“In that case,” Francis said, “we may as well direct our course so as to pass them within hailing distance.  When you approach them, hoist the Polani flag, and signal to them to lay to.”

This was done, and the two craft brought up within thirty yards of each other.  The captain appeared at the side of the vessel, and doffed his cap when he recognized Francis.

“Have you any news from the East?” the latter asked.

“But little, signor.  A few Genoese pirates are among the islands, and are reported to have made some captures, but I have seen none.  There is nothing new from Constantinople.  No fresh attempt has been made by the emperor to recapture Tenedos.”

“Did you touch at Corfu on your way back?”

“I left there yesterday, signor.  A strange craft has been reported as having been seen on the coast.  She carries no flag, but from her appearance she is judged to be a Moor.”

“But we are at peace with the Moors,” Francis said, “and it is years since they ventured on any depredations, excepting on their own waters.”

“That is so, signor, and I only tell you what was the report at Corfu.  She appeared to be a swift craft, rowing a great many oars.  Her movements certainly seem mysterious, as she has several times appeared off the coast.  Two vessels which sailed from Cyprus, and were to have touched at Corfu, had not arrived there when I left, and they say that several others are overdue.  I do not say that has anything to do with the strange galley, but it is the general opinion in Corfu that it has something to do with it, and I am the bearer of letters from the governor to the seignory, praying that two or three war ships may at once be sent down to the island.”

“It looks strange, certainly,” Francis said; “but I cannot believe that any Moorish pirates would be so daring as to come up into Venetian waters.”

“I should not have thought so either, signor; but it may be that, knowing there is war between Venice and Genoa, and that the state galleys of the republics, instead of being scattered over the seas, are now collected in fleets, and thinking only of fighting each other, they might consider it a good opportunity for picking prizes.”

“It is a good opportunity, certainly,” Francis said; “but they would know that Venice would, sooner or later, reckon with them; and would demand a four-fold indemnity for any losses her merchants may have suffered.

“However, I will not detain you longer.  Will you tell Signor Polani that you met us, and that we were making good progress, and hoped to reach Corfu some time tomorrow?”

“This is a curious thing about this galley,” the captain of the boat said to Francis, as the men again dipped their oars into the water, and the boat once more proceeded on the way.