Onelesshabituallyunderself-restraintthanthiswar-
riorwouldprobablyhavenowaimedhismeditatedblow。
butChingachgookknewthereweremoreIroquoisbehindhimontherift，andhewasawarriormuchtootrainedandexperiencedtoriskanythingunnecessarily。Hesuf-
feredtheIndianatthebowofthecanoetopushoffintothedeepwater，andthenallthreewereswimminginthedirectionoftheeasternshore。Instead，however，ofhelp-
ingthecanoeacrosstheswiftcurrent，nosoonerdidtheDelawareandJasperfindthemselveswithintheinfluenceofitsgreatestforcethanbothbegantoswiminawaytochecktheirfartherprogressacrossthestream。Norwasthisdonesuddenly，orintheincautiousmannerinwhichacivilizedmanwouldhavebeenapttoattempttheartifice，butwarily，andsograduallythattheIroquoisatthebowfanciedatfirsthewasmerelystrugglingagainstthestrengthofthecurrent。Ofcourse，whileactedonbytheseopposingefforts，thecanoedrifteddownstream，andinaboutaminuteitwasfloatinginstilldeeperwateratthefootoftherift。Here，however，theIroquoiswasnotslowinfindingthatsomethingunusualretardedtheirad-
vance，and，lookingback。hefirstlearnedthathewasre-
sistedbytheeffortsofhiscompanions。
Thatsecondnaturewhichgrowsupthroughhabitin-
stantlytoldtheyoungIroquoisthathewasalonewithenemies。Dashingthewateraside，hesprangatthethroatofChingachgook，andthetwoIndians，relinquishingtheirholdofthecanoe，seizedeachotherliketigers。Inthemidstofthedarknessofthatgloomynight，andfloatinginanelementsodangeroustomanwhenengagedindeadlystrife，theyappearedtoforgeteverythingbuttheirfellanimosityandtheirmutualdesiretoconquer。
Jasperhadnowcompletecommandofthecanoe，whichflewofflikeafeatherimpelledbythebreathunderthevio-
lentreactionofthestrugglesofthetwocombatants。ThefirstimpulseoftheyouthwastoswimtotheaidoftheDelaware，buttheimportanceofsecuringtheboatpresenteditselfwithtenfoldforce，whilehelistenedtotheheavybreathingsofthewarriorsastheythrottledeachother，andheproceededasfastaspossibletowardsthewesternshore。Thishesoonreached。andafterashortsearchhesucceededindiscoveringtheremainderofthepartyandinprocuringhisclothes。AfewwordssufficedtoexplainthesituationinwhichhehadlefttheDelawareandthemannerinwhichthecanoehadbeenobtained。
WhenthosewhohadbeenleftbehindhadheardtheexplanationsofJasper，aprofoundstillnessreignedamongthem，eachlisteningintentlyinthevainhopeofcatchingsomecluetotheresultofthefearfulstrugglethathadjusttakenplace，ifitwerenotstillgoingoninthewater。
Nothingwasaudiblebeyondthesteadyroaroftherush-
ingriver。itbeingapartofthepolicyoftheirenemiesontheoppositeshoretoobservethemostdeathlikestillness。
Takethispaddle，Jasper，saidPathfindercalmly，thoughthelistenersthoughthisvoicesoundedmoremel-
ancholythanusual，andfollowwithyourowncanoe。Itisunsafeforustoremainherelonger。
ButtheSerpent？
TheGreatSarpentisinthehandsofhisownDeity，andwillliveordie，accordingtotheintentionsofProvi-
dence。Wecandohimnogood，andmayrisktoomuchbyremaininghereinidleness，likewomentalkingovertheirdistresses。Thisdarknessisveryprecious。
Aloud，long，piercingyellcamefromtheshore，andcutshortthewordsoftheguide。
Whatisthemeaningofthatuproar，MasterPath-
finder？demandedCap。Itsoundsmoreliketheout-
criesofdevilsthananythingthatcancomefromthethroatsofChristiansandmen。
Christianstheyarenot，anddonotpretendtobe，anddonotwishtobe。andincallingthemdevilsyouhavescarcelymisnamedthem。Thatyellisoneofrejoicing，anditisasconquerorstheyhavegivenit。ThebodyoftbeSarpent，nodoubt，deadoralive，isintheirpower。
Andwe！exclaimedJasper，whofeltapangofgen-
erousregret，astheideathathemighthaveavertedthecalamitypresenteditselftohismind，hadhenotdesertedhiscomrade。
Wecandothechiefnogood，lad，andmustquitthisspotasfastaspossible。
Withoutoneattempttorescuehim？——withoutevenknowingwhetherhebedeadorliving？
Jasperisright，saidMabel，whocouldspeak，thoughhervoicesoundedhuskilyandsmothered。Ihavenofears，uncle，andwillstayhereuntilweknowwhathasbecomeofourfriend。
Thisseemsreasonable，Pathfinder，putinCap。Yourtrueseamancannotwelldesertamessmate。andIamgladtofindthatmotivessocorrectexistamongthosefresh-waterpeople。
Tut！tut！returnedtheimpatientguide，forcingthecanoeintothestreamashespoke。yeknownothingandyefearnothing。Ifyevalueyourlives，thinkofreachingthegarrison，andleavetheDelawareinthehandsofProvidence。Ah’sme！thedeerthatgoestoooftentothelickmeetsthehunteratlast！
CHAPTERVII。
Andisthis——Yarrow？——thisthestreamOfwhichmyfancycherish’dSofaithfullyawakingdream？
Animagethathathperish’d？
Ohthatsomeminstrel’sharpwerenear，Toutternotesofgladness，Andchasethissilencefromtheair，Thatfillsmyheartwithsadness。
WORDSWORTH。
THEscenewasnotwithoutitssublimity，andtheardent，generous-mindedMabelfeltherbloodthrillinherveinsandhercheeksflush，asthecanoeshotintothestrengthofthestream，toquitthespot。Thedarknessofthenighthadlessened，bythedispersionoftheclouds。buttheoverhangingwoodsrenderedtheshoresoobscure，thattheboatsfloateddownthecurrentinabeltofgloomthatef-
fectuallysecuredthemfromdetection。Still，therewasnecessarilyastrongfeelingofinsecurityinallonboardthem。andevenJasper，whobythistimebegantotremble，inbehalfofthegirl，ateveryunusualsoundthatarosefromtheforest，keptcastinguneasyglancesaroundhimashedriftedonincompany。Thepaddlewasusedlightly，andonlywithexceedingcare。fortheslightestsoundinthebreathingstillnessofthathourandplacemightap-
prisethewatchfulearsoftheIroquoisoftheirposition。
Alltheseaccessoriesaddedtotheimpressivegrandeurofhersituation，andcontributedtorenderthemomentmuchthemostexcitingwhichhadeveroccurredinthebriefexistenceofMabelDunham。Spirited，accustomedtoself-reliance，andsustainedbytheprideofconsideringherselfasoldier’sdaughter，shecouldhardlybesaidtobeundertheinfluenceoffear，yetherheartoftenbeatquickerthancommon，herfineblueeyelightedwithanexhibitionofaresolutionthatwaswastedinthedarkness，andherquickenedfeelingscameinaidoftherealsublimitythatbelongedtothesceneandtotheincidentsofthenight。
Mabel！saidthesuppressedvoiceofJasper，asthetwocanoesfloatedsoneareachotherthatthehandoftheyoungmanheldthemtogether，youhavenodread？youtrustfreelytoourcareandwillingnesstoprotectyou？
Iamasoldier’sdaughter，asyouknow，JasperWestern，andoughttobeashamedtoconfessfear。
Relyonme——onusall。Youruncle，Pathfinder，theDelaware，werethepoorfellowhere，Imyself，willriskeverythingratherthanharmshouldreachyou。
Ibelieveyou，Jasper，returnedthegirl，herhandun-
