The Pathfinder; Or, The Inland Sea

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER X.

  Think not I love him, though I ask for him; 'Tis but a peevish boy:--yet he talks well-- But what care I for words?

  A week passed in the usual routine of a garrison. Mabel was becomingused to a situation that, at first she had found not only novel, buta little irksome; and the officers and men in their turn, graduallyfamiliarized to the presence of a young and blooming girl, whose attireand carriage had that air of modest gentility about them which shehad obtained in the family of her patroness, annoyed her less by theirill-concealed admiration, while they gratified her by the respect which,she was fain to think, they paid her on account of her father; butwhich, in truth, was more to be attributed to her own modest butspirited deportment, than to any deference for the worthy Sergeant.

  Acquaintances made in a forest, or in any circumstances of unusualexcitement, soon attain their limits. Mabel found one week's residenceat Oswego sufficient to determine her as to those with whom she might beintimate and those whom she ought to avoid. The sort of neutral positionoccupied by her father, who was not an officer, while he was so muchmore than a common soldier, by keeping her aloof from the two greatclasses of military life, lessened the number of those whom she wascompelled to know, and made the duty of decision comparatively easy.Still she soon discovered that there were a few, even among those thatcould aspire to a seat at the Commandant's table, who were disposed tooverlook the halbert for the novelty of a well-turned figure and of apretty, winning face; and by the end of the first two or three days shehad admirers even among the gentlemen. The Quartermaster, in particular,a middle-aged soldier, who had more than once tried the blessings ofmatrimony already, but was now a widower, was evidently disposed toincrease his intimacy with the Sergeant, though their duties oftenbrought them together; and the youngsters among his messmates did notfail to note that this man of method, who was a Scotsman of the nameof Muir, was much more frequent in his visits to the quarters of hissubordinate than had formerly been his wont. A laugh, or a joke, inhonor of the "Sergeant's daughter," however, limited their strictures;though "Mabel Dunham" was soon a toast that even the ensign, or thelieutenant, did not disdain to give.

  At the end of the week, Duncan of Lundie sent for Sergeant Dunham, afterevening roll-call, on business of a nature that, it was understood,required a personal conference. The old veteran dwelt in a movable hut,which, being placed on trucks, he could order to be wheeled about atpleasure, sometimes living in one part of the area within the fort, andsometimes in another. On the present occasion, he had made a halt nearthe centre; and there he was found by his subordinate, who wasadmitted to his presence without any delay or dancing attendance in anante-chamber. In point of fact, there was very little difference in thequality of the accommodations allowed to the officers and those allowedto the men, the former being merely granted the most room.

  "Walk in, Sergeant, walk in, my good friend," said old Lundie heartily,as his inferior stood in a respectful attitude at the door of a sort oflibrary and bedroom into which he had been ushered;--"walk in, and takea seat on that stool. I have sent for you, man; to discuss anything butrosters and pay-rolls this evening. It is now many years since we havebeen comrades, and 'auld lang syne' should count for something, evenbetween a major and his orderly, a Scot and a Yankee. Sit ye down, man,and just put yourself at your ease. It has been a fine day, Sergeant."

  "It has indeed, Major Duncan," returned the other, who, though hecomplied so far as to take the seat, was much too practised not tounderstand the degree of respect it was necessary to maintain in hismanner; "a very fine day, sir, it has been and we may look for more ofthem at this season."

  "I hope so with all my heart. The crops look well as it is, man, andyou'll be finding that the 55th make almost as good farmers as soldiers.I never saw better potatoes in Scotland than we are likely to have inthat new patch of ours."

  "They promise a good yield, Major Duncan; and, in that light, a morecomfortable winter than the last."

  "Life is progressive, Sergeant, in its comforts as well as in its needof them. We grow old, and I begin to think it time to retire and settlein life. I feel that my working days are nearly over."

  "The king, God bless him! sir, has much good service in your honor yet."

  "It may be so, Sergeant Dunham, especially if he should happen to have aspare lieutenant-colonelcy left."

  "The 55th will be honored the day that commission is given to Duncan ofLundie, sir."

