Chapter 11: The Battle Of Antium.
"We are running very far north," the captain said on the 29th of May."We are near Antium now, and are getting into what we may call Genoesewaters. If anything has occurred to prevent Pisani carrying out hisintention of sailing back along this coast, or if he has passed us onthe way up, our position would be a hazardous one, for as soon as hehas rowed away the Genoese galleys will be on the move again, and evenif we do not fall in with Fieschi, we may be snapped up by one of theircruisers."
"It is rather risky, captain," Francis agreed; "but our orders aredistinct. We were to sail north till we met Pisani, and we must do sotill we are within sight of the walls of Genoa. If we then see he isnot lying off the port, we shall put about and make our way backagain."
"Yes, if they give us the chance, Messer Francisco; but long before weare sufficiently near to Genoa to make out whether Pisani is lying offthe port, they will see us from the hills, and will send off a galleyto bring us in. However, we must take our chance, and if we get into ascrape I shall look to you confidently to get us out again."
"I should advise you not to count on that," Francis said, laughing. "Itis not always one gets such a lucky combination of circumstances as wedid at Girgenti."
At last, they obtained news from a fishing boat that Fieschi's fleethad passed, going northward, on the previous day, and was now lying inthe bay of Antium. As Antium lay but a few miles north, they held aconsultation as to the best method to pursue. If they sailed on therewas a risk of capture; but that risk did not appear to be very great.The Genoese admiral would not expect to find a Venetian merchant shipso near to Genoa, and they might be able to pass without beinginterfered with. On the other hand, news might possibly have come ofthe departure of store ships from Venice for Pisani's fleet, and inthat case a strict lookout would certainly be kept, and it would benecessary to keep so far to sea as to be out of sight of the Genoese;but in that case there would be a risk of their missing Pisani's fleeton the way down.
"I think," the captain said, after a long debate, "that we had betteranchor here close under the shore tonight. If I am not mistaken, weshall have a gale in the morning. I do not like the look of the sky.Tomorrow we shall see how the weather is, and can then come to adecision."
By morning, as the captain had predicted, the wind was blowingstrongly, and a heavy sea was running, and it was agreed to keep alongunder the lee of the shore until they could obtain a view of the Bay ofAntium, and see if the fleet of Fieschi was still there. If so, theywould tack and run back some distance, and make straight out to sea, soas to pass along four or five miles from the shore, as it would beunlikely in the extreme that the Genoese admiral would send a galleyout to overhaul a passing ship in such weather.
They sailed along till they neared the slight depression known as theBay of Antium, and then bore farther out to sea. Suddenly a fleet wasseen running down the coast at some distance away.
"'Bout ship," the captain cried. "The Genoese have been cruisingfurther north, and are coming down the coast. In such weather as this,the Bonito ought to be able to get away from them."
"It may be Pisani's fleet," Francis said, as the ship was put round.
"It is possible," the captain agreed; "but we cannot run the risk ofstopping until we make inquiries."
"No, captain; but, at least, if we run a mile or so out to sea, weshould be able to see round the point, and discover whether Fieschi'sgalleys are there."
The captain assented. The vessel's head was turned from the land. Inten minutes there was a joyous shout on board the Bonito, for theGenoese fleet was seen lying in the bay. The distant fleet must thenform that of Pisani.
"See!" Francis exclaimed. "The Genoese have just caught sight of them,and are hoisting sail. They are either going to meet them or to runaway. Our vessels are the most numerous; but no, there is not muchdifference. Pisani has fourteen ships, but some must be lagging behind,or have been lost. How many do you make them out to be, captain?"
"I think there are only nine," the captain answered, "and that is justthe number of the Genoese."
"Then Fieschi will fight, if he is not a coward," Matteo said; "but, inthat case, why are they making out to sea?"
"Fieschi may not care to be attacked at anchor," the captain replied."That would give all the advantage to us. Besides, if they were beatenthere would be but little chance of any of them escaping. No, he isright to make out to sea, but blowing as it is, it will be next toimpossible for him to fight there. Two vessels could hardly getalongside to board in such a sea as this. I expect Fieschi thinks thatwe shall never attack him in such a storm; but Pisani would fight if itwere a hurricane."
