The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-11-23

VI olCuds
only a few women hanging about the
outskirts. Over the heads of the wor-
| shippers, we can see the ten riders, in
full cOlOrs, kneeling shoulder to
| shoulder in front of the altar, the
bitter rivalry Of faction held in check
during this brief interval of prayer.
Then the ceremony is over and we
are again in the streets, now alive
with the subdued roar of mastering
thousands.
The alien in Siena is likely TO set
out with mild, amused curiosity; but
it is impossible to resist the galvanic
touch of the throbbing interest on all
sides. And presently he will be ask
ing himself to what quarter of town
he belongs; which horse is his; who
is to ride for him; what his colors
are? These matters unexpectedly be-
come of vital Importance.
A few coppers will induce pass.
ing lad to conduct one to the place
where his horse is stabbed There he
stands behind wire netting, CLOS
Sy, clean-limbed creature, with long.
smooth running gear, a fine, intelli-
gent head, and apparently in the pink
Of condition.
Meanwhile the young escort informs
one that the racers are shortly to be
blessed by the priest, the ceremony
to take place in churches of the re-
spective wards.
1t is most unusual ceremony. One
enters the church, then behind him
hears the stamp of hoofs on the pave
ment, then at the threshold. Up the
church aisle the horse is led by the
rider, to the steps Of the altar. The
Latin benedictiOn is read; then holy
water is sprinkled over the horses
head. and the ceremony is over.
Race Is Wildly Exciting.
Before the race there is a color
full procession of the delegations from
the various contrade. 1t has been the
usage ever since the Sixteenth CEN
tury for these cOntrade to appear in
full regalia on all momentous occa.
sions. Each still disports the gor.
geous costumes of the period and bears
the ward banner, blazoned with the
device originally adopted, such as the
Lion, the Caterpillar, the Goose, the
Ram, etc., which give to the various
districts the names by which they are
known. The procession, of course, has
remained an important feature of the
PABLO.
Scarcely has the procession passed
along the Campo when great beating
OF drums announces that the mounted
riders have come through the portals
Of the POdesta. The starting crack of
the pistol comes suddenly, and in SER
ried ranks the racers spring forward,
moving at terrific pace, their riders
sitting as if part of them-knees
tight, bodies swaying nimbly, arms
waving the wicked whips and admins
tering great blows right and left.
Sparks and sand fly from the horses
hOofs; the crowd leans forward with
out sound, thrilled and expectant
Then, abruptly, a cry of alarm breaks
the silence. At the sharp turn by S.
MARITIME, where the course slopes sud
denly, man is flung to the pavement,
his horse stumbling and rolling over.
sigh of relief announces that by
some miracle the rider has escaped.
Harder and harder the pelting
horses strive, as the last lap Is en-
tered The crowd hurls frenZied yells
of encouragement or blood -curdling
threats and curses at the riders.
When the race is over a roar of
mingled triumph and bitter dsappoint-
ment shakes the air. People swarm
over the course, even before the last
horse has finished, and the winning
rider, is unceremoniously pulled off
his mount and surrounded by the pO-
lice. who thrust back friend and foe
without distinction. fractional feeling
runs so high at this hour of pande-
monium that more than once a knife
stab has been the reward of the win
ming jockey.
Hurriedly the man is led before the
judges to receive their cOngratuIa.
tons. Then, while the delirous crowd
surges about the square with lusty
cries of "PaliO! PABLO !"iand seizes the
coveted banner to carry ii in triumph
through the streets, the hero of the
day is hustled quietly TO the Palazzo
della Republica, there to spend the
night under lock and key, beyond reach
of knife and stiletto