Come，come，Pathfinder，thispalaverisworsethanbeingskinnedfromstemtostem。wehavebutafewhoursofsun，andhadbetterbedriftingdownthissaidcurrentofyourswhilewemay。Magnetdear，areyounotreadytogetunderway？
Magnetstarted，blushedbrightly，andmadeherprep-
arationsforimmediatedeparture。Notasyllableofthediscoursejustrelatedhadsheheard。forEau-douce，asyoungJasperwasoftenercalledthananythingelse，hadbeenfillingherearswithadescriptionoftheyetdistantparttowardswhichshewasjourneying，withaccountsofherfather，whomshehadnotseensinceachild，andwiththemanneroflifeofthosewholivedinthefrontiergar-
risons。Unconsciouslyshehadbecomedeeplyinterested，andherthoughtshadbeentoointentlydirectedtothesematterstoallowanyofthelessagreeablesubjectsdis-
cussedbythosesoneartoreachherears。Thebustleofdepartureputanendtotheconversation，and，thebag-
gageofthescoutsorguidesbeingtrifling，inafewminutesthewholepartywasreadytoproceed。Astheywereabouttoquitthespot，however，tothesurpriseofevenhisfellow-guides，Pathfindercollectedaquantityofbranchesandthrewthemupontheembersofthefire，takingcareeventoseethatsomeofthewoodwasdamp，inordertoraiseasdarkanddenseasmokeaspossible。
Whenyoucanhideyourtrail，Jasper，saidhe，asmokeatleavinganencampmentmaydogoodinsteadofharm。IfthereareadozenMingoswithintenmilesofus，someon’emareontheheights，orinthetrees，look-
ingoutforsmokes。letthemseethis，andmuchgoodmayitdothem。Theyarewelcometoourleavings。
Butmaytheynotstrikeandfollowonourtrail？
askedtheyouth，whoseinterestinthehazardofhissitua-
tionhadmuchincreasedsincethemeetingwithMagnet。
Weshallleaveabroadpathtotheriver。
Thebroaderthebetter。whenthere，itwillsurpassMingocunning，even，tosaywhichwaythecanoehasgone-upstreamordown。Wateristheonlythinginnatur’
thatwillthoroughlywashoutatrail，andevenwaterwillnotalwaysdoitwhenthescentisstrong。Doyounotsee，Eau-douce，thatifanyMingoshaveseenourpathbelowthefalls，theywillstrikeofftowardsthissmoke，andthattheywillnaturallyconcludethattheywhobeganbygoingupstreamwillendbygoingupstream。Iftheyknowanything，theynowknowapartyisoutfromthefort，anditwillexceedevenMingowittofancythatwehavecomeupherejustforthepleasureofgoingbackagain，andthat，too，thesameday，andattheriskofourscalps。
Certainly，addedJasper，whowastalkingapartwiththePathfinder，astheymovedtowardsthewind-row，theycannotknowanythingabouttheSergeant’sdaugh-
ter，forthegreatestsecrecyhasbeenobservedonherac-
count。
Andtheywilllearnnothinghere，returnedPath-
finder，causinghiscompaniontoseethathetrodwiththeutmostcareontheimpressionleftontheleavesbythelittlefootofMabel。unlessthisoldsalt-waterfishhasbeentakinghisnieceaboutinthewind-row，likeafa’nplayingbythesideoftheolddoe。
Buck，youmean，Pathfinder。
Isn’theaqueerity？NowIcanconsortwithsuchasailorasyourself，Eau-douce，andfindnothingverycon-
traryinourgifts，thoughyoursbelongtothelakesandminetothewoods。Hark’e，Jasper，continuedthescout，laughinginhisnoiselessmanner。supposewetrythetemperofhisbladeandrunhimoverthefalls？
Andwhatwouldbedonewiththeprettynieceinthemeanwhile？
Nay，nay，noharmshallcometoher。shemustwalkroundtheportage，atanyrate。butyouandIcantrythisAtlanticoceaner，andthenallpartieswillbecomebetteracquainted。Weshallfindoutwhetherhisflintwillstrikefire。andhemaycometoknowsomethingoffrontiertricks。
YoungJaspersmiled，forhewasnotaversetofun，andhadbeenalittletouchedbyCap’ssuperciliousness。butMabel’sfairface，light，agileform，andwinningsmiles，stoodlikeashieldbetweenheruncleandtheintendedexperiment。
PerhapstheSergeant’sdaughterwillbefrightened，
saidhe。
Notshe，ifshehasanyoftheSergeant’sspiritinher。
Shedoesn’tlooklikeaskearything，atall。Leaveittome，then，Eau-douce，andIwillmanagetheaffairalone。
Notyou，Pathfinder。youwouldonlydrownboth。Ifthecanoegoesover，Imustgoinit。
Well，haveitso，then：shallwesmokethepipeofagreementonthebargain？
Jasperlaughed，noddedhisheadbywayofconsent，andthenthesubjectwasdropped，asthepartyhadreachedthecanoesooftenmentioned，andfewerwordshadde-
terminedmuchgreaterthingsbetweentheparties。
CHAPTERIII。
Beforethesefieldswereshornandtill’d，Fulltothebrimourriversflow’d。
Themelodyofwatersfill’dThefreshandboundlesswood。
Andtorrentsdash’d，andrivuletsplay’d，Andfountainsspoutedintheshade。
BRYANT。
ItisgenerallyknownthatthewaterswhichflowintothesouthernsideofOntarioare，ingeneral，narrow，slug-
gish，anddeep。Therearesomeexceptionstothisrule，formanyoftherivershaverapids，or，astheyaretermedinthelanguageoftheregion，rifts，andsomehavefalls。
Amongthelatterwastheparticularstreamonwhichouradventurerswerenowjourneying。TheOswegoisformedbythejunctionoftheOneidaandtheOnondaga，bothofwbichflowfromlakes。anditpursuesitsway，throughagentlyundulatingcountry，someeightortenmiles，untilitreachesthemarginofasortofnaturalterrace，downwhichittumblessometenorfifteenfeet，toanotherlevel，acrosswhichitglideswiththesilent，stealthyprogressofdeepwater，untilitthrowsitstributeintothebroadre-
ceptacleoftheOntario。ThecanoeinwhichCapandhispartyhadtravelledfromFortStanwix，thelastmilitarystationoftheMohawk，laybythesideofthisriver，andintoitthewholepartynowentered，withtheexceptionofPathfinder，whoremainedontheland，inordertoshovethelightvesseloff。
Letherstarndriftdownstream，Jasper，saidthemanofthewoodstotheyoungmarinerofthelake，whohaddispossessedArrowheadofhispaddleandtakenhisownstationassteersman。letitgodownwiththecur-
rent。Shouldanyoftheseinfarnals，theMingos，strikeourtrail，orfollowittothispointtheywillnotfailtolookforthesignsinthemud。andiftheydiscoverthatwehavelefttheshorewiththenoseofthecanoeupstream，itisanaturalbelieftothinkwewentupstream。
Thisdirectionwasfollowed。and，givingavigorousshove，thePathfinder，whowasintheflowerofhisstrengthandactivity，madealeap，landinglightly，andwithoutdisturbingitsequilibrium，inthebowofthecanoe。Assoonasithadreachedthecentreoftheriverorthestrengthofthecurrent，theboatwasturned，anditbegantoglidenoiselesslydownthestream。
