242 MULE-HUNTING EXPEDITION. 



flap of board was raised by an attendant, and 

 supported by a bracket ; a contrivance one fre- 

 quently sees in small kitchens to economise room. 

 On this I was laid; my janitors withdrew, the 

 door slammed, and I Avas alone in the dark. 



A sudden noise, between a hiss and a whistle, 

 enlightened me as to the fact, that sundry jets of 

 steam were turned on. The room rapidly filled, 

 and the perspiration soon streamed from my skin. 

 At first I fancied it rather pleasant; a sort of 

 lazy sleepy feeling came over me, but as this 

 passed away I felt faint and thirsty, and yelled 

 to be let out. No reply. I began to think it 

 anything but a joke, and again shouted : not a 

 sound but the hissing steam. 



My thirst grew insupportable; it seemed as 

 if a live crab was gnawing and rending my 

 stomach with his claws and nippers. I made 

 several attempts to get off the table, but wher- 

 ever I put my leg the burning-hot steam came 

 like a flame against it, and there was not suffi- 

 cient room to stand betwixt the table and the 

 partition of my steam-prison. I called louder 

 and louder ; my reasoning powers were growing- 

 feeble, my presence of mind was rapidly aban- 

 doning me, and a thousand wild fancies passed 

 through my brain ; I had given up all hope, when 



