Chapter 8: An Attack By Pirates.
A boat was lowered, and the captain went ashore with a strong crew, allarmed to the teeth. Francis accompanied him. The natives were sullen intheir manner, but expressed a willingness to trade, and to exchangehides and wine for cloth.
"We may as well do a little barter," the captain said, as they rowedback towards the ship. "The port is not often visited, and the roadacross the island is hilly and rough, so they ought to be willing tosell their goods cheaply."
"They did not seem pleased to see us, nevertheless," Francis said.
"No; you see the Genoese have got a footing in the island, and ofcourse they represent us to the natives as being robbers, who wouldtake their island if we got the chance. All round these coasts andislands the people are partisans either of Venice or Genoa. They carevery little for Constantinople, although they form part of the empire.Constantinople taxes them heavily, and is too weak to afford themprotection. Of course they are Greeks, but the Greeks of the islandshave very little in common, beyond their language, with the Greeks ofConstantinople. They see, too, that the Turks are increasing in power,and they know that, if they are to be saved from falling into the handsof the Moslem, it is Venice or Genoa who will protect them, and notConstantinople, who will have enough to do to defend herself.
"As to themselves, they would naturally prefer Venice, because Veniceis a far better mistress than Genoa; but of course, when the Genoeseget a footing, they spread lies as to our tyranny and greed, and so itcomes that the people of the islands are divided in their wishes, andthat while we are gladly received in some of them, we are regarded withhate and suspicion in others."
Trade at once began, and continued until evening.
"How long do you expect to stay here, captain?" Francis asked.
"That must depend upon the wind. It may go down tomorrow, it maycontinue to blow strong for days, and it is no use our attempting towork down to Candia until it changes its direction. I should hope,however, that in a day or two we may be off. We are doing little morethan wasting our time here."
A strong watch was placed on deck at nightfall.
"Why, surely, captain, there is no fear of an attack! War has not yetbeen proclaimed with Genoa, although there is little doubt it will beso in a few weeks, or perhaps a few days."
"There is never a real peace between Venice and Genoa in these seas,"the captain said, "and as war is now imminent, one cannot be toowatchful. State galleys would not be attacked, but merchant vessels aredifferent. Who is to inquire about a merchant ship! Why, if we wereattacked and plundered here, who would be any the wiser? We shouldeither have our throats cut, or be sent to rot in the dungeons ofGenoa. And not till there was an exchange of prisoners, perhaps yearshence, would any in Venice know what had befallen us. When weekspassed, and no news came to Venice of our having reached Candia, itwould be supposed that we had been lost in the storm.
"Signor Polani would run his pen through the name of the Bonito, andput her down as a total loss, and there would be an end of it, tillthose of us who were alive, when the prison doors were opened, madetheir way back to Venice. No, no, Messer Francisco. In these easternwaters one must always act as if the republic were at war. Why, did notAntonio Doria, in a time of profound peace, attack and seize eightVenetian ships laden with goods, killing two of the merchants on board,and putting the ships at a ransom? As to single vessels missing, andnever heard of, their number is innumerable.
"It is all put down to pirates; but trust me, the Genoese are often atthe bottom of it. They are robbers, the Genoese. In fair trade we canalways beat them, and they know it, and so they are always seeking apretext for a quarrel with us."
Francis smiled quietly at the bigoted hatred which the captain bore theGenoese, but thought it useless to argue with him. The next morning hecame up on deck soon after daybreak.
"I see one of those vessels has taken her departure," he said, as heglanced towards the spot where they had been lying.
"So she has," the captain said. "I had not noticed that before. Iwonder what that fellow has gone for? No good, you may be sure. Why, itis blowing hard outside still, as you may see by the rate those lightclouds travel. He would never have put to sea without having a motive,and he must have had a strong crew on board, to row out in the teeth ofthe gale far enough to make off the land. That fellow is up to mischiefof some sort."
A few minutes later the captain ordered a boat to be lowered, and rowedout to the rocky islet at the mouth of the harbour, and landing,climbed up the rocks and looked out to sea. In half an hour he returnedto the ship.
"It is no use," he said to Francis. "The wind is blowing straight intothe passage, and we could not row the Bonito out against it. It wasdifferent with that craft that went out yesterday evening, for I haveno doubt she started as soon as it became dark. She was low in thewater, and would not hold the wind; besides, no doubt they lowered themasts, and with a strong crew might well have swept her out. But withthe Bonito, with her high sides and heavy tonnage, it could not bedone."
