CHAPTER XXIX.
Playful she turn'd that he might see The passing smile her cheek put on But when she marked how mournfully His eyes met hers, that smile was gone. _Lalla Rookh._
The occurrences of the last few days had been too exciting, and had madetoo many demands on the fortitude of our heroine, to leave her in thehelplessness of grief. She mourned for her father, and she occasionallyshuddered as she recalled the sudden death of Jennie, and all thehorrible scenes she had witnessed; but on the whole she had arousedherself, and was no longer in the deep depression which usuallyaccompanies grief. Perhaps the overwhelming, almost stupefying sorrowthat crushed poor June, and left her for nearly twenty-four hours in astate of stupor, assisted Mabel in conquering her own feelings, for shehad felt called on to administer consolation to the young Indian woman.This she had done in the quiet, soothing, insinuating way in which hersex usually exerts its influence on such occasions.
The morning of the third day was set for that on which the _Scud_ was tosail. Jasper had made all his preparations; the different effects wereembarked, and Mabel had taken leave of June, a painful and affectionateparting. In a word, all was ready, and every soul had left the islandbut the Indian woman, Pathfinder, Jasper, and our heroine. The formerhad gone into a thicket to weep, and the three last were approaching thespot where three canoes lay, one of which was the property of June, andthe other two were in waiting to carry the others off to the _Scud_.Pathfinder led the way, but, when he drew near the shore, instead oftaking the direction to the boats, he motioned to his companions tofollow, and proceeded to a fallen tree which lay on the margin of theglade and out of view of those in the cutter. Seating himself on thetrunk, he signed to Mabel to take her place on one side of him and toJasper to occupy the other.
"Sit down here Mabel; sit down there, Eau-douce," he commenced, as soonas he had taken his own seat. "I've something that lies heavy on mymind, and now is the time to take it off, if it's ever to be done. Sitdown, Mabel, and let me lighten my heart, if not my conscience, whileI've the strength to do it."
The pause that succeeded lasted two or three minutes, and both the youngpeople wondered what was to come next; the idea that Pathfinder couldhave any weight on his conscience seeming equally improbable to each.
"Mabel," our hero at length resumed, "we must talk plainly to each otherafore we join your uncle in the cutter, where the Saltwater has sleptevery night since the last rally, for he says it's the only place inwhich a man can be sure of keeping the hair on his head, he does. Ah'sme! What have I to do with these follies and sayings now? I try to bepleasant, and to feel light-hearted, but the power of man can't makewater run up stream. Mabel, you know that the Sergeant, afore he leftus, had settled it 'atween us two that we were to become man and wife,and that we were to live together and to love one another as long as theLord was pleased to keep us both on 'arth; yes, and afterwards too?"
Mabel's cheeks had regained a little of their ancient bloom in thefresh air of the morning; but at this unlooked-for address they blanchedagain, nearly to the pallid hue which grief had imprinted there. Still,she looked kindly, though seriously, at Pathfinder and even endeavoredto force a smile.
"Very true, my excellent friend," she answered; "this was my poorfather's wish, and I feel certain that a whole life devoted to yourwelfare and comforts could scarcely repay you for all you have done forus."
"I fear me, Mabel, that man and wife needs be bound together by astronger tie than such feelings, I do. You have done nothing for me,or nothing of any account, and yet my very heart yearns towards you,it does; and therefore it seems likely that these feelings come fromsomething besides saving scalps and guiding through woods."
Mabel's cheek had begun to glow again; and though she struggled hard tosmile, her voice trembled a little as she answered.
"Had we not better postpone this conversation, Pathfinder?" she said;"we are not alone; and nothing is so unpleasant to a listener, they say,as family matters in which he feels no interest."
"It's because we are not alone, Mabel, or rather because Jasper is withus, that I wish to talk of this matter. The Sergeant believed I mightmake a suitable companion for you, and, though I had misgivings aboutit,--yes, I had many misgivings,--he finally persuaded me into the idee,and things came round 'atween us, as you know. But, when you promisedyour father to marry me, Mabel, and gave me your hand so modestly, butso prettily, there was one circumstance, as your uncle called it, thatyou didn't know; and I've thought it right to tell you what it is,before matters are finally settled. I've often taken a poor deer for mydinner when good venison was not to be found; but it's as nat'ral not totake up with the worst when the best may be had."
"You speak in a way, Pathfinder, that is difficult to be understood. Ifthis conversation is really necessary, I trust you will be more plain."
