Myfatherhasleftyouaresponsiblecommand，Corpo-
ral，shesaid，assoonasshecouldcatchM’Nabalittleapart。forshouldtheislandfallintothehandsoftheenemy，notonlyshouldwebecaptured，butthepartythatisnowoutwouldinallprobabilitybecometheirprisonersalso。
ItneedsnojourneyfromScotlandtothisplacetoknowthefactsneedfultobeo’thatwayofthinking。re-
turnedM’Nabdrily。
Idonotdoubtyourunderstandingitaswellasmyelf，Mr。M’Nab，butI’mfearfulthatyouveterans，accustomedasyouaretodangersandbattles，arealittleapttooverlooksomeoftheprecautionsthatmaybenecessaryinasitua-
tionaspeculiarasours。
TheysayScotlandisnoconqueredcountry，youngwoman，butI’mthinkingtheremustbesomemistak’inthematter，aswe，herchildren，aresodrowsy-headedandapttobeo’ertakenwhenweleastexpectit。
Nay，mygoodfriend，youmistakemymeaning。Inthefirstplace，I’mnotthinkingofScotlandatall，butofthisisland。andthenIamfarfromdoubtingyourvigi-
lancewhenyouthinkitnecessarytopractiseit。butmygreatfearisthattheremaybedangertowhicbyourcour-
agewillmakeyouindifferent。
Mycourage，MistressDunham，isdoubtlessofaverypoolquality，beingnothingbutScottishcourage。yourfather’sisYankee，andwerehehereamangusweshouldseedifferentpreparations，beyondadoubt。Well，timesaregettingwrang，whenforeignersholdcommissionsandcarryhalberdsinScottishcorps。andInowonderthatbattlesarelost，andcampaignsgowrangendforemost。
Mabelwasalmostindespair。butthequietwarningofJunewasstilltoovividlyimpressedonhermindtoallowhertoyieldthematter。Shechangedhermodeofoperat-
ing，therefore，stillclingingtothehopeofgettingthewholepartywithintheblockhouse，withoutbeingcorn-
pelledtobetraythesourcewhencesheobtainedhernoticesofthenecessityofvigilance。
Idaresayyouareright，CorporalM’Nab，sheob-
served。forI’veoftenheardoftbeheroesofyourcoun-
try，whohavebeenamongthefirstoftbecivilizedworld，ifwhattheytellmeofthemistrue。
HaveyoureadthehistoryofScotland，MistressDun-
ham？demandedtheCorporal，lookingupathisprettycompanion，forthefirsttimewithsomethinglikeasmileonhishard，repulsivecountenance。
Ihavereadalittleofit，Corporal，butI’veheardmuchmore。TheladywhobroughtmeuphadScottishbloodinherveins，andwasfondofthesubject。
I’llwarrantye，theSergeantno’troubledhimselftoexpatiateontherenownofthecountrywherehisregimentwasraised？
Myfatherhasotherthingstothinkof，andthelittleIknowwasgotfromtheladyIhavementioned。
She’llno’beforgettingtotallyeo’Wallace？
OfhimI’veevenreadagooddeal。
Ando’Bruce，andtheaffairofBannockburn？
Ofthattoo，aswellasofCullodenMuir。
Thelastofthesebattleswasthenarecentevent，ithav-
ingactuallybeenfoughtwithintherecollectionofourheroine，whosenotionsofit，however，weresoconfusedthatshescarcelyappreciatedtheeffectherallusionmightproduceonhercompanion。Sheknewithadbeenavic-
tory，andhadoftenheardtheguestsofherpatronessmen-
tionitwithtriumph。andshefanciedtheirfeelingswouldfindasympatheticchordinthoseofeveryBritishsoldier。
Unfortunately，M’NabhadfoughtthroughoutthatlucklessdayonthesideofthePretender。andadeepscarthatgarnishedhisfacehadbeenlefttherebythesabreofaGermansoldierintheserviceoftheHouseofHanover。
HefanciedthathiswoundbledafreshatMabel’sallusion。
anditiscertainthatthebloodrushedtohisfaceinator-
rent，asifitwouldpouroutofhisskinatthecicatrix。
Hoot！hootawa’！hefairlyshouted，withyourCul-
lodenandSherriffmuirs，youngwoman。ye’llno’beun-
derstandingthesubjectatall，andwillmanifestnotonlywisdombutmodestyinspeakingo’youraincountryanditsmanyfailings。KingGeorgehassomeloyalsubjectsinthecolonies，nadoubt，but’twillbealangtimebeforeheseesorhearsanyguidofthem。
MabelwassurprisedattheCorporal’sheat，forshehadnotthesmallestideawheretheshoepinched。butshewasdeterminednottogiveupthepoint。
I’vealwaysheardthattheScotchhadtwoofthegoodqualitiesofsoldiers，shesaid，courageandcircumspec-
tion。andIfeelpersuadedthatCorporalM’Nabwillsus-
tainthenationalrenown。
Askyerownfather，MistressDunham。heisacquaint’
withCorporalM’Nab，andwillno’bebackwardtopointouthisdemerits。Wehavebeeninbattlethegither，andheismysuperiorofficer，andhasasorto’officialrighttogivethecharactersofhissubordinates。
Myfatherthinkswellofyou，M’Nab，orhewouldnothaveleftyouinchargeofthisislandandallitcontains，hisowndaughterincluded。Amongotherthings，Iwellknowthathecalculateslargelyonyourprudence。Heexpectstheblockhouseinparticulartobestrictlyattendedto。
Ifhewishestodefendthehonorofthe55thbehindlogs，heoughttohaveremainedincommandhimsel’。for，tospeakfrankly，itgoesagainstaScotchman’sbluidandopinionstobebeatenoutofthefieldevenbeforeheisat-
tacked。Wearebroadswordmen，andlovetostandfoottofootwiththefoe。ThisAmericanmodeoffighting，thatisgettingintosomuchfavor，willdestroytherepu-
tationofhisMajesty’sarmy，ifitno’destroyitsspirit。
Notruesoldierdespisescaution。EvenMajorDuncanhimself，thanwhomthereisnonebraver，iscelebratedforhiscareofhismen。
Lundiehashisweakness，andisfastforgettingthebroadswordandopenheathsinhistreeandriflepractice。
But，MistressDunham，tak’thewordofanoldsoldier，whohasseenhisfifty-fifthyear，whenhetallsyethatthereisnosurermethodtoencourageyourenemythantoseemtofearhim。andthatthereisnodangerinthisIndianwarfarethatthefanciesandimaginationsofyourAmeri-
canshavenotenlargedupon，untiltheyseeasavageineverybush。WeScotscomefromanakedregion，andhavenoneedandlessrelishforcovers，andsoye’llbeseeing，MistressDunham——
TheCorporalgaveaspringintotheair，fellforwardonhisface，androlledoveronhisback，thewholepassingsosuddenlythatMabelhadscarcelyheardthesharpcrackoftheriflethathadsentabulletthroughhisbody。Ourheroinedidnotshriek——didnoteventremble。fortheoccurrencewastoosudden，tooawful，andtoounexpectedforthatexhibitionofweakness。onthecontrary，shesteppedhastilyforward，withanaturalimpulsetoaidhercompanion。TherewasjustenoughoflifeleftinM’Nabtobetrayhisentireconsciousnessofallthathadpassed。
Hiscountenancehadthewildlookofonewhohadbeenovertakenbydeathbysurprise。andMabel，inhercoolermoments，fanciedthatitshowedthetardyrepentanceofawillfulandobstinatesinner。
