The Canal Crest

I followed the brick sidewalk down to the stone footbridge spanning the canal, leaving the yard far behind. At the center arch rose a heavy wrought-iron balustrade, topped with notched spearhead finials. I mounted the stone coping and climbed onto the lower horizontal rail. Anchored into the metal upright was a thick forged crest—a heavy diamond fastened with twin hammered rivets. I braced my weight against the iron surface and tested its give. It stayed immovably true against the bridge masonry. From this post, the entire cobblestone embankment stretches out in plain view.