Ihavecomesir，atyourbidding，toknowmyfor-
tune，saidtheQuartermaster，inastrongScotchaccent，assoonashehadtakentheseatwhichwasprofferedtohim。Tosaythetruthtoyou，MajorDuncan，thisgirlismakingasmuchhavocinthegarrisonastheFrenchdidbeforeTy：Ineverwitnessedsogeneralaroutinsoshortatime！
Surely，Davy，youdon’tmeantopersuademethatyouryoungandunsophisticatedheartisinsuchaflame，afteroneweek’signition？Why，man，thisisworsethantheaffairinSootland，whereitwassaidtheheatwithinwassointensethatitjustburntaholethroughyourownpre-
ciousbody，andleftaplaceforallthelassiestopeerinat，toseewhatthecombustiblematerialwasworth。
Ye’llhaveyourownway，MajorDuncan。andyourfatherandmotherwouldhavetheirsbeforeye，eveniftheenemywereinthecamp。Iseenothingsoextraordi-
nar’inyoungpeoplefollowingthebentoftheirinclina-
tionsandwishes。
Butyou’vefollowedyourssooften，Davy，thatIshouldthinkbythistimeithadlosttheedgeofnovelty。In-
cludingthatinformalaffairinScotland，whenyouwerealad，you’vebeenmarriedfourtimesalready。
Onlythree，Major，asIhopetogetanotherwife。I’venotyethadmynumber：no，no。onlythree。
I’mthinking，Davy，youdon’tincludethefirstaffairImentioned。thatinwhichtherewasnoparson。
AndwhyshouldIMajor？Thecourtsdecidedthatitwasnomarriage。andwhatmorecouldamanwant？
Thewomantookadvantageofaslightamorouspropensitythatmaybeaweaknessinmydisposition，perhaps，andinveigledmeintoacontractwhichwasfoundtobeillegal。
IfIrememberright，Muir，therewerethoughttobetwosidestothatquestion，inthetimeofit？
Itwouldbebutanindifferentquestion，mydearMajor，thathadn’ttwosidestoit。andI’veknownmanythathadthree。Butthepoorwoman’sdead，andtherewasnoissue。sonothingcameofitafterall。Then，Iwasparticularlyunfortunatewithmysecondwife。Isaysec-
ond，Major，outofdeferencetoyou，andonthemeresup-
positionthatthefirstwasamarriageatall。butfirstorsecond，IwasparticularlyunfortunatewithJeannieGraham，whodiedinthefirstlustrum，leavingneitherchicknorchielbehindher。Idothink，ifJeanniehadsurvived，Inevershouldhaveturnedmythoughtstowardsanotherwife。
Butasshedidnot，youmarriedtwiceafterherdeath。
andaredesirousofdoingsoathirdtime。
Thetruthcanneverjustlybegainsaid，MajorDuncan，andIamalwaysreadytoavowit。I’mthinking，Lundie，youaremelancholarthisfineevening？
No，Muir，notmelancholyabsolutely。butalittlethoughtful，Iconfess。Iwaslookingbacktomyboyishdays，whenI，thelaird’sson，andyou，theparson’s，roamedaboutournativehills，happyandcarelessboys，takinglit-
tleheedtothefuture。andthenhavefollowedsomethoughts，thatmaybealittlepainful，concerningthatfutureasithasturnedouttobe。
Surely，Lundie，yedonotcomplainofyerportionofit。You’verisentobeamajor，andwillsoonbealieute-
nant-colonel，ifletterstellthetruth。whileIamjustonestephigherthanwhenyourhonoredfathergavememyfirstcommission，andapoordeevilofaquartermaster。
Andthefourwives？
Three，Lundie。threeonlythatwerelegal，evenunderourownliberalandsanctifiedlaws。
Well，then，letitbethree。Yeknow，Davy，saidMajorDuncan，insensiblydroppingintothepronunciationanddialectofhisyouth，asismuchthepracticewitheducatedScotchmenastheywarmwithasubjectthatcomesneartheheart，——yeknow，Davy，thatmyownchoicehaslongbeenmade，andinhowanxiousandhope-
weariedamannerI’vewaitedforthathappyhourwhenI
cancallthewomanI’vesolonglovedawife。andherehaveyou，withoutfortune，name，birth，ormerit——Imeanparticularmerit——
Na，na。dinnasaythat，Lundie。TheMuirsareofgudebluid。
Well，then，withoutaughtbutbluid，ye’vewivedfourtimes——
Itallyebutthrice，Lundie。Ye’llweakenauldfriendshipifyecallitfour。
Putitatyerownnumber，Davy。andit’sfarmorethanyershare。Ourliveshavebeenverydifferent，onthescoreofmatrimony，atleast。youmustallowthat，myoldfriend。
Andwhichdoyouthinkhasbeenthegainer，Major，speakingasfranklythegitheraswedidwhenlads？
Nay，I’venothingtoconceal。Mydayshavepassedinhopedeferred，whileyourshavepassedin——
Notinhoperealized，Igiveyouminehonor，MajorDuncan，interruptedtheQuartermaster。Eachnewex-
perimentIhavethoughtmightproveanadvantage。butdisappointmentseemsthelotofman。Ah！thisisavainworldofours，Lundie，itmustbeowned。andinnothingvainerthaninmatrimony。
Andyetyouarereadytoputyourneckintothenooseforthefifthtime？
Idesiretosay，itwillbebutthefourth，MajorDun-
can，saidtheQuartermasterpositively。then，instantlychangingtheexpressionofhisfacetooneofboyishrap-
ture，headded，ButthisMabelDunhamisa_raraavis！_
OurScotchlassiesarefairandpleasant。butitmustbeownedthesecolonialsareofsurpassingcomeliness。
Youwilldowelltorecollectyourcommissionandblood，Davy。Ibelieveallfourofyourwives——
IwishmydearLundie，ye’dbemoreaccurateinyerarithmetic。Threetimesonemakethree。
Allthree，then，werewhatmightbetermedgentle-
women？
That’sjustit，Major。Threeweregentlewomen，asyousay，andtheconnectionsweresuitable。
Andthefourthbeingthedaughterofmyfather’sgar-
dener，theconnectionwasunsuitable。Buthaveyounofearthatmarryingthechildofanon-commissionedoffi-
cer，whoisinthesamecorpswithyourself，willhavetheeffecttolessenyourconsequenceintheregiment？
That’sjustbeenmyweaknessthroughlife，MajorDuncan。forI’vealwaysmarriedwithoutregardtoconse-
quences。Everymanhashisbesettingsin，andmatri-
mony，Ifear，ismine。Andnowthatwehavediscussedwhatmaybecalledtheprinciplesoftheconnection，IwilljustaskifyoudidmethefavortospeaktotheSergeantonthetriflingaffair？
Idid，David。andamsorrytosay，foryourhopes，thatIseenogreatchanceofyoursucceeding。
Notsucceeding！Anofficer，andaquartermasterinthebargain，andnotsucceedwithasergeant’sdaugh-
ter！
It’sjustthat，Davy。
Andwhynot，Lundie？Willyehavethegoodnesstoanswerjustthat？
Thegirlisbetrothed。Handplighted，wordpassed，lovepledged，——no，hangmeifIbelievethateither。butsheisbetrothed。
Well，that’sanobstacle，itmustbeavowed，Major，thoughitcountsforlittleiftheheartisfree。
Quitetrue。andIthinkitprobabletheheartisfreeinthiscase。fortheintendedhusbandappearstobethechoiceofthefatherratherthanofthedaughter。