Ye’llbegettingintotheblockhouseasfastaspossible，
M’Nabwhispered，asMabelleanedoverhimtocatchhisdyingwords。
Thencameoverourheroinethefullconsciousnessofhersituationandofthenecessityofexertion。Shecastarapidglanceatthebodyatherfeet，sawthatithadceasedtobreathe，andfled。Itwasbutafewminutes’runtotheblockhouse，thedoorofwhichMabelhadbarelygainedwhenitwasclosedviolentlyinherfacebyJennie，thesol-
dier’swife，whoinblindterrorthoughtonlyofherownsafety。ThereportsoffiveorsixrifleswereheardwhileMabelwascallingoutforadmittance。andtheadditionalterrortheyproducedpreventedthewomanwithinfromundoingquicklytheveryfasteningsshehadbeensoexpertinapplying。Afteraminute’sdelay，however，Mabelfoundthedoorreluctantlyyieldingtoherconstantpres-
sure，andsheforcedherslenderbodythroughtheopeningtheinstantitwaslargeenoughtoallowofitspassage。BythistimeMabel’sheartceasedtobeattulmultuouslyandshegainedsufficientself-commandtoactcollectedly。Insteadofyieldingtothealmostconvulsiveeffortsofhercompaniontoclosethedooragain，shehelditopenlongenoughtoascertainthatnoneofherownpartywasinsight，orlikelyontheinstanttoendeavortogainadmis-
sion：thensheallowedtheopeningtobeshut。Herordersandproceedingsnowbecamemorecalmandrational。
Butasinglebarwascrossed，andJenniewasdirectedtostandinreadinesstoremoveeventhatatanyapplicationfromafriend。Shethenascendedtheladdertotheroomabove，wherebymeansofaloopholeshewasenabledtogetasgoodaviewoftheislandasthesurroundingbusheswouldallow。Admonishingherassociatebelowtobefirmandsteady，shemadeascarefulanexaminationoftheen-
vironsashersituationpermitted。
Tohergreatsurprise，Mabelcouldnotatfirstseealiv-
ingsoulontheisland，friendorenemy。NeitherFrench-
mannorIndianwasvisible，thoughasmallstragglingwhitecloudthatwasfloatingbeforethewindtoldherinwhichquartersheoughttolookforthem。TherifleshadbeendischargedfromthedirectionoftheislandwhenceJunehadcome，thoughwhethertheenemywereonthatisland，orhadactuallylandedonherown，Mabelcouldnotsay。GoingtotheloopthatcommandedaviewofthespotwhereM’Nablay，herbloodcurdledatperceivingallthreeofhissoldierslyingapparentlylifelessathisside。
Thesemenhadrushedtoacommoncentreatthefirstalarm，andhadbeenshotdownalmostsimultaneouslybytheinvisiblefoewhomtheCorporalhadaffectedtodespise。
NeitherCapnorLieutenantMuirwastobeseen。Withabeatingheart，Mabelexaminedeveryopeningthroughthetrees，andascendedeventotheupperstoryorgarretoftheblockhouse，whereshegotafullviewofthewholeisland，sofarasitscoverswouldallow，butwithnobettersuccess。Shehadexpectedtoseethebodyofherunclelyingonthegrasslikethoseofthesoldiers，butitwasnowherevisible。Turningtowardsthespotwheretheboatlay，Mabelsawthatitwasstillfastenedtotheshore。andthenshesupposedthatbysomeaccidentMuirhadbeenpreventedfromeffectinghisretreatinthatquarter。Inshort，theislandlayinthequietofthegrave，thebodiesofthesoldiersrenderingthesconeasfearfulasitwasex-
traordinary。
ForGod’sholysake，MistressMabel，calledoutthewomanfrombelow。for，thoughherfearhadbecometooungovernabletoallowhertokeepsilence，ourheroine’ssuperiorrefinement，morethantheregimentalstationofherfather，stillcontrolledhermodeofaddress，——MistressMabel，tellmeifanyofourfriendsareliving！IthinkI
heargroansthatgrowfainterandfainter，andfearthattheywillallbetomahawked！
Mabelnowrememberedthatoneofthesoldierswasthiswoman’shusband，andshetrembledatwhatmightbetheimmediateeffectofhersorrow，shouldhisdeathbecomesuddenlyknowntoher。Thegroans，too，gavealittlehope，thoughshefearedtheymightcomefromheruncle，wholayoutofview。
WeareinHisholykeeping，Jennie，sheanswered。
WemusttrustinProvidence，whileweneglectnoneofitsbenevolentmeansofprotectingourselves。Becare-
fulwiththedoor。onnoaccountopenitwithoutmydi-
rections。
Oh，tellme，MistressMabel，ifyoucananywhereseeSandy！IfIcouldonlylethimknowthatI’minsafety，theguidmanwouldbeeasierinhismind，whetherfreeoraprisoner。
SandywasJennie’shusband，andhelaydeadinplainviewoftheloopfromwhichourheroinewasthenlooking。
Youno’tellmeifyou’reseeingofSandy，thewomanrepeatedfrombelow，impatientatMabel’ssilence。
TherearesomeofourpeoplegatheredaboutthebodyofM’Nab，wastheanswer。foritseemedsacrilegiousinhereyestotelladirectuntruthundertheawfulcircum-
stancesinwhichshewasplaced。
IsSandyamangthem？demandedthewoman，inavoicethatsoundedappallingbyitshoarsenessandenergy。
Hemaybecertainly。forIseeone，two，three，four，andallinthescarletcoatsoftheregiment。
Sandy！calledoutthewomanfrantically。whyd’yeno’careforyoursal’，Sandy？Comehithertheinstant，man，andshareyourwife’sfortunesinwealorwoe。It’sno’amomentforyoursillydisciplineandvain-gloriousnotionsofhonor！Sandy！Sandy！
Mabelheardthebarturn，andthenthedoorcreakedonitshinges。Expectation，nottosayterror，heldherinsus-
penseattheloop，andshesoonbeheldJennierushingthroughthebushesinthedirectionoftheclusterofthedead。Ittookthewomanbutaninstanttoreachthefatalspot。Sosuddenandunexpectedhadbeentheblow，thatsheinherterrordidnotappeartocomprehenditsweight。Somewildandhalf-franticnotionofadeceptiontroubledherfancy，andsheimaginedthatthemenweretriflingwithherfears。Shetookherhusband’shand，anditwasstillwarm，whileshethoughtacovertsmilewasstrugglingonhislip。
Whywillyefoollifeaway，Sandy？shecried，pullingatthearm。Ye’llallbemurderedbytheseaccursedIndians，andyouno’takin’totheblockliketrustysol-
diers！Awa’！awa’！andno’belosingthepreciousmo-
ments。
Inherdesperateefforts，thewomanpulledthebodyofherhusbandinawaytocausetheheadtoturncompletelyover，whentbesmallholeinthetemple，causedbytheen-
tranceofariflebullet，andafewdropsofbloodtricklingovertheskin，revealedthemeaningofherhusband’ssi-
lence。Asthehorridtruthflashedinitsfullextentonhermind，thewomanclaspedherhands，gaveashriekthatpiercedthegladesofeveryislandnear，andfellatlengthonthedeadbodyofthesoldier。Thrilling，heart-
reaching，appallingaswasthatshriek，itwasmelodytothecrythatfolloweditsoquicklyastoblendthesounds。