consciouslyplayinginthewater。Iknowthatmyunclelovesme，andwillneverthinkofhimselfuntilhehasfirstthoughtofme。andIbelieveyouareallmyfather’sfriends，andwouldwillinglyassisthischild。ButIamnotsofeebleandweak-mindedasyoumaythink。for，thoughonlyagirlfromthetowns，and，likemostofthatclass，alittledisposedtoseedangerwherethereisnone，I
promiseyou，Jasper，nofoolishfearsofmineshallstandinthewayofyourdoingyourduty。
TheSergeant’sdaughterisright，andsheisworthyofbeinghonestThomasDunham’schild，putinthePath-
finder。Ah’sme，prettyone！manyisthetimethatyourfatherandIhavescoutedandmarchedtogetherontheflanksandrearoftheenemy，innightsdarkerthanthis，andthat，too，whenwedidnotknowbutthenextmomemtwouldleadusintoabloodyambushment。Iwasathissidewhenhegotthewoundinhisshoulder。andthehonestfellowwilltellyou，whenyoumeet，themannerinwhichwecontrivedtocrosstheriverwhichlayinourrear，inordertosavehisscalp。
Hehastoldme，saidMabel，withmoreenergyperhapsthanhersituationrenderedprudent。Ihavehisletters，inwhichhehasmentionedallthat，andIthankyoufromthebottomofmyheartfortheservice。Godwillremem-
berit，Pathfinder。andthereisnogratitudethatyoucanaskofthedaughterwhichshewillnotcheerfullyrepayforherfather’slife。
Ay，thatisthewaywithallyourgentleandpure-
heartedcreatures。Ihaveseensomeofyoubefore，andhaveheardofothers。TheSergeanthimselfhastalkedtomeofhisownyoungdays，andofyourmother，andofthemannerinwhichhecourtedher，andofallthecrossingsanddisappointments，untilhesucceededatlast。
Mymotherdidnotlivelongtorepayhimforwhathedidtowinher，saidMabel，withatremblinglip。
Sohetellsme。ThehonestSergeanthaskeptnothingback。for，beingsomanyyearsmysenior，hehaslookedonme，inourmanyscoutingstogether，asasortofson。
Perhaps，Pathfinder，observedJasper，withahuski-
nessinhisvoicethatdefeatedtheattemptatpleasantry，hewouldbegladtohaveyouforoneinreality。
Andifhedid，Eau-douce，wherewouldbethesinofit？HeknowswhatIamonatrailorascout，andhehasseenmeoftenfacetofacewiththeFrenchers。Ihavesometimesthought，lad，thatwealloughttoseekforwives。forthemanthatlivesaltogetherinthewoods，andincompanywithhisenemiesorhisprey，getstolosesomeofthefeelingofkindintheend。ItisnoteasytodwellalwaysinthepresenceofGodandnotfeelthepowerofHisgoodness。Ihaveattendedchurch-sarviceinthegar-
risons，andtriedhard，asbecomesatruesoldier，tojoinintheprayers。for，thoughnoenlistedsarvantoftheking，Ifighthisbattlesandsarvehiscause，andsoIhaveen-
deavoredtoworshipgarrison-fashion，butnevercouldraisewithinmethesolemnfeelingsandtrueaffectionthatIfeelwhenalonewithGodintheforest。ThereIseemtostandfacetofacewithmyMaster。allaroundmeisfreshandbeautiful，asitcamefromHishand。andthereisnonicetyordoctrinetochillthefeelings。Nono。thewoodsarethetruetempleafterall，fortherethethoughtsarefreetomounthighereventhantheclouds。
Youspeakthetruth，MasterPathfinder，saidCap，andatruththatallwholivemuchinsolitudeknow。
What，forinstance，isthereasonthatseafaringmeningeneralaresoreligiousandconscientiousinalltheydo，butthefactthattheyaresooftenalonewithProvidence，andhavesolittletodowiththewickednessoftheland。
ManyandmanyisthetimethatIhavestoodmywatch，undertheequatorperhaps，orintheSouthernOcean，whenthenightsarelightedupwiththefiresofheaven。
andthatisthetime，Icantellyou，myhearties，tobringamantohisbearingsinthewayofhissins。Ihaverattleddownmineagainandagainundersuchcircumstances，untiltheshroudsandlanyardsofconsciencehavefairlycreakedwiththestrain。Iagreewithyou，MasterPath-
finder，therefore，insaying，ifyouwantatrulyreligiousman，gotosea，orgointothewoods。
Uncle，Ithoughtseamenhadlittlecreditgenerallyfortheirrespectforreligion？
Alld——dslander，girl。foralltheessentialsofChris-
tianitytheseamanbeatsthelandsmanhand-over-hand。
Iwillnotanswerforallthis，MasterCap，returnedPathfinder。butIdaresaysomeofitmaybetrue。I
wantnothunderandlightningtoremindmeofmyGod，noramIasapttobethinkonmostofallHisgoodnessintroubleandtribulationsasonacalm，solemn，quietdayinaforest，whenHisvoiceisheardinthecreakingofadeadbranchorinthesongofabird，asmuchinmyearsatleastasitiseverheardinuproarandgales。Howisitwithyou，Eau-douce？youfacethetempestsaswellasMasterCap，andoughttoknowsomethingofthefeelingsofstorms。
IfearthatIamtooyoungandtooinexperiencedtobeabletosaymuchonsuchasubject，modestlyansweredJasper。
Butyouhaveyourfeelings！saidMabelquickly。Youcannot——noonecanliveamongsuchsceneswithoutfeel-
inghowmuchtheyoughttotrustinGod！
IshallnotbeliemytrainingsomuchastosayIdonotsometimesthinkofthesethings，butIfearitisnotsooftenorsomuchasIought。
Freshwater，resumedCappithily。youarenottoexpecttoomuchoftheyoungman，Mabel。Ithinktheycallyousometimesbyanamewhichwouldinsinuateallthis：Eau-de-vie，isitnot？
Eau-douce，quietlyrepliedJasper，whofromsailingonthelakehadacquiredaknowledgeofFrench，aswellasofseveraloftheIndiandialects。ItisanametheIro-
quoishavegivenmetodistinguishmefromsomeofmycompanionswhooncesaileduponthesea，andarefondoffillingtheearsofthenativeswithstoriesoftheirgreatsalt-waterlakes。
Andwhyshouldn’tthey？Idaresaytheydothesav-
agesnoharm。Ay，ay，Eau-deuce。thatmustmeanthewhitebrandy，whichmaywellenoughbecalledthedeuce，fordeucedstuffitis！
ThesignificationofEau-douceissweet-water，anditisthemannerinwhichtheFrenchexpressfresh-water，
rejoinedJasper，alittlenettled。
AndhowthedevildotheymakewateroutofEau-in-
deuce，whenitmeansbrandyinEau-de-vie？Besides，amongseamen，Eaualwaysmeansbrandy。andEau-de-
vie，brandyofahighproof。Ithinknothingofyourig-
norance，youngman。foritisnaturaltoyoursituation，andcannotbehelped。Ifyouwillreturnwithme，andmakeav’y’geortwoontheAtlantic，itwillserveyouagoodturntheremainderofyourdays。andMabelthere，andalltheotheryoungwomennearthecoast，willthinkallthebetterofyoushouldyoulivetobeasoldasoneofthetreesinthisforest。
Nay，nay，interruptedthesingle-heartedandgenerousguide。Jasperwantsnotforfriendsinthisregion，Icanassureyou。andthoughseeingtheworld，accordingtohishabits，maydohimgoodaswellasanother，weshallthinknonetheworseofhimifheneverquitsus。Eau-douceorEau-de-vie，heisabrave，true-heartedyouth，andIalwayssleepassoundlywhenheisonthewatchasifIwasupandstirringmyself。ay，andforthatmatter，soundertoo。
TheSergeant’sdaughterheredoesn’tbelieveitnecessaryfortheladtogotoseainordertomakeamanofhim，oronewhoisworthytoberespectedandesteemed。
Mabelmadenoreplytothisappeal，andsheevenlookedtowardsthewesternshore，althoughthedarknessrenderedthenaturalmovementsunnecessarytoconcealherface。
