Here，mydearmother，criedFrancisco，pouringtheguineasintoherlap。andhere，continuedhe，emptyingabagwhichcontainedaboutasmuchmore，insmallItaliancoins，theprofitsoftrade-moneyhehadfairlyearnedduringthetwoyearshesoldfruitamongstthelittleNeapolitanmerchants。thisisallyours，dearestmother，andIhopeitwillbeenoughtopayforthebrindledcow。Nay，youmustnotrefuseme——
Ihavesetmyheartuponthecowbeingmilkedbyyouthisveryevening。
andI’llproducemybestbunchesofgrapes，andmyfather，perhaps，willgiveusamelon。forI’vehadnotimeformelonsthisseason。andI’llsteptoNaplesandinvite——mayI，mother？——mygoodfriends，dearCarloandyourfavouritelittleRosetta，andmyolddrawingmaster，andmyfriendArthur，andwe’llsupwithyouatyourdairy。
Thehappymotherthankedherson，andthefatherassuredhimthatneithermelonnorpine-appleshouldbespared，tomakeasupperworthyofhisfriends。
Thebrindledcowwasbought，andArthurandCarloandRosettamostjoyfullyacceptedtheirinvitation。
Thecarpenterhadunluckilyappointedtosettlealongaccountthatdaywithoneofhisemployers，andhecouldnotaccompanyhischildren。Itwasadeliciousevening。theyleftNaplesjustasthesea-breeze，aftertheheatsoftheday，wasmostrefreshinglyfelt。ThewalktoResina，thevineyard，thedairy，andmostofall，thebrindledcow，werepraisedbyCarloandRosetta，withalltheItaliansuperlativeswhichsignify，Mostbeautiful！mostdelightful！mostcharming！WhilsttheEnglishArthur，withaswarmaheart，wasmoretemperateinhispraise，declaringthatthiswasthemostlikeanEnglishsummer’seveningofanyhehadeverfeltsincehecametoItaly：andthat，moreover，thecreamwasalmostasgoodaswhathehadbeenusedtodrinkinCheshire。Thecompany，whowereallpleasedwitheachother，andwiththegardener’sgoodfruit，whichheproducedingreatabundance，didnotthinkofseparatingtilllate。
Itwasabrightmoonlightnight，andCarloaskedhisfriendifhewouldwalkwiththempartofthewaytoNaples。Yes，allthewaymostwillingly，criedFrancisco，thatImayhavethepleasureofgivingtoyourfather，withmyownhands，thisfinebunchofgrapes，thatIhavereservedforhimoutofmyownshare。
Addthisfinepine-appleformyshare，then，saidhisfather，andapleasantwalktoyou，myyoungfriends。
Theyproceededgailyalong，andwhentheyreachedNaples，astheypassedthroughthesquarewherethelittlemerchantsheldtheirmarket，FranciscopointedtothespotwherehefoundCarlo’srule。Henevermissedanopportunityofshowinghisfriendsthathedidnotforgettheirformerkindnesstohim。Thatrule，saidhe，hasbeenthecauseofallmypresenthappiness，andIthankyoufor——
Oh，nevermindthankinghimnow，interruptedRosetta，butlookyonder，andtellmewhatallthosepeopleareabout。Shepointedtoagroupofmen，womenandchildren，whowereassembledunderapiazza，listeninginvariousattitudesofattentiontoaman，whowasstandinguponaflightofstepsspeakinginaloudvoice，andwithmuchaction，tothepeoplewhosurroundedhim。Francisco，CarloandRosettajoinedhisaudience。
Themoonshonefulluponhiscountenance，whichwasveryexpressiveandwhichvariedfrequentlyaccordingtothecharactersofthepersonswhosehistoryhewastelling，accordingtoallthechangesoftheirfortune。
ThismanwasoneofthosewhoarecalledImprovisatori——personswho，inItaliantowns，goaboutrecitingversesortellingstories，whichtheyaresupposedtoinventastheygoonspeaking。Someofthesepeoplespeakwithgreatfluency，andcollectcrowdsroundtheminthepublicstreets。
WhenanImprovisatoreseestheattentionofhisaudiencefixed，andwhenhecomestosomeveryinterestingpartofhisnarrative，hedexterouslydropshishatupontheground，andpausestillhisauditorshavepaidtributetohiseloquence。Whenhethinksthehatsufficientlyfull，hetakesitupagain，andproceedswithhisstory。ThehatwasdroppedjustasFranciscoandhistwofriendscameunderthepiazza。Theoratorhadfinishedonestory，andwasgoingtocommenceanother。HefixedhiseyesuponFrancisco，thenglancedatCarloandRosetta，andafteramoment’sconsiderationhebeganastorywhichboresomeresemblancetoonethatouryoungEnglishreadersmay，perhaps，knowbythenameofCornaro，ortheGratefulTurk。
Franciscowasdeeplyinterestedinthisnarrative，andwhenthehatwasdropped，heeagerlythrewinhiscontribution。Attheendofthestory，whenthespeaker’svoicestopped，therewasamomentarysilence，whichwasbrokenbytheoratorhimself，whoexclaimed，ashetookupthehatwhichlayathisfeet，Myfriends，hereissomemistake！thisisnotmyhat。ithasbeenchangedwhilstIwastakenupwithmystory。Pray，gentlemen，findmyhatamongstyou。itwasaremarkablygoodone，apresentfromanoblemanforanepigramImade。Iwouldnotlosemyhatfortwiceitsvalue。Ithasmynamewrittenwithinsideofit，Dominicho，Improvisatore。Pray，gentlemen，examineyourhats。
Everybodypresentexaminedtheirhats，andshowedthemtoDominicho，buthiswasnotamongstthem。Noonehadleftthecompany。thepiazzawascleared，andsearchedinvain。Thehathasvanishedbymagic，saidDominicho。
Yes，andbythesamemagicastatuemoves，criedCarlo，pointingtoafigurestandinginaniche，whichhadhithertoescapedobservation。Thefacewassomuchintheshade，thatCarlodidnotatfirstperceivethatthestatuewasPiedro。Piedro，whenhesawhimselfdiscovered，burstintoaloudlaugh，andthrowingdownDominicho’shat，whichheheldinhishandbehindhim，cried，Aprettysetofnovices！Mostexcellentplayersathide-and-seekyouwouldmake。
WhetherPiedroreallymeanttohavecarriedoffthepoorman’shat，orwhetherhewas，ashesaid，merelyinjest，weleaveittothosewhoknowhisgeneralcharactertodecide。
Carloshookhishead。Stillatyouroldtricks，Piedro，saidhe。
Remembertheoldproverb：Nofoxsocunningbuthecomestothefurrier’satlast。*
*Tuttelevolpisitrovanoinpellicera。
Idefythefurrierandyou，too，repliedPiedro，takinguphisownraggedhat。Ihavenoneedtostealhats。Icanaffordtobuybetterthanyou’llhaveuponyourhead。Francisco，awordwithyou，ifyouhavedonecryingatthepitifulstoryyouhavebeenlisteningtosoattentively。
Andwhatwouldyousaytome？saidFrancisco，followinghimafewsteps。Donotdetainmelong，becausemyfriendswillwaitforme。
Iftheyarefriends，theycanwait，saidPiedro。Youneednotbeashamedofbeingseeninmycompanynow，Icantellyou。forIam，asI
alwaystoldyouIshouldbe，therichestmanofthetwo。
Rich！yourich？criedFrancisco。Well，then，itwasimpossibleyoucouldmeantotrickthatpoormanoutofhisgoodhat。
Impossible！saidPiedro。Franciscodidnotconsiderthatthosewhohavehabitsofpilferingcontinuetopractisethemoften，whenthepovertywhichfirsttemptedthemtodishonestyceases。Impossible！YoustarewhenItellyouIamrich。butthethingisso。Moreover，Iamwellwithmyfatherathome。IhavefriendsinNaples，andIcallmyselfPiedrotheLucky。Lookyouhere，saidhe，producinganoldgoldcoin。
Thisdoesnotsmelloffish，doesit？Myfatherisnolongerafisherman，norIeither。NeitherdoIsellsugar-plumstochildren：nordoIslavemyselfinavineyard，likesomefolks。butfortune，whenI
