populace set up a loud shout--"A Colonna for ever!"--"Let the Bear dance
after the Column!"

"On, ye knaves!" said Orsini aloud to his men. "How have ye suffered
this affront?" And passing himself to the head of his men, he would have
advanced through the midst of his rival's train, had not a tall guard,
in the Pope's livery, placed his baton in the way.

"Pardon, my Lord! we have the Vicar's express commands to suffer no
struggling of the different trains one with another."

"Knave! dost thou bandy words with me?" said the fierce Orsini; and with
his sword he clove the baton in two.

"In the Vicar's name, I command you to fall back!" said the sturdy
guard, now placing his huge bulk in the very front of the noble's path.

"It is Cecco del Vecchio!" cried those of the populace, who were near
enough to perceive the interruption and its cause.

"Ay," said one, "the good Vicar has put many of the stoutest fellows
in the Pope's livery, in order the better to keep peace. He could have
chosen none better than Cecco."

"But he must not fall!" cried another, as Orsini, glaring on the smith,
drew back his sword as if to plunge it through his bosom.

"Shame--shame! shall the Pope be thus insulted in his own city?" cried
several voices. "Down with the sacrilegious--down!" And, as if by a
preconcerted plan, a whole body of the mob broke at once through