stream, as soon as we are satisfied that these rascals are fairly
astern of us? We seamen call a stern chase a long chase."

"I wouldn't move from this spot until we hear from the Sarpent
with the Sergeant's pretty daughter here in our company, for all
the powder in the magazine of the fort below. Sartain captivity or
sartain death would follow. If a tender fa'n, such as the maiden
we have in charge, could thread the forest like old deer, it might,
indeed, do to quit the canoes; for by making a circuit we could
reach the garrison before morning."

"Then let it be done," said Mabel, springing to her feet under
the sudden impulse of awakened energy. "I am young, active, used
to exercise, and could easily out-walk my dear uncle. Let no one
think me a hindrance. I cannot bear that all your lives should be
exposed on my account."

"No, no, pretty one; we think you anything but a hindrance or
anything that is unbecoming, and would willingly run twice this
risk to do you and the honest Sergeant a service. Do I not speak
your mind, Eau-douce?"

"To do _her_ a service!" said Jasper with emphasis. "Nothing shall
tempt me to desert Mabel Dunham until she is safe in her father's
arms."

"Well said, lad; bravely and honestly said, too; and I join in it,
heart and hand. No, no! you are not the first of your sex I have
led through the wilderness, and never but once did any harm befall
any of them: -- that was a sad day, certainly, but its like may