"It seems such a regular slope, that one could almost ride up; but I dare say, when you are close you would find all sorts of difficult places." "I should like to try," Matteo said.

"What a grand view there would be from the top! "Is the port we are going to try first, captain, anywhere near the foot of the mountain ?" "No, I am going round the southern part of the island.

On this side the ground is less fertile, and we should have difficulty in obtaining a cargo.

But even were we to put into a port on this side, you would not be able to climb Mount Etna.
"Sicily has been an unfortunate country.

Its great natural wealth has rendered it an object of desire, to all its neighbours.