Theterrificwar-whooparoseoutofthecoversoftheisland，andsometwentysavages，horribleintheirpaintandtheotherdevicesofIndianingenuity，rushedforward，eagertosecurethecovetedscalps。Arrowheadwasfore-
most，anditwashistomahawkthatbrainedtheinsensibleJennie。andherreekinghairwashangingathisgirdleasatrophyinlessthantwominutesaftershehadquittedtheblockhouse。Hiscompanionswereequallyactive，andM’Nabandhissoldiersnolongerpresentedthequietas-
pectofmenwhoslumbered。Theywereleftintheirgore，unequivocallybutcheredcorpses。
Allthispassedinmuchlesstimethanhasbeenrequiredtorelateit，andallthisdidMabelwitness。Shehadstoodrivetedtothespot，gazingonthewholehorriblescene，asifenchainedbysomecharm，nordidtheideaofselforofherowndangeronceobtrudeitselfonherthoughts。Butnosoonerdidsheperceivetheplacewherethemenhadfallencoveredwithsavages，exultinginthesuccessoftheirsurprise，thanitoccurredtoherthatJenniehadlefttheblockhousedoorunbarred。Herheartbeatviolently，forthatdefencealonestoodbetweenherandimmediatedeath，andshesprangtowardtheladderwiththeintentionofdescendingtomakesureofit。Herfoothadnotyetreachedthefloorofthesecondstory，however，whensheheardthedoorgratingonitshinges，andshegaveherselfupforlost。Sinkingonherknees，theterrifiedbutcour-
ageousgirlendeavoredtoprepareherselffordeath，andtoraiseherthoughtstoGod。Theinstinctoflife，how-
ever，wastoostrongforprayer，andwhileherlipsmoved，thejealoussenseswatchedeverysoundbeneath。Whenherearsheardthebars，whichwentonpivotssecuredtothecentreofthedoor，turningintotheirfastenings，notone，assheherselfhaddirected，withaviewtoadmitheruncleshouldheapply，butallthree，shestartedagaintoherfeet，allspiritualcontemplationsvanishinginheractualtemporalcondition，anditseemedasifallherfac-
ultieswereabsorbedinthesenseofhearing。
Thethoughtsareactiveinamomentsofearful。AtfirstMabelfanciedthatherunclehadenteredtheblock-
house，andshewasabouttodescendtheladderandthrowherselfintohisarms。thentheideathatitmightbeanIndian，whohadbarredthedoortoshutoutintruderswhileheplunderedatleisure，arrestedthemovement。Theprofoundstillnessbelowwasunlikethebold，restlessmove-
mentsofCap，anditseemedtosavormoreoftheartificesofanenemy。Ifafriendatall，itcouldonlybeheruncleortheQuartermaster。forthehorribleconvictionnowpre-
senteditselftoourheroinethattothesetwoandherselfwerethewholepartysuddenlyreduced，if，indeed，thetwolattersurvived。ThisconsiderationheldMabelincheck，andforfulltwominutesmoreabreathlesssilencereignedinthebuilding。Duringthistimethegirlstoodatthefootoftheupperladder，thetrapwhichledtotheloweropeningontheoppositesideofthefloor。theeyesofMabelwererivetedonthisspot，forshenowbegantoex-
pecttoseeateachinstantthehorriblesightofasavagefaceatthehole。Thisapprehensionsoonbecamesoin-
tense，thatshelookedaboutherforaplaceofconceal-
ment。Theprocrastinationofthecatastropheshenowfullyexpected，thoughitwereonlyforamoment，affordedarelief。Theroomcontainedseveralbarrels。andbehindtwooftheseMabelcrouched，placinghereyesatanopen-
ingbywhichshecouldstillwatchthetrap。Shemadeanotherefforttopray。butthemomentwastoohorribleforthatrelief。Shethought，too，thatsheheardalowrustling，asifonewereascendingthelowerladderwithaneffortatcautionsogreatastobetrayitselfbyitsownex-
cess。thenfollowedacreakingthatshewascertaincamefromoneofthestepsoftheladder，whichhadmadethesamenoiseunderherownlightweightassheascended。
Thiswasoneofthoseinstantsintowhicharecompressedthesensationsofyearsofordinaryexistence。Life，death，eternity，andextremebodilypainwereallstandingoutinboldrelieffromtheplaneofevery-dayoccurrences。andshemighthavebeentakenatthatmomentforabeautifulpallidrepresentationofherself，equallywithoutmotionandwithoutvitality。Butwhilesuchwastheoutwardappearanceoftheform，neverhadtherebeenatimeinherbriefcareerwhenMabelheardmoreacutely，sawmoreclearly，orfeltmorevividly。Asyet，nothingwasvisibleatthetrap，butherears，renderedexquisitelysensitivebyintensefeeling，distinctlyacquaintedherthatsomeonewaswithinafewinchesoftheopeninginthefloor。Nextfollowedtheevidenceofhereyes，whichbeheldthedarkhairofanIndianrisingsoslowlythroughthepassagethatthemovementsoftheheadmightbelikenedtothatoftheminute-handofaclock。thencamethedarkskinandwildfeatures，untilthewholeoftheswarthyfacehadrisenabovethefloor。Thehumancountenanceseldomappearstoadvantagewhenpartiallyconcealed。andMabelimaginedmanyadditionalhorrorsasshefirstsawtheblack，rovingeyesandtheexpressionofwildnessasthesavagecounte-
nancewasrevealed，asitmightbe，inchbyinch。butwhentheentireheadwasraisedabovethefloor，asecondandabetterlookassuredourheroinethatshesawthegentle，anxious，andevenhandsomefaceofJune。
CHAPTERXXII。
SpectrethoughIbe，Iamnotsenttoscaretheeordeceive。
Butinrewardofthyfidelity。
WORDSWORTH。
Itwouldbedifficulttosaywhichevincedthemostsat-
isfaction，whenMabelsprangtoherfeetandappearedinthecentreoftheroom，ourheroine，onfindingthathervisitorwasthewifeofArrowhead，andnotArrowheadhimself，orJune，atdiscoveringthatheradvicehadbeenfollowed，andthattheblockhousecontainedthepersonshehadsoanxiouslyandalmosthopelesslysought。Theyembracedeachother，andtheunsophisticatedTuscarorawomanlaughedinhersweetaccentsassheheldherfriendatarm’slength，andmadecertainofherpresence。
Blockhousegood，saidtheyoungIndian。gotnoscalp。
Itisindeedgood，June，Mabelanswered，withashud-
der，veilinghereyesatthesametime，asiftoshutoutaviewofthehorrorsshehadsolatelywitnessed。Tellme，forGod’ssake，ifyouknowwhathasbecomeofmydearuncle！Ihavelookedinalldirectionswithoutbeingabletoseehim。
Nohereinblockhouse？Juneasked，withsomecuri-
osity。
Indeedheisnot：Iamquitealoneinthisplace。Jen-
nie，thewomanwhowaswithme，havingrushedouttojoinherhusband，andperishingforherimprudence。
Juneknow，Junesee。verybad，Arrowheadnofeelforanywife。nofeelforhisown。
Ah，June，yourlife，atleast，issafe！
Don’tknow。Arrowheadkillme，ifheknowall。