  "And Duncan of Lundie will be honored the day he receives it. But,Sergeant, if you have never had a lieutenant-colonelcy, you have had agood wife, and that is the next thing to rank in making a man happy."

  "I have been married, Major Duncan; but it is now a long time since Ihave had no drawback on the love I bear his majesty and my duty."

  "What, man! not even the love you bear that active little round-limbed,rosy-cheeked daughter that I have seen in the fort these last few days!Out upon you, Sergeant! old fellow as I am, I could almost love thatlittle lassie myself, and send the lieutenant-colonelcy to the devil."

  "We all know where Major Duncan's heart is, and that is in Scotland,where a beautiful lady is ready and willing to make him happy, as soonas his own sense of duty shall permit."

  "Ay, hope is ever a far-off thing, Sergeant," returned the superior, ashade of melancholy passing over his hard Scottish features as he spoke;"and bonnie Scotland is a far-off country. Well, if we have no heatherand oatmeal in this region, we have venison for the killing of it andsalmon as plenty as at Berwick-upon-Tweed. Is it true, Sergeant, thatthe men complain of having been over-venisoned and over-pigeoned oflate?"

  "Not for some weeks, Major Duncan, for neither deer nor birds are soplenty at this season as they have been. They begin to throw theirremarks about concerning the salmon, but I trust we shall get throughthe summer without any serious disturbance on the score of food. TheScotch in the battalion do, indeed, talk more than is prudent of theirwant of oatmeal, grumbling occasionally of our wheaten bread."

  "Ah, that is human nature, Sergeant! pure, unadulterated Scotch humannature. A cake, man, to say the truth, is an agreeable morsel, and Ioften see the time when I pine for a bite myself."

  "If the feeling gets to be troublesome, Major Duncan,--in the men, Imean, sir, for I would not think of saying so disrespectful a thing toyour honor,--but if the men ever pine seriously for their natural food,I would humbly recommend that some oatmeal be imported, or prepared inthis country for them, and I think we shall hear no more of it. A verylittle would answer for a cure, sir."

  "You are a wag, Sergeant; but hang me if I am sure you are not right.There may be sweeter things in this world, after all, than oatmeal. Youhave a sweet daughter, Dunham, for one."

  "The girl is like her mother, Major Duncan, and will pass inspection,"said the Sergeant proudly. "Neither was brought up on anything betterthan good American flour. The girl will pass inspection, sir."

  "That would she, I'll answer for it. Well, I may as well come to thepoint at once, man, and bring up my reserve into the front of thebattle. Here is Davy Muir, the quartermaster, disposed to make yourdaughter his wife, and he has just got me to open the matter to you,being fearful of compromising his own dignity; and I may as well addthat half the youngsters in the fort toast her, and talk of her frommorning till night."

  "She is much honored, sir," returned the father stiffly; "but I trustthe gentlemen will find something more worthy of them to talk about erelong. I hope to see her the wife of an honest man before many weeks,sir."

  "Yes, Davy is an honest man, and that is more than can be said for allin the quartermaster's department, I'm thinking, Sergeant," returnedLundie, with a slight smile. "Well, then may I tell the Cupid-strickenyouth that the matter is as good as settled?"

  "I thank your honor; but Mabel is betrothed to another."

  "The devil she is! That will produce a stir in the fort; though I'm notsorry to hear it either, for, to be frank with you, Sergeant, I'm nogreat admirer of un
equal matches."

  "I think with your honor, and have no desire to see my daughter anofficer's lady. If she can get as high as her mother was before her, itought to satisfy any reasonable woman."

  "And may I ask, Sergeant, who is the lucky man that you intend to callson-in-law?"

  "The Pathfinder, your honor."

  "Pathfinder!"

  "The same, Major Duncan; and in naming him to you, I give you his wholehistory. No one is better known on this frontier than my honest, brave,true-hearted friend."

  "All that is true enough; but is he, after all, the sort of person tomake a girl of twenty happy?"

  "Why not, your honor? The man is at the head of his calling. There is noother guide or scout connected with the army who has half the reputationof Pathfinder, or who deserves to have it half as well."

