Chapter 26 - Page 2

thinking; but as a guide, and a counsellor, and
a loyal subject, and an expert marksman, yer renown may be said to
be full. I doubt if the commander-in-chief will carry away with
him from America as much credit as will fall to yer share, and
ye ought just to set down in content and enjoy yoursal' for the
remainder of yer days. Get married, man, without delay, and look
to your precious happiness; for ye've no occasion to look any
longer to your glory. Take Mabel Dunham, for Heaven's sake, to your
bosom, and ye'll have both a bonnie bride and a bonnie reputation."

"Why, Quartermaster, this is a new piece of advice to come from
your mouth. They've told me I had a rival in you."

"And ye had, man, and a formidible one, too, I can tell you, -- one
that has never yet courted in vain, and yet one that has courted
five times. Lundie twits me with four, and I deny the charge; but
he little thinks the truth would outdo even his arithmetic. Yes,
yes, ye had a rival, Pathfinder; but ye've one no longer in me.
Ye've my hearty wishes for yer success with Mabel; and were the
honest Sergeant likely to survive, ye might rely on my good word
with him, too, for a certainty."

"I feel your friendship, Quartermaster, I feel your friendship,
though I have no great need of any favor with Sergeant Dunham, who
has long been my friend. I believe we may look upon the matter
to be as sartain as most things in war-time; for, Mabel and her
father consenting, the whole 55th couldn't very well put a stop to
it. Ah's me! The poor father will scarcely live to see what his
heart has so long been set upon."

"But he'll have the consolation of knowing it will come to pass,
in dying. Oh, it's a great relief, Pathfinder, for the parting
spirit to feel certain that the beloved ones left behind will be
well provided for after its departure. All the Mistress Muirs have
duly expressed that sentiment with their dying breaths."

"All your wives, Quartermaster, have been likely to feel this
consolation."

"Out upon ye, man! I'd no' thought ye such a wag. Well, well;
pleasant words make no heart-burnings between auld fri'nds. If
I cannot espouse Mabel, ye'll no object to my esteeming her, and
speaking well of her, and of yoursal', too, on all suitable occasions
and in all companies. But, Pathfinder, ye'll easily understan'
that a poor deevil who loses such a bride will probably stand in
need of some consolation?"

"Quite likely, quite likely, Quartermaster," returned the simple-minded
guide; "I know the loss of Mabel would be found heavy to be borne
by myself. It may bear hard on your feelings to see us married;
but the death of the