ButJasperfeltthattherewasanecessityforhissayingsomething，theprideofyouthandmanhoodrevoltingattheideaofhisbeinginaconditionnottocommandthere-
spectofhisfellowsorthesmilesofhisequalsoftheothersex。StillhewasunwillingtoutteraughtthatmightbeconsideredharshtotheuncleofMabel。andhisself-
commandwasperhapsmorecreditablethanhismodestyandspirit。
IpretendnottothingsIdon’tpossess，hesaid，andlaynoclaimtoanyknowledgeoftheoceanorofnaviga-
tion。Westeerbythestarsandthecompassontheselakes，runningfromheadlandtoheadland。andhavinglittleneedoffiguresandcalculations，makenouseofthem。Butwehaveourclaimsnotwithstanding，asIhaveoftenheardfromthosewhohavepassedyearsontheocean。Inthefirstplace，wehavealwaysthelandaboard，andmuchofthetimeonalee-shore，andthatIhavefre-
quentlyheardmakeshardysailors。Ourgalesaresuddenandsevere，andwearecompelledtorunforourportsatallhours。
Youhaveyourleads，interruptedCap。
Theyareoflittleuse，andareseldomcast。
Thedeep-seas。
Ihaveheardofsuchthings，butconfessIneversawone。
Oh！deuce，withavengeance。Atrader，andnodeep-
sea！Why，boy，youcannotpretendtobeanythingofamariner。Whothedevileverheardofaseamanwithouthisdeep-sea？
Idonotpretendtoanyparticularskill，MasterCap。
Exceptinshootingfalls，Jasper，exceptinshootingfallsandrifts，saidPathfinder，comingtotherescue。
inwhichbusinessevenyou，MasterCap，mustallowhehassomehandiness。Inmyjudgment，everymanistobeesteemedorcondemnedaccordingtohisgifts。andifMasterCapisuselessinrunningtheOswegoFalls，Itrytorememberthatheisusefulwhenoutofsightofland。
andifJasperbeuselesswhenoutofsightofland，Idonotforgetthathehasatrueeyeandsteadyhandwhenrunningthefalls。
ButJasperisnotuseless——wouldnotbeuselesswhenoutofsightofland，saidMabel，withaspiritandenergythatcausedherclearsweetvoicetobestartlingamidthesolemnstillnessofthatextraordinaryscene。Noonecanbeuselesstherewhocandosomuchhere，iswhatI
mean。though，Idaresay，heisnotaswellacquaintedwithshipsasmyuncle。
Ay，bolstereachotherupinyourignorance，returnedCapwithasneer。Weseamenaresomuchout-
numberedwhenashorethatitisseldomwegetourdues。
butwhenyouwanttobedefended，ortradeistobecarriedon，thereisoutcryenoughforus。
But，uncle，landsmendonotcometoattackourcoasts。
sothatseamenonlymeetseamen。
Somuchforignorance！Wherearealltheenemiesthathavelandedinthiscountry，FrenchandEnglish，letmeinquire，niece？
Sureenough，wherearethey？ejaculatedPathfinder。
Nonecantellbetterthanwewhodwellinthewoods，MasterCap。Ihaveoftenfollowedtheirlineofmarchbybonesbleachingintherain，andhavefoundtheirtrailbygraves，yearsaftertheyandtheirpridehadvanishedto-
gether。Generalsandprivates，theylayscatteredthrough-
outtheland，somanyproofsofwhatmenarewhenledonbytheirloveofgreatnamesandthewishtobemorethantheirfellows。
Imustsay，MasterPathfinder，thatyousometimesutteropinionsthatarealittleremarkableforamanwholivesbytherifle。seldomsnuffingtheairbuthesmellsgunpowder，orturningoutofhisberthbuttobeardownonanenemy。
IfyouthinkIpassmydaysinwarfareagainstmykind，youknowneithermenormyhistory。Themanthatlivesinthewoodsandonthefrontiersmusttakethechancesofthethingsamongwhichhedwells。ForthisI
amnotaccountable，beingbutanhumbleandpowerlesshunterandscoutandguide。Myrealcallingistohuntforthearmy，onitsmarchesandintimesofpeace。al-
thoughIammoreespeciallyengagedintheserviceofoneofficer，whoisnowabsentinthesettlements，whereIneverfollowhim。No，no。bloodshedandwarfarearenotmyrealgifts，butpeaceandmercy。Still，Imustfacetheenemyaswellasanother。andasforaMingo，Ilookuponhimasmanlooksonasnake，acreatur’tobeputbeneaththeheelwheneverafittingoccasionoffers。
Well，well。Ihavemistakenyourcalling，whichIhadthoughtasregularlywarlikeasthatofaship’sgunner。
Thereismybrother-in-law，now。hehasbeenasoldiersincehewassixteen，andhelooksuponhistradeaseverywayasrespectableasthatofaseafaringman，apointI
hardlythinkitworthwhiletodisputewithhim。
Myfatherhasbeentaughttobelievethatitishonor-
abletocarryarms，saidMabel，forhisfatherwasasoldierbeforehim。
Yes，yes，resumedtheguide。mostoftheSergeant’sgiftsaremartial，andhelooksatmostthingsinthisworldoverthebarrelofhismusket。Oneofhisnotions，now，istopreferaking’spiecetoaregular，double-sighted，long-barrelledrifle。Suchconceitswillcomeovermenfromlonghabit。andprejudiceis，perhaps，thecommonestfailingofhumannatur’。
Whilethedesultoryconversationjustrelatedhadbeencarriedoninsubduedvoices，thecanoesweredroppingslowlydownwiththecurrentwithinthedeepshadowsofthewesternshore，thepaddlesbeingusedmerelytopre-
servethedesireddirectionandproperpositions。Thestrengthofthestreamvariedmaterially，thewaterbeingseeminglystillinplaces，whileinotherreachesitflowedatarateexceedingtwooreventhreemilesinthehour。
Ontheriftsitevendashedforwardwithavelocitythatwasappallingtotheunpractisedeye。Jasperwasofopinionthattheymightdriftdownwiththecurrenttothemouthoftheriverintwohoursfromthetimetheylefttheshore，andheandthePathfinderhadagreedontheexpediencyofsufferingthecanoestofloatofthem-
selvesforatime，oratleastuntiltheyhadpassedthefirstdangersoftheirnewmovement。Thedialoguehadbeencarriedoninvoices，too，guardedlylow。forthoughthequietofdeepsolitudereignedinthatvastandnearlyboundlessforest，naturewasspeakingwithherthousandtonguesintheeloquentlanguageofnightinawilderness。
Theairsighedthroughtenthousandtrees，thewaterrippled，andatplacesevenroaredalongtheshores。andnowandthenwasheardthecreakingofabranchoratrunk，asitrubbedagainstsomeobjectsimilartoitself，underthevibrationsofanicelybalancedbody。Alllivingsoundshadceased。Once，itistrue，thePathfinderfanciedheheardthehowlofadistantwolf，ofwhichafewprowledthroughthesewoods。butitwasatransientanddoubtfulcry，thatmightpossiblyhavebeenattributedtotheimag-
ination。Whenhedesiredhiscompanions，however，toceasetalking，hisvigilantearhadcaughtthepeculiarsoundwhichismadebythepartingofadriedbranchofatreeandwhich，ifhissensesdidnotdeceivehim，camefromthewesternshore。Allwhoareaccustomedtothatparticularsoundwillunderstandhowreailytheearre-
ceivesit，andhoweasyitistodistinguishthetreadwhichbreaksthebranchfromeveryothernoiseoftheforest。
Thereisthefootstepofamanonthebank，saidPathfindertoJasper，speakinginneitherawhispernoryetinavoiceloudenoughtobeheardatanydistance。
CantheaccursedIroquoishavecrossedtheriveralready，withtheirarms，andwithoutaboat？
ItmaybetheDelaware。Hewouldfollowus，ofcoursedownthisbank，andwouldknowwheretolookforus。Letmedrawcloserintotheshore，andreconnoitre。
Goboybutbelightwiththepaddle，andonnoac-