Andwhomayitbe，Major？askedtheQuartermas-
ter，whoviewedthewholematterwiththephilosophyandcoolnessacquiredbyuse。Idonotrecollectanyplausi-
blesuitorthatislikelytostandinmyway。
No，youaretheonly_plausible_suitoronthefrontier，Davy。ThehappymanisPathfinder。
Pathfinder，MajorDuncan！
Nomore，noranyless，DavidMuir。Pathfinderistheman。butitmayrelieveyourjealousyalittletoknowthat，inmyjudgmentatleast，itisamatchofthefather’sratherthanofthedaughter’sseeking。
Ithoughtasmuch！exclaimedtheQuartermaster，drawingalongbreath，likeonewhofeltrelieved。it’squiteimpossiblethatwithmyexperienceinhumannature-
Particularlyhu-woman’snature，David。
Yewillhaveyerjoke，Lundie，letwhowillsuffer。
ButIdidnotthinkitpossibleIcouldbedeceivedastotheyoungwoman’sinclinations，whichIthinkImayboldlypronouncetobealtogetherabovetheconditionofPathfinder。Asfortheindividualhimself——why，timewillshow。
Now，tellmefrankly，DavyMuir，saidLundie，step-
pingshortinhiswalk，andlookingtheotherearnestlyinthefacewithacomicalexpressionofsurprise，thatren-
deredtheveteran’scountenanceridiculouslyearnest，——
doyoureallysupposeagirllikethedaughterofSer-
geantDunhamcantakeaseriousfancytoamanofyouryearsandappearance，andexperience，Imightadd？
Hout，awa’，Lundie！yedinnaknowthesax，andthat’sthereasonyerunmarriedinyerforty-fifthyear。It’safearfu’timeye’vebeenabachelor，Major！
Andwhatmaybeyourage，LieutenantMuir，ifImaypresumetoasksodelicateaquestion？
Forty-seven。I’llno’denyit，Lundie。andifIgetMabel，there’llbejustawifeforeverytwalustrums。ButIdidnathinkSergeantDunhamwouldbesohumblemindedastodreamofgivingthatsweetlassofhistoonelikethePathfinder。
There’snodreamaboutit，Davy。themanisasseri-
ousasasoldierabouttobeflogged。
Well，well，Major，weareauldfriends，——bothranintotheScotchoravoidedit，astheyapproachedordrewawayfromtheiryoungerdays，inthedialogue，——andoughttoknowhowtotakeandgiveajoke，offduty。Itispossibletheworthymanhasnotunderstoodmyhints，orheneverwouldhavethoughtofsuchathing。Thedifferencebetweenanofficer’sconsortandaguide’swomanisasvastasthatbetweentheantiquityofScotlandandtheantiquityofAmerica。I’mauldblood，too，Lundie。
TakemywordforitDavy，yourantiquitywilldoyounogoodinthisaffair。andasforyourblood，itisnotolderthanyourbones。Well，well，man，yeknowtheSergeant’sanswer。andsoyeperceivethatmyinfluence，onwhichyecountedsomuch，candonoughtforye。Letustakeaglassthegither，Davy，forauldacquaintancesake。andthenye’llbedoingwelltorememberthepartythatmarchesthemorrow，andtoforgetMabelDunhamasfastaseveryoucan。
Ah，Major！Ihavealwaysfounditeasiertoforgetawifethantoforgetasweetheart。Whenacouplearefairlymarried，allissettledbutthedeath，asonemaysay，whichmustfinallypartusall。anditseemstomeawfu’
irreverenttodisturbthedeparted。whereasthereissomuchanxietyandhopeandfelicityinexpectationlike，withthelassie，thatitkeepsthoughtalive。
Thatisjustmyideaofyoursituation，Davy。forI
neversupposedyouexpectedanymorefelicitywitheitherofyourwives。Now，I’veheardoffellowswhoweresostupidastolookforwardtohappinesswiththeirwivesevenbeyondthegrave。Idrinktoyoursuccess，ortoyourspeedyrecoveryfromthisattack，Lieutenant。andI
admonishyoutobemorecautiousinfuture，assomeoftheseviolentcasesmayyetcarryyouoff。
Manythanks，dearMajor。andaspeedyterminationtoanoldcourtship，ofwhichIknowsomething。Thisisrealmountaindew，Lundie，anditwarmstheheartlikeagleamofbonnieScotland。Asforthemenyou’vejustmentioned，theycouldhavehadbutonewifeapiece。forwherethereareseveral，thedeedsofthewomenthem-
selvesmaycarrythemdifferentways。Ithinkareasona-
blehusbandoughttobesatisfiedwithpassinghisallottedtimewithanyparticularwifeinthisworld，andnottogoaboutmopingforthingsunattainable。I’minfinitelyobligedtoyou，MajorDuncan，forthisandallyourotheractsoffriendship。andifyoucouldbutaddanother，I
shouldthinkyouhadnotaltogetherforgottentheplay-
fellowofyourboyhood。
Well，Davy，iftherequestbereasonable，andsuchasasuperioroughttogrant，outwithit，man。
Ifyecouldonlycontrivealittleserviceforme，downamongtheThousandIsles，forafortnightorso，Ithinkthismattermightbesettledtothesatisfactionofallpar-
ties。Justremember，Lundie，thelassieistheonlymar-
riageablewhitefemaleonthisfrontier。
Thereisalwaysdutyforoneinyourlineatapost，howeversmall。butthisbelowcanbedonebytheSer-
geantaswellasbytheQuartermaster-general，andbettertoo。
Butnotbetterthanbyaregimentalofficer。Thereisgreatwaste，incommon，amongtheorderlies。
I’llthinkofit，Muir，saidtheMajor，laughing，andyoushallhavemyanswerinthemorning。Herewillbeafineoccasion，man，themorrow，toshowyourselfoffbe-
forethelady。youareexpertwiththerifle，andprizesaretobewon。Makeupyourmindtodisplayyourskill，andwhoknowswhatmayyethappenbeforethe_Scud_sails。
I’mthinkingmostoftheyoungmenwilltrytheirhandsinthissport，Major！
Thatwillthey，andsomeoftheoldonestoo，ifyouappear。Tokeepyouincountenance，I’lltryashotortwomyself，Davy。andyouknowIhavesomenamethatway。
Itmight，indeed，dogood。Thefemaleheart，MajorDuncan，issusceptibleinmanydifferentmodes，andsometimesinawaythattherulesofphilosophymightreject。Somerequireasuitortositdownbeforethem，asitmightbe，inaregularsiege，andonlycapitulatewhentheplacecanholdoutnolonger。others，again，liketobecarriedbystorm。whiletherearehussieswhocanonlybecaughtbyleadingthemintoanambush。Thefirstisthemostcreditableandofficer-likeprocess，perhaps。butI
mustsayIthinkthelastthemostpleasing。
Anopinionformedfromexperience，outofallquestion。
Andwhatofthestormingparties？
Theymaydoforyoungermen，Lundie，returnedtheQuartermaster，risingandwinking，alibertythatheoftentookwithhiscommandingofficeronthescoreofalongintimacy。everyperiodoflifehasitsnecessities，andatforty-sevenit’sjustaswelltotrustalittletothehead。I
wishyouaverygoodeven，MajorDuncan，andfreedomfromgout，withasweetandrefreshingsleep。
Thesametoyourself，Mr。Muir，withmanythanks。
Rememberthepassageofarmsforthemorrow。
