Chapter 10: Recaptured.
No one was astir in the streets as the band marched through, and theyreached the port without encountering a single person. A small boat waschosen, and in this the captain, Francis, Matteo, and two of thestrongest and most powerful of the sailors embarked. It was thoughtunlikely that, lying, as the Lido did, within a couple of hundred yardsof the Genoese galleys, any very vigilant watch would be kept, and notmore than two sailors would probably be on deck.
The dark mass of the ship could just be made out from the shore, andwhen all was ready the two sailors with their oars pushed her off withall their strength, and then stood perfectly quiet.
The impetus was sufficient. The boat moved so slowly through the water,indeed, before they reached the ship, that Francis thought it would benecessary for the men to row a stroke or two; but the boat still movedon, until at last it touched the side of the ship. All had removedtheir boots before starting, and they now clambered up the sideswithout making the slightest noise.
Once on deck they stood perfectly quiet, listening. Presently theyheard a murmur of voices on the other side of the vessel. Very quietlythey crept towards the sound, and at length made out two figuresleaning over the bulwarks, talking.
Each man's work had been settled, and there was no confusion. One ofthe sailors and Francis stole towards one of the men, while the otherand Matteo approached the second. The captain stood with his swordbared, in readiness to cut down any other man who might be on deck.
The Genoese did not look round. Francis gave the word, "Now," and in amoment the two sailors seized them from behind with a grasp of iron,while the lads at the same moment passed bandages tightly round theirmouths, and before the Genoese were quite aware of what had happened,they were lying, bound hand and foot, gagged upon the deck.
The party now made a search, but found no one else about. They thensecured and fastened down the hatch of the forecastle by coiling ropesupon it, quietly opened the door leading to the poop cabins, andentering, seized and bound two officers sleeping there without theslightest noise or resistance.
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 theboats, at once rowed out to the vessel. When all were on board, theboats were fastened alongside, in case it should be necessary toabandon the ship again.
The cable was then cut. One of the sailors had already ascended theshrouds, 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 theright direction, and the Lido began to steal through the water.
Not a word had been spoken since they first started, but Francis nowwhispered to the captain, "I think I can make out the Genoese ships."
"So can I," the captain said, "but they cannot see us. They are againstthe skyline, while we are in the shadow of the shore. So far all isperfectly safe, and if this breath of wind will but carry us far enoughout to be able to use our oars without their hearing us, we shallcertainly get away."
The progress of the Lido was so slow, that it was nearly an hour beforethe captain said that he thought they were now fairly round the pointof the bay, and could use their oars.
"We had better tow," he said; "the sweeps make a noise that can beheard miles away on a calm night like this, whereas, if they arecareful, men in a boat can row almost noiselessly."
Ten of the men accordingly took their places in one of the large boatsin which they had come on board, and a rope being passed down to themthey began rowing at the head of the ship.
"We may as well lower the sails," the captain said, "they are doing nogood now. Indeed I think it is a current rather than the wind that hashelped us so far."
"I will put two lanterns over the side," Francis said. "We may havegone farther than we think, and it would never do to pass our hidingplace."
The men in the boat rowed vigorously, but it was slow work towing thedeeply-laden vessel. At last, however, a light burst suddenly up fromthe shore.
"There is Giuseppi," Francis exclaimed. "We are further out than wethought we were. He must be fully a mile and a half away."
The men in the boat were told to row direct for the light, and some ofthe sweeps were got out and helped the vessel through the water. Asthey drew near, they could make out Giuseppi throwing fresh wood on thefire.
"You can steer within ten yards of where he is standing, captain, anddirectly you are abreast of him, put your helm hard to port. You hadbetter get the sweeps in now, the less way she has on her the better."
"All well?" Giuseppi hailed, as they came within fifty yards of it.
"All well, Giuseppi! There has been no fighting, so you have lostnothing. Put all your wood on the fire, we want as much light as we canto get in."
The flames shot up high, and the captain had no difficulty in roundingthe corner of the rocks, and bringing up his vessel behind them. Akedge was dropped, and the men in the boat rowed to the end of therocks, and brought off Giuseppi.
"I was beginning to be anxious," the lad said, as he joined them ondeck, "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 ofgazing I made them out at last, and then lit the fire."
