“Oh, but I sha’n’t like that!” Francis said.  “You ought to have a better place than that.”

Giuseppi laughed.

“Why, Messer Francisco, considering that half my time I slept in the gondola, and the other half on some straw in our kitchen, I shall do capitally.  Of course I could sleep in the fo’castle with the crew if I liked, but I should find it hot and stifling there.  I chose the place myself, and asked the captain if I could sleep there, and he has given me leave.”

In an hour the Bonito had passed through the Malamocco Channel, and was out on the broad sea.  The wind was very light, and but just sufficient to keep the great sails bellied out.  The sailors were all at work, coiling down ropes, washing the decks, and making everything clean and tidy.

“This is a good start, Messer Hammond,” the captain said, coming up to him.  “If this wind holds, we shall be able to make our course round the southern point of Greece, and then on to Candia, which is our first port.  I always like a light breeze when I first go out of port, it gives time for everyone to get at home and have things shipshape before we begin to get lively.”

“She does not look as if she would ever get lively,” Francis said, looking at the heavy vessel.

“She is lively enough in a storm, I can tell you,” the captain said, laughing.  “When she once begins to roll she does it in earnest, but she is a fine sea boat, and I have no fear of gales.  I wish I could say as much of pirates.  However, she has always been fortunate, and as we carry a stout crew she could give a good account of herself against any of the small piratical vessels that swarm among the islands, although, of course, if she fell in with two or three of them together it would be awkward.”

“How many men do you carry altogether, captain?”

“Just seventy.  You see she rows thirty oars, and in case of need we put two men to each oar, and though she doesn’t look fast she can get along at a fine rate when the oars are double banked.  We have shown them our heels many a time.  Our orders are strict.  We are never to fight if we can get away by running.”

“But I suppose you have to fight sometimes?” Francis asked.

“Yes, I have been in some tough fights several times, though not in the Bonito, which was only built last year.  Once in the Lion we were attacked by three pirates.  We were at anchor in a bay, and the wind was blowing on the shore, when they suddenly came round the headland, so there was no chance of running, and we had to fight it out.  We fought for five hours before they sheered off, pretty well crippled, and one of them in flames, for we carried Greek fire.