leastexpectedit，hasstoodmyfriend。Ihavemanypiecesofgoldlikethis。Digginginmyfather’sgarden，itwasmylucktocometoanoldRomanvesselfullofgold。IhavethisdayagreedforahouseinNaplesformyfather。Weshalllive，whilstwecanaffordit，likegreatfolks，youwillsee。andIshallenjoytheenvythatwillbefeltbysomeofmyoldfriends，thelittleNeapolitanmerchants，whowillchangetheirnotewhentheyseemychangeoffortune。Whatsayyoutoallthis，FranciscotheHonest？
ThatIwishyoujoyofyourprosperity，andhopeyoumayenjoyitlongandwell。
Well，nodoubtofthat。EveryonewhohasitenjoysitWELL。Healwaysdanceswelltowhomfortunepipes。*
*Assaibenballaachifortunasuona。
Yes，nolongerpipe，nolongerdance，repliedFrancisco。andheretheyparted。forPiedrowalkedawayabruptly，muchmortifiedtoperceivethathisprosperitydidnotexcitemuchenvy，orcommandanyadditionalrespectfromFrancisco。
Iwouldrather，saidFrancisco，whenhereturnedtoCarloandRosetta，whowaitedforhimundertheportico，whereheleftthem——Iwouldratherhavesuchgoodfriendsasyou，CarloandArthur，andsomemoreIcouldname，and，besidesthat，haveaclearconscience，andworkhonestlyformybread，thanbeasluckyasPiedro。Doyouknowhehasfoundatreasure，hesays，inhisfather’sgarden——avasefullofgold？Heshowedmeoneofthegoldpieces。
Muchgoodmaytheydohim。Ihopehecamehonestlybythem，saidCarlo。buteversincetheaffairofthedoublemeasure，Isuspectdouble-dealingalwaysfromhim。Itisnotouraffair，however。Lethimmakehimselfhappyhisway，andweours。
Hethatwouldliveinpeaceandrest，Musthear，andsee，andsaythebest。*
*Odi，vedi，taci，sevuoiviverinpace。
AllPiedro’sneighboursdidnotfollowthispeaceablemaxim。forwhenheandhisfatherbegantocirculatethestoryofthetreasurefoundinthegarden，thevillageofResinadidnotgivethemimplicitfaith。Peoplenoddedandwhispered，andshruggedtheirshoulders。thencrossedthemselves，anddeclaredthattheywouldnot，foralltherichesofNaples，changeplaceswitheitherPiedroorhisfather。Regardless，orpretendingtoberegardless，ofthesesuspicions，Piedroandhisfatherpersistedintheirassertions。Thefishing-netsweresold，andeverythingintheircottagewasdisposedof。theyleftResina，wenttoliveatNaples，and，afterafewweeks，thematterbegantobealmostforgotteninthevillage。
Theoldgardener，Francisco’sfather，wasoneofthosewhoendeavouredtoTHINKTHEBEST。andallthathesaiduponthesubjectwas，thathewouldnotexchangeFranciscotheHonestforPiedrotheLucky。thatonecan’tjudgeofthedaytilloneseestheeveningaswellasthemorning。*
*Lavitailfine，——edilodalasera。
Computethemornandeveningoftheirday——Pope。
Nottoleaveourreaderslongerinsuspense，wemustinformthemthatthepeasantsofResinawererightintheirsuspicions。Piedrohadneverfoundanytreasureinhisfather’sgarden，buthecamebyhisgoldinthefollowingmanner：——
Afterhewasbanishedfromthelittlewood-marketforstealingRosetta’sbasketfulofwood，afterhehadcheatedthepoorwoman，wholetglassesouttohire，outofthevalueoftheglasseswhichhebroke，and，inshort，afterhehadentirelylosthiscreditwithallwhoknewhim，heroamedaboutthestreetsofNaples，recklessofwhatbecameofhim。
Hefoundthetruthoftheproverb，thatcreditlostislikeaVeniceglassbroken——itcan’tbemendedagain。Thefewshillingswhichhehadinhispocketsuppliedhimwithfoodforafewdays。AtlasthewasgladtobeemployedbyoneofthepeasantswhocametoNaplestoloadtheirasseswithmanureoutofthestreets。Theyoftenfollowveryearlyinthemorning，orduringthenight-time，thetraceofcarriagesthataregone，orthatarereturningfromtheopera。andPiedrowasonenightatthiswork，whenthehorsesofanobleman’scarriagetookfrightatthesuddenblazeofsomefireworks。Thecarriagewasoverturnednearhim。aladywastakenoutofit，andwashurriedbyherattendantsintoashop，whereshestayedtillhercarriagewassettorights。Shewastoomuchalarmedforthefirsttenminutesafterheraccidenttothinkofanything。butaftersometime，sheperceivedthatshehadlostavaluablediamondcross，whichshehadwornthatnightattheopera。Shewasuncertainwhereshehaddroppedit。theshop，thecarriage，thestreet，weresearchedforitinvain。
Piedrosawitfallastheladywasliftedoutofthecarriage，seizeduponit，andcarrieditoff。Ignorantashewasofthefullvalueofwhathehadstolen，heknewnothowtosatisfyhimselfastothispoint，withouttrustingsomeonewiththesecret。
Aftersomehesitation，hedeterminedtoapplytoaJew，who，asitwaswhispered，wasreadytobuyeverythingthatwasofferedtohimforsale，withoutmakinganyTROUBLESOMEinquiries。Itwaslate。hewaitedtillthestreetswerecleared，andthenknockedsoftlyatthebackdooroftheJew’shouse。ThepersonwhoopenedthedoorforPiedrowashisownfather。Piedrostartedback。buthisfatherhadfastholdofhim。
Whatbringsyouhere？saidthefather，inalowvoice，avoicewhichexpressedfearandragemixed。
Onlytoaskmyway——myshortestway，stammeredPiedro。
Noequivocations！Tellmewhatbringsyouhereatthistimeofthenight？IWILLknow。
Piedro，whofelthimselfinhisfather’sgrasp，andwhoknewthathisfatherwouldcertainlysearchhim，tofindoutwhathehadbroughttosell，thoughtitmostprudenttoproducethediamondcross。Hisfathercouldbutjustseeitslustrebythelightofadimlamp，whichhungovertheirheadsinthegloomypassageinwhichtheystood。
Youwouldhavebeenduped，ifyouhadgonetosellthistotheJew。Itiswellithasfallenintomyhands。Howcameyoubyit？Piedroansweredthathehadfounditinthestreet。Goyourwayshome，then，
saidhisfather。itissafewithme。Concernyourselfnomoreaboutit。
Piedrowasnotinclinedthustorelinquishhisbooty，andhenowthoughtpropertovaryinhisaccountofthemannerinwhichhefoundthecross。
Henowconfessedthatithaddroppedfromthedressofalady，whosecarriagewasoverturnedasshewascominghomefromtheopera，andheconcludedbysayingthat，ifhisfathertookhisprizefromhimwithoutgivinghimhisshareoftheprofits，hewouldgodirectlytotheshopwheretheladystoppedwhilstherservantswereraisingthecarriage，andthathewouldgivenoticeofhishavingfoundthecross。
Piedro’sfathersawthathisSMARTson，thoughscarcelysixteenyearsofage，wasamatchforhiminvillainy。HepromisedhimthatheshouldhavehalfofwhatevertheJewwouldgiveforthediamonds，andPiedroinsisteduponbeingpresentatthetransaction。
Wedonotwishtolayopentoouryoungreadersscenesofiniquity。ItissufficienttosaythattheJew，whowasamanoldinalltheartsofvillainy，contrivedtocheatbothhisassociates，andobtainedthediamondcrossforlessthanhalfitsvalue。Thematterwasmanagedsothatthetransactionremainedundiscovered。Theladywholostthecross，aftermakingfruitlessinquiries，gaveupthesearch，andPiedroandhisfatherrejoicedinthesuccessoftheirmanoeuvres。