"Now, captain," Francis said, "we have a good deal to do beforemorning, for I take it it will be no easy matter to get out the masts."
"There would be no difficulty in getting the masts out," the captainanswered. "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'tsee how they are to be got in again."
"How is that, captain? I should have thought it no more difficult toget a mast in than to take it out."
"Nor would it be so, under ordinary circumstances," the captainreplied; "but you see, our hold is full of grain, and as the mast comesout, the hole it leaves will fill up, and there will be no getting itdown again to step it on the keel without discharging the cargo."
"Yes, I see that, captain. Then you think we had better cut down themasts; but in that case how are we to raise them?"
"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 upby the side of the stumps, and lash them securely. Of course they willbe six feet shorter than before, but that is of little consequence."
"Then so let it be," Francis said, "the sooner we begin the better."
Just at this moment there was a violent knocking against the hatch ofthe forecastle.
"I had forgotten all about the sailors," the captain said, laughing. "Isuppose the men who were to relieve the watch have woke up, and findingthey could not get out, have aroused their comrades."
"Shall we leave them there, or take them out and bind them?" Matteoasked.
"We had better have them up," the captain said. "I don't suppose thereare more than twenty of them, and it would be best to bind them, andput them down in the hold with the corn, otherwise they may manage tobreak out when we are not expecting it, and might give us sometrouble."
Accordingly, the sailors gathered round the hatch. The ropes were thenremoved, and the hatch taken off.
"What fooling are you up to?" one of the Genoese exclaimed, angrily, asthey rushed up on deck. "You have nearly stifled us down below puttingon the hatch and fastening it."
He stopped abruptly as, on gaining the deck, he saw a crowd of armedfigures round him, for a lantern had been placed so as to throw a lightupon the spot.
"You are prisoners," the captain said. "It is useless to attemptresistance."
"Help, help, treachery!" one of the Genoese shouted at the top of hisvoice.
"It is useless for you to shout," the captain said, "you are miles awayfrom your fleet. Now, do you surrender, or are we to attack you?"
Taken by surprise, and unarmed, the Genoese who had gained the decksullenly replied that they
surrendered. They were bound and led away,and the others ordered to come up on deck. There were found to befour-and-twenty in all, and these were soon laid side by side on thegrain in the hold, the hatch being left off to give them air. The mastswere then cut through, and were with some trouble lowered to the deck.
"There is nothing more to be done now," the captain said, "and I thinkwe can all safely turn in till morning."
He then ordered the under officer to place two men on watch on therocks, and two men on deck, two men to stand as sentinels over theprisoners, and the rest to lie down. He directed that he should beroused at the earliest streak of daylight.
The lads were soon fast asleep, and could hardly believe that the nightwas over, when Giuseppi awakened them with the news that day wasbreaking. They were soon on deck, and found that the crew were alreadyastir. The sentinels on the rock were at once ordered to lie down, sothat they could command a view of the sea, without exposing themselvesto sight. The boats were drawn up alongside, and everything put inreadiness for instant debarkation, and then the party waited for theappearance of the Genoese galleys.
"They will be along in less than an hour," the captain said. "It islight enough now for the watch to have discovered that the Lido ismissing, 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 atthe utmost, and that three hours' rowing will bring them up to us."
"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 fourhours and seeing no sign of us, they will guess that we are hiddensomewhere under the cliffs, and will come back along the shore,searching every bay."
"There is a chance of that," the captain agreed, "but I should thinkonly a chance. When the party who come this way find they do notovertake us, they will suppose that we have sailed to the west, andthat 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 wehave sailed straight out to sea. Of course they may have sent a galleysouthward also, but will conclude that that has somehow missed us whenit returns without news. I hardly think that the idea, that we may behidden so close to them, will enter their minds, and the only fear Ientertain is that some peasant may happen to come to the edge of thecliff and see us lying here, and may take the news back to Girgenti."
"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. Giuseppiwill show them the way up the cliff, and then they must take theirstation, at short distances apart, along the edge of the cliff, frompoint to point of this little bay, with orders to seize any one who mayapproach and bring him down here. They must, of course, be told to liedown, as a line of sentries along the top of the cliff might attractthe attention of somebody on the galleys, and lead to a search."
"Yes, I think that will be a wise precaution," the captain agreed.
