Just as they stepped into the shadow of this street they heard the prow
of another boat grate against the marble steps behind them and caught
the faint sound of talk, apparently between their rower and others in
the second boat.

"Forward, Sir Hugh," said Day a little nervously. "This part of Venice
has no good name, for many wicked deeds are done here, but soon we shall
be through it."

So they stepped out briskly, and when they were about half-way down
the street heard other steps behind them. They turned and looked back
through the gloom, whereon the sound of the following steps died away.
They pushed on again, and so, unless the echo deceived them, did those
quick, stealthy steps. Then, as though by common consent, though no one
gave the word, they broke into a run and gained the end of the street,
which they now saw led into a large open space lit by the light of
the great moon, that broke suddenly through the veil of cloud or mist.
Again, as though by common consent, they wheeled round, Hugh drawing
his sword, and perceived emerging from the street six or seven cloaked
fellows, who, on catching sight of the flash of steel, halted and melted
back into the gloom.

"Who follow us so fast?" asked Hugh.

"Thieves, I think," answered David, even more nervously than before,
adding, "but if so, we are safe from them here."

"Yes, sure enough," said Grey Dick, "for I can shoot by moonlight," and,
drawing the black bow from its case, which he threw to the lad to carry,
he strung it, after which they saw no more of their pursuers.

Having waited a while, they began to examine the spot where they found
themselves, which Day told them was that Place of Arms where they must
fight on the morrow. It was large and level, having been used as a
drilling ground for generations. Perhaps it measured four hundred yards
square, and almost in the centre of it rose a stand of painted timber
roofed with canvas, and ornamented with gilded flagstaffs, from which
hung banners. On this stand, David said, the Doge and nobles would take
their seats to see the fray, for in front of it the charging knights
must meet.

They walked up and down the course taking note of everything, and
especially of how the sun would shine upon them and the foothold of the
soil, which appeared to be formed of fine, trodden sand.

"I ask no better ground to fight on," said Hugh at length, "though it is
strange to think," he added with a sigh, "that here withi