discipline he kept his camp abundantly supplied, and
military adventurers in Italy talked of nothing but the
wealth won in his service."--Sismondi's "History of Italian
Republics".

Chapter 8.I. The Encampment.

It was a most lovely day, in the very glow and meridian of an Italian
summer, when a small band of horsemen were seen winding a hill which
commanded one of the fairest landscapes of Tuscany. At their head was a
cavalier in a complete suit of chain armour, the links of which were
so fine, that they resembled a delicate and curious network, but so
strongly compacted, that they would have resisted spear or sword no
less effectually than the heaviest corselet, while adapting themselves
exactly and with ease to every movement of the light and graceful shape
of the rider. He wore a hat of dark green velvet shaded by long plumes,
while of two squires behind, the one bore his helmet and lance, the
other led a strong warhorse, completely cased in plates of mail, which
seemed, however, scarcely to encumber its proud and agile paces.
The countenance of the cavalier was comely, but strongly marked, and
darkened, by long exposure to the suns of many climes, to a deep bronze
hue: a few raven ringlets escaped from beneath his hat down a cheek
closely shaven. The expression of his features was grave and composed
even to sadness; nor could all the loveliness of the unrivalled scene
before him dispel the quiet and settled melancholy of his eyes. Besides
the squires, ten horsemen, armed cap-a-pie, attended the knight; and the
low and murmured conversation they carried on at intervals, as well as
their long fair hair, large stature, thick short beards, and the studied
and accurate equipment of their arms and steeds, bespoke them of a
hardier and more warlike race than the children of the south. The
cavalcade was closed with a man almost of gigantic height, bearing
a banner richly decorated, wherein was wrought a column, with the
inscription, "ALONE AMIDST RUINS." Fair indeed was the prospect which
with every step expanded yet more widely its various beauty. Right
before stretched a long vale, now covered with green woodlands
glittering in the yellow sunlight, now opening into narrow plains
bordered by hillocks, from whose mosses of all hues grew fantastic and
odorous shrubs; while, winding amidst them, a broad and silver stream
broke into light at frequent intervals, snatched by wood and hillock
from the eye,