no one was astir in the streets as the band marched through, and they reached the port without encountering a single person. a small boat was chosen, and in this the captain, francis, matteo, and two of the strongest and most powerful of the sailors embarked. it was thought unlikely that, lying, as the lido did, within a couple of hundred yards of the genoese galleys, any very vigilant watch would be kept, and not more than two sailors would probably be on deck.

the dark mass of the ship could just be made out from the shore, and when all was ready the two sailors with their oars pushed her off with all their strength, and then stood perfectly quiet.

the impetus was sufficient. the boat moved so slowly through the water, indeed, before they reached the ship, that francis thought it would be necessary for the men to row a stroke or two; but the boat still moved on, until at last it touched the side of the ship. all had removed their boots before starting, and they now clambered up the sides without making the slightest noise.

once on deck they stood perfectly quiet, listening. presently they heard a murmur of voices on the other side of the vessel. very quietly they crept towards the sound, and at length made out two figures leaning over the bulwarks, talking.

each man's work had been settled, and there was no confusion. one of the sailors and francis stole towards one of the men, while the other and matteo approached the second. the captain stood with his sword bared, in readiness to cut down any other man who might be on deck.

the genoese did not look round. francis gave the word, "now," and in a moment the two sailors seized them from behind with a grasp of iron, while the lads at the same moment passed bandages tightly round their mouths, and before the genoese were quite aware of what had happened, they were lying, bound hand and foot, gagged upon the deck.

the party now made a search, but found no one else about. they then secured and fastened down the hatch of the forecastle by coiling ropes upon it, quietly opened the door leading to the poop cabins, and entering, seized and bound two officers sleeping there without the slightest noise or resistance.

then they took a light from the cabin and showed it towards the shore. at the signal the sailors, who had already taken their places in the boats, at once rowed out to the vessel. when all were on board, the boats were fastened alongside, in case it should be necessary to abandon the ship again.

the cable was then cut. one of the sailors had already ascended the shrouds, and poured oil over the blocks through which the halyards ran, so that the sails should ascend noiselessly. the wind was very light, scarcely enough to belly out the sails, but it was fortunately in the right direction, and the lido began to steal through the water.

not a word had been spoken since they first started, but francis now whispered to the captain, "i think i can make out the genoese ships."

"so can i," the captain said, "but they cannot see us. they are against the skyline, while we are in the shadow of the shore. so far all is perfectly safe, and if this breath of wind will but carry us far enough out to be able to use our oars without their hearing us, we shall certainly get away."

the progress of the lido was so slow, that it was nearly an hour before the captain said that he thought they were now fairly round the point of the bay, and could use their oars.

"we had better tow," he said; "the sweeps make a noise that can be heard miles away on a calm night like this, whereas, if they are careful, men in a boat can row almost noiselessly."

ten of the men accordingly took their places in one of the large boats in which they had come on board, and a rope being passed down to them they began rowing at the head of the ship.

"we may as well lower the sails," the captain said, "they are doing no good now. indeed i think it is a current rather than the wind that has helped us so far."

"i will put two lanterns over the side," francis said. "we may have gone farther than we think, and it would never do to pass our hiding place."

the men in the boat rowed vigorously, but it was slow work towing the deeply-laden vessel. at last, however, a light burst suddenly up from the shore.

"there is giuseppi," francis exclaimed. "we are further out than we thought we were. he must be fully a mile and a half away."

the men in the boat were told to row direct for the light, and some of the sweeps were got out and helped the vessel through the water. as they drew near, they could make out giuseppi throwing fresh wood on the fire.

"you can steer within ten yards of where he is standing, captain, and directly you are abreast of him, put your helm hard to port. you had better get the sweeps in now, the less way she has on her the better."

"all well?" giuseppi hailed, as they came within fifty yards of it.

"all well, giuseppi! there has been no fighting, so you have lost nothing. put all your wood on the fire, we want as much light as we can to get in."

the flames shot up high, and the captain had no difficulty in rounding the corner of the rocks, and bringing up his vessel behind them. a kedge was dropped, and the men in the boat rowed to the end of the rocks, and brought off giuseppi.

"i was beginning to be anxious," the lad said, as he joined them on deck, "and when i first saw your signal i took you for a fishing boat. you were so far off that the two lights looked like one, but by dint of gazing i made them out at last, and then lit the fire."

"now, captain," francis said, "we have a good deal to do before morning, for i take it it will be no easy matter to get out the masts."

