Page:Edward Ellis--Alden the Pony Express Rider.djvu/276

 party, for the presidency of the United States.

Although the weather now was balmy, there were times when it raged like a hurricane from the Arctic regions. Therefore the logs were thick and the crevices between them filled with clay. The heavy planking on the floor was wedged closely with a view of shutting off uncomfortable drafts.

Only one door was sawed in front. It was made of massive planking and swung on big iron hinges. All round the four sides were windows, none of which had panes. They were too narrow for the slimmest man that ever lived to squeeze through. When the storms beat against one side of the cabin, the openings there were closed by means of small, wooden shutters, turning on hinges of leather.

In the event of Indian attack—which impended at almost any hour of the day or night—these loopholes were useful to the defenders. At other times, they helped in the way of ventilation and the lighting of the apartment.

The meal was ready when Alden Payne was waved by Jenkins to one of the stools at the side of the table, which consisted of three unplaned boards. A huge roast of venison, done