"Now we have only to look at the stones which still remain of the wall which Solomon built round the Temple platform, to see that the stones he used were so enormous, that they could not have been brought from any great distance. In order to move them at all, the labour must have been immense, and it has always been a mystery how such huge blocks could be hewn from any rock within a short distance of the building, so that they could be easily moved to it, and yet be so far away that no sound of axe or hammer should be heard in the Temple itself."
"I see," said Sir William; "and the discovery of this quarry explains the mystery, for the stones could be hewn and finished underground, and then brought to the surface, and put at once in their proper positions. How very interesting!"
"But we have a still stronger reason," said Mr. Stanley, "for feeling sure that this is Solomon's Quarry, for there is no other place, in the whole country round, which shows signs of having been used as a quarry, from which stone could have been taken for any large building; and the stone in these underground quarries is, moreover, the very same kind of stone as we find in the Temple buildings."
"How very, very interesting!" said Sir William. "When can we go there?"
"I have arranged with my friend to meet us at the Damascus Gate to-morrow morning, if that will suit you," he added, turning to Evelyn.
We had no engagement for the next day, so it was settled that Mr. Stanley should call for us at eleven o'clock.
But when the morning came, poor Evelyn was not well enough to go. She had a slight attack of the ague fever, which is so common in Jerusalem, and the doctor advised her to keep quiet for a day or two, lest she should have it more severely. I wanted to stay with her, but she would not hear of it, and insisted on my leaving her in Clemence's care.
"If you don't go, May," she said, "I shall never hear anything about it. Papa never can describe places; now don't be unkind and disobedient, but put on your hat and get ready." So, rather against my will, I set forth with the others.
The gentleman who was our guide was most kind in explaining everything to us, and in giving us most varied and interesting information.
"How were these quarries discovered?" Sir William asked.