The approach to the front of the hut was by a
winding path around the point of the rock on which she stood, and by
this, she advanced to its door.
Three sides of this singular edifice, if such it could be called, were
composed of logs laid alternately on each other, to a little more than
the height of a man; and the fourth was formed by the rock against which
it leaned. The roof was made of the bark of trees, laid in long strips
from the rock to its eaves; the fissures between the logs had been
stuffed with clay, which in many places had fallen out, and dried leaves
were made use of as a substitute, to keep out the wind. A single window
of four panes of glass was in front, but a board carefully closed it, in
such a manner as to emit no light from the fire within. After pausing
some time to view this singularly constructed hiding place, for such
Frances well knew it to be, she applied her eye to a crevice to examine
the inside. There was no lamp or candle, but the blazing fire of dry
wood made the interior of the hut light enough to read by. In one corner
lay a bed of straw, with a pair of blankets thrown carelessly over it,
as if left where they had last been used. Against the walls and rock
were suspended, from pegs forced into the crevices, various garments,
and such as were apparently fitted for all ages and conditions, and for
either sex.
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