countventureashoreonanonsartainty。
Isthisprudent？demandedMabel，withanimpetu-
ositythatrenderedherincautiousinmodulatinghersweetvoice。
Veryimprudent，ifyouspeaksoloud，fairone。Ilikeyourvoice，whichissoftandpleasing，afterthelisteningsolongtothetonesofmen。butitmustnotbeheardtoomuch，ortoofreely，justnow。Yourfather，thehonestSergeant，willtellyou，whenyoumeethim，thatsilenceisadoublevirtueonatrail。Go，Jasper，anddojusticetoyourowncharacterforprudence。
TenanxiousminutessucceededthedisappearanceofthecanoeofJasper，whichglidedawayfromthatofthePathfindersonoiselessly，thatithadbeenswallowedupinthegloombeforeMabelallowedherselftobelievetheyoungmanwouldreallyventurealoneonaservicewhichstruckherimaginationassingularlydangerous。Duringthistime，thepartycontinuedtofloatwiththecurrent，noonespeaking，and，itmightalmostbesaid，noonebreathing，sostrongwasthegeneraldesiretocatchtheminutestsoundthatshouldcomefromtheshore。Butthesamesolemn，wemight，indeed，saysublime，quietreignedasbefore。thewashingofthewater，asitpiledupagainstsomeslightobstruction，andthesighingofthetrees，aloneinterruptingtheslumbersoftheforest。Attheendoftheperiodmentioned，thesnappingofdriedbrancheswasagainfaintlyheard，andthePathfinderfan-
ciedthatthesoundofsmotheredvoicesreachedhim。
Imaybemistaken，hesaid，forthethoughtsoftenfancywhattheheartwishes。butthesewerenoteslikethelowtonesoftheDelaware。
Dothedeadofthesavageseverwalk？demandedCap。
Ay，andruntoo，intheirhappyhunting-grounds，butnowhereelse。Ared-skinfinisheswiththe’arth，afterthebreathquitsthebody。Itisnotoneofhisgiftstolingeraroundhiswigwamwhenhishourhaspassed。
Iseesomeobjectonthewater，whisperedMabel，whoseeyehadnotceasedtodwellonthebodyofgloom，withcloseintensity，sincethedisappearanceofJasper。
Itisthecanoe，returnedtheguide，greatlyrelieved。
Allmustbesafe，orweshouldhaveheardfromthelad。
Inanotherminutethetwocanoes，whichbecamevisibletothosetheycarriedonlyastheydrewneareachother，againfloatedsidebyside，andtheformofJasperwasrecognizedatthesternofhisownboat。Thefigureofasecondmanwasseatedinthebow。and，astheyoungsailorsowieldedhispaddleastobringthefaceofhiscompanionneartheeyesofthePathfinderandMabel，theybothrecognizedthepersonoftheDelaware。
Chingachgook——mybrother！saidtheguideinthedialectoftheother’speople，atremorshakinghisvoicethatbetrayedthestrengthofhisfeelings。ChiefoftheMohicans！myheartisveryglad。Oftenhavewepassedthroughbloodandstrifetogether，butIwasafraiditwasnevertobesoagain。
Hugh！TheMingosaresquaws！Threeoftheirscalpshangatmygirdle。TheydonotknowhowtostriketheGreatSerpentoftheDelawares。Theirheartshavenoblood。andtheirthoughtsareontheirreturnpath，acrossthewatersoftheGreatLake。
Haveyoubeenamongthem，chief？andwhathasbe-
comeofthewarriorwhowasintheriver？
Hehasturnedintoafish，andliesatthebottomwiththeeels！Lethisbrothersbaittheirhooksforhim。
Pathfinder，Ihavecountedtheenemy，andhavetouchedtheirrifles。
Ah，Ithoughthewouldbeventuresome！exclaimedtheguideinEnglish。Theriskyfellowhasbeeninthemidstofthem，andhasbroughtusbacktheirwholehis-
tory。Speak，Chingachgook，andIwillmakeourfriendsasknowingasourselves。
TheDelawarenowrelatedinalowearnestmannerthesubstanceofallhisdiscoveries，sincehewaslastseenstrugglingwithhisfoeintheriver。Ofthefateofhisantagonisthesaidnomore，itnotbeingusualforawarriortoboastinhismoredirectandusefulnarratives。Assoonashehadconqueredinthatfearfulstrife，however，heswamtotheeasternshore，landedwithcaution，andwoundhiswayinamongsttheIroquois，concealedbythedark-
ness，undetected，and，inthemain，evenunsuspected。
Once，indeed，hehadbeenquestioned。butansweringthathewasArrowhead，nofurtherinquiriesweremade。Bythepassingremarks，hesoonascertainedthatthepartywasoutexpresslytointerceptMabelandheruncle，concerningwhoserank，however，theyhadevidentlybeendeceived。
HealsoascertainedenoughtojustifythesuspicionthatArrowheadhadbetrayedthemtotheirenemies，forsomemotivethatitwasnotnoweasytoreach，ashehadnotyetreceivedtherewardofhisservices。
Pathfindercommunicatednomoreofthisintelligencetohiscompanionsthanhethoughtmightrelievetheirap-
prehensions，intimating，atthesametime，thatnowwasthemomentforexertion，theIroquoisnothavingyeten-
tirelyrecoveredfromtheconfusioncreatedbytheirlosses。
Weshallfindthemattherift，Imakenomannerofdoubt，continuedhe。andthereitwillbeourfatetopassthem，ortofallintotheirhands。Thedistancetothegarrisonwillthenbesoshort，thatIhavebeenthink-
ingofaplanoflandingwithMabelmyself，thatImaytakeherin，bysomeoftheby-ways，andleavethecanoestotheirchancesintherapids。
Itwillneversucceed，Pathfinder，eagerlyinterruptedJasper。Mabelisnotstrongenoughtotrampthewoodsinanightlikethis。Putherinmyskiff，andIwilllosemylife，orcarryherthroughtheriftsafely，darkasitis。
Nodoubtyouwill，lad。noonedoubtsyourwillingnesstodoanythingtoservetheSergeant’sdaughter。butitmustbetheeyeofProvidence，andnotyourown，thatwilltakeyousafelythroughtheOswegoriftinanightlikethis。
Andwhowillleadhersafelytothegarrisonifsheland？Isnotthenightasdarkonshoreasonthewater？
ordoyouthinkIknowlessofmycallingthanyouknowofyours？
Spiritedlysaid，lad。butifIshouldlosemywayinthedark——andIbelievenomancansaytrulythatsuchathingeveryethappenedtome——but，ifI_should_losemyway，nootherharmwouldcomeofitthantopassanightintheforest。whereasafalseturnofthepaddle，orabroadsheerofthecanoe，wouldputyouandtheyoungwomanintotheriver，outofwhichitismorethanproba-
bletheSergeant’sdaughterwouldnevercomealive。
IwillleaveittoMabelherself。Iamcertainthatshewillfeelmoresecureinthecanoe。
Ihavegreatconfidenceinyouboth，answeredthegirl。andhavenodoubtsthateitherwilldoallhecantoprovetomyfatherhowmuchhevalueshim。butI
confessIshouldnotliketoquitthecanoe，withthecer-
taintywehaveoftherebeingenemieslikethosewehaveseenintheforest。Butmyunclecandecideformeinthismatter。
Ihavenolikingforthewoods，saidCap，whileonehasacleardriftlikethisontheriver。Besides，MasterPathfinder，tosaynothingofthesavages，youoverlookthesharks。
Sharks！whoeverheardofsharksinthewilderness？
Ay！sharks，orbears，orwolves——nomatterwhatyoucallathing，soithasthemindandpowertobite。
Lord，lord，man！doyoudreadanycreatur’thatistobefoundintheAmericanforest？Acatamountisaskearyanimal，Iwillallow，butthenitisnothinginthehandsofapractysedhunter。TalkoftheMingosandtheirdevilriesifyouwill。butdonotraiseafalsealarmaboutbearsandwolves。
