Theplanofthistalesuggesteditselftothewritermanyyearssince，thoughthedetailsarealtogetherofrecentin-
vention。TheideaofassociatingseamenandsavagesinincidentsthatmightbesupposedcharacteristicoftheGreatLakeshavingbeenmentionedtoaPublisher，thelatterobtainedsomethinglikeapledgefromtheAuthortocarryoutthedesignatsomefutureday，whichpledgeisnowtardilyandimperfectlyredeemed。
Thereadermayrecognizeanoldfriendundernewcir-
cumstancesintheprincipalcharacterofthislegend。Iftheexhibitionmadeofthisoldacquaintance，inthenovelcircumstancesinwhichhenowappears，shouldbefoundnottolessenhisfavorwiththePublic，itwillbeasourceofextremegratificationtothewriter，sincehehasanin-
terestintheindividualinquestionthatfallslittleshortofreality。Itisnotaneasytask，however，tointroducethesamecharacterinfourseparateworks，andtomaintainthepeculiatritiesthatareindispensabletoidentity，withontincurringariskoffatiguingthereaderwithsameness。
andthepresentexperimenthasbeensolongdelayedquiteasmuchfromdoubtsofitssuccessasfromanyothercause。
Inthis，asineveryotherundertaking，itmustbetheendthatwillcrownthework。
TheIndiancharacterhassolittlevariety，thatithasbeenmyobjecttoavoiddwellingonittoomuchonthepresentoccasion。itsassociationwiththesailor，too，itisfeared，willbefoundtohavemorenoveltythaninterest。
ItmaystrikethenoviceasananachronismtoplacevesselsontheOntariointhemiddleoftheeighteenthcentury。
butinthisparticularfactswillfullybearoutalltheli-
censeofthefiction。Althoughtheprecisevesselsmen-
tionedinthesepagesmayneverhaveexistedonthatwateroranywhereelse，otherssonearlyresemblingthemareknowntohavenavigatedthatinlandsea，evenataperiodmuchearlierthantheonejustmentioned，astoformasufficientauthorityfortheirintroductionintoaworkoffiction。Itisafactnotgenerallyremembered，howeverwellknownitmaybe，thatthereareisolatedspotsalongthelineofthegreatlakesthatdateassettlementsasfarbackasmanyoftheolderAmericantowns，andwhichweretheseatsofaspeciesofcivilizationlongbeforethegreaterportionofeventheolderStateswasrescuedfromthewil-
derness。
Ontarioinourowntimeshasbeenthesceneofimportantnavalevolutions。Fleetshavemanoeuveredonthosewaters，which，halfacenturyago，wereasdesertedaswaterswellcanbe。andthedayisnotdistantwhenthewholeofthatvastrangeoflakeswillbecometheseatofempire，andfraughtwithalltheinterestsofhumansociety。Apass-
ingglimpse，eventhoughitbeinaworkoffiction，ofwhatthatvastregionsolatelywas，mayhelptomakeupthesumofknowledgebywhichaloneajustappreciationcanbeformedofthewonderfulmeansbywhichProvi-
denceisclearingthewayfortheadvancementofciviliza-
tionacrossthewholeAmericancontinent。
THEPATHFINDER。
CHAPTERI。
Theturfshallbemyfragrantshrine。
Mytemple，Lord！thatarchofthine。
Mycenser’sbreaththemountainairs，Andsilentthoughtsmyonlyprayers。
MOORE
Thesublimityconnectedwithvastnessisfamiliartoeveryeye。Themostabstruse，themostfar-reaching，perhapsthemostchastenedofthepoet’sthoughts，crowdontheimaginationashegazesintothedepthsoftheillimitablevoid。Theexpanseoftheoceanisseldomseenbythenovicewithindifference。andthemind，evenintheobscurityofnight，findsaparalleltothatgrandeur，whichseemsinseparablefromimagesthatthesensescan-
notcompass。Withfeelingsakintothisadmirationandawe——theoffspringofsublimity——werethedifferentchar-
acterswithwhichtheactionofthistalemustopen，gazingonthescenebeforethem。Fourpersonsinall，——twoofeachsex，——theyhadmanagedtoascendapileoftrees，thathadbeenuptornbyatempest，tocatchaviewoftheobjectsthatsurroundedthem。Itisstillthepracticeofthecoun-
trytocallthesespotswind-rows。Bylettinginthelightofheavenuponthedarkanddamprecessesofthewood，theyformasortofoasesinthesolemnobscurityofthevirginforestsofAmerica。Theparticularwind-rowofwhichwearewritinglayonthebrowofagentleaccliv-
ity。and，thoughsmall，ithadopenedthewayforanex-
tensiveviewtothosewhomightoccupyitsuppermargin，arareoccurrencetothetravellerinthewoods。Philosophyhasnotyetdeterminedthenatureofthepowerthatsooftenlaysdesolatespotsofthisdescription。someascrib-
ingittothewhirlwindswhichproducewaterspoutsontheocean，whileothersagainimputeittosuddenandviolentpassagesofstreamsoftheelectricfluid。buttheeffectsinthewoodsarefamiliartoall。Ontheuppermarginoftheopening，theviewlessinfluencehadpiledtreeontree，insuchamannerashadnotonlyenabledthetwomalesofthepartytoascendtoanelevationofsomethirtyfeetabovetheleveloftheearth，but，withalittlecareandencouragement，toinducetheirmoretimidcompanionstoaccompanythem。Thevasttrunkswhichhadbeenbrokenanddrivenbytheforceofthegustlayblendedlikejack-
straws。whiletheirbranches，stillexhalingthefragranceofwitheringleaves，wereinterlacedinamannertoaffordsufficientsupporttothehands。Onetreehadbeencom-
pletelyuprooted，anditslowerend，filledwithearth，hadbeencastuppermost，inawaytosupplyasortofstagingforthefouradventurers，whentheyhadgainedthede-
sireddistancefromtheground。
Thereaderistoanticipatenoneoftheappliancesofpeopleofconditioninthedescriptionofthepersonalap-
pearancesofthegroupinquestion。Theywereallway-
farersinthewilderness。andhadtheynotbeen，neithertheirprevioushabits，northeiractualsocialpositions，wouldhaveaccustomedthemtomanyoftheluxuriesofrank。Twooftheparty，indeed，amaleandfemale，be-
longedtothenativeownersofthesoil，beingIndiansofthewell-knowntribeoftheTuscaroras。whiletheircom-
panionswere——aman，whoboreabouthimthepeculiaritiesofonewhohadpassedhisdaysontheocean，andwas，too，inastationlittle，ifany，abovethatofacommonmariner。
andhisfemaleassociate，whowasamaidenofaclassinnogreatdegreesuperiortohisown。thoughheryouth，sweetnessandcountenance，andamodest，butspiritedmien，lentthatcharacterofintellectandrefinementwhichaddssomuchtothecharmofbeautyinthesex。Onthepresentoccasion，herfullblueeyereflectedthefeelingofsublimitythatthesceneexcited，andherpleasantfacewasbeamingwiththepensiveexpressionwithwhichalldeepemotions，eventhoughtheybringthemostgratefulpleasure，shadowthecountenancesoftheingenuousandthoughful。