It did indeed seem almost impossible to fight in such a sea. The Bonitowas rolling, gunwale under. Her sail had been reduced to its smallestproportions, and yet, when the squalls struck her she was laidcompletely over on her side. But the rival admirals were too anxious tofight to be deterred by the difficulty, and both were bent uponbringing on an action at once.
"I would give anything to be on board one of our galleys," Matteo said."It is horrible standing here doing nothing, when such a fight as thisis going to begin."
"Cannot we edge down towards them, captain?" Francis asked. "I do notmean that we should take part in the fight, for we have but a hundredmen, and the galleys must each carry at least three times as many.Still, we might be near enough to see something, and perhaps to givesuccour to any disabled ship that drops out of the fight."
"I will do so if you like, Messer Francisco," the captain said. "If youwill take the responsibility. But if our side gets the worst of it, youmust remember that the Bonito may be captured."
"I don't think there's much chance of Pisani being beaten by an enemyno stronger than himself," Francis said; "and even if they should bevictorious, the Genoese will certainly have enough on their hands, withrepairing damages and securing prisoners, to think of setting off inchase of a ship like ours."
"That is true enough," the captain agreed, for he was indeed as anxiousas Francis and Matteo to witness the struggle.
The vessels on both sides were under canvas, for it was impossible torow in such a sea. As soon as they approached each other, both fleetsbroke up, and the vessels each singling an opponent out, the combatbegan. It was a singular one, and differed widely from ordinary seafights of the time, in which the combatants always tried to grapplewith their enemies and carry them by boarding. This was almostimpossible now, for it seemed that the vessels would be dashed inpieces like eggshells were they to strike each other. Clouds ofmissiles were poured from one to the other. The archers plied theirbows. Great machines hurled javelins and big stones, and the crash ofthe blows of the latter, against the sides of the ships, sounded evenabove the noise of the wind and waves, and the shouting of thecombatants. As for the cannon with which all the galleys were armed,they were far too cumbrous and unmanageable to be worked in suchweather. Sometimes one vessel, lifted on the crest of a wave while itsopponent lay in a hollow, swept its decks with terrible effect; while afew seconds later the advantage was on the other side.
For a long time, neither party seemed to gain any advantage. Greatnumbers were killed on both sides, but victory did not incline eitherway, until the mast of one of the Venetian galleys was struck by aheavy stone and went over the side. She at once fell out of the line ofthe battle, her opponent keeping close to her, pouring in volumes ofmissiles, while the sea, taking her on the broad side, washed numbersof her crew overboard. Her opponent, seeing that she was altogetherhelpless, left her to be taken possession of afterwards, and made forPisani's galley, which was distinguished by its flag at the masthead,and was maintaining a desperate conflict with the galley of Fieschi.
The admiral's ship was now swept with missiles from both sides, andwhen his adversaries saw that his crew was greatly weakened, theyprepared to close, in spite of the state of the sea. If Pisani himselfcould be captured, there would remain but seven Venetian ships to thenine Genoese, and victory w
as certain.
The captain of the Bonito had lashed together some heavy spars andthrown them overboard, having fastened a strong rope to them, and wasriding head to the waves by means of this sea anchor, at a distance ofabout half a mile from the conflict. A cry of grief and rage had arisenwhen the crew saw that one of their galleys was disabled, and theirexcitement became intense when they saw the unequal struggle whichPisani was maintaining.
"They are preparing to board, captain," Francis said. "We must go tothe admiral's aid. If his ship is captured, the battle is lost."
"I am ready, Messer Francisco, if you authorize me."
"Certainly I do," Francis said. "The loss or capture of the Bonito isas nothing in comparison to the importance of saving Pisani."
The captain gave the order for the hawser to be cut, and the sailhoisted. A cheer broke from the crew as they saw what was to be done.Their arms had been served out at the beginning of the contest, andthey now seized them, and gathered in readiness to take part in thefight.
The two Genoese galleys had thrown their grapnels and made fast, one oneach side of Pisani's galley. The bulwarks were stove in and splinteredas the vessels rolled, and the rigging of the three ships becameentangled. The Genoese sprang on to the deck of Pisani's galley, withshouts of triumph, but they were met by the admiral himself, wielding amighty battleaxe, and the survivors of his crew.
