in my hands,--though how
I came there, or how long I had spent in that attitude, I cannot say; I
only know that my limbs were excessively cold, and my temples hot, and
that while my hands were benumbed and swollen, my heart beat faster and
fuller than I had ever felt it before.

"Now for the 'Picayune,'" said I, starting from my chair; "though I
never may make the journey, at least I 'll ask the road."

CHAPTER XVIII. THE ORDINARY OF ALL NATIONS

Making my way with difficulty through the crowd which filled the hall
of the house, and which consisted of purchasers, newsvenders, reporters,
printers' devils, and others interested in the "Picayune," all eagerly
discussing the news of the day, I reached a small back office, where,
having knocked timidly twice, I was desired to enter.

A man seated at a coarse deal table was cutting out paragraphs from
various newspapers, which, as he threw them at either side of him, were
eagerly caught up by two or three ragged urchins who were in waiting
behind him. He looked up at me as I entered, and roughly asked what I
wanted.

"I have seen an advertisement in your paper, headed, 'Expedition to
Texas '------"

"Upstairs,--No. 3,--two-pair back," said he, and went on with his labor.

I hesitated, hoping he might add something; but seeing that he had said
all he intended or was likely to say, I slowly withdrew.

"Upstairs, then,--No. 3,--two-pair back," said I to myself, and mounted,
with the very vaguest notions of what business I had when I got there.
There was no difficulty in finding the place; many others were hastening
towards it at the same time; and, in company with some half-dozen very
ill-favored and meanly clad fellows, I entered a large room, where about
forty men were assembled, who stood in knots or groups, talking in low
and confidential tones together.

"Is there a committee to-day?" asked one of those who came in with me.

"Business is over," said another.

"And is the lottery drawn?"

"Ay, every ticket, except one or two."

"Who's won Butcher's mare?"

"Tell us that if you can," said a huge fellow, with a red worsted
comforter round his throat; "that's exactly what we want to know."

"Well, I'm whipped if it ain't among those numbers," said a pale man
with one eye, "and I 'll give fifty dollars for one of 'em."

"You would, would you?" said another, jeering. "Lord, how soft you 've
grown! Why, she's worth five hundred dollars, that 'ere beast!"