THE DODGE CLUB, OR, ITALY IN MDCCCLIX. by James De Mille Author of "Cord and Creese; or, the Brandon Mystery, " etc. , etc With One Hundred Illustrations New York:Harper & Brothers Publishers, Franklin Square1872. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PARIS. --THE DODGE CLUB. --HOW TO SPEAK FRENCH. --HOW TO RAISE A CROWD. ILLUSTRATIONS. Dick!--Here I Invite My Friends. --The Club. --The PlaceVendôme. --Keep It Buttons! CHAPTER II. ORLEANS. --HOW TO QUELL A LANDLORD. --HOW TO FIGHT OFF HUMBUGS; AND HOWTO TRAVEL WITHOUT BAGGAGE. ILLUSTRATIONS. That's A Hotel Bill. --Cicero Against Verres. --Sac-r-r-r-ré. CHAPTER III. THE RHONE IN A RAIN. --THE MAD FRENCHMAN. --SUICIDE A CAPITALCRIME IN FRANCE. ILLUSTRATIONS. Number 729. --Horror! Despair! CHAPTER IV. MARSEILLES. CHAPTER V. THE RETIRED ORGAN-GRINDER. --THE SENATOR PHILOSOPHIZES. --EVILS OF NOTHAVING A PASSPORT. ILLUSTRATIONS. Those Italians. --Genoa, The Superb. CHAPTER VI. LAZARONI AND MACARONI. ILLUSTRATIONS. Their Noble Excellencies. --Lazaroni And Macaroni. CHAPTER VII. DOLORES. --AN ITALIAN MAID LEARNS ENGLISH. --A ROMANTIC ADVENTURE. --AMASQUERADE, AND WHAT BEFELL THE SENATOR. --A CHARMING DOMINO. --AMOONLIGHT WALK, AND AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY. ILLUSTRATIONS. Yankee Doodle. --I Kiss Hands. --The Young Hussar. --APerplexed Senator. --Exit Senator. CHAPTER VIII. ADVENTURES AND MISADVENTURES. --A WET GROTTO AND A BOILING LAKE. --THETWO FAIR SPANIARDS, AND THE DONKEY RIDE. ILLUSTRATIONS. Darn it!--Don't. --Thump!--A Trying Moment. --SenatorAnd Donkey. CHAPTER IX. A DRIVE INTO THE COUNTRY. --A FIGHT WITH A VETTURINO. --THE EFFECT OFEATING "HARD BOILED EGGS. "--WHAT THEY SAW AT PAESTUM. --FIVE TEMPLESAND ONE "MILL. " ILLUSTRATIONS. Do You See That?--The Mill At Paestum. CHAPTER X. ON THE WATER, WHERE BUTTONS SEES A LOST IDEA AND GIVES CHASE TO IT, TOGETHER WITH THE HEART-SICKENING RESULTS THEREOF. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Spaniards. --A Thousand Pardons! CHAPTER XI. THE SENATOR HAS SUCH A FANCY FOR SEEKING USEFUL INFORMATION!--CURIOUSPOSITION OF A WISE, AND WELL-KNOWN, AND DESERVEDLY-POPULAR LEGISLATOR, AND UNDIGNIFIED MODE OF HIS ESCAPE. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Senator. CHAPTER XII. HERCULANEUM AND POMPEII, AND ALL THAT THE SIGHT OF THOSE FAMOUS PLACESPRODUCED ON THE MINDS OF THE DODGE CLUB. ILLUSTRATIONS. Villa Of Diomedes. --Phew!--A Street In Pompeii. CHAPTER XIII. VESUVIUS. --WONDERFUL ASCENT OF THE CONE. --WONDERFUL DESCENT INTO THECRATER. --AND MOST WONDERFUL DISAPPEARANCE OF MR. FIGGS, AFTER WHOMALL HIS FRIENDS GO, WITH THEIR LIVES IN THEIR HANDS. --GREAT SENSATIONAMONG SPECTATORS. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Ascent Of Vesuvius. --The Descent Of Vesuvius. -Where's Figgs?--Mr Figgs. --The Ladies. CHAPTER XIV. MAGNIFICENT ATTITUDE OF THE SENATOR; BRILLIANCY OF BUTTONS; AND PLUCKOF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CLUB: BY ALL OF WHICH THE GREATEST EFFECTSARE PRODUCED. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Bandits Captured. --Sold. CHAPTER XV. DOLORES ONCE MORE. --A PLEASANT CONVERSATION. --BUTTONS LEARNS MORE OFHIS YOUNG FRIEND. --AFFECTING FAREWELL. ILLUSTRATIONS. Two Piastres!--The Brave Soldier. CHAPTER XVI. DICK RELATES A FAMILY LEGEND. ILLUSTRATIONS. Buying A Whale. --The Long-Lost Son. CHAPTER XVII. NIGHT ON THE ROAD. --THE CLUB ASLEEP. --THEY ENTER ROME. --THOUGHTS ONAPPROACHING AND ENTERING "THE ETERNAL CITY. " ILLUSTRATIONS. To Rome. CHAPTER XVIII. A LETTER BY DICK, AND CRITICISMS OF HIS FRIENDS. CHAPTER XIX. ST. PETER'S!--THE TRAGIC STORY OF THE FAT MAN IN THE BALL. --HOWANOTHER TRAGEDY NEARLY HAPPENED. --THE WOES OF MEINHERR SCHATT. ILLUSTRATIONS. Gracious Me! CHAPTER XX. THE GLORY, GRANDEUR, BEAUTY, AND INFINITE VARIETY OF THE PINCIANHILL; NARRATED AND DETAILED NOT COLUMNARILY BUT EXHAUSTIVELY, AND AFTER THE MANNER OF RABELAIS. CHAPTER XXI. HARMONY ON THE PINCIAN HILL. --MUSIC HATH CHARMS. --AMERICAN MELODIES. --THE GLORY, THE POWER, AND THE BEAUTY OF YANKEE DOODLE, AND THEMERCENARY SOUL OF AN ITALIAN ORGAN-GRINDER. ILLUSTRATIONS. Old Virginny. CHAPTER XXII. HOW A BARGAIN IS MADE. --THE WILES OF THE ITALIAN TRADESMAN. --THE NAKEDSULKY BEGGAR, AND THE JOVIAL WELL-CLAD BEGGAR. --WHO IS THE KING OFBEGGARS? ILLUSTRATIONS. The Shrug. CHAPTER XXIII. THE MANIFOLD LIFE OF THE CAFÉ NUOVO, AND HOW THEY RECEIVED THE NEWSABOUT MAGENTA. --EXCITEMENT. --ENTHUSIASM. --TEARS. --EMBRACES. ILLUSTRATIONS. News Of Magenta! CHAPTER XXIV. CHECKMATE! ILLUSTRATIONS. Before And After. CHAPTER XXV. BUTTONS A MAN OF ONE IDEA. --DICK AND HIS MEASURING TAPE. --DARK EYES. --SUSCEPTIBLE HEART. --YOUNG MAIDEN WHO LIVES OUT OF TOWN. --GRANDCOLLISION OF TWO ABSTRACTED LOVERS IN THE PUBLIC STREETS. ILLUSTRATIONS. Away!--Pepita. CHAPTER XXVI. CONSEQUENCES OF BEING GALLANT IN ITALY, WHERE THERE ARE LOVERS, HUSBANDS, BROTHERS, FATHERS, COUSINS, AND INNUMERABLE OTHER RELATIVESAND CONNECTIONS, ALL READY WITH THE STILETTO. ILLUSTRATIONS. An Interruption. CHAPTER XXVII. DICK ON THE SICK LIST. --RAPTURE OF BUTTONS AT MAKING AN IMPORTANTDISCOVERY. ILLUSTRATIONS. Poor Dick! CHAPTER XXVIII. WHAT KIND OF A LETTER THE SENATOR WROTE FOR THE "NEW ENGLAND PATRIOT, "WHICH SHOWS A TRITE, LIBERAL, UNBIASED, PLAIN, UNVARNISHED VIEW OFROME. ILLUSTRATIONS. Sketches By A Friend. CHAPTER XXIX. THE LONELY ONE AND HIS COMFORTER. --THE TRUE MEDICINE FOR A SICK MAN. CHAPTER XXX. OCCUPATIONS AND PEREGRINATIONS OF BUTTONS. ILLUSTRATIONS. Buttons and Murray. CHAPTER XXXI. BUTTONS ACTS THE GOOD SAMARITAN, AND LITERALLY UNEARTHS A MOSTUNEXPECTED VICTIM OF AN ATROCIOUS ROBBERY. --GR-R-R-A-CIOUS ME! CHAPTER XXXII. ANOTHER DISCOVERY MADE BY BUTTONS. CHAPTER XXXIII. [Transcriber's Note: Transliteration of Greek. ] Brekekek koax koaxkoax. [TN: /end Greek. ] ILLUSTRATIONS. Brekekekek koax koax! CHAPTER XXXIV. THE SENATOR PURSUES HIS INVESTIGATIONS. --AN INTELLIGENT ROMANTOUCHES A CHORD IN THE SENATOR'S HEART THAT VIBRATES. --RESULTS OFTHE VIBRATION. --A VISIT FROM THE ROMAN POLICE; AND THE GREAT RACEDOWN THE CORSO BETWEEN THE SENATOR AND A ROMAN SPY. --GLEE OF THEPOPULACE!--HI! HI! ILLUSTRATIONS. Got You There!--Walking Spanish. CHAPTER XXXV. DICK MAKES ANOTHER EFFORT, AND BEGINS TO FEEL ENCOURAGED. ILLUSTRATIONS. Dick Thinks It Over. The Senator In A Bad Fix. --TheSenator In A Worse Fix. CHAPTER XXXVII. _ROME_. --_ANCIENT HISTORY_. --THE PREHISTORIC ERA. --CRITICALEXAMINATION OF NIEBUHR AND HIS SCHOOL. --THE EARLY HISTORY OF ROMEPLACED ON A RIGHT BASIS. --EXPLANATION OF HISTORY OF REPUBLIC. --NAPOLEON'S "CAESAR. "--THE IMPERIAL REGIME. --THE NORTHERNBARBARIANS. --RISE OF THE PAPACY. --MEDIAEVAL ROME. _TOPOGRAPHY_. --TRUE ADJUSTMENT OF BOUNDS OF ANCIENT CITY. --ITSPROBABLE POPULATION. --_GEOLOGY_. --EXAMINATION OF FORMATION. --TUFATRAVERTINE. --ROMAN CEMENT. --TERRA-COTTA. _SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OFROMAN CATACOMBS_. --BOSIO. --ARRINGHI. --CARDINAL WISEMAN. --RECENTEXPLORATIONS, INVESTIGATIONS, EXAMINATIONS, EXHUMATIONS, ANDRESUSCITATIONS. --EARLY CHRISTIAN HISTORY SET ON A TRUE BASIS. --RELICS. --MARTYRS. --REAL ORIGIN OF CATACOMBS. --TRUE AND RELIABLEEXTENT (WITH MAPS). _REMARKS ON ART_. --THE RENAISSANCE. --THE EARLY PAINTERS: CIMABUE, GIOTTO, PERUGINO, RAFAELLE SANZIO, MICHELANGELO BUONAROTTI. --THETRANSFIGURATION. --THE MOSES OF MICHELANGELO. --BELLINI. --SAINTPETER'S, AND MORE PARTICULARLY THE COLONNADE. --THE LAST JUDGMENT. --DANTE. --THE MEDIAEVAL SPIRIT. --EFFECT OF GOTHIC ART ON ITALY ANDITALIAN TASTE. --COMPARISON, OF LOMBARD WITH SICILIAN CHURCHES. --TOWHAT EXTENT ROME INFLUENCED THIS DEVELOPMENT. --THE FOSTERING SPIRITOF THE CHURCH. --ALL MODERN ART CHRISTIAN. --WHY THIS WAS A NECESSITY. --FOLLIES OF MODERN CRITICS. --REYNOLDS AND RUSKIN. --HOW FAR POPULARTASTE IS WORTH ANY THING. --CONCLUDING REMARKS OF A MISCELLANEOUSDESCRIPTION. CHAPTER XXXVIII. ITALIAN TRAVEL, ROADS, INNS. --A GRAND BREAKDOWN. --AN ARMY OFBEGGARS. --SIX MEN HUNTING UP A CARRIAGE WHEEL; AND PLANS OF THESENATOR FOR THE GOOD OF ITALY. ILLUSTRATIONS. Travelling In Italy. --The Senator's Escort. CHAPTER XXXIX. TRIUMPHANT PROGRESS OF DICK. --GENDARMES FOILED. --THE DODGE CLUBIS ATTACKED BY BRIGANDS, AND EVERY MAN OF IT COVERS HIMSELF WITHGLORY. --SCREAM OF THE AMERICAN EAGLE! ILLUSTRATIONS. Dick In His Glory. --Pietro. --The Barricade. CHAPTER XL. PLEASANT MEDIATIONS ABOUT THE WONDERS OF TOBACCO; AND THREE PLEASANTANECDOTES BY AN ITALIAN BRIGAND. CHAPTER XLI. FINAL ATTACK OF REINFORCEMENTS OF BRIGANDS. --THE DODGE CLUB DEFIESTHEM AND REPELS THEM. --HOW TO MAKE A BARRICADE. --FRATERNIZATION OFAMERICAN EAGLE AND GALLIC COCK. --THERE'S NOTHING LIKE LEATHER. ILLUSTRATIONS. An International Affair. CHAPTER XLII. FLORENCE. --DESPERATION OF BUTTONS, OF MR. FIGGS, AND OF THE DOCTOR. ILLUSTRATIONS. Florence From San Miniato. --Pitti Palace. --Fountain OfNeptune, Palazzo Vecchio. --The Duomo. --The Campanile. --Trozzi Palace. --Buttons Melancholy. CHAPTER XLIII. THE SENATOR ENTRAPPED. --THE WILES AND WITCHERY OF A QUEEN OF SOCIETY. --HIS FATE DESTINED TO BE, AS HE THINKS, ITALIAN COUNTESSES. --SENTIMENTAL CONVERSATION. --POETRY. --BEAUTY. --MOONLIGHT. --RAPTURE. --DISTRACTION. --BLISS! ILLUSTRATIONS. La Cica. CHAPTER XLIV. "MORERE DIAGORA, NON ENIM IN COELUM ADSCENSURUS ES. "--THE APOTHEOSISOF THE SENATOR (NOTHING LESS--IT WAS A MOMENT IN WHICH A MAN MIGHTWISH TO DIE--THOUGH, OF COURSE, THE SENATOR DIDN'T DIE). ILLUSTRATIONS. Solferino!--The Senator Speaks. CHAPTER XLV. THE PRIVATE OPINION OF THE DOCTOR ABOUT FOREIGN TRAVEL. --BUTTONSSTILL MEETS WITH AFFLICTIONS. ILLUSTRATIONS. A Grease Spot. --Farewell, Figgs! CHAPTER XLVI. A MEMORABLE DRIVE. --NIGHT. --THE BRIGANDS ONCE MORE. --GARIBALDI'SNAME. --THE FIRE. --THE IRON BAR. --THE MAN FROM THE GRANITE STATEAND HIS TWO BOYS. ILLUSTRATIONS. In The Coach. --A Free Fight. --Don't Speak. CHAPTER XLVII. BAD BRUISES, BUT GOOD MUSES. --THE HONORABLE SCABS OF DICK. --AKNOWLEDGE OF BONES. CHAPTER XLVIII. SUFFERING AND SENTIMENT AT BOLOGNA. --MOONSHINE. --BEST BALM FOR WOUNDS. ILLUSTRATIONS. Used Up. CHAPTER XLIX. CROSSING INTO THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY. --CONSTERNATION OF THE CUSTOM-HOUSEOFFICERS. ILLUSTRATIONS. Buttons In Bliss. CHAPTER L. VENICE AND ITS PECULIAR GLORY. --THE DODGE CLUB COME TO GRIEF AT LAST. --UP A TREE. --IN A NET, ETC. ILLUSTRATIONS. Dick's Luggage. --Arrested. --Silence! CHAPTER LI. THE AMERICAN EAGLE AND THE AUSTRIAN DOUBLE-HEADED DITTO. ILLUSTRATIONS. Don't Try It On With Me. CHAPTER LII. THE SENATOR STILL ENGAGED IN FACING DOWN THE AUSTRIAN. --THE AMERICANCONSUL. --UNEXPECTED RE-APPEARANCE OF FORGOTTEN THINGS. --COLLAPSE OFTHE COURT. ILLUSTRATIONS. Watts Mis-spelled. CHAPTER LIII. A MYSTERIOUS FLIGHT. --DESPAIR OF BUTTONS. --PURSUIT. --HISTORIC GROUND, AND HISTORIC CITIES. ILLUSTRATIONS. Formalities. CHAPTER LIV. DICK MEETS AN OLD FRIEND. --THE EMOTIONAL NATURE OF THE ITALIAN. --THE SENATOR OVERCOME AND DUMBFOUNDED. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Count Ugo. CHAPTER LV. IN WHICH BUTTONS WRITES A LETTER; AND IN WHICH THE CLUB LOSES ANIMPORTANT MEMBER. --SMALL BY DEGREES AND BEAUTIFULLY LESS. CHAPTER LVI. THE FAITHFUL ONE!--DARTS, DISTRACTION, LOVE'S VOWS, OVERPOWERINGSCENE AT THE MEETING OF TWO FOND ONES. --COMPLETE BREAK-DOWN OF THEHISTORIAN. ILLUSTRATIONS. The Door. CHAPTER LVII. THE DODGE CLUB IN PARIS ONCE MORE. --BUTTONS'S "JOLLY GOOD HEALTH. " ILLUSTRATIONS. He's A Jolly Good Fellow. [Illustration: Dick!] CHAPTER I. PARIS. --THE DODGE CLUB. --HOW TO SPEAK FRENCH. --HOW TO RAISE A CROWD. It is a glorious day in Paris. The whole city is out in the publicplaces, watching the departure of the army of Italy. Every imaginableuniform, on foot and on horseback, enlivens the scene. Zouaves areeverywhere. Cent Gardes hurry to and fro, looking ferocious. ImperialGardes look magnificent. Innumerable little red-legged soldiers of theline dance about, gesticulating vehemently. Grisettes hang about thenecks of departing braves. A great many tears are shed, and a greatdeal of bombast uttered. For the invincible soldiers of France are offto fight for an idea; and doesn't every one of them carry a marshal'sbaton in his knapsack? A troop of Cent Gardes comes thundering down in a cloud of dust, dashing the people right and left. Loud cheers arise: "Vivel'Empereur!" The hoarse voices of myriads prolong the yell. It is LouisNapoleon. He touches his hat gracefully to the crowd. A chasseur leaps into a cab. "Where shall I take you?" "To Glory!" shouts the soldier. The crowd applaud. The cabman drives off and don't want any furtherdirection. Here a big-bearded Zouave kisses his big-bearded brother ina blouse. "Adieu, mon frère; write me. " "Where shall I write?" "Direct to Vienna--_poste restante_. " Every body laughs at every thing, and the crowd are quite wild atthis. A young man is perched upon a pillar near the garden wall of theTuileries. He enjoys the scene immensely. After a while he takes aclay pipe from his pocket and slowly fills it. Having completed thisbusiness he draws a match along the stone and is just about lightinghis pipe. "Halloo!" Down drops the lighted match on the neck of an _ouvrier_. It burns. The man scowls up; but seeing the cause, smiles and waves his handforgivingly. "Dick!" At this a young man in the midst of the crowd stops and looks around. He is a short young man, in whose face there is a strange mixture ofinnocence and shrewdness. He is pulling a baby-carriage, containing asmall specimen of French nationality, and behind him walks a majesticfemale. The young man Dick takes a quick survey and recognizes the person whohas called him. Down drops the pole of the carriage, and, to thehorror of the majestic female, he darts off, and, springing up thepillar, grasps first the foot and then the hand of his friend. "Buttons!" he cried; "what, you! you here in Paris!" "I believe I am. " "Why, when did you come?" "About a month ago. " "I had no idea of it. I didn't know you were here. " "And I didn't know that you were. I thought by this time that you werein Italy. What has kept you here so long?" Dick looked confused. "Why the fact is, I am studying German. " "German! in Paris! French, you mean. " "No, German. " "You're crazy; who with?" Dick nodded his head toward his late companion. "What, that woman? How she is scowling at us!" "Is she?" said Dick, with some trepidation. "Yes. But don't look. Have you been with her all the time?" "Yes, seven months. " "Studying German!" cried Buttons, with a laugh. "Who is she?" "Madame Bang. " [Illustration: Here I Invite My Friends. ] "Bang? Well, Madame Bang must look out for another lodger. You mustcome with me, young man. You need a guardian. It's well that I came intime to rescue you. Let's be off!" And the two youths descended and were soon lost in the crowd. *** "Three flights of steps are bad enough; but great Heavens! what do youmean by taking a fellow up to the eighth story?" Such was the exclamation of Dick as he fell exhausted into a seat in alittle room at the top of one of the tallest houses in Paris. "Economy, my dear boy. " "Ehem!" "Paris is overflowing, and I could get no other place without payingan enormous price. Now I am trying to husband my means. " "I should think so. " "I sleep here--" "And have plenty of bedfellows. " "I eat here--" "The powers of the human stomach are astounding. " "And here I invite my friends. " "Friends only. I should think. Nothing but the truest friendship couldmake a man hold out in such an ascent. " "But come. What are your plans?" "I have none. " "Then you must league yourself with me. " "I shall be delighted. " "And I'm going to Italy. " "Then I'm afraid our league is already at an end. " "Why?" "I haven't money enough. " "How much have you?" "Only five hundred dollars; I've spent all the rest of my allowance. " "Five hundred? Why, man, I have only four hundred. " "What! and you're going to Italy?" "Certainly. " "Then I'll go too and run the risk. But is this the style?" and Dicklooked dolefully around. "By no means--not always. But you must practice economy. " "Have you any acquaintances?" "Yes, two. We three have formed ourselves into a society for thepurpose of going to Italy. We call ourselves the Dodge Club. " "The Dodge Club?" "Yes. Because our principle is to dodge all humbugs and swindles, which make travelling so expensive generally. We have gained muchexperience already, and hope to gain more. One of my friends is adoctor from Philadelphia, Doctor Snakeroot, and the other isSenator Jones from Massachusetts. Neither the Doctor nor the Senatorunderstands a word of any language but the American. That is thereason why I became acquainted with them. "First as to the Doctor, I picked him up at Dunkirk. It was in a café. I was getting my modest breakfast when I saw him come in. He sat downand boldly asked for coffee. After the usual delay the garçon broughthim a small cup filled with what looked like ink. On the waiter was acup of _eau de vie_, and a little plate containing several enormouslumps of loaf-sugar. Never shall I forget the Doctor's face ofamazement. He looked at each article in succession. What was the inkfor? what the brandy? what the sugar? He did not know that the twofirst when mixed makes the best drink in the world, and that the lastis intended for the pocket of the guest by force of a custom dear toevery Frenchman. To make a long story short, I explained to him themysteries of French coffee, and we became sworn friends. "My meeting with the Senator was under slightly differentcircumstances. It was early in the morning. It was chilly. I waswalking briskly out of town. Suddenly I turned a corner and came upona crowd. They surrounded a tall man. He was an American, and appearedto be insane. First he made gestures like a man hewing or chopping. Then he drew his hand across his throat. Then he staggered forward andpretended to fall. Then he groaned heavily. After which he raisedhimself up and looked at the crowd with an air of mild inquiry. Theydid not laugh. They did not even smile. They listened respectfully, for they knew that the strange gentleman wished to express something. On the whole, I think if I hadn't come up that the Senator would havebeen arrested by a stiff gendarme who was just then coming along thestreet. As it was, I arrived just in time to learn that he was anxiousto see the French mode of killing cattle, and was trying to find his wayto the abattoirs. The Senator is a fine man, but eminently practical. Heused to think the French language an accomplishment only. He haschanged his mind since his arrival here. He has one littlepeculiarity, and that is, to bawl broken English at the top of hisvoice when he wants to communicate with foreigners. " [Illustration: The Club. ] Not long afterward the Dodge Club received a new member in the personof Mr. Dick Whiffletree. The introduction took place in a modest café, where a dinner of six courses was supplied for the ridiculous sum ofone franc--soup, a roast, a fry, a bake, a fish, a pie, bread atdiscretion, and a glass of vinegar generously thrown in. At one end of the table sat the Senator, a very large and muscularman, with iron-gray hair, and features that were very strongly markedand very strongly American. He appeared to be about fifty years ofage. At the other sat the Doctor, a slender young man in black. Onone side sat Buttons, and opposite to him was Dick. "Buttons, " said the Senator, "were you out yesterday?" "I was. " "It was a powerful crowd. " "Rather large. " "It was immense. I never before had any idea of the population ofParis. New York isn't to be compared to it. " "As to crowds, that is nothing uncommon in Paris. Set a rat loose inthe Champs Elysées, and I bet ten thousand people will be after it infive minutes. " "Sho!" "Any thing will raise a crowd in Paris. " "It will be a small one, then. " "My dear Senator, in an hour from this I'll engage myself to raise aslarge a crowd as the one you saw yesterday. " "My dear Buttons, you look like it. " "Will you bet?" "Bet? Are you in earnest?" "Never more so. " "But there is an immense crowd outside already. " "Then let the scene of my trial be in a less crowded place--the PlaceVendôme, for instance. " "Name the conditions. " "In an hour from this I engage to fill the Place Vendôme with people. Whoever fails forfeits a dinner to the Club. " The eyes of Dick and the Doctor sparkled. "Done!" said the Senator. "All that you have to do, " said Buttons, "is to go to the top of theColonne Vendôme and wave your hat three times when you want me tobegin. " "I'll do that. But it's wrong, " said the Senator. "It's taking moneyfrom you. You must lose. " "Oh, don't be alarmed, " said Buttons, cheerfully. The Dodge Club left for the Place Vendôme, and the Senator, separatinghimself from his companions, began the ascent. Buttons left hisfriends at a corner to see the result, and walked quickly down aneighboring street. [Illustration: The Place Vendôme. ] Dick noticed that every one whom he met stopped, stared, and thenwalked quickly forward, looking up at the column. These peopleaccosted others, who did the same. In a few minutes many hundreds ofpeople were looking up and exchanging glances with one another. In a short time Buttons had completed the circuit of the block, andre-entered the Place by another street. He was running at a quickpace, and, at a moderate calculation, about two thousand _gamins deParis_ ran before, beside, and behind him. Gens d'armes caught theexcitement, and rushed frantically about. Soldiers called to oneanother, and tore across the square gesticulating and shouting. Carriages stopped; the occupants stared up at the column; horsemendrew up their rearing horses; dogs barked; children screamed; upflew a thousand windows, out of which five thousand heads were thrust. At the end of twenty minutes, after a very laborious journey, theSenator reached the top of the column. He looked down. A cry ofamazement burst from him. The immense Place Vendôme was crammed withhuman beings. Innumerable upturned faces were staring at the startledSenator. All around, the lofty houses sent all their inmates to theopen window, through which they looked up. The very house-tops werecrowded. Away down all the streets which led to the Place crowds ofhuman beings poured along. "Well, " muttered the Senator, "it's evident that Buttons understandsthese Frenchmen. However, I must perform my part, so here goes. " And the Senator, majestically removing his hat, waved it slowly aroundhis head seven times. At the seventh whirl his fingers slipped, and agreat gust of wind caught the hat and blew it far out into the air. It fell. A deep groan of horror burst forth from the multitude, so deep, solong, so terrible that the Senator turned pale. A hundred thousand heads upturned; two hundred thousand arms wavedfuriously in the air. The tide of new-comers flowing up the otherstreets filled the Place to overflowing; and the vast host of peopleswayed to and fro, agitated by a thousand passions. All this was thework of but a short time. "Come, " said the Senator, "this is getting beyond a joke. " There was a sudden movement among the people at the foot of thecolumn. The Senator leaned over to see what it was. At once a great cry came up, like the thunder of a cataract, warningly, imperiously, terribly. The Senator drew back confounded. Suddenly he advanced again. He shook his head deprecatingly, and wavedhis arms as if to disclaim any evil motives which they might impute tohim. But they did not comprehend him. Scores of stiff gens d'armes, hundreds of little soldiers, stopped in their rush to the foot of thecolumn to shake their fists and scream at him. "Now if I only understood their doosid lingo, " thought the Senator. "But"--after a pause--"it wouldn't be of no account up here. And whatan awkward fix, " he added, "for the father of a family to standhatless on the top of a pillory like this! Sho!" There came a deep rumble from the hollow stairway beneath him, whichgrew nearer and louder every moment. "Somebody's coming, " said the Senator. "Wa'al, I'm glad. Misery lovescompany. Perhaps I can purchase a hat. " In five minutes more the heads of twenty gens d'armes shot up throughthe opening in the top of the pillar, one after another, and remindedthe Senator of the "Jump-up-Johnnies" in children's toys. Six of themseized him and made him prisoner. The indignant Senator remonstrated, and informed them that he was anAmerican citizen. His remark made no impression. They did not understand English. The Senator's wrath made his hair fairly bristle. He contentedhimself, however, with drawing up the programme of an immediate warbetween France and the Great Republic. It took an hour for the column to get emptied. It was choked withpeople rushing up. Seven gentlemen fainted, and three escaped withbadly sprained limbs. During this time the Senator remained in thecustody of his captors. At last the column was cleared. The prisoner was taken down and placed in a cab. He saw the dense crowdand heard the mighty murmurs of the people. He was driven away for an immense distance. It seemed miles. At last the black walls of a huge edifice rose before him. The cabdrove under a dark archway. The Senator thought of the dungeons of theInquisition, and other Old World horrors of which he had heard in hisboyhood. *** So the Senator had to give the dinner. The Club enjoyed it amazingly. Almost at the moment of his entrance Buttons had arrived, arm in armwith the American minister, whose representations and explanationsprocured the Senator's release. "I wouldn't have minded it so much, " said the Senator, from whosemanly bosom the last trace of vexation had fled, "if it hadn't beenfor that darned policeman that collared me first. What a Providenceit was that I didn't knock him down! Who do you think he was?" "Who?" "The very man that was going to arrest me the other day when I wastrying to find my way to the slaughter-house. That man is my evilgenius. I will leave Paris before another day. " "The loss of your hat completed my plans, " said Buttons. "Was thatdone on purpose? Did you throw it down for the sake of saying 'Takemy hat?'" "No. It was the wind, " said the Senator, innocently. "But how did youmanage to raise the crowd? You haven't told us that yet. " "How? In the simplest way possible. I told every soul I met that acrazy man was going up the Colonne Vendôme to throw himself down. " A light burst in upon the Senator's soul. He raised his new hat from achair, and placing it before Buttons, said fervently and with unction: "Keep it, Buttons!" [Illustration: Keep It Buttons!] [Illustration: That's A Hotel Bill. ] CHAPTER II. ORLEANS. --HOW TO QUELL A LANDLORD. --HOW TO FIGHT OFF HUMBUGS; AND HOWTO TRAVEL WITHOUT BAGGAGE. A tremendous uproar in the hall of a hotel at Orleans awaked everymember of the Dodge Club from the sound and refreshing slumber intowhich they had fallen after a fatiguing journey from Paris. Filing out into the hall one after another they beheld a singularspectacle. It was a fat man, bald-headed, middle-aged, with a well-to-do look, that burst upon their sight. He was standing in the hall with flushed face and stocking feet, swearing most frightfully. A crowd of waiters stood around shruggingtheir shoulders, and trying to soothe him. As the fat man spokeEnglish, and the waiters French, there was a little misapprehension. "There, gentlemen, " cried the fat man, as he caught sight of our fourfriends, "look at that! What do you call that?" "That?" said Buttons, taking a paper which the fat man thrust in hisface, "why, that's a hotel bill. " "A hotel bill? Why it's an imposition!" cried the other excitedly. "Perhaps it is, " said Buttons, coolly. "Of course it is! Read it out loud, and let these gentlemen see whatthey think of it. " "I'll read it in English, " said Buttons, "for the benefit of theClub:" Mister Blank, To the Hotel du Roi: One dinner.......... 3 francs. Six porters......... 6 francs. One cab............. 2 francs. One do.............. 2 francs. One information..... 5 francs. Wine................ 5 francs. Tobacco............ 2 francs. One bed............. 5 francs. One boots........... 1 francs. One candle.......... 1 francs. One candle.......... 1 francs. One candle.......... 1 francs. One candle.......... 1 francs. ============================= 35 francs. "By Jove! Thirty-five francs! My dear Sir. I quite agree with you. It's an imposition. " A deep sigh expressed the relief of the fat man at this mark ofsympathy. "There's no redress, " said Buttons. "You'll have to grin and bear it. For you must know that in these inland towns hotel-keepers are inleague, offensive and defensive, with all the cab-drivers, omnibus-drivers, postillions, truckmen, hostlers, porters, errand-boys, café-keepers, cicerones, tradesmen, lawyers, chambermaids, doctors, priests, soldiers, gens d'armes, magistrates, etc. , etc. , etc. In short, the whole community is a joint-stockcompany organized to plunder the unsuspecting traveller. " "And must I stand here and be swindled without a word?" cried theother. "By no means. Row like fury. Call up the whole household one by one, and swear at them in broad Saxon. That's the way to strike terror intothe soul of a Frenchman. " The fat man stared for a moment at Buttons, and then plunging hishands deep into his trowsers pockets he walked up and down the hall. At last he turned to the others: "Gentlemen, is this endurable?" "Horrible!" cried Dick. "Abominable!" the Doctor. "Infamous!" the Senator. "By jingo! I've a great mind to go home. If I've pot to be plundered, I'd a durned sight rather have my money go to support our own greatand glorious institutions. " There is no doubt that the unfortunate man would have had to pay up ifit bad not been for the energetic action of Buttons. He summoned the hotel-keeper before him, and closing the door, askedhis friends to sit down. Then Buttons, standing up, began to repeat to the hotel-keeper, smilingly, but with extraordinary volubility, Daniel Webster's orationagainst Hayne. The polite Frenchman would not interrupt him, butlistened with a bland though somewhat dubious smile. The Dodge Club did infinite credit to themselves by listening withouta smile to the words of their leader. Buttons then went through the proposition about the hypothenuse of aright-angled triangle, and appended the words of a few negro songs. Here the worthy landlord interrupted him, begging his pardon, andtelling him that he did not understand English very well, and couldhis Excellency speak French? His Excellency, with equal politeness, regretted his want of completefamiliarity with French. He was forced when he felt deeply on anysubject to express himself in English. Then followed Cicero's oration against Verres, and he was justbeginning a speech of Chatham's when the landlord surrendered atdiscretion. When, after the lapse of three hours and twenty-five minutes, the fatman held his bill toward him, and Buttons offered five francs, he didnot even remonstrate, but took the money, and hastily receipting thebill with his pencil, darted from the room. "Well, " exclaimed the Senator, when he had recovered from the effectsof the scene--"I never before realized the truth of a story I onceheard. " "What was the story?" "Oh, it was about a bet between a Yankee and a Frenchman, who couldtalk the longest. The two were shut up in a room. They remained therethree days. At the end of that time their friends broke open the doorand entered, and what do you think they found there?" "Nobody?" suggested the fat man. "No, " said the Senator, with a glow of patriotic pride on his fineface. "But they found the Frenchman lying dead upon the floor, and theYankee whispering in his ear the beginning of the second part of theHiggins story. " "And what is the Higgins story?" "For Heaven's sake, " gasped the Doctor, starting up, "don't ask himnow--wait till next week!" As they passed over the Mountains of Auvergne a new member was addedto the Dodge Club. It was the fat man. He was President of a Western bank. His name was Figgs. *** It was a damp, dull, dreary, drenching night, when the lumberingdiligence bore the Dodge Club through the streets of Lyons and up tothe door of their hotel. Seventeen men and five small boys stoodbowing ready to receive them. The Senator, Buttons, and Dick took the small valises which containedtheir travelling apparel, and dashed through the line of servitorsinto the house. The Doctor walked after, serenely and majestically. He had no baggage. Mr. Figgs descended from the roof with considerabledifficulty. Slipping from the wheel, he fell into the outstretchedarms of three waiters. They put him on his feet. His luggage was soon ready. Mr. Figgs had two trunks and various other articles. Of these trunksseven waiters took one, and four the other. Then Waiter No. 12 took hat-box;Waiter No. 13 took travelling desk;Waiter No. 14 took Scotch plaid;Waiter No. 15 took over-coat;Waiter No. 16 took umbrella;Waiter No. 17 took rubber coat;Boy No. 1 took cane;Boy No. 2 took muffler;Boy No. 3 took one of his mittens;Boy No. 4 took the other;Boy No. 5 took cigar-case. After a long and laborious dinner they rose and smoked. [Illustration: Cicero Against Verres. ] [Illustration: Sac-r-r-r-ré. ] The head waiter informed Mr. Figgs that with his permission adeputation would wait on him. Mr. Figgs was surprised butgraciously invited the deputation to walk in. They accordinglywalked in. Seventeen men and five boys. "What did they want?" "Oh, only a _pourboire_ with which to drink his Excellency'snoble health. " "Really they did his Excellency too much honor. Were they notmistaken in their man?" "Oh no. They had carried his luggage into the hotel. " Upon this Mr. Figgs gave strong proof of poor moral training, bybreaking out into a volley of Western oaths, which shocked onehalf of the deputation, and made the other half grin. Still they continued respectful but firm, and reiterated theirdemand. Mr. Figgs called for the landlord. That gentleman was in bed. For his wife. She did not attend to the business. For the headwaiter. The spokesman of the deputation, with a polite bow, informed him that the head waiter stood before him and was quiteat his service. The scene was ended by the sudden entrance of Buttons, who, motioning to Mr. Figgs, proceeded to give each waiter a douceur. One after another took the proffered coin, and without lookingat it, thanked the generous donor with a profusion of bows. Five minutes after the retreating form of Buttons had vanishedthrough the door, twenty-persons, consisting of men and boys, stood staring at one another in blank amazement. Anger followed; thensac-r-r-r-_r-r-r_-R-R-R-_R-Ré_! He had given each one a _centime_. But the customs of the hotel were not to be changed by the shabbyconduct of one mean-minded person. When the Club prepared to retirefor the night they were taken to some rooms opening in to each other. Five waiters led the way; one waiter to each man, and each carried apair of tall wax-candles. Mr. Figgs's waiter took him to his room, laid down the lights, and departed. The doors which connected the rooms were all opened, and Mr. Figgs walked through to see about something. He saw the Doctor, the Senator, Buttons, and Dick, each draw the short, well-usedstump of a wax-candle from his coat pocket and gravely light it. Then letting the melted wax fall on the mantle-pieces they stucktheir candles there, and in a short time the rooms werebrilliantly illuminated. The waiters were thunderstruck. Such a procedure had never comewithin the compass of their experience of the ways of travellers. "Bonsoir, " said Buttons. "Don't let us detain you. " They went out stupefied. "What's the idea now?" inquired Mr. Figgs. "Oh. They charge a franc apiece for each candle, and that is aswindle which we will not submit to. " "And will I have to be humbugged again?" "Certainly. " "Botheration. " "My dear Sir, the swindle of bougies is the curse of theContinental traveller. None of us are particularly prudent, butwe are all on the watch against small swindles, and of them allthis is the most frequent and most insidious, the most constantlyand ever recurrent. Beware, my dear President, of bougies--that'swhat we call candles. " Mr. Figgs said nothing, but leaned against the wall for a momentin a meditative mood, as if debating what he should do next. He happened to be in the Doctor's room. He had already noticedthat this gentleman had no perceptible baggage, and didn'tunderstand it. But now he saw it all. The Doctor began gravely to make preparations for the night. Before taking off his over-coat he drew various articles fromthe pockets, among which were: A hair-brush, A tooth-brush, A shoe-brush, A pot of blacking, A night-shirt, A clothes-broth, A pipe, A pouch of tobacco, A razor, A shaving-brush, A piece of soap, A night-cap, A bottle of hair-oil, A pistol, A guide-book, A cigar-case, A bowie-knife, A piece of cord, A handkerchief, A case of surgical instruments, Some bits of candles. Mr. Figgs rushed from the room. [Illustration: Number 729. ] CHAPTER III. THE RHONE IN A RAIN. --THE MAD FRENCHMAN. --SUICIDE A CAPITALCRIME IN FRANCE. The steamboats that run on the Rhone are very remarkablecontrivances. Their builders have only aimed at combining amaximum of length with a minimum of other qualities, so thateach boat displays an incredible extent of deck with noparticular breadth at all. Five gentlemen took refuge in thecabin of the _Etoile_, from the drenching rain which fell duringhalf of their voyage. This was an absurd vessel, that made tripsbetween Lyons and Avignon. Her accommodations resembled those ofa canal boat, and she was propelled by a couple of paddle-wheelsdriven by a Lilliputian engine. It was easy enough for her to godown the river, as the current took the responsibility of movingher along; but how she could ever get back it was difficult totell. They were borne onward through some of the fairest scenes onearth. Ruined towers, ivy-covered castles, thunder-blastedheights, fertile valleys, luxuriant orchards, terraced slopes, trellised vineyards, broad plains, bounded by distant mountains, whose summits were lost in the clouds; such were the successivecharms of the region through which they were passing. Yet thoughthey were most eloquently described in the letters which Buttonswrote home to his friends, it must be confessed that they madebut little impression at the time, and indeed were scarcely seenat all through the vapor-covered cabin windows. Avignon did not excite their enthusiasm. In vain the guide-booktold them about Petrarch and Laura. The usual raptures were notforthcoming. In vain the cicerone led them through the old papalpalace. Its sombre walls awakened no emotion. The only effectproduced was on the Senator, who whiled away the hours of earlybed-time by pointing out the superiority of American institutionsto those which reared the prisons which they had visited. Arles was much more satisfactory. There are more pretty women inArles than in any other town of the same size on the Continent. The Club created an unusual excitement in this peaceful town bywalking slowly through it in Indian file, narrowly scrutinizingevery thing. They wondered much at the numbers of people thatfilled the cathedral, all gayly dressed. It was not until aftera long calculation that they found out that it was Sunday. Buttons kept his memorandum-book in his hand all day, and tookaccount of all the pretty women whom he saw. The number rose ashigh as 729. He would have raised it higher, but unfortunatelyan indignant citizen put a stop to it by charging him withimpertinence to his wife. On the railroad to Marseilles is a famous tunnel. At the laststation before entering the tunnel a gentleman got in. As theypassed through the long and gloomy place there suddenly arose amost outrageous noise in the car. It was the new passenger. Occasionally the light shining in would disclose him, dancing, stamping, tearing his hair, rolling his eyes, gnashing histeeth, and cursing. "Is he crazy?" said Dick. "Or drunk?" said Buttons. Lo and behold! just as the train emerged from the tunnel thepassenger made a frantic dash at the window, flung it open, andbefore any body could speak or move he was half out. To spring over half a dozen seats, to land behind him, to seizehis outstretched leg, to jerk him in again, was but the work ofa moment. It was Buttons who did this, and who banged down thewindow again. "Sac-r-r-R-R-Ré!" cried the Frenchman. "Is it that you are mad?" said Buttons. "Sacré Bleu!" cried the other. "Who are you that lays hands on me?" "I saved you from destruction. " "Then, Sir, you have no thanks. Behold me, I'm a desperate man!" In truth he looked like one. His clothes were all disordered. His lips were bleeding, and most of his hair was torn out. Bythis time the guard had come to the spot. All those in the carhad gathered round. It was a long car, second-class, like theAmerican. "M'sieu, how is this? What is it that I see? You endeavor tokill yourself?" "Leave me. I am desperate. " "But no. M'sieu, what is it?" "Listen. I enter the train thinking to go to Avignon. I haveimportant business there, most important. Suddenly I am struck by athought. I find I have mistaken. I am carried to Marseilles. It isthe express train, and I must go all the way. Horror! Despair! Life isof no use! It is time to resign, it! I die! Accordingly I attempt toleap from the window, when this gentleman seizes me by the leg andpulls me in. Behold all. " "M'sieu, " said the guard, slowly, and with emphasis, "you havecommitted a grave offense. Suicide is a capital crime. " "A capital crime!" exclaimed the Frenchman, turning pale. "GreatHeaven!" "Yes, Sir. If you leap from the car I shall put you in irons, and handyou over to the police when we stop. " The Frenchman's pale face grew paler. He became humble. He entreatedthe guard's compassion. He begged Buttons to intercede. He had afamily. Moreover he had fought in the wars of his country. He hadwarred in Africa. He appealed to the Senator, the Doctor, to Figgs, to Dick. Finally he became calm, and the train shortly after arrivedat Marseilles. The last that was seen of him he was rushing frantically about lookingfor the return train. [Illustration: Horror! Despair!] CHAPTER IV. MARSEILLES. Old Massilia wears her years well. To look at her now as she appears, full of life and joy and gayety, no one would imagine that thirtycenturies or more had passed over her head. Here is the first glimpse of the glorious South, with all its sunshineand luxury and voluptuous beauty. Here the Mediterranean rolls itswaters of deepest blue, through the clear air the landscape appearswith astonishing distinctness, and the sharply-defined lines ofdistinct objects surprise the Northern eye. Marseilles is always apicturesque city. No commercial town in the world can compare with itin this respect. On the water float the Mediterranean craft, rakishboats, with enormous latteen sails; long, low, sharp, black vessels, with a suspicious air redolent of smuggling and piracy. No tidesrise and fall--advance and retreat. The waters are always the same. All the Mediterranean nations are represented in Marseilles. Three-quarters of the world send their people here. Europe, Asia, Africa. In the streets the Syrian jostles the Spaniard; the Italianthe Arab; the Moor jokes with the Jew; the Greek chaffers with theAlgerine; the Turk scowls at the Corsican; the Russian from Odessapokes the Maltese in the ribs. There is no want of variety here. Human nature is seen under a thousand aspects. Marseilles is the mostcosmopolitan of cities, and represents not only many races but manyages. Moreover it is a fast city. New York is not more ambitions; Chicagonot more aspiring; San Francisco not more confident in its future. Amazing sight! Here is a city which, at the end of three thousandyears, looks forward to a longer and grander life in the future. And why? Why, because she expects yet to be the arbiter of Eastern commerce. Through her the gold, the spices, and the gems of India will yet beconveyed over the European world. For the Suez Canal, which will oncemore turn the tide of this mighty traffic through its ancientMediterranean channel, will raise Marseilles to the foremost rankamong cities. So, at least, the Marseillaise believe. When our travellers arrivedthere the city was crammed with soldiers. The harbor was packed withsteamships. Guns were thundering, bands playing, fifes screaming, muskets rattling, regiments tramping, cavalry galloping. Confusionreigned supreme. Every thing was out of order. No one spoke or thoughtof any thing but the coming war in Lombardy. Excitable little red-legged French soldiers danced about everywhere. Every one was beside himself. None could use the plain language ofevery-day life. All were intoxicated with hope and enthusiasm. The travellers admired immensely the exciting scene, but theiradmiration was changed to disgust when they found that on accountof the rush of soldiers to Italy their own prospects of getting therewere extremely slight. At length they found that a steamer was going. It was a propeller. Its name was the _Prince_. The enterprising company that owned herhad patriotically chartered every boat on their line to theGovernment at an enormous profit, and had placed the _Prince_ on theline for the use of travellers. [Illustration: Those Italians. ] CHAPTER V. THE RETIRED ORGAN-GRINDER. --THE SENATOR PHILOSOPHIZES. --EVILS OF NOTHAVING A PASSPORT. The Mediterranean is the most glorious of seas. The dark-blue waves;the skies of darker blue; the distant hills of purple, with theircrowns of everlasting snow; and the beetling precipice, where thevexed waters forever throw up their foaming spray; the frequenthamlets that nestle among them, the castles and towers that crown thelofty heights; and the road that winds tortuously along the shore--allthese form a scene in which beauty more romantic than that of theRhine is contrasted with all the grandeur of the ocean. Buttons, with his usual flexible and easy disposition, made theacquaintance of a couple of Italians who had been away from Italyand were now returning. They were travelling second-class. Buttons supposed they were glad to get back. "Glad? Did he doubt it? Why, they were Italians. " "Are Italians fonder of their country than others?" "Without doubt. Had they not the best reason to be?" "Why?" "They had the garden and pride of the world for their country. Mention any other in the same breath with Italy. " "If they love it so much why can they not keep it for themselves?" "How can you ask that? If you know the history of the country you willsee that it has been impossible. No other was ever so beset. It issplit up into different States. It is surrounded by powerful enemieswho take advantage of this. It would not be so bad if there were onlyone foreign foe; but there are many, and if one were driven out anotherwould step in. " "There will be a chance for them now to show what they can do. " "True; and you will see what they will do. They only want the Frenchto open the way. We Italians can do the rest ourselves. It is a goodtime to go to Italy. You will see devotion and patriotism such as younever saw before. There is no country so beloved as Italy. " "I think other nations are as patriotic. " "Other nations! What nations? Do you know that the Italians can notleave Italy? It is this love that keeps them home. French, Germans, Spaniards, Portuguese, English--all others leave their homes, andgo all over the world to live. Italians can not and do not. " "I have seen Italians in America. " "You have seen Italian exiles, not emigrants. Or you have seen themstaying there for a few years so as to earn a little money to go backwith. They are only travellers on business. They are always unhappy, and are always cheered by the prospect of getting home at last. " These Italians were brothers, and from experience in the world hadgrown very intelligent. One had been in the hand-organ business, the other in the image-making line. Italians can do nothing elsein the bustling communities of foreign nations. Buttons looked withrespect upon those men who thus had carried their lore for theirdear Art for years through strange lands and uncongenial climes. "If I were an Italian I too would be an organ-grinder!" he at lengthexclaimed. The Italians did not reply, but evidently thought that Buttons couldnot be in a better business. "These _I_talians, " said the Senator, to whom Buttons had toldthe conversation--"these _I_talians, " said he, after they had gone, "air a singular people. They're deficient. They're wanting in theleading element of the age. They haven't got any idee of the principleof pro-gress. They don't understand trade. There's where they miss it. What's the use of hand-organs? What's the use of dancers? What's theuse of statoos, whether plaster images or marble sculptoor? Can theyclear forests or build up States? No, Sir; and therefore I say thatthis _I_talian nation will never be wuth a cuss until they areinoculated with the spirit of Seventy-six, the principles of thePilgrim Fathers, and the doctrines of the Revolution. Boney knows it"--he added, sententiously--"bless you, Boney knows it. " After a sound sleep, which lasted until late in the following day, they went out on deck. There lay Genoa. Glorious sight! As they stood looking at the superb city the sunpoured down upon the scene his brightest rays. The city rose insuccessive terraces on the side of a semicircular slope crowned withmassive edifices; moles projected into the harbor terminated by loftytowers; the inner basin was crowded with shipping, prominent amongwhich were countless French ships of war and transports. The yells offifes, the throbbing of drums, the bang of muskets, the thunder ofcannon, and the strains of martial music filled die air. Boats crowdedwith soldiers constantly passed from the ship to the stone quays, where thousands more waited to receive them--soldiers being mixed upwith guns, cannons, wheels, muskets, drums, baggage, sails, beams, timbers, camps, mattresses, casks, boxes, irons, in infiniteconfusion. "We must go ashore here, " said Buttons. "Does any body know how longthe steamer will remain here?" "A day. " "A day! That will be magnificent! We will be able to see the wholecity in that time. Let's go and order a boat off. " The Captain received them politely. "What did Messieurs want? To go ashore? With the utmost pleasure. Hadthey their passports? Of course they had them _viséd_ in Marseillesfor Genoa. " Buttons looked blank, and feebly inquired: "Why?" "It's the law, Monsieur. We are prohibited from permitting passengersto go ashore unless their passports are all right. It's a mere form. " "A mere form!" cried Buttons. "Why, ours are _viséd_ for Naples. " "Naples!" cried the Captain, with a shrug; "you are unfortunate, Messieurs. That will not pass you to Genoa. " "My dear Sir, you don't mean to tell me that, on account of thislittle informality, you will keep us prisoners on board of thisvessel? Consider--" "Monsieur, " said the Captain, courteously, "I did not make theselaws. It is the law; I can not change it. I should be most happyto oblige you, but I ask you, how is it possible?" The Captain was right. He could do nothing. The travellers wouldhave to swallow their rage. [Illustration: Genoa, The Superb. ] Imagine them looking all day at the loveliest of Italian scenes--the glorious city of Genoa, with all its historic associations!--the city of the Dorias, the home of Columbus, even now the sceneof events upon which the eyes of all the world were fastened. Imagine them looking upon all this, and only looking, unable to gonear; seeing all the preparations for war, but unable to mingle withthe warriors. To pace up and down all day; to shake their fists at thescene; to fret, and fume, and chafe with irrepressible impatience; toscold, to rave, to swear--this was the lot of the unhappy tourists. High in the startled heavens rose the thunder of preparations for thewar in Lombardy. They heard the sounds, but could not watch the scenenear at hand. The day was as long as an ordinary week, but at length it came to anend. On the following morning steam was got up, and they went toLeghorn. "I suppose they will play the same game on us at Leghorn, " said Dick, mournfully. "Without doubt, " said Buttons. "But I don't mind; the bitterness ofDeath is past. I can stand any thing now. " Again the same tantalizing view of a great city from afar. Leghorn layinviting them, but the unlucky passport kept them on board of thevessel. The Senator grew impatient, Mr. Figgs and the Doctor weretesty; Dick and Buttons alone were calm. It was the calmness ofdespair. After watching Leghorn for hours they were taken to Civita Vecchia. Here they rushed down below, and during the short period of their stayremained invisible. At last their voyage ended, and they entered the harbor of Naples. Glorious Naples! Naples the captivating! "_Vede Napoli_, _e poi mori_!" There was the Bay of Naples--the matchless, the peerless, theindescribable! There the rock of Ischia, the Isle of Capri, there theslopes of Sorrento, where never-ending spring abides; there the longsweep of Naples and her sister cities; there Vesuvius, with its thinvolume of smoke floating like a pennon in the air! [Illustration. Their Noble Excellencies. ] CHAPTER VI. LAZARONI AND MACARONI. About forty or fifty lazaroni surrounded the Dodge Club when theylanded, but to their intense disgust the latter ignored themaltogether, and carried their own umbrellas and carpet-bags. But thelazaroni revenged themselves. As the Doctor stooped to pick up hiscane, which had fallen, a number of articles dropped from hisbreast-pocket, and among them was a revolver, a thing which wastabooed in Naples. A ragged rascal eagerly snatched it and handed itto a gendarme, and it was only after paying a piastre that the Doctorwas permitted to retain it. Even after the travellers had started on foot in search of lodgingsthe lazaroni did not desert them. Ten of them followed everywhere. At intervals they respectfully offered to carry their baggage, or showthem to a hotel, whichever was most agreeable to their NobleExcellencies. Their Noble Excellencies were in despair. At length, stumbling uponThe Café dell' Europa, they rushed in and passed three hours overtheir breakfast. This done, they congratulated themselves on. Havinggot rid of their followers. In vain! Scarcely had they emerged from the café than Dick uttered a cry ofhorror. From behind a corner advanced their ten friends, with thesame calm demeanor, the game unruffled and even cheerful patience, and the same respectful offer of their humble services. In despair they separated. Buttons and Dick obtained lodgings in theStrada di San Bartollomeo. The Senator and the other two engagedpleasant rooms on the Strada Nuova, which overlooked the Bay. Certainly Naples is a very curious place. There are magnificentedifices--palaces, monuments, castles, fortresses, churches, andcathedrals. There are majestic rows of buildings; gay shops, splendidly decorated; stately colonnades, and gardens like Paradise. There are streets unrivalled for gayety, forever filled to overflowingwith the busy, the laughing, the jolly; dashing officers, noisysoldiers, ragged lazaroni, proud nobles, sickly beggars, lovelyladies; troops of cavalry galloping up and down; ten thousand calechesdashing to and fro. There is variety enough everywhere. All the trades are divided, and arranged in different parts of thecity. Here are the locksmiths, there the cabinet-makers; here thebuilders, there the armorers; in this place the basket-weavers, inthat the cork-makers. And most amusing of all is the street most favored of the lazaroni. Here they live, and move, and have their being; here they are born, they grow, they wed, they rear families, they eat, and drink, and die. A long array of furnaces extends up the street; over each is astew-pan, and behind each a cook armed with an enormous ladle. At allhours of the day the cook serves up macaroni to customers. This is thediet of the people. In the cellars behind those lines of stew-pans are the eating-housesof the vulgar--low, grimy places, floors incrusted with mud, tables ofthick deal worn by a thousand horny hands, slippery with ten thousandupset dishes of macaroni. Here the pewter plates, and the iron knives, forks, and spoons are chained to the massive tables. How utter mustthe destitution be when it is thought necessary to chain up suchworthless trash! Into one of these places went Buttons and Dick in their study of humannature. They sat at the table. A huge dish of macaroni was served up. Fifty guests stopped to look at the new-comers. The waiters winked atthe customers of the house, and thrust their tongues in their cheeks. [Illustration: Lazaroni And Macaroni. ] Dick could not eat, but the more philosophical Buttons made anextremely hearty meal, and pronounced the macaroni delicious. On landing in a city which swarmed with beggars the first thought ofour tourists was, How the mischief do they all live? There are sixtythousand lazaroni in this gay city. The average amount of clothing toeach man is about one-third of a pair of trowsers and a woolen cap. But after spending a day or two the question changed its form, andbecame, How the mischief can they all help living? Food may be pickedup in the streets. Handfuls of oranges and other fruits sell for nextto nothing; strings of figs cost about a cent. The consequence is that these sixty thousand people, fellow-creaturesof ours, who are known as the lazaroni of Naples, whom we half pityand altogether despise, and look upon as lowest members of theCaucasian race, are not altogether very miserable. On the contrary, taken as a whole, they form the oiliest, fattest, drollest, noisiest, sleekest, dirtiest, ignorantest, prejudicedest, narrow-mindedest, shirtlessest, clotheslessest, idlest, carelessest, jolliest, absurdest, rascaliest--but still, all that, perhaps--taken all inall--the happiest community on the face of the earth. [Illustration: Yankee Doodle. ] CHAPTER VII. DOLORES. --AN ITALIAN MAID LEARNS ENGLISH. --A ROMANTIC ADVENTURE. --AMASQUERADE, AND WHAT BEFELL THE SENATOR. --A CHARMING DOMINO. --AMOONLIGHT WALK, AND AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY. The lodgings of Buttons and Dick were in a remarkably central part ofNaples. The landlord was a true Neapolitan; a handsome, gay, witty, noisy, lively, rascally, covetous, ungrateful, deceitful, cunning, good-hearted old scoundrel, who took advantage of his guests in athousand ways, and never spoke to them without trying to humbug them. He was the father of a pretty daughter who had all her parent's naturesomewhat toned down, and expanded in a feminine mould. Buttons had a chivalrous soul, and so had Dick; the vivacity of thisvery friendly young lady was like an oasis in the wilderness oftravel. In the evening they loved to sit in the sunshine of her smile. She was singularly unconventional, this landlord's daughter, and mademany informal calls on her two lodgers in their apartment. An innocent, sprightly little maid--name Dolores--age seventeen--complexion olive--hair jet black--eyes like stars, large, luminous, and at the same time twinkling--was anxious to learn English, especially to sing English songs; and so used to bring her guitar andsing for the Americans. Would they teach her their national song? "Ohyes happy beyond expression to do so. " The result, after ten lessons, was something like this: "Anty Dooda tumma towna By his sef a po-ne Stacca fadda inna sat Kalla Maccaroni. " She used to sing this in the most charming manner, especially the lastword in the last line. Not the least charm in her manner was herevident conviction that she had mastered the English language. "Was it not an astonishing thing for so young a Signorina to knowEnglish?" "Oh, it was indeed!" said Buttons, who knew Italian very well, and hadthe lion's share of the conversation always. "And they said her accent was fine?" "Oh, most beautiful!" "Bellissima! Bellissima!" repeated little Dolores, and she would laughuntil her eyes overflowed with delighted vanity. "Could any Signorina Americana learn Italian in so short a time?" "No, not one. They had not the spirit. They could never equal her mostbeautiful accent. " "Ah! you say all the time that my accent is most beautiful. " One day she picked up a likeness of a young lady which was lying onthe table. "Who is this?" she asked, abruptly, of Buttons. "A Signorina. " "Oh yes! I know; but is she a relative?" "No. " "Are you married?" "No. " "Is this your affianced?" "Yes. " "Ah, how strange! What will you bet?--a soldier or an advocate?" "Neither. I will be a priest. " "A priest! Signor, what is it that you tell me? How can this be youraffianced lady?" "Oh! in our country the priests all marry, and live in beautifullittle cottages, with a garden in front. " This Dolores treated with the most contemptuous incredulity. Who everheard of such a thing? Impossible! Moreover, it was so absurd. Buttonstold her that he was affianced five years ago. "An eternity!" exclaimed Dolores. "How can you wait? But you must havebeen very young. " "Young? Yes, only sixteen. " "Blessed and most venerable Virgin! Only sixteen! And is she the mostbeautiful girl you know?" "No. " "Where have you seen one more so?" "In Naples. " "Who is she?" "An Italian. " "What is her name?" "Dolores. " "That's me. " "I mean you. " This was pretty direct; but Dolores was frank, and requiredfrankness from others. Some young ladies would have considered thistoo coarse and open to be acceptable. But Dolores had so high anopinion of herself that she took it for sincere homage. So she halfclosed her eyes, leaned back in her chair, looked languishingly atButtons, and then burst into a merry peal of musical laughter. "I think I am the most beautiful girl you ever saw. " It was Buttons's turn to laugh. He told Dolores that she was quiteright, and repeated her favorite word, "Belissima!" One evening when Dick was alone in the room a knock came to the door. "Was he disengaged?" "Oh, quite. " "The Signora in the room next--" "Yes. " "Would be happy to see him. " "Now?" "Yes, as soon as he liked. " [Illustration: I Kiss Hands. ] The Signora did not have to wait long. In less time than it takes totell this Dick stood with his best bow before her. How hecongratulated himself on having studied Italian! The lady reclined ona sofa. She was about thirty, and undeniably pretty. A guitar lay ather feet. Books were scattered around--French novels, and manuals ofdevotion. Intelligence beamed from her large, expressive eyes. Howdelightful! Here was an adventure, perhaps a fair conquest. "Good-evening, Signor!" "I kiss the hands to your ladyship, " said Dick, mustering a sentencefrom Ollendorff. "Pardon me for this liberty. " "I assure you it gives me the greatest happiness, and I am wholly atyour service. " "I have understood that you are an American. " "I am, Signora. " "And this is your first visit to Naples?" "My first, Signora. " "How does Naples please you?" "Exceedingly. The beautiful city, the crowded streets, the delightfulviews--above all, the most charming ladies. " A bow--a slight flush passed over the lady's face, and Dick whisperedto himself-- "Well put, Dick, my boy--deuced well put for a beginner. " "To come to the point, " said the lady, with sigh. --("Ah, here we haveit!" thought Dick--the point--blessed moment!)--"I would not haveventured to trouble you for any slight cause, Signor, but this nearlyconcerns myself. "--(Keep down--our heart, murmured Dick--cool, youdog--cool!)--"My happiness and my tenderest feelings--"(Dick'ssuffused eyes expressed deep sympathy. )--"I thought of you--" "Ah, Signora!" "And not being acquainted with you--"(What a shame!