Itissaid，thatIllgottenwealthisquicklyspent。*andsoitprovedinthisinstance。Bothfatherandsonlivedariotouslifeaslongastheirmoneylasted，anditdidnotlastmanymonths。Whathisbadeducationbegan，badcompanyfinished，andPiedro’smindwascompletelyruinedbytheassociateswithwhomhebecameconnectedduringwhathecalledhisPROSPERITY。Whenhismoneywasatanend，theseunprincipledfriendsbegantolookcolduponhim，andatlastplainlytoldhim——IfyoumeantoLIVEWITHUS，youmustLIVEASWEDO。Theylivedbyrobbery。
*Vienprestoconsumatol’ingiustamenteacquistato。
Piedro，thoughfamiliarizedtotheideaoffraud，wasshockedatthethoughtofbecomingarobberbyprofession。Howdifficultitistostopinthecareerofvice！WhetherPiedrohadpowertostop，orwhetherhewashurriedonbyhisassociates，weshall，forthepresent，leaveindoubt。
CHAPTERIV
WeturnwithpleasurefromPiedrotheCunningtoFranciscotheHonest。
Franciscocontinuedthehappyandusefulcourseofhislife。Byhisunremittingperseverance，heimprovedhimselfrapidlyundertheinstructionsofhismasterandfriend，SignorCamillo。hisfriend，wesay，forthefairandopencharacterofFranciscowon，orratherearned，thefriendshipofthisbenevolentartist。TheEnglishgentlemanseemedtotakeaprideinourhero’ssuccessandgoodconduct。Hewasnotoneofthosepatronswhothinkthattheyhavedoneenoughwhentheyhavegivenfiveguineas。HisservantArthuralwaysconsideredeverygenerousactionofhismaster’sashisown，andwasparticularlypleasedwheneverthisgenerositywasdirectedtowardsFrancisco。
AsforCarloandthelittleRosetta，theywerethecompanionsofallthepleasantwalkswhichFranciscousedtotakeinthecooloftheevening，afterhehadbeenshutupalldayathiswork。Andtheoldcarpenter，delightedwiththegratitudeofhispupil，frequentlyrepeated——thathewasproudtohavegiventhefirstinstructionstosuchaGENIUS。andthathehadalwaysprophesiedFranciscowouldbeaGREATman。
Andagoodman，papa，saidRosetta。forthoughhehasgrownsogreat，andthoughhegoesintopalacesnow，tosaynothingofthatplaceunderground，wherehehasleavetogo，yet，notwithstandingallthis，heneverforgetsmybrotherCarloandyou。
That’sthewaytohavegoodfriends，saidthecarpenter。AndIlikehisway。hedoesmorethanhesays。Factsaremasculine，andwordsarefeminine。*
*Ifattisonomaschii，leparolefemmine。
ThesegoodsfriendsseemedtomakeFranciscohappierthanPiedrocouldbemadebyhisstolendiamonds。
Onemorning，Franciscowassenttofinishasketchofthefrontofanancienttemple，amongsttheruinsofHerculaneum。Hehadjustreachedthepit，andthemenwereabouttolethimdownwithcords，intheusualmanner，whenhisattentionwascaughtbytheshrillsoundofascoldingwoman’svoice。Helooked，andsawatsomepacesdistantthisfemalefury，whostoodguardingthewindlassofawell，towhich，withthreateninggesturesandmostvolublemenaces，sheforbadeallaccess。
Thepeasants——men，womenandchildren，whohadcomewiththeirpitcherstodrawwateratthiswell——wereheldatbaybytheenragedfemale。Notonedaredtobethefirsttoadvance。whilstshegraspedwithonehandthehandleofthewindlass，and，withtheothertannedmusculararmextended，governedthepopulace，biddingthemrememberthatshewaspadrona，ormistressofthewell。Theyretired，inhopesoffindingamoregentlepadronaatsomeotherwellintheneighbourhood。andthefury，whentheywereoutofsight，dividedthelongblackhairwhichhungoverherface，and，turningtooneofthespectators，appealedtotheminasobervoice，andaskedifshewasnotrightinwhatshehaddone？I，thatampadronaofthewell，saidshe，addressingherselftoFrancisco，who，withgreatattention，wascontemplatingherwiththeeyeofapainter——I，thatampadronaofthewell，mustintimesofscarcitydostrictjustice，andpreserveforourselvesalonethewaterofourwell。
Thereisscarcelyenoughevenforourselves。Ihavebeenobligedtomakemyhusbandlengthentheropeseverydayforthisweekpast。Ifthingsgoonatthisrate，therewillsoonbenotonedropofwaterleftinmywell。
Norinanyofthewellsoftheneighbourhood，addedoneoftheworkmen，whowasstandingby。andhementionedseveralinwhichthewaterhadlatelysuddenlydecreased。andamilleraffirmedthathismillhadstoppedforwantofwater。
Franciscowasstruckbytheseremarks。Theybroughttohisrecollectionsimilarfacts，whichhehadoftenheardhisfathermentioninhischildhood，ashavingbeenobservedprevioustothelasteruptionofMountVesuvius。*Hehadalsoheardfromhisfather，inhischildhood，thatitisbettertotrusttoprudencethantofortune。andtherefore，thoughthepeasantsandworkmen，towhomhementionedhisfears，laughed，andsaid，Thatastheburningmountainhadbeenfavourabletothemforsomanyyears，theywouldtrusttoitandSt。Januariusonedaylonger，yetFranciscoimmediatelygaveupallthoughtsofspendingthisdayamidsttheruinsofHerculaneum。Afterhavinginquiredsufficiently，afterhavingseenseveralwells，inwhichthewaterhadevidentlydecreased，andafterhavingseenthemill-wheelsthatwerestandingstillforwantoftheirusualsupply，hehastenedhometohisfatherandmother，reportedwhathehadheardandseen，andbeggedofthemtoremove，andtotakewhatthingsofvaluetheycouldtosomedistancefromthedangerousspotwheretheynowresided。
*Phil。Trans。vol。ix。
SomeoftheinhabitantsofResina，whomhequestioned，declaredthattheyhadheardstrangerumblingnoisesunderground。andapeasantandhisson，whohadbeenatworktheprecedingdayinavineyard，alittleabovethevillage，relatedthattheyhadseenasuddenpuffofsmokecomeoutoftheearth，closetothem。andthattheyhad，atthesametime，heardanoiselikethegoingoffofapistol。*
*ThesefactsarementionedinSirWilliamHamilton’saccountofaneruptionofMountVesuvius——SeePhil。Trans。1795，firstpart。
Thevillagerslistenedwithlargeeyesandopenearstotheserelations。
yetsuchwastheirhabitualattachmenttothespottheylivedupon，orsuchthesecurityintheirowngoodfortune，thatfewofthemwouldbelievethattherecouldbeanynecessityforremoving——We’llseewhatwillhappento-morrow。weshallbesafehereonedaylonger，saidthey。
Francisco’sfatherandmother，moreprudentthanthegeneralityoftheirneighbours，wenttothehouseofarelation，atsomemiles’distancefromVesuvius，andcarriedwiththemalltheireffects。
Inthemeantime，FranciscowenttothevillawherehisEnglishfriendsresided。Thevillawasinamostdangeroussituation，nearTerredelGreco——atownthatstandsatthefootofMountVesuvius。HerelatedallthefactsthathehadheardtoArthur，who，nothavingbeen，liketheinhabitantsofResina，familiarizedtotheideaoflivinginthevicinityofaburningmountain，andhabituatedtotrustinSt。Januarius，wassufficientlyalarmedbyFrancisco’srepresentations。Herantohismaster’sapartment，andcommunicatedallthathehadjustheard。TheCountdeFloraandhislady，whowereatthistimeinthehouse，ridiculedthefearsofArthur，andcouldnotbeprevailedupontoremoveevenasfarasNaples。Theladywasintentuponpreparationsforherbirthday，whichwastobecelebratedinafewdayswithgreatmagnificenceattheirvilla。andsheobservedthatitwouldbeapitytoreturntotownbeforethatday，andtheyhadeverythingarrangedforthefestival。TheprudentEnglishmanhadnotthegallantrytoappeartobeconvincedbythesearguments，andhelefttheplaceofdanger。Heleftitnottoosoon，forthenextmorningexhibitedascene——ascenewhichweshallnotattempttodescribe。
