The Pathfinder

Chapter 26

You saw but sorrow in its waning form;

A working sea remaining from a storm,

Where now the weary waves roll o'er the deep,

And faintly murmur ere they fall asleep.

DRYDEN.

Men accustomed to a warfare like that we have been describing are

not apt to be much under the influence of the tender feelings

while still in the field. Notwithstanding their habits, however,

more than one heart was with Mabel in the block, while the incidents

we are about to relate were in the course of occurrence; and even

the indispensable meal was less relished by the hardiest of the

soldiers than it might have been had not the Sergeant been so near

his end.

As Pathfinder returned from the block, he was met by Muir, who

led him aside in order to hold a private discourse. The manner of

the Quartermaste