--_aside_)--Iconcluded to waive all formality"--(Social forms are generally anuisance to ardent souls--_aside_)--"and to communicate at once withyou. " "Signora, let me assure you that this is the happiest moment in mylife. " The Signora looked surprised, but went on in a sort of preoccupiedway: "I want to know if you can tell me any thing about my brother. " "Brother!" "Who is now in America. " Dick opened his eyes. "I thought that perhaps you could tell me how he is. I have not heardfrom him for two years, and feel very anxious. " Dick sat for a moment surprised at this unexpected turn. The lady'sanxiety about her brother he could see was not feigned. So heconcealed his disappointment, and in his most engaging manner informedher that he had not seen her brother; but if she could tell him hisname, and the place where he was living, he might be able to tellsomething about him. [Illustration: The Young Hussar. ] "His name, " sighed the lady, "is Giulio Fanti. " "And the place?" "Rio Janeiro. " "Rio Janeiro?" "Yes, " said the lady, slowly. Dick was in despair. Not to know any thing of her brother would makeher think him stupid. So he attempted to explain: "America, " he began, "is a very large country--larger, in fact, thanthe whole Kingdom of Naples. It is principally inhabited by savages, who are very hostile to the whites. The whites have a few cities, however. In the North the whites all speak English. In the South theyall speak Spanish. The South Americans are good Catholics, andrespect the Holy Father; but the English in the North are allheretics. Consequently there is scarcely any communication betweenthe two districts. " The lady had heard somewhere that in the American wars they employedthe savages to assist them. Dick acknowledged the truth of this withcandor, but with pain. She would see by this why he was unable to tellher any thing about her brother. His not knowing that brother was nowthe chief sorrow of his life. The lady earnestly hoped that RioJaneiro was well protected from the savages. "Oh, perfectly so. The fortifications of that city are impregnable. " Dick thus endeavored to give the lady an idea of America. Theconversation gradually tapered down until the entrance of a gentlemanbrought it to a close. Dick bowed himself out. "At any rate, " he murmured, "if the lady wanted to inspect me she hada chance, and if she wanted to pump me she ought to be satisfied. " *** One evening Buttons and Dick came in and found a stranger chattingfamiliarly with the landlord and a young hussar. The stranger wasdressed like a cavalry officer, and was the most astounding fop thatthe two Americans had ever seen. He paced up and down, head erect, chest thrown out, sabre clanking, spurs jingling, eyes sparkling, ineffable smile. He strode up to the two youths, spun round on oneheel, bowed to the ground, waved his hand patronizingly, and welcomedthem in. "A charming night, gallant gentlemen. A bewitching night. All Naplesis alive. All the world is going. Are you?" The young men stared, and coldly asked where? "Ha, ha, ha!" A merry peal of laughter rang out. "Absolutely--if theyoung Americans are not stupid. They don't know me!" "Dolores!" exclaimed Buttons. "Yes, " exclaimed the other. "How do you like me? Am I natural?--eh?military? Do I look terrible?" And Dolores skipped up and down with a strut beyond description, breathing hard and frowning. "If you look so fierce you will frighten us away, " said Buttons. "How do I look, now?" she said, standing full before him with foldedarms, _à la_ Napoleon at St. Helena. "Bellissima! Bellissima!" said Buttons, in unfeigned admiration. "Ah!" ejaculated Dolores, smacking her lips, and puffing out herlittle dimpled cheeks. "Oh!" and her eyes sparkled more brightly withperfect joy and self-contentment. "And what is all this for?" "Is it possible that you do not know?" "I have no idea. " "Then listen. It is at the Royal Opera-house. It will be the greatestmasquerade ball ever given. " "Oh--a masquerade ball!--and you?" "I? I go as a handsome young officer to break the hearts of theladies, and have such rare sport. My brave cousin, yonder gallantsoldier, goes with me. " The brave cousin, who was a big, heavy-headed fellow, grinned inacknowledgment, but said nothing. The Royal Opera-house at Naples is the largest, the grandest, and themost capacious in the world. An immense stage, an enormous pit allthrown into one vast room, surrounded by innumerable boxes, allrising, tier above tier--myriads of dancers, myriads of masks, myriads of spectators--so the scene appeared. Moreover, the Neapolitanis a born buffoon. Nowhere is he so natural as at a masquerade. Themusic, the crowd, the brilliant lights, the incessant motion are allintoxication to this impressible being. The Senator lent the countenance of his presence--not from curiosity, but from benevolent desire to keep his young friends out of trouble. He narrowly escaped being prohibited from entering by making anoutrageous fuss at the door about some paltry change. He actuallyimagined that it was possible to get the right change for a large coinin Naples. The multitudes of moving forms made the new-comers dizzy. There wereall kinds of fantastic figures. Lions polked with sylphs, crocodileschased serpents, giants walked arm in arm with dwarfs, elephants ontwo legs ran nimbly about, beating every body with hope probosces ofinflated India rubber. Pretty girls in dominos abounded; every bodywhose face was visible was on the broad grin. All classes wererepresented. The wealthier nobles entered into the spirit of the scenewith as great gusto as the humblest artisan who treated his obscuresweet-heart with an entrance ticket. [Illustration: A Perplexed Senator. ] Our friends all wore black dominos, "just for the fun of the thing. "Every body knew that they were English or American, which is justthe same; for Englishmen and Americans are universally recognizable bythe rigidity of their muscles. A bevy of masked beauties were attracted by the colossal form of theSenator. To say that he was bewildered would express his sensationsbut faintly. He was distracted. He looked for Buttons. Buttons waschatting with a little domino. He turned to Dick. Dick was walking offwith a rhinoceros. To Figgs and the Doctor. Figgs and the Doctor wereexchanging glances with a couple of lady codfishes and trying to lookamiable. The Senator gave a sickly smile. "What'n thunder'll I do?" he muttered. Two dominos took either arm. A third stood smilingly before him. Afourth tried to appropriate his left hand. "Will your Excellency dance with one of us at a time, " said No. 4, with a Tuscan accent, "or will you dance with all of us at once?" The Senator looked helplessly at her. "He does not know how, " said No 1. "He has passed his life among thestars. " "Begone, irreverent ones!" said No. 3. "This is an American prince. He said I should be his partner. " "Boh! malidetta!" cried No. 2. "He told me the same; but he said hewas a Milor Inglese. " No. 4 thereupon gave a smart pull at the Senator's hand to draw himoff. Whereupon No. 2 did the same. No. 3 began singing "Come e bello!"and No. 1 stood coaxing him to "Fly with her. " A crowd of idlersgathered grinningly around. "My goodness!" groaned the Senator. "Me! The--the representative of arespectable constituency; the elder of a Presbyterian church; thepresident of a temperance society; the deliverer of that famous Fourthof July oration; the father of a family--me! to be treated thus! Whoair these females? Air they countesses? Is this the way the foreignnobility treat an American citizen?" But the ladies pulled and the crowd grinned. The Senator endeavored toremonstrate. Then he tried to pull his arms away; but finding thatimpossible he looked in a piteous manner, first at one, and then atthe other. [Illustration: Exit Senator. ] "He wants, I tell you, to be my partner, " said No. 1. "Bah!" cried No. 2, derisively; "he intends to be mine. I understandthe national dance of his country--the famous jeeg Irelandese. " "MRS. !!!" The Senator shouted this one word in a stentorian voice. The ladiesdropped his arms and started. "I say, Mrs. !" cried the Senator. "Look here. Me no speeky_I_talian--me American. Me come just see zee fun, you know--zeespaort--you und-stand? Ha? Hum!" The ladies clapped their hands, and cried "Bravo!" Quite a crowd gathered around them. The Senator, impressed with theidea that, to make foreigners understand, it was only necessary toyell loud enough, bawled so loudly that ever so many dancers stopped. Among these Buttons came near with the little Domino. Little Dominostopped, laughed, clapped her hands, and pointed to the Senator. The Senator was yelling vehemently in broken English to a large crowdof masks. He told them that he had a large family; that he owned afactory; that he was a man of weight, character, influence, popularity, wealth; that he came here merely to study their mannersand customs. He disclaimed any intention to participate in theiramusements just then, or to make acquaintances. --He would be proud tovisit them all at their houses, or see them at his apartments, or--or--in short, would be happy to do any thing if they would only let himgo in peace. The crowd laughed, chattered, and shouted "Bravo!" at every pause. TheSenator was covered with shame and perspiration. What would havebecome of him finally it is impossible to guess; but, fortunately, atthis extremity he caught sight of Buttons. To dash away from thecharming ladies, to burst through the crowd, and to seize the arm ofButtons was but the work of a moment. "Buttons! Buttons! Buttons! Help me! These confounded _I_talianwimmin! Take them away. Tell them to leave me be. Tell them I don'tknow them--don't want to have them hanging round me. Tell them _I'myour father_!" cried the Senator, his voice rising to a shout in hisdistraction and alarm. About 970 people were around him by this time. "Goodness!" said Buttons; "you are in a fix. Why did you make yourselfso agreeable? and to so many? Why, it's too bad. One at a time!" "Buttons, " said the Senator, solemnly, "is this the time for joking?For Heaven's sake get me away. " "Come then; you must run for it. " He seized the Senator's right arm. The little Domino clung to theother. Away they started. It was a full run. A shout arose. So arisesthe shout in Rome along the bellowing Corso when the horses arestarting for the Carnival races. It was a long, loud shout, gatheringand growing and deepening as it rose, till it burst on high in onegrand thunder-clap of sound. Away the Senator went like the wind. The dense crowd parted on eitherside with a rush. The Opera-house is several hundred feet in length. Down this entire distance the Senator ran, accompanied by Buttons andthe little Domino. Crowds cheered him as he passed. Behind him thepassage-way closed up, and a long trail of screaming maskers pressedafter him. The louder they shouted the faster the Senator ran. Atlength they reached the other end. "Do you see that box?" asked Buttons, pointing to one on the topmosttier. "Yes, yes. " "Fly! Run for your life! It's your only hope. Get in there and hidetill we go. " The Senator vanished. Scarcely had his coat-tails disappeared throughthe door when the pursuing crowd arrived there. Six thousand twohundred and twenty-seven human beings, dressed in every variety ofcostume, on finding that the runner had vanished, gave vent to theirexcited feelings by a loud cheer for the interesting American who hadcontributed so greatly to the evening's enjoyment. Unlucky Senator! Will it be believed that even in the topmost box hispursuers followed him? It was even so. About an hour afterwardButtons, on coming near the entrance, encountered him. His face waspale but resolute, his dress disordered. He muttered a few words about"durned _I_talian countesses, " and hurried out. Buttons kept company with the little Domino. Never in his life had hepassed so agreeable an evening. He took good care to let his companionknow this. At length the crowd began to separate. The Domino would go. Buttons would go with her. Had she a carriage? No, she walked. Then hewould walk with her. Buttons tried hard to get a carriage, but all were engaged. But a walkwould not be unpleasant in such company. The Domino did not complain. She was vivacious, brilliant, delightful, bewitching. Buttons had beentrying all evening to find out who she was. In vain. "Who in the world is she? I must find out, so that I may see heragain. " This was his one thought. They approached the Strada Nuova. "She is not one of the nobility at any rate, or she would not livehere. " They turned up a familiar street. "How exceedingly jolly! She can't live far away from my lodgings. " They entered the Strada di San Bartolomeo. "Hanged if she don't live on the same street!" A strange thought occurred. It was soon confirmed. They stopped infront of Buttons's own lodgings. A light gleamed over the door. Another flashed into the soul of Buttons. That face, dimpled, smiling, bewitching; flashing, sparking eyes; little mouth with its rosy lips! "_Delores_!" "Blessed Saints and Holy Virgin! Is it possible that you neversuspected?" "Never. How could I when I thought you were dressed like a dragoon?" "And you never passed so happy an evening; and never had sofascinating and charming a partner; and you never heard such a voiceof music as mine; and you can never forget me through all life; andyou never can hope to find any one equal to me!" said Dolores, in herusual laughing volubility. "Never!" cried Buttons. "Oh dear! I think you must love me very much. " And a merry peal of laughter rang up the stairs as Dolores, evadingButtons's arm, which that young man had tried to pass about herwaist, dashed away into the darkness and out of sight. CHAPTER VIII. ADVENTURES AND MISADVENTURES. --A WET GROTTO AND A BOILING LAKE. --THETWO FAIR SPANIARDS, AND THE DONKEY RIDE. The Grotto of Posilippo is a most remarkable place, and, in theopinion of every intelligent traveller, is more astonishing than eventhe Hoosac Tunnel, which nobody will deny except the benightedBostonian. The city of Pozzuoli is celebrated for two things; first, because St. Paul once landed there, and no doubt hurried away as fast as he could;and, secondly, on account of the immense number of beggars that throngaround the unhappy one who enters its streets. The Dodge Club contributed liberally. The Doctor gave a cork-screw;the Senator, a bladeless knife; Dick, an old lottery ticket; Buttons, a candle-stump; Mr. Figgs, a wild-cat banknote. After whichthey all hurried away on donkeys as fast as possible. The donkey is in his glory here. Nowhere else does he develop such avariety of forms--nowhere attain such an infinity of sizes--nowhereemit so impressive a bray. It is the Bray of Naples. "It is like thethunder of the night when the cloud bursts o'er Cona, and a thousandghosts shriek at once in the hollow wind. " There is a locality in this region which the ancient named after acertain warm region which no reined person ever permits himself tomention in our day. Whatever it may have been when some Roman Tityruswalked pipe in mouth along its shore, its present condition rendersits name singularly appropriate and felicitous. Here the party amusedthemselves with a lunch of figs and oranges, which they gatheredindiscriminately from orchards and gardens on the road-side. There was the Lake Lucrine. Averno and the Elysian Fields were there. The ruins of Caligula's Bridge dotted the surface of the sea. Yet thecharms of all these classic scenes were eclipsed in the tourists' eyesby those of a number of pretty peasants girls who stood washingclothes in the limpid waters of the lake. It was in this neighborhood that they found the Grotto of the CumaeanSibyl. They followed the intelligent cicerone, armed with torches, into a gloomy tunnel. The intelligent cicerone walked before them withthe air of one who had something to show. Seven stoat peasantsfollowed after. The cavern was as dark as possible, and extendedapparently for an endless distance. After walking a distance of about two miles, according to theSenator's calculation, they came to the centre of interest. It was ahole in the wall of the tunnel. The Americans were given to understandthat they must enter here. "But how?" "How? Why on the broad backs of the stout peasants, who all stoodpolitely offering their humble services. " The guide went first. Buttons, without more ado, got on the back of the nearest Italian andfollowed. Dick came next; then the Doctor. Mr. Figgs and the Senatorfollowed in the same dignified manner. They descended for some distance, and finally came to water aboutthree feet deep. As the roof was low, and only rose three feet abovethe water, the party had some difficulty, not only in keeping theirfeet out of the water, but also in breathing. At length they came toa chamber about twelve feet square. From this they passed on toanother of the same size. Thence to another. And so on. Arriving at the last, Bearer No. 1 quietly deposited Buttons on araised stone platform, which fortunately arose about half an inchabove the water. Three other bearers did the same. Mr. Figgs lookedforlornly about him, and, being a fat man, seemed to grow somewhatapoplectic. Dick beguiled the time by lighting his pipe. "So this is the Grotto of the Cumaean Sibyl, is it?" said Buttons. "Then all I can say is that--" What he was going to say was lost by a loud cry which interruptedhim and startled all. It came from the other chamber. "The Senator!" said Dick. It was indeed his well-known voice. There was a splash and a groan. Immediately afterward a man staggered into the room. He was deathlypale, and tottered feebly under the tremendous weight of the Senator. The latter looked as anxious as his trembling bearer. "Darn it! I say, " he cried. "Darn it! Don't! Don't!" "Diavo-lo!" muttered the Italian. And in the next instant plump went the Senator into the water. Ascene then followed that baffles description. The Senator, risingfrom his unexpected bath, foaming and sputtering, the Italian prayingfor forgiveness, the loud voices of all the others shouting, calling, and laughing. The end of it was that they all left as soon as possible, and theSenator indignantly waded back through the water himself. A furiousrow with the unfortunate bearer, whom the Senator refused to pay, formed a beautifully appropriate termination to their visit to thisclassic spot. The Senator was so disturbed by this misadventure thathis wrath did not subside until his trowsers were thoroughly dried. This, however, was accomplished at last, under the warm sun, and thenhe looked around him with his usual complacency. The next spot of interest which attracted them was the Hall of theSubterranean Lake. In this place there is a cavern in the centre ofa hill, which is approached by a passage of some considerable length, and in the subterranean cavern a pool of water boils and bubbles. Theusual crowd of obliging peasantry surrounded them as they entered thevestibule of this interesting place. It was a dingy-looking chamber, out of which two narrow subterranean passages ran. A grimy, sooty, blackened figure stood before them with torches. [Illustration: Darn it!--Don't. ] "Follow!" This was all that he condescended to say, after lighting his torchesand distributing them to his visitors. He stalked off, and stoopingdown, darted into the low passage-way. The cicerone followed, thenButtons, then Dick, then the Senator, then the Doctor, then Mr. Figgs. The air was intensely hot, and the passage-way grew lower. Moreover, the smoke from the torches filled the air, blinding and choking them. Mr. Figgs faltered. Fat, and not by any means nimble, he came to apause about twenty feet from the entrance, and, making a sudden turn, darted out. The Doctor was tall and unaccustomed to bend hisperpendicular form. Half choked and panting heavily he too gave up, and turning about rushed out after Mr. Figgs. The other three went on bravely. Buttons and Dick, because they hadlong since made up their minds to see every thing that presenteditself, and the Senator, because when he started on an enterprise hewas incapable of turning back. After a time the passage went sloping steeply down. At the bottom ofthe declivity was a pond of water bubbling and steaming. Down thisthey ran. Now the stone was extremely slippery, and the subterraneanchamber was but faintly illuminated by the torches. And so it came topass that, as the Senator ran down after the others, they had barelyreached the bottom when _Thump_! At once all turned round with a start. Not too quickly; for there lay the Senator, on his back, sliding, inan oblique direction, straight toward the pool. His booted feet werealready in the seething waves; his nails were dug into the slipperysoil; he was shouting for help. To grasp his hand, his collar, his leg--to jerk him away and placehim upright, was the work of a shorter time than is taken to tell it. The guide now wanted them to wait till he boiled an egg. The Senatorremonstrated, stating that he had already nearly boiled a leg. TheSenator's opposition overpowered the wishes of the others, and theparty proceeded to return. Pale, grimy with soot, panting, coveredwith huge drops of perspiration, they burst into the chamber where theothers were waiting--first Buttons, then Dick, then the Senatorcovered with mud and slime. The latter gentleman did not answer much to the eager inquiries ofhis friends, but maintained a solemn silence. The two former loudlyand volubly descanted on the accumulated horrors of the subterraneanway, the narrow passage, the sulphurous air, the lake of boilingfloods. In this outer chamber their attention was directed to a number ofancient relics. These are offered for sale in such abundance thatthey may be considered stable articles of commerce in this country. [Illustration: Thump!] So skillful are the manufacturers that they can produce unlimitedsupplies of the following articles, and many others too numerousto mention: Cumaean and Oscan coins;Ditto and ditto statuettes;Ditto and ditto rings;Ditto and ditto bracelets;Ditto and ditto images;Ditto and ditto toilet articles;Ditto and ditto vases;Ditto and ditto flasks;Relics of Parthenope;Ditto of Baiae;Ditto of Misenum;Ditto of Paestum;Ditto of Herculaneum;Ditto of Pompeii;Ditto of Capraea;Ditto of Capua;Ditto of Cumae-- And other places too numerous to mention; all supplied to order; allof which are eaten by rust, and warranted to be covered by the cankerand the mould of antiquity. The good guide earnestly pressed some interesting relics upon theirattention, but without marked success. And now, as the hour of dinnerapproached, they made the best of their way to a neighboring inn, which commanded a fine view of the bay. Emerging from the chamber theguide followed them, offering his wares. "Tell me, " he cried, in a sonorous voice, "oh most noble Americans!how much will you give for this most ancient vase?" "Un' mezzo carlino, " said Dick, "Un' mezzo carlino!!!" The man's hand, which had been uplifted to display the vase, felldownward as he said this. His tall figure grew less and less distinctas they went further away; but long after he was out of sight thephantom of his reproachful face haunted their minds. After dinner they went out on the piazza in front of the hotel. TwoSpanish ladies were there, whose dark eyes produced an instantaneouseffect upon the impressible heart of Buttons. They sat side by side, leaning against the stone balustrade. Theywere smoking cigarettes, and the effect produced by waving theirpretty hands as they took the cigarettes from their mouths was, tosay the least, bewildering. Buttons awaited his opportunity, and did not have to wait long. Whether it was that they were willing to give the young American achance, or whether it was really unavoidable, can not be said, butcertainly one of the fair Spaniards found that her cigarette hadgone out. A pretty look of despair, and an equally pretty gesture ofvexation, showed at once the state of things. Upon which Buttonsstepped up, and with a bow that would have done honor to Chesterfield, produced a box of scented allumettes, and lighting one, gravely heldit forward. The fair Spaniard smiled bewitchingly, and bendingforward without hesitation to light her cigarette, brought her rosylips into bewildering proximity to Buttons's hand. It was a trying moment. The amiable expression of the ladies' faces, combined with thesoftly-spoken thanks of the lady whom Buttons first addressed, encouraged him. The consequence was, that in about five minutes morehe was occupying a seat opposite them, chatting as familiarly asthough he were an old playmate. Dick looked on with admiration; theothers with envy. "How in the world does it happen, " asked the Senator, "that Buttonsknows the lingo of every body he meets?" [Illustration: A Trying Moment. ] "He can't help it, " said Dick. "These Continental languages are allalike; know one, and you've got the key to the others--that is withFrench, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. " "And look at him now!" cried the Senator, his eye beaming withcordial admiration. "You may well look at him!" sighed Dick. "Two such pretty girls asthese won't turn up again in a hurry. Spaniards too; I always admiredthem. " And he walked down to the shore humming to himself somethingabout "the girls of Cadiz. " The ladies informed Buttons that they were travelling with theirbrother, and had been through Russia, Germany, England, France, andwere now traversing Italy; did not like the three first-mentionedcountries, but were charmed with Italy. Their _naïveté_ was delightful. Buttons found out that the name ofone was Lucia, and the other Ida. For the life of him he did not knowwhich he admired most; but, on the whole, rather inclined to the oneto whom he had offered the light--Ida. He was equally frank, and let them know his name, his country, hisCreed. They were shocked at his creed, pleased with his country andamused at his name, which they pronounced, "Señor Bo-to-nes. " After about an hour their brother came. He was a small man, veryactive, and full of vivacity. Instead of looking fiercely at thestranger, he shook hands with him very cordially. Before doing this, however, he took one short, quick survey of his entire person, fromfelt hat down to his Congress boots. The consequence was that Buttonsdeserted his companions, and went off with the ladies. Dick took the lead of the party on the return home. They viewed theconduct of Buttons with displeasure. The Senator did not show hisusual serenity. The party were all riding on donkeys. To do this onthe minute animals which the Neapolitans furnish it is necessary toseat one's self on the stern of the animal, and draw the legs wellup, so that they may not trail on the ground. The appearance of therider from behind is that of a Satyr dressed in the fashion of thenineteenth century. Nothing can be more ridiculous than the sightof a figure dressed in a frock-coat and beaver hat, and terminatedby the legs and tail of a donkey. As it was getting late the party harried. The donkeys were put on thefull gallop. First rode the guide, then the others, last of whom wasthe Senator, whose great weight was a sore trial to the little donkey. They neared Pozzuoli, when suddenly the Senator gave his little beasta smart whack to hasten his steps. The donkey lost all patience. Witha jump he leaped forward. Away he went, far ahead of the others. Thesaddle whose girth was rather old, slipped off. The Senator held ontightly. In vain! Just as he rounded a corner formed by a projectingsandbank the donkey slipped. Down went the rider; down went the donkeyalso--rider and beast floundering in the dusty road. A merry peal of ill-suppressed laughter came from the road-side as herolled into view. It came from a carriage. In the carriage were theSpaniards--there, too, was Buttons. [Illustration: Senator And Donkey. ] CHAPTER IX. A DRIVE INTO THE COUNTRY. --A FIGHT WITH A VETTURINO. --THE EFFECT OFEATING "HARD BOILED EGGS. "--WHAT THEY SAW AT PAESTUM. --FIVE TEMPLESAND ONE "MILL. " To hire a carriage in Naples for any length of time is by no meansan easy thing. It is necessary to hold long commune with theproprietor, to exert all the wiles of masterly diplomacy to circumventcunning by cunning, to exert patience, skill, and eloquence. After adecision has been reached, there is but one way in which you can holdyour vetturino to his bargain, and that is to bind him to it bysecuring his name to a contract. Every vetturino has a printed formall ready. If he can't write his name, he does something equallybinding and far simpler. He dips his thumb in the ink-bottle andstamps it on the paper. If that is not his signature, what elseis it? "Thus, " said one, "Signor Adam signed the marriage-contract withSignora Eva. " After incredible difficulties a contract had been drawn up andsigned by the horny thumb of a certain big vetturino, who went by thename of "II Piccolo. " It was to the effect that, for a certainspecified sum, Il Piccolo should take the party to Paestum and backwith a detour to Sorrento. It was a most delightful morning. All were in the best of spirits. So they started. On for miles through interminable streets of housesthat bordered the circular shore, through crowds of sheep, droves ofcattle, dense masses of human beings, through which innumerablecaleches darted like meteors amid the stars of heaven. Here came theoxen of Southern Italy, stately, solemn, long-horned, cream-colored;there marched great droves of Sorrento hogs--the hog of hogs--astrange but not ill-favored animal, thick in hide, leaden in color, hairless as a hippopotamus. The flesh of the Sorrento hog bears thesame relation to common pork that "Lubin's Extrait" bears to thecoarse scent of a country grocery. A pork-chop from the Sorrentoanimal comes to the palate with the force of a new revelation; it isthe highest possibility of pork--the apotheosis of the pig! Long linesof macaroni-cooks doing an enormous business; armies of dealers inanisette; crowds of water-carriers; throngs of fishermen, carryingnets and singing merry songs--"Ecco mi!" "Ecco la!"--possibleMassaniellos every man of them, I assure you, Sir. And--envelopingall, mingling with all, jostling all, busy with the busiest, idlewith the idlest, noisy with the noisest, jolly with the jolliest, the fat, oily, swarthy, rosy--(etc. , for further epithets seepreceding pages)--_Lazaroni_! Every moment produces new effects in the ever-shifting scenes ofNaples. Here is the reverse of monotony; if any thing becomeswearisome, it is the variety. Here is the monotony of incessantchange. The whole city, with all its vast suburbs, lives on thestreets. The Senator wiped his fevered brow. He thought that for crowds, noise, tumult, dash, hurry-skurry, gayety, life, laughter, joyance, and all that incites to mirth, and all that stirs the soul, even NewYork couldn't hold a candle to Naples. Rabelais ought to have been a Neapolitan. Then, as the city gradually faded into the country, the winding roadopened up before them with avenues of majestic trees--overhanging, arching midway--forming long aisles of shade. Myrtles, that grew upinto trees, scented the air. Interminable groves of figs and orangesspread away up the hill, intermingled with the darker foliage of theolive or cypress. The mountains come lovingly down to bathe their feet in the sea. Theroad winds among them. There is a deep valley around which rise loftyhills topped with white villages or ancient towers, or dotted withvillas which peep forth from amid dense groves. As far as the eye canreach the vineyards spread away. Not as in France or Germany, miserable sandy fields with naked poles or stunted bushes; butvast extents of trees, among which the vines leap in wild luxuriance, hanging in long festoons from branch to branch, or intertwining withthe foliage. "I don't know how it is, " said the Senator, "but I'm cussed if I feelas if this here country was ground into the dust. If it is, it is nobad thing to go through the mill. I don't much wonder that these_I_talians don't emigrate. If I owned a farm in this neighborhood I'dstand a good deal of squeezin' before I'd sell out and go anywhereselse. " At evening they reached Salerno, a watering-place the sea-coast, andNaples in miniature. There is no town in Italy without its opera-house or theatre, andamong the most vivid and most precious of scenic delights thepantomime commends itself to the Italian bosom. Of course there was apantomime at Salerno. It was a mite of a house; on a rough calculationthirty feet by twenty; a double tier of boxes; a parquette abouttwelve feet square; and a stage of about two-thirds that size. Yet behold what the ingenuity of man can accomplish! On that stagethere were performed all the usual exhibitions of human passion, andthey even went into the production of great scenic displays, amongwhich a great storm in the forest was most prominent. Polichinello was in his glory! On this occasion the joke of theevening was an English traveller. The ideal Englishman on theContinent is a never-failing source of merriment. The presence offive Americans gave additional piquancy to the show. The corpulent, double-chinned, red-nosed Englishman, with knee-breeches, shoe-buckles, and absurd coat, stamped, swore, frowned, doubled uphis fists, knocked down waiters, scattered gold right and left, wasarrested, was tried, was fined; but came forth unterrified from everypersecution, to rave, to storm, to fight, to lavish money as before. How vivid were the flashes of lightning produced by touching off somecotton-wool soaked in alcohol! How terrific the peals of thunderproduced by the vibrations of a piece of sheet-iron! Whatever wasdeficient in mechanical apparatus was readily supplied by the powerfulimagination of the Italians, who, though they had often seen all thisbefore, were not at all weary of looking at it, but enjoyed thethousandth repetition as much as the first. Those merry Italians! There is an old, old game played by every vetturino. When our travellers had returned to the hotel, and were enjoyingthemselves in general conversation, the vetturino bowed himself in. He was a good deal exercised in his mind. With a great preamble hecame to his point. As they intended to start early in the morning, he supposed they would not object to settle their little bill now. "_What_!" shouted Buttons, jumping up. "What bill? Settle a bill?_We_ settle a bill? Are you mad?" "Your excellencies intend to settle the bill, of course, " said thevetturino, with much phlegm. "Our excellencies never dreamed of any such thing. " "Not pay? Ha! ha! You jest, Signor. " "Do you see this?" said Buttons, solemnly producing the contract. "Well?" responded Il Piccolo. "What is this?" "Our contract. " "Do you know what it is that you have engaged to do?" "To take you to Paestum. " "Yes; to Paestum and back, with a detour to Sorrento. Moreover, youengage to supply us with three meals a day and lodgings, to all ofwhich we engage to pay a certain sum. What, then, " cried Buttons, elevating his voice, "in the name of all the blessed saints andapostles, do you mean by coming to us about hotel bills?" "Signor, " said the vetturino, meekly, "when I made that contract Ifear I was too sanguine. " "Too sanguine!" "And I have changed my mind since. " "Indeed?" "I find that I am a poor man. " "Did you just find that out?" "And that if I carry out this it will ruin me. " "Well?" "So you'll have to pay for the hotel expenses yourselves, " saidIl Piccolo, with desperation. "I will forgive this insufferable insolence, " said Buttons, Majestically, "on condition that it never occurs again. Do yousee that?" he cried, in louder tones. And he unfolded the contract, which he had been holding in his hand, and sternly pointed to the big blotch of ink that was supposed to beII Piccolo's signature. "_Do you see that_!" he cried, in a voice of thunder. The Italian did not speak. "And _that_?" he cried, pointing to the signature of the witness. The Italian opened his month to speak, but was evidently nonplused. "You are in my power!" said Buttons, in a fine melodramatic tone, andwith a vivacity of gesture that was not without its effect on theItalian. He folded the contract, replaced it in his breast-pocket, andslapped it with fearful emphasis. Every slap seemed to go to the heartof Il Piccolo. [Illustration: Do You See That?] "If you dare to try to back out of this agreement I'll have you upbefore the police. I'll enforce the awful penalty that punishes thenon-performance of a solemn engagement. I'll have you arrested bythe Royal Guards in the name of His Majesty the King, and cause youto be incarcerated in the lowest dungeons of St. Elmo. Besides, Iwon't pay you for the ride thus far. " With this last remark Buttons walked to the door, and without anotherword opened it, and motioned to Il Piccolo to leave. The vetturinodeparted in silence. On the following morning he made his appearance as pleasant as thoughnothing had happened. The carriage rolled away from Salerno. Broad fields stretched away onevery side. Troops of villagers marched forth to their labor. As theywent on they saw women working in the fields, and men lolling on thefences. "Do you call that the stuff for a free country?" cried the Senator, whose whole soul rose up in arms against such a sight. "Air thesethings men? or can such slaves as these women seem to be give birthto any thing but slaves?" "Bravo!" cried Buttons. The Senator was too indignant to say more, and so fell into a fit ofmusing. "Dick, " said Buttons, after a long pause, "you are as pale as a ghost. I believe you must be beginning to feel the miasma from these plains. " "Oh no, " said Dick, dolefully; "something worse. " "What's the matter?" "Do you remember the eggs we had for dinner last evening?" "Yes. " "That's what's the matter, " said Dick, with a groan. "I can't explain;but this, perhaps, will tell thee all I feel. " He took from his pocket a paper and handed it to Buttons. Around themargin were drawn etchings of countless fantastic figures, illustrating the following lines: A NIGHTMARE. "_Gorgons, and hydras, and chimeras dire_. " BY A VICTIM. Eggs! Eggs!! Eggs!!! Hard boiled eggs for tea! And oh! the horrible nightmare dream They brought to luckless me! The hippopotamus came; He sat upon my chest: The hippopotamus roared "I'll spot him!" as He trampled upon my breast. The big iguanodon hunched And rooted in under me: The big iguanodon raised by that pan o' done Overdone eggs for tea. The ichthyosaurus tried To roll me up in a ball; While all the three were grinning at me, And pounding me, bed and all. Hip! hip! hurrah! It was a little black pig, And a big bull-frog, and a bobtailed dog-- All of them dancing a jig. And oh, the snakes! the snakes! And the boa constrictor too! And the cobra capello--a terrible fellow-- Came to my horrified view. Snakes and horrible beasts, Frog, pig, and dog Hustled me, pushed me, tickled me, crushed me, Rolled me about like a log. The little blue devils came on; They rode on a needle's point; And the big giraffe, with asthmatic laugh, And legs all out of joint. Bats crawled into my ears, Hopping about in my brain; And grizzly bears rode up on mares, And then rode down again. An antediluvian roared, In the form of a Brahmin bull; And a Patagonian squeezed an onion, Filling my aching eyes full. The three blue bottles that sat Upon the historical stones Sang, "Hey diddle diddle"--two on a fiddle, The other one on the bones. "Whoo! whoo! whoo! Get up, get up, you beauty! Here come the shaved monkeys, a-ridlng on donkeys, Fresh from Bobberty Shooty. " They raised me up in the air, Bed, body, and all, And carried me soon to the man in the moon, At the siege of Sebastopol. Down, down, down, Round, round, round, A whirlpool hurled me out of the world, And on, no bottom I found. Down, down, down, Whirl, whirl, whirl, And the Florentine boar was pacing the shore, His tail all out of curl. He smoked my favorite pipe, He blew a cloud of smoke, He pulled me out with his porcine snout, And hugging him, I awoke. "Why, Dick, " cried the Senator, "what precious nonsense!" "It was intended to be so, " said Dick. "Well, but you might as well put on an _idee_. It must have somemeaning. " "Not a bit of it. It has no meaning; that is, no more than a dreamor a nightmare. " The Senator now began to discuss the nature of poetry, but wassuddenly interrupted by a shout-- "The Temples!" The country about Paestum is one of the most beautiful in the world. Between the mountains and the sea lies a luxuriant plain, and in themiddle of it is the ruined city. The outlines of walls and remnants ofgates are there. Above all rise five ancient edifices. They strolledcarelessly around. The marble floors of a good many private housesare yet visible, but the stupendous temples are the chief attractionshere; above all, the majestic shrine of Neptune. It was while standing with head thrown back, eyes and mouth openedwide, and thoughts all taken up with a deep calculation, that theSenator was startled by a sudden noise. Turning hastily he saw something that made him run with the speed ofthe wind toward the place where the noise arose. Buttons and Dick weresurrounded by a crowd of fierce-looking men, who were making verythreatening demonstrations. There were at least fifteen. As theSenator ran up from one direction, so came up Mr. Figgs and the Doctorfrom another. "What is this?" cried the Senator, bursting in upon the crowd. A huge Italian was shaking his fist in Buttons's face, and stampingand gesticulating violently. "These men say we must pay five piastres each to them for strollingabout their ground, and Buttons has told this big fellow that he willgive them five kicks each. There'll be some kind of a fight. Theybelong to the Camorra. " Dick said all this in a hurried under-tone. "Camorry, what's that--brigands?" "All the same. " "They're not armed, anyhow. " Just at this moment Buttons said something which seemed to sting theItalians to the soul, for with a wild shout they rushed forward. TheDoctor drew out his revolver. Instantly Dick snatched it from him, and rushing forward, drove back the foremost. None of them were armed. "Stand off!" he cried, in Italian. "The fight is between this bigfellow and my friend. If any one of you interferes I'll put a bulletthrough him. " The Italians fell back cursing. Buttons instantly divested himself ofhis coat, vest, and collar. The Italian waited with a grim smile. At one end were the Senator, the Doctor, Mr. Figgs; at the other theItalian ruffians. In the middle Buttons and his big antagonist. Nearthem Dick with his pistol. The scene that followed had better be described in Dick's own words, as he pencilled them in his memorandum-book, from time to time, keeping a sharp lookout with his pistol also. Afterward thedescription was retouched: _Great mill at Paestum, between E. BUTTONS, Esq. , Gentleman, andItalian party called BEPPO_. _1st Round_. --Beppo defiant, no attitude at all. Buttons assumed anelegant pose. Beppo made a succession of wild strokes without anyaim, which were parried without effort. After which Buttons landedfour blows, one on each peeper, one on the smeller, and one on themug. _First blood for Buttons_. Beppo considerably surprised. Rushedfuriously at Buttons, arms flying everywhere, struck over Buttons'shead. Buttons lightly made obeisance, and then fired a hundred-pounderon Beppo's left auricular, which had the effect of bringing him to thegrass. _First knock down for Buttons_. _2nd Round_. --Foreign population quite dumbfounded. Americans amusedbut not excited. One hundred to one on Buttons eagerly offered, but notakers. Beppo jumped to his feet like a wild cat. Eyes encircled withebon aurioles, olfactory quite demolished. Made a rush at Buttons, who, being a member of the Dodge Club, dodged him, and landed arattler on the jugular, which again sent foreign party to grass. _3d Round_. --Nimble to the scratch. Beppo badly mashed and raving. Buttons unscathed and laughing; Beppo more cautious made a faintattempt to get into Buttons. No go. Tried a little sparing, whichwas summarily ended by a cannonade from Buttons directly inhis countenance. _4th Round_. --Foreigners wild. Yelling to their man to go in. Don'tunderstand a single one of the rules of the P. R. Very benighted. Need missionaries. Evinced strong determination to go in themselves, but where checked by attitude of referee, who threatened to blow outbrains of first man that interfered. Beppo's face magnifiedconsiderably. Appearance not at all prepossessing. Much distressed butfurious. Made a bound at Buttons, who calmly, and without any apparenteffort, met him with a terrific upper cut, which made the Italian'sgigantic frame tremble like a ship under the stroke of a big wave. Hetottered, and swung his arms, trying to regain his balance, whenanother annihilator most cleanly administered by Buttons laid him low. A great tumult rose among the foreigners. Beppo lay panting with nodetermination to come to the scratch. At the expiration of usual time, opponent not appearing. Buttons was proclaimed victor. Beppo very muchmashed. Foreigners very greatly cowed. After waiting a short timeButtons resumed his garments and walked off with his friends. [Illustration: The Mill At Paestum. ] After the victory the travellers left Paestum on their return. The road that turns off to Sorrento is the most beautiful in theworld. It winds along the shore with innumerable turnings, climbinghills, descending into valleys, twining around precipices. There arescores of the prettiest villages under the sun, ivy-covered ruins, frowning fortresses, lofty towers, and elegant villas. At last Sorrento smiles out from a valley which is proverbial forbeauty, where, within its shelter of hills, neither the hot blastof midsummer nor the cold winds of winter can ever disturb itsrepose. This is the valley of perpetual spring, where fruitsforever grow, and the seasons all blend together, so that the sameorchard shows trees in blossom and bearing fruit. CHAPTER X. ON THE WATER, WHERE BUTTONS SEES A LOST IDEA AND GIVES CHASE TO IT, TOGETHER WITH THE HEART-SICKENING RESULTS THEREOF. On the following morning Buttons and Dick went a little way out oftown, and down the steep cliff toward the shore. It was a classic spot. Here was no less a place than the cave ofPolyphemus, where Homer, at least, may have stood, if Ulysses didn't. And here is the identical stone with which the giant was wont toblock up the entrance to his cavern. The sea rolled before. Away down to the right was Vesuvius, startingfrom which the eye took in the whole wide sweep of the shore, linedwith white cities, with a background of mountains, till the landterminated in bold promontories. Opposite was the Isle of Capri. Myriads of white sails flashed across the sea. One of these arrestedthe attention of Buttons, and so absorbed him that he stared fixedlyat it for half an hour without moving. At length an exclamation burst from him: "By Jove! It is! It is!" "What is? What is?" "The Spaniards!" "Where?" "In that boat. " "Ah!" said Dick, coolly, looking at the object pointed out byButtons. It was an English sail-boat, with a small cabin and an immensesail. In the stern were a gentleman and two ladies. Buttons wasconfident that they were the Spaniards. [Illustration: The Spaniards. ] "Well, " said Dick, "what's the use of getting so excited aboutit?" "Why, I'm going back to Naples by water!" "Are you? Then I'll go too. Shall we leave the others?" "Certainly not, if they want to come with us. " Upon inquiry they found that the others had a strong objection togoing by sea. Mr. Figgs preferred the ease of the carriage. TheDoctor thought the sea air injurious. The Senator had the honestyto confess that he was afraid of seasickness. They would not listento persuasion, but were all resolutely bent on keeping to thecarriage. Buttons exhibited a feverish haste in searching after a boat. Therewas but little to choose from among a crowd of odd-lookingfishing-boats that crowded the shore. However, they selected thecleanest from among them, and soon the boat, with her broad sailspread, was darting over the sea. The boat of which they went in pursuit was far away over near theother shore, taking long tacks across the bay. Buttons headed hisboat so as to meet the other on its return tack. It was a magnificent scene. After exhausting every shore view ofNaples, there is nothing like taking to the water. Every thingthen appears in a new light. The far, winding cities that surroundthe shore, the white villages, the purple Apennines, the rockyisles, the frowning volcano. This is what makes Naples supreme in beauty. The peculiar combinationsof scenery that are found there make rivalry impossible. For if youfind elsewhere an equally beautiful bay, you will not have so liquidan atmosphere; if you have a shore with equal beauty of outline, andequal grace in its long sweep of towering headland and retreatingslope, you will not have so deep a purple on the distant hills. Aboveall, nowhere else on earth has Nature placed in the very centre of sodivine a scene the contrasted terrors of the black volcano. Watching a chase is exciting; but taking part in it is much more so. Buttons had made the most scientific arrangements. He had calculatedthat at a certain point on the opposite shore the other boat wouldturn on a new tack, and that if he steered to his boat to a pointabout half-way over, he would meet them, without appearing to be inpursuit. He accordingly felt so elated at the idea that he burstforth into song. The other boat at length had passed well over under the shadow ofthe land. It did not turn. Further and further over, and still itdid not change its course. Buttons still kept the course which hehad first chosen; but finding that he was getting far out of the wayof the other boat, he was forced to turn the head of his boatcloser to the wind, and sail slowly, watching the others. There was an island immediately ahead of the other boat. What was hisdismay at seeing it gracefully pass beyond the outer edge of theisland, turn behind it, and vanish. He struck the taffrail furiouslywith his clenched hand. However, there was no help for it; so, changing his course, he steered in a straight line after the other, to where it had disappeared. Now that the boat was out of sight Dick did not feel himself calledon to watch. So he went forward into the bow, and made himself a snugberth, where he laid down; and lighting his pipe, looked dreamily outthrough a cloud of smoke upon the charming scene. The tossing of theboat and the lazy flapping of the sails had a soothing influence. Hisnerves owned the lulling power. His eyelids grew heavy and gentlydescended. The wind and waves and islands and sea and sky, all mingled togetherin a confused mass, came before his mind. He was sailing on clouds, and chasing Spanish ladies through the sky. The drifting currents ofthe air bore them resistlessly along in wide and never-ending curvesupward in spiral movements towards the zenith; and then off inever-increasing speed, with ever-widening gyrations, toward thesunset, where the clouds grew red, and lazaroni grinned from behind-- A sudden bang of the huge sail struck by the wind, a wild creakingof the boom, and a smart dash of spray over the bows and into hisface waked him from his slumber. He started up, half blinded, tolook around. Buttons sat gazing over the waters with an expressionof bitter vexation. They had passed the outer point of the island, and had caught a swift current, a chopping sea, and a brisk breeze. The other boat was nowhere to be seen. Buttons had already headed backagain. "I don't see the other boat, " said Dick. Buttons without a wordpointed to the left. There she was. She had gone quietly around theisland, and had taken the channel between it and the shore. All thetime that she had been hidden she was steadily increasing the distancebetween them. "There's no help for it, " said Dick, "but to keep straight afterthem. " Buttons did not reply, but leaned back with a sweet expression ofpatience. The two boats kept on in this way for a long time; butthe one in which our friends had embarked was no match at all forthe one they were pursuing. At every new tack this fact became morepainfully evident. The only hope for Buttons was to regain by hissuperior nautical skill what he might lose. Those in the other boathad but little skill in sailing. These as length became aware thatthey were followed, and regarded their pursuers with earnestattention. It did not seem to have any effect. "They know we are after them at last!" said Dick. "I wonder if they can recognize us?" "If they do they have sharp eyes. I'll be hanged if I can recognizethem. I don't see how you can. " "Instinct, Dick--instinct!" said Buttons, with animation. "What's that flashing in their boat?" "That?" said Buttons. "It's a spy-glass. I didn't notice it before. " "I've seen it for the last half-hour. " "Then they most recognize us. How strange that they don't slacken alittle! Perhaps we are not in full view. I will sit a little moreout the shade of the sail, so that they can recognize me. " Accordingly Buttons moved out to a more conspicuous place, and Dickallowed himself to be more visible. Again the flashing brass was seenin the boat, and they could plainly perceive that it was passed fromone to the other, while each took a long survey. "They must be able to see us if they have any kind of a glass at all. " "I should think so, " said Buttons, dolefully. "Are you sure they are the Spaniards?" "Oh! quite. " "Then I must say they might be a little more civil, and not keepus racing after them forever!" "Oh, I don't know; I suppose they wouldn't like to sail close upto us. " "They needn't sail up to us, but they might give us a chance to hailthem. " "I don't think the man they have with them looks like Señor Francia. " "Francia? Is that his name? He certainly looks larger. He is larger. " "Look!" As Buttons spoke the boat ahead fell rapidly to leeward. The wind hadfallen, and a current which they had struck upon bore them away. Inthe effort to escape from the current the boat headed toward Buttons, and when the wind again arose she continued to sail toward them. Asthey came nearer Buttons's face exhibited a strange variety ofexpressions. [Illustration: A Thousand Pardons!] They met. In the other boat sat two English ladies and a tall gentleman, whoeyed the two young men fixedly, with a "stony British stare. " "A thousand pardons!" said Buttons, rising and bowing. "I mistook youfor some acquaintances. " Whereupon the others smiled in a friendly way, bowed, and saidsomething. A few commonplaces were interchanged, and the boats driftedaway out of hearing. CHAPTER XI. THE SENATOR HAS SUCH A FANCY FOR SEEKING USEFUL INFORMATION!