The heat was intense, and Leonard, to cool himself, sat down in the thick grass--for, though the crops were ready for the scythe, no mowers could be found--and, gazing upwards, strove to mount in spirit from the tainted earth towards heaven.

After a while he arose, and proceeded towards the plague-pit.

The grass was trampled down near it, and there were marks of frequent cart-wheels upon the sod.

Great heaps of soil, thrown out of the excavation, lay on either side.

Holding a handkerchief steeped in vinegar to his face, Leonard ventured to the brink of the pit.