Ks and tools, beat the eggs for his paintings in distemper--all that he
did, in short; for nothing escaped the creature's observation. One
Saturday evening, Buffalmacco left his work; and on the Sunday morning,
the ape, although fastened to a great log of wood, which the bishop had
commanded his servants to fix to his foot, that he might not leap about
at his pleasure, contrived, in despite of the weight, which was
considerable, to get on the scaffold where Buonamico was accustomed to
work. Here he fell at once upon the vases which held the colors, mingled
them all together, beat up whatever eggs he could find, and, plunging
the pencils into this mixture, he daubed over every figure, and did not
cease till he had repainted the whole work with his own hand. Having
done that, he mixed all the remaining colors together, and getting down
from the scaffold, he went his way. When Monday morning came,
Buffalmacco returned to his work; and, finding his figures ruined, his
vessels all heaped together, and every thing turned topsy-turvy, he
stood amazed in sore confusion. Finally, having considered the matter
within himself, he arrived at the conclusion that some Aretine, moved by
jealousy, or other cause, had worked the mischief he beheld. Proceeding
to the bishop, he related what had happened, and declared his
suspicions, by all which that prelate was greatly disturbed; but,
consoling Buonamico as best he could, he persuaded him to return to his
labors, and repair the mischief. Bishop Guido, thinking him nevertheless
likely to be right, his opinion being a very probable one, gave him six
soldiers, who were ordered to remain concealed on the watch, with drawn
weapons, during the master's absence, and were commanded to cut down any
one, who might be caught in the act, without mercy. The figures were
again completed in a certain time; and one day as the soldiers were on
guard, they heard a strange kind of rolling sound in the church, and
immediately after saw the ape clamber up to the scaffold and seize the
pencils. In the twinkling of an eye, the new master had mingled his
colors; and the so
