“No, Messer Francisco.  In the first place, our sides are so high out of water that the pirates will have a difficulty in boarding us in any case.  In the second place, if we get the oars out and they row full at them, sooner or later they will break them off; and it is all important that we should be able to row.  I have been thinking the matter over, and my idea is, as soon as they advance, to get three or four oars at work on either side, so as to move her gradually through the water towards the harbour mouth.  The rowers will be charged to let their oars swing alongside whenever any of their craft dash at them.  We shall want every oar, as well as our sails, to get away when we are once outside.  I do not think we have much chance of finally beating them off if we stop and fight here.  But if we can do so for a time, and can manage to creep out of the harbour, all may be well.”

When daylight fairly broke they were able to make out their enemy.  The vessels were of all sizes, from long, low craft, carrying great sails and long banks of oars, down to boats of a few tons burden.  All seemed crowded with men.

“None of them are anything like as high out of the water as the Bonito,” the captain said, “and they will find it very difficult to climb up our sides.  Still the odds against us are serious, but we shall give them a warmer reception than they expect.  They will hardly calculate either on our being so strong handed, or so well prepared for them.”

Everything was indeed ready for the combat.  Two or three barrels of the compound known as Greek fire had been brought up from the hold, and the cooks had heated cauldrons full of pitch.  Thirty men with bows and arrows were on the poop, and the rest, with spears, axes, and swords, stood along the bulwarks.

“We may as well get as near the entrance as we can before the fight begins,” the captain said.  “Get up the anchor, and as soon as it is aboard, get out four oars on each side.”

The anchor had already been hove short, and was soon in its place.  Then the oars dipped into the water, and slowly the Bonito moved towards the mouth of the harbour.  Scarcely had the oars touched the water, than a bustle was perceived on board the piratical ships.  Oars were put out, and in two or three minutes the pirates were under way, advancing at a rapid pace towards the Bonito.

The crew made no reply to the shouts and yells of the pirates, but, in accordance with the orders of the captain, remained in a stooping position, so that the figure of the captain, as he hauled up the flag with the lion of Venice to the masthead, was alone visible to the pirates.  As these approached volleys of arrows were shot at the Bonito, but not a shot replied until they were within fifty yards of the ship.

Then the captain gave the word.  The archers sprang to their feet, and from their eminence poured their arrows thick and fast on to the crowded decks of the pirates.  The captain gave the word to the rowers, and they relinquished their oars, which swung in by the side of the vessel.