Andtrulythescenewasofanaturedeeplytoimpresstheimaginationofthebeholder。Towardsthewest，inwhichdirectionthefacesofthepartywereturned，theeyerangedoveranoceanofleaves，gloriousandrichinthevariedandlivelyverdureofagenerousvegetation，andshadedbytheluxurianttintswhichbelongtotheforty-seconddegreeoflatitude。Theelmwifhitsgracefulandweep-
ingtop，therichvarietiesofthemaple，mostofthenobleoaksoftheAmericanforest，withthebroad-leavedlindenknownintheparlanceoftheconutryasthebasswood，mingledtheiruppermostbranches，formingonebroadandseeminglyinterminablecarpetoffoliagewhichstretchedawaytowardsthesettingsun，untilitboundedthehori-
zon，byblendingwiththeclouds，asthewavesandtheskymeetatthebaseofthevaultofheaven。Hereandthere，bysomeaccidentofthetempests，orbyacapriceofnature，atriflingopeningamongthesegiantmembersoftheforestpermittedaninferiortreetostruggleupwardtowardthelight，andtoliftitsmodestheadnearlytoalevelwiththesurroundingsurfaceofverdure。Ofthisclasswerethebirch，atreeofsomeaccountinregionslessfavored，thequiveringaspen，variousgenerousnut-woods，anddiversotherswhichresembledtheignobleandvulgar，thrownbycircumstancesintothepresenceofthestatelyandgreat。
Hereandthere，too，thetallstraighttrunkofthepinepiercedthevastfield，risinghighaboveit，likesomegrandmonumentrearedbyartonaplainofleaves。
Itwasthevastnessoftheview，thenearlyunbrokensurfaceofverdure，thatcontainedtheprincipleofgrandeur。
Thebeautywastobetracedinthedelicatetints，relievedbygraduationsoflightandshade。whilethesolemnreposeinducedthefeelingalliedtoawe。
Uncle，saidthewondering，butpleasedgirl，address-
inghermalecompanion，whosearmsherathertouchedthanleanedon，tosteadyherownlightbutfirmfooting，thisislikeaviewoftheoceanyousomuchlove！
Somuchforignorance，andagirl’sfancy，Magnet，-
atermofaffectionthesailoroftenusedinallusiontohisniece’spersonalattractions。noonebutachildwouldthinkoflikeningthishandfulofleavestoalookattherealAtlantic。Youmightseizeallthesetree-topstoNeptune’sjacket，andtheywouldmakenomorethananosegayforhisbosom。
Morefancifulthantrue，Ithink，uncle。Lookthither。
itmustbemilesonmiles，andyetweseenothingbutleaves！whatcouldonebehold，iflookingattheocean？
More！returnedtheuncle，givinganimpatientgesturewiththeelbowtheothertouched，forhisarmswerecrossed，andthehandswerethrustintothebosomofavestofredcloth，afashionofthetimes，——more，Mag-
net！say，rather，whatless？Whereareyourcombingseas，yourbluewater，yourrollers，yourbreakers，yourwhales，oryourwaterspouts，andyourendlessmotion，inthisbitofaforest，child？
Andwhereareyourtree-tops，yoursolemnsilence，yourfragrantleaves，andyourbeautifulgreen，uncle，ontheocean？
Tut，Magnet！ifyourunderstoodthething，youwouldknowthatgreenwaterisasailor’sbane。Hescarcelyrelishesagreenhornless。
Butgreentreesareadifferentthing。Hist！thatsoundistheairbreathingamongtheleaves！
Youshouldhearanor-westerbreathe，girl，ifyoufancywindaloft。Now，whereareyourgales，andhurri-
canes，andtrades，andlevanters，andsuchlikeincidents，inthisbitofaforest？andwhatfisheshaveyouswim-
mingbeneathyondertamesurface？
Thattherehavebeentempestshere，thesesignsaroundusplainlyshow。andbeasts，ifnotfishes，arebeneaththoseleaves。
Idonotknowthat，returnedtheuncle，withasailor’sdogmatism。TheytoldusmanystoriesatAlbanyofthewildanimalsweshouldfallinwith，andyetwehaveseennothingtofrightenaseal。Idoubtifanyofyourinlandanimalswillcomparewithalowlatitudeshark。
See！exclaimedtheniece，whowasmoreoccupiedwiththesublimityandbeautyoftheboundlesswood
thanwithheruncle’sarguments。yonderisasmokecurlingoverthetopsofthetrees——canitcomefromahouse？
Ay，ay。thereisalookofhumanityinthatsmoke，
returnedtheoldseaman，whichisworthathousandtrees。
ImustshowittoArrowhead，whomayberunningpastaportwithoutknowingit。Itisprobablethereisacaboosewherethereisasmoke。
Asheconcluded，theuncledrewahandfromhisbosom，touchedthemaleIndian，whowasstandingnearhim，lightlyontheshoulder，andpointedoutatthinlineofvaporwhichwasstealingslowlyoutofthewildernessofleaves，atadistanceofaboutamile，andwasdiffusingitselfinalmostimperceptiblethreadsofhumidityinthequiveringatmosphere。TheTuscarorawasoneofthosenoble-lookingwarriorsoftenermetwithamongtheabo-
riginesofthiscontinentacenturysincethanto-day。and，whilehehadmingledsufficientlywiththecoloniststobefamiliarwiththeirhabitsandevenwiththeirlanguage，hehadlostlittle，ifany，ofthewildgrandeurandsimpledignityofachief。Betweenhimandtheoldseamantheintercoursehadbeenfriendly，butdistant。fortheIndianhadbeentoomuchaccustomedtominglewiththeofficersofthedifferentmilitarypostshehadfrequentednottounderstandthathispresentcompanionwasonlyasubor-
dinate。Soimposing，indeed，hadbeenthequietsuperior-
ityoftheTuscarora’sreserve，thatCharlesCap，forsowastheseamannamed，inhismostdogmaticalorfacetiousmoments，hadnotventuredonfamiliarityinaninter-
coursewhichhadnowlastedmorethanaweek。Thesightofthecurlingsmoke，however，hadstruckthelatterlikethesuddenappearanceofasailatsea。and，forthefirsttimesincetheymet，heventuredtotouchthewarrior，ashasbeenrelated。
ThequickeyeoftheTuscarorainstantlycaughtasightofthesmoke。andforfullaminutehestood，slightlyraisedontiptoe，withdistendednostrils，likethebuckthatscentsataintintheair，andagazeasrivetedasthatofthetrainedpointerwhilehewaitshismaster’saim。Then，fallingbackonhisfeet，alowexclamation，inthesofttonesthatformsosingularacontrasttoitsharshercriesintheIndianwarrior’svoice，wasbarelyaudible。other-
wise，hewasundisturbed。Hiscountenancewascalm，andhisquick，dark，eagleeyemovedovertheleafypanorama，asiftotakeinataglanceeverycircumstancethatmightenlightenhismind。Thatthelongjourneytheyhadat-
temptedtomakethroughabroadbeltofwildernesswasnecessarilyattendedwithdanger，bothuncleandniecewellknew。thoughneithercouldatoncedeterminewhetherthesignthatotherswereintheirvicinitywastheharbingerofgoodorevil。
TheremustbeOneidasorTuscarorasnearus，Arrow-
