Mabelhadbeenreligiouslyeducated。equallywithoutexaggerationandwithoutself-sufficiency。HerrelianceonGodwascheerfulandfullofhope，whileitwasofthehumblestandmostdependentnature。Shehadbeenac-
customedfromchildhoodtoaddressherselftotheDeityinprayer。takingexamplefromtheDivinemandateofChristHimself，whocommandedHisfollowerstoabstainfromvainrepetitions，andwhohasleftbehindHimape-
titionwhichisunequalledforsublimity，asifexpresslytorebukethedispositionofmantosetuphisownlooseandrandomthoughtsasthemostacceptablesacrifice。Thesectinwhichshehadbeenrearedhasfurnishedtoitsfol-
lowerssomeofthemostbeautifulcompositionsinthelan-
guage，asasuitablevehicleforitsdevotionandsolicitations。
Accustomedtothismodeofpublicandevenprivateprayer，themindofourheroinehadnaturallyfallenintoitstrainofloftythought。hertaskhadbecomeimprovedbyitsstudy，andherlanguageelevatedandenrichedbyitsphrases。Whenshekneeledatthebedsideofherfather，theveryreverenceofherattitudeandmannerpre-
paredthespectatorsforwhatwastocome。andasheraffectionateheartpromptedhertongue，andmemorycameinaidofboth，thepetitionandpraisesthatsheofferedupwereofacharacterwhichmighthaveworthilyledthespiritsofangels。Althoughthewordswerenotslavishlyborrowed，theexpressionspartookofthesimpledignityoftheliturgytowhichshehadbeenaccustomed，andwasprobablyasworthyoftheBeingtowhomtheyweread-
dressedastheycouldwellbemadebyhumanpowers。
Theyproducedtheirfullimpressiononthehearers。foritisworthyofremark，that，notwithstandingtheperniciouseffectsofafalsetastewhenlongsubmittedto，realsub-
limityandbeautyaresocloselyalliedtonaturethattheygenerallyfindanechoineveryheart。
Butwhenourheroinecametotouchuponthesituationofthedyingman，shebecamethemosttrulypersuasive。
forthenshewasthemosttrulyzealousandnatural。Thebeautyofthelanguagewaspreserved，butitwassustainedbythesimplepoweroflove。andherwordswerewarmedbyaholyzeal，thatapproachedtothegrandeuroftrueelo-
quence。Wemightrecordsomeofherexpressions，butdoubttheproprietyofsubjectingsuchsacredthemestoatoofamiliaranalysis，andrefrain。
Theeffectofthissingularbutsolemnscenewasdiffer-
entonthedifferentindividualspresent。Dunhamhimselfwassoonlostinthesubjectoftheprayer。andhefeltsomesuchreliefasonewhofindshimselfstaggeringontheedgeofaprecipice，underaburthendifficulttobeborne，mightbesupposedtoexperiencewhenheunex-
pectedlyfeelstheweightremoved，inordertobeplacedontheshouldersofanotherbetterabletosustainit。Capwassurprised，aswellasawed。thoughtheeffectsonhismindwerenotverydeeporverylasting。Hewonderedalittleathisownsensations，andhadhisdoubtswhethertheyweresomanlyandheroicastheyoughttobe。buthewasfartoosensibleoftheinfluenceoftruth，humility，re-
ligioussubmission，andhumandependency，tothinkofinterposingwithanyofhiscrudeobjections。JasperkneltoppositetoMabel，coveredhisface，andfollowedherwords，withanearnestwishtoaidherprayerswithhisown。thoughitmaybequestionedifhisthoughtsdidnotdwellquiteasmuchonthesoft，gentleaccentsofthepe-
titionerasonthesubjectofherpetition。
TheeffectonPathfinderwasstrikingandvisible：visi-
ble，becausehestooderect，alsooppositetoMabel。andtheworkingsofhiscountenance，asusual，betrayedtheworkingsofthespiritwithin。Heleanedonhisrifle，andatmomentsthesinewyfingersgraspedthebarrelwithaforcethatseemedtocompresstheweapon。while，onceortwice，asMabel’slanguageroseinintimateassociationwithherthoughts，heliftedhiseyestothefloorabovehim，asifheexpectedtofindsomevisibleevidenceofthepresenceofthedreadBeingtowhomthewordsweread-
dressed。Thenagainhisfeelingsrevertedtothefaircrea-
turewhowasthuspouringoutherspirit，inferventbutcalmpetitions，inbehalfofadyingparent。forMabel’scheekwasnolongerpallid，butwasflushedwithaholyenthusiasm，whileherblueeyeswereupturnedinthelight，inawaytoresembleapicturebyGuido。AtthesemomentsallthehonestandmanlyattachmentofPath-
finderglowedinhisingenuousfeatures，andhisgazeatourheroinewassuchasthefondestparentmightfastenonthechildofhislove。
SergeantDunhamlaidhishandfeeblyontheheadofMabelassheceasedpraying，andburiedherfaceinhisblanket。
Blessyou，mybelovedchild！blessyou！heratherwhisperedthanutteredaloud。thisistrulyconsolation：
wouldthatItoocouldpray！
Father，youknowtheLord’sPrayer。youtaughtittomeyourselfwhileIwasyetaninfant。
TheSergeant’sfacegleamedwithasmile，forhe_did_
remembertohavedischargedthatportionatleastofthepaternalduty，andtheconsciousnessofitgavehimincon-
ceivablegratificationatthatsolemnmoment。Hewasthensilentforseveralminutes，andallpresentbelievedthathewascommuningwithGod。
Mabel，mychild！heatlengthuttered，inavoicewhichseemedtobereviving，——Mabel，I’mquittingyou。
Thespiritatitsgreatandfinalpassageappearsevertoconsiderthebodyasnothing。I’mquittingyou，mychild。whereisyourhand？
Here，dearestfather——hereareboth——oh，takeboth！
Pathfinder，addedtheSergeant，feelingontheoppo-
sitesideofthebed，whereJasperstillknelt，andgettingoneofthehandsoftheyoungmanbymistake，takeit-Ileaveyouasherfather——asyouandshemayplease——
blessyou——blessyouboth！
Atthatawfulinstant，noonewouldrudelyapprisetheSergeantofhismistake。andhediedaminuteortwolater，holdingJasper’sandMabel’shandscoveredbybothhisown。OurheroinewasignorantofthefactuntilanexclamationofCap’sannouncedthedeathofherfather。
when，raisingherface，shesawtheeyesofJasperrivetedonherown，andfeltthewarmpressureofhishand。Butasinglefeelingwaspredominantatthatinstant，andMabelwithdrewtoweep，scarcelyconsciousofwhathadoccurred。ThePathfindertookthearmofEau-douce，andhelefttheblock。
Thetwofriendswalkedinsilencepastthefire，alongtheglade，andnearlyreachedtheoppositeshoreoftheislandinprofoundsilence。Heretheystopped，andPath-
finderspoke。
’Tisallover，Jasper，saidhe，——’tisallover。Ah’sme！
PoorSergeantDunhamhasfinishedhismarch，andthat，too，bythehandofavenomousMingo。Well，weneverknowwhatistohappen，andhisluckmaybeyournormineto-morrowornextday！
AndMabel？WhatistobecomeofMabel，Pathfinder？
YouheardtheSergeant’sdyingwords。hehaslefthischildinmycare，Jasper。anditisamostsolemntrust，itis。yes，——itisamostsolemntrust。
It’satrust，Pathfinder，ofwhichanymanwouldbegladtorelieveyou，returnedtheyouth，withabittersmile。
I’veoftenthoughtithasfallenintowronghands。
I’mnotconsaited，Jasper。I’mnotconsaited，IdothinkI’mnot。butifMabelDunhamiswillingtooverlookallmyimperfectionsandignoranceslike，Ishouldbewrongtogainsayit，onaccountofanysartaintyImayhavemy-
selfaboutmyownwantofmerit。
