The row along the base of the precipitous craggy shore was most beautiful, the water swarmed with gayly-colored sea-stars and jelly-fish, and on the rocks at the edge of the waves grew gorgeous madrepores, and other "frutti di mare." The Blue Grotto is one of the wonders of Italy, but to explore it is not a particularly easy matter, for its entrance is scarcely three feet in height.
"My! Have we got to squeeze under there!" exclaimed Peachy wonderingly, looking at the tiny space at the foot of the crag through which they would be obliged to pass.
"Not in these boats, of course," said Vincent.

"The skiffs are waiting, and if we just leave it to the boatmen they'll show us how to manage." The tiny craft that were in readiness for visitors now came forward, and the party was transferred to them.

Three passengers were taken in each skiff, and were required to lie flat on their backs in the bottom of the boat.

The boatman paddled to the entrance of the grotto, then also lying on his back he directed the skiff into a low passage, working his way along by pulling at a chain which was fastened to the roof of the rocky corridor.

In a short space of time they shot into an enormous cavern, 175 feet in length, and over 40 feet in height.