The Pathfinder | Page 6

trees.
"This steering by the nose, Magnet, may do well enough for an Indian,
but your thoroughbred knows the virtue of the needle," said the uncle,
as he trudged at the heels of the light-stepping Tuscarora. "America

would never have been discovered, take my word for it, if Columbus
had been nothing but nostrils. Friend Arrowhead, didst ever see a
machine like this?"
The Indian turned, cast a glance at the compass, which Cap held in a
way to direct his course, and gravely answered, "A pale-face eye. The
Tuscarora see in his head. The Salt-water (for so the Indian styled his
companion) all eye now; no tongue."
"He means, uncle, that we had needs be silent, perhaps he distrusts the
persons we are about to meet."
"Ay, 'tis an Indian's fashion of going to quarters. You perceive he has
examined the priming of his rifle, and it may be as well if I look to that
of my own pistols."
Without betraying alarm at these preparations, to which she had
become accustomed by her long journey in the wilderness, Mabel
followed with a step as elastic as that of the Indian, keeping close in the
rear of her companions. For the first half mile no other caution beyond
a rigid silence was observed; but as the party drew nearer to the spot
where the fire was known to be, much greater care became necessary.
The forest, as usual, had little to intercept the view below the branches
but the tall straight trunks of trees. Everything belonging to vegetation
had struggled towards the light, and beneath the leafy canopy one
walked, as it might be, through a vast natural vault, upheld by myriads
of rustic columns. These columns or trees, however, often served to
conceal the adventurer, the hunter, or the foe; and, as Arrowhead
swiftly approached the spot where his practised and unerring senses
told him the strangers ought to be, his footstep gradually became lighter,
his eye more vigilant, and his person was more carefully concealed.
"See, Saltwater," said he exulting, pointing through the vista of trees;
"pale-face fire!"
"By the Lord, the fellow is right!" muttered Cap; "there they are, sure
enough, and eating their grub as quietly as if they were in the cabin of a

three-decker."
"Arrowhead is but half right!" whispered Mabel, "for there are two
Indians and only one white man."
"Pale-faces," said the Tuscarora, holding up two fingers; "red man,"
holding up one.
"Well," rejoined Cap, "it is hard to say which is right and which is
wrong. One is entirely white, and a fine comely lad he is, with an air of
respectability about him; one is a red-skin as plain as paint and nature
can make him; but the third chap is half-rigged, being neither brig nor
schooner."
"Pale-faces," repeated Arrowhead, again raising two fingers, "red man,"
showing but one.
"He must be right, uncle; for his eye seems never to fail. But it is now
urgent to know whether we meet as friends or foes. They may be
French."
"One hail will soon satisfy us on that head," returned Cap. "Stand you
behind the tree, Magnet, lest the knaves take it into their heads to fire a
broadside without a parley, and I will soon learn what colors they sail
under."
The uncle had placed his two hands to his mouth to form a trumpet, and
was about to give the promised hail, when a rapid movement from the
hand of Arrowhead defeated the intention by deranging the instrument.
"Red man, Mohican," said the Tuscarora; "good; pale-faces,
Yengeese."
"These are heavenly tidings," murmured Mabel, who little relished the
prospect of a deadly fray in that remote wilderness. "Let us approach at
once, dear uncle, and proclaim ourselves friends."
"Good," said the Tuscarora "red man cool, and know; pale-face hurried,

and fire. Let the squaw go."
"What!" said Cap in astonishment; "send little Magnet ahead as a
lookout, while two lubbers, like you and me, lie-to to see what sort of a
landfall she will make! If I do, I -- "
"It is wisest, uncle," interrupted the generous girl, "and I have no fear.
No Christian, seeing a woman approach alone, would fire upon her; and
my presence will be a pledge of peace. Let me go forward, as
Arrowhead wishes, and all will be well. We are, as yet, unseen, and the
surprise of the strangers will not partake of alarm."
"Good," returned Arrowhead, who did not conceal his approbation of
Mabel's spirit.
"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,