"You come along too, and make them show us the way. You will then return here with them. The sooner the better. Haste!"
The women gladly assented to this.
Accordingly they all started, each one of the Americans carrying a gun in one hand, and holding the arm of a bandit with the other. The women went ahead of their own accord, eager to put an end to their fears by getting rid of such dangerous guests. After a walk of about half an hour they came to the public road which ran near to the sea.
"I thought I smelt the sea-air," said Dick.
They had gone by the other side of Vesuvius.
"This is the road to Naples, Signori," said the women.
"Ah! And you won't feel safe till you get the men away. Very well, you may go. We can probably take care of ourselves now."
The women poured forth a torrent of thanks and blessings. The men were then allowed to go, and instantly vanished into the darkness. At first it was quite dark, but after a while the moon arose and they walked merrily along, though very hungry.
Before they reached their hotel it was about one o'clock. Buttons and Dick stared there. As they were all sitting over the repast which they forced the landlord to get for them, Dick suddenly struck his hand on the table.
"Sold!" he cried.