Part 41 (1/2)
As for Reggio, he easily satisfied the law that he had killed Mullura in defense of his sister, after Mullura had failed in an effort to a.s.sa.s.sinate him, and therefore, he was formally acquitted.
His escape from death he had truthfully described to Mullura ere striking the fatal blow. A woman whom he had befriended in the house where he lived had bandaged his wounds and hidden him away, although in mortal terror of her life while doing so. Of course she had declared, when questioned, that she knew nothing of the desperate encounter on the stairs.
The grat.i.tude of both Reggio and Teresa toward their American friends was very great.
The joy of the girl who had thus found her brother may be imagined, but no words can describe it. It happened that Reggio had come to those friends for shelter, and thus he had been on hand when Mullura appeared.
”Well, partner,” said Buckhart, after all these matters had been settled, ”we've certain had a warm time in Venice while it lasted. It was somewhat too warm, but this calm after the storm is altogether too calm. I'm getting a bit restless. I think we'd better float on.”
”So do I,” nodded d.i.c.k. ”What do you say, professor?”
”All right, boys-all right,” nodded Zenas. ”We'll jog along into Greece, but it will be just like you to get into some sort of trouble there and keep me nerved up all the time.”
”Hurrah for Greece!” cried d.i.c.k.
CHAPTER XXII.
BEFORE THE PARTHENON.
”There it is, boys-there it is!” exclaimed Professor Zenas Gunn, in a voice that actually choked with deep emotion. ”Behold 'the casket of the rarest architectural jewels of the world-the temple-crowned Acropolis'!”
”She seems to be a right big old rock,” observed Brad Buckhart; ”or is she just a hill?”
”Both a rock and a hill, Brad,” laughed d.i.c.k Merriwell. ”It is mainly a natural ma.s.s of rock, but in places it has been built up by substantial masonry.”
”Correct, Richard,” nodded the professor, approvingly. ”It is plain you have posted up on the Acropolis and that you remember something of what you read. I regret that, in spite of my advice, Bradley seems much disinclined to post himself in advance concerning the historical spots we choose to visit.”
”What's the use?” said the Texan. ”I know you'll tell us all about them, professor, and I'll remember it a heap better by hearing you tell it, than by reading it in a dry, old book. You have such a fascinating way of telling things, you know, that any one who hears you can't help remembering every word you speak.”
”Hum! ha!” coughed Zenas, much flattered. ”I presume that is true. I think it quite probable you are correct. Under the circ.u.mstances, Bradley, you are excusable.”
The two boys and the professor had arrived at the port of Athens near sundown the previous day. The sail through Grecian waters on a fine steamer was one long to be remembered. Repeatedly the professor reminded them that they were traversing the scenes of famous maritime adventures and struggles of ancient history, and that every sh.o.r.e they beheld had been made famous by poets, philosophers and wise men of the days when Greece was the pride, the glory, and the envy of the world.
Night had fallen before the trio reached the capital, which is located six miles from the port. Therefore, being tired and somewhat spiritless, they suppressed their desire to look around and waited for the following day.
And now, beneath the bright morning suns.h.i.+ne, they viewed the Acropolis, which, on account of its history, the professor declared was the most wonderful sight in all the world.
On three sides this great ma.s.s of rock and masonry, which looms above the modern city at its base, is practically perpendicular. On its summit stand the white columns and pillars of its ruined temples, which two thousand years ago were perfect in their grandeur and which are conceded to have been specimens of architectual beauty never equaled in modern times.
”Think,” said the professor; ”think of Greece in the glorious days when yonder rock was crowned with beautiful temples! We'll mount to its crest, boys, and soon our feet may touch the very stones once pressed by the feet of Demosthenes. We will stand beside pillars whose shadows may have fallen on Pericles and Phidias. Is it not enough to stir a heart of stone! Let us hasten.”
The old pedagogue was actually trembling with eagerness and excitement.
”All right, professor,” said d.i.c.k. ”Lead on and we'll follow.”
”Yes,” said Brad, ”hike as fast as you choose, and we'll keep up with you.”
To their surprise they found the city very modern in appearance, and this surprise was increased on beholding a train of street cars drawn by an ordinary steam engine. Still the people were interesting in their native garments, and the language was what they had expected to hear.