ect a disembarkation. They already thought the
town their own, when they were charged by the inhabitants, who drove
them back in confusion; and a woman rushing forward with a blazing
torch, under a shower of stones and arrows, set fire to a lofty wooden
tower which was the most formidable of their beleaguering works. The
daring of a priest inflicted another loss of equal importance upon
the Venetians. Among their ships employed in the blockade, was one
distinguished for its enormous bulk, bearing towers on its deck,
and known by the name of _Il Mondo_. To destroy this was the brave
priest's aim. Carrying an axe in his teeth, he swam across the harbour,
and succeeded in cutting the cable which moored the vessel to her
anchorage. _Il Mondo_ drifted among the rest of the shipping, and
caused the loss of seven galleys ere it could be secured, at the cost
moreover of its cumbrous engines, and much of its stores.

The hardness and arrogance of Christian, the Arch-chancellor of the
Empire, to whom Frederic had delegated the chief command, contributed
to the Anconitans' obstinate resistance. His disdainful rejection of
their proposals to treat on honourable terms, nerved them to face the
deadliest extremity ere they yielded to his mercy. Help came at last
from the Guelphs of Ferrara and Ravenna. Much inferior in numbers to
the enemy, a classical stratagem adopted by their leader, Marcheselli,
deceived even the astute Christian. It was night when they reached the
heights of Falconara, whence Ancona is plainly seen. To give notice
of his approach to the besieged, and at the same time strike terror
into the German host, he ordered every soldier to bind to the head of
his lance as many lighted torches as he could dispose around it, and
extending his ranks, deployed slowly from the mountain.

Dismayed at the long and glittering lines of light bearing down upon
him, the Arch-chancellor imagined a force was marching to the relief
of the city, of such magnitude as his own troops, already jaded and
dispirited at their want of suc