<h2><SPAN name="Ch10">Chapter 10</SPAN>: Recaptured.</h2>
<p>No one was astir in the streets as the band marched through, and
they reached the port without encountering a single person. A small
boat was chosen, and in this the captain, Francis, Matteo, and two
of the strongest and most powerful of the sailors embarked. It was
thought unlikely that, lying, as the Lido did, within a couple of
hundred yards of the Genoese galleys, any very vigilant watch would
be kept, and not more than two sailors would probably be on
deck.</p>
<p>The dark mass of the ship could just be made out from the shore,
and when all was ready the two sailors with their oars pushed her
off with all their strength, and then stood perfectly quiet.</p>
<p>The impetus was sufficient. The boat moved so slowly through the
water, indeed, before they reached the ship, that Francis thought
it would be necessary for the men to row a stroke or two; but the
boat still moved on, until at last it touched the side of the ship.
All had removed their boots before starting, and they now clambered
up the sides without making the slightest noise.</p>
<p>Once on deck they stood perfectly quiet, listening. Presently
they heard a murmur of voices on the other side of the vessel. Very
quietly they crept towards the sound, and at length made out two
figures leaning over the bulwarks, talking.</p>
<p>Each man's work had been settled, and there was no confusion.
One of the sailors and Francis stole towards one of the men, while
the other and Matteo approached the second. The captain stood with
his sword bared, in readiness to cut down any other man who might
be on deck.</p>
<p>The Genoese did not look round. Francis gave the word, "Now,"
and in a moment the two sailors seized them from behind with a
grasp of iron, while the lads at the same moment passed bandages
tightly round their mouths, and before the Genoese were quite aware
of what had happened, they were lying, bound hand and foot, gagged
upon the deck.</p>
<p>The party now made a search, but found no one else about. They
then secured and fastened down the hatch of the forecastle by
coiling ropes upon it, quietly opened the door leading to the poop
cabins, and entering, seized and bound two officers sleeping there
without the slightest noise or resistance.</p>
<p>Then they took a light from the cabin and showed it towards the
shore. At the signal the sailors, who had already taken their
places in the boats, at once rowed out to the vessel. When all were
on board, the boats were fastened alongside, in case it should be
necessary to abandon the ship again.</p>
<p>The cable was then cut. One of the sailors had already ascended
the shrouds, and poured oil over the blocks through which the
halyards ran, so that the sails should ascend noiselessly. The wind
was very light, scarcely enough to belly out the sails, but it was
fortunately in the right direction, and the Lido began to steal
through the water.</p>
<p>Not a word had been spoken since they first started, but Francis
now whispered to the captain, "I think I can make out the Genoese
ships."</p>
<p>"So can I," the captain said, "but they cannot see us. They are
against the skyline, while we are in the shadow of the shore. So
far all is perfectly safe, and if this breath of wind will but
carry us far enough out to be able to use our oars without their
hearing us, we shall certainly get away."</p>
<p>The progress of the Lido was so slow, that it was nearly an hour
before the captain said that he thought they were now fairly round
the point of the bay, and could use their oars.</p>
<p>"We had better tow," he said; "the sweeps make a noise that can
be heard miles away on a calm night like this, whereas, if they are
careful, men in a boat can row almost noiselessly."</p>
<p>Ten of the men accordingly took their places in one of the large
boats in which they had come on board, and a rope being passed down
to them they began rowing at the head of the ship.</p>
<p>"We may as well lower the sails," the captain said, "they are
doing no good now. Indeed I think it is a current rather than the
wind that has helped us so far."</p>
<p>"I will put two lanterns over the side," Francis said. "We may
have gone farther than we think, and it would never do to pass our
hiding place."</p>
<p>The men in the boat rowed vigorously, but it was slow work
towing the deeply-laden vessel. At last, however, a light burst
suddenly up from the shore.</p>
<p>"There is Giuseppi," Francis exclaimed. "We are further out than
we thought we were. He must be fully a mile and a half away."</p>
<p>The men in the boat were told to row direct for the light, and
some of the sweeps were got out and helped the vessel through the
water. As they drew near, they could make out Giuseppi throwing
fresh wood on the fire.</p>
<p>"You can steer within ten yards of where he is standing,
captain, and directly you are abreast of him, put your helm hard to
port. You had better get the sweeps in now, the less way she has on
her the better."</p>
<p>"All well?" Giuseppi hailed, as they came within fifty yards of
it.</p>
<p>"All well, Giuseppi! There has been no fighting, so you have
lost nothing. Put all your wood on the fire, we want as much light
as we can to get in."</p>
<p>The flames shot up high, and the captain had no difficulty in
rounding the corner of the rocks, and bringing up his vessel behind
them. A kedge was dropped, and the men in the boat rowed to the end
of the rocks, and brought off Giuseppi.</p>
<p>"I was beginning to be anxious," the lad said, as he joined them
on deck, "and when I first saw your signal I took you for a fishing
boat. You were so far off that the two lights looked like one, but
by dint of gazing I made them out at last, and then lit the
fire."</p>
<p>"Now, captain," Francis said, "we have a good deal to do before
morning, for I take it it will be no easy matter to get out the
masts."</p>
<p>"There would be no difficulty in getting the masts out," the
captain answered. "I have only to knock out the wedges, and loosen
the stays, and get up a tripod made of three spars to lift them
out; but I don't see how they are to be got in again."</p>
<p>"How is that, captain? I should have thought it no more
difficult to get a mast in than to take it out."</p>
<p>"Nor would it be so, under ordinary circumstances," the captain
replied; "but you see, our hold is full of grain, and as the mast
comes out, the hole it leaves will fill up, and there will be no
getting it down again to step it on the keel without discharging
the cargo."</p>
<p>"Yes, I see that, captain. Then you think we had better cut down
the masts; but in that case how are we to raise them?"</p>
<p>"We will cut them off about six feet above the deck, Messer
Francisco; then when we want to set sail again, we have only to
rear the masts up by the side of the stumps, and lash them
securely. Of course they will be six feet shorter than before, but
that is of little consequence."</p>
<p>"Then so let it be," Francis said, "the sooner we begin the
better."</p>
<p>Just at this moment there was a violent knocking against the
hatch of the forecastle.</p>
<p>"I had forgotten all about the sailors," the captain said,
laughing. "I suppose the men who were to relieve the watch have
woke up, and finding they could not get out, have aroused their
comrades."</p>
<p>"Shall we leave them there, or take them out and bind them?"
Matteo asked.</p>
<p>"We had better have them up," the captain said. "I don't suppose
there are more than twenty of them, and it would be best to bind
them, and put them down in the hold with the corn, otherwise they
may manage to break out when we are not expecting it, and might
give us some trouble."</p>
<p>Accordingly, the sailors gathered round the hatch. The ropes
were then removed, and the hatch taken off.</p>
<p>"What fooling are you up to?" one of the Genoese exclaimed,
angrily, as they rushed up on deck. "You have nearly stifled us
down below putting on the hatch and fastening it."</p>
<p>He stopped abruptly as, on gaining the deck, he saw a crowd of
armed figures round him, for a lantern had been placed so as to
throw a light upon the spot.</p>
<p>"You are prisoners," the captain said. "It is useless to attempt
resistance."</p>
<p>"Help, help, treachery!" one of the Genoese shouted at the top
of his voice.</p>
<p>"It is useless for you to shout," the captain said, "you are
miles away from your fleet. Now, do you surrender, or are we to
attack you?"</p>
<p>Taken by surprise, and unarmed, the Genoese who had gained the
deck sullenly replied that they surrendered. They were bound and
led away, and the others ordered to come up on deck. There were
found to be four-and-twenty in all, and these were soon laid side
by side on the grain in the hold, the hatch being left off to give
them air. The masts were then cut through, and were with some
trouble lowered to the deck.</p>
<p>"There is nothing more to be done now," the captain said, "and I
think we can all safely turn in till morning."</p>
<p>He then ordered the under officer to place two men on watch on
the rocks, and two men on deck, two men to stand as sentinels over
the prisoners, and the rest to lie down. He directed that he should
be roused at the earliest streak of daylight.</p>
<p>The lads were soon fast asleep, and could hardly believe that
the night was over, when Giuseppi awakened them with the news that
day was breaking. They were soon on deck, and found that the crew
were already astir. The sentinels on the rock were at once ordered
to lie down, so that they could command a view of the sea, without
