innocent man. I never did any
thing; I never will do any thing so long as I live.'

'That's the reason they shut you up, perhaps. You are lazy, an't you?'

'Never. It's because I have been too active. So, Signor, give me a few
baiocchi, for I am tired of being shut up in this old bottle, and if
they will let me out I will marry her to-morrow.'

So Rocjean gave him a few baiocchi, asking Caper what he thought of this
plan of allowing jail-birds to sit and sing to every one who passed by,
permitting the inmates of the prison to converse with and entertain
their friends?

They had hardly passed the prison before three horses, sleekly curried,
and with ribbons tied to their manes and tails, were led past them. And
in answer to a question from Dexter, he learned that they were being led
down to the stretch of road at the foot of the town, the spur connecting
the conical mountain on which Segni is built, with the Volscian
mountains in its rear. This road was about a quarter of a mile in
length, quite level, and lined on both sides with fine old elm-trees,
giving goodly shade; it was used as a race-course; and the three horses
were going down to run a _Carriera_ or race. Four horses were to run
bare-backed, their riders being well used to dispense with saddles, and
managing to guide them with a rope halter in lieu of bridle. The purse
was four scudi, (four dollars.) Two horses were to run at a time, and
the race was then to be run off by the two winning horses.

Anxious to conform to the customs of the country, including Sabbath
quarter-races, our three artists retraced their steps, and descending
the main street, were soon outside the gate of the town. Selecting a
good position in the shade where they could see the race to advantage,
they quietly waited for the races to begin. At the firing of a gun, down
the course came two flying bay horses, ridden by boys, who urged them on
to top speed, accelerated by the shouts of the entire population; the
smallest horse won that heat. Again the gun was fired, and now the two
other horses, a dark bay and a black, came thundering along, the black
going ahead by four lengths, and receiving shouts of applause as _Il
Diavolo Benissimo_! Now came the real pull, for the two winners were to
try off; and as the last gun sounded, _Clatter, whizz!_ the small bay
and the black horse fairly flew by, neck and neck; unfortunately the
black bolted from the course before he reached the goal, and th