The Hand with the Sword at the Ferry

At the ferry there used to be a board with a picture of a hand with a sword thrust into it, bearing an inscription that no one should draw his weapon against another in this place, nor in any way lay hands on order and law. This was the so-called salva guardia, and it meant that peace was to be kept here as in other public places. But the people interpreted the picture in jest to mean that the hand would be struck off anyone who refused to pay the ferry fare. The ferrymen were big, strong men, but they often drank.