exposing themselves to sight. The boats were drawn up alongside,
and everything put in readiness for instant debarkation, and then
the party waited for the appearance of the Genoese galleys.</p>
<p>"They will be along in less than an hour," the captain said. "It
is light enough now for the watch to have discovered that the Lido
is missing, and it will not be many minutes before they are under
way. They will calculate that we can have but five or six hours'
start at the utmost, and that three hours' rowing will bring them
up to us."</p>
<p>"I have no fear whatever of their discovering us as they go
along," Francis said. "The only fear is that, after rowing for
three or four hours and seeing no sign of us, they will guess that
we are hidden somewhere under the cliffs, and will come back along
the shore, searching every bay."</p>
<p>"There is a chance of that," the captain agreed, "but I should
think only a chance. When the party who come this way find they do
not overtake us, they will suppose that we have sailed to the west,
and that on their return they will find us in the hands of their
comrades; and when these also come back empty handed they will
conclude that we have sailed straight out to sea. Of course they
may have sent a galley southward also, but will conclude that that
has somehow missed us when it returns without news. I hardly think
that the idea, that we may be hidden so close to them, will enter
their minds, and the only fear I entertain is that some peasant may
happen to come to the edge of the cliff and see us lying here, and
may take the news back to Girgenti."</p>
<p>"Yes, there is certainly a danger of that," Francis said. "I
think, captain, it would be the best plan to land twenty men at
once. Giuseppi will show them the way up the cliff, and then they
must take their station, at short distances apart, along the edge
of the cliff, from point to point of this little bay, with orders
to seize any one who may approach and bring him down here. They
must, of course, be told to lie down, as a line of sentries along
the top of the cliff might attract the attention of somebody on the
galleys, and lead to a search."</p>
<p>"Yes, I think that will be a wise precaution," the captain
agreed.</p>
<p>"Thomaso, do you take twenty men and post them as you hear
Messer Francisco say. Tell them to lie in the bushes and keep out
of sight, and on no account to show themselves, unless someone
comes along sufficiently near to look over the edge of the
cliff."</p>
<p>"Giuseppi," Francis said, "do you act as guide to the party. You
will have plenty of time to get to the top and to return before the
galleys come along."</p>
<p>A quarter of an hour later the captain, with Matteo and Francis,
landed on the ledge, and took the place of the sentries, and in
twenty minutes a simultaneous exclamation burst from them, as a
Genoese galley was seen rowing rapidly along.</p>
<p>"They have sent only one galley," Francis said. "Of course, they
would know that it was sufficiently strong to overpower us without
difficulty. I suppose one has gone west, and the others have put
out to sea in different directions. That certainly was the best
course they could have adopted, and it is very lucky that we did
not attempt to escape seaward, for they would assuredly have had
us. I suppose, captain, you intend to sail tonight."</p>
<p>"Certainly," the captain replied. "We will get everything in
readiness for hoisting the masts as soon as the galley has passed
us on its way back. There is no fear of their coming along again
later on, for the men will have had an eight hours' row of it; the
first part, at any rate, at full speed. Besides, they will not
know, until all the galleys return, that we have not been found, so
I think it will be quite safe to get up the masts as soon as they
have passed. Then directly it is dark we will man our oars and row
to the southwest. We shall be far away before morning, even if they
look further for us, which they are hardly likely to do."</p>
<p>"How about the prisoners, captain?"</p>
<p>"We have no choice but to take them with us, Messer Francisco. I
am sure I do not want to be bothered with them, but we cannot land
them before we leave, or they would carry the news to Girgenti in
an hour, and we should be caught the first thing in the
morning."</p>
<p>It was late in the afternoon before the galley was seen
returning, rowing slowly and heavily.</p>
<p>"I expect," the captain said, "they kept up the racing pace at
which they started for some four hours. By that time they must have
been completely worn out, and no doubt they anchored and waited for
some hours for the men to feed and rest themselves, for from the
hurry with which they started you may be sure that they did not
wait to break their fast.</p>
<p>"I would give a month's pay to be in that harbour this evening.
