"He nibbled at the end of the vine; and suddenly, far up in the belfry, the huge bell began to swing back and forth. From its great throat, golden music floated down over the town of Atri. It seemed to be saying:
"'Some—one——has—done——me—wrong! Ding—dong——ding—dong!'
"The judges put on their robes, and hurried out of their cool homes into the hot streets of the village. Who was in trouble, they wondered?
"When they reached the market-place, no one was there; but they saw the starving old horse, nibbling at the tender grapevine.
"'Ho, ho!' cried one, 'it is the miser's brave old steed. He rings the bell to plead for justice.'
"'And justice he shall have!' cried another.
"'See how thin he is,' said a lad with a kind heart.
"By this time, many people had gathered in the market-place. When they saw the old horse, a murmur of astonishment swept through the crowd.
"'The miser's steed!' cried one to another. 'He has waited long; but he shall have justice today.'
"'I have seen the old horse wandering on the hillside day after day, in search of food,' said an old man.