a boat was lowered, and the captain went ashore with a strong crew, all armed to the teeth. francis accompanied him. the natives were sullen in their manner, but expressed a willingness to trade, and to exchange hides and wine for cloth.
"we may as well do a little barter," the captain said, as they rowed back towards the ship. "the port is not often visited, and the road across the island is hilly and rough, so they ought to be willing to sell their goods cheaply."
"they did not seem pleased to see us, nevertheless," francis said.
"no; you see the genoese have got a footing in the island, and of course they represent us to the natives as being robbers, who would take their island if we got the chance. all round these coasts and islands the people are partisans either of venice or genoa. they care very little for constantinople, although they form part of the empire. constantinople taxes them heavily, and is too weak to afford them protection. of course they are greeks, but the greeks of the islands have very little in common, beyond their language, with the greeks of constantinople. they see, too, that the turks are increasing in power, and they know that, if they are to be saved from falling into the hands of the moslem, it is venice or genoa who will protect them, and not constantinople, who will have enough to do to defend herself.
"as to themselves, they would naturally prefer venice, because venice is a far better mistress than genoa; but of course, when the genoese get a footing, they spread lies as to our tyranny and greed, and so it comes that the people of the islands are divided in their wishes, and that while we are gladly received in some of them, we are regarded with hate and suspicion in others."
trade at once began, and continued until evening.
"how long do you expect to stay here, captain?" francis asked.
"that must depend upon the wind. it may go down tomorrow, it may continue to blow strong for days, and it is no use our attempting to work down to candia until it changes its direction. i should hope, however, that in a day or two we may be off. we are doing little more than wasting our time here."
a strong watch was placed on deck at nightfall.
"why, surely, captain, there is no fear of an attack! war has not yet been proclaimed with genoa, although there is little doubt it will be so in a few weeks, or perhaps a few days."
"there is never a real peace between venice and genoa in these seas," the captain said, "and as war is now imminent, one cannot be too watchful. state galleys would not be attacked, but merchant vessels are different. who is to inquire about a merchant ship! why, if we were attacked and plundered here, who would be any the wiser? we should either have our throats cut, or be sent to rot in the dungeons of genoa. and not till there was an exchange of prisoners, perhaps years hence, would any in venice know what had befallen us. when weeks passed, and no news came to venice of our having reached candia, it would be supposed that we had been lost in the storm.
"signor polani would run his pen through the name of the bonito, and put her down as a total loss, and there would be an end of it, till those of us who were alive, when the prison doors were opened, made their way back to venice. no, no, messer francisco. in these eastern waters one must always act as if the republic were at war. why, did not antonio doria, in a time of profound peace, attack and seize eight venetian ships laden with goods, killing two of the merchants on board, and putting the ships at a ransom? as to single vessels missing, and never heard of, their number is innumerable.
"it is all put down to pirates; but trust me, the genoese are often at the bottom of it. they are robbers, the genoese. in fair trade we can always beat them, and they know it, and so they are always seeking a pretext for a quarrel with us."
francis smiled quietly at the bigoted hatred which the captain bore the genoese, but thought it useless to argue with him. the next morning he came up on deck soon after daybreak.
"i see one of those vessels has taken her departure," he said, as he glanced towards the spot where they had been lying.
"so she has," the captain said. "i had not noticed that before. i wonder what that fellow has gone for? no good, you may be sure. why, it is blowing hard outside still, as you may see by the rate those light clouds travel. he would never have put to sea without having a motive, and he must have had a strong crew on board, to row out in the teeth of the gale far enough to make off the land. that fellow is up to mischief of some sort."
a few minutes later the captain ordered a boat to be lowered, and rowed out to the rocky islet at the mouth of the harbour, and landing, climbed up the rocks and looked out to sea. in half an hour he returned to the ship.
"it is no use," he said to francis. "the wind is blowing straight into the passage, and we could not row the bonito out against it. it was different with that craft that went out yesterday evening, for i have no doubt she started as soon as it became dark. she was low in the water, and would not hold the wind; besides, no doubt they lowered the masts, and with a strong crew might well have swept her out. but with the bonito, with her high sides and heavy tonnage, it could not be done."
"what do you think she went out for, captain?"