WereferouryoungreaderstotheaccountofthisdreadfuleruptionofMountVesuvius，publishedbySirW。HamiltoninthePhilosophicalTransactions。Itissufficientheretosaythat，inthespaceofaboutfivehours，thewretchedinhabitantsofTorredelGrecosawtheirtownutterlydestroyedbythestreamsofburninglavawhichpouredfromthemountain。ThevillaofCountdeFlora，withsomeothers，whichwereatalittledistancefromthetown，escaped。buttheywereabsolutelysurroundedbythelava。Thecountandcountesswereobligedtoflyfromtheirhousewiththeutmostprecipitationinthenight-time。andtheyhadnottimetoremoveanyoftheirfurniture，theirplate，clothes，orjewels。
Afewdaysaftertheeruption，thesurfaceofthelavabecamesocoolthatpeoplecouldwalkuponit，thoughseveralfeetbeneaththesurfaceitwasstillexceedinglyhot。Numbersofthosewhohadbeenforcedfromtheirhousesnowreturnedtotheruinstotrytosavewhatevertheycould。Buttheseunfortunatepersonsfrequentlyfoundtheirhouseshadbeenpillagedbyrobbers，who，inthesemomentsofgeneralconfusion，enrichthemselveswiththespoilsoftheirfellow-creatures。
Hasthecountabandonedhisvilla？andistherenoonetotakecareofhisplateandfurniture？Thehousewillcertainlyberansackedbeforemorning，saidtheoldcarpentertoFrancisco，whowasathishousegivinghimanaccountoftheirflight。Franciscoimmediatelywenttothecount’shouseinwarnhimofhisdanger。ThefirstpersonhesawwasArthur，who，withafaceofterror，saidtohim，Doyouknowwhathashappened？ItisalloverwithResina！
AlloverwithResina！What，hastherebeenafresheruption？HasthelavareachedResina？
No。butitwillinevitablybeblownup。There，saidArthur，pointingtoathinfigureofanItalian，whostoodpaleandtrembling，andlookinguptoheavenashecrossedhimselfrepeatedly。There，saidArthur，isamanwhohasleftaparcelofhiscursedrocketsandfireworks，withI
don’tknowhowmuchgunpowder，inthecount’shouse，fromwhichwehavejustfled。Thewindblowsthatway。Onesparkoffire，andthewholeisblownup。
Franciscowaitednottohearmore。butinstantly，withoutexplaininghisintentionstoanyone，setoutforthecount’svilla，and，withabucketofwaterinhishand，crossedthebedsoflavawithwhichthehousewasencompassed。when，reachingthehallwheretherocketsandgunpowderwereleft，heplungedthemintothewater，andreturnedwiththeminsafetyoverthelava，yetwarmunderhisfeet。
Whatwasthesurpriseandjoyofthepoorfirework-makerwhenhesawFranciscoreturnfromthisdangerousexpedition！Hecouldscarcelybelievehiseyes，whenhesawtherocketsandthegunpowderallsafe。
Thecount，whohadgivenupthehopesofsavinghispalace，wasinadmirationwhenheheardofthisinstanceofintrepidity，whichproperlysavednotonlyhisvilla，butthewholevillageofResina，fromdestruction。Thesefireworkshadbeenpreparedforthecelebrationofthecountess’birthday，andwereforgotteninthehurryofthenightonwhichtheinhabitantsfledfromTorredelGreco。
Braveyoungman！saidthecounttoFrancisco，Ithankyou，andshallnotlimitmygratitudetothanks。Youtellmethatthereisdangerofmyvillabeingpillagedbyrobbers。Itisfromthismomentyourinterest，aswellasmine，topreventtheirdepredations。fortrusttomyliberalityaportionofallthatissavedofmineshallbeyours。
Bravo！bravissimo！exclaimedone，whostartedfromarecessedwindowinthehallwhereallthispassed。Bravo！bravissimo！——Franciscothoughtheknewthevoiceandthecountenanceofthisman，whoexclaimedwithsomuchenthusiasm。Herememberedtohaveseenhimbefore，butwhen，orwhere，hecouldnotrecollect。Assoonasthecountleftthehall，thestrangercameuptoFrancisco。Isitpossible，saidhe，thatyoudon’tknowme？ItisscarcelyatwelvemonthsinceIdrewtearsfromyoureyes。
Tearsfrommyeyes？repeatedFrancisco，smiling。Ihaveshedbutfewtears。Ihavehadbutfewmisfortunesinmylife。ThestrangeransweredhimbytwoextemporeItalianlines，whichconveyednearlythesameideathathasbeensowellexpressedbyanEnglishpoet：——
Toeachtheirsufferings——allaremenCondemn’daliketogroan。
Thefeelingforanother’swoes，Th’unfeelingforhisown。
Iknowyounowperfectlywell，criedFrancisco。youaretheImprovisatorewho，onefinemoonlightnightlastsummer，toldusthestoryofCornarotheTurk。
Thesame，saidtheImprovisatore。thesame，thoughinabetterdress，whichIshouldnothavethoughtwouldhavemadesomuchdifferenceinyoureyes，thoughitmakesallthedifferencebetweenmanandmanintheeyesofthestupidvulgar。Mygeniushasbrokenthroughthecloudsofmisfortuneoflate。AfewhappyimpromptuversesImadeontheCountdeFlora’sfallfromhishorseattractedattention。Thecountpatronizesme。IamherenowtolearnthefateofanodeIhavejustcomposedforhislady’sbirthday。Myodewastohavebeensettomusic，andtohavebeenperformedathisvillanearTorredelGreco，ifthesetroubleshadnotintervened。Nowthatthemountainisquietagain，peoplewillreturntotheirsenses。Iexpecttobemunificentlyrewarded。But，perhaps，I
detainyou。Go。Ishallnotforgettocelebratetheheroicactionyouhaveperformedthisday。Istillamusemyselfamongstthepopulaceinmytatteredgarblateintheevenings，andIshallsoundyourpraisesthroughNaplesinapoemImeantoreciteonthelateeruptionofMountVesuvius。Adieu。
TheImprovisatorewasasgoodashisword。Thatevening，withmorethanhisusualenthusiasm，herecitedhisversestoagreatcrowdofpeopleinoneofthepublicsquares。AmongstthecrowdwereseveraltowhomthenameofFranciscowaswellknown，andbywhomhewaswellbeloved。Thesewerehisyoungcompanions，whorememberedhimasafruit-selleramongstthelittlemerchants。Theyrejoicedtohearhispraises，andrepeatedthelineswithshoutsofapplause。
Letuspass。Whatisallthisdisturbanceinthestreets？saidaman，pushinghiswaythroughthecrowd。AladwhoheldbyhisarmstoppedsuddenlyonhearingthenameofFrancisco，whichthepeoplewererepeatingwithsomuchenthusiasm。
Ha！IhavefoundatlastastorythatinterestsyoumorethanthatofCornarotheTurk，criedtheImprovisatore，lookinginthefaceoftheyouth，whohadstoppedsosuddenly。Youaretheyoungmanwho，lastsummer，hadlikedtohavetrickedmeoutofmynewhat。Promisemeyouwon’ttouchitnow，saidhe，throwingdownthehatathisfeet，oryouhearnotonewordIhavetosay。NotonewordoftheheroicactionperformedatthevillaoftheCountdeFlora，nearTorredelGreco，thismorning，bySignorFrancisco。
SIGNORFrancisco！repeatedtheladwithdisdain。Well，letushearwhatyouhavetotellofhim，addedhe。Yourhatisverysafe，I
promiseyou。Ishallnottouchit。WhatofSIGNORFrancisco？
