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 to a turn, and resting on a big tin platter was the main dish. There were thick slices, too, of well-baked bread, though nothing in the way of butter or vegetables. But Jenkins filled each large cup from the capacious pot simmering on the stove, and the fragrant odor was delightful to the keen appetites. Condensed milk answered well for the real article, and few meals were more palatable than that eaten by Alden at this mail station in the wilds of the West. Right glad was he that his host had insisted upon his tarrying for that purpose. Nothing could have braced him better for the task before him.
CHAPTER XVIII
OUTWITTED
Although the meal lasted but a few minutes, much was said. Harper and Altman developed a talkative streak and had much to tell their guest. The three had been located at the station for more than two months during a portion of which time “business was lively.” Only a fortnight before, the cabin underwent a siege for three days and nights from a large party of Piutes, who peppered the logs well. They ran off a couple of ponies, but Harper and Jenkins recovered both after a long pursuit.
The redskins circled about the structure and fired through the windows, but did not harm any of the defenders, who picked off two or three of them. Things might have turned out ill had not one of the Express Riders carried the news to the nearest fort which hurried a squad of cavalry to the spot.
There had been no trouble with the Indians since, though parties now and then appeared in the distance as if reconnoitering. It was not to be expected that they would remain tranquil much longer.
“What kind of a route is it to the next station?” asked Alden, when the party had gone outside and he had mounted.
“Pretty much like what you’ve ridden over. Some stretches of good ground, with plenty of ravines and gullies and two or three streams to cross, but you couldn’t have a better season.”