"there would be no difficulty in getting the masts out," the captain answered. "i have only to knock out the wedges, and loosen the stays, and get up a tripod made of three spars to lift them out; but i don't see how they are to be got in again."

"how is that, captain? i should have thought it no more difficult to get a mast in than to take it out."

"nor would it be so, under ordinary circumstances," the captain replied; "but you see, our hold is full of grain, and as the mast comes out, the hole it leaves will fill up, and there will be no getting it down again to step it on the keel without discharging the cargo."

"yes, i see that, captain. then you think we had better cut down the masts; but in that case how are we to raise them?"

"we will cut them off about six feet above the deck, messer francisco; then when we want to set sail again, we have only to rear the masts up by the side of the stumps, and lash them securely. of course they will be six feet shorter than before, but that is of little consequence."

"then so let it be," francis said, "the sooner we begin the better."

just at this moment there was a violent knocking against the hatch of the forecastle.

"i had forgotten all about the sailors," the captain said, laughing. "i suppose the men who were to relieve the watch have woke up, and finding they could not get out, have aroused their comrades."

"shall we leave them there, or take them out and bind them?" matteo asked.

"we had better have them up," the captain said. "i don't suppose there are more than twenty of them, and it would be best to bind them, and put them down in the hold with the corn, otherwise they may manage to break out when we are not expecting it, and might give us some trouble."

accordingly, the sailors gathered round the hatch. the ropes were then removed, and the hatch taken off.

"what fooling are you up to?" one of the genoese exclaimed, angrily, as they rushed up on deck. "you have nearly stifled us down below putting on the hatch and fastening it."

he stopped abruptly as, on gaining the deck, he saw a crowd of armed figures round him, for a lantern had been placed so as to throw a light upon the spot.

"you are prisoners," the captain said. "it is useless to attempt resistance."

"help, help, treachery!" one of the genoese shouted at the top of his voice.

"it is useless for you to shout," the captain said, "you are miles away from your fleet. now, do you surrender, or are we to attack you?"

taken by surprise, and unarmed, the genoese who had gained the deck sullenly replied that they surrendered. they were bound and led away, and the others ordered to come up on deck. there were found to be four-and-twenty in all, and these were soon laid side by side on the grain in the hold, the hatch being left off to give them air. the masts were then cut through, and were with some trouble lowered to the deck.

"there is nothing more to be done now," the captain said, "and i think we can all safely turn in till morning."

he then ordered the under officer to place two men on watch on the rocks, and two men on deck, two men to stand as sentinels over the prisoners, and the rest to lie down. he directed that he should be roused at the earliest streak of daylight.

the lads were soon fast asleep, and could hardly believe that the night was over, when giuseppi awakened them with the news that day was breaking. they were soon on deck, and found that the crew were already astir. the sentinels on the rock were at once ordered to lie down, so that they could command a view of the sea, without exposing themselves to sight. the boats were drawn up alongside, and everything put in readiness for instant debarkation, and then the party waited for the appearance of the genoese galleys.

"they will be along in less than an hour," the captain said. "it is light enough now for the watch to have discovered that the lido is missing, and it will not be many minutes before they are under way. they will calculate that we can have but five or six hours' start at the utmost, and that three hours' rowing will bring them up to us."

"i have no fear whatever of their discovering us as they go along," francis said. "the only fear is that, after rowing for three or four hours and seeing no sign of us, they will guess that we are hidden somewhere under the cliffs, and will come back along the shore, searching every bay."

"there is a chance of that," the captain agreed, "but i should think only a chance. when the party who come this way find they do not overtake us, they will suppose that we have sailed to the west, and that on their return they will find us in the hands of their comrades; and when these also come back empty handed they will conclude that we have sailed straight out to sea. of course they may have sent a galley southward also, but will conclude that that has somehow missed us when it returns without news. i hardly think that the idea, that we may be hidden so close to them, will enter their minds, and the only fear i entertain is that some peasant may happen to come to the edge of the cliff and see us lying here, and may take the news back to girgenti."

"yes, there is certainly a danger of that," francis said. "i think, captain, it would be the best plan to land twenty men at once. giuseppi will show them the way up the cliff, and then they must take their station, at short distances apart, along the edge of the cliff, from point to point of this little bay, with orders to seize any one who may approach and bring him down here. they must, of course, be told to lie down, as a line of sentries along the top of the cliff might attract the attention of somebody on the galleys, and lead to a search."

"yes, i think that will be a wise precaution," the captain agreed.

"thomaso, do you take twenty men and post them as you hear messer francisco say. tell them to lie in the bushes and keep out of sight, and on no account to show themselves, unless someone comes along sufficiently near to look over the edge of the cliff."

