Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-11-01

fnto the bottom of the gondola. tearing his eair
and weeping, in agony. His example was follow
ed nv those in the rear, though with more govern
ed feelings, for they shot aside among the boats
winch lined the canal, and were lost to view.
Prom this open and unexpected abandonment
of the struggle, the spectators got the surest EVIL
dence of its des perate character. but as man
has little sympathy for the unfortunate, when his
feelings are excited BY competition, the defeated
were quickly forgotten. The name OF bartolo-
meo was borne high upon the winds, oy 'hous,
and voices. and his fellows OF the PlaLLetta anu
the Lido, called on him, aloud, to die Tor the NO.
nor of their craft. Well did the sturdy, gondo-
lIer answer to their wishes, tor palace AFTER PAL
ace was left behind, and no further chanse was
made IN the relative positions OF the ooats. Dut.
like his predecessor. the leader reaouo'ea MS Ell
forts, with diminished effect, and Venice had
the morti6cation Of seeing a stranger leading one
of the most brilliant OF her regattas. bartoiomeo
no sooner lost place, than Gino, the mas ker, and
the despised Antonio, in turn, shot by, leaving
him who had so lately been first in the race, the
last. He dld not, however, relinquish the strife,
but continued to struggle with the energy VI one
who merited better fortune.
When this unexpected and entirely new cha
racter was given to the contest there still remain
ed broad sheet of water. between the advancing
eontoIas and the goal. Gino led. and with many
favorable SYMPTOMS of his being able to maintain
| his advantage. He was encouraged BY the shouts
| of the multitude, who now forgot his Calabrlan
origin, in his success, while many Of the serving
| men Of bis master, cheered him on by name. All
| would not do. The masked waterman, for the
| first time, threw the granduer of his skill and
force into the oar. The ashen instrument bent
| to the power of an arm, whose strength appeared
| to increase at will, and The movements OF his DO.
dy became rapid as the leaps of the greyhound.-
| The plant gondoIa obeyed, and amid shout
which passed from the Plazzetta to the Rialto, it
glided ahead.
Ifsuccess gives force and increases the physi-
cal and moral energies, there is fearful and GER
tain reaction in defeat The follower OF Don
Camille was no exception to the general law, and
when the masked competitor passed him, the boat
of Antonio followed as if it were impelled by the
same strokes. The distance between the two
leading sUndolas even now seemed to lessen. and
there was moment OF breathless in terest, when
all there expected to see the fisherman, in despite
of his years and boat. shooting past his rival.
BUT expectation was deceived. He Of the
mask, notwithstanding his previous efforts, seem.
ed to sport with the toll. SO ready was the sweep
of his oar, so sure his stroke, and SO vigorous the
arm by which it was impeled Nor was Antonio
an antagonist to despise. II there was less Of the
grace Of practsed gondolier Of the canals in his
attitudes, than in those of his companion, there
was no relaxation in the force Of his sinews.-
They sustained him to the last, with that endur
ing power which had been begotten by three-score
years of unremitting labor, and while his still
athletic form was exerted to the utmost, there
appeared no failing of its energies.
few moments sent the leading goDdolas sew
eral lengths ahead Of their nearest follower
The dark beak Of the fisherman's boat hung up
on the quarter of the more shewy bark Of his
s sad aad3 ey % Ssu,, The port WAS
palace, barge, mystck, and feuca, without the
slightest inequality, IN their relative speed. The
masked waterman glanced look behind, as if to
to his plant oar, he spoke, loud enough to be
heard only by him who pressed so hard upon his
track.
"Thou hast deceived me. fisherman" he
said; there is more of manhood in thee, yet,
than had thought"
elf there is manhood in my arms, there is
childshness and sorrow at the heart;" was the
reply.
''Dnst thou SO prize golden baubles Thou
art second: be content with thy lot"
1t will not do; must be foremost, or have !
wearied my old limbs in vain!''
This brief dialogue was uttered. with an ease
that Showed how far use had accustomed both to
powerful bodily efforts, and with frmness of
tone that few could have equalled. in moment
of SO great physical effort. The masker was ST.
lent, but his purpose seemed to waver Twenty
strokes with his powerful Oar-bIade, and the goal
was obained bnt his sinews were not so much
extended, and that limb. which had shewn so
line development Of muscle, was less swollen
and rigid. the Gondola of old Antonio Guided
ibeam.
Push thy soul into the blade, " muttered he of
he mask, g. or thou wilt yet be beaten!"
The fisherman threw every effort Of his BODY :
IN the coming effort. and he gained fathom.-
Another stroke caused the boat to culver to its
centre, and the water curled from its bows, like
he ripple of rapid. Then the gondoIa dafted
'etween the two goal barges. and the little flags
hat marked the point Of victory. fell into the wa.
er. The action was scarce noted. ere the gilt
ering beak of the masker shot past the eyes Of ,
he judges, who doubted for an instant. OH whom }
uccess had fallen. Gino was not long behind, :,
nd after him came Bartoomeo, fourth and last