io8 LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 



curiously-formed carts. Judging by their plump appearance, and 

 likewise by this particular kind of conveyance, I suspected that this 

 was their last journey, and the last day they had to live. 



"At Casa Brusciate our journey had well-nigh terminated sadly to 

 our cost. One horse fell down whilst going at a gallop ; and in an 

 instant, both itself and the off leader were on their backs in the 

 ditch alongside of the road. How it happened that they did not 

 drag the carriage after them, I cannot comprehend. The fore- 

 wheel sank deep in the soft earth, which partially gave way under 

 the weight. Had the carriage moved a trifle more, nothing rould 

 have prevented a total smash. Although exposed to imminent 

 danger, my sisters behaved nobly. Not a shriek, not a sigh escaped 

 from their mouths ; and when we had managed to get them out of 

 the carriage, they retired to a safe distance from it, with wonderful 

 composure, and silently awaited the termination. But on many 

 other occasions when danger has been apprehended, their self-com- 

 mand has been worthy of all admiration. In the meantime, the 

 prostrate leader kept striking out at intervals, till at last his foot got 

 jammed in the spokes of the fore wheel. Our position was bad 

 indeed. Every moment I expected that the fettered leg of the horse 

 would be broken. However, by dint of exertion, and help from 

 people on the road, we got the leg released and the horses on their 

 feet again, so that we were enabled to reach Ancona. 



" Although the Adriatic had been in view for the best part of the 

 day, we saw not a single gull of any species. But there were abund- 

 ance of larks and finches on the sea-shore ; and Miss Helen pointed 

 out some scamps going after them with a gun. One vagabond had 

 a Civetta owl at the top of a long pole a common practice here, to 

 decoy the poor birds to their destruction. Whilst I was condemning 

 it, our attention was drawn to an amusing young hero, who was 

 wrestling most manfully with a jet black half-grown pig. He got the 

 better of it, seized both its hind legs, and then forced it to walk on, 

 as a biped ; putting us in mind of a man with a wheel-barrow. At 

 last he jerked it into a large hole full of water and washed it well 

 himself laughing immoderately, and seemingly proud of the adven- 

 ture. Cats were plentiful ; taking the sun, as they sat on the roofs of 

 the houses. 