"What do you think she went out for, captain?"
"It is likely enough that she may have gone to one of the otherislands, and may return with a dozen other craft, pirates like herself.The news that a Venetian merchant ship, without consorts, is weatherbound here, would bring them upon us like bees.
"It is a dangerous thing, this sailing alone. I have talked it overseveral times with the master. Other merchants generally send theirships in companies of eight or ten, and they are then strong enough tobeat off any attack of pirates. Messer Polani always sends his vesselsout singly. What he says is this: 'A single ship always travels fasterthan a convoy, because these must go at the rate of the slowest amongthem. Then the captain is free to go where he will, without consultingothers, according as he gets news where trade is to be done, and whenhe gets there he can drive his own bargains without the competition ofother ships.
"So you see there are advantages both ways. The padrone's ships rungreater risks, but, if they get through them safely, they bring homemuch larger profits than do those of others. As a rule, I prefersailing singly; but just at the present time I should be well pleasedto see half a dozen consorts lying alongside."
Three times during the day the captain paid a visit to the rockyisland. On his return for the last time before nightfall he said toFrancis:
"The wind is certainly falling. I hope that tomorrow morning we shallbe able to get out of this trap. I am convinced that there is danger."
"You see nothing else, do you, captain, beyond the departure of thatcraft, to make you think that there is danger?"
"Yes, I have seen two things," the captain said. "In the first place,the demeanour of the people has changed. They do not seem moreunfriendly than they were before, but as I moved about the place today,it seemed to me that there was a suppressed excitement--people gatheredtogether and talked earnestly, and separated if any of our crewhappened to go near them; even laughed when they thought that none ofus were looking, and looked serious and sullen if we turned round. I amconvinced that they are expecting something to happen.
"I have another reason for suspecting it. I have kept a sharp watch onthat high hill behind the village; they tell me there is nothing at thetop except some curious stones, that look as if they had once beentrees, so there is nothing they can want to go up for. Several timestoday I have made out the figures of men climbing that hill. When theygot to the top they stood for some time as if they were looking outover the sea, and then came down again without doing anything. Now, mendo not climb such a hill as that merely for exercise. They went upbecause they expected to see something, and that something could onlybe a fleet of pirate boats from the other islands. I would give ayear's pay if we could get out of this place this evening, but itcannot be done, and we must wait till tomorrow morning. I will trythen, even though I risk being driven on the rocks. However, if they docome tonight they will not catch us asleep."
Orders were issued that the whole c
rew were to remain in readiness forattack, and that those whose watch was below were to sleep with theirarms beside them. The lower ports were all closed, a strong watch waskept on deck, and it was certain that, whatever happened, the Bonitowould not be taken by surprise.
Being assured by the captain that it was not probable that any attackwould be made before morning, as the pirates, not knowing their exactposition, would wait until the first gleam of daylight enabled them tomake out where she was lying, and to advance in order against her,Francis lay down on his couch, leaving orders that, if asleep, he wasto be called two hours before daybreak. He slept but little, however,getting up frequently and going out to ascertain if any soundsindicated the presence of an enemy.
Upon one of these occasions he found that the person leaning next tohim against the bulwark, and gazing towards the mouth of the harbour,was Giuseppi.
"Have you been here long, Giuseppi?"
"Since you were out last, Messer Francisco. I thought I would wait abit, and listen."
"And have you heard anything?"
"I have heard sounds several times."
"What sort of sounds, Giuseppi?"
"Such a sound as is made when the sails and yards are lowered. I haveheard it over and over again when out at night on the lagoons near theport. There is no mistake in the creaking of the blocks as the halyardsrun through them. I am sure, that since I have been here severalvessels have brought up inside the mouth of the harbour. Some of thesailors have heard the same noises, so there cannot be any mistakeabout it. If the captain likes, I will take a small boat and row out,and find out all about them."
"I will ask the captain, Giuseppi."
The captain, however, said that there would be no use in this beingdone.
"Whether there are few or whether there are many of them, we must waittill morning before we go out. There will be no working out thatchannel in the dark, even if we were unopposed."
"But they must have managed to come in," Francis said.
