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tterfromthePope,inwhichheinformedhimthatreliefwasontheway.Acheerbrokefromus.Atlast! Thesiegebeganinearnestwithasimultaneousattackonthefourgatesofthetown,buttheywerewelldefended,andtheenemyeasilybeatenoff.Butallatonceweheardagreatsoundoffiring,andshouts,andshrieks,andwesawflamesburstfromtheroofofahouse.InourthoughtofLodovicowehadforgottentheenemyinourmidst,andaterriblepanicbrokeoutwhenitwasfoundthatthecitadelhadopenedfire.TheCastellanhadturnedhiscannononthehousessurroundingthefortress,andthedamagewasterrible.Theinhabitantshurriedoutfortheirlives,takingwiththemtheirchattelsandfledtosaferpartsofthetown.Onehousehadbeensetonfireandforawhilewefearedthatotherswouldcatchandageneralconflagrationbeaddedtoourwoes.PeoplesaiditwasavisitationofGodtheytalkedofDivinevengeanceforthemurderoftheCount,andwhenCheccohurriedtothesceneofthefiretheydidnotcaretorestrainthemselvesanylonger,butbrokeoutintoyellsandhisses.Afterwards,whentheflameshadbeenextinguishedandCheccowaspassingthroughthepiazza,theysurroundedhim,hooting,andwouldnotlethimpass. 'Curs!'hehissed,lookingatthemfuriously,withclenchedfists.Then,asifunabletoc