the pathfinder-第33章

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tion　had　arisen　whether　the　party　for　the　Thousand　Islands
would　be　able　to　get　out　that　night　or　not；　on　account　of
the　total　absence　of　wind。　　The　stores；　arms；　and　ammuni…
tion　were　already　shipped；　and　even　Mabel's　effects　were
on　board；　but　the　small　draft　of　men　that　was　to　go　was
still　ashore；　there　being　no　apparent　prospect　of　the　cutter's
getting　under　way。　　Jasper　had　warped　the　_Scud_　out　of
the　cove；　and　so　far　up　the　stream　as　to　enable　him　to　pass
through　the　outlet　of　the　river　whenever　he　chose；　but
there　he　still　lay；　riding　at　single　anchor。　　The　drafted
men　were　lounging　about　the　shore　of　the　cove；　undecided
whether　or　not　to　pull　off。

The　sports　of　the　morning　had　left　a　quiet　in　the　garri…
son　which　was　in　harmony　with　the　whole　of　the　beautiful
scene；　and　Mabel　felt　its　influence　on　her　feelings；　though
probably　too　little　accustomed　to　speculate　on　such　sensa…
tions　to　be　aware　of　the　cause。　　Everything　near　appeared
lovely　and　soothing；　while　the　solemn　grandeur　of　the
silent　forest　and　placid　expanse　of　the　lake　lent　a　sub…
limity　that　other　scenes　might　have　wanted。　　For　the　first
time；　Mabel　felt　the　hold　that　the　towns　and　civilization
had　gained　on　her　habits　sensibly　weakened；　and　the
warm…hearted　girl　began　to　think　that　a　life　passed　amid
objects　such　as　those　around　her　might　be　happy。　　How
far　the　experience　of　the　last　days　came　in　aid　of　the　calm
and　holy　eventide；　and　contributed　towards　producing　that
young　conviction；　may　be　suspected；　rather　than　affirmed；
in　this　early　portion　of　our　legend。

〃A　charming　sunset；　Mabel！〃　said　the　hearty　voice　of
her　uncle；　so　close　to　the　ear　of　our　heroine　as　to　cause　her
to　start；　　〃a　charming　sunset；　girl；　for　a　fresh…water　con…
cern；　though　we　should　think　but　little　of　it　at　sea。〃

〃And　is　not　nature　the　same　on　shore　or　at　sea　　on　a
lake　like　this　or　on　the　ocean？　　Does　not　the　sun　shine　on
all　alike；　dear　uncle；　and　can　we　not　feel　gratitude　for　the
blessings　of　Providence　as　strongly　on　this　remote　frontier
as　in　our　own　Manhattan？〃

〃The　girl　has　fallen　in　with　some　of　her　mother's　books。
Is　not　nature　the　same；　indeed！　　Now；　Mabel；　do　you
imagine　that　the　nature　of　a　soldier　is　the　same　as　that　of
a　seafaring　man？　　You've　relations　in　both　callings；　and
ought　to　be　able　to　answer。〃

〃But　uncle；　I　mean　human　nature。〃

〃So　do　I；　girl；　the　human　nature　of　a　seaman；　and　the
human　nature　of　one　of　these　fellows　of　the　55th；　not
even　excepting　your　own　father。　　Here　have　they　had　a
shooting…match　　target…firing　I　should　call　it　　this　day；
and　what　a　different　thing　has　it　been　from　a　target…firing
afloat！　　There　we　should　have　sprung　our　broadside；
sported　with　round　shot；　at　an　object　half　a　mile　off；　at
the　very　nearest；　and　the　potatoes；　if　there　happened　to
be　any　on　board；　as　very　likely　would　not　have　been　the
case；　would　have　been　left　in　the　cook's　coppers。　　It　may
be　an　honorable　calling；　that　of　a　soldier；　Mabel；　but　an
experienced　hand　sees　many　follies　and　weaknesses　in　one
of　these　forts。　　As　for　that　bit　of　a　lake；　you　know　my
opinion　of　it　already；　and　I　wish　to　disparage　nothing。　　No
real　seafarer　disparages　anything；　but；　d…　me；　if　I　regard
this　here　Ontario；　as　they　call　it；　as　more　than　so　much
water　in　a　ship's　scuttle…butt。　　Now；　look　you　here；　Mabel；
if　you　wish　to　understand　the　difference　between　the　ocean
and　a　lake；　I　can　make　you　comprehend　it　with　a　single
look：　this　is　what　one　may　call　a　calm；　seeing　that　there
is　no　wind；　though；　to　own　the　truth；　I　do　not　think　the
calms　are　as　calm　as　them　we　get　outside　　〃

〃Uncle；　there　is　not　a　breath　of　air。　　I　do　not　think　it
possible　for　the　leaves　to　be　more　immovably　still　than
those　of　the　entire　forest　are　at　this　very　moment。〃

