THE SMALLPOX HUT When we arrived at that hut at mid-afternoon, we saw no signs of life about it.

The field near by had been denuded of its crop some time before, and had a skinned look, so exhaustively had it been harvested and gleaned.

Fences, sheds, everything had a ruined look, and were eloquent of poverty.

No animal was around anywhere, no living thing in sight.

The stillness was awful, it was like the stillness of death.