and, as the deck of the
Scud was but two or three feet above the water, no difficulty was experienced in
getting on board her. As soon as this was effected, the young man pointed out to
Mabel and her companion, the accommodations prepared for their reception, and
they took possession of them. The little vessel contained four apartments below,
all between decks having been expressly constructed with a view to the
transportation of officers and men, with their wives and families. First in
rank, was what was called the after cabin, a small apartment that contained four
berths, and which enjoyed the advantage of possessing small windows, for the
admission of air and light. This was uniformly devoted to females, whenever any
were on board, and as Mabel and her companion were alone, they had ample space
and accommodations. The main cabin was larger, and lighted from above. It was
now appropriated to the uses of the Quarter Master, the Serjeant, Cap, and
Jasper, the Pathfinder roaming through any part of the cutter he pleased; the
female apartment excepted. The corporals and common soldiers occupied the space
beneath the main hatch, which had a deck for such a purpose, while the crew were
berthed, as usual, in the forecastle. Although the cutter did not measure quite
fifty tons, the draft of officers and men was so light, that there was ample
room for all on board, there being space enough to accommodate treble the
number, if necessary.
    As soon as Mabel had taken possession of her own really comfortable and
pretty cabin, in doing which she could not abstain from indulging in the
pleasant reflection that some of Jasper's favor had been especially manifested
in her behalf, she went on deck again. Here all was momentarily in motion; the
men were roving to and fro, in quest of their knapsacks and other effects, but
method and habit soon reduced things to order, when the stillness on board
became even imposing, for it was connected with the idea of future adventure,
and ominous preparation.
    Darkness was now beginning to render objects on shore indistinct, the whole
of the land forming one shapeless black outline, of even, forest, summits, that
was to be distinguished from the impending heavens only by the greater light of
the sky. The stars, however, soon began to appear in the latter, one after
another, in their usual mild, placid lustre, bringing with them that sense of
quiet which ordinarily accompanies night. There was something soothing, as well
as exciting in such a scene, and Mabel, who was seated on the quarter