  "Very true, Sergeant; but is the reputation of a scout exactly the sortof renown to captivate a girl's fancy?"

  "Talking of girls' fancies, sir, is in my humble opinion much liketalking of a recruit's judgment. If we were to take the movements of theawkward squad, sir, as a guide, we should never form a decent line inbattalion, Major Duncan."

  "But your daughter has nothing awkward about her: for a genteeler girlof her class could not be found in old Albion itself. Is she of your wayof thinking in this matter?--though I suppose she must be, as you sayshe is betrothed."

  "We have not yet conversed on the subject, your honor; but I considerher mind as good as made up, from several little circumstances whichmight be named."

  "And what are these circumstances, Sergeant?" asked the Major, whobegan to take more interest than he had at first felt on the subject."I confess a little curiosity to know something about a woman's mind,being, as you know, a bachelor myself."

  "Why, your honor, when I speak of the Pathfinder to the girl, she alwayslooks me full in the face; chimes in with everything I say in his favor,and has a frank open way with her, which says as much as if she halfconsidered him already as a husband."

  "Hum! and these signs, you think, Dunham, are faithful tokens of yourdaughter's feelings?"

  "I do, your honor, for they strike me as natural. When I find a man,sir, who looks me full in the face, while he praises an officer,--for,begging your honor's pardon, the men will sometimes pass theirstrictures on their betters,--and when I find a man looking me in theeyes as he praises his captain, I always set it down that the fellow ishonest, and means what he says."

  "Is there not some material difference in the age of the intendedbridegroom and that of his pretty bride, Sergeant?"

  "You are quite right, sir; Pathfinder is well advanced towards forty,and Mabel has every prospect of happiness that a young woman can derivefrom the certainty of possessing an experienced husband. I was quiteforty myself, your honor, when I married her mother."

  "But will your daughter be as likely to admire a green hunting-shirt,such as that our worthy guide wears, with a fox-skin cap, as the smartuniform of the 55th?"

  "Perhaps not, sir; and therefore she will have the merit of self-denial,which always makes a young woman wiser and better."

  "And are you not afraid that she may be left a widow while still a youngwoman? what between wild beasts, and wilder savages, Pathfinder may besaid to carry his life in his hand."

  "'Every bullet has its billet,' Lundie," for so the Major was fond ofbeing called in his moments of condescension, and when not engaged inmilitary affairs; "and no man in the 55th can call himself beyond orabove the chances of sudden death. In that particular, Mabel wouldgain nothing by a change. Besides, sir, if I may speak freely on sucha subject, I much doubt if ever Pathfinder dies in battle, or by any ofthe sudden chances of the wilderness."

  "And why so, Sergeant?" asked the Major. "He is a soldier, so far asdanger is concerned, and one that is much more than usually exposed;and, being free of his person, why should he expect to escape whenothers do not?"

  "I do not believe, your honor, that the Pathfinder considers his ownchances better than any one's else, but the man will never die bya bullet. I have seen him so often handling his rifle with as muchcomposure as if it were a shepherd's crook, in the midst of the heaviestshowers of bullets, and under so many extraordinary circumstances, thatI do not think Providence means he should ever fall in that manner. Andyet, if there be a man in his Majesty's dominions who really deservessuch a death, it is Pathfinder."

  "We never know, Sergeant," returned Lundie, with a countenance gravewith thought; "and the less we say about it, perhaps, the better. Butwill your daughter--Mabel, I think, you call her--will Mabel be aswilling to accept one who, after all, is a mere hanger-on of the army,as to take one from the service itself? There is no hope of promotionfor the guide, Sergeant."

  "He is at the head of his corps already, your honor. In short, Mabelhas made up her mind on this subject; and, as your honor has had thecondescension to speak to me about Mr. Muir, I trust you will be kindenough to say that the girl is as good as billeted for life."

  "Well, well, this is your own matter, and, now--Sergeant Dunham!"

  "Your honor," said the other, rising, and giving the customary salute.

