order to prevent them from sailing into shallow water. By the captain's
orders strict silence was observed on board the ship, and every eye was
strained ahead on the lookout for the pirate vessel.

Presently, all became aware of a confused noise, apparently coming from
the land, but at some distance ahead. As they got further on, distant
shouts and cries were heard.

"I fancy," the governor said to the captain, "the band from the town
have met the pirates, and the latter are retreating to their ship."

"Then the ship can't be far off," the captain said. "Daylight is
beginning to break in the east, and we shall soon be able to make her
out against the sky--that is, if she is still lying at anchor."

On getting round the next point, the vessel was distinctly visible. The
shouting on the shore was now plainly heard, and there could be no
doubt that a desperate fight was going on there. It seemed to be close
to the water's edge.

"There is a boat rowing off to the ship," one of the sailors said.

"Then get out your oars again. She is not more than half a mile away,
and she can hardly get under way before we reach her. Besides, judging
from the sound of the fight, the pirates must have lost a good many
men, and will not be able to man all the oars even if they gain their
ship."

The men sat down to their oars with alacrity. Every sailor on board
felt it almost as a personal insult, that pirates should dare to enter
the Venetian waters and carry on their depredations there. The glare of
the burning houses, too, had fired their indignation to the utmost, and
all were eager for the fight.

Three boats were now seen rowing towards the ship.

"Stretch to your oars, men," the captain said. "We must be alongside
them, if we can, before they can take to their sweeps."

The pirates had now seen them; and Francis, standing at the bow eagerly
watching the vessel, could hear orders shouted to the boats. These
pulled rapidly alongside, and he could see the men clambering up in the
greatest haste. There was a din of voices. Some men tried to get up the
sails, others got out oars, and the utmost confusion evidently
prevailed. In obedience to the shouts of the officers, the sails were
lowered again, and all betook themselves to the oars; but scarce a
stroke had been pulled before the Venetian galley ran up alongside.
Grapnels were thrown, and the crew, seizing their weapons, sprang on to
the deck of the pirate.

The crew of the