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134 this alarm; he had fought against Del Guasto in honourable warfare, and did not believe a great captain would stoop to such a deed. Rincon did not like to hang back alone; moreover, the corpulent ambassador dreaded the long journey on horseback, which Du Bellay advised. He therefore let Fregoso laugh his natural fears to scorn, and they departed by water, "a more easy way," says Du Bellay, "if less sure."

The next day a second messenger overtook the ambassadors. By him Du Bellay sent them accurate details of the ambush laid for them, beseeching them to return, or at least to send by the courier their despatches back to Rivoli, whence he, Du Bellay, would have them safely forwarded to Venice. Either through shame or false confidence, the ambassadors determined to proceed; but recognising that they had no right to imperil the safety of their message, they sent the despatches back to Du Bellay, Then, urging their oarsmen to make haste, they were rowed down the river all the night, passing Casale without any risk. They were now within a few miles of Pavia. But a little farther down, at a place called Cantalupo, a boat full of armed men suddenly boarded them, murdered the wise Rincon and the brave Fregoso, took the oarsmen and threw them into the dungeons of Pavia. Thus it was supposed the fate of the ambassadors would remain shrouded in mystery. But a second boat, conveying the attendants of Rincon and Fregoso, escaped from the ambush. Rowing swiftly to the bank, the servants escaped ashore and fled into the woods, and thence back to Du Bellay at Rivoli. Du Bellay hushed the matter up until he discovered the prison of the oarsmen who had witnessed the actual murder. This at last coming to his ears, he had the bars of their