  "You have been told it is my intention to send you down among theThousand Islands for the next month. All the old subalterns have hadtheir tours of duty in that quarter--all that I like to trust at least;and it has at length come to your turn. Lieutenant Muir, it is true,claims his right; but, being quartermaster, I do not like to break upwell-established arrangements. Are the men drafted?"

  "Everything is ready, your honor. The draft is made, and I understoodthat the canoe which got in last night brought a message to say that theparty already below is looking out for the relief."

  "It did; and you must sail the day after to-morrow, if not to-morrownight. It will be wise, perhaps, to sail in the dark."

  "So Jasper thinks, Major Duncan; and I know no one more to be dependedon in such an affair than young Jasper Western."

  "Young Jasper Eau-douce!" said Lundie, a slight smile gathering aroundhis usually stern mouth. "Will that lad be of your party, Sergeant?"

  "Your honor will remember that the _Scud_ never quits port without him."

  "True; but all general rules have their exceptions. Have I not seen aseafaring person about the fort within the last few days?"

  "No doubt, your honor; it is Master Cap, a brother-in-law of mine, whobrought my daughter from below."

  "Why not put him in the _Scud_ for this cruise, Sergeant, and leaveJasper behind? Your brother-in-law would like the variety of afresh-water cruise, and you would enjoy more of his company."

  "I intended to ask your honor's permission to take him along; but hemust go as a volunteer. Jasper is too brave a lad to be turned out ofhis command without a reason, Major Duncan; and I'm afraid brother Capdespises fresh water too much to do duty on it."

  "Quite right, Sergeant, and I leave all this to your own discretion.Eau-douce must retain his command, on second thoughts. You intend thatPathfinder shall also be of the party?"

  "If your honor approves of it. There will be service for both theguides, the Indian as well as the white man."

  "I think you are right. Well, Sergeant, I wish you good luck in theenterprise; and remember the post is to be destroyed and abandoned whenyour command is withdrawn. It will have done its work by that time, orwe shall have failed entirely, and it is too ticklish a position to bemaintained unnecessarily. You can retire."

  Sergeant Dunham gave the customary salute, turned on his heels as ifthey had been pivots, and had got the door nearly drawn to after him,when he was suddenly recalled.

  "I had forgotten, Sergeant, the younger officers have begged fora shooting match, and to-morrow has been named for the day. Allcompetitors will be admitted, and the prizes will be a silver-mountedpowder horn, a leathern flask ditto," reading from a piece of paper, "asI see by the professional jargon of this bill, and a silk calash for alady. The latter is to enable the victor to show his gallantry by makingan offering of it to her h
e best loves."

  "All very agreeable, your honor, at least to him that succeeds. Is thePathfinder to be permitted to enter?"

  "I do not well see how he can be excluded, if he choose to come forward.Latterly, I have observed that he takes no share in these sports,probably from a conviction of his own unequalled skill."

  "That's it, Major Duncan; the honest fellow knows there is not a manon the frontier who can equal him, and he does not wish to spoil thepleasure of others. I think we may trust to his delicacy in anything,sir. Perhaps it may be as well to let him have his own way?"

  "In this instance we must, Sergeant. Whether he will be as successful inall others remains to be seen. I wish you good evening, Dunham."

  The Sergeant now withdrew, leaving Duncan of Lundie to his own thoughts:that they were not altogether disagreeable was to be inferred from thesmiles which occasionally covered a countenance hard and martial inits usual expression, though there were moments in which all its severesobriety prevailed. Half an hour might have passed, when a tap at thedoor was answered by a direction to enter. A middle-aged man, in thedress of an officer, but whose uniform wanted the usual smartness of theprofession, made his appearance, and was saluted as "Mr. Muir."

  "I have come sir, at your bidding, to know my fortune," said theQuartermaster, in a strong Scotch accent, as soon as he had taken theseat which was proffered to him. "To say the truth to you, Major Duncan,this girl is making as much havoc in the garrison as the French didbefore Ty: I never witnessed so general a rout in so short a time!"