What tempers they must be in when they find, after all their toil,
that we have slipped through their fingers, How they will talk the
matter over, and discuss which way we went. How the men in each
ship will say that the others cannot have used their eyes or
exerted themselves, else we must have been overtaken. Messer
Francisco, I am indebted to you, not only for having saved the
ship, but for giving me a joke, which I shall laugh over whenever I
think of it. It will be a grand story to tell over the wine cups,
how we cheated a whole Genoese fleet, and carried off the Lido from
under their noses. What a tale it will be to relate to a Genoese,
when we meet in some port after the war is over; it will be enough
to make him dance with rage.</p>
<p>"Now, lads," he went on, turning to the men, "stand to your
tackle. The moment that galley gets out of sight round the point,
up with the mast."</p>
<p>Ten minutes later the masts were up, stout ropes were lashed
round them and the stumps, and wedges driven in to tighten the
cords to the utmost. The rigging was of the simplest description,
and before dark everything was in readiness for hoisting the
sails.</p>
<p>"I don't think they can make us out now," the captain said.</p>
<p>"I don't think they could," Francis agreed; "but we had better
wait another quarter of an hour. It would be absurd to run any risk
after everything has turned out so well; but the men can get into
the boats and tow us out through the channel, then we can hoist the
boats on board, and by that time it should be nearly dark
enough."</p>
<p>"I think there will be a breeze presently," the captain said,
"and from the right direction. However, the men won't mind working
hard for a bit. They have had an easy time for the last two
days."</p>
<p>The oars were all manned, and the men set to work with hearty
goodwill. They were delighted at their escape from the island, for
they might have been there some time before they got a passage
back; and still more pleased at having tricked the Genoese; and the
Lido, heavy laden as she was, moved at a steady pace through the
water, under the impulsion of the oars.</p>
<p>For an hour they rowed parallel with the shore, as, had they
made out to sea, they might possibly have been seen by one of the
galleys, returning late from the search for them. At the end of
that time the captain turned her head from shore. As soon as they
got well out from under the shelter of the land the breeze made
itself felt, and the sails were hoisted.</p>
<p>For a time the men kept on rowing, but the breeze increased
rapidly, and the captain ordered the oars to be laid in. A double
allowance of wine was served out, and an hour or two spent in song
and hilarity; then the watch below was sent down, and Francis and
Matteo turned into their cots.</p>
<p>In the morning the breeze was blowing strong. The sails had been
taken off the mainmast, but that on the foremast was dragging the
Lido through the water at a good rate of speed, and before night
they were off Cape Spartivento. The wind held till next morning,
when they were abreast of the Gulf of Taranto. Then came a long
spell of calms or baffling winds, and it was a fortnight before the
campaniles of Venice were seen rising apparently from the
water.</p>
<p>"I have been anxious about you," Signor Polani said when Francis
arrived. "One of our galleys brought the report that a Genoese
fleet was cruising on the coast of Sicily, and as, although war had
not yet been openly declared, both parties were making prizes, I
was afraid that they might have snapped you up."</p>
<p>"They did snap us up," Francis said smiling. "They caught us in
the port of Girgenti, and the standard of Genoa waved over the
Lido."</p>
<p>"But how can that be," Polani said, "when you have returned in
her? For she was signalled as approaching the port hours ago. You
could hardly have persuaded the Genoese by fair words to release a
prize that they had once taken.</p>
<p>"Eh, captain?"</p>
<p>"No, that is not the Genoese way, nor ours either," the captain
said. "We did better than that, signor. We recaptured her, and
carried her off from under their noses."</p>
<p>"You are joking," Polani said, "for they signalled the Lido as
returning laden, and a laden ship could never get away from state
galleys, however long her start. A fat pig might as soon try to
escape from a hunting dog."</p>
<p>"That is so, Messer Polani, and we did not trust to our speed.