The combat was still raging when the Bonito sailed swiftly up. Hersails were lowered as she came alongside, and she was lashed to one ofthe galleys. But this manoeuvre was not performed without loss. As sheapproached, with the Venetian flag flying at her masthead, the Genoesearchers on the poop of the galley, who had hitherto been pouring theirmissiles among Pisani's men, turned round and opened fire upon this newfoe. Their arrows did far more execution here than they had done amongthe armour clad soldiers of the state. The captain fell dead with anarrow which struck him full in the throat, and ten or twelve of thesailors fell on the deck beside him.
"Pour in one volley," Francis shouted; "then throw down your bows, andtake to your axes and follow me."
The instant the vessel was lashed, Francis sprang on to the deck of thegalley. Matteo was by his side, Giuseppi just behind, and the wholecrew followed. Climbing first upon the poop, they fell upon thearchers, who, after a short struggle, were cut down; then, descendingagain to the waist of the galley, they leaped on to the deck ofPisani's ship, and fell upon the rear of the Genoese.
These were taken completely by surprise. Absorbed in the struggle inwhich they were engaged, they had noticed neither the approach of theBonito, nor the struggle on board their own galley, and supposed thatanother of the Venetian warships had come up to the assistance of theiradmiral.
Taken then by surprise, and finding themselves thus between two bandsof foes, they fought irresolutely, and the crew of the Bonito, withtheir heavy axes, cut down numbers of them, and fighting their waythrough the mass, joined the diminished force of Pisani.
The admiral shouted the battle cry of "Saint Mark!" His followers, whohad begun to give way to despair, rallied at the arrival of thisunlooked-for reinforcement, and the whole fell upon the Genoese withfury. The latter fought stoutly and steadily now, animated by the voiceand example of Fieschi himself; but their assurance of victory wasgone, and they were gradually beaten back to the deck of theiradmiral's ship. Here they made desperate efforts to cut the lashingsand free the vessel; but the yards had got interlocked and the riggingentangled, and the Venetians sprang on to the deck of the ship, andrenewed the conflict there.
For some time the struggle was doubtful. The Genoese had still theadvantage in numbers, but they were disheartened at the success, whichthey had deemed certain, having been so suddenly and unexpectedlysnatched from their grasp.
The presence of Pisani, in itself, doubled the strength of theVenetians. He was the most popular of their commanders, and each stroveto imitate the example which he set them.
After ten minutes' hard fighting, the result was no longer doubtful.Many of the Genoese ran below. Others threw down their arms, and theiradmiral, at last, seeing further resistance was hopeless, lowered hissword and surrendered.
No sooner had resistance ceased than Pisani turned to Francis, who hadbeen fighting by his side:
"I thank you, in the name of myself and the republic," he said. "Whereyou have sprung from, or how you came here, I know not. You seemed tome to have fallen from heaven to our assistance, just at the momentwhen all was lost. Who are you? I seem to know your face, though Icannot recall where I have seen it."
"I am Francis Hammond, Messer Pisani. I had the honour of seeing you atthe house of my patron, Signor Polani, and you were good enough tooffer to take me with you to sea."
"Oh, I remember now!" Pisani said. "But how came you here?"
"I came in the Bonito, one of Polani's ships. She is lying outside thefarther of the Venetian galleys. We bring from Venice some of thestores for which you sent. We were lying off, watching the battle,until we saw that you were sore beset and in need of help, and couldthen no longer remain inactive. Our captain was killed by an arrow aswe ranged up alongside of the galley, and I am now in command. This ismy friend, Matteo Giustiniani, a volunteer on board the Bonito."
"I remember you, Master Matteo," Pisani said, as he shook him by thehand. "I have seen you often at your father's house. I shall have togive him a good account of you, for I saw you fighting bravely.
"But we will talk more of this afterwards. We must set to work toseparate the galleys, or we shall have them grinding each other topieces. Then we must hasten to the assistance of our friends."
The Genoese prisoners were all fastened below, and the Venetians thenset to work to cut the lashings and free the rigging of the ships.Francis kept only twenty men on board the Bonito. The remainder weredistributed between the two captured Genoese galleys, and the admiralturned his attention to the battle.
But it was already almost over. The sight of the Venetian flag, at themastheads of the admiral's ship and the other galley, struck dismayinto the Genoese. Five of their ships immediately hoisted all canvasand made off, while the other two, surrounded by the Venetian galleys,hauled down their flags.
