 sweet words, Mabel, but
they were not wanting to make me do all that man can do, in the present
sarcumstances; they will not lessen my endivors, neither.«
    »Now we understand each other, Pathfinder -« Mabel added, hoarsely, »let us
not lose one of the precious moments, which may be of incalculable value. Can we
not get into your canoe, and go and meet my father?«
    »That is not the course I advise. I do'n't know by which channel the
sarjeant will come, and there are twenty; rely on it, the Sarpent will be
winding his way through them all. No - no - my advice is to remain, here. The
logs of this block-house are still green, and it will not be easy to set them on
fire, and I can make good the place, bating a burning, ag'in a tribe. The
Iroquois nation cannot dislodge me from this fortress, so long as we can keep
the flames from it. The Sarjeant is now 'camped on some island, and will not
come in, until morning. If we hold the block, we can give him timely warning, by
firing rifles for instance; and should he determine to attack the savages, as a
man of his temper will be very likely to do, the possession of this building
will be of great account in the affair. No - no - my judgment says remain, if
the object be to sarve the sarjeant; though escape for our two selves, will be
no very difficult matter.«
    »Stay -« murmured Mabel - »Stay, for God's sake, Pathfinder. Any thing,
every thing, to save my father.«
    »Yes, that is natur'. I am glad to hear you say this, Mabel, for I own a
wish to see the sarjeant fairly supported. As the matter now stands he has
gained himself credit, and could he once drive off these miscreants, and make an
honorable retreat, laying the huts and block in ashes, no doubt, no doubt,
Lundie would remember it, and sarve him accordingly - Yes, yes, Mabel, we must
not only save the sarjeant's life, but we must save his ripitation.«
    »No blame can rest on my father, on account of the surprise of this island?«
    »There's no tellin' - there's no tellin'. Military glory is a most unsartain
thing. I've seen the Delawares routed when they desarved more credit,
