14 COLLECTOR'S RAMBLES 



with which he was trying to load it. Presently we 

 began to collect our scattered senses, and inquire of one 

 another as to the cause of the trouble. The mystery 

 was solved when, on going back, " Purpose " came 

 staggering out of the car, saying, " Whaz the matter, 

 gentlemen? I I had a bad dream (hie). Can't a 

 feller have a bad dream ? B'God I'm a Freemason, so 

 who cares ! L-lets have a drink ; " and that was all the 

 explanation we could get from the miserable wretch, 

 who seemed to think it was a good joke to have 

 frightened a hundred able-bodied men nearly to death, 

 and see them breaking their shins trying to find who 

 could get out of the car first ; all being sound asleep 

 to start with. 



Well, such an angry crowd of men it would be diffi- 

 cult to imagine. Some cried with vexation and fright; 

 others laughed until the tears ran down their cheeks ; 

 the rest warmed their half-frozen and bleeding feet, 

 damning the soul and body of " Purpose " the while. 

 Bruised shins and torn clothes were the rale, and nee- 

 dles, thread, and buttons were in great demand. The 

 whole scene was intensely ludicrous, and would pro- 

 duce a sensation on the stage if faithfully portrayed. 



Some of the party declared they were not frightened, 

 and only ran because the rest did, or that they were 

 forced out by the others ; but their faces told a differ- 

 ent tale, for terror was depicted in every feature as they 

 fought their way toward the door: and I presume I 



