“The admiral got safely back, I hope?” Francis asked.  “We saw that his galley, with five others, broke through the Genoese fleet and got safely away, but of course, we knew not whether the brave admiral was himself hurt.”

“He arrived here safely,” Polani replied; “but knowing the Venetians as you do, you will be scarcely surprised to hear that he has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, for losing the battle.”

“But that is shameful,” Francis exclaimed indignantly.  “I heard from our captain, who was present at the council, that Pisani was opposed to fighting, and that he was only overruled by the proveditors.  It is shameful.  I will go on shore and make my report, and then I will come back to you, for I swear that not another blow will I strike on behalf of the republic, as long as Pisani is in prison.”

“It is a bad business, my lad,” Polani said; “but you know that Pisani, popular as he is with the people, has few friends among the nobles.  They are jealous of his fame and popularity, and, to say the truth, he has often irritated them, by his bluntness and his disregard for their opinion and rank.  Consequently, they seized upon his defeat as an occasion for accusing him, and it was even a question in the council of taking his life, and he may be considered fortunate in getting off with the sentence of six months’ imprisonment.

“I do not think he will have to remain very long in confinement.  We may expect the Genoese fleet here in a few days, for the Paduan army is already moving, as we heard last night.  No doubt it is going to cooperate with the fleet.  Once the danger presses, the populace will demand Pisani’s release.  There have already been demonstrations, and shouts of ‘Viva Pisani!’ have been raised in the Piazza.

“At any rate, Francis, let me advise you, most strongly, not to suffer any expression of your feelings concerning him to escape you before the council.  I need scarcely say it would do no good to the admiral, and would set the whole of his enemies against you.  It is no affair of yours, if the governors of Venice behave ungratefully to one who deserves well at their hands, and you have made more than enough enemies by mingling in my affairs, without drawing upon yourself more foes, by your championship of Pisani.”

“I will, of course, follow your counsel,” Francis said; “but I will certainly serve the state no more, until Pisani is freed.”

Several of the councillors were already assembled, on hearing the strange news that four of the ships, which had been captured by the Genoese, had entered port.  Francis, on announcing his errand, was at once shown in to them.  Polani accompanied him, explaining his presence to the council by saying: 

“I have ventured, signors, to accompany my young friend here, in order that I may give you a much further detail of the affair in which he has been engaged, than you are likely to hear from his own lips.  I have just come on shore from his ship, the Pluto, and have heard the story from my kinsman, Matteo Giustiniani.”