"giuseppi," francis said, "do you act as guide to the party. you will have plenty of time to get to the top and to return before the galleys come along."

a quarter of an hour later the captain, with matteo and francis, landed on the ledge, and took the place of the sentries, and in twenty minutes a simultaneous exclamation burst from them, as a genoese galley was seen rowing rapidly along.

"they have sent only one galley," francis said. "of course, they would know that it was sufficiently strong to overpower us without difficulty. i suppose one has gone west, and the others have put out to sea in different directions. that certainly was the best course they could have adopted, and it is very lucky that we did not attempt to escape seaward, for they would assuredly have had us. i suppose, captain, you intend to sail tonight."

"certainly," the captain replied. "we will get everything in readiness for hoisting the masts as soon as the galley has passed us on its way back. there is no fear of their coming along again later on, for the men will have had an eight hours' row of it; the first part, at any rate, at full speed. besides, they will not know, until all the galleys return, that we have not been found, so i think it will be quite safe to get up the masts as soon as they have passed. then directly it is dark we will man our oars and row to the southwest. we shall be far away before morning, even if they look further for us, which they are hardly likely to do."

"how about the prisoners, captain?"

"we have no choice but to take them with us, messer francisco. i am sure i do not want to be bothered with them, but we cannot land them before we leave, or they would carry the news to girgenti in an hour, and we should be caught the first thing in the morning."

it was late in the afternoon before the galley was seen returning, rowing slowly and heavily.

"i expect," the captain said, "they kept up the racing pace at which they started for some four hours. by that time they must have been completely worn out, and no doubt they anchored and waited for some hours for the men to feed and rest themselves, for from the hurry with which they started you may be sure that they did not wait to break their fast.

"i would give a month's pay to be in that harbour this evening. what tempers they must be in when they find, after all their toil, that we have slipped through their fingers, how they will talk the matter over, and discuss which way we went. how the men in each ship will say that the others cannot have used their eyes or exerted themselves, else we must have been overtaken. messer francisco, i am indebted to you, not only for having saved the ship, but for giving me a joke, which i shall laugh over whenever i think of it. it will be a grand story to tell over the wine cups, how we cheated a whole genoese fleet, and carried off the lido from under their noses. what a tale it will be to relate to a genoese, when we meet in some port after the war is over; it will be enough to make him dance with rage.

"now, lads," he went on, turning to the men, "stand to your tackle. the moment that galley gets out of sight round the point, up with the mast."

ten minutes later the masts were up, stout ropes were lashed round them and the stumps, and wedges driven in to tighten the cords to the utmost. the rigging was of the simplest description, and before dark everything was in readiness for hoisting the sails.

"i don't think they can make us out now," the captain said.

"i don't think they could," francis agreed; "but we had better wait another quarter of an hour. it would be absurd to run any risk after everything has turned out so well; but the men can get into the boats and tow us out through the channel, then we can hoist the boats on board, and by that time it should be nearly dark enough."

"i think there will be a breeze presently," the captain said, "and from the right direction. however, the men won't mind working hard for a bit. they have had an easy time for the last two days."

the oars were all manned, and the men set to work with hearty goodwill. they were delighted at their escape from the island, for they might have been there some time before they got a passage back; and still more pleased at having tricked the genoese; and the lido, heavy laden as she was, moved at a steady pace through the water, under the impulsion of the oars.

for an hour they rowed parallel with the shore, as, had they made out to sea, they might possibly have been seen by one of the galleys, returning late from the search for them. at the end of that time the captain turned her head from shore. as soon as they got well out from under the shelter of the land the breeze made itself felt, and the sails were hoisted.

for a time the men kept on rowing, but the breeze increased rapidly, and the captain ordered the oars to be laid in. a double allowance of wine was served out, and an hour or two spent in song and hilarity; then the watch below was sent down, and francis and matteo turned into their cots.

in the morning the breeze was blowing strong. the sails had been taken off the mainmast, but that on the foremast was dragging the lido through the water at a good rate of speed, and before night they were off cape spartivento. the wind held till next morning, when they were abreast of the gulf of taranto. then came a long spell of calms or baffling winds, and it was a fortnight before the campaniles of venice were seen rising apparently from the water.

"i have been anxious about you," signor polani said when francis arrived. "one of our galleys brought the report that a genoese fleet was cruising on the coast of sicily, and as, although war had not yet been openly declared, both parties were making prizes, i was afraid that they might have snapped you up."

