I 134 ) middle arch on which stood the house of the toll-gatherer, who thus with his whole family remained imprisoned by the stream, and in momentary danger of destruction. They were discovered from the banks stretching forth their hands and imploring succour, while fragments of the only remaining arch were conti nually dropping into the water. In this extreme danger, a nobleman who was present, held out a purse of one hundred sequins, as a reward to any person who would take a boat and deliver this unhappy family. But the danger was so great of being borne down by the rapidity of the current ; of being dashed against a fragment of the bridge, or of being crushed by the falling stones of the arch, that no one had courage enough to attempt such an exploit. A peasant passing along was informed of the circumstance, and of the promised reward. Immediately jumping into a boat he gained the place, by strength of oars and gradually
