Beyond this opening, and at some little distance, he saw a sunbonneted woman of a plump and comfortable presence.

She was leaning against a tub which rested on a rude bench.

At her back was another bark shanty similar to the one that sheltered himself, while on either hand a shoreless expanse of water danced and sparkled under the rays of the newly risen sun.

As his eyes slowly took in the scene, Yancy's astonishment mounted higher and higher.

The lady's sunbonnet quite hid her face, but he saw that she was smoking a cob-pipe.
He was still staring at her, when the lank figure of a man emerged from the other shanty.