In about fifteen minutes Philippe came up, and said that the arrangements were made, and then the whole party went down stairs. There were two portantinas at the door, all ready. The men—an extremely rough-looking set—stood beside them.
"Now, Rosie," said Mrs. Gray, "you may get into yours first, so that I may see how you do it."
Philippe spread a shawl over the chair which Rosie was to go in, and Rosie took her seat. Four of the men then took hold of the ends of the poles, and first with a lift, and then a gentle toss, they raised it up to their shoulders. Rosie was a little frightened when she found herself going up so high into the air; but when the ends of the poles came down gently upon the men's shoulders and rested there, she felt reassured, and she looked down upon her mother with a smile.
"How do you feel?" asked Mrs. Gray.
"Beautifully," said Rosie.
Mrs. Gray then took her seat in her chair, and the bearers lifted her up upon their shoulders in the same way. Both sets of bearers set off immediately.
Rollo and Josie then mounted two donkeys, which Philippe had provided for them, while Mr. George set out on foot. In this order the party moved in quite a long procession from the area before the Hermitage, and began to follow the winding path which led along the crest of the ridge towards the foot of the cone. There were in all nearly thirty persons, thus:—
| Travellers, | 5 |
| Portantina bearers, 8 to each chair, | 16 |
| Donkey drivers, | 2 |
| Strapmen, | 2 |
| Refreshment man, | 1 |
| Guide, | 1 |
| __ | |
| 27 |
The refreshment man carried the provisions, which he hoped to sell to the party by the way, in a basket poised upon his head.