Entering a ruinous corral they came to a second entrance, which proved to be the _patio_ or courtyard.

The deserted wooden corridor, with beams, rafters, and floors whitened by the sun and wind, contained a few withered leaves, dryly rotting skins, and thongs of leather, as if undisturbed by human care.

But among these scattered debris of former life and habitation there was no noisome or unclean suggestion of decay.

A faint spiced odor of desiccation filled the bare walls.

There was no slime on stone or sun-dried brick.