"it is likely enough that she may have gone to one of the other islands, and may return with a dozen other craft, pirates like herself. the news that a venetian merchant ship, without consorts, is weather bound here, would bring them upon us like bees.
"it is a dangerous thing, this sailing alone. i have talked it over several times with the master. other merchants generally send their ships in companies of eight or ten, and they are then strong enough to beat off any attack of pirates. messer polani always sends his vessels out singly. what he says is this: 'a single ship always travels faster than a convoy, because these must go at the rate of the slowest among them. then the captain is free to go where he will, without consulting others, according as he gets news where trade is to be done, and when he gets there he can drive his own bargains without the competition of other ships.
"so you see there are advantages both ways. the padrone's ships run greater risks, but, if they get through them safely, they bring home much larger profits than do those of others. as a rule, i prefer sailing singly; but just at the present time i should be well pleased to see half a dozen consorts lying alongside."
three times during the day the captain paid a visit to the rocky island. on his return for the last time before nightfall he said to francis:
"the wind is certainly falling. i hope that tomorrow morning we shall be able to get out of this trap. i am convinced that there is danger."
"you see nothing else, do you, captain, beyond the departure of that craft, to make you think that there is danger?"
"yes, i have seen two things," the captain said. "in the first place, the demeanour of the people has changed. they do not seem more unfriendly than they were before, but as i moved about the place today, it seemed to me that there was a suppressed excitement--people gathered together and talked earnestly, and separated if any of our crew happened to go near them; even laughed when they thought that none of us were looking, and looked serious and sullen if we turned round. i am convinced that they are expecting something to happen.
"i have another reason for suspecting it. i have kept a sharp watch on that high hill behind the village; they tell me there is nothing at the top except some curious stones, that look as if they had once been trees, so there is nothing they can want to go up for. several times today i have made out the figures of men climbing that hill. when they got to the top they stood for some time as if they were looking out over the sea, and then came down again without doing anything. now, men do not climb such a hill as that merely for exercise. they went up because they expected to see something, and that something could only be a fleet of pirate boats from the other islands. i would give a year's pay if we could get out of this place this evening, but it cannot be done, and we must wait till tomorrow morning. i will try then, even though i risk being driven on the rocks. however, if they do come tonight they will not catch us asleep."
orders were issued that the whole crew were to remain in readiness for attack, and that those whose watch was below were to sleep with their arms beside them. the lower ports were all closed, a strong watch was kept on deck, and it was certain that, whatever happened, the bonito would not be taken by surprise.
being assured by the captain that it was not probable that any attack would be made before morning, as the pirates, not knowing their exact position, would wait until the first gleam of daylight enabled them to make out where she was lying, and to advance in order against her, francis lay down on his couch, leaving orders that, if asleep, he was to be called two hours before daybreak. he slept but little, however, getting up frequently and going out to ascertain if any sounds indicated the presence of an enemy.
upon one of these occasions he found that the person leaning next to him against the bulwark, and gazing towards the mouth of the harbour, was giuseppi.
"have you been here long, giuseppi?"
"since you were out last, messer francisco. i thought i would wait a bit, and listen."
"and have you heard anything?"
"i have heard sounds several times."
"what sort of sounds, giuseppi?"
"such a sound as is made when the sails and yards are lowered. i have heard it over and over again when out at night on the lagoons near the port. there is no mistake in the creaking of the blocks as the halyards run through them. i am sure, that since i have been here several vessels have brought up inside the mouth of the harbour. some of the sailors have heard the same noises, so there cannot be any mistake about it. if the captain likes, i will take a small boat and row out, and find out all about them."
"i will ask the captain, giuseppi."
the captain, however, said that there would be no use in this being done.
"whether there are few or whether there are many of them, we must wait till morning before we go out. there will be no working out that channel in the dark, even if we were unopposed."
"but they must have managed to come in," francis said.
