But the race had never come off, and the boat lay just as she had come from the hands of her builder, except that she had been painted black, like other gondolas, to prevent her planks from opening.

When her owner had determined to part with her he had given her a fresh coat of paint, and had put her in the water, that her seams might close up.
"I don't like parting with her," the young fisherman to whom she belonged said.

"I tried her once or twice, and she went like the wind, but I got fever in my bones and I am unlikely to race again, and the times are hard, and I must part with her." Francis and Giuseppi gave her a trial, and were delighted with the speed and ease with which she flew through the water.

On their return Francis at once paid the price asked for her.

His father made him a handsome allowance, in order that he might be able to mix, without discomfort, with the lads of good family whom he met at his preceptor's and at the schools of arms.