in your presentiments."

The Sergeant, although he scarcely knew himself with what object,
complied, and Cap was summoned to join in the consultation. As
Pathfinder was more collected than his companion, and felt so strong a
conviction of the good faith of the party accused, he assumed the office
of spokesman.

"We have asked you to come down, Master Cap," he commenced, "in order
to inquire if you have remarked anything out of the common way in the
movements of Eau-douce this evening."

"His movements are common enough, I daresay, for fresh water, Master
Pathfinder, though we should think most of his proceedings irregular
down on the coast."

"Yes, yes; we know you will never agree with the lad about the manner
the cutter ought to be managed; but it is on another point we wish your
opinion."

The Pathfinder then explained to Cap the nature of the suspicions which
the Sergeant entertained, and the reasons why they had been excited, so
far as the latter had been communicated by Major Duncan.

"The youngster talks French, does he?" said Cap.

"They say he speaks it better than common," returned the Sergeant
gravely. "Pathfinder knows this to be true."

"I'll not gainsay it," answered the guide; "at least, they tell me such
is the fact. But this would prove nothing ag'in a Mississauga, and,
least of all, ag'in one like Jasper. I speak the Mingo dialect myself,
having learnt it while a prisoner among the reptyles; but who will say
I am their friend? Not that I am an enemy, either, according to
Indian notions; though I am their enemy, I will admit, agreeable to
Christianity."

"Ay Pathfinder; but Jasper did not get his French as a prisoner: he
took it in his boyhood, when the mind is easily impressed, and gets its
permanent notions; when nature has a presentiment, as it were, which way
the character is likely to incline."

"A very just remark," added Cap, "for that is the time of life when we
all learn the catechism, and other moral improvements. The Sergeant's
observation shows that he understands human nature, and I agree with him
perfectly; it _is_ a damnable thing for a youngster, up here, on this
bit of fresh water, to talk French. If it were down on the Atlantic,
now, where a seafaring man has occasion sometimes to converse with a
pilot, or a linguister, in that language, I should not think so much of
it,--though we always look with suspicion, even there, at a shipmate who
knows too much of the tongue; but