The Pathfinder by Cooper

In this exigency the guide came to a decision with his usual cool promptitude, making his preparations accordingly.†

Sartain, when I got the right position, I finished the affair of my own accord.†

On the upper margin of the opening, the viewless influence had piled tree on tree, in such a manner as had not only enabled the two males of the party to ascend to an elevation of some thirty feet above the level of the earth, but, with a little care and encouragement, to induce their more timid companions to accompany them.†

The utmost circumspection consequently became necessary, and each one was too much engrossed with his own thoughts to feel a disposition to utter more than was called for by the exigencies of the case.†

It would have been a pleasant sight to witness the eager desire of each of these two sincere females to ascertain all that might be of consequence to their respective friends; and yet the native delicacy with which each refrained from pressing the other to make revelations which would have been improper, as well as the sensitive, almost intuitive, feeling with which each avoided saying aught that might prove injurious to her own nation.†

...hid her countenance in her apron to conceal her tears;

...he was willing enough to defer the argument until they had been longer together,

a woman unaccustomed to defer to the superior rights of

a strange and discordant sound

Lieutenant Muir, it is true, claims his right; but, being quartermaster, I do not like to break up well-established arrangements.†

There, sure enough, it was found that the Quartermaster's bullet had gone through the hole made by Jasper's, and that, too, so accurately as to require a minute examination to be certain of the circumstance; which, however, was soon clearly established, by discovering one bullet over the other in the stump against which the target was placed.†

At the end of the month, however, the season was getting to be too far advanced to render her situation pleasant to June.†

I think it every man's duty to believe in the power of God, however difficult it may be.†

But I did not think it possible I could be deceived as to the young woman's inclinations, which I think I may boldly pronounce to be altogether above the condition of Pathfinder.†

I thank you for this advice, Quartermaster, which is the more acceptable as it costs nothing; but I do not think it belongs to my gifts to yield a place like this while food and water last.†

Mabel said, pressing the other's hand, and yielding to an impulse of generous confidence.†