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The royal gondola carrying the firemen and the police. Photo by Gribayedoff.

Source:
Outing magazine, vol. LI no. 6, March, 1908, p. 651.

Vance Thompson's Cab Drivers / 47

The Gondolier of Venice / 8

Two famous oarsmen were measured against each other this windy August morning, Giovanni Penso, of the Castellani and Cecco of the Nicolotti. The course was from the public gardens to the railway station and back again. The gondolas were the ordinary workaday boats of the two competitors. Each had chosen a pal of his own for the bow-oar. The waters about the gardens were black with gondolas. Not all the men of the guilds were in red or black. The start we did not see, but as the racers swept past San Georgio we saw the red of the Castellani in the lead and we cheered the bold Giovanni and his mate. A flight of gondolas sped away in useless pursuit. We waited the return and welcomed the victor, for the pennon was won by Giovanni, who gained his first championship in 1895. With a splendid gesture he seized the new-won banner and kissed it. Then amid cheers from a thousand throats he led the way to the littletrattoria, where the victory was to be celebrated. Prouder than need be Giuseppe followed his triumphant brother.