THE PIEATES OF SEGNA. 377 



sary into the canal ; but the clamour "became deafen- 

 ing when a champion was found who maintained his 

 station in the centre of the bridge, without any of 

 the opposite party venturing to attack him. This 

 feat won the highest honour that could be obtained ; 

 and he who achieved it retired from his post amid 

 the waving of scarfs and handkerchiefs, and the 

 enthusiastic cheers of the gratified spectators. 



At length the bell of the Campanile announced 

 that Mass was over, and presently, out of two opposite 

 streets that had been purposely kept clear, the com- 

 batants emerged, pressing forward in eager haste 

 towards the bridge ; their arms naked to the shoul- 

 ders, their breasts protected by leathern doublets, 

 and their heads by closely fitting caps their dress 

 altogether as light as possible, and well adapted to 

 the struggle in which they were about to engage. 

 The loud hum of the multitude was hushed on their 

 appearance, and the deepest silence reigned while the 

 aediles marshalled them to their respective places, on 

 which they planted themselves in threatening atti- 

 tudes, their broad and muscular chests expanded, 

 their fists clenched, their feet seeming to grasp the 

 ground on which they stood. 



A loud flourish of trumpets gave the signal of the 

 onset, and with inconceivable impetuosity the two 

 parties threw themselves on each other. In spite, 

 however, of the fury and violence of the shock, neither 

 side yielded an inch of ground. The bridge was com- 



