more collected, than at this moment. But remember how perilous may be every instant; for Heaven's sake, what we do, let us do without delay." Pathfinder was struck with the firmness of Mabel's tones, and perhaps he was a little deceived by the forced tranquillity and selfpossession she had assumed. At all events he did not deem any further explanations necessary, but descended forthwith, and began to unbar the door. This delicate process was conducted with the usual caution, but as he warily permitted the mass of timber to swing back on the hinges, he felt a pressure against it that had nearly induced him to close it again. But catching a glimpse of the cause through the crack, the door was permitted to swing back, when the body of Sergeant Dunham, which was propped against it, fell partly within the block. To draw in the legs and secure the fastenings, occupied the Pathfinder but a moment. Then there existed no obstacle to their giving their undivided care to the wounded man. Mabel, in this trying scene, conducted herself with the sort of unnatural energy that her sex, when aroused, is apt to manifest. She got the light, administered water to the parched lips of her father, and assisted Pathfinder in forming a bed of straw for his body, and a pillow of clothes for his head. All this was done earnestly, and almost without speaking; nor did Mabel shed a tear until she heard the blessings of her father murmured on her head, for this tenderness and care. All this time, Mabel had merely conjectured the condition of her parent. Pathfinder, however, showed greater attention to the physical danger of the sergeant. He ascertained that a rifle ball had passed through the body of the wounded man; and he was sufficiently familiar with injuries of this nature, to be certain that the chances of his surviving the hurt were very trifling, if any. CHAPTER XXIV "Then drink my tears, while yet they fall; MOORE. HE eyes of Sergeant Dunham had not ceased to follow the form of his beautiful daughter from the moment that the light appeared. He next examined the door of the block, to ascertain its security; for he was left on the ground below, there being no available means of raising him to the upper floor. Then he sought the face of Mabel; for as life wanes fast, the affections resume their force, and we begin to value that most which we feel we are about to lose forever. "God be praised, my child, you at least have escaped their murderous rifles!" he said; for he spoke with strength, and seemingly with no additional pain. "Give me the history of this sad business, Pathfinder." "Ah's me, sergeant! it has been sad, as you say. That there has been treachery, and the position of the island has been betrayed, is now as sartain, in my judgment, as that we still hold the block. But-" "Major Duncan was right," interrupted Dunham, laying a hand on the other's arm. "Not in the sense you mean, sergeant-no, not in that p'int of view; never. At least, not in my opinion. I know that natur' is weak-human natur', I mean-and that we should none of us vaunt of our gifts, whether red or white; but I do not think a truer-hearted lad lives on the lines than Jasper Western." "Bless you-bless you for that, Pathfinder!" burst forth from Mabel's very soul, while a flood of tears gave vent to emotions that were so varied, while they were so violent: "O, bless you, Pathfinder, bless you! The brave should never desert the brave-the honest should sustain the honest." The father's eyes fastened anxiously on the face of his daughter, until the latter hid her countenance in her apron to conceal her tears; and then they turned with inquiry to the hard features of the guide. The latter merely wore their usual expression of frankness, sincerity, and uprightness; and the sergeant motioned to him to proceed. "You know the spot where the Sarpent and I left you, sergeant,' Pathfinder resumed; "and I need say nothing of all that happened afore. It is now too late to lament what is gone and passed; but I do think if I had stayed with the boats, this would not have come to pass! Other men may be as good guides; I make no doubt they are: but then natur' bestows its gifts, and some must be better than other some. I dare say poor Gilbert, who took my place, has suffered for his mistake." "He fell at my elbow," the sergeant answered, in a low, melancholy tone. "We have, indeed, all suffered for our mistakes!" "No, no, sergeant, I meant no condemnation on you; for men were never better commanded than your'n, in this very expedition. I never beheld a prettier flanking; and the way in which you carried your own boat up agin their howitzer might have teached Lundie himself a lesson." The eyes of the sergeant brightened; his face even wore an expression of military triumph, though it was of a degree that suited the humble sphere in which he had been an actor. ""Twas not badly done, my friend," he said; "we carried their log breast-work by storm!" ""Twas nobly done, sergeant; though I fear when all the truth comes to be known, it will be found that these vagabonds have got their howitzer back agin. Well, well, put a stout heart upon it, and try to forget all that is disagreeable, and to remember only the pleasant part of the matter. That is your truest philosophy; ay, and truest religion too. If