230 
THE PALAZZIO. 
lost no time in inquiring how soon we should 
be able to go inland to the highlands. His 
Excellency arranged an escort for the next 
morning, and along with His eldest son, who is 
Government secretary, H. set out to select a 
site for a hut on the hills. They brought back 
a glowing account of the exhilarating atmos- 
phere and the magnificent view to be had from 
a height of 2000 feet, and a bouquet of sweetly 
scented roses gathered on the spot added con- 
formation to their descriptions of the charms of 
the place. It was some days until arrangements 
could be made and men collected to go to com- 
mence building. These we spent happily with 
our friends, resuming the pleasant intercourse 
of the ship, and with much to tell on either 
side of the time between, as we sat out on the 
wooden pier in the moonlight, with the water 
lapping soothingly on the steps. 
The Palazzio is a long one-story building at 
the western extremity of the town, only about 
thirty yards back from the margin of the sea. 
Despite its rather neglected surroundings, it is 
a not altogether undesirable place in which to 
dwell, and there is ample accommodation for a 
large family party. The long dining-room runs 
behind a series of apartments which open into 
