The next day they were off Girgenti, the port at which they hoped to obtain a cargo.  They steered in until they encountered a fishing boat, and learned from those on board that there was no Genoese vessel in port, nor, as far as the men knew, any state galleys anywhere in the neighbourhood.  Obtaining this news, they sailed boldly into the port and dropped anchor.

Francis, who had received before starting a list of houses with whom Signor Polani was in the habit of doing business, at once rowed ashore, Matteo and Giuseppi accompanying him.  His business arrangements were soon completed.  The harvest had been a good one, and there was an abundance of corn to be had at a cheap rate.  In half an hour he arranged for as large a quantity as the Lido would carry.

The work of loading soon commenced, and in four days the ship was full up to the hatches.  Francis went on shore to settle the various accounts, and was just making the last payment when Matteo ran into the office.

“Four Genoese galleys are entering the bay!”

Francis ran out, and saw four Genoese galleys rowing in.

“It is too late to escape.  Even were we empty we could not get away; but laden as the Lido is, they could row three feet to her one.”

“What shall we do, Francisco?”

Francis stood for half a minute thinking.

“You had better stay here, Matteo.  I will row out to the ship, and send most of the men on shore.  If they seize the ship, they may not take those on board prisoners; but if they do, there is no reason why they should take us all.”

“You had better come on shore too, Francisco, and leave the captain in charge.  You can do no good by staying there; and Polani would be more concerned at your capture than he would at the loss of a dozen ships.  If you could do any good, it would be different; but as it is, it would be foolish to risk capture.”

“I will see,” Francis said.  “At any rate, do you stop here.”

Jumping into a boat, he rowed towards the Lido, which was lying but a cable’s length from the shore.  As he neared her, he shouted to the men to lower the boats.

“Captain,” he said, “I do not know whether there is any danger of being captured by the Genoese.  But it is useless to run any unnecessary risk.  Therefore send all the crew but three or four men on shore.  If the Genoese board us, we have our papers as peaceful traders buying wheat; but if, in spite of that, they capture us, we must take our chance.”

“Surely you are not thinking of stopping, Messer Francisco.  The padrone would be terribly vexed if you were taken.  He specially ordered me, before we started, to see that no unnecessary risk was run, and to prevent you from thrusting yourself into danger.  Therefore, as captain of the ship, I must insist that you go on shore.”

“I think I ought to stay here,” Francis said.

“I do not think so,” the captain said firmly, “and I will not suffer it.  I have to answer for your safety to the padrone; and if you do not go by yourself, I shall order the men to put you into one of the boats by force.  I mean no disrespect; but I know my duty, and that is to prevent you from falling into the hands of the Genoese.”