetoseewhathishearthassolongbeensetupon。
Buthe’llhavetheconsolationofknowingitwillcometopass，indying。Oh，it’sagreatrelief，Pathfinder，forthepartingspirittofeelcertainthatthebelovedonesleftbehindwillbewellprovidedforafteritsdeparture。AlltheMistressMuirshavedulyexpressedthatsentimentwiththeirdyingbreaths。
Allyourwives，Quartermaster，havebeenlikelytofeelthisconsolation。
Outuponye，man！I’dno’thoughtyesuchawag。
Well，well。pleasantwordsmakenoheart-burningsbe-
tweenauldfri’nds。IfIcannotespouseMabel，ye’llnoobjecttomyesteemingher，andspeakingwellofher，andofyoursal’，too，onallsuitableoccasionsandinallcom-
panies。But，Pathfinder，ye’lleasilyunderstan’thatapoordeevilwholosessuchabridewillprobablystandinneedofsomeconsolation？
Quitelikely，quitelikely，Quartermaster，returnedthesimple-mindedguide。IknowthelossofMabelwouldbefoundheavytobebornebymyself。Itmaybearhardonyourfeelingstoseeusmarried。butthedeathoftheSergeantwillbelikelytoputitoff，andyou’llhavetimetothinkmoremanfullyofit，youwill。
I’llbearupagainstit。yes，I’llbearupagainstit，thoughmyheart-stringscrack！andyemighthelpme，man，bygivingmesomethingtodo。Ye’llunderstandthatthisexpeditionhasbeenofaverypeculiarnature。
forhereamI，bearingtheking’scommission，justavolun-
teer，asitmightbe。whileamereorderlyhashadthecommand。I’vesubmittedforvariousreasons，thoughmybloodhasboiledtobeinauthority，whileyewar’battling，，forthehonorofthecountryandhisMajesty’srights——
Quartermaster，interruptedtheguide，youfellsoearlyintotheenemy’shandsthatyourconscienceoughttobeeasilysatisfiedonthatscore。sotakemyadvice，andsaynothingaboutit。
That’sjustmyopinion，Pathfinder。we’llallsaynoth-
ingaboutit。SergeantDunhamis_horsdecombat_——
Anan？saidtheguide。