head，saidCap，addressinghisIndiancompanionbyhisconventionalEnglishname。willitnotbewelltojoincompanywiththem，andgetacomfortableberthforthenightintheirwigwam？
Nowigwamthere，Arrowheadansweredinhisun-
movedmanner——toomuchtree。
ButIndiansmustbethere。perhapssomeoldmess-
matesofyourown，MasterArrowhead。
NoTuscarora——noOneida——noMohawk——pale-facefire。
Thedevilitis？Well，Magnet，thissurpassesaseaman’sphilosophy：weoldsea-dogscantellalubber’snestfromamate’shammock。butIdonotthinktheoldestadmiralinhisMajesty’sfleetcantellaking’ssmokefromacollier’s。
Theideathathumanbeingswereintheirvicinity，inthatoceanofwilderness，haddeepenedtheflushonthebloomingcheekandbrightenedtheeyeofthefaircrea-
tureathisside。butshesoonturnedwithalookofsur-
prisetoherrelative，andsaidhesitatingly，forbothhadoftenadmiredtheTuscarora’sknowledge，or，wemightalmostsay，instinct，——
Apale-face’sfire！Surely，uncle，hecannotknow_that_？
Tendayssince，child，Iwouldhavesworntoit。butnowIhardlyknowwhattobelieve。MayItakethelib-
ertyofasking，Arrowhead，whyyoufancythatsmoke，now，apale-face’ssmoke，andnotared-skin’s？
Wetwood，returnedthewarrior，withthecalmnesswithwhichthepedagoguemightpointoutanarithmeticaldemonstrationtohispuzzledpupil。Muchwet——muchsmoke。muchwater——blacksmoke。
But，beggingyourpardon，MasterArrowhead，thesmokeisnotblack，noristheremuchofit。Tomyeye，now，itisaslightandfancifulasmokeaseverrosefromacaptain’stea-kettle，whennothingwaslefttomakethefirebutafewchipsfromthedunnage。
Toomuchwater，returnedArrowhead，withaslightnodofthehead。Tuscaroratoocunningtomakefirewithwater！pale-facetoomuchbook，andburnanything。
muchbook，littleknow。
Well，that’sreasonable，Iallow，saidCap，whowasnodevoteeoflearning：hemeansthatasahitatyourread-
ing，Magnet。forthechiefhassensiblenotionsofthingsinhisownway。Howfar，now，Arrowhead，doyoumakeus，byyourcalculation，fromthebitofapondthatyoucalltheGreatLake，andtowardswhichwehavebeensomanydaysshapingourcourse？
TheTuscaroralookedattheseamanwithquietsuperi-
orityasheanswered，Ontario，likeheaven。onesun，andthegreattravellerwillknowit。
Well，Ihavebeenagreattraveller，Icannotdeny。
butofallmyv’y’gesthishasbeenthelongest，theleastprofitable，andthefarthestinland。Ifthisbodyoffreshwaterissonigh，Arrowhead，andsolarge，onemightthinkapairofgoodeyeswouldfinditout。forapparentlyevery-
thingwithinthirtymilesistobeseenfromthislook-
out。
Look，saidArrowhead，stretchinganarmbeforehimwithquietgrace。Ontario！
Uncle，youareaccustomedtocry’Landho！’butnot’Waterho！’andyoudonotseeit，criedtheniece，laugh-
ing，asgirlswilllaughattheirownidleconceits。
Hownow，Magnet！dostsupposethatIshouldn’tknowmynativeelementifitwereinsight？
ButOntarioisnotyournativeelement，dearuncle。
foryoucomefromthesaltwater，whilethisisfresh。
Thatmightmakesomedifferencetoyouryoungmar-
iner，butnonetotheoldone。Ishouldknowwater，child，wereItoseeitinChina。
Ontario，repeatedArrowhead，withemphasis，againstretchinghishandtowardsthenorth-west。
CaplookedattheTuscarora，forthefirsttimesincetheiracquaintance，withsomethinglikeanairofcontempt，thoughhedidnotfailtofollowthedirectionofthechief’seyeandarm，bothofwhichweredirectedtowardsavacantpointintheheavens，ashortdistanceabovetheplainofleaves。
Ay，ay。thisismuchasIexpected，whenIleftthecoastinsearchofafresh-waterpond，resumedCap，shrugginghisshoulderslikeonewhosemindwasmadeup，andwhothoughtnomoreneedbesaid。Ontariomaybethere，or，forthatmatter，itmaybeinmypocket。Well，Isupposetherewillberoomenough，whenwereachit，toworkourcanoe。ButArrowhead，iftherebepale-facesinourneighborhood，IconfessIshouldliketogetwithinhailofthem。
TheTuscaroranowgaveaquietinclinationofhishead，andthewholepartydescendedfromtherootsoftheup-
torntreeinsilence。Whentheyreachedtheground，Arrowheadintimatedhisintentiontogotowardsthefire，andascertainwhohadlightedit。whileheadvisedhiswifeandthetwootherstoreturntoacanoe，whichtheyhadleftintheadjacentstream，andawaithisreturn。
Why，chief，thismightdoonsoundings，andinanoffingwhereoneknewthechannel，returnedoldCap。
butinanunknownregionlikethisIthinkitunsafetotrustthepilotalonetoofarfromtheship：so，withyourleave，wewillnotpartcompany。
Whatmybrotherwant？askedtheIndiangravely，thoughwithouttakingoffenceatadistrustthatwassuffi-
cientlyplain。
Yourcompany，MasterArrowhead，andnomore。Iwillgowithyouandspeakthesestrangers。
TheTuscaroraassentedwithoutdifficulty，andagainhedirectedhispatientandsubmissivelittlewife，whoseldomturnedherfullrichblackeyeonhimbuttoex-
pressequallyherrespect，herdread，andherlove，topro-
ceedtotheboat。ButhereMagnetraisedadifficulty。
Althoughspirited，andofunusualenergyundercircum-
stancesoftrial，shewasbutwoman。andtheideaofbeingentirelydesertedbyhertwomaleprotectors，inthemidstofawildernessthathersenseshadjusttoldherwasseem-
inglyillimitable，becamesokeenlypainful，thatsheex-
pressedawishtoaccompanyheruncle。
Theexercisewillbearelief，dearsir，aftersittingsolonginthecanoe，sheadded，astherichbloodslowlyre-
turnedtoacheekthathadpaledinspiteofhereffortstobecalm。andtheremaybefemaleswiththestrangers。
Come，then，child。itisbutacable’slength，andweshallreturnanhourbeforethesunsets。
Withthispermission，thegirl，whoserealnamewasMabelDunham，preparedtobeoftheparty。whiletheDew-of-June，asthewifeofArrowheadwascalled，pas-
sivelywentherwaytowardsthiecanoe，toomuchaccus-
tomedtoobedience，solitude，andthegloomoftheforesttofeelapprehension。
Thethreewhoremainedinthewind-rownowpickedtheirwayarounditstangledmaze，andgainedthemarginofthewoods。AfewglancesoftheeyesufficedforArrow-
head。butoldCapdeliberatelysetthesmokebyapocket-
compass，beforehetrustedhimselfwithintheshadowsofthetrees。
Thissteeringbythenose，Magnet，maydowellenoughforanIndian，butyourthoroughbredknowsthevirtueoftheneedle，saidtheuncle，ashetrudgedattheheelsofthelight-steppingTuscarora。Americawouldneverhavebeendiscovered，takemywordforit，ifColumbushadbeennothingbutnostrils。FriendArrowhead，didsteverseeamachinelikethis？