Ay，ay，MasterPathfinder，thisisallwellenoughforyou，whoprobablyknowthenameofeverycreatureyouwouldmeet。Useiseverything，anditmakesamanboldwhenhemightotherwisebebashful。Ihaveknownsea-
meninthelowlatitudesswimforhoursatatimeamongsharksfifteenortwentyfeetlong。
Thisisextraordinary！exclaimedJasper，whohadnotyetacquiredthatmaterialpartofhistrade，theabilitytospinayarn。Ihavealwaysheardthatitwascertaindeathtoventureinthewateramongsharks。
Iforgottosay，thattheladsalwaystookcapstan-bars，orgunners’handspikes，orcrowswiththem，torapthebeastsoverthenosesiftheygottobetroublesome。No，no，Ihavenolikingforbearsandwolves，thoughawhale，inmyeye，isverymuchthesamesortoffishasaredherringafteritisdriedandsalted。MabelandIhadbettersticktothecanoe。
Mabelwoulddowelltochangecanoes，addedJasper。
Thisofmineisempty，andevenPathfinderwillallowthatmyeyeissurerthanhisownonthewater。
ThatIwill，cheerfully，boy。Thewaterbelongstoyourgifts，andnoonewilldenythatyouhaveimprovedthemtotheutmost。YouarerightenoughinbelievingthattheSergeant’sdaughterwillbesaferinyourcanoethaninthis。andthoughIwouldgladlykeephernearmyself，Ihaveherwelfaretoomuchatheartnottogiveherhonestadvice。Bringyourcanoeclosealongside，Jas-
per，andIwillgiveyouwhatyoumustconsiderasaprecioustreasure。
Idosoconsiderit，returnedtheyouth，notlosingamomentincomplyingwiththerequest。whenMabelpassedfromonecanoetotheothertakingherseatontheeffectswhichhadhithertocomposeditssolecargo。
Assoonasthisarrangementwasmade，thecanoessepa-
ratedashortdistance，andthepaddleswereused，thoughwithgreatcaretoavoidmakinganynoise。Theconversa-
tiongraduallyceased。andasthedreadedriftwasap-
proached，allbecameimpressedwiththegravityofthemoment。Thattheirenemieswouldendeavortoreachthispointbeforethemwasalmostcertain。anditseemedsolittleprobableanyoneshouldattempttopassit，intheprofoundobscuritywhichreigned，thatPathfinderwasconfidentpartieswereonbothsidesoftheriver，inthehopeofinterceptingthemwhentheymightland。HewouldnothavemadetheproposalhedidhadhenotfelrsureofhisownabilitytoconvertthisveryanticipationofsuccessintoameansofdefeatingtheplansoftheIroquois。
Asthearrangementnowstood，however，everythingde-
pendedontheskillofthosewhoguidedthecanoes。forshouldeitherhitarock，ifnotsplitasunder，itwouldalmostcertainlybeupset，andthenwouldcomenotonlyallthehazardsoftheriveritself，but，forMabel，thecer-
taintyoffallingintothehandsofherpersuers。Theutmostcircumspectionconsequentlybecamenecessary，andeachonewastoomuchengrossedwithhisownthoughtstofeeladispositiontouttermorethanwascalledforbytheexigenciesofthecase。
Atthecanoesstolesilentlyalong，theroaroftheriftbecameaudible，anditrequiredallthefortitudeofCaptokeephisseat，whilethesebodingsoundswereapproached，amidadarknesswhichscarcelypermittedaviewoftheoutlinesofthewoodedshoreandofthegloomyvaultabovehishead。Heretainedavividimpressionofthefalls，andhisimaginationwasnotnowidleinswellingthedangersoftherifttoalevelwiththoseoftheheadlongdescenthehadthatdaymade，andeventoincreasethem，undertheinfluenceofdoubtanduncertainty。Inthis，however，theoldmarinerwasmistaken，fortheOswegoRiftandtheOswegoFallsareverydifferentintheirchar-
actersandviolence。theformerbeingnomorethanarapid，thatglancesamongshallowsandrocks，whilethelatterreallydeservedthenameitbore，ashasbeenalreadyshown。
Mabelcertainlyfeltdistrustandapprehension。butherentiresituationwassonovel，andherrelianceonherguidesogreat，thatsheretainedaself-commandwhichmightnothaveexistedhadsheclearerperceptionsofthetruth，orbeenbetteracquaintedwiththehelplessnessofmenwhenplacedinoppositiontothepowerandmajestyofNature。
Isthatthespotyouhavementioned？shesaidtoJasper，whentheroaroftheriftfirstcamedistinctlyonherears。
Itis。andIbegyoutohaveconfidenceinme。Wearenotoldacquaintances，Mabel。butwelivemanydaysinone，inthiswilderness。Ithink，already，thatIhaveknownyouyears！
AndIdonotfeelasifyouwereastrangertome，Jasper。Ihaveeveryrelianceonyourskill，aswellasonyourdispositiontoserveme。
Weshallsee，weshallsee。Pathfinderisstrikingtherapidstoonearthecentreoftheriver。thebedofthewaterisclosertotheeasternshore。butIcannotmakehimhearmenow。Holdfirmlytothecanoe，Mabel，andfearnothing。
Atthenextmomenttheswiftcurrenthadsuckedthemintotherift，andforthreeorfourminutestheawe-struck，ratherthanthealarmed，girlsawnothingaroundherbutsheetsofglancingfoam，heardnothingbuttheroarofwaters。Twentytimesdidthecanoeappearabouttodashagainstsomecurlingandbrightwavethatshoweditselfevenamidthatobscurity。andasoftendiditglideawayagainunharmed，impelledbythevigorousarmofhimwhogoverneditsmovements。Once，andonceonly，didJasperseemtolosecommandofhisfrailbark，duringwhichbriefspaceitfairlywhirledentirelyround。butbyadesperateefforthebroughtitagainundercontrol，re-
coveredthelostchannel，andwassoonrewardedforallhisanxietybyfindinghimselffloatingquietlyinthedeepwaterbelowtherapids，securefromeverydanger，andwithouthavingtakeninenoughoftheelementtoserveforadraught。
Allisover，Mabel，theyoungmancriedcheerfully。
Thedangerispast，andyoumaynowindeedhopetomeetyourfatherthisverynight。
Godbepraised！Jasper，weshallowethisgreathap-
pinesstoyou。
ThePathfindermayclaimafullshareinthemerit。
butwhathasbecomeoftheothercanoe？
Iseesomethingnearusonthewater。isitnottheboatofourfriends？
AfewstrokesofthepaddlebroughtJaspertothesideoftheobjectinquestion：itwastheothercanoe，emptyandbottomupwards。Nosoonerdidtheyoungmanas-
certainthisfact，thanhebegantosearchfortheswimmers，and，tohisgreatjoy，Capwassoondiscovereddriftingdownwiththecurrent。theoldseamanpreferringthechancesofdrowningtothoseoflandingamongsavages。Hewashauledintothecanoe，thoughnotwithoutdifficulty，andthenthesearchended。forJasperwaspersuadedthatthePathfinder，wouldwadetotheshore，thewaterbeingshal-
lowinpreferencetoabandoninghisbelovedrifle。
Theremainderofthepassagewasshort，thoughmadeamiddarknessanddoubt。Afterashortpause，adullroaringsoundwasheard，whichattimesresembledthemutteringsofdistantthunder，andthenagainbroughtwithitthewashingofwaters。Jasperannouncedtohiscompanionsthattheynowheardthesurfofthelake。
Lowcurvedspitsoflandlaybeforethem，intothebayformedbyoneofwhichthecanoeglided，andthenitshotupnoiselesslyuponagravellybeach。Thetransitionthatfollowedwassohurriedandgreat，thatMabelscarcelyknewwhatpassed。Inthecourseofafewminutes，how-
eversentinelshadbeenpassed，agatewasopened，andtheagitatedgirlfoundherselfinthearmsofaparentwhowasalmostastrangertoher。
CHAPTERVIII。