The battle had been a sanguinary one, and but eight hundred men werefound alive on board the four galleys captured. The fight is known inhistory as the battle of Porto d'Anzo. The struggle had lasted nearlythe whole day, and it was growing dark when the Venetian fleet, withtheir prizes, anchored under shelter of the land.
All night long the work of attending upon the wounded went on, and itwas daybreak before the wearied crews lay down for repose. In theafternoon, Pisani hoisted a signal for the captains of the galleys tocome on board; and in their presence he formally thanked Francis, inthe name of the republic, for the aid he had afforded him at the mostcritical moment. Had it not been for that aid, he acknowledged that heand his crew must have succumbed, and the victory would assuredly havefallen to the Genoese.
After the meeting was over he took Francis into his cabin, and againoffered him a post in his own ship.
"Were your merit properly rewarded," he said, "I would appoint you atonce to the command of a galley; but to do so would do you no service,for it would excite against you the jealousy of all the young nobles inthe fleet. Besides, you are so young, that although the council at homecannot but acknowledge the vastness of the service you have rendered,they might make your age an excuse for refusing to confirm theappointment; but if you like to come as my third officer, I can promiseyou that you shall have rapid promotion, and speedily be in command ofa galley. We Venetians have no prejudice against foreigners. They holdvery high commands, and, indeed, our armies in the field are frequentlycommanded by foreign captains."
Francis thanked the admiral heartily for his offer, but said that hisfather's wishes, and his own, led him to adopt the life of a merchant,and that, under the patronage of Messer Polani, his prospects were sogood that he would not exchange them, even for a command under thestate of Ve
nice.
"You are quite right, lad," the admiral said. "All governments areungrateful, and republics most of all. Where all are supposed to beequal, there is ever envy and jealousy against one who rises above therest. The multitude is fickle and easily led; and the first change offortune, however slight, is seized upon by enemies as a cause ofcomplaint, and the popular hero of today may be an exile tomorrow. Likeenough I shall see the inside of a Venetian prison some day."
"Impossible, signor!" Francis exclaimed. "The people would tear topieces anyone who ventured to malign you."
"Just at present, my lad; just at present. But I know my countrymen.They are not as light hearted and fickle as those of Genoa; but theyare easily led, and will shout 'Abasso!' as easily as 'Viva!' Time willshow. I was within an ace of being defeated today; and you may not beclose at hand to come to my rescue next time. And now to business.
"Tomorrow morning I will set the crews to get out your stores, anddistribute them as required, and will place four hundred prisoners inyour hold, and you shall carry them to Venice with my despatchesannouncing the victory. The other four hundred Genoese I shall send, inthe galley that was dismasted yesterday, to Candia, to be imprisonedthere. I shall send prize crews home in the galleys we have captured;and as soon as they are refitted and manned, and rejoin me, I shallsail in search of Doria and his fleet. I shall first cruise up theAdriatic, in case he may have gone that way to threaten Venice, and Ican the more easily receive such reinforcements as may have beenprepared for me."
The following day was spent in unloading the vessel. This wasaccomplished by nightfall. The prisoners were then put on board.Francis at once ordered sail to be set, and the Bonito was started onher homeward voyage.
As soon as the Bonito was signalled in sight, Signor Polani went downto the port to meet her, to ascertain where she had fallen in with thefleet, for there was great anxiety in Venice, as no news had beenreceived from Pisani for more than ten days. The vessel had just passedthrough the entrance between the islands, when the gondola, with herowner, was seen approaching. Francis went to the gangway to receivehim.
"Why, what has happened, Francisco?" Polani asked, as the boat nearedthe side of the ship. "Half your bulwark is carried away, and the wholeside of the ship is scraped and scored. She looks as if she had beenrubbing against a rock."
"Not quite so bad as that, Messer Polani. She has been grinding againsta Genoese galley."
"Against a Genoese galley!" the merchant repeated in surprise, stoppingin his passage up the rope ladder, which had been lowered for him."Why, how is that? But never mind that now. First tell me what is thenews from the fleet?"
"There is great news," Francis replied. "The admiral fell in withFieschi off Antium. There were nine ships on each side, and the battletook place in a storm. We were victorious, and captured four of theGenoese galleys, with Fieschi himself and eight hundred prisoners. Therest fled. Fieschi is now in my cabin, and four hundred prisoners inthe hold."
