his companion with strong interest in his
countenance, and said,--

"Jasper earned that calash for you, Mabel, without much trial of his
gifts."

"It was fairly done, Pathfinder."

"No doubt, no doubt. The bullet passed neatly through the potato, and no
man could have done more; though others might have done as much."

"But no one did as much!" exclaimed Mabel, with an animation that she
instantly regretted; for she saw by the pained look of the guide that he
was mortified equally by the remark and by the feeling with which it was
uttered.

"It is true, it is true, Mabel, no one did as much then; but--yet there
is no reason I should deny my gifts which come from Providence--yes,
yes; no one did as much there, but you shall know what _can_ be done
here. Do you observe the gulls that are flying over our heads?"

"Certainly, Pathfinder; there are too many to escape notice."

"Here, where they cross each other in sailing about," he added, cocking
and raising his rifle; "the two--the two. Now look!"

The piece was presented quick as thought, as two of the birds came in
a line, though distant from each other many yards; the report followed,
and the bullet passed through the bodies of both victims. No sooner had
the gulls fallen into the lake, than Pathfinder dropped the butt-end
of the rifle, and laughed in his own peculiar manner, every shade of
dissatisfaction and mortified pride having left his honest face.

"That is something, Mabel, that is something; although I have no calash
to give you! But ask Jasper himself; I'll leave it all to Jasper, for a
truer tongue and heart are not in America."

"Then it was not Jasper's fault that he gained the prize?"

"Not it. He did his best, and he did well. For one that has water gifts,
rather than land gifts, Jasper is uncommonly expert, and a better backer
no one need wish, ashore or afloat. But it was my fault, Mabel, that he
got the calash; though it makes no difference--it makes no difference,
for the thing has gone to the right person."

"I believe I understand you, Pathfinder," said Mabel, blushing in spite
of herself, "and I look upon the calash as the joint gift of yourself
and Jasper."

"That would not be doing justice to the lad, neither. He won the
garment, and had a right to give it away. The most you may think,
Mabel, is to believe that, had I won it, it would have gone to the same
person."

"I will remember that, Pathfinder, and take care that others kn