the pathfinder-第53章

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but　we　will　meet　you　on　the　beach　in　a　few　minutes。〃

Mabel　obeyed；　bounding　down　the　hill　with　the　elastic
step　of　youth　and　health。　　But；　notwithstanding　the　light…
ness　of　her　steps；　the　heart　of　the　girl　was　heavy；　and　no
sooner　was　she　hid　from　observation　by　the　thicket；　than
she　threw　herself　on　the　root　of　a　tree　and　wept　as　if　her
heart　would　break。　　The　Sergeant　watched　her　until　she
disappeared；　with　a　father's　pride；　and　then　turned　to　his
companion　with　a　smile　as　kind　and　as　familiar　as　his
habits　would　allow　him　to　use　towards　any。

〃She　has　her　mother's　lightness　and　activity；　my　friend；
with　somewhat　of　her　father's　force；〃　said　he。　　〃Her
mother　was　not　quite　so　handsome；　I　think　myself；　but
the　Dunhams　were　always　thought　comely；　whether　men
or　women。　　Well；　Pathfinder；　I　take　it　for　granted　you've
not　overlooked　the　opportunity；　but　have　spoken　plainly
to　the　girl？　women　like　frankness　in　matters　of　this　sort。〃

〃I　believe　Mabel　and　I　understand　each　other　at　last；
Sergeant；〃　returned　the　other；　looking　another　way　to
avoid　the　soldier's　face。

〃So　much　the　better。　　Some　people　fancy　that　a　little
doubt　and　uncertainty　makes　love　all　the　livelier；　but　I
am　one　of　those　who　think　the　plainer　the　tongue　speaks
the　easier　the　mind　will　comprehend。　　Was　Mabel　sur…
prised？〃

〃I　fear　she　was；　Sergeant；　I　fear　she　was　taken　quite　by
surprise　　yes；　I　do。〃

〃Well；　well；　surprises　in　love　are　like　an　ambush　in　war；
and　quite　as　lawful；　though　it　is　not　so　easy　to　tell　when
a　woman　is　surprised；　as　to　tell　when　it　happens　to　an　en…
emy。　　Mabel　did　not　run　away；　my　worthy　friend；　did　she？〃

〃No；　Sergeant；　Mabel　did　not　try　to　escape；　_that_　I　can
say　with　a　clear　conscience。〃

〃I　hope　the　girl　was　too　willing；　neither！　　Her
mother　was　shy　and　coy　for　a　month；　at　least；　but　frank…
ness；　after　all；　is　a　recommendation　in　a　man　or　woman。〃

〃That　it　is；　that　it　is；　and　judgment；　too。〃

〃You　are　not　to　look　for　too　much　judgment　in　a　young
creature　of　twenty；　Pathfinder；　but　it　will　come　with　ex…
perience。　　A　mistake　in　you　or　me；　for　instance；　might　not
be　so　easily　overlooked；　but　in　a　girl　of　Mabel's　years；　one
is　not　to　strain　at　a　gnat　lest　they　swallow　a　camel。〃

The　reader　will　remember　that　Sergeant　Dunham　was
not　a　Hebrew　scholar。

The　muscles　of　the　listener's　face　twitched　as　the　Ser…
geant　was　thus　delivering　his　sentiments；　though　the　for…
mer　had　now　recovered　a　portion　of　that　stoicism　which
formed　so　large　a　part　of　his　character；　and　which　he　had
probably　imbibed　from　long　association　with　the　Indians。
His　eyes　rose　and　fell；　and　once　a　gleam　shot　athwart　his
hard　features　as　if　he　were　about　to　indulge　in　his　peculiar
laugh；　but　the　joyous　feeling；　if　it　really　existed；　was　as
quickly　lost　in　a　look　allied　to　anguish。　　It　was　this　un…
usual　mixture　of　wild　and　keen　mental　agony　with　native；
simple　joyousness；　which　had　most　struck　Mabel；　who；　in
the　interview　just　related；　had　a　dozen　times　been　on　the
point　of　believing　that　her　suitor's　heart　was　only　lightly
touched；　as　images　of　happiness　and　humor　gleamed　over
a　mind　that　was　almost　infantine　in　its　simplicity　and
nature；　an　impression；　however；　which　was　soon　driven
away　by　the　discovery　of　emotions　so　painful　and　so　deep；
that　they　seemed　to　harrow　the　very　soul。

〃You　say　true；　Sergeant；〃　Pathfinder　answered；　〃a　mis…
take　in　one　like　you　is　a　more　serious　matter。〃

〃You　will　find　Mabel　sincere　and　honest　in　the　end；
give　her　but　a　little　time。〃

〃Ah's　me；　Sergeant！〃

〃A　man　of　your　merits　would　make　an　impression　on　a
rock；　give　him　time；　Pathfinder。〃

