after
he had cast his eye at a written report, handed to him by the Sergeant,
but which it was too dark to read.

"All, your honor; and all are right."

"The ammunition--arms?"

"All in order, Major Duncan, and fit for any service."

"You have the men named in my own draft, Dunham?"

"Without an exception, sir. Better men could not be found in the
regiment."

"You have need of the best of our men, Sergeant. This experiment has
now been tried three times; always under one of the ensigns, who have
flattered me with success, but have as often failed. After so much
preparation and expense, I do not like to abandon the project entirely;
but this will be the last effort; and the result will mainly depend on
you and on the Pathfinder."

"You may count on us both, Major Duncan. The duty you have given us is
not above our habits and experience, and I think it will be well done. I
know that the Pathfinder will not be wanting."

"On that, indeed, it will be safe to rely. He is a most extraordinary
man, Dunham--one who long puzzled me; but who, now that I understand
him, commands as much of my respect as any general in his majesty's
service."

"I was in hopes, sir, that you would come to look at the proposed
marriage with Mabel as a thing I ought to wish and forward."

"As for that, Sergeant, time will show," returned Lundie, smiling;
though here, too, the obscurity concealed the nicer shades of
expression; "one woman is sometimes more difficult to manage than
a whole regiment of men. By the way, you know that your would-be
son-in-law, the Quartermaster, will be of the party; and I trust you
will at least give him an equal chance in the trial for your daughter's
smiles."

"If respect for his rank, sir, did not cause me to do this, your honor's
wish would be sufficient."

"I thank you, Sergeant. We have served much together, and ought to value
each other in our several stations. Understand me, however, I ask no
more for Davy Muir than a clear field and no favor. In love, as in war,
each man must gain his own victories. Are you certain that the rations
have been properly calculated?"

"I'll answer for it, Major Duncan; but if they were not, we cannot
suffer with two such hunters as Pathfinder and the Serpent in company."

"That will never do, Dunham," interrupted Lundie sharply; "and it comes
of your American birth and American training. No thorough soldier ever
relies on anything but his commissary for supplies; a