TheQuartermasterwithdrew，leavingLundieinhislibrarytoreflectonwhathadjustpassed。UsehadsoaccustomedMajorDuncantoLieutenantMuirandallhistraitsandhumors，thattheconductofthelatterdidnotstriketheformerwiththesameforceasitwillprobablythereader。Intruth，whileallmenactunderonecom-
monlawthatistermednature，thevarietiesintheirdis-
positions，modesofjudging，feelings，andselfishnessareinfinite。
CHAPTERXI。
Compelthehawketositthatisunmann’d，Ormakethehound，untaught，todrawthedeere，Orbringthefreeagainsthiswillinband，Ormovethesadapleasanttaletoheere，Yourtimeislost，andyounowhittheneere！
Solovenelearnes，offorcethehearttoknit：
Sheservesbutthosethatfeelsweetfancies’fit。
_MirrorforMagistrates。_
Itisnotoftenthathopeisrewardedbyfruitionsocompletelyasthewishesoftheyoungmenofthegarrisonweremetbythestateoftheweatheronthesucceedingday。TheheatsofsummerwerelittlefeltatOswegoattheperiodofwhichwearewriting。fortheshadeoftheforest，addedtotherefreshingbreezesfromthelake，sofarreducedtheinfluenceofthesunastorenderthenightsalwayscoolandthedaysseldomoppressive。
ItwasnowSeptember，amonthinwhichthestronggalesofthecoastoftenappeartoforcethemselvesacrossthecountryasfarasthegreatlakes，wheretheinlandsailorsometimesfeelsthatgenialinfluencewhichcharac-
terizesthewindsoftheoceaninvigoratinghisframe，cheeringhisspirits，andarousinghismoralforce。SuchadaywasthatonwhichthegarrisonofOswegoassembledtowitnesswhatitscommanderhadjocularlycalledapassageofarms。Lundiewasascholarinmilitarymattersatleast，anditwasoneofhissourcesofhonestpridetodirectthereadingandthoughtsoftheyoungmenunderhisorderstothemoreintellectualpartsoftheirprofession。Foroneinhissituation，hislibrarywasbothgoodandextensive，anditsbookswerefreelylenttoallwhodesiredtousethem。Amongotherwhimsthathadfoundtheirwayintothegarrisonthroughthesemeans，wasarelishforthesortofamusementinwhichitwasnowabouttoindulge。andaroundwhichsomechroniclesofthedaysofchivalryhadinducedthemtothrowaparadeandromancenotunsuitedtothecharactersandhabitsofsoldiers，ortotheinsulatedandwildpostoccupiedbythisparticulargarrison。Whilesoearnestlybentonpleasure，however，theyonwhomthatdutydevolveddidnotneglectthesafetyofthegarrison。Onestandingontherampartsofthefort，andgazingonthewasteofglitteringwaterthatboundedtheviewallalongthenorthernhorizon，andontheslumberingandseeminglyboundlessforestwhichfilledtheotherhalfofthepanorama，wouldhavefanciedthespottheveryabodeofpeacefulnessandsecurity。butDuncanofLundietoowellknewthatthewoodsmight，atanymoment，giveuptheirhundreds，bentonthedestruc-
tionofthefortandallitcontained。andthateventhetreacherouslakeofferedahighwayofeasyapproachbywhichhismorecivilizedandscarcelylesswilyfoes，theFrench，couldcomeuponhimatanunguardedmoment。
Partiesweresentoutunderoldandvigilantofficers，menwhocaredlittleforthesportsoftheday，toscourthefor-
est。andoneentirecompanyheldthefort，underarms，withorderstomaintainavigilanceasstrictasifanenemyofsuperiorforcewasknowntobenear。Withtheseprecautions，theremainderoftheofficersandmenabandonedthemselves，withoutapprehension，tothebusi-
nessofthemorning。
Thespotselectedforthesportswasasortofesplanade，alittlewestofthefort，andontheimmediatebankofthelake。Ithadbeenclearedofitstreesandstumps，thatitmightanswerthepurposeofaparade-ground，asitpos-
sessedtheadvantagesofhavingitsrearprotectedbythewater，andoneofitsflanksbytheworks。Mendrillingonitcouldbeattacked，consequently，ontwosidesonly。
andastheclearedspacebeyondit，inthedirectionofthewestandsouth，waslarge，anyassailantswouldbecom-
pelledtoquitthecoverofthewoodsbeforetheycouldmakeanapproachsufficientlyneartorenderthemdan-
gerous。
Althoughtheregulararmsoftheregimentweremus-
kets，somefiftyrifleswereproducedonthepresentocca-
sion。Everyofficerhadoneasapartofhisprivateprovi-
sionforamusement。manybelongedtothescoutsandfriendlyIndians，ofwhommoreorlesswerealwayshang-
ingaboutthefort。andtherewasapublicprovisionofthemfortheuseofthosewhofollowedthegamewiththeexpressobjectofobtainingsupplies。Amongthosewhocarriedtheweaponweresomefiveorsix，whohadreputa-
tionforknowinghowtouseitparticularlywell——sowell，indeed，astohavegiventhemacelebrityonthefrontier。
twicethatnumberwhowerebelievedtobemuchbetterthancommon。andmanywhowouldhavebeenthoughtex-
pertinalmostanysituationbutthepreciseoneinwhichtheynowhappenedtobeplaced。
Thedistancewasahundredyards，andtheweaponwastobeusedwithoutarest。thetarget，aboard，withthecustomarycircularlinesinwhitepaint，havingthebull’s-
eyeinthecentre。Thefirsttrialsinskillcommencedwithchallengesamongthemoreignobleofthecompeti-
torstodisplaytheirsteadinessanddexterityinidlecom-
petition。Nonebutthecommonmenengagedinthisstrife，whichhadlittletointerestthespectators，amongwhomnoofficerhadyetappeared。
MostofthesoldierswereScotch，theregimenthavingbeenraisedatStirlinganditsvicinitynotmanyyearsbefore，though，asinthecaseofSergeantDunham，manyAmericanshadjoineditsinceitsarrivalinthecolonies。
Asamatterofcourse，theprovincialsweregenerallythemostexpertmarksmen。andafteradesultorytrialofhalfanhouritwasnecessarilyconcededthatayouthwhohadbeenborninthecolonyofNewYork，andwhocomingofDutchextraction，wasthemostexpertofallwhohadyettriedtheirskill。Itwasjustasthisopinionprevailedthattheoldestcaptain，accompaniedbymostofthegen-
tlemenandladiesofthefort，appearedontheparade。A
trainofsometwentyfemalesofhumblerconditionfol-
lowed，amongwhomwasseenthewell-turnedform，in-
telligent，blooming，animatedcountenance，andneat，be-
comingattireofMabelDunham。
Offemaleswhowereofficiallyrecognizedasbelongingtotheclassofladies，therewerebutthreeinthefort，allofwhomwereofficers’wives。Mabelbeingstrictly，ashadbeenstatedbytheQuartermaster，theonlyrealcandidateformatrimonyamonghersex。
