it a rule when facing the inimy
to give him as good as I can send, and to try to be moderate after a
defeat, little need be said on that score, as a flogging is one of the
most humbling things in natur'. The parsons preach about humility in the
garrison; but if humility would make Christians, the king's troops ought
to be saints, for they've done little as yet this war but take lessons
from the French, beginning at Fort du Quesne and ending at Ty."

"My father could not have suspected that the position of the island was
known to the enemy," resumed Mabel, whose thoughts were running on the
probable effect of the recent events on the Sergeant.

"That is true; nor do I well see how the Frenchers found it out. The
spot is well chosen, and it is not an easy matter, even for one who
has travelled the road to and from it, to find it again. There has been
treachery, I fear; yes, yes, there must have been treachery."

"Oh, Pathfinder! can this be?"

"Nothing is easier, Mabel, for treachery comes as nat'ral to some men as
eating. Now when I find a man all fair words I look close to his deeds;
for when the heart is right, and really intends to do good, it is
generally satisfied to let the conduct speak instead of the tongue."

"Jasper Western is not one of these," said Mabel impetuously. "No youth
can be more sincere in his manner, or less apt to make the tongue act
for the head."

"Jasper Western! tongue and heart are both right with that lad, depend
on it, Mabel; and the notion taken up by Lundie, and the Quartermaster,
and the Sergeant, and your uncle too, is as wrong as it would be to
think that the sun shone by night and the stars shone by day. No, no;
I'll answer for Eau-douce's honesty with my own scalp, or, at need, with
my own rifle."

"Bless you, bless you, Pathfinder!" exclaimed Mabel, extending her own
hand and pressing the iron fingers of her companion, under a state of
feeling that far surpassed her own consciousness of its strength. "You
are all that is generous, all that is noble! God will reward you for
it."

"Ah, Mabel, I fear me, if this be true, I should not covet such a wife
as yourself; but would leave you to be sued for by some gentleman of the
garrison, as your desarts require."

"We will not talk of this any more to-night," Mabel answered in a voice
so smothered as to seem nearly choked. "We must think less of ourselves
just now, Pathfinder, and more of our friends. But I rejoice from
my soul t