It was Ned who discovered this floorless room and he suggested that they lead the horses into it, especially as the night was turning quite cold, and there were signs of rain.
"A good thought," said Bowie.

"We'll do it." The horses made some trouble at the door, but when they were finally driven in, and unsaddled and unbridled they seemed content.

Two windows, from which the glass was long since gone, admitted an abundance of air, and Ned and several others, taking their big bowie knives, went out to cut grass for them.
On foot, Ned was impressed more than ever by the desolation and loneliness of the place.

The grounds had been surrounded by an adobe wall, now broken through in many places.

On one side had been a little flower garden, and on the other a larger kitchen garden.