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 was 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. Noreply. 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 
