Taking the handle of the axe in both hands, he used the head as a battering ram; but without any success.

He then called up the slightest of the three men, and told him to crawl in beside him and, with their united strength, they pounded the stone for some time.

Finding that nothing could be done this way, Stanley sent the man back again; and then, taking one of the three chisels and a small hatchet, he proceeded to mark a line along the bottom of the stone; and then, for ten minutes, worked away on it with the chisel and hammer.

Then he called up one of the others, and showed him what he was to do.

All day they worked by turns and, though progress was very slow, by nightfall the groove was half an inch deep.
Stanley and the strongest Burman then went in together and, lying on their backs again, tried the effect of the heavy axe; but still without success.