Noonewillblameyou，Pathfinder，formarryingMabelDunham，anymorethantheywillblameyouforwearingapreciousjewelinyourbosomthatafriendhadfreelygivenyou。
Doyouthinkthey’llblameMabel，lad？I’vehadmymisgivingsaboutthat，too。forallpersonsmaynotbesodisposedtolookatmewiththesameeyesasyouandtheSergeant’sdaughter。
JasperEau-doucestartedasamanflinchesatsuddenbodilypain。butheotherwisemaintainedhisself-com-
mand。Andmankindisenviousandill-natured，moreparticularlyinandaboutthegarrisons。Isometimeswish，Jasper，thatMabelcouldhavetakenafancytoyou，——I
do。andthatyouhadtakenafancytoher。foritoftenseemstomethatonelikeyou，afterall，mightmakeherhappierthanIevercan。
Wewillnottalkaboutthis，Pathfinder，interruptedJasperhoarselyandimpatiently。youwillbeMabel’shusband，anditisnotrighttospeakofanyoneelseinthatcharacter。Asforme，IshalltakeMasterCap’sadvice，andtryandmakeamanofmyselfbyseeingwhatistobedoneonthesaltwater。
You，JasperWestern！——youquitthelakes，theforests，andthelines。andthis，too，forthetownsandwastywaysofthesettlements，andalittledifferenceinthetasteofthewater。Haven’twethesalt-licks，ifsaltisnecessarytoyou？andoughtn’tmantobesatisfiedwithwhatcon-
tentstheothercreatursofGod？Icountedonyou，Jas-
per，Icountedonyou，Idid。andthought，nowthatMabelandIintendtodwellinacabinofourown，thatsomedayyoumightbetemptedtochooseacompaniontoo，andcomeandsettleinourneighborhood。Thereisabeauti-
fulspot，aboutfiftymileswestofthegarrison，thatIhadchoseninmymindformyownplaceofabode。andthereisanexcellentharborabouttenleaguesthissideofitwhereyoucouldruninandoutwiththecutteratanyleisureminute。andI’devenfanciedyouandyourwifeinpossessionoftheoneplace，andMabelandIinpossessionoft’other。Weshouldbejustahealthyhuntapart。andiftheLordeverintendsanyofHiscreaturstobehappyon’arth，nonecouldbehappierthanwefour。
Youforget，myfriend，answeredJasper，takingtheguide’shandandforcingafriendlysmile，thatIhavenofourthpersontoloveandcherish。andImuchdoubtifIevershallloveanyotherasIloveyouandMabel。
Thank’e，boy。Ithankyouwithallmyheart。butwhatyoucallloveforMabelisonlyfriendshiplike，andaverydifferentthingfromwhatIfeel。Now，insteadofsleepingassoundasnatur’atmidnight，asIusedtocould，IdreamnightlyofMabelDunham。Theyoungdoessportbeforeme。andwhenIraiseKilldeer，inordertotakealittlevenison，theanimalslookback，anditseemsasiftheyallhadMabel’ssweetcountenance，laughinginmyface，andlookingasiftheysaid，’Shootmeifyoudare！’
ThenIhearhersoftvoicecallingoutamongthebirdsastheysing。andnolaterthanthelastnapItook，Ibe-
thoughtme，infancy，ofgoingovertheNiagara，holdingMabelinmyarms，ratherthanpartfromher。Thebit-
terestmomentsI’veeverknownweretheminwhichthedevil，orsomeMingoconjuror，perhaps，hasjustputintomyheadtofancyindreamsthatMabelislosttomebysomeunaccountablecalamity——eitherbychangefulnessorbyviolence。
Oh，Pathfinder！ifyouthinkthissobitterinadream，whatmustitbetoonewhofeelsitsreality，andknowsitalltobetrue，true，true？Sotrueastoleavenohope。toleavenothingbutdespair！
ThesewordsburstfromJasperasafluidpoursfromthevesselthathasbeensuddenlybroken。Theywereutteredinvoluntarily，almostunconsciously，butwithatruthandfeelingthatcarriedwiththemtheinstantconvictionoftheirdeepsincerity。Pathfinderstarted，gazedathisfriendforfullaminutelikeonebewildered，andthenitwasthat，indespiteofallhissimplicity，thetruthgleameduponhim。Allknowhowcorroboratingproofscrowduponthemindassoonasitcatchesadirectcluetoanyhithertounsuspectedfact。howrapidlythethoughtsflowandpre-
misestendtotheirjustconclusionsundersuchcircum-
stances。Ourherowassoconfidingbynature，sojust，andsomuchdisposedtoimaginethatallhisfriendswishedhimthesamehappinessashewishedthem，that，untilthisunfortunatemoment，asuspicionofJasper’sattachmentforMabelhadneverbeenawakenedinhisbosom。Hewas，however，nowtooexperiencedintheemotionswhichcharacterizethepassion。andtheburstoffeelinginhiscompanionwastooviolentandtoonaturaltoleaveanyfurtherdoubtonthesubject。Thefeelingthatfirstfol-
lowedthischangeofopinionwasoneofdeephumilityandexquisitepain。HebethoughthimofJasper’syouth，hishigherclaimstopersonalappearance，andallthegeneralprobabilitiesthatsuchasuitorwouldbemoreagreeabletoMabelthanhecouldpossiblybehimself。Thenthenoblerectitudeofmind，forwhichthemanwassodistinguished，asserteditspower。itwassustainedbyhisrebukedman-
nerofthinkingofhimself，andallthathabitualdeferencefortherightsandfeelingsofotherswhichappearedtobeinbredinhisverynature。TakingthearmofJasper，heledhimtoalog，wherehecompelledtheyoungmantoseathimselfbyasortofirresistibleexerciseofhisironmuscles，andwhereheplacedhimselfathisside。
Theinstanthisfeelingshadfoundvent，Eau-doucewasbothalarmedat，andashamedof，theirviolence。Hewouldhavegivenallhepossessedonearthcouldthelastthreeminutesberecalled。buthewastoofrankbydispo-
sitionandtoomuchaccustomedtodealingenuouslybyhisfriendtothinkamomentofattemptingfurthercon-
cealment，orofanyevasionoftheexplanationthatheknewwasabouttobedemanded。Evenwhilehetrembledinanticipationofwhatwasabouttofollow，henevercon-
templatedequivocation。
Jasper，Pathfindercommenced，inatonesosolemnastothrilloneverynerveinhislistener’sbody，this_has_
surprisedme！YouhavekinderfeelingstowardsMabelthanIhadthought。and，unlessmyownmistakenvanityandconsaithavecruellydeceivedme，Ipityyou，boy，frommysoulIdo！Yes，IthinkIknowhowtopityanyonewhohassethisheartonacreaturelikeMabel，unlessheseesaprospectofherregardinghimasheregardsher。Thismattermustbeclearedup，Eau-douce，astheDelawaressay，untilthereshallnotbeacloud’atweenus。
Whatclearingupcanitwant，Pathfinder？IloveMabelDunham，andMabelDunhamdoesnotloveme。
sheprefersyouforahusband。andthewisestthingIcandoistogooffatoncetothesaltwater，andtrytoforgetyouboth。
Forgetme，Jasper！thatwouldbeapunishmentI
don’tdesarve。ButhowdoyouknowthatMabelprefars_me_？howdoyouknowit，lad？Tomeitseemsimpossiblelike！
Isshenottomarryyou，andwouldMabelmarryamanshedoesnotlove？
ShehasbeenhardurgedbytheSergeant，shehas。
andadutifulchildmayhavefounditdifficulttowith-
standthewishesofadyingparent。HaveyouevertoldMabelthatyouprefarredher，Jasper——thatyouboreherthesefeelings？
Never，Pathfinder。Iwouldnotdoyouthatwrong。
Ibelieveyou，lad，Idobelieveyou。andIthinkyouwouldnowgoofftothesaltwater，andletthescentdiewithyou。Butthismustnotbe。Mabelshallhearall，andsheshallhaveherownway，ifmyheartbreaksinthetrial，sheshall。Nowordshaveeverpassed’atweenyou，then，Jasper？
