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Renzo proceeded through the long street opposite the gate which

leads to the canal Naviglio, and had advanced some distance into

the city without encountering a single individual; at last he saw

a man coming towards him, from whom he hoped he might gain some

information; he moved towards him, but the man showed signs of

alarm at his approach. Renzo, when he was at a little distance,

took off his hat, like a polite mountaineer as he was, but the

man drew back, and raising a knotty club, armed with a spike, he

cried, "Off! off! off!" "Oh! oh!" cried Renzo; he put on his hat,

and having no desire for a greeting of this fashion, he turned

his back on the discourteous passenger and went on his way.