"This is indeed great news," the merchant said, "and will be an immenserelief to Venice. We were getting very anxious, for had Pisani beendefeated, there was nothing to prevent the Genoese ravaging our coasts,and even assailing Venice itself. But where is the captain?"
"I regret to say, sir, that he has been killed, as well as twenty-sevenof the sailors, and many of the others are more or less severelywounded. I am the bearer of despatches from the admiral to thecouncil."
"Then get into my gondola, and come along at once," Polani said. "Ideeply regret the death of the captain and sailors. You shall tell meall about it as we come along. We must not delay a moment in carryingthis great news ashore. Have you got the despatches?"
"Yes, signor. I put them into my doublet when I saw you approaching,thinking that you would probably wish me to take them on shore atonce."
"And now tell me all about the battle," the merchant said as soon asthey had taken their seats in the gondola. "You say there were nineships on either side. Pisani sailed away with fourteen. Has he lost theremainder?"
"They came up next day," Francis replied. "The fleet was in a portnorth of Antium when the news came that Fieschi's fleet was there. Fiveof the galleys had been dismantled, and were under repair, and Pisaniwould not wait for them to be got into fighting order, as he was afraidlest Fieschi might weigh anchor and escape if he delayed an hour. Helearned that the Genoese had nine ships with him, and as he had himselfthis number ready for sea, he sailed at once.
"The weather was stormy, and the sea very high, when he appeared withinsight of Antium. Fieschi sailed boldly out to meet him. The battlelasted all day, for it was next to impossible to board; but in the end,as I say, four Genoese galleys surrendered and the rest fled. It was aterrible sight; for it seemed at every moment as if the waves wouldhurl the vessels against each other, and so break them into fragments;but in no case did such an accident happen."
"Why, you speak as if you saw it, Francisco! Had you joined the admiralbefore the battle took place?"
"No, signor. We arrived near Antium on the evening before the fight,and heard of Fieschi's presence there. Therefore we anchored south ofthe promontory. In the morning we put out, intending to sail well outto sea and so pass the Genoese, who were not likely, in such weather,to put out to question a sail passing in the distance; but as we madeoff from land we saw Pisani's fleet approaching. Then, as Fieschi putto sea and we saw that the battle was imminent, there was nothing forus to do but to lie to, and wait for the battle to be over, before wedelivered our stores, having little doubt that Pisani would bevictorious."
"Then had the battle gone the other way," the merchant said, "theBonito at the present moment would probably be lying a prize in theharbour of Genoa!"
"We did not lose sight of the probability of that, signor, but thoughtthat, if the Genoese should gain a victory, they would be too busy withtheir prizes and prisoners, if not too crippled, to pursue us, and wereckoned that in such weather the Bonito would be able to sail quite asfast as any of the Genoese."
"And now, tell me about your affairs, Francisco. Where was it you fellin with the Genoese galley, and by what miracle did you get off?"
"It was in the battle, sir. One of the Venetian galleys had dropped outof the fight disabled, and its opponent went to the assistance of theiradmiral's ship, which was engaged with Pisani. They attempted to boardhim on both sides, and, seeing that he was in great peril, and that ifhis ship was taken the battle would be as bad as lost, we thought thatyou yourself would approve of our going to his assistance. This we did,and engaged one of their galleys; and, as her crew were occupied withthe admiral, we took them by surprise, and created such a diversionthat he succeeded, with what assistance we could give him, in capturingboth his opponents."
"That was done well indeed," Polani said warmly. "It was a riskymatter, indeed, for you, with sailors unprotected by armour, to enterinto a combat with the iron-clad soldiers of Genoa.
"And so the captain and twenty-seven of the men were killed! You musthave had some brisk fighting!"
"The captain, and many of the men, were shot by the Genoese archers aswe ranged up alongside their vessel. The others were killed inhand-to-hand fighting."
"And my cousin Matteo, what has become of him?" Polani asked suddenly."I trust he is not among the killed!"
"He is unharmed," Francis replied. "He fought gallantly, and theadmiral, the next day, offered to take him on board his own ship, manyof the volunteers serving on board having been killed. Matteo, ofcourse, accepted the offer."
"He would have done better to have stayed on board my ship for anothertwo years," Polani said, "and learned his business. He would have madea far better sailor than he can ever become on board a state galley;but I never expected him to stick to it. He has no earnestness ofpurpose, and is too particular about his dress to care about the roughlife of a real seaman."