ThevesselinwhichCapandhisniecehadembarkedfortheirlongandadventurousjourneywasoneofthecanoesofbarkwhichtheIndiansareinthehabitofconstructing，andwhich，bytheirexceedinglightnessandtheeasewithwhichtheyarepropelled，areadmirablyadaptedtoanavigationinwhichshoals，flood-wood，andothersimilarobstructionssooftenoccur。Thetwomenwhocomposeditsoriginalcrewhadseveraltimescarriedit，whenemptiedofitsluggage，manyhundredyards。anditwouldnothaveexceededthestrengthofasinglemantoliftitsweight。
Stillitwaslong，and，foracanoe，wide。awantofsteadi-
nessbeingitsprincipaldefectintheeyesoftheunin-
itiated。Afewhourspractice，however，inagreatmeasureremediedthisevil，andbothMabelandherunclehadlearnedsofartohumoritsmovements，thattheynowmaintainedtheirplaceswithperfectcomposure。nordidtheadditionalweightofthethreeguidestaxitspowerinanyparticulardegree，thebreathoftheroundedbottomallowingthenecessaryquantityofwatertobedisplacedwithoutbringingthegunwaleverysensiblynearertothesurfaceofthestream。Itsworkmanshipwasneat。thetimbersweresmall，andsecuredbythongs。andthewholefabric，thoughitwassoslighttotheeye，wasprobablycapableofconveyingdoublethenumberofpersonswhichitnowcontained。
Capwasseatedonalowthwart，inthecentreofthecanoe。theBigSerpentkneltnearhim。Arrowheadandhiswifeoccupiedplacesforwardofboth，theformerhav-
ingrelinquishedhispostaft。Mabelwashalfrecliningbehindheruncle，whilethePathfinderandEau-doucestooderect，theoneinthebow，andtheotherinthestern，eachusingapaddle，withalong，steady，noiselesssweep。
Theconversationwascarriedoninlowtones，allthepartybeginningtofeelthenecessityofprudence，astheydrewnearertotheoutskirtsofthefort，andhadnolongerthecoverofthewoods。
TheOswego，justatthatplace，wasadeepdarkstreamofnogreatwidth，itsstill，gloomy-lookingcurrentwind-
ingitswayamongoverhangingtrees，which，inparticularspots，almostshutoutthelightoftheheavens。Hereandtheresomehalf-fallengiantoftheforestlaynearlyacrossitssurface，renderingcarenecessarytoavoidthelimbs。
andmostofthedistance，thelowerbranchesandleavesofthetreesofsmallergrowthwerelavedbyitswaters。Thepicturesobeautifullydescribedbyourownadmirablepoet，andwhichwehaveplacedattheheadofthischapter，washererealized。theearthfattenedbythedecayedvegetationofcenturies，andblackwithloam，thestreamthatfilledthebanksnearlytooverflowing，andthefreshandboundlesswood，beingallasvisibletotheeyeasthepenofBryanthaselsewherevividlypresentedthemtotheimagination。Inshort，theentirescenewasoneofarichandbenevolentnature，beforeithadbeensubjectedtotheusesanddesiresofman。luxuriant，wild，fullofpromiSe，andnotwithoutthecharmofthepicturesque，eveninitsrudeststate。Itwillberememberedthatthiswasintheyear175-，orlongbeforeevenspeculationhadbroughtanyportionofwesternNewYorkwithintheboundsofcivili-
zation。Atthatdistantdaythereweretwogreatchannelsofmilitarycommunicationbetweentheinhabitedpor-
tionofthecolonyofNewYorkandthefrontierswhichlayadjacenttotheCanadas，——thatbyLakesChamplainandGeorge，andthatbymeansoftheMohawk，WoodCreek，theOneida，andtheriverswehavebeendescrib-
ing。Alongboththeselinesofcommunicationmilitarypostshadbeenestablished，thoughthereexistedablankspaceofahundredmilesbetweenthelastfortattheheadoftheMohawkandtheoutletoftheOswego，whichem-
bracedmostofthedistancethatCapandMabelhadjour-
neyedundertheprotectionofArrowhead。
Isometimeswishforpeaceagain，saidthePathfinder，whenonecanrangetheforestwithoutsearchingforanyotherenemythanthebeastsandfishes。Ah’sme！manyisthedaythattheSarpent，there，andIhavepassedhap-
pilyamongthestreams，livingonvenison，salmon，andtroutwithoutthoughtofaMingoorascalp！Isome-
timeswishthatthemblesseddaysmightcomeback，foritisnotmyrealgifttoslaymyownkind。I’msartaintheSergeant’sdaughterdon’tthinkmeawretchthattakespleasureinpreyingonhumannatur’？
Asthisremark，asortofhalfinterrogatory，wasmade，Pathfinderlookedbehindhim。and，thoughthemostpartialfriendcouldscarcelytermhissunburntandhardfeatureshandsome，evenMabelthoughthissmileattrac-
tive，byitssimpleingenuousnessandtheuprightnessthatbeamedineverylineamentofhishonestcountenance。
Idonotthinkmyfatherwouldhavesentonelikethoseyoumentiontoseehisdaughterthroughthewilder-
ness，theyoungwomananswered，returningthesmileasfranklyasitwasgiven，butmuchmoresweetly。
Thathewouldn’t。theSergeantisamanoffeeling，andmanyisthemarchandthefightthatwehavehad——stoodshouldertoshoulderin，as_he_wouldcallit——thoughIalwayskeepmylimbsfreewhennearaFrencheroraMingo。
Youare，then，theyoungfriendofwhommyfatherhasspokensoofteninhisletters？
His_young_friend——theSergeanthastheadvantageofmebythirtyyears。yes，heisthirtyyearsmysenior，andasmanymybetter。
Notintheeyesofthedaughter，perhaps，friendPath-
finder。putinCap，whosespiritsbegantorevivewhenhefoundthewateroncemoreflowingaroundhim。Thethirtyyearsthatyoumentionarenotoftenthoughttobeanadvantageintheeyesofgirlsofnineteen。
Mabelcolored。and，inturningasideherfacetoavoidthelooksofthoseinthebowofthecanoe，sheencounteredtheadmiringgazeoftheyoungmaninthestern。Asalastresource，herspiritedbutsoftblueeyessoughtrefugeinthewater。Justatthismomentadull，heavysoundsweptuptheavenueformedbythetrees，bornealongbyalightairthathardlyproducedarippleonthewater。
Thatsoundspleasantly，saidCap，prickinguphisearslikeadogthathearsadistantbaying。itisthesurfontheshoresofyourlake，Isuppose？
Notso——notso，answeredthePathfinder。itismerelythisrivertumblingoversomerockshalfamilebelowus。
Isthereafallinthestream？demandedMabel，astillbrighterflushglowinginherface。
Thedevil！MasterPathfinder，oryou，Mr。Eau-douce
(forsoCapbegantostyleJasper)，hadyounotbettergivethecanoeasheer，andgetnearertotheshore？Thesewaterfallshavegenerallyrapidsabovethem，andonemightaswellgetintotheMaelstromatonceastorunintotheirsuction。
Trusttous，friendCap，answeredPathfinder。wearebutfresh-watersailors，itistrue，andIcannotboastofbeingmuchevenofthat。butweunderstandriftsandrapidsandcataracts。andingoingdowntheseweshalldoourendeavorsnottodisgraceouredication。
Ingoingdown！exclaimedCap。Thedevil，man！
youdonotdreamofgoingdownawaterfallinthiseggshellofbark！
Sartain。thepathliesoverthefalls，anditismucheasiertoshootthemthantounloadthecanoeandtocarrythatandallitcontainsaroundaportageofamilebyhand。
