Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/349

Rh not one of them was to be compared with this; and that the Prince of Villa Ambrosa is not to be depended upon.

Our stay at Ischia is now just at an end, because a Signora Napolitana, who has long been expected, is now coming, and will occupy my room,—the only one in which I could here write in peace,—and this allows me to accomplish my long-cherished plan of going in an open sailing-boat to Sorrento, no steamer going between the islands, in order to spend there the remainder of the summer. My summer-daughter will accompany me.

A gigantic boatman, and a great fighter amongst the fishermen on the shore, has undertaken to convey us thither in his boat, safe and sound, in four or five hours. He says that “he loves me like his mother,” and desires me “to cut off his head, or to give him a bastinado,” if he do not perform what he promises. I intend to set off the morning after to-morrow. I have mentioned this, my intention, to our Hercules to-day, whereupon he looked somewhat thoughtful, but said nothing.

And now farewell, Ischia and the Ischiotes!

, July 19th. Most certainly Ischia has something in common with one of the enchanted islands of the Odyssey! Most certain is it that one cannot leave it when one will. Contrary winds and a rough sea, La Signora Napolitana, who has not yet made her appearance, and certain other considerations, have caused me yet to linger here some days—not unwillingly, because Ischia has become very agreeable and dear to me. In the mean time, the following circumstance has occurred here: