of the Florentine fleet at Pisa, naming as his Vice Admiral,
Baccio Martelli, the most valiant and best experienced naval commander
in his forces, and the head of one of the most ancient Florentine
families.

In spite of Cardinal Giovanni's expression of affection for his younger
brother, there is no doubt that he was not a little jealous of his
mother's partiality for Garzia. One would have thought that Duchess
Eleanora would have regarded with special delight and love the son who
most resembled herself in appearance and disposition; but perhaps the
reason for her preference may be gathered by looking into the happy,
radiant, laughing face of her bonnie little son, as painted by Angelo
Bronzino at the Uffizi in Florence!

It would seem that when the Court reached Rosignano the Duchess,
Giovanni, and Garzia complained of fever, and they were for a few days
confined to the house. The good air and the charm of country life were
specific, and the invalids regained their vigour and their good spirits,
and all were eager for the sport. Each day had its particular
rendezvous, and what form the pastime should take was agreed overnight
by the chief huntsmen and falconers.

The Duchess Eleanora did not always accompany her husband, and
Ernando--who was not quite thirteen--generally remained with his tutors
at the Castle until afternoon, when they both sallied forth, with little
Piero, to meet the returning-hunting party. Upon the ever-memorable
twenty-sixth of November the Duchess had been persuaded by Don Giovanni
to go with them, for there was to be a deer-drive in the forest between
the castle and Livorno, and he expected to have a chance of exhibiting
his skill as a marksman at a notable full-grown roebuck.

Giovanni and Garzia were equally fearless riders, and very soon after
the game had been rounded up, the special quarry they were after went
off at a tremendous rate, out-distancing his pursuers until he was lost
in the forest. The brothers separated and met again in an open glade,
where both descried the buck, quietly browsing upon the fresh green
grass. Garzia seems to have sighted the animal first, but whilst he was
somewhat slow in bringing his weapon to his shoulder, the Cardinal
aimed, fired, and dropped the game. He at once dismounted and ran to
claim the prize. High words followed, and, when Giovanni made some
insulting remark about his less mature station as a marksman, Garzia,
over-heated by the chase, and a