SIGNORFranciscoImay，withoutimpropriety，callhim，saidtheImprovisatore，forheislikelytobecomerichenoughtocommandthetitlefromthosewhomightnototherwiserespecthismerit。
Likelytobecomerich！how？saidthelad，whomourreadershaveprobablybeforethistimediscoveredtobePiedro。How，pray，ishelikelytobecomerichenoughtobeasignor？
TheCountdeFlorahaspromisedhimaliberalportionofallthefinefurniture，plateandjewelsthatcanbesavedfromhisvillaatTorredelGreco。Franciscoisgonedownhithernowwithsomeofthecount’sdomesticstoprotectthevaluablegoodsagainstthosevillainousplunderers，whorobbedtheirfellow-creaturesofwhateventheflamesofVesuviuswouldspare。
Come，wehavehadenoughofthisstuff，criedthemanwhosearmPiedroheld。Comeaway，andhehurriedforwards。
Thismanwasoneofthevillainsagainstwhomthehonestoratorexpressedsuchindignation。HewasoneofthosewithwhomPiedrogotacquaintedduringthetimethathewaslivingextravagantlyuponthemoneyhegainedbythesaleofthestolendiamondcross。Thatrobberywasnotdiscovered。andhissuccess，ashecalledit，hardenedhiminguilt。Hewasbothunwillingandunabletowithdrawhimselffromthebadcompanywithwhomhisillgottenwealthconnectedhim。Hedidnotconsiderthatbadcompanyleadstothegallows。*
*Lamalacompagniaequellachemenauominialaforca。
TheuniversalconfusionwhichfollowedtheeruptionofMountVesuviuswastothesevillainsatimeofrejoicing。NosoonerdidPiedro’scompanionhearoftherichfurniture，plate，etc。，whichtheimprudentoratorhaddescribedasbelongingtotheCountdeFlora’svilla，thanhelongedtomakehimselfmasterofthewhole。
Itisapity，saidPiedro，thatthecounthassentFrancisco，withhisservantsdowntoguardit。
AndwhoisthisFranciscoofwhomyouseemtostandinsomuchawe？
Aboy，ayoungladonly，ofaboutmyownage。butIknowhimtobesturdilyhonest。Theservantswemightcorrupt。buteventheoldproverbof’Anglewithasilverhook，’*won’tholdgoodwithhim。
*Pescarcolhamod’argento。
Andifhecannotbewonbyfairmeans，hemustbeconqueredbyfoul，
saidthedesperatevillain。butifweofferhimrathermorethanthecounthasalreadypromisedforhisshareofthebooty，ofcoursehewillconsultatoncehissafetyandhisinterest。
No，saidPiedro。thatisnothisnature。Iknowhimfromachild，andwehadbetterthinkofsomeotherhouseforto-night’sbusiness。
Noneother。nonebutthis，criedhiscompanion，withanoath。Mymindisdetermineduponthis，andyoumustobeyyourleader：recollectthefateofhimwhofailedmeyesterday。
Thepersontowhomhealludedwasoneofthegangofrobberswhohadbeenassassinatedbyhiscompanionsforhesitatingtocommitsomecrimesuggestedbytheirleader。Notyrannyissodreadfulasthatwhichisexercisedbyvillainsovertheiryoungaccomplices，whobecometheirslaves。Piedro，whowasofacowardlynature，trembledatthethreateningcountenanceofhiscaptain，andpromisedsubmission。
Inthecourseofthemorning，inquiriesweremadesecretlyamongstthecount’sservants。andthetwomenwhowereengagedtositupatthevillathatnightalongwithFrancisco，werebribedtosecondtheviewsofthisgangofthieves。Itwasagreedthataboutmidnighttherobbersshouldbeletintothehouse。thatFranciscoshouldbetiedhandandfoot，whilsttheycarriedofftheirbooty。Heisastubbornchap，thoughsoyoung，I
understand，saidthecaptainoftherobberstohismen。butwecarryponiards，andknowhowtousethem。Piedro，youlookpale。Youdon’trequiretoberemindedofwhatIsaidtoyouwhenwewerealonejustnow？
Piedro’svoicefailed，andsomeofhiscomradesobservedthathewasyoungandnewtothebusiness。Thecaptain，who，frombeinghispretendedfriendduringhiswealthydays，hadoflatebecomehistyrant，castasternlookatPiedro，andbidhimbesuretobeattheoldJew’s，whichwastheplaceofmeeting，intheduskoftheevening。Aftersayingthishedeparted。
Piedro，whenhewasalone，triedtocollecthisthoughts——allhisthoughtswerefullofhorror。WhereamI？saidhetohimself。whatamIabout？DidIunderstandrightlywhathesaidaboutponiards？
Francisco。oh，Francisco！Excellent，kind，generousFrancisco！Yes，I
recollectyourlookwhenyouheldthebunchofgrapestomylips，asI
satbythesea-shoredesertedbyalltheworld。andnow，whatfriendshaveI。Robbersand——ThewordMURDERERShecouldnotutter。Heagainrecollectedwhathadbeensaidaboutponiards，andthelongerhismindfixeduponthewords，andthelookthataccompaniedthem，themorehewasshocked。HecouldnotdoubtbutthatitwastheseriousintentionofhisaccomplicestomurderFrancisco，ifheshouldmakeanyresistance。
Piedrohadatthismomentnofriendintheworldtowhomhecouldapplyforadviceorassistance。Hiswretchedfatherdiedsomeweeksbeforethistime，inafitofintoxication。Piedrowalkedupanddownthestreet，scarcelycapableofthinking，muchlessofcomingtoanyrationalresolution。
Thehourspassedaway，theshadowsofthehouseslengthenedunderhisfootsteps，theeveningcameon，andwhenitgrewdusk，afterhesitatingingreatagonyofmindforsometime，hisfearoftherobbers’vengeanceprevailedovereveryotherfeeling，andhewentattheappointedhourtotheplaceofmeeting。
TheplaceofmeetingwasatthehouseofthatJewtowhomhe，severalmonthsbefore，soldthediamondcross。Thatcrosswhichhethoughthimselfsoluckytohavestolen，andtohavedisposedofundetected，was，infact，thecauseofhisbeinginhispresentdreadfulsituation。ItwasattheJew’sthatheconnectedhimselfwiththisgangofrobbers，towhomhewasnowbecomeanabsoluteslave。
Oh，thatIdaredtodisobey！saidhetohimself，withadeepsigh，asheknockedsoftlyatthebackdooroftheJew’shouse。Thebackdooropenedintoanarrow，unfrequentedstreet，andsomesmallroomsatthissideofthehouseweresetapartforthereceptionofguestswhodesiredtohavetheirbusinesskeptsecret。Theseroomswereseparatedbyadarkpassagefromtherestofthehouse，andnumbersofpeoplecametotheshopinthefrontofthehouse，whichlookedintoacreditablestreet，withoutknowinganythingmore，fromtheostensibleappearanceoftheshop，thanthatitwasakindofpawnbroker’s，whereoldclothes，oldiron，andallsortsofrefusegoods，mightbedisposedofconveniently。
AtthemomentPiedroknockedatthebackdoor，thefrontshopwasfullofcustomers。andtheJew’sboy，whoseofficeitwastoattendtothesesignals，letPiedroin，toldhimthatnoneofhiscomradeswereyetcome，andlefthiminaroombyhimself。
Hewaspaleandtrembling，andfeltacolddewspreadoverhim。HehadaleadenimageofSaintJanuariustiedroundhisneck，which，inthemidstofhiswickedness，hesuperstitiouslypreservedasasortofcharm，andonthishekepthiseyesstupidlyfixed，ashesataloneinthisgloomyplace。
Helistenedfromtimetotime，butheheardnonoiseatthesideofthehousewherehewas。Hisaccomplicesdidnotarrive，and，inasortofimpatientterror，theattendantuponanevilconscience，heflungopenthedoorofhiscell，andgropedhiswaythroughthepassagewhichheknewledtothepublicshop。Helongedtohearsomenoise，andtomixwiththeliving。TheJew，whenPiedroenteredtheshop，wasbargainingwithapoor，thin-lookingmanaboutsomegunpowder。
