96 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS. 



whenever Southwick danced ; it was to get out of 

 the way. Greater unanimity in this respect was 

 never seen. Never, before that evening, did I de- 

 sire that a room might haA^e more than four corners, 

 but I more than once devoutly wished that that 

 room had liad sixteen. Sixteen would not have 

 been one too many, with my friend on the floor. I 

 called Uncle Palmer's attention to the terrible lack 

 of corners in his house. At the time I made the 

 suggestion, the old gentleman was trying to force 

 himself in between the door-post and the sheath- 

 ing. He appeared to appreciate it. After a few 

 preliminary flourishes, Everitt shouted the word 

 " Go ! " and Southwick struck out. I saw him com- 

 ing, and dodged; I escaped. The next time he 

 swung round, I was prepared for him. There were 

 several wooden pins driven into the logs near the 

 ceiling, such as our forefathers were wont to season 

 their beef-hams on. Spying one of these just over 

 my head, as I stood flattened against the wall, I 

 vaulted from the floor and clutched it. The scene 

 from this point of view was very picturesque. The 

 fellows had observed ^my movement, and followed 

 my example : it affected them like an inspiration. 

 In an instant the whole company were suspended 

 from pins around the room. A sense of the ludi- 

 crous overcame my terror, and I began to laugh. 

 That laugh grew on me. I found myself unable to 

 stop laughing. My eyes began to moisten and run 