Somelittlepreparationhadbeenmadefortheproperreceptionofthefemales，whowereplacedonalowstagingofplanksneartheimmediatebankofthelake。Inthisvicinitytheprizesweresuspendedfromapost。Greatcarewastakentoreservethefrontseatofthestageforthethreeladiesandtheirchildren。whileMabelandthosewhobelougedtothenon-commissionedofficersoftheregi-
ment，occupiedthesecond。Thewivesanddaughtersoftheprivateswerehuddledtogetherintherear，somestand-
ingandsomesitting，astheycouldfindroom。Mabel，whohadalreadybeenadmittedtothesocietyoftheofficers’wives，onthefootingofahumblecompanion，wasagooddealnoticedbytheladiesinfront，whohadaproperappreciationofmodestself-respectandgentlere-
finement，thoughtheywereallfullyawareofthevalueofrank，moreparticularlyinagarrison。
Assoonasthisimportantportionofthespectatorshadgotintotheirplaces，Lundiegaveordersforthetrialofskilltoproceedinthemannerthathadbeenprescribedinhispreviousorders。Someeightortenofthebestmarksmenofthegarrisonnowtookpossessionofthestand，andbegantofireinsuccession。Amongthemwereofficersandmenindiscriminatelyplaced，norwerethecasualvisitorsinthefortexcludedfromthecompetition。
Asmighthavebeenexpectedofmenwhoseamusementsandcomfortablesubsistenceequallydependedonskillintheuseoftheirweapons，itwassoonfoundthattheywereallsufficientlyexperttohitthebull’s-eye，orthewhitespotinthecentreofthetarget。Otherswhosucceededthem，itistrue，werelesssure，theirbulletsstrikinginthedifferentcirclesthatsurroundedthecentreofthetargetwithouttouchingit。
Accordingtotherulesoftheday，nonecouldproceedtothesecondtrialwhohadfailedinthefirst，andthead-
jutantoftheplace，whoactedasmasteroftheceremonies，ormarshaloftheday，calleduponthesuccessfuladven-
turersbynametogetreadyforthenexteffort，whilehegavenoticethatthosewhofailedtopresentthemselvesfortheshotatthebull’s-eyewouldnecessarilybeexcludedfromallthehighertrials。JustatthismomentLundie，theQuartermaster，andJasperEau-douceappearedinthegroupatthestand，whilethePathfinderwalkedleisurelyonthegroundwithouthisbelovedrifle，forhimameasuresounusual，astobeunderstoodbyallpresentasaproofthathedidnotconsiderhimselfacompetitorforthehonorsoftheday。AllmadewayforMajorDuncan，who，asheapproachedthestandinagood-humoredway，tookhisstation，levelledhisriflecarelessly，andfired。Thebulletmissedtherequiredmarkbyseveralinches。
MajorDuncanisexcludedfromtheothertrials！
proclaimedtheAdjutant，inavoicesostrougandconfi-
dentthatalltheelderofficersandthesergeantswellun-
derstoodthatthisfailurewaspreconcerted，whilealltheyoungergentlemenandtheprivatesfeltnewencourage-
menttoproceedonaccountoftheevidentimpartialitywithwhichthelawsofthesportswereadministered。
Now，MasterEau-douce，comesyourturn，saidMuir。
andifyoudonotbeattheMajor，Ishallsaythatyourhandisbetterskilledwiththeoarthanwiththerifle。
Jasper’shandsomefaceflushed，hesteppeduponthestand，castahastyglanceatMabel，whoseprettyformheascertainedwasbendingeagerlyforwardasiftonotetheresult，droppedthebarrelofhisriflewithbutlittleap-
parentcareintothepalmofhislefthand，raisedthemuzzleforasingleinstantwithexceedingsteadiness，andfired。
Thebulletpasseddirectlythroughthecentreofthebull’s-
eye，muchthebestshotofthemorning，sincetheothershadmerelytouchedthepaint。
Wellperformed，MasterJasper，saidMuir，assoonastheresultwasdeclared。andashotthatmighthavedonecredittoanolderheadandamoreexperiencedeye。
I’mthinking，notwithstanding，therewassomeofayoung-
ster’sluckinit。foryewereno’partic’larintheaimyetook。Yemaybequick，Eau-douce，inthemovement，butyernotphilosophicnorscientificinyermanagementoftheweepon。Now，SergeantDunham，I’llthankyoutorequesttheladiestogiveacloserattentionthancom-
mon。forI’mabouttomakethatuseoftheriflewhichmaybecalledtheintellectual。Jasperwouldhavekilled，Iallow。butthentherewouldnothavebeenhalfthesat-
isfactioninreceivingsuchashotasinreceivingonethatisdischargedscientifically。
AllthistimetheQuartermasterwaspreparinghimselfforthescientifictrial。buthedelayedhisaimuntilhesawthattheeyeofMabel，incommonwiththoseofhercom-
panions，wasfastenedonhimincuriosity。Astheotherslefthimroom，outofrespecttohisrank，noonestoodnearthecompetitorbuthiscommandingofficer，towhomhenowsaidinhisfamiliarmanner，——
Yesee，Lundie，thatsomethingistobegainedbyex-
citingafemale’scuriosity。It’sanactivesentimentiscuriosity，andproperlyimprovedmayleadtogentlerin-
novationsintheend。
Verytrue，Davy。butyekeepusallwaitingwhileyemakeyourpreparations。andhereisPathfinderdrawingneartocatchalessonfromyourgreaterexperience。
WellPathfinder，andso_you_havecometogetanideatoo，concerningthephilosophyofshooting？Idonotwishtohidemylightunderabushel，andyerwelcometoallye’lllearn。Doyeno’meantotryashotyersel’，man？
WhyshouldI，Quartermaster，whyshouldI？Iwantnoneoftheprizes。andasforhonor，Ihavehadenoughofthat，ifit’sanyhonortoshootbetterthanyourself。
I’mnotawomantowearacalash。
Verytrue。butyemightfindawomanthatispreciousinyoureyestowearitforye，as——
Come，Davy，interruptedtheMajor，yourshotoraretreat。TheAdjutantisgettingimpatient。
TheQuartermaster’sdepartmentandtheAdjutant’sdepartmentareseldomcompliable，Lundie。butImready。
Standalittleaside，Pathfinder，andgivetheladiesanop-
portunity。
LieutenantMuirnowtookhisattitudewithagooddealofstudiedelegance，raisedhisrifleslowly，loweredit，raiseditagain，repeatedthemanmuvres，andfired。
Missedthetargetaltogether！shoutedthemanwhosedutyitwastomarkthebullets，andwhohadlittlerelishfortheQuartermaster’stediousscience。Missedthetarget！
Itcannotbe！criedMuir，hisfaceflushingequallywithindignationandshame。itcannotbe，Adjutant。forIneverdidsoawkwardathinginmylife。Iappealtotheladiesforajusterjudgment。
Theladiesshuttheireyeswhenyoufired！exclaimedtheregimentalwags。Yourpreparationsalarmedthem。
Iwillnabelievesuchcalumnyoftheleddies，norsic’
areproachonmyownskill，returnedtheQuartermaster，growingmoreandmoreScotchashewarmedwithhisfeelings。it’saconspiracytorobameritoriousmanofhisdues。
It’sadeadmiss，Muir，saidthelaughingLundie。
