Gradually he neared the castle, which seemed to emerge from the waves of the sea in all its hugeness of outline. Looking up, he surveyed the imposing and colossal work of human industry. With practised eye he estimated the strength and height of towers and walls, as well as the size of the enclosure, and tried to ascertain the exact locality of the door leading from it. The sight before him and the magnitude of the task, which seemed to transcend human ability, might well have induced him to abandon his attempt; but a voice within him said: “Thy pledged word is sacred. Duty calls thee. It is no time for fear or doubt. Courage and presence of mind alone will aid thee.” He studied the situation and planned out his method of attack with the same coolness and composure that characterized him when laying out his movements on the battlefield. His hand had not trembled, his heart had not wavered in a hundred battles. It beat undauntedly when all seemed lost at Legnano, and in many a desperate battle with the Turks. Why, then, should it beat less resolutely in a contest which must decide in a moment whether victory or death was to be his fate? It was a little past midday when our hero reached the castle. The beasts at that time should have been in deep sleep, but to his astonishment they were restlessly moving about. From time to time they ran growling toward the centre of the enclosure as if pursued by some stronger animal. Then they would go back to their resting-places, but without showing any disposition to sleep. Then, yawning frightfully and eagerly licking their lips, they would spring up and rush about again with wildly gleaming eyes. The Emperor had not expected such conduct from the beasts, and the thought occurred to him, Is it due to something besides mere chance? Has the fisherman actually carried out his treacherous design? It seemed likely to him. He had to admit to himself that the danger arising from such a consideration might prove fatal; but even were it so, he decided to carry out the plan which he had fixed upon, as the best under the circumstances. He approached the sea-washed wall as noiselessly as he could, so as not to attract the attention of the beasts. Bending low, he drove the boat ahead with short, quick strokes until he reached it; then, laying down his oar, he examined his sword and dagger, fastened his cloak loosely about his broad shoulders, clutched the rail running along the wall: a step, a spring, and he was up.