“The moment has come, men,” Pathfinder commenced, “when our plans must be coolly laid, in order that we may act together, and with a right understanding of our errand and gifts.  In an hour’s time these woods will be as dark as midnight; and if we are ever to gain the garrison, it must be done under favor of this advantage.  What say you, Master Cap? for, though none of the most experienced in combats and retreats in the woods, your years entitle you to speak first in a matter like this and in a council.”

“Well, in my judgment, all we have to do is to go on board the canoe when it gets to be so dark the enemy’s lookouts can’t see us, and run for the haven, as wind and tide will allow.”

“That is easily said, but not so easily done,” returned the guide.  “We shall be more exposed in the river than by following the woods; and then there is the Oswego rift below us, and I am far from sartain that Jasper himself can carry a boat safely through it in the dark.  What say you, lad, as to your own skill and judgment?”

“I am of Master Cap’s opinion about using the canoe.  Mabel is too tender to walk through swamps and among roots of trees in such a night as this promises to be, and then I always feel myself stouter of heart and truer of eye when afloat than when ashore.”

“Stout of heart you always be, lad, and I think tolerably true of eye for one who has lived so much in broad sunshine and so little in the woods.  Ah’s me!  The Ontario has no trees, or it would be a plain to delight a hunter’s heart!  As to your opinion, friends, there is much for and much against it.  For it, it may be said water leaves no trail —­ "

“What do you call the wake?” interrupted the pertinacious and dogmatical Cap.

“Anan?”

“Go on,” said Jasper; “Master Cap thinks he is on the ocean —­ water leaves no trail —­ "

“It leaves none, Eau-douce, hereaway, though I do not pretend to say what it may leave on the sea.  Then a canoe is both swift and easy when it floats with the current, and the tender limbs of the Sergeant’s daughter will be favored by its motion.  But, on the other hand, the river will have no cover but the clouds in the heavens; the rift is a ticklish thing for boats to venture into, even by daylight; and it is six fairly measured miles, by water, from this spot to the garrison.  Then a trail on land is not easy to be found in the dark.  I am troubled, Jasper, to say which way we ought to counsel and advise.”

“If the Serpent and myself could swim into the river and bring off the other canoe,” the young sailor replied, “it would seem to me that our safest course would be the water.”

“If, indeed! and yet it might easily be done, as soon as it is a little darker.  Well, well, I am not sartain it will not be the best.  Though, were we only a party of men, it would be like a hunt to the lusty and brave to play at hide-and-seek with yonder miscreants on the other shore, Jasper,” continued the guide, into whose character there entered no ingredient which belonged to vain display or theatrical effect, “will you undertake to bring in the canoe?”