"Well then, Mabel, I've been thinking it was quite likely, when you gavein to the Sergeant's wishes, that you did not know the natur' of JasperWestern's feelings towards you?"
"Pathfinder!" and Mabel's cheek now paled to the livid hue of death;then it flushed to the tint of crimson and her whole frame shuddered.Pathfinder, however, was too intent on his own object to notice thisagitation and Eau-douce had hidden his face in his hands in time toshut out its view.
"I've been talking with the lad; and, on comparing his dreams with mydreams, his feelings with my feelings, and his wishes with my wishes,I fear we think too much alike consarning you for both of us to be veryhappy."
"Pathfinder, you forget; you should remember that we are betrothed!"said Mabel hastily, and in a voice so low that it required acuteattention in the listeners to catch the syllables. Indeed the last wordwas not quite intelligible to the guide, and he confessed his ignoranceby the usual,--
"Anan?"
"You forget that we are to be married; and such allusions are improperas well as painful."
"Everything is proper that is right, Mabel; and everything is right thatleads to justice and fair dealing; though it _is painful_ enough, as yousay, as I find on trial, I do. Now, Mabel, had you known that Eau-doucethinks of you in this way, maybe you never would have consented to bemarried to one as old and as uncomely as I am."
"Why this cruel trial, Pathfinder? To what can all this lead? JasperWestern thinks no such thing: he says nothing, he feels nothing."
"Mabel!" burst from out of the young man's lips, in a way to betray theuncontrollable nature of his emotions, though he uttered not anothersyllable.
Mabel buried her face in both her hands; and the two sat like a pair ofguilty beings, suddenly detected in the commission of some crime whichinvolved the happiness of a common patron. At that instant, perhaps,Jasper himself was inclined to deny his passion, through an extremeunwillingness to grieve his friend; while Mabel, on whom this positiveannouncement of a fact that she had rather unconsciously hoped thanbelieved, came so unexpectedly, felt her mind momentarily bewildered;and she scarcely knew whether to weep or to rejoice. Still she wasthe first to speak; since Eau-douce could utter naught that would bedisingenuous, or that would pain his friend.
"Pathfinder," said she, "you talk wildly. Why mention this at all?"
"Well, Mabel, if I talk wildly, I _am_ half wild, you know, by natur',I fear, as well as by habit." As he said this, he endeavored to laughin his usual noiseless way, but the effect produced a strange anddiscordant sound; and it appeared nearly to choke him. "Yes, I _must_ bewild; I'll not attempt to deny it."
"Dearest Pathfinder! my best, almost my only friend! You _cannot, donot_ think I intended to say that!" interrupted Mabel, almost breathlessin her haste to relieve his mortification. "If courage, truth, noblenessof soul and conduct, unyielding principles, and a hundred otherexcellent qualities can render any man respectable, esteemed, orbeloved, your claims are inferior to those of no other human being."
"What tender and bewitching voices they have, Jasper!" resumed theguide, now laughing freely and naturally. "Yes, natur' seems to have
made them on purpose to sing in our ears, when the music of the woodsis silent. But we must come to a right understanding, we must. I ask youagain, Mabel, if you had known that Jasper Western loves you as well asI do, or better perhaps, though that is scarcely possible; that in hisdreams he sees your face in the water of the lake; that he talks toyou, and of you, in his sleep; fancies all that is beautiful like MabelDunham, and all that is good and virtuous; believes he never knowedhappiness until he knowed you; could kiss the ground on which you havetrod, and forgets all the joys of his calling to think of you and thedelight of gazing at your beauty and in listening to your voice, wouldyou then have consented to marry me?"
Mabel could not have answered this question if she would; but, thoughher face was buried in her hands, the tint of the rushing blood wasvisible between the openings, and the suffusion seemed to impart itselfto her very fingers. Still nature asserted her power, for there was asingle instant when the astonished, almost terrified girl stole a glanceat Jasper, as if distrusting Pathfinder's history of his feelings, readthe truth of all he said in that furtive look, and instantly concealedher face again, as if she would hide it from observation for ever.
