There were two windows, closed with heavy clapboard shutters.
There was no furniture in the cabin except two rough wooden benches.
Evidently the original owners had prepared well for their flight, but it was likely that no one had come since.

The lonely place among the trees had passed unobserved by raiders.

The shed behind the cabin was also in good condition, and they tethered there the horses, which were glad enough to escape from the bitter wind and driving snow.
The whole party gathered in the cabin, and as they no longer feared pursuit it was agreed unanimously that they must have luxury.

In this case a fire meant the greatest of all luxuries.
They gathered an abundance of fallen wood, knocked the snow from it and heaped it on either side of the fireplace.

They cut with infinite difficulty dry shavings from the inside of the logs in the wall of the house, and after a full hour of hard work lighted a blaze with flint and steel.