as they were walking ahead of
the van, they rounded a turn in the road, and came suddenly upon a view
stretching far across the plains of eastern Italy to where the blue
waters of the Adriatic lay sparkling in the sun. The landscape was
dotted with villages, and far away in the blue distance they could see
the spires and towers of a large coast town.

Beppo's spirits rose a little. "See," he said to Beppina, "we are
coming out of the mountains into a region where there are many towns.
Who knows? Perhaps we may find a chance to get away. It would be less
dangerous here than in the hills."

But again they were doomed to disappointment, for the next day it
rained, and Carlotta made them stay hidden in the van as it lumbered
slowly through the villages on the road to the sea. Though it was only
two days, it seemed at least a week that they lay in the straw,
listening to the rumble of the wheels and the patter of the rain on the
roof. There could be no fires, so their food was bread and cheese,
which Carlotta bought in the towns.

At last, early on the third morning, they heard from their prison a new
sound, and, peering cautiously over Luigi's shoulder, saw that at last
they had reached the sea. They could hear the slapping of waves against
the piles of a dock, and could catch glimpses of green water. Men with
trucks were hurrying by, loading fruit and vegetables upon a large boat
which was tied to the pier. There was so much noise about them that the
children could talk together in low tones without being overheard.

"I know where we are," said Beppo. "I tell you, I'm glad I studied
geography! The sun is breaking through the clouds over the water, and
it's early morning, so that's the east, of course. We heard Carlotta
say they were going to take us to Venice, so this must be a coast town
on the Adriatic. It isn't Ravenna, because Ravenna is back from the sea
a few miles. The only other big port along here is Rimini, and I'll bet
that's just where we are."

"Oh, Beppo, what a wonderful boy you are, to think that all out
yourself!" said Beppina. "You're such a wonderful thinker! Why can't
you think of away to escape?"

"I do think, all the time," answered poor Beppo, "but Carlotta is just
like a cat at a mouse-hole. Her eyes never leave us, and if we should
try to run, she would pounce--"

"Hush!" whispered Beppina, "there she is." There, indeed, she was,
smiling craftily at them from the end of