heir light boat.

Giuseppi burst into a torrent of vituperation at the carelessness of
the gondoliers who had so nearly run into them, but Francis silenced
him at once.

"Row, Giuseppi. It was done on purpose. It is the gondola the other
spoke to."

Their assailant was turning also, and in a few seconds was in pursuit.
Francis understood it now. The gondola they had been following had
noticed them, and had informed their friends, waiting off Saint Mark's,
of the fact. Intent upon watching the receding boat, he had paid no
further attention to the four-oared craft, which had made a turn, and
lay waiting in readiness to run them down, should they follow in the
track of the other boat.

Francis soon saw that the craft behind them was a fast one, and rowed
by men who were first-rate gondoliers. Fast as his own boat was flying
through the water, the other gained upon them steadily. He was heading
now for the entrance to the Grand Canal, for their pursuer, in the
wider sweep he had made in turning, was nearer to the Piazza than they
were, and cut off their flight in that direction.

"Keep cool, Giuseppi," he said. "They will be up to us in a minute or
two. When their bow is within a yard or two of us, and I say, 'Now!'
sweep her head straight round towards the lagoon. We can turn quicker
than they can. Then let them gain upon us, and we will then turn
again."

The gondola in pursuit came up hand over hand. Francis kept looking
over his shoulder, and when he saw its bow gliding up within a few feet
of her stern he exclaimed "Now!" and, with a sudden turn, the gondola
again swept out seaward.

Their pursuer rushed on for a length or two before she could sweep
round, while a volley of imprecations and threats burst from three men
who were standing up in her with drawn swords. Francis and Giuseppi
were now rowing less strongly, and gaining breath for their next
effort. When the gondola again came up to them they swept round to the
left, and as their pursuers followed they headed for the Grand Canal.

"Make for the steps of Santa Maria church. We will jump out there and
trust to our feet."

The two lads put out all their strength now. They were some three
boats' lengths ahead before their pursuers were fairly on their track.
They were now rowing for life, for they knew that they could hardly
succeed in doubling again, and that the gondola behind them was so well
handled, that they could not gain on it at the turnings w