At such times several of the boys would jump out, and after investigating the conditions perhaps throw a mass of stones and pieces of wood in, to make what Hugh called a sort of a "corduroy road" across the swampy section of ground.
It was all very interesting in the bargain, and, for the time being, the boys even forgot the fact that they were exceedingly tired.
Then they seemed to be gradually ascending a grade, where the road turned out to be somewhat better.
"I imagine we're getting close to the quarry now, fellows," Hugh informed them; "if what I was told is true.

It will lie over here on the right; and only for the dense growth of trees with their foliage still hanging on, we might see the cliff forming the background of the quarry right now." Julius and Horatio looked around them with increasing interest, and perhaps a slight flutter of unusual vigor in the region of their hearts.

It was about as gloomy a scene as any of them had ever gazed upon.

Years had elapsed since work in the stone quarry had been abandoned, and Nature, as usual, had done her best to hide the cruel gashes made in her breast by man; the trees had grown and spread, while bushes and weeds extended their sway so as to almost choke everything around.

The distant cawing of the crows sounded more gruesome than ever amidst such surroundings; but there was no sign of bird-life to be seen.