of a sartainty, with a long-barrelled rifle in the hand; and what
between the game, and the savages and the French, Killdeer and
I have gone through too much in company to part very easily. No,
no; we waded ashore, the rift being shallow enough for that with
small exceptions, and we landed with our arms in our hands. We had
to take our time for it, on account of the Iroquois, I will own;
but, as soon as the skulking vagabonds saw the lights that the
Sergeant sent down to your canoe, we well understood they would
decamp, since a visit might have been expected from some of the
garrison. So it was only sitting patiently on the stones for an
hour, and all the danger was over. Patience is the greatest of
virtues in a woodsman."

"I rejoice to hear this, for fatigue itself could scarcely make me
sleep, for thinking of what might befall you."

"Lord bless your tender little heart, Mabel! but this is the way
with all you gentle ones. I must say, on my part, however, that
I was right glad to see the lanterns come down to the waterside,
which I knew to be a sure sign of _your_ safety. We hunters and
guides are rude beings; but we have our feelings and our idees,
as well as any general in the army. Both Jasper and I would have
died before you should have come to harm -- we would."

"I thank you for all you did for me, Pathfinder; from the bottom
of my heart, I thank you; and, depend on it, my father shall know
it. I have already told him much, but have still a duty to perform
on this subject."

"Tush, Mabel! The Sergeant knows what the woods be, and what