understand the power of God, Master Cap, you will do well to
believe that, and many other things of a like natur', for you may be quite
sartain it is true.«
    »And yet, Pathfinder -« said Mabel, looking so pretty and sweet even while
she played with the guide's infirmity, that he forgave her in his heart - »you,
who speak so reverently of the power of the Deity, appear to doubt that a fish
can fly?«
    »I have not said it - I have not said it, and if Master Cap is ready to
testify to the fact, unlikely as it seems, I am willing to try to think it true.
I think it every man's duty to believe in the power of God, however difficult it
may be.«
    »And why is'n't my fish as likely to have wings, as your squirrel?« demanded
Cap, with more logic than was his wont. »That fishes do and can fly is as true
as it is reasonable -«
    »Nay, that is the only difficulty in believing the story,« rejoined the
guide. »It seems onreasonable to give an animal that lives in the water wings,
which seemingly can be of no use to them.«
    »And do you suppose that the fishes are such asses as to fly about under
water, when they are once fairly fitted out with wings?«
    »Nay, I know nothing of the matter, but that fish should fly in the air
seems more contrary to natur' still, than that they should fly in their own
quarters; that, in which they were born and brought up, as one might say.«
    »So much for contracted ideas, Magnet. The fish fly out of water, to run
away from their enemies under water, and there you see not only the fact, but
the reason for it.«
    »Then I suppose it must be true,« said the guide, quietly. »How long are
their flights?«
    »Not quite as far as those of pigeons, perhaps, but far enough to make an
offing. As for those squirrels of yours, we'll say no more about them, friend
Pathfinder, as I suppose they were mentioned just as a make-weight to the fish,
in favor of the woods - But what is this thing, anchored here under the hill.«
    »That is the cutter of Jasper, uncle,« said Mabel, hurriedly - »and a very
pretty vessel, I think it is.