Godblessandprotectyou，June！He_will_blessandprotectyouforthishumanity。Tellmewhatistobedone，andifmypooruncleisstillliving？
Don’tknow。Saltwaterhasboat。maybehegoonriver。
Theboatisstillontheshore，butneithermyunclenortheQuartermasterisanywheretobeseen。
Nokill，orJunewouldsee。Hideaway！Redmanhide。noshameforpale-face。
ItisnottheshamethatIfearforthem，buttheop-
portunity。Yourattackwasawfullysudden，June！
Tuscarora！returnedtheother，smilingwithexultationatthedexterityofherhusband。Arrowheadgreatwar-
rior！
Youaretoogoodandgentleforthissortoflife，June。
youcannotbehappyinsuchscenes？
June’scountenancegrewclouded，andMabelfanciedtherewassomeofthesavagefireofachiefinherfrownassheanswered，——
Yengeesetoogreedy，takeawayallhunting-grounds。
chaseSixNationfrommorningtonight。wickedking，wickedpeople。Pale-faceverybad。
Mabelknewthat，eveninthatdistantday，therewasmuchtruthinthisopinion，thoughshewastoowellin-
structednottounderstandthatthemonarch，inthis，asinathousandothercases，wasblamedforactsofwhichhewasmostprobablyignorant。Shefeltthejusticeoftherebuke，therefore，toomuchtoattemptananswer，andherthoughtsnaturallyrevertedtoherownsituation。
AndwhatamItodo，June？shedemanded。Itcannotbelongbeforeyourpeoplewillassaultthisbuild-
ing。
Blockhousegood——gotnoscalp。
Buttheywillsoondiscoverthatithasgotnogarrisontoo，iftheydonotknowitalready。Youyourselftoldmethenumberofpeoplethatwereontheisland，anddoubtlessyoulearneditfromArrowhead。
Arrowheadknow，answeredJune，holdingupsixfin-
gers，toindicatethenumberofthemen。Allredmenknow。Fourlosescalpalready。twogot’emyet。
Donotspeakofit，June。thehorridthoughtcurdlesmyblood。YourpeoplecannotknowthatIamaloneintheblockhouse，butmayfancymyuncleandtheQuarter-
masterwithme，andmaysetfiretothebuilding，inordertodislodgethem。Theytellmethatfireisthegreatdan-
gertosuchplaces。
Noburnblockhouse，saidJunequietly。
Youcannotknowthat，mygoodJune，andIhavenomeanstokeepthemoff。
Noburnblockhouse。Blockhousegood。gotnoscalp。
Buttellmewhy，June。Ifeartheywillburnit。
Blockhousewet——muchrain——logsgreen——noburneasy。
Redmanknowit——finet’ing——thennoburnittotellYengeesethatIroquoisbeenhere。Fadercomeback，missblockhouse，nofound。No，no。Indiantoomuchcunning。notouchanything。
Iunderstandyou，June，andhopeyourpredictionmaybetrue。for，asregardsmydearfather，shouldheescape——
perhapsheisalreadydeadorcaptured，June？
Notouchfader——don’tknowwherehegone——watergotnotrail——redmancan’tfollow。Noburnblockhouse——
blockhousegood。gotnoscalp。
Doyouthinkitpossibleformetoremainheresafelyuntilmyfatherreturns？
Don’tknow。daughtertellbestwhenfadercomeback。
MabelfeltuneasyattheglanceofJune’sdarkeyeassheutteredthis。fortheunpleasantsurmisearosethathercompanionwasendeavoringtodiscoverafactthatmightbeusefultoherownpeople，whileitwouldleadtothedestructionofherparentandhisparty。Shewasabouttomakeanevasiveanswer，whenaheavypushattheouterdoorsuddenlydrewallherthoughtstotheimmediatedanger。
Theycome！sheexclaimed。Perhaps，June，itismyuncleortheQuartermaster。IcannotkeepoutevenMr。Muiratamomentlikethis。
Whynolook？plentyloophole，madepurpose。
Mabeltookthehint，and，goingtooneofthedownwardloops，thathadbeencutthroughthelogsinthepartthatoverhungthebasement，shecautiouslyraisedthelittleblockthatordinarilyfilledthesmallhole，andcaughtaglanceatwhatwaspassingatthedoor。Thestartandchangingcountenancetoldhercompanionthatsomeofherownpeoplewerebelow。
Redman，saidJune，liftingafingerinadmonitiontobeprudent。
Four。andhorribleintheirpaintandbloodytrophies。
Arrowheadisamongthem。
Junehadmovedtoacorner，whereseveralsparerifleshadbeendeposited，andhadalreadytakenoneintoherhand，whenthenameofherhusbandappearedtoarresthermovements。Itwasbutforaninstant，however，forsheimmediatelywenttotheloop，andwasabouttothrustthemuzzleofthepiecethroughit，whenafeelingofnaturalaversioninducedMabeltoseizeherarm。
No，no，no，June！saidthelatter。notagainstyourownhusband，thoughmylifebethepenalty。
NohurtArrowhead，returnedJune，withaslightshudder，nohurtredmanatall。Nofireat’em。onlyscare。
MabelnowcomprehendedtheintentionofJune，andnolongeropposedit。Thelatterthrustthemuzzleoftheriflethroughtheloophole。and，takingcaretomakenoiseenoughtoattractattraction，shepulledthetrigger。ThepiecehadnosoonerbeendischargedthanMabelreproachedherfriendfortheveryactthatwasintendedtoserveher。
Youdeclareditwasnotyourintentiontofire，shesaid，andyoumayhavedestroyedyourownhusband。
AllrunawaybeforeIfire，returnedJune，laughing，andgoingtoanotherlooptowatchthemovementsofherfriends，laughingstillheartier。See！getcover——everywarrior。ThinkSaltwaterandQuartermasterhere。Takegoodcarenow。
Heavenbepraised！Andnow，June，Imayhopeforalittletimetocomposemythoughtstoprayer，thatImaynotdielikeJennie，thinkingonlyoflifeandthethingsoftheworld。
Junelaidasidetherifle，andcameandseatedherselfneartheboxonwhichMabelhadsunk，underthatphysi-
calreactionwhichaccompaniesjoyaswellassorrow。Shelookedsteadilyinourheroine’sface，andthelatterthoughtthathercountenancehadanexpressionofseveritymingledwithitsconcern。
Arrowheadgreatwarrior，saidtheTuscarora’swife。
Allthegirlsoftribelookathimmuch。Thepale-facebeautyhaseyestoo？
June！——whatdothesewords——thatlook——imply？whatwouldyousay？
Whyyouso’fraidJuneshootArrowhead？
Woulditnothavebeenhorribletoseeawifedestroyherownhusband？No，June，ratherwouldIhavediedmyself。
Verysure，datall？
Thatwasall，June，asGodismyjudge！——andsurelythatwasenough。No，no！therehavebeensufficienthor-
rorsto-day，withoutincreasingthembyanactlikethis。
Whatothermotivecanyoususpect？
Don’tknow。PoorTuscaroragirlveryfoolish。Arrow-
headgreatchief，andlookallroundhim。Talkofpale-
facebeautyinhissleep。Greatchieflikemanywives。
Canachiefpossessmorethanonewife，June，amongyourpeople？
Haveasmanyashecankeep。Greathuntermarryoften。ArrowheadgotonlyJunenow。buthelooktoomuch，seetoomuch，talktoomuchofpale-facegirl。