Mabelturnedherpallidcountenancetowardstheyoungmaninthesternofthecanoe。for，justatthatmoment，afreshroarofthefallwasbornetoherearsbyanewcurrentoftheair，anditreallysoundedterrific，nowtlnatthecausewasunderstood。
Wethoughtthat，bylandingthefemalesandthetwoIndians，Jasperquietlyobserved，wethreewhitemen，allofwhomareusedtothewater，mightcarrythecanoeoverinsafety，forweoftenshootthesefalls。
Andwecountedonyou，friendmariner，asamain-
stay，saidPathfinder，winkingtoJasperoverhisshoulder。
foryouareaccustomedtoseewavestumblingabout。andwithoutsomeonetosteadythecargo，allthefineryoftheSergeant’sdaughtermightbewashedintotheriverandbelost。
Capwaspuzzled。Theideaofgoingoverawaterfallwas，perhaps，moreseriousinhiseyesthanitwouldhavebeeninthoseofonetotallyignorantofallthatpertainedtoboats。forheunderstoodthepoweroftheelement，andthetotalfeeblenessofmanwhenexposedtoitsfury。Stillhispriderevoltedatthethoughtofdesertingtheboat，whileothersnotonlysteadily，butcoolly，proposedtocon-
tinueinit。Notwithstandingthelatterfeeling，andhisinnateaswellasacquiredsteadinessindanger，hewouldprobablyhavedesertedhispost。hadnottheimagesofIndianstearingscalpsfromthehumanheadtakensostrongholdofhisfancyastoinducehimtoimaginethecanoeasortofsanctuary。
WhatistobedonewithMagnet？hedemanded，af-
fectionforhisnieceraisinganotherqualminhiscon-
science。WecannotallowMagnettolandifthereareenemy’sIndiansnear？
Nay，noMingowillbeneartheportage，forthatisaspottoopublicfortheirdevilries，answeredthePath-
finderconfidently。Natur’isnatur’，anditisanIndian’snatur’tobefoundwhereheisleastexpected。Nofearofhimonabeatenpath。forhewishestocomeuponyouwhenunpreparedtomeethim，andthefieryvillainsmakeitapointtodeceiveyou，onewayoranother。Sheerin，Eau-douce，andwewilllandtheSergeant’sdaughterontheendofthatlog，whereshecanreachtheshorewithadryfoot。
Theinjunctionwasobeyed，andinafewminutesthewholepartyhadleftthecanoe，withtheexceptionofPathfinderandthetwosailors。Notwithstandinghispro-
fessionalpride，Capwouldhavegladlyfollowed。buthedidnotliketoexhibitsounequivocalaweaknessinthepresenceofafresh-watersailor。
Icallallhandstowitness，saidhe，asthosewhohadlandedmovedaway，thatIdonotlookonthisaffairasanythingmorethancanoeinginthewoods。Thereisnoseamanshipintumblingoverawaterfall，whichisafeatthegreatestlubbercanperformaswellastheoldestmariner。
Nay，nay，youneedn’tdespisetheOswegoFalls，neither，putinPathfinder。for，thoughttheymaynotbeNiagara，northeGenessee，northeCahoos，norGlenn’s，northoseontheCanada，theyarenarvousenoughforanewbeginner。LettheSergeant’sdaughterstandonyonderrock，andshewillseethemannerinwhichweig-
norantbackwoodsmengetoveradifficultythatwecan’tgetunder。Now，Eau-douce，asteadyhandandatrueeye，forallrestsonyou，seeingthatwecancountMasterCapfornomorethanapassenger。
Thecanoewasleavingtheshoreasheconcluded，whileMabelwenthurriedlyandtremblingtotherockthathadbeenpointedout，talkingtohercompanionofthedangerherunclesounnecessarilyran，whilehereyeswererivetedontheagileandvigorousformofEau-douce，ashestooderectinthesternofthelightboat，governingitsmove-
ments。Assoon，however，asshereachedapointwhereshegotaviewofthefall，shegaveaninvoluntarybutsuppressedscream，andcoveredhereyes。Atthenextinstant，thelatterwereagainfree，andtheentrancedgirlstoodimmovableasastatue，ascarcelybreathingobserverofallthatpassed。ThetwoIndiansseatedthemselvespassivelyonalog，hardlylookingtowardsthestream，whilethewifeofArrowheadcamenearMabel，andap-
rearedtowatchthemotionsofthecanoewithsomesuchinterestasachildregardstheleapsofatumbler。
Assoonastheboatwasinthestream，Pathfindersankonhisknees，continuingtousethepaddle，thoughitwasslowly，andinamannernottointerferewiththeeffortsofhiscompanion。Thelatterstillstooderect。and，ashekepthiseyeonsomeobjectbeyondthefall，itwasevi-
dentthathewascarefullylookingforthespotproperfortheirpassage。
Fartherwest，boy。fartherwest，mutteredPathfinder。
therewhereyouseethewaterfoam。Bringthetopofthedeadoakinalinewiththestemoftheblastedhem-
lock。
Eau-doucemadenoanswer。forthecanoewasinthecentreofthestream，withitsheadpointedtowardsthefall，andithadalreadybeguntoquickenitsmotionbytheincreasedforceofthecurrent。AtthatmomentCapwouldcheerfullyhaverenouncedeveryclaimtoglorythatcouldpossiblybeacquiredbythefeat，tohavebeensafeagainonshore。Heheardtheroarofthewater，thunder-
ing，asitmightbe，behindascreen，butbecomingmoreandmoredistinct，louderandlouder，andbeforehimhesawitslinecuttingtheforestbelow，alongwhichthegreenandangryelementseemedstretchedandshining，asiftheparticleswereabouttolosetheirprincipleofcohe-
sion。
Downwithyourhelm，downwithyourhelm，man！
heexclaimed，unableanylongertosuppresshisanxiety，asthecanoeglidedtowardstheedgeofthefall。
Ay，ay，downitissureenough，answeredPathfinder，lookingbehindhimforasingleinstant，withhissilent，joyouslaugh，——downwego，ofasartinty！Heaveherstarnup，boy。fartherupwithherstarn！
Therestwaslikethepassageoftheviewlesswind。Eau-
doucegavetherequiredsweepwithhispaddle，thecanoeglancedintothechannel，andforafewsecondsitseemedtoCapthathewastossinginacaldron。Hefeltthebowofthecanoetip，sawtheraging，foamingwatercareeringmadlybyhisside，wassensiblethatthelightfabricinwhichhefloatedwastossedaboutlikeanegg-shell，andthen，notlesstohisgreatjoythantohissurprise，hedis-
coveredthatitwasglidingacrossthebasinofstillwaterbelowthefall，underthesteadyimpulseofJasper’spaddle。
ThePathfindercontinuedtolaugh。buthearosefromhisknees，and，searchingforatinpotandahornspoon，hebegandeliberatelytomeasurethewaterthathadbeentakeninthepassage。
Fourteenspoonfuls，Eau-douce。fourteenfairlymeas-
uredspoonfuls。Ihave，youmustacknowledge，knownyoutogodownwithonlyten。
MasterCapleanedsohardupstream，returnedJasperseriously，thatIhaddifficultyintrimmingthecanoe。
Itmaybeso。nodoubtit_was_so，sinceyousayit。butIhaveknownyougooverwithonlyten。
Capnowgaveatremendoushem，feltforhisqueueasiftoascertainitssafety，andthenlookedbackinordertoexaminethedangerhehadgonethrough。Hissafetyiseasilyexplained。Mostoftheriverfellperpendicularlytenortwelvefeet。butnearitscentretheforceofthecurrenthadsofarwornawaytherockastopermitthewatertoshootthroughanarrowpassage，atanangleofaboutfortyorfortyfivedegrees。Downthisticklishde-