andye’lljistsitdownquietlywiththedisgrace。
No，no，Major，Pathfinderatlengthobserved。theQuartermaster_is_agoodshotforaslowoneandameasureddistance，thoughnothingextr’ornaryforrealservice。HehascoveredJasper’sbullet，aswillbeseen，ifanyonewilltakethetroubletoexaminethetarget。
TherespectforPathfinder’sskillandforhisquicknessandaccuracyofsightwassoprofoundandgeneral，that，theinstanthemadethisdeclaration，thespectatorsbegantodistrusttheirownopinions，andadozenrushedtothetargetinordertoascertainthefact。There，sureenough，itwasfoundthattheQuartermaster’sbullethadgonethroughtheholemadebyJasper’s，andthat，too，soac-
curatelyastorequireaminuteexaminationtobecertainofthecircumstance。which，however，wassoonclearlyestablished，bydiscoveringonebulletovertheotherinthestumpagainstwhichthetargetwasplaced。
Itoldye，ladies，yewereabouttowitnesstheinfluenceofscienceongunnery，saidtheQuartermaster，advancingtowardsthestagingoccupiedbythefemales。MajorDuncanderidestheideaofmathematicsenteringintotarget-shooting。butItellhimphilosophycolors，anden-
larges，andimproves，anddilates，andexplainseverythingthatbelongstohumanlife，whetheritbeashooting-matchorasermon。Inaword，philosophyisphilosophy，andthatissayingallthatthesubjectrequires。
Itrustyouexcludelovefromthecatalogue，observedthewifeofacaptainwhoknewthehistoryoftheQuarter-
master’smarriages，andwhohadawoman’smaliceagainstthemonopolizerofhersex。itseemsthatphilosophyhaslittleincommonwithlove。
Youwouldn’tsaythat，madam，ifyourhearthadex-
periencedmanytrials。It’sthemanorthewomanthathashadmanyoccasionstoimprovetheaffectionsthatcanbestspeakofsuchmatters。and，believeme，ofalllove，philosophicalisthemostlasting，asitisthemostrational。
Youwouldthenrecommendexperienceasanimprove-
mentonthepassion？
Yourquickmindhasconceivedtheideaataglance。
Thehappiestmarriagesarethoseinwhichyouthandbeautyandconfidenceononeside，relyonthesagacity，moderation，andprudenceofyears-middleage，Imean，madam，forI’llno’denythatthereissuchathingasahusband’sbeingtoooldforawife。HereisSergeantDunham’scharmingdaughter，now，toapproveofsuchsentiments，I’mcertain。hercharacterfordiscretionbeingalreadywellestablishedinthegarrison，shortashasbeenherresidenceamongus。
SergeantDunham’sdaughterisscarcelyafittingin-
terlocutorinadiscoursebetweenyouandme，LieutenantMuir，rejoinedthecaptain’slady，withcarefulrespectforherowndignity。andyonderisthePathfinderabouttotakehischance，bywayofchangingthesubject。
Iprotest，MajorDuncan，Iprotest，criedMuirhur-
ryingbacktowardsthestand，withbotharmselevatedbywayofenforcinghiswords，——Iprotestinthestrongestterms，gentlemen，againstPathfinder’sbeingadmittedintothesesportswithKilldeer，whichisapiece，tosaynothingoflonghabitthatisaltogetheroutofproportionforatrialofskillagainstGovernmentrifles。
Killdeeristakingitsrest，Quartermaster，returnedPathfindercalmly，andnooneherethinksofdisturbingit。Ididnotthink，myself，ofpullingatriggerto-day。
butSergeantDunhamhasbeenpersuadingmethatIshallnotdoproperhonortohishandsomedaughter，whocameinundermycare，ifIambackwardonsuchanoccasion。
I’musingJasper’srifle，Quartermaster，asyoumaysee，andthatisnobetterthanyourown。
LieutenantMuirwasnowobligedtoacquiesce，andeveryeyeturnedtowardsthePathfinder，ashetooktherequiredstation。Theairandattitudeofthiscelebratedguideandhunterwereextremelyfine，asheraisedhistallformandlevelledthepiece，showingperfectself-command，andathroughknowledgeofthepowerofthehumanframeaswellasoftheweapon。Pathfinderwasnotwhatisusuallytermedahandsomeman，thoughhisappearanceexcitedsomuchconfidenceandcommandedrespect。Tall，andevenmuscular，hisframemighthavebeenesteemednearlyper-
fect，wereitnotforthetotalabsenceofeverythinglikeflesh。Whipcordwasscarcelymorerigidthanhisarmsandlegs，or，atneed，morepliable。buttheoutlinesofhispersonwererathertooangularfortheproportionthattheeyemostapproves。Still，hismotions，beingnatural，weregraceful，and，beingcalmandregulated，theygavehimanairanddignitythatassociatedwellwiththeidea，whichwassoprevalent，ofhisservicesandpeculiarmerits。Hishonest，openfeatureswereburnttoabrightred，thatcomportedwellwiththenotionofexposureandhardships，whilehissinewyhandsdenotedforce，andaspeciesofuseremovedfromthestiffeninganddeformingeffectsoflabor。Althoughnooneperceivedanyofthosegentlerormoreinsinuatingqualitieswhichareapttowinuponawoman’saffections，asheraisedhisriflenotafemaleeyewasfastenedonhimwithoutasilentapprobationofthefreedomofhismovementsandthemanlinessofhisair。
Thoughtwasscarcelyquickerthanhisaim。and，asthesmokefloatedabovehishead，thebutt-endoftheriflewasseenontheground，thehandofthePathfinderwaslean-
ingonthebarrel，andhishonestcountenancewasillu-
minatedbyhisusualsilent，heartylaugh。
Ifonedaredtohintatsuchathing，criedMajorDuncan，IshouldsaythatthePathfinderhadalsomissedthetarget。
No，no，Major，returnedtheguideconfidently。that_would_beariskydeclaration。Ididn’tloadthepiece，andcan’tsaywhatwasinit。butifitwaslead，youwillfindthebulletdrivingdownthoseoftheQuartermasterandJasper，elseisnotmynamePathfinder。
Ashoutfromthetargetannouncedthetruthofthisassertion。
That’snotall，that’snotall，boys，calledouttheguide，whowasnowslowlyadvancingtowardsthestageoccupiedbythefemales。ifyoufindthetargettouchedatall，I’llowntoamiss。TheQuartermastercutthewood，butyou’llfindnowoodcutbythatlastmessenger。
Verytrue，Pathfinder，verytrue，answeredMuir，whowaslingeringnearMabel，thoughashamedtoaddressherparticularlyinthepresenceoftheofficers’wives。TheQuartermasterdidcutthewood，andbythatmeansheopenedapassageforyourbullet，whichwentthroughtheholehehadmade。
Well，Quartermaster，theregoesthenailandwe’llseewhocandriveitcloser，youorI。for，thoughIdidnotthinkofshowingwhatariflecandoto-day，nowmyhandisin，I’llturnmybacktonomanthatcarriesKingGeorge’scommission。Chingachgookisoutlying，orhemightforcemeintosomeofthenicetiesoftheart。but，asforyou，Quartermaster，ifthenaildon’tstopyou，thepotatowill。