TheIndianturned，castatglanceatthecompass，whichCapheldinawaytodirecthiscourse，andgravelyan-
swered，Apale-faceeye。TheTuscaroraseeinhishead。
TheSalt-water(forsotheIndianstyledhiscompanion)
alleyenow。notongue。
Hemeans，uncle，thatwehadneedsbesilent，perhapshedistruststhepersonsweareabouttomeet。
Ay，’tisanIndian’sfashionofgoingtoquarters。Youperceivehehasexaminedtheprimingofhisrifle，anditmaybeaswellifIlooktothatofmyownpistols。
Withoutbetrayingalarmatthesepreparations，towhichshehadbecomeaccustomedbyherlongjourneyinthewilderness，MabelfollowedwithastepaselasticasthatoftheIndian，keepingcloseintherearofhercompanions。
Forthefirsthalfmilenoothercautionbeyondarigidsilencewasobserved。butasthepartydrewnearertothespotwherethefirewasknowntobe，muchgreatercarebecamenecessary。
Theforest，asusual，hadlittletointercepttheviewbelowthebranchesbutthetallstraighttrunksoftrees。
Everythingbelongingtovegetationhadstruggledtowardsthelight，andbeneaththeleafycanopyonewalked，asitmightbe，throughavastnaturalvault，upheldbymyriadsofrusticcolumns。Thesecolumnsortrees，however，oftenservedtoconcealtheadventurer，thehunter，orthefoe。
and，asArrowheadswiftlyapproachedthespotwherehispractisedandunerrimigsensestoldhimthestrangersoughttobe，hisfootstepgraduallybecamelighter，hiseyemorevigilant，andhispersonwasmorecarefullyconcealed。
See，Saltwater，saidheexulting，pointingthroughthevistaoftrees。pale-facefire！
BytheLord，thefellowisright！mutteredCap。
theretheyare，sureenough，andeatingtheirgrubasquietlyasiftheywereinthecabinofathree-decker。
Arrowheadisbuthalfright！whisperedMabel，fortherearetwoIndiansandonlyonewhiteman。
Pale-faces，saidtheTuscarora，holdinguptwofingers。
redman，holdingupone。
Well，rejoinedCap，itishardtosaywhichisrightandwhichiswrong。Oneisentirelywhite，andafinecomelyladheis，withanairofrespectabilityabouthim。
oneisared-skinasplainaspaintandnaturecanmakehim。butthethirdchapishalf-rigged，beingneitherbrignorschooner。
Pale-faces，repeatedArrowhead，againraisingtwofingers，redman，showingbutone。
Hemustberight，uncle。forhiseyeseemsnevertofail。Butitisnowurgenttoknowwhetherwemeetasfriendsorfoes。TheymaybeFrench。
Onehailwillsoonsatisfyusonthathead，returnedCap。Standyoubehindthetree，Magnet，lesttheknavestakeitintotheirheadstofireabroadsidewithoutaparley，andIwillsoonlearnwhatcolorstheysailunder。
Theunclehadplacedhistwohandstohismouthtoformatrumpet，andwasabouttogivethepromisedhail，whenarapidmovementfromthehandofArrowheadde-
featedtheintentionbyderangingtheinstrument。
Redman，Mohican，saidtheTuscarora。good。pale-
faces，Yengeese。
Theseareheavenlytidings，murmuredMabel，wholittlerelishedtheprospectofadeadlyfrayinthatremotewilderness。Letusapproachatonce，dearuncle，andproclaimourselvesfriends。
Good，saidtheTuscaroraredmancool，andknow。
pale-facehurried，andfire。Letthesquawgo。
What！saidCapinastonishment。sendlittleMag-
netaheadasalookout，whiletwolubbers，likeyouandme，lie-totoseewhatsortofaland-fallshewillmake！
IfIdo，I——
Itiswisest，uncle，interruptedthegenerousgirl，andIhavenofear。NoChristian，seeingawomanap-
proachalone，wouldfireuponher。andmypresencewillbeapledgeofpeace。Letmegoforward，asArrowheadwishes，andallwillbewell。Weare，asyet，unseen，andthesurpriseofthestrangerswillnotpartakeofalarm。
Good，returnedArrowhead，whodidnotconcealhisapprobationofMabel’sspirit。
Ithasanunseaman-likelook，answeredCap。but，beinginthewoods，noonewillknowit。Ifyouthink，Mabel——
Uncle，Iknow。Thereisnocausetofearforme。andyouarealwaysnightoprotectme。
Well，takeoneofthepistols，then——
Nay，Ihadbetterrelyonmyyouthandfeebleness，
saidthegirl，smiling，whilehercolorheightenedunderherfeelings。AmongChristianmen，awoman’sbestguardisherclaimtotheirprotection。Iknownothingofarms，andwishtoliveinignoranceofthem。
Theuncledesisted。and，afterreceivingafewcautiousinstructionsfromtheTuscarora，Mabelralliedallherspirit，andadvancedalonetowardsthegroupseatednearthefire。Althoughtheheartofthegirlbeatquick，herstepwasfirm，andhermovements，seemingly，werewith-
outreluctance。Adeath-likesilencereignedintheforest，fortheytowardswhomsheapproachedweretoomuchoc-
cupiedinappeasingtheirhungertoaverttheirlooksforaninstantfromtheimportantbusinessinwhichtheywereallengaged。WhenMabel，however，hadgotwithinahundredfeetofthefire，shetroduponadriedstick，andthetriflingnoiseproducedbyherlightfootstepcausedtheMohican，asArrowheadhadpronouncedtheIndiantobe，andhiscompanion，whosecharacterhadbeenthoughtsoequivocal，torisetotheirfeet，asquickasthought。Bothglancedattheriflesthatleanedagainstatree。andtheneachstoodwithoutstretchingoutanarm，ashiseyesfellontheformofthegirl。TheIndianutteredafewwordstohiscompanion，andresumedhisseatandhismealascalmlyasifnointerruptionhadoccurred。Onthecontrary，thewhitemanleftthefire，andcameforwardtomeetMabel。
Thelattersaw，asthestrangerapproachedthatshewasabouttobeaddressedbyoneofherowncolor，thoughhisdresswassostrangeamixtureofthehabitsofthetworaces，thatitrequiredanearlooktobecertainofthefact。
Hewasofmiddleage。buttherewasanopenhonesty，atotalabsenceofguile，inhisface，whichotherwisewouldnothavebeenthoughthandsome，thatatonceassuredMagnetshewasinnodanger。Stillshepaused。
Fearnothing，youngwoman，saidthehunter，forsuchhisattirewouldindicatehimtobe。youhavemetChristianmeninthewilderness，andsuchasknowhowtotreatallkindlywhoaredisposedtopeaceandjustice。I
amamanwellknowninalltheseparts，andperhapsoneofmynamesmayhavereachedyourears。BytheFrenchersandthered-skinsontheothersideoftheBigLakes，IamcalledLaLongueCarabine。bytheMohicans，ajust-mindedanduprighttribe，whatisleftofthem，HawkEye。whilethetroopsandrangersalongthissideofthewatercallmePathfinder，inasmuchasIhaveneverbeenknowntomissoneendofthetrail，whentherewasaMingo，orafriendwhostoodinneedofme，attheother。
Thiswasnotutteredboastfully，butwiththehonestconfidenceofonewhowellknewthatbywhatevernameothersmighthaveheardofhim，hohadnoreasontoblushatthereports。TheeffectonMabelwasinstantaneous。
