“The Lido is still lying where we anchored her.  They can have no fear of a recapture, for they would know that they could overtake us easily enough.  I daresay they intend to sail tomorrow morning, and did not think it worth the trouble to get up the anchor and tow her out to where they are lying.”

The details of the expedition were now discussed and arranged, and the men told off to their various duties, and at eleven o’clock at night, when all in the town were fast asleep, the party quitted the bivouac and marched down again to the port.

Chapter 10:  Recaptured.

No one was astir in the streets as the band marched through, and they reached the port without encountering a single person.  A small boat was chosen, and in this the captain, Francis, Matteo, and two of the strongest and most powerful of the sailors embarked.  It was thought unlikely that, lying, as the Lido did, within a couple of hundred yards of the Genoese galleys, any very vigilant watch would be kept, and not more than two sailors would probably be on deck.

The dark mass of the ship could just be made out from the shore, and when all was ready the two sailors with their oars pushed her off with all their strength, and then stood perfectly quiet.

The impetus was sufficient.  The boat moved so slowly through the water, indeed, before they reached the ship, that Francis thought it would be necessary for the men to row a stroke or two; but the boat still moved on, until at last it touched the side of the ship.  All had removed their boots before starting, and they now clambered up the sides without making the slightest noise.

Once on deck they stood perfectly quiet, listening.  Presently they heard a murmur of voices on the other side of the vessel.  Very quietly they crept towards the sound, and at length made out two figures leaning over the bulwarks, talking.

Each man’s work had been settled, and there was no confusion.  One of the sailors and Francis stole towards one of the men, while the other and Matteo approached the second.  The captain stood with his sword bared, in readiness to cut down any other man who might be on deck.

The Genoese did not look round.  Francis gave the word, “Now,” and in a moment the two sailors seized them from behind with a grasp of iron, while the lads at the same moment passed bandages tightly round their mouths, and before the Genoese were quite aware of what had happened, they were lying, bound hand and foot, gagged upon the deck.

The party now made a search, but found no one else about.  They then secured and fastened down the hatch of the forecastle by coiling ropes upon it, quietly opened the door leading to the poop cabins, and entering, seized and bound two officers sleeping there without the slightest noise or resistance.

Then they took a light from the cabin and showed it towards the shore.  At the signal the sailors, who had already taken their places in the boats, at once rowed out to the vessel.  When all were on board, the boats were fastened alongside, in case it should be necessary to abandon the ship again.