himself lay down in the carriage, and took a _siesta_. He
overslept himself. On awaking, he was horrified to find how much
time had passed, and at once proceeded to search for the horses.
But during his sleep they had both wandered off, and could not
be found until after a long search. When at length he was ready,
and had driven back, he found to his horror that they were not
there. Thinking that they were still among the ruins, he had gone
over the whole place, which took up still more time. At last he
saw that they must have left. He at once drove off. Knowing that
they were on foot, he expected every minute to catch sight of
them. He drove on for miles without seeing any trace of them,
and at length came to the conclusion that they had, perhaps,
found the carriage of some other visitors, and had obtained seats
in that. He knew that they must have gone, and could only account
in that way for their rapid progress.

This explanation of the driver was perfectly satisfactory to them
all, and their joy at getting the carriage again was so great that
they excused his unfortunate slumbers. The driver also, on his
part, had now forgotten all about his sulks, and was the same genial
and companionable soul as before. On learning about Bob's mishap,
he at once assured them that the donkey must have run along the
road, and that they would undoubtedly soon catch up with him. So
the whole party got into the carriage, the driver whipped up the
horses, and away they went towards Salerno.

Mile after mile was traversed.

Still there were no signs of Bob,

"Something's happened," said Clive.

"He's been carried to the mountains," said David.

"It's the brigands!" groaned Uncle Moses.

"O, it's all right," said Frank, confidently. "That donkey's a
regular race-horse. We'll find him at Salerno."

At length they reached Salerno. They drove up to the hotel.

No signs of Bob!

Hurrying in, they made inquiries, and found that he had not come.
This filled them all with the greatest concern; and the driver,
and the landlord, and all others who heard of it, asserted that
he must have been carried to the mountains. It was now dark.
Nothing more could be done; and so they could only resolve to
drive back on the following day, and make a more careful search
after the lost boy.

CHAPTER X.

_The captive Boy and his grisly Visitant.--The Hand on his
Head.--Denouement.--The Brigand Family.--The old Crone.--The Robber
Wife.--T