--CURIOUSPOSITION OF A WISE, AND WELL-KNOWN, AND DESERVEDLY-POPULAR LEGISLATOR, AND UNDIGNIFIED MODE OF HIS ESCAPE. It was not much after ten in the morning when Buttons and Dickreturned. On reaching the hotel they found Mr. Figgs and the Doctor, who asked them if they had seen the Senator. To which they replied byputting the same question to their questioners. He had not been seen since they had all been together last. Where washe? Of course there was no anxiety felt about him, but still they allwished to have him near at hand, as it was about time for them toleave the town. The vetturino was already grumbling, and it requireda pretty strong remonstrance from Buttons to silence him. They had nothing to do but to wait patiently. Mr. Figgs and the Doctorlounged about the sofas. Buttons and Dick strolled about the town. Hearing strains of music as they passed the cathedral, they turned inthere to listen to the service. Why there should be service, and fullservice too, they could not imagine. "Can it be Sunday, Dick?" said Buttons, gravely. "Who can tell?" exclaimed Dick, lost in wonder. The cathedral was a small one, with nave and transept as usual, and inthe Italian Gothic style. At the end of the nave stood the high altar, which was now illuminated with wax-candles, while priests officiatedbefore it. At the right extremity of the transact was the organ-loft, a somewhat unusual position; while at the opposite end of the transeptwas a smaller door. The church was moderately filled. Probably therewere as many people there as it ever had. They knelt on the floor withtheir faces toward the altar, Finding the nave somewhat crowded, Buttons and Dick went around to the door at the end of the transept, and entered there. A large space was empty as far as the junction withthe nave. Into this the two young men entered, very reverently, and oncoming near to the place where the other worshipers were they kneltdown in the midst of them. While looking before him, with his mind full of thoughts called up bythe occasion, and while the grand music of one of Mozart's masses wasfilling his soul, Buttons suddenly felt his arm twitched. He turned. It was Dick. Buttons was horrified. In the midst of this solemn scene the youngman was convulsed with laughter. His features were working, his lipsmoving, as he tried to whisper something which his laughter preventedhim from saying, and tears were in his eyes. At last he stuck hishandkerchief in his mouth and bowed down very low, while his wholeframe shook. Some of the worshipers near by looked scandalized, others shocked, others angry. Buttons felt vexed. At last Dick raisedhis face and rolled his eyes toward the organ-loft, and instantlybowed his head again. Buttons looked up mechanically, following thedirection of Dick's glance. The next instant he too fell forward, tore his handkerchief out of his pocket, while his whole frame shookwith the most painful convulsion of laughter. And how dreadful is such a convulsion in a solemn place! In a church, amid worshipers; perhaps especially amid worshipers of another creed, for then one is suspected of offering deliberate insult. So it washere. People near saw the two young men, and darted angry looks atthem. Now what was it that had so excited two young men, who were by nomeans inclined to offer insult to any one, especially in religiousmatters? It was this: As they looked up to the organ-loft they saw a figurethere. The organ projected from the wall about six feet; on the left sidewas the handle worked by the man who blew it, and a space for thechoir. On the right was a small narrow space not more than aboutthree feet wide, and it was in this space that they saw the figurewhich produced such an effect on them. It was the Senator. He stood there erect, bare-headed of course, with confusion in his face and vexation and bewilderment. The sightof him was enough--the astonishing position of the man, in such aplace at such a time. But the Senator was looking eagerly for help. And he had seen them enter, and all his soul was in his eyes, and allhis eyes were fixed on those two. As Dick looked up startled and confounded at the sight, the Senatorprojected his head as far forward as he dared, frowned, nodded, andthen began working his lips violently as certain deaf and dumb peopledo, who converse by such movements, and can understand what words aresaid by the shape of the mouth in uttering them. But the effect wasto make the Senator buck like a man who was making grimaces, towager, like those in Victor Hugo's "Notre Dame. " As such theapparition was so over-powering that neither Buttons nor Dick daredto look up for some time. What made it worse, each was conscious thatthe other was laughing, so that self-control was all the moredifficult. Worse still, each knew that this figure in the organ-loftwas watching them with his hungry glance, ready the moment that theylooked up to begin his grimaces once more. "That poor Senator!" thought Buttons; "how did he get there? Oh, howdid he get there?" Yet how could he be rescued? Could he be? No. He must wait till theservice should be over. Meanwhile the young men mustered sufficient courage to look up again, and after a mighty struggle to gaze upon the Senator for a fewseconds at a time at least. There he stood, projecting forward hisanxious face, making faces as each one looked up. [Illustration: The Senator. ] Now the people in the immediate vicinity of the two young men hadnoticed their agitation as has already been stated, and, moreover, they had looked up to see the cause of it. They too saw the Senator. Others again, seeing their neighbors looking up, did the same, untilat last all in the transept were staring up at the odd-lookingstranger. As Buttons and Dick looked up, which they could not help doing often, the Senator would repeat his mouthings, and nods, and becks, andlooks of entreaty. The consequence was, that the people thought thestranger was making faces at them. Three hundred and forty-sevenhonest people of Sorrento thus found themselves shamefully insultedin their own church by a barbarous foreigner, probably an Englishman, no doubt a heretic. The other four hundred and thirty-six who kneltin the nave knew nothing about it. They could not see the organ-loftat all. The priests at the high altar could not see it, so that theywere uninterrupted in their duties. The singers in the organ-loft sawnothing, for the Senator was concealed from their view. Thosetherefore who saw him were the people in the transept, who now keptstaring fixedly, and with angry eyes, at the man in the loft. There was no chance of getting him out of that before the servicewas over, and Buttons saw that there might be a serious tumult whenthe Senator came down among that wrathful crowd. Every moment made itworse. Those in the nave saw the agitation of those in the transept, and got some idea of the cause. At last the service was ended; the singers departed, the priestsretired, but the congregation remained. Seven hundred and eighty-threehuman beings waiting to take vengeance on the miscreant who hadthrown ridicule on the Holy Father by making faces at the faithfulas they knelt in prayer. Already a murmur arose on every side. "A heretic! A heretic! A blasphemer! He has insulted us!" Buttons saw that a bold stroke alone could save them. He burst intothe midst of the throng followed by Dick. "Fly!" he cried. "Fly for your lives! _It is a madman_! Fly! Fly!" A loud cry of terror arose. Instantaneous conviction flashed on theminds of all. A madman! Yes. He could be nothing else. A panic arose. The people recoiled from before that terrible madman. Buttons sprang up to the loft. He seized the Senator's arm and draggedhim down. The people fled in horror. As the Senator emerged he sawseven hundred and eighty-three good people of Sorrento scampering awaylike the wind across the square in front of the cathedral. On reaching the hotel he told his story. He had been peering aboutin search of useful information, and had entered the cathedral. After going through every part he went up into the organ-loft. Justthen the singers came. Instead of going out like a man, he dodgedthem from some absurd cause or other, with a half idea that he wouldget into trouble for intruding. The longer he stayed the worse itwas for him. At last he saw Buttons and Dick enter, and tried tomake signals. "Well, " said Buttons, "we had better leave. The Sorrentonians will bearound here soon to see the maniac. They will find out all about him, and make us acquainted with Lynch law. " In a quarter of an hour more they were on their way back to Naples. CHAPTER XII. HERCULANEUM AND POMPEII, AND ALL THAT THE SIGHT OF THOSE FAMOUS PLACESPRODUCED ON THE MINDS OF THE DODGE CLUB. They had already visited Herculaneum, but the only feeling which hadbeen awakened by the sight of that ill-fated city was one ofunmitigated disgust. As honesty was the chief characteristic of thewhole party, they did not hesitate to express themselves with theutmost freedom on this subject. They hoped for better things fromPompeii. At any rate Pompeii was above ground; what might be therewould be visible. No fuss with torches. No humbugging with lanterns. No wandering through long black passages. No mountains bringing forthmice. Their expectations were encouraged as they walked up the street ofTombs leading to the Herculaneum Gate. Tombs were all around, anyquantity, all sizes, little black vaults full of pigeon-holes. Thesethey narrowly examined, and when the guide wasn't looking they filledtheir pockets with the ashes of the dead. "Strange, " quoth the Senator, musingly, "that these ancient Pompeyfellers should pick out this kind of a way of getting buried. Thismust be the reason why people speak of urns and ashes when they speakof dead people. " [Illustration: Villa Of Diomedes. ] They walked through the Villa of Diomedes. They were somewhatdisappointed. From guide-books, and especially from the remarkablywell-got-up Pompeian court at Sydenham Palace, Buttons had been led toexpect something far grander. But in this, the largest house in thecity, what did he find? Mites of rooms, in fact closets, in which evena humble modern would find himself rather crowded. There was scarcelya decent-sized apartment in the whole establishment, as they allindignantly declared. The cellars were more striking. A number ofearthern vessels of enormous size were in one corner. "What are these?" asked the Senator. "Wine jars. " "What?" "Wine jars. They didn't use wooden casks. " "The more fools they. Now do you mean to say that wooden casks arenot infinitely more convenient than these things that can't stand upwithout they are leaned against the wall? Pho!" At one corner the guide stopped, and pointing down, said something. "What does he say?" asked the Senator. "He says if you want to know how the Pompeians got choked, stoop downand smell that. Every body who comes here is expected to smell thisparticular spot, or he can't say that he has seen Pompeii. " [Illustration: Phew!] So down went the five on their knees, and up again faster than theywent down. With one universal shout of: "Phew-w-w-w-w-h-h-h!" It was a torrent of sulphurous vapor that they inhaled. "Now, I suppose, " said the Senator, as soon as he could speak, "that that there comes direct in a bee-line through a subterraneantunnel right straight from old Vesuvius. " "Yes, and it was this that suggested the famous scheme forextinguishing the volcano. " "How? What famous scheme?" "Why, an English stock-broker came here last year, and smelled thisplace, as every one must do. An idea struck him. He started up. He ranoff without a word. He went straight to London. There he organized acompany. They propose to dig a tunnel from the sea to the interior ofthe mountain. When all is ready they will let in the water. There willbe a tremendous hiss. The volcano will belch out steam for about sixweeks; but the result will be that the fires will be put out forever. " From the Villa of Diomedes they went to the gate where the guard-houseis seen. Buttons told the story of the sentinel who died there onduty, embellishing it with a few new features of an originalcharacter. "Now that may be all very well, " said the Senator, "but don't ask meto admire that chap, or the Roman army, or the system. It was allhollow. Why, don't you see the man was a blockhead? He hadn't senseenough to see that when the whole place was going to the dogs, it wasno good stopping to guard it. He'd much better have cleared out andsaved his precious life for the good of his country. Do you suppose aYankee would act that way?" "I should suppose not. " "That man, Sir, was a machine, and nothing more. A soldier must knowsomething else than merely obeying orders. " By this time they had passed through the gate and stood inside. Thestreet opened before them for a considerable distance with houses oneach side. Including the sidewalks it might have been almost twelvefeet wide. As only the lower part of the walls of the houses wasstanding, the show that they made was not imposing. There was nosplendor in the architecture or the material, for the style of thebuildings was extremely simple, and they were made with brick coveredwith stucco. After wandering silently through the streets the Senator at lengthburst forth: "I say it's an enormous imposition!" "What?" inquired Buttons, faintly. "Why, the whole system of Cyclopedias, Panoramas, Books of Travel, Woodbridge's Geography, Sunday-school Books--" "What do you mean?" "I mean the descriptions they give of this place. The fellows whowrite about it get into the heroics, and what with their descriptions, and pictures, and moralizing, you believe it is a second Babylon. Itdon't seem possible for any of them to tell the truth. Why, thereisn't a single decent-sized house in the place. Oh, it's small! it'ssmall!" "It certainly might be larger. " "I know, " continued the Senator, with a majestic wave of his hand--"Iknow that I'm expected to find this here scene very impressive; butI'll be hanged if I'm satisfied. Why, in the name of Heaven, when theygive us pictures of the place, can't they make things of the rightsize? Why, I've seen a hundred pictures of that gate. They make itlook like a triumphant arch; and now that I'm here, durn me if I can'ttouch the top of it when I stand on tiptoe. " In all his walk the Senator found only one thing that pleased him. This was the celebrated Pompeian institution of a shop under thedwelling-house. "Whenever I see any signs of any thing like trade among theseancients, " said he, "I respect them. And what is more satisfactorythan to see a bake-shop or an eating-saloon in the lower story ofa palace?" Their walk was terminated by the theatre and amphitheatre. The sightof these were more satisfactory to the Senator. "Didn't these fellows come it uncommon strong though in the matterof shows?" he asked, with considerable enthusiasm. "Hey? Why, we haven't got a single travelling circus, menagerie and all, thatcould come any way near to this. After all, this town might havelooked well enough when it was all bran-new and painted up. It mighthave looked so then; but, by thunder! it looks any thing but thatnow. What makes me mad is to see every traveller pretend to get intoraptures about it now. Raptures be hanged! I ask you, as a sensibleman, is there any thing here equal to any town of the same populationin Massachusetts?" [Illustration: A Street In Pompeii. ] Although the expectations which he had formed were not quite realized, yet Buttons found much to excite interest after the firstdisappointment had passed away. Dick excited the Senator's disgustby exhibiting those, raptures which the latter had condemned. The Doctor went by the Guide-book altogether, and regulated hisemotions accordingly. Having seen the various places enumerated there, he wished no more. As Buttons and Dick wished to stroll furtheramong the houses, the other three waited for them in the amphitheatre, where the Senator beguiled the time by giving his "idee" of an ancientshow. It was the close of day before the party left. At the outer barrier anofficial politely examined them. The result of the examination wasthat the party was compelled to disgorge a number of highlyinteresting souvenirs, consisting of lava, mosaic stones, ashes, plaster, marble chips, pebbles, bricks, a bronze hinge, a piece ofbone, a small rag, a stick, etc. The official apologized with touching politeness: "It was only aform, " he said. "Yet we must do it. For look you, Signori, " andhere he shrugged up his shoulders, rolled his eyes, and puffed outhis lips in a way that was possible to none but an Italian, "were itnot thus the entire city would be carried away piecemeal!" CHAPTER XIII. VESUVIUS. --WONDERFUL ASCENT OF THE CONE. --WONDERFUL DESCENT INTO THECRATER. --AND MOST WONDERFUL DISAPPEARANCE OF MR. FIGGS, AFTER WHOMALL HIS FRIENDS GO, WITH THEIR LIVES IN THEIR HANDS. --GREAT SENSATIONAMONG SPECTATORS. To every visitor to Naples the most prominent object is Vesuvius. Thehuge form of the volcano forever stands before him. The long pennon ofsmoke from its crater forever floats out triumphantly in the air. Notin the landscape only, but in all the picture-shops. In theseestablishments they really seem to deal in nothing but prints andpaintings of Vesuvius. It was a lovely morning when a carriage, filled with Americans, drewup on an inn near the foot of the mountain. There were guideswithout number waiting, like beasts of prey, to fall on them; andall the horses of the country--a wonderful lot--an amazing lot--alean, cranky, raw-boned, ill-fed, wall-eyed, ill-natured, sneaking, ungainly, half-foundered, half-starved lot; afflicted with all thediseases that horse-flesh is heir to. There were no others, so butlittle time was wasted. All were on an equal footing. To have apreference was out of the question, so they amused themselves withpicking out the ugliest. When the horses were first brought out Mr. Figgs looked uneasy, and made some mysterious remarks about walking. He thought such nagswere an imposition. He vowed they could go faster on foot. On foot!The others scouted the idea. Absurd! Perhaps he wasn't used to suchbeasts. Never mind. He mustn't be proud. Mr. Figgs, however, seemedto have reasons which were strictly private, and announced hisintention of walking. But the others would not hear of such a thing. They insisted. They forced him to mount. This Mr. Figgs at lengthaccomplished, though he got up on the wrong side, and nearly pulledhis horse over backward by pulling at the curb-rein, shouting allthe time, in tones of agony, "Who-a!" At length they all set out, and, with few interruptions, arrived ata place half-way up the mountain called The Hermitage. Here theyrested, and leaving their horses behind, walked on over a barrenregion to the foot of the cone. All around was the abomination ofdesolation. Craggy rocks, huge, disjointed masses of shatteredlava-blocks, cooled off into the most grotesque shapes, mixed withashes, scoriae, and pumice-stones. The cone towered frowningly abovetheir heads. Looking up, the aspect was not enticing. A steep sloperan up for an immense distance till it touched the smoky canopy. On one side it was covered with loose sand, but in other places itwas all overlaid with masses of lava fragments. The undertakingseemed prodigious. The Senator looked up with a weary smile, but did not falter; theDoctor thought they would not be able to get up to the top, andproposed returning; the others declined; whereupon the Doctorslowly sauntered back to the Hermitage. Mr. Figgs, whom the ride hadconsiderably shaken, expressed a desire to ascend but felt doubtfulabout his wind. Dick assured him that he would find plenty when hegot to the top. The guides also came to his relief. Did he want togo? Behold them. They had chairs to carry him up or straps to pullhim. Their straps were so made that they could envelop the travellerand allow him to be pulled comfortably up. So Mr. Figgs gracefullyresigned himself to the guides, who in a short time had adjustedtheir straps, and led him to the foot of the cone. Now for the ascent. [Illustration: The Ascent Of Vesuvius. ] Buttons went first. Like a young chamois this youth bounded up, leaping from rock to rock, and steering in a straight line for thesummit. Next the Senator, who mounted slowly and perseveringly, asthough he had a solemn duty to perform, and was determined to do itthoroughly. Then came Dick. More fitful. A few steps upward: then arest; then a fresh start; followed by another rest. At length he satdown about one-third of the way up and took a smoke. Behind him Mr. Figgs toiled up, pulled by the panting guides. Three stout men infront--two others boosting from behind. A long description might be given of this remarkable ascent. How Mr. Figgs aggravated the guides almost beyond endurance by mere force ofinertia. Having committed himself to them he did it thoroughly, andnot by one single act of exertion did he lessen their labor. Theypulled, pushed, and shouted; then they rested; then they rose againto pull, to push, to shout, and to rest as before; then they imploredhim in the most moving terms to do something to help them, to putone foot before the other, to brace himself firmly--in short, to doany thing. In vain. Mr. Figgs didn't understand a word. He was unmovable. Thenthey threatened to drop him and leave him half-way. The threat wasdisregarded. Mr. Figgs sat on a stone while they rested and smiledbenignantly at them. At last, maddened by his impassibility, theyscreamed at him and at one another with furious gesticulations, andthen tearing off the straps, they hurried up the slope, leaving himon the middle of the mount to take care of himself. It might be told how the Senator toiled up slowly but surely, neverstopping till he had gained the summit; or how Buttons, who arrivedthere first, spent the time in exploring the mysteries of thiselevated region; or how Dick stopped every twenty paces to rest andsmoke; how he consumed much time and much tobacco; and how he did notgain the summit until twenty minutes after the serene face of theSenator had confronted the terrors of the crater. Before these three there was a wonderful scene. Below them lay thesteep sides of the cone, a waste of hideous ruin-- "Rocks, crags, and mounds confusedly hurled, The fragments of a ruined world. " Before them was the crater, a vast abyss, the bottom of which washidden from sight by dense clouds of sulphurous smoke which foreverascended. Far away on the other side rose the opposite wall ofabyss--black, rocky cliffs that rose precipitously upward. The sideon which they stood sloped down at a steep angle for a few hundredfeet, and then went abruptly downward. A mighty wind was blowingand carried all the smoke away to the opposite side of the crater, so that by getting down into the shelter of a rock they were quitecomfortable. The view of the country that lay beneath was superb. There layNaples with its suburbs, extending for miles along the shore, withPortici, Castellamare, and the vale of Sorrento. There rose the hillsof Baiae, the rock of Ischia, and the Isle of Capri. There laycountless vineyards, fields forever green, groves of orange andfig-trees, clusters of palms and cypresses. Mountains ascended allaround, with many heights crowned with castles or villages. There laythe glorious Bay of Naples, the type of perfect beauty. Hundreds ofwhite sails dotted the intense blue of its surface. Ships werethere at anchor, and in full sail. Over all was a sky such as isseen only in Italy, with a depth of blue, which, when seen inpaintings, seems to the inexperienced eye like an exaggeration. The guides drew their attention from all this beauty to a solid fact. This was the cooking of an egg by merely burying it in the hot sandfor a few minutes. Buttons now proposed to go down into the crater. The guides lookedaghast. "Why not?" "Impossible, Signor. It's death. " "Death? Nonsense! come along and show us the way. " "The way? There is no way. No one ever dares to go down. Where canwe go to? Do you not see that beyond that point where the rockprojects it is all a precipice?" "That point? Well, that is the very spot I wish to go to. Comealong. " "Never, Signor. " "Then I'll go. " "Don't. For the sake of Heaven, and in the name of the most HolyMother, of St. Peter in chains, of all the blessed Apostles andMartyrs, the glorious Saints and--" "Blessed Botheration, " cried Buttons, abruptly turning his backand preparing to descend. "Are you in earnest, Buttons?" asked Dick. "Are you really goingdown?" "Certainly. " "Oh, then I'll go too. " Upon this the others warned, rebuked, threatened, remonstrated, and begged. In vain. The Senator interposed the authority of yearsand wisdom. But to no purpose. With much anxiety he sat on the edgeof the crater, looking for the result and expecting a tragedy. The slope down which they ventured was covered with loose sand. Ateach step the treacherous soil slid beneath them. It was a mad andhighly reprehensible undertaking. Nevertheless down they went--furtherand further. The kind heart of the Senator felt a pang at every step. His voice sounded mournfully through the rolling smoke that burstthrough a million crevices, and at times hid the adventurers fromview. But down they went. Sometimes they slid fearfully. Then theywould wait and cautiously look around. Sometimes the vapors coveredthem with such dense folds that they had to cover their faces. "If they ain't dashed to pieces they'll be suffocated--sure!" criedthe Senator, starting up, and unable to control his feelings. "I can'tstand this, " he muttered, and he too stepped down. The guides looked on in horror. "Your blood will be on your ownheads!" they cried. As the Senator descended the smoke entered his eyes, month, andnostrils, making him cough and sneeze fearfully. The sand slid; theheat under the surface pained his feet; every step made it worse. However, he kept on bravely. At length he reached the spot where theothers were standing. [Illustration: The Descent Of Vesuvius. ] At the foot of the declivity was an angular rock which jutted outfor about twelve feet. It was about six feet wide. Its sides wentdown precipitously. The Senator walked painfully to where they werestanding. It was a fearful scene. All around arose the sides ofthe crater, black and rocky, perpendicular on all sides, exceptthe small slope down which they had just descended--a vast andgloomy circumference. But the most terrific sight lay beneath. The sides of the crater went sheer down to a great depth enclosinga black abyss which in the first excitement of the scene thestartled fancy might well imagine extending to the bowels of theearth from which there came rolling up vast clouds dense blacksulphurous which at times completely encircled them shutting outevery thing from view filling eyes nose mouth with fumes ofbrimstone forcing them to hold the tails of their coats orthe skirts it's all the same over their faces so as not to bealtogether suffocated while again after a while a fierce blastof wind driving downward would hurl the smoke away and dashing itagainst the other side of the crater gather it up in dense volumesof blackest smoke in thick clouds which rolled up the flinty cliffsand reaching the summit bounded fiercely out into the sky to passon and be seen from afar as that dread pennant of Vesuvius which isthe sign and symbol of its mastery over the earth around it and theinhabitants thereof ever changing and in all its changes watched withawe by fearful men who read in those changes their own fate nowtaking heart as they see it more tenuous in its consistency anonshuddering as they see it gathering in denser folds and finallyawe-stricken and all overcome as they see the thick black cloud riseproudly up to heaven in a long straight column at whose uppertermination the colossal pillar spreads itself out and shows to thestartled gaze the dread symbol of the cypress tree the herald ofearthquakes eruptions and-- --There--I flatter myself that in the way of description it would notbe easy to beat the above. I just throw it off as my friend Tit-marsh, poor fellow, once said, to show what I could do if I tried. I havedecided not to put punctuation marks there, but rather to let eachreader supply them for himself. They are often in the way, particularly to the writer, when he has to stop in the full flowof a description and insert them-- But-- We left our friends down in the crater of Vesuvius. Of course theyhurried out as soon as they could, and mounting the treacherous steepthey soon regained the summit, where the guides had stood bawlingpiteously all the time. Then came the descent. It was not over the lava blocks, but inanother place, which was covered with loose sliding sand. Away theystarted. Buttons ahead, went with immense strides down the slope. At everystep the sliding sand carried him about ten feet further, so thateach step was equal to about twenty feet. It was like flying. But itwas attended by so many falls that the descent of Buttons and Dickwas accomplished as much by sliding and rolling as by walking. The Senator was more cautious. Having fallen once or twice, he triedto correct this tendency by walking backward. Whenever he foundhimself falling he would let himself go, and thus, on his hands andknees, would let himself slide for a considerable distance. This plangave him immense satisfaction. "It's quite like coasting, " said he, after he had reached the bottom;"only it does come a little hard on the trowsers. " On their arrival at the Hermitage to their surprise they saw nothingof Mr. Figgs. The Doctor had been sleeping all the time, but thelandlord said he had not been that way. As they knew that theneighborhood of Vesuvius was not always the safest in the world, theyall went back at once to search after him. [Illustration: Where's Figgs?] Arriving at the foot of the cone they went everywhere shouting hisname. There was no response. They skirted the base of the cone. Theywalked up to where he had been. They saw nothing. The guides who hadthus far been with them now said they had to go. So they receivedtheir pay and departed. "Of all the mean, useless, chicken-hearted dolts that ever I see, "said the Senator, "they are the wust!" But meanwhile there was no Figgs. They began to feel anxious. At lastButtons, who had been up to where Mr. Figgs was left, thought he sawtraces of footsteps in the sand that was nearest. He followed thesefor some time, and at last shouted to the others. The others went towhere he was. They saw an Italian with him--an ill-looking, low-browedrascal, with villain stamped on every feature. "This fellow says he saw a man who answers the description of Figgs goover in that direction, " said Buttons, pointing toward the part of themountain which is furthest from the sea. "There? What for?" "I don't know. " "Is there any danger?" "I think so--Figgs may have had to go--who knows?" "Well, " said the Senator, "we must go after him. " "What arms have you?" said the Doctor. "Don't show it before thisrascal. " "I have a bowie-knife, " said Buttons. "So have I, " said Dick. "And I, " said the Senator, "am sorry to say that I have nothing atall. " "Well, I suppose we must go, " said the Doctor. "My revolver issomething. It is a double revolver, of peculiar shape. " Without any other thought they at once prepared to venture into adistrict that for all they knew might swarm with robbers. They hadonly one thought, and that was to save Figgs. "Can this man lead us?" asked Dick. "He says he can take us along where he saw Figgs go, and perhaps wemay see some people who can tell us about him. " "Perhaps we can, " said the Senator, grimly. They then started off with the Italian at their head. The sun was bythis time within an hour's distance from the horizon, and they had notime to lose. So they walked rapidly. Soon they entered among hillsand rocks of lava, where the desolation of the surrounding countrybegan to be modified by vegetation. It was quite difficult to keeptheir reckoning, so as to know in what direction they were going, butthey kept on nevertheless. All of them knew that the errand was a dangerous one. All of them knewthat it would be better if they were armed. But no one said any thingof the kind. In fact, they felt such confidence in their own pluck andresolution that they had no doubt of success. At length they came to a place where trees were on each side of therough path. At an opening here three men stood. Buttons at onceaccosted them and told his errand. They looked at the Americanswith a sinister smile. "Don't be afraid of us, " said Buttons, quietly. "We're armed withrevolvers, but we won't hurt you. Just show us where our friend is, for we're afraid he has lost his way. " At this strange salutation the Italians looked puzzled. They lookedat their guns, and then at the Americans. Two or three other mencame out from the woods at the same time, and stood in their rear. At length as many as ten men stood around them. "What are you staring at?" said Buttons again. "You needn't look sofrightened. Americans only use their revolvers against thieves. " The Doctor at this, apparently by accident, took out his revolver. Standing a little on one side, he fired at a large crow on the topof a tree. The bird fell dead. He then fired five other shots justby way of amusement, laughing all the time with the Senator. "You see, " said he--"ha, ha--we're in a fix--ha, ha--and I want toshow them what a revolver is?" "But you're wasting all your shot. " "Not a bit of it. See?" And saying this he drew a second chamberfrom his pocket, and taking the first out of the pistol insertedthe other. He then fired another shot. All this was the work of afew moments. He then took some cartridges and filled the sparechamber once more. The Italians looked on this display in great astonishment, exchanging significant glances, particularly when the Doctorchanged the chambers. The Americans, on the contrary, took good careto manifest complete indifference. The Italians evidently thoughtthey were all armed like the Doctor. Naturally enough, too, for ifnot, why should they venture here and talk so loftily to them? Sothey were puzzled, and in doubt. After a time one who appeared tobe their leader stepped aside with two or three of the men, andtalked in a low voice, after which he came to Buttons and said: "Come, then, and we will show you. " "Go on. " The Captain beckoned to his men. Six of them went to the rear. Buttons saw the manoeuvre, and burst into roars of laughter. TheItalians looked more puzzled than ever. "Is that to keep us from getting away?" he cried--"ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Well, well!" "He's putting a guard behind us. Laugh like fury, boys, " said Buttons, in English. Whereupon they all roared, the tremendous laughter of the Senatorcoming in with fearful effect. "There's nothing to laugh at, " said the man who appeared to beCaptain, very sulkily. "It's evident that you Italians don't understand late improvements, "said Buttons. "But come, hurry on. " The Captain turned and walked ahead sullenly. "It's all very well to laugh, " said the Doctor, in a cheerful tone;"but suppose those devils behind us shoot us. " "I think if they intended to do that the Captain would not walk infront. No, they want to take us alive, and make us pay a heavyransom. " After this the Club kept up an incessant chatter. They talked overtheir situation, but could as yet decide upon nothing. It grew darkat length. The sun went down. The usual rapid twilight came on. "Dick, " said the Doctor, "when it gets dark enough I'll give you mypistol, so that you may show off with it as if it were yours. " "All right, my son, " said Dick. Shortly after, when it was quitedark, the Doctor slipped the pistol into the side-pocket of Dick'scoat. At length a light appeared before them. It was an old ruinwhich stood upon an eminence. Where they were not a soul of themcould tell. Dick declared that he smelt salt water. The light which they saw came from the broken windows of adilapidated hall belonging to the building. They went up somecrumbling steps, and the Captain gave a peculiar knock at the door. A woman opened it. A bright light streamed out. Dick paused for amoment, and took the Doctor's pistol, from his pocket. He held it upand pretended to arrange the chamber. Then he carelessly put it inhis pocket again. "You haven't bound them?" said the woman who opened the door tothe Captain. "Meaning us, my joy?" said Buttons, in Italian. "Not just yet, Ibelieve, and not for some time. But how do you all do?" The woman stared hard at Buttons, and then at the Captain. Therewere eight or ten women here. It was a large hall, the roof stillentire, but with the plaster all gone. A bright fire burned at oneend. Torches burned around. On a stool near the fire was a familiarform--a portly, well-fed form--with a merry face--a twinkle in hiseye--a pipe in his mouth--calmly smoking--apparently quite at homethough his feet were tied--in short, Mr. Figgs. "Figgs, my boy!" One universal shout and the Club surrounded their companion. In aninstant Buttons cut his bonds. "Bless you--bless you, my children!" cried Figgs. "But how the(Principal of Evil) did you get here? These are brigands. I've justbeen calculating how heavy a bill I would have to foot. " The brigands saw the release of Figgs, and stood looking gloomily atthe singular prisoners, not quite knowing whether they were prisonersor not, not knowing what to do. Each member of the Club took the mostcomfortable seat he could find near the fire, and began talkingvehemently. Suddenly Buttons jumped up. "A thousand pardons--I really forgot that there were ladies present. Will you not sit here and give us the honor of your company?" He made a profound bow and looked at several of them. They lookedpuzzled, then pleased; then they all began to titter. "Signor makes himself very much at home, " said one, at length. "And where could there be a pleasanter place? This old hall, thisjolly old fire, and this delightful company!" Another bow. The Captain looked very sullen still. He was evidentlyin deep perplexity. "Come, cheer up there!" said Buttons. "We won't do you any harm;we won't even complain to the authorities that we found our friendhere. Cheer up! Have you any thing to eat, most noble Captain?" The Captain turned away. Meanwhile Figgs had told the story of his capture. After restingfor a while on the slope he prepared to descend, but seeing sandfurther away he went over toward it and descended there. Finding itvery dangerous or difficult to go down straight he made thedescent obliquely, so that when he reached the foot of the conehe was far away from the point at which he had started to makethe ascent. Arriving there, he sat down to rest after his exertions. Some men came toward him, but he did not think much about it. Suddenly, before he knew what was up, he found himself a prisoner. He had a weary march, and was just getting comfortable as theycame in. [Illustration: Mr Figgs. ] As they sat round the fire they found it very comfortable. Likemany evenings in Italy, it was damp and quite chilly. They laughedand talked, and appeared to be any thing but captives in arobber's hold. The Captain had been out for some time, and atlength returned. He was now very cheerful. He came laughingly upto the fire. "Well, Signori Americani, what do you think of youraccommodation?" "Delightful! Charming!" cried Buttons and Dick. "If the ladies would only deign to smile on us--" "Aha! You are a great man for the ladies, " said the Captain. "Who is not?" said Buttons, sententiously. After a few pleasant words the Captain left again. "He has some scheme in his villainous head, " said Buttons. "To drug us, " said the Doctor. "To send for others, " said Dick. "To wait till we sleep, and then fall on us, " said Mr. Figgs. "Well, gentlemen, " said the Senator, drawing himself up, "we'remore than a match for them. Why, what are these brigands? Is therea man of them who isn't a poor, miserable, cowardly cuss? Not one. If we are captured by such as these we deserve to be captives allour lives. " [Illustration: The Ladies. ] "If we don't get off soon we'll have a good round sum to pay, " saidMr. Figgs. "And that I object to, " said Buttons; "for I promised my Governorsolemnly that I wouldn't spend more than a certain sum in Europe, and I won't. " "For my part, " said the Doctor, "I can't afford it. " "And I would rather use the amount which they would ask in someother way, " said Dick. "That's it, boys! You're plucky. Go in! We'll fix their flints. TheAmerican eagle is soaring, gentlemen--let him ascend to the zenith. Go it! But mind now--don't be too hasty. Let's wait for a time tosee further developments. " "Richard, my boy, will you occupy the time by singing a hymn?"continued the Senator. "I see a guitar there. " Dick quietly got up, took the guitar, and, tuning it, began to sing. The brigands were still in a state of wonder. The women looked shy. Most of the spectators, however, were grinning at the eccentricAmericans. Dick played and sang a great quantity of songs, all of acomic character. The Italians were fond of music, of course. Dick had a good voice. Most of his songs had choruses, and the whole Club joined in. TheItalians admired most the nigger songs. "Oh, Susannah!" was greetedwith great applause. So was "Doo-dah;" and the Italians themselvesjoined energetically in the chorus. But the song that they loved bestwas "Ole Virginny Shore. " This they called for over and over, and asthey had quick ears they readily caught the tune; so that, finally, when Dick, at their earnest request, sang it for the seventh time, they whistled the air all through, and joined in with a thunderingchorus. The Captain came in at the midst of it, and listened withgreat delight. After Dick had laid down his instrument he approachedthe Americans. "Well, ole hoss, " said the Senator, "won't you take an arm-chair?" "What is it?" said the Captain to Buttons. "He wants to know if your Excellency will honor him by sitting nearhim. " The Captain's eye sparkled. Evidently it met his wishes. The Americanssaw his delight. "I should feel honored by sitting beside the illustrious stranger, "said he. "It was what I came to ask. And will you allow the rest ofthese noble gentlemen to sit here and participate in your amusement?" "The very thing, " said Buttons, "which we have been trying to get themto do, but they won't. Now we are as anxious as ever, but still moreanxious for the ladies. " "Oh, the ladies!" said the Captain; "they are timid. " Saying this he made a gesture, and five of his men came up. The wholesix then sat with the five Americans. The Senator insisted that theCaptain should sit by his side. Yet it was singular. Each one of themen still kept his gun. No notice was taken of this, however. Thepolicy of the Americans was to go in for utter jollity. They sat thus: The Captain. The Senator. Bandit Number 1. Mr. Figgs. Bandit Number 2. The Doctor. Bandit Number 3. Dick. Bandit Number 4. Buttons. Bandit Number 5. Five members of the Club. Six bandits. In addition to these, fourothers stood armed at the door. The women were at a distance. But the sequel must be left to another chapter. CHAPTER XIV. MAGNIFICENT ATTITUDE OF THE SENATOR; BRILLIANCY OF BUTTONS; AND PLUCKOF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CLUB: BY ALL OF WHICH THE GREATEST EFFECTSARE PRODUCED. "Boys, " said the Senator, assuming a gay tone, "it's evident theserascals have planned this arrangement to attack us; but I've got aplan by which we can turn the tables. Now laugh, all of you. " A roarof laughter arose. "I'll tell it in a minute. Whenever I stop, youall laugh, so that they may not think that we are plotting. " Anotherroar of laughter. "Buttons, talk Italian as hard as you can; pretendto translate what I am saying; make up something funny, so as to getthem laughing; but take good care to listen to what I say. " "All right, " said Buttons. "Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!" said the others. Now the Senator began to divulge his plan, and Buttons began totalk Italian, pretending to translate what the Senator said. To dothis required much quickness, and a vivid imagination, with a senseof the ridiculous, and many other qualities too numerous to mention. Fortunately Buttons had all these, or else the Club would not haveacted precisely as it did act; and perhaps it might not have beenable to move along in the capacity of a Club any longer, in whichcase it would, of course, have had no further adventures; and thenthis history would not have been written; and whether the worldwould have been better off or worse is more than I can say, I'm sure. [What the Senator said. ] "Boys, look at these devils, one on each side of us. They havearranged some signal, and when it is given they will spring at us. Look sharp for your lives, and be ready to do what I say. Buttons, listen, and when you don't hear look at me, and I'll repeat it. " [_Club_. --"Ha! hal ha! ha! ha!"] [What Buttons said he said. ] "He says, most noble Captain, and gentlemen, that he is desperatelyhungry; that he can't get what he wants to eat. He generally eatsdried snakes, and the supply he brought from the Great Americandesert is exhausted; he wants more, and will have it. " [Sensation among bandits. ] [What the Senator said. ] "My idea is to turn the tables on these varmints. They put themselvesin our power. What they have arranged for themselves will do for usjust as well as if we planned it all. In fact, if we had tried wecould not have adjusted the present company better. " [_Club_. --"Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!"] [What Buttons said he said. ] "He says he wouldn't have come out here to-day, but had a littledifficulty just before he joined our party. He was landing fromthe American ship of war, and on stepping on shore a man trod onhis foot, whereupon he put him into the water, and held him theretill he was drowned. " [Bandits looking more respectfully. ] [What the Senator said. ] "Listen now, Buttons. We will arrange a signal, and at a certain wordwe will fall on our neighbors and do with them as they propose doingwith us. But first let us arrange carefully about the signal; forevery thing depends on that. " [_Club_--"Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!"] [What Buttons said he said. ] "It makes him feel amused, he says, when he thinks how odd thatguide looked at him when he made him go down into the crater ofVesuvius; gave him five minutes to say his prayers, and then liftedhim up in the air and pitched him down to the bottom. He thinkshe is falling still. " [Bandits exchange glances. ] [What the Senator said. ] "First, we must keep up our uproar and merriment to as great anextent as we can, but not very long. Let it be wild, mad, boisterous, but short. It will distract these vagabonds, and throw them off theirguard. The first thing on the programme, then, is merriment. Laugh asloud and long as you can. " [_Club_. --"Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!"] [What Buttons said he said. ] "He doesn't know but what he'll have a little trouble about apriest he killed last night. He was in a church, and was walkingabout whistling, when a priest came up and ordered him out;whereupon he drew his revolver, and put all six of the bullets inthe priest's head. " [Bandits cross themselves, and look serious. ] [Illustration: The Bandits Captured. ] [What the Senator said. ] "The next thing is, to have some singing. They seem to like ourglorious national songs. Give them some of them. Let the first onebe 'Old Virginny. '" [_Club_. --"Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!"] [What Buttons said he said. ] "He heard that the priest was not dead. As he always makes surework, he intends to look in the morning, and if he's alive, he'llcut his throat, and make all his attendants dance to the tune of'Old Virginny. '" Buttons had to work on that word "Old Virginny, " for the quick earsof the Italians had caught it. Bandits cross themselves again. _Captain_. --"I don't believe a word of it. It's impossible. " Bandit No. 6. --"He looks like it, any way. " In fact, the Senator did look like it. His hair tinged to anunnatural hue by the sulphur of Vesuvius, his square, determinedjaw, his heavy, overhanging brow, marked him as one who was capableof any desperate enterprise. [What the Senator said. ] "Next and last, Dick, you are to sing 'Yankee Doodle. ' You knowthe words about 'coming to town riding on a pony. ' You know thatverse ends with an Italian word. I am particular about this, foryou might sing the wrong verse. Do you understand, all of you? Ifso, wink your eyes twice. " [The Club all winked twice. Then, as usual:"Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!"] [What Buttons said he said. ] "He says there is no danger for him, however, for foreigners arein terror of the tune of 'Yankee Doodle. ' If he were arrested bythe Government, the American Admiral would at once send ashore afile of marines with an 'ultimatum, ' a 'Columbiad, ' a 'spankerboom, ' a 'Webster's Unabridged, ' and a 'brachycatalectic, ' to demandhis surrender at the cannon's mouth. " [Great sensation among the bandits at the formidable arms ofAmerican marines. ] [What the Senator said. ] "Look at me. There are six. I will take two; each of you takeone--the man on your right, remember. As Dick, in singing, comesto that word, each of you go at your man. Buttons, you hear, ofcourse. " [_Club_. --"Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!"] [What Buttons said he said. ] "They think in town that he is the Devil, because he has killedseven men in duels since he came, and has never been wounded. Peopledon't know the great American invention, worn next the skin, whichmakes the body impervious to bullets. " [_Captain_, sneering. --"I don't believe it. " Bandit No. 3. --"I don't know. They invented the revolver. If only Ihad one. "] [What the Senator said. ] "Boys, arrange to your minds what to do. Grab the gun, and putyour man down backward. I'm almost ashamed of the game, it's soeasy. Look at these boobies by me. They are like children. Nomuscle. The fellows at the end won't dare to shoot for fear ofwounding their own man. " [_Club_. --"Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!"] [What Buttons said he said. ] "He's made up his mind to go and take part in the war in Lombardy. He will raise a band of Americans, all clothed in the great shot-proofshirt, and armed with revolvers like ours, that shoot twelve times, and have bullets like bomb-shells, that burst inside of a man andblow him to pieces. " _Captain_, coldly, --"That crow didn't blow up. " _Buttons_. --"Oh yes it did. It was dark, and you didn't notice. Go get it to-morrow, examine it, and you will find traces of theexploded shell. " _Bandit No. 4_. --"Santa Maria! What lies this giant tells his friends!and they all laugh. They don't believe him. " _Bandit No. 3_. "Well, that revolver is enough for me; and they allhave them. " The above conversation was all carried on very rapidly, and did nottake up much time. At once the Club proceeded to carry out the Senator's plan. Firstthey talked nonsense, and roared and laughed, and perfected theirplan, and thus passed about ten minutes. Then Buttons asked theItalians if they wished more music. "Answer, gallant Captain of these Kings of the Road. Will you hearour foreign songs?" "Most gladly, " said the gallant Captain. "There will yet be timebefore we get our supper. " A sinister gleam in his eye as he said this about the supper did notescape the notice of Buttons. Thereupon he handed the guitar to Dick, and the latter began to sing once more the strains of "Ole Virginny. "The Italians showed the same delight, and joined in a roaring chorus. Even the men by the door stood yelling or whistling as Dick sang. Lastly, Dick struck up the final song. The hour had come! "Yankee Doodle came to town To buy himself a pony, Stuck a feather in his hat And called it--_Maccaroni_!" As the song began each man had quietly braced himself for one grandeffort. At the sound of the last word the effect was tremendous. The Senator threw his mighty arms round the Captain and the otherbandit. They were both small men, as indeed Italians are generally, and beside his colossal frame they were like boys to a grown man. Heheld them as if a vice, and grasping their hands, twisted them backtill their guns fell from their grasp. As he hurled the affrightedruffians to the floor, the guns crashed on the stone pavement, oneof them exploding in its fall. He then by sheer strength jerked theCaptain over on his face, and threw the other man on him facedownward. This done he sat on them, and turned to see what the otherswere doing. Buttons had darted at No. 5 who was on his right, seized his gun andthrown him backward. He was holding him down now while the fellow wasroaring for help. Dick had done about the same thing, but had not yet obtainedpossession of the gun. He was holding the Doctor's pistol to thebandit's head, and telling him in choice Italian to drop his gun, orhe would send him out of the world with twelve bullets. The Doctor was all right. He was calmly seated on Bandit No. 3, withone hand holding the bandit's gun pointed toward the door, and theother grasping the ruffian's throat in a death like clutch. The man'sface was black, and he did not move. Mr. Figgs had not been so successful. Being fat, he had not beenquick enough. He was holding the bandit's gun, and aiming blows athis face. "Doctor, " said the Senator, "your man's all right. Give it to Figgs'sman. " The Doctor sprang up, seized Figgs's man by throat, just as hestaggered back, and brought him down. The whole thing had been done in an incredibly short time. Therobbers had been taken by complete surprise. In strength they werefar inferior to their assailants. Attacked as they were sounexpectedly the success of the Americans was not very wonderful. The uproar was tremendous. The women were most noisy. At first allwere paralyzed. Then wild shrieks rang through the hall. They yelled, they shouted, they wrung their hands. The four bandits at the end of the hall stood for a momenthorror-struck. Then they raised their guns. But they dared not fire. They might shoot their own men. Suddenly Dick, who had got the gunwhich he wished, looked at the door, and seeing the guns levelledhe fired the revolver. A loud scream followed. One of the men fell. The women rushed to take care of him. The other three ran off. "Doctor, " said the Senator, "have you a rope? Tie that man's handsbehind him. " The Doctor took his handkerchief, twisted it, and tied the man'shands as neatly and as firmly as though they were in handcuffs. Hethen went to Buttons, got a handkerchief from him, and tied up hisman in the same way. Then Dick's man was bound. At that moment abullet fired through one of the windows grazed the head of Mr. Figgs. "Dick, " said the Senator, "go out and keep guard. " Dick at once obeyed. The women screamed and ran as he came along. Then the two men whom the Senator had captured were bound. After awhile some pieces of rope and leather straps were found by Buttons. With these all the bandits were secured more firmly. The men whom theSenator had captured were almost lifeless from the tremendous weightof his manly form. They made their captives squat down in one corner, while the others possessed themselves of their guns and watched them. The wretches looked frightened out of their wits. They wereNeapolitans and peasants, weak, feeble, nerveless. "It's nothing to boast of, " said the Senator, contemptuously, as helooked at the slight figures. "They're a poor lot--small, no muscle, no spirit, no nothing. " The poor wretches now began to whine and cry. "Oh, Signore, " they cried, appealing to Buttons. "Spare our lives!" At that the whole crowd of women came moaning and screaming. "Back!" said Buttons. "Oh, Signori, for the sake of Heaven spare them, spare our husbands!" "Back, all of you! We won't hurt any one if you all keep quiet. " The women went sobbing back again. The Doctor then went to look atthe wounded man by the door. The fellow was trembling and weeping. All Italians weep easily. The Doctor examined him and found it was only a flesh wound. Thewomen were full of gratitude as the Doctor bound up his arm afterprobing the wound, and lifted the man on a rude couch. From time totime Dick would look in at the door to see how things were going on. The field was won. "Well, " said the Senator, "the other three have probably run for it. They may bring others back. At any rate we had better hurry off. Weare armed now, and can be safe. But what ought we to do with thesefellows?" "Nothing, " said Buttons. "Nothing?" "No. They probably belong to the 'Camorra, ' a sort of legalizedbrigandage, and if had them all put in prison they would be letout the next day. " "Well, I must say I'd rather not. They're a mean lot, but I don'twish them any harm. Suppose we make them take us out to the roadwithin sight of the city, and then let them go?" "Well. " The others all agreed to this. "We had better start at once then. " "For my part, " said Mr. Figgs, "I think we had much better getsome thing to eat before we go--" "Pooh! We can get a good dinner in Naples. We may have the wholecountry around us if we wait, and though I don't care for myself, yet I wouldn't like to see one of you fall, boys. " So it was decided to go at once. One man still was senseless. He wasleft to the care of the women after being resuscitated by the Doctor. The Captain and four bandits were taken away. "Attend, " said Buttons, sternly. "You must show us the nearest wayto Naples. If you deceive us you die. If you show us our way we mayperhaps let you go. " The women all crowded around their husbands, screaming and yelling. InVain. Buttons told them there was no danger. At last he said-- "You come along too, and make them show us the way. You will thenreturn here with them. The sooner the better. Haste!" The women gladly assented to this. Accordingly they all started, each one of the Americans carrying agun in one hand, and holding the arm of a bandit with the other. The women went ahead of their own accord, eager to put an end totheir fears by getting rid of such dangerous guests. After a walk ofabout half an hour they came to the public road which ran near tothe sea. "I thought I smelt the sea-air, " said Dick. They had gone by the other side of Vesuvius. "This is the road to Naples, Signori, " said the women. "Ah! And you won't feel safe till you get the men away. Very well, youmay go. We can probably take care of ourselves now. " The women poured forth a torrent of thanks and blessings. The men werethen allowed to go, and instantly vanished into the darkness. At firstit was quite dark, but after a while the moon arose and they walkedmerrily along, though very hungry. Before they reached their hotel it was about one o'clock. Buttons andDick stared there. As they were all sitting over the repast which theyforced the landlord to get for them, Dick suddenly struck his hand onthe table. "Sold!" he cried. "What?" "They've got our handkerchiefs. " "Handkerchiefs!" cried Mr. Figgs, ruefully, "why, I forgot to get backmy purse. " [Illustration: Sold. ] "Your purse! Well, let's go out to-morrow--" "Pooh! It's no matter. There were only three piastres in it. I keep mycircular bill and larger money elsewhere. " "Well they made something of us after all. Three piastres and fivehandkerchiefs. " The Senator frowned. "I've a precious good mind to go out thereto-morrow and make them disgorge, " said he. "I'll think it over. " CHAPTER XV. DOLORES ONCE MORE. --A PLEASANT CONVERSATION. --BUTTONS LEARNS MORE OFHIS YOUNG FRIEND. --AFFECTING FAREWELL. As the Club intended to leave for Rome almost immediately, the twoyoung men in the Strado di San Bartollo were prepared to settle withtheir landlord. When Buttons and Dick packed up their modest valises there was ageneral excitement in the house; and when they called for their littlebill it appeared, and the whole family along with it. The landlordpresented it with a neat bow. Behind him stood his wife, his left thebig dragoon. And on his right Dolores. Such was the position which the enemy took up. Buttons took up the paper and glanced at it. "What is this?" "Your bill. " "My bill?" "Yes, Signore. " "Yes, " repeated Dolores, waving her little hand at Buttons. Something menacing appeared in the attitude and tone of Dolores. Hadshe changed? Had she joined the enemy? What did all this mean? "What did you say you would ask for this room when I came here?"Buttons at length asked. "I don't recollect naming any price, " said the landlord, evasively. "I recollect, " said Dolores, decidedly. "He didn't name any price atall. " "Good Heavens!" cried Buttons, aghast, and totally unprepared for thison the part of Dolores, though nothing on the part of the landlordcould have astonished him. In the brief space of three weeks thatworthy had been in the habit of telling him on an average about fourhundred and seventy-seven downright lies per day. "You told me, " said Buttons, with admirable calmness, "that it wouldbe two piastres a week. " "Two piastres! Two for both of you! Impossible! You might as well sayI was insane. " "Two piastres!" echoed Dolores, in indignant tones--"only think! Andfor this magnificent apartment! the best in the house--elegantlyfurnished, and two gentlemen! Why, what is this that he means?" "Et tu Brute!" sighed Buttons. "Signore!" said Dolores. "Didn't he, Dick?'" "He did, " said Dick; "of course he did. " "Oh, that _uomicciuolo_ will say any thing, " said Dolores, contemptuously snapping her fingers in Dick's face. "Why, Signore. Look you. How is it possible? Think whataccommodations! Gaze upon that bed! Gaze upon that furniture!Contemplate that prospect of the busy street!" "Why, it's the most wretched room in town, " cried Buttons. "I've beenashamed to ask my friends here. " "Ah, wretch!" cried Dolores, with flashing eyes. "You well know thatyou were never so well lodged at home. This miserable! This a room tobe ashamed of! Away, American savage! And your friends, who are they?Do you lodge with the lazaroni?" "You said that you would charge two piastres. I will pay no more; no, not half a carline. How dare you send me a bill for eighteen piastres?I will pay you six piastres for the three weeks. Your bill foreighteen is a cheat. I throw it away. Behold!" And Buttons, tearing the paper into twenty fragments, scattered themover the floor. "Ah!" cried Dolores, standing before him, with her arms folded, andher face all aglow with beautiful anger; "you call it a cheat, do you?You would like, would you not, to run off and pay nothing? That is thecustom, I suppose, in America. But you can not do that in this honestcountry. " "Signore, you may tear up fifty bills, but you must pay, " said thelandlord, politely. "If you come to travel you should bring money enough to take youalong, " said Dolores. "Then I would not have to take lodgings fit only for a Sorrentobeggar, " said Buttons, somewhat rudely. "They are too good for an American beggar, " rejoined Dolores, takinga step nearer to him, and slapping her little hands together by wayof emphasis. "Is this the maid, " thought Buttons, "that hung so tenderly on my armat the masquerade? the sweet girl who has charmed so many eveningswith her innocent mirth. Is this the fair young creature who--" "Are you going to pay, or do you think you can keep us waitingforever?" cried the fair young creature, impatiently and sharply. "No more than six piastres, " replied Buttons. "Be reasonable, Signore. Be reasonable, " said the landlord, with aconciliatory smile; "and above all, be calm--be calm. Let us have nocontention. I feel that these honorable American gentlemen have nowish but to act justly, " and he looked benignantly at his family. "I wish I could feel the same about these Italians, " said Buttons. "You will soon feel that these Italians are determined to have theirdue, " said Dolores. "They shall have their due and no more. " "Come, Buttons, " said Dick, in Italian, "let us leave this oldrascal. " "Old rascal?" hissed Dolores, rushing up toward Dick as though shewould tear his eyes out, and stamping her little foot. "Old rascal!Ah, piccolo Di-a-vo-lo!" "Come, " said the landlord; "I have affection for you. I wish tosatisfy you. I have always tried to satisfy and please you. " "The ungrateful ones!" said Dolores. "Have we not all been asfriendly to them as we never were before? And now they try likevipers to sting us. " "Peace, Dolores, " said the landlord, majestically. "Let us all bevery friendly. Come, good American gentlemen, let us have peace. Whatnow _will_ you pay?" "Stop!" cried Dolores. "Do you bargain? Why, they will try and makeyou take a half a carline for the whole three weeks. I am ashamedof you. I will not consent. " [Illustration: Two Piastres!] "How much will you give?" said the landlord, once more, withoutheeding his daughter. "Six piastres, " said Buttons. "Impossible!" "When I came here I took good care to have it understood. Youdistinctly said two piastres per week. You may find it veryconvenient to forget. I find it equally convenient to remember. " "Try--try hard, and perhaps you will remember that we offered totake nothing. Oh yes, nothing--absolutely nothing. Couldn't thinkof it, " said Dolores, with a multitude of ridiculous butextremely pretty gestures, that made the little witch charmingeven in her rascality. --"Oh yes, nothing"--a shrug of the shoulders--"we felt so honored"--spreading out her hands and bowing. --"A greatAmerican!--a noble foreigner!"--folding her arms, and strutting upand down. --"Too much happiness!"--here her voice assumed a tone ofmost absurd sarcasm. --"We wanted to entertain them all the rest ofour lives for nothing"--a ridiculous grimace--"or perhaps your sweetconversation has been sufficient pay--ha?" and she pointed her littlerosy taper finger at Buttons as though she would transfix him. Buttons sighed. "Dolores!" said he, "I always thought _you_ were myfriend. I didn't think that you would turn against me. " "Ah, infamous one! and foolish too! Did you think that I could everhelp you to cheat my poor parents? Was this the reason why you soughtme? Dishonest one! I am only an innocent girl, but I can understandyour villainy. " "I think you understand a great many things, " said Buttons, mournfully. "And to think that one would seek my friendship to save his money!" Buttons turned away. "Suppose I stayed here three weeks longer, howmuch would you charge?" he asked the landlord. That worthy opened his eyes. His face brightened. "Three weeks longer? Ah--I--Well--Perhaps--" "Stop!" cried Dolores, placing her hand over her father's mouth--"nota word. Don't you understand? He don't want to stay three minuteslonger. He wants to get you into a new bargain, and cheat you. " "Ah!" said the landlord, with a knowing wink. "But, my child, you arereally too harsh. You must not mind her, gentlemen. She's only awillful young girl--a spoiled child--a spoiled child. " "Her language is a little strong, " said Buttons, "but I don't mindwhat she says. " "You may deceive my poor, kind, simple, honest, unsuspecting father, "said she, "but you can't deceive me. " "Probably not. " "Buttons, hadn't we better go?" said Dick; "squabbling here won'tbenefit us. " "Well, " said Buttons, slowly, and with a lingering look at Dolores. But as Dolores saw them stoop to take their valises she sprang to thedoor-way. "They're going! They're going!" she cried. "And they will rob us. Stopthem. " "Signore, " said Buttons, "here are six piastres. I leave them on thetable. You will get no more. If you give me any trouble I will summonyou before the police for conspiracy against a traveller. You can'tcheat me. You need not try. " So saying, he quietly placed the six piastres on the table, andadvanced toward the door. "Signore! Signore!" cried the landlord, and he put himself in his way. At a sign from Dolores the big dragoon came also, and put himselfbehind her. "You shall not go, " she cried. "You shall never pass through this doortill you pay. " "Who is going to stop us?" said Buttons. "My father, and this brave soldier who is armed, " said Dolores, in avoice to which she tried to give a terrific emphasis. "Then I beg leave to say this much, " said Buttons; and he looked withblazing eyes full in the face of the "brave soldier. " "I am not a'brave soldier, ' and I am not armed; but my friend and I have paidour bills, and we are going through that door. If you dare to lay somuch as the weight of your finger on me I'll show you how a man canuse his fists. " Now the Continentals have a great and a wholesome dread of the Englishfist, and consider the American the same flesh and blood. They believethat "le bogues" is a necessary, part of the education of the wholeAnglo-Saxon race, careful parents among that people being intent uponthree things for their children, to wit: (1. ) To eat _Rosbif_ and _Bifiek_, but especially the former. (2. ) To use certain profane expressions, by which the Continental canalways tell the Anglo-Saxon. (3. ) TO STRIKE FROM THE SHOULDER!!! Consequently, when Buttons, followed by Dick, advanced to the door, the landlord and the "brave soldier" slipped aside, and actuallyallowed them to pass. Not so Dolores. She tried to hound her relatives on; she stormed; she taunted them;she called them cowards; she even went so far as to run after Buttonsand seize his valise. Whereupon that young gentleman patiently waitedwithout a word till she let go her hold. He then went on his way. Arriving at the foot of the stairway he looked back. There was theslender form of the young girl quivering with rage. "Addio, Dolores!" in the most mournful of voices. "Scelerato!" was the response, hissed out from the prettiest of lips. The next morning the Dodge Club left Naples. [Illustration: The Brave Soldier. ] CHAPTER XVI. DICK RELATES A FAMILY LEGEND. "Dick, " said the Senator, as they rolled over the road, "spin a yarnto beguile the time. " Dick looked modest. The rest added their entreaties. "Oh, well, " said Dick, "since you're so very urgent it would beunbecoming to refuse. A story? Well, what? I will tell you about mymaternal grandfather. "My maternal grandfather, then, was once out in Hong Kong, and hadsaved up a little money. As the climate did not agree with him hethought he would come home; and at length an American ship touchedthere, on board of which he went, and he saw a man in the galley; somy grandfather stepped up to him and asked him: "'Are you the mate?' "'No. I'm the man that boils the _mate_, ' said the other, who was alsoan Irishman. "So he had to go to the cabin, where he found the Captain and matewriting out clearance papers for the custom-house. "'Say, captain, will you cross the sea to plow the raging main?' askedmy grandfather. "'Oh, the ship it is ready and the wind is fair to plow the ragingmain!' said the captain. Of course my grandfather at once paid hisfare without asking credit, and the amount was three hundred andtwenty-seven dollars thirty-nine cents. "Well, they set sail, and after going ever so many thousand miles, or hundred--I forget which, but it don't matter--a great storm arose, a typhoon or simoon, perhaps both; and after slowly gathering up itsenergies for the space of twenty-nine days, seven hours, andtwenty-three minutes, without counting the seconds, it burst uponthem at exactly forty-two minutes past five, on the sixth day of theweek. Need I say that day was Friday? Now my grandfather saw all thetime how it was going to end; and while the rest were praying andshrieking he had cut the lashings of the ship's long-boat and stayedthere all the time, having put on board the nautical instruments, twoor three fish-hooks, a gross of lucifer matches, and a sauce-pan. Atlast the storm struck the ship, as I have stated, and at the firstcrack away went the vessel to the bottom, leaving my grandfatherfloating alone on the surface of the ocean. "My grandfather navigated the long-boat fifty-two days, three hours, and twenty minutes by the ship's chronometer; caught plenty of fishwith his fish-hooks; boiled sea-water in his sauce-pan, and boiledall the salt away, making his fire in the bottom of the boat, whichis a very good place, for the fire can't burn through without touchingthe water, which it can't burn; and finding plenty of fuel in theboat, which he gradually dismantled, taking first the thole-pins, thenthe seats, then the taffrail, and so on. This sort of thing, though, could not last forever, and at last, just in the nick of time, he cameacross a dead whale. "It was floating bottom upward, covered with barnacles of very largesize indeed; and where his fins projected there were two little coves, one on each side. Into the one on the lee-side he ran his boat, ofwhich there was nothing left but the stem and stern and two sideplanks. "My grandfather looked upon the whale as an island. It was a verynice country to one who had been so long in a boat, though a littlemonotonous. The first thing that he did was to erect the banner of hiscountry, of which he happened to have a copy on hispocket-handkerchief; which he did by putting it at the end of an oarand sticking it in the ground, or the flesh, whichever you please tocall it. He then took an observation, and proceeded to make himself ahouse, which he did by whittling up the remains of the long-boat, andhad enough left to make a table, a chair, and a boot-jack. So herehe stayed, quite comfortable, for forty-three days and a half, takingobservations all the time with great accuracy; and at the end of thattime all his house was gone, for he had to cut it up for fuel to cookhis meals, and nothing was left but half of the boot-jack and the oarwhich served to uphold the banner of his country. At the end of thistime a ship came up. "The men of the ship did not know what on earth to make of thisappearance on the water, where the American flag was flying. So theybore straight down toward it. "'I see a sight across the sea, hi ho cheerly men!' remarked thecaptain to the mate, in a confidential manner. "'Methinks it is my own countrie, hi ho cheerly men!' rejoined theother, quietly. "'It rises grandly o'er the brine, hi ho cheerly men!' said thecaptain. "'And bears aloft our own ensign, hi ho cheerly men!' said the mate. "As the ship came up my grandfather placed both hands to his mouth inthe shape of a speaking-trumpet, and cried out: 'Ship ahoy across thewave, with a way-ay-ay-ay-ay! Storm along!' "To which the captain of the ship responded through his trumpet: 'TisI, my messmate bold and brave, with a way-ay-ay-ay-ay! Storm along. " "At this my grandfather inquired; 'What vessel are you gliding on?Pray tell to me its name. ' "And the captain replied: 'Our bark it is a whaler bold, and Jonesthe captain's name. ' "Thereupon the captain came on board the whale, or on shore, whichever you like--I don't know which, nor does it matter--he came, at any rate. My grandfather shook hands with him and asked him tosit down. But the captain declined, saying he preferred standing. "'Well, ' said my grandfather, 'I called on you to see if you wouldlike to buy a whale. ' [Illustration: Buying A Whale. ] "'Wa'al, yes, I don't mind. I'm in that line myself. ' "'What'll you give for it?' "'What'll you take for it?