We tricked them famously, sir. At least, when I say we did, Messer
Francisco here did, for the credit is due solely to him. If it had
not been for this young gentleman, I and the crew would now have
been camping out in the forests of Sicily, without the slightest
prospect of being able to make our way home, and the Lido would now
be moored in the port of Genoa."</p>
<p>"That is so, Cousin Polani," Matteo said. "It is to Francisco
that we owe our escape, and you owe the safety of the Lido and her
cargo."</p>
<p>"It was just a happy idea that occurred to me," Francis said,
"as it would assuredly have occurred to Captain Pesoro, if he had
been with us, or to anyone else, and after I had first suggested it
the captain carried out all the arrangements."</p>
<p>"Not at all, Messer Francisco," the captain said obstinately. "I
had no part or hand in the business, beyond doing what you
suggested, and you would have got the Lido off just as well if I
hadn't been there."</p>
<p>"Well, I will judge for myself when I hear," Polani said. "But,
as it must be an interesting story, my daughters would like to hear
it also. So, come into the next room and tell the tale, and I will
order up a flagon of Cyprus wine to moisten your throats."</p>
<p>"First of all," the captain began, after the girls had greeted
Francis, and all had taken their seats, "I must tell how the Lido
was captured."</p>
<p>And he then related how the Genoese fleet had suddenly appeared
before them, and how, seeing the impossibility of escape, he had
sent all on shore with the exception of four sailors, and how he
had, with them, been released and sent on shore.</p>
<p>"That's the Genoese all over," Polani said. "If they could have
sent forty prisoners home they would have done so; but the fact
that there were only five on board, when they took the vessel,
would seem to them to detract from the credit of the capture."</p>
<p>The captain then told how, fearing that the people of Girgenti
might give them all up to the Genoese, or that fights might ensue
among the Genoese sailors who landed, he had marched the crew away
out of the town.</p>
<p>"Now, captain," Matteo broke in, "I will tell the next bit,
because I was with Francis when he found a hiding place."</p>
<p>He then related how Francis had seen the ledge of rocks in the
distance, and had dragged him along the cliff two miles to observe
them more closely; and how he had come to the conclusion that his
companion had lost his senses. Then he described the exact
position, and the clearness of the water, and how he had been
convinced that there was not depth to float a rowboat inside the
rocks; and how they had gone down, swum out, fathomed the water,
and then returned to the wood.</p>
<p>The captain then took up the tale again, and completed it to the
end.</p>
<p>"There is no doubt you were right, captain," Polani said, "and
that it is entirely Francisco's quickness of observation, readiness
of plan, and determination to see if his ideas could be carried
into effect, which saved the Lido. That he possessed these
qualities is not new to me, for I have already greatly benefited by
them. If he had not been born a peaceful trader, he would have made
a great captain some day; but the qualities which would distinguish
a man in war are also useful in peace, and I think it fully as
honourable to be a successful merchant, as a successful
soldier.</p>
<p>"Henceforth, Francisco, I shall no longer consider you as in
leading strings, and shall feel that I can confide important
business to you, young as you are."</p>
<p>The next voyage that Francis made was to Jaffa, and this was
accomplished without adventure. On his return, he found that Venice
was in a state of excitement--war had at last been declared, and
every effort was being made to fit out a fleet which could cope
with that of Genoa.</p>
<p>The command was entrusted to Vettore Pisani, who was invested in
the church of Saint Mark with the supreme command of the fleet by
the doge himself, who handed to the admiral the great banner of
Venice, with the words:</p>
<p>"You are destined by God to defend with your valour this
republic, and to retaliate upon those who have dared to insult her
and to rob her of that security which she owes to the virtue of her
ancestors. Wherefore, we confide to you this victorious and great
standard, which it will be your duty to restore to us unsullied and
triumphant."</p>
<p>Carlo Zeno, a noble, who had gained a high reputation in various
capacities, was appointed commissioner and captain general of
Negropont. The three first divisions of those inscribed in the
register, as liable to serve in the navy, were called out, and on
the 24th of April Pisani sailed from Venice with fourteen war
galleys.</p>
<p>Pisani enjoyed the highest popularity among the people of
Venice. His manner was that of a bluff hearty sailor. He was always
ready to share in the hardships of his men, and to set them an
example of good temper and cheerfulness, as well as of bravery. He
was quick tempered, and when in a passion cared nothing whom he
struck.</p>
<p>When governor of Candia, he had got into a serious scrape, by
striking Pietro Cornaro, an officer of the republic, from whom he
happened to differ on some point of routine. He was a relative of
the Doge Andrea Contarini, and had been employed not only as an
officer in the navy, but as a military engineer and as a
diplomatist, and in each capacity had shown equal talent.</p>
<p>He was connected with the Polani family, and was at their house
several times before he sailed. Here he heard from his kinsman an
account of the manner in which Francisco had saved the Bonito from
being rammed by the pirates, and how he had succeeded in getting
the Lido out of the hands of the Genoese; and he was so much
pleased that he offered to take him with him in his galley, but
Polani advised Francis not to accept the offer.</p>
<p>"It is quite true," he said, "that most of our noble families
are, like myself, engaged in commerce; and that one day they are
trading as merchants and the next fighting under the state; but at
present, if you take my advice, you will stick to the peaceful side
of the profession; especially as, being an Englishman, you are in
no way called upon to serve the state. In another five or six
years, if we are then at war, it will be different. I have
frequently offered galleys for the service of the state, and you
can then take the command of one, and will, I have no doubt,
distinguish yourself; but were you to enter now, you might remain
in the service of the state for some years, and would be losing
your time as a merchant.</p>
<p>"There are countries in which, when a man once takes up the
profession of arms, he remains a soldier all his life, and may not
only achieve honour but wealth and wide possessions. It is not so
in Venice. Here we are all citizens as well as all soldiers if need
be. We fight for the state while a war lasts, and then return to
our peaceful avocations. Even my kinsman, Pisani, may be admiral of
the fleet today, and a week hence may be a private citizen.