"Take time to think, Mabel," the guide continued, "for it is a solemnthing to accept one man for a husband while the thoughts and wishes leadto another. Jasper and I have talked this matter over, freely and likeold friends, and, though I always knowed that we viewed most thingspretty much alike, I couldn't have thought that we regarded anyparticular object with the very same eyes, as it might be, until weopened our minds to each other about you. Now Jasper owns that the veryfirst time he beheld you, he thought you the sweetest and winningestestcreatur' he had ever met; that your voice sounded like murmuring waterin his ears; that he fancied his sails were your garments fluttering inthe wind; that your laugh haunted him in his sleep; and that ag'in andag'in has he started up affrighted, because he has fancied some onewanted to force you out of the _Scud_, where he imagined you had takenup your abode. Nay, the lad has even acknowledged that he often weeps atthe thought that you are likely to spend your days with another, and notwith him."
"Jasper!"
"It's solemn truth, Mabel, and it's right you should know it. Now standup, and choose 'atween us. I do believe Eau-douce loves you as well asI do myself; he has tried to persuade me that he loves you better, butthat I will not allow, for I do not think it possible; but I will ownthe boy loves you, heart and soul, and he has a good right to be heard.The Sergeant left me your protector, and not your tyrant. I told himthat I would be a father to you as well as a husband, and it seems to meno feeling father would deny his child this small privilege. Stand up,Mabel, therefore, and speak your thoughts as freely as if I were theSergeant himself, seeking your good, and nothing else."
Mabel dropped her hands, arose, and stood face to face with her twosuitors, though the flush that was on her cheeks was feverish, theevidence of excitement rather than of shame.
"What would you have, Pathfinder?" she asked; "Have I not alreadypromised my poor father to do all you desire?"
"Then I desire this. Here I stand, a man of the forest and of littlelarning, though I fear with an ambition beyond my desarts, and I'lldo my endivors to do justice to both sides. In the first place, it isallowed that, so far as feelings in your behalf are consarned, we loveyou just the same; Jasper thinks his feelings _must_ be the strongest,but this I cannot say in honesty, for it doesn't seem to me that it_can_ be true, else I would frankly and freely confess it, I would. Soin this particular, Mabel, we are here before you on equal tarms. As formyself, being the oldest, I'll first say what little can be produced inmy favor, as well as ag'in it. As a hunter, I do think there is no mannear the lines that can outdo me. If venison, or bear's meat, or evenbirds and fish, should ever be scarce in our cabin, it would be morelikely to be owing to natur' and Providence than to any fault of mine.In short, it does seem to me that the woman who depended on me wouldnever be likely to want for food. But I'm fearful ignorant! It's trueI speak several tongues, such as they be, while I'm very far from beingexpart at my own. Then, my years are greater than your own, Mabel; andthe circumstance that I was so long the Sergeant's comrade can be nogreat merit in your eyes. I wish, too, I was more comely, I do; butwe are all as natur' made us, and the last thing that a man ought tolament, except on very special occasions, is his looks. When all isremembered, age, looks, learning, and habits, Mabel, conscience tells meI ought to confess that I'm altogether unfit for you, if not downrightunworthy; and I would give up the hope this minute, I would, if I didn'tfeel something pulling at my heart-strings which seems hard to undo."
"Pathfinder! Noble, generous Pathfinder!" cried our heroine, seizing hishand and kissing it with a species of holy reverence; "You do yourselfinjustice--you forget my poor father and your promise--you do not know_me_!"
"Now, here's Jasper," continued the guide, without allowing the girl'scaresses to win him from his purpose, "with _him_ the case is different.In the way of providing, as in that of loving, there's not much tochoose 'atween us; for the lad is frugal, industrious, and careful. Thenhe is quite a scholar, knows the tongue of the Frenchers, reads manybooks, and some, I know, that you like to read yourself, can understandyou at all times, which, perhaps, is more than I can say for myself."
"What of all this?" interrupted Mabel impatiently; "Why speak of itnow--why speak of it at all?"
"Then the lad has a manner of letting his thoughts be known, that Ifear I can never equal. If there's anything on 'arth that would make mytongue bold and persuading, Mabel, I do think it's yourself; and yet inour late conversations Jasper has outdone me, even on this point, in away to make me ashamed of myself. He has told me how simple you were,and how true-hearted, and kind-hearted; and how you looked down uponvanities, for though you might be the wife of more than one officer,as he thinks, that you cling to feeling, and would rather be true toyourself and natur' than a colonel's lady. He fairly made my blood warm,he did, when he spoke of your having beauty without seeming ever to havelooked upon it, and the manner in which you moved about like a youngfa'n, so nat'ral and graceful like, without knowing it; and the truthand justice of your idees, and the warmth and generosity of yourheart--"
"Jasper!" interrupted Mabel, giving way to feelings that had gatheredan ungovernable force by being so long pent, and falling into theyoung man's willing arms, weeping like a child, and almost as helpless."Jasper! Jasper! Why have you kept this from me?"