"no doubt some of their comrades in the other barque, or people from the village, show a light out there to guide them in. besides, the wind is favourable to them and against us. no, young sir, there is nothing to do but to wait. in the morning, if there are but few of them, we will try to break through and gain the sea. if there are many we will fight here, as then all hands will be available for the combat, while if we were rowing, half of them would be occupied with the oars. if your lad were to go as he proposes he might fall into the hands of the enemy, and as the information he could gather would be in any case of no use, it is best he should remain where he is."
the hours seemed long until the first tinge of daylight appeared in the sky. all hands were on deck now, for the news that vessels had been arriving in the port had convinced all that danger really threatened them. it was not until half an hour later that they were able to make out some dark objects, lying in under the shadow of the islet across the mouth of the harbour.
"there they are, messer francisco," the captain said. "ten of them, as far as i can make out; but there may be more, for likely enough some of them are lying side by side. there may, too, be some round a corner, where we cannot see them. another half hour we shall know all about it."
francis was half surprised that the captain did not order the oars to be put out and lashed in that position, for it was a recognized plan for preventing a ship from being boarded by an enemy, who could thus only approach her at the lofty poop and forecastle.
"are you not going to get out the oars to keep them off?"
"no, messer francisco. in the first place, our sides are so high out of water that the pirates will have a difficulty in boarding us in any case. in the second place, if we get the oars out and they row full at them, sooner or later they will break them off; and it is all important that we should be able to row. i have been thinking the matter over, and my idea is, as soon as they advance, to get three or four oars at work on either side, so as to move her gradually through the water towards the harbour mouth. the rowers will be charged to let their oars swing alongside whenever any of their craft dash at them. we shall want every oar, as well as our sails, to get away when we are once outside. i do not think we have much chance of finally beating them off if we stop and fight here. but if we can do so for a time, and can manage to creep out of the harbour, all may be well."
when daylight fairly broke they were able to make out their enemy. the vessels were of all sizes, from long, low craft, carrying great sails and long banks of oars, down to boats of a few tons burden. all seemed crowded with men.
"none of them are anything like as high out of the water as the bonito," the captain said, "and they will find it very difficult to climb up our sides. still the odds against us are serious, but we shall give them a warmer reception than they expect. they will hardly calculate either on our being so strong handed, or so well prepared for them."
everything was indeed ready for the combat. two or three barrels of the compound known as greek fire had been brought up from the hold, and the cooks had heated cauldrons full of pitch. thirty men with bows and arrows were on the poop, and the rest, with spears, axes, and swords, stood along the bulwarks.
"we may as well get as near the entrance as we can before the fight begins," the captain said. "get up the anchor, and as soon as it is aboard, get out four oars on each side."
the anchor had already been hove short, and was soon in its place. then the oars dipped into the water, and slowly the bonito moved towards the mouth of the harbour. scarcely had the oars touched the water, than a bustle was perceived on board the piratical ships. oars were put out, and in two or three minutes the pirates were under way, advancing at a rapid pace towards the bonito.
the crew made no reply to the shouts and yells of the pirates, but, in accordance with the orders of the captain, remained in a stooping position, so that the figure of the captain, as he hauled up the flag with the lion of venice to the masthead, was alone visible to the pirates. as these approached volleys of arrows were shot at the bonito, but not a shot replied until they were within fifty yards of the ship.
then the captain gave the word. the archers sprang to their feet, and from their eminence poured their arrows thick and fast on to the crowded decks of the pirates. the captain gave the word to the rowers, and they relinquished their oars, which swung in by the side of the vessel.
a moment later two of the largest craft of the pirates dashed alongside. the instant they did so they were saluted with showers of boiling pitch, while pots full of greek fire were thrown down upon them. those who tried to climb up the side of the bonito were speared with lances or cut down with battleaxes.
the combat was of short duration. many of those on whom the boiling pitch had fallen jumped overboard in their agony, while others did the same to escape the greek fire, which they in vain endeavoured to extinguish. the fire quickly spread to the woodwork, and in five minutes after the beginning of the fight, the two craft dropped astern from the bonito, with the flames already rising fiercely from them.
in the meantime the other vessels had not been idle, and a storm of missiles was poured upon the bonito. the fate which befell their comrades, however, showed them how formidable was the vessel they had regarded as an easy prey, and when the first assailants of the bonito dropped astern, none of the others cared to take their places.
"man the oars again!" the captain ordered, and the bonito again moved forward, her crew stooping behind the bulwarks, while the archers only rose from time to time to discharge their shafts.