"Thomaso, do you take twenty men and post them as you hear MesserFrancisco say. Tell them to lie in the bushes and keep out of sight,and on no account to show themselves, unless someone comes alongsufficiently near to look over the edge of the cliff."
"Giuseppi," Francis said, "do you act as guide to the party. You willhave plenty of time to get to the top and to return before the galleyscome along."
A quarter of an hour later the captain, with Matteo and Francis, landedon the ledge, and took the place of the sentries, and in twenty minutesa simultaneous exclamation burst from them, as a Genoese galley wasseen rowing rapidly along.
"They have sent only one galley," Francis said. "Of course, they wouldknow that it was sufficiently strong to overpower us withoutdifficulty. I suppose one has gone west, and the others have put out tosea in different directions. That certainly was the best course theycould have adopted, and it is very lucky that we did not attempt toescape seaward, for they would assuredly have had us. I suppose,captain, you intend to sail tonight."
"Certainly," the captain replied. "We will get everything in readinessfor hoisting the masts as soon as the galley has passed us on its wayback. There is no fear of their coming along again later on, for themen will have had an eight hours' row of it; the first part, at anyrate, at full speed. Besides, they will not know, until all the galleysreturn, that we have not been found, so I think it will be quite safeto get up the masts as soon as they have passed. Then directly it isdark we will man our oars and row to the southwest. We shall be faraway before morning, even if they look further for us, which they arehardly likely to do."
"How about the prisoners, captain?"
"We have no choice but to take them with us, Messer Francisco. I amsure I do not want to be bothered with them, but we cannot land thembefore we leave, or they would carry the news to Girgenti in an hour,and we should be caught the first thing in the morning."
It was late in the afternoon before the galley was seen returning,rowing slowly and heavily.
"I expect," the captain said, "they kept up the racing pace at whichthey started for some four hours. By that time they must have beencompletely worn out, and no doubt they anchored and waited for somehours for the men to feed and rest themselves, for from the hurry withwhich they started you may be sure that they did not wait to breaktheir fast.
"I would give a month's pay to be in that harbour this evening. Whattempers they must be in when they find, after all their toil, that wehave 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 thatthe others cannot have used their eyes or exerted themselves, else wemust have been overtaken. Messer Francisco, I am indebted to you, notonly for having saved the ship, but for giving me a joke, which I shalllaugh over whenever I think of it. It will be a grand story to tellover the wine cups, how we cheated a whole Genoese fleet, and carriedoff the Lido from under their noses. What a tale it will be to relateto a Genoese, when we meet in some port after the war is over; it willbe enough to make him dance with rage.
"Now, lads," he went on, turning to the men, "stand to your tackle. Themoment that galley gets out of sight round the point, up with themast."
Ten minutes later the masts were up, stout ropes were lashed round themand the stumps, and wedges driven in to tighten the cords to theutmost. The rigging was of the simplest description, and before darkeverything was in readiness for hoisting the sails.
"I don't think they can make us out now," the captain said.
"I don't think they could," Francis agreed; "but we had better waitanother quarter of an hour. It would be absurd to run any risk aftereverything has turned out so well; but the men can get into the boatsand tow us out through the channel, then we can hoist the boats onboard, and by that time it should be nearly dark enough."
"I think there will be a breeze presently," the captain said, "and fromthe right direction. However, the men won't mind working hard for abit. They have had an easy time for the last two days."
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 mighthave been there some time before they got a passage back; and stillmore pleased at having tricked the Genoese; and the Lido, heavy ladenas she was, moved at a steady pace through the water, under theimpulsion of the oars.
For an hour they rowed parallel with the shore, as, had they made outto 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 thecaptain turned her head from shore. As soon as they got well out fromunder the shelter of the land the breeze made itself felt, and thesails were hoisted.
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 ofwine 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 intotheir cots.
In the morning the breeze was blowing strong. The sails had been takenoff th
e mainmast, but that on the foremast was dragging the Lidothrough the water at a good rate of speed, and before night they wereoff Cape Spartivento. The wind held till next morning, when they wereabreast of the Gulf of Taranto. Then came a long spell of calms orbaffling winds, and it was a fortnight before the campaniles of Venicewere seen rising apparently from the water.
