would have secured some
mules or donkeys to convey the clothes to the beach. They had, however,
undertaken to carry the bags themselves, and were resolved heroically to
persevere. They set off on their ramble, Tom and Gerald, and the other
youngsters, skylarking as usual. They expected to fall in with some
venda, or wine-shop, where they could obtain the refreshment they should
require before returning, and Dick Needham was sent back with an order
for the boat to come for them at the appointed hour. After rambling to
a considerable distance, they began to feel hungry, but in vain they
searched for a venda. Fortunately at this juncture they fell in with an
Englishman on horseback, to whom they made their wants known.

"Come along with me," he answered; "I will show you a place where you
can get some food."

Turning to the right, he led them through a gateway, along a walk
bordered by orange-trees, myrtles, geraniums, ever-blossoming
rose-trees, and numberless other plants and flowers, up to a
bungalow-style of building, from the verandah of which a fine view could
be enjoyed over the bay, with the town in the distance, and the hills on
either side.

"This looks like a regular first-class boarding-house; we shall have to
pay handsomely," whispered Tom to Gerald; "but never mind, we shall
enjoy ourselves, and I am terribly sharp-set!"

"Make yourselves at home, gentlemen," said their guide; "supper will
soon be on the table."

"Let's have it as soon as possible, that's all, and pray tell the
landlord that we shall be perfectly content if we can have a few cold
fowls and a ham, or eggs and bacon, and bread and cheese, and some
bottles of country wine--we are in no ways particular!" exclaimed
Higson, throwing himself on a garden-seat and producing his cigar-case.
"Will any of you fellows have a smoke?"

When the case was opened but one cigar remained. Their guide observed
it.

"Never mind, I dare say I can find some in the house," he said, and soon
returned with a box full. He offered it round.

"What do they cost?" asked Gerald, who indulged in a smoke sometimes,
when out of Adair's sight, though his slender purse forbade cigars.

"Never mind," was the answer; "it shall be put down in the bill."

The midshipman took a cigar, when a black servant appearing with a dish
of charcoal embers, it was lighted and pronounced excellent. Shortly
afterwards several ladies came out of the house and entered into
con