r comrades, talk to the sailors in the port,
talk to those on shore when you land, and urge, everywhere, that the
cry should be raised for Pisani's release, and restoration to command."

Chapter 18: The Release Of Pisani.

On the morning of the 17th, the party were sitting at breakfast, when
Giulia suddenly sprang to her feet.

"Listen!" she exclaimed.

Her father and Francis looked at her in surprise, but instinctively
listened for whatever sound she could have heard. Then a deep, solemn
sound boomed through the air.

"It is the bell of the Campanile tolling," the merchant exclaimed. "It
is the signal for all citizens to take up arms. Some terrible news has
arrived."

Hastily putting on his armour, the merchant started to Saint Mark's,
accompanied by Francis, who put on a steel cap, which he preferred to
the heavy helmet, and a breastplate. A crowd of citizens were pursuing
the same direction. The numbers thickened as they approached the
Piazza, which they found on their arrival to be already thronged with
people, who were densely packed in front of the palace, awaiting an
explanation of the summons.

There was a look of deep anxiety on every face, for all felt that the
news must be bad, indeed, which could have necessitated such a call.
Presently the doge, accompanied by the council, appeared in the
balcony. A complete silence fell upon the multitude, the bell ceased
tolling, and not the slightest sound disturbed the stillness. One of
the councillors stepped to the front, for the doge, Contarini, was now
seventy-two years old, and his voice could hardly have been heard over
so wide an area.

"Citizens of the republic, gather, I pray you, all your fortitude and
constancy, to hear the news which I have to tell. It is bad news; but
there is no reason for repining, still less for despair. If Venice has
but confidence in herself, such as she has throughout her history
shown, when danger seemed imminent, be assured that we shall weather
this storm, as we have done all that have preceded it. Chioggia has
fallen!"

An exclamation of pain and grief went up from the crowd. The speaker
held up his hand for silence.

"Chioggia, contrary to our hopes and expectations, has fallen; but we
are proud to say, it has fallen from no lack of bravery on the part of
its defenders. As you know, for six days the brave podesta, Emo, and
his troops have repulsed every attack; but yesterday an unforeseen
accident occurred. Wh