Mabelwasconsciousofthisfact，whichhaddistressedhernotalittle，inthecourseoftheirjourney。butitshockedhertohearthisallusion，coming，asitdid，fromthemouthofthewifeherself。Sheknewthathabitandopinionsmadegreatdifferencesinsuchmatters。but，inadditiontothepainandmortificationsheexperiencedatbeingtheunwillingrivalofawife，shefeltanapprehensionthatjealousywouldbebutanequivocalguaranteeforherpersonalsafetyinherpresentsituation。AcloserlookatJune，however，reassuredher。for，whileitwaseasytotraceintheunpractisedfeaturesofthisunsophisticatedbeingthepainofblightedaffections，nodistrustcouldhavetorturedtheearnestexpressionofherhonestcounte-
nanceintothatoftreacheryorhate。
Youwillnotbetrayme，June？Mabelsaid，pressingtheother’shand，andyieldingtoanimpulseofgenerousconfidence。Youwillnotgiveuponeofyourownsextothetomahawk？
Notomahawktouchyou。Arrowheadnolet’em。IfJunemusthavesister-wife，lovetohaveyou。
No，June。myreligion，myfeelings，bothforbidit。
and，ifIcouldbethewifeofanIndianatall，Iwouldnevertaketheplacethatisyoursinawigwam。
Junemadenoanswer，butshelookedgratified，andevengrateful。Sheknewthatfew，perhapsnoIndiangirlwithinthecircleofArrowhead’sacquaintance，couldcom-
parewithherselfinpersonalattractions。and，thoughitmightsuitherhusbandtomarryadozenwives，sheknewofnoone，besideMabel，whoseinfluenceshecouldreallydread。Sokeenaninterest，however，hadshetakeninthebeauty，winningmanners，kindness，andfemininegentle-
nessofourheroine，thatwhenjealousycametochillthesefeelings，ithadratherlentstrengthtothatinterest。and，underitswaywardinfluence，hadactuallybeenoneofthestrongestoftheincentivesthathadinducedhertorisksomuchinordertosaveherimaginaryrivalfromtheconse-
quencesoftheattackthatshesowellknewwasabouttotakeplace。Inaword，June，withawife’skeennessofperception，haddetectedArrowhead’sadmirationofMabel。
and，insteadoffeelingthatharrowingjealousythatmighthaverenderedherrivalhateful，aswouldhavebeenapttobethecasewithawomanunaccustomedtodefertothesuperiorrightsofthelordlysex，shehadstudiedthelooksandcharacterofthepale-facebeauty，until，meetingwithnothingtorepelherownfeelings，buteverythingtoen-
couragethem，shehadgottoentertainanadmirationandloveforher，which，thoughcertainlyverydifferent，wasscarcelylessstrongthanthatofherhusband’s。Arrow-
headhimselfhadsenthertowarnMabelofthecomingdanger，thoughhewasignorantthatshehadstolenupontheislandintherearoftheassailants，andwasnowin-
trenchedinthecitadelalongwiththeobjectoftheirjointcare。Onthecontrary，hesupposed，ashiswifehadsaid，thatCapandMuirwereintheblockhousewithMabel，andthattheattempttorepelhimandhiscompanionshadbeenmadebythemen。
JunesorrytheLily——forsotheIndian，inherpoeti-
callanguage，hadnamedourheroine——JunesorrytheLilynomarryArrowhead。Hiswigwambig，andagreatchiefmustgetwivesenoughtofillit。
Ithankyou，June，forthispreference，whichisnotaccordingtothenotionofuswhitewomen，returnedMabel，smilinginspiteofthefearfulsituationinwhichshewasplaced。butImaynot，probablynevershall，marryatall。
Musthavegoodhusband，saidJune。marryEau-
douce，ifdon’tlikeArrowhead。
June！thisisnotafitsubjectforagirlwhoscarcelyknowsifsheistoliveanotherhourornot。Iwouldobtainsomesignsofmydearuncle’sbeingaliveandsafe，ifpos-
sible。
Junegosee。
Canyou？——willyou？——woulditbesafeforyoutobeseenontheisland？isyourpresenceknowntothewarriors，andwouldtheybepleasedtofindawomanonthewar-
pathwiththem？
AllthisMabelaskedinrapidconnection，fearingthattheanswermightnotbeasshewished。ShehadthoughtitextraordinarythatJuneshouldbeoftheparty，and，im-
probableasitseemed，shehadfanciedthatthewomanhadcovertlyfollowedtheIroquoisinherowncanoe，andhadgotintheiradvance，merelytogiveherthenoticewhichhadprobablysavedherlife。Butinallthisshewasmistaken，asJune，inherimperfectmanner，nowfoundmeanstoletherknow。
Arrowhead，thoughachief，wasindisgracewithhisownpeople，andwasactingwiththeIroquoistemporarily，thoughwithaperfectunderstanding。Hehadawigwam，itistrue，butwasseldominit。feigningfriendshipfortheEnglish，hehadpassedthesummerostensiblyintheirservice，whilehewas，intruth，actingfortheFrench，andhiswifejourneyedwithhiminhismanymigrations，mostofthedistancesbeingpassedoverincanoes。Inaword，herpresencewasnosecret，herhusbandseldommovingwithouther。EnoughofthistoemboldenMabeltowishthatherfriendmightgoout，toascertainthefateofheruncle，didJunesucceedinlettingtheotherknow。anditwassoonsettledbetweenthemthattheIndianwomanshouldquittheblockhousewiththatobjectthemomentafavorableopportunityoffered。
Theyfirstexaminedtheisland，asthoroughlyastheirpositionwouldallow，fromthedifferentloops，andfoundthatitsconquerorswerepreparingforafeast，havingseizedupontheprovisionsoftheEnglishandrifledthehuts。
Mostofthestoreswereintheblockhouse。butenoughwerefoundoutsidetorewardtheIndiansforanattackthathadbeenattendedbysolittlerisk。Apartyhadalreadyremovedthedeadbodies，andMabelsawthattheirarmswerecollectedinapilenearthespotchosenforthebanquet。Junesuggestedthat，bysomesignswhichsheunderstood，thedeadthemselveswerecarriedintoathicketandeitherburiedorconcealedfromview。Noneofthemoreprominentobjectsontheisland，however，weredis-
turbed，itbeingthedesireoftheconquerorstolurethepartyoftheSergeantintoanambushonitsreturn。Junemadehercompanionobserveamaninatree，alook-out，asshesaid，togivetimelynoticeoftheapproachofanyboat，although，thedepartureoftheexpeditionbeingsorecent，nothingbutsomeunexpectedeventwouldbelikelytobringitbacksosoon。Theredidnotappeartobeanyintentiontoattacktheblockhouseimmediately。buteveryindication，asunderstoodbyJune，rathershowedthatitwastheintentionoftheIndianstokeepitbesiegeduntilthereturnoftheSergeant’sparty，lest，thesignsofanas-
saultshouldgiveawarningtoeyesaspractisedasthoseofPathfinder。Theboat，however，hadbeensecured，andwasremovedtothespotwherethecanoesoftheIndianswerehidinthebushes。
Junenowannouncedherintentiontojoinherfriends，themomentbeingparticularlyfavorableforhertoquittheblockhouse。Mabelfeltsomedistrustastheyde-
