40 



THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



door of the cabin and found it contained a large quantity 

 of odoriferous, mouldering hay, which had been left be- 

 hind by the last occupants, who had vacated it about nine 

 months before our arrival. The entire cabin consisted of 

 a single room, which was probably about twelve feet square 

 and lighted by a single pane of glass. This diminutive 

 window could not be readily opened or removed. It was 

 still closed when Esculapius, who had entered the room, 

 quickly retired, declaring that the stench arising from the 

 decomposition was unendurable. 



He directed that the hay should be removed, the small 

 window forced open ; all of which was promptly done by 

 Jim and Frank, while John was resting on the log, where 

 he had seated himself on his arrival before the cabin. Let 

 it suffice to say that after improving the atmospheric con- 

 dition of the cabin as much as practicable, the Governor 

 and Esculapius determined to occupy it as their sleeping- 

 apartment during the night, while the Scribe preferred to 

 remain outside, sleeping on the. ground with no other pro- 

 tection than that afforded by the pure air and a cloudless 

 sky. The guides had withdrawn from us during the early 

 part of the evening, returning to the cabin containing 

 John's enchantress. 



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