You’reoverboastfulthismorning，Pathfinder。butyou’llfindyou’venogreenboyfreshfromthesettlementsandthetownstodealwith，Iwillassureye！
Iknowthatwell，Quartermaster。Iknowthatwell，andshallnotdenyyourexperience。You’velivedmanyyearsonthefrontiers，andI’veheardofyouinthecol-
onies，andamongtheIndians，too，quiteahumanlifeago。
Na，na，interruptedMuirinhisbroadestScotch，thisisinjustice，man。I’veno’livedsoverylong，neither。
I’lldoyoujustice，Lieutenant，evenifyougetthebestinthepotatotrial。Isayyou’vepassedagoodhumanlife，forasoldier，inplaceswheretherifleisdailyused，andI
knowyouareacreditableandingeniousmarksman。butthenyouarenotatruerifle-shooter。Asforboasting，I
hopeI’mnotavaintalkeraboutmyownexploits。butaman’sgiftsarehisgifts，andit’sflyinginthefaceofProv-
idencetodenythem。TheSergeant’sdaughter，here，shalljudgebetweenus，ifyouhavethestomachtosubmittosoprettyajudge。
ThePathfinderhadnamedMabelasthearbiterbecauseheadmiredher，andbecause，inhiseyes，rankhadlittleornovalue。butLieutenantMuirshrankatsuchareferenceinthepresenceofthewivesoftheofficers。Hewouldgladlykeephimselfconstantlybeforetheeyesandtheimaginationoftheobjectofhiswishes。buthewasstilltoomuchundertheinfluenceofoldprejudices，andper-
hapstoowary，toappearopenlyashersuitor，unlesshesawsomethingverylikeacertaintyofsuccess。OnthediscretionofMajorDuncanhehadafullreliance，andheapprehendednobetrayalfromthatquarter。buthewasquiteaware，shoulditevergetabroadthathehadbeenrefusedbythechildofanon-commissionedofficer，hewouldfindgreatdifficultyinmakinghisapproachestoanyotherwomanofaconditiontowhichhemightreasonablyaspire。Notwithstandingthesedoubtsandmisgivings，Mabellookedsoprettily，blushedsocharmingly，smiledsosweetly，andaltogetherpresentedsowinningapictureofyouth，spirit，modesty，andbeauty，thathefounditex-
ceedinglytemptingtobekeptsoprominentlybeforeherimagination，andtobeabletoaddressherfreely。
Youshallhaveityourownway，Pathfinder，hean-
swered，assoonashisdoubtshadsettleddownintode-
termination。letthe，Sergeant’sdaughter——hischarmingdaughter，Ishouldhavetermedher——betheumpirethen。
andtoherwewillbothdedicatetheprize，thatoneortheothermustcertainlywin。Pathfindermustbehumored，ladies，asyouperceive，else，nodoubt，weshouldhavehadthehonortosubmitourselvestooneofyourcharmingsociety。
AcallforthecompetitorsnowdrewtheQuartermasterandhisadversaryaway，andinafewmomentsthesecondtrialofskillcommenced。Acommonwroughtnailwasdrivenlightlyintothetarget，itsheadhavingbeenfirsttouchedwithpaint，andthemarksmanwasrequiredtohitit，orhelosthischancesinthesucceedingtrials。Noonewaspermittedtoenter，onthisoccasion，whohadalreadyfailedintheessayagainstthebull’s-eye。
Theremighthavebeenhalfadozenaspirantsforthehonorsofthistrial。oneortwo，whohadbarelysucceededintouchingthespotofpaintinthepreviousstrife，pre-
ferringtoresttheirreputationsthere，feelingcertainthattheycouldnotsucceedinthegreatereffortthatwasnowexactedofthem。Thefirstthreeadventurersfailed，allcomingverynearthemark，butneithertouchingit。
ThefourthpersonwhbpresentedhimselfwastheQuarter-
master，who，aftergoingthroughhisusualattitudes，sofarsucceededastocarryawayasmallportionoftheheadofthenail，plantinghisbulletbythesideofitspoint。Thiswasnotconsideredanextraordinaryshot，thoughitbroughttheadventurerwithinthecategory。
You’vesavedyourbacon，Quartermaster，astheysayinthesettlementsoftheircreaturs，criedPathfinder，laughing。butitwouldtakealongtimetobuildahousewithahammernobetterthanyours。Jasper，here，willshowyouhowanailistobestarted，ortheladhaslostsomeofhissteadinessofhandandsartaintyofeye。Youwouldhavedonebetteryourself，Lieutenant，hadyounotbeensomuchbentonsoldierizingyourfigure。Shootingisanaturalgift，andistobeexercisedinanaturalway。
Weshallsee，Pathfinder。Icallthataprettyattemptatanail。andIdoubtifthe55thhasanotherhammer，asyoucallit，thatcandojustthesamethingoveragain。
Jasperisnotinthe55th，buttheregoeshisrap。
AsthePathfinderspoke，thebulletofEau-doucehitthenailsquare，anddroveitintothetarget，withinaninchofthehead。
Beallreadytoclenchit，boys！criedoutPathfinder，steppingintohisfriend’strackstheinstanttheywerevacant。Nevermindanewnail。Icanseethat，thoughthepaintisgone，andwhatIcanseeIcanhit，atahun-
dredyards，thoughitwereonlyamosquito’seye。Bereadytoclench！
Theriflecracked，thebulletspeditsway，andtheheadofthenailwasburiedinthewood，coveredbythepieceofflattenedlead。
Well，Jasper，lad，continuedPathfinder，droppingthebutt-endofhisrifletotheground，andresumingthedis-
course，asifhethoughtnothingofhisownexploit，youimprovedaily。Afewmoretrampsonlandinmycom-
pany，andthebestmarksmanonthefrontierswillhaveoccasiontolookkeenlywhenhetakeshisstandag’inyou。
TheQuartermasterisrespectable，buthewillnevergetanyfarther。whereasyou，Jasper，havethegift，andmayonedaydefyanywhopulltrigger。
Hoot，hoot！exclaimedMuir。doyoucallhittingtheheadofthenailrespectableonly，whenit’stheper-
fectionoftheart？Anyonetheleastrefinedandelevatedinsentimentknowsthatthedelicatetouchesdenotethemaster。whereasyoursledge-hammerblowscomefromtherudeanduninstructed。If’amissisasgoodasamile，’ahitoughttobebetter，Pathfinder，whetheritwoundorkill。
Thesurestwayofsettlingthisrivalrywillbetomakeanothertrial，observedLundie，andthatwillbeofthepotato。You’reScotch，Mr。Muir，andmightfarebetterwereitacakeorathistle。butfrontierlawhasdeclaredfortheAmericanfruit，andthepotatoitshallbe。
AsMajorDuncanmanifestedsomeimpatienceofman-
ner，Muirhadtoomuchtacttodelaythesportsanylongerwithhisdiscursiveremarks，butjudiciouslypreparedhim-
selfforthenextappeal。Tosaythetruth，theQuarter-
masterhadlittleornofaithinhisownsuccessinthetrialofskillthatwastofollow，norwouldhehavebeensofreeinpresentinghimselfasacompetitoratallhadhean-