Therefore, my lad, I think it would be very foolish of you to give
up commerce at present to take military service."</p>
<p>"I quite agree with you, signor," Francis said, although, in
truth, for a moment he had felt a strong mind to accept the offer
of Pisani. "I am just beginning to learn a little of trade, and
desire nothing better than to be a successful merchant; though I
confess that I should like to take part in such a glorious sea
fight as that which is likely to take place soon."</p>
<p>"Yes, and perhaps be killed in the first engagement, Francis,
for neither skill nor bravery avail against a bolt from a Genoese
crossbow. No, my lad, be content with trade, especially since you
have seen already that even the life of a trader has plenty of
incident and excitement. What with storms, what with pirates, what
with the enemies of the state and the treachery of the native
peoples with whom we trade, there is no lack of adventure in the
life of a Venetian merchant."</p>
<p>Francis felt that this was true, and that he had in the past six
months had fully his share in adventures. His stay on shore this
time extended over a month, and it was not until three weeks after
Pisani sailed that he again set out.</p>
<p>The notice was a short one. Polani had been sent for to attend
the council early in the morning, and on his return he said to
Francis:</p>
<p>"You must go down to the port at once, Francis. News has been
received from Pisani that he has sailed almost into the port of
Genoa, without finding the fleet of Fieschi. The Genoese have been
in a terrible state of panic. The Lord of Fiesole, who is our ally,
is menacing the city by land; the Stella Company of Condottieri,
which is in our pay, is also marching against them; and the news
that Pisani was close at hand seems to have frightened them out of
their senses. Their first step, as usual, has been to depose their
doge and choose another.</p>
<p>"However, that is not the point. Pisani has written asking that
some ships with provisions and stores shall be sent out to him.
They are to go through the Straits of Messina and up the coast of
Italy until he meets them. His force is far too small for him to
think of making an attack upon Genoa. He will wait in the
neighbourhood of the city for a short time in hopes of Fieschi's
fleet returning. If it does not do so he will come down the coast
searching for it, and as he does not wish to put in port, he
desires the stores mentioned to be sent out to him.</p>
<p>"I have placed the Bonito at their service, and have promised
that she shall be ready to sail tomorrow morning, if they will send
the stores on board today. Three other merchants placed ships at
their disposal, but these may not sail for a day or two. They are
particularly anxious that the Bonito shall start at once, as, in
addition to provisions, she will carry a store of javelins, arrows,
and other missiles of which there was not a sufficiency in the
arsenal when Pisani sailed.</p>
<p>"You will have a strong party on board, as speed is required,
and the oars must be kept going until you join the fleet. Therefore
I shall place the crew of the Lido on board as well as the Bonito's
own complement, and this will bring the number up to a hundred men.