"No doubt some of their comrades in the other barque, or people fromthe village, show a light out there to guide them in. Besides, the windis favourable to them and against us. No, young sir, there is nothingto do but to wait. In the morning, if there are but few of them, wewill try to break through and gain the sea. If there are many we willfight here, as then all hands will be available for the combat, whileif we were rowing, half of them would be occupied with the oars. Ifyour lad were to go as he proposes he might fall into the hands of theenemy, and as the information he could gather would be in any case ofno use, it is best he should remain where he is."
The hours seemed long until the first tinge of daylight appeared in thesky. All hands were on deck now, for the news that vessels had beenarriving in the port had convinced all that danger really threatenedthem. It was not until half an hour later that they were able to makeout some dark objects, lying in under the shadow of the islet acrossthe mouth of the harbour.
"There they are, Messer Francisco," the captain said. "Ten of them, asfar as I can make out; but there may be more, for likely enough some ofthem are lying side by side. There may, too, be some round a corner,where we cannot see them. Another half hour we shall know all aboutit."
Francis was half surprised that the captain did not order the oars tobe put out and lashed in that position, for it was a recognized planfor preventing a ship from being boarded by an enemy, who could thusonly approach her at the lofty poop and forecastle.
"Are you not going to get out the oars to keep them off?"
"No, Messer Francisco. In the first place, our sides are so high out ofwater that the pirates will have a difficulty in boarding us in anycase. In the second place, if we get the oars out and they row full atthem, sooner or later they will break them off; and it is all importantthat 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 atwork on either side, so as to move her gradually through the watertowards the harbour mouth. The rowers will be charged to let their oarsswing alongside whenever any of their craft dash at them. We shall wantevery 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 westop and fight here. But if we can do so for a time, and can manage tocreep out of the harbour, all may be well."
When daylight fairly broke they were able to make out their enemy. Thevessels were of all sizes, from long, low craft, carrying great sailsand long banks of oars, down to boats of a few tons burden. All seemedcrowded with men.
"None of them are anything like as high out of the water as theBonito," the captain said, "and they will find it very difficult toclimb up our sides. Still the odds against us are serious, but we shallgive them a warmer reception than they expect. They will hardlycalculate either on our being so strong handed, or so well prepared forthem."
Everything was indeed ready for the combat. Two or three barrels of thecompound known as Greek fire had been brought up from the hold, and thecooks had heated cauldrons full of pitch. Thirty men with bows andarrows 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 fightbegins," the captain said. "Get up the anchor, and as soon as it isaboard, get out four oars on each side."
The anchor had already been hove short, and was soon in its place. Thenthe oars dipped into the water, and slowly the Bonito moved towards themouth of the harbour. Scarcely had the oars touched the water, than abustle was perceived on board the piratical ships. Oars were put out,and in two or three minutes the pirates were under way, advancing at arapid pace towards the Bonito.
The crew made no reply to the shouts and yells of the pirates, but, inaccordance with the orders of the captain, remained in a stoopingposition, so that the figure of the captain, as he hauled up the flagwith the lion of Venice to the masthead, was alone visible to thepirates. 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, andfrom their eminence poured their arrows thick and fast on to thecrowded decks of the pirates. The captain gave the word to the rowers,and they relinquished their oars, which swung in by the side of thevessel.
A moment later two of the largest craft of the pirates dashedalongside. The instant they did so they were saluted with showers ofboiling pitch, while pots full of Greek fire were thrown down uponthem. Those who tried to climb up the side of the Bonito were spearedwith lances or cut down with battleaxes.
The combat was of short duration. Many of those on whom the boilingpitch had fallen jumped overboard in their agony, while others did thesame to escape the Greek fire, which they in vain endeavoured toextinguish. The fire quickly spread to the woodwork, and in fiveminutes after the beginning of the fight, the two craft dropped asternfrom the Bonito, with the flames already rising fiercely from them.
In the meantime the other vessels had not been idle, and a storm ofmissiles was poured upon the Bonito. The fate which befell theircomrades, however, showed them how formidable was the vessel they hadregarded as an easy prey, and when the first assailants of the Bonitodropped astern, none of the others cared to take their places.
"Man the oars again!" the captain ordered, and the Bonito again movedforward, her crew stooping behind the bulwarks, while the archers onlyrose from time to time to discharge their shafts.
"The thing I am most afraid of," the captain said to Francis, who wasstanding beside him, "is, that they will ram us with their prows. TheBonito is strongly built, but the chances are that they would knock ahole in her."
"I should think, captain, that if we were to get up some of those balesof cloth, and fasten ropes to them, we might lower them over the sideand so break the shock."
