“You are quite right, lad,” the admiral said.  “All governments are ungrateful, and republics most of all.  Where all are supposed to be equal, there is ever envy and jealousy against one who rises above the rest.  The multitude is fickle and easily led; and the first change of fortune, however slight, is seized upon by enemies as a cause of complaint, and the popular hero of today may be an exile tomorrow.  Like enough I shall see the inside of a Venetian prison some day.”

“Impossible, signor!” Francis exclaimed.  “The people would tear to pieces anyone who ventured to malign you.”

“Just at present, my lad; just at present.  But I know my countrymen.  They are not as light hearted and fickle as those of Genoa; but they are easily led, and will shout ‘Abasso!’ as easily as ‘Viva!’ Time will show.  I was within an ace of being defeated today; and you may not be close at hand to come to my rescue next time.  And now to business.

“Tomorrow morning I will set the crews to get out your stores, and distribute them as required, and will place four hundred prisoners in your hold, and you shall carry them to Venice with my despatches announcing the victory.  The other four hundred Genoese I shall send, in the galley that was dismasted yesterday, to Candia, to be imprisoned there.  I shall send prize crews home in the galleys we have captured; and as soon as they are refitted and manned, and rejoin me, I shall sail in search of Doria and his fleet.  I shall first cruise up the Adriatic, in case he may have gone that way to threaten Venice, and I can the more easily receive such reinforcements as may have been prepared for me.”

The following day was spent in unloading the vessel.  This was accomplished by nightfall.  The prisoners were then put on board.  Francis at once ordered sail to be set, and the Bonito was started on her homeward voyage.

As soon as the Bonito was signalled in sight, Signor Polani went down to the port to meet her, to ascertain where she had fallen in with the fleet, for there was great anxiety in Venice, as no news had been received from Pisani for more than ten days.  The vessel had just passed through the entrance between the islands, when the gondola, with her owner, was seen approaching.  Francis went to the gangway to receive him.

“Why, what has happened, Francisco?” Polani asked, as the boat neared the side of the ship.  “Half your bulwark is carried away, and the whole side of the ship is scraped and scored.  She looks as if she had been rubbing against a rock.”

“Not quite so bad as that, Messer Polani.  She has been grinding against a Genoese galley.”

“Against a Genoese galley!” the merchant repeated in surprise, stopping in his passage up the rope ladder, which had been lowered for him.  “Why, how is that?  But never mind that now.  First tell me what is the news from the fleet?”

“There is great news,” Francis replied.  “The admiral fell in with Fieschi off Antium.  There were nine ships on each side, and the battle took place in a storm.  We were victorious, and captured four of the Genoese galleys, with Fieschi himself and eight hundred prisoners.  The rest fled.  Fieschi is now in my cabin, and four hundred prisoners in the hold.”