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "Twenty-five minutes were taken up in the repetition of this question, for neither wished to commit himself. "'Have you had any offers for it yet?' asked Captain Jones at last. "'Wa'al, no; can't say that I have. ' "'I'll give as much as any body. ' "'How much?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "Then my grandfather, after a long deliberation, took the captain bythe arm and led him all around, showing him the country, as one maysay, enlarging upon the fine points, and doing as all good traders arebound to do when they find themselves face to face with a customer. "To which the end was: "'Wa'al, what'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'What'll you take?' "'What'll you give?' "'Well, ' said my grandfather, 'I don't know as I care about tradingafter all. I think I'll wait till the whaling fleet comes along. I'vebeen waiting for them for some time, and they ought to be here soon. ' "'You're not in the right track, ' said Captain Jones. "'Yes, I am. ' "'Excuse me. ' "'Ex-cuse _me_, ' said my grandfather. 'I took an observation justbefore you came in sight, and I am in lat. 47° 22' 20", long. 150°15' 55". ' "Captain Jones's face fell. My grandfather poked him in the ribs andsmiled. "'I'll tell you what I'll do, as I don't care, after all, aboutwaiting here. It's a little damp, and I'm subject to rheumatics. I'lllet you have the whole thing if you give me twenty-five per cent, ofthe oil after it's barreled, barrels and all. ' "The captain thought for a moment. "'You drive a close bargain. ' "'Of course. ' "'Well, it'll save a voyage, and that's something. ' "'Something! Bless your heart! ain't that every thing?' "'Well, I'll agree. Come on board, and we'll make out the papers. ' "So my grandfather went on board, and they made out the papers; andthe ship hauled up alongside of the whale, and they went to workcutting, and slashing, and hoisting, and burning, and boiling, andat last, after ever so long a time--I don't remember exactly howlong--the oil was all secured, and my grandfather, in a few monthsafterward, when he landed at Nantucket and made inquiries, sold hisshare of the oil for three thousand nine hundred and fifty-six dollarsfifty-six cents, which he at once invested in business in New Bedford, and started off to Pennsylvania to visit his mother. The old ladydidn't know him at all, he was so changed by sun, wind, storm, hardship, sickness, fatigue, want, exposure, and other things of thatkind. She looked coldly on him. "'Who are you?' "'Don't you know?' "'No. ' "'Think. ' "'_Have you a strawberry on your arm_?' "'No. ' "'Then--you are--_you are_--YOU ARE--my own--my long--lost son!' [Illustration: The Long-Lost Son. ] "And she caught him in her arms. "Here endeth the first part of my grandfather's adventures, but hehad many more, good and bad; for he was a remarkable man, though Isay it; and if any of you ever want to hear more about him, which Idoubt, all you've got to do is to say so. But perhaps it's just aswell to let the old gentleman drop, for his adventures were ratherstrange; but the narration of them is not very profitable, not thatI go in for the utilitarian theory of conversation; but I think, onthe whole, that, in story-telling, fiction should be preferred todull facts like these, and so the next time I tell a story I willmake one up. " The Club had listened to the story with the gravity which should bemanifested toward one who is relating family matters. At its closethe Senator prepared to speak. He cleared his throat: "Ahem! Gentlemen of the Club! our adventures, thus far, have notbeen altogether contemptible. We have a President and a Secretary;ought we not also to have a Recording Secretary--a Historian?" "Ay!" said all, very earnestly. "Who, then, shall it be?" All looked at Dick. "I see there is but one feeling among us all, " said the Senator. "Yes, Richard, you are the man. Your gift of language, your fancy, your modesty, your fluency--But I spare you. From this time forthyou know your duty. " Overcome by this honor, Dick was compelled to bow his thanks insilence and hide his blushing face. "And now, " said Mr. Figgs, eagerly, "I want to hear _the HigginsStory_. " The Doctor turned frightfully pale. Dick began to fill his pipe. The Senator looked earnestly out of the window. Buttons looked atthe ceiling. "What's the matter?" said Mr. Figgs. "What?" asked Buttons. "The Higgins Story?" The Doctor started to his feet. His excitement was wonderful. Heclenched his fist. "I'll quit! I'm going back. I'll join you at Rome by another route. I'll--" "No, you won't!" said Buttons; "for on a journey like this it wouldbe absurd to begin the Higgins Story. " "Pooh!" said Dick, "it would require nineteen days at least to getthrough the introductory part. " "When, then, can I hear it?" asked Mr. Figgs, in perplexity. CHAPTER XVII. NIGHT ON THE ROAD. --THE CLUB ASLEEP. --THEY ENTER ROME. --THOUGHTS ONAPPROACHING AND ENTERING "THE ETERNAL CITY. " [Illustration: To Rome. ] CHAPTER XVIII. A LETTER BY DICK, AND CRITICISMS OF HIS FRIENDS. They took lodgings near the Piazza di Spagna. This is the best partof Rome to live in, which every traveller will acknowledge. Amongother advantages, it is perhaps the only clean spot in the Capitalof Christendom. Their lodgings were peculiar. Description is quite unnecessary. Theywere not discovered without toil, and not secured without warfare. Once in possession they had no reason to complain. True, theconveniences of civilized life do not exist there--but who dreams ofconvenience in Rome? On the evening of their arrival they were sitting in the Senator'sroom, which was used as the general rendezvous. Dick was diligentlywriting. "Dick, " said the Senator, "what are you about?" "Well, " said Dick, "the fact is, I just happened to remember that whenI left home the editor of the village paper wished me to writeoccasionally. I promised, and he at once published the fact inenormous capitals. I never thought of it till this evening, when Ihappened to find a scrap of the last issue of his paper in my valise. I recollected my promise, and I thought I might as well drop a line. " "Read what you have written. " Dick blushed and hesitated. "Nonsense! Go ahead, my boy!" said Buttons. Whereupon Dick cleared his throat and began: "ROME, May 30, 1859. MR. EDITOR, --Rome is a subject which is neither uninteresting noralien to the present age. " "That's a fact, or you wouldn't be here writing it, " remarkedButtons. "In looking over the past, our view is too often hounded by the MiddleAges. We consider that period as the chaos of the modern world, whenit lay covered with darkness, until the Reform came and said. 'Letthere be light!" "Hang it, Dick! be original or be nothing. " "Yet, if the life of the world began anywhere, it was in Rome. Assyriais nothing to me. Egypt is but a spectacle!" "If you only had enough funds to carry you there you'd change yourtune. But go on. " "But Rome arises before me as the parent of the latter time. By herthe old battles between Freedom and Despotism were fought long ago, and the forms and principles of Liberty came forth, to pass, amidmany vicissitudes, down to a new-born day. " "There! I'm coming to the point now!" "About time, I imagine. The editor will get into despair. " "There is but one fitting approach to Rome. By any other road themajesty of the Old Capital is lost in the lesser grandeur of theMedieval City. Whoever goes there let him come up from Naples andenter by the Jerusalem Gate. " "Jerusalem fiddlesticks! Why, there's no such gate!" "There the very spirit of Antiquity sits enthroned to welcome thetraveller, and all the solemn Past sheds her influences over hissoul--" "Excuse me; there is a Jerusalem Gate. " "Perhaps so--in Joppa. " "There the Imperial City lies in the sublimity of ruin. It is the Romeof our dreams--the ghost of a dead and buried Empire hovering over itsown neglected grave!" "Dick, it's not fair to work off an old college essay as Europeancorrespondence. " "Nothing may be seen but desolation. The waste Campagna stretches itsarid surface away to the Alban mountains, uninhabited, and forsaken ofman and beast. For the dust and the works and the monuments ofmillions lie here, mingled in the common corruption of the tomb, andthe life of the present age shrinks away in terror. Long lines oflofty aqueducts come slowly down from the Alban hills, but thesecrumbled stones and broken arches tell a story more eloquent thanhuman voice. "The walls arise before us, but there is no city beyond. Thedesolation that reigns in the Campagna has entered here. The palaceof the noble, the haunts of pleasure, the resorts of the multitude, the garrison of the soldier, have crumbled to dust, and mingledtogether in one common ruin. The soil on which we tread, which givesbirth to trees, shrubs, and wild flowers without number, is but anassemblage of the disintegrated atoms of stones and mortar that oncearose on high in the form of palace, pyramid, or temple. " "Dick, I advise you to write all your letters before you see theplaces you speak of. You've no idea how eloquent you can be!" "Now if we pass on in this direction, we soon come to a spot which isthe centre of the world--the place where most of all we must look whenwe search for the source of much that is valuable in our age. "It in a rude and a neglected spot. At one end rises a rock crownedwith houses; on one side are a few mean edifices, mingled with massesof tottering ruins; on the other a hill formed altogether of crumbledatoms of bricks, mortar, and precious marbles. In the midst are a fewrough columns blackened by time and exposure. The soil is deep, andin places there are pits where excavations have been made. Rubbishlies around; bits of straw, and grass, and hay, and decayed leather, and broken bottles, and old bones. A few dirty shepherds pass along, driving lean and miserable sheep. Further up is a cluster ofwine-carts, with still more curious horses and drivers. "What is this place?--what those ruins, these fallen monuments, thesehoary arches, these ivy-covered walls? What? This is-- "'The field of freedom, faction, fame, and blood; Here a proud people's passions were exhaled, From the first hour of Empire in the bud To that when further worlds to conquer failed; The Forum where the immortal accents glow, And still the eloquent air breathes, burns with Cicero!' "Yet if you go up to one of those people and ask this Question, hewill answer you and tell you the only name, he knows--The Cow Market!'" "Is that all?" inquired Buttons, as Dick laid down his paper. "That's all I've written as yet. " Whereupon Buttons clapped his bands to express applause, and all theothers laughingly followed his example. "Dick, " said the Senator, after a pause, "what you have written soundspretty. But look at the facts. Here you are writing a description ofRome before you've seen any thing of the place at all. All that youhave put in that letter is what you have read in books of travel. Imention this not from blame, but merely to show what a wrong principletravellers go on. They don't notice real live facts. Now I've promisedthe editor of our paper a letter. As soon as I write it I'll read itfor you. The style won't be equal to yours. But, if I write, I'll bebound to tell something new. Sentiment, " pursued the Senator, thoughtfully, "is playing the dickens with the present age. What weought to look at is not old ruins or pictures, but men--men--live men. I'd rather visit the cottage of an Italian peasant than any church inthe country. I'd rather see the working of the political constitutionof this 'ere benighted land than any painting you can show. Horse-shoes before ancient stones, and macaroni before statues, say I!For these little things show me all the life of the people. If I onlyunderstood their cursed lingo, " said the Senator, with a tinge ofregret, "I'd rather stand and hear them talk by the hour, particularlythe women, than listen to the pootiest music they can scare up!" "I tried that game, " said Mr. Figgs, ruefully, "in Naples. I went intoa broker's shop to change a Napoleon. I thought I'd like to see theirfinancial system. I saw enough of it; for the scoundrel gave me a lotof little bits of coin that only passed for a few cents apiece inNaples, with difficulty at that, and won't pass here at all!" The Senator laughed. "Well, you shouldn't complain. You lost yourNapoleon, but gained experience. You have a new wrinkle. I gained anew wrinkle too when I gave a half-Napoleon, by mistake, to a wretchedlooking beggar, blind of one eye. I intended to give him a centime. " "Your principle, " said Buttons, "does well enough for you as atraveller. But you don't look at all the points of the subject. Thepoint is to write a letter for a newspaper. Now what is the mostsuccessful kind of letter? The readers of a family paper arenotoriously women and young men, or lads. Older men only look at theadvertisements or the news. What do women and lads care forhorse-shoes and macaroni? Of course, if one were to write aboutthese things in a humorous style they would take; but, as a generalthing, they prefer to read about old ruins, and statues, and cities, and processions. But the best kind of a correspondence is that whichdeals altogether in adventures. That's what takes the mind! Incidentsof travel, fights with ruffians, quarrels with landlords, shipwrecks, robbery, odd scrapes, laughable scenes; and Dick, my boy! when youwrite again be sure to fill your letter with events of this sort. " "But suppose, " suggested Dick, meekly, "that we meet with noruffians, and there are no adventures to relate?" "Then use a traveller's privilege and invent them. What wasimagination given for if not to use?" "It will not do--it will not do, " said the Senator, decidedly. "Youmust hold on to facts. Information, not amusement, should be youraim. " "But information is dull by itself. Amusement perhaps is useless. Nowhow much better to combine the utility of solid information with thelighter graces of amusement, fun, and fancy. Your pill, Doctor, ishard to take, though its effects are good. Coat it with sugar andit's easy. " "What!" exclaimed the Doctor, suddenly starting up. "I'm not asleep!Did you speak to me?" The Doctor blinked and rubbed his eyes, and wondered what the companywere laughing at. In a few minutes, however, he concluded to resumehis broken slumber in his bed. He accordingly retired; and thecompany followed his example. CHAPTER XIX. ST. PETER'S!--THE TRAGIC STORY OF THE FAT MAN IN THE BALL. --HOWANOTHER TRAGEDY NEARLY HAPPENED. --THE WOES OF MEINHERR SCHATT. Two stately fountains, a colonnade which in spite of faults possessesunequalled majesty, a vast piazza, enclosing many acres, in whoseimmense area puny man dwindles to a dwarf, and in the distance theunapproachable glories of the greatest of earthly temples--such is thefirst view of St. Peter's. Our party of friends entered the lordly vestibule, and lifting theheavy mat that hung over the door-way they passed through. There camea soft air laden with the odor of incense; and strains of music fromone of the side chapels came echoing dreamily down one of the sideaisles. A glare of sunlight flashed in on polished marbles of athousand colors that covered pillars, walls, and pavement. The vaultedceiling blazed with gold. People strolled to and fro without anyapparent object. They seemed to be promenading. In different placessome peasant women were kneeling. They walked up the nave. The size of the immense edifice increasedwith every step. Arriving under the dome they stood looking up withboundless astonishment. They walked round and round. They saw statues which were masterpiecesof genius; sculptures that glowed with immortal beauty; pictures whichhad consumed a life-time as they grew up beneath the patient toil ofthe mosaic worker. There were altars containing gems equal to aking's ransom; curious pillars that came down from immemorial ages;lamps that burn forever. "This, " said the Senator, "is about the first place that has reallycome up to my idee of foreign parts. In fact it goes clean beyond it. I acknowledge its superiority to any thing that America can produce. But what's the good of it all? If this Government really cared forthe good of the people it would sell out the hull concern, and devotethe proceeds to railways and factories. Then Italy would go ahead asProvidence intended. " "My dear Sir, the people of this country would rise and annihilateany Government that dared to touch it. " "Shows how debased they have grown. There's no utility in all this. There couldn't be any really good Gospel preaching here. "Different people require different modes of worship, " said Buttons, sententiously. "But it's immense, " said the Senator, as they stood at the furthestend and looked toward the entrance. "I've been calc'latin' that youcould range along this middle aisle about eighteen good-sizedProtestant churches, and eighteen more along the side aisles. Youcould pile them up three tiers high. You could stow away twenty-fourmore in the cross aisle. After that you could pile up twenty more inthe dome. That would make room here for one hundred and fifty-two, good-sized Protestant churches, and room enough would be left tostow away all their spires. " And to show the truth of his calculation he exhibited a piece of paperon which he had pencilled it all. If the interior is imposing the ascent to the roof is equally so. There is a winding path so arranged that mules can go up carryingloads. Up this they went and reached the roof. Six or seven acres ofterritory snatched from the air spread around; statutes rose from theedge; all around cupolas and pillars rose. In the center the huge domeitself towered on high. There was a long low building filled withpeople who lived up here. They were workmen whose duty it was toattend to the repairs of the vast structure. Two fountains pouredforth a never-ceasing supply of water. It was difficult to conceivethat this was a roof of a building. Entering the base of the central cupola a stairway leads up. There isa door which leads to the interior, where one can walk around agallery on the inside of the dome and look down. Further up wherethe arch springs there is another. Finally at the apex of the domethere is a third opening. Looking down through this the sensationis terrific. Upon the summit of the vast dome stands an edifice of large size, which is called the lantern, and appears insignificant in comparisonwith the mighty structure beneath. Up this the stairway goes untilat length the opening into the ball is reached. The whole five climbed up into the ball. They found to their surprisethat it would hold twice as many more. The Senator reached up hishand. He could not touch the top. They looked through the slits inthe side. The view was boundless; the wide Campagna, the purpleApennines, the blue Mediterranean, appeared from different sides. "I feel, " said the Senator, "that the conceit is taken out of me. What is Boston State House to this; or Bunker Hill monument! Iused to see pictures of this place in Woodbridge's Geography; butI never had a realizing sense of architecture until now. " "This ball, " said Buttons, "has its history, its associations. Ithas been the scene of suffering. Once a stoutish man came up here. The guides warned him, but to no purpose. He was a willfulEnglishman. You may see, gentlemen, that the opening is narrow. Howthe Englishman managed to get up does not appear; but it is certainthat when he tried to get down he found it impossible. He tried forhours to squeeze through. No use. Hundreds of people came up to helphim. They couldn't. The whole city got into a state of wildexcitement. Some of the churches had prayers offered up for himthough he was a heretic. At the end of three days he tried again. Fasting and anxiety had come to his relief, and he slipped throughwithout difficulty. " "He must have been a London swell, " said Dick. "I don't believe a word of it, " said Mr. Figgs, looking with anexpression of horror, first at the opening, and then at his ownrotundity. Then springing forward he hurriedly began to descend. Happy Mr. Figgs! There was no danger for him. But in his eagerness toget down he did not think of looking below to see if the way wasclear. And so it happened, that as he descended quickly and withexcited haste, he stepped with all his weight upon the hand of a manwho was coming up. The stranger shouted. Mr. Figgs jumped. His footslipped. His hand loosened, and down he fell plump to the bottom. Hadhe fallen on the floor there is no doubt that he would have sustainedsevere injury. Fortunately for himself he fell upon the stranger andnearly crushed his life out. The stranger writhed and rolled till he had got rid of his heavyburden. The two men simultaneously started to their feet. Thestranger was a short stout man with an unmistakable German face. Hehad bright blue eyes, red hair, and a forked red beard. He staredwith all his might, stroked his forked red beard piteously, and thenejaculated most gutturally, in tones that seemed to come from hisboots-- "Gh-h-h-r-r-r-r-r-acious me!" Mr. Figgs overwhelmed him with apologies, assured him that it wasquite unintentional, hoped that he wasn't hurt, begged his pardon;but the stranger only panted, and still he stroked his forked redbeard, and still ejaculated-- "Gh-h-h-r-r-r-r-r-acious me!" Four heads peered through the opening above; but seeing no accidenttheir owners, one by one, descended, and all with much sympathy askedthe stranger if he was much hurt. But the stranger, who seemed quitebewildered, still panted and stroked his beard, and ejaculated-- "Gh-h-h-r-r-r-r-r-acious me!" At length he seemed to recover his faculties, and discovered that hewas not hurt. Upon this he assured Mr. Figgs, in heavy gutturalEnglish, that it was nothing. He had often been knocked down before. If Mr. Figgs was a Frenchman, he would feel angry. But as he was anAmerican he was glad to make his acquaintance. He himself had oncelived in America, in Cincinnati, where he had edited a German paper. His name was Meinherr Schatt. Meinherr Schatt showed no further disposition to go up; butdescended with the others down as far as the roof, when they went tothe front and stood looking down on the piazza. In the course ofconversation Meinherr Schatt informed them that he belonged to theDuchy of Saxe Meiningen, that he had been living in Rome about twoyears, and liked it about as well as any place that he had seen. He went every autumn to Paris to speculate on the Bourse, andgenerally made enough to keep him for a year. He was acquainted withall the artists in Rome. Would they like to be introduced to someof them? [Illustration: Gracious Me!] Buttons would be most charmed. He would rather become acquaintedwith artists than with any class of people. Meinherr Schatt lamented deeply the present state of things arisingfrom the war in Lombardy. A peaceful German traveller was scarcelysafe now. Little boys made faces at him in the street, and shoutedafter him, "Mudedetto Tedescho!" Just at this moment the eye of Buttons was attracted by a carriagethat rolled away from under the front of the cathedral down thepiazza. In it were two ladies and a gentleman. Buttons stared eagerlyfor a few moments, and then gave a jump. "What's the matter?" cried Dick. "It is! By Jove! It is!" "What? Who?" "I see her face! I'm off!" "Confound it! Whose face?" But Buttons gave no answer. He was off like the wind, and before theothers could recover from their surprise had vanished down thedescent. "What upon airth has possessed Buttons now?" asked the Senator. "It must be the Spanish girl, " said Dick. "Again? Hasn't his mad chase at sea given him a lesson? Spanishgirl! What is he after? If he wants a girl, why can't he wait andpick out a regular thorough-bred out and outer of Yankee stock?These Spaniards are not the right sort. " In an incredible short space of time the figure of Buttons wasseen dashing down the piazza, in the direction which the carriagehad taken. But the carriage was far ahead, and even as he left thechurch it had already crossed the Ponte di S. Angelo. The othersthen descended. Buttons was not seen till the end of the day. He then made his appearance with a dejected air. "What luck?" asked Dick, as he came in. "None at all, " said Buttons, gloomily. "Wrong ones again?" "No, indeed. I'm not mistaken this time. But I couldn't catch them. They got out of sight, and kept out too. I've been to every hotelin the place, but couldn't find them. It's too bad. " "Buttons, " said the Senator, gravely, "I'm sorry to see a young manlike you so infatuated. Beware--Buttons--beware of wimmin! Take theadvice of an older and more experienced man. Beware of wimmin. Whenever you see one coming--dodge! It's your only hope. If ithadn't been for wimmin"--and the Senator seemed to speak half tohimself, while his face assumed a pensive air--"if it hadn't beenfor wimmin, I'd been haranguing the Legislatoor now, instead ofwearying my bones in this benighted and enslaved country. " CHAPTER XX. THE GLORY, GRANDEUR, BEAUTY, AND INFINITE VARIETY OF THE PINCIANHILL; NARRATED AND DETAILED NOT COLUMNARILY BUT EXHAUSTIVELY, AND AFTER THE MANNER OF RABELAIS. Oh, the Pincian Hill!--Does the memory of that place affect allalike? Whether it does or not matters little to the chronicler ofthis veracious history. To him it is the crown and glory of modernRome; the centre around which all Rome clusters. Delightful walks!Views without a parallel! Place on earth to which no place else canhold a candle! Pooh--what's the use of talking? Contemplate, O Reader, from thePincian Hill the following: The Tiber, The Campagna, The Aqueducts, Trajan's Column, Antonine's Pillar, The Piazza del Popolo, The Torre del Capitoglio, The Hoar Capitoline, The Palatine, The Quirinal, The Viminal, The Esquiline, The Caelian, The Aventine, The Vatican, The Janiculum, St. Peter's, The Lateran, The Stands for Roast Chestnuts, The NewYork _Times_, the Hurdy-gurdys, The London _Times_, The Raree-shows, The Obelisk of Mosaic Pharaoh, The Wine-carts, Harper's Weekly, Roman Beggars, Cardinals, Monks, Artists, Nuns, The New York_Tribune_, French soldiers, Swiss Guards, Dutchmen, Mosaic-workers, Plane-trees, Cypress-trees, Irishmen, Propaganda Students, Goats, Fleas, Men from Bosting, Patent Medicines, Swells Lager, Meerschaum-pipes, The New York _Herald_, Crosses, Rustic Seats, Dark-eyed Maids, Babel, Terrapins, Marble Pavements, Spiders, Dreamy Haze, Jews, Cossacks, Hens, All the Past, Rags, Theoriginal Barrel-organ, The original Organ-grinder, Bourbon Whisky, Civita Vecchia Olives, Hadrian's Mausoleum, _Harper's Magazine_, The Laurel Shade, Murray's Hand-book, Cicerones, Englishmen, Dogcarts, Youth, Hope, Beauty, Conversation Kenge, Bluebottle Flies, Gnats, _Galignani_, Statues, Peasants, Cockneys, Gas-lamps, Dundreary, Michiganders, Paper-collars, Pavilions, Mosaic Brooches, Little Dogs, Small Boys, Lizards, Snakes, Golden Sunsets, Turks, Purple Hills, Placards, Shin-plasters, Monkeys, Old Boots, Coffee-roasters, Pale Ale, The Dust of Ages, The Ghost of Rome, Ice Cream, Memories, Soda-Water, Harper's Guide-Book. CHAPTER XXI. HARMONY ON THE PINCIAN HILL. --MUSIC HATH CHARMS. --AMERICAN MELODIES. --THE GLORY, THE POWER, AND THE BEAUTY OF YANKEE DOODLE, AND THEMERCENARY SOUL OF AN ITALIAN ORGAN-GRINDER. The Senator loved the Pincian Hill, for there he saw what he lovedbest; more than ruins, more than churches, more than pictures andstatues, more than music. He saw man and human nature. He had a smile for all; of superiority for the bloated aristocrat; offriendliness for the humble, yet perchance worthy mendicant. He longedevery day more and more to be able to talk the language of the people. On one occasion the Club was walking on the Pincian Hill, whensuddenly they were arrested by familiar sounds which came from someplace not very far away. It was a barrel-organ; a soft and musicalorgan; but it was playing "Sweet Home. " "A Yankee tune, " said the Senator. "Let us go and patronize domesticmanufacture. That is my idee of political economy. " Reaching the spot they saw a pale, intellectual-looking Italianworking away at his instrument. "It's not bad, though that there may not be the highest kind ofmusical instrument. " "No, " said Buttons; "but I wonder that you, an elder of a church, can stand here and listen to it. " "Why, what has the church to do with a barrel-organ?" "Don't you believe the Bible?" "Of course, " said the Senator, looking mystified. "Don't you know what it says on the subject?" "What the Bible says? Why no, of course not. It says nothing. " "I beg your pardon. It says, 'The sound of the grinding is low. ' SeeEcclesiastes, twelfth, fourth. " The Senator looked mystified, but said nothing. But suddenly theorgan-grinder struck up another tune. "Well, I do declare, " cried the Senator, delighted, "if it isn'tanother domestic melody!" It was "Independence Day. " "Why, it warms my heart, " he said, as a flush spread over his finecountenance. The organ-grinder received any quantity of _baiocchi_, which soencouraged him that he tried another--"Old Virginny. " "That's better yet, " said the Senator. "But how on airth did thisman manage to get hold of these tunes?" Then came others. They were all American: "Old Folks at Home, ""Nelly Ely, " "Suwannee Ribber, " "Jordan, " "Dan Tucker, " "Jim Crow. " The Senator was certainly most demonstrative, but all the otherswere equally affected. Those native airs; the dashing, the reckless, the roaringly-humorous, the obstreperously jolly--they show one part of the many-sidedAmerican character. Not yet has justice been done to the nigger song. It is not anigger song. It is an American melody. Leaving out those which havebeen stolen from Italian Operas, how many there are which are trulyAmerican in their extravagance, their broad humor, their gloriousand uproarious jollity! The words are trash. The melodies are everything. These melodies touched the hearts of the listeners. American liferose before them as they listened. --American life--free, boundless, exuberant, broadly-developing, self-asserting, gaining itscharacteristics from the boundless extent of its home--a continentallife of limitless variety. As mournful as the Scotch; as reckless asthe Irish; as solemnly patriotic as the English. "Listen!" cried the Senator, in wild excitement. It was "Hail Columbia. " "The Pincian Hill, " said the Senator, with deep solemnity, "isglorified from this time forth and for evermore. It has gained anew charm. The Voice of Freedom hath made itself heard!" The others, though less demonstrative, were no less delighted. Thencame another, better yet. "The Star-Spangled Banner. " "There!" cried the Senator, "is our true national anthem--thecommemoration of national triumph; the grand upsoaring of thevictorious American Eagle as it wings its everlasting flightthrough the blue empyrean away up to the eternal stars!" He burst into tears; the others respected his emotion. Then he wiped his eyes and looked ashamed of himself--quiteuselessly--for it is a mistake to suppose that tears are unmanly. Unmanly! The manliest of men may sometimes shed tears out of hisvery manhood. At last there arose a magic strain that produced an effect towhich the former was nothing. It was "Yankee Doodle!" The Senator did not speak. He could not find words. He turnedhis eyes first upon one, and then another of his companions; eyesbeaming with joy and triumph--eyes that showed emotion arisingstraight from a patriot's heart--eyes which seemed to say: Is thereany sound on earth or above the earth that can equal this? [Illustration: Old Virginny. ] Yankee Doodle has never, received justice. It is a tune withoutwords. What are the recognized words? Nonsense unutterable--thesneer of a British officer. But the tune!--ah that is quiteanother thing! The tune was from the very first taken to the national heart, andhas never ceased to be cherished there. The Republic has grown tobe a very different thing from that weak beginning, but itsnational air is as popular as ever. The people do not merelylove it. They glory in it. And yet apologies are sometimes madefor it. By whom? By the soulless dilettante. The people knowbetter:--the farmers, the mechanics, the fishermen, thedry-goods clerks, the newsboys, the railway stokers, the butchers, the bakers, the candlestick-makers, the tinkers, the tailors, thesoldiers, the sailors. Why? Because this music has a voice of itsown, more expressive than words; the language of the soul, whichspeaks forth in certain melodies which form an utterance ofunutterable passion. The name was perhaps given in ridicule. It was accepted with pride. The air is rash, reckless, gay, triumphant, noisy, boisterous, careless, heedless, rampant, raging, roaring, rattle, brainish, devil-may-care-ish, plague-take-the-hindmost-ish; but! solemn, stern, hopeful, resolute, fierce, menacing, strong, cantankerous(cantankerous is entirely an American idea), bold, daring-- Words fail. Yankee Doodle has not yet received its Doo! The Senator had smiled, laughed, sighed, wept, gone through manyvariations of feeling. He had thrown _baiocchi_ till his pockets were exhausted, and thenhanded forth silver. He had shaken hands with all his companions tentimes over. They themselves went not quite as far in feeling as he, but yet to a certain extent they went in. And yet Americans are thought to be practical, and not ideal. Yet herewas a true American who was intoxicated--drunk! By what? By sound, notes, harmony. By music! "Buttons, " said he, as the music ceased and the Italian prepared tomake his bow and quit the scene, "I must make that gentleman'sacquaintance. " Buttons walked up to the organ-grinder. "Be my interpreter, " said the Senator. "Introduce me. " "What's your name?" asked Buttons. "Maffeo Cloto. " "From where?" "Urbino. " "Were you ever in America?" "No, Signore. " "What does he say?" asked the Senator, impatiently. "He says his name is Mr. Cloto, and he was never in America. " "How did you get these tunes?" "Out of my organ, " said the Italian, grinning. "Of course; but how did you happen to get an organ with such tunes?" "I bought it. " "Oh yes; but how did you happen to buy one with these tunes?" "For you illustrious American Signore. You all like to hear them. " "Do you know any thing about the tunes?" "Signore?" "Do you know what the words are?" "Oh no. I am an Italian. " "I suppose you make money out of them. " "I make more in a day with these than I could in a week with othertunes. " "You lay up money, I suppose. " "Oh yes. In two years I will retire and let my younger brother playhere. " "These tunes?" "Yes, Signore. " "To Americans?" "Yes, Signore. " "What is it all?" asked the Senator. "He says that he finds he makes money by playing American tunes toAmericans. " "Hm, " said the Senator, with some displeasure; "and he has no soulthen to see the--the beauty, the sentiment, the grandeur of hisvocation!" "Not a bit--he only goes in for money. " The Senator turned away in disgust. "Yankee Doodle, " he murmured, "ought of itself to have a refining and converting influence on theEuropean mind; but it is too debased--yes--yes--too debased. " CHAPTER XXII. HOW A BARGAIN IS MADE. --THE WILES OF THE ITALIAN TRADESMAN. --THE NAKEDSULKY BEGGAR, AND THE JOVIAL WELL-CLAD BEGGAR. --WHO IS THE KING OFBEGGARS? "What are you thinking about, Buttons?" "Well, Dick, to tell the truth, I have been thinking that if I dofind the Spaniards they won't have reason to be particularly proud ofme as a companion. Look at me. " "I look, and to be frank, my dear boy, I must say that you look moreshabby-genteel than otherwise. " "That's the result of travelling on one suit of clothes--withoutconsidering fighting. I give up my theory. " "Give it up, then, and come out as a butterfly. " "Friend of my soul, the die is cast. Come forth with me and seek aclothing-store. " It was not difficult to find one. They entered the first one that theysaw. The polite Roman overwhelmed them with attention. "Show me a coat, Signore. " Signore sprang nimbly at the shelves and brought down every coat inhis store. Buttons picked out one that suited his fancy, and tried iton. "What is the price?" With a profusion of explanation and description the Roman informedhim: "Forty piastres. " "I'll give you twelve, " said Buttons, quietly. The Italian smiled, put his head on one side, drew down the cornersof his mouth, and threw up his shoulders. This is the _shrug_. Theshrug requires special attention. The shrug is a gesture used by theLatin race for expressing a multitude of things, both objectively andsubjectively. It is a language of itself. It is, as circumstancesrequire, a noun, adverb, pronoun, verb, adjective, preposition, interjection, conjunction. Yet it does not supersede the spokenlanguage. It comes in rather when spoken words are useless, to conveyintensity of meaning or delicacy. It is not taught, but it is learned. The coarser, or at least blunter, Teutonic race have not cordiallyadopted this mode of human intercommunication. The advantage of theshrug is that in one slight gesture it contains an amount of meaningwhich otherwise would require many words. A good shrugger in Italy isadmired, just as a good conversationist is in England, or a good stumporator in America. When the merchant shrugged, Buttons understood himand said: "You refuse? Then I go. Behold me!" "Ah, Signore, how can you thus endeavor to take advantage of thenecessities of the poor?" "Signore, I must buy according to my ability. " The Italian laughed long and quietly. The idea of an Englishman orAmerican not having much money was an exquisite piece of humor. "Go not, Signore. Wait a little. Let me unfold more garments. Beholdthis, and this. You shall have many of my goods for twelve piastres. " [Illustration: The Shrug. ] "No, Signore; I must have this, or I will have none. " "You are very hard, Signore. Think of my necessities. Think of thepressure of this present war, which we poor miserable tradesmen feelmost of all. " "Then addio, Signore; I must depart. " They went out and walked six paces. "P-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-t!" (Another little idea of the Latin race. It isa much more penetrating sound than a loud Hallo! Ladies can use it. Children too. This would be worth importing to America. ) "P-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-t!" Buttons and Dick turned. The Italian stood smiling and bowing andbeckoning. "Take it for twenty-four piastres. " "No, Signore; I can only pay twelve. " With a gesture of ruffled dignity the shopkeeper withdrew. Again theyturned away. They had scarcely gone ten paces before the shop-keeperwas after them: "A thousand pardons. But I have concluded to take twenty. " "No; twelve, and no more. " "But think, Signore; only think. " "I do think, my friend; I do think. " "Say eighteen. " "No, Signore. " "Seventeen. " "Twelve. " "Here. Come back with me. " They obeyed. The Italian folded the coat neatly, tied it carefully, stroked the parcel tenderly, and with a meek yet sad smile handed itto Buttons. "There--only sixteen piastres. " Buttons had taken out his purse. At this he hurriedly replaced it, with an air of vexation. "I can only give twelve. " "Oh, Signore, be generous. Think of my struggles, my expenses, myfamily. You will not force me to lose. " "I would scorn to force you to any thing, and therefore I willdepart. " "Stop, Signore, " cried the Italian, detaining them at the door. "Iconsent. You may take it for fourteen. " "For Heaven's sake, Buttons, take it, " said Dick, whose patience wasnow completely exhausted. "Take it. " "Twelve, " said Buttons. "Let me pay the extra two dollars, for my own peace of mind, " saidDick. "Nonsense, Dick. It's the principle of the thing. As a member of theDodge Club, too, I could not give more. " "Thirteen, good Signore mine, " said the Italian piteously. "My friend, I have given my word that I would pay only twelve. " "Your word? Your pardon, but to whom?" "To you. " "Oh, then, how gladly I release you from your word!" "Twelve, Signore, or I go. " "I can not. " Buttons turned away. They walked along the street, and at lengtharrived at another clothier's. Just as they stepped in a hand waslaid on Buttons's shoulder, and a voice cried out-- "Take it! Take it, Signore!" "Ah! I thought so. Twelve?" "Twelve. " Buttons paid the money and directed where it should be sent. He foundout afterward that the price which an Italian gentleman would pay wasabout ten piastres. There is no greater wonder than the patient waiting of an Italiantradesman, in pursuit of a bargain. The flexibility of the Italianconscience and imagination under such circumstances is trulyastonishing. Dress makes a difference. The very expression of the face changes whenone has passed from shabbiness into elegance. After Buttons haddressed himself in his gay attire his next thought was what to do withhis old clothes. "Come and let us dispose of them. " "Dispose of them!" "Oh, I mean get rid of them. I saw a man crouching in a corner nearlynaked as I came up. Let us go and see if we can find him. I'd like totry the effect. " They went to the place where the man had been seen. He was therestill. A young man, in excellent health, brown, muscular, lithe. He had an old coverlet around his loins--that was all. He looked upsulkily. "Are you not cold?" "No, " he blurted out, and turned away. "A boor, " said Dick. "Don't throw away your charity on him. " "Look here. " The man looked up lazily. "Do you want some clothes?" No reply. "I've got some here, and perhaps will give them to you. " The man scrambled to his feet. "Confound the fellow!" said Dick. "If he don't want them let's findsome one who does. " "Look here, " said Buttons. He unfolded his parcel. The fellow looked indifferently at the things. "Here, take this, " and he offered the pantaloons. The Italian took them and slowly put them on. This done, he stretchedhimself and yawned. "Take this. " It was his vest. The man took the vest and put it on with equal _sang froid_. Againhe yawned and stretched himself. "Here's a coat. " Buttons held it out to the Italian. The fellow took it, surveyed itclosely, felt in the pockets, and examined very critically thestiffening of the collar. Finally he put it on. He buttoned itclosely around him, and passed his fingers through his matted hair. Then he felt the pockets once more. After which he yawned long andsolemnly. This done, he looked earnestly at Buttons and Dick. He sawthat they had nothing more. Upon which he turned on his heel, andwithout saying a word, good or bad, walked off with immense strides, turned a corner, and was out of sight. The two philanthropists wereleft staring at one another. At last they laughed. "That man is an original, " said Dick. "Yes, and there is another, " said Buttons. As he spoke he pointed to the flight of stone steps that goes up fromthe Piazza di Spagna. Dick looked up. There sat The Beggar! ANTONIO! Legless, hatless, but not by any means penniless, king of Romanbeggars, with a European reputation, unequalled, in his ownprofession--there sat the most scientific beggar that the world hasever seen. He had watched the recent proceedings, and caught the glance of theyoung men. As they looked up his voice came clear and sonorous through the air: "O most generous--0 most noble--O most illustrious youths--Draw near--Look in pity upon the abject--Behold legless, armless, helpless, thebeggar Antonio forsaken of Heaven--For the love of the Virgin--For thesake of the saints--In the name of humanity--Date me uno mezzobaioccho--Sono poooocooooovero--Miseraaaaaaaaaabile--Desperrrraaaaaaaado!" CHAPTER XXIII. THE MANIFOLD LIFE OF THE CAFÉ NUOVO, AND HOW THEY RECEIVED THE NEWSABOUT MAGENTA. --EXCITEMENT. --ENTHUSIASM. --TEARS. --EMBRACES. All modern Rome lives in the Café Nuovo. It was once a palace. Loftyceilings, glittering walls, marble pavements, countless tables, luxurious couches, immense mirrors, all dazzle the eye. The hubbub isimmense, the confusion overpowering. The European mode of life is not bad. Lodgings in roomy apartments, where one sleeps and attends to one's private affairs; mealsaltogether at the café. There one invites one's friends. No delay withdinner; no badly-cooked dishes; no stale or sour bread; no timid, overworn wife trembling for the result of new experiments inhousekeeping. On the contrary, one has: prompt meals; exquisite food;delicious bread; polite waiters; and happy wife, with plenty ofleisure at home to improve mind and adorn body. The first visit which the Club paid to the Café Nuovo was an eventfulone. News had just been received of the great strife at Magenta. Everyone was wild. The two _Galignani's_ had been appropriated by twoItalians, who were surrounded by forty-seven frenzied Englishmen, alleager to get hold of the papers. The Italians obligingly tried to readthe news. The wretched mangle which they made of the language, theimpatience, the excitement, and the perplexity of the audience, combined with the splendid self-complacency of the readers, formed astriking scene. The Italians gathered in a vast crowd in one of the billiard-rooms, where one of their number, mounted on a table, was reading withterrific volubility, and still more terrific gesticulations, aprivate letter from a friend at Milan. "Bravo!" cried all present. In pronouncing which word the Italians rolled the "r" so tumultuouslythat the only audible sound was-- B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-f-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-ah! Like the letter Bin a railway train. The best of all was to see the French. They were packed in a densemass at the furthest extremity of the Grand Saloon. Every one wastalking. Every one was describing to his neighbor the minuteparticulars of the tremendous contest. Old soldiers, hoarse withexcitement, emulated the volubility of younger ones. A thousand armswaved energetically in the air. Every one was too much interested inhis own description to heed his neighbor. They were all talkers, nolisteners. A few Germans were there, but they sat forsaken and neglected. Eventhe waiters forsook them. So they smoked the cigars of sweet andbitter fancy, occasionally conversing in thick gutturals. It wasevident that they considered the present occasion as a combined crowof the whole Latin race over the German. So they looked on withimpassive faces. [Illustration: News Of Magenta!] Perhaps the most stolid of all was Meinheer Schatt, who smoked andsipped coffee alternately, stopping after each sip to look aroundwith mild surprise, to stroke his forked beard, and to ejaculate-- "Gr-r-r-r-r-r-acious me!" Him the Senator saw and accosted, who, making room for the Senator, conversed with much animation. After a time the others took seats nearthem, and formed a neutral party. At this moment a small-sizedgentleman with black twinkling eyes came rushing past, and burst intothe thick of the crowd of Frenchmen. At the sight of him Buttonsleaped up, and cried: "There's Francia! I'll catch him now!" Francia shouted a few words which set the Frenchmen wild. "The Allies have entered Milan! A dispatch has just arrived!" There burst a shrill yell of triumph from the insane Frenchmen. Therewas a wild rushing to and fro, and the crowd swayed backward andforward. The Italians came pouring in from the other room. One wordwas sufficient to tell them all. It was a great sight to see. On eachindividual the news produced a different effect. Some stood still asthough petrified; others flung up their arms and yelled; otherscheered; others upset tables, not knowing what they were doing;others threw themselves into one another's arms, and embraced andkissed; others wept for joy:--these last were Milanese. Buttons was trying to find Francia. The rush of the excited crowdbore him away, and his efforts were fruitless. In fact, when hearrived at the place where that gentleman had been, he was gone. TheGermans began to look more uncomfortable than ever. At length MeinheerSchatt proposed that they should all go in a body to the Café Scacchi. So they all left. CHAPTER XXIV. CHECKMATE! The Café Scacchi, as its name implies, is devoted to chess. Germanspatronize it to a great extent. Politics do not enter into theprecincts sacred to Caissa. After they had been seated about an hour Buttons entered. He had notbeen able to find Francia. To divert his melancholy he proposed thatMeinheer Schatt should play a game of chess with the Senator. Now, chess was the Senator's hobby. He claimed to be the best player inhis State. With a patronizing smile he consented to play with a tyrolike Meinheer Schatt. At the end of one game Meinheer Schatt strokedhis beard and meekly said-- "Gr-r-r-acious me!" The Senator frowned and bit his lips. He was checkmated. Another game. Meinheer Schatt played in a calm, and some might say astupid, manner. "Gr-r-r-acious me!" It was a drawn game. Another: this was a very long game. The Senator played laboriously. It was no use. Slowly and steadily Meinheer Schatt won the game. When he uttered his usual exclamation the Senator felt stronglyinclined to throw the board at his head. However, he restrainedhimself, and they commenced another game. Much to delight theSenator beat. He now began to explain to Buttons exactly why it wasthat he had not beaten before. Another game followed. The Senator lost woefully. His defeat was infact disgraceful. When Meinheer Schatt said the ominous word theSenator rose, and was so overcome with vexation he had not thecourtesy to say Good-night. As they passed out Meinheer Schatt was seen staring after them withhis large blue eyes, stroking his beard, and whispering to himself-- "Gr-r-r-acious me!" [Illustration: Before And After. ] CHAPTER XXV. BUTTONS A MAN OF ONE IDEA. --DICK AND HIS MEASURING TAPE. --DARK EYES. --SUSCEPTIBLE HEART. --YOUNG MAIDEN WHO LIVES OUT OF TOWN. --GRANDCOLLISION OF TWO ABSTRACTED LOVERS IN THE PUBLIC STREETS. Too much blame can not be given to Buttons for his behavior at thisperiod. He acted as though the whole motive of his existence was tofind the Francias. To this he devoted his days, and of this he dreamedat night. He deserted his friends. Left to themselves, without hismoral influence to keep them together and give aim to their efforts, each one followed his own inclination. Mr. Figgs spent the whole of his time in the Café Nuovo, drawing outplans of dinners for each successive day. The Doctor, after sleepingtill noon, lounged on the Pincian Hill till evening, when he joinedMr. Figgs at dinner. The Senator explored every nook and corner ofRome. At first Dick accompanied him, but gradually they divergedfrom one another in different paths. The Senator visited every placein the city, peered into dirty houses, examined pavements, investigated fountains, stared hard at the beggars, and lookedcuriously at the Swiss Guard in the Pope's Palace. He soon becameknown to the lower classes, who recognized with a grin the tallforeigner that shouted queer foreign words and made funny gestures. Dick lived among churches, palaces, and ruins. Tired at length ofwandering, he attached himself to some artists, in whose studios hepassed the greater part of his afternoons. He became personallyacquainted with nearly every member of the fraternity, to whom heendeared himself by the excellence of his tobacco, and his greatcapacity for listening. Your talkative people bore artists morethan any others. "What a lovely girl! What a look she gave!" Such was the thought that burst upon the soul of Dick, after alittle visit to a little church that goes by the name of SaintSomebody _ai quattri fontani_. He had visited it simply because hehad heard that its dimensions exactly correspond with those of eachof the chief piers that support the dome of Saint Peter's. As hewished to be accurate, he had taken a tape-line, and began stretchingit from the altar to the door. The astonished priests at first stoodparalyzed by his sacrilegious impudence, but finally, after aconsultation, they came to him and ordered him to be gone. Dick lookedup with mild wonder. They indignantly repeated the order. Dick was extremely sorry that he had given offense. Wouldn't theyoverlook it? He was a stranger, and did not know that they would beunwilling. However, since he had begun, he supposed they would kindlypermit him to finish. --"They would kindly do no such thing, " remarked one of the priests, brusquely. "Was their church a common stable or a wine-shop that heshould presume to molest them at their services? If he had noreligion, could he not have courtesy; or, if he had no faith himself, could he not respect the faith of others?" Dick felt abashed. The eyes of all the worshipers were on him, and itwas while rolling up his tape that his eyes met the glance of abeautiful Italian girl, who was kneeling opposite. The noise haddisturbed her devotions, and she had turned to see what it was. It wasa thrilling glance from deep black lustrous orbs, in which there wasa soft and melting languor which he could not resist. He went outdazzled, and so completely bewildered that he did not think ofwaiting. After he had gone a few blocks he hurried back. She had gone. However, the impression of her face remained. He went so often to the little church that the priests noticed him;but finding that he was quiet and orderly they were not offended. Oneof them seemed to think that his rebuke had awakened the youngforeigner to a sense of higher things; so he one day accosted himwith much politeness. The priest delicately brought forward the claimsof religion. Dick listened meekly. At length he asked the priest ifhe recollected a certain young girl with beautiful face, wonderfuleyes, and marvellous appearance that was worshiping there on the daythat he came to measure the church. "Yes, " said the priest, coldly. Could he tell her name and where she lived? "Sir, " said the priest, "I had hoped that you came here from a highermotive. It will do you no good to know, and I therefore declinetelling you. " Dick begged most humbly, but the priest was inexorable. At last Dickremembered having heard that an Italian was constitutionally unableto resist a bribe. He thought he might try. True, the priest was agentleman; but perhaps an Italian gentleman was different from anEnglish or American; so he put his hand in his pocket and blushingviolently, brought forth a gold piece of about twenty dollars value. He held it out. The priest stared at him with a look that wasappalling. "If you know--" faltered Dick--"any one--of course I don't meanyourself--far from it--but--that is--" "Sir, " cried the priest, "who are you? Are there no bounds to yourimpudence? Have you come to insult me because I am a priest, andtherefore can not revenge myself? Away!" The priest choked with rage. Dick walked out. Bitterly he cursedhis wretched stupidity that had led him to this. His very earstingled with shame as he saw the full extent of the insult that hehad offered to a priest and a gentleman. He concluded to leave Romeat once. But at the very moment when he had made this desperate resolve hesaw some one coming. A sharp thrill went through his heart. It was SHE! She looked at him and glanced modestly away. Dick atonce walked up to her. "Signorina, " said he, not thinking what a serious thing it was toaddress an Italian maiden in the streets. But this one did notresent it. She looked up and smiled. "What a smile!" thought Dick. "Signorina, " he said again, and then stopped, not knowing what tosay. His voice was very tremulous, and the expression of his facetender and beseeching. His eyes told all. "Signore, " said the girl, with a sweet smile. The smile encouragedDick. "Ehem--I have lost my way. I--I--could you tell me how I could getto Piazza del Popolo? I think I might find my way home from there. " The girl's eyes beamed with a mischievous light. "Oh yes, most easily. You go down that street; when you pass fourside-streets you turn; to the left--the left--remember, and then youkeep on till you come to a large church with a fountain before it, then you turn round that, and you see the obelisk of the Piazza delPopolo. " Her voice was the sweetest that Dick had ever heard. He listened ashe would listen to music, and did not hear a single word that hecomprehended. "Pardon me, " said he, "but would you please to tell me again. I cannot remember all. Three streets?" The girl laughed and repeated it Dick sighed. "I'm a stranger here, and am afraid that I can not find my way. I leftmy map at home. If I could find some one who would go with me andshow me. " He looked earnestly at her, but she modestly made a movement to go. "Are you in a great hurry?" said he. "No, Signore, " replied the girl, softly. "Could you--a--a--would you be willing--to--to--walk a little partof the way with me, and--show me a very little part of the way--onlya very little?" [Illustration: Away!] The girl seemed half to consent, but modestly hesitated, and a faintflush stole over her face. "Ah do!" said Dick. He was desperate. "It's my only chance, " thought he. The girl softly assented and walked on with him. "I am very much obliged to you for your kindness, " said Dick. "It'svery hard for a stranger to find his way in Rome. " "But, Signore, by this time you ought to know the whole of our city. " "What? How?" "Why, you have been here three weeks at least. " "How do you know?" and the young man blushed to his eyes. He had beentelling lies, and she knew it all the time. "Oh, I saw you once in the church, and I have seen you with that tallman. Is he your father?" "No, only a friend. " "I saw you, " and she shook her little head triumphantly, and hereyes beamed with fun and laughter. "Any way, " thought Dick, "she ought to understand. " "And did you see me when I was in that little church with a measuringline?" The young girl looked up at him, her large eyes reading his very soul. "Did I look at you? Why, I was praying. " "You looked at me, and I have never forgotten it. " Another glance as though to assure herself of Dick's meaning. Thenext moment her eyes sank and her face flushed crimson. Dick's heartbeat so fast that he could not speak for some time. "Signore, " said the young girl at last, "when you turn that corneryou will see the Piazza del Popolo. " "Will you not walk as far as that corner?" said Dick. "Ah, Signore, I am afraid I will not have time. " "Will I never see you again?" asked he, mournfully. "I do not know, Signore. You ought to know. " A pause. Both had stopped, and Dick was looking earnestly at her, butshe was looking at the ground. "How can I know when I do not know even your name? Let me know that, so that I may think about it. " "Ah, how you try to flatter! My name is Pepita Gianti. " "And do you live far from here?" "Yes. I live close by the Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mure. " "A long distance. I was out there once. " "I saw you. " Dick exulted. "How many times have you seen me? I have only seen you once before. " "Oh, seven or eight times. " "And will this be the last?" said Dick, beseechingly. "Signore, if I wait any longer the gates will be shut. " "Oh, then, before you go, tell me where I can find you to-morrow. IfI walk out on that road will I see you? Will you come in to-morrow?or will you stay out there and shall I go there? Which of the housesdo you live in? or where can I find you? If you lived over on theAlban Hills I would walk every day to find you. " Dick spoke with ardor and impetuosity. The deep feeling which heshowed, and the mingled eagerness and delicacy which he exhibited, seemed not offensive to his companion. She looked up timidly. "When to-morrow comes you will be thinking of something else--orperhaps away on those Alban mountains. You will forget all aboutme. What is the use of telling you? I ought to go now. " "I'll never forget!" burst forth Dick. "Never--never. Believe me. On my soul; and oh, Signorina, it is not much to ask!" [Illustration: Pepita. ] His ardor carried him away. In the broad street he actually made agesture as though he would take her hand. The young girl drew backblushing deeply. She looked at him with a reproachful glance. "You forget--" Whereupon Dick interrupted her with innumerable apologies. "You do not deserve forgiveness. But I will forgive you if you leaveme now. Did I not tell you that I was in a hurry?" "Will you not tell me where I can see you again?" "I suppose I will be walking out about this time to-morrow. " "Oh, Signorina! and I will be at the gate. " "If you don't forget. " "Would you be angry if you saw me at the gate this evening?" "Yes; for friends are going out with me. Addio, Signore. " The young girl departed, leaving Dick rooted to the spot. After awhile he went on to the Piazza del Popolo. A thousand feelingsagitated him. Joy, triumph, perfect bliss, were mingled with countlesstender recollections of the glance, the smile, the tone, and theblushes of Pepita. He walked on with new life. So abstracted was hismind in all kinds of delicious anticipations that he ran full againsta man who was hurrying at full speed and in equal abstraction in theopposite direction. There was a recoil. Both fell. Both began to makeapologies. But suddenly: "Why, Buttons!" "Why, Dick!" "Where in the world did you come from?" "Where in the world did you come from?" "What are you after, Buttons?" "Did you see a carriage passing beyond that corner?" "No, none. " "You must have seen it. " "Well, I didn't. " "Why, it must have just passed you. " "I saw