with people,
and a kind of carriage called a _calash_, which consisted of a sort of
chaise, with an extended frame for people to stand upon all around it.
The first class passengers in these calashes had seats in the chaise
itself. The others stood up all around, and clung on as best they could
to the back of the seat before them.

Our party met a great many of these calashes coming into town, and
bringing in loads of country people.

"It is astonishing," said Rollo, "that one horse can draw so many
people."

"It is because the road is so level and smooth," said Mr. George. "The
wheels run almost as easy upon it as they would upon a railroad."

[Illustration: CALASH COMING INTO NAPLES.]

After going on in this manner for about an hour,--all the time gently
ascending, and passing through what seemed to be a continued succession
of villages and towns,--the carriage stopped before the door of a kind
of inn in the midst of a crowded street. The moment that the carriage
stopped, it seemed to be surrounded by a crowd of ostlers, donkeys and
donkey drivers, ragged boys and beggars; and such a clamor arose from
the crowd as was quite appalling to hear, the more so as nothing could
be understood of what was said, since it was all in Italian.

"What is here?" said Mr. George to Philippe, when he saw that Philippe
was getting down from the box.

"This is Herculaneum," said Philippe, quietly.

"Herculaneum!" repeated Rosie, amazed. "Why, I thought Herculaneum was
all under ground."

"Yes," said Mr. George, "it is. He means that this is where we go down."

By this time Philippe had opened the carriage door. Mr. George got out,
and then helped Mrs. Gray to descend. A half a dozen beggars, some lame,
some blind, some old and paralytic, hovered about the steps, and held
out tattered hats to Mrs. Gray, moaning all the time in piteous tones,
and begging for alms. Mrs. Gray and Mr. George paid no attention to
them, but passed directly on, followed by the children, through a door
in a high wall, which led into a little court, and thence they passed
into a sort of entrance hall, leading into a building. Philippe, who
had preceded them, opened a closet, and took out some small candles. He
lighted these candles by means of a lamp hanging against the wall, and
gave one to each of the party. There was an open door near, with a broad
flight of stone steps leading down, like stairs going down cellar. As
soon as the candles were all l