of cheese.

Next, the driver drew out a strong knife, cut a good big bit of bread,
and gave each horse a mouthful in turn, not forgetting himself in the
meantime; but upon his own piece of bread he put an equally big morsel
of cheese. As they all stood there, eating in happy companionship, the
man looked about a little, and presently called out, "Hulloa, little
musician! won't you join us too? Come hither."

Now when Rico saw them all eating, he fully realized how very hungry he
was. He most gladly accepted the invitation, and approached the driver,
who cut such a big slice of bread and also of cheese to give the lad,
that Rico did not really know how he should manage to eat it.

He was obliged to put his fiddle down on the ground; and the coachman
looked on very complaisantly while the boy ate his breakfast, and said,
while he followed his own occupation,--

"You are a very small fiddler. Do you know how to play something?"

"Oh, yes! two songs, besides those I learned from my father,"
replied Rico.

"Really! And where are you going to on your two little legs?" said the
driver. "To Peschiera, on the Lake of Garda," was the serious answer.

At these words, the coachman burst into such boisterous laughter that
the boy gazed up at him in great astonishment.

"Well, you are a good one to travel," cried the man, still laughing."