g the force and
the rapidity of the effort to the forward movement of the boat and the
resistance of the water. All these difficulties united render skill in a
gondolier one of the most delicate branches of a waterman's art, as it
is clear that muscular strength alone, though of great aid, can avail
but little in such a practice.

The great canal of Venice, following its windings, being more than a
league in length, the distance in the present race was reduced nearly
half, by causing the boats to start from the Rialto. At this point,
then, the gondolas were all assembled, attended by those who were to
place them. As the whole of the population which before had been
extended along the entire course of the water, was now crowded between
the bridge and the Bucentaur, the long and graceful avenue resembled a
vista of human heads. It was an imposing sight to look along that bright
and living lane, and the hearts of each competitor beat high, as hope,
or pride, or apprehension, became the feeling of the moment.

"Gino of Calabria," cried the marshal who placed the gondolas, "thy
station is on the right. Take it, and St. Januarius speed thee!"

The servitor of Don Camillo assumed his oar, and the boat glided
gracefully into its berth.

"Thou comest next, Enrico of Fusina. Call stoutly on thy Paduan patron,
and husband thy strength; for none of the main have ever yet borne away
a prize in Venice."

He then summoned, in succession, those whose names have not been
mentioned, and placed them side by side, in the centre of the canal.

"Here is place for thee, Signore," continued the officer, inclining his
head to the unknown gondolier; for he had imbibed the general impression
that the face of some young patrician was concealed beneath the mask, to
humor the fancy of some capricious fair.--"Chance hath given thee the
extreme left."

"Thou hast forgotten to call the fisherman," observed the masker, as he
drove his own gondola into its station.

"Does the hoary fool persist in exposing his vanity and his rags to the
best of Venice?"

"I can take place in the rear," meekly observed Antonio. "There may be
those in the line it doth not become one like me to crowd, and a few
strokes of the oar, more or less, can differ but little in so long; a
strife."

"Thou hadst better push modesty to discretion, and remain."

"If it be your pleasure, Signore, I would rather see what St. Anthony
may do for an old fisherman, who has praye