That brother-in-law of yours must be able to find the way back, after he has once travelled the road."
"I make no doubt, Major Duncan, we shall be able to do all that will be necessary should Jasper turn out as you seem to anticipate; though I think I would risk my life on his truth."
"I like your confidence -- it speaks well for the fellow; but that infernal letter! there is such an air of truth about it; nay, there is so much truth in it, touching other matters."
"I think your honor said it wanted the name at the bottom; a great omission for an honest man to make."
"Quite right, Dunham, and no one but a rascal, and a cowardly rascal in the bargain, would write an anonymous letter on private affairs.
It is different, however, in war; despatches are feigned, and artifice is generally allowed to be justifiable."
"Military manly artifices, sir, if you will; such as ambushes, surprises, feints, false attacks, and even spies; but I never heard of a true soldier who could wish to undermine the character of an honest young man by such means as these."
"I have met with many strange events, and some stranger people, in the course of my experience. But fare you well, Sergeant; I must detain you no longer.
You are now on your guard, and I recommend to you untiring vigilance.
I think Muir means shortly to retire; and, should you fully succeed in this enterprise, my influence will not be wanting in endeavoring to put you in the vacancy, to which you have many claims."
"I humbly thank your honor," coolly returned the Sergeant, who had been encouraged in this manner any time for the twenty preceding years, "and hope I shall never disgrace my station, whatever it may be.
I am what nature and Providence have made me, and hope I'm satisfied."
"You have not forgotten the howitzer?"
"Jasper took it on board this morning, sir."
"Be wary, and do not trust that man unnecessarily.
Make a confidant of Pathfinder at once; he may be of service in detecting any villainy that may be stirring.
His simple honesty will favor his observation by concealing it.
He must be true."
"For him, sir, my own head shall answer, or even my rank in the regiment.
I have seen him too often tried to doubt him."
"Of all wretched sensations, Dunham, distrust, where one is compelled to confide, is the most painful.
You have bethought you of the spare flints?"
"A sergeant is a safe commander for all such details, your honor."
"Well, then, give me your hand, Dunham.
God bless you! and may you be successful!
Muir means to retire, --by the way, let the man have an equal chance with your daughter, for it may facilitate future operations about the promotion.
One would retire more cheerfully with such a companion as Mabel, than in cheerless widowhood, and with nothing but oneself to love, -- and such a self, too, as Davy's!"
"I hope, sir, my child will make a prudent choice, and I think her mind is already pretty much made up in favor of Pathfinder.
Still she shall have fair play, though disobedience is the next crime to mutiny."
"Have all the ammunition carefully examined and dried as soon as you arrive; the damp of the lake may affect it.
And now, once more, farewell, Sergeant.
Beware of that Jasper, and consult with Muir in any difficulty.
I shall expect you to return, triumphant, this day month."
"God bless your honor!
If anything should happen to me, I trust to you, Major Duncan, to care for an old soldier's character."
"Rely on me, Dunham -- you will rely on a friend.
Be vigilant: remember you will be in the very jaws of the lion; -- pshaw! of no lion neither; but of treacherous tigers: in their very jaws, and beyond support.
Have the flints counted and examined in the morning -- and -- farewell, Dunham, farewell!"
The Sergeant took the extended hand of his superior with proper respect, and they finally parted; Lundie hastening into his own movable abode, while the other left the fort, descended to the beach, and got into a boat.
It is not to be supposed that Sergeant Dunham, after he had parted from his commanding officer, was likely to forget the injunctions he had received.
He thought highly of Jasper in general; but distrust had been insinuated between his former confidence and the obligations of duty; and, as he now felt that everything depended on his own vigilance, by the time the boat reached the side of the Scud he was in a proper humor to let no suspicious circumstance go unheeded, or any unusual movement in the young sailor pass without its comment.
As a matter of course, he viewed things in the light suited to his peculiar mood; and his precautions, as well as his distrust, partook of the habits, opinions, and education of the man.
The Scud's kedge was lifted as soon as the boat with the Sergeant, who was the last person expected, was seen to quit the shore, and the head of the cutter was cast to the eastward by means of the sweeps.
A few vigorous strokes of the latter, in which the soldiers aided, now sent the light craft into the line or the current that flowed from the river, when she was suffered to drift into the offing again.
As yet there was no wind, the light and almost imperceptible air from the lake, that had existed previously to the setting of the sun, having entirely failed.
All this time an unusual quiet prevailed in the cutter.
It appeared as if those on board of her felt that they were entering upon an uncertain enterprise, in the obscurity of night; and that their duty, the hour, and the manner of their departure lent a solemnity to their movements.
Discipline also came in aid of these feelings.
Most were silent; and those who did speak spoke seldom and in low voices.
In this manner the cutter set slowly out into the lake, until she had got as far as the river current would carry her, when she became stationary, waiting for the usual landbreeze.