"He has plenty of courage, sir, and I have always found him a staunchfriend."
"No doubt he has courage," the merchant said. "
He comes of good bloodand could hardly be a coward. I think he is a good-hearted lad, too,and will, I have no doubt, make a brave commander of a galley; but morethan that Matteo is never likely to become."
"Your daughters are well, I hope?" Francis asked.
"Quite well; but you will not find them at home--they sailed three daysago, in the Lido, for Corfu. They are going to stay for a time at myvilla there. That affair of last year shook them both, and I thought itbetter that they should go away for a change--the hot months here aretrying, and often unhealthy. I will go over myself next week to be withthem."
They were now approaching the Piazzetta, and Polani shouted out, tovarious acquaintances he met in passing gondolas, the news that Pisanihad gained a great victory, and had captured the Genoese admiral withfour of his galleys. The gondolas at once changed their course, andaccompanied them, to gather further details of the fight. The news wasshouted to other passing boats, and by the time they reached the stepsof the Piazzetta, a throng was round them.
Those on shore shouted out the news, and it spread rapidly from mouthto mouth. The shopkeepers left their stores, and the loungers on thePiazzetta ran up, and it was with difficulty that Polani and Franciscould make their way, through the shouting and excited crowd, to theentrance of the ducal palace.
Polani at once led Francis to the doge, to whom he gave an account ofthe action. Messengers were immediately despatched to some of themembers of the council, for it was to them that the despatches had tobe delivered. As soon as a sufficient number to transact the businesshad arrived at the palace, the doge himself led Francis to the councilchamber.
"Is the news that we heard, shouted in the streets as we came thither,true, your highness?" one of the councillors asked as they entered."That our fleet has gained a victory over the Genoese?"
"I am happy to say that it is quite true; but this young gentleman isthe bearer of despatches from the admiral, and these will doubtlessgive us all particulars."
"Admiral Pisani has chosen a strange messenger for so important adespatch," one of the party hostile to the admiral said. "It is usualto send despatches of this kind by a trusted officer, and I do notthink it respectful, either to the council or the republic, to sendhome the news of a victory by a lad like this."
"The admiral apparently chose this young gentleman because, owing tothe death of his captain, he was in command of the ship which MesserPolani placed at the service of the republic, and which was present atthe fight. The admiral intended, as I hear, to set out at once insearch of the fleet of Doria, and doubtless did not wish to weakenhimself by despatching a state galley with the news. But perhaps he mayexplain the matter in his despatches."
Several other councillors had by this time arrived, and the despatcheswere opened. The admiral's account of the engagement was brief, for hewas fonder of the sword than the pen. He stated that, having obtainednews that Fieschi's fleet was at anchor under the promontory of Antium,he sailed thither with nine ships, these being all that were at themoment fit to take to sea; that Fieschi had sailed out to meet him, andthat an engagement had taken place in the storm, which prevented theships from pursuing their usual tactics, and compelled them to fightwith missiles at a distance. The despatch then went on:
"We fought all day, and the upshot of it was, we captured four of theirgalleys, the admiral himself, and eight hundred prisoners. Fortunatelyit is unnecessary for me to give your seignory the details of thefighting, as these can be furnished you by Messer Francisco Hammond,who will hand you these despatches. He was a witness of the action onthe Bonito, which had that morning arrived at Antium with some of thestores you despatched me. I have selected this young gentleman as thebearer of these despatches, because it is to him I entirely owe it thatI am not at the present moment a prisoner in Genoa, and to him therepublic owes that we yesterday won a victory.
"I was attacked by Fieschi and by another galley, and, in spite of theweather, they cast grapnels on to my ship and boarded me. I had alreadylost half of my crew by their missiles, and things were going verybadly with us, when the Bonito came up to our assistance, and grappledwith one of the galleys. Her captain was killed, but Messer Hammond--ofwhom Polani has so high an opinion that he had appointed him second incommand--led his men to my rescue. They boarded the galley and slewthose who remained on board, and then, crossing on to my ship, fellupon the rear of the Genoese who were pressing us backwards. Hissailors, undefended as they were by armour, fought like demons withtheir axes, and, led by Messer Hammond, cut their way through the enemyand joined me.