none. " "Confound it!" Buttons hurriedly left, and ran all the way to the corner, round whichhe passed. CHAPTER XXVI. CONSEQUENCES OF BEING GALLANT IN ITALY, WHERE THERE ARE LOVERS, HUSBANDS, BROTHERS, FATHERS, COUSINS, AND INNUMERABLE OTHER RELATIVESAND CONNECTIONS, ALL READY WITH THE STILETTO. After his meeting with Pepita, Dick found it extremely difficult torestrain his impatience until the following evening. He was at thegate long before the time, waiting with trembling eagerness. It was nearly sundown before she came; but she did come at last. Dickwatched her with strange emotions, murmuring to himself all thosepeculiar epithets which are commonly used by people in his situation. The young girl was unmistakably lovely, and her grace and beauty mighthave affected a sterner heart than Dick's. "Now I wonder if she knows how perfectly and radiantly lovely sheis, " thought he, as she looked at him and smiled. He joined her a little way from the gate. "So you do not forget. " "_I_ forget! Before I spoke to you I thought of you without ceasing, and now I can never forget you. " "Do your friends know where you are?" she asked, timidly. "Do you think I would tell them?" "Are you going to stay long in Rome?" "I will not go away for a long time. " "You are an American. " "Yes. " "America is very far away. " "But it is easy to get there. " "How long will you be in Rome?" "I don't know. A very long time. " "Not in the summer?" "Yes, in the summer. " "But the malaria. Are you not afraid of that? Will your friends stay?" "I do not care whether my friends do or not. " "But you will be left alone. " "I suppose so. " "But what will you do for company? It will be very lonely. " "I will think of you all day, and at evening come to the gate. " "Oh, Signore! You jest now!" "How can I jest with you?" "You don't mean what you say. " "Pepita!" Pepita blushed and looked embarrassed. Dick had called her by herChristian name; but she did not appear to resent it. "You don't know who I am, " she said at last. "Why do you pretend tobe so friendly?" "I know that you are Pepita, and I don't want to know any thingmore, except one thing, which I am afraid to ask. " Pepita quickened her pace. "Do not walk so fast, Pepita, " said Dick, beseechingly. "Let the walkbe as long as you can. " "But if I walked so slowly you would never let me get home. " "I wish I could make the walk so slow that we could spend alife-time on the road. " Pepita laughed. "That would be a long time. " It was getting late. The sun was half-way below the horizon. The skywas flaming with golden light, which glanced dreamily through the hazyatmosphere. Every thing was toned down to soft beauty. Of course itwas the season for lovers and lovers' vows. Pepita walked a littlemore slowly to oblige Dick. She uttered an occasional murmur at theirslow progress, but still did not seem eager to quicken her pace. Everystep was taken unwillingly by Dick, who wanted to prolong the happytime. Pepita's voice was the sweetest in the world, and her soft Italiansounded more musically that that language had ever sounded before. She seemed happy, and by many little signs showed that her companionwas not indifferent to her. At length Dick ventured to offer his arm. She rested her hand on it very gently, and Dick tremulously took it inhis. The little hand fluttered for a few minutes, and then sank torest. The sun had now set. Evening in Italy is far different from what itis in northern latitudes. There it comes on gently and slowly, sometimes prolonging its presence for hours, and the light will bevisible until very late. In Italy, however, it is short and abrupt. Almost as soon as the sun disappears the thick shadows come swiftlyon and cover every thing. It was so at this time. It seemed but amoment after sunset, and yet every thing was growing indistinct. Theclumps of trees grew black; the houses and walls of the city behindall faded into a mass of gloom. The stars shone faintly. There wasno moon. "I will be very late to-night, " said Pepita, timidly. "But are you much later than usual?" "Oh, very much!" "There is no danger, is there? But if there is you are safe. I canprotect you. Can you trust me?" "Yes, " said Pepita, in a low voice. It was too dark to see the swiftly-changing color of Pepita's face asDick murmured some words in her ear. But her hand trembled violentlyas Dick held it. She did not say a word in response. Dick stood stillfor a moment and begged her to answer him. She made an effort andwhispered some indistinct syllables. Whereupon Dick called her byevery endearing name that he could think of, and--Hasty footsteps!Exclamations! Shouts! They were surrounded! Twelve men or more--stout, strong fellows, magnified by the gloom. Pepita shrieked. "Who are you?" cried Dick. "Away, or I'll shoot you all. I'm armed. " "Boh!" said one of the men, contemptuously. "Off!" cried Dick, asthe fellow drew near. He put himself before Pepita to protect her, and thrust his right hand in the breast-pocket of his coat. "Who is that with you?" said a voice. At the sound of the voicePepita uttered a cry. Darting from behind Dick she rushed up to him. "It is Pepita, Luigi!" "Pepita! Sister! What do you mean by this?" said the man hoarsely. "Why are you so late? Who is this man?" "An American gentleman who walked out as far as this to protect me, "said Pepita, bursting into tears. "An American gentleman!" said Luigi, with a bitter sneer. "He cameto protect you, did he? Well; we will show him in a few minuteshow grateful we are. " Dick stood with folded arms awaiting the result of all this. "Luigi! dearest brother!" cried Pepita, with a shudder, "on my soul--in the name of the Holy Mother--he is an honorable Americangentleman, and he came to protect me. " "Oh! we know, and we will reward him. " "Luigi! Luigi!" moaned Pepita, "if you hurt him I will die!" "Ah! Has it come to that?" said Luigi, bitterly. "A half-hour'sacquaintance, and you talk of dying. Here, Pepita; go home withRicardo. " "I will not. I will not go a step unless you let him go. " "Oh, we will let him go!" "Promise me you will not hurt him. " "Pepita, go home!" cried her brother, sternly. "I will not unless you promise. " "Foolish girl! Do you suppose we are going to break the laws andget into trouble? No, no. Come, go home with Ricardo. I'm going tothe city. " Ricardo came forward, and Pepita allowed herself to be led away. When she was out of sight and hearing Luigi approached Dick. Amidthe gloom Dick did not see the wrath and hate that might have been onhis face, but the tone of his voice was passionate and menacing. Heprepared for the worst. "That is my sister. --Wretch! what did youmean?" "I swear--" "Peace! We will give you cause to remember her. " Dick saw that words and excuses were useless. He thought his hour hadcome. He resolved to die game. He hadn't a pistol. His manoeuvre ofputting his hand in his pocket was merely intended to deceive. TheItalians thought that if he had one he would have done more thanmention it. He would at least have shown it. He had stationedhimself under a tree. The men were before him. Luigi rushed at himlike a wild beast. Dick gave him a tremendous blow between his eyesthat knocked him headlong. "You can kill me, " he shouted, "but you'll find it hard work!" Up jumped Luigi, full of fury; half a dozen others rushedsimultaneously at Dick. He struck out two vigorous blows, whichcrashed against the faces of two of them. The next moment he was onthe ground. On the ground, but striking well-aimed blows and kickingvigorously. He kicked one fellow completely over. The brutal Italiansstruck and kicked him in return. At last a tremendous blow descendedon his head. He sank senseless. When he revived it was intensely dark. He was covered with painfulbruises. His head ached violently. He could see nothing. He aroseand tried to walk, but soon fell exhausted. So he crawled closer tothe trunk of the tree, and groaned there in his pain. At last hefell into a light sleep, that was much interrupted by his suffering. He awoke at early twilight. He was stiff and sore, but very muchrefreshed. His head did not pain so excessively. He heard thetrickling of water near, and saw a brook. There he went and washedhimself. The water revived him greatly. Fortunately his clothes wereonly slightly torn. After washing the blood from his face, andbuttoning his coat over his bloodstained shirt, and brushing thedirt from his clothes, he ventured to return to the city. He crawled rather than walked, often stopping to rest, and oncealmost fainting from utter weakness. But at last he reached thecity, and managed to find a wine-cart, the only vehicle that hecould see, which took him to his lodgings. He reached his roombefore any of the others were up, and went to bed. [Illustration: An Interruption. ] CHAPTER XXVII. DICK ON THE SICK LIST. --RAPTURE OF BUTTONS AT MAKING AN IMPORTANTDISCOVERY. Great was the surprise of all on the following morning at finding thatDick was confined to his bed. All were very anxious, and even Buttonsshowed considerable feeling. For as much as a quarter of an hour heceased thinking about the Spaniards. Poor Dick! What on earth was thematter? Had he fever? No. Perhaps it was the damp night-air. He shouldnot have been out so late. Where was he? A confounded pity! The Doctorfelt his pulse. There was no fever. The patient was very pale, andevidently in great pain. His complaint was a mystery. However, theDoctor recommended perfect quiet, and hoped that a few days wouldrestore him. Dick said not a word about the events of the evening. Hethought it would do no good to tell them. He was in great pain. Hisbody was black with frightful bruises, and the depression of his mindwas as deep as the pain of his body. The others went out at their usual hour. The kind-hearted Senator remained at home all day, and sat by Dick'sbedside, sometimes talking, sometimes reading. Dick begged him not toput himself to so much inconvenience on his account; but such languagewas distasteful to the Senator. "My boy, " he said, "I know that you would do as much for me. Besides, it is a far greater pleasure to do any thing for you than to walkabout merely to gratify myself. Don't apologize, or tell me that I amtroubling myself. Leave me to do as I please. " Dick's grateful look expressed more than words. In a few days his pain had diminished, and it was evident that hewould be out in a fortnight or so. The kind attentions of his friendsaffected him greatly. They all spent more time than ever in his room, and never came there without bringing some little trifle, such asgrapes, oranges, or other fruit. The Senator hunted all over Rome fora book, and found Victor Hugo's works, which he bought on a venture, and had the gratification of seeing that it was acceptable. All suspected something. The Doctor had contended from the first thatDick had met with an accident. They had too much delicacy to questionhim, but made many conjectures amongst themselves. The Doctor thoughtthat he had been among some ruins, and met with a fall. Mr. Figgssuggested that he might have been run over. The Senator thought it wassome Italian epidemic. Buttons was incapable of thinking rationallyabout any thing just then. He was the victim of a monomania: theSpaniards! About a week after Dick's adventure Buttons was strolling about onhis usual quest, when he was attracted by a large crowd around theChiesa di Gesu. The splendid equipages of the cardinals were crowdedabout the principal entrance, and from the interior sounds of musiccame floating magnificently down. Buttons went in to see what wasgoing on. A vast crowd filled the church. Priests in gorgeousvestments officiated at the high altar, which was all ablaze withthe light of enormous wax-candles. The gloom of the interior washeightened by the clouds of incense that rolled on high far withinthe vaulted ceiling. [Illustration: Poor Dick!] The Pope was there. In one of the adjoining chambers he was performinga ceremony which sometimes takes place in this church. Guided byinstinct, Buttons pressed his way into the chamber. A number of peoplefilled it. Suddenly he uttered an exclamation. Just as His Holiness was rising to leave, Buttons saw the group thathad filled his thoughts for weeks. The Spaniards! No mistake this time. And he had been right all along. All his efforts had, after all, been based on something tangible. Notin vain had he had so many walks, runnings, chasings, searchings, strolls, so many hopes, fears, desires, discouragements. He wasright! Joy, rapture, bliss, ecstasy, delight! There they were: _thelittle Don_--THE DONNA--IDA! Buttons, lost for a while in the crowd, and pressed away, never lostsight of the Spaniards. They did not see him, however, until, asthey slowly moved out, they were stopped and greeted with astonishingeagerness. The Don shook hands cordially. The Donna--that is, theelder sister--smiled sweetly. Ida blushed and cast down her eyes. Nothing could be more gratifying than this reception. Where had hebeen? How long in Rome? Why had they not met before? Strange thatthey had not seen him about the city. And had he really been herethree weeks? Buttons informed them that he had seen them severaltimes, but at a distance. He had been at all the hotels, but hadnot seen their names. Hotels! Oh, they lived in lodgings in the Palazzo Concini, not farfrom the Piazza del Popolo. And how much longer did he intend tostay?--Oh, no particular time. His friends enjoyed themselves herevery much. He did not know exactly when they would leave. How longwould they remain?--They intended to leave for Florence on thefollowing week. --Ah! He was thinking of leaving for the same placeat about the same time. Whereupon the Don expressed a polite hopethat they might see one another on the journey. By this time the crowd had diminished. They looked on while the Popeentered his state-coach, and with strains of music, and prancing ofhorses, and array of dragoons, drove magnificently away. The Don turned to Buttons: Would he not accompany them to theirlodgings? They were just about returning to dinner. If he weredisengaged they should be most happy to have the honor of hiscompany. Buttons tried very hard to look as though he were not mad witheagerness to accept the invitation, but not very successfully. Thecarriage drove off rapidly. The Don and Buttons on one seat, theladies on the other. Then the face of Ida as she sat opposite! Such a face! Such a smile!Such witchery in her expression! Such music in her laugh! At any rate so it seemed to Buttons, and that is all that is needed. On through the streets of Rome; past the post-office, round the columnof Antoninus, up the Corso, until at last they stopped in front ofan immense edifice which had once been a palace. The descendants ofthe family lived in a remote corner, and their poverty compelled themto let out all the remainder as lodgings. This is no uncommon thingin Italy. Indeed, there are so many ruined nobles in the country thatthose are fortunate who have a shelter over their heads. Buttonsremarked this to the Don, who told some stories of these fallennobles. He informed him that in Naples their laundress was said to bethe last scion of one of the most ancient families in the kingdom. She was a countess in her own right, but had to work at menial labor. Moreover, many had sunk down to the grade of peasantry, and lived insqualor on lands which were once the estates of their ancestors. Buttons spent the evening there. The rooms were elegant. Books layaround which showed a cultivated taste. The young man felt himself ina realm of enchantment. The joy of meeting was heightened by theirunusual complaisance. During the evening he found out all about them. They lived in Cadiz, where the Don was a merchant. This was theirfirst visit to Italy. They all had fine perceptions for the beautiful in art or nature, and, besides, a keen sense of the ludicrous. So, when Buttons, growingcommunicative, told them about Mr. Figgs's adventure in the ball ofSt. Peter's, they were greatly amused. He told about the adventuresof all his friends. He told of himself: all about the chase in NaplesBay, and his pursuit of their carriage from St. Peter's. He did nottell them that he had done this more than once. Ida was amused; butButtons felt gratified at seeing a little confusion on her face, asthough she was conscious of the real cause of such a perseveringpursuit. She modestly evaded his glance, and sat at a littledistance from the others. Indeed, she said but little during thewhole evening. When Buttons left he felt like a spiritual being. He was not consciousof treading on any material earth, but seemed to float along throughenchanted air over the streets into his lodgings, and so on into therealm of dreams. CHAPTER XXVIII. WHAT KIND OF A LETTER THE SENATOR WROTE FOR THE "NEW ENGLAND PATRIOT, "WHICH SHOWS A TRITE, LIBERAL, UNBIASED, PLAIN, UNVARNISHED VIEW OFROME. "Dick, " said the Senator, as he sat with him in his room, "I've beenthinking over your tone of mind, more particularly as it appears inthose letters which you write home, such as you read the other day. It is a surprising thing to me how a young man with your usual goodsense, keenness of perception, and fine education, can allow yourselfto be so completely carried away by a mawkish sentiment. What is theuse of all these memories and fancies and hysterical emotions thatyou talk about? In one place you call yourself by the absurd name of'A Pensive Traveller. ' Why not be honest? Be a sensible American, exhibiting in your thoughts and in all your actions the effect ofdemocratic principles and stiff republican institutions. Now I'llread you what I have written. I think the matter is a little nearerthe mark than your flights of fancy. But perhaps you don't care justnow about hearing it?" "Indeed I do; so read on, " said Dick. "As I have travelled considerable in Italy, " said the Senator, reading from a paper which he drew from his pocket, "with my eyeswide open, I have some idea of the country and of the generalcondition of the farming class. " The Senator stopped. "I forgot to say that this is for the _NewEngland Patriot_, published in our village, you know. " Dick nodded. The Senator resumed: "The soil is remarkably rich. Even where there are mountains theyare well wooded. So if the fields look well it is not surprising. What is surprising is the cultivation. I saw ploughs such as Adammight have used when forced for the first time to turn up theground outside the locality of Eden; harrows which were probablyinvented by Numa Pompey, an old Roman that people talk about. "They haven't any idea of draining clear. For here is a place calledthe Pontine Marsh, beautiful soil, surrounded by a settled country, and yet they let it go to waste almost entirely. "The Italians are lazy. The secret of their bad farming lies inthis. For the men loll and smoke on the fences, leaving the poorwomen to toil in the fields. A woman ploughing! And yet these peoplewant to be free. "They wear leather leggins, short breeches, and jackets. Many ofthem wear wooden shifts. The women of the south use a queer kind ofoutlandish head-dress, which if they spent less time in fixing itwould be better for their own worldly prosperity. "The cattle are fine: very broad in the chest, with splendid action. I don't believe any other country can show such cattle. The pigs arecertainly the best I ever saw by a long chalk. Their chops beat allcreation. A friend of mine has made some sketches, which I will giveto the Lyceum on my return. They exhibit the Sorrento pig invarious attitudes. [Illustration: Sketches By A Friend. ] "The horses, on the contrary, are poor affairs. I have yet to seethe first decent horse. The animals employed by travellers generallyare the lowest of their species. The shoes which the horses wear areof a singular shape. I can't describe them in writing, but they lookmore like a flat-iron than any thing else. "I paid a visit to Pompeii, and on coming back I saw some of the cartsof the country. They gave one a deplorable idea of the state of theuseful arts in this place. Scientific farming is out of the question. If fine plantations are seen it's Nature does it. "Vineyards abound everywhere. Wine is a great staple of the country. Yet they don't export much after all. In fact the foreign commerceis comparatively trifling. Chestnuts and olives are raised inimmense quantities. The chestnut is as essential to the Italian asthe potato is to the Irishman. A failure in the crop is attendedwith the same disastrous consequences. They dry the nuts, grind theminto a kind of flour, and make them into cakes. I tasted one andfound it abominable. Yet these people eat it with garlic, and growfat on it. Chestnut bread, oil instead of butter, wine instead oftea, and you have an Italian meal. "It's a fine country for fruit. I found Gaeta surrounded by orangegroves. The fig is an important article in the economy of an Italianhousehold. "I have been in Rome three weeks. Many people take much interest inthis place, though quite unnecessarily. I do not think it is at allequal to Boston. Yet I have taken great pains to examine the place. The streets are narrow and crooked, like those of Boston. They areextremely dirty. There are no sidewalks. The gutter is in the middleof the street. The people empty their slops from their windows. Thepavements are bad and very slippery. The accumulation of filth aboutthe streets is immense. The drainage is not good. They actually useone old drain which, they tell me, was made three thousand years ago. "Gas has only been recently introduced. I understand that a year ortwo ago the streets were lighted by miserable contrivances, consistingof a mean oil lamp swung from the middle of a rope stretched acrossthe street. "The shops are not worth mentioning. There are no magnificent_Dry-goods Stores_, such as I have seen by the hundred in Boston;no _Hardware Stores_; no palatial _Patent Medicine Edifices_; nosigns of enterprise, in fact, at all. "The houses are very uncomfortable. They are large, and built in theform of a square. People live on separate flats. If it is cold theyhave to grin and bear it. There are no stoves. I have suffered morefrom the cold on some evenings since I have been here than ever Idid in-doors at home. I have asked for a fire, but all they couldgive me was a poisonous fire of charcoal in an earthen thing likea basket. "Some of their public buildings are good, but that can't make thepopulation comfortable. In fact, the people generally are ill-caredfor. Here are the wretched Jews, who live in a filthy quarter ofthe city crowded together like pigs. "The people pass the most of their time in coffee-houses. They arean idle set--have nothing in the world to do. It is still a mysteryto me how they live. "The fact is, there are too many soldiers and priests. Now it isevident that these gentry, being non-producers, must be supporteddirectly or indirectly by the producers. This is the cause, I suppose, of the poverty of a great part of the population. "Begging is reduced to a science. In this I confess the Italian beatsthe American all to pieces. The American eye has not seen, nor earheard, the devices of an Italian beggar to get along. "I have seen them in great crowds waiting outside of a monastery fortheir dinner, which consists of huge bowls of porridge given by themonks. Can any thing be more ruinous to a people? "The only trade that I could discover after a long and patient searchwas the trade in brooches and toys which are bought as curiosities bytravellers. "There are nothing but churches and palaces wherever you go. Someof these palaces are queer-looking concerns. There isn't one in thewhole lot equal to some of the Fifth Avenue houses in New York inpoint of real genuine style. "There has been too much money spent in churches, and too littleon houses. If it amounted to any thing it would not be so bad, butthe only effect has been to promote an idle fondness for musicand pictures and such like. If they tore down nine-tenths of theirchurches and turned them into school-houses on the New Englandsystem, it would not be bad for the rising generation. "The newspapers which they have are miserable things-wretchedlittle sheets, full of lies--no advertisements, no news, no nothing. I got a friend to translate what pretended to be the latest Americannews. It was a collection of murders, duels, railway accidents, andsteamboat explosions. "I don't see what hope there is for this unfortunate country; I don'treally. The people have gone on so long in their present course thatthey are now about incorrigible. If the entire population were toemigrate to the Western States, and mix up with the people there, it might be possible for their descendants in the course of time toamount to something. "I don't see any hope except perhaps in one plan, which would be nodoubt impossible for these lazy and dreamy Italians to carry out. It is this: Let this poor, brokendown, bankrupt Government make aninventory of its whole stock of jewels, gold, gems, pictures, andstatues. I understand that the nobility throughout Europe wouldbe willing to pay immense sums of money for these ornaments. If theyare fools enough to do so, then in Heaven's name let them have thechance. Clear out the whole stock of rubbish, and let the hard cashcome in to replace it. That would be a good beginning, with somethingtangible to start from. I am told that the ornaments of St. Peter'sCathedral cost ever so many millions of dollars. In the name ofgoodness why not sell out the stock and realize instead of issuingthose ragged notes for twenty-five cents, which circulate amongthe people here at a discount of about seventy-five per cent? "Then let them run a railroad north to Florence and south to Naples. It would open up a fine tract of county which is capable of growinggrain; it would tap the great olive-growing districts, and originatea vast trade of oil, wine, and dried fruits. "The country around Rome is uninhabited, but not barren. It is sicklyin summer-time, but if there was a population on it who wouldcultivate it property I calculate the malaria would vanish, just asthe fever and ague do from many Western districts in our country bythe same agencies. I calculate that region could be made one of themost fertile on this round earth if occupied by an industrious classof emigrants. "But there is a large space inside the walls of the city which couldbe turned to the best of purposes. "The place which used to be the Roman Forum is exactly calculatedto be the terminus of the railroad which I have suggested. Acommodious depot could be made, and the door-way might be worked upout of the arch of Titus, which now stands blocking up the way, andis of no earthly use. "The amount of crumbling stones and old mined walls that theyleave about this quarter of the city is astonishing. It ought notto be so. "What the Government ought to do after being put in funds by theprocess mentioned above is this: "The Government ought to tear down all those unsightly heaps ofstone and erect factories and industrial schools. There is plentyof material to do it with. For instance, take the old ruin calledthe Coliseum. It is a fact, arrived at by elaborate calculation, that the entire contents of that concern are amply sufficientto construct no less than one hundred and fifty handsomefactories, each two hundred feet by seventy-five. "The factories being built, they could be devoted to theproduction of the finer tissues. Silks and velvets could be producedhere. Glass-ware of all kinds could be made. There is a fine Italianclay that makes nice cups and crocks. "I could also suggest the famous Roman cement as an additionalarticle of export. The Catacombs under the city could be put tosome direct practical use. "I have hastily put out these few ideas to show what a liberaland enlightened policy might effect even in such an unpromisingplace as Rome. It is not probable, however, that my scheme wouldmeet with favor here. The leading classes in this city are suchan incurable get of old fogies that, I verily believe, ratherthan do what I have suggested, they would choose to have theearth open beneath them and swallow them up forever--city, churches, statues, pictures, museums, palaces, ruins and all. "I've got a few other ideas, some of which will work some day. Suppose Russia should sell us her part of America. Spain sell usCuba, Italy give us Rome, Turkey an island or two--then what? ButI'll keep this for another letter. " "That's all, " said the Senator. Dick's face was drawn up into the strangest expression. He did notsay any thing, however. The Senator calmly folded up his paper, andwith a thoughtful air took up his hat. "I'm going to that Coliseum again to measure a place I forgot, "said he. Upon which he retired, leaving Dick alone. CHAPTER XXIX. THE LONELY ONE AND HIS COMFORTER. --THE TRUE MEDICINE FOR A SICK MAN. Dick was alone in his chamber. Confinement to his room was badenough, but what was that in comparison with the desolation of soulthat afflicted him? Pepita was always in his thoughts. The brightmoment was alone remembered, and the black sequel could not effaceher image. Yet his misadventure showed him that his chances ofseeing her again were extremely faint. But how could he give herup? They would soon be leaving for Florence. How could he leavenever to see her again--the lovely, the sweet, the tender, the-- A faint knock at the door. "Come in, " said Dick, without rising from his chair. A female entered. She was dressed in black. A thick veil hid herfeatures, but her bent figure denoted age and weariness. She slowlyclosed the door. "Is it here where a young American lives with this name?" She held out a card. It was his name, his card. He had only given itto one person in Rome, and that one was Pepita. "Oh!" cried Dick, rising, his whole expression changing from sadnessto eager and beseeching hope, "oh, if you know where she is--where Imay find her--" The female raised her form, then with a hand that trembledexcessively she slowly lifted her veil. It was a face not old andwrinkled but young and lovely, with tearful eyes downcast, andcheeks suffused with blushes. With an eager cry Dick bounded from his chair and caught her inhis arms. Not a word was spoken. He held her in a strong embrace asthough he would not let her go. At last he drew her to a seat besidehim, still holding her in his arms. "I could not stay away. I led you into misfortune. Oh, how youhave suffered. You are thin and wan. What a wretch am I! When you seeme no more will you forgive me?" "Forgive!" and Dick replied in a more emphatic way than words afford. "They would not let me leave the house for ten days. They told meif I ever dared to see you again they would kill you. So I knew youwere not dead. But I did not know how they had beaten you till oneday Ricardo told me all. To think of you unarmed fighting sogallantly. Four of them were so bruised that they have not yetrecovered. To-day Luigi went to Civita Vecchia. He told me thatif I dared to go to Rome he would send me to a convent. But Idisobeyed him. I could not rest. I had to come and see how youwere, and to--bid--adieu--" "Adieu! bid adieu?--never. I will not let you. " "Ah, now you talk wildly, " said Pepita, mournfully, "for you knowwe must part. " "We shall not part. " "I will have to go home, and you can not follow me. " "Oh, Pepita, I can not give you up. You shall be mine--now--my wife--and come with me home--to America. And we shall never again haveto part. " "Impossible, " said Pepita, as big tear-drops fell from her eyes. "Impossible!" "Why impossible?" "Luigi would track us to the end of the world. " "Track us! I would like to see him try it!" cried Dick in a fury. "Ihave an account to settle with him which will not be pleasant forhim to pay. Who is he to dare to stand between me and you? As tofollowing me--Well, I have already given him a specimen of what Iam. I would give a year of my life to have him alone for about halfan hour. " "You wrong him, " cried Pepita, earnestly. "You wrong him. You mustnot talk so. He is not a bravo. He is my brother. He has been likea father to me. He loves me dearly, and my good name is dearer tohim than life. He is so good and so noble, dear Luigi! It was hislove for me that blinded him and made him furious. He thought youwere deceiving us all, and would not listen to you. " "But if he were so noble would he have attacked one unarmed man, and he at the head of a dozen?" "I tell you, " cried Pepita, "you do not know him. He was so blindedby passion that he had no mercy. Oh, I owe every thing to him! AndI know how good and noble he is!" "Pepita, for your sake I will forgive him every thing. " "I can not stay longer, " said Pepita, making an effort to rise. "Oh, Pepita! you can not leave me forever. " Pepita fell weeping into his arms, her slender form convulsed withemotion. "You shall not. " "I must--there is no help. " "Why must you? Can you not fly with me? What prevents you from beingmine? Let us go and be united in the little church where I saw youfirst. " "Impossible!" moaned Pepita. "Why?" "Because I could not do you such injustice. You have your father faraway in America. You might offend him. " "Bother my father!" cried Dick. Pepita looked shocked. "I mean--he would allow me to do any thing I liked, and glory in it, because I did it. He would chuckle over it for a month. " "Luigi--" "Pepita, do you love him better than me?" "No, but if I leave him so it would break his heart. He will think Iam ruined. He will declare a vendetta against you, and follow you tothe end of the world. " "Is there no hope?" "No--not now. " "Not now? And when will there be? Can it be possible that you wouldgive me up? Then I would not give you up! If you do not love me Imust love you. " "Cruel!" murmured Pepita. "Forgive, " said Dick, penitently. "Perhaps I am too sudden. If Icome back again in two or three months will you be as hardheartedas you are now?" "Hard-hearted!" sighed Pepita, tearfully. "You should not reproachme. My troubles are more than I can bear. It is no slight thing thatyou ask. " "Will waiting soften you? Will it make any difference? If I came foryou--" "You must not leave me so, " said Pepita, reproachfully. "I will tellyou all. You will understand me better. Listen. My family is noble. " "Noble!" cried Dick, thunderstruck. He had certainly always thoughther astonishingly lady--like for a peasant girl, but attributed thisto the superior refinement of the Italian race. "Yes, noble, " said Pepita, proudly. "We seem now only poor peasants. Yet once we were rich and powerful. My grandfather lost all in thewars in the time of Napoleon, and only left his descendants anhonorable name. Alas! honor and titles are worth but little when oneis poor. My brother Luigi is the Count di Gianti. " "And you are the Countess di Gianti. " "Yes, " said Pepita, smiling at last, and happy at the change thatshowed itself in Dick. "I am the Countess Pepita di Gianti. Can youunderstand now my dear Luigi's high sense of honor and the furythat he felt when he thought that you intended an insult? Ourpoverty, which we can not escape, chafes him sorely. If I were todesert him thus suddenly it would kill him. " "Oh, Pepita! if waiting will win you I will wait for years. Is thereany hope?" "When will you leave Rome?" "In a few days my friends leave. " "Then do not stay behind. If you do you can not see me. " "But if I come again in two or three months? What then? Can I seeyou?" "Perhaps, " said Pepita, timidly. "And you will apt refuse? No, no! You can not! How can I find you?" "Alas! you will by that time forget all about me. " "Cruel Pepita! How can you say I will forget? Would I not die foryou? How can I find you?" "The Padre Lignori. " "Who?" "Padre Lignori, at the little church. The tall priest--the one whospoke to you. " "But he will refuse. He hates me. " "He is a good man. If he thinks you are honorable he will be yourfriend. He is a true friend to me. " "I will see him before I leave and tell him all. " There were voices below. Pepita started. "They come. I must go, " said she, dropping her veil. "Confound them!" cried Dick. "_Addio_!" sighed Pepita. Dick caught her in his arms. She tore herself away with sobs. She was gone. Dick sank back in his chair, with his eyes fixed hungrily on the door. "Hallo!" burst the Doctor's voice on his ears. "Who's that old girl?Hey? Why, Dick, how pale you are! You're worse. Hang it! you'll havea relapse if you don't look out. You must make a total change in yourdiet--more stimulating drink and generous food. However, the drive toFlorence will set you all right again. " CHAPTER XXX. OCCUPATIONS AND PEREGRINATIONS OF BUTTONS. If Buttons had spent little time in his room before he now spent less. He was exploring the ruins of Rome, the churches, the picturegalleries, and the palaces under new auspices. He knew the name ofevery palace and church in the place. He acquired this knowledge bymeans of superhuman application to "Murray's Hand-book" on theevenings after leaving his companions. They were enthusiastic, particularly the ladies. They were perfectly familiar with all theSpanish painters and many of the Italian. Buttons felt himself farinferior to them in real familiarity with Art, but he made amends bybrilliant criticisms of a transcendental nature. [Illustration: Buttons and Murray. ] It was certainly a pleasant occupation for youth, sprightliness, andbeauty. To wander all day long through that central world from whichforever emanate all that is fairest and most enticing in Art, Antiquity, and Religion; to have a soul open to the reception of allthese influences, and to have all things glorified by Almighty love;in short, to be in love in Rome. Rome is an inexhaustible store-house of attractions. For the loversof gayety there are the drives of the Pincian Hill, or the VillaBorghese. For the student, ruins whose very dust is eloquent. For theartist, treasures beyond price. For the devotee, religion. Howfortunate, thought Buttons, that in addition to all this there is, for the lovers of the beautiful, beauty! Day after day they visited new scenes. Upon the whole, perhaps, thebest way to see the city, when one can not spend one's life there, is to take Murray's Hand-book, and, armed with that red necessity, dash energetically at the work; see every thing that is mentioned;hurry it up in the orthodox manner; then throw the book away, and goover the ground anew, wandering easily wherever fancy leads. CHAPTER XXXI. BUTTONS ACTS THE GOOD SAMARITAN, AND LITERALLY UNEARTHS A MOSTUNEXPECTED VICTIM OF AN ATROCIOUS ROBBERY. --GR-R-R-A-CIOUS ME! To these, once wandering idly down the Appian Way, the ancient towerof Metella rose invitingly. The carriage stopped, and ascending, they walked up to the entrance. They marvelled at the enormous blocksof travertine of which the edifice was built, the noble simplicity ofthe style, the venerable garment of ivy which hid the ravages oftime. The door was open, and they walked in. Buttons first; the ladiestimidly following; and the Don bringing up the rear. Suddenly a lowgroan startled them. It seemed to come from the very depths of theearth. The ladies gave a shriek, and dashing past their brother, ranout. The Don paused. Buttons of course advanced. He never felt soextensive in his life before. What a splendid opportunity to givean exhibition of manly courage! So he walked on, and shouted: "Who's there?" A groan! Further in yet, till he came to the inner chamber. It was dark there, the only light coming in through the passages. Through the gloom hesaw the figure of a man lying on the floor so tied that he could notmove. "Who are you? What's the matter?" "Let me loose, for God's sake!" said a voice, in thick Italian, witha heavy German accent. "I'm a traveller. I've been robbed by brigands. " To snatch his knife from his pocket, to cut the cords that bound theman, to lift him to his feet, and then to start back with a cry ofastonishment, were all the work of an instant. By this time the othershad entered. The man was a German, unmistakably. He stood blinking and staring. Then he stretched his several limbs and rubbed himself. Then he tooka long survey of the new-comers. Then he stroked a long, red, forkedbeard, and, in tones expressive of the most profound bewilderment, slowly ejaculated-- "Gr-r-r-r-acious me!" "Meinheer Schatt!" cried Buttons, grasping his hand. "How in the nameof wonder did you get here? What has happened to you? Who tied you up?Were you robbed? Were you beaten? Are you hurt? But come out of thisdark hole to the sunshine. " Meinheer Schatt walked slowly out, saying nothing to these rapidinquiries of Buttons. The German intellect is profound, but slow; andso Meinheer Schatt took a long time to collect his scattered ideas. Buttons found that he was quite faint; so producing a flask fromhis pocket he made him drink a little precious cordial, which revivedhim greatly. After a long pull he heaved a heavy sigh, and lookedwith a piteous expression at the new-comers. The kind-heartedSpaniards insisted on taking him to their carriage. He was too weakto walk. They would drive him. They would listen to no refusal. SoMeinheer Schatt was safely deposited in the carriage, and told hisstory. He had come out very early in the morning to visit the Catacombs. Hechose the early part of the day so as to be back before it got hot. Arriving at the Church of St. Sebastian he found to his disappointmentthat it was not open yet. So he thought he would beguile the time bywalking about. So he strolled off to the tomb of Caecelia Metella, which was the most striking object in view. He walked around it, andbroke off a few pieces of stone. He took also a few pieces of ivy. These he intended to carry away as relics. At last he ventured toenter and examine the interior. Scarce had he got inside than heheard footsteps without. The door was blocked up by a number ofill-looking men, who came in and caught him. Meinheer Schatt confessed that he was completely overcome by terror. However, he at last mustered sufficient strength to ask what theywanted. "You are our prisoner. " "Why? Who are you?" "We are the secret body-guard of His Holiness, appointed by theSacred Council of the Refectory, " said one of the men, in a mockingtone. Then Meinheer Schatt knew that they were robbers. Still he indignantlyprotested he was an unoffending traveller. "It's false! You have been mutilating the sacred sepulchre of thedead, and violating the sanctity of their repose!" And the fellow, thrusting his hands in the prisoner's pockets, brought forth the stones and ivy. The others looked into his otherpockets, examined his hat, made him strip, shook his clothes, priedinto his boots--in short, gave him a thorough overhaul. They found nothing, except, as Meinheer acknowledged, with a faintsmile, a piece of the value of three half-cents American, which hehad brought as a fee to the guide through the Catacombs. It was thatbit of money that caused his bonds. It maddened them. They dancedaround him in perfect fury, and asked what he meant by daring tocome out and give them so much trouble with only that bit of impuresilver about him. "Dog of a Tedescho! Your nation has trampled upon our liberties; butItaly shall be avenged! Dog! scoundrel! villain! Tedescho!Tedes-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-cho!" The end of it was that Meinheer Schatt was tied in a singularlyuncomfortable position and left there. He thought he had been thereabout five hours. He was faint and hungry. They took him home. CHAPTER XXXII. ANOTHER DISCOVERY MADE BY BUTTONS. On the evening after this adventure the Don turned the conversationinto a new channel. They all grew communicative. Buttons told themthat his father was an extensive merchant and ship-owner in Boston. His business extended over many parts of the world. He thought hemight have done something in Cadiz. "Your father a ship-owner in Boston! I thought you belonged to NewYork, " said the Don, in surprise. "Oh, " said Buttons, "I said I came from there. The fact is, I livedthere four years at college, and will live there when I return. " "And your father lives in Boston, " said the Don, with an interestthat surprised Buttons. "Yes. " "Is his name Hiram Buttons?" "Yes, " cried Buttons, eagerly. "How do you know?" "My dear Sir, " cried the Don, "Hiram Buttons and I are not onlyold business correspondents, but I hope I can add personal friends. " The Don rose and grasped Buttons cordially by the hand. The young manwas overcome by surprise, delight, and triumph. "I liked you from the first, " said the Don. "You bear your characterin your face. I was happy to receive you into our society. But now Ifeel a still higher pleasure, for I find you are the son of a manfor whom I assure you I entertain an infinite respect. " The sisters were evidently delighted at the scene. As to Buttons, hewas overcome. Thus far he often felt delicacy about his position among them, andfears of intruding occasionally interfered with his enjoyment. Hisfooting now was totally different; and the most punctilious Spaniardcould find no fault with his continued intimacy. "Hurrah for that abominable old office, and that horrible business towhich the old gentleman tried to bring me! It has turned out the bestthing for me. What a capital idea it was for the governor to tradewith Cadiz!" Such were the thoughts of Buttons as he went home. CHAPTER XXXIII. [Transcriber's Note: Transliteration of Greek. ] Brekekek koax koaxkoax. [TN: /end Greek. ] In his explorations of the nooks and corners of Rome the Senator wascompelled for some time to make his journeys alone. He sometimes feltregret that he had not some interpreter with him on these occasions;but on the whole he thought he was well paid for his trouble, and hestored up in his memory an incredible number of those items which areusually known as "useful facts. " On one of these occasions he entered a very common café near one ofthe gates, and as he felt hungry he determined to get his dinner. Hehad long felt a desire to taste those "frogs" of which he had heardso much, and which to his great surprise he had never yet seen. Oncoming to France he of course felt confident that he would find frogsas common as potatoes on every dinner-table. To his amazement he hadnot yet seen one. He determined to have some now. But how could he get them? How askfor them? "Pooh! easy enough!" said the Senator to himself, with a smile ofsuperiority. "I wish I could ask for every thing else as easily. " So he took his seat at one of the tables, and gave a thundering rapto summon the waiter. All the café had been startled by the advent ofthe large foreigner. And evidently a rich man, for he was anEnglishman, as they thought. So up came the waiter with a very lowbow, and a very dirty jacket; and all the rest of the people in thecafé looked at the Senator out of the corner of their eyes, andstopped talking. The Senator gazed with a calm, serene face andsteady eye upon the waiter. "Signore?" said the waiter, interrogatively. "_Gunk_! _gung_!" said the Senator, solemnly, without moving a muscle. The waiter stared. "_Che vuol ella_?" he repeated, in a faint voice. "_Gunk_! _gung_!" said the Senator, as solemnly as before. "Non capisco. " "_Gunk gung_! _gunkety gunk gung_!" The waiter shrugged his shoulders till they reached the upper partof his ears. The Senator looked for a moment at him, and saw that hedid not understand him. He looked at the floor involved in deepthought. At last he raised his eyes once more to meet those of thewaiter, which still were fixed upon him, and placing the palms of hishands on his hips, threw back his head, and with his eyes still fixedsteadfastly upon the waiter he gave utterance to a long shrill gurglesuch as he thought the frogs might give: [Transcriber's Note: Transliteration of Greek. ] Brekekekek koax koax, Brekekekek koax koax. [TN: /end Greek. ] [Illustration: Brekekekek koax koax!] (Recurrence must be made to Aristophanes, who alone of articulatespeaking men has written down the utterance of the common frog. ) The waiter started back. All the men in the café jumped to their feet. "[Transcriber's Note: Transliteration of Greek. ] Brekekekek koax koax[TN: /end Greek. ], " continued the Senator, quite patiently. Thewaiter looked frightened. "Will you give me some or not?" cried the Senator, indignantly. "Signore, " faltered the waiter. Then he ran for the café-keeper. The café-keeper came. The Senator repeated the words mentioned above, though somewhat angrily. The keeper brought forward every customer inthe house to see if any one could understand the language. "It's German, " said one. "It's English, " said another. "Bah!" said a third. "It's Russian. " "No, " said a fourth, "it's Bohemian; for Carolo Quinto said thatBohemian was the language of the devil. " And Number Four, who wasrather an intelligent-looking man, eyed the Senator compassionately. "_Gunk gung, gunkety gung_!" cried the Senator, frowning, for hispatience had at last deserted him. The others looked at him helplessly, and some, thinking of thedevil, piously crossed themselves. Whereupon the Senator rose inmajestic wrath, and shaking his purse in the face of the café-keeper, shouted: "You're worse than a nigger!" and stalked grandly out of the place. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE SENATOR PURSUES HIS INVESTIGATIONS. --AN INTELLIGENT ROMANTOUCHES A CHORD IN THE SENATOR'S HEART THAT VIBRATES. --RESULTS OFTHE VIBRATION. --A VISIT FROM THE ROMAN POLICE; AND THE GREAT RACEDOWN THE CORSO BETWEEN THE SENATOR AND A ROMAN SPY. --GLEE OF THEPOPULACE!--HI! HI! He did not ask for frogs again; but still he did not falter in hisexamination into the life of the people. Still he sauntered throughthe remoter corners of Rome, wandering over to the other side of theTiber, or through the Ghetto, or among the crooked streets at theend of the Corso. Few have learned so much of Rome in so short atime. On one occasion he was sitting in a café, where he had supplied hiswants in the following way: "Hi! coffee! coffee!" and again, "Hi! cigar! cigar!" when his eyewas attracted by a man at the next table who was reading a copy ofthe London _Times_, which he had spread out very ostentatiously. After a brief survey the Senator walked over to his table and, witha beaming smile, said-- "Good-day, Sir. " The other man looked up and returned a very friendly smile. "And how do you do, Sir?" "Very well, I thank you, " said the other, with a strong Italianaccent. "Do you keep your health?" "Thank you, yes, " said the other, evidently quite pleased at theadvances of the Senator. "Nothing gives me so much pleasure, " said the Senator, "as to comeacross an Italian who understands English. You, Sir, are a Roman, I presume. " "Sir, I am. " The man to whom the Senator spoke was not one who would haveattracted any notice from him if it had not been for his knowledgeof English. He was a narrow-headed, mean-looking man, with veryseedy clothes, and a servile but cunning expression. "How do you like Rome?" he asked of the Senator. The Senator at once poured forth all that had been in his mind sincehis arrival. He gave his opinion about the site, the architecture, the drains, the municipal government, the beggars, and the commerceof the place; then the soldiers, the nobles, the priests, monks, and nuns. Then he criticised the Government, its form, its mode ofadministration, enlarged upon its tyranny, condemned vehementlyits police system, and indeed its whole administration of everything, civil, political, and ecclesiastical. Waxing warmer with the sound of his own eloquence, he foundhimself suddenly but naturally reminded of a country where allthis is reversed. So he went on to speak about Freedom, Republicanism, the Rights of Man, and the Ballot-Box. Unable totalk with sufficient fluency while in a sitting posture he roseto his feet, and as he looked around, seeing that all presentwere staring at him, he made up his mind to improve the occasion. So he harangued the crowd generally, not because he thought any ofthem could understand him, but it was so long since he had made aspeech that the present opportunity was irresistible. Besides, ashe afterward remarked, he felt that it was a crisis, and who couldtell but that a word spoken in season might produce some beneficialeffects. He shook hands very warmly with his new friend after it all wasover, and on leaving him made him promise to come and see him at hislodgings, where he would show him statistics, etc. The Senator thenreturned. That evening he received a visit. The Senator heard a rap at his doorand called out "Come in. " Two men entered--ill-looking, or rathermalignant-looking, clothed in black. Dick was in his room, Buttons out, Figgs and the Doctor had notreturned from the café. "His Excellency, " said he, pointing to the other, "wishes to speakto you on official business. " "Happy to hear it, " said the Senator. "His Excellency is the Chief of the Police, and I am theInterpreter. " Whereupon the Senator shook hands with both of them again. "Proud to make your acquaintance, " said he. "I am personallyacquainted with the Chief of the Boston _po_lice, and also of theChief of the New York _po_lice, and my opinion is that they canstand more liquor than any men I ever met with. Will you liquor?" The interpreter did not understand. The Senator made an expressivesign. The interpreter mentioned the request to the Chief, who shookhis head coldly. "This is formal, " said the Interpreter-"not social. " The Senator's face flushed. He frowned. "Give him my compliments then, and tell him the next time herefuses a gentleman's offer he had better do it like a gentleman. For my part, if I chose to be uncivil, I might say that I consideryour Roman police very small potatoes. " [Illustration: Got You There!] The Interpreter translated this literally, and though the finalexpression was not very intelligible, yet it seemed to implycontempt. So the Chief of Police made his communication as sternly as possible. Grave reports had been made about His American Excellency. TheSenator looked surprised. "What about?" That he was haranguing the people, going about secretly, plotting, and trying to instill revolutionary sentiments into the public mind. "Pooh!" said the Senator. The Chief of Police bade him be careful. He would not be permittedto stir up an excitable populace. This was to give him warning. "Pooh!" said the Senator again. And if he neglected this warning it would be the worse for him. Andthe Chief of Police looked unutterable things. The Senator gazed athim sternly and somewhat contemptuously for a few minutes. "You're no great shakes anyhow, " said he. "Signore?" said the Interpreter. "Doesn't it strike you that you are talking infernal nonsense?" askedthe Senator in a slightly argumentative tone of voice, throwing oneleg over another, tilting back his chair, and folding his arms. "Your language is disrespectful, " was the indignant reply. "Yours strikes me as something of the same kind, too; but more--it is absurd. " "What do you mean?" "You say I stir up the people. " "Yes. Do you deny it?" "Pooh! How can a man stir up the people when he can't speak a wordof the language?" The Chief of Police did not reply for a moment. "I rather think I've got you there, " said the Senator, dryly. "Hey?old Hoss?" ("Old Hoss" was an epithet which he used when he was in a good humor. )He felt that he had the best of it here, and his anger was gone. Hetherefore tilted his chair back farther, and placed his feet uponthe back of a chair that was in front of him. "There are Italians in Rome who speak English, " was at length therejoinder. "I wish I could find some then, " said the Senator. "It's worse thanlooking for a needle in a hay-stack, they're so precious few. " "You have met one. " "And I can't say feel over-proud of the acquaintance, " said theSenator, in his former dry tone, looking hard at the Interpreter. "At the Café Cenacci, I mean. " "The what? Where's that?" "Where you were this morning. " "Oh ho! that's it--ah? And was my friend there one of your friendstoo?" asked the Senator, as light burst in upon him. "He was sufficiently patriotic to give warning. " "Oh--patriotic?