A SERIOUS BREAKDOWN. 201 



bunk, similar to a sailor's berth in the forecastle of 

 a ship, capable of accommodating two or three 

 persons each, if they were disposed to be neigh- 

 borly. A few withered boughs still remained on the 

 loose boards. A solitary stool in each sleeping-room 

 comprised the furniture of the camp, with the ex- 

 ception of the stove and benches, and a rickety old 

 table, upon which we spread the few stores we had 

 brought along for provisions on the way. 



"Jake and Short Pete, the other driver, soon 

 made a fire in the stove, and, after putting out the 

 mules, went into the bush to cut some fresh boughs 

 for our beds. While they were gone, I made the 

 best of my time taking observations. There was 

 nothing to alarm one about the cabin. Save its 

 deserted appearance, it might be like many others 

 in that vicinity; but, while exploring, I made a 

 discovery which, though comparatively of little 

 moment, nevertheless set me to thinking. 



" In one of the sleeping-rooms, hanging from a 

 huge spike driven into a log in the roof over one 

 of the bunks, was about two-thirds of a leg of veni- 

 son, which, being nearly the color of the surround- 

 ing objects, had before escaped my notice. Upon 

 examining it more closely, I saw that slices had 

 been quite recently cut from it ; and, continuing 

 my researches, I became satisfied, that, in spite of 



