.

"THE ALCOVE".
They arrived at the fort as evening was coming on, and as soon as food was served to them the five sought sleep.

The frontiersmen usually slept soundly and for a long time after prodigious exertions, and Henry and his comrades were too wise to make an exception.

They secured a single room inside the fort, one given to them gladly, because Mary Newton had already spread the fame of their exploits, and, laying aside their hunting shirts and leggins, prepared for rest.
"Jim," said Shif'less Sol, pointing to a low piece of furniture, flat and broad, in one corner of the room, "that's a bed.

Mebbe you don't think it, but people lay on top o' that an' sleep thar." Long Jim grinned.
"Mebbe you're right, Sol," he said.