scentthecanoehadglanced，amidfragmentsofbrokenrock，whirlpools，foam，andfurioustossingsoftheele-
ment，whichanuninstructedeyewouldbelievemenacedinevitabledestructiontoanobjectsofragile。Buttheverylightnessofthecanoehadfavoreditsdescent。for，borneonthecrestofthewaves，anddirectedbyasteadyeyeandanarmfullofmuscle，ithadpassedlikeafeatherfromonepileoffoamtoanother，scarcelypermittingitsglossysidetobewetted。Therewereafewrockstobeavoided，theproperdirectionwastoberigidlyobserved，andthefiercecurrentdidtherest。(1)
(1)Lestthereadersupposewearedealingpurelyinfiction，thewriterwilladdthathehasknownalongthirty-twopoundercar-
riedoverthesesamefallsinperfectsafety。
TosaythatCapwasastonishedwouldnotbeexpressinghalfhisfeelings。hefeltawed：fortheprofounddreadofrockswhichmostseamenentertaincameinaidofhisad-
mirationoftheboldnessoftheexploit。Stillhewasin-
disposedtoexpressallhefelt，lestitmightbeconcedingtoomuchinfavoroffreshwaterandinlandnavigation。
andnosoonerhadheclearedhisthroatwiththeafore-
saidhem，thanheloosenedhistongueintheusualstrainofsuperiority。
Idonotgainsayyourknowledgeofthechannel，MasterEau-douce，and，afterall，toknowthechannelinsuchaplaceisthemainpoint。Ihavehadcockswainswithmewhocouldcomedownthatshoottoo，iftheyonlyknewthechannel。
Itisn’tenoughtoknowthechannel，saidPathfinder。
itneedsnarvesandskilltokeepthecanoestraight，andtokeepherclearoftherockstoo。Thereisn’tanotherboatmaninallthisregionthatcanshoottheOswego，butEau-doucethere，withanysartainty。though，nowandthen，onehasblunderedthrough。Ican’tdoitmyselfunlessbymeansofProvidence，anditneedsJasper’shandandeyetomakesureofadrypassage。Fourteenspoon-
fuls，afterall，arenogreatmatter，thoughIwishithadbeenbutten，seeingthattheSergeant’sdaughterwasalooker-on。
Andyetyouconnedthecanoe。youtoldhimhowtoheadandhowtosheer。
Humanfrailty，mastermariner。thatwasalittleofwhite-skinnatur’。Now，hadtheSarpent，yonder，beenintheboat，notawordwouldhehavespokenorthoughtwouldhehavegiventothepublic。AnIndianknowshowtoholdhistongue。butwewhitefolkfancywearealwayswiserthanourfellows。I’mcuringmyselffastoftheweakness，butitneedstimetorootupthetreethathasbeengrowingmorethanthirtyyears。
Ithinklittleofthisaffair，sir。nothingatalltospeakmymindfreely。It’samerewashofspraytoshootingLondonBridgewhichisdoneeverydaybyhundredsofpersons，andoftenbythemostdelicateladiesintheland。
Theking’smajestyhasshotthebridgeinhisroyalperson。
Well，Iwantnodelicateladiesorking’smajesties(Godbless’em！)inthecanoe，ingoingoverthesefalls。
foraboat’sbreath，eitherway，maymakeadrowningmat-
terofit。Eau-douce，weshallhavetocarrytheSergeant’sbrotheroverNiagarayet，toshowhimwhatmaybedoneinafrontier。
Thedevil！MasterPathfinder，youmustbejokingnow！Surelyitisnotpossibleforabarkcanoetogooverthatmightycataract？
Youneverweremoremistaken，MasterCap，inyourlife。NothingiseasierandmanyisthecanoeIhaveseengooveritwithmyowneyes。andifwebothliveIhopetosatisfyyouthatthefeatcanbedone。Formypart，I
thinkthelargestshipthateversailedontheoceanmightbecarriedover，couldsheoncegetintotherapids。
CapdidnotperceivethewinkwhichPathfinderex-
changedwithEau-douce，andheremainedsilentforsometime。for，soothtosay，hehadneversuspectedthepossi-
bilityofgoingdownNiagara，feasibleasthethingmustappeartoeveryoneonasecondthought，therealdiffi-
cultyexistingingoingupit。
BythistimethepartyhadreachedtheplacewhereJasperhadlefthisowncanoe，concealedinthebushes，andtheyallre-embarked。Cap，Jasper，andhisnieceinoneboatandPathfinder，Arrowhead，andthewifeofthelatterintheother。TheMohicanhadalreadypasseddownthebanksoftheriverbyland，lookingcautiouslyandwiththeskillofhispeopleforthesignsofanenemy。
ThecheekofMabeldidnotrecoverallitsbloomuntilthecanoewasagaininthecurrent，downwhichitfloatedswiftly，occasionallyimpelledbythepaddleofJasper。
Shewitnessedthedescentofthefallswithadegreeofterrorwhichhadrenderedhermute。butherfrighthadnotbeensogreatastopreventadmirationofthesteadi-
nessoftheyouthwhodirectedthemovementfromblend-
ingwiththepassingterror。Intruth，onemuchlesssensitivemighthavehadherfeelingsawakenedbythecoolandgallantairwithwhichEau-doucehadaccom-
plishedthiscleverexploit。Hehadstoodfirmlyerect，notwithstandingtheplunge。andtothoseontheshoreitwasevidentthat，byatimelyapplicationofhisskillandstrength，thecanoehadreceivedasheerwhichalonecar-
rieditclearofarockoverwhichtheboilingwaterwasleapingin_jetsd’eau_，——nowleavingthebrownstonevisi-
tie，andnowcoveringitwithalimpidsheet，asifma-
chinerycontrolledtheplayoftheelement。Thetonguecannotalwaysexpresswhattheeyesview。butMabelsawenough，eveninthatmomentoffear，toblendforeverinhermindthepicturespresentedbytheplungingcanoeandtheunmovedsteersman。Sheadmittedthatinsidiousfeelingwhichbindswomansostronglytoman，byfeelingadditionalsecurityinfindingherselfunderhiscare。and，forthefirsttimesinceleavingFortStanwix，shewasen-
tirelyathereaseinthefrailbarkinwhichshetravelled。
Astheothercanoekeptquitenearherown，however，andthePathfinder，byfloatingatherside，wasmostinview，theconversationwasprincipallymaintainedwiththatperson。Jasperseldomspeakingunlessaddressed，andconstantlyexhibitingawearinessinthemanagementofhisownboat，whichmighthavebeenremarkedbyoneaccustomedtohisordinarilyconfident，carelessmanner。
Weknowtoowellawoman’sgiftstothinkofcarryingtheSergeant’sdaughteroverthefalls，saidPathfinder，lookingatMabel，whileheaddressedheruncle。thoughI’vebeenacquaintedwithsomeofhersexthatwouldthinkbutlittleofdoingthething。
Mabelisfaint-hearted，likehermother，returnedCap。andyoudidwell，friend，tohumorherweakness。
Youwillrememberthechildhasneverbeenatsea。
No，no，itwaseasytodiscoverthat。byyourownfear-
lessness，anyonemighthaveseenhowlittleyoucaredaboutthematter。Iwentoveroncewitharawhand，andhejumpedoutofthecanoejustasittipped，andyoumanyjudgewhatatimehehadofit。
