nothing of your ignorance, young man; for it is natural to your
situation, and cannot be helped. If you will return with me, and
make a v'y'ge or two on the Atlantic, it will serve you a good
turn the remainder of your days; and Mabel there, and all the other
young women near the coast, will think all the better of you should
you live to be as old as one of the trees in this forest."

"Nay, nay," interrupted the single-hearted and generous guide;
"Jasper wants not for friends in this region, I can assure you; and
though seeing the world, according to his habits, may do him good
as well as another, we shall think none the worse of him if he never
quits us. Eau-douce or Eau-de-vie, he is a brave, true-hearted
youth, and I always sleep as soundly when he is on the watch as
if I was up and stirring myself; ay, and for that matter, sounder
too. The Sergeant's daughter here doesn't believe it necessary for
the lad to go to sea in order to make a man of him, or one who is
worthy to be respected and esteemed."

Mabel made no reply to this appeal, and she even looked towards the
western shore, although the darkness rendered the natural movements
unnecessary to conceal her face. But Jasper felt that there was a
necessity for his saying something, the pride of youth and manhood
revolting at the idea of his being in a condition not to command the
respect of his fellows or the smiles of his equals of the other
sex. Still he was unwilling to utter aught that might be considered
harsh to the uncle of Mabel; and his self-command was perhaps more
creditable than his modesty and spirit.

"I pretend not to things I don't possess," he said, "and lay no
claim to any knowledge of the ocean or of navigation. We steer by