ow your
skill, as it has been proved upon the poor gulls in my presence."

"Lord bless you, Mabel! there is no more need of your talking in favor
of my shooting on this frontier, than of your talking about the water
in the lake or the sun in the heavens. Everybody knows what I can do in
that way, and your words would be thrown away, as much as French would
be thrown away on an American bear."

"Then you think that Jasper knew you were giving him this advantage,
of which he had so unhandsomely availed himself?" said Mabel, the color
which had imparted so much lustre to her eyes gradually leaving her
face, which became grave and thoughtful.

"I do not say that, but very far from it. We all forget things that we
have known, when eager after our wishes. Jasper is satisfied that I can
pass one bullet through two potatoes, as I sent my bullet through the
gulls; and he knows no other man on the frontier can do the same thing.
But with the calash before his eyes, and the hope of giving it to you,
the lad was inclined to think better of himself, just at that moment,
perhaps, than he ought. No, no, there's nothing mean or distrustful
about Jasper Eau-douce, though it is a gift natural to all young men to
wish to appear well in the eyes of handsome young women."

"I'll try to forget all, but the kindness you've both shown to a poor
motherless girl," said Mabel, struggling to keep down emotions she
scarcely knew how to account for herself. "Believe me, Pathfinder, I can
never forget all you have already done for me--you and Jasper; and this
new proof of your regard is not thrown away. Here, here is a brooch that
is of silver, and I offer it as a token that I owe you life or liberty."

"What shall I do with this, Mabel?" asked the bewildered hunter, holding
the simple trinket in his hand. "I have neither buckle nor button
about me, for I wear nothing but leathern strings, and them of good
deer-skins. It's pretty to the eye, but it is prettier far on the spot
it came from than it can be about me."

"Nay, put it in your hunting-shirt; it will become it well. Remember,
Pathfinder, that it is a token of friendship between us, and a sign that
I can never forget you or your services."

Mabel then smiled an adieu; and, bounding up the bank, she was soon lost
to view behind the mound of the fort.

CHAPTER XII.

Lo! dusky masses steal in dubious sight,
Along the leaguer'd wall, and bristling bank,
Of the arm'd