Whatbecameofthepoorfellow？askedCap，scarcelyknowinghowtotaketheother’smanner，whichwassodry，whileitwassosimple，thatalessobtusesubjectthantheoldsailormightwellhavesuspecteditssincerity。
Onewhohaspassedtheplaceknowshowtofeelforhim。
Hewasa_poor_fellow，asyousay。andapoorfrontiermantoo，thoughhecameouttoshowhisskillamongusignoranters。Whatbecameofhim？Why，hewentdownthefallstopsy-turveylike，aswouldhavehappenedtoacourt-houseorafort。
Ifitshouldjumpoutofatcanoe，interruptedJasper，smiling，thoughthewasevidentlymoredisposedthanhisfriendtoletthepassageofthefallsbeforgotten。
Theboyisright，rejoinedPathfinder，laughinginMabel’sface，thecanoesbeingnowsonearthattheyalmosttouched。heissartainlyright。Butyouhavenottolduswhatyouthinkoftheleapwetook？
Itwasperilousandbold，saidMabel。whilelookingatit，Icouldhavewishedthatithadnotbeenattempted，though，nowitisover，Icanadmireitsboldnessandthesteadinesswithwhichitwasmade。
Now，donotthinkthatwedidthisthingtosetourselvesoffinfemaleeyes。Itmaybepleasanttotheyoungtowineachother’sgoodopinionsbydoingthingswhichmayseempraiseworthyandbold。butneitherEau-doucenormyselfisofthatrace。Mynatur’hasfewturnsinit，andisastraightnatur’。norwoulditbelikelytoleadmeintoavanityofthissortwhileoutonduty。AsforJasper，hewouldsoonergoovertheOswegoFalls，withoutalooker-
on，thandoitbeforeahundredpairofeyes。Iknowtheladwellfrommuchconsorting，andIamsureheisnotboastfulorvain-glorious。
Mabelrewardedthescoutwithasmile，whichservedtokeepthecanoestogetherforsometimelonger。forthesightofyouthandbeautywassorareonthatremotefrontier，thateventherebukedandself-mortifiedfeelingsofthiswandereroftheforestweresensiblytouchedbythebloominglovelinessofthegirl。
Wediditforthebest，Pathfindercontinued。’twasallforthebest。Hadwewaitedtocarrythecanoeacrosstheportage，timewouldhavebeenlost，andnothinigissopreciousastimewhenyouaremistrustfulofMingos。
Butwehavelittletofearnow。Thecanoesmoveswiftly，andtwohours，youhavesaid，willcarryusdowntothefort。
ItshallbeacunningIroquoiswhohurtsahairofyourhead，prettyone。forallhereareboundtotheSergeant，andmost，Ithink，toyourself，toseeyousafefromharm。
Ha，Eau-douce！whatisthatintheriver，atthelowerturn，yonder，beneaththebushes，——Imeanstandingontherock？
’TistheBigSerpent，Pathfinder。heismakingsignstousinawayIdon’tunderstand。
’TistheSarpent，assureasI’mawhiteman，andhewishesustodropinnearertohisshore。Mischiefisbrewing，oroneofhisdeliberationandsteadinesswouldnevertakethistrouble。Courage，all！wearemen，andmustmeetdevilryasbecomesourcolorandourcallings。
Ah，Ineverknewgoodcomeofboasting！andhere，justasIwasvauntingofoursafety，comesdangertogivemethelie。
CHAPTERIV
Art，stryvingtocompareWithnature，didanarbergreenedispred，Fram’dofwantonyvieflowingfayre，Throughwhichthefragranteglantinesdidspred。
SPENSER。
TheOswego，belowthefalls，isamorerapid，unequalstreamthanitisabovethem。Thereareplaceswheretheriverflowsinthequietstillnessofdeepwater，butmanyshoalsandrapidsoccur。andatthatdistantday，wheneverythingwasinitsnaturalstate，someofthepasseswerenotaltogetherwithouthazard。Verylittleexertionwasrequiredonthepartofthosewhomanagedthecanoes，exceptinthoseplaceswheretheswiftnessofthecurrentandthepresenceoftherocksrequiredcare。then，indeed，notonlyvigilance，butgreatcoolness，readiness，andstrengthofarmbecamenecessary，inordertoavoidthedangers。OfallthistheMohicanwasaware，andhehadjudiciouslyselectedaspotwheretheriverflowedtran-
quillytointerceptthecanoes，inordertomakehiscommunicationwithouthazardtothosehewishedtospeak。
ThePathfinderhadnosoonerrecognizedtheformofhisredfriend，than，withastrongsweepofhispaddle，hethrewtheheadofhisowncanoetowardstheshore，mo-
tioningforJaspertofollow。Inaminutebothboatsweresilentlydriftingdownthestream，withinreachofthebushesthatoverhungthewater，allobservingaprofoundsilence。somefromalarm，andothersfromhabitualcau-
tion。AsthetravellersdrewnearertheIndian，hemadeasignforthemtostop。andthenheandPathfinderhadashortbutearnestconference。
TheChiefisnotapttoseeenemiesinadeadlog，ob-
servedthewhitemantohisredassociate。whydoeshetellustostop？
Mingosareinthewoods。
Thatwehavebelievedthesetwodays：doesthechiefknowit？
TheMohicanquietlyhelduptheheadofapipeformedofstone。
Itlayonafreshtrailthatledtowardsthegarrison，-
forsoitwastheusageofthatfrontiertotermamili-
tarywork，whetheritwasoccupiedornot。
Thatmaybethebowlofapipebelongingtoasoldier。
Manyusethered-skinpipes。
See，saidtheBigSerpent，againholdingthethinghehadfounduptotheviewofhisfriend。
Thebowlofthepipewasofsoap-stone，andwascarvedwithgreatcareandwithaveryrespectabledegreeofskill。
initscentrewasasmallLatincross，madewithanaccuracywhichpermittednodoubtofitsmeaning。
Thatdoesforetelldevilryandwickedness，saidthePathfinder，whohadalltheprovincialhorroroftheholysymbolinquestionwhichthenpervadedthecountry，andwhichbecamesoincorporatedwithitsprejudices，bycon-
foundingmenwithtings，astohaveleftitstracesstrongenoughonthemroalfeelingofthecommunitytobedis-
coveredevenatthepresenthour。noIndianwhohadnotbeenparvartedbythecunningpriestsoftheCanadaswoulddreamofcarvingathinglikethatonhispipe。I’llwarrantye，theknavepraystotheimageeverytimehewishestosarcumventtheinnocent，andworkhisfearfulwickedness。Itlooksfresh，too，Chingachgook？
ThetobaccowasburningwhenIfoundit。
Thatisclosework，chief。Wherewasthetrail？
TheMohicanpointedtoaspotnotahundredyardsfromthatwheretheystood。
Thematternowbegantolookveryserious，andthetwoprincipalguidesconferredapartforseveralminutes，whenbothascendedthebank，approachedtheindicatedspot，andexaminedthetrailwiththeutmostcare。Afterthisinvestigationhadlastedaquarterofanhour，thewhitemanreturnedalone，hisredfriendhavingdisappearedintheforest。
TheordinaryexpressionofthecountenanceofthePathfinderwasthatofsimplicity，integrity，andsincerity，blendedinanairofself-reliancewhichusuallygavegreatconfidencetothosewhofoundthemselvesunderhiscare。
butnowalookofconcerncastashadeoverhishonestface，thatstruckthewholeparty。
Whatcheer，MasterPathfinder？demandedCap，per-
mittingavoicethatwasusuallydeep，loud，andconfidenttosinkintothecautioustonesthatbettersuitedthedan-
