so short, that I have been thinking of a plan of landing with Mabel
myself, that I may take her in, by some of the by-ways, and leave
the canoes to their chances in the rapids."

"It will never succeed, Pathfinder," eagerly interrupted Jasper.
"Mabel is not strong enough to tramp the woods in a night like
this. Put her in my skiff, and I will lose my life, or carry her
through the rift safely, dark as it is."

"No doubt you will, lad; no one doubts your willingness to do
anything to serve the Sergeant's daughter; but it must be the eye
of Providence, and not your own, that will take you safely through
the Oswego rift in a night like this."

"And who will lead her safely to the garrison if she land? Is not
the night as dark on shore as on the water? or do you think I know
less of my calling than you know of yours?"

"Spiritedly said, lad; but if I should lose my way in the dark
-- and I believe no man can say truly that such a thing ever yet
happened to me -- but, if I _should_ lose my way, no other harm
would come of it than to pass a night in the forest; whereas a
false turn of the paddle, or a broad sheer of the canoe, would put
you and the young woman into the river, out of which it is more
than probable the Sergeant's daughter would never come alive."

"I will leave it to Mabel herself; I am certain that she will feel
more secure in the canoe."

"I have great confidence in you both," answered the girl; "and have