“Admirable, indeed!  And we are all vastly indebted to him, for had it not been for him, we should not have known of the doings of these scoundrels until too late to cut off their retreat; and, once away in their ship again, they might long have preyed upon our commerce, before one of our cruisers happened to fall in with them.

“As for Ruggiero Mocenigo, he is a disgrace to the name of a Venetian; and it is sad to think that one of our most noble families should have to bear the brand of being connected with a man so base and villainous.  However, I trust that his power of ill doing has come to an end.

“Is the vessel a fast one, signor?”

“I cannot say whether she sails fast,” Francis replied; “but she certainly rows fast.”

“I trust that we shall catch her before she gets under way,” the commander of the galleys said.  “Our vessels are not made for rowing, although we get out oars to help them along in calm weather.”

“What course do you propose to take?” the merchant asked.

“When we approach the spot where she is likely to be lying, I shall order the captains of the other two ships to lie off the coast, a couple of miles distant and as far from each other, so that they can cut her off as she makes out to sea.  We will follow the coast line, keeping in as close as the water will permit, and in this way we shall most likely come upon her.  If we should miss her, I shall at the first dawn of morning join the others in the offing, and keep watch till she appears from under the shadow of the land.”

It was now three o’clock in the morning, and an hour later the three vessels parted company, and the galley with the governor and commander of the squadron rowed for the shore.  When they came close to the land, the captain ordered the oars to be laid in.

“The breeze is very light,” he said; “but it is favourable, and will enable us to creep along the shore.  If we continue rowing, those in charge of the ship may hear us coming, and may cut their cables, get up sail, and make out from the land without our seeing them.  On a still night, like this, the sound of the sweeps can be heard a very long distance.”

Quietly the vessel made her way along the shore.  Over the land, the sky was red with the reflection of numerous fires, but this only made the darkness more intense under its shadow, and the lead was kept going in order to prevent them from sailing into shallow water.  By the captain’s orders strict silence was observed on board the ship, and every eye was strained ahead on the lookout for the pirate vessel.

Presently, all became aware of a confused noise, apparently coming from the land, but at some distance ahead.  As they got further on, distant shouts and cries were heard.

“I fancy,” the governor said to the captain, “the band from the town have met the pirates, and the latter are retreating to their ship.”

“Then the ship can’t be far off,” the captain said.  “Daylight is beginning to break in the east, and we shall soon be able to make her out against the sky—­that is, if she is still lying at anchor.”