Alandoflove，andalandoflight，Withoutensun，ormoon，ornight：
Wheretheriverswa’dalivingstream，Andthelightapurecelestialbeam：
Thelandofvision，itwouldseemAstill，aneverlastingdream。
_Queen’sWake。_
Therestthatsucceedsfatigue，andwhichattendsanewlyawakenedsenseofsecurity，isgenerallysweetanddeep。SuchwasthefactwithMabel，whodidnotrisefromherhumblepallet——suchabedasasergeant’sdaughtermightclaiminaremotefrontierpost——untillongafterthegarrisonhadobeyedtheusualsummonsofthedrums，andhadassembledatthemorningparade。
SergeantDunham，onwhoseshouldersfellthetaskofattendingtotheseordinaryanddailyduties，hadgotthroughallhismorningavocations，andwasbeginningtothinkofhisbreakfast，beforehischildleftherroom，andcameintothefreshair，equallybewildered，delighted，andgrateful，atthenoveltyandsecurityofhernewsituation。
Atthetimeofwhichwearewriting，OswegowasoneoftheextremefrontierpostsoftheBritishpossessionsonthiscontinent。Ithadnotbeenlongoccupied，andwasgarri-
sonedbyabattalionofaregimentwhichhadbeenorigin-
allyScotch，butintowhichmanyAmericanshadbeenre-
ceivedsinceitsarrivalinthiscountry。allinnovationthathadledthewaytoMabel’sfatherfillingthehumblebutresponsiblesituationoftheoldestsergeant。Afewyoungofficersalso，whowerenativesofthecolonies，weretobefoundinthecorps。Thefortitself，likemostworksofthatcharacter，wasbetteradaptedtoresistanattackofsavagesthantowithstandaregularsiege。butthegreatdifficultyoftransportingheavyartilleryandotherneces-
sariesrenderedtheoccurrenceofthelatteraprobabilitysoremoteasscarcelytoenterintotheestimateoftheen-
gineerswhohadplannedthedefences。Therewerebas-
tionsofearthandlogs，adryditch，astockade，aparadeofconsiderableextent，andbarracksoflogs，thatansweredthedoublepurposeofdwellingsandfortifications。Afewlightfleld-piecesstoodintheareaofthefort，readytobeconveyedtoanypointwheretheymightbewanted，andoneortwoheavyirongunslookedoutfromthesummitsoftheadvancedangles，assomanyadmonitionstotheaudacioustorespecttheirpower。
WhenMabel，quittingtheconvenient，butcompara-
tivelyretiredhutwhereherfatherhadbeenpermittedtoplaceher，issuedintothepureairofthemorning，shefoundherselfatthefootofabastion，whichlayinvitinglybeforeher，withapromiseofgivinga_coupd’oeil_ofallthathadbeenconcealedinthedarknessoftheprecedingnight。Trippingupthegrassyascent，thelight-heartedaswellaslight-footedgirlfoundherselfatonceonapointwherethesight，atafewvaryingglances，couldtakeinalltheexternalnoveltiesofhernewsituation。
Tothesouthwardlaytheforest，throughwhichshehadbeenjourneyingsomanywearydays，andwhichhadprovedsofullofdangers。Itwasseparatedfromthestockadebyabeltofopenland，thathadbeenprincipallyclearedofitswoodstoformthemartialconstructionsaroundher。
Thisglacis，forsuchinfactwasitsmilitaryuses，mighthavecoveredahundredacres。butwithiteverysignofcivilizationceased。Allbeyondwasforest。thatdense，interminableforestwhichMabelcouldnowpicturetoherself，throughherrecollections，withitshiddenglassylakes，itsdarkrollingstream，anditsworldofnature。
Turningfromthisview，ourheroinefelthercheekfannedbyafreshandgratefulbreeze，suchasshehadnotexperiencedsincequittingthefardistantcoast。Hereanewscenepresenteditself：althoughexpected，itwasnotwithoutastart，andalowexclamationindicativeofpleas-
ure，thattheeagereyesofthegirldrankinitsbeauties。Tothenorth，andeast，andwest，ineverydirection，inshort，overoneentirehalfofthenovelpanorama，layafieldofrollingwaters。TheelementwasneitherofthatglassygreenwhichdistinguishestheAmericanwatersingeneral，noryetofthedeepblueoftheocean，thecolorbeingofaslightlyamberhue，whichscarcelyaffecteditslimpidity。
Nolandwastobeseen，withtheexceptionoftheadjacentcoast，whichstretchedtotherightandleftinanunbrokenoutlineofforestwithwidebaysandlowheadlandsorpoints。still，muchoftheshorewasrocky，andintoitscavernsthesluggishwatersoccasionallyrolled，producingahollowsound，whichresembledtheconcussionsofadis-
tantgun。Nosailwhitenedthesurface，nowhaleorotherfishgambolledonitsbosom，nosignofuseorservicere-
wardedthelongestandmostminutegazeatitsboundlessexpanse。Itwasascene，ononeside，ofapparentlyend-
lessforests，whileawasteofseeminglyinterminablewaterspreaditselfontheother。Natureappearedtohavede-
lightedinproducinggrandeffects，bysettingtwoofherprincipalagentsinboldrelieftoeachother，neglectingde-
tails。theeyeturningfromthebroadcarpetofleavestothestillbroaderfieldoffluid，fromtheendlessbutgentleheavingsofthelaketotheholycalmandpoeticalsolitudeoftheforest，withwonderanddelight。
MabelDunham，thoughunsophisticated，likemostofhercountrywomenofthatperiod，andingenuousandfrankasanywarm-heartedandsincere-mindedgirlwellcouldbe，wasnotaltogetherwithoutafeelingforthepoetryofthisbeautifulearthofours。Althoughshecouldscarcelybesaidtobeeducatedatall，forfewofhersexatthatdayandinthiscountryreceivedmuchmorethantherudimentsofplainEnglishinstruction，stillshehadbeentaughtmuchmorethanwasusualforyoungwomeninherownstationinlife。and，inonesensecertainly，shedidcredittoherteaching。Thewidowofafield-officer，whoformerlybelongedtothesameregimentasherfather，hadtakenthechildinchargeatthedeathofitsmother。
andunderthecareofthisladyMabelhadacquiredsometastesandmanyideaswhichotherwisemightalwayshaveremainedstrangerstoher。Hersituationinthefamilyhadbeenlessthatofadomesticthanofahumblecom-
panion，andtheresultswerequiteapparentinherattire，herlanguage，hersentiments，andeveninherfeelings，thoughneither，perhaps，rosetothelevelofthosewhichwouldproperlycharacterizealady。Shehadlostthelessrefinedhabitsandmannersofoneinheroriginalposition，withouthavingquitereachedapointthatdisqualifiedherforthesituationinlifethattheaccidentsofbirthandfortunewouldprobablycompelhertofill。Allelsethatwasdistinctiveandpeculiarinherbelongedtonaturalcharacter。
WithsuchantecedentsitwilloccasionthereadernowonderifhelearnsthatMabelviewedthenovelscenebeforeherwithapleasurefarsuperiortothatproducedbyvulgarsurprise。Shefeltitsordinarybeautiesasmostwouldhavefeltthem，butshehadalsoafeelingforitssublimity——forthatsoftenedsolitude，thatcalmgrandeur，andeloquentrepose，whicheverpervadesbroadviewsofnaturalobjectsyetundisturbedbythelaborsandstrug-
glesofman。
Howbeautiful！sheexclaimed，unconsciousofspeak-
ing，asshestoodonthesolitarybastion，facingtheairfromthelake，andexperiencingthegenialinfluenceofitsfreshnesspervadingbothherbodyandhermind。
Howverybeautiful！andyethowsingular！
