e whole place. Besides,
if we do hand this bandit over to the _po_lice, do you think it's
goin to end there? No, sir. Not it. If this man's arrested, we'll
be arrested too. We'll have to be witnesses agin him. An that's
what I don't want to do, if I can help it. My idee an aim allus is
to keep clear of the lawyers; I'd rather be imposed on; I'd rather
pay out money unjustly, be cheated, humbugged, and do any thin,
than put myself in the power of lawyers. Depend upon it, they're
as bad here as they air home. They'd have us all in jail, as
witnesses. Now, I don't want to go to jail."

The words of Uncle Moses produced a strong impression upon
the boys. Even Frank saw that handing the man over to the
authorities would involve some trouble, at least, on their
part. He hated what he called "bother." Besides, he had no
vengeful feelings against the Italian, nor had Bob. As for
David and Clive, they were the only ones who had been really
wronged by the fellow; but they were the last in the world to
harbor resentment or think of revenge. Their victory had also
made them merciful. So the end of it was, that they did
according to Uncle Moses' suggestion, and untied the bonds.

Number Six was evidently amazed. He rose to his feet, looked warily
at the party, as though expecting some new attack, then looked all
around, and then, with a bound, he sprang away, and running towards
the road, soon disappeared. The rest did not delay much longer,
but returned as soon as possible to the inn, where they found their
dinner ready. This they ate, and then drove back to Naples.

The opportune arrival of Frank and Bob was soon explained. They
had been riding on donkeys, and had seen the crowd around David
and Clive, and the struggle. Fearing some danger for their companions,
they had hastened to the spot, and reached it in time to be of
service. The adventure might have been most serious to David and
Clive; but as it happened, the results were of no very grave
character. They felt a little sore; that is all. Bob, also had a
bad bruise on his left arm; but on the whole, very little harm had
been done, nor did the boys regret afterwards that they had let
the scoundrel go free.

As for their guide, Michael Angelo, he had been busy in another
direction, during this adventure, and when he heard of it, he was
very anxious to have them arrested; but Uncle Moses, for reasons
already stated, declined to do anything.

CHAPTER III.

_Out i