THE ROAD TO AMALFI

The Hotel Victoria faces the bay of Naples.  Back of it are the famous gardens, and as you emerge from these you find yourself upon the narrow main street of Sorrento, not far from the Square of Tasso.

As our little party entered this street they were immediately espied by the vetturini, or cabmen, who rushed toward them with loud cries while they waved their whips frantically to attract attention.  One tall fellow was dressed in a most imposing uniform of blue and gold, with a high hat bearing a cockade a la Inglese and shiny top boots.  His long legs enabled him to outstrip the others, and in an almost breathless voice he begged Uncle John to choose his carriage:  “the besta carrozza ina town!”

“We don’t want to ride,” was the answer.

The cabman implored.  Certainly they must make the Amalfi drive, or to Massa Lubrense or Saint’ Agata or at least Il Deserto!  The others stood by to listen silently to the discussion, yielding first place to the victor in the race.

Uncle John was obdurate.

“All we want to-day is to see the town,” he declared, “We’re not going to ride, but walk.”

“Ah, but the Amalfi road, signore!  Surely you will see that.”

“To-morrow, perhaps; not now.”

“To-morrow, signore!  It is good.  At what hour, to-morrow, illustrissimo?”

“Oh, don’t bother me.”

“We may as well drive to Amalfi to-morrow,” suggested Beth.  “It is the proper thing to do, Uncle.”

“All right; we’ll go, then.”

“You take my carrozza, signore?” begged the cabman.  “It is besta ina town.”

“Let us see it.”

Instantly the crowd scampered back to the square, followed more leisurely by Uncle John and the girls.  There the uniformed vetturio stood beside the one modern carriage in the group.  It was new; it was glossy; it had beautiful, carefully brushed cushions; it was drawn by a pair of splendid looking horses.

“Is not bellissima, signore?” asked the man, proudly.

“All right,” announced Uncle John, nodding approval.  “Be ready to start at nine o’clock to-morrow morning.”

The man promised, whereat his confreres lost all interest in the matter and the strangers were allowed to proceed without further interruption.

They found out all about the Amalfi drive that evening, and were glad indeed they had decided to go.  Even Louise was pleased at the arrangement and as eager as the others to make the trip.  It is one of the most famous drives in the world, along a road built upon the rocky cliff that overhangs the sea and continually winds in and out as it follows the outlines of the crags.

They had an early breakfast and were ready at nine o’clock; but when they came to the gate of the garden they found only a dilapidated carriage standing before it.

“Do you know where my rig is?” Uncle John asked the driver, at the same time peering up and down the road.