"Now," said he to Charles and Allie, "follow me."
Rollo went on a little way along a winding street, and then turning to the right, began to go up a steep ascent, formed of very broad steps, which seemed to lead to a higher street. As soon as the party began to go up these steps, they saw several children running down from above to meet them. When these children reached the place where Rollo was, they began saying something very eagerly in Italian, scrambling up the steps again at the same time, so as to keep up with Rollo and his party.
"What do these children want?" asked Allie.
"I don't know," said Rollo. "I have not the least idea."
"I suppose they are begging," said Charles.
"No," said Allie. "If they were begging, they would hold out their hands."
At the top of the stairs Rollo and his party were met by half a dozen more children, so that there were now eight or ten in all. They ran on before and by the side of Rollo and his party, all looking very eager and animated, talking incessantly, and beckoning and pointing forward.
"Ah!" said Rollo, "I know. They want to show us the way to the Tarpeian Rock."
"But you said you knew the way," said Allie.
"I said I could find it," replied Rollo, "and so I can; but I am willing to pay one of these children for showing me, but not all. Stop a minute, till I choose. Or, rather, you may choose, Allie," he added.