the inimy has got the howitzer agin, they've only got what belonged to them afore, and what we couldn't help. They haven't got the block-house yet, nor are they likely to get it, unless they fire it in the dark. Well, sergeant, the Sarpent and I separated about ten miles down the river; for we thought it wisest not to come upon even a friendly camp without the usual caution. What has become of Chingachgook, I cannot say; though Mabel tells me he is not far off; and I make no question the noble-hearted Delaware is doing his duty, although he is not now visible to our eyes. Mark my word, sergeant; before this matter is over, we shall hear of him at some critical time, and that in a discreet and creditable manner. Ah! the Sarpent is, indeed, a wise and virtuous chief; and any white man might covet his gifts, though his rifle is not quite as sure as Killdeer, it must be owned. Well, as I came near the island, I missed the smoke, and that put me on my guard; for I knew that the men of the 55th were not cunning enough to conceal that sign, notwithstanding all that has been told them of its danger. This made me more careful, until I came in sight of this mock-fisherman, as I've just told Mabel; and then the whole of their infernal arts was as plain before me, as if I saw it on a map. I need not tell you, sergeant, that my first thoughts were of Mabel; and that, finding she was in the block, I came here, in order to live or die in her company." The father turned a gratified look upon his child, and Mabel felt a sinking of the heart that, at such a moment, she could not have thought possible, when she wished to believe all her concern centred in the situation of her parent. As the latter held out his hand she took it in her own, and kissed it. Then kneeling at his side, she wept as if her heart would break. "Mabel," he said, steadily, "the will of God must be done. It is useless to attempt deceiving either you or myself; my time has come, and it is a consolation to me to die like a soldier. Lundie will do me justice, for our good friend Pathfinder will tell him what has been done, and how all came to pass. You do not forget our last conversation?" "Nay, father, my time has probably come, too," exclaimed Mabel, who felt just then as if it would be a relief to die. "I cannot hope to escape; and Pathfinder would do well to leave us, and return to the garrison, with the sad news, while he can." "Mabel Dunham," said Pathfinder, reproachfully, though he took her hand with kindness. "I have not desarved this; I know I am wild, and uncouth, and ungainly-" "Pathfinder!" “Well—well, we'll forget it; you did not mean it; you could not think it. It is useless, now, to talk of escaping, for the sergeant cannot be moved; and the block-house must be defended, cost what it will. Maybe Lundie will get the tidings of our disaster, and send a party to raise the siege." "Pathfinder-Mabel!" said the sergeant, who had been writhing with pain, until the cold sweat stood on his forehead, "come both to my side. You understand each other, I hope?" "Father, say nothing of that-it is all as you wish." "Thank God! Give me your hand, Mabel-here, Pathfinder, take it. I can do no more than give you the girl in this way. I know you will make her a kind husband. Do not wait on account of my death; there will be a chaplain in the fort, before the season closes; let him marry you at once. My brother, if living, will wish to go back to his vessel, and then the child will have no protector. Mabel, your husband will have been my friend, and that will be some consolation to you, I hope." "Trust this matter to me, sergeant," put in Pathfinder; "leave it all in my hands, as your dying request; and depend on it, all will go as it should.” "I do I do put all confidence in you, my trusty friend, and empower you to act, as I could act myself, in every particular. Mabel, child-hand me the water-you will never repent this night. Bless you, my daughter-God bless and have you in His holy keeping!" This tenderness was inexpressibly touching to one of Mabel's feelings; and she felt at that moment, as if her future union with Pathfinder had received a solemnization that no ceremony of the Church could render more holy. Still, a weight, as that of a mountain, lay upon her heart, and she thought it would be happiness to die. Then followed a short pause, when the sergeant, in broken sentences, briefly related what had passed since he parted with Pathfinder and the Delaware. The wind had become more favorable, and instead of encamping on an island, agreeably to the original intention, he had determined to continue, and reach the station that night. Their approach would have been unseen, and a portion of the calamity avoided, he thought, had they not grounded on the point of a neighboring island, where, no doubt, the noise made by the men, in getting off the boat, gave notice of their approach, and enabled the enemy to be in readiness to receive them. They had landed without the slightest suspicion of danger, though surprised at not finding a sentinel, and had actually left their arms in the boat, with the intention of first securing their knapsacks and provisions. The fire had been so close, that notwithstanding the obscurity, it was very deadly. Every man had fallen; two or three, however, |