with the Venetians
pressing closely upon them. Sails were at once hoisted, and the Pluto
joined in the chase.

But the flight was a feigned one, and it was only designed to throw the
Venetian rank into confusion. After sailing for two miles, the Genoese
suddenly turned, and fell upon their pursuers as they came up in
straggling order.

The result was decisive. Many of the Venetian ships were captured
before the rest came up to take part in the battle. Others were hemmed
in by numerous foes. Pisani, after fighting until he saw that all was
lost, made the signal for the ships to withdraw from the conflict, and
he himself, with six galleys, succeeded in fighting his way through the
enemy's fleet, and gained a refuge in the port of Parenzo.

All the rest were taken. From seven to eight hundred Venetians perished
in the fight, two thousand four hundred were taken prisoners, twelve
commanders were killed, and five captured. The Genoese losses were also
severe, and Doria himself was among the slain, having been killed by a
spear thrust by Donato Zeno, commander of one of the galleys, almost at
the moment of victory.

The Pluto had defended herself, for a long time, against the attacks of
three of the Genoese galleys, and had repeatedly endeavoured to force
her way out of the throng, but the Genoese held her fast with their
grapnels, and at last the greater part of her crew were driven down
below, and Francis, seeing the uselessness of further resistance,
ordered the little group, who were now completely pent in by the
Genoese, to lower their weapons. All were more or less severely
wounded, and were bleeding from sword cuts and thrusts.

"This is an evil day for Venice," Matteo said, as, having been deprived
of their weapons, the prisoners were thrust below. "I heard the Genoese
say that only six of our galleys have escaped, all the rest have been
taken. We were the last ship to surrender, that's a comfort anyhow."

"Now, Matteo, before you do anything else, let me bind up your wounds.
You are bleeding in two or three places."

"And you are bleeding from something like a dozen, Francisco, so you
had better let me play the doctor first."

"The captain is always served last, so do as you are told, and strip
off your doublet.

"Now, gentlemen," he said, turning to the other officers, "let each of
us do what we can to dress the wounds of others. We can expect no care
from the Genoese leeches, who will have their hands fu