"It is worth trying, anyhow," the captain said.
And a score of the sailors were at once sent down to fetch up thebales.
Ropes were fastened round these, and they were laid along by thebulwarks in readiness for being lowered instantly. Ten bales wereplaced on each side, and three men told off to each bale.
By this time they were halfway to the mouth of the harbour, and thepreparations were completed just in time, for the small boats suddenlydrew aside, and two of the largest of the pirates' craft, each rowed bytwenty-four oars, dashed at her, one on each side. The captain shoutedthe order, and the men all sprang to their feet. It was seen at oncethat the vessels would both strike about midships. Three bales oneither side were raised to the bulwarks, and lowered down with theropes until close to the water's edge and closely touching each other.Francis sprang on to the bulwark and superintended the operations onone side, while the captain did the same on the other.
"A few feet more astern, lads. That is right. Now, keep the balestouching. You are just in the line."
An instant later the Bonito reeled from the shock of two tremendousblows. The bows of the pirates were stove in, but the thick balesenabled the Bonito to withstand the shock, although her sides creaked,the seams started, and the water flowed in freely. But of this the crewthought little. They were occupied in hurling darts, arrows, andcombustibles into the pirates as these backed off, in an alreadysinking condition.
"Now I think we can go," the captain said, and ordered the whole of theoars to be manned.
They were speedily got out, and the Bonito made her way out through themouth of the harbour. The pirates, in their lighter boats, rowed roundand round her, shooting clouds of arrows, but not venturing to come toclose quarters, after the fate which had befallen the four largestvessels of their fleet.
As soon as they were clear of the islet the sails were hoisted. Thewind had fallen much during the night, and had worked round to theeast, and under sails and oars the Bonito left the island, none of thepirates venturing to follow in pursuit. The oars were soon laid in, andthe men, with mallets and chisels, set to work to caulk the seamsthrough which the water was making its way. The casualties were nowinquired into, and it was found that six men had been shot dead, andthat nine-and-twenty had received wounds more or less severe from thearrows of the pirates.
Francis had been twice wounded while superintending the placing of thebales. One arrow had gone through his right leg, another had struck himin the side and glanced off a rib.
"This won't do, Messer Francisco," the captain said as he assistedGiuseppi to bandage the wounds. "Signor Polani placed you on board tolearn something of seamanship and commerce, not to make yourself atarget for the arrows of pirates. However, we have to thank you for thesaving of the Bonito, for assuredly she would have been stove in, hadnot the happy thought of hanging those bales overboard struck you. Itwould be of no use against war galleys, whose beaks are often below thewaterline, but against craft like these pirates it acts splendidly, andthere is no doubt that you saved the ship from destruction, and us fromdeath, for after the burning of the two first vessels that attacked us,you may be sure they would have shown but little mercy. I can't thinkhow you came to think of it."
"Why, I have read in books, captain, of defenders of walls hanging overtrusses of straw, to break the blows of battering rams and machines ofthe besiegers. Directly you said they were going to ram us it struck mewe might do the same, and then I thought that bales of cloth, similarto those you got up on deck to trade with the islanders would be justthe thing."
"It was a close shave," the captain said. "I was leaning over, and sawthe whole side of the ship bend beneath the blow, and expected to hearthe ribs crack beneath me. Fortunately the Bonito was stronger builtthan her assailants, and their bows crumpled in before her side gave;but my heart was in my mouth for a time, I can tell you."
"So was mine, captain. I hardly felt these two arrows strike me. Theymust have been shot from one of the other boats. Then I could not helplaughing to see the way in which the men at the oars tumbled backwardsat the moment when their vessel struck us. It was as if an invisiblegiant had swept them all off their seats together."
The wind continued favourable until they arrived at Candia, where thecaptain reported, to the commander of a Venetian war galley lying inthe port, the attack that had been made upon him; and the galley atonce started for the scene of the action, to destroy any pirates shemight find there or among the neighbouring islands, or in the variousinlets and bays of the mainland.
