course of the journey she fancied the Tuscarora had mani…
fested towards herself an unpleasant degree of attention；
and on those occoasions it had struck her that his wife
exhibited sorrow and mortification。 As Mabel； however；
had more than compensated for any pain she might in
this way unintentionally have caused her companion； by
her own kindness of manner and attentions； the woman
had shown much attachment to her； and they had parted；
with a deep conviction on the mind of our heroine that in
the Dew…of…June she had lost a friend。
It is useless to attempt to analyze all the ways by which
the human heart is led into confidence。 Such a feeling；
however； had the young Tuscarora woman awakened in
the breast of our heroine； and the latter； under the im…
pression that this extraordinary visit was intended for her
own good； felt every disposition to have a closer commu…
nication。 She no longer hesitated about showing herself
clear of the bushes； and was not sorry to see the Dew…of…
June imitate her confidence； by stepping fearlessly out of
her own cover。 The two girls； for the Tuscarora； though
married； was even younger than Mabel； now openly ex…
changed signs of friendship； and the latter beckoned to
her friend to approach； though she knew not the manner
herself in which this object could be effected。 But the
Dew…of…June was not slow in letting it be seen that it was
in her power； for； disappearing in a moment； she soon
showed herself again in the end of a bark canoe； the bows
of which she had drawn to the edge of the bushes； and of
which the body still lay in a sort of covered creek。 Mabel
was about to invite her to cross； when her own name was
called aloud in the stentorian voice of her uncle。 Making
a hurried gesture for the Tuscarora girl to conceal herself；
Mabel sprang from the bushes and tripped up the glade
towards the sound； and perceived that the whole party had
just seated themselves at breakfast； Cap having barely put
his appetite under sufficient restraint to summon her to
join them。 That this was the most favorable instant for
the interview flashed on the mind of Mabel； and； excusing
herself on the plea of not being prepared for the meal；
she bounded back to the thicket； and soon renewed her
communications with the young Indian woman。
Dew…of…June was quick of comprehension； and with
half a dozen noiseless strokes of the paddles； her canoe was
concealed in the bushes of Station Island。 In another
minute； Mabel held her hand； and was leading her through
the grove towards her own hut。 Fortunately the latter
was so placed as to be completely hid from the sight of
those at the fire； and they both entered it unseen。 Hastily
explaining to her guest； in the best manner she could； the
necessity of quitting her for a short time； Mabel； first plac…
ing the Dew…of…June in her own room； with a full certainty
that she would not quit it until told to do so； went to the
fire and took her seat among the rest； with all the com…
posure it was in her power to command。
〃Late come； late served； Mabel；〃 said her uncle； be…
tween mouthfuls of broiled salmon； for though the cook…
ery might be very unsophisticated on that remote frontier；
the viands were generally delicious； 〃late come； late
served； it is a good rule； and keeps laggards up to their
work。〃
〃I am no laggard； uncle； for I have been stirring nearly
an hour； and exploring our island。〃
〃It's little you'll make o' that； Mistress Mabel；〃 put in
Muir； 〃that's little by nature。 Lundie or it might be
better to style him Major Duncan in this presence〃 （this
was said in consideration of the corporal and the common
men； though they were taking their meal a little apart）
〃has not added an empire to his Majesty's dominions in
getting possession of this island； which is likely to equal
that of the celebrated Sancho in revenues and profits
Sancho； of whom； doubtless； Master Cap； you'll often have
been reading in your leisure hours； more especially in
calms and moments of inactivity。〃
〃I know the spot you mean； Quartermaster； Sancho's
Island coral rock； of new formation； and as bad a land…
fall； in a dark night and blowing weather； as a sinner
could wish to keep clear of。 It's a famous place for cocoa…
nuts and bitter water； that Sancho's Island。〃
〃It's no' very famous for dinners；〃 returned Muir； re…
pressing the smile which was struggling to his lips out of
respect to Mabel； 〃nor do I think there'll be much to
choose between its revenue and that of this spot。 In my
judgment； Master Cap； this is a very unmilitary position；