"I have been anxious about you," Signor Polani said when Francisarrived. "One of our galleys brought the report that a Genoese fleetwas cruising on the coast of Sicily, and as, although war had not yetbeen openly declared, both parties were making prizes, I was afraidthat they might have snapped you up."
"They did snap us up," Francis said smiling. "They caught us in theport of Girgenti, and the standard of Genoa waved over the Lido."
"But how can that be," Polani said, "when you have returned in her? Forshe was signalled as approaching the port hours ago. You could hardlyhave persuaded the Genoese by fair words to release a prize that theyhad once taken.
"Eh, captain?"
"No, that is not the Genoese way, nor ours either," the captain said."We did better than that, signor. We recaptured her, and carried heroff from under their noses."
"You are joking," Polani said, "for they signalled the Lido asreturning laden, and a laden ship could never get away from stategalleys, however long her start. A fat pig might as soon try to escapefrom a hunting dog."
"That is so, Messer Polani, and we did not trust to our speed. Wetricked them famously, sir. At least, when I say we did, MesserFrancisco here did, for the credit is due solely to him. If it had notbeen for this young gentleman, I and the crew would now have beencamping out in the forests of Sicily, without the slightest prospect ofbeing able to make our way home, and the Lido would now be moored inthe port of Genoa."
"That is so, Cousin Polani," Matteo said. "It is to Francisco that weowe our escape, and you owe the safety of the Lido and her cargo."
"It was just a happy idea that occurred to me," Francis said, "as itwould assuredly have occurred to Captain Pesoro, if he had been withus, or to anyone else, and after I had first suggested it the captaincarried out all the arrangements."
"Not at all, Messer Francisco," the captain said obstinately. "I had nopart or hand in the business, beyond doing what you suggested, and youwould have got the Lido off just as well if I hadn't been there."
"Well, I will judge for myself when I hear," Polani said. "But, as itmust 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 aflagon of Cyprus wine to moisten your throats."
"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."
And he then related how the Genoese fleet had suddenly appeared beforethem, and how, seeing the impossibility of escape, he had sent all onshore with the exception of four sailors, and how he had, with them,been released and sent on shore.
"That's the Genoese all over," Polani said. "If they could have sentforty prisoners home they would have done so; but the fact that therewere only five on board, when they took the vessel, would seem to themto detract from the credit of the capture."
The captain then told how, fearing that the people of Girgenti mightgive them all up to the Genoese, or that fights might ensue among theGenoese sailors who landed, he had marched the crew away out of thetown.
"Now, captain," Matteo broke in, "I will tell the next bit, because Iwas with Francis when he found a hiding place."
He then related how Francis had seen the ledge of rocks in thedistance, and had dragged him along the cliff two miles to observe themmore closely; and how he had come to the conclusion that his companionhad lost his senses. Then he described the exact position, and theclearness of the water, and how he had been convinced that there wasnot depth to float a rowboat inside the rocks; and how they had gonedown, swum out, fathomed the water, and then returned to the wood.
The captain then took up the tale again, and completed it to the end.
"There is no doubt you were right, captain," Polani said, "and that itis 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 tome, for I have already greatly benefited by them. If he had not beenborn a peaceful trader, he would have made a great captain some day;but the qualities which would distinguish a man in war are also usefulin peace, and I think it fully as honourable to be a successfulmerchant, as a successful soldier.
"Henceforth, Francisco, I shall no longer consider you as in leadingstrings, and shall feel that I can confide important business to you,young as you are."
The next voyage that Francis made was to Jaffa, and this wasaccomplished without adventure. On his return, he found that Venice wasin a state of excitement--war had at last been declared, and everyeffort was being made to fit out a fleet which could cope with that ofGenoa.
The command was entrusted to Vettore Pisani, who was invested in thechurch of Saint Mark with the supreme command of the fleet by the dogehimself, who handed to the admiral the great banner of Venice, with thewords:
"You are destined by God to defend with your valour this republic, andto retaliate upon those who have dared to insult her and to rob her ofthat security which she owes to the virtue of her ancestors. Wherefore,we confide to you this victorious and great standard, which it will beyour duty to restore to us unsullied and triumphant."
Carlo Zeno, a noble, who had gained a high reputation in variouscapacities, was appointed commissioner and captain general ofNegropont. The three first divisions of those inscribed in theregister, as liable to serve in the navy, were called out, and on the24th of April Pisani sailed from Venice with fourteen war galleys.
