originally
for their cheapness, being intended for the use of men employed in the
great cattle-markets of the Argentine. The sordid origin of the
_Camicia Rossa_ was soon forgotten as it became the badge of honour.
Its fame was sung in many foreign lands, and it generally figured in
pictures of Garibaldi.

The Legion created some alarm in Rome as they appeared--men with their
dark faces surmounted by peaked hats and waving plumes. Garibaldi
himself rode on a white horse and attracted favourable notice, for he
was a gallant horseman and his red shirt became him no less than the
jaunty cap with its golden ornaments. Three thousand men accepted the
offer which the chief made when there was news that the French were
advancing to the city. He did not promise them gold nor distinction,
but a chance of meeting {198} their ancient enemy of Austria. Cold and
hunger would be theirs, and the weariness of constant marches. Death
would be the lot of many in their ranks, the cruel tortures of their
gaolers. All men were outlaws who had defended Rome, the Republic, to
the last, and bread and water might be refused to them within the
confines of their country.

The cry for war sounded, and Garibaldi led three thousand men,
including Ugo Bassi and the noblest of knight-errants. The attempt to
reach Venice was frustrated by a storm, and Anita died miserably in a
peasant's cottage, where she was dragged for shelter. Garibaldi fled
to the United States, and never saw again many of his bold companions.
Venice was left of dire necessity to defend herself from Austria. She
had sworn to resist to the last, and President Manin refused to
surrender even when cholera came upon the town and the citizens were
famished. He appealed to England, but only got advice to make terms
with the besiegers. He capitulated in the end because the town was
bombarded by the Austrian army, and he feared that the conquerors would
exercise a fell vengeance if the city still resisted. There was
nothing left to eat after the eighteen months' siege of Venice. Manin
left for Marseilles, mourned bitterly by the Venetians. His very
door-step was broken by the Austrians, who found his name upon it. Ugo
Bassi had kissed it, voicing the sentiment of many. "Next to God and
Italy--before the Pope--Manin!"

Victor Emmanuel, the young King of Sardinia, had won no such
popularity, suffering from the prejudice against his family, the House
of Savoy, and agains