Nothingofaccount，nothingdirect。Still，Iwillownallmyfoolishness，Pathfinder。forIoughttoownittoagenerousfriendlikeyou，andtherewillbeanendofit。
Youknowhowyoungpeopleunderstandeachother，orthinktheyunderstandeachother，withoutalwaysspeak-
ingoutinplainspeech，andgettoknoweachother’sthoughts，ortothinktheyknowthem，bymeansofahun-
dredlittleways。
NotI，Jasper，notI，trulyansweredtheguide。for，soothtosay，hisadvanceshadneverbeenmetwithanyofthatsweetandpreciousencouragementwhichsilentlymarksthecourseofsympathyunitedtopassion。NotI，Jasper。Iknownothingofallthis。Mabelhasalwaystreatedmefairly，andsaidwhatshehashadtosayinspeechasplainastonguecouldtellit。
Youhavehadthepleasureofhearinghersaythatshelovedyou，Pathfinder？
Why，no，Jasper，notjustthatinwords。Shehastoldmethatwenevercould，neveroughttobemarried。that_she_wasnotgoodenoughfor_me_，thoughshe_did_saythatshehonoredmeandrespectedme。ButthentheSergeantsaiditwasalwayssowiththeyouthfulandtimid。thathermotherdidsoandsaidsoaforeher。andthatIoughttobesatisfiedifshewouldconsentonanytermstomarryme，andthereforeIhaveconcludedthatallwasright，I
have。
Inspiteofallhisfriendshipforthesuccessfulwooer，inspiteofallhishonest，sincerewishedforhishappiness，weshouldbeunfaithfulchroniclersdidwenotownthatJasperfelthisheartboundwithanuncontrollablefeelingofdelightatthisadmission。Itwasnotthathesaworfeltanyhopeconnectedwiththecircumstance。butitwasgratefultothejealouscovetousnessofunlimitedlovethustolearnthatnootherearshadheardthesweetconfessionsthatweredenieditsown。
Tellmemoreofthismanneroftalkingwithouttheuseofthetongue，continuedPathfinder，whosecounte-
nancewasbecominggrave，andwhonowquestionedhiscompanionlikeonewhoseemedtoanticipateevilinthereply。IcanandhaveconversedwithChingachgook，andwithhissonUncastoo，inthatmode，aforethelatterfell。butIdidn’tknowthatyounggirlspractysedthisart，and，leastofall，MabelDunham。
’Tisnothing，Pathfinder。Imeanonlyalook，orasmile，oraglanceoftheeye，orthetremblingofanarmorahandwhentheyoungwomanhashadoccasiontotouchme。andbecauseIhavebeenweakenoughtotrem-
bleevenatMabel’sbreath，orherbrushingmewithherclothes，myvainthoughtshavemisledme。IneverspokeplainlytoMabelmyself，andnowthereisnouseforit，sincethereisclearlynohope。
Jasper，returnedPathfindersimply，butwithadig-
nitythatprecludedfurtherremarksatthemoment，wewilltalkoftheSergeant’sfuneralandofourowndepar-
turefromthisisland。Afterthesethingsaredisposedof，itwillbetimeenoughtosaymoreoftheSergeant’sdaughter。Thismattermustbelookedinto，forthefatherleftmethecareofhischild。
Jasperwasgladenoughtochangethesubject，andthefriendsseparated，eachchargedwiththedutymostpecu-
liartohisownstationandhabits。
Thatafternoonallthedeadwereinterred，thegraveofSergeantDunhambeingduginthecentreoftheglade，beneaththeshadeofahugeelm。Mabelweptbitterlyattheceremony，andshefoundreliefinthusdisburtheninghersorrow。Thenightpassedtranquilly，asdidthewholeofthefollowingday，Jasperdeclaringthatthegalewastooseveretoventureonthelake。Thiscircumstancede-
tainedCaptainSanglieralso，whodidnotquittheislanduntilthemorningofthethirddayafterthedeathofDun-
ham，whentheweatherhadmoderated，andthewindhadbecomefair。Then，indeed，hedeparted，aftertakingleaveofthePathfinder，inthemannerofonewhobelievedhewasincompanyofadistinguishedcharacterforthelasttime。Thetwoseparatedlikethosewhorespectoneanother，whileeachfeltthattheotherwasallenigmatohimself。
CHAPTERXXIX。
Playfulsheturn’dthathemightseeThepassingsmilehercheekputon。
ButwhenshemarkedhowmournfullyHiseyesmethers，thatsmilewasgone。
_LallaRookh。_
Theoccurrencesofthelastfewdayshadbeentooex-
citing，andhadmadetoomanydemandsonthefortitudeofourheroine，toleaveherinthehelplessnessofgrief。
Shemournedforherfather，andsheoccasionallyshud-
deredassherecalledthesuddendeathofJennie，andallthehorriblescenesshehadwitnessed。butonthewholeshehadarousedherself，andwasnolongerinthedeepdepressionwhichusuallyaccompaniesgrief。Perhapstheoverwhelming，almoststupefyingsorrowthatcrushedpoorJune，andleftherfornearlytwenty-fourhoursinastateofstupor，assistedMabelinconqueringherownfeelings，forshehadfeltcalledontoadministerconsolationtotheyoungIndianwoman。Thisshehaddoneinthequiet，soothing，insinuatingwayinwhichhersexusuallyexertsitsinfluenceonsuchoccasions。
Themorningofthethirddaywassetforthatonwhichthe_Scud_wastosail。Jasperhadmadeallhisprepara-
tions。thedifferenteffectswereembarked，andMabelhadtakenleaveofJune，apainfulandaffectionateparting。Inaword，allwasready，andeverysoulhadlefttheislandbuttheIndianwoman，Pathfinder，Jasper，andourhero-
ine。Theformerhadgoneintoathickettoweep，andthethreelastwereapproachingthespotwherethreecanoeslay，oneofwhichwasthepropertyofJune，andtheothertwowereinwaitingtocarrytheothersofftothe_Scud_。
Pathfinderledtheway，but，whenhedrewneartheshore，insteadoftakingthedirectiontotheboats，hemotionedtohiscompanionstofollow，andproceededtoafallentreewhichlayonthemarginofthegladeandoutofviewofthoseinthecutter。Seatinghimselfonthetrunk，hesignedtoMabeltotakeherplaceononesideofhimandtoJaspertooccupytheother。
SitdownhereMabel。sitdownthere，Eau-douce，hecommenced，assoonashehadtakenhisownseat。I’vesomethingthatliesheavyonmymind，andnowisthetimetotakeitoff，ifit’severtobedone。Sitdown，Mabel，andletmelightenmyheart，ifnotmyconscience，whileI’vethestrengthtodoit。
Thepausethatsucceededlastedtwoorthreeminutes，andboththeyoungpeoplewonderedwhatwastocomenext。
theideathatPathfindercouldhaveanyweightonhiscon-
scienceseemingequallyimprobabletoeach。
Mabel，ourheroatlengthresumed，wemusttalkplainlytoeachotheraforewejoinyouruncleinthecut-
ter，wheretheSaltwaterhasslepteverynightsincethelastrally，forhesaysit’stheonlyplaceinwhichamancanbesureofkeepingthehaironhishead，hedoes。Ah’sme！whathaveItodowiththesefolliesandsayingsnow？
Itrytobepleasant，andtofeellight-hearted，butthepowerofmancan’tmakewaterrunupstream。Mabel，youknowthattheSergeant，aforeheleftus，hadsettledit’atweenustwothatweweretobecomemanandwife，andthatweweretolivetogetherandtoloveoneanotheraslongastheLordwaspleasedtokeepusbothon’arth。yes，andafterwardstoo？
Mabel’scheekshadregainedalittleoftheirancientbloominthefreshairofthemorning。butatthisun-
looked-foraddresstheyblanchedagain，nearlytothepal-
lidhuewhichgriefhadimprintedthere。Still，shelookedkindly，thoughseriously，atPathfinderandevenendeav-
oredtoforceasmile。