The answer of Eau-douce was not very intelligible, nor was the murmureddialogue that followed remarkable for coherency. But the language ofaffection is easily understood. The hour that succeeded passed like avery few minutes of ordinary life, so far as a computation of time wasconcerned; and when Mabel recollected herself, and bethought her of theexistence of others, her uncle was pacing the cutter's deck in greatimpatience, and wondering why Jasper should be losing so much of afavorable wind. Her first thought was of him, who was so likely to feelthe recent betrayal of her real emotions.
"Oh, Jasper," she exclaimed, like one suddenly self-convicted, "thePathfinder!"
Eau-douce fairly trembled, not with unmanly apprehension, but with thepainful conviction of the pang he had given his friend; and he looked inall directions in the expectation of seeing his person. But Pathfinderhad withdrawn, with a tact and a delicacy that might have done credit tothe sensibility and breeding of a courtier. For several minutes thetwo lovers sat, silently waiting his return, uncertain what proprietyrequired of them under circumstances so marked and so peculiar. Atlength they beheld their friend advancing slowly towards them, with athoughtful and even pensive air.
"I now understand what you meant, Jasper, by speaking without a tongueand hearing without an ear," he said when close enough to the tree tobe heard. "Yes, I understand it now, I do; and a very pleasant sort ofdiscourse it is, when one can hold it with Mabel Dunham. Ah's me! I toldthe Sergeant I wasn't fit for her; that I was too old, too ignorant, andtoo wild like; but he _would_ have it otherwise."
Jasper and Mabel sat, resembling Milton's picture of our first parents,when the consciousness of sin first laid its leaden weight on theirsouls. Neither spoke, neither even moved; though both at that momentfancied they could part with their new-found happiness in order torestore their friend to his peace of mind. Jasper was pale as death,but, in Mabel, maiden modesty had caused the blood to mantle on hercheeks, until their bloom was heightened to a richness that was scarcelyequalled in her hours of light-hearted buoyancy and joy. As the feelingwhich, in her sex, always accompanies the security of love returned,threw its softness and tenderness over her countenance, she wassingularly beautiful. Pathfinder gazed at her with an intentness he didnot endeavor to conceal, and then he fairly laughed in his own way, andwith a sort of wild exultation, as men that are untutored are wont toexpress their delight. This momentary indulgence, however, was expiatedby the pang which followed the sudden consciousness that this gloriousyoung creature was lost to him for ever. It required a full minute forthis simple-minded being to recover from the shock of this convictionand then he recovered his dignity of manner, speaking with gravity,almost with solemnity.
"I have always known, Mabel Dunham, that men have their gifts," said he;"but I'd forgotten that it did not belong to mine to please the young,the beautiful, and l'arned. I hope the mistake has been no very heavysin; and if it was, I've been heavily punished for it, I have. Nay,Mabel, I know what you'd say, but it's unnecessary; I _feel_ it all, andthat is as good as if I _heard_ it all. I've had a bitter hour, Mabel.I've had a very bitter hour, lad."
"Hour!" echoed Mabel, as the other first used the word; the tell-taleblood, which had begun to ebb towards her heart, rushing againtumultuously to her very temples; "surely not an hour, Pathfinder?"
"Hour!" exclaimed Jasper at the same instant; "No, no, my worthy friend,it is not ten minutes since you left us!"
"Well, it may be so; though to me it has seemed to be a day. I begin tothink, however, that the happy count time by minutes, and the miserablecount it by months. But we will talk no more of this; it is all overnow, and many words about it will make you no happier, while they willonly tell me what I've lost; and quite likely how much I desarved tolose her. No, no, Mabel, 'tis useless to interrupt me; I admit it all,and your gainsaying it, though it be so well meant, cannot change mymind. Well, Jasper, she is yours; and, though it's hard to think it,I do believe you'll make her happier than I could, for your gifts arebetter suited to do so, though I would have strived hard to do as much,if I know myself, I would. I ought to have known better than to believethe Sergeant; and I ought to have put faith in what Mabel told me at thehead of the lake, for reason and judgment might have shown me its truth;but it is so pleasant to think what we wish, and mankind so easilyover-persuade us, when we over-persuade ourselves. But what's the usein talking of it, as I said afore? It's true, Mabel seemed to beconsenting, though it all came from a wish to please her father, andfrom being skeary about the savages--"
"Pathfinder!"