Idon’tdenythatithasbeenwet，saidtheman，butsinceitwasinthebucketofwater，ithasbeencarefullydried。Itellyouthesimpletruth，thatsosoonafterthegranderuptionofMountVesuvius，thepeopleofNapleswillnotrelishfireworks。Mypoorlittlerockets，andevenmyCatherine-wheels，willhavenoeffect。IamgladtopartwithallIhaveinthislineofbusiness。AfewdaysagoIhadfinethingsinreadinessfortheCountessdeFlora’sbirthday，whichwastohavebeencelebratedatthecount’svilla。
Whydoyoufixyoureyesonme，friend？Whatisyourdiscoursetome？
saidPiedro，whoimaginedthatthemanfixedhiseyesuponhimashementionedthenameofthecount’svilla。
IdidnotknowthatIfixedmyeyesuponyou。Iwasthinkingofmyfireworks，saidthepoorman，simply。ButnowthatIdolookatyouandhearyourvoice，Irecollecthavinghadthepleasureofseeingyoubefore。
When？where？saidPiedro。
Agreatwhileago。nowonderyouhaveforgottenme，saidtheman。butIcanrecallthenighttoyourrecollection。YouwereinthestreetwithmethenightIletoffthatunluckyrocket，whichfrightenedthehorses，andwasthecauseofoverturningalady’scoach。Don’tyourememberthecircumstance？
Ihaveaconfusedrecollectionofsomesuchthing，saidPiedro，ingreatembarrassment。andhelookedsuspiciouslyatthisman，indoubtwhetherhewascunning，andwantedtosoundhim，orwhetherhewassosimpleasheappeared。
Youdidnot，perhaps，hear，then，continuedtheman，thattherewasagreatsearchmade，aftertheoverturn，forafinediamondcross，belongingtotheladyinthecarriage？Thatlady，thoughIdidnotknowittilllately，wastheCountessdeFlora。
Iknownothingofthematter，interruptedPiedro，ingreatagitation。
Hisconfusionwassomarked，thatthefirework-makercouldnotavoidtakingnoticeofit。andasilenceofsomemomentsensued。TheJew，morepractisedindissimulationthanPiedro，endeavouredtoturntheman’sattentionbacktohisrocketsandhisgunpowder——agreedtotakethegunpowder——paidforitinhaste，andwas，thoughapparentlyunconcerned，eagertogetridofhim。Butthiswasnotsoeasilydone。Theman’scuriositywasexcited，andhissuspicionsofPiedrowereincreasedeverymomentbyallthedarkchangesofhiscountenance。Piedro，overpoweredwiththesenseofguilt，surprisedattheunexpectedmentionofthediamondcross，andoftheCountdeFlora’svilla，stoodlikeoneconvicted，andseemedfixedtothespot，withoutpowerofmotion。
Iwanttolookattheoldcambricthatyousaidyouhad——thatwoulddoformaking——thatyoucouldletmehavecheapforartificialflowers，
saidthefirework-makertotheJew。andashespoke，hiseyefromtimetotimelookedtowardsPiedro。
Piedrofeltfortheleadenimageofthesaint，whichheworeroundhisneck。Thestringwhichhelditcracked，andbrokewiththepullhegaveit。Thisslightcircumstanceaffectedhisterrifiedandsuperstitiousmindmorethanalltherest。Heimaginedthatatthismomenthisfatewasdecided。thatSaintJanuariusdesertedhim，andthathewasundone。
Heprecipitatelyfollowedthefirework-mantheinstanthelefttheshop，andseizingholdofhisarm，whispered，Imustspeaktoyou。
Speak，then，saidtheman，astonished。
Nothere。thisway，saidhe，drawinghimtowardsthedarkpassage：
whatIhavetosaymustnotbeoverheard。YouaregoingtotheCountdeFlora’s，arenotyou？
Iam，saidtheman。Hewasgoingtheretospeaktothecountessaboutsomeartificialflowers。butPiedrothoughthewasgoingtospeaktoheraboutthediamondcross。
Youaregoingtogiveinformationagainstme？Nay，hearme，IconfessthatIpurloinedthatdiamondcross。butIcandothecountagreatservice，uponconditionthathepardonsme。Hisvillaistobeattackedthisnightbyfourwellarmedmen。Theywillsetoutfivehourshence。
Iamcompelled，underthethreatofassassination，toaccompanythem。butIshalldonomore。Ithrowmyselfuponthecount’smercy。Hastentohim——wehavenotimetolose。
Thepoorman，whoheardthisconfession，escapedfromPiedrothemomentheloosedhisarm。Withallpossibleexpeditionherantothecount’spalaceinNaples，andrelatedtohimallthathadbeensaidbyPiedro。
Someofthecount’sservants，onwhomhecouldmostdepend，wereatadistantpartofthecityattendingtheirmistress，buttheEnglishgentlemanofferedtheservicesofhismanArthur。Arthurnosoonerheardthebusiness，andunderstoodthatFranciscowasindanger，thanhearmedhimselfwithoutsayingoneword，saddledhisEnglishhorse，andwasreadytodepartbeforeanyoneelsehadfinishedtheirexclamationsandconjectures。
Butwearenottosetoutyet，saidtheservant。itisbutfourmilestoTorredelGreco。thesbirriofficersofjusticearesummoned——theyaretogowithus——wemustwaitforthem。
Theywaited，muchagainstArthur’sinclination，aconsiderabletimeforthesesbirri。Atlengththeysetout，andjustastheyreachedthevilla，theflashofthepistolwasseenfromoneoftheapartmentsinthehouse。Therobberswerethere。ThispistolwassnappedbytheircaptainatpoorFrancisco，whohadbravelyassertedthathewould，aslongashehadlife，defendthepropertycommittedtohiscare。Thepistolmissedfire，foritwaschargedwithsomeofthedamagedpowderwhichtheJewhadboughtthateveningfromthefireworkmaker，andwhichhehadsoldasexcellentimmediatelyafterwardstohisfavouritecustomers——therobberswhometathishouse。
Arthur，assoonasheperceivedtheflashofthepiece，pressedforwardthroughalltheapartments，followedbythecount’sservantsandtheofficersofjustice。Atthesuddenappearanceofsomanyarmedmen，therobbersstooddismayed。ArthureagerlyshookFrancisco’shand，congratulatinghimuponhissafety，anddidnotperceive，tillhehadgivenhimseveralroughfriendlyshakes，thathisarmwaswounded，andthathewaspalewiththelossofblood。
Itisnotmuch——onlyaslightwound，saidFrancisco。onethatIshouldhaveescaped，ifIhadbeenuponmyguard。butthesightofafacethatI
littleexpectedtoseeinsuchcompanytookfrommeallpresenceofmind。
andoneoftheruffiansstabbedmehereinthearm，whilstIstoodinstupidastonishment。
Oh！takemetoprison！takemetoprison——Iamwearyoflife——Iamawretchnotfittolive！criedPiedro，holdinghishandstobetiedbythesbirri。
ThenextmorningPiedrowasconveyedtoprison。andashepassedthroughthestreetsofNapleshewasmetbyseveralofthosewhohadknownhimwhenhewasachild。Ay，saidthey，ashewentby，hisfatherencouragedhimincheatingwhenhewasBUTACHILD。andseewhatheiscometo，nowheisaman！Hewasorderedtoremaintwelvemonthsinsolitaryconfinement。Hiscaptainandhisaccomplicesweresenttothegalleys，andtheJewwasbanishedfromNaples。
Andnow，havinggotthesevillainsoutoftheway，letusreturntohonestFrancisco。Hiswoundwassoonhealed。Arthurwasnobadsurgeon，forhelethispatientgetwellasfastashepleased。andCarloandRosettanursedhimwithsomuchkindness，thathewasalmostsorrytofindhimselfperfectlyrecovered。
Nowthatyouareabletogoout，saidFrancisco’sfathertohim，youmustcomeandlookatmynewhouse，mydearson。
Yournewhouse，father？