Having delivered their letters and landed a portion of their cargo forthe use of Polani's agents in the islands, the Bonito proceeded toCyprus. For some weeks she cruised along the coast of Syria, trading inthe various Turkish ports, for Venice, although she had shared in someof the crusades, was now, as she had often been before, on friendlyterms with the Turks. Her interests all lay in that direction. Shecarried on a large trade with them; and in the days when she lay underthe interdict of the pope, and all Europe stood aloof from her, shedrew her stores of provisions from the Moslem ports, and was thusenabled successfully to resist the pressure which she suffered from theinterdict. She foresaw, too, the growing power of the Turks, andperceived that in the future they would triumph over the degenerateGreek empire at Constantinople. She had spent her blood and treasurefreely in maintaining that empire; but the weakness and profligacy ofits emperors, the intestine quarrels and disturbances which wereforever going on, and the ingratitude with which she had always treatedVenice, had completely alienated the Venetians from her. Genoa had,indeed, for many years exercised a far more preponderating influence atConstantinople than Venice had done.
Having completed the tour of the Syrian ports, the Bonito sailed north,with the intention of passing the Dardanelles and Bosphorus, andproceeding to Azoph.
When she reached the little island of Tenedos, a few miles from theentrance to the strait, she heard news which compelled the captain toalter his intentions. A revolution had broken out in Constantinople,aided by the Genoese of Pera. The cruel tyrant Calojohannes the 5th hadbeen deposed, and his heir Andronicus, whom he had deprived of sightand thrown into a dungeon, released and placed on the throne.
As a reward for the services she had rendered him, Andronicus issued adecree conferring Tenedos upon Genoa. The news had just arrived whenthe Bonito entered the port, and the town was in a ferment. There weretwo or three Venetian warships in the harbour; but the Venetianadmiral, being without orders from home as to what part to take in suchan emergency, remained neutral. The matter was, however, an importantone, for the possession of Tenedos gave its owners the command of theDardanelles, and a fleet lying there could effectually block thepassage.
The people thronged up to the governor's house with shouts of "Downwith Genoa!" The governor, being unsupported by any Greek or Genoesetroops, bowed to the popular will, and declared that he did notrecognize the revolution that had taken place in Constantinople, andrefused to submit to the decree of Andronicus. Donato Trono, a Venetianmerchant resident in the island, and other Venetians, harangued thepeople, and pointed out to them that alone they could not hope toresist the united forces of Greece and Genoa, and that their only hopeof safety lay in placing themselves under the protection of Venice. Thepeople, seeing the justice of the arguments of the Venetians, andpreferring the Venetian rule to that of Genoa, agreed to the proposal.The banner of St. Mark was raised amid great enthusiasm, and the islanddeclared subject to Venice.
A Genoese galley in port immediately set sail, and quickly carried thenews to Constantinople, where the emperor at once threw the whole ofthe Venetian residents into prison. As soon as the news of this reachedTenedos the captain of the Bonito held a consultation with Francis.
"It is evident, Messer Francisco, that we cannot proceed upon ournorthward voyage. We should be captured and held at Constantinople;and, even did we succeed in passing at night, we should fall into thehands of the Genoese--who are far stronger in the Black Sea than weare--for if Venice accepts the offer of the people of this place, andtakes possession of the island, Genoa is sure to declare war.
"I think, then, tha
t we had better make our way back to Venice withwhat cargo we have on board, and there get fresh orders from thepadrone. We have not done badly so far, and it is better to make sureof what we have got than to risk its loss, for at any day we may fallin with the Genoese fleet sailing hither."
Francis quite agreed with the captain's opinion, and the Bonito sailedfor the south. They touched, on their way, at several islands, and thenews that an early outbreak of hostilities between Genoa and Venice wasprobable--in which case there would be an almost complete cessation oftrade--produced so strong a desire, on the part of the islanders, tolay in a store of goods, that the captain was able to dispose of therest of his cargo on good terms, and to fill up his ship with theproduce of the islands.
Thus the Bonito was deep in the water when she re-entered the port ofVenice after an absence of about three months. As soon as the anchorwas dropped the captain, accompanied by Francis, hired a gondola, androwed into the city to give an account to Signor Polani of the successof his voyage, and to lay before him a list of the cargo with which theBonito was laden. The merchant received them with great cordiality, andembraced Francis with the affection of a father.
"Do you go at once into the salon, Francisco. You will find mydaughters expecting you there, for the news came an hour ago that theBonito was entering port. Of course, we heard from the letters fromCandia of your adventures with the pirates, and the gallant way inwhich the Bonito defeated them.
"You will find, captain, that I have ordered an extra month's pay to begiven to all on board.
"The captain did full justice, Francisco, in his account of the matter,to your quickness in suggesting a method by which the effort of theramming of the enemy was neutralized, and for the courage you showed incarrying out your idea; but we will talk of that afterwards. He and Ihave business to transact which will occupy us for some time, so thesooner you go the better."
