he
had succeeded in procuring a vehicle of that kind which is universal
in this city, and he now reappeared to the delighted boys, coming
at a tearing pace towards them, seated in a Neapolitan caleche.

The Neapolitan caleche is a wonderful machine, quite unequalled
among wheeled vehicles. The wheels are far back, the shafts are
long, and horse draws it. But in the caleche it is a very common
thing for any quantity of people to pile themselves. There is a
seat for two, which is generally occupied by the most, worthy,
perhaps; but all around them cluster others,--behind them, before
them, and on each side of them,--clinging to the shafts, standing
on the axle, hanging on the springs. Indeed, I have heard of babies
being slung underneath, in baskets; but I don't believe that.

At any rate, Uncle Moses and his party all tumbled in triumphantly.
Two trunks were put in front, one behind, and one suspended
underneath. David and Clive sat behind, Frank and Uncle Moses on
the seat, while Bob sat on the trunk in front, with the driver.
The lazzaroni looked on with mournful faces, but still proffered
their services. In patient perseverance few people can equal them.

The driver saw at once the purpose of the Americans, though they
could not tell him what they wanted. So he drove them to a hotel
in the Strada Toledo, where he left them, after having been paid
by Uncle Moses the largest fare he had ever received in his life;
for Uncle Moses gave him about five dollars, and felt grateful to
him besides.

Their apartments were very nice rooms in the sixth story. The hotel
was a quadrangular edifice, with a spacious court-yard. Around this
court-yard ran galleries, opening into each story, and communicating
with one another by stairways, which were used by all the occupants
of the house.

From the gallery in the sixth story a door opened into their parlor.
On the left side of this was a snug bedroom, of which Uncle Moses
took possession; on the right side was another, which was appropriated
by David and Clive; while the third, which was on the other side,
and looked out into the street, was taken by Frank and Bob.

Thus the four boys paired off, and made themselves very comfortable..

That night they all went to bed early. Uncle Moses retired last.
All slept soundly, for they were very much fatigued.

But just before daybreak, and in the dim morning twilight, Frank
and Bob were suddenly roused by a most tremendous uproar in