Yes，son，andacharmingoneitis，andahandsomepieceoflandnearit——allatasafedistance，too，fromMountVesuvius。andcanyouguesshowIcamebyit？——itwasgiventomeforhavingagoodson。
Yes，criedCarlo。theinhabitantsofResina，andseveralwhohadpropertynearTerredelGreco，andwhosehousesandlivesweresavedbyyourintrepidityincarryingthematerialsforthefireworksandthegunpowderoutofthisdangerousplace，wentinabodytotheduke，andrequestedthathewouldmentionyournameandthesefactstotheking，who，amongstthegrantshehasmadetothesufferersbythelateeruptionofMountVesuvius，hasbeenpleasedtosaythathegivesthishouseandgardentoyourfather，becauseyouhavesavedthepropertyandlivesofmanyofhissubjects。
Thevalueofahandsomeportionoffurniture，plate，etc。，intheCountdeFlora’svilla，was，accordingtothecount’spromise，giventohim。
andthismoneyhedividedbetweenhisownfamilyandthatofthegoodcarpenterwhofirstputapencilintohishands。Arthurwouldnotacceptofanypresentfromhim。ToMr。Lee，theEnglishgentleman，heofferedoneofhisowndrawings——afruit-piece。
Ilikethisverywell，saidArthur，asheexaminedthedrawing，butI
shouldlikethismelonbetterifitwasalittlebruised。ItisnowthreeyearsagosinceIwasgoingtobuythatbruisedmelonfromyou。youshowedmeyourhonestnaturethen，thoughyouwerebutaboy。andIhavefoundyouthesameeversince。Agoodbeginningmakesagoodending——anhonestboywillmakeanhonestman。andhonestyisthebestpolicy，asyouhaveprovedtoallwhowantedtheproof，Ihope。
Yes，addedFrancisco’sfather，IthinkitisprettyplainthatPiedrotheCunninghasnotmanagedquitesowellasFranciscotheHonest。
TARLTON。
Delightfultask！torearthetenderthought，——
Toteachtheyoungideahowtoshoot，——
Topourthefreshinstructiono’erthemind，——
Tobreatheth’enliveningspirit，——andtofixThegenerouspurposeintheglowingbreast。
THOMSON。
YoungHardywaseducatedbyMr。Freeman，averyexcellentmaster，atoneofourruralSundayschools。Hewashonest，obedient，activeandgood-
natured，hencehewasesteemedbyhismaster。andbeingbelovedbyallhiscompanionswhoweregood，hedidnotdesiretobelovedbythebad。
norwasheatallvexedorashamedwhenidle，mischievousordishonestboysattemptedtoplagueorridiculehim。HisfriendLoveit，onthecontrary，wishedtobeuniversallyliked，andhishighestambitionwastobethoughtthebestnaturedboyintheschool——andsohewas。HeusuallywentbythenameofPOORLOVEIT，andeverybodypitiedhimwhenhegotintodisgrace，whichhefrequentlydid，forthoughhehadagooddisposition，hewasledtodothingswhichheknewtobewrongmerelybecausehecouldneverhavethecouragetosayNO，becausehewasafraidtooffendtheill-natured，andcouldnotbeartobelaughedatbyfools。
Onefineautumnevening，alltheboyswerepermittedtogoouttoplayinapleasantgreenmeadowneartheschool。Loveitandanotherboy，calledTarlton，begantoplayagameofbattledoreandshuttlecock，andalargepartystoodbytolookon，fortheywerethebestplayersatbattledoreandshuttlecockintheschool，andthiswasatrialofskillbetweenthem。Whentheyhadgotituptothreehundredandtwenty，thegamebecameveryinteresting。Thearmsofthecombatantstiredthattheycouldscarcelywieldthebattledores。Theshuttlecockbegantowaverintheair。nowitalmosttouchedtheground，andnow，totheastonishmentofthespectators，mountedagainhighovertheirheads：yetthestrokesbecamefeeblerandfeebler。andNow，Loveit！Now，Tarlton！resoundedonallsides。Foranotherminutethevictorywasdoubtful。butatlengththesettingsun，shiningfullinLoveit’sface，sodazzledhiseyesthathecouldnolongerseetheshuttlecock，anditfellathisfeet。
AfterthefirstshoutforTarlton’striumphwasover，everybodyexclaimed，PoorLoveit！he’sthebestnaturedfellowintheworld！Whatapitythathedidnotstandwithhisbacktothesun！
Now，Idareyoualltoplayanothergamewithme，criedTarlton，vauntingly。andashespoke，hetossedtheshuttlecockupwithallhisforce——withsomuchforcethatitwentoverthehedgeanddroppedintoalane，whichwentclosebesidethefield。Hey-day！saidTarlton，whatshallwedonow？
Theboyswerestrictlyforbiddentogointothelane。anditwasupontheirpromisenottobreakthiscommand，thattheywereallowedtoplayintheadjoiningfield。
Noothershuttlecockwastobehadandtheirplaywasstopped。Theystoodonthetopofthebank，peepingoverthehedge。Iseeityonder，
saidTarlton。Iwishsomebodywouldgetit。Onecouldgetoverthegateatthebottomofthefield，andbebackagaininhalfaminute，addedhe，lookingatLoveit。Butyouknowwemustnotgointothelane，saidLoveit，hesitatingly。Pugh！saidTarlton，why，now，whatharmcoulditdo？
Idon’tknow，saidLoveit，drumminguponhisbattledore。but——
Youdon’tknow，man！why，then，whatareyouafraidof，Iaskyou？
Loveitcoloured，wentondrumming，andagain，inalowervoice，saidHE
DIDN’TKNOW。ButuponTarlton’srepeating，inamoreinsolenttone，I
askyou，man，whatyou’reafraidof？hesuddenlyleftoffdrumming，andlookinground，said，hewasnotafraidofanythingthatheknewof。
Yes，butyouare，saidHardy，comingforward。
AmI？saidLoveit。ofwhat，pray，amIafraid？
Ofdoingwrong！
AfraidOFDOINGWRONG！repeatedTarlton，mimickinghim，sothathemadeeverybodylaugh。Now，hadn’tyoubettersayafraidofbeingflogged？
No，saidHardy，coolly，afterthelaughhadsomewhatsubsided，Iamaslittleafraidofbeingfloggedasyouare，Tarlton。butImeant——
Nomatterwhatyoumeant。whyshouldyouinterferewithyourwisdomandyourmeanings。nobodythoughtofaskingYOUtostirastepforus。butweaskedLoveit，becausehe’sthebestfellowintheworld。
Andforthatveryreasonyoushouldnotaskhim，because，youknowhecan’trefuseyouanything。
Indeed，though，criedLoveit，piqued，THEREyou’remistaken，forI
couldrefuseifIchoseit。
Hardysmiled。andLoveit，halfafraidofhiscontempt，andhalfafraidofTarlton’sridicule，stooddoubtful，andagainhadrecoursetohisbattledore，whichhebalancedmostcuriouslyuponhisforefinger。Lookathim！——nowdolookathim！criedTarlton。didyoueverinyourlifeseeanybodylooksosilly？——Hardyhashimquiteunderhisthumb。he’ssomortallyafraidofParsonPrig，thathedarenot，forthesoulofhim，turneitherofhiseyesfromthetipofhisnose。lookhowhesquints！
Idon’tsquint，saidLoveit，lookingup，andnobodyhasmeunderhisthumb！andwhatHardysaidwasonlyforfearIshouldgetindisgrace。
he’sthebestfriendIhave。
Loveitspokethiswithmorethanusualspirit，forbothhisheartandhisprideweretouched。
Comealong，then，saidHardy，takinghimbythearminanaffectionatemanner。andhewasjustgoing，whenTarltoncalledafterhim，Ay，goalongwithitsbestfriend，andtakecareitdoesnotgetintoascrape——
good-bye，LittlePanado！
WhomdotheycallLittlePanado？saidLoveit，turninghisheadhastilyback。
Nevermind，saidHardy，whatdoesitsignify？
No，saidLoveit，tobesureitdoesnotsignify。butonedoesnotliketobecalledLittlePanado：besides，addedhe，aftergoingafewstepsfarther，they’llallthinkitsoill-natured。Ihadbettergoback，andjusttellthemthatI’mverysorryIcan’tgettheirshuttlecock。docomebackwithme。
