Prospero has never ceased to amaze me. Unlike most apprentices in Rocca Sorrentina, Prospero is not only able in learning his trade as a baker, he seems to be able to converse with all manner of people. He can keep up with Professor Aldo and holds his own when discussing literature and politics; he can help sailors and merchants find what they are looking for when they come into town; he participates in works of assistance and charity with the members of the Confraternity of Mercy. At the same time, Prospero is one of the most lively youths in our circle. Why then was I surprised when he got us to Smugglers Cove and safely aboard a ship departing for the mainland?

"Leave everything to me," he said to Rico and me just before we boarded the ship.

In fact, we could see that the ship's captain and sailors all knew Prospero, and he moved among them with great confidence. He was quickly back with us, telling us just what we had to do to pull our weight and help the sailors weigh anchor and launch into the deep. There were so many sailing words that I only half understood. It did not matter. Rico and I just did everything that Prospero told us to do.

Soon we were sailing away from Pirates Cove and Rocca Sorrentina. The sun rose gloriously over the sea, and we enjoyed the bright colors of the morning sky as it bounced on the waters.

No sooner had we left the sight of land behind us than we sighted the land of the Italian coastline. We rounded the peninsula of Sorrento, keeping wide of the island of Capri, then traversed the Bay of Naples before turning just south of the islands of Ischia and Procida. We came close to the island of Nesida where we had heard that many who were sick with leprosy were brought to live out their days.

This is when Prospero told us to put on our cloaks again. As soon as we did, we realized that the ship was bringing us within sight of the capital city of the Kingdom: Naples. One can imagine that we were becoming excited. I shared with Rico and Prospero what Professor Aldo had told me: that Naples is the greatest port in the Mediterranean and the second largest city of Europe. We saw many other ships moving ahead of and beside us on the way into the port. Add to this the sound of the sea birds, the strength of the morning sea breeze and our quick progress across the waves, and our excitement quickly mounted.

How wonderful! I could not believe how I had suddenly become so anxious to set foot in Naples. Rico was asking a hundred questions, and Prospero was answering them, but I could not speak. My heart was in my throat as we rushed toward land.