“I thank you for your kindness,” the man said.  “You had it in your power, with a thrust of the dagger, to make yourself safe, and you abstained.  Even were it not for my oath, I should be a treacherous dog, indeed, were I to betray you.  I do not know what your plans are, signor, but I pray you to follow my example, and get away from this place before daylight.  The people here will all aid in the search for you, and as the island is not large, you will assuredly be discovered.  It has for many years been a rendezvous of pirates, a place to which they bring their booty to sell to the traders who come over from the mainland.”

“Thank you for your advice, Philippo, and be assured I shall be off the island before daybreak, but I have some work to do first, and cannot therefore accompany you.”

“May all the saints bless you, signor, and aid you to get safe away!  Assuredly, if I live, I will ere long present myself to you at Venice—­not for the money which you so generously promised me, but that I may, with your aid, earn an honest living among Christians.”

By this time the exchange of clothes was effected, the six ducats in Philippo’s purse—­the result of a little private plundering on one of the captured vessels—­divided; and then they left the prison room, and Philippo locked the door after them.

“Is there any chance of Thomaso returning speedily?” Francis asked.  “Because, if so, he might notice your absence, and so give the alarm before the ship sets sail, in which case we should have the whole crew on our tracks.”

“I do not think that he will.  He will be likely to be drinking in the wine shop for an hour or two before he returns.  But I tell you what I will do, signor.  I will resume my place here on guard until he has returned.  He will relieve me at midnight, and in the darkness will not notice the change of clothes.  There will still be plenty of time for me to cross the island, and get out of sight in the boat, before the alarm is given, which will not be until six o’clock, when I ought to relieve him again.  As you say, if the alarm were to be given before the vessel sails, they might start at once to cut us off before we reach the mainland, for they would make sure that we should try to escape in that direction.”

“That will be the best plan, Philippo; and now goodbye.”

Francis walked down to the shore.  There were no boats lying there of a size he could launch unaided, but presently he heard the sound of oars, and a small fishing boat rowed by two men approached.

“Look here, lads,” he said.  “I want to be put on board the ship.  I ought to have been on board three hours ago, but took too much wine, and lay down for an hour or two and overslept myself.  Do you think you can row quietly up alongside so that I can slip on board unnoticed?  If so I will give you a ducat for your trouble.”

“We can do that,” the fishermen said.  “We have just come from the ship now, and have sold them our catch of today.  There were half a dozen other boats lying beside her, bargaining for their fish.  Besides they are taking on board firewood and other stores that have been left till the last moment.  So jump in and we will soon get you there.”