distance was traversed quickly and pleasantly; and then, leaving
the boat, they walked up into the town towards the hotel, to see
about getting a conveyance to Castellamare.

As they approached the hotel they became aware of a great and
unusual crowd in front of it. The crowd reminded David very
forcibly of that one which had been raging there a few days
before, and excited some trepidation in his breast. Involuntarily
he hung back.

"What's the matter?" asked Ludlow.

"The mob," said David; "do--do you think it's safe to venture among
them?"

"Safe? Pooh! why not?"

"They appear to be excited. Hark! how they shout."

"O, nonsense! These Italians are always shouting."

But David still hesitated, and finally told Ludlow about the trouble
with the tassel, and the old woman, and the mob, and their escape.

At this story Ludlow laughed heartily, and then proceeded to reassure
David.

"Don't be alarmed," said he; "they won't remember you. If they did,
I've got something that'll make them keep at a respectful distance;"
and he touched his breast significantly. "A six-shooter, David, my
boy, is a very convenient thing to carry about one in this country,
and it is surprising how the native mind respects it. So come
along, and we--that is, I and my six-shooter'll--take care of you.
Don't be uneasy. They've got something else on their minds now."

With these words Ludlow walked on, and David followed, full of
fear.

The crowd in front of the hotel was in a great state of rage and
excitement. Some were banging at the door, others pounding against
the window shutters, which had been closed by the terrified
landlord; others were standing at a distance, and trying to find
stones to throw. Fortunately there were no loose stones of any
size, few being larger than a pebble, and therefore, as yet, no
very great damage had been done. But the crowd was evidently
capable of any amount of mischief. Every one was howling, and
yelling; and in the midst of them was an old woman, whose shouts
and shrill cries made her conspicuous in the scene. She was
encouraging and stimulating a number of men who were carrying a
beam to the house, which they evidently purposed to use as a
battering-ram, so as to burst open the door.

The moment that David caught sight of this woman he shuddered, and
falling behind Ludlow, caught at his hand, and tried to pull him
back. Ludlow turned in surprise.

"It's the same woman," said David, in an agi