pposed you
expected any more felicity with either of your wives. Now, I've heard
of fellows who were so stupid as to look forward to happiness with their
wives even beyond the grave. I drink to your success, or to your speedy
recovery from this attack, Lieutenant; and I admonish you to be more
cautious in future, as some of these violent cases may yet carry you
off."

"Many thanks, dear Major; and a speedy termination to an old courtship,
of which I know something. This is real mountain dew, Lundie, and it
warms the heart like a gleam of bonnie Scotland. As for the men you've
just mentioned, they could have had but one wife a piece; for where
there are several, the deeds of the women themselves may carry them
different ways. I think a reasonable husband ought to be satisfied with
passing his allotted time with any particular wife in this world, and
not to go about moping for things unattainable. I'm infinitely obliged
to you, Major Duncan, for this and all your other acts of friendship;
and if you could but add another, I should think you had not altogether
forgotten the play-fellow of your boyhood."

"Well, Davy, if the request be reasonable, and such as a superior ought
to grant, out with it, man."

"If ye could only contrive a little service for me, down among the
Thousand Isles, for a fortnight or so, I think this matter might be
settled to the satisfaction of all parties. Just remember, Lundie, the
lassie is the only marriageable white female on this frontier."

"There is always duty for one in your line at a post, however small;
but this below can be done by the Sergeant as well as by the
Quartermaster-general, and better too."

"But not better than by a regimental officer. There is great waste, in
common, among the orderlies."

"I'll think of it, Muir," said the Major, laughing, "and you shall have
my answer in the morning. Here will be a fine occasion, man, the morrow,
to show yourself off before the lady; you are expert with the rifle, and
prizes are to be won. Make up your mind to display your skill, and who
knows what may yet happen before the _Scud_ sails."

"I'm thinking most of the young men will try their hands in this sport,
Major!"

"That will they, and some of the old ones too, if you appear. To keep
you in countenance, I'll try a shot or two myself, Davy; and you know I
have some name that way."

"It might, indeed, do good. The female heart, Major Duncan, is
susceptible in many different m