been implicated in the affair, it is probable the vice-governatore and the podesta would have been still more obnoxious to censure; but as things were, the sly looks, open jests, and oblique innuendoes of all they met in the ship, had determined the honest magistrates to retire to their proper pursuits on terra firma, at the earliest occasion.  In the mean time, to escape persecution, and to obtain a modicum of the glory that was now to be earned, they had hired a boat, and accompanied the expedition, in the character of amateurs.  It formed no part of their plan, however, to share in the combat; a view of its incidents being quite as much, as Vito Viti strongly maintained when his friend made a suggestion to the contrary, as was necessary to vindicate their conduct and courage in the judgment of every Elban.

“Cospetto!” he exclaimed, in the warmth of opposition—­“Signor Andrea, your propositions are more in the spirit of an unreflecting boy than in that of a discreet vice-governatore.  If we take swords and muskets into the boat, as you appear to wish, the devil may tempt us to use them; and what does either of us know of such things?  The pen is a more befitting weapon for a magistrate than a keen-edged sword or a foul-smelling piece of fire-arms.  I am amazed that your native sensibilities do not teach you this.  There is an indecency in men’s mistaking their duties; and of all things on earth, heaven protect me from falling into such an error!  A false position is despicable.”

“Thou art warm, friend Vito, and that without occasion.  For my part, I think men should be prepared for any emergency that may happen.  History is full of examples in which civilians and scholars—­aye, even churchmen—­have distinguished themselves by feats of arms, on proper occasions; and I confess to a philosophical curiosity to ascertain the sensations with which men seek and expose life.”

“That’s your besetting weakness, Signor Andrea, and the emergency drives me so far to lose sight of the respect that a podesta owes to a vice-governatore, as to feel constrained to tell you as much.  Philosophy plays the very devil with your judgment.  With about half of what you possess, the Grand Duke couldn’t boast of a more sensible subject.  As for history, I don’t believe anything that’s in it; more especially since the nations of the north have begun to write it.  Italy once had histories, but where are they now?  For my part, I never heard of a man’s fighting who was not regularly bred to arms, unless it might be some fellow who had reason to wish he had never been born.”

“I can name you several men of letters, in particular, whose fame as soldiers is only eclipsed by that earned by their more peaceful labors, honest Vito; Michael Angelo Buonarotti, for instance, to say nothing of various warlike popes, cardinals, and bishops.  But we can discuss this matter after the battle is over.  Thou seest the English are already quitting their ships, and we shall be in the rear of the combatants.”