ion of Tenedos gave its owners the command of the
Dardanelles, and a fleet lying there could effectually block the
passage.

The people thronged up to the governor's house with shouts of "Down
with Genoa!" The governor, being unsupported by any Greek or Genoese
troops, bowed to the popular will, and declared that he did not
recognize the revolution that had taken place in Constantinople, and
refused to submit to the decree of Andronicus. Donato Trono, a Venetian
merchant resident in the island, and other Venetians, harangued the
people, and pointed out to them that alone they could not hope to
resist the united forces of Greece and Genoa, and that their only hope
of safety lay in placing themselves under the protection of Venice. The
people, seeing the justice of the arguments of the Venetians, and
preferring the Venetian rule to that of Genoa, agreed to the proposal.
The banner of St. Mark was raised amid great enthusiasm, and the island
declared subject to Venice.

A Genoese galley in port immediately set sail, and quickly carried the
news to Constantinople, where the emperor at once threw the whole of
the Venetian residents into prison. As soon as the news of this reached
Tenedos the captain of the Bonito held a consultation with Francis.

"It is evident, Messer Francisco, that we cannot proceed upon our
northward voyage. We should be captured and held at Constantinople;
and, even did we succeed in passing at night, we should fall into the
hands of the Genoese--who are far stronger in the Black Sea than we
are--for if Venice accepts the offer of the people of this place, and
takes possession of the island, Genoa is sure to declare war.

"I think, then, that we had better make our way back to Venice with
what cargo we have on board, and there get fresh orders from the
padrone. We have not done badly so far, and it is better to make sure
of what we have got than to risk its loss, for at any day we may fall
in with the Genoese fleet sailing hither."

Francis quite agreed with the captain's opinion, and the Bonito sailed
for the south. They touched, on their way, at several islands, and the
news that an early outbreak of hostilities between Genoa and Venice was
probable--in which case there would be an almost complete cessation of
trade--produced so strong a desire, on the part of the islanders, to
lay in a store of goods, that the captain was able to dispose of the
rest of his cargo on good terms, and to fill up hi