“She alone among nations could for years have withstood the interdict of the pope, or the misfortunes that have sometimes befallen her.  She alone has never felt the foot of the invader, or bent her neck beneath a foreign yoke to preserve her existence.  Here, save only in matters of government, all opinions are free, strangers of all nationalities are welcome.  It is a grand city and a grand people, Francis, and though I shall be glad to return to England I cannot but feel regret at leaving it.

“And now, my boy, it is time to be going off to your ship.  Polani said she would sail at ten o’clock.  It is now nine, and it will take you half an hour to get there.  I am glad to hear that Giuseppi is going with you.  The lad is faithful and attached to you, and may be of service.  Your trunk has already been sent on board, so let us be going.”

On arriving at the ship, which was lying in the port of Malamocco, they found that she was just ready for sailing.  The last bales of goods were being hoisted on board, and the sailors were preparing to loosen the sails.

The Bonito was a large vessel, built for stowage rather than speed.  She carried two masts with large square sails, and before the wind would probably proceed at a fair rate; but the art of sailing close hauled was then unknown, and in the event of the wind being unfavourable she would be forced either to anchor or to depend upon her oars, of which she rowed fifteen on either side.  As they mounted on to the deck they were greeted by Polani himself.

“I have come off to see the last of your son, Messer Hammond, and to make sure that my orders for his comfort have been carried out.

“Captain Corpadio, this is the young gentleman of whom I have spoken to you, and who is to be treated in all respects as if he were my son.  You will instruct him in all matters connected with the navigation of the ship, as well as in the mercantile portion of the business, the best methods of buying and selling, the prices of goods, and the methods of payment.

“This is your cabin, Francisco.”

He opened the door of a roomy cabin in the poop of the ship.  It was fitted up with every luxury.

“Thank you very much indeed, Signor Polani,” Francis said.  “The only fault is that it is too comfortable.  I would as lief have roughed it as other aspirants have to do.”

“There was no occasion, Francisco.  When there is rough work to be done, you will, I have no doubt, do it; but as you are going to be a trader, and not a sailor, there is no occasion that you should do so more than is necessary.  You will learn to command a ship just as well as if you began by dipping your hands in tar.  And it is well that you should learn to do this, for unless a man can sail a vessel himself, he is not well qualified to judge of the merits of men he appoints to be captains; but you must remember that you are going as a representative of my house, and must, therefore, travel in accordance with that condition.