Verytrue，myexcellentfriend，sheanswered。thiswasmypoorfather’swish，andIfeelcertainthatawholelifedevotedtoyourwelfareandcomfortscouldscarcelyrepayyouforallyouhavedoneforus。
Ifearme，Mabel，thatmanandwifeneedsbeboundtogetherbyastrongertiethansuchfeelings，Ido。Youhavedonenothingforme，ornothingofanyaccount，andyetmyveryheartyearnstowardsyou，itdoes。andthere-
foreitseemslikelythatthesefeelingscomefromsome-
thingbesidessavingscalpsandguidingthroughwoods。
Mabel’scheekhadbeguntoglowagain。andthoughshestruggledhardtosmile，hervoicetrembledalittleassheanswered。
Hadwenotbetterpostponethisconversation，Path-
finder？shesaid。wearenotalone。andnothingissounpleasanttoalistener，theysay，asfamilymattersinwhichhefeelsnointerest。
It’sbecausewearenotalone，Mabel，orratherbecauseJasperiswithus，thatIwishtotalkofthismatter。TheSergeantbelievedImightmakeasuitablecompanionforyou，and，thoughIhadmisgivingsaboutit，——yes，Ihadmanymisgivings，——hefinallypersuadedmeintotheidee，andthingscameround’atweenus，asyouknow。But，whenyoupromisedyourfathertomarryme，Mabel，andgavemeyourhandsomodestly，butsoprettily，therewasonecircumstance，asyourunclecalledit，thatyoudidn’tknow。andI’vethoughtitrighttotellyouwhatitis，beforemattersarefinallysettled。I’veoftentakenapoordeerformydinnerwhengoodvenisonwasnottobefound。butit’sasnat’ralnottotakeupwiththeworstwhenthebestmaybehad。
Youspeakinaway，Pathfinder，thatisdifficulttobeunderstood。Ifthisconversationisreallynecessary，I
trustyouwillbemoreplain。
Wellthen，Mabel，I’vebeenthinkingitwasquitelikely，whenyougaveintotheSergeant’swishes，thatyoudidnotknowthenatur’ofJasperWestern’sfeelingstowardsyou？
Pathfinder！andMabel’scheeknowpaledtothelividhueofdeath。thenitflushedtothetintofcrimson。andherwholeframeshuddered。Pathfinder，however，wastoointentonhisownobjecttonoticethisagitation。andEau-
doucehadhiddenhisfaceinhishandsintimetoshutoutitsview。
I’vebeentalkingwiththelad。and，oncomparinghisdreamswithmydreams，hisfeelingswithmyfeelings，andhiswisheswithmywishes，Ifearwethinktoomuchalikeconsarningyouforbothofustobeveryhappy。
Pathfinder，youforget。youshouldrememberthatwearebetrothed！saidMabelhastily，andinavoicesolowthatitrequiredacuteattentioninthelistenerstocatchthesyllables。Indeedthelastwordwasnotquiteintel-
ligibletotheguide，andheconfessedhisignorancebytheusual，——
Anan？
Youforgetthatwearetobemarried。andsuchallu-
sionsareimproperaswellaspainful。
Everythingisproperthatisright，Mabel。andevery-
thingisrightthatleadstojusticeandfairdealing。thoughit_ispainful_enough，asyousay，asIfindontrial，Ido。
Now，Mabel，hadyouknownthatEau-doucethinksofyouinthisway，maybeyouneverwouldhaveconsentedtobemarriedtooneasoldandasuncomelyasIam。
Whythiscrueltrial，Pathfinder？Towhatcanallthislead？JasperWesternthinksnosuchthing：hesaysnothinghefeelsnothing。
Mabel！burstfromoutoftheyoungman’slips，inawaytobetraytheuncontrollablenatureofhisemotions，thoughheutterednotanothersyllable。
Mabelburiedherfaceinbothherhands。andthetwosatlikeapairofguiltybeings，suddenlydetectedinthecommissionofsomecrimewhichinvolvedthehappinessofacommonpatron。Atthatinstant，perhaps，Jasperhimselfwasinclinedtodenyhispassion，throughanex-
tremeunwillingnesstogrievehisfriend。whileMabel，onwhomthispositiveannouncementofafactthatshehadratherunconsciouslyhopedthanbelieved，camesounex-
pectedly，felthermindmomentarilybewildered。andshescarcelyknewwhethertoweeportorejoice。Stillshewasthefirsttospeak。sinceEau-doucecouldutternaughtthatwouldbedisingenuous，orthatwouldpainhisfriend。
Pathfinder，saidshe，youtalkwildly。Whymentionthisatall？
Well，Mabel，ifItalkwildly，I_am_halfwild，youknow，bynatur’，Ifear，aswellasbyhabit。Ashesaidthis，heendeavoredtolaughinhisusualnoiselessway，buttheeffectproducedastrangeanddiscordantsound。anditappearednearlytochokehim。Yes，I_must_bewild。I’llnotattempttodenyit。
DearestPathfinder！mybest，almostmyonlyfriend！
you_cannot，donot_thinkIintendedtosaythat！inter-
ruptedMabel，almostbreathlessinherhastetorelievehismortification。Ifcourage，truth，noblenessofsoulandconduct，unyieldingprinciples，andahundredotherexcel-
lentqualitiescanrenderanymanrespectable，esteemed，orbeloved，yourclaimsareinferiortothoseofnootherhumanbeing。
Whattenderandbewitchingvoicestheyhave，Jasper！
resumedtheguide，nowlaughingfreelyandnaturally。
Yes，natur’seemstohavemadethemonpurposetosinginourears，whenthemusicofthewoodsissilent。Butwemustcometoarightunderstanding，wemust。Iaskyouagain，Mabel，ifyouhadknownthatJasperWesternlovesyouaswellasIdo，orbetterperhaps，thoughthatisscarcelypossible。thatinhisdreamsheseesyourfaceinthewaterofthelake。thathetalkstoyou，andofyou，inhissleep。fanciesallthatisbeautifullikeMabelDunham，andallthatisgoodandvirtuous。believesheneverknowedhappinessuntilheknowedyou。couldkissthegroundonwhichyouhavetrod，andforgetsallthejoysofhiscall-
ingtothinkofyouandthedelightofgazingatyourbeautyandinlisteningtoyourvoice，wouldyouthenhaveconsentedtomarryme？
Mabelcouldnothaveansweredthisquestionifshewould。but，thoughherfacewasburiedinherhands，thetintoftherushingbloodwasvisiblebetweentheopen-
ings，andthesuffusionseemedtoimpartitselftoherveryfingers。Stillnatureassertedherpower，fortherewasasingleinstantwhentheastonished，almostterrifiedgirlstoleaglanceatJasper，asifdistrustingPathfinder’shis-
toryofhisfeelings，readthetruthofallhesaidinthatfurtivelook，andinstantlyconcealedherfaceagain，asifshewouldhideitfromobservationforever。
Taketimetothink，Mabel，theguidecontinued，foritisasolemnthingtoacceptonemanforahusbandwhilethethoughtsandwishesleadtoanother。JasperandI
havetalkedthismatterover，freelyandlikeoldfriends，and，thoughIalwaysknowedthatweviewedmostthingsprettymuchalike，Icouldn’thavethoughtthatwere-
gardedanyparticularobjectwiththeverysameeyes，asitmightbe，untilweopenedourmindstoeachotheraboutyou。NowJasperownsthattheveryfirsttimehebeheldyou，hethoughtyouthesweetestandwinningestestcrea-
tur’hehadevermet。thatyourvoicesoundedlikemur-
muringwaterinhisears。thathefanciedhissailswereyourgarmentsflutteringinthewind。thatyourlaughhauntedhiminhissleep。andthatag’inandag’inhashestartedupaffrighted，becausehehasfanciedsomeonewantedtoforceyououtofthe_Scud_，whereheimaginedyouhadtakenupyourabode。Nay，theladhasevenacknowledgedthatheoftenweepsatthethoughtthatyouarelikelytospendyourdayswithanother，andnotwithhim。
Jasper！
