eplied. "I am a citizen of Venice, and my name is
inscribed in her books, as my comrades will vouch."

"Right glad am I that it is so," the Genoese said, "for Pietro Doria,
who is now, by the death of his brother, in chief command, has ordered
that every mercenary found among the prisoners shall today be slain."

"It is a brutal order," Francis said fearlessly, "whosoever may have
given it! A mercenary taken in fair fight has as much right to be held
for ransom or fair exchange as any other prisoner; and if your admiral
thus breaks the laws of war, there is not a free lance, from one end of
Italy to the other, but will take it up as a personal quarrel."

The Genoese frowned at the boldness with which Francis spoke, but at
heart agreed in the sentiments he expressed; for among the Genoese
officers, generally, there was a feeling that this brutal execution in
cold blood was an impolitic, as well as a disgraceful deed.

The officers were now placed in the fore hold of the ship, the crew
being confined in the after hold. Soon afterwards, they knew by the
motion of the vessel that sail had been put on her.

"So we are on our way to a Genoese prison, Francisco," Matteo said. "We
had a narrow escape of it before, but this time I suppose it is our
fate."

"There is certainly no hope of rescue, Matteo. It is too early, as yet,
to say whether there is any hope of escape. The prospect looked darker
when I was in the hands of Ruggiero, but I managed to get away. Then I
was alone and closely guarded, now we have in the ship well nigh two
hundred friends; prisoners like ourselves, it is true, but still to be
counted on. Then, too, the Genoese are no doubt so elated with their
triumph, that they are hardly likely to keep a very vigilant guard over
us. Altogether, I should say that the chances are in our favour. Were I
sure that the Pluto is sailing alone, I should be very confident that
we might retake her, but probably the fifteen captured ships are
sailing in company, and would at once come to the aid of their comrades
here, directly they saw any signs of a conflict going on, and we could
hardly hope to recapture the ship without making some noise over it."

"I should think not," Matteo agreed.

"Then again, Matteo, even if we find it impossible to get at the crew,
and with them to recapture the ship, some chance may occur by which you
and I may manage to make our escape."

"If you say so, Francisco, I at once believe it. Y