“I told ye, ladies, ye were about to witness the influence of science on gunnery,” said the Quartermaster, advancing towards the staging occupied by the females.  “Major Duncan derides the idea of mathematics entering into target-shooting; but I tell him philosophy colors, and enlarges, and improves, and dilates, and explains everything that belongs to human life, whether it be a shooting-match or a sermon.  In a word, philosophy is philosophy, and that is saying all that the subject requires.”

“I trust you exclude love from the catalogue,” observed the wife of a captain who knew the history of the Quartermaster’s marriages, and who had a woman’s malice against the monopolizer of her sex; “it seems that philosophy has little in common with love.”

“You wouldn’t say that, madam, if your heart had experienced many trials.  It’s the man or the woman that has had many occasions to improve the affections that can best speak of such matters; and, believe me, of all love, philosophical is the most lasting, as it is the most rational.”

“You would then recommend experience as an improvement on the passion?”

“Your quick mind has conceived the idea at a glance.  The happiest marriages are those in which youth and beauty and confidence on one side, rely on the sagacity, moderation, and prudence of years —­ middle age, I mean, madam, for I’ll no’ deny that there is such a thing as a husband’s being too old for a wife.  Here is Sergeant Dunham’s charming daughter, now, to approve of such sentiments, I’m certain; her character for discretion being already well established in the garrison, short as has been her residence among us.”

“Sergeant Dunham’s daughter is scarcely a fitting interlocutor in a discourse between you and me, Lieutenant Muir,” rejoined the captain’s lady, with careful respect for her own dignity; “and yonder is the Pathfinder about to take his chance, by way of changing the subject.”

“I protest, Major Duncan, I protest,” cried Muir hurrying back towards the stand, with both arms elevated by way of enforcing his words, —­ “I protest in the strongest terms, gentlemen, against Pathfinder’s being admitted into these sports with Killdeer, which is a piece, to say nothing of long habit that is altogether out of proportion for a trial of skill against Government rifles.”

“Killdeer is taking its rest, Quartermaster,” returned Pathfinder calmly, “and no one here thinks of disturbing it.  I did not think, myself, of pulling a trigger to-day; but Sergeant Dunham has been persuading me that I shall not do proper honor to his handsome daughter, who came in under my care, if I am backward on such an occasion.  I’m using Jasper’s rifle, Quartermaster, as you may see, and that is no better than your own.”