It’ssolemntruth，Mabel，andit’srightyoushouldknowit。Nowstandup，andchoose’atweenus。IdobelieveEau-doucelovesyouaswellasIdomyself。hehastriedtopersuademethathelovesyoubetter，butthatIwillnotallow，forIdonotthinkitpossible。butIwillowntheboylovesyou，heartandsoul，andhehasagoodrighttobeheard。TheSergeantleftmeyourprotector，andnotyourtyrant。ItoldhimthatIwouldbeafathertoyouaswellasahusband，anditseemstomenofeelingfatherwoulddenyhischildthissmallprivilege。Standup，Mabel，therefore，andspeakyourthoughtsasfreelyasifIweretheSergeanthimself，seekingyourgood，andnothingelse。
Mabeldroppedherhands，arose，andstoodfacetofacewithhertwosuitors，thoughtheflushthatwasonhercheekswasfeverish，theevidenceofexcitementratherthanofshame。
Whatwouldyouhave，Pathfinder？sheasked。haveInotalreadypromisedmypoorfathertodoallyoude-
sire？
ThenIdesirethis。HereIstand，amanoftheforestandoflittlelarning，thoughIfearwithanambitionbe-
yondmydesarts，andI’lldomyendivorstodojusticetobothsides。Inthefirstplace，itisallowedthat，sofarasfeelingsinyourbehalfareconsarned，weloveyoujustthesame。Jasperthinkshisfeelings_must_bethestrongest，butthisIcannotsayinhonesty，foritdoesn’tseemtomethatit_can_betrue，elseIwouldfranklyandfreelyconfessit，Iwould。Sointhisparticular，Mabel，weareherebeforeyouonequaltarms。Asformyself，beingtheoldest，I’llfirstsaywhatlittlecanbeproducedinmyfavor，aswellasag’init。Asahunter，Idothinkthereisnomannearthelinesthatcanoutdome。Ifvenison，orbear’smeat，orevenbirdsandfish，shouldeverbescarceinourcabin，itwouldbemorelikelytobeowingtonatur’andProvi-
dencethantoanyfaultofmine。Inshort，itdoesseemtomethatthewomanwhodependedonmewouldneverbelikelytowantforfood。ButI’mfearfulignorant！It’strueIspeakseveraltongues，suchastheybe，whileI’mveryfarfrombeingexpartatmyown。Then，myyearsaregreaterthanyourown，Mabel。andthecircumstancethatIwassolongtheSergeant’scomradecanbenogreatmeritinyoureyes。Iwish，too，Iwasmorecomely，Ido。butweareallasnatur’madeus，andthelastthingthatamanoughttolament，exceptonveryspecialoccasions，ishislooks。Whenallisremembered，age，looks，learning，andhabits，Mabel，consciencetellsmeIoughttoconfessthatI’maltogetherunfitforyou，ifnotdownrightunworthy。
andIwouldgiveupthehopethisminute，Iwould，ifI
didn’tfeelsomethingpullingatmyheart-stringswhichseemshardtoundo。
Pathfinder！noble，generousPathfinder！criedourheroine，seizinghishandandkissingitwithaspeciesofholyreverence。youdoyourselfinjustice——youforgetmypoorfatherandyourpromise——youdonotknow_me_！
Now，here’sJasper，continuedtheguide，withoutal-
lowingthegirl’scaressestowinhimfromhispurpose，with_him_thecaseisdifferent。Inthewayofproviding，asinthatofloving，there’snotmuchtochoose’atweenus。fortheladisfrugal，industrious，andcareful。Thenheisquiteascholar，knowsthetongueoftheFrenchers，readsmanybooks，andsome，Iknow，thatyouliketoreadyourself，canunderstandyouatalltimes，which，perhaps，ismorethanIcansayformyself。
Whatofallthis？interruptedMabalimpatiently。
whyspeakofitnow——whyspeakofitatall？
Thentheladhasamanneroflettinghisthoughtsbeknown，thatIfearIcanneverequal。Ifthere’sanythingon’arththatwouldmakemytongueboldandpersuading，Mabel，Idothinkit’syourself。andyetinourlateconver-
sationsJasperhasoutdoneme，evenonthispoint，inawaytomakemeashamedofmyself。Hehastoldmehowsimpleyouwere，andhowtrue-hearted，andkind-hearted。
andhowyoulookeddownuponvanities，forthoughyoumightbethewifeofmorethanoneofficer，ashethinks，thatyouclingtofeeling，andwouldratherbetruetoyourselfandnatur’thanacolonel’slady。Hefairlymademybloodwarm，hedid，whenhespokeofyourhavingbeautywithoutseemingevertohavelookeduponit，andthemannerinwhichyoumovedaboutlikeayoungfa’n，sonat’ralandgracefullike，withoutknowingit。andthetruthandjusticeofyouridees，andthewarmthandgener-
osityofyourheart——
Jasper！interruptedMabel，givingwaytofeelingsthathadgatheredanungovernableforcebybeingsolongpent，andfallingintotheyoungman’swillingarms，weep-
inglikeachild，andalmostashelpless。Jasper！Jasper！
whyhaveyoukeptthisfromme？
TheanswerofEau-doucewasnotveryintelligible，norwasthemurmureddialoguethatfollowedremarkableforcoherency。Butthelanguageofaffectioniseasilyunder-
stood。Thehourthatsucceededpassedlikeaveryfewminutesofordinarylife，sofarasacomputationoftimewasconcerned。andwhenMabelrecollectedherself，andbethoughtheroftheexistenceofothers，herunclewaspac-
ingthecutter’sdeckingreatimpatience，andwonderingwhyJaspershouldbelosingsomuchofafavorablewind。
Herfirstthoughtwasofhim，whowassolikelytofeeltherecentbetrayalofherrealemotions。
Oh，Jasper，sheexclaimed，likeonesuddenlyself-
convicted，thePathfinder！
Eau-doucefairlytrembled，notwithunmanlyapprehen-
sion，butwiththepainfulconvictionofthepanghehadgivenhisfriend。andhelookedinalldirectionsintheexpectationofseeinghisperson。ButPathfinderhadwithdrawn，withatactandadelicacythatmighthavedonecredittothesensibilityandbreedingofacourtier。
Forseveralminutesthetwoloverssat，silentlywaitinghisreturn，uncertainwhatproprietyrequiredofthemundercircumstancessomarkedandsopeculiar。Atlengththeybeheldtheirfriendadvancingslowlytowardsthem，withathoughtfulandevenpensiveair。
Inowunderstandwhatyoumeant，Jasper，byspeakingwithoutatongueandhearingwithoutanear，hesaidwhencloseenoughtothetreetobeheard。Yes，Iun-
derstanditnow，Ido。andaverypleasantsortofdiscourseitis，whenonecanholditwithMabelDunham。Ah’sme！
ItoldtheSergeantIwasn’tfitforher。thatIwastooold，tooignorant，andtoowildlike。buthe_would_haveitotherwise。
JasperandMabelsat，resemblingMilton’spictureofourfirstparents，whentheconsciousnessofsinfirstlaiditsleadenweightontheirsouls。Neitherspoke，neitherevenmoved。thoughbothatthatmomentfanciedtheycouldpartwiththeirnew-foundhappinessinordertore-
storetheirfriendtohispeaceofmind。Jasperwaspaleasdeath，but，inMabel，maidenmodestyhadcausedthebloodtomantleonhercheeks，untiltheirbloomwasheightenedtoarichnessthatwasscarcelyequalledinherhoursoflight-heartedbuoyancyandjoy。Asthefeelingwhich，inhersex，alwaysaccompaniesthesecurityoflovereturned，threwitssoftnessandtendernessoverhercoun-
tenance，shewassingularlybeautiful。Pathfindergazedatherwithanintentnesshedidnotendeavortoconceal，andthenhefairlylaughedinhisownway，andwithasortofwildexultation，asmenthatareuntutoredarewonttoexpresstheirdelight。Thismomentaryindulgence，how-
ever，wasexpiatedbythepangwhichfollowedthesuddenconsciousnessthatthisgloriousyoungcreaturewaslosttohimforever。Itrequiredafullminuteforthissimple-
mindedbeingtorecoverfromtheshockofthisconviction。