  "Surely, Davy, you don't mean to persuade me that your young andunsophisticated heart is in such a flame, after one week's ignition?Why, man, this is worse than the affair in Scotland, where it was saidthe heat within was so intense that it just burnt a hole through yourown precious body, and left a place for all the lassies to peer in at,to see what the combustible material was worth."

  "Ye'll have your own way, Major Duncan; and your father and mother wouldhave theirs before ye, even if the enemy were in the camp. I seenothing so extraordinar' in young people following the bent of theirinclinations and wishes."

  "But you've followed yours so often, Davy, that I should think by thistime it had lost the edge of novelty. Including that informal affair inScotland, when you were a lad, you've been married four times already."

  "Only three, Major, as I hope to get another wife. I've not yet had mynumber: no, no; only three."

  "I'm thinking, Davy, you don't include the first affair I mentioned;that in which there was no parson."

  "And why should I Major? The courts decided that it was no marriage; andwhat more could a man want? The woman took advantage of a slight amorouspropensity that may be a weakness in my disposition, perhaps, andinveigled me into a contract which was found to be illegal."

  "If I remember right, Muir, there were thought to be two sides to thatquestion, in the time of it?"

  "It would be but an indifferent question, my dear Major, that hadn't twosides to it; and I've known many that had three. But the poor woman'sdead, and there was no issue; so nothing came of it after all. Then, Iwas particularly unfortunate with my second wife; I say second, Major,out of deference to you, and on the mere supposition that the first wasa marriage at all; but first or second, I was particularly unfortunatewith Jeannie Graham, who died in the first lustrum, leaving neitherchick nor chiel behind her. I do think, if Jeannie had survived, I nevershould have turned my thoughts towards another wife."

  "But as she did not, you married twice after her death; and are desirousof doing so a third time."

  "The truth can never justly be gainsaid, Major Duncan, and I am alwaysready to avow it. I'm thinking, Lundie, you are melancholar this fineevening?"

  "No, Muir, not melancholy absolutely; but a little thoughtful, Iconfess. I was looking back to my boyish days, when I, the laird's son,and you, the parson's, roamed about our native hills, happy and carelessboys, taking little heed to the future; and then have followed somethoughts, that may be a little painful, concerning that future as it hasturned out to be."

  "Surely, Lundie, ye do not complain of yer portion of it. You've risento be a major, and will soon be a lieutenant-colonel, if letters tellthe truth; while I am just one step higher than when your honored fathergave me my first commission, and a poor deevil of a quartermaster."

  "And the four wives?"

  "Three, Lundie; three only that were legal, even under our own liberaland sanctified laws."

  "Well, then, let it be three. Ye know, Davy," said Major Duncan,insensibly dropping into the pronunciation and dialect of his youth, asis much the practice with educated Scotchmen as they warm with a subjectthat comes near the heart,--"ye know, Davy, that my own choice has longbeen made, and in how anxious and hope-wearied a manner I've waited forthat happy hour when I can call the woman I've so long loved a wife; andhere have you, without fortune, name, birth, or merit--I mean particularmerit--"

  "Na, na; dinna say that, Lundie. The Muirs are of gude bluid."

  "Well, then, without aught but bluid, ye've wived four times--"

  "I tall ye but thrice, Lundie. Ye'll weaken auld friendship if ye callit four."

  "Put it at yer own number, Davy; and it's far more than yer share. Ourlives have been very different, on the score of matrimony, at least; youmust allow that, my old friend."

  "And which do you think has been the gainer, Major, speaking as franklythegither as we did when lads?"

  "Nay, I've nothing to conceal. My days have passed in hope deferred,while yours have passed in--"

  "Not in hope realized, I give you mine honor, Major Duncan," interruptedthe Quartermaster. "Each new experiment I have thought might prove anadvantage; but disappointment seems the lot of man. Ah! this is a vainworld of ours, Lundie, it must be owned; and in nothing vainer than inmatrimony."

  "And yet you are ready to put your neck into the noose for the fifthtime?"