"I understand you, Mabel, and have no hard feelings, I haven't. Isometimes think I should like to live in your neighborhood, that I mightlook at your happiness; but, on the whole, it's better I should quit the55th altogether, and go back to the 60th, which is my natyve rigiment,as it might be. It would have been better, perhaps, had I never left it,though my sarvices were much wanted in this quarter, and I'd been withsome of the 55th years agone; Sergeant Dunham, for instance, when he wasin another corps. Still, Jasper, I do not regret that I've known you--"
"And me, Pathfinder!" impetuously interrupted Mabel; "do you regrethaving known _me_? Could I think so, I should never be at peace withmyself."
"You, Mabel!" returned the guide, taking the hand of our heroine andlooking up into her countenance with guileless simplicity, but earnestaffection "How could I be sorry that a ray of the sun came across thegloom of a cheerless day--that light has broken in upon darkness, thoughit remained so short a time? I do not flatter myself with being ableto march quite so light-hearted as I once used to could, or to sleep assound, for some time to come; but I shall always remember how near I wasto being undeservedly happy, I shall. So far from blaming you, Mabel,I only blame myself for being so vain as to think it possible I couldplease such a creatur'; for sartainly you told me how it was, when wetalked it over on the mountain, and I ought to have believed you then;for I do suppose it's nat'ral that young women should know their ownminds better than their fathers. Ah's me! It's settled now, and nothingremains but for me to take leave of you, that you may depart; I feelthat Master Cap must be impatient, and there is danger of his coming onshore to look for us all."
"To take leave!" exclaimed Mabel.
"Leave!" echoed Jasper; "You do not mean to quit us, my friend?"
"'Tis best, Mabel, 'tis altogether best, Eau-douce; and it's wisest. Icould live and die in your company, if I only followed feeling; but, ifI follow reason, I shall quit you here. You will go back to Oswego, andbecome man and wife as soon as you arrive,--for all that is determinedwith Master Cap, who hankers after the sea again, and who knows what isto happen,--while I shall return to the wilderness and my Maker. Come,Mabel," continued Pathfinder, rising and drawing nearer to our heroine,with grave decorum, "kiss me; Jasper will not grudge me one kiss; thenwe'll part."
"Oh, Pathfinder!" exclaimed Mabel, falling into the arms of the guide,and kissing his cheeks again and again, with a freedom and warmth shehad been far from manifesting while held to the bosom of Jasper; "Godbless you, dearest Pathfinder! You'll come to us hereafter. We shallsee you again. When old, you will come to our dwelling, and let me be adaughter to you?"
"Yes, that's it," returned the guide, almost gasping for breath; "I'lltry to think of it in that way. You're more befitting to be my daughterthan to be my wife, you are. Farewell, Jasper. Now we'll go to thecanoe; it's time you were on board."
The manner in which Pathfinder led the way to the shore was solemn andcalm. As soon as he reached the canoe, he again took Mabel by the hands,held her at the length of his own arms, and gazed wistfully into herface, until the unbidden tears rolled out of the fountains of feelingand trickled down his rugged cheeks in streams.
"Bless me, Pathfinder," said Mabel, kneeling reverently at his feet."Oh, at least bless me before we part!"
That untutored but noble-minded being did as she desired; and, aidingher to enter the canoe, seemed to tear himself away as one snaps astrong and obstinate cord. Before he retired, however, he took Jasper bythe arm and led him a little aside, when he spoke as follows:--
"You're kind of heart and gentle by natur', Jasper; but we are bothrough and wild in comparison with that dear creatur'. Be careful of her,and never show the roughness of man's natur' to her soft disposition.You'll get to understand her in time; and the Lord, who governs the lakeand the forest alike, who looks upon virtue with a smile and upon vicewith a frown, keep you happy and worthy to be so!"
Pathfinder made a sign for his friend to depart, and he stood leaning onhis rifle until the canoe had reached the side of the _Scud_. Mabel weptas if her heart would break; nor did her eyes once turn from the openspot in the glade, where the form of the Pathfinder was to be seen,until the cutter had passed a point that completely shut out the island.When last in view, the sinewy frame of this extraordinary man was asmotionless as if it were a statue set up in that solitary place tocommemorate the scenes of which it had so lately been the witness.
CHAPTER XXX.
Oh! let me only breathe the air, The blessed air that's breath'd by thee; And, whether on its wings it bear Healing or death, 'tis sweet to me! MOORE.
