ports on Ontario, that can be named as such, and he
naturally passed most of his time on the other side of the lake, where the
French have had a few vessels, these fifty years. He learned to speak their
language, as a matter of course, and got his name from the Indians and
Canadians, who are fond of calling men by their qualities as it might be.«
    »A French master, is but a poor instructor for a British sailor,
notwithstanding!«
    »I beg your pardon, sir; Jasper Eau douce was brought up under a real
English seaman; one that had sailed under the King's Pennant, and may be called
a thorough bred: that is to say, a subject born in the colonies, but none the
worse at his trade, I hope, Major Duncan, for that.«
    »Perhaps not, serjeant; perhaps not; nor any better. This Jasper behaved
well, too, when I gave him the command of the Scud; no lad could have conducted
himself more loyally, or better.«
    »Or more bravely, Major Duncan. I am sorry to see, sir, that you have doubts
as to the fidelity of Jasper.«
    »It is the duty of the soldier, who is entrusted with the care of a distant
and important post like this, Dunham, never to relax in his vigilance. We have
two of the most artful enemies, that the world has ever produced, in their
several ways, to contend with; the Indians and the French; and nothing should be
overlooked that can lead to injury.«
    »I hope your honor considers me fit to be intrusted with any particular
reason that may exist for doubting Jasper, since you have seen fit to intrust me
with this command.«
    »It is not that I doubt you, Dunham, that I hesitate to reveal all I may
happen to know, but from a strong reluctance to circulate an evil report
concerning one of whom I have hitherto thought well. You must think well of the
Pathfinder, or you would not wish to give him your daughter?«
    »For the Pathfinder's honesty I will answer with my life, sir -« returned
the serjeant firmly, and not without a dignity of manner that struck his
superior. »Such a man does'n't know how to be false.«
    »I believe you are right, Dunham, and yet this last information has
unsettled all my old opinions. I have received an anonymous communication,
serjeant, advising me to be on my guard against Jasper Western