“If you have got some men there, Matteo, there is a chance for you to take a prize.  A galley rowing twelve or fourteen oars is in the mud, a few hundred yards out.  She was chasing us, and ran aground when at full speed, and I imagine they will have some trouble in getting her off.  I suppose she draws a couple of feet of water.  There!  Don’t you hear the hubbub they are making?”

“I hear them,” Matteo said.

“Come along, lads.  The night is cold, and I don’t suppose the water is any warmer, but a skirmish will heat our blood.”

Matteo, followed by a company of some forty men, at once entered the water, and made in the direction of the sounds.  Five minutes later, Francis heard shouts and a clashing of weapons suddenly break out.  It lasted but a short time.  Matteo and his band soon returned with the prisoners.

“What!  Have you waited, Francisco?  I thought you would be on the other side of the island by this time.”

“I was in no particular hurry, Matteo; and besides, I want my boat; and although two men can lift her easily enough, she would be a heavy weight to carry so far.”

“You shall have a dozen, Francisco.  It is owing to you we have taken these prisoners, and that I have had my first bit of excitement since I came out here.

“Sergeant, here are a couple of ducats.  When you have given the prisoners into safe custody, spend the money in wine for the company.

“The water is bitterly cold, I can tell you, Francisco; but otherwise I am warm enough, for one’s feet stick to the mud, and it seems, each step, as if one had fifty pounds of lead on one’s shoes.  But come along to my brother’s tent at once.  Your feet must be cold, too, though the water was only a few inches deep where you got out of your boat.  A glass of hot wine will do us both good; and it will be an hour before your boat is in the water again.  Indeed, I don’t see the use of your starting before daybreak.”

“Nor do I, Matteo; but I must go, nevertheless.  Pisani knows how long it will take me to get to Chioggia and return.  He will allow an hour or two for me to reconnoitre, and will then be expecting me back.  As it is, I shall be two hours after the time when he will be expecting me, for he knows nothing about the boat being carried across this island, and will make no allowance for that.  Moreover, Polani and his daughters will be anxious about me.”

“Oh, you flatter yourself they will be lying awake for you,” Matteo said, laughing.  “Thinking over your dangers!  Well, there’s nothing like having a good idea of one’s self.”

Francis joined in the laugh.

“It does sound rather conceited, Matteo; but I know they will be anxious.  They took up the idea it was a dangerous service I was going on, and I have no doubt they fidgeted over it.  Women are always fancying things, you know.”

“I don’t know anyone who fidgets about me,” Matteo said; “but then, you see, I am not a rescuer of damsels in distress, nor have I received the thanks of the republic for gallant actions.”