The rain was coming down in earnest now, and it was hard to keep from
losing her footing on the slippery rocks. She stumbled on regardless
of the danger, hoping against hope that she had chosen the right path,
and that each step was bringing her nearer to Beppi. Between calling
and climbing, she was tired, and she stopped for a moment to catch her
breath.

A sound, faint but unmistakable, reached her.

"Naa, Naa!"

Garibaldi was complaining about the weather, at no very great distance
away from her.

In her relief Lucia laughed excitedly.

"Beppi, Beppi, where are you?" she shouted, and waited eagerly for a
reply, but none came. She looked puzzled and then Garibaldi answered
her:

"Naa! Naa!"

The sound came from directly over her head, and she climbed up the
steep rock as fast as she could. Garibaldi was standing at the opening
of a cave. Lucia ran to her.

"Oh, my pet, I have found you at last. Where is Beppi?" she cried.
Garibaldi did not exactly reply, but she stepped a little to one side,
and Lucia saw Beppino curled up on a bed of dry leaves sheltered and