they proceeded from a desire
to clear the coast, of Mabel's suitor. He met bad reasons by good ones, resisted
every inducement that was not legitimate, by his intimate acquaintance with his
peculiar duties, and was blind, as usual, to the influence of every incentive
that could not stand the test of integrity. He did not exactly suspect the
secret objects of Muir, but he was far from being blind to his sophistry. The
result was that the two parted, after a long dialogue, unconvinced and
distrustful of each other's motives, though the distrust of the guide, like all
that was connected with the man, partook of his own upright, disinterested and
ingenuous nature.
    A conference that took place, soon after, between Serjeant Dunham and the
Lieutenant led to more consequences. When it was ended, secret orders were
issued to the men, the block-house was taken possession of, the huts were
occupied, and one accustomed to the movements of soldiers, might have detected
that an expedition was in the wind. In fact, just as the sun was setting, the
Serjeant who had been much occupied at what was called the harbor, came into his
own hut, followed by Pathfinder and Cap, and, as he took his seat at the neat
table that Mabel had prepared for him, he opened the budget of his intelligence.
    »You are likely to be of some use, here, my child,« the old soldier
commenced, »as this tidy and well ordered supper can testify, and, I trust, when
the proper moment arrives, you will show yourself to be the descendant of those
who know how to face their enemies.«
    »You do not expect me, dear father, to play Joan of Arc, and to lead the men
to battle?«
    »Play whom, child - Did you ever hear of the person Mabel mentions,
Pathfinder?«
    »Not I, sarjeant, but what of that? I am ignorant and onedicated, and it is
too great a pleasure to me to listen to her voice, and take in her words, to be
particular about persons.«
    »I know her,« said Cap, decidedly. »She sailed a privateer out of Morlaix,
in the last war; and good cruises she made of them.«
    Mabel blushed at having inadvertently made an allusion that went beyond her
father's reading, to say nothing of her uncle's dogmatism; and perhaps a little
at the Pathfinder's simple ingenuous earnestness, but she did not forbear the
less to smile.
    »