sels lying close to the shore, near the village?
They are pirates when they get a chance, you may be quite sure. In
fact, these islands swarm with them. Venice does all she can to keep
them down, but the Genoese, and the Hungarians, and the rest of them,
keep her so busy that she has no time to take the matter properly in
hand, and make a clean sweep of them."

Chapter 8: An Attack By Pirates.

A boat was lowered, and the captain went ashore with a strong crew, all
armed to the teeth. Francis accompanied him. The natives were sullen in
their manner, but expressed a willingness to trade, and to exchange
hides and wine for cloth.

"We may as well do a little barter," the captain said, as they rowed
back towards the ship. "The port is not often visited, and the road
across the island is hilly and rough, so they ought to be willing to
sell their goods cheaply."

"They did not seem pleased to see us, nevertheless," Francis said.

"No; you see the Genoese have got a footing in the island, and of
course they represent us to the natives as being robbers, who would
take their island if we got the chance. All round these coasts and
islands the people are partisans either of Venice or Genoa. They care
very little for Constantinople, although they form part of the empire.
Constantinople taxes them heavily, and is too weak to afford them
protection. Of course they are Greeks, but the Greeks of the islands
have very little in common, beyond their language, with the Greeks of
Constantinople. They see, too, that the Turks are increasing in power,
and they know that, if they are to be saved from falling into the hands
of the Moslem, it is Venice or Genoa who will protect them, and not
Constantinople, who will have enough to do to defend herself.

"As to themselves, they would naturally prefer Venice, because Venice
is a far better mistress than Genoa; but of course, when the Genoese
get a footing, they spread lies as to our tyranny and greed, and so it
comes that the people of the islands are divided in their wishes, and
that while we are gladly received in some of them, we are regarded with
hate and suspicion in others."

Trade at once began, and continued until evening.

"How long do you expect to stay here, captain?" Francis asked.

"That must depend upon the wind. It may go down tomorrow, it may
continue to blow strong for days, and it is no use our attempting to
work down to Candia until it changes its direction. I