I come to try my oar with the braggarts of the canals." "In whom is thy trust ?" "Sant' Antonio di Padua ?" "Thou wilt need his aid, though we commend thy spirit.

Enter, and take place."-- "And who art thou ?" he continued, to another, when the second had imitated the easy skill of the first.
"I am called Gino of Calabria, a gondolier in private service." "What noble retaineth thee ?" "The illustrious and most excellent Don Camillo Monforte, Duca and Lord of Sant' Agata in Napoli, and of right a senator in Venice." "Thou should'st have come of Padua, friend, by thy knowledge of the laws! Dost thou trust in him thou servest for the victory ?" There was a movement among the senators at the answer of Gino; and the half-terrified varlet thought he perceived frowns gathering on more than one brow.

He looked around in quest of him whose greatness he had vaunted, as if he sought succor.
"Wilt thou name thy support in this great trial of force ?" resumed the herald.
"My master," uttered the terrified Gino, "St.Januarius, and St.Mark." "Thou art well defended.

Should the two latter fail thee, thou mayest surely count on the first!" "Signor Monforte has an illustrious name, and he is welcome to our Venetian sports," observed the Doge, slightly bending his head towards the young Calabrian noble, who stood at no great distance in a gondola of state, regarding the scene with a deeply-interested countenance.

This cautious interruption of the pleasantries of the official was acknowledged by a low reverence, and the matter proceeded.
"Take thy station, Gino of Calabria, and a happy fortune be thine," said the latter; then turning to another, he asked in surprise--"Why art thou here ?" "I come to try my gondola's swiftness." "Thou art old, and unequal to this struggle; husband thy strength for daily toil.