Francis at once took himself off and joined the girls, who received himwith the heartiest greeting.
"We were glad indeed, Francis," Maria said, "when our father told usthat the Bonito was signalled as entering the port. No letters havecome for some time, and we feared that you must have entered theDardanelles, and reached Constantinople, before the news arrived thereof that affair at Tenedos, in which case you would no doubt have beenseized and thrown into the dungeons."
"We were at Tenedos when the affair took place," Francis said, "andhave had no opportunity since of sending a letter by any ship likely tobe here before us. The outbreak made us alter our plans, for, ofcourse, it would not have been safe to have sailed farther when theemperor was so enraged against Venice. I need hardly tell you I was notsorry when we turned our faces again towards Venice. I have enjoyed thevoyage very much, and have had plenty to occupy me. Still, three monthsat a time is long enough, and I was beginning to long for a sight ofVenice."
"For a sight of Venice and--" Maria repeated, holding up her fingerreprovingly.
"And of you both," Francis said smiling. "I did not think it necessaryto put that in, because you must know that you are Venice to me."
"That is much better," Maria said approvingly. "I think you haveimproved since you have been away. Do you not think so, Giulia?"
"I don't think that sort of nonsense is an improvement," Giulia saidgravely. "Any of the young Venetian gallants can say that sort ofthing. We do not want flattery from Francisco."
"You should say you do not want it, Giulia," Maria said, laughing. "Ilike it, I own, even from Francisco. It may not mean anything, but itis pleasant nevertheless; besides, one likes to think that there isjust a little truth in it, not much, perhaps, but just a little in whatFrancisco said, for instance. Of course we are not all Venice to him.Still, just as we are pleased to see him, he is pleased to see us; andwhy shouldn't he say so in a pretty way? It's all very well for you toset up as being above flattery, Giulia, but you are young yet. I haveno doubt you will like it when you get as old as I am."
Giulia shook her head decidedly.
"I always think," she said, "when I hear a man saying flattering thingsto a girl, that it is the least complimentary thing he can do, for itis treating her as if he considers that she is a fool, otherwise hewould never say such outrageous nonsense to her."
"There, Francisco," Maria laughed, "you are fairly warned now. Bewarehow you venture to pay any compliment to Giulia in future.
"It would be a dull world if every one were to think as you do, Giulia,and to say exactly as they meant. Fancy a young man saying to you: 'Ithink you are a nice sort of girl, no prettier than the rest, but goodtempered and pleasant, and to be desired because your father is rich!'A nice sort of way that would be to be made love to!"
"There is no occasion for them to say anything at all," Giulia saidindignantly. "We don't go about saying to them, 'I think you are goodlooking, and well mannered, and witty;' or, 'I like you because theysay you are a brave soldier and a good swordsman.' Why should they saysuch things to us? I suppose we can tell if anyone likes us without allthat nonsense."
"Perhaps so," the elder girl assented; "and yet I maintain it'spleasant, and at any rate it's the custom, and as it's the custom, wemust put up with it.
"What do you say, Francisco?"
"I don't know anything about it," Francis said. "Certainly some of thecompliments I have heard paid were barefaced falsehoods, and I havewondered how men could make them, and how women could even affect tobelieve in them; but, on the other hand, I suppose that when people arein love, they really do think the person they are in love with isprettier and more charming, or braver and more handsome, than anyoneelse in the world, and that though it may be flattery, it is reallytrue in the opinion of the person who utters it."
"And now let us leave the matter alone for the present, Francisco. Weare dying to hear all about your adventures, and especially that fightwith the pirates. The captain, in his letter, merely said that you wereattacked and beat the pirates off, and that you would have been sunk ifit hadn't been that, at your suggestion, they lowered bales of clothover to break the shock; and that so many men were killed and so manywounded; and that you were hit twice by arrows, but the wounds werehealing. That's all he said, for papa read that portion of his letterout to us. Now we want a full and particular account of the affair."
Francis gave a full account of the fight, and then related the otherincidents of the voyage.
"We know many of the ports you touched at," Maria said when he hadfinished, "for when we were little girls, papa took us sometimes forvoyages in his ships, when the times were peaceful and there was nodanger. Now let us order a gondola, and go for a row. Papa is sure tobe occupied for ever so long with your captain."