alice, and Bob
coincided with this view. David, on the other hand, believed that
he had merely driven away to find refreshment, and would return,
and Clive sided with him. But, as mile after mile was traversed,
and still no signs of the driver appeared, David's theory grew
weak, and Frank's grew strong. As for Uncle Moses, he said nothing,
his feeling being chiefly one of intense anxiety to get the boys
home before meeting with brigands. The awful images of Italian
banditti, which Frank's words had called up in his mind, were not
to be easily got rid of.

They walked on for about two hours, and by that time had succeeded
in putting some seven or eight miles between themselves and Paestum.
The road now became wider, and quite free from grass, giving every
indication of being a well-trodden thoroughfare, and exciting the
hope that they would find some wine cart at least, or other mode
of conveyance, by means of which they could complete their journey
to Salerno.

Suddenly, on making a turn in the road, they saw before them some
moving objects, the sight of which elicited a shout of joy from Bob.

"Donkeys! Donkeys!" he cried. "Hurrah, boys!"

"Why, what good are they?" said David.

"Good?" cried Bob; "every good in the world. We can hire them, or
buy them, and ride back to Salerno."

"That's a capital idea," cried Frank, in great delight. "I hoped
to find wine carts, or ox carts; but donkeys are infinitely better."

Hurrying forward, they soon overtook the donkeys. There were six
or eight of them, guided by an old man and a boy. Frank instantly
accosted them. Of course he could not speak Italian, but by means
of signs he succeeded in conveying to the old man's mind the
requisite idea. On this occasion he felt most strongly the benefit
which he had received from his intercourse with Paolo. Frank
thus pointed to his feet, and then backward, and then forward,
and then pointing to the donkey nearest, he made a motion to
mount, after which he showed the old man some money, and tapping
it, and pointing to the donkey, he looked inquiringly at him, as
if to ask, "How much?"

The old man made some signs which seemed to Frank to be a question,
"How far?" so he roared out, in stentorian tones, "Salerno."

Upon this the old man stood for a little while in silent thought.
Then he looked at Frank, and then, pointing with one hand at Frank's
money, with the other he touched the donkey which seemed to say
that he would let t