Themomentsheheardthelast_sobriquet_sheclaspedherhandseagerlyandrepeatedthewordPathfinder！
Sotheycallme，youngwoman，andmanyagreatlordhasgotatitlethathedidnothalfsowellmerit。though，iftruthbesaid，Iratherpridemyselfinfindingmywaywherethereisnopath，thaninfindingitwherethereis。
Buttheregulartroopsarebynomeansparticular，andhalfthetimetheydon’tknowthedifferencebetweenatrailandapath，thoughoneisamatterfortheeye，whiletheotherislittlemorethanscent。
Thenyouarethefriendmyfatherpromisedtosendtomeetus？
IfyouareSergeantDunham’sdaughter，thegreatProphetoftheDelawaresneverutteredmoretruth。
IamMabel。andyonder，hidbythetrees，aremyuncle，whosenameisCap，andaTuscaroracalledArrow-
head。Wedidnothopetomeetyouuntilwehadnearlyreachedtheshoresofthelake。
Iwishajuster-mindedIndianhadbeenyourguide，
saidPathfinder。forIamnoloveroftheTuscaroras，whohavetravelledtoofarfromthegravesoftheirfathersalwaystoremembertheGreatSpirit。andArrowheadisanambitiouschief。IstheDew-of-Junewithhim？
Hiswifeaccompaniesus，andahumbleandmildcrea-
turesheis。
Ay，andtrue-hearted。whichismorethananywhoknowhimwillsayofArrowhead。Well，wemusttakethefarethatProvidencebestows，whilewefollowthetrailoflife。IsupposeworseguidesmighthavebeenfoundthantheTuscarora。thoughhehastoomuchMingobloodforonewhoconsortsaltogetherwiththeDelawares。
Itis，then，perhaps，fortunatewehavemet，saidMabel。
Itisnotmisfortunate，atanyrate。forIpromisedtheSergeantIwouldseehischildsafetothegarrison，thoughIdiedforit。WeexpectedtomeetyoubeforeyoureachedtheFalls，wherewehaveleftourowncanoe。whilewethoughtitmightdonoharmtocomeupafewmiles，inordertobeofserviceifwanted。Itisluckywedid，forI
doubtifArrowheadbethemantoshootthecurrent。
HerecomemyuncleandtheTuscarora，andourpartiescannowjoin。AsMabelconcluded，CapandArrowhead，whosawthattheconferencewasamicable，drewnigh。andafewwordssufficedtoletthemknowasmuchasthegirlherselfhadlearnedfromthestrangers。Assoonasthiswasdone，thepartyproceededtowardsthetwowhostillremainednearthefire。
CHAPTERII。
Yea！longasNature’shumblestchildHathkepthertempleundefiledBysimplesacrifice，Earth’sfairestscenesareallhisown，HeisamonarchandhisthroneIsbuiltamidtheskies！
WILSON。
TheMohicancontinuedtoeat，thoughthesecondwhitemanrose，andcourteouslytookoffhiscaptoMabelDun-
ham。Hewasyoung，healthful，andmanlyinappearance。
andheworeadresswhich，whileitwaslessrigidlypro-
fessionalthanthatoftheuncle，alsodenotedoneaccus-
tomedtothewater。Inthatage，realseamenwereaclassentirelyapartfromtherestofmankind，theirideas，or-
dinarylanguage，andattirebeingasstronglyindicativeoftheircallingastheopinions，speech，anddressofaTurkdenoteaMussulman。AlthoughthePathfinderwasscarcelyintheprimeoflife，Mabelhadmethimwithasteadinessthatmayhavebeentheconsequenceofhavingbracedhernervesfortheinterview。butwhenhereyesencounteredthoseoftheyoungmanatthefire，theyfellbeforethegazeofadmirationwithwhichshesaw，orfanciedshesaw，hegreetedher。Each，intruth，feltthatinterestintheotherwhichsimilarityofage，condition，mutualcomeliness，andtheirnovelsituationwouldbelikelytoinspireintheyoungandingenuous。
Here，saidPathfinder，withanhonestsmilebestowedonMabel，arethefriendsyourworthyfatherhassenttomeetyou。ThisisagreatDelaware。andonewhohashadhonorsaswellastroublesinhisday。HehasanIndiannamefitforachief，but，asthelanguageisnotalwayseasyfortheinexperiencedtopronouncewenaturallyturnitintoEnglish，andcallhimtheBigSarpent。Youarenottosuppose，however，thatbythisnamewewishtosaythatheistreacherous，beyondwhatislawfulinared-skin。butthatheiswise，andhasthecunningwhichbecomesawar-
nor。Arrowhead，there，knowswhatImean。
WhilethePathfinderwasdeliveringthisaddress，thetwoIndiansgazedoneachothersteadily，andtheTus-
caroraadvancedandspoketotheotherinanapparentlyfriendlymanner。
Iliketoseethis，continuedPathfinder。thesalutesoftwored-skinsinthewoods，MasterCap，arelikethehailingoffriendlyvesselsontheocean。Butspeakingofwater，itremindsmeofmyyoungfriend，JasperWesternhere，whocanclaimtoknowsomethingofthesematters，seeingthathehaspassedhisdaysonOntario。
Iamgladtoseeyou，friend，saidCap，givingtheyoungfresh-watersailoracordialgrip。thoughyoumusthavesomethingstilltolearn，consideringtheschooltowhichyouhavebeensent。ThisismynieceMabel。IcallherMagnet，forareasonsheneverdreamsof，thoughyoumaypossiblyhaveeducationenoughtoguessatit，havingsomepretentionstounderstandthecompass，Isuppose。
Thereasoniseasilycomprehended，saidtheyoungman，involuntarilyfasteninghiskeendarkeye，atthesametime，onthesuffusedfaceofthegirl。andIfeelsurethatthesailorwhosteersbyyourMagnetwillnevermakeabadland-fall。
Ha！youdomakeuseofsomeoftheterms，Ifind，andthatwithpropriety。though，onthewhole，Ifearyouhaveseenmoregreenthanbluewater。
Itisnotsurprisingthatweshouldgetsomeofthephraseswhichbelongtotheland。forweareseldomoutofsightofittwenty-fourhoursatatime。
More’sthepity，boy，more’sthepity！Averylittlelandoughttogoagreatwaywithaseafaringman。Now，ifthetruthwereknown，MasterWestern，Isupposethereismoreorlesslandallroundyourlake。
And，uncle，istherenotmoreorlesslandaroundtheocean？saidMagnetquickly。forshedreadedaprema-
turedisplayoftheoldseaman’speculiardogmatism，nottosaypedantry。
No，child，thereismoreorlessoceanallroundtheland。that’swhatItellthepeopleashore，youngster。
Theyareliving，asitmightbe，inthemidstofthesea，withoutknowihgit。bysufferance，asitwere，thewaterbeingsomuchthemorepowerfulandthelargest。Butthereisnoendtoconceitinthisworld：forafellowwhoneversawsaltwateroftenfanciesheknowsmorethanonewhohasgoneroundtheHorn。No，no，thisearthisprettymuchanisland。andallthatcanbetrulysaidnottobesoiswater。
YoungWesternhadaprofounddeferenceforamarineroftheocean，ohwhichhehadoftenpinedtosail。buthehadalsoanaturalregardforthebroadsheetonwhichhehadpassedhislife，andwhichwasnotwithoutitsbeautiesinhiseyes。
Whatyousay，sir，heansweredmodestly，maybetrueastotheAtlantic。butwehavearespectforthelanduphereonOntario。