Pisani enjoyed the highest popularity among the people of Venice. Hismanner was that of a bluff hearty sailor. He was always ready to sharein the hardships of his men, and to set them an example of good temperand cheerfulness, as well as of bravery. He was quick tempered, andwhen in a passion cared nothing whom he struck.
When governor of Candia, he had got into a serious scrape, by strikingPietro Cornaro, an officer of the republic, from whom he happened todiffer on some point of routine. He was a relative of the Doge AndreaContarini, and had been employed not only as an officer in the navy,but as a military engineer and as a diplomatist, and in each capacityhad shown equal talent.
He was connected with the Polani family, and was at their house severaltimes before he sailed. Here he heard from his kinsman an account ofthe manner in which Francisco had saved the Bonito from being rammed bythe pirates, and how he had succeeded in getting the Lido out of thehands of the Genoese; and he was so much pleased that he offered totake him with him in his galley, but Polani advised Francis not toaccept the offer.
"It is quite true," he said, "that most of our noble families are, likemyself, engaged in commerce; and that one day they are trading asmerchants and the next fighting under the state; but at present, if youtake my advice, you will stick to the peaceful side of the profession;especially as, being an Englishman, you are in no way called upon toserve 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 serviceof the state, and you can then take the command of one, and will, Ihave no doubt, distinguish yourself; but were you to enter now, youmight remain in the service of the state for some years, and would belosing your time as a merchant.
"There are countries in which, when a man once takes up the professionof arms, he remains a soldier all his life, and may not only achievehonour but wealth and wide possessions. It is not so in Venice. Here weare all citizens as well as all soldiers if need be. We fight for thestate while a war lasts, and then return to our peaceful avocations.Even my kinsman, Pisani, may be admiral of the fleet today, and a weekhence may be a private citizen. Therefore, my lad, I think it would bevery foolish of you to give up commerc
e at present to take militaryservice."
"I quite agree with you, signor," Francis said, although, in truth, fora moment he had felt a strong mind to accept the offer of Pisani. "I amjust beginning to learn a little of trade, and desire nothing betterthan to be a successful merchant; though I confess that I should liketo take part in such a glorious sea fight as that which is likely totake place soon."
"Yes, and perhaps be killed in the first engagement, Francis, forneither skill nor bravery avail against a bolt from a Genoese crossbow.No, my lad, be content with trade, especially since you have seenalready that even the life of a trader has plenty of incident andexcitement. What with storms, what with pirates, what with the enemiesof the state and the treachery of the native peoples with whom wetrade, there is no lack of adventure in the life of a Venetianmerchant."
Francis felt that this was true, and that he had in the past six monthshad fully his share in adventures. His stay on shore this time extendedover a month, and it was not until three weeks after Pisani sailed thathe again set out.
The notice was a short one. Polani had been sent for to attend thecouncil early in the morning, and on his return he said to Francis:
"You must go down to the port at once, Francis. News has been receivedfrom Pisani that he has sailed almost into the port of Genoa, withoutfinding the fleet of Fieschi. The Genoese have been in a terrible stateof panic. The Lord of Fiesole, who is our ally, is menacing the city byland; the Stella Company of Condottieri, which is in our pay, is alsomarching against them; and the news that Pisani was close at hand seemsto have frightened them out of their senses. Their first step, asusual, has been to depose their doge and choose another.
"However, that is not the point. Pisani has written asking that someships with provisions and stores shall be sent out to him. They are togo through the Straits of Messina and up the coast of Italy until hemeets them. His force is far too small for him to think of making anattack upon Genoa. He will wait in the neighbourhood of the city for ashort time in hopes of Fieschi's fleet returning. If it does not do sohe will come down the coast searching for it, and as he does not wishto put in port, he desires the stores mentioned to be sent out to him.
"I have placed the Bonito at their service, and have promised that sheshall be ready to sail tomorrow morning, if they will send the storeson board today. Three other merchants placed ships at their disposal,but these may not sail for a day or two. They are particularly anxiousthat the Bonito shall start at once, as, in addition to provisions, shewill carry a store of javelins, arrows, and other missiles of whichthere was not a sufficiency in the arsenal when Pisani sailed.