〃Sergeant　Dunham；　we　are　old　fellow…campaigners　
that　is；　as　campaigns　are　carried　on　here　in　the　wilderness；
and　we　have　done　so　many　kind　acts　to　each　other　that
we　can　afford　to　be　candid　　what　has　caused　you　to　believe
that　a　girl　like　Mabel　could　ever　fancy　one　so　rude　as　I
am？〃

〃What？　　why；　a　variety　of　reasons；　and　good　reasons
too；　my　friend。　　Those　same　acts　of　kindness；　perhaps；　and
the　campaigns　you　mention；　moreover；　you　are　my　sworn
and　tried　comrade。〃

〃All　this　sounds　well；　so　far　as　you　and　I　are　consarned；
but　they　do　not　touch　the　case　of　your　pretty　daughter。
She　may　think　these　very　campaigns　have　destroyed　the
little　comeliness　I　may　once　have　had；　and　I　am　not　quite
sartain　that　being　an　old　friend　of　her　father　would　lead
any　young　maiden's　mind　into　a　particular　affection　for　a
suitor。　　Like　loves　like；　I　tell　you；　Sergeant；　and　my　gifts
are　not　altogether　the　gifts　of　Mabel　Dunham。〃

〃These　are　some　of　your　old　modest　qualms；　Pathfinder；
and　will　do　you　no　credit　with　the　girl。　　Women　distrust
men　who　distrust　themselves；　and　take　to　men　who　dis…
trust　nothing。　Modesty　is　a　capital　thing　in　a　recruit；　I
grant　you；　or　in　a　young　subaltern　who　has　just　joined；
for　it　prevents　his　railing　at　the　non…commissioned　officers
before　he　knows　what　to　rail　at；　I'm　not　sure　it　is　out　of
place　in　a　commissary　or　a　parson；　but　it's　the　devil　and
all　when　it　gets　possession　of　a　real　soldier　or　a　lover。
Have　as　little　to　do　with　it　as　possible；　if　you　would　win　a
woman's　heart。　　As　for　your　doctrine　that　like　loves　like；
it　is　as　wrong　as　possible　in　matters　of　this　sort。　　If　like
loved　like；　women　would　love　one　another；　and　men　also。
No；　no；　like　loves　dislike；〃　　the　Sergeant　was　merely　a
scholar　of　the　camp；　　〃and　you　have　nothing　to　fear　from
Mabel　on　that　score。　　Look　at　Lieutenant　Muir；　the　man
has　had　five　wives　already；　they　tell　me；　and　there　is　no
more　modesty　in　him　than　there　is　in　a　cat…o'…nine…tails。〃

〃Lieutenant　Muir　will　never　be　the　husband　of　Mabel
Dunham；　let　him　ruffle　his　feathers　as　much　as　he　may。〃

〃That　is　a　sensible　remark　of　yours；　Pathfinder；　for　my
mind　is　made　up　that　you　shall　be　my　son…in…law。　　If　I
were　an　officer　myself；　Mr。　Muir　might　have　some　chance；
but　time　has　placed　one　door　between　my　child　and　myself；
and　I　don't　intend　there　shall　be　that　of　a　marquee　also。〃

〃Sergeant；　we　must　let　Mabel　follow　her　own　fancy；　she
is　young　and　light　of　heart；　and　God　forbid　that　any　wish
of　mine　should　lay　the　weight　of　a　feather　on　a　mind　that
is　all　gaiety　now；　or　take　one　note　of　happiness　from　her
laughter！〃

〃Have　you　conversed　freely　with　the　girl？〃　the　Sergeant
demanded　quickly；　and　with　some　asperity　of　manner。

Pathfinder　was　too　honest　to　deny　a　truth　plain　as　that
which　the　answer　required；　and　yet　too　honorable　to　betray
Mabel；　and　expose　her　to　the　resentment　of　one　whom　he
well　knew　to　be　stern　in　his　anger。

〃We　have　laid　open　our　minds；〃　he　said；　〃and　though
Mabel's　is　one　that　any　man　might　love　to　look　at；　I　find
little　there；　Sergeant；　to　make　me　think　any　better　of　my…
self。〃

〃The　girl　has　not　dared　to　refuse　you　　to　refuse　her
father's　best　friend？〃

Pathfinder　turned　his　face　away　to　conceal　the　look　of
anguish　that　consciousness　told　him　was　passing　athwart
it；　but　he　continued　the　discourse　in　his　own　quiet；　manly
tones。

〃Mabel　is　too　kind　to　refuse　anything；　or　to　utter　harsh
words　to　a　dog。　　I　have　not　put　the　question　in　a　way　to
be　downright　refused；　Sergeant。〃