Thatisbecauseyouarealwaysland-locked，returnedCap，laughingheartily。butyonderisthethePathfinder，astheycallhim，withsomesmokingplatters，invitingustoshareinhismess。andIwillconfessthatonegetsnovenisonatsea。MasterWestern，civilitytogirls，atyourtimeoflife，comesaseasyastakingintheslackoftheensignhalyards。andifyouwilljustkeepaneyetoherkidandcan，whileIjointhemessofthePathfinderandourIndianfriends，Imakenodoubtshewillrememberit。
MasterCaputteredmorethanhewasawareofatthetime。JasperWesterndidattendtothewantsofMabel，andshelongrememberedthekind，manlyattentionoftheyoungsailoratthistheirfirstinterview。Heplacedtheendofalogforaseat，obtainedforheradeliciousmorselofthevenison，gaveheradraughtofpurewaterfromthespring，andashesatnearher，fastwonhiswaytoheresteembyhisgentlebutfrankmannerofmanifestinghiscare。homagethatwomanalwayswishestoreceive，butwhichisneversoflatteringorsoagreeableaswhenitcomesfromtheyoungtothoseoftheirownage——fromthemanlytothegentle。Likemostofthosewhopasstheirtimeexcludedfromthesocietyofthesoftersex，youngWesternwasearnest，sincere，andkindinhisattentions，which，thoughtheywantedaconventionalrefinement，which，perhaps，Mabelnevermissed，hadthosewinningqualitiesthatproveverysufficientassubstitutes。Leav-
ingthesetwounsophisticatedyoungpeopletobecomeac-
quaintedthroughtheirfeelings，ratherthantheirexpressedthoughts，wewillturntothegroupinwhichtheunclehadalreadybecomeaprincipalactor。
Thepartyhadtakentheirplacesaroundaplatterofvenisonsteaks，whichservedforthecommonuse，andthediscoursenaturallypartookofthecharactersofthediffer-
entindividualswhichcomposedit。TheIndiansweresilentandindustrioustheappetiteoftheaboriginalAmericanforvenisonbeingseeminglyinappeasable，whilethetwowhitemenwerecommunicative，eachofthelatterbeinggarrulousandopinionatedinhisway。But，asthedialoguewillputthereaderinpossessionofcertainfactsthatmayrenderthesucceedingnarrativemoreclear，itwillbewelltorecordit。
Theremustbesatisfactioninthislifeofyours，nodoubtMr。Pathfinder，continuedCap，whenthehungerofthetravellerswassofarappeasedthattheybegantopickandchooseamongthesavorymorsels。ithassomeofthechancesandluckthatweseamenlike。andifoursisallwater，yoursisallland。
Nay，wehavewatertoo，inourjourneyingsandmarches，returnedhiswhitecompanion。weborder-
menhandlethepaddleandthespearalmostasmuchastherifleandthehunting-knife。
Ay。butdoyouhandlethebraceandthebow-line，thewheelandthelead-line，thereef-pointandthetop-rope？
Thepaddleisagoodthing，outofdoubt，inacanoe。butofwhatuseisitintheship？
Nay，Irespectallmenintheircallings，andIcanbe-
lievethethingsyoumentionhavetheiruses。Onewhohaslived，likemyself，incompanywithmanytribes，un-
derstandsdifferencesinusages。ThepaintofaMingoisnotthepaintofaDelaware。andhewhoshouldexpecttoseeawarriorinthedressofasquawmightbedisappointed。
Iamnotyetveryold，butIhavelivedinthewoods，andhavesomeacquaintancewithhumannatur’。Ineverbe-
lievemuchinthelearningofthemthatdwellintowns，forIneveryetmetwithonethathadaneyeforarifleoratrail。
That’smymannerofreasoning，MasterPathfinder，toayarn。Walkingaboutstreets，goingtochurchofSun-
days，andhearingsermons，neveryetmadeamanofahumanbeing。Sendtheboyoutuponthebroadocean，ifyouwishtoopenhiseyes，andlethimlookuponforeignnations，orwhatIcallthefaceofnature，ifyouwishhimtounderstandhisowncharacter。Now，thereismybrother-in-law，theSergeant：heisasgoodafellowaseverbrokeabiscuit，inhisway。butwhatishe，afterall？
Why，nothingbutasoldier。Asergeant，tobesure，butthatisasortofasoldier，youknow。WhenhewishedtomarrypoorBridget，mysister，Itoldthegirlwhathewas，asindutybound，andwhatshemightexpectfromsuchahusband。butyouknowhowitiswithgirlswhentheirmindsarejammedbyaninclination。Itistrue，theSer-
geanthasriseninhiscalling，andtheysayheisanim-
portantmanatthefort。buthispoorwifehasnotlivedtoseeitall，forshehasnowbeendeadthesefourteenyears。
Asoldier’scallingishonorable，providedhehasfi’tonlyonthesideofright，returnedthePathfinder。andastheFrenchersarealwayswrong，andhissacredMajestyandthesecoloniesarealwaysright，ItakeittheSergeanthasaquietconscienceaswellasagoodcharacter。IhaveneversleptmoresweetlythanwhenIhavefi’ttheMingos，thoughitisthelawwithmetofightalwayslikeawhitemanandneverlikeanIndian。TheSarpent，here，hashisfashions，andIhavemine。andyethavewefi’tsidebysidethesemanyyears。withouteitherthinkingahardthoughtconsarningtheother’sways。Itellhimthereisbutoneheavenandonehell，notwithstandinghistradi-
tions，thoughtherearemanypathstoboth。
Thatisrational。andheisboundtobelieveyou，though，Ifancy，mostoftheroadstothelastareondryland。TheseaiswhatmypoorsisterBridgetusedtocalla’purifyingplace，’andoneisoutofthewayoftempta-
tionwhenoutofsightofland。Idoubtifasmuchcanbesaidinfavorofyourlakesuphereaway。
Thattownsandsettlementsleadtosin，Iwillallow。
butourlakesareborderedbytheforests，andoneiseverydaycalledupontoworshipGodinsuchatemple。Thatmenarenotalwaysthesame，eveninthewilderness，I
mustadmitforthedifferencebetweenaMingoandaDelawareisasplaintobeseenasthedifferencebetweenthesunandthemoon。Iamglad，friendCap，thatwehavemet，however，ifitbeonlythatyoumaytelltheBigSarpentherethattherearelakesinwhichthewaterissalt。Wehavebeenprettymuchofonemindsinceouracquaintancebegan，andiftheMohicanhasonlyhalfthefaithinmethatIhaveinhim，hebelievesallthatIhavetoldhimtouchingthewhitemen’swaysandnatur’slaws。
butithasalwaysseemedtomethatnoneofthered-skinshavegivenasfreeabeliefasanhonestmanlikestotheaccountsoftheBigSaltLakes，andtothatoftheirbeingriversthatflowupstream。
Thiscomesofgettingthingswrongendforemost，
answeredCap，withacondescendingnod。Youhavethoughtofyourlakesandriftsastheship。andoftheoceanandthetidesastheboat。NeitherArrowhoadnortheSerpentneeddoubtwhatyouhavesaidconcerningboth，thoughIconfessmyselftosomedifficultyinswal-
lowingthetaleabouttherebeinginlandseasatall，andstillmorethatthereisanyseaoffreshwater。Ihavecomethislongjourneyasmuchtosatisfymyowneyesconcerningthesefacts，astoobligetheSergeantandMag-
