246 TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 



little cleft of an overhanging rock, a Titanic mass of 

 granite, with three sides of the walls ready made, 

 stood a crude, stern homestead, with frontage of the 

 grey, grim rocks. It had all the appearance of 

 Druidic remains. It was Alaskan beginnings really, 

 or perhaps endings. I don't know. No window, 

 an entrance for a door, a pile of wood ashes where 

 a fire had been, a roof of alder branches, banked out- 

 side with earth. There was no furniture whatsoever, a 

 heap of blankets lay in dishevelment in a dim corner. 



The forequarter of a sheep hung on an outstanding 

 point of rock, most convenient walls had this small 

 domicile, with hat stands and pegs ready made. 



Presently strips of mutton frizzled on the stones 

 before a small wood fire. Help from on high to 

 Steve, who scarce waited for the flesh to warm 

 through ere he seized it with greedy fingers and 

 devoured it au naturel. This was the simple life if 

 ever it was lived. 



" Guess you are speculating what I'm doing here?" 

 said our host, in between moments of gnawing a 

 mutton chop. We had no bread or biscuit. 



" I confess to a slight feeling of curiosity," replied 

 the Leader, " but of course " 



Slight feeling of curiosity I I nudged him fur- 

 tively. I did hope he would not pretend we were 

 not consumed with inquisitiveness. The detective- 

 like propensities which lie dormant, unless they are 

 active, in every woman, were all alert in me now, and 

 I judged, and considered, and decided the case every 

 five minutes. 