gersofthewilderness。Hastheenemygotbetweenusandourport？
Anan？
Haveanyofthesepaintedscaramouchesanchoredofftheharbortowardswhichwearerunning，withthehopeofcuttingusoffinentering？
Itmaybeallasyousay，friendCap，butIamnonethewiserforyourwords。andinticklishtimestheplaineramanmakeshisEnglishtheeasierheisunderstood。I
knownothingofportsandanchors。butthereisadirefulMingotrailwithinahundredyardsofthisveryspot，andasfreshasvenisonwithoutsalt。Ifoneofthefierydevilshaspassed，sohaveadozen。and，whatisworse，theyhavegonedowntowardsthegarrison，andnotasoulcrossestheclearingarounditthatsomeoftheirpiercingeyeswillnotdiscover，whensartainbulletswillfollow。
Cannotthissaidfortdeliverabroadside，andcleareverythingwithinthesweepofitshawse？
Nay，thefortsthis-a-wayarenotlikefortsintheset-
tlements，andtwoorthreelightcannonarealltheyhavedownatthemouthoftheriver。andthen，broadsidesfiredatadozenoutlyingMingoes，lyingbehindlogsandinaforest，wouldbepowderspentinvain。Wehavebutonecourse，andthatisaveryniceone。Wearejudgmaticallyplacedhere，bothcanoesbeinghidbythehighbankandthebushes，fromalleyes，exceptthoseofanylurkerdi-
rectlyopposite。Here，then，wemaystaywithoutmuchpresentfear。buthowtogetthebloodthirstydevilsupthestreamagain？Ha！Ihaveit，Ihaveit！ifitdoesnogood，itcandonoharm。Doyouseethewide-toppedchestnuthere，Jasper，atthelastturnintheriver——onourownsideofthestream，Imean？
Thatnearthefallenpine？
Theverysame。Taketheflintandtinder-box，creepalongthebank，andlightafireatthatspot。maybethesmokewilldrawthemaboveus。Inthemeanwhile，wewilldropthecanoescarefullydownbeyondthepointbelow，andfindanothershelter。Bushesareplenty，andcoversareeasilytobehadinthisregion，aswitnessthemanyambushments。
Iwilldoit，Pathfinder，saidJasper，springingtotheshore。Intenminutesthefireshallbelighted。
And，Eau-douce，useplentyofdampwoodthistime，
halfwhisperedtheother，laughingheartily，inhisownpeculiarmanner。whensmokeiswanted，waterhelpstothickenit。
Theyoungmanwassoonoff，makinghiswayrapidlytowardsthedesiredpoint。AslightattemptofMabeltoobjecttotheriskwasdisregarded，andthepartyimme-
diatelypreparedtochangeitsposition，asitcouldbeseenfromtheplacewhereJasperintendedtolighthisfire。
Themovementdidnotrequirehaste，anditwasmadeleisurelyandwithcare。Thecanoesweregotclearofthebushes，thensufferedtodropdownwiththestreamuntiltheyreachedthespotwherethechestnut，atthefootofwhichJasperwastolightthefire，wasalmostshutoutfromview，whentheystopped，andeveryeyewasturnedinthedirectionoftheadventurer。
Theregoesthesmoke！exclaimedthePathfinder，asacurrentofairwhirledalittlecolumnofthevaporfromtheland，allowingittorisespirallyabovethebedoftheriver。Agoodflint，asmallbitofsteel，andplentyofdryleavesmakesaquickfire。IhopeEau-doucewillhavethewittobethinkhimofthedampwoodnowwhenitmayserveusallagoodturn。
Toomuchsmoke——toomuchcunning，saidArrowheadsententiously。
Thatisgospeltruth，Tuscarora，iftheMingoesdidn’tknowthattheyarenearsoldiers。butsoldierscommonlythinkmoreoftheirdinneratahaltthanoftheirwisdomanddanger。No，no。lettheboypileonhislogs，andsmokethemwelltoo。itwillallbelaidtothestupidityofsomeScotchorIrishblunderer，whoisthinkingmoreofhisoatmealorhispotatoesthanofIndiansarcumventionsorIndianrifles。
AndyetIshouldthink，fromallwehaveheardinthetowns，thatthesoldiersonthisfrontierareusedtotheartificesoftheirenemies，saidMabel，andbecomealmostaswilyastheredmenthemselves。
Notthey。Experiencemakesthembutlittlewiser。
andtheywheel，andplatoon，andbattalionitabout，hereintheforest，justastheydidintheirparksathome，ofwhichtheyareallsofondoftalking。Onered-skinhasmorecunninginhisnatur’thanawholeregimentfromtheothersideofthewater。thatis，whatIcallcunningofthewoods。Butthereissmokeenough，ofallcon-
science，andwehadbetterdropintoanothercover。Theladhasthrowntheriveronhisfire，andthereisdangerthattheMingoeswillbelieveawholeregimentisout。
Whilespeaking，thePathfinderpermittedhiscanoetodriftawayfromthebushbywhichithadbeenretained，andinacoupleofminutesthebendintheriverconcealedthesmokeandthetree。Fortunatelyasmallindentationintheshorepresenteditself，withinafewyardsofthepointtheyhadjustpassed。andthetwocanoesglidedintoit，undertheimpulsionofthepaddles。
Abetterspotcouldnothavebeenfoundforthepur-
pose。Thebusheswerethick，andoverhungthewater，formingacompletecanopyofleaves。Therewasasmallgravellystrandatthebottomofthelittlebay，wheremostofthepartylandedtobemoreattheirease，andtheonlypositionfromwhichtheycouldpossiblybeseenwasapointontheriverdirectlyopposite。Therewaslittledanger，however，ofdiscoveryfromthatquarter，asthethickettherewasevendenserthancommon，andthelandbeyonditwassowetandmarshyastorenderitdifficulttobetrodden。
Thisisasafecover，saidthePathfinder，afterhehadtakenascrutinizingsurveyofhisposition。butitmaybenecessarytomakeitsafer。MasterCap，Iasknothingofyoubutsilence，andaquietingofsuchgiftsasyoumayhavegotatsea，whiletheTuscaroraandImakeprovisionfortheevilhour。
Theguidethenwentashortdistanceintothebushes，accompaniedbytheIndian，wherethetwocutoffthelargerstemsofseveralaldersandotherbushes，usingtheutmostcarenottomakeanoise。Theendsoftheselittletreeswereforcedintothemud，outsideofthecanoes，thedepthofthewaterbeingverytrifling。andinthecourseoftenminutesaveryeffectualscreenwasinterposedbe-
tweenthemandtheprincipalpointofdanger。Muchin-
genuityandreadinessweremanifestedinmakingthissimplearrangement，inwhichthetwoworkmenwerees-
sentiallyfavoredbythenaturalformationofthebank，theindentationintheshore，theshallownessofthewater，andthemannerinwhichthetangledbushesdippedintothestream。ThePathfinderhadtheaddresstolookforbusheswhichhadcurvedstems，thingseasilyfoundinsuchaplace。andbycuttingthemsomedistancebeneaththebend，andpermittingthelattertotouchthewater，theartificiallittlethickethadnottheappearanceofgrowinginthestream，whichmighthaveexcitedsuspicion。butonepassingitwouldhavethoughtthatthebushesshotouthorizontallyfromthebankbeforetheyinclinedup-
wardstowardsthelight。Inshort，nonebutanunusuallydistrustfuleyewouldhavebeenturnedforaninstanttowardsthespotinquestofahiding-place。