net，thoughthefirstwasmysister’shusband，andIlovethelastlikeachild。
Youarewrong，friendCap，verywrong，todistrust，thepowerofGodinanything，returnedPathfinderearnestly。TheythatliveinthesettlementsandthetownshaveconfinedandunjustopinionsconsarningthemightofHishand。butwe，whopassourtimeinHisverypresence，asitmightbe，seethingsdifferently——Imean，suchofusashavewhitenatur’s。Ared-skinhashisnotions，anditisrightthatitshouldbeso。andiftheyarenotexactlythesameasaChristianwhiteman’s，thereisnoharminit。Still，therearematterswhichbelongaltogethertotheorderingofGod’sprovidence。andthesesaltandfresh-waterlakesaresomeofthem。Idonotpretendtoaccountforthesethings，butIthinkitthedutyofalltobelieveinthem。
Holdonthere，MasterPathfinder，interruptedCap，notwithoutsomeheat。inthewayofaproperandmanlyfaith，Iwillturnmybackonnoone，whenafloat。Al-
thoughmoreaccustomedtomakeallsnugaloft，andtoshowthepropercanvas，thantopraywhenthehurricanecomes，Iknowthatwearebuthelplessmortalsattimes，andIhopeIpayreverencewherereverenceisdue。AllI
meantosayisthis：that，beingaccustomedtoseewaterinlargebodiessalt，IshouldliketotasteitbeforeIcanbelieveittobefresh。
Godhasgiventhesaltlicktothedeer。andHehasgiventoman，red-skinandwhite，thedeliciousspringatwhichtoslakehisthirst。ItisunreasonabletothinkthatHemaynothavegivenlakesofpurewatertothewest，andlakesofimpurewatertotheeast。
Capwasawed，inspiteofhisoverweeningdogmatism，bytheearnestsimplicityofthePathfinder，thoughhedidnotrelishtheideaofbelievingafactwhich，formanyyears，hehadpertinaciouslyinsistedcouldnotbetrue。
Unwillingtogiveupthepointand，atthesametime，un-
abletomaintainitagainstareasoningtowhichhewasun-
accustomed，andwhichpossessedequallytheforceoftruth，faith，andprobability，hewasgladtogetridofthesubjectbyevasion。
Well，well，friendPathfinder，saidhe，wewillleavetheargumentwhereitis。andwecantrythewaterwhenweoncereachit。Onlymarkmywords——Idonotsaythatitmaynotbefreshonthesurface。theAtlanticissometimesfreshonthesurface，nearthemouthsofgreatrivers。but，relyonit，Ishallshowyouawayoftastingthewatermanyfathomsdeep，ofwhichyouneverdreamed。
andthenweshallknowmoreaboutit。
Theguideseemedcontenttoletthematterrest，andtheconversationchanged。
Wearenotover-conceitedconsarningourgifts，ob-
servedthePathfinder，afterashortpause，andwellknowthatsuchasliveinthetowns，andnearthesea——
Onthesea，interruptedCap。
Onthesea，ifyouwishit，friend——haveopportunitieswhichdonotbefallusofthewilderness。Still，weknowourowncallings，andtheyarewhatIconsidernaturalcallings，andarenotparvartedbyvanityandwantonness。
Now，mygiftsarewiththerifle，andonatrail，andinthewayofgameandscouting。for，thoughIcanusethespearandthepaddle，Ipridenotmyselfoneither。TheyouthJasper，there，whoisdiscoursingwiththeSergeant’sdaughter，isadifferentcratur’。forhemaybesaidtobreathethewater，asitmightbe，likeafish。TheIndiansandFrenchersofthenorthshorecallhimEau-douce，onaccountofhisgiftsinthisparticular。Heisbetterattheoar，andtheropetoo，thaninmakingfiresonatrail。
Theremustbesomethingaboutthesegiftsofwhichyouspeak，afterall，saidCap。Nowthisfire，Iwillac-
knowledge，hasoverlaidallmyseamanship。Arrowhead，there，saidthesmokecamefromapale-face’sfire，andthatisapieceofphilosophywhichIholdtobeequaltosteeringinadarknightbytheedgesofthesand。
It’snogreatsecret，returnedPathfinder，laughingwithgreatinwardglee，thoughhabitualcautionpreventedtheemissionofanynoise。NothingiseasiertouswhopassourtimeinthegreatschoolofProvidencethantolarnitslessons。Weshouldbeasuselessonatrail，orincarryingtidingsthroughthewilderness，assomanywood-
chucks，didwenotsooncometoaknowledgeoftheseniceties。Eau-douce，aswecallhim，issofondofthewater，thathegatheredadampstickortwoforourfire。
andwetwillbringdarksmoke，asIsupposeevenyoufol-
lowersoftheseamustknow。It’snogreatsecret，thoughallismysterytosuchasdoesn’tstudytheLordandHismightywayswithhumilityandthankfulness。
ThatmustbeakeeneyeofArrowhead’stoseesoslightadifference。
HewouldbebutapoorIndianifhedidn’t。No，no。
itiswar-time，andnored-skinisoutlyingwithoutusinghissenses。Everyskinhasitsownnatur’，andeverynatur’hasitsownlaws，aswellasitsownskin。ItwasmanyyearsbeforeIcouldmasterallthesehigherbranchesofaforesteducation。forred-skinknowledgedoesn’tcomeaseasytowhite-skinnatur’，aswhatIsupposeisin-
tendedtobewhite-skinknowledge。thoughIhavebutlittleofthelatter，havingpassedmostofmytimeinthewilderness。
Youhavebeenareadyscholar，MasterPathfinder，asisseenbyyourunderstandingthesethingssowell。I
supposeitwouldbenogreatmatterforamanregularlybroughtuptotheseatocatchthesetrifles，ifhecouldonlybringhismindfairlytobearuponthem。
Idon’tknowthat。Thewhitemanhashisdifficultiesingettingred-skinhabits，quiteasmuchastheIndianingettingwhite-skinways。Asfortherealnatur’，itismyopinionthatneithercanactuallygetthatoftheother。
Andyetwesailors，whorunabouttheworldsomuch，saythereisbutonenature，whetheritbeintheChina-
manoraDutchman。Formyownpart，Iammuchofthatwayofthinkingtoo。forIhavegenerallyfoundthatallnationslikegoldandsilver，andmostmenrelishto-
bacco。
Thenyouseafaringmenknowlittleofthered-skins。
HaveyoueverknownanyofyourChinamenwhocouldsingtheirdeath-songs，withtheirfleshtornwithsplintersandcutwithknives，thefireragingaroundtheirnakedbodies，anddeathstaringthemintheface？UntilyoucanfindmeaChinaman，oraChristianman，thatcandoallthis，youcannotfindamanwithared-skinnatur’，lethimlookeversovaliant，orknowhowtoreadallthebooksthatwereeverprinted。
Itisthesavagesonlythatplayeachothersuchhellishtricks，saidMasterCap，glancinghiseyesabouthimun-
easilyattheapparentlyendlessarchesoftheforest。Nowhitemanisevercondemnedtoundergothesetrials。
Nay，thereinyouareagainmistaken，returnedthePathfinder，coollyselectingadelicatemorseloftheveni-
sonashis_bonnebouche_。forthonghthesetormentsbelongonlytothered-skinnatur’，inthewayofbearingthemlikebraves，white-skinnatur’maybe，andoftenhasbeen，agonizedbythem。