scendedtheladder。butatthenextinstantshewasashamedofthefeeling，asunjusttohercompanionandunworthyofherself，andbythetimetheybothstoodonthegroundherconfidencewasrestored。Theprocessofunbarringthedoorwasconductedwiththeutmostcau-
tion，andwhenthelastbarwasreadytobeturnedJunetookherstationnearthespotwheretheopeningmustnecessarilybe。Thebarwasjustturnedfreeofthebrackets，thedoorwasopenedmerelywideenonghtoallowherbodytopass，andJuneglidedthroughthespace。
Mabelclosedthedooragain，withaconvulsivemovement。
andasthebarturnedintoitsplace，herheartbeataudibly。
Shethenfeltsecure。andthetwootherbarswereturneddowninamoredeliberatemanner。Whenallwasfastagain，sheascendedtothefirstfloor，wherealoneshecouldgetaglimpseofwhatwasgoingonwithout。
Longandpainfullymelancholyhourspassed，duringwhichMabelhadnointelligencefromJune。Sheheardtheyellsofthesavages，forliquorhadcarriedthembe-
yondtheboundsofprecaution。andoccasionallycaughtglimpsesoftheirmadorgiesthroughtheloops。andatalltimeswasconsciousoftheirfearfulpresencebysoundsandsightsthatwouldhavechilledthebloodofonewhohadnotsolatelywitnessedscenessomuchmoreterrible。
Towardthemiddleoftheday，shefanciedshesawawhitemanontheisland，thoughhisdressandwildappearanceatfirstmadehertakehimforanewly-arrivedsavage。A
viewofhisface，althoughitwasswarthynaturally，andmuchdarkenedbyexposure，leftnodoubtthathercon-
jecturewastrue。andshefeltasiftherewasnowoneofaspeciesmorelikeherownpresent，andonetowhomshemightappealforsuccorinthelastemergency。Mabellit-
tleknew，alas！how，smallwastheinfluenceexercisedbythewhitesovertheirsavageallies，whenthelatterhadbeguntotasteofblood。orhowslight，indeed，wasthedispositiontodivertthemfromtheircruelties。
ThedayseemedamonthbyMabel’scomputation，andtheonlypartofitthatdidnotdragweretheminutesspentinprayer。Shehadrecoursetothisrelieffromtimetotime。andateacheffortshefoundherspiritfirmer，hermindmoretranquil，andherresignationmoreconfirmed。
SheunderstoodthereasoningofJune，andbelievedithighlyprobablethattheblockhousewouldbeleftunmo-
lesteduntilthereturnofherfather，inordertoenticehimintoanambuscade，andshefeltmuchlessapprehensionofimmediatedangerinconsequence。butthefutureofferedlittlegroundofhope，andherthoughtshadalreadybeguntocalculatethechancesofhercaptivity。Atsuchmo-
ments，Arrowheadandhisoffensiveadmirationfilledaprominentplaceinthebackground：forourheroinewellknewthattheIndiansusuallycarriedofftotheirvillages，forthepurposesofadoption，suchcaptivesastheydidnotslay。andthatmanyinstanceshadoccurredinwhichin-
dividualsofhersexhadpassedtheremainderoftheirlivesinthewigwamsoftheirconquerors。Suchthoughtsastheseinvariablydrovehertoherkneesandtoherprayers。
Whilethelightlastedthesituationofourheroinewassufficientlyalarming。butastheshadesofeveninggrad-
uallygatheredovertheisland，itbecamefearfullyappal-
ling。Bythistimethesavageshadwroughtthemselvesuptothepointoffury，fortheyhadpossessedthemselvesofalltheliquoroftheEnglish。andtheiroutcriesandgesticulationswerethoseofmentrulypossessedbyevilspirits。AlltheeffortsoftheirFrenchleadertorestrainthemwereentirelyfruitless，andhehadwiselywithdrawntoanadjacentisland，wherehehadasortofbivouac，thathemightkeepatasafedistancefromfriendssoapttorunintoexcesses。Beforequittingthespot，however，thisofficer，atgreatrisktohisownlife，hadsucceededinex-
tinguishingthefire，andinsecuringtheordinarymeanstorelightit。ThisprecautionhetooklesttheIndiansshouldburntheblockhouse，thepreservationofwhichwasnecessarytothesuccessofhisfutureplans。Hewouldgladlyhaveremovedallthearmsalso，butthishefoundimpracticable，thewarriorsclingingtotheirknivesandtomahawkswiththetenacityofmenwhoregardedapointofhonoraslongasafacultywasleft。andtocarryofftherifles，andleavebehindhimtheveryweaponsthatweregenerallyusedonsuchoccasions，wouldhavebeenanidleexpedient。Theextinguishingofthefireprovedtobethemostprudentmeasure。fornosoonerwastheofficer’sbackturnedthanoneofthewarriorsinfactproposedtofiretheblockhouse。Arrowheadhadalsowithdrawnfromthegroupofdrunkardsassoonashefoundthattheywerelosingtheirsenses，andhadtakenpossessionofahut，wherehehadthrownhimselfonthestraw，andsoughttherestthattwowakefulandwatchfulnightshadrenderednecessary。ItfollowedthatnoonewasleftamongtheIndianstocareforMabel，if，indeed，anyknewofherex-
istenceatall。andtheproposalofthedrunkardwasre-
ceivedwithyellsofdelightbyeightortenmoreasmuchintoxicatedandhabituallyasbrutalashimself。
ThiswasthefearfulmomentforMabel。TheIndians，intheirpresentcondition，wererecklessofanyriflesthattheblockhousemighthold，thoughtheydidretaindimrecollectionsofitscontaininglivingbeings，anadditionalincentivetotheirenterprise。andtheyapproacheditsbasewhoopingandleapinglikedemons。Asyettheywereexcited，notovercomebytheliquortheyhaddrunk。
Thefirstattemptwasmadeatthedoor，againstwhichtheyraninabody。butthesolidstructure，whichwasbuiltentirelyoflogs，defiedtheirefforts。Therushofahundredmenwiththesameobjectwouldhavebeenuse-
less。ThisMabel，however，didnotknow。andherheartseemedtoleapintohermouthassheheardtheheavyshockateachrenewedeffort。Atlengthwhen，shefoundthatthedoorresistedtheseassaultsasifitwereofstone，neithertremblingnoryielding，andonlybetrayingitsnotbeingapartofthewallbyrattlingalittleonitsheavyhinges，hercouragerevived，andsheseizedthefirstmo-
mentofacessationtolookdownthroughtheloop，inorder，ifpossible，tolearntheextentofherdanger。A
silence，forwhichitwasnoteasytoaccount，stimulatedhercuriosity。fornothingissoalarmingtothosewhoareconsciousofthepresenceofimminentdanger，astobeunabletotraceitsapproach。
MabelfoundthattwoorthreeoftheIroquoishadbeenrakingtheembers，wheretheyhadfoundafewsmallcoals，andwiththesetheywereendeavoringtolightafire。Theinterestwithwhichtheylabored，thehopeofdestroying，andtheforceofhabit，enabledthemtoactintelligentlyandinunison，solongastheirfellobjectwaskeptinview。Awhitemanwouldhaveabandonedtheattempttolightafireindespair，withcoalsthatcameoutoftheashesresemblingsparks。butthesechildrenoftheforesthadmanyexpedientsthatwereunknowntocivilization。
