Lizards and noisome animals had tenanted its comfortless recesses undisturbed, until the period we have just described, when their miserable rights were infringed on for the first time by human intruders.
A woman crouched near the entrance of the place.

More within, on the driest part of the ground, lay a child asleep.

Between them were scattered some withered branches and decayed leaves, which were arranged as if to form a fire.

In many parts this scanty collection of fuel was slightly blackened; but, wetted as it was by the rain, all efforts to light it permanently had evidently been fruitless.
The woman's head was bent forwards, and her face, hid in her hands, rested on her knees.

At intervals she muttered to herself in a hoarse, moaning voice.