trees, and less fragrant cottages, the contents of which were bared to
their eyes with utter lack of modesty. They disturbed herds of drowsy
cattle and goats lying at the roadside, and all the time they
continued to climb, until their horses heaved and panted.

The American's impressions of this entire journey, from the time of
his leaving Paris up to the present moment, had been hurried and
unreal, for he had made close connections at Rome, at Naples, and at
Palermo. Having the leisurely deliberateness of the American
Southerner, he disliked haste and confusion above all things. He had
an intense desire, therefore, to come to anchor and to adjust himself
to his surroundings.

As Martel chattered along, telling of his many doings, Blake noted
that Ricardo and the man who had held the horses were following
closely. Then, as the cavalcade paused at length to breathe their
mounts, he saw that both men carried rifles.

"Why! We look like an American sheriff's posse, Martel," said he. "Do
all Sicilian bridegrooms travel with an armed escort?"

Savigno showed a trace of hesitation. "The nights are dark; the
country is wild."

"But, my dear boy, this country is surely old enough to be safe. Why,
Sicily was civilized long before my country was even heard of. All
sorts of ancient gods and heroes used to live here, I am told, and I
supposed Diana had killed all the game long ago."

He laughed, but Savigno did not join him, and a moment later they were