elf, I shall order the men to put you into one of the boats
by force. I mean no disrespect; but I know my duty, and that is to
prevent you from falling into the hands of the Genoese."

"I will not oblige you to use force, captain," Francis said, smiling,
"and will do as you wish me."

In five minutes the men were all--save four, whom the captain had
selected--in the boat, and rowing towards shore. Matteo was awaiting
them when they landed.

"That is right, Francisco. I was half afraid you would stay on board. I
know how obstinate you are whenever you take a thing into your head."

"The captain was more obstinate still, Matteo, and said that unless I
came away he would send me on shore by force; but I don't like
deserting the ship."

"That is nonsense, Francisco. If the Genoese take her, they take her,
and your remaining on board could not do any good. What are you going
to do now?"

"We will at once leave the place with the men, Matteo, and retire into
the country behind. It is not likely the Genoese would land and seize
us here, but they might do so, or the inhabitants, to please Genoa,
might seize us and send us on board. At any rate, we shall be safer in
the country."

The men had, by the captain's orders, brought their arms ashore on
leaving the ship. This was the suggestion of Francis, who said that,
were they unarmed, the people might seize them and hand them over to
the Genoese. At the head of this party, which was about fifty strong,
Francis marched up through the little town and out into the country. He
had really but little fear, either that the Genoese would arrest them
on shore, or that the people would interfere with them, for they would
not care to risk the anger of Venice by interfering in such a matter.
He thought it probable, however, that if his men remained in the town,
broils would arise between them and any of the Genoese sailors who
might land.

As soon as the Genoese galleys came up to the head of the bay, a boat
was lowered and rowed to the Lido, at whose masthead the Venetian flag
was flying. An officer, followed by six men, climbed up on to the deck.

"Are you the captain of this ship?" the officer asked as the captain
approached him.

"I am," the captain said.

"What ship is it?"

"It is the Lido, the property of Messer Polani, a merchant of Venice,
and laden with a cargo of wheat."

"Then you are my prisoner," the Genoese said. "I seize this vessel as
lawful prize."

"Ther