〃Leaves！　what　are　leaves；　child？　there　are　no　leaves　at
sea。　　If　you　wish　to　know　whether　it　is　a　dead　calm　or
not；　try　a　mould　candle；　　your　dips　flaring　too　much；　
and　then　you　may　be　certain　whether　there　is　or　is　not　any
wind。　　If　you　were　in　a　latitude　where　the　air　was　so　still
that　you　found　a　difficulty　in　stirring　it　to　draw　it　in　in
breathing；　you　might　fancy　it　a　calm。　　People　are　often
on　a　short　allowance　of　air　in　the　calm　latitudes。　　Here；
again；　look　at　that　water！　　It　is　like　milk　in　a　pan；　with
no　more　motion　now　than　there　is　in　a　full　hogshead　before
the　bung　is　started。　　On　the　ocean　the　water　is　never　still；
let　the　air　be　as　quiet　as　it　may。〃

〃The　water　of　the　ocean　never　still；　Uncle　Cap？　not
even　in　a　calm？〃

〃Bless　your　heart；　no；　child！　　The　ocean　breathes　like
a　living　being；　and　its　bosom　is　always　heaving；　as　the
poetizers　call　it；　though　there　be　no　more　air　than　is　to　be
found　in　a　siphon。　　No　man　ever　saw　the　ocean　still　like
this　lake；　but　it　heaves　and　sets　as　if　it　had　lungs。〃

〃And　this　lake　is　not　absolutely　still；　for　you　perceive
there　is　a　little　ripple　on　the　shore；　and　you　may　even　hear
the　surf　plunging　at　moments　against　the　rocks。〃

〃All　dd　poetry！　　Lake　Ontario　is　no　more　the　Atlantic
than　a　Powles　Hook　periagila　is　a　first…rate。　　That　Jasper；
notwithstanding；　is　a　fine　lad；　and　wants　instruction　only
to　make　a　man　of　him。〃

〃Do　you　think　him　ignorant；　uncle？〃　answered　Mabel；
prettily　adjusting　her　hair；　in　order　to　do　which　she　was
obliged；　or　fancied　she　was　obliged；　to　turn　away　her　face。
〃To　me　Jasper　Eau…douce　appears　to　know　more　than
most　of　the　young　men　of　his　class。　　He　has　read　but
little；　for　books　are　not　plenty　in　this　part　of　the　world；
but　he　has　thought　much；　as　least　so　it　seems　to　me；　for
one　so　young。〃

〃He　is　ignorant；　as　all　must　be　who　navigate　an　inland
water　like　this。　　No；　no；　Mabel；　we　both　owe　something
to　Jasper　and　the　Pathfinder；　and　I　have　been　thinking
how　I　can　best　serve　them；　for　I　hold　ingratitude　to　be
the　vice　of　a　hog；　for　treat　the　animal　to　your　own　dinner；
and　he　would　eat　you　for　the　dessert。〃

〃Very　true；　dear　uncle；　we　ought　indeed　to　do　all　we
can　to　express　our　proper　sense　of　the　services　of　both　these
brave　men。〃

〃Spoken　like　your　mother's　daughter；　girl；　and　in　a　way
to　do　credit　to　the　Cap　family。　　Now；　I've　hit　upon　a
traverse　that　will　just　suit　all　parties；　and；　as　soon　as　we
get　back　from　this　little　expedition　down　the　lake　among
them　there　Thousand　Islands；　and　I　am　ready　to　return；　it
is　my　intention　to　propose　it。〃

〃Dearest　uncle！　this　is　so　considerate　in　you；　and　will
be　so　just！　　May　I　ask　what　your　intentions　are？〃

〃I　see　no　reason　for　keeping　them　a　secret　from　you；
Mabel；　though　nothing　need　be　said　to　your　father　about
them；　for　the　Sergeant　has　his　prejudices；　and　might
throw　difficulties　in　the　way。　　Neither　Jasper　nor　his
friend　Pathfinder　can　ever　make　anything　hereabouts；　and
I　propose　to　take　both　with　me　down　to　the　coast；　and　get
them　fairly　afloat。　　Jasper　would　find　his　sea…legs　in　a　fort…
night；　and　a　twelvemonth's　v'y'ge　would　make　him　a　man。
Although　Pathfinder　might　take　more　time；　or　never　get
to　be　rated　able；　yet　one　could　make　something　of　him
too；　particularly　as　a　look…out；　for　he　has　unusually　good
eyes。〃

〃Uncle；　do　you　think　either　would　consent　to　this？〃
said　Mabel　smiling。

〃Do　I　suppose　them　simpletons？　what　rational　being
would　neglect　his　own　advancement？　　Let　Jasper　alone　to
push　his　way；　and　the　lad　may　yet　die　the　master　of　some
square…rigged　craft。〃

〃And　would　he　be　any　the　happier　for　it；　dear　uncle？
How　much　better　is　it　to　be　the　master　of　a　square…rigged
craft　than　to　be　master　of　a　round…rigged　craft？〃