  "I desire to say, it will be but the fourth, Major Duncan," said theQuartermaster positively; then, instantly changing the expression ofhis face to one of boyish rapture, he added, "But this Mabel Dunham isa _rara avis!_ Our Scotch lassies are fair and pleasant; but it must beowned these colonials are of surpassing comeliness."

  "You will do well to recollect your commission and blood, Davy. Ibelieve all four of your wives--"

  "I wish my dear Lundie, ye'd be more accurate in yer arithmetic. Threetimes one make three."

  "All three, then, were what might be termed gentlewomen?"

  "That's just it, Major. Three were gentlewomen, as you say, and theconnections were suitable."

  "And the fourth being the daughter of my father's gardener, theconnection was unsuitable. But have you no fear that marrying the childof a non-commissioned officer, who is in the same corps with yourself,will have the effect to lessen your consequence in the regiment?"

  "That's just been my weakness through life, Major Duncan; for I'vealways married without regard to consequences. Every man has hisbesetting sin, and matrimony, I fear, is mine. And now that we havediscussed what may be called the principles of the connection, Iwill just ask if you did me the favor to speak to the Sergeant on thetrifling affair?"

  "I did, David; and am sorry to say, for your hopes, that I see no greatchance of your succeeding."

  "Not succeeding! An officer, and a quartermaster in the bargain, and notsucceed with a sergeant's daughter!"

  "It's just that, Davy."

  "And why not, Lundie? Will ye have the goodness to answer just that?"

  "The girl is betrothed. Hand plighted, word passed, love pledged,--no,hang me if I believe that either; but she is betrothed."

  "Well, that's an obstacle, it must be avowed, Major, though it countsfor little if the heart is free."

  "Quite true; and I think it probable the heart is free in this case; forthe intended husband appears to be the choice of the father rather thanof the daughter."

  "And who may it be, Major?" asked the Quartermaster, who viewed thewhole matter with
the philosophy and coolness acquired by use. "I do notrecollect any plausible suitor that is likely to stand in my way."

  "No, you are the only _plausible_ suitor on the frontier, Davy. Thehappy man is Pathfinder."

  "Pathfinder, Major Duncan!"

  "No more, nor any less, David Muir. Pathfinder is the man; but it mayrelieve your jealousy a little to know that, in my judgment at least, itis a match of the father's rather than of the daughter's seeking."

  "I thought as much!" exclaimed the Quartermaster, drawing a longbreath, like one who felt relieved; "it's quite impossible that with myexperience in human nature--"

  "Particularly hu-woman's nature, David."

  "Ye will have yer joke, Lundie, let who will suffer. But I did not thinkit possible I could be deceived as to the young woman's inclinations,which I think I may boldly pronounce to be altogether above thecondition of Pathfinder. As for the individual himself--why, time willshow."

  "Now, tell me frankly, Davy Muir," said Lundie, stepping short inhis walk, and looking the other earnestly in the face with a comicalexpression of surprise, that rendered the veteran's countenanceridiculously earnest,--"do you really suppose a girl like the daughterof Sergeant Dunham can take a serious fancy to a man of your years andappearance, and experience, I might add?"

  "Hout, awa', Lundie! ye dinna know the sax, and that's the reason yerunmarried in yer forty-fifth year. It's a fearfu' time ye've been abachelor, Major!"

  "And what may be your age, Lieutenant Muir, if I may presume to ask sodelicate a question?"

  "Forty-seven; I'll no' deny it, Lundie; and if I get Mabel, there'll bejust a wife for every twa lustrums. But I didna think Sergeant Dunhamwould be so humble minded as to dream of giving that sweet lass of histo one like the Pathfinder."

  "There's no dream about it, Davy; the man is as serious as a soldierabout to be flogged."

  "Well, well, Major, we are auld friends,"--both ran into the Scotch oravoided it, as they approached or drew away from their younger days, inthe dialogue,--"and ought to know how to take and give a joke, off duty.It is possible the worthy man has not understood my hints, or he neverwould have thought of such a thing. The difference between an officer'sconsort and a guide's woman is as vast as that between the antiquity ofScotland and the antiquity of America. I'm auld blood, too, Lundie."

