132 A TOUR THROUGH
On our way back to Nicolosi we were
joined by three or four more, with their
wives. I began to be a little afraid of
myself, lest they should insill: on knowing
the secret. However, I took out my bits
of lava, and told them they were at their
service, is they had any occasion for them,
But they refused them, saying, they wilhed
to the Virgin, and St. Agatha, that I could
take away the whole of it; as it had ruined
the fmest country in all Sicily.
One fellow, who asTumed an air of su-
perior wisdom and dignity to the rest,
made them form a circle round him, and
began to interrogate me with great gravity
and composure. It was with disficulty I
could keep my countenance; but as I was
alone with them, at seme disUrce srcrr. te
village, I was afraid of offending. He de-
sired me to answer him with truth and pre-
cision, what were the real motives of our
coming so fatiguing and disagrceable a,
journey ?