It was an ordinary slab shack with three rooms.

A slatternly woman was busy cooking breakfast in a little lean-to at the back of the larger room, a child was wailing in a crib, and before the fire two big, wolfish dogs were sleeping.

They arose slowly to sniff lazily at Mose's garments, and then returned to their drowse before the fire.
"Stranger, you look putt' nigh beat out," said the man who acted as host; "you look pale around the gills." "I am," said Mose; "I got off my course last night, and had to make down under a pinon.

I haven't had anything to eat since yesterday noon." "Wal, we'll have some taters and sow-belly in a giff or two.

Want 'o wash ?" Mose gladly took advantage of the opportunity to clean the dust and grime from his skin, though his head was dizzy with hunger.