andthenherecoveredhisdignityofmanner，speakingwithgravity，almostwithsolemnity。
Ihavealwaysknown，MabelDunham，thatmenhavetheirgifts，saidhe。butI’dforgottenthatitdidnotbelongtominetopleasetheyoung，thebeautiful，andl’arned。Ihopethemistakehasbeennoveryheavysin。
andifitwas，I’vebeenheavilypunishedforit，Ihave。
Nay，Mabel，Iknowwhatyou’dsay，butit’sunnecessary。
I_feel_itall，andthatisasgoodasifI_heard_itall。I’vehadabitterhour，Mabel。I’vehadaverybitterhour，lad。
Hour！echoedMabel，astheotherfirstusedtheword。thetell-taleblood，whichhadbeguntoebbtowardsherheart，rushingagaintumultuouslytoherverytem-
ples。surelynotanhour，Pathfinder？
Hour！exclaimedJasperatthesameinstant。no，no，myworthyfriend，itisnottenminutessinceyouleftus！
Well，itmaybeso。thoughtomeithasseemedtobeday。Ibegintothink，however，thatthehappycounttimebyminutes，andthemiserablecountitbymonths。
Butwewilltalknomoreofthis。itisallovernow，andmanywordsaboutitwillmakeyounohappier，whiletheywillonlytellmewhatI’velost。andquitelikelyhowmuchIdesarvedtoloseher。No，no，Mabel，’tisuselesstoin-
terruptme。Iadmititall，andyourgainsayingit，thoughitbesowellmeant，cannotchangemymind。Well，Jas-
per，sheisyours。and，thoughit’shardtothinkit，Idobelieveyou’llmakeherhappierthanIcould，foryourgiftsarebettersuitedtodoso，thoughIwouldhavestrivedhardtodoasmuch，ifIknowmyself，Iwould。IoughttohaveknownbetterthantobelievetheSergeant。andI
oughttohaveputfaithinwhatMabeltoldmeattheheadofthelake，forreasonandjudgmentmighthaveshownmeitstruth。butitissopleasanttothinkwhatwewish，andmankindsoeasilyover-persuadeus，whenweover-per-
suadeourselves。Butwhat’stheuseintalkingofit，asI
saidafore？It’strue，Mabelseemedtobeconsenting，thoughitallcamefromawishtopleaseherfather，andfrombeingskearyaboutthesavages——
Pathfinder！
Iunderstandyou，Mabel，andhavenohardfeelings，I
haven’t。IsometimesthinkIshouldliketoliveinyourneighborhood，thatImightlookatyourhappiness。but，onthewhole，it’sbetterIshouldquitthe55thaltogether，andgobacktothe60th，whichismynatyverigiment，asitmightbe。Itwouldhavebeenbetter，perhaps，hadI
neverleftit，thoughmysarvicesweremuchwantedinthisquarter，andI’dbeenwithsomeofthe55thyearsagone。SergeantDunham，forinstance，whenhewasinanothercorps。Still，Jasper，IdonotregretthatI’veknownyou——
Andme，Pathfinder！impetuouslyinterruptedMabel。
doyouregrethavingknown_me_？CouldIthinkso，I
shouldneverbeatpeacewithmyself。
You，Mabel！returnedtheguide，takingthehandofourheroineandlookingupintohercountenancewithguilelesssimplicity，butearnestaffection。howcouldI
besorrythatarayofthesuncameacrossthegloomofacheerlessday——thatlighthasbrokeninupondarkness，thoughitremainedsoshortatime？Idonotflattermyselfwithbeingabletomarchquitesolight-heartedasIonceusedtocould，ortosleepassound，forsometimetocome。butIshallalwaysrememberhownearIwastobeingundeservedlyhappy，Ishall。Sofarfromblamingyou，Mabel，IonlyblamemyselfforbeingsovainastothinkitpossibleIcouldpleasesuchacreatur’。forsar-
tainlyyoutoldmehowitwas，whenwetalkeditoveronthemountain，andIoughttohavebelievedyouthen。forIdosupposeit’snat’ralthatyoungwomenshouldknowtheirownmindsbetterthantheirfathers。Ah’sme！It’ssettlednow，andnothingremainsbutformetotakeleaveofyou，thatyoumaydepart。IfeelthatMasterCapmustbeimpatient，andthereisdangerofhiscomingonshoretolookforusall。
Totakeleave！exclaimedMabel。
Leave！echoedJasper。youdonotmeantoquitus，myfriend？
’Tisbest，Mabel，’tisaltogetherbest，Eau-douce。andit’swisest。Icouldliveanddieinyourcompany，ifIonlyfollowedfeeling。but，ifIfollowreason，Ishallquityouhere。YouwillgobacktoOswego，andbecomemanandwifeassoonasyouarrive，——forallthatisdeterminedwithMasterCap，whohankersaftertheseaagain，andwhoknowswhatistohappen，——whileIshallreturntothewil-
dernessandmyMaker。Come，Mabel，continuedPath-
finder，risinganddrawingnearertoourheroine，withgravedecorum，kissme。Jasperwillnotgrudgemeonekiss。
thenwe’llpart。
Oh，Pathfinder！exclaimedMabel，fallingintothearmsoftheguide，andkissinghischeeksagainandagain，withafreedomandwarmthshehadbeenfarfrommani-
festingwhileheldtothebosomofJasper。Godblessyou，dearestPathfinder！You’llcometoushereafter。Weshallseeyouagain。Whenold，youwillcometoourdwelling，andletmebeadaughtertoyou？
Yes，that’sit，returnedtheguide，almostgaspingforbreath。I’lltrytothinkofitinthatway。You’remorebefittingtobemydaughterthantobemywife，youare。
Farewell，Jasper。Nowwe’llgotothecanoe。it’stimeyouwereonboard。
ThemannerinwhichPathfinderledthewaytotheshorewassolemnandcalm。Assoonashereachedthecanoe，heagaintookMabelbythehands，heldheratthelengthofhisownarms，andgazedwistfullyintoherface，untiltheunbiddentearsrolledoutofthefountainsoffeelingandtrickleddownhisruggedcheeksinstreams。
Blessme，Pathfinder，saidMabel，kneelingreverentlyathisfeet。Oh，atleastblessmebeforewepart！
Thatuntutoredbutnoble-mindedbeingdidasshede-
sired。and，aidinghertoenterthecanoe，seemedtotearhimselfawayasonesnapsastrongandobstinatecord。
Beforeheretired，however，hetookJasperbythearmandledhimalittleaside，whenhespokeasfollows：——
You’rekindofheartandgentlebynatur’，Jasper。butwearebothroughandwildincomparisonwiththatdearcreatur’。Becarefulofher，andnevershowtheroughnessofman’snatur’tohersoftdisposition。You’llgettoun-
derstandherintime。andtheLord，whogovernsthelakeandtheforestalike，wholooksuponvirtuewithasmileanduponvicewithafrown，keepyouhappyandworthytobeso！
Pathfindermadeasignforhisfriendtodepart，andhestoodleaningonhisrifleuntilthecanoehadreachedthesideofthe_Scud_。Mabelweptasifherheartwouldbreak。
nordidhereyesonceturnfromtheopenspotintheglade，wheretheformofthePathfinderwastobeseen，untilthecutterhadpassedapointthatcompletelyshutouttheisland。Whenlastinview，thesinewyframeofthisextra-
ordinarymanwasasmotionlessasifitwereastatuesetupinthatsolitaryplacetocommemoratethescenesofwhichithadsolatelybeenthewitness。
CHAPTERXXX。
Oh！letmeonlybreathetheair，Theblessedairthat’sbreath’dbythee。
And，whetheronitswingsitbearHealingordeath，’tissweettome！
MOORE。
Pathfinderwasaccustomedtosolitude。but，whenthe_Scud_hadactuallydisappeared，hewasalmostovercomewithasenseofhisloneliness。Neverbeforehadhebeenconsciousofhisisolatedconditionintheworld。forhisfeelingshadgraduallybeenaccustomingthemselvestotheblandishmentsandwantsofsociallife。particularlyasthelastwereconnectedwiththedomesticaffections。Now，allhadvanished，asitmightbe，inonemoment。andhewasleftequallywithoutcompanionsandwithouthope。EvenChingachgookhadlefthim，thoughitwasbuttemporarily。