--he was, was he?" said the Senator, slowly, whilehis eyes showed a dangerous light. "Yes--patriotic. He has watched you for some time. " "Watched me!" and the Senator frowned wrathfully. "Yes, all over Rome, wherever you went. " "Watched me! dogged me! tracked me! Aha?" "So you are known. " "Then the man is a spy. " "He is a patriot. " "Why the mean concern sat next me, attracted my attention byreading English, and encouraged me to speak as I did. Why don'tyou arrest him?" "He did it to test you. " "To test me! How would he like me to test him?" "The Government looks on your offense with lenient eyes. " "Ah!" "And content themselves this time with giving you warning. " "Very much obliged; but tell your Government not to be alarmed. Iwon't hurt them. " Upon this the two visitors took their leave. [Illustration: Walking Spanish. ] The Senator informed his two friends about the visit, and thoughtvery lightly about it; but the recollection of one thing rankled inhis mind. That spy! The fellow had humbugged him. He had dogged him, trackedhim, perhaps for weeks, had drawn him into conversation, askedleading questions, and then given information. If there was any thingon earth that the Senator loathed it was this. But how could such a man be punished! That was the thought. Punishmentcould only come from one. The law could do nothing. But there was onewho could do something, and that one was himself. Lynch law! "My fayther was from Bosting, My uncle was Judge Lynch, So, darn your fire and roasting, You can not make me flinch. " The Senator hummed the above elegant words all that evening. He thought he could find the man yet. He was sure he would know him. He would devote himself to this on the next day. The next day hewent about the city, and at length in the afternoon he came toPincian Hill. There was a great crowd there as usual. The Senatorplaced himself in a favorable position, in which he could only beseen from one point, and then watched with the eye of a hawk. He watched for about an hour. At the end of that time he saw aface. It belonged to a man who had been leaning against a post withhis back turned toward the Senator all this time. It was _the face_!The fellow happened to turn it far enough round to let the Senatorsee him. He was evidently watching him yet. The Senator walkedrapidly toward him. The man saw him and began to move as rapidlyaway. The Senator increased his pace. So did the man. The Senatorwalked still faster. So did the man. The Senator took long strides. The man took short, quick ones. It is said that the fastestpedestrians are those who take short, quick steps. The Senator didnot gain on the other. By this time a vast number of idlers had been attracted by thesight of these two men walking as if for a wager. At last theSenator began to run. So did the man! The whole thing was plain. One man was chasing the other. At onceall the idlers of the Pincian Hill stopped all their avocationsand turned to look. The road winds down the Pincian Hill to thePiazza del Popolo, and those on the upper part can look down andsee the whole extent. What a place for a race! The quick-eyedRomans saw it all. "A spy! yes, a Government spy!" "Chased by an eccentric Englishman!" A loud shout burst from the Roman crowd. But a number of Englishand Americans thought differently. They saw a little man chasedby a big one. Some cried "Shame!" Others, thinking it a case ofpocket-picking, cried "Stop thief!" Others cried "Go it, littlefellow! Two to one on the small chap!" Every body on the Pincian Hill rushed to the edge of the windingroad to look down, or to the paved walk that overlooks the Piazza. Carriages stopped and the occupants looked down. French soldiers, dragoons, guards, officers--all staring. And away went the Senator. And away ran the terrified spy. Downthe long way, and at length they came to the Piazza del Popolo. A loud shout came from all the people. Above and on all sides theywatched the race. The spy darted down the Corso. The Senator afterhim. The Romans in the street applauded vociferously. Hundreds ofpeople stopped, and then turned and ran after the Senator. All thewindows were crowded with heads. All the balconies were filled withpeople. Down along the Corso. Past the column of Antonine. Into a street onthe left. The Senator was gaining! At last they came to a square. Agreat fountain of vast waters bursts forth there. The spy ran to theother side of the square, and just as he was darting into a side alleythe Senator's hand clutched his coat-tails! The Senator took the spy in that way by which one is enabled to makeany other do what is called "Walking Spanish, " and propelled himrapidly toward the reservoir of the fountain. The Senator raised the spy from the ground and pitched him into thepool. The air was rent with acclamations and cries of delight. As the spy emerged, half-drowned, the crowd came forward and wouldhave prolonged the delightful sensation. Not often did they have a spy in their hands. [Illustration: Dick Thinks It Over. ] CHAPTER XXXV. DICK MAKES ANOTHER EFFORT, AND BEGINS TO FEEL ENCOURAGED. Pepita's little visit was beneficial to Dick. It showed him that hewas not altogether cut off from her. Before that he had grown to thinkof her as almost inaccessible; now she seemed to have a will, and, what is better, a heart of her own, which would lead her to do hershare toward meeting him again. Would it not be better now to complywith her evident desire, and leave Rome for a little while? He couldreturn again. But how could he tear himself away? Would, it not be farbetter to remain and seek her? He could not decide. He thought ofPadre Liguori. He had grossly insulted that gentleman, and the thoughtof meeting him again made him feel blank. Yet he was in some way orother a protector of Pepita, a guardian, perhaps, and as such hadinfluence over her fortunes. If he could only disarm hostility fromPadre Liguori it would be undoubtedly for his benefit. Perhaps PadreLiguori would become his friend, and try to influence Pepita's familyin his favor. So he decided on going to see Padre Liguori. The new turn which had been given to his feelings by Pepita's visithad benefited him in mind and body. He was quite strong enough for along walk. Arriving at the church he had no difficulty in findingLiguori. The priest advanced with a look of surprise. "Before mentioning the object of my visit, " said Dick, bowingcourteously, "I owe you an humble apology for a gross insult. I hopeyou will forgive me. " The priest bowed. "After I left here I succeeded in my object, " continued Dick. "I heard so, " said Liguori, coldly. "And you have heard also that I met with a terrible punishment formy presumption, or whatever else you may choose to call it. " "I heard of that also. " said the priest, sternly. "And do you complainof it? Tell me. Was it not deserved?" "If their suspicions and yours had been correct, then the punishmentwould have been well deserved. But you all wrong me. I entreat you tobelieve me. I am no adventurer. I am honest and sincere. " "We have only your word for this, " said Liguori, coldly. "What will make you believe that I am sincere, then?" said Dick. "What proof can I give?" "You are safe in offering to give proofs in a case where none canbe given. " "I am frank with you. Will you not be so with me? I come to you totry to convince you of my honesty, Padre Liguori. I love Pepita astruly and as honorably as it is possible for man to love. It wasthat feeling that so bewildered me that I was led to insult you. Iwent out in the midst of danger, and would have died for her. Withthese feelings I can not give her up. " "I have heard sentiment like this often before. What is your meaning?" "I am rich and of good family in my own country; and I am determinedto have Pepita for my wife. " "Your wife!" "Yes, " said Dick, resolutely. "I am honorable and open about it. Mystory is short. I love her, and wish to make her my wife. " The expression of Liguori changed entirely. "Ah! this makes the whole matter different altogether. I did not knowthis before. Nor did the Count. But he is excusable. A sudden passionblinded him, and he attacked you. I will tell you"--and at each wordthe priest's manner grew more friendly--"I will tell you how it is, Signore. The Giantis were once a powerful family, and still have theirtitle. I consider myself as a kind of appanage to the family, for myancestors for several generations were their _maggiordomos_. Povertyat last stripped them of every thing, and I, the last of the familydependents, entered the Church. But I still preserve my respect andlove for them. You can understand how bitterly I would resent andavenge any base act or any wrong done to them. You can understandLuigi's vengeance also. " "I thought as much, " said Dick. "I thought you were a kind ofguardian, and so I came here to tell you frankly how it is. I loveher. I can make her rich and happy. To do so is the desire of myheart. Why should I be turned away? Or if there be any objection, what is it?" "There is no objection--none whatever, if Pepita is willing, and yousincerely love her. I think that Luigi would give his consent. " "Then what would prevent me from marrying her at once?" "At once!" "Certainly. " "You show much ardor; but still an immediate marriage is impossible. There are various reasons for this. In the first place, we love Pepitatoo dearly to let her go so suddenly to some one who merely feels akind of impulse. We should like to know that there is some prospectof her being happy. We have cherished her carefully thus far, and willnot let her go without having some security about her happiness. " "Then I will wait as long as you like, or send for my friends to giveyou every information you desire to have; or if you want me to giveany proofs, in any way, about any thing, I'm ready. " "There is another thing, " said Lignori, "which I hope you will takekindly. You are young and in a foreign country. This sudden impulsemay be a whim. If you were to marry now you might bitterly repent itbefore three months were over. Under such circumstances it would bemisery for you and her. If this happened in your native country youcould be betrothed and wait. There is also another reason why waitingis absolutely necessary. It will take some time to gain her brother'sconsent. Now her brother is poor, but he might have been rich. He is aLiberal, and belongs to the National party. He hates the presentsystem here most bitterly. He took part in the Roman Republicanmovement a few years ago, and was imprisoned after the return of thePope, and lost the last vestige of his property by confiscation. Henow dresses coarsely, and declines to associate with any Romans, except a few who are members of a secret society with him. He is veryclosely watched by the Government, so that he has to be quiet. But heexpects to rise to eminence and power, and even wealth, before verylong. So you see he does not look upon his sister as a mere commonevery-day match. He expects to elevate her to the highest rank, whereshe can find the best in the country around her. For my own part Ithink this is doubtful; and if you are in earnest I should do whatI could to further your interest. But it will take some time topersuade the Count. " "Then, situated as I am, what can I do to gain her?" asked Dick. "Are your friends thinking of leaving Rome soon?" "Yes, pretty soon. " "Do not leave them. Go with them. Pursue the course you originallyintended, just as though nothing had happened. If after your tour isfinished you find that your feelings are as strong as ever, and thatshe is as dear to you as you say, then you may return here. " "And you?" "I think all objections may be removed. " "It will take some weeks to finish our tour. " "Some weeks! Oh, do not return under three months at least. " "Three months! that is very long!" "Not too long. The time will soon pass away. If you do not reallylove her you will be glad at having escaped; if you do you willrejoice at having proved your sincerity. " Some further conversation passed, after which Dick, finding thepriest inflexible, ceased to persuade, and acceded to his proposal. CHAPTER XXXVI. SHOWING HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET A LAUNDRESS, FOR THE SENATORWANTED ONE, AND NOT KNOWING THE LANGUAGE GOT INTO A SCRAPE, NOT BYHIS OWN FAULT, FOR HE WAS CAREFUL ABOUT COMMITTING HIMSELF WITH THELADIES; BUT PRAY, WAS IT HIS FAULT IF THE LADIES WOULD TAKE A FANCYTO HIM? Signora Mirandolina Rocca, who was the landlady of the house wherethe Club were lodging, was a widow, of about forty years of age, stillfresh and blooming, with a merry dark eye, and much animation offeatures. Sitting usually in the small room which they passed on theway to their apartments, they had to stop to get their keys, or toleave them when they went out, and Buttons and Dick frequently stoppedto have a little conversation. The rest, not being able to speakItalian, contented themselves with smiles; the Senator particularly, who gave the most beaming of smiles both on going and on returning. Sometimes he even tried to talk to her in his usual adaptation ofbroken English, spoken in loud tones to the benighted but fascinatingforeigner. Her attention to Dick during his sickness increased theSenator's admiration, and he thought her one of the best, one of themost kind-hearted and sympathetic of beings. One day, toward the close of their stay in Rome, the Senator was ina fix. He had not had any washing done since he came to the city. Hehad ran through all his clean linen, and came to a dead stand. Beforeleaving for another place it was absolutely necessary to attend tothis. But how? Buttons was off with the Spaniards; Dick had gone outon a drive. No one could help him, so he tried it himself. In fact, he had never lost confidence in his powers of making himselfunderstood. It was still a fixed conviction of his that in cases ofnecessity any intelligent man could make his wants known tointelligent foreigners. If not, there is stupidity somewhere. Had henot done so in Paris and in other places? So he rang and managed to make the servant understand that he wishedto see the landlady. The landlady had always shown a great admirationfor the manly, not to say gigantic charms of the Senator. Upon himshe bestowed her brightest smile, and the quick flush on her faceand heaving breast told that the Senator had made wild work with hertoo susceptible heart. So now when she learned that the Senator wished to see her, she atonce imagined the cause to be any thing and every thing except thereal one. Why take that particular time, when all the rest were out?she thought. Evidently for some tender purpose. Why send for her? Whynot come down to see her? Evidently because he did not like thepublicity of her room at the Conciergerie. [Illustration: The Senator In A Bad Fix. ] She arrayed herself, therefore, in her brightest and her bestcharms; gave an additional flourish to her dark hair that hungwavingly and luxuriantly, and still without a trace of gray overher forehead; looked at herself with her dark eyes in the glass tosee if she appeared to the best advantage; and finally, in someagitation, but with great eagerness, she went to obey the summons. Meantime the Senator had been deliberating how to begin. He felt thathe could not show his bundle of clothes to so fair and fine a creatureas this, whose manners were so soft and whose smile so pleasant. Hewould do any thing first. He would try a roundabout way of makingknown his wishes, trusting to his own powers and the intelligence ofthe lady for a full and complete understanding. Just as he had cometo this conclusion there was a timid knock at the door. "Come in, " said the Senator, who began to feel a little awkwardalready. "_Epermesso_?" said a soft sweet voice, "_se puo entrare_?" andSignora Mirandolina Rocca advanced into the room, giving one look atthe Senator, and then casting down her eyes. "_Umilissia serva di Lei, Signore, mi commandi_. " But the Senator was in a quandary. What could he do? How begin?What gesture would be the most fitting for a beginning? The pause began to be embarrassing. The lady, however, as yet wascalm--calmer, in fact, than when she entered. So she spoke once more. "_Di che ha Ella bisogna, Illustris simo_?" The Senator was dreadfully embarrassed. The lady was so fair in hiseyes. Was this a woman who could contemplate the fact of soiledlinen? Never. "Ehem!" said he. Then he paused. "_Servo, devota_, " said Signora Mirandolina. "_Che c'e, Signore_. " Then looking up, she saw the face of the Senator all rosy red, turned toward her, with a strange confusion and embarrassment in hiseye, yet it was a kind eye--a soft, kind eye. "_Egli e forse innamorato di me_, " murmured the lady, gatheringnew courage as she saw the timidity of the other. "_Che grandezza_!"she continued, loud enough for the Senator to hear, yet speaking asif to herself. "_Che bellezza_! _un galantuomo, certamente--e quest'e molto piacevole_. " She glanced at the manly figure of the Senator with a tenderadmiration in her eye which she could not repress, and which was sointelligible to the Senator that he blushed more violently than ever, and looked helplessly around him. "_E innamorato di me, senza dubio_, " said the Signora, "_vergogna nonvuol che si sapesse_. " The Senator at length found voice. Advancing toward the lady helooked at her very earnestly and as she thought very piteously--heldout both his hands, then smiled, then spread his hands apart, thennodded and smiled again, and said-- "Me--me--want--ha--hum--ah! You know--me--gentleman--hum--me--Confound the luck, " he added, in profound vexation. "_Signore_, " said Mirandolina, "_la di Lei gentelezza me confonde_. " The Senator turned his eyes all around, everywhere, in a desperatehalf-conscious search for escape from an embarrassing situation. "_Signore noi ci siamo sole, nessuno ci senti_, " remarked theSignora, encouragingly. "Me want to tell you this!" burst forth the Senator. "Clothes--youknow--washy--washy. " Whereupon he elevated his eyebrows, smiled, and brought the tips of his fingers together. "_Io non so che cosa vuol dir mi. Illustrissimo_, " said the Signora, in bewilderment. "You--you--you know. Ah? Washy? Hey? No, no, " shaking his head, "notwashy, but _get_ washy. " The landlady smiled. The Senator, encouraged by this, came a stepnearer. "_Che cosa? Il cuor me palpita. Io tremo_, " murmured La Rocca. She retreated a step. Whereupon the Senator at once fell back againin great confusion. "Washy, washy, " he repeated, mechanically, as his mind was utterlyvague and distrait. "_Uassi-Uuassi_?" repeated the other, interrogatively. "Me--" "_Tu_" said she, with tender emphasis. "Wee mounseer, " said he, with utter desperation. The Signora shook her head. "_Non capisco. Ma quelle, balordaggini edintormentimente, che sono si non segni manifesti d'amore_?" "I don't understand, marm, a single word of that. " The Signora smiled. The Senator took courage again. "The fact is this, marm, " said he, firmly; "I want to get myclothes washed somewhere. Of course you don't do it, but you cantell me, you know. Hm?" "_Non capisco_. " "Madame, " said he, feeling confident that she would understand thatword at least, and thinking, too, that it might perhaps serve as akey to explain any other words which he might append to it. "Myclothes--I want to get them washed--laundress--washy--soap andwater--clean 'em all up--iron 'em--hang 'em out to dry. Ha?" While saying this he indulged in an expressive pantomine. Whenalluding to his clothes he placed his hands against his chest, when mentioning the drying of them he waved them in the air. Thelandlady comprehended this. How not? When a gentleman places hishand on his heart, what is his meaning? "_O sottigliezza d'amore_!" murmured she. "_Che cosa cerca_, " shecontinued, looking up timidly but invitingly. The Senator felt doubtful at this, and in fact a little frightened. Again he placed his hands on his chest to indicate his clothes; hestruck that manly chest forcibly several times, looking at her allthe time. Then he wrung his hands. [Illustration: The Senator In A Worse Fix. ] "_Ah, Signore_, " said La Rocca, with a melting glance, "_non e d'uopodi desperazione_. " "Washy, washy--" "_Eppure, se Ella vuol sposarmi, non ce difficolta_, " returned theother, with true Italian frankness. "Soap and water--" "_Non ho il coraggio di dir di no_. " The Senator had his arms outstretched to indicate the hanging-outprocess. Still, however, feeling doubtful if he were altogetherunderstood, he thought he would try another form of pantomime. Suddenly he fell down on his knees, and began to imitate the actionof a washer-woman over her tub, washing, wringing, pounding, rubbing. "_O gran' cielo_!" cried the Signora, her pitying heart filled withtenderness at the sight of this noble being on his knees before her, and, as she thought, wringing his hands in despair. "_O gran' cielo!Egli e innamorato di me non puo dirmelo_. " Her warm heart prompted her, and she obeyed its impulse. What elsecould she do? She flung herself into his outstretched arms, as heraised himself to hang out imaginary clothes on an invisible line. The Senator was thunderstruck, confounded, bewildered, shattered, overcome, crushed, stupefied, blasted, overwhelmed, horror-stricken, wonder-smitten, annihilated, amazed, horrified, shocked, frightened, terrified, nonplused, wilted, awe-struck, shivered, astounded, dumbfounded. He did not even struggle. He was paralyzed. "_Ah, carissimo_, " said a soft and tender voice in his ear, a low, sweet voice, "_se veramenta me me ami, saro lo tua carissima sposa_--" At that moment the door opened and Buttons walked in. In an instanthe darted out. The Signora hurried away. "_Addio, bellisima, carissima gioja_!" she sighed. The Senator was still paralyzed, After a time he went with a pale and anxious face to see Buttons. Theyoung man promised secrecy, and when the Senator was telling his storytried hard to look serious and sympathetic. In vain. The thought ofthat scene, and the cause of it, and the blunder that had been madeoverwhelmed him. Laughter convulsed him. At last the Senator got upindignantly and left the room. But what was he to do now? The thing could not be explained. How couldhe get out of the house? He would have to pass her as she sat at thedoor. He had to call on Buttons again and implore his assistance. Thedifficulty was so repugnant, and the matter so very delicate, thatButtons declared he could not take the responsibility of settling it. It would have to be brought before the Club. The Club had a meeting about it, and many plans were proposed. Thestricken Senator had one plan, and that prevailed. It was to leaveRome on the following day. For his part he had made up his mind toleave the house at once. He would slip out as though he intended toreturn, and the others could settle his bill and bring with them theclothes that had caused all this trouble. He would meet them in themorning outside the gate of the city. This resolution was adopted by all, and the Senator, leaving money tosettle for himself, went away. He passed hurriedly out of the door. Hedared not look. He heard a soft voice pronounce the word "_Gioja_!" Hefled. Now that one who owned the soft voice afterward changed her feelingsso much toward her "gioja" that opposite his name in her house-bookshe wrote the following epithets: _Birbone, Villano, Zolicacco, Burberone, Gaglioffo, Meschino, Briconaccio, Anemalaccio_. CHAPTER XXXVII. _ROME_. --_ANCIENT HISTORY_. --THE PREHISTORIC ERA. --CRITICALEXAMINATION OF NIEBUHR AND HIS SCHOOL. --THE EARLY HISTORY OF ROMEPLACED ON A RIGHT BASIS. --EXPLANATION OF HISTORY OF REPUBLIC. --NAPOLEON'S "CAESAR. "--THE IMPERIAL REGIME. --THE NORTHERNBARBARIANS. --RISE OF THE PAPACY. --MEDIAEVAL ROME. _TOPOGRAPHY_. --TRUE ADJUSTMENT OF BOUNDS OF ANCIENT CITY. --ITSPROBABLE POPULATION. --_GEOLOGY_. --EXAMINATION OF FORMATION. --TUFATRAVERTINE. --ROMAN CEMENT. --TERRA-COTTA. _SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OFROMAN CATACOMBS_. --BOSIO. --ARRINGHI. --CARDINAL WISEMAN. --RECENTEXPLORATIONS, INVESTIGATIONS, EXAMINATIONS, EXHUMATIONS, ANDRESUSCITATIONS. --EARLY CHRISTIAN HISTORY SET ON A TRUE BASIS. --RELICS. --MARTYRS. --REAL ORIGIN OF CATACOMBS. --TRUE AND RELIABLEEXTENT (WITH MAPS). _REMARKS ON ART_. --THE RENAISSANCE. --THE EARLY PAINTERS: CIMABUE, GIOTTO, PERUGINO, RAFAELLE SANZIO, MICHELANGELO BUONAROTTI. --THETRANSFIGURATION. --THE MOSES OF MICHELANGELO. --BELLINI. --SAINTPETER'S, AND MORE PARTICULARLY THE COLONNADE. --THE LAST JUDGMENT. --DANTE. --THE MEDIAEVAL SPIRIT. --EFFECT OF GOTHIC ART ON ITALY ANDITALIAN TASTE. --COMPARISON, OF LOMBARD WITH SICILIAN CHURCHES. --TOWHAT EXTENT ROME INFLUENCED THIS DEVELOPMENT. --THE FOSTERING SPIRITOF THE CHURCH. --ALL MODERN ART CHRISTIAN. --WHY THIS WAS A NECESSITY. --FOLLIES OF MODERN CRITICS. --REYNOLDS AND RUSKIN. --HOW FAR POPULARTASTE IS WORTH ANY THING. --CONCLUDING REMARKS OF A MISCELLANEOUSDESCRIPTION. [There! as a bill of fare I flatter myself that the above ought totake the eye. It was my intention, on the departure of the Clubfrom Rome, to write a chapter of a thoroughly exhaustive character, as will be seen by the table of contents above; but afterward, finding that the chapter had already reached the dimensions of agood-sized book before a quarter of it was written, I thought thatif it were inserted in this work it would be considered by some astoo long; in fact, if it were admitted nothing more would ever beheard of the Dodge Club; which would be a great pity, as the bestof their adventures did not take place until after this period; andas this is the real character of the present work, I have finallydecided to enlarge the chapter into a book, which I will publishafter I have given to the world my "History of the Micmacs, ""Treatise on the Greek Particles, " "Course of Twelve Lectures onModern History, " new edition of the "Agamemnonian Triology" ofAeschylus, with new readings, "Harmony of Greek Accent and Prosody, ""Exercises in Sanscrit for Beginners, on the Ollendorf System, ""The Odyssey of Homer translated into the Dublin Irish dialect, ""Dissertation on the Symbolical Nature of the Mosaic Economy, ""Elements of Logic, " "Examination into the Law of Neutrals, ""Life of General George Washington, " "History of Patent Medicines, ""Transactions of the 'Saco Association for the advancement ofHuman Learning, particularly Natural Science' (consisting of onearticle written by myself on 'The Toads of Maine'), " and "Reportof the 'Kennebunkport, Maine, United Congregational Ladies'Benevolent City Missionary and Mariners' Friend Society, " whichwill all be out some of these days, I don't know exactly when;but after they come out this chapter will appear in book form. Andif any of my readers prefer to wait till they read that chapterbefore reading any further, all I can say is, perhaps they'dbetter not, as after all it has no necessary connection with thefortunes of the Dodge Club. ] CHAPTER XXXVIII. ITALIAN TRAVEL, ROADS, INNS. --A GRAND BREAKDOWN. --AN ARMY OFBEGGARS. --SIX MEN HUNTING UP A CARRIAGE WHEEL; AND PLANS OF THESENATOR FOR THE GOOD OF ITALY. On the following morning the Senator was picked up at the gate, where he had waited patiently ever since the dawn of day. His seatwas secured. His friends were around him. He was safe. They rolledon merrily all that day. And their carriage was ahead of that ofthe Spaniards. They stopped at the same inns. Buttons was happy. The next day came. At nine o'clock A. M. On the next day there wasa singular scene: A vettura with the fore-wheel crushed into fragments; two horsesmadly plunging; five men thrown in different directions on a softsand-bank; and a driver gazing upon the scene with a face of woe. The Senator tried most energetically to brush the dust from hisclothes with an enormous red silk handkerchief; the Doctor and Mr. Figgs looked aghast at huge rents in their nether garments; Buttonsand Dick picked themselves up and hurried to the wreck. The emotions of the former may be conceived. The wheel was an uttersmash. No patching however thorough, no care however tender, couldplace it on its edge again a perfect wheel. A hill rose beforethem, behind which the Spaniards, hitherto their companions, haddisappeared half an hour previously, and were now rolling on overthe palin beyond that hill all ignorant of this disaster. Everymoment separated them more widely from the despairing Buttons. Could he have metamorphosed himself into a wheel most gladly wouldhe have done it. He had wild thoughts of setting off on foot andcatching up to them before the next day. But, of course, furtherreflection showed him that walking was out of the question. Dick looked on in silence. They were little more than a day'sjourney from Rome. Civita Castellana lay between; yet perhaps awheel might not be got at Civita Castellana. In that case areturn to Rome was inevitable. What a momentous thought! Back toRome! Ever since he left he had felt a profound melancholy. Thefeeling of homesickness was on him. He had amused himself withkeeping his eyes shut and fancying that he was moving to Romeinstead of from it. He had repented leaving the city. Better, hethought, to have waited. He might then have seen Pepita. Theothers gradually came to survey the scene. "Eh? Well, what's to be done now?" said Buttons, sharply, asthe driver came along. "How long are you going to wait?" "Signore makes no allowance for a poor man's confusion. Beholdthat wheel! What is there for me to do--unhappy? May the bittercurse of the ruined fall upon that miserable wheel!" [Illustration: Travelling In Italy. ] "The coach has already fallen on it, " said Dick. "Surely that isenough. " "It infuriates me to find myself overthrown here. " "You could not wish for a better place, my Pietro. " "What will you do?" said Buttons. "We must not waste time here. Can we go on?" "How is that possible?" "We might get a wheel at the next town. " "We could not find one if we hunted all through the three nexttowns. " "Curse your Italian towns!" cried Buttons, in a rage. "Certainly, Signore, curse them if you desire. " "Where can we get this one repaired then?" "At Civita Castellana, I hope. " "Back there! What, go back!" "I am not to blame, " said Pietro, with resignation. "We must not go back. We shall not. " "If we go forward every mile will make it worse. And how can wemove with this load and this broken wheel up that hill?" That was indeed a difficulty. The time that had lapsed since thelamentable break-down had been sufficient to bring upon the scene aninconceivable crowd. After satisfying their curiosity they betookthemselves to business. Ragged, dirty, evil-faced, wicked-eyed, slouching, whining, impudent--seventeen women, twenty-nine small boys, and thirty-one men, without counting curs and goats. "Signo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! in the name of the Ever Blessed, andfor the love of Heaven. " "Go to thunder. " "For the love of. " "Wehave nothing, _nothing_, NOTHING! Do you hear?" "Of the Virgin. ""Away! Be off. " "Give me. " "Go to blazes!" "Me miserable. " "Willyou be off?" "Infirm, blind, and. " "I'll break your skull!""Altogether desperate. " "If you torment us any more, I'll. ""Only the smallest charity. " "Smash your abominable bottle-nose!""Oh, generous nobles!" "Don't press me, you filthy. " "Illustriouscavaliers!" "Take that! and if you say any more I'll kick youharder. " "I kneel before you, oppressed, wretched, starving. Letthese tears. " "I'll make you shed more of them if you don't clearout. " "N-n-n-Sig-no-o-o-o-o!" "Away!" "Behold a wretched villagerfrom the far distant Ticino!" "You be hanged! Keep off!" "Oh, Signo-o-o-o-o! Oh per l'amor di Dio! Carita! Carita-a-a-a--solamente un mezzo baroccho--oh, Signo-o-o!--datemi. " "Pietro! Pietro! for Heaven's sake get us out of this at once. Anywhere--anywhere, so that we can escape from these infernalVagabonds. " The result was, that Pietro turned his carriage round. By pilingthe baggage well behind, and watching the fore-axle carefully, he contrived to move the vehicle along. Behind them followed thepertinacious beggars, filling the air with prayers, groans, sighs, cries, tears, lamentations, appeals, wailings, and entreaties. Thussituated they made their entry into Civita Castellana. Others might have felt flattered at the reception that awaited them. They only felt annoyed. The entire city turned out. The main streetup which they passed was quite full. The side-streets showed peoplehurrying up to the principal thoroughfare. They were the centre ofall eyes. Through the windows of the café the round eyes of thecitizens were visible on the broad stare. Even the dogs and cats hada general turn out. Nor could they seek relief in the seclusion of the hotel. The anxietywhich all felt to resume their journey did not allow them to rest. They at once explored the entire city. Was there a carriage-maker in the place? A half-hour's searchshowed them that there was not one. The next thing then was to tryand find a wheel. About this they felt a little hopeful. Strange, indeed, if so common a thing could not be obtained. Yet strange as this might be it was even so. No wheel wasforthcoming. They could not find a carriage even. There was nothingbut two ancient caleches, whose wheels were not only rickety bututterly disproportioned to the size of the vettura, and anyquantity of bullock carts, which moved on contrivances that couldscarcely be called wheels at all. Three hours were consumed in the tedious search. The entire bodyof the inhabitants became soon aware of the object of their desires, and showed how truly sympathetic is the Italian nature, byaccompanying them wherever they went, and making observations thatwere more sprightly than agreeable. At first the Club kept together, and made their search accompaniedby Pietro; but after a time the crowd became so immense that theyseparated, and continued their search singly. This produced butslight improvement. The crowd followed their example. A largenumber followed the Senator: walking when he walked; stopping whenhe stopped; turning when he turned; strolling when he strolled;peering when he peered; commenting when he spoke, and makingthemselves generally very agreeable and delightful. At every corner the tall form of the Senator might be seen as hewalked swiftly with the long procession following like a tail of acomet; or as he stopped at times to look around in despair, when "He above the rest In shape and gesture proudly eminent Stood like a tower. His form had not yet lost All its original brightness;" although, to tell the truth, his clothes had, and the traces of mudand dust somewhat dimmed the former lustre of his garments. The appalling truth at last forced itself upon them that CivitaCastellana could not furnish them either with a new wheel or ablacksmith who could repair the broken one. Whether the entiremechanical force of the town had gone off to the wars or not theydid not stop to inquire. They believed that the citizens hadcombined to disappoint them, in hopes that their detention mightbring in a little ready money and start it in circulation around thecommunity. It was at last seen that the only way to do the was to send Pietroback to Rome. To delay any longer would be only a waste of time. Slowly and sadly they took up their quarters at the hotel. Dickdecided to go back so as to hasten Pietro, who might otherwise loiteron the way. So the dilapidated carriage had to set out on itsjourney backward. Forced to endure the horrors of detention in one of the dullestof Italian towns, their situation was deplorable. Mr. Figgs wasleast unhappy, for he took to his bed and slept through theentire period, with the exception of certain little intervalswhich he devoted to meals. The Doctor sat quietly by an upperwindow playing the devil's tattoo on the ledge with inexhaustiblepatience. The Senator strolled through the town. He found much to interest him. His busy brain was filled with schemes for the improvement of thetown. How town lots could be made valuable; how strangers could beattracted; how manufactures could be promoted; how hotels started;how shops supported; how trade increased; how the whole surroundingpopulation enriched, especially by the factories. [Illustration: The Senator's Escort. ] "Why, among these here hills, " said he, confidentially, to Buttons--"among these very hills there is water-power and excellentlocation for, say--Silk-weaving mills, Fulling ditto, Grist ditto, Carding ditto, Sawing ditto, Plaster-crushing ditto, Planing ditto. --Now I would locate a cotton-mill over there. " "Where would you get your cotton?" mumbled Buttons. "Where?" repeated the Senator. "Grow it on the Campagna, of course. " Buttons passed the time in a fever of impatience. For far ahead the Spaniards were flying further and further away, no doubt wondering at every stage why he did not join them. CHAPTER XXXIX. TRIUMPHANT PROGRESS OF DICK. --GENDARMES FOILED. --THE DODGE CLUBIS ATTACKED BY BRIGANDS, AND EVERY MAN OF IT COVERS HIMSELF WITHGLORY. --SCREAM OF THE AMERICAN EAGLE! It was late on the evening of the following day before Dick madehis appearance with Pietro, Another vettura had been obtained, andwith cracks of a long whip that resounded through the whole town, summoning the citizens to the streets; with thunder of wheels overthe pavements; with prancing and snorting of horses; Pietro drove upto the hotel. Most conspicuous in the turn-out was Dick, who wasseated in the coupe, waving his hat triumphantly in the air. The appearance of the carriage was the signal for three heartycheers, which burst involuntarily from the three Americans on thecourtyard, rousing Mr. Figgs from sleep and the inn-keeper from hisusual lethargy. One look at the horses was enough to show that therewas no chance of proceeding further that day. The poor beasts werecovered with foam, and trembled excessively. However, they all feltinfinite relief at the prospect of getting away, even though theywould have to wait till the following morning. Dick was dragged to the dining-room by his eager friends and fiercelyinterrogated. He had not much to tell. The journey to Rome had been made without any difficulty, thecarriage having tumbled forward on its front axle not more than onehundred and fifty-seven times. True, when it reached Rome it was aperfect wreck, the framework being completely wrenched to pieces;and the proprietor was bitterly enraged with Pietro for not leavingthe carriage at Civita Castellana, and returning on horseback for awheel; but Dick interceded for the poor devil of a driver, and theproprietor kindly consented to deduct the value of the coach from hiswages piecemeal. Their journey back was quick but uninteresting. Dick acknowledged thathe had a faint idea of staying in Rome, but saw a friend who advisedhim not to. He had taken the reins and driven for a great part of theway, while Pietro had gone inside and slumbered the sleep of the just. As it was a lonely country, with few inhabitants, he had beguiled thetedious hours of the journey by blowing patriotic airs on an enormoustrombone, purchased by him from a miscellaneous dealer in Rome. Theresult had been in the highest degree pleasing to himself, thoughperhaps a little surprising to others. No one, however, interferedwith him except a party of gendarmes who attempted to stop him. Theythought that he was a Garibaldino trying to rouse the country. Thetrombone might have been the cause of that suspicion. Fortunately the gendarmes, though armed to the teeth, were notmounted, and so it was that, when they attempted to arrest Dick, that young man lashed his horses to fury, and, loosening the reinsat the same moment, burst through the line, and before they knewwhat he was about he was away. They fired a volley. The echoes died away, mingled withgendarmerian curses. The only harm done was a hole made by abullet through the coach. The only apparent effect was the wakingof Pietro. That worthy, suddenly roused from slumber, jumped up tohear the last sounds of the rifles, to see the hole made by thebullet, the fading forms of the frantic officials, and the nimblefigure of the gallant driver, who stood upright upon the seat wavinghis hat over his head, while the horses dashed on at a furious gallop. [Illustration: Dick In His Glory. ] This was all. Nothing more occurred, for Pietro drove the remainderof the way, and Dick's trombone was tabooed. On the following morning the welcome departure was made. To theirinexpressible joy they found that the coach was this time a strongone, and no ordinary event of travel could delay them. They had losttwo days, however, and that was no trifle. They now entered upon thesecond stage, and passed on without difficulty. In fact, they didn't meet with a single incident worth mentioningtill they came to Perugia. Perugia is one of the finest places inItaly, and really did not deserve to be overhauled so terrificallyby the Papal troops. Every body remembers that affair. At the timewhen the Dodge Club arrived at this city they found the Papal partyin the middle of a reaction. They actually began to fear that theyhad gone a little too far. They were making friendly overtures tothe outraged citizens. But the latter were implacable, stiff! What rankled most deeply was the maddening fact that these Swiss, who were made the ministers of vengeance, were part of that accursed, detested, hated, shunned, despised, abhorred, loathed, execrated, contemptible, stupid, thick-headed, brutal, gross, cruel, bestial, demoniacal, fiendish, and utterly abominable race--_I Tedeschi_--whose very name, when hissed from an Italian month, expressesunutterable scorn and undying hate. They left Perugia at early dawn. Jogging on easily over the hills, they were calculating the time when they would reach Florence. In the disturbed state of Italy at this time, resulting from warand political excitement, and general expectation of universalchange, the country was filled with disorder, and scoundrelsinfested the roads, particularly in the Papal territories. Herethe Government, finding sufficient employment for all its energiesin taking care of itself, could scarcely be expected to take careeither of its own subjects or the traveller through its dominions. The Americans had heard several stories about brigands, but hadgiven themselves no trouble whatever about them. Now it came to pass that about five miles from Perugia they woundround a very thickly-wooded mountain, which ascended on the left, far above, and on the right descended quite abruptly into a gorge. Dick was outside; the others inside. Suddenly a loud shout, and ascream from Pietro. The carriage stopped. The inside passengers could see the horses rearing and plunging, and Dick, snatching whip and reins from Pietro, lashing them withall his might. In a moment all inside was in an uproar. "We are attacked!" cried Buttons. "The devil!" cried the Senator, who, in his sudden excitement, usedthe first and only profane expression which his friends ever heard himutter. Out came the Doctor's revolver. Bang! bang! wept two rifles outside, and a loud voice called on themto surrender. "_Andate al Diavolo_!" pealed out Dick's voice as loud as a trumpet. His blows fell fast and furiously on the horses. Maddened by pain, the animals bounded forward for a few rods, and then swerving fromthe road-side, dashed against the precipitous hill, where the coachstuck, the horses rearing. Through the doors which they had flung open in order to jump outthe occupants of the carriage saw the reeling figures of armed menoverthrown and cursing. In a moment they all were out. Bang! and then-- Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bang! went half a dozen rifles. Thank Heaven! not one of the Club, was struck. There were twentyscoundrels armed to the teeth. The Doctor was as stiff as a rock. He aimed six times as calmly asthough he were in a pistol-gallery. Nerve told. Six explosionsroared. Six yells followed. Six men reeled. "I'd give ten years of my life for such a pistol!" cried Buttons. The Italians were staggered. Dick had a bowie-knife. The Senatorgrasped a ponderous beam that he had placed on the coach in caseof another break-down. Mr. Figgs had a razor which he had grabbedfrom the storehouse in the Doctor's pocket. Buttons had nothing. Buton the road lay three Italians writhing. "Hurrah!" cried Buttons. "Load again, Doctor. Come; let's make arush and get these devils on the road. " He rushed forward. The others all at his side. The Italians stoodparalyzed at the effect of the revolver. As Buttons led the chargethey fell back a few paces. "Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!" burst Buttons, the Senator, and Dick, aseach snatched a rifle from the prostrate bandits, and hastily torethe cartridge-boxes from them. "Load up! load up! Doctor!" cried Buttons. "All right, "' said the Doctor, who never changed in his coolself-possession. But now the Italians with curses and screams came back to theattack. It is absolutely stupefying to think how few shots hit themark in the excitement of a fight. Here were a number of men firingfrom a distance of hardly more than forty paces, and not one tookeffect. The next moment the whole crowd were upon them. Buttons snatched Mr. Figgs's razor from his grasp and used it vigorously. Dick plied hisbowie-knife. The Senator wielded a clubbed rifle on high as thoughit were a wand, and dealt the blows of a giant upon the heads of hisassailants. All the Italians were physically their inferiors--small, puny men. Mr. Figgs made a wild dash at the first man he saw andseized his rifle. The fight was spirited. The rascally brigands were nearly three times as numerous, but theAmericans surpassed them in bodily strength and spirit. Crash--crash--fell the Senator's rifle, and down went two men. Hisstrength was enormous--absorbed as it had been from the granitecliffs of the old Granite State. Two brawny fellows seized him frombehind. A thrust of his elbow laid one low. Buttons slashed the wristof the other. A fellow threw himself on Buttons. Dick's bowie-knifelaid open his arm and thigh. The next moment Dick went down beneaththe blows of several Italians. But Buttons rushed with his razor torescue Dick. Three men glared at him with uplifted weapons. Downcame the Senator's clubbed rifle like an avalanche, sweepingtheir weapons over the cliff. They turned simultaneously on theSenator, and grasped him in a threefold embrace. Buttons's razoragain drank blood. Two turned upon him. Bang! went the Doctor'spistol, sending one of them shrieking to the ground. Bang! Oncemore, and a fellow who had nearly overpowered the breathless Figgsstaggered back. Dick was writhing on the ground beneath the weightof a dead man and a fellow who was trying to suffocate him. Buttonswas being throttled by three others who held him powerless, hisrazor being broken. A crack on Mr. Figgs's head laid him low. TheDoctor stood off at a little distance hastily reloading. The Senator alone was free; but six fierce fellows assailed him. Itwas now as in the old Homeric days, when the heroic soul, sustainedby iron nerve and mighty muscle, came out particularly strong in thehour of conflict. The Senator's form towered up like one of his own granite cliffs inthe storm--as rugged, as unconquerable. His blood was up! The sameblood it was that coursed through the veins of Cromwell's grim old"Ironsides, " and afterward animated those sturdy backwoods-men whohad planted themselves in American forests, and beaten back wildbeasts and howling savages. Buttons, prostrate on the ground, looked up, gasping through thesmoke and dust, as he struggled with his assailants. He saw theSenator, his hair bristling out straight, his teeth set, his eye onfire, his whole expression sublimed by the ardor of battle. Hisclothes were torn to shreds; his coat was gone, his hat nowhere, his hands and face were covered with clots of blood and streaksfrom mud, dust, smoke, and powder. The eye of Buttons took in all this in one glance. The next instant, with a wide sweep of his clubbed rifle the Senator put forth allhis gigantic strength in one tremendous effort. The shock wasirresistible. Down went the six bandits as though a cannon-ball hadstruck them. The Senator leaped away to relieve Dick, and seizinghis assailant by neck and heel, flung him over the cliff. Thentearing away another from Mr. Figgs's prostrate and almostsenseless form, he rushed back upon the six men whom he had justlevelled to the earth. Dick sprang to the relief of Buttons, who was at his last extremity. But the Doctor was before him, as cool as ever. He grasped one fellowby the throat--a favorite trick of the Doctor's, in which hisanatomical knowledge came very finely into play: "Off!" rang the Doctor's voice. The fellow gasped a curse. The next instant a roar burst through theair, and the wretch fell heavily forward, shot through the head, while his brains were splattered over the face of Buttons. TheDoctor with a blow of his fist sent the other fellow reeling over. Buttons sprang up gasping. The Italians were falling back. He calledto the Senator. That man of might came up. Thank God they were allalive! Bruised, and wounded, and panting--but alive. The scowling bandits drew off, leaving seven of their number on theroad _hors de combat_. Some of the retreating ones had been badlytreated, and limped and staggered. The Club proceeded to load theirrifles. The Doctor stepped forward. Deliberately aiming he fired his revolverfive times in rapid succession. Before he had time to load again thebandits had darted into the woods. "Every one of those bullets _hit_, " said the Doctor with unusualemphasis. "We must get under cover at once, " said Dick. "They'll be backshortly with others!" "Then we must fortify our position, " said the Senator, "and wait forrelief. As we were, though, it was lucky they tried a hand-to-handfight first. This hill shelters us on one side. There are so manytrees that they can't roll stones down, nor can they shoot us. We'llfix a barricade in front with our baggage. We'll have to fight behinda barricade this time; though, by the Eternal! I wish it werehand-to-hand again, for I don't remember of ever having had such aglorious time in all my born days!" The Senator passed his hand over his gory brow, and walked to thecoach. "Where's Pietro?" "Pietro! _Pietro_!" No answer. "PI-E-TRO!" Still no answer. "Pietro!" cried Dick, "if you don't come here I'll blow your--" "Oh! is it you, Signori?" exclaimed Pietro's voice; and thatworthy appeared among the trees a little way up the hill. He wasdeadly pale, and trembled so much that he could scarcely speak. "Look here!" cried Buttons; "we are going to barricade ourselves. " "Barricade!" "We can not carry our baggage away, and we are not going to leaveit behind. We expect to have another battle. " Pietro's face grew livid. "You can stay and help us if you wish. " Pietro's teeth chattered. "Or you can help us far more, by running to the nearest town andletting the authorities know. " "Oh, Signore, trust me! I go. " "Make haste, then, or you may find us all murdered, and then howwill you get your fares--eh?" "I go--I go; I will run all the way!" "Won't you take a gun to defend yourself with?" "Oh no!" cried Pietro, with horror. "No, no!" In a few minutes he had vanished among the thick woods. [Illustration: Pietro. ] After stripping the prostrate Italians the travellers foundthemselves in possession of seven rifles, with cartridges, and someother useful articles. Four of these men were stone-dead. Theypulled their bodies in front of their place of shelter. The woundedmen they drew inside, and the Doctor at once attended to them, whilethe others were strengthening the barricade. "I don't like putting these here, " said the Senator; "but it'lllikely frighten the brigands, or make them delicate about firing atus. That's my idee. " The horses were secured fast. Then the baggage was piled all around, and made an excellent barricade. With this and the captured riflesthey felt themselves able to encounter a small regiment. "Now let them come on, " cried the Senator, "just as soon as theydamn please! We'll try first the European system of barricades; andif that don't work, then we can fall back, on the real original, national, patriotic, independent, manly, native American, true-blue, and altogether heroic style!" "What is that?" The Senator looked at the company, and held out his clenched fist: "Why, from behind a tree, in the woods, like your gloriousforefathers!" [Illustration: The Barricade. ] CHAPTER XL. PLEASANT MEDIATIONS ABOUT THE WONDERS OF TOBACCO; AND THREE PLEASANTANECDOTES BY AN ITALIAN BRIGAND. A pull apiece at the brandy-flask restored strength and freshness tothe beleaguered travellers, who now, intrenched behind theirfortifications, awaited any attack which the Italians might choose tomake. "The _I_talians, " said the Senator, "are not a powerful race. By nomeans. Feeble in body--no muscle--no brawn. Above all, no real_pluck_. Buttons, is there a word in their language that expressesthe exact idee of _pluck_?" "Or _game_?" "No. " "Or even _spunk_?" "No. " "I thought not, " said the Senator, calmly. "They haven't the _idee_, and can't have the word. Now it would require a rather considerablecrowd to demolish us at the present time. " "How long will we have to stay here?" asked Mr. Figgs abruptly. "My dear Sir, " said Buttons, with more sprightliness than he hadshown for many days, "be thankful you are here at all. We'll get offat some time to-day. These fellows are watching us, and the momentwe start they'll fire on us. We would be a good mark for them in thecoach. No, we must wait a while. " Seated upon the turf, they gave themselves up to the pleasinginfluence that flows from the pipe. Is there any thing equal to it?How did the ancients contrive to while away the time without it? Hadthey known its effects how they would have cherished it! We shouldnow be gazing on the ruins of venerable temples, reared by adoringvotaries to the goddess Tabaca. Boys at school would have construedpassages about her. Lempriere, Smith, Anthon, Drissler, and otherswould have done honor to her. Classic mythology would have been fullof her presence. Olympian Jove would have been presented to us withthis divinity as his constant attendant, and a nimbus around hisimmortal brows of her making. Bacchus would have had a rival, asuperior! Poets would have told how TABACA went over the world girt in that butset off the more her splendid radiance. We should have known how muchBacchus had to do with [Transcriber's Note: Greek Transliteration] tabakcheia [/end Greek]; a chapter which will probably be a lost one inthe History of Civilization. But that he who smokes should drink beeris quite indisputable. Whether the beer is to be X, XX, or XXX; orwhether the brewer's name should begin with an A, as in Alsopp, andrun through the whole alphabet, ending with V, as in Vassar, may befairly left to individual consideration. What noble poetry, what spirited odes, what eloquent words, has notthe world lost by the ignorance of the Greek and Roman touching thisplant? The above remarks were made by Dick on this occasion. But Buttons wastalking with the wounded Italians. The Doctor had bound up their wounds and Buttons had favored themwith a drop from his flask. Dick cut up some tobacco and filled apipe for each. After all, the Italians were not fiends. They hadattacked them not from malice, but purely from professional motives. Yet, had their enemies been Tedeschi, no amount of attention wouldhave overcome their sullen hate. But being Americans, gay, easy, without malice, in fact kind and rather agreeable, they softened, yielded altogether, and finally chatted familiarly with Buttonsand Dick. They were young, not worse in appearance than the majorityof men; perhaps not bad fellows in their social relations; at anyrate, rather inclined to be jolly in their present circumstances. They were quite free in their expressions of admiration for thebravery of their captors, and looked with awe upon the Doctor'srevolver, which was the first they had ever seen. In fact, the younger prisoner became quite communicative. Thus: "I was born in Velletri. My age is twenty-four years. I havenever shed blood except three times. The first time was inNarni--odd place, Narni. My employer was a vine-dresser. The seasonwas dry; the brush caught fire, I don't know how, and in fiveminutes a third of the vineyard was consumed to ashes. My employercame cursing and raving at me, and swore he'd make me work for himtill I made good the loss. Enraged, I struck him. He seized an axe. I drew my stiletto, and--of course I had to run away. "The second time was in Naples. The affair was brought about by awoman. Signore, women are at the bottom of most crimes that mencommit. I was in love with her. A friend of mine fell in love withher too. I informed him that if he interfered with me I would killhim. I told her that if she encouraged him I would kill him and hertoo. I suppose she was piqued. Women will get piqued sometimes. Atany rate she gave him marked encouragement. I scolded and threatened. No use. She told me she was tired of me; that I was too tyrannical. In fact, she dared to turn me off and take the other fellow. Maffeowas a good fellow. I was sorry for him, but I had to keep my word. "The third time was only a month ago. I robbed a Frenchman, out ofpure patriotism--the French, you know, are our oppressors--and keptwhat I found about him to reward me for my gallant act. TheGovernment, however, did not look upon it in a proper light. Theysent out a detachment to arrest me. I was caught, and by goodfortune brought to an inn. At night I was bound tightly and shutup in the same room with the soldiers. The innkeeper's daughter, afriend of mine, came in for something, and by mere chance droppeda knife behind me. I got it, cut my cords, and when they were allasleep I departed. Before going I left the knife behind; and wherenow, Signore, do you think I left it?" "I have no idea. " "You would never guess. You never would have thought of it yourself. " "Where did you leave it?" "In the heart of the Captain. " CHAPTER XLI. FINAL ATTACK OF REINFORCEMENTS OF BRIGANDS. --THE DODGE CLUB DEFIESTHEM AND REPELS THEM. --HOW TO MAKE A BARRICADE. --FRATERNIZATION OFAMERICAN EAGLE AND GALLIC COCK. --THERE'S NOTHING LIKE LEATHER. "It is certainly a singular position for an American citizen to beplaced in, " said the Senator. "To come from a cotton-mill to sucha regular out-and-out piece of fighting as this. Yet it seems to methat fighting comes natural to the American blood. " "They've been very quiet for ever so long, " said Mr. Figgs; "perhapsthey've gone away. " "I don't believe they have, for two reasons. The first is, they arerobbers, and want our money; the second, they are Italians, and wantrevenge. They won't let us off so easily after the drubbing we gavethem. " Thus Buttons, and the others rather coincided in his opinion. Forseveral miles further on the road ran through a dangerous place, where men might lurk in ambush, and pick them off like so manysnipe. They rather enjoyed a good fight, but did not care aboutbeing regularly shot down. So they waited. It was three in the afternoon. Fearfully hot, too, but not so badas it might have been. High trees sheltered them. They couldruminate under the shade. The only difficulty was the want offood. What can a garrison do that is ill provided with eatables?The Doctor's little store of crackers and cheese was divided andeaten. A basket of figs and oranges followed. Still they werehungry. "Well, " said Dick, "there's one thing we can do if the worst comesto the worst. " "What's that?" "Go through the forest in Indian file back to Perugia. " "That's all very well, " said the Senator, stubbornly, "but we're notgoing back. No, Sir, not a step!" "I'm tired of this, " said Buttons, impatiently. "I'll go out asscout. " "I'll go too, " said Dick. "Don't go far, boys, " said the Senator, in the tone of an anxiousfather. "No, not very. That hill yonder will be a good lookout place. " "Yes, if you are not seen yourselves. " "We'll risk that. If we see any signs of these scoundrels, and findthat they see us, we will fire to let you know. If we remainundiscovered we will come back quietly. " "Very well. But I don't like to let you go off alone, my boys; it'stoo much of an exposure. " "Nonsense. " "I have a great mind to go too. " "No, no, you had better stay to hold our place of retreat. We'll comeback, you know. " "Very well, then. " The Senator sat himself down again, and Buttons and Dick vanishedamong the trees. An hour passed; the three in the barricade began tofeel uneasy; the prisoners were asleep and snoring. "Hang it, " cried the Senator, "I wish I had gone with them!" "Never fear, " said the Doctor, "they are too nimble to be caught justyet. If they had been caught you'd have heard a little firing. " At that very moment the loud report of a rifle burst through the air, followed by a second; upon which a whole volley poured out. The threestarted to their feet. "They are found!" cried the Senator. "It's about a mile away. Beready. " Mr. Figgs had two rifles by his side, and sat looking at the distancewith knitted brows. He had received some terrific bruises in the latemêlée, but was prepared to fight till he died. He had said but littlethrough the day. He was not talkative. His courage was of a quietorder. He felt the solemnity of the occasion. It was a littledifferent from sitting at the head of a Board of bank directors, orshaving notes in a private office. At the end of about ten minutesthere was a crackling among the bushes. Buttons and Dick came tumblingdown into the road. "Get ready! Quick. They're here!" "All ready. " "All loaded?" "Yes. " "We saw them away down the road, behind a grove of trees. Wecouldn't resist, and so fired at them. The whole band leaped upraving, and saw us, and fired. They then set off up the road tothis place, thinking that we are divided. They're only a few rodsaway. " "How many are there of them?" "Fourteen. " "They must have got some more. There were only ten able-bodied, unwounded men when they left. " "Less, " said the Doctor; "my pistol--" "H'st!" At this moment they heard the noise of footsteps. A band of armedmen came in sight. Halting cautiously, they examined the barricade. Bang! It was the Doctor's revolver. Down went one fellow, yelling. The rest were frantic. Like fools, they made a rush at the barricade. Bang! a second shot, another wounded. A volley was the answer. Likefools, the brigands fired against the barricade. No damage was done. The barricade was too strong. The answer to this was a withering volley from the Americans. Thebandits reeled, staggered, fell back, shrieking, groaning, andcursing. Two men lay dead on the road. The others took refuge in thewoods. For two hours an incessant fire was kept up between the bandits inthe woods and the Americans in their retreat. No damage was done oneither side. "Those fellows try so hard they almost deserve to lick us, " said theSenator dryly. Suddenly there came from afar the piercing blast of a trumpet. "Hark!" cried Buttons. Again. A cavalry trumpet! "They are horsemen!" cried Dick, who was holding his ear to theground; and then added: "[Transcriber's Note: Greek Transliteration] ippon m okupodon amphiktupos ouata ballei [/end Greek]. " "Hey?" cried the Senator; "water barley?" Again the sound. A dead silence. All listening. And now the tramp of horses was plainly heard. The firing had ceasedaltogether since the first blast of the trumpet. The banditsdisappeared. The horsemen drew nearer, and were evidently quitenumerous. At last they burst upon the scene, and the little garrisongreeted them with a wild hurrah. They were French dragoons, aboutthirty in number. Prominent among them was Pietro, who at firststared wildly around, and then, seeing the Americans, gave a cryof joy. The travellers now came out into the road, and quick and hurriedgreetings were interchanged. The commander of the troop, learningthat the bandits had just left, sent off two-thirds of his men inpursuit, and remained with the rest behind. Pietro had a long story to tell of his own doings. He hadwandered through the forest till he came to Perugia. The commandantthere listened to his story, but declined sending any of his mento the assistance of the travellers. Pietro was in despair. Fortunately a small detachment of French cavalry had just arrivedat Perugia on their way to Rome and the captain was more merciful. The gallant fellow at once set out, and, led by Pietro, arrived atthe place most opportunely. It did not take long to get the coach ready again. One horse wasfound to be so badly wounded that it had to be killed. The otherswere slightly hurt. The baggage and trunks were riddled withbullets. These were once more piled up, the wounded prisonersplaced inside, and the travellers, not being able to get in alltogether, took turns in walking. At the next town the prisoners were delivered up to the authorities. The travellers celebrated their victory by a grand banquet, to whichthey invited the French officer and the soldiers, who came on withthem to this town. Uproar prevailed. The Frenchmen were exuberantin compliments to the gallantry of their entertainers. Toastsfollowed. "The Emperor and President!" "America and France!" "Tricolor and stars!" "The two countries intertwined!" "A song, Dick!" cried the Senator, who always liked to hear Dicksing. Dick looked modest. [Illustration: An International Affair. ] "Strike up!" "What?" "The 'Scoodoo abscook!'" cried Mr Figgs. "No; 'The Old Cow!'" cried Buttons. "'The Pig by the Banks of the River!'" said the Doctor. "Dick, don't, " said the Senator. "I'll tell you an appropriate song. These Frenchmen believe in France. We believe in America. Each onethinks there is nothing like Leather. Sing 'Leather, ' then. " FIGGS. BUTTONS. THE DOCTOR. } "Yes, 'Leather!'" "Then let it be 'Leather, '" said Dick; and he struck up thefollowing (which may not be obtained of any of the music publishers), to a very peculiar tune: I. "Mercury! Patron of melody, Father of Music and Lord, Thine was the skill that invented Music's harmonious chord. Sweet were the sounds that arose, Sweetly they blended together; Thus, in the ages of old, Music arose out of--LEATHER! [_Full chorus by all the company_. ] "Then Leather! sing Leather! my lads! Mercury! Music!! and Leather!!! Of all the things under the sun, Hurrah! there is nothing like _Leather_! [_Extra Chorus, descriptive of a Cobbler hammering on his Lapstone_. ] "Then Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub!!! say we! II. "War is a wonderful science, Mars was its patron, I'm told, How did he used to accoutre Armies in battles of old? With casque, and with sling, and with shield, With bow-string and breastplate together; Thus, in the ages of old, War was begun out of--LEATHER! [_Chorus_. ] "Then Leather! sing Leather! my lads! Mars and his weapons of Leather!!! Of all the things under the sun, Hurrah! there is nothing like _Leather_! [_Extra Chorus_. ] "Then Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub!!! say we! III. "Love is a pleasing emotion, All of us know it by heart; Whence, can you tell me, arises Love's overpowering smart? Tipped with an adamant barb, Gracefully tufted with feather, Love's irresistible dart Comes from a quiver of--LEATHER! [_Chorus_. ] "Then Leather! sing Leather, my lads! Darts! and Distraction!! and Leather!!! Of all the things under the sun, Hurrah! there is nothing like _Leather_! [_Extra Chorus_. ] "Then Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub!!! say we! IV. "Orators wrote out their speeches, Poets their verses recited, Statesmen promulgated edicts, Sages their maxims indited. Parchment, my lads, was the article All used to write on together; Thus the Republic of Letters Sprang into life out of--LEATHER! [_Chorus_. ] "Then Leather! sing Leather, my lads! Poetry! Science!! and Leather!!! Of all the things under the sun, Hurrah! there is nothing like _Leather_! [_Extra Chorus_. ] "Then Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub!!! say we!" CHAPTER XLII. FLORENCE. --DESPERATION OF BUTTONS, OF MR. FIGGS, AND OF THE DOCTOR. Florence, the fair!