wing. To the shame of us
white men be it said, that we look upon blessings without satisfaction,
and consider trifling evils as matters of great account."

"It is so with the 55th, as I can answer, though I cannot say as much
for their Christianity," returned the Sergeant. "Even the major himself,
old Duncan of Lundie, will sometimes swear that an oatmeal cake is
better fare than the Oswego bass, and sigh for a swallow of Highland
water, when, if so minded, he has the whole of Ontario to quench his
thirst in."

"Has Major Duncan a wife and children?" asked Mabel, whose thoughts
naturally turned towards her own sex in her new situation.

"Not he, girl; though they do say that he has a betrothed at home. The
lady, it seems, is willing to wait, rather than suffer the hardships of
service in this wild region; all of which, brother Cap, is not according
to my notions of a woman's duties. Your sister thought differently."

"I hope, Sergeant, you do not think of Mabel for a soldier's wife,"
returned Cap gravely. "Our family has done its share in that way
already, and it's high time that the sea was again remembered."

"I do not think of finding a husband for the girl in the 55th, or any
other regiment, I can promise you, brother; though I do think it getting
to be time that the child were respectably married."

"Father!"

"'Tis not their gifts, Sergeant, to talk of these matters in so open a
manner," said the guide; "for I've seen it verified by experience,
that he who would follow the trail of a virgin's good-will must not go
shouting out his thoughts behind her. So, if you please, we will talk of
something else."

"Well, then, brother Cap, I hope that bit of a cold roasted pig is to
your mind; you seem to fancy the food."

"Ay, ay; give me civilized grub if I must eat," returned the
pertinacious seaman. "Venison is well enough for your inland sailors,
but we of the ocean like a little of that which we understand."

Here Pathfinder laid down his knife and fork, and indulged in a hearty
laugh, though in his always silent manner; then he asked, with a little
curiosity in his manner,--

"Don't, you miss the skin, Master Cap? don't you miss the skin?"

"It would have been better for its jacket, I think myself, Pathfinder;
but I suppose it is a fashion of the woods to serve up shoats in this
style."

"Well, well, a man may go round the 'arth and not know everything. If
you had had the skinning of that pig, Master