e docks and the shipping, and
then through the series of towns and villages which line the shore of
the bay, at the foot of the slopes of Vesuvius. After passing in this
manner through one continued street for five or six miles, the road came
out more into the open country, where fine views were had of the
mountain on one side, and of the bay on the other. The mountain sides
were generally extremely fertile, being covered with vineyards and
groves, though here and there were to be seen the streams of lava which
had come down within a few hundred years, and which had not yet become
disintegrated and converted into soil. These streams of lava looked like
torrents of brown water suddenly turned into stone, as they came
streaming down the mountain side.

In one place, one of these streams of lava passed under a town. That is
to say, such was the appearance. The fact was, really, that the lava had
destroyed the part of the town that came in its way, and the people had
built up their houses again on the top of it. The lava was cut down a
little in making the road, so that you could see at the road side a
portion of the stream, with the houses upon it.

After riding on in this way two or three hours, the carriage stopped at
a very pleasant place, among vineyards and mulberry groves, at the
entrance of a pretty lane, which led to the gates of Pompeii.

"Now," said Rosie, "our difficulties are going to begin. I don't see how
we are going to know where to look for Mr. George."

"We will see," said Mrs. Gray.

The coachman opened the door, and all the party got out. Just then they
saw at a short distance before them, where there was a sort of gate,
several men in a species of uniform, which denoted that they were the
persons appointed by the government to take charge of the place, and to
show it to visitors. One of these men, as soon as he saw the party,
seemed to look very much pleased, and he advanced to meet them with a
smiling face. At the same time he said something to a boy who was near
by, and the boy ran off into the town. The young man in uniform, when he
came near to Mrs. Gray, said something which at first she could not
understand, but which she soon perceived was an attempt to pronounce the
words, _Il Signore Holiday_.

"Ah! he has seen Mr. George," said Mrs. Gray. "Mr. George has been here,
and has told him to watch for us."

This supposition on the part of Mrs. Gray was correct. Mr. George had
come early with