--Certainly it is the fairest of cities. Beautifulfor situation; the joy of the whole earth! It has a beauty that growsupon the heart. The Arno is the sweetest of rivers, its valley theloveliest of vales; luxuriant meadows; rich vineyards; groves ofolive, of orange, and of chestnut; forests of cypress; long lines ofmulberry; the dark purple of the distant Apennines; innumerable whitevillas peeping through the surrounding groves; the mysterious haze ofthe sunset, which throws a softer charm over the scene; themagnificent cattle; the fine horses; the bewitching girls, with theirbroad hats of Tuscan straw; the city itself, with its gloomy oldpalaces, iron-grated and massive walled, from the ancient holds ofstreet-fighting nobles, long since passed away, to the severe Etruscanmajesty of the Pitti Palace; behold Florence! It is the abode of peace, gentleness, and kindly pleasure (or at anyrate it was so when the Club was there). Every stone in its pavementhas a charm. Other cities may please; Florence alone can win enduringlove. It is one of the very few which a man can select as a permanenthome, and never repent of his decision. In fact, it is probably theonly city on earth which a stranger can live in and make for himselfa true home, so pleasant as to make desire for any other simplyimpossible. [Illustration: Florence From San Miniato. ] In Florence there is a large English population, drawn there by twopowerful attractions. The first is the beauty of the place, withits healthy climate, its unrivalled collections of art, and itsconnection with the world at large. The second is the astonishingcheapness of living, though, alas! this is greatly changed fromformer times, since Florence has become the capital of Italy. Formerly a palace could be rented for a trifle, troops of servantsfor another trifle, and the table could be furnished from day to daywith rarities and delicacies innumerable for another trifle. It is, therefore, a paradise for the respectable poor, the needy men ofintelligence, and perhaps it may be added, for the shabby genteel. There is a glorious congregation of dilettante, literati, savans; ablessed brotherhood of artists and authors; here gather politicalphilosophers of every grade. It was all this even under the GrandDuke of refreshing memory; hereafter it will be the same, only, perhaps, a little more so, under the new influences which it shallacquire and exert as the metropolis of a great kingdom. The Florentines are the most polished people under the sun. TheParisians claim this proud pre-eminence, but it can not bemaintained. Amid the brilliancies of Parisian life there arefearful memories of bloody revolutions, brutal fights, andblood-thirsty cruelties. No such events as these mar the fairpages of later Florentine history. In fact, the forbearance andgentleness of the people have been perhaps to their disadvantage. Life in Florence is joy. The sensation of living is of itself apleasure. Life in that delicious atmosphere becomes a higher state ofbeing. It is the proper home for poets and artists. Those who pretendthat there is any thing in America equal to Florence either inclimate, landscape, or atmosphere, are simply humbugs. Florence isunique. It is the only Athens of the modern world. [Illustration: Pitti Palace. ] The streets are cool and delightful. The great bath houses keep offthe rays of the sun. The people love to stroll away the greater partof their happy days. They loiter around the corners or under theporticoes gathering news and retailing the same. Hand-organs aregenerally discountenanced. Happy city! [Illustration: Fountain Of Neptune, Palazzo Vecchio. ] When it is too hot in the streets there is the vast cathedral--IlDuomo--dim, shadowy, magnificent, its gigantic dome surpassed onlyby that of St. Peter's. And yet in the twilight of this sacredinterior, where there dwells so much of the mysterious gloom onlyfound in the Gothic cathedrals of the north, many find greaterdelight than in all the dazzling splendor, the pomp, and glory, andmajesty of the Roman temple. Beside it rises the Campanile, as fairas a dream, and in appearance almost as unsubstantial. Not far offis the Baptistery, with its gates of bronze--an assemblage of glorywhich might well suffice for one city. [Illustration: The Duomo. ] Around the piazza that incloses these sacred buildings they sellthe best roasted chestnuts in the world. Is it any wonder thatFlorence is so attractive? [Illustration: The Campanile. ] The Dodge Club obtained furnished apartments in a fine large hotelthat looked out on the Ponte della Trinita and on the Arno. Beneathwas the principal promenade in the city. It was a highly agreeableresidence. No sooner had they arrived than Buttons set out in search of theSpaniards. Three days had been lost on the road. He was half afraidthat those three days had lost him the Spaniards altogether. Threedays! It was possible that they had seen Florence in that time andhad already left. The thought of this made Buttons feel extremelynervous. He spent the first day in looking over all the hotels inthe city. The second in searching through as many of thelodging-houses as were likely to be chosen by the Spaniards. Thethird he spent in meandering disconsolately through the cafés. Stillthere were no signs of them. Upon this Buttons fell into a profoundmelancholy. In fact it was a very hard case. There seemed nothingleft for him to do. How could he find them out? [Illustration: Trozzi Palace. ] Dick noticed the disquietude of his friend, and sympathized withhim deeply. So he lent his aid and searched through the city asindustriously as possible. Yet in spite of every effort theirarduous labors were defeated. So Buttons became hopeless. The Senator, however, had met with friends. The American Ministerat Turin happened at that time to be in Florence. Him the Senatorrecollected as an old acquaintance, and also as a tried companionin arms through many a political campaign. The Minister receivedhim with the most exuberant delight. Dinner, wine, feast of reason, flow of soul, interchange of latest news, stories of recentadventures on both sides, laughter, compliments, speculations onfuture party prospects, made the hours of an entire afternoon flylike lightning. The American Eagle was never more convivial. The Minister would not let him go. He made him put up at his hotel. He had the entree into the highest Florentine society. He wouldintroduce the Senator everywhere. The Senator would have anopportunity of seeing Italian manners and customs such as was veryrarely enjoyed. The Senator was delighted at the idea. But Mr. Figgs and the Doctor began to show signs of weariness. Theformer walked with Dick through the Boboli gardens and confidedall his soul to his young friend. What was the use of an elderlyman like him putting himself to so much trouble? He had seen enoughof Italy. He didn't want to see any more. He would much rather be safeat home. Besides, the members of the Club were all going down thebroad road that leadeth to ruin. Buttons was infatuated aboutthose Spaniards. The Doctor thought that he (Dick) was involved insome mysterious affair of a similar nature. Lastly, the Senator wasmaking a plunge into society. It was too much. The ride over theApennines to Bologna might be interesting for two young fellowslike him and Buttons, but was unfit for an elderly person. Moreover, he didn't care about going to the seat of war. He hadseen enough of fighting. In short, he and the Doctor had made uptheir minds to go back to Paris via Leghorn and Marseilles. Dick remonstrated, expostulated, coaxed. But Mr. Figgs was inflexible. [Illustration: Buttons Melancholy. ] CHAPTER XLIII. THE SENATOR ENTRAPPED. --THE WILES AND WITCHERY OF A QUEEN OF SOCIETY. --HIS FATE DESTINED TO BE, AS HE THINKS, ITALIAN COUNTESSES. --SENTIMENTAL CONVERSATION. --POETRY. --BEAUTY. --MOONLIGHT. --RAPTURE. --DISTRACTION. --BLISS! The blandishments of Florentine society might have led captive asterner soul than that of the Senator. Whether he wished it or not, he was overcome. His friend, the Minister, took him to the houses ofthe leaders of society, and introduced him as an eminent Americanstatesman and member of the Senate. Could any recommendation be equal to that? For, be it remembered, itwas the Revolutionary time. Republicanism ran high. America wassynonymous with the Promised Land. To be a statesman in America wasas great a dignity as to be prince in any empire on earth. Besides, it was infinitely more honored, for it was popular. The eyes of thestruggling people were tamed to that country which shoved them anexample of republican freedom. So if the Florentines received the Senator with boundless hospitality, it was because they admired his country, and reverenced his dignity. They liked to consider the presence of the American Minister andSenator as an expression of the good-will of the American Government. They looked upon him diplomatically. All that he said was listened towith the deepest respect, which was none the less when they did notcomprehend a word. His pithy sentences, when translated into Italian, became the neatest epigrams in the world. His suggestions as to thebest mode of elevating and enriching the country were considered byone set as the profoundest philosophy, and by another as the keenestsatire. They were determined to lionize him. It was a new sensationto the Senator. He desired to prolong it. He recalled the lines ofthe good Watts: "My willing soul would stay In such a frame as this. " He thought of Dr. Franklin in Paris, of his severe republicanism amidthe aristocratic influences around. How like his present situationwas to that of the august philosopher! The marked attention which the Minister paid to the Senator addedgreatly to the importance of the latter. The Florentines reasonedthus: A Minister is a great man. As a general thing his travellingcountrymen pay respect to him. What then must be the position ofthat travelling fellow-countryman who receives attention instead ofpaying it? What would the position of an Englishman need to be inorder to gain the attention of the British Embassador? Ducal atleast. Hence there is only one conclusion. An American Senator rankswith an English Duke. Others went beyond this: Mark the massive forehead, the severe eye, the cool, self-possessed mien of this American. The air of oneaccustomed to rule. Listen to his philosophic conversation. One ofAmerica's greatest statesmen. No doubt he has a certain prospect ofbecoming President. President! It must be so; and that accounts forthe attention paid by the American Embassador. He, of course, wishesto be continued in his office under the next administration. Afterall, the Florentines were not so far out of the way. A much worseman than the Senator might be made President. In the chapter ofaccidents his name, or the name of one like him, might carry thevotes of some roaring convention. For two or three days the Senator was the subject of an eagercontest among all the leaders of society. At length there appearedupon, the scene the great Victrix in a thousand contests such asthese. The others fell back discomfited, and the Senator became herprey. The Countess di Nottinero was not exactly a Recamier, but she was aremarkably brilliant woman, and the acknowledged leader of theliberal part of Florentine society. Of course, the haughtyaristocratic party held themselves grandly aloof, and knew nothingeither of her or the society to which she belonged. She was generally known as _La Cica_, a nickname given by herenemies, though what "Cica" meant no one could tell exactly. It wasa sort of contraction made up from her Christian name, Cecilia, assome thought; others thought it was the Italian word _cica_ givenon account of some unknown incident. At any rate, as soon as shemade her appearance driving down the Lungh' Arno, with the massiveform of the Senator by her side, his fame rose up to its zenith. Hebecame more remarked than ever, and known among all classes as theillustrious American to whom belonged the certainty of being nextPresident of the United States. Rumor strengthened as it grew. Reports were circulated which wouldcertainly have amazed the worthy Senator if he had heard them all. It was said that he was the special Plenipotentiary Extraordinarysent by the American Government as a mark of their deep sympathy withthe Italian movement, and that he was empowered, at the firstappearance of a new Government in Italy, to recognize it officiallyas a first-class Power, and thus give it the mighty sanction of theUnited States. What wonder that all eyes were turned admiringlytoward him wherever he went. But he was too modest to notice it. Helittle knew that he was the chief object of interest to every house, hotel, and café in the city. Yet it was a fact. His companions lost sight of him for some time. They heard theconversation going on about the sayings of the great American. Theydid not know at first who it was; but at length concluded that itreferred to the Minister from Turin. _La Cica_ did her part marvellously well. All the dilettanti, theartists, authors, political philosophers, and _beaux esprits_ ofevery grade followed the example of _La Cica_. And it is a fact thatby the mere force of character, apart from any adventitious aids ofrefinement, the Senator held his own remarkably. Yet it must beconfessed that he was at times extremely puzzled. _La Cica_ did not speak the best English in the world; yet thatcould not account for all the singular remarks which she made. Still less could it account for the tender interest of her manner. She had remarkably bright eyes. Why wandered those eyes so oftento his, and why did they beam with such devotion--beaming for amoment only to fall in sweet innocent confusion? _La Cica_ had themost fascinating manners, yet they were often perplexing to theSenator's soul. The little offices which she required of him didnot appear in his matter-of-fact eyes as strictly prudent. Theinnate gallantry which he possessed carried him bravely alongthrough much that was bewildering to his nerves. Yet he was oftenin danger of running away in terror. "The Countess, " he thought, "is a most remarkable fine woman; butshe does use her eyes uncommon, and I do wish she wouldn't be quiteso demonstrative. " The good Senator had never before encountered a thorough woman ofthe world, and was as ignorant as a child of the innumerablelittle harmless arts by which the power of such a one is extendedand secured. At last the Senator came to this conclusion. _La Cica_was desperately in love with him. She appeared to be a widow. At least she had no husband that he hadever seen; and therefore to the Senator's mind she must be aspinster or a widow. From the general style in which she wasaddressed he concluded that she was the latter. Now if the poor_Cica_ was hopelessly in love, it must be stopped at once. For hewas a married man, and his good lady still lived, with a verylarge family, most of the members of which had grown up. _La Cica_ ought to know this. She ought indeed. But let theknowledge be given delicately, not abruptly. He confided hislittle difficulty to his friend the Minister. The Minister onlylaughed heartily. "But give me your opinion. " The Minister held his sides, and laughed more immoderately than ever. "It's no laughing matter, " said the Senator. "It's serious. I thinkyou might give an opinion. " But the Minister declined. A broad grin wreathed his face duringall the remainder of his stay at Florence. In fact, it is said thatit has remained there ever since. The Senator felt indignant, but his course was taken. On thefollowing evening they walked on the balcony of _La Cica_'s nobleresidence. She was sentimental, devoted, charming. The conversation of a fascinating woman does not look so well whenreported as it is when uttered. Her power is in her tone, herglance, her manner. Who can catch the evanescent beauty of herexpression or the deep tenderness of her well-modulated voice? Whoindeed? "Does ze scene please you, my Senator?" "Very much indeed. " "Youar countrymen haf tol me zey would like to stay here alloway. " "It is a beautiful place. " "Did you aiver see any thin moaire loafely?" And the Countess lookedfull in his face. "Never, " said the Senator, earnestly. The next instant he blushed. He had been betrayed into a compliment. The Countess sighed. "Helas! my Senator, that it is not pairmitted to moartals tosociate as zey would laike. " "'Your Senator, '" thought the gentleman thus addressed; "how fond, how tender--poor thing! poor thing!" "I wish that Italy was nearer to the States, " said he. "How I adamiar youar style of mind, so differente from zeItaliana. You are so strong--so nobile. Yet would Maike to seemoar of ze poetic in you. " "I always loved poetry, marm, " said the Senator, desperately. "Ah--good--nais--eccelente. I am plees at zat, " cried the Countess, with much animation. "You would loafe it moar eef you knew Italiano. Your langua ees not sufficiente musicale for poatry. " "It is not so soft a language as the _I_-talian. " "Ah--no--not so soft. Very well. And what theenka you of zeItaliano?" "The sweetest language I ever heard in all my born days. " "Ah, now--you hev not heard much of ze Italiano, my Senator. " "I have heard you speak often, " said the Senator, naively. "Ah, you compliment! I sot you was aboove flattera. " And the Countess playfully tapped his arm with her little fan. "What Ingelis poet do you loafe best?" "Poet? English poet?" said the Senator, with some surprise. "Oh--why, marm, I think Watts is about the best of the lot!" "Watt? Was he a poet? I did not know zat. He who invented zestim-injaine? And yet if he was a poet it is natnrale zat youloafe him best. " "Steam-engine? Oh no! This one was a minister. " "A meeneestaire? Ah! an abbé? I know him not. Yet I haf read mos ofall youar poets. " "He made up hymns, marm, and psalms--for instance: 'Watts's DivineHymns and Spiritual Songs. '" "Songs? Spiritnelle? Ah, I mus at once procuaire ze works of Watt, which was favorit poet of my Senator. " "A lady of such intelligence as you would like the poet Watts, " saidthe Senator, firmly. [Illustration: La Cica. ] "He is the best known by far of all our poets. " "What? better zan Sakespeare, Milton, Bairon? You much surprassme. " "Better known and better loved than the whole lot. Why, his poetryis known by heart through all England and America. " "Merciful Heaven! what you tell me! ees eet possbl! An yet he isnot known here efen by name. It would plees me mooch, my Senator, to hajre you make one quotatione. Know you Watt? Tell to me somewords of his which I may remembaire. " "I have a shocking bad memory. " "Bad raemora! Oh, but you remember somethin, zis mos beautfulcharm nait--you haf a nobile soul--you mus be affecta by beauty--byze ideal. Make for a me one quotatione. " And she rested her little hand on the Senator's arm, and looked upimploringly in his face. The Senator looked foolish. He felt even more so. Here was abeautiful woman, by act and look showing a tender interest in him. Perplexing--but very flattering after all. So he replied: "You will not let me refuse you any thing. " "Aha! you are vera willin to refuse. It is difficulty for me toexcitare youar regards. You are fill with the grands ideas. Butcome--will you spik for me some from your favorit Watt?" "Well, if you wish it so much, " said the Senator, kindly, and hehesitated. "Ah--I do wis it so much!" "Ehem!" "Begin, " said the Countess. "Behold me. I listen. I hear everysin, and will remembaire it forava. " The only thing that the Senator could think of was the verse whichhad been running in his head for the last few days, its measuredrhythm keeping time with every occupation: "'My willing soul would stay--'" "Stop one moment, " said the Countess. "I weesh to learn it fromyou;" and she looked fondly and tenderly up, but instantlydropped her eyes. "'Ma willina sol wooda sta--'" "In such a frame as this, '" prompted the Senator. "'Een socha framas zees. ' Wait--'Ma willina sol wooda sta insocha framas zees. ' Ah, appropriat! but could I hope zat you weretrue to zose lines, my Senator? Well?" "'And sit and sing herself away, '" said the Senator, in afaltering voice, and breaking out into a cold perspiration forfear of committing himself by such uncommonly strong language. "'Ansit ansin hassaf awai, '" repeated the Countess, her facelighting up with a sweetly conscious expression. The Senator paused. "Well?" "I--ehem! I forget. " "Forget? Impossible!" "I do really. " "Ah now! Forget? I see by youar face--you desave. Say on. " The Countess again gently touched his arm with both of herlittle hands, and held it as though she would clasp it. "Have you fear? Ah, cruel!" The Senator turned pale, but finding refusal impossible, boldlyfinished: "'To everlasting bliss'--there!" "'To affarlastin blees thar. ' Stop. I repeat it all: 'My willinasol wooda sta in socha framas zees, ansit ansin hassaf awai toaffarlastin blees thar. ' Am I right?" "Yes, " said the Senator, meekly. "I knew you war a poetic sola, " said the Countess, confidingly. "You air honesto--true--you can not desave. When you spik I canbeliv you. Ah, my Senator! an you can spik zis poetry!--at soch ataime! I nefare knew befoare zat you was so impassione!--an youair so artaful! You breeng ze confersazione to beauty--to poatry--toze poet Watt--so you may spik verses mos impassione! Ah! Whatdo you mean? Santissima madre! how I wish you spik Italiano. " The Countess drew nearer to him, but her approach only deepened hisperplexity. "How that poor thing does love me!" sighed the Senator. "Law blessit! she can't help it--can't help it nohow. She is a goner; and whatcan I do? I'll have to leave Florence. Oh, why did I quit Buttons!Oh, why--" The Countess was standing close beside him in a tender mood waitingfor him to break the silence. How could he? He had been utteringwords which sounded to her like love; and she--"a widow! a widow!wretched man that I am!" There was a pause. The longer it lasted the more awkward theSenator felt. What upon earth was he to do or say? What business hadhe to go and quote poetry to widows? What an old fool he must be!But the Countess was very far from feeling awkward. Assuming anelegant attitude she looked up, her face expressing the tenderestsolicitude. "What ails my Senator?" "Why the fact is, marm--I feel sad--at leaving Florence. I must goshortly. My wife has written summoning me home. The children aredown with the measles. " Oh, base fabrication! Oh, false Senator! There wasn't a word oftruth in that remark. You spoke so because you wished _La Cica_ toknow that you had a wife and family. Yet it was very badly done. _La Cica_ changed neither her attitude nor her expression. Evidently the existence of his wife, and the melancholy situationof his unfortunate children, awaked no sympathy. "But, my Senator--did you not say you wooda seeng yousellef awayto affarlasteen belees?" "Oh, marm, it was a quotation--only a quotation. " But at this critical juncture the conversation was broken up by thearrival of a number of ladies and gentlemen. But could the Senator have known! Could he but have known how and where those words would confront himagain! CHAPTER XLIV. "MORERE DIAGORA, NON ENIM IN COELUM ADSCENSURUS ES. "--THE APOTHEOSISOF THE SENATOR (NOTHING LESS--IT WAS A MOMENT IN WHICH A MAN MIGHTWISH TO DIE--THOUGH, OF COURSE, THE SENATOR DIDN'T DIE). Strolling through the streets day by day Buttons and Dick beheldthe triumph of the Senator. They gazed on it from afar, and inamazement saw their old companion suddenly lifted up to a positionwhich they could not hope to gain. The companion of nobles--theassociate of _beaux esprits_--the friend of the wealthy, the great, and the proud; what in the world was the cause of this sudden, thisunparalleled leap forward to the very highest point of honor? Who, in the name of goodness, was that dashing woman with whom he wasalways driving about? Who were those fair ladies with whom he wasforever promenading? Plainly the chief people of the land; but howthe mischief did he get among them? They were bewildered even thoughthe half of the truth had not begun to dawn upon their minds. Theynever saw him to ask him about it, and for some time only lookedupon him from a distance. "Do you give it up?" asked Buttons. "I give it up. " "And I too. " "At any rate the United States might have many a worserepresentative. " "But I wonder how he can get along. How can he manage to hold hisown among these refined, over-cultivated, fastidious Florentines?" "Goodness knows!" "A common school New England education can scarcely fit a man forintercourse with polished Italians. The granite hills of NewHampshire have never been famous for producing men of high breeding. That is not their specialty. " "Besides, our good friend can not speak a single word of anylanguage but his own. " "And frequently fails in that. " "He hasn't the remotest glimmering of an idea about Art. " "Not of the Fine Arts, but in the useful arts he is immense. " "He looks upon Italy as he would upon a field of stumps--a placeto be cleared, broken up, brought under cultivation, and madeproductive. " "Yes, productive in cotton factories and Yankee notions. " "What in the world can keep up his reputation among the most poeticand least utilitarian people in the world?" "There's the mystery!" "The beauty of it is he goes as much with the English as withthe Italians. Can he keep up his vernacular among them and stillpreserve the charm?" "Well, whatever is the secret. I glory in it. I believe in him. He is a man. A more noble-hearted, sincere, upright, guilelesssoul never lived. Besides, he knows thoroughly what he has goneover. " "He is as generous a soul as ever lived. " "Yes, a stiff utilitarian in theory, but in practice an impulsivesentimentalist. " "He would legislate according to the most narrow and selfishprinciples, but would lay down his life for his friend. " "Think of him at Perugia!" "Yes; the man himself with his brave soul and invincible courage. Didn't he fight? Methinks he did!" "If it hadn't been for him it is extremely probable that you and Iwould now have been--well, certainly not just here. " Talking thus, the two young men walked up toward the PalazzoVecchio. They noticed that the busy street through which theypassed was filled with an unusual multitude, who were all agitatedwith one general and profound excitement, and were all hurrying inone direction. The sight awakened their interest. They went on withthe stream. At every step the crowd increased. At every street newthrongs poured in to join the vast multitude. Confused murmurs rose into the air. Hasty words passed from mouthto month. They were unintelligible. They could only distinguishbroken sentences--words unknown--Cavriana--Mincio--Tedeschi--Napoleone--Spia d'ltalia. What was it all about? They could notguess. Evidently some mighty national event had occurred, which wasof overwhelming importance. For the entire city had turned out, andnow, as they entered the great square in front of the PalazzoVecchio, an astonishing sight burst upon their view. A vastmultitude filled the square to overflowing. Load cries arose. Shoutsof a thousand kinds all blending together into one deafening roar, and rising on high like the thunder of a cataract: "Vittoria!" "Vittoria!" "Cavriana!" "I Francesi!" "Viva l'Italia!""Viva Vittore Emmannele! il nostro Re!" "Viva!" "_Viva_!" "VIVA!!!"Words like these rose all around, mingled with thousands of similarexclamations. At length there was distinguished one word. It waspassed from man to man, more frequently uttered, gathering as itpassed, adding new volumes of meaning to its own sonorous sound, till at last all other words were drowned in that one grand word, which to this rejoicing multitude was the lyre of glorious victory, the promise of endless triumphs for regenerated Italy: "SOLFERINO!" [Illustration: Solferino!] "_Solferino_!" They did not know then, as they listened, the fullmeaning of that eloquent word. But on mingling with the shoutingcrowd they soon learned it all: how the accursed Tedeschi hadsummoned all their energy to crush forever the array of liberty;how the Kaisar himself came from beyond the mountains to insure histriumph; how the allied armies had rushed upon their massive columnsand beaten them back; how, hour after hour, the battle raged, tillat last the plain for many a league was covered with the wounded andthe dead: how the wrongs of ages were crowded together in theglorious vengeance of that day of days; how Victory hovered over theinvincible banners of Italy; how the Tedeschi fled, routed, over theriver, no more to cross it as masters; how the hopes of Italy aroseimmortal from that one day's terrific slaughter; how Liberty was nowforever secured, and a Kingdom of Italy under an Italian King. "Viva Italia!" "Viva Luigi Napoleone!" "Vira Garibaldi!" "VivaVittore Eramanuele Re d'Italia!" In great moments of popular excitement people do not talk to oneanother. They rhapsodize; and the Italians more than any otherpeople. Hence the above. [Illustration: The Senator Speaks. ] Buttons and Dick clambered up to the recess of a window andcontemplated the scene. There was the innumerable crowd; swaying, embracing, laughing, weeping, shouting, cheering. High in the airwaved hundreds of banners; and the tri-color flaunted in ribbons, from thousands of breasts, or shone in rosettes, or gleamed inflowers. Ever and anon loud trumpet blasts arose triumphantly onhigh; in the distance victorious strains came swelling up frontbands hurried there to express in thrilling music what words couldnever utter; while all around the whole air rang with the thunderof cannon that saluted the triumph of Solferino. "Look there! _Look_! LOOK!" cried Dick. He pointed to the large portico which is on the right of thePalazzo Vecchio. Buttons looked as he was directed. He saw a great assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, the chief peopleof the Tuscan state. From this place those announcements had beenmade which had set the people wild with joy. There were beautifulladies whose flashed faces and suffused eyes bore witness to theirdeep emotion. There were noble gentlemen whose arms still waved inthe air as they cheered for Italy. And there, high above all others, rose a familiar figure--the massive shoulders, the calm, shrewd, square face, the benignant glance and smile, which could belongonly to one person. "_The Senator_!" cried Buttons. Every body was looking in that direction. The impulsive crowdhaving celebrated abstract ideas, were now absolutely hungeringfor some tangible object upon which to expend something of thewarmth of their feelings. A few who stood near the Senator andwere impressed by his aspect, as soon as all the news had been madeknown, gave expression and direction to the feeling by shouting hisname. As they shouted others took up the cry, louder, louder, andlouder still, till his name burst forth in one sublime sound fromthirty thousand lips. No wonder that he started at such an appeal. He turned and looked uponthe crowd. An ordinary man would have exhibited either confusion orwonder. The Senator, being an extraordinary man, exhibited neither. As he turned a vast roar burst from the multitude. "Good Heavens!" cried Buttons; "what's in the wind now? Will this bea repetition of the scene in the Place Vendôme?" "Hush!" The crowd saw before them the man whose name and fame had been thesubject of conjecture, wonder, applause, and hope for many days. They beheld in him the Representative of a mighty nation, sent togive them the right hand of fellowship, and welcome their countryamong the great powers of the earth. In him they saw the embodimentof America! "Viva!" burst through the air. "The American Embassador!" "Hurrahfor the American Embassador!" "The Plenipotentiary Extraordinary!""He comes to crown our triumph!" "Hurrah for America!" "Free, generous America!" "The first nation to welcome Italy!" "Hurrah!""This is the time!" "He will speak!" "Silence!" "Silence!" "He rises!""Lo!" "He looks at us!" "Silence!" "Listen to the Most IllustriousPlenipotentiary Extraordinary!" "_Hush_! AMERICA SPEAKS!" Such shouts and exclamations as these burst forth, with many othersto the same effect. The crowd in front of the portico where theSenator stood--were almost uncontrollable in their excitement. TheSenator rose to the greatness of the occasion. Here was a chance toSpeak--to utter forth the deep sympathy of his countrymen withevery down-trodden people striving for freedom. He turned to facethem and held out his hand. At once the immense assemblage washushed to silence. The Senator took off his hat. Never before did he look as he lookednow. The grandeur of the occasion had sublimed his usually ruggedfeatures into majesty. He looked like the incarnation of a strong, vigorous, invincible people. The Senator spoke: "Men of Italy!" "In the name of the Great Republic!--I congratulate you on thisglorious victory! It is a triumph of Liberty!--of the principles of'76!--of the immortal idees!--for which our forefathers fought anddied!--at Lexington!--at Bunker Hill!--and at a thousand otherplaces in the great and glorious Revolution!" The Senator paused. This was enough. It had been spoken in English. The Italians did not of course understand a word, yet theycomprehended all his meaning. As he paused there burst forth a shoutof joy such as is heard only once in a life-time; shout upon shout. The long peals of sound rose up and spread far away over the city. The vast crowd vibrated like one man to the impulse of the commonenthusiasm. It was too great to last. They rushed to the carriage of _La Cica_. They unharnessed the horses. They led the Senator to it and made himenter. They flung their tri-colors in. They threw flowers on his lap. They wound the flag of Italy around the carriage. A thousand marchedbefore it. Thousands more walked beside and behind. They drew him upto his hotel in triumph, and the band struck up the thrilling strainof "Yankee Doodle!" It would be unfair not to render justice to _La Cica_. She bore thescene admirably. Her beaming face, and lustrous eyes, and heavingbosom, and majestic air, showed that she appropriated to herself allthe honor thus lavished upon the Senator. It was a proud moment for_La Cica_. "Dick, " said Buttons, as they descended from their perch. "Well?" "How do you feel now?" "Obliterated. I do not exist. I was once a blot. I am expunged. Thereis no such thing as Dick. " "Who could have imagined this?" "And how he bore it! The Senator is a great man. But come. Don't letus speak for an hour, for we are both unable to talk coherently. " From patriotic motives the two young men walked behind the Senator'scarriage and cheered all the way. Upon arriving at their lodgings in the evening they stationedthemselves at the window and looked out upon the illuminated scene. Dick, finding his emotions too strong to be restrained, took histrombone and entertained a great crowd for hours with all the nationalairs he knew. CHAPTER XLV. THE PRIVATE OPINION OF THE DOCTOR ABOUT FOREIGN TRAVEL. --BUTTONSSTILL MEETS WITH AFFLICTIONS. "The Italians, of at any rate the people of Florence, have just aboutas much cuteness as you will find anywhere. " Such was the dictum of the Senator in a conversation with hiscompanions after rejoining them at the hotel. They had much to ask;he had much to tell. Never had he been more critical, moreapprobative. He felt now that he thoroughly understood the Italianquestion, and expressed himself in accordance with his consciousness. "Nothing does a feller so much good, " said he, "as mixing in allgrades of society. It won't ever do to confine our observation to thelower class. We must mingle with the upper crust, who are the leadersof the people. " "Unfortunately, " said Buttons, "we are not all Senators, so we haveto do the best we can with our limited opportunities. " They had been in Florence long enough, and now the general desire wasto go on. Mr. Figgs and the Doctor had greatly surprised the Senatorby informing him that they did not intend to go any further. And why not? "Well, for my own part, " said Mr. Figgs, "the discomforts of travelare altogether too great. It would not be so bad in the winter, butthink how horribly hot it is. What is my condition? That of a manslowly suffocating. Think how fat I am. Even if I had the enthusiasmof Dick, or the fun of Buttons, my fat would force me to leave. Canyou pretend to be a friend of mine and still urge me to go further?And suppose we passed over into Austrian territory. Perhaps we mightbe unmolested, but it is doubtful. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that we were arrested and detained. Imagine us--imagine _me_ shut upin a room--or worse, a cell--in the month of July in midsummer, inthe hottest part of this burning fiery furnace of a country! Whatwould be left of me at the end of a week, or at the end of even oneday? What? A grease spot! A grease spot! Not a bit more, by Jingo!" [Illustration: A Grease Spot. ] After this speech, which was for him one of extraordinary lengthand vigor, Mr. Figgs fell exhausted into his chair. "But you, Doctor, " said the Senator, seeing that Mr. Figgs wasbeyond the reach of persuasion--"you--what reason is there for youto leave? You are young, strong, and certainly not fat. " "No, thank heaven! it is not the heat, or the fear of beingsuffocated in an Austrian dungeon that influences me. " "What, is the reason?" "These confounded disturbances, " said the Doctor languidly. "Disturbances?" "Yes. I hear that the road between this and Bologna swarms withvagabonds. Several diligences have been robbed. I heard a storywhich shows this state of things. A band of men entered the theatreof a small town along the road while the inhabitants were witnessingthe play. At first the spectators thought it was part of theperformance. They were soon undeceived. The men drew up in line infront of the stage and levelled their pieces. Then fastening thedoors, they sent a number of men around through the house to plunderthe whole audience. Not content with this they made the authoritiesof the town pay a heavy ransom. " "Some one has been humbugging you, Doctor, " said Buttons. "I had it from good authority, " said the Doctor, calmly. "Thesefellows call themselves Revolutionists, and the peasantry sympathizewith them. " "Well, if we meet with them there will be a little additionalexcitement. " "Yes, and the loss of our watches and money. " "We can carry our money where they won't find it, and our bills ofexchange are all right, you know. " "I think none of you will accuse me of want of courage. If I metthese fellows you know very well that I would go in for fightingthem. But what I do object to is the infernal bother of being stopped, detained, or perhaps sent back. Then if any of us got wounded wewould be laid up for a month or so. That's what I object to. If I hadto do it it would be different, but I see no necessity. " "You surely want to see Lombardy?" "No, I don't. " "Not Bologna?" "No. " "Ferrara?" "No. " "Do you mean to say that you don't want to see Venice and Milan?" "Haven't the remotest desire to see either of the places. I merelywish to get back again to Paris. It's about the best place I'veseen yet, except, of course, my native city, Philadelphia. That Ithink is without an equal. However, our minds are made up. We don'twish to change your plans--in fact, we never thought it possible. We are going to take the steamer at Leghorn for Marseilles, andgo on to Paris. " "Well, Doctor, " said Dick, "will you do me one favor before you go?" "With pleasure. What is it?" "Sell me your pistol. " "I can't _sell_ it, " said the Doctor. "It was a present to me. But Iwill be happy to lend it to you till we meet again in Paris. We willbe sure to meet there in a couple of months at the furthest. " The Doctor took out his pistol and handed it to Dick, who thankfullyreceived it. "Oh, Buttons, " said the Senator, suddenly, "I have good news for you. I ought to have told you before. " "Good news? what?" "I saw the Spaniards. " "The Spaniards!" cried Buttons, eagerly, starting up. "Where did yousee them? When? Where are they? I have scoured the whole town. " "I saw them at a very crowded assembly at the Countess's. There wassuch a scrouging that I could not get near them. The three werethere. The little Don and his two sisters. " "And don't you know any thing about them?" "Not a hooter, except something that the Countess told me. I thinkshe said that they were staying at the villa of a friend of hers. " "A friend? Oh, confound it all! What shall I do?" "The villa is out of town. " "That's the reason why I never could see them. Confound it all, whatshall I do?" "Buttons, " said the Senator, gravely, "I am truly sorry to see ayoung man like you so infatuated about foreign women. Do not beoffended, I mean it kindly. She may be a Jesuit in disguise; whoknows? And why will you put yourself to grief about a littleblack-eyed gal that don't know a word of English? Believe me, NewEngland is wide, and has ten thousand better gals than ever shebegan to be. If you will get in love wait till you get home andfall in love like a Christian, a Republican, and a Man. " But the Senator's words had no effect. Buttons sat for a fewmoments lost in thought. At length he rose and quietly left theroom. It was about nine in the morning when he left. It was aboutnine in the evening when he returned. He looked dusty, fatigued, fagged, and dejected. He had a long story to tell and was quitecommunicative. The substance of it was this: On leaving the hotelhe had gone at once to _La Cica_'s residence, and had requestedpermission to see her. He could not till twelve. He wandered aboutand called again at that hour. She was very amiable, especiallyon learning that he was a friend of the Senator, after whom sheasked with deep interest. Nothing could exceed her affability. She told him all that she knew about the Spaniards. They werestopping at the villa of a certain friend of hers whom she named. It was ten miles from the city. The friend had brought them to theassembly. It was but for a moment that she had seen them. Shewished for his sake that she had learned more about them. Shetrusted that he would succeed in his earnest search. She shouldthink that they might still be in Florence, and if he went out atonce he might see them. Was this his first visit to Florence? Howperfectly he had the Tuscan accent; and why had he not accompaniedhis friend the Senator to her salon? But it would be impossible torepeat all that _La Cica_ said. [Illustration: Farewell, Figgs!] Buttons went out to the villa at once; but to his extreme disgustfound that the Spaniards, had left on the preceding day for Bologna. He drove about the country for some distance, rested his horses, and took a long walk, after which he returned. Their departure for Bologna on the following morning was a settledthing. The diligence started early. They had pity on the flesh ofFiggs and the spirit of the Doctor. So they bade them good-bye onthe evening before retiring. CHAPTER XLVI. A MEMORABLE DRIVE. --NIGHT. --THE BRIGANDS ONCE MORE. --GARIBALDI'SNAME. --THE FIRE. --THE IRON BAR. --THE MAN FROM THE GRANITE STATEAND HIS TWO BOYS. "The great beauty of this pistol is a little improvement that Ihave not seen before. " And Dick proceeded to explain. "Here is the chamber with the six cavities loaded. Now, you see, when you wish, you touch this spring and out pops the butt. " "Well?" "Very well. Here I have another chamber with six cartridges: It'sloaded, the cartridges are covered with copper and have detonatingpowder at one end. As quick as lightning I put this on, and thereyou have the pistol ready to be fired again six times. " "So you have twelve shots?" "Yes. " "And cartridges to spare?" "The Doctor gave me all that he had, about sixty, I should think. " "You have enough to face a whole army--" "Precisely--and in my coat-pocket. " This conversation took place in the banquette of the diligence thatconveyed Dick, Buttons, and the Senator from Florence to Bologna. Along part of the journey had been passed over. They were among themountains. "Do you expect to use that?" asked the Senator, carelessly. "I do. " "You believe these stories then?" "Yes; don't you?" "Certainly. " "So do I, " said Buttons. "I could not get a pistol; but I got thisfrom an acquaintance. " And he drew from his pocket an enormous bowie-knife. "Bowie-knives are no good, " said the Senator. "Perhaps they may doif you want to assassinate; but for nothing else. You can't defendyourself. I never liked it. It's not American. It's not the directresult of our free institutions. " "What have you then?" "This, " said the Senator. And he lifted up a crow-bar from the front of the coach. Brandishing it in the air as easily as an ordinary man would swing awalking-stick. He looked calmly at his astonished companions. "You see, " said he, "there are several reasons why this is the bestsort of weapon for me. A short knife is no use. A sword is no good, for I don't know the sword exercise. A gun is worthless; I would fireit off once and then have to use it as a club. It would then be apt tobreak. That would be disagreeable--especially in the middle of afight. A stick or club of any kind would be open to the sameobjection. What, then, is the weapon for me? Look at me. I am big, strong, and active. I have no skill. I am brute strength. So a clubis my only weapon--a club that won't break. Say iron, then. There youhave it. " And the Senator swung the ponderous bar around in a way that showedthe wisdom of his choice. "You are about right, " said Buttons. "I venture to say you'll do asmuch mischief with that as Dick will with his pistol. Perhaps more. As for me, I don't expect to do much. Still, if the worst comes, I'll try to do what I can. " "We may not have to use them, " said the Senator. "Who are below?" "Below?" "In the coach?" "Italians. " "Women?" "No, all men. Two priests, three shop-keeper-looking persons, anda soldier. " "Ah! Why, we ought to be comparatively safe. " "Oh, our number is not any thing. The country is in a state ofanarchy. Miserable devils of half-starved Italians swarm along theroad, and they will try to make hay while the sun shines. I have nodoubt we will be stopped half a dozen times before we get to Bologna. " "I should think, " said the Senator, indignantly, "that if these chapsundertake to govern the country--these republican chaps--they hadought to govern it. What kind of a way is this to leave helplesstravellers at the mercy of cut-throats and assassins?" "They think, " said Buttons, "that their first duty is to secureindependence, and after that they will promote order. " "The Florentines are a fine people--a people of remarkable cutenessand penetration; but it seems to me that they are taking things easyas far as fighting is concerned. They don't send their soldiers tothe war, do they?" "Well, no, I suppose they think their army may be needed nearer home. The Grand Duke has long arms yet; and knows how to bribe. " By this time they were among the mountain forests where the scenerywas grander, the air cooler, the sky darker, than before. It was latein the day, and every mile increased the wildness of the landscape andthe thickness of the gloom. Further and further, on they went till atleast they came to a winding-place where the road ended at a gully overwhich there was a bridge. On the bridge was a barricade. They did notsee it until they had made a turn where the road wound, where at oncethe scene burst on their view. The leaders reared, the postillions swore, the driver snapped his whipfuriously. The passengers in "coupé, " "rotonde, " and "interieure"popped out their heads, the passengers on the "banquette" stared, until at last, just as the postillions were dismounting to reconnoitre, twelve figures rose up from behind the barricade, indistinct in thegloom, and bringing their rifles to their shoulders took aim. The driver yelled, the postillions shouted, the passengers shrieked. The three men in the banquette prepared for a fight. Suddenly a loudvoice was heard from behind. They looked. A number of men stood there, and several more were leaping out from the thick woods on the right. They were surrounded. At length one of the men came forward frombehind. "You are at our mercy, " said he. "Whoever gives up his money may gofree. Whoever resists dies. Do you hear?" Meanwhile the three men in the banquette had piled some trunksaround, and prepared to resist till the last extremity. Dick was tofire; Buttons to keep each spare butt loaded; the Senator to use hiscrow-bar on the heads of any assailants. They waited in silence. They heard the brigands rummaging through the coach below, theprayers of the passengers, their appeals for pity, their groans atbeing compelled to give up every thing. "The cowards don't deserve pity!" cried the Senator. "There areenough to get up a good resistance. We'll show fight, anyhow!" [Illustration: In The Coach. ] Scarcely had he spoke when three or four heads appeared above theedge of the coach. "Haste!--your money!" said one. "Stop!" said Buttons. "This gentleman is the AmericanPlenipotentiary Extraordinary, who has just come from Florence, and is on his way to communicate with Garibaldi. " "Garibaldi!" cried the man, in a tone of deep respect. "Yes, " said Buttons, who had not miscalculated the effect of thatmighty name. "If you harm us or plunder us you will have to settleyour account with Garibaldi--that's all!" The man was silent. Then he leaped down, and in another momentanother man came. "Which is the American Plenipotentiary Extraordinary?" "He, " said Buttons, pointing to the Senator. "Ah! I know him. It is the same. I saw him at his reception inFlorence, and helped to pull his carriage. " The Senator calmly eyed the brigand, who had respectfully takenoff his hat. "So you are going to communicate with Garibaldi at once. Go in peace!Gentlemen every one of us fought under Garibaldi at Rome. Ten yearsago he disbanded a large number of us among these mountains. I havethe honor to inform you that ever since that time I have got myliving out of the public, especially those in the service of theGovernment. You are different. I like you because you are Americans. I like you still better because you are friends of Garibaldi. Go inpeace! When you see the General tell him Giuglio Malvi sends hisrespects. " And the man left them. In about a quarter of an hour the barricadewas removed, and the passengers resumed their seats with lighterpurses but heavier hearts. The diligence started, and once more wentthundering along the mountain road. "I don't believe we've seen the last of these scoundrels yet, " saidButtons. "Nor I, " said Dick. A general conversation followed. It was late, and but few thingswere visible along the road. About two hours passed away without anyoccurrence. "Look!" cried Dick, suddenly. They looked. About a quarter of a mile ahead a deep red glow arose above theforest, illumining the sky. The windings of the road prevented themfrom seeing the cause of it. The driver was startled, but evidentlythought it was no more dangerous to go on than to stop. So he lashedup his horses and set them off at a furious gallop. The rumble of theponderous wheels shut out all other sounds. As they advanced thelight grew more vivid. "I shouldn't wonder, " said the Senator, "if we have anotherbarricade here. Be ready, boys! We won't get off so easily this time. " The other two said not a word. On, and on. The report of a gunsuddenly roused all. The driver lashed his horses. The postillionstook the butts of their riding-whips and pelted the animals. Theroad took a turn, and, passing this a strange scene burst upon theirsight. A wide, open space on the road-side, a collection of beams acrossthe road, the shadowy forms of about thirty men, and the whole scenedimly lighted by a smouldering fire. As it blazed up a little thesmoke rolled off and they saw as overturned carriage, two horses tiedto a tree, and two men with their hands bound behind them lying on theground. A voice rang out through the stillness which for a moment followedthe sudden stoppage of the coach at the barrier. There came a wailfrom the frightened passengers within--cries for mercy--piteousentreaties. "Silence, fools!" roared the same voice, which seemed to be that ofthe leader. "Wait! wait!" said the Senator to his companions. "Let me give theword. " A crowd of men advanced to the diligence, and as they left thefire Buttons saw three figures left behind--two women and a man. Theydid not move. But suddenly a loud shriek burst from one of the women. At the shriek Buttons trembled. "The Spaniards! It is! I know the voice! My God!" In an instant Buttons was down on the ground and in the midst of thecrowd of brigands who surrounded the coach. Bang! bang! bang! It was not the guns of the brigands, but Dick'spistol that now spoke, and its report was the signal of death tothree men who rolled upon the ground in their last agonies. As thethird report burst forth the Senator hurled himself down upon theheads of those below. The action of Buttons had broken up all theirplans, rendered parley impossible, and left nothing for them to dobut to follow him and save him. The brigands rushed at them with ayell of fury. "Death to them! Death to them all! No quarter!" "Help!" cried Buttons. "Passengers, we are armed! We can saveourselves!" But the passengers, having already lost their money, now feared tolose their lives. Not one responded. All about the coach the scenebecame one of terrible confusion. Guns were fired, blows fell in everydirection. The darkness, but faintly illuminated by the fitfulfirelight, prevented the brigands from distinguishing their enemiesvery clearly--a circumstance which favored the little band ofAmericans. The brigands fired at the coach, and tried to break open the doors. Inside the coach the passengers, frantic with fear, sought to maketheir voices heard amid the uproar. They begged for mercy; theydeclared they had no money; they had already been robbed; they wouldgive all that was left; they would surrender if only their lives werespared. "And, oh! good Americans, yield, yield, or we all die!" "Americans?" screamed several passionate voices. "Death to theAmericans! Death to all foreigners!" These bandits were unlike the last. Seated in the banquette Dick surveyed the scene, while himselfconcealed from view. Calmly he picked out man after man and fired. As they tried to climb up the diligence, or to force open the door, they fell back howling. One man had the door partly broken open byfurious blows with the butt of his gun. Dick fired. The ball enteredhis arm. He shrieked with rage. With his other arm he seized his gun, and again his blows fell crashing. In another instant a ball passedinto his brain. "Two shots wasted on one man! Too much!" muttered Dick; and takingaim again he fired at a fellow who was just leaping up the other side. The wretch fell cursing. Again! again! again! Swiftly Dick's shots flashed around. He had nowbut one left in his pistol. Hurriedly he filled the spare chamberwith six cartridges, and taking out the other he filled it and placedit in again. He looked down. [Illustration: A Free Fight. ] There was the Senator. More than twenty men surrounded him, firing, swearing, striking, shrieking, rushing forward, trying to tear himfrom his post. For he had planted himself against the fore-part ofthe diligence, and the mighty arm whose strength had been so provedat Perugia was now descending again with irresistible force upon theheads of his assailants. All this was the work of but a few minutes. Buttons could not be seen. Dick's preparations were made. For a momenthe waited for a favorable chance to get down. He could not stay upthere any longer. He must stand by the Senator. There stood the Senator, his giant form towering up amidst the mêlée, his muscular arms wielding the enormous iron bar, his astonishingstrength increased tenfold by the excitement of the fight. He neverspoke a word. One after another the brigands went down before the awful descent ofthat iron bar. They clung together; they yelled in fury; they threwthemselves _en masse_ against the Senator. He met them as a rock meetsa hundred waves. The remorseless iron bar fell only with redoubledfury. They raised their clubbed muskets in the air and struck at him. One sweep of the iron bar and the muskets were dashed out of theirhands, broken or bent, to the ground. They fired, but from their wildexcitement their aim was useless. In the darkness they struck at oneanother. One by one the number of his assailants lessened--they grewmore furious but less bold. They fell back a little; but the Senatoradvanced as they retired, guarding his own retreat, but still swinginghis iron bar with undiminished strength. The prostrate forms of adozen men lay around. Again they rushed at him. The voice of theirleader encouraged them and shamed their fears. He was a stoat, powerful man, armed with a knife and a gun. [Illustration: Don't Speak. ] "Cowards! kill this one! This is the one! All the rest will yield ifwe kill him. Forward!" That moment Dick leaped to the ground. The next instant the brigandsleaped upon them. The two were lost in the crowd. Twelve reports, oneafter the other, rang into the air. Dick did not fire till the muzzleof his pistol was against his enemy's breast. The darkness, now deeperthan ever, prevented him from being distinctly seen by the furiouscrowd, who thought only of the Senator. But now the fire shooting upbrightly at the sudden breath of a strong wind threw a lurid lightupon the scene. There stood Dick, his clothes torn, his face covered with blood, hislast charge gone. There stood the Senator, his face blackened withsmoke and dust, and red with blood, his colossal form erect, and stillthe ponderous bar swung on high to fall as terribly as ever. Beforehim were eight men. Dick saw it all in an instant. He screamed to thepassengers in the diligence: "There are only eight left! Come! Help us take them prisoners! Haste!" The cowards in the diligence saw how things were. They plucked upcourage, and at the call of Dick jumped out. The leader of thebrigands was before Dick with uplifted rifle. Dick flung his pistolat his head. The brigand drew back and felled Dick senseless to theground. The next moment the Senator's arm descended, and, with hishead broken by the blow, the robber fell dead. As though the fall of Dick had given him fresh fury, the Senatorsprang after the others. Blow after blow fell. They were struck downhelplessly as they ran. At this moment the passengers, snatching upthe arms of the prostrate bandits, assaulted those who yet remained. They fled. The Senator pursued--long enough to give each one aparting blow hard enough to make him remember it for a month. Whenhe returned the passengers were gathering around the coach, withthe driver and postillions, who had thus far hidden themselves, andwere eagerly looking at the dead. "Off!" cried the Senator, in an awful voice--"Off; you white-liveredsneaks! Let me find my two boys!" CHAPTER XLVII. BAD BRUISES, BUT GOOD MUSES. --THE HONORABLE SCABS OF DICK. --AKNOWLEDGE OF BONES. The Senator searched long and anxiously among the fallen banditsfor those whom he affectionately called his "boys. " Dick was firstfound. He was senseless. The Senator carried him to the fire. He saw two ladies and agentleman standing there. Hurriedly he called on them and pointedto Dick. The gentleman raised his arms. They were bound tightly. Theladies also were secured in a similar manner. The Senator quickly cutthe cords from the gentleman, who in his turn snatched the knife andfreed the ladies, and then went to care for Dick. The Senator then ran back to seek for Buttons. The gentleman flung a quantity of dry brush on the fire, which atonce blazed up and threw a bright light over the scene. Meanwhilethe passengers were looking anxiously around as though they dreadeda new attack. Some of them had been wounded inside the coach andwere groaning and cursing. The Senator searched for a long time in vain. At last at the bottomof a heap of fallen brigands, whom the Senator had knocked over, hefound Buttons. His face and clothes were covered with blood, hisforehead was blackened as though by an explosion, his arm wasbroken and hung loosely as the Senator lifted him up. For a momenthe thought that it was all over with him. He carried him toward the fire. The appearance of the young manwas terrible. He beckoned to one of the ladies. The lady approached. One look at the young man and the next instant, with a heart-rendingmoan, she flung herself on her knees by his side. "The Spaniard!" said the Senator, recognizing her for the first time. "Ah! he'll be taken care of then. " There was a brook near by, and he hurried there for water. Therewas nothing to carry it in, so he took his beaver hat and filledit. Returning, he dashed it vigorously in Buttons's face. A faintsigh, a gasp, and the young man feebly opened his eyes. Intensepain forced a groan from him. In the hasty glance that he threwaround he saw the face of Ida Francia as she bent over him bathinghis brow, her face pale as death, her hand trembling, and her eyesfilled with tears. The sight seemed to alleviate his pain. A faintsmile crossed his lips. He half raised himself toward her. "I've found you at last, " he said, and that was all. At this abrupt address a burning flush passed over the face andneck of the young girl. She bent down her head. Her tears flowedfaster than ever. "Don't speak, " she said; "you are in too much pain. " She was right, for the next moment Buttons fell back exhausted. The Senator drew a flask from his pocket and motioned to the younggirl to give some to Buttons; and then, thinking that the attentionof the Señorita would be far better than his, he hurried away toDick. So well had he been treated by the Don (whom the reader has ofcourse already recognized) that he was now sitting up, leaningagainst the driver of the diligence, who was making amends for hiscowardice during the fight by kind attention to Dick after it wasover. "My dear boy, I saw you had no bones broken, " said the Senator, "and knew you were all right; so I devoted my first attention toButtons. How do you feel?" "Better, " said Dick, pressing the honest hand which the Senatorheld out. "Better; but how is Buttons?" "Recovering. But he is terribly bruised, and his arm is broken. " "His arm broken! Poor Buttons, what'll he do?" "Well, my boy, I'll try what _I_ can do. I've set an arm before now. In our region a necessary part of a good education was settin'bones. " Dick was wounded in several places. Leaving the Don to attend to himthe Senator took his knife and hurriedly made some splints. Thengetting his valise, he tore up two or three of his shirts. Armedwith these he returned to Buttons. The Señorita saw the preparations, and, weeping bitterly, she retired. "Your arm is broken, my poor lad, " said the Senator. "Will you letme fix it for you? I can do it. " "Can you? Oh, then, I am all right! I was afraid I would have towait till I got to Bologna. " "It would be a pretty bad arm by the time you got there, I guess, "said the Senator. "But come--no time must be lost. " His simple preparations were soon made. Buttons saw that he knew whathe was about. A few moments of excessive pain, which forcedill-suppressed moans from the sufferer, and the work was done. After taking a sip from the flask both Buttons and Dick felt verymuch stronger. On questioning the driver they found that Bolognawas not more than twenty miles away. The passengers were busilyengaged in removing the barricade. It was decided that an immediatedeparture was absolutely necessary. At the suggestion of Dick, thedriver, postillions, and passengers armed themselves with guns ofthe fallen brigands. The severest wound which Dick had was on his head, which had beenalmost laid open by a terrific blow from the gun of the robber chief. He had also wounds on different parts of his body. Buttons had more. These the Senator bound up with such skill that he declared himselfready to resume his journey. Upon this the Don insisted on takinghim into his own carriage. Buttons did not refuse. At length they all started, the diligence ahead, the Don following. On the way the Don told Buttons how he had fared on the road. He hadleft Florence in a hired carriage the day before the diligence hadleft. He had heard nothing of the dangers of the road, and suspectednothing. Shortly after entering the mountain district they had beenstopped and robbed of all their money. Still he kept on, thinkingthat there was no further danger. To his horror they were stoppedagain at the bridge, where the brigands, vexed at not getting anymoney, took all their baggage and let them go. They went onfearfully, every moment dreading some new misadventure. At lengththeir worst fears were realized. At the place where the fight hadoccurred they were stopped and dragged from their carriage. Thebrigands were savage at not getting any plunder, and swore theywould hold them prisoners till they procured a ransom, which theyfixed at three thousand piastres. This was about four in theafternoon. They overturned the coach, kindled a fire, and waitedfor the diligence. They knew the rest. Buttons, seated next to Ida Francia, forgot his sufferings. Meanwhile Dick and the Senator resumed their old seats on thebanquette. After a while the Senator relapsed into a fit of musing, and Dick fell asleep. Morning dawned and found them on the plain once more, only a fewmiles from Bologna. Far ahead they saw the lofty Leaning Tower thatforms so conspicuous an object in the fine old city. Dick awaked, and on looking at the Senator was shocked to see him very pale, with an expression of pain. He hurriedly asked the cause. "Why the fact is, after the excitement of fightin' and slaughterin'and seein' to you chaps was over I found that I was covered withwounds. One of my fingers is broken. I have three bullet wounds inmy left arm, one in my right, a stab of a dirk in my right thigh, and a terrible bruise on my left knee. I think that some fellowmust have passed a dagger through my left foot, for there is a cutin the leather, my shoe is full of blood and it hurts dreadful. It'smy opinion that the Dodge Club will be laid up in Bologny for afortnight. --Hallo!" The Senator had heard a cry behind, and looked out. Somethingstartled him. Dick looked also. The Don's carriage was in confusion. The two Señoritas werestanding up in the carriage wringing their hands. The Don wassupporting Buttons in his arms. He had fainted a second time. CHAPTER XLVIII. SUFFERING AND SENTIMENT AT BOLOGNA. --MOONSHINE. --BEST BALM FOR WOUNDS. They all put up at the same hotel. Buttons was carried in senseless, and it was long before he revived. The Senator and Dick were quiteexhausted--stiff with fatigue, stiff with wounds. There was one thing, however, which made their present situation moreendurable. The war in Lombardy made farther progress impossible. Theycould not be permitted to pass the borders into Venetia. Even if theyhad been perfectly well they would have been compelled to wait therefor a time. The city was in a ferment. The delight which the citizens felt attheir new-found freedom was mingled with a dash of anxiety about theresult of the war. For, in spite of Solferino, it was probable thatthe tide of victory would be hurled back from the Quadrilateral. Still they kept up their spirits; and the joy of their hearts foundvent in songs, music, processions. Roman candles, _Te Deums_, sky-rockets, volleys of cannon, masses, public meetings, patrioticsongs, speeches, tri-colors, and Italian versions of "TheMarseillaise. " In a short time the Senator was almost as well as ever. Not so Dick. After struggling heroically for the first day against his pain hesuccumbed, and on the morning of the second was unable to leave hisbed. The Senator would not leave him. The kind attention which he hadonce before shown in Rome was now repeated. He spent nearly all histime in Dick's room, talking to him when he was awake, and lookingat him when asleep. Dick was touched to the heart. [Illustration: Used Up. ] The Senator thought that, without exception, Bologna was the bestItalian city that he had seen. It had a solid look. The peoplewere not such everlasting fools as the Neapolitans, the Romans, and the Florentines, who thought that the highest end of life wasto make pictures and listen to music. They devoted their energiesto an article of nourishment which was calculated to benefit theworld. He alluded to the famous _Bologna Sausage_, and he put itto Dick seriously, whether the manufacture of a sausage which wasso eminently adapted to sustain life was not a far nobler thingthan the production of useless pictures for the pampered tastesof a bloated aristocracy. Meanwhile Buttons fared differently. If he had been more afflictedhe was now more blessed. The Don seemed to think that the sufferingsof Buttons were caused by himself, or, at any rate, by the eagernessof the young man to come to the assistance of his sisters. He feltgrateful accordingly, and spared no pain to give him assistance andrelief. He procured the best medical advice in the city. Forseveral days the poor fellow lay in a very dangerous condition, hovering between life and death. His wounds were numerous and severe, and the excitement afterward, with the fatigue of the ride, had madehis situation worse. But a strong constitution was on his side, andhe at length was able to leave his bed and his room. He was as pale as death, and woefully emaciated. But the society ofthe ladies acted like a charm upon him; and from the moment when heleft his room his strength came back rapidly. He would have liked it still better if he had been able to see theyounger sister alone; but that was impossible, for the sisters wereinseparable. One evening, however, the Don offered to take them tothe cathedral to see some ceremony. Ida declined, but the othereagerly accepted. So Buttons for the first time in his life found himself alone withthe maid of his heart. It was a solemn season. Both were much embarrassed. Buttons looked as though he hadsomething dreadful to tell; the Señorita as though she hadsomething dreadful to hear. At length Buttons began to tell thestory of his many searches, pursuits, wanderings, etc. , in search ofher, and particularly his last search at Florence, in which he hadgrown disheartened, and had made up his mind to follow her to Spain. At last he came to the time when he caught up to them on the road. He had seen them first. His heart told him that one of the ladieswas Ida. Then he had lost all control of himself, and had leapeddown to rescue her. The Spanish nature is an impetuous, a demonstrative, a fierynature. The Señorita was a Spaniard. As Buttons told all this inpassionate words, to which his ardent love gave resistless eloquence, her whole manner showed that her heart responded. An uncontrollableexcitement filled her being; her large, lustrous eyes, bright withthe glow of the South, now beamed more luminously through her tears, and--in short: Buttons felt encouraged--and ventured nearer--and, almost before he knew it himself, somehow or other, his arm had gotround a slender waist! While the Señorita trembled--timidly drew back--and then all wasstill!