I let go, confident the distance could not be great, and came down without much shock a half-dozen feet below.

I was in a large fire-place, apparently never utilized, the opening entirely covered by a screen of cast-iron.

This fitted closely, but was unfastened, and, after feeling about cautiously in the darkness, I pushed it slightly to one side, and peered forth.
A large, rather handsomely furnished room was revealed, evidently a back-parlor, closed folding doors being conspicuous in the front wall.
Three windows faced the north, their curtains partially drawn, and I could perceive through them the lattice work of a porch, covered with the green and red of a rambler rose.

I recognized instantly the situation; this room was opposite, directly across the hall from where we had eaten breakfast, its windows also commanding a view of the road.
Impelled by a desire to see what was continuing to take place without, I stole silently across the soft carpet, and peered forth.

The last of the wagon train was lumbering past, and back of these, just wheeling around the corner, approached another column of horsemen.