The boats had all been got in readiness, and the men were to muster fully armed.  Although, as they understood, the carrying off of two girls was their special object, it was intended that they should gather as much plunder as could be obtained.  The island was rich, for many wealthy Venetians had residences there.  Therefore, with the exception of a few men left on board to take care of the galley, the whole were to land.  A picked boat’s crew were to accompany the captain, who was now completely convalescent.  The rest were to divide in bands and scatter over the country, pillaging as they went, and setting fire to the houses.  It was considered that such consternation would be caused that nothing like resistance could be offered for some time, and by daybreak all hands were to gather at the landing place.

How far this spot was from the town, Francis had no means of learning.  There was a store of spare arms in the hold, and Francis, furnishing himself with a sword and large dagger, waited until he heard a great movement overhead, and then went upon deck and joined a gang of men employed in lowering one of the boats.  The boat was a large one, rowing sixteen oars and carrying some twenty men seated in the stern.  Here Francis took his place with the others.  The boat pushed off and waited until four others were launched and filled.  Then the order was given, and the boats rowed in a body towards the shore.  The men landed and formed under their respective officers, one man remaining in each boat to keep it afloat.

Francis leaped ashore, and while the men were forming up, found no difficulty in slipping away unnoticed.  As he did not know where the path was, and was afraid of making a noise, he lay down among the rocks until he heard the word of command to start given.  Then he cautiously crept out, and, keeping far enough in the rear to be unseen, followed the sound of their footsteps.  By the short time which had elapsed between the landing and the start, he had no doubt they were guided by some persons perfectly acquainted with the locality, probably by some natives of the island among the mixed crew.

Francis had, during his voyage, thought over the course he should pursue on landing; and saw that, ignorant as he was of the country, his only hope was in obtaining a guide who would conduct him to Polani’s villa before the arrival of Mocenigo and his band.  The fact that the crew were divided into five parties, which were to proceed in different directions, and that he did not know which of them was commanded by the captain, added to the difficulty.  Had they kept together he might, after seeing the direction in which they were going, make a detour and get ahead of them.  But he might now follow a party going in an entirely wrong direction, and before he could obtain a guide, Mocenigo’s band might have gone so far that they could not be overtaken before they reached the villa.

There was nothing to do but to get ahead of all the parties, in the hope of coming upon a habitation before going far.  As soon, therefore, as the last band had disappeared, he started at a run.  The country was open, with few walls or fences; therefore on leaving the road he was able to run rapidly forwards, and in a few minutes knew that he must be ahead of the pirates.  Then he again changed his course so as to strike the road he had left.