It was of generous proportions, and was built entirely of great peeled logs, laid one on top of the other. The spaces between them had been closed with pine slabs sealed over with mud. The roof was made of split logs scooped out in the style of troughs and placed side by side, with another slab over each two where they came together, scooped side down. On top of them was piled earth and moss, which gave the appearance of a sod roof. The house contained but one large room, in which was a door and three good-sized windows. At the back of this room were four bunks, two on either side, built one above the other. They were of large dimensions, and would each accommodate two persons comfortably. These bunks were filled with the tips of balsam boughs to a considerable depth, and over this improvised mattress was spread, first, a piece of heavy tarpaulin, and then, on top of this, several heavy blankets. In the front part of the room was a small cook-stove, on which several pots were simmering. Along one side of this combination living, sleeping, and dining room was a home-made bookcase of unpeeled logs, whose shelves held many old and entertaining volumes, mostly of adventure. On the other side were racks and hooks for clothes and accouterments. In one corner a pantry was built for dishes and cooking accessories. Midway between the hard earth floor and the roof-peak, poles were laid crosswise of the room, thus forming a sort of overhead attic for the storing of additional baggage. A pine table covered with red oil-cloth did service for reading, writing, and dining; and home-made three-legged stools served as chairs.
Their inspection finished, the boys went outside and found the men at work building an improvised corral of logs. The ponies were driven into it and bedded down for the night with soft hemlock boughs. Then they all turned into the cabin, for the autumn twilight had already descended, and supper, thoughtfully prepared by the owner of the team, was ready.
In the light furnished by a large lantern hung overhead in the center of the room they sat about the red-topped table and partook of a bountiful meal. There was deliciously browned fish fresh from the near-by lake, hot, crumbly corn-bread, fried potatoes, great steaming cups of tea, and canned peaches and home-made cookies for dessert. The boys ate until they could scarcely move; and when they had finally stopped because they were ashamed to eat any more, they rose and helped Ben with the dishes.
The two woodsmen sat for some time smoking and telling experiences, and Ed and George listened to every word. It was very dark outside, and from time to time one or other of the boys cast glances out through the open door and wondered what animals were prowling about in the great black woods which surrounded the cabin on all sides.
Suddenly the stillness of the night was broken by a wild, piercing scream from the forest. The men stopped talking and looked first at each other and then at the boys, who sat with staring eyes and open mouths gazing out into the darkness. Not a word was spoken while they waited and listened for a repetition of the uncanny call. Then an involuntary exclamation of alarm escaped the lads, for the cry was repeated, this time nearer at hand; and they moved uneasily away from the door.
The woodsmen smiled reassuringly, and then Ben allayed the fears of his young guests.
“That’s a lynx out hunting for his supper. Don’t get uneasy about him; you’ll hear and see him often between now and spring.”
“What sort of a creature is it?” inquired Ed, glancing toward the door.
“Why, he’s a kind of overgrown wildcat,” Ben explained, laughing. “He’s savage enough if you corner him and make him fight; but otherwise he’ll usually get out of your way.”
The call was not repeated; but it made a deep impression on the boys, who, never having seen the animal that made it, conjured up all sorts of dreadful creatures in their imaginations.