them; the floor was of trodden mud, and a hole in the roof served as
a chimney; but, by way of compensation, the internal space was divided
into two apartments, one of them a living room, and the other a sleeping
chamber. It was evident that the place had not been long deserted, for
fire still smouldered on the hearth, round which stood various earthen
cooking dishes, and in the sleeping-room was a rough bedstead of wood
whereon lay wrappings made from the hides of cattle and goats. When
they had seen everything there was to be seen, they hurried back to the
others to report their discovery, and just then the rain set in more
heavily than before.

"A house!" said Juanna; "then for goodness' sake let us get into it. We
are all half dead with the cold and wet."

"Yes," answered Leonard, "I think we had better take possession, though
it may be a little awkward if the rightful owners come back."

The best that can be said for the night which they spent in this stone
shanty, undisturbed by any visit from its lawful tenant, is that it
passed a shade more comfortably than it would have done outside. They
were dry, though the place was damp, and they had a fire. Still, until
you are used to it, it is trying to sit in the company of a score of
black people and of many thousand fleas, enveloped with a cloud of
pungent smoke, according to the custom of our Norse ancestors.

Soon Juanna gave up the attempt and retired to the great bed in the
inner chamber, wondering much who had occupied it last. A herdsman,
she judged, as Soa had suggested, for in a corner of the room stood an
ox-goad hugely fashioned. But it was a bed, and she slept as soundly in
it as its numerous insect occupants would allow. The others were not so