"the thing i am most afraid of," the captain said to francis, who was standing beside him, "is, that they will ram us with their prows. the bonito is strongly built, but the chances are that they would knock a hole in her."
"i should think, captain, that if we were to get up some of those bales of cloth, and fasten ropes to them, we might lower them over the side and so break the shock."
"it is worth trying, anyhow," the captain said.
and a score of the sailors were at once sent down to fetch up the bales. ropes were fastened round these, and they were laid along by the bulwarks in readiness for being lowered instantly. ten bales were placed on each side, and three men told off to each bale.
by this time they were halfway to the mouth of the harbour, and the preparations were completed just in time, for the small boats suddenly drew aside, and two of the largest of the pirates' craft, each rowed by twenty-four oars, dashed at her, one on each side. the captain shouted the order, and the men all sprang to their feet. it was seen at once that the vessels would both strike about midships. three bales on either side were raised to the bulwarks, and lowered down with the ropes until close to the water's edge and closely touching each other. francis sprang on to the bulwark and superintended the operations on one side, while the captain did the same on the other.
"a few feet more astern, lads. that is right. now, keep the bales touching. you are just in the line."
an instant later the bonito reeled from the shock of two tremendous blows. the bows of the pirates were stove in, but the thick bales enabled the bonito to withstand the shock, although her sides creaked, the seams started, and the water flowed in freely. but of this the crew thought little. they were occupied in hurling darts, arrows, and combustibles into the pirates as these backed off, in an already sinking condition.
"now i think we can go," the captain said, and ordered the whole of the oars to be manned.
they were speedily got out, and the bonito made her way out through the mouth of the harbour. the pirates, in their lighter boats, rowed round and round her, shooting clouds of arrows, but not venturing to come to close quarters, after the fate which had befallen the four largest vessels of their fleet.
as soon as they were clear of the islet the sails were hoisted. the wind had fallen much during the night, and had worked round to the east, and under sails and oars the bonito left the island, none of the pirates venturing to follow in pursuit. the oars were soon laid in, and the men, with mallets and chisels, set to work to caulk the seams through which the water was making its way. the casualties were now inquired into, and it was found that six men had been shot dead, and that nine-and-twenty had received wounds more or less severe from the arrows of the pirates.
francis had been twice wounded while superintending the placing of the bales. one arrow had gone through his right leg, another had struck him in the side and glanced off a rib.
"this won't do, messer francisco," the captain said as he assisted giuseppi to bandage the wounds. "signor polani placed you on board to learn something of seamanship and commerce, not to make yourself a target for the arrows of pirates. however, we have to thank you for the saving of the bonito, for assuredly she would have been stove in, had not the happy thought of hanging those bales overboard struck you. it would be of no use against war galleys, whose beaks are often below the waterline, but against craft like these pirates it acts splendidly, and there is no doubt that you saved the ship from destruction, and us from death, for after the burning of the two first vessels that attacked us, you may be sure they would have shown but little mercy. i can't think how you came to think of it."
"why, i have read in books, captain, of defenders of walls hanging over trusses of straw, to break the blows of battering rams and machines of the besiegers. directly you said they were going to ram us it struck me we might do the same, and then i thought that bales of cloth, similar to those you got up on deck to trade with the islanders would be just the thing."
"it was a close shave," the captain said. "i was leaning over, and saw the whole side of the ship bend beneath the blow, and expected to hear the ribs crack beneath me. fortunately the bonito was stronger built than her assailants, and their bows crumpled in before her side gave; but my heart was in my mouth for a time, i can tell you."
"so was mine, captain. i hardly felt these two arrows strike me. they must have been shot from one of the other boats. then i could not help laughing to see the way in which the men at the oars tumbled backwards at the moment when their vessel struck us. it was as if an invisible giant had swept them all off their seats together."
the wind continued favourable until they arrived at candia, where the captain reported, to the commander of a venetian war galley lying in the port, the attack that had been made upon him; and the galley at once started for the scene of the action, to destroy any pirates she might find there or among the neighbouring islands, or in the various inlets and bays of the mainland.
