第6章

"It has an unseaman-like look," answered Cap; "but, being in the woods, no one will know it.If you think, Mabel -- ""Uncle, I know.There is no cause to fear for me; and you are always nigh to protect me.""Well, take one of the pistols, then -- ""Nay, I had better rely on my youth and feebleness,"said the girl, smiling, while her color heightened under her feelings."Among Christian men, a woman's best guard is her claim to their protection.I know nothing of arms, and wish to live in ignorance of them."The uncle desisted; and, after receiving a few cautious instructions from the Tuscarora, Mabel rallied all her spirit, and advanced alone towards the group seated near the fire.Although the heart of the girl beat quick, her step was firm, and her movements, seemingly, were with-out reluctance.A death-like silence reigned in the forest, for they towards whom she approached were too much oc-cupied in appeasing their hunger to avert their looks for an instant from the important business in which they were all engaged.When Mabel, however, had got within a hundred feet of the fire, she trod upon a dried stick, and the trifling noise produced by her light footstep caused the Mohican, as Arrowhead had pronounced the Indian to be, and his companion, whose character had been thought so equivocal, to rise to their feet, as quick as thought.Both glanced at the rifles that leaned against a tree; and then each stood without stretching out an arm, as his eyes fell on the form of the girl.The Indian uttered a few words to his companion, and resumed his seat and his meal as calmly as if no interruption had occurred.On the contrary, the white man left the fire, and came forward to meet Mabel.

The latter saw, as the stranger approached that she was about to be addressed by one of her own color, though his dress was so strange a mixture of the habits of the two races, that it required a near look to be certain of the fact.

He was of middle age; but there was an open honesty, a total absence of guile, in his face, which otherwise would not have been thought handsome, that at once assured Magnet she was in no danger.Still she paused.

"Fear nothing, young woman," said the hunter, for such his attire would indicate him to be; "you have met Christian men in the wilderness, and such as know how to treat all kindly who are disposed to peace and justice.Iam a man well known in all these parts, and perhaps one of my names may have reached your ears.By the Frenchers and the red-skins on the other side of the Big Lakes, I am called La Longue Carabine; by the Mohicans, a just-minded and upright tribe, what is left of them, Hawk Eye; while the troops and rangers along this side of the water call me Pathfinder, inasmuch as I have never been known to miss one end of the trail, when there was a Mingo, or a friend who stood in need of me, at the other."This was not uttered boastfully, but with the honest confidence of one who well knew that by whatever name others might have heard of him, ho had no reason to blush at the reports.The effect on Mabel was instantaneous.

The moment she heard the last _sobriquet_ she clasped her hands eagerly and repeated the word "Pathfinder!""So they call me, young woman, and many a great lord has got a title that he did not half so well merit; though, if truth be said, I rather pride myself in finding my way where there is no path, than in finding it where there is.

But the regular troops are by no means particular, and half the time they don't know the difference between a trail and a path, though one is a matter for the eye, while the other is little more than scent.""Then you are the friend my father promised to send to meet us?""If you are Sergeant Dunham's daughter, the great Prophet of the Delawares never uttered more truth.""I am Mabel; and yonder, hid by the trees, are my uncle, whose name is Cap, and a Tuscarora called Arrow-head.We did not hope to meet you until we had nearly reached the shores of the lake.""I wish a juster-minded Indian had been your guide,"said Pathfinder; "for I am no lover of the Tuscaroras, who have travelled too far from the graves of their fathers always to remember the Great Spirit; and Arrowhead is an ambitious chief.Is the Dew-of-June with him?""His wife accompanies us, and a humble and mild crea-ture she is."

"Ay, and true-hearted; which is more than any who know him will say of Arrowhead.Well, we must take the fare that Providence bestows, while we follow the trail of life.I suppose worse guides might have been found than the Tuscarora; though he has too much Mingo blood for one who consorts altogether with the Delawares.""It is, then, perhaps, fortunate we have met," said Mabel.

"It is not misfortunate, at any rate; for I promised the Sergeant I would see his child safe to the garrison, though I died for it.We expected to meet you before you reached the Falls, where we have left our own canoe; while we thought it might do no harm to come up a few miles, in order to be of service if wanted.It is lucky we did, for Idoubt if Arrowhead be the man to shoot the current.""Here come my uncle and the Tuscarora, and our parties can now join." As Mabel concluded, Cap and Arrowhead, who saw that the conference was amicable, drew nigh; and a few words sufficed to let them know as much as the girl herself had learned from the strangers.As soon as this was done, the party proceeded towards the two who still remained near the fire.