faith--the robe of his righteousness, as they call it--adapt
itself to that of his employer."

"The cloak of his hypocrisy, you mean," said Hansford, indignantly. "I
like not this scoffing profanity, and must hear no more of it. He who is
not true to his God is of a bad material for a patriot. But tell me," he
added, seeing that the man seemed sufficiently rebuked, "how came you to
this colony?"

"Simply because I could not stay in England," replied Berkenhead. "Mine
has been a hard lot, Major; for I never got what I wanted in this life.
If I was predestined for anything, as old Purge-the-temple used to say
we all were, it seems to me it was to be always on the losing side. When
I fought for freedom in England, I gained bondage in Virginia for my
pains; and when I refused to seek my freedom, and betrayed my comrades
in the insurrection of sixty-two, lo, and behold! I was released from
bondage for my reward. What I will gain or lose by this present
movement, I don't know; but I have been an unlucky adventurer thus far."

"I have heard of your behaviour in sixty-two," said Hansford, "but
whether such conduct be laudable or censurable, depends very much upon
the motive that prompted you to it. You came to this country then as an
indented servant?"

"Yes, sold, your honour, for the thirty pieces of silver, like Joseph
was sold into Egypt by his brethren."

"I suspect that the resemblance between yourself and that eminent
patriarch ceased with the sale."

"It is not for me to say, your honour. But in the present unsettled
state of affairs, who knows who may be made second only to Pharaoh over
all Egypt? I wot well who will be our Pharaoh, if we gain our point; and
I have done the state some service, and may yet do her more."

"By treachery to your comrades, I suppose," said Hansford, disgusted
with the conceit and self-complacency of the man.

"Now, look ye here, Major, if I was disposed to be touchy, I might take
exception at that remark. But I have seen too much of life to fly off at
the first word. The axe that flies from the helve at the first stroke,
may be sharp as a grindstone can make it, but it will never cut a tree
down for all that."

"And if you were to fly off, as you call it, at the first or the last
word," said Hansford, haughtily, "you would only get a sound beating for
your pains. How dare you speak thus to your superior, you insolent
knave!"

"No insolence, Major," said Berkenhead, sulkily; "bu