A DAY IN A QUARRY. 81 



going with you to-day ? I've nothing particular 

 on hand." 



" Oh, I should be very glad of your company ; 

 but do you care to undertake a tramp of a dozen 

 or fifteen miles this warm clay ? " 



" I shouldn't think very much of that ; you know 

 I get some good walks on Sunday in our circuit." 



"True," I answered; "you local preachers have 

 the advantage of us ministers in that respect." 



" And yet some of us think we should do a little 

 better if we could get into the town pulpits 

 rather offcener," said he, laughingly. " But I will 

 just run in and tell them I am going with you." 



" And, I say, just try to find a pair of boots with 

 some soles on them, will you ? A few sandwiches 

 too would be useful. I have some business to do 

 at the post-office, so I will meet you there." 



Baxter soon joined me, and we started off on 

 the road that led out of the town. 



" Where are you making for ? " he asked. 



" What a question to ask a geologist ! " said I ; "it 

 would be impossible for me to tell you, my dear 

 fellow." 



" Why, do geologists never know where they are 

 going to ? Perhaps that accounts for some of the 

 curious conclusions they arrive at," said he, with a 

 significant smile. 



"Which remark is an allegory, I suppose," replied 

 I. " You know a geologist has to follow landmarks 

 when in the field, and if he is good for anything, 

 he will endeavour to do the same when he is drawing 

 conclusions from his facts and observations." 



6 



