It must have been a pretty large building before its walls began to topple over with age and decay. Some parts that were yet standing were three stories high, and all was built of rudely shaped and roughly fitted stone. There was no mortar to be seen anywhere. If there had ever been any, it was all washed away.
"There must have been quite a town here once," said Murray, "up and down both banks of the run of water. It was a good place for one. It looks as if there was plenty of good land beyond, and there's a great bend in the line of the mountains."
"I wish I knew where it led to. I'd follow it."
"What for?"
"It might give me a chance to get away."
"It might, and then again it might not. There's a gap that seems to open off there to the west, but then it won't do."
"Why won't it do? Couldn't I try it?"
"Try it? Yes; but you won't. I must look out for you, Steve. You're more of a boy than I thought for."
"I'm man enough, Murray. I dare try anything."
"That's boy, Steve. Stop a minute. Have you any horse to carry you across country?"