having delivered their letters and landed a portion of their cargo for the use of polani's agents in the islands, the bonito proceeded to cyprus. for some weeks she cruised along the coast of syria, trading in the various turkish ports, for venice, although she had shared in some of the crusades, was now, as she had often been before, on friendly terms with the turks. her interests all lay in that direction. she carried on a large trade with them; and in the days when she lay under the interdict of the pope, and all europe stood aloof from her, she drew her stores of provisions from the moslem ports, and was thus enabled successfully to resist the pressure which she suffered from the interdict. she foresaw, too, the growing power of the turks, and perceived that in the future they would triumph over the degenerate greek empire at constantinople. she had spent her blood and treasure freely in maintaining that empire; but the weakness and profligacy of its emperors, the intestine quarrels and disturbances which were forever going on, and the ingratitude with which she had always treated venice, had completely alienated the venetians from her. genoa had, indeed, for many years exercised a far more preponderating influence at constantinople than venice had done.
having completed the tour of the syrian ports, the bonito sailed north, with the intention of passing the dardanelles and bosphorus, and proceeding to azoph.
when she reached the little island of tenedos, a few miles from the entrance to the strait, she heard news which compelled the captain to alter his intentions. a revolution had broken out in constantinople, aided by the genoese of pera. the cruel tyrant calojohannes the 5th had been deposed, and his heir andronicus, whom he had deprived of sight and thrown into a dungeon, released and placed on the throne.
as a reward for the services she had rendered him, andronicus issued a decree conferring tenedos upon genoa. the news had just arrived when the bonito entered the port, and the town was in a ferment. there were two or three venetian warships in the harbour; but the venetian admiral, being without orders from home as to what part to take in such an emergency, remained neutral. the matter was, however, an important one, for the possession of tenedos gave its owners the command of the dardanelles, and a fleet lying there could effectually block the passage.
the people thronged up to the governor's house with shouts of "down with genoa!" the governor, being unsupported by any greek or genoese troops, bowed to the popular will, and declared that he did not recognize the revolution that had taken place in constantinople, and refused to submit to the decree of andronicus. donato trono, a venetian merchant resident in the island, and other venetians, harangued the people, and pointed out to them that alone they could not hope to resist the united forces of greece and genoa, and that their only hope of safety lay in placing themselves under the protection of venice. the people, seeing the justice of the arguments of the venetians, and preferring the venetian rule to that of genoa, agreed to the proposal. the banner of st. mark was raised amid great enthusiasm, and the island declared subject to venice.
a genoese galley in port immediately set sail, and quickly carried the news to constantinople, where the emperor at once threw the whole of the venetian residents into prison. as soon as the news of this reached tenedos the captain of the bonito held a consultation with francis.
"it is evident, messer francisco, that we cannot proceed upon our northward voyage. we should be captured and held at constantinople; and, even did we succeed in passing at night, we should fall into the hands of the genoese--who are far stronger in the black sea than we are--for if venice accepts the offer of the people of this place, and takes possession of the island, genoa is sure to declare war.
"i think, then, that we had better make our way back to venice with what cargo we have on board, and there get fresh orders from the padrone. we have not done badly so far, and it is better to make sure of what we have got than to risk its loss, for at any day we may fall in with the genoese fleet sailing hither."
francis quite agreed with the captain's opinion, and the bonito sailed for the south. they touched, on their way, at several islands, and the news that an early outbreak of hostilities between genoa and venice was probable--in which case there would be an almost complete cessation of trade--produced so strong a desire, on the part of the islanders, to lay in a store of goods, that the captain was able to dispose of the rest of his cargo on good terms, and to fill up his ship with the produce of the islands.
thus the bonito was deep in the water when she re-entered the port of venice after an absence of about three months. as soon as the anchor was dropped the captain, accompanied by francis, hired a gondola, and rowed into the city to give an account to signor polani of the success of his voyage, and to lay before him a list of the cargo with which the bonito was laden. the merchant received them with great cordiality, and embraced francis with the affection of a father.
"do you go at once into the salon, francisco. you will find my daughters expecting you there, for the news came an hour ago that the bonito was entering port. of course, we heard from the letters from candia of your adventures with the pirates, and the gallant way in which the bonito defeated them.
"you will find, captain, that i have ordered an extra month's pay to be given to all on board.
