ery side, the islands
that rose from oat the waters, the glorious bay, the gloomy form
of Vesuvius, with its smoke clouds overhanging, all united to form
a scene which called forth the most unbounded admiration. Besides
all these general features there were others of a more special
character, as from time to time they came to some recess in the
shore; and the road running in brought them to some little hamlet,
which, nestling here, seemed the abode of peace, and innocence,
and happiness. Through such variations of scenery they passed, and
at length arrived at Sorrento.

This little town is most beautifully situated near the month of
the Bay of Naples, and around it arise high, encircling hills
which protect it from the cold blasts of winter and the hot winds
of summer. Sorrento has a perfect climate, All the seasons are
blended together here, and in the orange groves, that surround
the town, there may be seen at the same time the strange spectacle
of trees in blossom side by side with trees that are loaded with
fruit fully ripe.

It was evening when they arrived, and they had not much time to
spare; so they at once procured a guide from the hotel, and set
forth to see what they could before dark. First, the guide took
them to a deep chasm, which was so wild and abrupt, so deep and
gloomy, that it looked like the work of a recent earthquake. Not
far from this were some ancient reservoirs, the work of the times
of imperial Rome. The arches were yet perfect, and over the reservoir
was a garden of orange trees. Not far distant was a ruined temple,
in the enclosure of which was a myrtle plant, five hundred years
old, and so large that it formed a respectable tree.

After showing them these things and several others, the guide took
them to the sea-shore, to a place which goes by the name of the
Cave of Polyphemus. This is a large cavern in the cliff, in front
of which is a huge fragment of rock. Here the boys recalled the
story of Ulysses; and David volunteered to give it in full to Uncle
Moses. So David told how Ulysses ventured to this place with his
companions; how the one-eyed Cyclops caught them; how he imprisoned
them in the cabin, shutting up its mouth by means of a huge rock,
which David thought might have been that very fragment that now
lay on the shore before their eyes; how the monster began to devour
them; how Ulysses devised a plan of escape, and succeeded in putting
out the eye of the monster; how he then