were
put forth to reclaim these lands. When the famous Appian Way was
constructed through, them, they were partially drained. Afterwards
a canal was formed, which ran by the road-side; and of this canal
Horace speaks in the well-known account of his journey to Brundusium.
Julius Caesar intended, among other great works, to enter upon the
task of reclaiming them; but his death prevented it. Under various
successive emperors, the attempt was made, and continued, until at
last, in the reign of Trajan, nearly all the district was recovered.
Afterwards it fell to ruin, and the waters flowed in once more.
Then they remained neglected for ages, down to modern times. Various
popes attempted to restore them, but without success, until at last
Pope Pius VI. achieved the accomplishment of the mighty task in
the year 1788, ever since which time the district has been under
cultivation.

The road was a magnificent one, having been built on the foundations
of the ancient Appian Way. It was lined on each side with trees,
and was broad and well paved. It is considered one of the finest
in Europe. Along this they rolled, the blue sky above them, on the
right hand the mountains, on the left the sea. The air was damp
and chill; but at first they did not feel it particularly, though
Uncle Moses complained of "rheumatics," and took precautionary
measures against his insidious enemy by wrapping himself up warmly.
As they went on they saw crowds of peasants coming to work in the
fields. These peasants lived in the hill country on the right, and
had to walk a great distance to get to their place of labor,--for
to live on the marshes was impossible. Men, women, and even children
were there; and their pale, sickly faces and haggard looks showed
how deadly were the effects of the noxious exhalations from this
marshy soil.

At about midday they reached an inn, which stood about half way
over the marshes, by the road-side. David speculated much as to
whether this place might or might not be the Forum Appii mentioned
in the book of Acts as a stopping-place of St. Paul on his way to
Rome; but the others were too hungry to take any interest whatever
in the question. They remained here nearly two hours, got something
to eat, and then resumed their journey.

CHAPTER XXI.

_The Pontine Marshes.--A Change comes over the Party.--The foul
Exhalations.--The Sleep of Death.--Dreadful Accident.--Despair of
Frank.--A Break-down.--Ingenuity of the Dr