tion which could only be undertaken when the sea was
absolutely calm, so, as even the Mediterranean may be treacherous, and
sudden squalls can lash its smooth surface into waves, it was wise to
take advantage of a cloudless day.

"We'll start early, so as to arrive there before the steamer, and have
the grotto to ourselves, instead of going in with a rabble of tourists,"
decreed Hilton Preston.

"Four boatfuls of us will be a big enough party," agreed Vincent. "They
say the best light is at about eleven."

The group of friends therefore set off from the Marina in their various
craft. The row along the base of the precipitous craggy shore was most
beautiful, the water swarmed with gayly-colored sea-stars and
jelly-fish, and on the rocks at the edge of the waves grew gorgeous
madrepores, and other "frutti di mare." The Blue Grotto is one of the
wonders of Italy, but to explore it is not a particularly easy matter,
for its entrance is scarcely three feet in height.

"My! Have we got to squeeze under there!" exclaimed Peachy wonderingly,
looking at the tiny space at the foot of the crag through which they
would be obliged to pass.

"Not in these boats, of course," said Vincent. "The skiffs are waiting,
and if we just leave it to the boatmen they'll show us how to manage."

The tiny craft that were in readiness for visitors now came forward,
and the party was transferred to them. Three passengers were taken in
each skiff, and were required to lie flat on their backs in the bottom
of the boat. The boatman paddled to the entrance of the grotto, then
also lying on his back he directed the skiff into a low passage, working
his way along by pulling at a chain which was fastened to the roof of
the rocky corridor. In a short space of time they shot into an enormous
cavern, 175 feet in length, and over 40 feet in height. Here for a
moment or two all seemed dazzled, but as their bewildered vision
gradually grew accustomed to the light they saw that everything in the
grotto, walls, sea, or any objects, appeared of a heavenly blue color.
The faces of their friends, their own hands, the water when they scooped
it up and dropped it again, all were turned to sapphire, while articles
under the sea gleamed with a beautiful silver shade. The girls bared
their arms and enjoyed dipping them to obtain this effect. The glorious
blue of the cave was indescribable.

"I feel like a mermaid at the bottom of the ocean," exulted Peachy.

"Or