〃Pooh；　pooh；　Magnet！　you　are　just　fit　to　read　lectures
about　ships　before　some　hysterical　society；　you　don't　know
what　you　are　talking　about；　leave　these　things　to　me；　and
they'll　be　properly　managed。　　Ah！　here　is　the　Pathfinder
himself；　and　I　may　just　as　well　drop　him　a　hint　of　my
benevolent　intentions　as　regards　himself。　　Hope　is　a　great
encourager　of　our　exertions。〃

Cap　nodded　his　head；　and　then　ceased　to　speak；　while
the　hunter　approached；　not　with　his　usual　frank　and　easy
manner；　but　in　a　way　to　show　that　he　was　slightly　em…
barrassed；　if　not　distrustful　of　his　reception。

〃Uncle　and　niece　make　a　family　party；〃　said　Pathfinder；
when　near　the　two；　〃and　a　stranger　may　not　prove　a　wel…
come　companion？〃

〃You　are　no　stranger；　Master　Pathfinder；〃　returned
Cap；　〃and　no　one　can　be　more　welcome　than　yourself。
We　were　talking　of　you　but　a　moment　ago；　and　when
friends　speak　of　an　absent　man；　he　can　guess　what　they
have　said。〃

〃I　ask　no　secrets。　　Every　man　has　his　enemies；　and　I
have　mine；　though　I　count　neither　you；　Master　Cap；　nor
pretty　Mabel　here　among　the　number。　　As　for　the　Mingos；
I　will　say　nothing；　though　they　have　no　just　cause　to　hate
me。〃

〃That　I'll　answer　for；　Pathfinder！　for　you　strike　my
fancy　as　being　well…disposed　and　upright。　　There　is　a
method；　however；　of　getting　away　from　the　enmity　of　even
these　Mingos；　and　if　you　choose　to　take　it；　no　one　will
more　willingly　point　it　out　than　myself；　without　a　charge
for　my　advice　either。〃

〃I　wish　no　enemies；　Saltwater；〃　for　so　the　Pathfinder
had　begun　to　call　Cap；　having；　insensibly　to　himself；
adopted　the　term；　by　translating　the　name　given　him　by
the　Indians　in　and　about　the　fort；　　〃I　wish　no　enemies。
I'm　as　ready　to　bury　the　hatchet　with　the　Mingos　as　with
the　French；　though　you　know　that　it　depends　on　One
greater　than　either　of　us　so　to　turn　the　heart　as　to　leave　a
man　without　enemies。〃

〃By　lifting　your　anchor；　and　accompanying　me　down
to　the　coast；　friend　Pathfinder；　when　we　get　back　from　this
short　cruise　on　which　we　are　bound；　you　will　find　yourself
beyond　the　sound　of　the　war…whoop；　and　safe　enough　from
any　Indian　bullet。〃

〃And　what　should　I　do　on　the　salt　water？　　Hunt　in
your　towns？　　Follow　the　trails　of　people　going　and　com…
ing　from　market；　and　ambush　dogs　and　poultry？　　You
are　no　friend　to　my　happiness；　Master　Cap；　if　you　would
lead　me　out　of　the　shades　of　the　woods　to　put　me　in　the
sun　of　the　clearings。〃

〃I　did　not　propose　to　leave　you　in　the　settlements；
Pathfinder；　but　to　carry　you　out　to　sea；　where　a　man　can
only　be　said　to　breathe　freely。　　Mabel　will　tell　you　that
such　was　my　intention；　before　a　word　was　said　on　the
subject。〃

〃And　what　does　Mabel　think　would　come　of　such　a
change？　　She　knows　that　a　man　has　his　gifts；　and　that　it
is　as　useless　to　pretend　to　others　as　to　withstand　them　that
come　from　Providence。　　I　am　a　hunter；　and　a　scout；　or　a
guide；　Saltwater；　and　it　is　not　in　me　to　fly　so　much　in　the
face　of　Heaven　as　to　try　to　become　anything　else。　　Am　I
right；　Mabel；　or　are　you　so　much　a　woman　as　to　wish　to
see　a　natur'　altered？〃

〃I　would　wish　to　see　no　change　in　you；　Pathfinder；〃
Mabel　answered；　with　a　cordial　sincerity　and　frankness
that　went　directly　to　the　hunter's　heart；　〃and　much　as
my　uncle　admires　the　sea；　and　great　as　is　all　the　good　that
he　thinks　may　come　of　it；　I　could　not　wish　to　see　the　best
and　noblest　hunter　of　the　woods　transformed　into　an　ad…
miral。　　Remain　what　you　are；　my　brave　friend；　and　you
need　fear　nothing　short　of　the　anger　of　God。〃

〃Do　you　hear　this；　Saltwater？　do　you　hear　what　the
Sergeant's　daughter　is　saying；　and　she　is　much　too　upright；
and　fair…minded；　and　pret