he said, pointing to some Genoese
prisoners of rank, whom the Venetians had sent with their embassy, in
hopes of conciliating the Genoese, "take them back. I want them not;
for in a few days I am coming to release, from your prisons, them and
the rest."

As soon as the message was received, the bell summoned the popular
assembly together, and, in the name of the doge, Pietro Mocenigo
described to them the terrible nature of the peril that threatened
them, told them that, after the insolent reply of Doria, there was now
no hope save in their own exertions, and invited all to rally round the
national standard, for the protection of their hearths and homes. The
reply of the assembly was unanimous; and shouts were raised:

"Let us arm ourselves! Let us equip and man what galleys are in the
arsenal! Let us sally out to the combat! It is better to die in the
defence of our country, than to perish here from want."

A universal conscription was at once ordered, new taxes were imposed,
and the salaries of the magistrates and civil functionaries suspended.
All business came to a standstill, and property fell to a fourth of its
former value. The imposts were not found adequate to produce the sums
required, and a new loan, at five per cent, was decreed. All subscribed
to the utmost of their ability, raising the enormous sum of 6,294,040
lire. A new captain general was elected, and the government nominated
Taddeo Giustiniani to the post.

The fortification of the city, with earthworks, was commenced. Lines of
defence were drawn from Lido to San Spirito, and two wooden towers
constructed at the former point, to guard the pass of San Nicolo.
Events succeeded each other with the greatest rapidity, and all these
matters were settled within thirty-six hours of the fall of Chioggia.
In all respects the people, at first, yielded implicit obedience to the
order of the council. They enrolled themselves for service. They
subscribed to the loan. They laboured at the outworks. But from the
moment the appointment of Taddeo Giustiniani was announced, they grew
sullen. It was not that they objected to the new captain general, who
was a popular nobleman, but every man felt that something more than
this was required, in such an emergency, and that the best man that
Venice could produce should be at the helm.

The sailors of the port were the first to move in the matter, and
shouts for Vettore Pisani were heard in the streets. Others took up th