"Here, my dear, this room is perfectly dry and comfortable, and we
always keep kindlings built up in the fireplace ready to light in case a
guest should come," said Mrs. Condiment, applying a match to the waste
paper under the pine knots and logs that filled the chimney. Soon there
arose a cheerful blaze that lighted up all the room, glowing on the
crimson serge bed curtains and window curtains and flashing upon the
large looking-glass between them.

"There, my dear, sit down and make yourself comfortable," said Mrs.
Condiment, drawing up the rocking-chair.

Capitola threw herself into it, and looked around and around the room,
and then into the face of the old lady saying:

"But what about the trap-door? I see no trap-door."

"Ah, yes--look!" said Mrs. Condiment, lifting up the rug and revealing a
large drop, some four feet square, that was kept up in its place by a
short iron bolt.

"Now, my dear, take care of yourself, for this bolt slides very easily,
and if, while you happened to be walking across this place, you were to
push the bolt back, the trap-door would drop and you fall down--heaven
knows where!"

"Is there a cellar under there?" inquired Capitola, gazing with interest
upon the door.

"Lord knows, child; I don't. I did once make one of the nigger men let
it down so I could look in it; but, Lord, child, I saw nothing but a
great, black, deep vacuity, without bottom or sides. It put such a
horror over me that I have never looked down there since, and never want
to, I'm sure."

"Ugh! for goodness' sake what was the horrid thing made for?" ejaculated
Capitola, gazing as if fascinated by the trap.

"The Lord only knows, my dear; for it was made long before ever the
house came into the major's family. But they do say----" whispered Mrs.
Condiment, mysteriously.

"Ah! what do they say?" asked Capitola, eagerly, throwing off her bonnet
and shawl and settling herself to hear some thrilling explanation.

Mrs. Condiment slowly replaced the rug, drew another chair to the side
of the young girl and said:

"They do say it was--a trap for Indians!"

"A trap for Indians?"

"Yes, my dear. You must know that this room belongs to the oldest part
of the house. It was all built as far back as the old French and Indian
war; but this room belonged to the part that dates back to the first
settlement of the country."

"Then I shall like it better than any room in the house, for I dote on
old places with stories