  "Take my word for it Davy, your antiquity will do you no good in thisaffair; and as for your blood, it is not older than your bones. Well,well, man, ye know the Sergeant's answer; and so ye perceive that myinfluence, on which ye counted so much, can do nought for ye. Let ustake a glass thegither, Davy, for auld acquaintance sake; and then ye'llbe doing well to remember the party that marches the morrow, and toforget Mabel Dunham as fast as ever you can."

  "Ah, Major! I have always found it easier to forget a wife than toforget a sweetheart. When a couple are fairly married, all is settledbut the death, as one may say, which must finally part us all; and itseems to me awfu' irreverent to disturb the departed; whereas thereis so much anxiety and hope and felicity in expectation like, with thelassie, that it keeps thought alive."

  "That is just my idea of your situation, Davy; for I never supposed youexpected any more felicity with either of your wives. Now, I've heardof fellows who were so stupid as to look forward to happiness with theirwives even beyond the grave. I drink to your success, or to your speedyrecovery from this attack, Lieutenant; and I admonish you to be morecautious in future, as some of these violent cases may yet carry youoff."

  "Many thanks, dear Major; and a speedy termination to an old courtship,of which I know something. This is real mountain dew, Lundie, and itwarms the heart like a gleam of bonnie Scotland. As for the men you'vejust mentioned, they could have had but one wife a piece; for wherethere are several, the deeds of the women themselves may carry themdifferent ways. I think a reasonable husband ought to be satisfied withpassing his allotted time with any particular wife in this world, andnot to go about moping for things unattainable. I'm infinitely obligedto you, Major Duncan, for this and all your other acts of friendship;and if you could but add another, I should think you had not altogetherforgotten the play-fellow of your boyhood."

  "Well, Davy, if the request be reasonable, and such as a superior oughtto grant, out with it, man."

  "If ye could only contrive a little service for me, down among theThousand Isles, for a fortnight or so, I think this matter might besettled to the satisfaction of all parties. Just remember, Lundie, thelassie is the only marriageable white female on this frontier."

  "There is always duty for one in your line at a post, however small;but this below can be done by the Sergeant as well as by theQuartermaster-general, and better too."

  "But not better than by a regimental officer. There is great waste, incommon, among the orderlies."

  "I'll think of it, Muir," said the Major, laughing, "and you shall havemy answer in the morning. Here will be a fine occasion, man, the morrow,to show yourself off before the lady; you are expert with the rifle, andprizes are to be won. Make up your mind to display your skill, and whoknows what may yet happen before the _Scud_ sails."

  "I'm thinking most of the young men will try their hands in this sport,Major!"

  "That will they, and some of the old ones too, if you appear. To keepyou in countenance, I'll try a shot or two myself, Davy; and you know Ihave some name that way."

  "It might, indeed, do good. The female heart, Major Duncan, issusceptible in many different modes, and sometimes in a way that therules of philosophy might reject. Some require a suitor to sit downbefore them, as it might be, in a regular siege, and only capitulatewhen the place can hold out no longer; others, again, like to be carriedby storm; while there are hussies who can only be caught by leadingthem into an ambush. The first is the most creditable and officer-likeprocess, perhaps; but I must say I think the last the most pleasing."

  "An opinion formed from experience, out of all question. And what of thestorming parties?"

  "They may do for younger men, Lundie," returned the Quartermaster,rising and winking, a liberty that he often took with his commandingofficer on the score of a long intimacy; "every period of life has itsnecessities, and at forty-seven it's just as well to trust a little tothe head. I wish you a very good even, Major Duncan, and freedom fromgout, with a sweet and refreshing sleep."

  "The same to yourself, Mr. Muir, with many thanks. Remember the passageof arms for the morrow."

  The Quartermaster withdrew, leaving Lundie in his library to reflect onwhat had just passed. Use had so accustomed Major Duncan to LieutenantMuir and all his traits and humors, that the conduct of the latterdid not strike the former with the same force as it will probably thereader. In truth, while all men act under one common law that is termednature, the varieties in their dispositions, modes of judging, feelings,and selfishness are infinite.