Bytheaidofafewdryleaves，whichtheyaloneknewwheretoseek，ablazewasfinallykindled，andthentheadditionofafewlightsticksmadesureoftheadvantagethathadbeenobtained。WhenMabelstoopeddownovertheloop，theIndiansweremakingapileofbrushagainstthedoor，andassheremainedgazingattheirproceedings，shesawthetwigsignite，theflamedartfrombranchtobranch，untilthewholepilewascrackingandsnappingunderabrightblaze。TheIndiansnowgaveayelloftriumph，andreturnedtotheircompanions，wellassuredthattheworkofdestructionwascommenced。Mabelre-
mainedlookingdown，scarcelyabletotearherselfawayfromthespot，sointenseandengrossingwastheinterestshefeltintheprogressofthefire。Asthepilekindledthroughout，however，theflamesmounted，untiltheyflashedsonearhereyesastocompelhertoretreat。Justasshereachedtheoppositesideoftheroom，towhichshehadretiredinheralarm，aforkedstreamshotupthroughtheloophole，thelidofwhichshehadleftopen，andillu-
minatedtherudeapartment，withMabelandherdesola-
tion。Ourheroinenownaturallyenoughsupposedthatherhourwascome。forthedoor，theonlymeansofretreat，hadbeenblockedupbythebrushaudfire，withhellishin-
genuity，andsheaddressedherself，asshebelieved，forthelasttimetoherMakerinprayer。Hereyeswereclosed，andformorethanaminuteherspiritwasabstracted。buttheinterestsoftheworldtoostronglydividedherfeelingstobealtogethersuppressed。andwhentheyinvoluntarilyopenedagain，sheperceivedthatthestreakofflamewasnolongerflaringintheroom，thoughthewoodaroundthelittleaperturehadkindled，andtheblazewasslowlymountingundertheimpulsionofacurrentofairthatsuckedinward。Abarrelofwaterstoodinacorner。andMabel，actingmorebyinstinctthanbyreason，caughtupavessel，filledit，and，pouringitonthewoodwithatremblinghand，succeededinextinguishingthefireatthatparticularspot。Thesmokepreventedherfromlookingdownagainforacoupleofminutes。butwhenshedidherheartbeathighwithdelightandhopeatfindingthatthepileofblazingbrushhadbeenoverturnedandscat-
tered，andthatwaterhadbeenthrownonthelogsofthedoor，whichwerestillsmokingthoughnolongerburn-
ing。
Whoisthere？saidMabel，withhermouthattheloop。WhatfriendlyhandhasamercifulProvidencesenttomysuccor？
Alightfootstepwasaudiblebelow，andoneofthosegentlepushesatthedoorwasheard，whichjustmovedthemassivebeamsonthehinges。
Whowishestoenter？Isityou，dear，dearuncle？
Saltwaternohere。St。Lawrencesweetwater，wastheanswer。Openquick。wanttocomein。
ThestepofMabelwasneverlighter，orhermovementsmorequickandnatural，thanwhileshewasdescendingtheladderandturniugthebars，forallhermotionswereearnestandactive。Thistimeshethoughtonlyofherescape，andsheopenedthedoorwitharapiditywhichdidnotadmitofcaution。Herfirstimpulsewastorushintotheopenair，intheblindhopeofquittingtheblockhouse。
butJunerepulsedtheattempt，andentering，shecoollybarredthedooragainbeforeshewouldnoticeMabel’seagereffortstoembraceher。
Blessyou！blessyou，June！criedourheroinemostfervently。youaresentbyProvidencetobemyguardianangel！
Nohugsotight，answeredtheTuscarorawoman。
Palefacewomanallcry，oralllaugh。LetJunefastendoor。
Mabelbecamemorerational，andinafewminutesthetwowereagainintheupperroom，seatedasbefore，handinhand，allfeelingofdistrustbetweenthembeingbanished。
Nowtellme，June，Mabelcommencedassoonasshehadgivenandreceivedonewarmembrace，haveyouseenorheardaughtofmypooruncle？
Don’tknow。Nooneseehim。noonehearhim。nooneknowanyt’ing。Saltwaterrunintoriver，It’ink，forInofindhim。Quartermastergonetoo。Ilook，andlook，andlook。butnosee’em，one，t’other，nowhere。
BlessedbeGod！Theymusthaveescaped，thoughthemeansarenotknowntous。IthoughtIsawaFrench-
manontheisland，June。
Yes：Frenchcaptaincome，buthegoawaytoo。
PlentyofIndianonisland。
Oh，June，June，aretherenomeanstopreventmybe-
lovedfatherfromfallingintothehandsofhisenemies？
Don’tknow。t’inkdatwarriorswaitinambush，andYengeesemustlosescalp。
Surely，surely，June，you，whohavedonesomuchforthedaughter，willnotrefusetohelpthefather？
Don’tknowfader，don’tlovefader。JunehelpherownpeoplehelpArrowhead——husbandlovescalp。
June，thisisnotyourself。Icannot，willnotbelievethatyouwishtoseeourmenmurdered！
JuneturnedherdarkeyesquietlyonMabel。andforamomentherlookwasstern，thoughitwassoonchangedintooneofmelancholycompassion。
Lily，Yengeesegirl？shesaid，asoneasksaquestion。
Certainly，andasaYengeesegirlIwouldsavemycountrymenfromslaughter。
Verygood，ifcan。JunenoYengeese，JuneTusca-
rora——gotTuscarorahusband——Tuscaroraheart——Tuscarorafeeling——alloverTuscarora。Lilywouldn’trunandtellFrenchthatherfaderwascomingtogainvictory？
Perhapsnot，returnedMabel，pressingahandonabrainthatfeltbewildered，——perhapsnot。butyouserveme，aidme——havesavedme，June！Whyhaveyoudonethis，ifyouonlyfeelasaTuscarora？
Don’tonlyfeelasTuscarora。feelasgirl，feelassquaw。
LoveprettyLily，andputitinmybosom。
Mabelmeltedintotears，andshepressedtheaffectionatecreaturetoherheart。Itwasnearaminutebeforeshecouldrenewthediscourse，butthenshesucceededinspeakingmorecalmlyandwithgreatercoherence。
Letmeknowtheworst，June，saidshe。To-nightyourpeoplearefeasting。whatdotheyintendtodoto-
morrow？
Don’tknow。afraidtoseeArrowhead，afraidtoaskquestion。t’inkhideawaytillYengeesecomeback。
Willtheynotattemptanythingagainsttheblock-
house？Youhaveseenwhattheycanthreateniftheywill。
Toomuchrum。Arrowheadsleep，ornodare。Frenchcaptaingoneaway，ornodare。Allgotosleepnow。
AndyouthinkIamsafeforthisnight，atleast？
Toomuchrum。IfLilylikeJune，mightdomuchforherpeople。
Iamlikeyou，June，ifawishtoservemycountrymencanmakearesemblancewithoneascourageousasyour-
self。
No，no，no！mutteredJuneinalowvoice。nogotheart，andJunenoletyou，ifhad。June’smoderpris-
oneronce，andwarriorsgotdrunk。modertomahawked’emall。Suchdewayredskinwomendowhenpeopleindangerandwantscalp。
Yousaywhatistrue，returnedMabel，shuddering，andunconsciouslydroppingJune’shand。Icannotdothat。Ihaveneitherthestrength，thecourage，northewilltodipmyhandsinblood。
T’inkthattoo。thenstaywhereyoube——blockhousegood——gotnoscalp。
