CHAPTER XIII.

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 Quartermaster, the Sergeant, Cap, and Jasper; the Pathfinder roaming through any part of the cutter he pleased, the female apartment excepted.  The corporals and common soldiers occupied the space beneath the main hatch, which had a deck for such a purpose, while the crew were berthed, as usual, in the forecastle.  Although the cutter did not measure quite fifty tons, the draft of officers and men was so light, that there was ample room for all on board, there being space enough to accommodate treble the number, if necessary.