Thewords，andthetrainofherideas，wereinterruptedbyatouchofafingeronhershoulder，andturning，intheexpectationofseeingherfather，MabelfoundPathfinderatherside。Hewasleaningquietlyonhislongrifle，andlaughinginhisquietmanner，while，withanoutstretchedarm，hesweptoverthewholepanoramaoflandandwater。
Hereyouhavebothourdomains，saidhe，——Jasper’sandmine。Thelakeisforhim，andthewoodsareforme。Theladsometimesboastsofthebreadthofhisdominions。butItellhimmytreesmakeasbroadaplainonthefaceofthis’arthasallhiswater。Well，Mabel，youarefitforeither。forIdonotseethatfearoftheMingos，ornight-marches，candestroyyourprettylooks。
ItisanewcharacterforthePathfindertoappearin，tocomplimentasillygirl。
Notsilly，Mabel。no，notintheleastsilly。TheSer-
geant’sdaughterwoulddodiscredittoherworthyfather，wereshetodoorsayanythingthatcouldbecalledsilly。
Thenshemusttakecareandnotputtoomuchfaithintreacherous，flatteringwords。But，Pathfinder，Irejoicetoseeyouamongusagain。for，thoughJasperdidnotseemtofeelmuchuneasiness，Iwasafraidsomeaccidentmighthavehappenedtoyouandyourfriendonthatfrightfulrift。
Theladknowsusboth，andwassartainthatweshouldnotdrown，whichisscarcelyoneofmygifts。Itwouldhavebeenhardswimmingofasartainty，withalong-barrelledrifleinthehand。andwhatbetweenthegame，andthesavagesandtheFrench，KilldeerandI
havegonethroughtoomuchincompanytopartveryeasily。No，no。wewadedashore，theriftbeingshallowenoughforthatwithsmallexceptions，andwelandedwithourarmsinourhands。Wehadtotakeourtimeforit，onaccountoftheIroquois，Iwillown。but，assoonastheskulkingvagabondssawthelightsthattheSergeantsentdowntoyourcanoe，wewellunderstoodtheywoulddecamp，sinceavisitmighthavebeenexpectedfromsomeofthegarrison。Soitwasonlysittingpatientlyonthestonesforanhour，andallthedangerwasover。Patienceisthegreatestofvirtuesinawoodsman。
Irejoicetohearthis，forfatigueitselfcouldscarcelymakemesleep，forthinkingofwhatmightbefallyou。
Lordblessyourtenderlittleheart，Mabel！butthisisthewaywithallyougentleones。Imustsay，onmypart，however，thatIwasrightgladtoseethelanternscomedowntothewaterside，whichIknewtobeasuresignof_your_safety。Wehuntersandguidesarerudebeings。butwehaveourfeelingsandouridees，aswellasanygeneralinthearmy。BothJasperandIwouldhavediedbeforeyoushouldhavecometoharm——wewould。
Ithankyouforallyoudidforme，Pathfinder。fromthebottomofmyheart，Ithankyou。and，dependonit，myfathershallknowit。Ihavealreadytoldhimmuch，buthavestilladutytoperformonthissubject。
Tush，Mabel！TheSergeantknowswhatthewoodsbe，andwhatmen——trueredmen——be，too。Thereislit-
tleneedtotellhimanythingaboutit。Well，nowyouhavemetyourfather，doyoufindthehonestoldsoldierthesortofpersonyouexpectedtofind？
Heismyowndearfather，andreceivedmeasasoldierandafathershouldreceiveachild。Haveyouknownhimlong，Pathfinder？
Thatisaspeoplecounttime。IwasjusttwelvewhentheSergeanttookmeonmyfirstscouting，andthatisnowmorethantwentyyearsago。Wehadatrampingtimeofit。and，asitwasbeforeyourday，youwouldhavehadnofather，hadnottheriflebeenoneofmynaturalgifts。
Explainyourself。
Itistoosimpleformanywords。Wewereambushed，andtheSergeantgotabadhurt，andwouldhavelosthisscalp，butforasortofinbredturnItooktotheweapon。
Webroughthimoff，however，andahandsomerheadofhair，forhistimeoflife，isnottobefoundintherijimentthantheSergeantcarriesaboutwithhimthisblessedday。
Yousavedmyfather’slife，Pathfinder！exclaimedMabel，unconsciously，thoughwarmly，takingoneofhishard，sinewyhandsintobothherown。Godblessyouforthis，too，amongyourothergoodacts！
Nay，Ididnotsaythatmuch，thoughIbelieveIdidsavehisscalp。Amanmightlivewithoutascalp，andsoIcannotsayIsavedhislife。Jaspermaysaythatmuchconsarningyou。forwithouthiseyeandarmthecanoewouldneverhavepassedtheriftinsafetyonanightlikethelast。Thegiftsoftheladareforthewater，whilemineareforthehuntandthetrail。Heisyonder，inthecovethere，lookingafterthecanoes，andkeepinghiseyeonhisbelovedlittlecraft。Tomyeye，thereisnolikelieryouthinthesepartsthanJasperWestern。
Forthefirsttimesinceshehadleftherroom，Mabelnowturnedhereyesbeneathher，andgotaviewofwhatmightbecalledtheforegroundoftheremarkablepictureshehadbeenstudyingwithsomuchpleasure。TheOswegothrewitsdarkwatersintothelake，betweenbanksofsomeheight。thatonitseasternsidebeingbolderandprojectingfarthernorththanthatonitswestern。Thefortwasonthelatter，andimmediatelybeneathitwereafewhutsoflogs，which，astheycouldnotinterferewiththedefenceoftheplace，hadbeenerectedalongthestrandforthepurposeofreceivingandcontainingsuchstoresaswerelanded，orwereintendedtobeembarked，inthecommunicationsbetweenthedifferentportsontheshoresofOntario。Twolow，curved，gravellypointshadbeenformedwithsurprisingregularitybythecounteractingforcesofthenortherlywindsandtheswiftcurrent，and，incliningfromthestormsofthelake，formedtwocoveswithintheriver：thatonthewesternsidewasthemostdeeplyindented。and，asitalsohadthemostwater，itformedasortofpicturesquelittleportforthepost。Itwasalongthenarrowstrandthatlaybetweenthelowheightofthefortandthewaterofthiscove，thattherudebuildingsjustmentionedhadbeenerected。
Severalskiffs，bateaux，andcanoeswerehauledupontheshore，andinthecoveitselflaythelittlecraftfromwhichJasperobtainedhisclaimtobeconsideredasailor。
Shewascutter-rigged，mighthavebeenoffortytonsbur-
then，wassoneatlyconstructedandpaintedastohavesomethingoftheairofavesselofwar，thoughentirelywithoutquarters，andriggedandsparredwithsoscrupu-
lousaregardtoproportionsandbeauty，aswellasfitnessandjudgment，astogiveheranappearancethatevenMabelatoncedistinguishedtobegallantandtrim。Hermouldwasadmirable，forawrightofgreatskillhadsentherdraftsfromEngland，attheexpressrequestoftheofficerwhohadcausedhertobeconstructed。herpaintdark，warlike，andneat。andthelongcoach-whippennantthatsheworeatonceproclaimedhertobethepropertyoftheking。Hernamewasthe_Scud_。
That，then，isthevesselofJasper！saidMabel，whoassociatedthemasterofthelittlecraftverynaturallywiththecutteritself。Aretheremanyothersonthislake？
TheFrenchershavethree：oneofwhich，theytellme，isarealship，suchasareusedontheocean。anotherabrig。andathirdisacutter，likethe_Scud_here，whichtheycallthe_Squirrel_，intheirowntongue，however。andwhichseemstohaveanaturalhatredofourownprettyboat，forJasperseldomgoesoutthatthe_Squirrel_isnotathisheels。
AndisJasperonetorunfromaFrenchman，thoughheappearsintheshapeofasquirrel，andthat，too，onthewater？
Ofwhatusewouldvalorbewithoutthemeansofturningittoaccount？Jasperisabraveboy，asallonthisfrontierknow。buthehasnogunexceptalittlehowitzer，andthenhiscrewconsistsonlyoftwomenbesideshim-
