Page images
PDF
EPUB

beaver; it is as much as I can do to keep on this fellow's shoulders."

Thus they went down into the subterranean chambers, and, having rested a while, were borne out by the men, as they came in.

Passing the Baths of Nero, the Temples of Diana, Mercury, and Venus, which are now in ruins, having few traces of their former magnificence, the beautiful vine called "Venus hair," creeping over the broken walls, and covering the spot where once stood the altar, by the Julian Port, the Elysian Fields, and the River Styx, immortalized by Virgil, they came to Nero's celebrated prisons, which are under the spot where once stood the villa where the inhuman monster killed his mother. Here they rested, took refreshments, and prepared to return.

On their way they came to Lake Agnano, which is a pond of water in the bed of an extinct volcano; and, after riding along the shore, the valet de place called upon the driver to stop. He did so, and they all left the carriage.

"What now?" asked Walter.

"We are going to see the Dog Grotto." "What is that?

"You will see."

They reached the cave, and found it a very peculiar one. A vapor rises from the ground

which is fatal to life. A torch brought into contact with it is immediately extinguished, and a dog bound and thrown upon the ground will die in two minutes. A pistol, loaded in the best manner, could not be discharged when held. near the ground.

Mr. Tenant took a pistol, and loaded it in the presence of the company.

66

"O, what is that man going to do?" cried Minnie.

66

Try an experiment, sis."

"He will kill some of us-he is terribly careless."

Mr. Tenant now went to the mouth of the cave, and holding his pistol near the ground, tried to discharge it, but could not do so. The pistol might as well have been loaded with sand. He then raised the weapon, and fired in the air. The experiment was tried by Mr. Percy and Walter, with the same result.

A man now came forward, dragging a dog. The creature howled pitifully as he was drawn roughly forward.

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

"Try another experiment.' "It is too bad!"

"It does seem cruel."

The man took the dog and threw him into the cave, and the poor creature sunk powerless to the ground. He was allowed to remain about eighty seconds, and then taken out, nearly dead, but was resuscitated by being thrown into cold water.

"This is singular," said Minnie to her brother.

"Yes, it is."

"What did you call the cave."

"The Dog Grotto."

"That is English."

"Yes; it is called here Grotta del Cane, and sometimes the Cavern of Charon.'

6

[ocr errors]

They then went to another cave, in which ammonia gas rises from the ground. The earth is cold, and yet an intense heat arises from it; and, though no draught of wind can be perceived, one feels all the heat and gentle influence which are derived while standing over the register of a large furnace. The effect of inhaling the gas is highly exhilarating, and one would soon become intoxicated, as with opium or ether.

"I am intoxicated!" cried Minnie.

"I can't hardly stand," said Walter.

"I am not much better off," added Mr. Percy, whose head felt heavy, and who was aware of the bewildering effects of the inhalation.

warm.

But they soon recovered, went on to the sulphur baths, where one needs no fire to keep him The apartments are small, rude, and covered with incrustations and saline deposits, and are formed by the sulphureous gases. Minnie wanted to be shut up in one of the apartments, and the door was closed. She remained a few minutes, when her cry for liberty was heard; and as she emerged the perspiration was pouring from her face like rain.

They all laughed at her.

"You may laugh as much as you please. I have taken a sweat in one of the fire chambers of Mount Vesuvius, and that is more than either of you can say."

They were now admonished by the driver that it was time to return to the city, as the sun was setting; and soon they were rolling along the crowded streets of Naples.

SHALL

CHAPTER XV.

CLIMBING VESUVIUS.

HALL we go to-night?" asked Minnie of her brother.

"Yes."

"66 Why in the night?"

"Because we wish to be on the mountain at sunrise."

"It will be delightful."

"We can tell better twenty-four hours from now."

"Very true."

The reader will see that this conversation between the children relates to the ascent of Vesuvius, which was planned for that night. The children retired early, and were called at midnight, and the party at once set out. They rode in a carriage as far as Portici, where the carriage was exchanged for saddle horses. They had not gone far before Walter's horse stumbled and fell; but being a good rider, the lad was not injured, or even frightened. He, however, exchanged his stumbling horse for the one rode by the valet de

« PreviousContinue »