Pathfinder was accustomed to solitude; but, when the _Scud_ had actuallydisappeared, he was almost overcome with a sense of his loneliness.Never before had he been conscious of his isolated condition in theworld; for his feelings had gradually been accustoming themselves to theblandishments and wants of social life; particularly as the last wereconnected with the domestic affections. Now, all had vanished
, as itmight be, in one moment; and he was left equally without companionsand without hope. Even Chingachgook had left him, though it was buttemporarily; still his presence was missed at the precise instant whichmight be termed the most critical in our hero's life.
Pathfinder stood leaning on his rifle, in the attitude described in thelast chapter, a long time after the _Scud_ had disappeared. The rigidityof his limbs seemed permanent; and none but a man accustomed to put hismuscles to the severest proof could have maintained that posture, withits marble-like inflexibility, for so great a length of time. At lengthhe moved away from the spot; the motion of the body being preceded by asigh that seemed to heave up from the very depths of his bosom.
It was a peculiarity of this extraordinary being that his senses and hislimbs, for all practical purposes, were never at fault, let the mindbe preoccupied with other interests as much as it might. On the presentoccasion neither of these great auxiliaries failed him; but, thoughhis thoughts were exclusively occupied with Mabel, her beauty, herpreference of Jasper, her tears, and her departure, he moved in a directline to the spot where June still remained, which was the grave of herhusband. The conversation that followed passed in the language of theTuscaroras, which Pathfinder spoke fluently; but, as that tongue isunderstood only by the extremely learned, we shall translate it freelyinto the English; preserving, as far as possible, the tone of thoughtof each interlocutor, as well as the peculiarities of manner. June hadsuffered her hair to fall about her face, had taken a seat on a stonewhich had been dug from the excavation made by the grave, and washanging over the spot which contained the body of Arrowhead, unconsciousof the presence of any other. She believed, indeed, that all had leftthe island but herself, and the tread of the guide's moccasined foot wastoo noiseless rudely to undeceive her.
Pathfinder stood gazing at the woman for several minutes in muteattention. The contemplation of her grief, the recollection of herirreparable loss, and the view of her desolation produced a healthfulinfluence on his own feelings; his reason telling him how much deeperlay the sources of grief in a young wife, who was suddenly and violentlydeprived of her husband, than in himself.
"Dew-of-June," he said solemnly, but with an earnestness which denotedthe strength of his sympathy, "you are not alone in your sorrow. Turn,and let your eyes look upon a friend."
"June has no longer any friend!" the woman answered. "Arrowhead has goneto the happy hunting-grounds, and there is no one left to care for June.The Tuscaroras would chase her from their wigwams; the Iroquois arehateful in her eyes, and she could not look at them. No! Leave June tostarve over the grave of her husband."
"This will never do--this will never do. 'Tis ag'in reason and right.You believe in the Manitou, June?"
"He has hid his face from June because he is angry. He has left heralone to die."
"Listen to one who has had a long acquaintance with red natur', thoughhe has a white birth and white gifts. When the Manitou of a pale-facewishes to produce good in a pale-face heart He strikes it with grief;for it is in our sorrows, June, that we look with the truest eyes intoourselves, and with the farthest-sighted eyes too, as respects right.The Great Spirit wishes you well, and He has taken away the chief, lestyou should be led astray by his wily tongue, and get to be a Mingo inyour disposition, as you were already in your company."
"Arrowhead was a great chief," returned the woman proudly.
"He had his merits, he had; and he had his demerits, too. But June youare not desarted, nor will you be soon. Let your grief out--let it out,according to natur', and when the proper time comes I shall have more tosay to you."
Pathfinder now went to his own canoe, and he left the island. In thecourse of the day June heard the crack of his rifle once or twice; andas the sun was setting he reappeared, bringing her birds ready cooked,and of a delicacy and flavor that might have tempted the appetite of anepicure. This species of intercourse lasted a month, June obstinatelyrefusing to abandon the grave of her husband all that time, though shestill accepted the friendly offerings of her protector. Occasionallythey met and conversed, Pathfinder sounding the state of the woman'sfeelings; but the interviews were short, and far from frequent. Juneslept in one of the huts, and she laid down her head in security, forshe was conscious of the protection of a friend, though Pathfinderinvariably retired at night to an adjacent island, where he had builthimself a hut.