〃And　did　you　expect　my　daughter　to　jump　into　your
arms　before　you　asked　her？　　She　would　not　have　been　her
mother's　child　had　she　done　any　such　thing；　nor　do　I　think
she　would　have　been　mine。　　The　Dunhams　like　plain
dealing　as　well　as　the　king's　majesty；　but　they　are　no
jumpers。　　Leave　me　to　manage　this　matter　for　you；　Path…
finder；　and　there　shall　be　no　unnecessary　delay。　　I'll　speak
to　Mabel　myself　this　very　evening；　using　your　name　as
principal　in　the　affair。〃

〃I'd　rather　not；　I'd　rather　not；　Sergeant。　　Leave　the
matter　to　Mabel　and　me；　and　I　think　all　will　come　right　in
the　ind。　　Young　girls　are　like　timorsome　birds；　they　do
not　over…relish　being　hurried　or　spoken　harshly　to　nither。
Leave　the　matter　to　Mabel　and　me。〃

〃On　one　condition　I　will；　my　friend；　and　that　is；　that
you　will　promise　me；　on　the　honor　of　a　scout；　that　you　will
put　the　matter　plainly　to　Mabel　the　first　suitable　oppor…
tunity；　and　no　mincing　of　words。〃

〃I　will　ask　her；　Sergeant；　on　condition　that　you　promise
not　to　meddle　in　the　affair　　yes；　I　will　promise　to　ask
Mabel　whether　she　will　marry　me；　even　though　she　laugh
in　my　face　at　my　doing　so；　on　that　condition。〃

Sergeant　Dunham　gave　the　desired　promise　very　cheer…
fully；　for　he　had　completely　wrought　himself　up　into　the
belief　that　the　man　he　so　much　esteemed　himself　must　be
acceptable　to　his　daughter。　　He　had　married　a　woman
much　younger　than　himself；　and　he　saw　no　unfitness　in　the
respective　years　of　the　intended　couple。　　Mabel　was　edu…
cated　so　much　above　him；　too；　that　he　was　not　aware　of
the　difference　which　actually　existed　between　the　parent
and　child　in　this　respect。　　It　followed　that　Sergeant　Dun…
ham　was　not　altogether　qualified　to　appreciate　his　daugh…
ter's　tastes；　or　to　form　a　very　probable　conjecture　what
would　be　the　direction　taken　by　those　feelings　which
oftener　depend　on　impulses　and　passion　than　on　reason。
Still；　the　worthy　soldier　was　not　so　wrong　in　his　estimate
of　the　Pathfinder's　chances　as　might　at　first　appear。　　Know…
ing　all　the　sterling　qualities　of　the　man；　his　truth；　integ…
rity　of　purpose；　courage；　self…devotion；　disinterestedness；
it　was　far　from　unreasonable　to　suppose　that　qualities　like
these　would　produce　a　deep　impression　on　any　female　heart；
and　the　father　erred　principally　in　fancying　that　the
daughter　might　know　as　it　might　be　by　intuition　what　he
himself　had　acquired　by　years　of　intercourse　and　adventure。

As　Pathfinder　and　his　military　friend　descended　the　hill
to　the　shore　of　the　lake；　the　discourse　did　not　flag。　　The
latter　continued　to　persuade　the　former　that　his　diffidence
alone　prevented　complete　success　with　Mabel；　and　that　he
had　only　to　persevere　in　order　to　prevail。　　Pathfinder　was
much　too　modest　by　nature；　and　had　been　too　plainly；
though　so　delicately；　discouraged　in　the　recent　interview
to　believe　all　he　heard；　still　the　father　used　so　many　argu…
inents　which　seemed　plausible；　and　it　was　so　grateful　to
fancy　that　the　daughter　might　yet　be　his；　that　the　reader
is　not　to　be　surprised　when　he　is　told　that　this　unsophis…
ticated　being　did　not　view　Mabel's　recent　conduct　in　pre…
cisely　the　light　in　which　he　may　be　inclined　to　view　it
himself。　　He　did　not　credit　all　that　the　Sergeant　told　him；
it　is　true；　but　he　began　to　think　virgin　coyness　and　igno…
rance　of　her　own　feelings　might　have　induced　Mabel　to
use　the　language　she　had。

〃The　Quartermaster　is　no　favorite；〃　said　Pathfinder　in
answer　to　one　of　his　companion's　remarks。　　〃Mabel　will
never　look　on　him　as　more　than　one　who　has　had　four　or
five　wives　already。〃

〃Which　is　more　than　his　share。　　A　man　may　marry
twice　without　offence　to　good　morals　and　decency；　I　allow！
but　four　times　is　an　aggravation。〃

〃I　should　think　even　marrying　once　what　Master　Cap
calls　a　circumstance；〃　put　in　Pathfinder；　laughing　in　his
quiet　way；　for　by　this　time　his　spirits　had　recovered　some
of　their　buoyancy。

〃It　is；　indeed；　my　friend；　and　a　most　solemn　circum…
stance　too。　　If　it　were　not　that　Mabel　is　to　be　your　wife；
I　would　advise　you　to　remain