r marches, they commonly eat all before
them, even if they do nothing else."

"They have their gifts, I suppose, like other men," observed Pathfinder,
with a view to preserve the peace, which was evidently in some danger of
being broken by the obstinate predilection of each of the disputants in
favor of his own calling; "and when a man has his gift from Providence,
it is commonly idle to endeavor to bear up against it. The 55th,
Sergeant, is a judicous regiment in the way of eating, as I know from
having been so long in its company, though I daresay militia corps could
be found that would outdo them in feats of that natur' too."

"Uncle;" said Mabel, "if you have breakfasted, I will thank you to go
out upon the bastion with me again. We have neither of us half seen
the lake, and it would be hardly seemly for a young woman to be walking
about the fort, the first day of her arrival, quite alone."

Cap understood the motive of Mabel; and having, at the bottom, a hearty
friendship for his brother-in-law, he was willing enough to defer the
argument until they had been longer together, for the idea of abandoning
it altogether never crossed the mind of one so dogmatical and obstinate.
He accordingly accompanied his niece, leaving Sergeant Dunham and his
friend, the Pathfinder, alone together. As soon as his adversary had
beat a retreat, the Sergeant, who did not quite so well understand the
manoeuvre of his daughter, turned to his companion, and, with a smile
which was not without triumph, he remarked,--

"The army, Pathfinder, has never yet done itself justice in the way of
asserting its rights; and though modesty becomes a man, whether he is in
a red coat or a black one, or, for that matter, in his shirt-sleeves,
I don't like to let a good opportunity slip of saying a word in
its behalf. Well, my friend," laying his own hand on one of the
Pathfinder's, and giving it a hearty squeeze, "how do you like the
girl?"

"You have reason to be proud of her, Sergeant. I have seen many of her
sex, and some that were great and beautiful; but never before did I meet
with one in whom I thought Providence had so well balanced the different
gifts."

"And the good opinion, I can tell you, Pathfinder, is mutual. She
told me last night all about your coolness, and spirit, and
kindness,--particularly the last, for kindness counts for more than
half with females, my friend,--and the first inspection seems to give
satisfaction on both side