Page:Edward Ellis--Alden the Pony Express Rider.djvu/275

 for the next station was allowed to wait, saddled and bridled, and ready to start the moment called upon.

Alden followed his friend into the cabin, with Harper and Altman at his heels. Leaning his rifle against the logs by the door, he glanced around.

The dwelling could not have been of simpler structure. The single room was some twenty feet square. At one end was an old fashioned fireplace, in the middle of which stood a small cooking stove, a single joint of pipe pushing up into the chimney. A few simple utensils hung around on spikes, and a goodly pile of wood was always at hand. A barrel of flour, a big can of coffee, another of sugar and smaller boxes of spices and condiments were disposed of with more regard for convenience than appearance. At one side of the room were four bunks, with blankets and several buffalo robes. There were a bench, a table made of planks, four stools and clothing hanging on nails driven into the logs. The only picture on the walls was a woodcut from a newspaper, showing the homely features of Abraham Lincoln who had been nominated a short time before by the newly-born