happiness.
The simple people seemed to comprehend him, for they were by no
means dull, and gesticulated in return many things which seemed
to convey the same meaning; and when at last Bob rode away, the
humble inhabitants watched him until he passed out of sight.

CHAPTER XI.

_The Return.--The tender Adieus.--Back to Salerno.--On to
Castellamare.--A pleasant Scene.--An unpleasant Discovery.--David
among the Missing.--Woes of Uncle Moses.--Deliberations over the
Situation.--Various Theories.--The Vengeance of the Enemy.--Back
to Sorrento in Search of the lost One._

Returning to the main road with his guide, Bob traversed the same
way by which his donkey had carried him on the preceding day.
His progress now was very different. It would not do to dash
furiously down the narrow and steep mountain pathway; so they
had to go at a slow pace, until they reached the plain. Bob's
animal also had changed. He was no longer the fiery, wild ass of
the day before, which had borne him helplessly away from his
friends, but a tractable animal, with sufficient spirit, it is
true, yet with all the signs of subordination and obedience. He
obeyed the slightest touch of the bridle, and moved along after
the rider in front of him, as quietly as though he was the most
patient and gentle of the donkey tribe.

In two or three hours' time they reached the main road, and turning
to the right, rode towards Salerno. Thus far Bob had not noticed
much of his surroundings, but now his eyes gazed most eagerly upon
the road ahead of him, for he expected to meet his friends. He
rightly supposed that they would have driven to Salerno on the
preceding day, hoping to find him there, and that they would drive
back in search of him at the earliest dawn of another day.

Bob's conjecture turned out to be rights He had not ridden more
than a mile when he saw a carriage approaching, which he soon
recognized as belonging to his party. In it were his friends, who
had recognized him as soon as they had caught sight of him, and
whose joy at meeting with him again, and amazement at the sight of
his companion, knew no bounds. The carriage stopped, and the boys
flung themselves out, and tore Bob from the back of the donkey,
and hugged him, and hustled him, and danced about him in their joy.
Uncle Moses was not so quick as the others, and held back. Bat if
his greeting was last, it was not least fervent, as Bob well knew
by the moistened eye, the quiver