The captain has had an accident, and will not be able to go in
charge, therefore the Lido's captain will command. This time I
shall appoint you specifically second in command, as well as my
representative. Now get off on board as quickly as you can, for
there is enough to keep you at work, till tomorrow morning, to get
everything in readiness for a start. You had best run in and say
goodbye to my daughters, as it may be that you will not find time
to return before sailing. You can send your boy ashore for what
things you require. Matteo will accompany you."</p>
<p>A few minutes later, Francis was on his way to the port, leaving
Giuseppi to charter a gondola and follow with his trunks. As Polani
had said, he was occupied without intermission until the time for
sailing next morning. The barges of the state kept coming alongside
with stores and provisions from the arsenal; while other boats
brought out the ship's stores; and Francis had to take a note of
all that came on board.</p>
<p>The captain superintended the setting up of the rigging, and the
getting of the ship into working order; while the under officers
saw to the hoisting in and storing of the cargo. Gangs of men were
at work tarring the sides of the ship, for she had only two days
before returned from a trip to Spain; and a number of sailors were
unloading the cargo from one hatchway, while her fresh freight was
being taken in at the other.</p>
<p>It seemed well nigh impossible that she could be ready to sail
at the hour named, but everyone worked with a will, and by daybreak
things were almost in order. Polani himself came down to the port
as soon as it was light, and expressed satisfaction at the work
which had been done; and half an hour afterwards the anchor was
weighed.</p>
<p>Just as the sails had been hoisted, Matteo arrived.</p>
<p>"You are only just in time, Matteo," Polani said. "Why did you
not come off yesterday and help?"</p>
<p>"I was out," Matteo said, "when your message came, and only
returned just in time to go to the entertainment at the ducal
palace. I knew I could be of no use on board while they were only
getting in the cargo."</p>
<p>"You will never be of any use on board, Matteo, if you go to
entertainments when there's work to be done. You could have taken
the marks on the bales as they came on board, just as well as
another. I suppose you thought that the dirt and dust wouldn't suit
a fine gentleman like you! Another time, unless you come on board
when sent for, and make yourself as useful as you can, while the
ship is fitting out and loading, you will not sail in her. One part
of the duty is just as important as the other, and seamanship does
not consist solely in strolling up and down the deck, and watching
a vessel sail for her destination."</p>
<p>Matteo was abashed at the reproach, but soon recovered his usual
spirits after Polani had left, when the vessel was under way.</p>
<p>"My cousin was rather in a sharp mood this morning," he said
with a laugh to Francis; "but really I did not think I could be of
any good, and the entertainment was a grand one. Everyone was
there, and I should have been very sorry to have missed it."</p>
<p>"Everyone to his taste, Matteo. For my part, I would very much
rather have been at work here all night watching the cargo got in
and checking it off, than have been standing about doing nothing in
the palace."</p>
<p>"Doing nothing!" Matteo repeated indignantly. "Why, I was
talking to someone the whole time I was there."</p>
<p>"Talking about what, Matteo?"</p>
<p>"The heat, and the music, and the costumes, and the last bit of
scandal at the Piazza."</p>
<p>"I don't call that talk. I call it chatter. And now, Matteo, I
shall leave you to your own devices, for I am going to turn in and
get a sleep for a few hours."</p>
<p>"You look as if you wanted it," Matteo said; "but I think that
you stand in even more need of a wash. You are grimy with dust. It
is just as well that my cousin Giulia did not come on board with
her father this morning, for the sight of your face would have
given her quite a shock, and would have dissipated any illusions
she may have had that you were a good-looking fellow."</p>
<p>Francis went off to his cabin with a laugh, and took Matteo's
advice as to the wash before he turned in. In a few minutes he was
asleep, and did not wake until Giuseppi came to say that the midday
meal was just ready.</p>
<p>The Bonito made a rapid voyage. The winds were light, and for
the most part favourable, and the twenty-four oars were kept going
night and day, the men relieving each other every two hours, so
that they had six hours' rest between the spells of rowing.</p>
<p>When they rounded the southern point of Italy a sharp lookout
was kept for the fleet of Fieschi, but they passed through the
straits without catching sight of a single vessel carrying the
Genoese flag. The most vigilant watch was now kept for Pisani's
galleys, and they always anchored at the close of day, lest they
should pass him in the dark.</p>
<p>Occasionally they overhauled a fishing boat, and endeavoured to
obtain news of the two squadrons; but beyond the fact that Fieschi
had been seen steering north some days before, and that no signs
had been seen of Pisani's returning fleet, they could learn
nothing.</p>
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