stillhispresencewasmissedatthepreciseinstantwhichmightbetermedthemostcriticalinourhero’slife。
Pathfinderstoodleaningonhisrifle，intheattitudedescribedinthelastchapter，alongtimeafterthe_Scud_
haddisappeared。Therigidityofhislimbsseemedper-
manent。andnonebutamanaccustomedtoputhismus-
clestotheseverestproofcouldhavemaintainedthatpos-
ture，withitsmarble-likeinflexibility，forsogreatalengthoftime。Atlengthhemovedawayfromthespot。themotionofthebodybeingprecededbyasighthatseemedtoheaveupfromtheverydepthsofhisbosom。
Itwasapeculiarityofthisextraordinarybeingthathissensesandhislimbs，forallpracticalpurposes，wereneveratfault，letthemindbepreoccupiedwithotherinterestsasmuchasitmight。Onthepresentoccasionneitherofthesegreatauxiliariesfailedhim。but，thoughhisthoughtswereexclusivelyoccupiedwithMabel，herbeauty，herpref-
erenceofJasper，hertears，andherdeparture，hemovedinadirectlinetothespotwhereJunestillremained，whichwasthegraveofherhusband。TheconversationthatfollowedpassedinthelanguageoftheTuscaroras，whichPathfinderspokefluently。but，asthattongueisunderstoodonlybytheextremelylearned，weshalltrans-
lateitfreelyintotheEnglish。preserving，asfaraspossi-
ble，thetoneofthoughtofeachinterlocutor，aswellasthepeculiaritiesofmanner。Junehadsufferedherhairtofallaboutherface，hadtakenaseatonastonewhichhadbeendugfromtheexcavationmadebythegrave，andwashang-
ingoverthespotwhichcontainedthebodyofArrowhead，unconsciousofthepresenceofanyother。Shebelieved，indeed，thatallhadlefttheislandbutherself，andthetreadoftheguide’smoccassinedfootwastoonoiselessrudelytoundeceiveher。
Pathfinderstoodgazingatthewomanforseveralmin-
utesinmuteattention。Thecontemplationofhergrief，therecollectionofherirreparableloss，andtheviewofherdesolationproducedahealthfulinfluenceonhisownfeel-
ings。hisreasontellinghimhowmuchdeeperlaythesourcesofgriefinayoungwife，whowassuddenlyandviolentlydeprivedofherhusband，thaninhimself。
Dew-of-June，hesaidsolemnly，butwithanearnest-
nesswhichdenotedthestrengthofhissympathy，youarenotaloneinyoursorrow。Turn，andletyoureyeslookuponafriend。
Junehasnolongeranyfriend！thewomananswered。
Arrowheadhasgonetothehappyhunting-grounds，andthereisnoonelefttocareforJune。TheTuscaroraswouldchaseherfromtheirwigwams。theIroquoisarehatefulinhereyes，andshecouldnotlookatthem。No！
leaveJunetostarveoverthegraveofherhusband。
Thiswillneverdo——thiswillneverdo。’Tisag’inrea-
sonandright。YoubelieveintheManitou，June？
HehashidhisfacefromJunebecauseheisangry。
Hehasleftheralonetodie。
Listentoonewhohashadalongacquaintancewithrednatur’，thoughhehasawhitebirthandwhitegifts。
WhentheManitouofapale-facewishestoproducegoodinapale-faceheartHestrikesitwithgrief。foritisinoursorrows，June，thatwelookwiththetruesteyesintoourselves，andwiththefarthest-sightedeyestoo，asre-
spectsright。TheGreatSpiritwishesyouwell，andHehastakenawaythechief，lestyoushouldbeledastraybyhiswilytongue，andgettobeaMingoinyourdisposition，asyouwerealreadyinyourcompany。
Arrowheadwasagreatchief，returnedthewomanproudly。
Hehadhismerits，hehad。andhehadhisdemerits，too。ButJuneyouarenotdesarted，norwillyoubesoon。
Letyou。griefout——letitout，accordiugtonatur’，andwhenthepropertimecomesIshallhavemoretosaytoyou。
Pathfindernowwenttohisowncanoe，andhelefttheisland。InthecourseofthedayJuneheardthecrackofhisrifleonceortwice。andasthesunwassettinghere-
appeared，bringingherbirdsreadycooked，andofadeli-
cacyandflavorthatmighthavetemptedtheappititeofanepicure。Thisspeciesofintercourselastedamonth，Juneobstinatelyrefusingtoabandonthegraveofherhus-
bandallthattime，thoughshestillacceptedthefriendlyofferingsofherprotector。Occasionallytheymetandcon-
versed，Pathfindersoundingthestateofthewoman’sfeel-
ings。buttheinterviewswereshort，andfarfromfrequent。
Junesleptinoneofthehuts，andshelaiddownherheadinsecurity，forshewasconsciousoftheprotectionofafriend，thoughPathfinderinvariablyretiredatnighttoanadjacentisland，wherehehadbuilthimselfahut。
Attheendofthemonth，however，theseasonwasgettingtobetoofaradvancedtorenderhersituationpleasanttoJune。Thetreeshadlosttheirleaves，andthenightswerebecomingcoldandwintry。Itwastimetodepart。
AtthismomentChingachgookreappeared。Hehadalongandconfidentialinterviewontheislandwithhisfriend。Junewitnessedtheirmovements，andshesawthatherguardianwasdistressed。Stealingtohisside，sheen-
deavoredtosoothehissorrowwithawoman’sgentlenessandwithawoman’sinstinct。
Thankyou，June，thankyou！hesaid。’tiswellmeant，thoughit’suseless。Butitistimetoquitthisplace。To-morrowweshalldepart。Youwillgowithus，fornowyou’vegottofeelreason。
JuneassentedinthemeekmannerofanIndianwoman，andshewithdrewtopasstheremainderofhertimenearthegraveofArrowhead。Regardlessofthehourandtheseason，theyoungwidowdidnotpillowherheadduringthewholeofthatautumnalnight。Shesatnearthespotthatheldtheremainsofherhusband，andprayed，inthemannerofherpeople，forhissuccessontheendlesspathonwhichhehadsolatelygone，andfortheirreunioninthelandofthejust。Humbleanddegradedasshewouldhaveseemedintheeyesofthesophisticatedandunreflect-
ing，theimageofGodwasonhersoul，anditvindicateditsdivineoriginbyaspirationsandfeelingsthatwouldhavesurprisedthosewho，feigningmore，feelless。
Inthemorningthethreedeparted，Pathfinderearnestandintelligentinallhedid，theGreatSerpentsilentandimitative，andJunemeek，resigned，butsorrowful。Theywentintwocanoes，thatofthewomanbeingabandoned：
Chingachgookledtheway，andPathfinderfollowed，thecoursebeingupstream。Twodaystheypaddledwestward，andasmanynightstheyencampedonislands。Fortu-
natelytheweatherbecamemild，andwhentheyreachedthelakeitwasfoundsmoothandglassyasapond。ItwastheIndiansummer，andthecalms，andalmostthebland-
nessofJune，sleptinthehazyatmosphere。
OnthemorningofthethirddaytheypassedthemouthoftheOswego，wherethefortandthesleepingensignin-
vitedtheminvaintoenter。Withoutcastingalookaside，Chingachgookpaddledpastthedarkwatersoftheriver，andPathfinderstillfollowedinsilentindustry。Therampartswerecrowdedwithspectators。butLundie，whoknewthepersonsofhisoldfriends，refusedtoallowthemtobeevenhailed。
ItwasnoonwhenChingachgookenteredalittlebaywherethe_Scud_layatanchor，inasortofroadstead。A
smallancientclearingwasontheshore。andnearthemarginofthelakewasalogdwelling，recentlyandcom-
pletely，thoughrudelyfittedup。Therewasanairoffron-