ticipateditwouldhavebeenmade。butMajorDuncan，whowassomewhatofahumoristinhisownquietScotchway，hadsecretlyorderedittobeintroducedexpresslytomortifyhim。for，alairdhimself，Lundiedidnotrelishthenotionthatonewhomightclaimtobeagentlemanshouldbringdiscreditonhiscastebyforminganunequalalliance。Assoonaseverythingwasprepared，Muirwassummonedtothestand，andthepotatowasheldinreadi-
nesstobethrown。Asthesortoffeatweareabouttooffertothereader，however，maybenewtohim，awordinexplanationwillrenderthemattermoreclear。Apotatooflargesizewasselected，andgiventoonewhostoodatthedistanceoftwentyyardsfromthestand。Atthewordheave！whichwasgivenbythemarksman，thevegetablewasthrownwithagentletossintotheair，anditwasthebusinessoftheadventurertocauseaballtopassthroughitbeforeitreachedtheground。
TheQuartermaster，inahundredexperiments，hadoncesucceededinaccomplishingthisdifficultfeat。buthenowessayedtoperformitagain，withasortofblindhopethatwasfatedtobedisappointed。Thepotatowasthrownintheusualmanner，theriflewasdischarged，buttheflyingtargetwasuntouched。
Totheright-about，andfallout，Quartermaster，saidLundie，smilingatthesuccessoftheartifice。ThehonorofthesilkencalashwillliebetweenJasperEau-douceandPathfinder。
Andhowisthetrialtoend，Major？inquiredthelatter。Arewetohavethetwo-potatotrial，orisittobesettledbycentreandskin？
Bycentreandskin，ifthereisanyperceptiblediffer-
ence。otherwisethedoubleshotmustfollow。
Thisisanawfulmomenttome，Pathfinder，observedJasper，ashemovedtowardsthestand，hisfaceactuallylosingitscolorinintensityoffeeling。
Pathfindergazedearnestlyattheyoungman。andthen，beggingMajorDuncantohavepatienceforamoment，heledhisfriendoutofthehearingofallnearhimbeforehespoke。
Youseemtotakethismattertoheart，Jasper？thehunterremarked，keepinghiseyesfastenedonthoseoftheyouth。
Imustown，Pathfinder，thatmyfeelingswereneverbeforesomuchboundupinsuccess。
Anddoyousomuchcravetooutdome，anoldandtriedfriend？——andthat，asitmightbe，inmyownway？
Shootingismygift，boy，andnocommonhandcanequalmine。
Iknowit——Iknowit，Pathfinder。butyet——
Butwhat，Jasper，boy？——speakfreely。youtalktoafriend。
Theyoungmancompressedhislips，dashedahandacrosshiseye，andflushedandpaledalternately，likeagirlconfessingherlove。Then，squeezingtheother’shand，hesaidcalmly，likeonewhosemanhoodhasover-
comeallothersensations，Iwouldloseanarm，Path-
finder，tobeabletomakeanofferingofthatcalashtoMabelDunham。
Thehunterdroppedhiseyestotheground，andashewalkedslowlybacktowardsthestand，heseemedtoponderdeeplyonwhathehadjustheard。
Younevercouldsucceedinthedoubletrial，Jasper！
hesuddenlyremarked。
OfthatIamcertain，andittroublesme。
Whatacreatureismortalman！hepinesforthingswhicharenotofhisgiftandtreatsthebountiesofProvi-
dencelightly。Nomatter，nomatter。Takeyourstation，Jasper，fortheMajoriswaiting。andharke，lad，——Imusttouchtheskin，forIcouldnotshowmyfaceinthegarri-
sonwithlessthanthat。
IsupposeImustsubmittomyfate，returnedJasper，flushingandlosinghiscolorasbefore。butIwillmaketheeffort，ifIdie。
Whatathingismortalman！repeatedPathfinder，fallingbacktoallowhisfriendroomtotakehisarm。heoverlookshisowngifts，andcravesthoseofanother！
Thepotatowasthrown，Jasperfired，andtheshoutthatfollowedprecededtheannouncementofthefactthathehaddrivenhisbulletthroughitscentre，orsonearlysoastomeritthataward。
Hereisacompetitorworthyofyou，Pathfinder，criedMajorDuncanwithdelight，astheformertookhisstation。
andwemaylooktosomefineshootinginthedoubletrial。
Whatathingismortalman！repeatedthehunter，scarcelyseemingtonoticewhatwaspassingaroundhim，somuchwerehisthoughtsabsorbedinhisownreflections。
Toss！
Thepotatowastossed，theriflecracked，——itwasre-
markedjustasthelittleblackballseemedstationaryintheair，forthemarksmanevidentlytookunusualheedtohisaim，——andthenalookofdisappointmentandwondersucceededamongthosewhocaughtthefallingtarget。
Twoholesinone？calledouttheMajor。
Theskin，theskin！wastheanswer。onlytheskin！
How’sthis，Pathfinder？IsJasperEau-doucetocarryoffthehonorsoftheday？
Thecalashishis，returnedtheother，shakinghisheadandwalkingquietlyawayfromthestand。Whatacreatureismortalman！neversatisfiedwithhisowngifts，butforevercravingthatwhichProvidencedenies！
AsPathfinderhadnotburiedhisbulletinthepotato，buthadcutthroughtheskin，theprizewasimmediatelyadjudgedtoJasper。ThecalashwasinthehandsofthelatterwhentheQuartermasterapproached，andwithapoliteairofcordialityhewishedhissuccessfulrivaljoyofhisvictory。
Butnowyou’vegotthecalash，lad，it’sofnousetoyou，headded。itwillnevermakeasail，norevenanensign。I’mthinking，Eau-douce，you’dno’besorrytoseeitsvalueingoodsilleroftheking？
Moneycannotbuyit，Lieutenant，returnedJasper，whoseeyelightedwithallthefireofsuccessandjoy。I
wouldratherhavewonthiscalashthanhaveobtainedfiftynewsuitsofsailsforthe_Scud！_
Hoot，hoot，lad！youaregoingmadlikealltherestofthem。I’devenventuretoofferhalfaguineaforthetrifleratherthanitshouldliekickingaboutinthecabinofyourcutter，andintheendbecomeanornamentfortheheadofasquaw。
AlthoughJasperdidnotknowthatthewaryQuarter-
masterhadnotofferedhalftheactualcostoftheprize，heheardthepropositionwithindifference。Shakinghisheadinthenegative，headvancedtowardsthestage，wherehisapproachexcitedalittlecommotion，theofficers’ladies，oneandall，havingdeterminedtoacceptthepresent，shouldthegallantryoftheyoungsailorinducehimtoofferit。ButJasper’sdiffidence，nolessthanadmirationforanother，wouldhavepreventedhimfromaspiringtothehonorofcomplimentinganywhomhethoughtsomuchhissuperiors。
Mabel，saidhe，thisprizeisforyou，unless——
Unlesswhat，Jasper？answeredthegirl，losingherownbashfulnessinthenaturalandgenerouswishtore-
lievehisembarrassment，thoughbothreddenedinawaytobetraystrongfeeling。
Unlessyoumaythinktooindifferentlyofit，becauseitisofferedbyonewhomayhavenorighttobelievehisgiftwillbeaccepted。
Idoacceptit，Jasper。anditshallbeasignofthedangerIhavepassedinyourcompany，andofthegrati-
tudeIfeelforyourcareofme——yourcare，andthatofthePathfinder。
