Well did the sturdy gondolier answer to their wishes, for palace after palace was left behind, and no further change was made in the relative positions of the boats.

But, like his predecessor, the leader redoubled his efforts with a diminished effect, and Venice had the mortification of seeing a stranger leading one of the most brilliant of her regattas.

Bartolomeo no sooner lost place, than Gino, the masker, and the despised Antonio, in turn, shot by, leaving him who had so lately been first in the race, the last.

He did not, however, relinquish the strife, but continued to struggle with the energy of one who merited a better fortune.
When this unexpected and entirely new character was given to the contest, there still remained a broad sheet of water between the advancing gondolas and the goal.

Gino led, and with many favorable symptoms of his being able to maintain his advantage.