ing lip, the tremulous voice, and
the convulsive grasp of that venerable relative.

Then and there, on the road, Bob had to satisfy the hungry
curiosity of his friends, and give them some sort of an outline
of his adventures. The particulars he reserved until a future
occasion. Bob's account of his friends in the mountains at once
roused the enthusiastic interest of the whole party in their
favor, and they all proceeded to shake hands with the Italian.
Nor did they content themselves with this, for on the spot Uncle
Moses and the boys made up a handsome purse, which they presented
to him, not because he deserved it, exactly, but partly because
they were so rejoiced at finding the lost boy, and partly on
account of Bob's urgent appeal to them. For now Bob's sentiments
about the humble people in the sequestered valley had undergone
the last phase which was necessary to complete a perfect revolution
of feeling; and he had come to regard them not by any means as
brigands,--far from it,--but rather as a family of peaceful,
innocent, harmless, affectionate, quiet, benevolent, warm-hearted,
good-natured, hospitable, and virtuous peasants.

The Italian received the gifts with a series of gesticulations,
by which he seemed to be invoking the blessing of Heaven upon
them, and vowing endless gratitude; and after the boys and Uncle
Moses had one by one shaken hands and bidden him good by, he
still stood there, smiling, bowing, and gesticulating; and as
they drove away, they saw him standing motionless in the road
till they passed out of sight.

Bob's adventures had not been without some serious consequences,
for the strain on his mind during the previous day, and especially
the horror of the night, combined with the fatigues to which he
had been subjected, had been somewhat too much for him. As soon,
therefore, as the first excitement of the joyous meeting was over,
a reaction took place, and he complained of utter weariness and
exhaustion. As Bob was a boy who never complained except under sore
pressure, the boys perceived that he was now in need of quiet and
repose, and therefore tried to put a check upon their eager curiosity.
On reaching Salerno, they put up at the hotel again, and gave Bob
the opportunity of a long rest. Had it not been for Bob's adventure,
they would by this time have been back in Naples; for their intention
had been to go on from Paestum without stopping; but now they were
forced to delay somewhat. Stil