Youbelieve，then，thatIamsafehere，atleastuntilmyfatherandhispeoplereturn？
Knowso。Nodaretouchblockhouseinmorning。
Hark！allstillnow——drinkrumtillheadfalldown，andsleeplikelog。
MightInotescape？Aretherenotseveralcanoesontheisland？MightInotgetone，andgoandgivemyfathernoticeofwhathashappened？
Knowhowtopaddle？demandedJune，glancinghereyefurtivelyathercompanion。
Notsowellasyourself，perhaps。butenoughtogetoutofsightbeforemorning。
Whatdothen？——couldn’tpaddlesix——ten——eightmile！
Idonotknow。Iwoulddomuchtowarnmyfather，andtheexcellentPathfinder，andalltherest，ofthedan-
gertheyarein。
LikePathfinder？
Alllikehimwhoknowhim——youwouldlikehim，nay，lovehim，ifyouonlyknewhisheart！
Nolikehimatall。Toogoodrifle——toogoodeye——
toomuchshootIroquoisandJune’speople。Mustgethisscalpifcan。
AndImustsaveitifIcan，June。Inthisrespect，then，weareopposedtoeachother。Iwillgoandfindacanoetheinstanttheyareallasleep，andquittheisland。
Nocan——Junewon’tletyou。CallArrowhead。
June！youwouldnotbetrayme——youcouldnotgivemeupafterallyouhavedoneforme？
Justso，returnedJune，makingabackwardgesturewithherhand，andspeakingwithawarmthandearnest-
nessMabelhadneverwitnessedinherbefore。CallArrowheadinloudvoice。Onecallfromwifewakeawar-
riorup。JunenoletLilyhelpenemy——noletIndianhurtLily。
Iunderstandyou，June，andfeelthenatureandjus-
ticeofyoursentiments。and，afterall，itwerebetterthatIshouldremainhere，forIhavemostprobablyoverratedmystrength。Buttellmeonething：ifmyunclecomesinthenight，andaskstobeadmitted，youwillletmeopenthedooroftheblockhousethathemayenter？
Sartain——heprisonerhere，andJunelikeprisonerbet-
terthanscalp。scalpgoodforhonor，prisonergoodforfeeling。ButSaltwaterhidesoclose，hedon’tknowwherehebehimself。
HereJunelaughedinhergirlish，mirthfulway，fortoherscenesofviolenceweretoofamiliartoleaveimpres-
sionssufficientlydeeptochangehernaturalcharacter。A
longanddiscursivedialoguenowfollowed，inwhichMabelendeavoredtoobtainclearernotionsofheractualsitua-
tion，underafainthopethatshemightpossiblybeenabledtoturnsomeofthefactsshethuslearnedtoadvantage。
Juneansweredallherinterrogatoriessimply，butwithacautionwhichshowedshefullydistinguishedbetweenthatwhichwasimmaterialandthatwhichmightendangerthesafetyorembarrassthefutureoperationsofherfriends。Thesubstanceoftheinformationshegavemaybesummedupasfollows。
ArrowheadhadlongbeenincommunicationwiththeFrench，thoughthiswasthefirstoccasiononwhichhehadentirelythrownasidethemask。Henolongerin-
tendedtotrusthimselfamongtheEnglish，forhehaddiscoveredtracesofdistrust，particularlyinPathfinder。
and，withIndianbravado，henowratherwishedtoblazonthantoconcealhistreachery。Hehadledthepartyofwarriorsintheattackontheisland，subject，however，tothesupervisionoftheFrenchmanwhohasbeenmen-
tioned，thoughJunedeclinedsayingwhetherhehadbeenthemeansofdiscoveringthepositionofaplacewhichhadbeenthoughttobesoconcealedfromtheenemyornot。
Onthispointshewouldsaynothing。butsheadmittedthatsheandherhusbandhadbeenwatchingthedepar-
tureofthe_Scud_atthetimetheywereovertakenandcap-
turedbythecutter。TheFrenchhadobtainedtheirin-
formationoftheprecisepositionofthestationbutveryrecently。andMabelfeltapangwhenshethoughtthattherewerecovertallusionsoftheIndianwomanwhichwouldconveythemeaningthattheintelligencehadcomefromapale-faceintheemploymentofDuncanofLundie。
Thiswasintimated，however，ratherthansaid。andwhenMabelhadtimetoreflectonhercompanion’swords，shefoundroomtohopethatshehadmisunderstoodher，andthatJasperWesternwouldyetcomeoutoftheaffairfreedfromeveryinjuriousimputation。
Junedidnothesitatetoconfessthatshehadbeensenttotheislandtoascertaintheprecisenumberandtheoc-
cupationsofthosewhohadbeenleftonit，thoughshealsobetrayedinher_naive_waythatthewishtoserveMabelhadinducedherprincipallytoconsenttocome。Incon-
sequenceofherreport，andinformationotherwiseob-
tained，theenemywasawareofpreciselytheforcethatcouldbebroughtagainstthem。TheyalsoknewthenumberofmenwhohadgonewithSergeantDunham，andwereacquaintedwiththeobjecthehadinview，thoughtheywereignorantofthespotwhereheexpectedtomeettheFrenchboats。Itwouldhavebeenapleasantsighttowitnesstheeagerdesireofeachofthesetwosincerefemalestoascertainallthatmightbeofconsequencetotheirrespectivefriends。andyetthenativedelicacywithwhicheachrefrainedfrompressingtheothertomakerevelationswhichwouldhavebeenimproper，aswellasthesensitive，almostintuitive，feelingwithwhicheachavoidedsayingaughtthatmightproveinjurioustoherownnation。Asrespectseachother，therewasperfectconfidence。asregardedtheirrespectivepeople，entirefidelity。JunewasquiteasanxiousasMabelcouldbeonanyotherpointtoknowwheretheSergeanthadgoneandwhenhewasexpectedtoreturn。butsheabstainedfromputtingthequestion，withadelicacythatwouldhavedonehonortothehighestcivilization。nordidsheonceframeanyotherinquiryinawaytoleadindirectlytoabetrayalofthemuch-desiredinformationonthatparticu-
larpoint：thoughwhenMabelofherownaccordtouchedonanymatterthatmightbypossibilitythrowalightonthesubject，shelistenedwithanintentnesswhichalmostsuspendedrespiration。
Inthismannerthehourspassedawayunheeded，forbothweretoomuchinterestedtothinkofrest。Natureassertedherrights，however，towardsmorning。andMabelwaspersuadedtoliedownononeofthestrawbedspro-
videdforthesoldiers，whereshesoonfellintoadeepsleep。
Junelaynearherandaquietreignedonthewholeislandasprofoundasifthedominionoftheforesthadneverbeeninvadedbyman。
WhenMabelawokethelightofthesunwasstreaminginthroughtheloopholes，andshefoundthatthedaywasconsiderablyadvanced。Junestilllaynearher，sleepingastranquillyasifshereposedon——wewillnotsaydown，forthesuperiorcivilizationofourowntimesre-
pudiatesthesimile——butonaFrenchmattress，andaspro-
foundlyasifshehadneverexperiencedconcern。ThemovementsofMabel，notwithstanding，soonawakenedonesoaccustomedtovigilance。andthenthetwotookasur-
veyofwhatwaspassingaroundthembymeansofthefriendlyapertures。