Chapter 24 Summary

Deerslayer and Judith examine the contents of the chest, looking for clues about the real father of the girls. They find a collection of letters. Some are written from a mother to a daughter, the daughter presumably being Judith's mother. The others come from suitors. Judith learns that her mother had a relationship with a man that resulted in the births of herself and Hetty. Then she married Thomas Hovey, the real name of Thomas Hutter, who had been a pirate.

The conversation turns to marriage as Judith seeks to show Deerslayer that she wants to marry him. He explains why he does not think that they would be a suitable married couple and recommends that she marry Harry or one of the soldiers at the garrison instead. She goes to bed discontented, with secret plans for the next day.

Chapter 24 Analysis

The...