ThisisthebestcoverIeveryetgotinto，saidthePathfinder，withhisquietlaugh，afterhavingbeenontheoutsidetoreconnoitre。theleavesofournewtreesfairlytouchthoseofthebushesoverourheads。Hist！——yondercomesEau-douce，wading，likeasensibleboy，asheis，toleavehistrailinthewater。andweshallsoonseewhetherourcoverisgoodforanythingornot。
Jasperhadindeedreturnedfromhisdutyabove。andmissingthecanoes，heatonceinferredthattheyhaddroppedroundthenextbendintheriver，inordertogetoutofsightofthefire。Hishabitsofcautionimmediatelysuggestedtheexpediencyofsteppingintothewater，inorderthattheremightexistnovisiblecommunicationbetweenthemarksleftontheshorebythepartyandtheplacewherehebelievedthemtohavetakenrefugebelow。
ShouldtheCanadianIndiansreturnontheirowntrail，anddiscoverthatmadebythePathfinderandtheSerpentintheirascentfromanddescenttotheriver，thecluetotheirmovementswouldceaseattheshore，waterleavingnoprintsoffootsteps。Theyoungmanhadthereforewaded，knee-deep，asfarasthepoint，andwasnowseenmakinghiswayslowlydownthemarginofthestream，searchingcuriouslyforthespotinwhichthecanoeswerehid。
Itwasinthepowerofthosebehindthebushes，byplac-
ingtheireyesneartheleaves，tofindmanyplacestolookthroughwhileoneatalittledistancelostthisadvantage。
Tothosewhowatchedhismotionsfrombehindtheircover，andtheywereallinthecanoes，itwasevidentthatJasperwastotallyatalosstoimaginewherethePathfinderhadsecretedhimself。Whenfairlyroundthecurvatureintheshore，andoutofsightofthefirehehadlightedabove，theyoungmanstoppedandbeganexaminingthebankde-
liberatelyandwithgreatcare。Occasionallyheadvancedeightortenpaces，andthenhaltedagain，torenewthesearch。Thewaterbeingmuchshallowerthancommon，hesteppedaside，inordertowalkwithgreatereasetohimselfandcamesoneartheartificialplantationthathemighthavetoucheditwithhishand。Stillhedetectednothing，andwasactuallypassingthespotwhenPath-
findermadeanopeningbeneaththebranches，andcalledtohiminalowvoicetoenter。
Thisisprettywell，saidthePathfinder，laughing。
thoughpale-faceeyesandred-skineyesareasdifferentashumanspy-glasses。Iwouldwager，withtheSergeant’sdaughterhere，ahornofpowderagainstawampum-beltforhergirdle，thatherfather’srijimentshouldmarchbythisembankmentofoursandneverfindoutthefraud！
ButiftheMingoesactuallygetdownintothebedoftheriverwhereJasperpassed，Ishouldtremblefortheplanta-
tion。Itwilldofortheireyes，evenacrossthestream，however，andwillnotbewithoutitsuse。
Don’tyouthink，MasterPathfinder，thatitwouldbewisest，afterall，saidCap，togetunderwayatonce，andcarrysailharddownstream，assoonaswearesatisfiedthattheserascalsarefairlyasternofus？Weseamencallasternchasealongchase。
Iwouldn’tmovefromthisspotuntilwehearfromtheSarpentwiththeSergeant’sprettydaughterhereinourcompany，forallthepowderinthemagazineofthefortbelow。Sartaincaptivityorsartaindeathwouldfollow。
Ifatenderfa’n，suchasthemaidenwehaveincharge，couldthreadtheforestlikeolddeer，itmight，indeed，dotoquitthecanoes。forbymakingacircuitwecouldreachthegarrisonbeforemorning。
Thenletitbedone，saidMabel，springingtoherfeetunderthesuddenimpulseofawakenedenergy。Iamyoung，active，usedtoexercise，andcouldeasilyout-walkmydearuncle。Letnoonethinkmeahindrance。I
cannotbearthatallyourlivesshouldbeexposedonmyaccount。
No，no，prettyone。wethinkyouanythingbutahin-
dranceoranythingthatisunbecoming，andwouldwill-
inglyruntwicethisrisktodoyouandthehonestSer-
geantaservice。DoInotspeakyourmind，Eau-
donce？
Todo_her_aservice！saidJasperwithemphasis。
NothingshalltemptmetodesertMabelDunhamuntilsheissafeinherfather’sarms。
Wellsaid，lad。bravelyandhonestlysaid，too。andI
joininit，heartandhand。No，no！youarenotthefirstofyoursexIhaveledthroughthewilderness，andneverbutoncedidanyharmbefallanyofthem：——thatwasasadday，certainlybutitslikemaynevercomeagain。
Mabellookedfromoneofherprotectorstotheother，andherfineeyesswamintears。Franklyplacingahandinthatofeach，sheansweredthem，thoughatfirsthervoicewaschoked，Ihavenorighttoexposeyouonmyaccount。Mydearfatherwillthankyou，Ithankyou，Godwillrewardyou。butlettherebenounnecessaryrisk。I
canwalkfar，andhaveoftengonemilesonsomegirlishfancy。whynotnowexertmyselfformylife？——nay，foryourpreciouslives？
Sheisatruedove，JaspersaidthePathfinder，neitherrelinquishingthehandhehelduntilthegirlherself，innativemodesty，sawfittowithdrawit，andwonderfullywinning！Wegettoberough，andsometimesevenhard-
hearted，inthewoods，Mabel。butthesightofonelikeyoubringsusbackagaintoouryoungfeelings，anddoesusgoodfortheremainderofourdays。IdaresayJasperherewilltellyouthesame。for，likemeintheforest，theladseesbutfewsuchasyourselfonOntario，tosoftenhisheartandremindhimofloveforhiskind。Speakoutnow，Jasper，andsayifitisnotso？
IquestionifmanylikeMabelDunhamaretobefoundanywhere，returnedtheyoungmangallantly，anhonestsincerityglowinginhisfacethatspokemoreeloquentlythanhistongue。youneednotmentionthewoodsandlakestochallengeherequals，butIwouldgointosettle-
mentsandtowns。
Wehadbetterleavethecanoes，Mabelhurriedlyre-
joined。forIfeelitisnolongersafetobehere。
Youcanneverdoit。youcanneverdoit。Itwouldbeamarchofmorethantwentymiles，andthat，too，oftrampingoverbrushandroots，andthroughswamps，inthedark。thetrailofsuchapartywouldbewide，andwemighthavetofightourwayintothegarrisonafterall。
WewillwaitfortheMohican。
Suchappearingtobethedecisionofhimtowhomall，intheirpresentstrait，lookedupforcounsel，nomorewassaidontbesubject。Thewholepartynowbrokeupintogroups：Arrowheadandhiswifesittingapartunderthebushes，conversinginalowtone，thoughthemanspokesternly，andthewomanansweredwiththesubduedmild-
nessthatmarksthedegradedconditionofasavage’swife。
PathfinderandCapoccupiedonecanoe，chattingoftheirdifferentadventuresbyseaandland。whileJasperandMabelsatintheother，makinggreaterprogressinin-
timacyinasinglehourthanmighthavebeeneffectedunderothercircumstancesinatwelvemonth。Notwith-
standingtheirsituationasregardstheenemy，thetimeflewbyswiftly，andtheyoungpeople，inparticular，wereastonishedwhenCapinformedthemhowlongtheyhadbeenthusoccupied。
