n previously
examined were found where they had been last deposited, and they excited
much less interest or comment than when formerly exposed to view. Even
Judith laid aside the rich brocade with an air of indifference, for she
had a far higher aim before her than the indulgence of vanity, and was
impatient to come at the still hidden, or rather unknown, treasures.

"All these we have seen before," she said, "and will not stop to open.
The bundle under your hand, Deerslayer, is a fresh one; that we will
look into. God send it may contain something to tell poor Hetty and
myself who we really are!"

"Ay, if some bundles could speak, they might tell wonderful secrets,"
returned the young man deliberately undoing the folds of another piece
of course canvass, in order to come at the contents of the roll that lay
on his knees: "though this doesn't seem to be one of that family, seeing
'tis neither more nor less than a sort of flag, though of what nation,
it passes my l'arnin' to say."

"That flag must have some meaning to it--" Judith hurriedly interposed.
"Open it wider, Deerslayer, that we may see the colours."

"Well, I pity the ensign that has to shoulder this cloth, and to parade
it about on the field. Why 'tis large enough, Judith, to make a dozen of
them colours the King's officers set so much store by. These can be no
ensign's colours, but a gin'ral's!"

"A ship might carry it, Deerslayer, and ships I know do use such things.
Have you never heard any fearful stories about Thomas Hutter's having
once been concerned with the people they call buccaneers?"

"Buck-ah-near! Not I--not I--I never heard him mentioned as good at a
buck far off, or near by. Hurry Harry did till me something about its
being supposed that he had formerly, in some way or other, dealings with
sartain sea robbers, but, Lord, Judith, it can't surely give you any
satisfaction to make out that ag'in your mother's own husband, though he
isn't your father."

"Anything will give me satisfaction that tells me who I am, and helps to
explain the dreams of childhood. My mother's husband! Yes, he must have
been that, though why a woman like her, should have chosen a man like
him, is more than mortal reason can explain. You never saw mother,
Deerslayer, and can't feel the vast, vast difference there was between
them!"

"Such things do happen, howsever;--yes, they do happen; though why
providence lets them come to pass is more than I understand. I've k