“This is natur’, and it is the law of God.  But, Mabel, be calm, and endivor to be cool.  All that can be effected for the Sergeant by human invention shall be done.  I only ask you to be cool.”

“I am, I am, Pathfinder.  Never in my life was I more calm, more collected, than at this moment.  But remember how perilous may be every instant; for Heaven’s sake, what we do, let us do without delay.”

Pathfinder was struck with the firmness of Mabel’s tones, and perhaps he was a little deceived by the forced tranquillity and self-possession she had assumed.  At all events, he did not deem any further explanations necessary, but descended forthwith, and began to unbar the door.  This delicate process was conducted with the usual caution, but, as he warily permitted the mass of timber to swing back on the hinges, he felt a pressure against it, that had nearly induced him to close it again.  But, catching a glimpse of the cause through the crack, the door was permitted to swing back, when the body of Sergeant Dunham, which was propped against it, fell partly within the block.  To draw in the legs and secure the fastenings occupied the Pathfinder but a moment.  Then there existed no obstacle to their giving their undivided care to the wounded man.

Mabel, in this trying scene, conducted herself with the sort of unnatural energy that her sex, when aroused, is apt to manifest.  She got the light, administered water to the parched lips of her father, and assisted Pathfinder in forming a bed of straw for his body and a pillow of clothes for his head.  All this was done earnestly, and almost without speaking; nor did Mabel shed a tear, until she heard the blessings of her father murmured on her head for this tenderness and care.  All this time Mabel had merely conjectured the condition of her parent.  Pathfinder, however, had shown greater attention to the physical danger of the Sergeant.  He had ascertained that a rifle-ball had passed through the body of the wounded man; and he was sufficiently familiar with injuries of this nature to be certain that the chances of his surviving the hurt were very trifling, if any.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Then drink my tears, while yet they fall —­
Would that my bosom’s blood were balm;
And —­ well thou knowest —­ I’d shed it all,
To give thy brow one minute’s calm. 
MOORE.

The eyes of Sergeant Dunham had not ceased to follow the form of his beautiful daughter from the moment that the light appeared.  He next examined the door of the block, to ascertain its security; for he was left on the ground below, there being no available means of raising him to the upper floor.  Then he sought the face of Mabel; for as life wanes fast the affections resume their force, and we begin to value that most which we feel we are about to lose for ever.

“God be praised, my child! you, at least, have escaped their murderous rifles,” he said; for he spoke with strength, and seemingly with no additional pain.  “Give me the history of this sad business, Pathfinder.”