"the captain did full justice, francisco, in his account of the matter, to your quickness in suggesting a method by which the effort of the ramming of the enemy was neutralized, and for the courage you showed in carrying out your idea; but we will talk of that afterwards. he and i have business to transact which will occupy us for some time, so the sooner you go the better."
francis at once took himself off and joined the girls, who received him with the heartiest greeting.
"we were glad indeed, francis," maria said, "when our father told us that the bonito was signalled as entering the port. no letters have come for some time, and we feared that you must have entered the dardanelles, and reached constantinople, before the news arrived there of that affair at tenedos, in which case you would no doubt have been seized and thrown into the dungeons."
"we were at tenedos when the affair took place," francis said, "and have had no opportunity since of sending a letter by any ship likely to be here before us. the outbreak made us alter our plans, for, of course, it would not have been safe to have sailed farther when the emperor was so enraged against venice. i need hardly tell you i was not sorry when we turned our faces again towards venice. i have enjoyed the voyage very much, and have had plenty to occupy me. still, three months at a time is long enough, and i was beginning to long for a sight of venice."
"for a sight of venice and--" maria repeated, holding up her finger reprovingly.
"and of you both," francis said smiling. "i did not think it necessary to put that in, because you must know that you are venice to me."
"that is much better," maria said approvingly. "i think you have improved since you have been away. do you not think so, giulia?"
"i don't think that sort of nonsense is an improvement," giulia said gravely. "any of the young venetian gallants can say that sort of thing. we do not want flattery from francisco."
"you should say you do not want it, giulia," maria said, laughing. "i like it, i own, even from francisco. it may not mean anything, but it is pleasant nevertheless; besides, one likes to think that there is just a little truth in it, not much, perhaps, but just a little in what francisco said, for instance. of course we are not all venice to him. still, just as we are pleased to see him, he is pleased to see us; and why shouldn't he say so in a pretty way? it's all very well for you to set up as being above flattery, giulia, but you are young yet. i have no doubt you will like it when you get as old as i am."
giulia shook her head decidedly.
"i always think," she said, "when i hear a man saying flattering things to a girl, that it is the least complimentary thing he can do, for it is treating her as if he considers that she is a fool, otherwise he would never say such outrageous nonsense to her."
"there, francisco," maria laughed, "you are fairly warned now. beware how you venture to pay any compliment to giulia in future.
"it would be a dull world if every one were to think as you do, giulia, and to say exactly as they meant. fancy a young man saying to you: 'i think you are a nice sort of girl, no prettier than the rest, but good tempered and pleasant, and to be desired because your father is rich!' a nice sort of way that would be to be made love to!"
"there is no occasion for them to say anything at all," giulia said indignantly. "we don't go about saying to them, 'i think you are good looking, and well mannered, and witty;' or, 'i like you because they say you are a brave soldier and a good swordsman.' why should they say such things to us? i suppose we can tell if anyone likes us without all that nonsense."
"perhaps so," the elder girl assented; "and yet i maintain it's pleasant, and at any rate it's the custom, and as it's the custom, we must put up with it.
"what do you say, francisco?"
"i don't know anything about it," francis said. "certainly some of the compliments i have heard paid were barefaced falsehoods, and i have wondered how men could make them, and how women could even affect to believe in them; but, on the other hand, i suppose that when people are in love, they really do think the person they are in love with is prettier and more charming, or braver and more handsome, than anyone else in the world, and that though it may be flattery, it is really true in the opinion of the person who utters it."
"and now let us leave the matter alone for the present, francisco. we are dying to hear all about your adventures, and especially that fight with the pirates. the captain, in his letter, merely said that you were attacked and beat the pirates off, and that you would have been sunk if it hadn't been that, at your suggestion, they lowered bales of cloth over to break the shock; and that so many men were killed and so many wounded; and that you were hit twice by arrows, but the wounds were healing. that's all he said, for papa read that portion of his letter out to us. now we want a full and particular account of the affair."
francis gave a full account of the fight, and then related the other incidents of the voyage.
"we know many of the ports you touched at," maria said when he had finished, "for when we were little girls, papa took us sometimes for voyages in his ships, when the times were peaceful and there was no danger. now let us order a gondola, and go for a row. papa is sure to be occupied for ever so long with your captain."