Happily，saidCap，withanefforttoclearhisthroat，noneofhisMajesty’sallieswillbelikelytoattemptsuchdamnablecrueltiesonanyofhisMajesty’sloyalsubjects。
Ihavenotservedmuchintheroyalnavy，itistrue。butI
haveserved，andthatissomething。and，inthewayofprivateeringandworryingtheenemyinhisshipsandcargoes，I’vedonemyfullshare。ButItrusttherearenoFrenchsavagesonthissidethelake，andIthinkyousaidthatOntarioisabroadsheetofwater？
Nay，itisbroadinoureyes，returnedPathfinder，notcaringtoconcealthesmilewhichlightedafacewhichhadbeenburntbyexposuretoabrightred。thoughImis-
trustthatsomemaythinkitnarrow。andnarrowitis，ifyouwishittokeepoffthefoe。Ontariohastwoends，andtheenemythatisafraidtocrossitwillbecertaintocomeroundit。
Ah！thatcomesofyourd——dfresh-waterponds！
growledCap，hemmingsoloudlyastocausehiminstantlytorepenttheindiscretion。Noman，now，everheardofapirateorashipgettingroundoneendoftheAtlantic！
Mayhaptheoceanhasnoends？
Thatithasn’t。norsides，norbottom。Thenationwhichissnuglymooredononeofitscoastsneedfearnothingfromtheoneanchoredabeam，letitbeeversosavage，unlessitpossessestheartofshipbuilding。No，no！thepeoplewholiveontheshoresoftheAtlanticneedfearbutlittlefortheirskinsortheirscalps。Amanmayliedownatnightinthoseregions，inthehopeoffindingthehaironhisheadinthemorning，unlesshewearsawig。
Itisn’tsohere。Idon’twishtoflurrytheyoungwoman，andthereforeIwillbeinnowayparticular，thoughsheseemsprettymuchlisteningtoEau-douce，aswecallhim。butwithouttheedicationIhavereceived，I
shouldthinkitatthisverymoment，ariskyjourneytogoovertheverygroundthatliesbetweenusandthegar-
rison，inthepresentstateofthisfrontier。ThereareaboutasmanyIroquoisonthissideofOntarioasthereareontheother。Itisforthisveryreason，friendCap，thattheSergeanthasengagedustocomeoutandshowyouthepath。
What！dotheknavesdaretocruisesonearthegunsofoneofhisMajesty’sworks？
Donottheravensresortnearthecarcassofthedeer，thoughthefowlerisathand？Theycomethis-a-way，asitmightbe，naturally。Therearemoreorlesswhitespassingbetweenthefortsandthesettlements，andtheyaresuretobeontheirtrails。TheSarpenthascomeuponesideoftheriver，andIhavecomeuptheother，inordertoscoutfortheoutlyingrascals，whileJasperbroughtupthecanoe，likeabold-heartedsailorasheis。TheSergeanttoldhim，withtearsinhiseyes，allabouthischild，andhowhisheartyearnedforher，andhowgentleandobedientshewas，untilIthinktheladwouldhavedashedintoaMingocampsingle-handed，ratherthannota-come。
Wethankhim，andshallthinkthebetterofhimforhisreadiness。thoughIsupposetheboyhasrunnogreatrisk，afterall。
Onlytheriskofbeingshotfromacover，asheforcedthecanoeupaswiftrift，orturnedanelbowinthestream，withhiseyesfastenedontheeddies。Ofalltheriskyjourneys，thatonanambushedriveristhemostrisky，inmyjudgment，andthatriskhasJasperrun。
AndwhythedevilhastheSergeantsentformetotravelahundredandfiftymilesinthisoutlandishman-
ner？Givemeanoffing，andtheenemyinsight，andI’llplaywithhiminhisownfashion，aslongashepleases，longbowsorclosequarters。buttobeshotlikeaturtleasleepisnottomyhumor。IfitwerenotforlittleMag-
netthere，Iwouldtackshipthisinstant，makethebestofmywaybacktoYork，andletOntariotakecareofitself，saltwaterorfreshwater。
Thatwouldn’tmendthemattermuch，friendmariner，astheroadtoreturnismuchlonger，andalmostasbadastheroadtogoon。Trusttous，andwewillcarryyouthroughsafely，orloseourscalps。
Capworeatightsolidqueue，doneupineelskin，whilethetopofhisheadwasnearlybald。andhemechanicallypassedhishandoverbothasiftomakecertainthateachwasinitsrightplace。Hewasatthebottom，however，abraveman，andhadoftenfaceddeathwithcoolness，thoughneverinthefrightfulformsinwhichitpresenteditselfunderthebriefbutgraphicpictureofhiscom-
panion。Itwastoolatetoretreat。andhedeterminedtoputthebestfaceonthematter，thoughhecouldnotavoidmutteringinwardlyafewcursesontheindiscretionwithwhichhisbrother-in-law，theSergeant，hadledhimintohispresentdilemma。
Imakenodoubt，MasterPathfinder，heanswered，whenthesethoughtshadfoundtimetoglancethroughhismind，thatweshallreachportinsafety。Whatdis-
tancemaywenowbefromthefort？
Littlemorethanfifteenmiles。andswiftmilestoo，astheriverruns，iftheMingosletusgoclear。
AndIsupposethewoodswilLstretchalongstarboardandlarboard，asheretofore？
Anan？
Imeanthatweshallhavetopickourwaythroughthesedamnedtrees。
Nay，nay，youwillgointhecanoe，andtheOswegohasbeenclearedofitsflood-woodbythetroops。Itwillbefloatingdownstream，andthat，too，withaswiftcur-
rent。
Andwhatthedevilistopreventtheseminksofwhichyouspeakfromshootingusaswedoubleaheadland，orarebusyinsteeringclearoftherocks？
TheLord！——Hewhohassooftenhelpedothersingreaterdifficulties。Manyandmanyisthetimethatmyheadwouldhavebeenstrippedofhair，skin，andall，hadn’ttheLordfi’tofmyside。Inevergointoaskrimmage，friendmariner，withoutthinkingofthisgreatally，whocandomoreinbattlethanallthebattalionsofthe60th，weretheybroughtintoasingleline。
Ay，ay，thismaydowellenoughforascouter。butweseamenlikeouroffing，andtogointoactionwithnothinginourmindsbutthebusinessbeforeus——plainbroadsideandbroadsidework，andnotreesorrockstothickenthewater。
AndnoLordtoo，Idaretosay，ifthetruthwereknown。Takemywordforit，MasterCap，thatnobattleistheworsefi’tforhavingtheLordonyourside。LookattheheadoftheBigSarpent，there。youcanseethemarkofaknifeallalongbyhisleftear：nownothingbutabulletfromthislogrifleofminesavedhisscalpthatday。forithadfairlystarted，andhalfaminutemorewouldhavelefthimwithoutthewar-lock。WhentheMohicansqueezesmyhand，andintermatesthatIbe-
friendedhiminthatmatter，Itellhimno。itwastheLordwholedmetotheonlyspotwhereexecutioncouldbedone，orhisnecessitybemadeknown，onaccountofthesmoke。Sartain，whenIgottherightposition，Ifinishedtheaffairofmyownaccord。Forafriendunderthetomahawkisapttomakeamanthinkquickandactatonce，aswasmycase，ortheSarpent’sspiritwouldbehuntinginthehappylandofhispeopleatthisverymo-
ment。
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