, Mabel, and all our scalps; and
no ways particular, I'll engage, as to the purchaser. The countrymen of
Captain Flinty-heart here were the paymasters this time."

"Just like 'em; ever ready to buy when they can't thrash, and to run
when they can do neither."

Monsieur Sanglier lifted his cap with ironical gravity, and acknowledged
the compliment with an expression of polite contempt that was altogether
lost on its insensible subject. But Pathfinder had too much native
courtesy, and was far too just-minded, to allow the attack to go
unnoticed.

"Well, well," he interposed, "to my mind there is no great difference
'atween an Englishman and a Frenchman, after all. They talk different
tongues, and live under different kings, I will allow; but both are
human, and feel like human beings, when there is occasion for it."

Captain Flinty-heart, as Pathfinder called him, made another obeisance;
but this time the smile was friendly, and not ironical; for he felt that
the intention was good, whatever might have been the mode of expressing
it. Too philosophical, however, to heed what a man like Cap might say or
think, he finished his breakfast, without allowing his attention to be
again diverted from that important pursuit.

"My business here was principally with the Quartermaster," Cap
continued, as soon as he had done regarding the prisoner's pantomime.
"The Sergeant must be near his end, and I have thought he might wish to
say something to his successor in authority before he finally departed.
It is too late, it would seem; and, as you say, Pathfinder, the
Lieutenant has truly gone before."

"That he has, though on a different path. As for authority, I suppose
the Corporal has now a right to command what's left of the 55th;
though a small and worried, not to say frightened, party it is. But, if
anything needs to be done, the chances are greatly in favor of my being
called on to do it. I suppose, however, we have only to bury our dead;
set fire to the block and the huts, for they stand in the inimy's
territory by position, if not by law, and must not be left for their
convenience. Our using them again is out of the question; for, now
the Frenchers know where the island is to be found, it would be like
thrusting the hand into a wolf-trap with our eyes wide open. This part
of the work the Sarpent and I will see to, for we are as practysed in
retreats as in advances."

"All that is very well, my good friend. And now for my p