Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/287

 SMOKY HUT. 271

Entering the hut, on our return, we could not at first distinguish any human form through the dense smoke which filled it. xidvancing farther in, however, we soon saw the crouching figures of the poor shivering natives, who were seated on the ground around the fire. The in- terior had a very uncomfortable appearance. It was lit by small windows, the little broken panes in which admitted feeble rays of light by day, but gusts of wind by night, sufticient to chill any one's blood. As the room was perfectly destitute of any article of furniture, we followed the example of the coolies, and S(]uatted ourselves on the bare ground, for there were no boards even to cover the L-arth. Bef(jre long the smoke began to make our eyes feel (juite sore, and as there was no chimney, we ordered every window and door to be o])ened as wide as possible to let it esca])e; but all to no pur- pose, the faggots would smoulder, and the smoke rose in thicker chnids than could lind vent. So

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