rmless runaway pig.

As they walked back to the hotel, they kept far in the rear of the
citizens of Albano; and Uncle Moses began to "improve" the occasion,
and moralized in a solemn strain.

"Wal," said he, "my dear boys, I must say that you hev one and all
the greatest talent for gittin' yourselves into trouble that I ever
see. Ever sence we landed on these ill-fated shores you've ben
a-goin' it, and a drivin' of me wild with anxiety; and the only
thing I can say is, that thus far your misadventoors hain't turned
out so bad as I have feared in each individdool case. In fact thar's
allus ben what they call a anticlimax; that is, jest at the moment
when thar'd ought to be a te-rific di-saster, thar's ben nothin'
but some trivial or laugherble tummination. Now, I'm free to confess,
boys, that thus far my fears hev ben gerroundless. I'm free to
say that thus far thar hain't ben what we can conscuentionsly call
a accident. But what of that? The incidents hev all ben thar. Every
individdool thing that can make a accident has ben thar--it's ony
the conclusion that has somehow broke down. And now I ask you,
boys, what air we goin' to do about it? Is this to go on forever?
Is it perrobable that advuss circumstances air goin' to allus
eventooate thus? I don't believe it. The pitcher that goes often
to the fountain is broke at last, and depend upon it, if you go
for to carry on this way, and thrust yourselves in every danger
that comes in your way--somethin'll happen--mind I tell you."

This, and much more of the same sort, did Uncle Moses say; but to
all of it the boys paid very little attention. In fact, the subject
was to all of them so painful a one, that they could not bear to
have it brought forward even as the text of a sermon. They only
wanted to forget all about it as soon as possible, and let it sink
into complete oblivion.

On reaching the hotel they found that it was quite late; but they
were eager to go on. Albano, the historic, had lost all its charms
for them. They did not wish to remain, a moment longer. They could
not hope now to see Rome to advantage, for the daylight would be
over long before they could enter the city; still they were determined
to go on to Rome, even if they had to enter it after dark.
Accordingly, the carriage was made ready as soon as possible; Clive
and David procured some fragments of food, which they took into
the carriage with them, to devour on their way; and thus they left
Alban