The Lion of Saint Mark | Page 7

pay for it."
That evening, Francis crossed the lagoon in the gondola with Giuseppi,
to inspect the boat he had heard of. It was just what he wanted. In
appearance it differed in no way from an ordinary gondola, but it was a
mere shell. The timbers and planking were extremely light, and the
weight of the boat was little more than a third of that of other craft. She
had been built like a working gondola, instead of in the form of those
mostly used for racing, because her owner had intended, after the race
was over, to plank her inside and strengthen her for everyday work. 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. But Francis did not care for
strolling in the Piazza, or sitting for hours sipping liquors. Still less did
he care for dress or finery. Consequently he had always plenty of
money to indulge in his own special fancies.
As soon as the bargain was completed, Giuseppi took his place in the
old gondola, while Francis took the oar in his new acquisition, and
found to his satisfaction that with scarcely an effort he could dart ahead
of his companion and leave him far behind. By nightfall the two

gondolas were fastened, side by side, behind the gaily painted posts
which, in almost all Venetian houses, are driven into the canal close to
the steps, and behind which the gondolas belonging to the house lie
safe from injury by passing craft.
"I have bought another gondola, father," Francis said the next morning.
"She is a very light, fast craft, and I got her cheap."
"I don't see what you wanted another gondola for, Francis. I do not use
mine very much, and you are always welcome to take it when I do not
want it."
"Yes, father, but you often use it in the evening, and that is just the time
when one wants to go out. You very often only take Beppo with you,
when you do not go on business, and I often want a boat that I could
take with Giuseppi. Besides, your gondola is a very solid one, and I like
passing people."
"Young people always want to go fast," Mr. Hammond said. "Why, I
can't make out. However, Francis, I am not sorry that you have got a
boat of your own, for it has happened several times lately, that when in
the evening I have gone down intending to row round to the Piazzetta, I
have found the boat gone, and have had to walk. Now I shall be able to
rely on finding Beppo asleep in the boat at the steps. In future, since
you have a boat of your own, I shall not be so particular as to your
being in at ten. I do not so much mind your being out on the water, only
you must promise me that you will not be in the streets after that hour.
There are frequent broils as the evening gets on, not to mention the
danger of cutthroats in unfrequented lanes; but if you will promise me
that you will never be about the streets after half past nine, I will give
you leave to stay out on the water till a later hour; but when you come
in late be careful always to close and bar the door, and do not make
more noise than you can help in coming up to your room."
Francis was much pleased with this concession, for the obligation to
return at ten o'clock, just when the temperature was most delightful and
the Grand Canal at its gayest, had been very irksome to him. As to the
prohibition against being