"You will have a strong party on board, as speed is required, and theoars must be kept going until you join the fleet. Therefore I shallplace the crew of the Lido on board as well as the Bonito's owncomplement, and this will bring the number up to a hundred men. Thecaptain has had an accident, and will not be able to go in charge,therefore the Lido's captain will command. This time I shall appointyou specifically second in command, as well as my representative. Nowget off on board as quickly as you can, for there is enough to keep youat work, till tomorrow morning, to get everything in readiness for astart. You had best run in and say goodbye to my daughters, as it maybe that you will not find time to return before sailing. You can sendyour boy ashore for what things you require. Matteo will accompanyyou."
A few minutes later, Francis was on his way to the port, leavingGiuseppi to charter a gondola and follow with his trunks. As Polani hadsaid, he was occupied without intermission until the time for sailingnext morning. The barges of the state kept coming alongside with storesand provisions from the arsenal; while other boats brought out theship's stores; and Francis had to take a note of all that came onboard.
The captain superintended the setting up of the rigging, and thegetting of the ship into working order; while the under officers saw tothe hoisting in and storing of the cargo. Gangs of men were at worktarring the sides of the ship, for she had only two days beforereturned from a trip to Spain; and a number of sailors were unloadingthe cargo from one hatchway, while her fresh freight was being taken inat the other.
It seemed well nigh impossible that she could be ready to sail at thehour named, but everyone worked with a will, and by daybreak thingswere almost in order. Polani himself came down to the port as soon asit was light, and expressed satisfaction at the work which had beendone; and half an hour afterwards the anchor was weighed.
Just as the sails had been hoisted, Matteo arrived.
"You are only just in time, Matteo," Polani said. "Why did you not comeoff yesterday and help?"
"I was out," Matteo said, "when your message came, and only returnedjust in time to go to the entertainment at the ducal palace. I knew Icould be of no use on board while they were only getting in the cargo."
"You will never be of any use on board, Matteo, if you go toentertainments when there's work to be done. You could have taken themarks on the bales as they came on board, just as well as another. Isuppose you thought that the dirt and dust wouldn't suit a finegentleman like you! Another time, unless you come on board when sentfor, and make yourself as useful as you can, while the ship is fittingout and loading, you will not sail in her. One part of the duty is justas important as the other, and seamanship does not consist solely instrolling up and down the deck, and watching a vessel sail for herdestination."
Matteo was abashed at the reproach, but soon recovered his usualspirits after Polani had left, when the vessel was under way.
"My cousin was rather in a sharp mood this morning," he said with alaugh 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 shouldhave been very sorry to have missed it."
"Everyone to his taste, Matteo. For my part, I would very much ratherhave been at work here all night watching the cargo got in and checkingit off, than have been standing about doing nothing in the palace."
"Doing nothing!" Matteo repeated indignantly. "Why, I was talking tosomeone the whole time I was there."
"Talking about what, Matteo?"
"The heat, and the music, and the costumes, and the last bit of scandalat the Piazza."
"I don't call that talk. I call it chatter. And now, Matteo, I shallleave you to your own devices, for I am going to turn in and get asleep for a few hours."
"You look as if you wanted it," Matteo said; "but I think that youstand in even more need of a wash. You are grimy with dust. It is justas well that my cousin Giulia did not come on board with her fatherthis morning, for the sight of your face would have given her quite ashock, and would have dissipated any illusions she may have had thatyou were a good-looking fellow."
Francis went off to his cabin with a laugh, and took Matteo's advice asto the wash before he turned in. In a few minutes he was asleep, anddid not wake until Giuseppi came to say that the midday meal was justready.
The Bonito made a rapid voyage. The winds were light, and for the mostpart favourable, and the twenty-four oars were kept going night andday, the men relieving each other every two hours, so that they had sixhours' rest between the spells of rowing.
When they rounded the southern point of Italy a sharp lookout was keptfor the fleet of Fieschi, but they passed through the straits withoutcatching sight of a single vessel carrying the Genoese flag. The mostvigilant watch was now kept for Pisani's galleys, and they alwaysanchored at the close of day, lest they should pass him in the dark.
Occasionally they overhauled a fishing boat, and endeavoured to obtainnews of the two squadrons; but beyond the fact that Fieschi had beenseen steering north some days before, and that no signs had been seenof Pisani's returning fleet, they could learn nothing.