--except, of course, whisperings--and broken sentences--andsoft, sweet...... Well, all these were brought to an abrupt close bythe return of the Don and his sister. As they entered the room they saw Buttons at one end, and theSeñorita at the other. The moonbeams stole in softly through thewindow. "Why did you not call for a light?" "Oh, it is so pleasant in the moonshine!" At the end of a few weeks there came the great, the unlooked-for, the unhoped-for news--the Peace of Villafranca! So war was over. Moreover, the road was open. They could go wherever they wished. Buttons was now strong enough to travel. Dick and the Senatorwere as well as ever. The news of the Peace was delightful tothe travellers. Not so, however, to the Bolognese. They railed at Napoleon. Theyforgot all that he had done, and taunted him with what he hadneglected to do. They insulted him. They made caricatures ofhim. They spread scandalous reports about him. Such is the way ofthe world. CHAPTER XLIX. CROSSING INTO THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY. --CONSTERNATION OF THE CUSTOM-HOUSEOFFICERS. The journey was a pleasant one. The Spaniards were an agreeableaddition to the party in the estimation of others than Buttons. The Senator devoted himself particularly to the elder sister. Indeed, his acquaintance with _La Cica_, as he afterward confessed, had givenhim a taste for foreign ladies. He carried on little conversationswith the Señorita in broken English. The Señorita's English waspretty, but not very idiomatic. The Senator imitated her Englishremarkably well, and no doubt did it out of compliment. He alsoastonished the company by speaking at the very top of a voice whoseordinary tone was far stronger than common. [Illustration: Buttons In Bliss. ] The journey from Bologna to Ferrara was not diversified by anyincident. Buttons was rapidly regaining his gayety and his strength. He wore his arm in a sling, it is true, but thought it better to havea broken arm with the Señorita than a sound one without her. It mustbe confessed, however, that his happiness was visible not so much inlively conversation as in his flushed cheek, glistening eye, andgeneral air of ecstasy. Moreover, Ida could not speak English much--aconversation in that language was difficult, and they would not beso rude to the Senator as to talk Spanish in his presence. Theconsequence was that the conversation flagged, and the Senator was byfar the most talkative member of the company, and laid out all hisstrength in broken English. Ferrara was reached at last, and they put up at a hotel which boastedof having entertained in its day any quantity of kings, emperors, andnobles of every European nation. It is an astonishing town. Vastsquares, all desolate; great cathedrals, empty; proud palaces, neglected and ruinous; broad streets, grass-grown and empty; longrows of houses, without inhabitants; it presents the spectacle of acity dying without hope of recovery. The Senator walked through everystreet in Ferrara, looked carelessly at Tasso's dungeon, and seemed tofeel relieved when they left the city. On arriving at the Po. Which forms the boundary between this districtand Venetia, they underwent some examination from the authorities, but crossed without accident. But on the other side they found theAustrian officials far more particular. They asked a multiplicity ofquestions, opened every trunk, scanned the passports, and detainedthem long. The ladies were annoyed in a similar manner, and a numberof Roman and Neapolitan trinkets which had passed the Italian_doganas_ were now taken from them. Dick had a valise, both compartments of which were strapped downcarefully. Under a cairn exterior he concealed a throbbing heart, forin that valise was the Doctor's pistol, upon which he relied inanticipation of future dangers. The officials opened the valise. Itwas apparently a puzzle to them. They found but little clothing. Onthe contrary, a very extensive assortment of articles wrapped inpaper and labelled very neatly. These they opened one by one in thefirst compartment, and found the following: 1, Six collars; 2, a brick; 3, lump of lime; 4, pebbles; 5, plaster;6, ashes; 7, paper; 8, another brick; 9, a chip; 10, more plaster; 11, more ashes; 13, an ink bottle; 13, three pair stockings; 14, moreashes; 15, more ashes; 16, a neck-tie; 17, a bit of wood; 18, vial;19, some grass; 20, bone; 21, rag; 22, stone; 23, another stone: 24, some more grass; 25, more pebbles; 26, more bones; 27, pot ofblacking; 28, slippers; 29, more stones; 30, more stones. The officials started up with an oath apiece. Their heavy German facesconfronted Dick with wrath and indignation, and every separate hair oftheir warlike mustaches stood out. However, they swallowed their rage, and turned to the others. Dick drew a long breath of relief. Thepistol was safe. It had been taken apart and each piece wrapped inpaper and labelled. Had he carried it about with him it would havebeen taken. The Senator thought it was better to have three battles with brigandsthan one encounter with custom-house officials. He had a little storeof specimens of Italian manufactures, which were all taken from him. One thing struck him forcibly, and that was the general superiorityof the Austrian over the Roman side. There was more thrift neatness, and apparent prosperity. Hissentiments on this subject were embodied in a letter home, which hewrote from Padua on a dreary evening which they spent there beforestarting for Venice: "If this part of Italy is oppressed by Austria, then all I can sayis, that the pressure has squeezed an immense amount of vegetationout of the soil. Passing from the Roman territories into theAustrian is like going from darkness into light, or from Canada intothe United States. What kind of people are they who do better underforeign rule than Native? In my opinion, the territories of thePope are worse than those of other rulers in Italy. A Spanish friendof mine tells me that it is because the thoughts of the Pope'ssubjects are set not on things below, but on things on high. He tellsme that we've got to choose between two masters--Christianity on theone hand, and Mammon on the other. Whoever chooses the latter will bedestitute of the former. He gives as examples of this France, England, and America, which countries, though possessed of the highest materialblessings, are yet a prey to crime, scepticism, doubt, infidelity, heresy, false doctrine, and all manner of similar evils. Thosenations which prefer religion to worldly prosperity present adifferent scene; and he points to Spain and Italy--poor in thisworld's goods, but rich in faith--the only evils which afflict thembeing the neighborhood of unbelieving nations. " CHAPTER L. VENICE AND ITS PECULIAR GLORY. --THE DODGE CLUB COME TO GRIEF AT LAST. --UP A TREE. --IN A NET, ETC. Few sensations are so singular as that which the travellerexperiences on his first approach to Venice. The railway passesfor miles through swamps, pools, ponds, and broken mud banks, tillat length, bursting away altogether from the shore, it pushesdirectly out into the sea. Away goes the train of cars over the longviaduct, and the traveller within can scarcely understand thesituation. The firm and even roll and the thunder of the wheels tellof solid ground beneath; but outside of the windows on either sidethere is nothing but a wide expanse of sea. At length the city is reached. The train stops, and the passengersteps out into the station-house. But what a station-house! and whata city! There is the usual shouting from carriers and cabmen, butnone of that deep roar of a large city which in every other placedrones heavily into the traveller's ear. Going out to what he thinks is a street, the traveller finds merelya canal. Where are the carriages, cabs, caliches, hand-carts, barouches, pony-carriages, carryalls, wagons, hansoms, hackneys, wheelbarrows, broughams, dog-carts, buggies? Where are the horses, mares, dogs, pigs, ponies, oxen, cows, cats, colts, calves, andlivestock generally? Nowhere. There's not a wheeled carriage in the place. It may bedoubted if there is a dog. There certainly is not a cow. The peopleuse goats' milk. The horse is as unknown as the pterodactyl, icthyosaurus, dodo, iguanodon, mastodon, great awk. How do they goabout? Where are the conveniences for moving to and fro? Then, at the platform of the station, a score or two of lightgondolas await you. The gondolier is the cabman. He waits for you, with his hand toward you, and the true "Keb, Sir!" tone and smile. A double-sized gondola is here called an "omnibus, " and the name ispainted on the side in huge letters. And these are the substitutesfor wheeled vehicles. [Illustration: Dick's Luggage. ] Now after entering one of these you go along smoothly andnoiselessly. The first thing one notices in Venice is the absence ofnoise. As the boat goes along the only sound that is heard is thesharp cry from the boatman as he approaches a corner. At first thenovelty interests the mind, afterward it affects the spirits. Inthree days most people leave the city in a kind of panic. Thestillness is awful. A longer stay would reduce one to a state ofmelancholy madness. A few poets, however, have been able to endure, and even to love, the sepulchral stillness of the city. But toappreciate Venice one must be strongly poetical. There are many things to be seen. First of all there is the cityitself, one grand curiosity, unique, with nothing on earth thatbears a distant approach to it. Its canals, gondolas, antiquemonuments, Byzantine architecture, bridges, mystery: its prettywomen with black lace veils, the true glory of Venice--thoughMurray says nothing about them. For Murray, in what was meant to be an exhaustive description ofVenice, has omitted all mention of that which makes it what it is. Whereas if it had been Homer instead of Murray he would have rolledout the following epithets: [Transcriber's Note: Greektransliteration] euplokamoi, apalai, choroetheis, eukomoi, rodopechees, erateinai, kalliplokamoi, elkechitones, kuanopides, imeroessai, bathukolpoi, ligumolpoi: k. T. L. [/end Greek] The travellers visited the whole round of sights. They remained incompany and went about in the same gondola. The Senator admired whathe saw as much as any of them, though it appeared to be out of hisparticular line. It was not the Cathedral of St. Mark's, however, northe Doge's Palace, nor the Court of the Inquisition, nor the Bridgeof Sighs, nor the Rialto, that interested him, but rather thespectacle of all these magnificent edifices around him, with allthe massive masonry of a vast city, built up laboriously on theuncertain sand. He admired the Venetians who had done this. To suchmen, he thought, the commerce of the world might well have belonged. In discussing the causes of the decline of Venice he summed up thesubject in a few words, and in the clearest possible manner. "These Venetians, when they set up shop, were in the principal streetof the world--the Mediterranean. They had the best stand in thestreet. They did work up their business uncommon well now, and nomistake. They made money hand over fist, and whatever advantagecould be given by energy, capital, and a good location, they got. But the currents of traffic change in the world just as they do ina city. After a while it passed in another direction. Venice wasthrown out altogether. She had no more chance than a New York shopwould have after the business that it lived on had gone into anotherstreet. Hence, " said the Senator--he always said "hence" when he wascoming to a triumphant conclusion--"hence the downfall of Venice. " On arriving at their hotel a little circumstance occurred which madethem look at Venice from a new and startling point of view. On goingto their rooms after dinner they were followed by a file of Austriansoldiers. They wanted to see the passports. They requested this in athick guttural tone, which made the Americans feel quite nervous. Theyshowed the passports nevertheless. On looking over them the Austrian soldiers arrested them. They wereinformed that if they went peaceably they would be well treated, butif they made any resistance they would all be bound. The Americans remonstrated. No use. A thousand conjectures were madeas to the cause of their arrest, but they were completely baffled. Before they could arrive at any conclusion they had arrived at theplace of their destination, to which they had, of course, been takenin a gondola. It was too dark to distinguish the place, but it lookedlike a large and gloomy edifice. The soldiers took them to a room, where they locked them all in together. It was a comfortableapartment, with another larger one opening from it, in which weretwo beds and two couches. Evidently they were not neglected. [Illustration: Arrested. ] After waiting for half the night in a kind of fever they retired torest. They slept but little. They rose early, and at about seveno'clock breakfast was brought in to them, with a guard of soldiersfollowing the waiters. After breakfast they were visited again. This time it was a legalgentleman. They did not know who he was, but he gave them tounderstand that he was a person high in authority. He questionedthem very closely as to their business in Venice, but did hisquestioning in a courteous manner. After about an hour he left. Lunch was brought in at one o'clock. Their feelings at being treatedin this mysterious manner can be imagined. Such neglect of the rightsof man--such trifling with his time and patience--such utter disregardof _habeas corpus_, awaked indignation which words could not express. Positively they were treated like dumb cattle; locked up, fed, deprived of liberty and fresh air; no communication with friendsoutside; and, worst of all, no idea in the world of the cause of theirimprisonment. They came to the conclusion that they were mistaken forsome other parties--for some _Cacciatori degli Alpi_; and Buttonsinsisted that the Senator was supposed to be Garibaldi himself. Inthese troublous times any idea, however absurd, might be acted upon. At about three in the afternoon the door was thrown open, and a fileof soldiers appeared. An officer approached and requested theprisoners to follow. They did so. They passed along many halls, and atlength came to a large room. A long table extended nearly from oneend to another. Soldiers were arranged down the sides of theapartment. At the head of the table sat an elderly man, with a stern face, ferocious mustache, sharp eye, bushy gray eyebrows, and universal airof Mars. His uniform showed him to be a General. By his side wastheir visitor of the morning. Officials sat at the table. "_Silence_!" [Illustration: Silence!] CHAPTER LI. THE AMERICAN EAGLE AND THE AUSTRIAN DOUBLE-HEADED DITTO. At the command of the Austrian General every body became still. Thereupon he motioned to the prisoners to stand at the bottom ofthe table. They did so. The General took a long stare at theprisoners, particularly at the Senator. They bore it steadily. As for the Senator, he regarded the other with an expression whichwould have done honor to the Austrian General's own father. "Who are you?" The General spoke in German. The legal gentleman, at his sideinstantly interpreted it into English. "Americans. " "Ah! dangerous characters--dangerous characters! What is yourbusiness?" "Travellers. " "Travellers? Ah! But what are your occupations in America?" "Our passports tell. " "Your passports say--'Gentlemen. '" "Well, we _are_ gentlemen. " The Austrian looked blank. After a while he resumed; and as hedirected his glance to the Senator the latter made all the replies, while the Interpreter served as a medium of communication. "How long have you been in Italy?" "Two or three months. " "You came here just about the commencement of these difficulties?" "Yes--the beginning of the war. " "Where did you land?" "At Naples. " "Naples? Ha! hm! Where did you go next?" "To Rome. We stayed there a few weeks and then went to Florence;from Florence to Bologna, and thence through Ferrara and Padua toVenice. " "You went to Florence! How long ago did you leave?" "About a month ago. " "A month! Ah, hm!" And the General exchanged glances with the legal gentleman at hisside. "What were you doing in Florence?" "Seeing the city. " "Did you place yourselves in connection with the Revolutionists?" "No. " "Did you have any thing to do with the emissaries of Garibaldi?" "Nothing. " "Take care how you deny. " "We say we know nothing at all either of the Revolutionists orImperialists or Garibaldians or any other party. We are merelytravellers. " "Hm--a strong disavowment, " said the General to himself. "You havenever in any way countenanced the rebels. "' "No. " "Think before you speak. " "We are free Americans. Perhaps you know that the citizens of thatcountry say what they think and do what they like. We have gone onthat rule in Italy. What I say is, that we do not know any thingabout rebels or any political parties in the country. " "Do you know _La Cica_?" asked the General, with the air of a manwho was putting a home-thrust, and speaking with uncommonfierceness. "I do, " said the Senator, mildly. "You know her well? You are one of her intimate friends?" "Am I?" "Are you not?" "I am friendly with her. She is an estimable woman, with muchfeeling and penetration"--and a fond regret exhibited itself inthe face of the speaker. "Well, Sir, you may as well confess. We know you, Sir. We know you. You are one of the chosen associates of that infamous Garibaldianplotter and assassin, whose hotel is the hot-bed of conspiracy andrevolution. We know you. Do you dare to come here and deny it?" "I did not come here; I was brought. I do not deny that you know me, though I haven't the pleasure of knowing you. But I do deny that Iam the associate of conspirators. " "Are you not the American whom _La Cica_ so particularly distinguishedwith her favor?" "I have reason to believe that she was partial to me--somewhat. " "He confesses!" said the General. "You came from her to this place, communicating on the way with her emissaries. " "I communicated on the way with none but brigands among the mountains. If they were her emissaries I wish her joy of them. My means ofcommunication, " said the Senator, while a grim smile passed over hisface, "was an iron crow-bar, and my remarks left some deep impressionon them, I do believe. " "Tell me now--and tell me truly, " said the General after a pause, in which he seemed trying to make out whether the Senator was jokingor not. "To whom are you sent in this city?" "To no one. " "Sir! I warn you that I will not be trifled with. " "I tell you, " said the Senator, with no apparent excitement, "I tellyou that I have come here to no one. What more can I say?" "You must confess. " "I have nothing to confess. " "Sir! you have much to confess, " cried the General, angrily, "and Iswear to you I will wring it out of you. Beware how you trifle withmy patience. If you wish to regain your liberty confess at once, and you may escape your just punishment. But if you refuse, then, by the immortal gods, I'll shut you up in a dungeon for ten years!" "You will do no such thing. " "What!" roared the General. "Won't I?" "You will not. On the contrary, you will have to make apologies forthese insults. " "I!--Apologies! Insults!" The General gnawed his mustache, and his eyes blazed in fury. "You have arrested us on a false charge, based on some slanderousor stupid information of some of your infernal spies, " said theSenator. "What right have you to pry into the private affairs ofan American traveller? We have nothing to do with you. " "You are associated with conspirators. You are charged withtreasonable correspondence with rebels. You countenanced revolutionin Florence. You openly took part with Republicans. You are anotorious friend of _La Cica_. And you came here with the intentionof fomenting treason in Venice!" "Whoever told you that, " replied the Senator, "told infernal lies--mostinfernal lies. I am no emissary of any party. I am a privatetraveller. " "Sir, we have correspondents in Florence on whom we can rely betterthan on you. They watched you. " "Then the best thing you can do is to dismiss those correspondentsand get rogues who have half an idea. " "Sir, I tell you that they watched you well. You had better confessall. Your antecedents in Florence are known. You are in a positionof imminent danger. I tell you--_beware_. " The General said this in an awful voice, which was meant to striketerror into the soul of his captive. The Senator looked back intohis eyes with an expression of calm scorn. His form seemed to growlarger, and his eyes dilated as he spoke: "Then you, General, I tell you--_beware_! Do you know who you've gothold of?--No conspirator; no infernal Italian bandit, or Dutch-maneither; but an American citizen. Your Government has already triedthe temper of Americans on one or two remarkable occasions. Don't tryit on a third time, and don't try it on with me. Since you want toknow who I am I'll tell you. I, Sir, am an American Senator. I takean active and prominent part in the government of that great andglorious country. I represent a constituency of several hundredthousand. You tell me to _beware_. I tell you--BEWARE! for, by theEternal! if you don't let me go, I swear to you that you'll have togive me up at the cannon's mouth. I swear to you if you don't letme off by evening I won't go at all till I am delivered up withhumble and ample apologies, both to us and to our country, whomyou have insulted in our persons. " "Sir, you are bold!" "Bold! Send for the American Consul of this city and see if hedon't corroborate this. But you had better make haste, for if yousubject me to further disgrace it will be the worse for yourGovernment, and particularly for _you_, my friend. You'll have thetown battered down about your ears. Don't get another nation downon you, and, above all, don't let that nation be the American. WhatI tell you is the solemn truth, and if you don't mind it you willknow it some day to your sorrow. " Whatever the cause may have been the company present, including eventhe General, were impressed by the Senator's words. The announcementof his dignity; the venerable title of Senator; the mention of his"constituency, " a word the more formidable from not being at allunderstood--all combined to fill them with respect and even awe. [Illustration: Don't Try It On With Me. ] So at his proposal to send for the American Consul the Generalgave orders to a messenger who went off at once in search of thatfunctionary. CHAPTER LII. THE SENATOR STILL ENGAGED IN FACING DOWN THE AUSTRIAN. --THE AMERICANCONSUL. --UNEXPECTED RE-APPEARANCE OF FORGOTTEN THINGS. --COLLAPSE OFTHE COURT. The American Consul soon made his appearance. Not having had anything to do for months, the prospect of business gave wings to hisfeet. Moreover, he felt a very natural desire to help a countrymanin trouble. Upon entering the hall he cast a rapid look around, andseemed surprised at so august a tribunal. For in the General's martialform he saw no less a person than the Austrian Commandant. The Consul bowed and then looked at the prisoners. As his eye fellupon the Senator it lighted up, and his face assumed an expression ofthe most friendly interest. Evidently a recognition. The AustrianCommandant addressed the Consul directly in German. "Do you know the prisoners?" "I know one of them. " "He is here under a very heavy accusation. I have well-substantiatedcharges by which he is implicated in treason and conspiracy. He hasbeen connected with Revolutionists of the worst stamp in Florence, and there is strong proof that he has come here to communicate withRevolutionists in this city. " "Who accuses him of this? Are they here?" "No, but they have written from Florence warning me of his journeyhere. " "Does the prisoner confess?" "Of course not. He denies. He requested me to send for you. Idon't want to be unjust, so if you have any thing to say, say on. " "These charges are impossible. " "Impossible?" "He is altogether a different man from what you suppose. He is aneminent member of the American Senate. Any charges made againstone like him will have to be well substantiated; and any injurydone to him will be dangerous in the highest degree. Unless youhave undeniable proofs of his guilt it will be best to free himat once--or else--" "Or else what?" "Or else there will be very grave complications. " The Commandant looked doubtful. The others impassive. Buttons andDick interested. The Senator calm. Again the Commandant turned tothe Senator, his remarks being interpreted as before. "How does it happen that you were so particularly intimate withall the Revolutionists in Florence, and an habitué of _La Cica_'ssalon? that your mission was well known throughout the city? Thatyou publicly acknowledged the Florentine rebellion in a speech?that the people carried you home in triumph? and that immediatelybefore leaving you received private instructions from _La Cica_?" "To your questions, " said the Senator, with unabated dignity, "Iwill reply in brief: _First_, I am a free and independent citizenof the great and glorious American Republic. If I associated withRevolutionists in Florence, I did so because I am accustomed tochoose my own society, and not to recognize any law or any masterthat can forbid my doing so. I deny, however, that I was in any wayconnected with plots, rebellions, or conspiracies. _Secondly_, I wasfriendly with the Countess because I considered her a most remarkablyfine woman, and because she showed a disposition to be friendly withme--a stranger in a strange land. _Thirdly_, I have no mission ofany kind whatever. I am a traveller for self-improvement. I have nobusiness political or commercial. So that my mission could not havebeen known. If people talked about me they talked nonsense. _Fourthly_, I confess I made a speech, but what of that? It's notthe first time, by a long chalk. I don't know what you mean by'acknowledging. ' As a private citizen I congratulated them on theirsuccess, and would do so again. If a crowd calls on me for a speech, I'm thar! The people of Florence dragged me home in a carriage. Well, I don't know why they did so. I can't help it if people will takepossession of me and pull me about. _Fifthly_, and lastly, I had aninterview with the Countess, had I? Well, is it wrong for a man tobid good-bye to a friend? I ask you, what upon earth do you mean bysuch a charge as that? Do you take me for a puling infant?" "On that occasion, " said the Commandant, "she taught you somemysterious words which were to be repeated among the Revolutionistshere. " "Never did any thing of the kind. That's a complete full-blownfiction. " "I have the very words. " "That's impossible. You've got hold of the wrong man I see. " "I will have them read, " said the General, solemnly. And he beckoned to the Interpreter. Whereupon the Interpretergravely took out a formidable roll of papers from his breast, andopened it. Every gesture was made as though his hand was heavy withthe weight of crushing proof. At last a paper was produced. The Interpreter took one look at the prisoner, then glancedtriumphantly at the Consul, and said: "It is a mysterious language with no apparent meaning, nor have Ibeen able to find the key to it in any way. It is very skillfullymade, for all the usual tests of cipher writing fail in this. Theperson who procured it did not get near enough till the latter partof the interview, so that he gained no explanation whatever from theconversation. " "Read, " said the Commandant. The Senator waited, wonderingly. TheInterpreter read: "_Ma ouillina sola ouda ste ensoce fremas dis ansit ansin assalef aoue lu affa lastinna belis_. " Scarcely had the first words been uttered in the Italian voice ofthe reader than the Senator started as though a shot had struck him. His face flushed. Finally a broad grin spread itself over hiscountenance, and down his neck, and over his chest, and over hisform, and into his boots, till at last his whole colossal frameshook with an earthquake of laughter. The Commandant stared and looked uneasy, All looked at the Senator--all with amazement--the General, the Interpreter, the Officials, the Guards, Buttons, Dick, and the American Consul. "Oh dear! Oh _de-ar_! Oh DEEE-AR!" cried the Senator, in theintervals of his outrageous peals of laughter. "OH!" and a new pealfollowed. What did all this mean? Was he crazy? Had misfortunes turned hisbrain? But at last the Senator, who was always remarkable for hisself-control, recovered himself. He asked the Commandant if he mightbe permitted to explain. "Certainly, " said the Commandant, dolefully. He was afraid thatthe thing would take a ridiculous turn, and nothing is so terribleas that to an Austrian official. "Will you allow me to look at the paper?" asked the Senator. "I willnot injure it at all. " The Interpreter politely carried it to him as the Commandant nodded. The Senator beckoned to the Consul. They then walked up to theCommandant. All four looked at the paper. "You see, gentlemen, " said the Senator, drawing a lead pencil fromhis pocket, "the Florence correspondent has been too sharp. I canexplain all this at once. I was with the Countess, and we gottalking of poetry. Now, I don't know any more about poetry than ahorse. " "Well?" "Well, she insisted on my making a quotation. I had to give in. The only one I could think of was a line or two from Watts. " "_Watts_? Ah! I don't know him, " said the Interpreter. "He was a minister--a parson. " "Ah!" "So I said it to her, and she repeated it. These friends of yours, General, have taken it down, but their spellin' is a littleunusual, " said the Senator, with a tremendous grin that threateneda new outburst. "Look. Here is the true-key which this gentleman tried so hard tofind. " And taking his pencil the Senator wrote under the strange wordsthe true meaning: "My willing soul would stay In such a frame as this, And sit and sing herself away To everlasting bliss. " The Interpreter saw it all. He looked profoundly foolish. The wholething was clear. The Senator's innocence was plain. He turned toexplain to the Commandant. The Consul's face exhibited a varietyof expressions, over which a broad grimace finally predominated, like sunshine over an April sky. In a few words the whole was madeplain to the Commandant. He looked annoyed, glared angrily at theInterpreter, tossed the papers on the floor, and rose to his feet. [Illustration: Watts Mis-spelled. ] "Give these gentlemen our apologies, " said he to the Interpreter. "In times of trouble, when States have to be held subject tomartial law, proceedings are abrupt. Their own good sense will, Itrust, enable them to appreciate the difficulty of our position. They are at liberty. " At liberty! No sooner were the words spoken than the prisonersbowed and left, in company with the Consul, who eagerly shookhands with all three--particularly the Senator, who, as they wereleaving, was heard to whisper something in which these words wereaudible: "Wa'al, old hoss! The American eagle showed it claws, anyhow. " CHAPTER LIII. A MYSTERIOUS FLIGHT. --DESPAIR OF BUTTONS. --PURSUIT. --HISTORIC GROUND, AND HISTORIC CITIES. It was about seven o'clock in the evening when they reached theirhotel. Every thing was as they had left it. Some trifles hadoccurred, such as a general overhaul of the baggage, in which theDoctor's pistol had again miraculously escaped seizure. Buttonswent immediately to call on the Spaniards, but their apartment wasclosed. Supposing that they were out about the town, he returned tohis friends. During their memorable captivity they had eaten but little, andnow nothing was more welcome than a dinner. So they ordered the verybest that the hotel could supply, and made the American Consul stay. Buttons did not give himself up so completely as the rest to thehilarity of the occasion. Something was on his mind. So he tookadvantage of a conversation in which the Senator was giving theConsul an animated description of the fight with the brigands, andthe pluck of his two "boys, " and stole out of the room. Whereupon theSenator stopped and remarked-- "Hang these fellows that are in love!" "Certainly, " said Dick. "They often hang themselves, or feel likeit. " "Of course Buttons is on his usual errand. " "Of course. " "It seems to me that his foreign travel has become nothing but onelong chase after that gal. He is certainly most uncommon devoted. " Scarce had these words been spoken when the door was flung open, andButtons made his appearance, much agitated. "What's the matter?" cried Dick. "The Spaniards!" "Well?" "They'reoff!" "Off?" "Gone!" "Where?" "Away from Venice. " "When?" "I don'tknow. " "Why?" "I don't know. " "What sent them? It looks as though they were running away fromyou on purpose. " "They're off, at any rate!" cried Buttons. "I went to their room. It was open. The servants were fixing it up. I asked why. They saidthe Spaniards had left Venice early this morning. They did not knowany thing more. " "Strange!" "Strange, of course. It's so sudden. Their plans were laid out fora week in Venice. " "Perhaps they were frightened at our adventure. " Buttons sprung to the bell and pulled it vigorously. Then he rushedto the door and flung it open. Five or six waiters came tumbling in. They had all been listening at the key-hole. "Where's the chief waiter?" "Here, " said that functionary, approaching. "Come here. You may retire, " said Buttons to the others. They wentout reluctantly. "Now, my friend, " said he, putting some piastres in the hand of thechief waiter. "Think, and answer me right. Where are the Spaniards--a gentleman and two ladies--who came here with us?" "They have left the city. " "When?" "At six this morning, by the first train. " "Why did they leave?" "A hint came from the Commandant. " "From him. Ah! What about?" "Why--you know--your Excellencies were to waited on by adeputation. " "We were arrested. Well?" "Well, these Spaniards were friends yours. " "Yes. " "That connection made them suspected. " "Diavolo!" "Such is the melancholy fact. There was no cause strong enough tolead to their arrest. It would have been inconvenient. So theCommandant sent a message, immediately after your Excellency'slamentable arrest, to warn them--" "What of?" "That they had better leave the country at once. " "Yes, but that didn't force them to go. " "Ah, Signore! Do you not know what such a warning is? There is norefusal. " "And so they left. " "At six by the train. " "Where to?" "Signore, they had their passports made out for Milan. " "Milan!" "Certainly. It was necessary for them not only to leave Venice, butVenetia. " "Very well. When does the next train leave?" "Not till to-morrow morning at six. " "You must call us then at five, for we are going. Here, take ourpassports and get them viséd;" and having explained matters to theSenator, Buttons found no need of persuasion to induce them to quitthe city, so the passports were handed over to the waiter. So at six the next morning they went flying over the sea, over thelagoons, over the marshes, over the plains, away toward Lombardy. [Illustration: Formalities. ] They had to stop for a while at Verona, waiting to comply with "someformalities. " They had time to walk about the town and see the Romanruins and the fortifications. Of all these much might be said, if itwere not to be found already in Guide-books, Letters ofCorrespondents, Books of Travel, Gazetteers, and IllustratedNewspapers. Our travellers saw enough of the mighty military works, in a brief survey, to make them thoroughly comprehend the Peace ofVillafranca. In the neighborhood of Solferino they left the train toinspect the scene of battle. Only a month had passed since theterrific contest, and the traces remained visible on every side. Thepeasants had made two trenches of enormous size. In one of these thebodies of the Austrians had been buried, in the other those of theFrench and Italians. In one place there was a vast heap of arms, whichhad been gathered from off the field. There was no piece among themwhich was not bent or broken. All were of the best construction andlatest pattern, but had seen their day. Shattered trees, batteredwalls, crumbling houses, deep ruts in the earth, appeared on everyside to show where the battle had raged; yet already the grass, inits swift growth, had obliterated the chief marks of the tremendousconflict. At length they arrived at Milan. The city presented a most imposingappearance. Its natural situation, its magnificent works ofarchitecture, its stately arches and majestic avenues presented anappearance which was now heightened by the presence of victory. Itwas as though the entire population had given themselves up torejoicing. The evil spirit had been cast out, and the housethoroughly swept and garnished. The streets were filled with gaymultitudes; the avenues resounded with the thrilling strains of theMarseillaise, repeated everywhere; every window displayed theportrait of Napoleon, Victor Emanuel, or Garibaldi, and from everyhouse-top flaunted the tri-color. The heavy weight imposed by themilitary rule--the iron hand, the cruelty, the bands of spies, theinnumerable soldiers sent forth by Austria--had been lifted off, andin the first reaction of perfect liberty the whole population rushedinto the wildest demonstrations of joy and gayety. The churches wereall marked by the perpetual presence of the emblems of Holy Peace, and Heavenly Faith, and Immortal Hope. The sublime Cathedral, fromall its marble population of sculptured saints and from all itsthousands of pinnacles, sent up one constant song. Through thestreets marched soldiers--regular, irregular, horse, foot, anddragoons; cannon thundered at intervals through every day;volunteer militia companies sprang up like butterflies to flashtheir gay uniforms in the sun. It was not the season for theatres. _La Scala_ had opened for afew nights when Napoleon and Victor Emanuel where here, but hadclosed again. Not so the smaller theatres. Less dignified, theycould burst forth unrestrained. Especially the Day Theatres, placesformed somewhat on the ancient model, with open roofs. In these thespectators can smoke. Here the performance begins at five or sixand ends at dark. All the theatres on this season, day or night alike, burst forth into joy. The war was the universal subject. Cannon, fighting, soldiers, gunpowder, saltpetre, sulphur, fury, explosions, wounds, bombardments, grenadiers, artillery, drum, gun, trumpet, blunderbuss, and thunder! Just at that time the piece which washaving the greatest run was THE VICTORY Of SOLFERINO! Two theatres exhibited this piece with all the pomp and circumstanceof glorious war. Another put out in a pantomime "The Battle ofMalegnano!" Another, "The Fight at Magenta!" But perhaps the most popular of allwas "GARIBALDI IN VARESE, _od_ I CACCIATORI DEGLI ALPI!" CHAPTER LIV. DICK MEETS AN OLD FRIEND. --THE EMOTIONAL NATURE OF THE ITALIAN. --THE SENATOR OVERCOME AND DUMBFOUNDED. The day of their arrival at Milan was distinguished by a pleasingcircumstance. Buttons found the Spaniards, and was happy. And byanother circumstance, scarcely less pleasing, Dick found an oldacquaintance. On this wise: Finding himself in Milan he suddenly called to mind an old friendwith whom he had been intimate in Boston. He had been exiled fromItaly on account of his connection with the movements of 1848. Hehad fled to America, and had taken with him barely enough to liveon. For five years he had lived in Boston under the plain name of_Hugh Airey_. Then Dick met with him, and had been attracted by thepolished manners, melancholy air, and high spirit of theunfortunate exile. In the course of time their acquaintance ripenedinto intimate friendship. Dick introduced him to all his friends, and did all in his power to make his life pleasant. From him he hadlearned Italian, and under his guidance formed a wide and deepacquaintance with Italian literature. In 1858 Mr. Airey decided toreturn to Italy and live in Turin till the return of better days. Before leaving he confided to Dick the fact that he belonged to oneof the oldest families in Lombardy, and that he was the Count Ugo diGonfiloniere. The exile bade Dick and all his friends good-bye anddeparted. Since then Dick had heard from him but once. The Count washappy, and hopeful of a speedy return of better days for his country. His hopes had been realized, as the world knows. [Illustration: The Count Ugo. ] Dick had no difficulty in finding out where he lived, and went tocall on him. It was a magnificent palace. Throngs of servants werearound the entrance. Dick sent up his name, and was conducted by aservant to an ante-chamber. Scarcely had he finished a hastysurvey of the apartment when hurried footsteps were heard. He turned. The Count came rushing into the room, flushed and trembling, andwithout a word threw himself into Dick's arms, embraced him, andkissed him. It was a trying moment for Dick. Nothing is so frightfulto a man of the Anglo-Saxon race as to be hugged and kissed by a man. However, Dick, felt deeply touched at the emotion of his friend andhis grateful remembrance of himself. "This is a circumstance most unexpected!" cried the Count. "Why didyou not write and tell me that you were coming, my dearest friend? Idid not know that you were in Italy. But perhaps you wished to giveme a surprise?" And then the Count asked after all the friends inAmerica, for whom he still evinced the tenderest attachment. On being questioned he related his own subsequent adventures. Afterleaving America he went at once to Turin. Though proscribed inLombardy he was free in Piedmont. He managed to communicatesecretly with his relatives in Milan, and lived comfortably. Atlength he became aware of the great movement on foot which endedin the Italian war. He had thrown himself altogether in the goodcause, and, without being at all disheartened by his formermisfortunes, he embarked energetically in the current of events. Hewas at once recognized by the Sardinian Government as a powerfulrecruit, and appointed to an important military command. Finally warwas declared. The French came, the Count had taken a conspicuous partin the events of the war, had been present at every battle, and hadbeen promoted for his gallant conduct. Fortunately he had not oncebeen wounded. On the occupation of Milan by the Allies he hadregained all his rights, titles, privileges, and estates. He was ahappy man. His ten years of exile had given him a higher capacityfor enjoyment. He looked forward to a life of honor and usefulness. He had found joy harder to endure than grief; the reunion with allhis old friends and relations, the presence of all the familiarscenes of his native land had all well-nigh overcome him. Yet heassured Dick that no friend with whom he had met was more welcome tohis sight than he, and the joy that he felt at seeing him had onlybeen exceeded once in his life--that one time having been on theoccasion of the entrance of the Allies into Milan. And now that he was here, where was his luggage? Did he come withoutit? There was certainly only one place in the city where he couldstop. He must remain nowhere else but here. Dick modestly excusedhimself. He was scarcely prepared. He was travelling in company withfriends, and would hardly like to leave them. The Count lookedreproachfully at him. Did he hesitate about that? Why, his friendsalso must come. He would have no refusal. They all must come. Theywould be as welcome as himself. He would go with Dick to his hotelin person and bring his friends there. In a short time the Count and Dick had driven to the hotel, wherethe former pressed upon the Senator and Buttons an invitation tohis house. They were not allowed to refuse, but were taken away, and before they fairly understood the unexpected occurrence theywere all installed in magnificent apartments in the PalazzoGonfaloniere. Buttons's acquaintance with the language, literature, manners, and customs of Italy made him appreciate his advantages; thefriendship of the Count prevented Dick from feeling otherwise thanperfectly at home; and as for the Senator, if it had been possiblefor him to feel otherwise, his experience of high life at Florencewould have enabled him to bear himself serenely here. His completeself-possession, his unfaltering gaze, his calm countenance, werenever for a moment disturbed. The Count had been long enough in America to appreciate a man ofthe stamp of the Senator; he therefore from the very first treatedhim with marked respect, which was heightened when Dick told him ofthe Senator's achievements during the past few weeks. The brilliantsociety which surrounded the Count was quite different from thatwhich the Senator had found in Florence. The people were equallycultivated, but more serious. They had less excitability, but moredeep feeling. Milan, indeed, had borne her burden far differentlyfrom Florence. Both hated the foreigner; but the latter could be gay, and smiling, and trifling even under her chains; this the formercould never be. The thoughtful, earnest, and somewhat pensiveMilanese was more to the Senator's taste than the brilliant andgiddy Florentine. These, thought he, may well be a free people. Moreover, the Senator visited the Grand Cathedral, and ascended tothe summit. Arriving there his thoughts were not taken up by theinnumerable statues of snow-white marble, or the countless pinnaclesof exquisite sculpture that extended all around like a sacred forestfilled with saints and angels, but rather to the scene that laybeyond. There spread away a prospect which was superior in his eyes to anything that he had ever seen before, nor had it ever entered hismind to conceive such a matchless scene. The wide plains of Lombardy, green, glorious, golden with the richest and most inexhaustiblefertility; vast oceans of grain and rice, with islands of dark-greentrees that bore untold wealth of all manner of fruit; white villas, little hamlets, close-packed villages, dotted the wide expanse, withthe larger forms of many a populous town. He looked to the north andto the west. The plain spread away for many a league, till the purplemountains arose as a barrier, rising up till they touched theeverlasting ice. He looked to the east and south. There the plainsstretched away to the horizon in illimitable extent. "What a country! All cleared too! Every acre! And the villages! Why, there are thousands if there is one! Dear! dear! dear! How can Ihave the heart to blow about New England or Boston after that there!Buttons, why don't somebody tell about all this to the folks athome and stop their everlasting bragging? But"--after a longpause--"I'll do it! I'll do it!--this very night. I'll write about itto our paper!" CHAPTER LV. IN WHICH BUTTONS WRITES A LETTER; AND IN WHICH THE CLUB LOSES ANIMPORTANT MEMBER. --SMALL BY DEGREES AND BEAUTIFULLY LESS. But all things, however pleasant, must have an end, so theirstay in Milan soon approached its termination. Buttons and the Senator were both quite willing to leave. Thedeparture of the Spaniards had taken away the charm of Milan. Theyhad already returned to Spain, and had urged Buttons very stronglyto accompany them. It cost him a great struggle to decline, but hedid so from certain conscientious motives, and promised to do soafter going to Paris. So there was an agonizing separation, and allthat. At his room Buttons unbosomed himself to his friends. "I'll begin at the beginning, " said he, directing his remarks moreparticularly to the Senator. "My father is a rich man, though you may not think I live very muchlike a rich man's son. The fact is, he is dreadfully afraid that Iwill turn out a spendthrift. So he gave me only a moderate sum onwhich to travel on through Europe. So far I have succeeded verywell. Excuse my blushes while I make the sweet confession. TheSeñorita whom we all admire will, some of these days, I trust, exchange the musical name of Francia for the plainer one ofButtons. " The Senator smiled with mild and paternal approbation, and shookButtons by the hand. "It's all arranged, " continued Buttons, with sweet confusion. "Now, under the circumstances, you might think it natural that I should goback with them to Spain. " "I should certainly. Why don't you?" "For two reasons. The first is, I have barely enough tin left totake me to Paris. " At once both the Senator and Dick offered to make unlimited advances. Buttons made a deprecatory gesture. "I know well that I could look to you for any help in any way. Butthat is not the reason why I don't go to Spain. I have money enoughfor my wants if I don't go there. " "What is the real reason, then?" "Well, I thought that in an affair of this kind it would be just aswell to get the Governor's concurrence, and so I thought I'd drop aline to him. I've just got the letter written, and I'll put it inthe mail this evening. " "You have done right, my boy, " said the Senator, paternally. "Thereare many excellent reasons for getting your father's consent in anaffair like this. " "I don't mind reading you what I have written, " said Buttons, "ifyou care about hearing it. " "Oh, if you have no objection, we should like to hear very much, "said Dick. Whereupon Buttons, taking a letter from his pocket, read as follows: "DEAR FATHER, --I have endeavored to follow out your instructions andbe as economical as possible. "During my tour through Italy, have made the acquaintance of thesenior member of the house of Francia, in Cadiz, a gentleman withwhom you are acquainted. He was travelling with his two sisters. The younger one is very amiable. As I know you would like to see mesettled I have requested her hand in marriage. "As I wish to be married before my return I thought I would let youknow. Of course in allying myself to a member of so wealthy a familyI will need to do it in good style. Whatever you can send me willtherefore be quite acceptable. "Please reply immediately on receipt of this, addressing me at Parisas before. "And very much oblige E. BUTTONS. " "Well, " said the Senator, "that's a sensible letter. It's to thepoint. I'm glad to see that you are not so foolish as most lads inyour situation. Why should not a man talk as wisely about apartnership of this kind as of any other? I do declare that theserhapsodies, this highblown, high-flown, sentimental twaddle isnauseating. " "You see, Dick, " said Buttons, "I must write a letter which willhave weight with the old gentleman. He likes the terse businessstyle. I think that little hint about her fortune is well managedtoo. That's a great deal better than boring him with the state ofmy affections. Isn't it?" "There's nothing like adapting your style to the disposition ofthe person you address, " said Dick. "Well, " said the Senator, "you propose to start to-morrow, do you?" "Yes, " said Buttons. "I'm agreed then I was just beginning to get used up myself. I'm anactive man, and when I've squeezed all the juice out of a place Iwant to throw it away and go to another. What do you say, Dick? Youare silent. " "Well, to tell the truth, " said Dick, "I don't care about leavingjust yet. Gonfaloniere expects me to stay longer, and he would feelhurt if I hurried off, I am very sorry that you are both going. Itwould be capital if you could only wait here a month or so. " "A month!" cried Buttons. "I couldn't stand it another day. Willnothing induce you to come? What can we do without you?" "What can I do without you?" said Dick, with some emotion. "Well, Dick, " said the Senator, "I'm really pained. I feel somethinglike a sense of bereavement at the very idea. I thought, of course, we would keep together till our feet touched the sacred soil oncemore. But Heaven seems to have ordained it otherwise. I felt badwhen Figgs and the Doctor left us at Florence, but now I feel worseby a long chalk. Can't you manage to come along nohow?" "No, " said Dick. "I really can not. I really must stay. " "What! must!" "Yes, must!" The Senator sighed. CHAPTER LVI. THE FAITHFUL ONE!--DARTS, DISTRACTION, LOVE'S VOWS, OVERPOWERINGSCENE AT THE MEETING OF TWO FOND ONES. --COMPLETE BREAK-DOWN OF THEHISTORIAN. About a month after the departure of the Senator and Buttons fromMilan, Dick reappeared upon the scene at Rome, in front of thelittle church which had borne so prominent a part in his fortunes;true to his love, to his hopes, to his promises, with undiminishedardor and unabated resolution. He found the Padre Liguori there, who at once took him to his room in a building adjoining the church. "Welcome!" said he, in a tone of the deepest pleasure. "Welcome!It has been more than a passing fancy, then. " "It is the only real purpose of my life, I assure you. " "I must believe you, " said Liguori, pressing his hand once more. "And now, where is Pepita?" "She is in Rome. " "May I see her at once?" "How at once?" "Well, to-day. " "No, not to-day. Her brother wishes to see you first. I must go andlet them both know that you are here. But she is well and has beenso. " Dick looked relieved. After some conversation Liguori told Dick toreturn in an hour, and he could see the Count. After waiting mostimpatiently Dick came back again in an hour. On entering he foundLuigi. He was dressed as a gentleman this time. He was a stronglyknit, well-made man of about thirty, with strikingly handsome andaristocratic features. "Let me make my peace with you at once, " said he, with the utmostcourtesy. "You are a brave man, and must be generous. I have doneyou wrongs for which I shall never forgive myself, " and takingDick's outstretched hand, he pressed it heartily. "Say nothing about it, I beg, " said Dick; "you were justified inwhat you did, though you may have been a little hasty. " "Had I not been blinded by passion I would have been incapable ofsuch a piece of cowardice. But I have had much to endure, and Iwas always afraid about her. " With the utmost frankness the two men received each other'sexplanations, and the greatest cordiality arose at once. Dickinsisted on Luigi's taking dinner with him, and Luigi, laughinglydeclaring that it would be a sign of peace to eat bread and salttogether, went with Dick to his hotel. As they entered Dick's apartments Gonfaloniere was lounging nearthe window. He had accompanied Dick to Rome. He started at thesight of Luigi. "God in Heaven!" he cried, bounding to his feet. "Ugo!" exclaimed the other. "Luigi!" And the two men, in true Italian fashion, sprang into oneanother's arms. "And is my best friend, and oldest friend, the brother of yourbetrothed?" asked Gonfaloniere of Dick. But Dick only nodded. He was quite mystified by all this. Anexplanation, however, was soon made. The two had been educatedtogether, and had fought side by side in the great movements of'48, under Garibaldi, and in Lombardy. For full an hour these two friends asked one another a torrentof questions. Luigi asked Gonfaloniere about his exile in America;whereupon the other described that exile in glowing terms--how helanded in Boston, how Dick, then little more than a lad, becameacquainted with him, and how true a friend he had been in hismisery. The animated words of Gonfaloniere produced a strikingeffect. Luigi swore eternal friendship with Dick, and finallydeclared that he must come and see Pepita that very day. So, leaving Gonfaloniere with the promise of seeing him again, Luigi walked with Dick out to the place where he lived. Thereason why he had not wanted him to see Pepita that day wasbecause he was ashamed of their lodgings. But that had passed, and as he understood Dick better he saw there was no reason forsuch shame. It was a house within a few rods of the church. Dick's heart throbbed violently as he entered the door after Luigiand ascended the steps inside the court-yard. Luigi pointed to adoor and drew back. [Illustration: The Door. ] Dick knocked. The door opened. "Pepita!" *** To describe such a meeting is simply out of the question. "I knew you would come, " said she, after about one solid hour, inwhich not a single intelligible word was uttered. "And for you! Oh, Pepita!" "You do not think now that I was cruel?" and a warm flushoverspread the lovely face of the young girl. "Cruel!" (and Dick makes her see that he positively does not thinkso). "I could not do otherwise. " "I love you too well to doubt it. " "My brother hated you so. It would have been impossible. And Icould not wound his feelings. " "He's a splendid fellow, and you were right. " "Padre Liguori showed him what you were, and I tried to explain alittle, " added Pepita, shyly. "Heaven bless Padre Liguori! As for you--you--" "Don't. " "Well, your brother understands me at last. He knows that I loveyou so well that I would die for you. " Tears came into Pepita's eyes as the sudden recollection aroseof Dick's misadventure on the road. *** "Do you remember, " asked Dick, softly, after about three hoursand twenty minutes--"do you remember how I once wished that I waswalking with you on a road that would go on forever?" "Yes. " "Well, we're on that track now. " [The Historian of these adventures feels most keenly his utterinadequacy to the requirements of this scene. Need he say thatthe above description is a complete _fiasco_? Reader, yourimagination, if you please. ] CHAPTER LVII. THE DODGE CLUB IN PARIS ONCE MORE. --BUTTONS'S "JOLLY GOOD HEALTH. " Not very long after the events alluded to in the last chapter abrilliant dinner was given in Paris at the "Hotel de Lille etd'Albion. " On the arrival of the Senator and Buttons at Paris theyhad found Mr. Figgs and the Doctor without any trouble. The meetingwas a rapturous one. The Dodge Club was again an entity, althoughan important member was not there. On this occasion the one who gavethe dinner was BUTTONS! [Illustration: He's A Jolly Good Fellow. ] All the delicacies of the season. In fact, a banquet. Mr. Figgsshone resplendently. If a factory was the sphere of the Senator, a supper-table was the place for Mr. Figgs. The others felt thatthey had never before known fully all the depth of feeling, offancy, and of sentiment that lurked under that placid, smooth, androsy exterior. The Doctor was epigrammatic; the Senator sententious;Buttons uproarious. Dick's health was drunk in bumpers with all the honors: "For he's a jolly good fe-e-e-e-e-e-llow! For he's a jolly good fe-e-e-e-e-e-llow!! For he's a jolly good FE-E-E-E-E-E-LLOW!!! Which nobody can deny!" All this time Buttons was more joyous, more radiant, and altogethermore extravagant than usual. The others asked themselves, "Why?"In the course of the evening it became known. Taking advantage of ashort pause in the conversation he communicated the startling factthat he had that day received a letter from his father. "Shall I read it?" "AYE!!!" unanimously, in tones of thunder. Buttons opened it and read: DEAR SON. --Your esteemed favor, 15th ult. , I have recd. "I beg leave hereby to express my concurrence with your design. "My connection with the house of Francia has been of the mostsatisfactory kind. I have no doubt that yours will be equally so. "I inclose you draft on Mess. Dupont Geraud, et Cie of Paris, for$5000--say five thousand dollars--rect of which please acknowledge. If this sum is insufficient you are at liberty to draw for what maybe required. "I remain, HIRAM BUTTONS. " Thunders of applause arose as Buttons folded the letter. A speech from the Senator proposed health of Buttons Senior. Another from the Doctor. Another from Mr. Figgs. Acknowledgment by Buttons. Announcement by Buttons of immediate departure for Cadiz. Wild cheers! Buttons's jolly good health! "For he's a jolly good fe-e-e-e-e-e-llow! For he's a jolly good fe-e-e-e-f-e-llow!! For he's a jolly good FE-E-E-E-E-E-LLOW!!! Which nobody can deny!" THE END.