tiercomfortandoffrontierabundancearoundtheplace，thoughitwasnecessarilywildandsolitary。Jasperstoodontheshore。andwhenPathfinderlanded，hewasthefirsttotakehimbythehand。Themeetingwassimple，butverycordial。Noquestionswereasked，itbeingap-
parentthatChingachgookhadmadethenecessaryexpla-
nantions。Pathfinderneversqueezedhisfriend’shandmorecordiallythaninthisinterview。andheevenlaughedcordiallyinhisfaceashetoldhimhowhappyandwellheappeared。
Whereisshe，Jasper？whereisshe？theguideatlengthwhispered，foratfirsthehadseemedtobeafraidtotrusthimselfwiththequestion。
Sheiswaitingforusinthehouse，mydearfriend，whereyouseethatJunehasalreadyhastenedbeforeus。
JunemayusealightersteptomeetMabel，butshecan-
notcarryalighterheart。Andso，lad，youfoundthechap-
lainatthegarrison，andallwassoonsettled？
Weweremarriedwithinaweekafterweleftyou，andMasterCapdepartednextday。Youhaveforgottentoin-
quireaboutyourfriendSaltwater。
NotI，notI。theSarpenthastoldmeallthat：andthenIlovetohearsomuchofMabelandherhappiness，Ido。Didthechildsmileordidsheweepwhenthecere-
monywasover？
Shedidboth，myfriend。but——
Yes，that’stheirnatur’，tearfulandcheerful。Ah’sme！theyareverypleasanttousofthewoods。andIdobelieveIshouldthinkallright，whateverMabelmightdo。
Anddoyouthink，Jasper，thatshethoughtofmeatallonthatjoyfuloccasion？
Iknowshedid，Pathfinder。andshethinksofyouandtalksofyoudaily，almosthourly。Noneloveyouaswedo。
Iknowfewlovemebetterthanyourself，Jasper：
Chingachgookisperhaps，now，theonlycreatur’ofwhomIcansaythat。Well，there’snouseinputtingitoffanylonger。itmustbedone，andmayaswellbedoneatonce。
so，Jasper，leadtheway，andI’llendivortolookuponhersweetcountenanceoncemore。
Jasperdidleadtheway，andtheyweresooninthepres-
enceofMabel。Thelattermetherlatesuitorwithabrightblush，andherlimbstrembledso，shecouldhardlystand。
stillhermannerwasaffectionateandfrank。DuringthehourofPathfinder’svisitforitlastednolonger，thoughheateinthedwellingofhisfriends，onewhowasexpertintracingtheworkingofthehumanmindmighthaveseenafaithfulindextothefeelingsofMabelinhermannertoPathfinderandherhusband。Withthelattershestillhadalittleofthereservethatusuallyaccompaniesyoungwed-
lock。butthetonesofhervoicewerekindereventhancommon。theglanceofhereyewastender，andshesel-
domlookedathimwithouttheglowthattingedhercheeksbetrayingtheexistenceoffeelingsthathabitandtimehadnotyetsoothedintoabsolutetranquillity。WithPath-
finder，allwasearnest，sincere，evenanxious。butthetonesnevertrembled，theeyeneverfell。andifthecheekflushed，itwaswiththeemotionsthatareconnectedwithconcern。
AtlengththemomentcamewhenPathfindermustgohisway。Chingachgookhadalreadyabandonedthecanoes，andwaspostedonthemarginofthewoods，whereapathledintotheforest。Herehecalmlywaitedtobejoinedbyhisfriend。Assoonasthelatterwasawareofthisfact，heroseinasolemnmannerandtookhisleave。
I’vesometimesthoughtthatmyownfatehasbeenalittlehard，hesaid。butthatofthiswoman，Mabel，hasshamedmeintoreason。
Juneremains，andliveswithme，eagerlyinterruptedourheroine。
SoIcomprehendit。Ifanybodycanbringherbackfromhergrief，andmakeherwishtolive，youcandoit，Mabel。thoughI’vemisgivingsaboutevenyoursuccess。
Thepoorcreatur’iswithoutatribe，aswellaswithoutahusband，andit’snoteasytoreconcilethefeelingstobothlosses。Ah’sme！——whathaveItodowithotherpeople’smiseriesandmarriages，asifIhadn’tafflictionenoughofmyown？Don’tspeaktome，Mabel，——don’tspeaktome，Jasper，——letmegomywayinpeace，andlikeaman。I’veseenyourhappiness，andthatisagreatdeal，andIshallbeabletobearmyownsorrowallthebetterforit。No，-I’llneverkissyouag’in，Mabel，I’llneverkissyouag’in。
Here’smyhand，Jasper，——squeezeit，boy，squeezeit。nofearofitsgivingway，forit’sthehandofaman——andnow，Mabel，doyoutakeit，——nay，youmustnotdothis，-
preventingMabelfromkissingitandbathingitinhertears，——youmustnotdothis——
Pathfinder，askedMabel，whenshallweseeyouagain？
I’vethoughtofthat，too。yes，I’vethoughtofthat，I
have。IfthetimeshouldevercomewhenIcanlookuponyoualtogetherasasister，Mabel，orachild，——itmightbebettertosayachild，sinceyou’reyoungenoughtobemydaughter，——dependonitI’llcomeback。foritwouldlightenmyveryhearttowitnessyourgladness。ButifI
cannot，——farewell——farewell，——theSergeantwaswrong，——
yes，theSergeantwaswrong！
ThiswasthelastthePathfindereverutteredtotheearsofJasperWesternandMabelDunham。Heturnedaway，asifthewordschokedhim，andwasquicklyatthesideofhisfriend。Assoonasthelattersawhimapproach，heshoulderedhisownburthen，andglidedinamongthetrees，withoutwaitingtobespokento。Mabel，herhus-
band，andJuneallwatchedtheformofthePathfinder，inthehopeofreceivingapartinggesture，orastolenglanceoftheeye。buthedidnotlookback。Onceortwicetheythoughttheysawhisheadshake，asonetremblesinbitter-
nessofspirit。andatossofthehandwasgiven，asifheknewthathewaswatched。butatread，whosevigornosorrowcouldenfeeble，soonborehimoutofview，andwaslostinthedepthsoftheforest。
NeitherJaspernorhiswifeeverbeheldthePathfinderagain。TheyremainedforanotheryearonthebanksofOntario。andthenthepressingsolicitationsofCapin-
ducedthemtojoinhiminNewYork，whereJaspereven-
tuallybecameasuccessfulandrespectedmerchant。ThriceMabelreceivedvaluablepresentsoffursatintervalsofyears。andherfeelingstoldherwhencetheycame，thoughnonameaccompaniedthegift。Laterinlifestill，whenthemotherofseveralyouths，shehadoccasiontovisittheinterior。andfoundherselfonthebanksoftheMo-
hawk，accompaniedbyhersons，theeldestofwhomwascapableofbeingherprotector。Onthatoccasionsheob-
servedamaninasingularguise，watchingherinthedis-
tance，withanintentnessthatinducedhertoinquireintohispursuitsandcharacter。ShewastoldhewasthemostrenownedhunterofthatportionoftheState，——itwasaftertheRevolution，——abeingofgreatpurityofcharacterandofasmarkedpeculiarities。andtbathewasknowninthatregionofcountrybythenameoftheLeather-stocking。
FurtherthanthisMrs。Westerncouldnotascertain。
thoughthedistantglimpseandsingulardeportmentofthisunknownhuntergaveherasleeplessnight，andcastashadeofmelancholyoverherstilllovelyface，thatlastedmanyaday。
AsforJune，thedoublelossofhusbandandtribepro-
ducedtheeffectthatPathfinderhadforeseen。ShediedinthecottageofMabel，ontheshoresofthelake。andJasperconveyedherbodytotheisland，whereheinterreditbythesideofthatofArrowhead。
Lundielivedtomaryhisancientlove，andretiredawar-wornandbatteredveteran。buthisnamehasbeenrenderedillustriousinourowntimebythedeedsofayoungerbrother，whosucceededtohisterritorialtitle，which，however，wasshortlyaftermergedinoneearnedbyhisvalorontheocean。
End