ed in getting on board of her. As soon as this was effected,
the young man pointed out to Mabel and her companion the accommodations
prepared for their reception. The little vessel contained four
apartments below, all between decks having been expressly constructed
with a view to the transportation of officers and men, with their wives
and families. First in rank was what was called the after-cabin, a small
apartment that contained four berths, and which enjoyed the advantage of
possessing small windows, for the admission of air and light. This was
uniformly devoted to females whenever any were on board; and as Mabel
and her companion were alone, they had ample accommodation. The main
cabin was larger, and lighted from above. It was now appropriated to
the Quartermaster, the Sergeant, Cap, and Jasper; the Pathfinder
roaming through any part of the cutter he pleased, the female apartment
excepted. The corporals and common soldiers occupied the space beneath
the main hatch, which had a deck for such a purpose, while the crew
were berthed, as usual, in the forecastle. Although the cutter did not
measure quite fifty tons, the draft of officers and men was so light,
that there was ample room for all on board, there being space enough to
accommodate treble the number, if necessary.

As soon as Mabel had taken possession of her own really comfortable
cabin, in doing which she could not abstain from indulging in the
pleasant reflection that some of Jasper's favor had been especially
manifested in her behalf, she went on deck again. Here all was
momentarily in motion; the men were roving to and fro, in quest of their
knapsacks and other effects; but method and habit soon reduced things
to order, when the stillness on board became even imposing, for it was
connected with the idea of future adventure and ominous preparation.

Darkness was now beginning to render objects on shore indistinct, the
whole of the land forming one shapeless black outline of even forest
summits, to be distinguished from the impending heavens only by the
greater light of the sky. The stars, however, soon began to appear
in the latter, one after another, in their usual mild, placid lustre,
bringing with them that sense of quiet which ordinarily accompanies
night. There was something soothing, as well as exciting, in such a
scene; and Mabel, who was seated on the quarter-deck, sensibly felt both
influences. The Pathfinder was standing near her, leaning, as u