d spanking into the bargain."

The children said nothing. They couldn't; they were crushed. But
during the rest of the journey Beppo thought as he had never thought in
his life before, while Beppina prayed fervently under her breath.
During the weeks that they had been so closely watched by Carlotta,
Beppina had grown almost to read Beppo's thoughts, so when he furtively
took her hand, lifted one eyebrow, and jerked his head in the direction
of Mestre, she knew he meant to try to go forward no matter what
happened.

They were now nearly across the lagoon and approaching the harbour.
Early as it was, the water was already swarming with craft of all
descriptions, for Venice has to get all her supplies from the mainland,
and many boats are required for the traffic. There was consequently a
great deal of shouting back and forth as the men jockeyed for the best
positions at the dock. Their own brown boatman was so busy bawling at
his competitors and shunting about that for a few moments he was unable
to pay any attention to the children. At last, however, he crowded in
between two other boats, and while he was explaining to their owners
that they were the sons of pigs to take up so much room, Beppo seized
his sister by the arm, and the two leaped into the next boat, from that
to a third, and then to the dock; and before their captor realised they
were gone, they were already speeding frantically up the dock.

"Stop them! Stop them!" howled the boatman, climbing out and starting
in pursuit.

Two or three other men joined him, shouting, "Stop! Stop!" too, but
their calls only lent speed to the flying feet of the runaways. They
did not know where they were going, but they ran as rabbits run when the
dogs are after them, and soon found themselves in the streets of the
town. The cries of their pursuers grew fainter, and were lost
altogether as Beppo suddenly dashed into a side street and they doubled
on their tracks.

From a safe hiding-place behind an old building in an alley they caught
a glimpse of their pursuers as they turned back to the boats, talking
volubly and gesticulating like windmills. They were telling the boatman
who had brought the children over what they thought of him for getting
them into such a wild-goose chase. Beppo actually chuckled as he
watched them go, so great was his relief.

"Now, Beppina," he said, almost gayly, "we'll hurry to the other end of
the town as fast as we can go, and get