376 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



white robe, or a momentarily fancied resemblance of 

 figure, made his heart beat high with expectation, 

 until a second glance destroyed his hopes ; and the 

 turning of a head or drawing aside of a veil disclosed 

 the blooming features of some youthful beauty, to 

 which, in his then state of mind, the wrinkled and 

 unearthly visage of the incognita would have been 

 infinitely preferable. 



While the young painter was thus fluctuating be- 

 tween hope and disappointment, several lads with 

 naked arms, or but slightly encumbered with cloth- 

 ing, were giving the spectators a foretaste of the 

 approaching conflict ; and, encouraged by the applause 

 which was liberally vouchsafed them, making violent 

 efforts to drive one another off the bridge. At times 

 the spirit of partisanship would induce some of the 

 bystanders to come to the aid of those who seemed 

 likely to be defeated an interference that was re- 

 pressed by the aediles stationed at either end of the 

 bridge, who did their utmost to enforce the laAvs 

 of this popular tournament. Notwithstanding their 

 efforts, however, the mostra or duello between two 

 persons, by which the combat should begin, was often 

 converted into the frotta or melee, in which all pressed 

 forward without order. The first advantage was held 

 to be for one of the combatants to draw blood, if 

 it were only a single drop, from the nose or mouth of 

 his opponent. Loud applause rewarded the skill and 

 vigour of him who succeeded in throwing his adver- 



