The “Hern” was ordered directly to Reggio, where a second camp had been established under the command of Ensign Wilcox. This camp, while smaller than that at Messina, was admirably managed from the first. One morning, while the “Hern” was discharging her cargo, Wilcox was waked at half past five by the news that a big pontoon, their only lighter, that had been loaded the night before, was sinking. Wilcox plunged overboard with a line, hoping to get it made fast ashore and then beach the pontoon before it sank; but as he reached the shore, the lighter went down with a final gurgle, carrying with it half their nails, glass and roofing paper. The boards, doors and other light material went floating about the harbor, and as in Reggio there be land thieves as well as water thieves there was a lively time guarding the floating property. Wilcox was fortunate in finding a diver, who undertook to dive for the precious nails and the other heavy things that had sunk to the bottom of the harbor. Timothy, who had been ordered to Reggio, was deeply moved by the accident. He used every effort to hurry the diver to his work, but for some inexplicable reason the man kept putting it off. “I have been trying to get that diver started,” Timothy complained. “He can’t talk English but I finally found out he would not go down while it rains. I thought that strange but found out the reason at last; he is _afraid_ to go down lest the man pumping would _stop_ if a heavy shower comes on and let him die for want of air. “The river pirates is thick as fleas,” Timothy went on; “they are lifting every thing in sight.” The “river pirates” got away with very little, however, as they were pursued and forced to bring back the stolen articles. Timothy was anxious that the Reggio camp should lack nothing the Messina camp possessed; he had a great deal to say to Hugh on the subject whenever they met. “It’s a treat to see the Stars and Stripes [Illustration: WORKSHOP OF AMERICAN VILLAGE, REGGIO. _Page 265._] [Illustration: FIRST AMERICAN HOUSE IN REGGIO. _Page 265._] [Illustration: PALMI. AMERICAN SHELTERS. _Page 275._] [Illustration: REGGIO. CARPENTERS AT WORK. _Page 265._] floating here,” he said to Hugh. “I want Wilcox to fly them at Reggio but he darsen’t without orders. What’s the captain’s notion?” “Why, we was the first to hoist our flag the day we come ashore,” said Hugh. “After that all the other people, English, Swiss, French, Germans, had to hoist their banners, all over the shop, till now the place looks like a blooming world’s fair.” Or like a camp of latter-day crusaders, Hugh! “I think we should have our own colors, all the same,” Timothy persisted. “If the ‘boss’ goes away, I will send them up if I swing for it. Besides, it will create respect. Our men have had to wait a day for their pay. I hope they get it tonight. Last evening to hear them roaring you would think Old Tilley, the pig killer, was back in life!”