At the end of the month, however, the season was getting to be too faradvanced to render her situation pleasant to June. The trees had losttheir leaves, and the nights were becoming cold and wintry. It was timeto depart.
At this moment Chingachgook reappeared. He had a long and confidentialinterview on the island with his friend. June witnessed their movements,and she saw that her guardian was distressed. Stealing to his side, sheendeavored to soothe his sorrow with a woman's gentleness and with awoman's instinct.
"Thank you, June, thank you!" he said; "'tis well meant, though it'suseless. But it is time to quit this place. To-morrow we shall depart.You will go with us, for now you've got to feel reason."
June assented in the meek manner of an Indian woman, and she withdrew topass the remainder of her time near the grave of Arrowhead. Regardlessof the hour and the season, the young widow did not pillow her headduring the whole of that autumnal night. She sat near the spot that heldthe remains of her husband, and prayed, in the manner of her people, forhis success on the endless path on which he had so lately gone, and fortheir reunion in the land of the just. Humble and degraded as she wouldhave seemed in the eyes of the sophisticated and unreflecting, theimage of God was on her soul, and it vindicated its divine origin byaspirations and feelings that would have surprised those who, feigningmore, feel less.
In the morning the three departed, Pathfinder earnest and intelligentin all he did, the Great Serpent silent and imitative, and June meek,resigned, but sorrowful. They went in two canoes, that of the womanbeing abandoned: Chingachgook led the way, and Pathfinder followed,the course being up stream. Two days they paddled westward, and as manynights they encamped on islands. Fortunately the weather became mild,and when they reached the lake it was found smooth and glassy as a pond.It was the Indian summer, and the calms, and almost the blandness ofJune, slept in the hazy atmosphere.
On the morning of the third day they passed the mouth of the Oswego,where the fort and the sleeping ensign invited them in vain to enter.Without casting a look aside, Chingachgook paddled past the dark watersof the river, and Pathfinder still followed in silent industry. Theramparts were crowded with spectators; but Lundie, who knew the personsof his old friends, refused to allow them to be even hailed.
It was noon when Chingachgook entered a little bay where the _Scud_ layat anchor, in a sort of roadstead. A small ancient clearing was on theshore; and near the margin of the lake was a log dwelling, recentlyand completely, though rudely fitted up. There was an air of frontiercomfort and of frontier abundance around the place, though it wasnecessarily wild and solitary. Jasper stood on the shore; and whenPathfinder landed, he was the first to take him by the hand. The meetingwas simple, but very cordial. No questions were asked, it being apparentthat Chingachgook had made the necessary explanations. Pathfinder neversqueezed his friend's hand more cordially than in this interview; and heeven laughed cordially in his face as he told him how happy and well heappeared.
"Where is she, Jasper? Where is she?" the guide at length whispered, forat first he had seemed to be afraid to trust himself with the question.
"She is waiting for us in the house, my dear friend, where you see thatJune has already hastened before us."
"June may use a lighter step to meet Mabel, but she cannot carry alighter heart. And so, lad, you found the chaplain at the garrison, andall was soon settled?"
"We were married within a week after we left you, and Master Capdeparted next day. You have forgotten to inquire about your friendSaltwater."
"Not I, not I; the Sarpent has told me all that: and then I love to hearso much of Mabel and her
happiness, I do. Did the child smile or did sheweep when the ceremony was over?"
"She did both, my friend; but--"
"Yes, that's their natur', tearful and cheerful. Ah's me! They are verypleasant to us of the woods; and I do believe I should think all right,whatever Mabel might do. And do you think, Jasper, that she thought ofme at all on that joyful occasion?"
"I know she did, Pathfinder; and she thinks of you and talks of youdaily, almost hourly. None love you as we do."
"I know few love me better than yourself, Jasper: Chingachgook isperhaps, now, the only creatur' of whom I can say that. Well, there'sno use in putting it off any longer; it must be done, and may as wellbe done at once; so, Jasper, lead the way, and I'll endivor to look uponher sweet countenance once more."
Jasper did lead the way, and they were soon in the presence of Mabel.The latter met her late suitor with a bright blush, and her limbstrembled so, she could hardly stand; still her manner was affectionateand frank. During the hour of Pathfinder's visit (for it lasted nolonger, though he ate in the dwelling of his friends), one who wasexpert in tracing the working of the human mind might have seen afaithful index to the feelings of Mabel in her manner to Pathfinder andher husband. With the latter she still had a little of the reservethat usually accompanies young wedlock; but the tones of her voicewere kinder even than common the glance of her eye was tender, and sheseldom looked at him without the glow that tinged her cheeks betrayingthe existence of feelings that habit and time had not yet soothed intoabsolute tranquillity. With Pathfinder, all was earnest, sincere, evenanxious; but the tones never trembled, the eye never fell; and if thecheek flushed, it was with the emotions that are connected with concern.
