on that morning
the squadron, which Genoa had sent to their assistance under the
command of Matteo Maruffo, appeared in sight. This admiral had wasted
much valuable time on the way, but had fallen in with and captured,
after a most gallant resistance, five Venetian galleys under
Giustiniani, who had been despatched to Apulia to fetch grain.

The Genoese fleet drew up in order of battle, and challenged Pisani to
come out to engage them. But, impetuous as was the disposition of the
admiral, and greatly as he longed to avenge his defeat at Pola, he
refused to stir. He knew that Chioggia must, ere long, fall, and he
would not risk all the advantages gained, by so many months of toil and
effort, upon the hazard of a battle. Day after day Maruffo repeated his
challenge, accompanied by such insolent taunts that the blood of the
Venetian sailors was so stirred that Pisani could no longer restrain
them. After obtaining leave from the doge to go out and give battle, he
sailed into the roadstead on the 25th. The two fleets drew up in line
of battle, facing each other. Just as the combat was about to commence
a strange panic seized the Genoese, and, without exchanging a blow or
firing a shot, they fled hastily. Pisani pursued them for some miles,
and then returned to his old station.

The grief and despair of the garrison of Chioggia, at the sight of the
retreat of their fleet, was in proportion to the joy with which they
had hailed its approach. Their supply of fresh water was all but
exhausted. Their rations had become so scanty that, from sheer
weakness, they were unable, after the first week in June, to work their
guns.

Genoa, in despair at the position of her troops, laboured unceasingly
to relieve them. Emissaries were sent to tamper with the free
companies, and succeeded so far that these would have marched away, had
they not been appeased by the promise of a three days' sack of
Chioggia, and a month's extra pay at the end of the war. Attempts were
made to assassinate Zeno, but these also failed. The Genoese then
induced the pope to intercede on their behalf; but the council
remembered that when Venice was at the edge of destruction, on the 31st
of December, no power had come forward to save her, and refused now to
be robbed of the well-earned triumph.

On the 15th of July, Maruffo, who had received reinforcements again
made his appearance; but Pisani this time refused to be tempted out. On
the 21st a deputation was s