Nevermindme，nevermindme！exclaimedthelatter。
thisisJasper’sluck，andJasper’sgift：givehimfullcreditforboth。Myturnmaycomeanotherday。mineandtheQuartermaster’s，whoseemstogrudgetheboythecalash。thoughwhat_he_canwantofitIcannotunder-
stand，forhehasnowife。
AndhasJasperEau-douceawife？orhaveyouawifeyoursel’，Pathfinder？Imaywantittohelptogetawife，orasamemorialthatIhavehadawife，orasproofhowmuchIadmirethesex，orbecauseitisafemalegar-
ment，orforsomeotherequallyrespectablemotive。It’snottheunreflectingthatarethemostprizedbythethoughtful，andthereisnosurersignthatamanmadeagoodhusbandtohisfirstconsort，letmetellyouall，thantoseehimspeedilylookingroundforacompetentsuc-
cessor。TheaffectionsaregoodgiftsfromProvidence，andtheythathavelovedonefaithfullyprovehowmuchofthisbountyhasbeenlavisheduponthembylovingan-
otherassoonaspossible。
Itmaybeso，itmaybeso。Iamnopractitionerinsuchthings，andcannotgainsayit。ButMabelhere，theSergeant’sdaughter，willgiveyoufullcreditforthewords。
Come，Jasper，althoughourhandsareout，letusseewhattheotherladscandowiththerifle。
Pathfinderandhiscompanionsretired，forthesportswereabouttoproceed。Theladies，however，werenotsomuchengrossedwithrifle-shootingastoneglectthecalash。
Itpassedfromhandtohand。thesilkwasfelt，thefashioncriticized，andtheworkexamined，anddiversopinionswereprivatelyventuredconcerningthefitnessofsohand-
someathingpassingintothepossessionofanon-commis-
sionedofficer’schild。
Perhapsyouwillbedisposedtosellthatcalash，Mabel，whenithasbeenashorttimeinyourpossession？in-
quiredthecaptain’slady。Wearit，Ishouldthink，younevercan。
Imaynotwearit，madam，returnedourheroinemodestly。butIshouldnotliketopartwithiteither。
IdaresaySergeantDunhamkeepsyouabovethene-
cessityofsellingyourclothes，child。but，atthesametime，itismoneythrownawaytokeepanarticleofdressyoucanneverwear。
Ishouldbeunwillingtopartwiththegiftofafriend。
Buttheyoungmanhimselfwillthinkallthebetterofyouforyourprudenceafterthetriumphofthedayisforgotten。Itisaprettyandabecomingcalash，andoughtnottobethrownaway。
I’venointentiontothrowitaway，ma’am。and，ifyouplease，wouldratherkeepit。
Asyouwill，child。girlsofyourageoftenoverlooktherealadvantages。Remember，however，ifyoudode-
terminetodisposeofthething，thatitisbespoke，andthatIwillnottakeitifyoueverevenputitonyourownhead。
Yes，ma’am，saidMabel，inthemeekestvoiceimagin-
able，thoughhereyeslookedlikediamonds，andhercheeksreddenedtothetintsoftworoses，assheplacedthefor-
biddengarmentoverherwell-turnedshoulders，whereshekeptitaminute，asiftotryitsfitness，andthenquietlyremoveditagain。
Theremainderofthesportsofferednothingofinterest。
Theshootingwasreasonablygood。butthetrialswereallofascalelowerthanthoserelated，andthecompetitorsweresoonlefttothemselves。Theladiesandmostoftheofficerswithdrew，andtheremainderofthefemalessoonfollowedtheirexample。Mabelwasreturningalongthelowflatrocksthatlinetheshoreofthelake，danglingherprettycalashfromaprettierfinger，whenPathfindermether。Hecarriedtheriflewhichhehadusedthatday。buthismannerhadlessofthefrankeaseofthehunteraboutitthanusual，whilehiseyeseemedrovinganduneasy。
Afterafewunmeaningwordsconcerningthenoblesheetofwaterbeforethem，heturnedtowardshiscompanionwithstronginterestinhiscountenance，andsaid，——
Jasperearnedthatcalashforyou，Mabel，withoutmuchtrialofhisgifts。
Itwasfairlydone，Pathfinder。
Nodoubt，nodoubt。Thebulletpassedneatlythroughthepotato，andnomancouldhavedonemore。thoughothersmighthavedoneasmuch。
Butnoonedidasmuch！exclaimedMabel，withananimationthatsheinstantlyregretted。forshesawbythepainedlookoftheguidethathewasmortifiedequallybytheremarkandbythefeelingwithwhichitwasuttered。
Itistrue，itistrue，Mabel，noonedidasmuchthen。
but——yetthereisnoreasonIshoulddenymygiftswhichcomefromProvidence——yes，yes。noonedidasmuchthere，butyoushallknowwhat_can_bedonehere。Doyouobservethegullsthatareflyingoverourheads？
Certainly，Pathfinder。therearetoomanytoescapenotice。
Here，wheretheycrosseachotherinsailingabout，
headded，cockingandraisinghisrifle。thetwo——thetwo。
Nowlook！
Thepiecewaspresentedquickasthought，astwoofthebirdscameinaline，thoughdistantfromeachothermanyyards。thereportfollowed，andthebulletpassedthroughthebodiesofbothvictims。Nosoonerhadthegullsfallenintothelake，thanPathfinderdroppedthebutt-endoftherifle，andlaughedinhisownpeculiarmanner，everyshadeofdissatisfactionandmortifiedpridehavinglefthishonestface。
Thatissomething，Mabel，thatissomething。althoughIhavenocalashtogiveyou！ButaskJasperhimself。I’llleaveitalltoJasper，foratruertongueandheartarenotinAmerica。
ThenitwasnotJasper’sfaultthathegainedtheprize？
Notit。Hedidhisbest，andhedidwell。Foronethathaswatergifts，ratherthanlandgifts，Jasperisun-
commonlyexpert，andabetterbackernooneneedwish，ashoreorafloat。Butitwasmyfault，Mabel，thathegotthecalash。thoughitmakesnodifference——itmakesnodifference，forthethinghasgonetotherightperson。
IbelieveIunderstandyou，Pathfinder，saidMabel，blushinginspiteofherself，andIlookuponthecalashasthejointgiftofyourselfandJasper。
Thatwouldnotbedoingjusticetothelad，neither。
Hewonthegarment，andhadarighttogiveitaway。Themostyoumaythink，Mabel，istobelievethat，hadIwonit，itwouldhavegonetothesameperson。
Iwillrememberthat，Pathfinder，andtakecarethatothersknowyourskill，asithasbeenproveduponthepoorgullsinmypresence。
Lordblessyou，Mabel！thereisnomoreneedofyourtalkinginfavorofmyshootingonthisfrontier，thanofyourtalkingaboutthewaterinthelakeorthesunintheheavens。EverybodyknowswhatIcandointhatway，andyourwordswouldbethrownaway，asmuchasFrenchwouldbethrownawayonanAmericanbear。
ThenyouthinkthatJasperknewyouweregivinghimthisadvantage，ofwhichhehadsounhandsomelyavailedhimself？saidMabel，thecolorwhichhadim-
partedsomuchlustretohereyesgraduallyleavingherface，whichbecamegraveandthoughtful。
Idonotsaythat，butveryfarfromit。Weallforgetthingsthatwehaveknown，wheneagerafterourwishes。