, or indeed any other language but the Italian,
can afford no equivalent.

While he was thus standing with clasped hands, vociferating and
staring, in company with David and Clive, at the receding figure,
Frank had sprung to his feet, and so had Bob; Uncle Moses, too,
stood gazing at the object of universal interest; and thus all of
them stood staring, with feelings that defy description, at the
scene before them.

What was this scene that thus held their gaze?

Well, in the first place, there was that valley, already so familiar
to David and Clive--a smooth slope on either side, some olive trees
near, but beyond that all bare, and no houses visible in that
direction. Now, over this open space there was running--so swift
and so straight that it was evidently impelled by pain or panic--what?

_A little black pig!_

A pig, small, as has just been said, an ordinary domestic pig--of
no particular breed--the commonest of animals. Moreover, it was
black. It was also, undoubtedly, as has just been remarked, either
suffering from some of the shot of Frank's rusty gun, or from the
terror that might have been excited by its report. And now this
little black pig was running as fast as its absurd little legs
could carry it--far away across the fields.

"O, holy saints!" cried the guide; "it's the little black pig, that
we missed from the convent yesterday morning--the pig--the little
black pig--the pig--the pig! Is it possible? O, is it possible?"

Every word of this was heard by the boys. They understood it all
now. It seemed also that the little black pig, having accomplished
as much mischief as any single pig can ever hope to bring about,
was evidently making the best of its way to its home, and steering
straight, for the convent. This they saw, and they gazed in silence.
Nothing was said, for nothing could be said. They could not
even look at one another. David and Clive were of course the
most crestfallen; but the others had equal cause for humiliation.
After all their gigantic preparations, their cautions advances,
and their final blow,--to find their antagonist reduced to
this was too much. Now, the fact is, that if it had really
been a wild boar, Frank's act would have been the same; and
as he acted under the belief that it was so, it was undoubtedly
daring, and plucky, and self-sacrificing; but, unfortunately,
the conclusion of the affair did not allow him to look upon
it in that light.

Now, all this time the