and I look to some calamity befalling it； sooner or later。〃
〃It is to be hoped not until our turn of duty is over；〃
observed Mabel。 〃I have no wish to study the French
language。〃
〃We might think ourselves happy； did it not prove to
be the Iroquois。 I have reasoned with Major Duncan on
the occupation of this position； but 'a wilfu' man maun
ha' his way。' My first object in accompanying this party
was to endeavor to make myself acceptable and useful to
your beautiful niece； Master Cap； and the second was to
take such an account of the stores that belong to my par…
ticular department as shall leave no question open to con…
troversy； concerning the manner of expenditure； when they
shall have disappeared by means of the enemy。〃
〃Do you look upon matters as so serious？〃 demanded
Cap； actually suspending his mastication of a bit of veni…
son for he passed alternately from fish to flesh and back
again in the interest he took in the answer。 〃Is the
danger pressing？〃
〃I'll no' say just that； and I'll no' say just the contrary。
There is always danger in war； and there is more of it
at the advanced posts than at the main encampment。 It
ought； therefore； to occasion no surprise were we to be
visited by the French at any moment。〃
〃And what the devil is to be done in that case？ Six
men and two women would make but a poor job in defend…
ing such a place as this； should the enemy invade us； as；
no doubt； Frenchman…like； they would take very good care
to come strong…handed。〃
〃That we may depend on some very formidable force
at the very lowest。 A military disposition might be made
in defence of the island； out of all question； and accord…
ing to the art of war； though we would probably fail in
the force necessary to carry out the design in any very
creditable manner。 In the first place； a detachment should
be sent off to the shore； with orders to annoy the enemy
in landing； a strong party ought instantly to be thrown
into the blockhouse； as the citadel； for on that all the dif…
ferent detachments would naturally fall back for support；
as the French advanced； and an entrenched camp might
be laid out around the stronghold； as it would be very un…
military indeed to let the foe get near enough to the foot
of the walls to mine them。 Chevaux…de…frise would keep
the cavalry in check； and as for the artillery； redoubts
should be thrown up under cover of yon woods。 Strong
skirmishing parties； moreover； would be exceedingly ser…
viceable in retarding the march of the enemy； and these
different huts； if properly piqueted and ditched； would be
converted into very eligible positions for that object。〃
〃Whe…e…e…w…； Quartermaster！ And who the d…l
is to find all the men to carry out such a plan？〃
〃The king； out of all question； Master Cap。 It is his
quarrel； and it's just he should bear the burthen o' it。〃
〃And we are only six！ This is fine talking； with a
vengeance。 You could be sent down to the shore to op…
pose the landing； Mabel might skirmish with her tongue
at least； the soldier's wife might act chevaux…de…frise to
entangle the cavalry； the corporal should command the
entrenched camp； his three men could occupy the five
huts； and I would take the blockhouse。 Whe…e…e…w！
you describe well； Lieutenant； and should have been a
limner instead of a soldier。〃
〃Na； I've been very literal and upright in my exposition
of matters。 That there is no greater force here to carry
out the plan is a fault of his Majesty's ministers； and none
of mine。〃
〃But should our enemy really appear；〃 asked Mabel；
with more interest than she might have shown； had she
not remembered the guest in the hut； 〃what course ought
we to pursue？〃
〃My advice would be to attempt to achieve that； pretty
Mabel； which rendered Xenophon so justly celebrated。〃
〃I think you mean a retreat； though I half guess at your
allusion。〃
〃You've imagined my meaning from the possession of
a strong native sense； young lady。 I am aware that your
worthy father has pointed out to the Corporal certain
modes and methods by which he fancies this island could
be held； in case the French should discover its position；
but the excellent Sergeant； though your father； and as good
a man in his duties as ever wielded a spontoon； is not the
great Lord Stair； or even the Duke of Marlborough。 I'll
not deny the Sergeant's merits in his particular sphere；
though I cannot exaggerate qualities； however excellent；
into those of men who may be in some trifling degree his
superiors。 Sergeant Dunham has taken counsel of his
heart； instead of his head； i