d this awakened their
envy; they slandered me to my master, and he turned me away. Wherever I
went they cried "German dog! damned heretic!" after me; and three days
ago, when I was helping to haul a boat on shore near San Sebastiano,
they set upon me with stones and sticks. I defended myself like a man,
but that brute of a Nicolo hit at me with an oar, grazing my head, and
struck me so hard on the arm that he knocked me down. But now you have
filled me with a good meal, old lady; and there can be no doubt that I
feel your salve has done my arm good. See how I can move it; I shall be
able to row as well as ever almost directly."

"'He had risen from the ground, and was swinging his hurt arm backwards
and forwards vigorously. But the old woman cackled and laughed loud
again, and cried, tripping and dancing about in narrow circles, in a
strange way:

"'"Row! row! my little son! Row, like a man! It is coming! it is
coming!--the bright gold, glowing in grand flames! Row! row! like a
man!--just _once_ more, and then, never again."

"'Antonio was paying no further attention to the old woman's
proceedings, for a splendid spectacle had now begun to be visible to
his eyes. Up from San Clemens the Bucentoro was advancing with
resounding stroke of oars, and the Lion of the Adriatic on her
fluttering standard; like some golden swan of powerful pinions,
surrounded by thousands of boats and gondolas, she seemed, as she
lifted her proud, royal head on high, to lord it over a jubilant
multitude which had arisen, with glittering heads, from the deep
abysses of the ocean. The evening sun was casting glowing rays over the
sea, and over Venice, so that everything lay steeped in naming fire.
But as Antonio, in utter forgetfulness of his troubles, was gazing at
this sight, the glow grew bloodier and bloodier. A sullen hum came
through the air, given back like some fearful echo by the deeps of the
sea. A storm came sweeping up on black clouds, shrouding everything in
thick darkness; the waves rose higher and higher, like hissing, foaming
monsters, threatening to overwhelm everything. The boats and the
gondolas were driven in all directions, like feathers before a gale.
The Bucentoro, unfit, from her build, to weather the squall, drove
hither and thither. Instead of the glad festive tones of the trumpets
and cornets, rose cries of terror from those in danger on board of her.

"'Antonio looked before him in amazement. Close to him he heard a