I will," said Rollo.

CHAPTER VI.

GOING UP.

Rollo slept in the same room with Mr. George. He got up as soon as it
was light, dressed himself in a hurried manner, and went out. In about
ten minutes he returned.

"Well, Rollo," said Mr. George, "what is the report?"

"The smoke is not going either way," said Rollo. "It mounts
right straight up into the air; but Philippe says he thinks it is going
to be a fine day, and he has ordered breakfast. So I think you had
better get up."

At seven o'clock precisely the whole party were assembled in the dining
room for breakfast. They ate their breakfast together at the end of one
of the long tables. There were already two other parties in the room.
There was one consisting of two gentlemen that were going to Vesuvius.
There was another larger party that were about setting out for Rome.
Their carriage was at the door, and the vetturino and his men were at
work putting on the trunks and baggage.

At eight o'clock precisely, the carriage for Mr. George's party came to
the door. All were ready, and they all immediately got in. Philippe put
in a basket containing provisions. Mrs. Gray had a small book, formed
with leaves of blotting paper, to press the flowers in, which she meant
to gather around the Hermitage while the rest of the party were gone up
the mountain. Mr. George took his knapsack, though there seemed to be
nothing in it.

"What are you carrying up an empty knapsack for, uncle George?" asked
Rollo.

"To bring down specimens in," said Mr. George.

"Ah," said Rollo, "I wish I had thought to take mine."

"I'll let you have part of mine," said Mr. George. "It is big enough to
hold the specimens for all of us."

Philippe, when he found that the company were well seated in the
carriage, shut the door, mounted the box with the coachman, and gave the
order to drive on.

The carriage was entirely open, and the party, as they drove along,
enjoyed an uninterrupted view of every thing around them. They passed
through one or two beautiful public squares, with palaces and churches
on either hand, and lines of troops parading before them. Then they came
to a long and exceedingly busy street, with the port and the shipping on
one side, and stores, shops, hotels, and establishments of every kind,
on the other. The street was crowded with people going to and fro, some
on foot and some in carriages. A great many persons were carrying
burdens on their heads. Some had