At length the moment came when Pathfinder must go his way. Chingachgookhad already abandoned the canoes, and was posted on the margin of thewoods, where a path led into the forest. Here he calmly waited to bejoined by his friend. As soon as the latter was aware of this fact, herose in a solemn manner and took his leave.
"I've sometimes thought that my own fate has been a little hard," hesaid; "but that of this woman, Mabel, has shamed me into reason."
"June remains, and lives with me," eagerly interrupted our heroine.
"So I comprehend it. If anybody can bring her back from her grief, andmake her wish to live, you can do it, Mabel; though I've misgivingsabout even your success. The poor creatur' is without a tribe, as wellas without a husband, and it's not easy to reconcile the feelings toboth losses. Ah's me!--what have I to do with other people's miseriesand marriages, as if I hadn't affliction enough of my own? Don't speakto me, Mabel,--don't speak to me, Jasper,--let me go my way in peace,and like a man. I've seen your happiness, and that is a great deal, andI shall be able to bear my own sorrow all the better for it. No,--I'llnever kiss you ag'in, Mabel, I'll never kiss you ag'in. Here's my hand,Jasper,--squeeze it, boy, squeeze it; no fear of its giving way, forit's the hand of a man;--and now, Mabel, do you take it,--nay, you mustnot do this,"--preventing Mabel from kissing it and bathing it in hertears,--"you must not do this--"
"Pathfinder," asked Mabel, "when shall we see you again?"
"I've thought of that, too; yes, I've thought of that, I have. If thetime should ever come when I can look upon you altogether as a sister,Mabel, or a child,--it might be better to say a child, since you'reyoung enough to be my daughter,--depend on it I'll come back; forit would lighten my very heart to witness your gladness. But if Icannot,--farewell--farewell,--the Sergeant was wrong,--yes, the Sergeantwas wrong!"
This was the last the Pathfinder ever uttered to the ears of JasperWestern and Mabel Dunham. He turned away, as if the words choked him,and was quickly at the side of his friend. As soon as the latter saw himapproach, he shouldered his own burthen, and glided in among the trees,without waiting to be spoken to. Mabel, her husband, and June allwatched the form of the Pathfinder, in the hope of receiving a partinggesture, or a stolen glance of the eye; but he did not look back.Once or twice they thought they saw his head shake, as one trembles inbitterness of spirit; and a toss of the hand was given, as if he knewthat he was watched; but a tread, whose vigor no sorrow could enfeeble,soon bore him out of view, and was lost in the depths of the forest.
Neither Jasper nor his wife ever beheld the Pathfinder again. Theyremained for another year on the banks of Ontario; and then the pressingsolicitations of Cap induced them to join him in New York, where Jaspereventually became a successful and respected merchant. Thrice Mabelreceived valuable presents of furs at intervals of years; and herfeelings told her whence they came, though no name accompanied the gift.Later in life still, when the mother of several youths, she had occasionto visit the interior; and found herself on the banks of the Mohawk,accompanied by her sons, the eldest of whom was capable of being herprotector. On that occasion she observed a man in a singular guise,watching her in the distance, with an intentness that induced her toinquire into his pursuits and character. She was told he was themost renowned hunter of that portion of the State,--it was after theRevolution,--a being of great purity of character and of as markedpeculiarities; and that he was known in that region of country by thename of the Leatherstocking. Further than this Mrs. Western could notascertain; though the distant glimpse and singular deportment ofthis unknown hunter gave her a sleepless night, and cast a shade ofmelancholy over her still lovely face, that lasted many a day.
As for June, the double loss of husband and tribe produced the effectthat Pathfinder had foreseen. She died in the cottage of Mabel, on theshores of the lake; and Jasper conveyed her body to the island, where heinterred it by the side of that of Arrowhead.
Lundie lived to marry his ancient love, and retired a war-worn andbattered veteran; but his name has been rendered illustrious in our owntime by the deeds of a younger brother, who succeeded to his territorialtitle, which, however, was shortly after merged in one earned by hisvalor on the ocean.
The Pathfinder; Or, The Inland Sea Page 29
