Instead of heeding
orders for edibles, he would rush into the banqueting hall every few
moments and nervously count the empty wine bottles. The guests yelled
at him to hurry; but those bottles were counted several times before
anything was set on the table to eat. Paul remained at Pontedera until
morning, simply because he did not wish to reach Pisa until the
following mid-day, which was the time appointed. Consequently it was
8 o'clock in the morning when he resumed the voyage; he was escorted to
the river by the same enthusiastic crowds. At noon he arrived at Pisa.
A unique reception had been arranged. The mayor and all the authorities
were out to meet him in those peculiar looking boats that are seen
nowhere else in the world, called Lancia Pisana. Those boats are of
ancient make; none of them being manufactured at the present day.
They are about thirty feet long, richly carved and gaudily painted.
Under the escort of these gay boats, containing the
notabilities, Paul landed and again great crowds tendered him an
ovation.
Under the impression that Boyton could neither speak nor understand the
Italian tongue, the officials had engaged a man who was supposed to be
a great English scholar, to act as interpreter for him at the feast to
be given in the evening.
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