Part 6 (1/2)
Brigands! It's what I've allus dreaded, an allus expected, ever sence I fust sot foot on this benighted strand I ben a feelin it in my bones all day I felt it a comin over me yesterday, when the mob chased us; but now--our hour hev come!”
”Nonsense, Uncle Moses!” cried Frank, in a hearty, joyous voice
”What's the use of giving up in that fashi+on? Cheer up We'll be all right yet”
CHAPTER V
_They discuss the Situation--They prepare to foot it--A toilsons once more--The Mountain Cavalcade--Bob's Ambition--Its Results--Bob vanishes--Consternation of the Donkey Boy--Consternation of the Cavalcade--E Perduto!_
Theand powerful effect upon the whole party, and after Uncle Moses' wail of despair, and Frank's rebuke, there was silence for a time
”Well,” said David, ”I don't know I don't believe in brigands altogether Millions of people co of the kind, and why should we? For my part, I still think it very likely that the driver has driven back to soet better entertainment for man and beast than is offered at Paestuo?” said Frank ”There isn't any inn for miles”
”O you don't know,” said David ”There are some by-roads, I dare say, that lead to houses on the hills I dare say he'll soon be back Froreat deal before losing any ot his pay, and then try to take his revenge”
”Well, it may be so,” said Frank; ”burin any case, it will be best for us to start off at once There's no use waiting here any longer We can foot it, after all And we et a lift”
This was evidently the best thing that could be done, and so they all at once set off on foot, on their way back to Salerno
Fortunately for the all theup and doithin a srass They had eaten a good lunch before leaving the carriage, and had not had tiry The weather wastoo hot, and everything was favorable to a walk More than all, the road was very good, and not being reat extent, and this grass afforded an easy and agreeable path for their feet
They set out in high spirits, walking pretty vigorously, yet not too rapidly, for they wished to husband their strength, chatting all the while, and debating the point as to the driver's intentions
Frank maintained that he had deserted them out of malice, and Bob coincided with this view David, on the other hand, believed that he had merely driven away to find refreshment, and would return, and Clive sided with hins of the driver appeared, David's theory greeak, and Frank's grew strong As for Uncle Moses, he said nothing, his feeling being chiefly one of intense anxiety to get the boys hoes of Italian banditti, which Frank's words had called up in his ot rid of
They walked on for about two hours, and by that tiht miles between themselves and Paesturass, giving every indication of being a well-trodden thoroughfare, and exciting the hope that they would find some wine cart at least, or other mode of conveyance, by means of which they could co a turn in the road, they saw before theht of which elicited a shout of joy from Bob
”Donkeys! Donkeys!” he cried ”Hurrah, boys!”
”Why, what good are they?” said David
”Good?” cried Bob; ”every good in the world We can hire them, or buy them, and ride back to Salerno”
”That's a capital idea,” cried Frank, in great delight ”I hoped to find wine carts, or ox carts; but donkeys are infinitely better”
Hurrying forward, they soon overtook the donkeys There were six or eight of theuided by an old man and a boy Frank instantly accosted thens he succeeded in conveying to the old man's ly the benefit which he had received from his intercourse with Paolo Frank thus pointed to his feet, and then backward, and then forward, and then pointing to the donkey nearest, he made a motion to mount, after which he showed the oldto the donkey, he looked inquiringly at hins which seemed to Frank to be a question, ”How far?” so he roared out, in stentorian tones, ”Salerno”
Upon this the old ht