"This reinforcement gave fresh strength and spirit to my men, who had aminute before thought that all was lost. Together we fell upon theGenoese, before they could recover from their surprise, beat them backinto their admiral's ship, and following them there forced them tosurrender. Messer Hammond fought by my side, and although but a lad inyears, he showed himself a sturdy man-at-arms, and behaved with acoolness and bravery beyond praise. I hereby recommend him to yourgracious consideration, for assuredly to him it is due that it is I,and not Fieschi, who is writing to announce a victory."
A murmur of surprise from the councillors greeted the reading of thisportion of the letter. When it was concluded, the doge was the first tospeak.
"You have indeed deserved well of the republic, Messer Hammond, for weknow that Admiral Pisani is not one to give undue praise, or toexaggerate in aught.
"This is news to me, signors, as well as to you, for in his narrativeto me of the events of the fight, he passed over his own share in it,though Messer Polani, who accompanied him, did say that his ship hadtaken some part in the fight, and that the captain and twenty-seven menhad been killed.
"Now, young sir, as the admiral has referred us to you for a detailednarrative of the battle, we will thank you to tell us all youwitnessed, omitting no detail of the occurrences."
Francis accordingly gave a full account of the action, and gave greatpraise to his crew for the valour with which they had fought againstthe heavy armed Genoese. When he had concluded the doge said:
"We thank you for your narrative, Messer Hammond, as well as for thegreat service you have rendered the state. Will you now leave us, as wehave much to debate on regarding this and other matters, and to arrangefor the reinforcements for which, I see by his letter, the admiralasks.
"Will you ask Messer Polani to remain in attendance for a while, as wewish to consult with him as to ships and other matters? As to yourself,we shall ask you to come before us again shortly."
After Francis had left, the council first voted that five ducats shouldbe given to every man of the crew of the Bonito, and that the widows ofthose who had been slain should be provided for, at the expense of thestate. They deferred the question as to the honours which should beconferred upon Francis, until they had consulted Polani.
State barges were at once sent off to bring in the prisoners from theship, and preparations made for their accommodation, for Venice alwaystreated prisoners taken in war with the greatest kindness, an examplewhich Genoa was very far from following.
Then Polani was sent for, and the question of stores and ships goneinto. Orders were issued for redoubled activity in the arsenal, and itwas arranged that several ships, belonging to Polani and others, shouldbe at once purchased for the service of the state.
Then they asked him for his opinion as to the reward which should begiven to Francis. Upon the merchant expressing his ignorance of anyspecial service his young friend had rendered, the passage fromPisani's letter relating to him was read out.
"The lad is as modest as he is brave," the merchant said, "foralthough, of course, he told me that the ship had taken some part inthe fight, and had done what it could to assist the admiral, in whichservice the captain and twenty-seven men had lost their lives, I had noidea of the real nature of the encounter. I feel very proud of theservice he has rendered the state, for he has rendered me as a privateindividual no less important service, and I regard him as my adoptedson, and my future partner in my
business. Such being the case,signors, he needs no gift of money from the state."
"He has not, of course, being still a minor, taken up his papers ofnaturalization as a citizen?" the doge said.
"No, your highness, nor is it his intention to do so. I spoke to him onthe subject once, and he said that, although he regarded Venice withaffection, and would at all times do everything in his power for thestate, he could not renounce his birthplace, as an Englishman, bytaking an oath of allegiance to another state, and that probably heshould after a time return to his native country. I pointed out to himthat, although foreigners were given every facility for trade inVenice, it would be a grievous disadvantage to him in the islands, andespecially with countries such as Egypt, the Turks, and the Easternempire, with whom we had treaties; as, unless he were a Venetian, hewould be unable to trade with them.
"He fully saw the force of my argument, but persisted in hisdetermination. If you ask my opinion, therefore, signors, and you donot think the honour too great, I would suggest that the highest andmost acceptable honour that could be bestowed upon him, would be thatwhich you have at various times conferred upon foreign personages ofdistinction, namely, to grant him the freedom of Venice, and inscribehis name upon the list of her citizens, without requiring of him therenunciation of his own country, or the taking the oath of allegiance."
"The honour is assuredly a great and exceptional one," the doge said,"but so is the service that he has rendered. He has converted whatwould have been a defeat into a victory, and has saved Venice from agrave peril.
"Will you retire for a few minutes, signor, and we will then announceto you the result of our deliberations on the matter."