self，andaboy。Iwaswithhiminoneofhistrampooses，andtheyoungsterwasriskyenough，forhebroughtussoneartheenemythatriflesbegantotalk。buttheFrencherscarrycannonandports，andnevershowtheirfacesoutsideofFrontenac，withouthavingsometwentymen，besidestheir_Squirrel_，intheircutter。No，no。this_Scud_wasbuiltforflying，andthemajorsayshewillnotputherinafightinghumorbygivinghermenandarms，lestsheshouldtakehimathisword，andgetherwingsclipped。Iknowlittleofthesethings，formygiftsarenotatallinthatway。butIseethereasonofthething——
Iseeitsreason，thoughJasperdoesnot。
Ah！hereismyuncle，nonetheworseforhisswim，comingtolookatthisinlandsea。
Sureenough，Cap，whohadannouncedhisapproachbyacoupleoflustyhems，nowmadehisappearanceonthebastion，where，afternoddingtohisneiceandhercom-
panion，hemadeadeliberatesurveyoftheexpanseofwaterbeforehim。Inordertoeffectthisathisease，themarinermountedononeoftheoldironguns，foldedhisarmsacrosshisbreast，andbalancedhisbody，asifhefeltthemotionofavessel。Tocompletethepicture，hehadashortpipeinhismouth。
Well，MasterCap，askedthePathfinderinnocently，forhedidnotdetecttheexpressionofcontemptthatwasgraduallysettlingonthefeaturesoftheother。isitnotabeautifulsheet，andfittobenamedasea？
This，then，iswhatyoucallyourlake？demandedCap，sweepingthenorthernhorizonwithhispipe。I
say，isthisreallyyourlake？
Sartain。and，ifthejudgmentofonewhohaslivedontheshoresofmanyotherscanbetaken，averygoodlakeitis。
JustasIexpected。Apondindimensions，andascuttle-buttintaste。Itisallinvaintotravelinland，inthehopeofseeinganythingeitherfull-grownoruseful。
Iknewitwouldturnoutjustinthisway。
Whatisthematter-withOntario，MasterCap？Itislarge，andfairtolookat，andpleasantenoughtodrink，forthosewhocan’tgetatthewaterofthesprings。
Doyoucallthislarge？askedCap，againsweepingtheairwiththepipe。Iwilljustaskyouwhatthereislargeaboutit？Didn’tJasperhimselfconfessthatitwasonlysometwentyleaguesfromshoretoshore？
But，uncle，interposedMabel，nolandistobeseen，excepthereonourowncoast。Tomeitkoksexactlyliketheocean。
Thisbitofapondlookliketheocean！Well，Magnet，thatfromagirlwhohashadrealseameninherfamilyisdownrightnonsense。Whatisthereaboutit，pray，thathaseventheoutlineofaseaonit？
Why，thereiswater——water——water——nothingbutwater，formilesonmiles——farastheeyecansee。
Andisn’ttherewater——water——water——nothingbutwaterformilesonmilesinyourrivers，thatyouhavebeencanoeingthrough，too？——ay，and’asfarastheeyecansee，’
inthebargain？
Yes，uncle，buttherivershavetheirbanks，andtherearetreesalongthem，andtheyarenarrow。
Andisn’tthisabankwherewestand？don’tthesesoldierscallthisthebankofthelake？andaren’ttheretreesinthousands？andaren’ttwentyleaguesnarrowenoughofallconscience？Whothedevileverheardofthebanksoftheocean，unlessitmightbethebanksthatareunderwater？
But，uncle，wecannotseeacrossthislake，aswecanseeacrossariver。
Thereyouareout，Magnet。Aren’ttheAmazonandOronocoandLaPlatarivers，andcanyouseeacrossthem？
Hark’ePathfinder，Iverymuchdoubtifthisstripeofwaterherebeevenalake。fortomeitappearstobeonlyariver。Youarebynomeansparticularaboutyourgeography，Ifind，uphereinthewoods。
There_you_areout，MasterCap。Thereisariver，andanobleonetoo，ateachendofit。butthisisoldOntariobeforeyou。and，thoughitisnotmygifttoliveonalake，tomyjudgmenttherearefewbetterthanthis。
And，uncle，ifwestoodonthebeachatRockaway，whatmoreshouldweseethanwenowbehold？Thereisashoreononeside，orbanksthere，andtreestoo，aswellasthosewhicharehere。
Thisisperverseness，Magnet，andyounggirlsshouldsteerclearofanythinglikeobstinacy。Inthefirstplace，theoceanhascoasts，butnobanks，excepttheGrandBanks，asItellyou，whichareoutofsightofland。andyouwillnotpretendthatthisbankisoutofsightofland，orevenunderwater？
AsMabelcouldnotveryplausiblysetupthisextrava-
gantopinion，Cappursuedthesubject，hiscountenancebeginningtodiscoverthetriumphofasuccessfuldis-
putant。
Andthenthemtreesbearnocomparisontothesetrees。Thecoastsoftheoceanhavefarmsandcitiesandcountry-seats，and，insomepartsoftheworld，castlesandmonasteriesandlighthouses——ay，ay——lighthouses，inparticular，onthem。notoneofallwhichthingsistobeseenhere。No，no，MasterPathfinder。Ineverheardofanoceanthathadn’tmoreorlesslighthousesonit。
whereas，hereawaythereisnotevenabeacon。
Thereiswhatisbetter，thereiswhatisbetter。aforestandnobletrees，afittempleofGod。
Ay，yourforestmaydoforalake。butofwhatusewouldanoceanbeiftheearthallarounditwereforest？
Shipswouldbeunnecessary，astimbermightbefloatedinrafts，andtherewouldbeanendoftrade，andwhatwouldaworldbewithouttrade？Iamofthatphilosopher’sopinionwhosayshumannaturewasinventedforthepur-
posesoftrade。Magnet，Iamastonishedthatyoushouldthinkthiswaterevenlookslikesea-water！Now，Idare-
saythatthereisn’tsuchathingasawhaleinallyourlake，MasterPathfinder？
Ineverheardofone，Iwillconfess。butIamnojudgeofanimalsthatliveinthewater，unlessitbethefishesoftheriversandthebrooks。
Noragrampus，noraporpoiseeven？notsomuchasapoordevilofashark？
Iwillnottakeitonmyselftosaythereiseither。Mygiftsarenotinthatway，Itellyou，MasterCap。
Norherring，noralbatross，norflying-fish？continuedCap，whokepthiseyefastenedontheguide，inordertoseehowfarhemightventure。Nosuchthingasafishthatcanfly，Idaresay？
Afishthatcanfly！MasterCap，MasterCap，donotthink，becausewearemereborderers，thatwehavenoideesofnatur’，andwhatshehasbeenpleasedtodo。I
knowtherearesquirrelsthatcanfly——
Asquirrelfly！——thedevil，MasterPathfinder！Doyousupposethatyouhavegotaboyonhisfirstv’y’geuphereamongyou？
Iknownothingofyourv’y’ges，MasterCap，thoughI
supposethemtohavebeenmany。forasforwhatbelongstonatur’inthewoods，whatIhaveseenImaytell，andnotfearthefaceofman。
Anddoyouwishmetounderstandthatyouhaveseenasquirrelfly？
IfyouwishtounderstandthepowerofGod，MasterCap，youwilldowelltobelievethat，andmanyotherthingsofalikenatur’，foryoumaybequitesartainitistrue。
Andyet，Pathfinder，saidMabel，lookingsoprettilyandsweetlyevenwhilesheplayedwiththeguide’sin-
firmity，thatheforgaveherinhisheart，you，whospeaksoreverentlyofthepoweroftheDeity，appeartodoubtthatafishcanfly。
Ihavenotsaidit，Ihavenotsaidit。andifMasterCapisreadytotestifytothefact，unlikelyasitseems，I
amwillingtotrytothinkittrue。Ithinkiteveryman’sdutytobelieveinthepowerofGod，howeverdifficultitmaybe。
Andwhyisn’tmyfishaslikelytohavewingsasyoursquirrel？demandedCap，withmorelogicthanwashiswont。Thatfishesdoandcanflyisastrueasitisrea-
sonable。