He passed them all, amid a dead and wondering silence, and took his station as fifth in the struggle.
From this moment all interest in those who formed the vulgar mass was lost.

Every eye was turned towards the front, where the strife increased at each stroke of the oar, and where the issue began to assume a new and doubtful character.

The exertions of the waterman of Fusina were seemingly redoubled, though his boat went no faster.

The gondola of Bartolomeo shot past him; it was followed by those of Gino and the masked gondolier, while not a cry betrayed the breathless interest of the multitude.

But when the boat of Antonio also swept ahead, there arose such a hum of voices as escapes a throng when a sudden and violent change of feeling is produced in their wayward sentiments.