No，saidHardy，Ican’tgoback。andyou’dbetternot。
But，Iassureyou，Iwon’tstayaminute。waitforme，addedLoveit。
andheslunkbackagaintoprovethathewasnotLittlePanado。
Oncereturned，therestfollowed，ofcourse。fortosupporthischaracterofgood-naturehewasobligedtoyieldtotheentreatiesofhiscompanions，andtoshowhisspirit，leaptoverthegate，amidsttheacclamationsofthelittlemob：——hewasquicklyoutofsight。
Here，criedhe，returninginaboutfiveminutes，quiteoutofbreath，I’vegottheshuttlecock。andI’lltellyouwhatI’veseen，criedhe，pantingforbreath。
What？criedeverybody，eagerly。
Why，justattheturnofthecorner，attheendofthelane——panting。
Well，saidTarlton，impatiently，dogoon。
Letmejusttakebreathfirst。
Pugh——nevermindyourbreath。
Well，then，justattheturnofthecorner，attheendofthelane，asI
waslookingaboutfortheshuttlecock，Iheardagreatrustlingsomewherenearme，andsoIlookedwhereitcouldcomefrom。andIsaw，inanicelittlegarden，ontheoppositesideoftheway，aboy，aboutasbigasTarlton，sittinginagreattree，shakingthebranches：soIcalledtotheboy，tobegone。buthesaidhecouldnotgivemeone，forthattheywerehisgrandfather’s。andjustatthatminute，frombehindagooseberrybush，uppoppedtheuncle。thegrandfatherpokedhisheadoutofthewindow。soIranoffasfastasmylegswouldcarrymethoughIheardhimbawlingaftermealltheway。
Andlethimbawl，criedTarlton。heshan’tbawlfornothing。I’mdeterminedwe’llhavesomeofhisfinelargerosyapplesbeforeIsleepto-night。
Atthisspeechageneralsilenceensued。everybodykepttheireyesfixeduponTarlton，exceptLoveit，wholookeddown，apprehensivethatheshouldbedrawnonmuchfartherthanheintended。Oh，indeed！saidhetohimself，asHardytoldme，Ihadbetternothavecomeback！
Regardlessofthisconfusion，Tarltoncontinued，ButbeforeIsayanymore，Ihopewehavenospiesamongstus。Ifthereisanyoneofyouafraidtobeflogged，lethimmarchoffthisinstant！
Loveitcoloured，bithislips，wishedtogo，buthadnotthecouragetomovefirst。Hewaitedtoseewhateverybodyelsewoulddo：nobodystirred。soLoveitstoodstill。
Well，then，criedTarlton，givinghishandtotheboynexthim，thentothenext，yourwordandhonourthatyouwon’tbetrayme。butstandbyme，andI’llstandbyyou。Eachboygavehishandandhispromise。
repeating，Standbyme，andI’llstandbyyou。
Loveithungbacktillthelast。andhadalmosttwistedoffthebuttonoftheboy’scoatwhoscreenedhim，whenTarltoncameup，holdingouthishand，Come，Loveit，lad，you’reinforit：standbyme，andI’llstandbyyou。
Indeed，Tarlton，expostulatedhe，withoutlookinghimintheface，I
dowishyou’dgiveupthisscheme。Idaresayalltheapplesaregonebythistime。Iwishyouwould。Do，pray，giveupthisscheme。
Whatscheme，man？youhave’n’theardityet。youmayaswellknowyourtextbeforeyoubeginpreaching。
ThecornersofLoveit’smouthcouldnotrefusetosmile，thoughinhishearthefeltnottheslightestinclinationtolaugh。
Why，Idon’tknowyou，IdeclareIdon’tknowyouto-day，saidTarlton。
youusedtobethebestnaturedmostagreeableladintheworld，andwoulddoanythingoneaskedyou。butyou’requitealteredoflate，asweweresayingjustnow，whenyouskulkedawaywithHardy：come，——do，man，pluckupalittlespirit，andbeoneofus，oryou’llmakeusallHATE
YOU。
HATEme！repeatedLoveit，withterror。no，surely，youwon’tallHATE
me！andhemechanicallystretchedouthishandwhichTarltonshookviolently，saying，Ay，now，that’sright。
Ay，now，that’swrong！whisperedLoveit’sconscience。buthisconsciencewasofnousetohim，foritwasalwaysoverpoweredbythevoiceofnumbers。andthoughhehadthewish，heneverhadthepower，todoright。PoorLoveit！Iknewhewouldnotrefuseus，criedhiscompanions。andevenTarlton，themomentheshookhandswithhim，despisedhim。Itiscertainthatweaknessofmindisdespisedbothbythegoodandthebad。
Theleaguebeingthusformed，Tarltonassumedalltheairsofcommander，explainedhisschemes，andlaidtheplanofattackuponthepooroldman’sapple-tree。Itwastheonlyonehehadtheworld。Weshallnotdwellupontheirconsultation。fortheamusementofcontrivingsuchexpeditionsisoftenthechiefthingwhichinducesidleboystoengageinthem。
Therewasasmallwindowattheendofthebackstaircase，throughwhich，betweennineandteno’clockatnight，Tarlton，accompaniedbyLoveitandanotherboy，creptout。Itwasamoonlightnight，andaftercrossingthefield，andclimbingthegate，directedbyLoveit，whonowresolvedtogothroughtheaffairwithspirit，theyproceededdownthelanewithrashyetfearfulsteps。
AtadistanceLoveitsawthewhitewashedcottage，andtheapple-treebesideit。Theyquickenedtheirpace，andwithsomedifficultyscrambledthroughthehedgewhichfencedthegarden，thoughnotwithoutbeingscratchedandtornbythebriers。Everythingwassilent。Yetnowandthen，ateveryrustlingoftheleaves，theystarted，andtheirheartsbeatviolently。Once，asLoveitwasclimbingtheapple-tree，hethoughtheheardadoorinthecottageopen，andearnestlybeggedhiscompanionstodesistandreturnhome。This，however，hecouldbynomeanspersuadethemtodo，untiltheyhadfilledtheirpocketswithapples。then，tohisgreatjoy，theyreturned，creptinatthewindowandeachretired，assoftlyaspossible，tohisownapartment。
LoveitsleptintheroomwithHardy，whomhehadleftfastasleep，andwhomhenowwasextremelyafraidofawakening。AlltheappleswereemptiedoutofLoveit’spockets，andlodgedwithTarltontillthemorning，forfearthesmellshouldbetraythesecrettoHardy。Theroomdoorwasapttocreak，butitwasopenedwithsuchprecaution，thatnonoisecouldbeheard，andLoveitfoundhisfriendasfastasleepaswhenhelefthim。
Ah，saidhetohimself，howquietlyhesleeps！IwishIhadbeensleepingtoo。ThereproachesofLoveit’sconscience，however，servednootherpurposebuttotormenthim。hehadnotsufficientstrengthofmindtobegood。Theverynextnight，inspiteofallhisfears，andallhispenitence，andallhisresolutions，byalittlefreshridiculeandpersuasionhewasinducedtoaccompanythesamepartyonasimilarexpedition。Wemustobserve，thatthenecessityforcontinuingtheirdepredationsbecamestrongerthethirdday。for，thoughatfirstonlyasmallpartyhadbeeninthesecret，bydegreesitwasdivulgedtothewholeschool。anditwasnecessarytosecuresecrecybysharingthebooty。
EveryonewasastonishedthatHardy，withallhisquicknessandpenetration，hadnotyetdiscoveredtheirproceedings。butLoveitcouldnothelpsuspectingthathewasnotquitesoignorantasheappearedtobe。Loveithadstrictlykepthispromiseofsecrecy。buthewasbynomeansanartfulboy。andintalkingtohisfriend，consciousthathehadsomethingtoconceal，hewasperpetuallyonthepointofbetrayinghimself。thenrecollectinghisengagement，heblushed，stammered，bungled。anduponHardy’saskingwhathemeant，wouldanswerwithasilly，guiltycountenance，thathedidnotknow。orabruptlybreakoff，saying，Ohnothing！nothingatall！