Chapter 13

The goblin now the fool alarms,
Hags meet to mumble o'er their charms,
The night-mare rides the dreaming ass,
And fairies trip it on the grass.
COTTON.

The embarkation of so small a party was a matter of no great delay
or embarrassment. The whole force confided to the care of Sergeant
Dunham consisted of but ten privates and two non-commissioned
officers, though it was soon positively known that Mr. Muir was
to accompany the expedition. The Quartermaster, however, went as
a volunteer, while some duty connected with his own department,
as had been arranged between him and his commander, was the avowed
object. To these must be added the Pathfinder and Cap, with
Jasper and his subordinates, one of whom was a boy. The party,
consequently, consisted of less than twenty men, and a lad of
fourteen. Mabel and the wife of a common soldier were the only
females.

Sergeant Dunham carried off his command in a large bateau, and then
returned for his final orders, and to see that his brother-in-law
and daughter were properly attended to. Having pointed out to Cap
the boat that he and Mabel were to use, he ascended the hill to
seek his last interview with Lundie.

It was nearly dark when Mabel found herself in the boat that was
to carry her off to the cutter. So very smooth was the surface
of the lake, that it was not found necessary to bring the bateaux
into the river to receive their freights; but the beach outside
being totally without surf, and the water as tranquil as that of
a pond, everybody embarked there. When the boat left the land,
Mabel would not have known that she was afloat on so broad a sheet
of water by any movement which is usual to such circumstances. The
oars had barely time to give a dozen strokes, when the boat lay
at the cutter's side.

Jasper was in readiness to receive his passengers; and, as the
deck of the _Scud_ was but two or three feet above the water, no
difficulty was experienced in getting on board of her. As soon
as this was effected, the young man pointed out to Mabel and her
companion the accommodations prepared for their reception. The
little vessel contained four apartments below, all between decks
having been expressly constructed with a view to the transportation
of officers and men, with their wives and families. First in
rank was what was called the after-cabin, a small apartment that
contained four berths, and which enjoyed the advantage of possessing
small windows, for the admission of air and light. This was
uniformly devoted to females whenever any were on board; and as
Mabel and her companion were alone, they had ample accommodation.
The main cabin was larger, and lighted from above. It was now
appropriated to the