Ifonecouldsmoke，MasterPathfinder，observedtheoldsailor，thisberthwouldbesnugenough。for，togivethedevilhisdue，youhavegotthecanoeshandsomelyland-
locked，andintomooringsthatwoulddefyamonsoon。
Theonlyhardshipisthedenialofthepipe。
Thescentofthetobaccowouldbetrayus。andwhereistheuseoftakingalltheseprecautionsagainsttheMingo’seyes，ifwearetotellhimwherethecoveristobefoundthroughthenose？No，no。denyyourappetites。
andlearnonevirtuefromared-skin，whowillpassaweekwithouteatingeven，togetasinglescalp。Didyouhearnothing，Jasper？
TheSerpentiscoming。
ThenletusseeifMohicaneyesarebetterthanthemofaladwhofollowsthewater。
TheMohicanhadindeedmadehisappearanceinthesamedirectionasthatbywhichJasperhadrejoinedhisfriends。Insteadofcomingdirectlyon，however，nosoonerdidhepassthebend，wherehewasconcealedfromanywhomightbehigherupstream，thanhemovedcloseunderthebank。and，usingtheutmostcaution，gotapositionwherehecouldlookback，withhispersonsuffi-
cientlyconcealedbythebushestopreventitsbeingseenbyanyinthatquarter。
TheSarpentseestheknaves！whisperedPathfinder。
AsI’maChristianwhiteman，theyhavebitatthebait，andhaveambushedthesmoke！
Hereaheartybutsilentlaughinterruptedhiswords，andnudgingCapwithhiselbow，theyallcontinuedtowatchthemovementsofChingachgookinprofoundstill-
ness。TheMohicanremainedstationaryastherockonwhichhestoodfulltenminutes。andthenitwasapparentthatsomethingofinteresthadoccurredwithinhisview，forhedrewbackwithahurriedmanner，lookedanxiouslyandkeenlyalongthemarginofthestream，andmovedquicklydownit，takingcaretolosehistrailintheshallowwater。Hewasevidentlyinahurryandconcerned，nowlookingbehindhim，andthencastingeagerglancestowardseveryspotontheshorewherehethoughtacanoemightbeconcealed。
Callhimin，whisperedJasper，scarcelyabletore-
strainhisimpatience，——callhimin，oritwillbetoolate！
See！heisactuallypassingus。
Notso，notso，lad。nothingpresses，dependonit。
returnedhiscompanion，ortheSarpentwouldbegintocreep。TheLordhelpusandteachuswisdom！I_do_be-
lieveevenChingachgook，whosesightisasfaithfulasthehound’sscent，overlooksus，andwillnotfindouttheam-
bushmentwehavemade！
Thisexultationwasuntimely。forthewordswerenosoonerspokenthantheIndian，whohadactuallygotsev-
eralfeetlowerdownthestreamthantheartificialcover，suddenlystopped。fastenedakeen-rivetedglanceamongthetransplantedbushes。madeafewhastystepsback-
ward。and，bendinghisbodyandcarefullyseparatingthebranches，heappearedamongthem。
TheaccursedMingos！saidPathfinder，assoonashisfriendwasnearenoughtobeaddressedwithprudence。
Iroquois，returnedthesententiousIndian。
Nomatter，nomatter。Iroquois，devil，Mingo，Meng-
wes，orfuries——allareprettymuchthesame。IcallallrascalsMingos。Comehither，chief，andletusconvarserationally。
Whentheirprivatecommunicationwasover，Pathfinderrejoinedtherest，andmadethemacquaintedwithallhehadlearned。
TheMohicanhadfollowedthetrailoftheirenemiessomedistancetowardsthefort，untilthelattercaughtasightofthesmokeofJasper’sfire，whentheyinstantlyretracedtheirsteps。ItnowbecamenecessaryforChin-
gachgook，whoranthegreatestriskofdetection，tofindacoverwherehecouldsecretebimselfuntilthepartymightpass。Itwasperhapsfortunateforhimthatthesavagesweresointentonthisrecentdiscovery，thattheydidnotbestowtheordinaryattentiononthesignsoftheforest。
Atallevents，theypassedhimswiftly，fifteeninnumber，treadinglightlyineachother’sfootsteps。andhewasen-
abledagaintogetintotheirrear。AfterproceedingtotheplacewherethefootstepsofPathfinderandtheMohi-
canhadjoinedtheprincipaltrail，theIroquoishadstruckofftotheriver，whichtheyreachedjustasJasperhaddis-
appearedbehindthebendbelow。Thesmokebeingnowinplainview，thesavagesplungedintothewoodsandendeavoredtoapproachthefireunseen。Chingachgookprofitedbythisoccasiontodescendtothewater，andtogainthebendintheriveralso，whichhethoughthadbeeneffectedundiscovered。Herehepaused，ashasbeenstated，untilhesawhisenemiesatthefire，wheretheirstay，how-
ever，wasveryshort。
OfthemotivesoftheIroquoistheMohicancouldjudgeonlybytheiracts。Hethoughttheyhaddetectedtheartificeofthefire，andwereawarethatithadbeenkindledwithaviewtomisleadthem。for，afterahastyexamina-
tionofthespot，theyhadseparated，someplungingagainintothewoods，whilesixoreighthadfollowedthefoot-
stepsofJasperalongtheshore，andcomedownthestreamtowardstheplacewherethecanoeshadlanded。Whatcoursetheymighttakeonreachingthatspotwasonlytobeconjectured。fortheSerpenthadfelttheemergencytobetoopressingtodelaylookingforhisfriendsanylonger。Fromsomeindicationsthatweretobegatheredfromtheirgestures，however，hethoughtitprobablethattheirenemiesmightfollowdowninthemarginofthestream，butcouldnotbecertain。
AsthePatlifiliderrelatedthesefactstohiscompanions，theprofessionalfeelingsofthetwootherwhitemencameuppermost，and。bothnaturallyrevertedtotheirhabits，inquestofthemeansofescape。
Letusrunoutthecanoesatonce，saidJaspereagerly。
thecurrentisstrong，andbyusingthepaddlesvigorouslyweshallsoonbebeyondthereachofthesescoundrels！
Andthispoorflower，thatfirstblossomedintheclear-
ings——shallitwitherintheforest？objectedhisfriend，withapoetrywhichhehadunconsciouslyimbibedbyhislongassociationwiththeDelawares。
Wemustalldiefirst，answeredtheyouth，agenerouscolormountingtohistemples。MabelandArrowhead’swifemayliedowninthecanoes，whilewedoourduty，likemen，onourfeet。
Ay，youareactiveatthepaddleandtheoar，Eau-douce，Iwillallow，butanaccursedMingoismoreactiveathismischief。thecanoesareswift，butariflebulletisswifter。
Itisthebusinessofmen，engagedaswehavebeenbyaconfidingfather，torunthisrisk——
Butitisnottheirbusinesstooverlookprudence。
Prudence！amanmaycarryhisprudencesofarastoforgethiscourage。
Thegroupwasstandingonthenarrowstrand，thePath-
finderleaningonhisrifle，thebuttofwhichrestedonthegravellybeach，whilebothhishandsclaspedthebarrelattheheightofhisownshoulders。AsJasperthrewoutthissevereandunmeritedimputation，thedeepredofhiscomrade’sfacemaintaineditshueunchanged，thoughtheyoungmanperceivedthatthefingersgraspedtheironofthegunwiththetenacityofavice。Hereallbetrayalofemotionceased。
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