The roads were muddy, but the uplands and the winding sheep-paths across them had dried out under the caressing rays of the Spring sun and, with the budding things of so many delicate shades of green, the groves and pastures-all nature, indeed-were garbed in loveliness. The group of girls had toiled up the ascent to an overhanging rock on the summit of a long ridge. Below-in view from this spot for some rods-wound the brown ribbon of road which they had been following until the upland paths invited their feet to firmer tread.