"they did snap us up," francis said smiling. "they caught us in the port of girgenti, and the standard of genoa waved over the lido."

"but how can that be," polani said, "when you have returned in her? for she was signalled as approaching the port hours ago. you could hardly have persuaded the genoese by fair words to release a prize that they had once taken.

"eh, captain?"

"no, that is not the genoese way, nor ours either," the captain said. "we did better than that, signor. we recaptured her, and carried her off from under their noses."

"you are joking," polani said, "for they signalled the lido as returning laden, and a laden ship could never get away from state galleys, however long her start. a fat pig might as soon try to escape from a hunting dog."

"that is so, messer polani, and we did not trust to our speed. we tricked them famously, sir. at least, when i say we did, messer francisco here did, for the credit is due solely to him. if it had not been for this young gentleman, i and the crew would now have been camping out in the forests of sicily, without the slightest prospect of being able to make our way home, and the lido would now be moored in the port of genoa."

"that is so, cousin polani," matteo said. "it is to francisco that we owe our escape, and you owe the safety of the lido and her cargo."

"it was just a happy idea that occurred to me," francis said, "as it would assuredly have occurred to captain pesoro, if he had been with us, or to anyone else, and after i had first suggested it the captain carried out all the arrangements."

"not at all, messer francisco," the captain said obstinately. "i had no part or hand in the business, beyond doing what you suggested, and you would have got the lido off just as well if i hadn't been there."

"well, i will judge for myself when i hear," polani said. "but, as it must be an interesting story, my daughters would like to hear it also. so, come into the next room and tell the tale, and i will order up a flagon of cyprus wine to moisten your throats."

"first of all," the captain began, after the girls had greeted francis, and all had taken their seats, "i must tell how the lido was captured."

and he then related how the genoese fleet had suddenly appeared before them, and how, seeing the impossibility of escape, he had sent all on shore with the exception of four sailors, and how he had, with them, been released and sent on shore.

"that's the genoese all over," polani said. "if they could have sent forty prisoners home they would have done so; but the fact that there were only five on board, when they took the vessel, would seem to them to detract from the credit of the capture."

the captain then told how, fearing that the people of girgenti might give them all up to the genoese, or that fights might ensue among the genoese sailors who landed, he had marched the crew away out of the town.

"now, captain," matteo broke in, "i will tell the next bit, because i was with francis when he found a hiding place."

he then related how francis had seen the ledge of rocks in the distance, and had dragged him along the cliff two miles to observe them more closely; and how he had come to the conclusion that his companion had lost his senses. then he described the exact position, and the clearness of the water, and how he had been convinced that there was not depth to float a rowboat inside the rocks; and how they had gone down, swum out, fathomed the water, and then returned to the wood.

the captain then took up the tale again, and completed it to the end.

"there is no doubt you were right, captain," polani said, "and that it is entirely francisco's quickness of observation, readiness of plan, and determination to see if his ideas could be carried into effect, which saved the lido. that he possessed these qualities is not new to me, for i have already greatly benefited by them. if he had not been born a peaceful trader, he would have made a great captain some day; but the qualities which would distinguish a man in war are also useful in peace, and i think it fully as honourable to be a successful merchant, as a successful soldier.

"henceforth, francisco, i shall no longer consider you as in leading strings, and shall feel that i can confide important business to you, young as you are."

the next voyage that francis made was to jaffa, and this was accomplished without adventure. on his return, he found that venice was in a state of excitement--war had at last been declared, and every effort was being made to fit out a fleet which could cope with that of genoa.

the command was entrusted to vettore pisani, who was invested in the church of saint mark with the supreme command of the fleet by the doge himself, who handed to the admiral the great banner of venice, with the words:

"you are destined by god to defend with your valour this republic, and to retaliate upon those who have dared to insult her and to rob her of that security which she owes to the virtue of her ancestors. wherefore, we confide to you this victorious and great standard, which it will be your duty to restore to us unsullied and triumphant."

carlo zeno, a noble, who had gained a high reputation in various capacities, was appointed commissioner and captain general of negropont. the three first divisions of those inscribed in the register, as liable to serve in the navy, were called out, and on the 24th of april pisani sailed from venice with fourteen war galleys.

pisani enjoyed the highest popularity among the people of venice. his manner was that of a bluff hearty sailor. he was always ready to share in the hardships of his men, and to set them an example of good temper and cheerfulness, as well as of bravery. he was quick tempered, and when in a passion cared nothing whom he struck.

when governor of candia, he had got into a serious scrape, by striking pietro cornaro, an officer of the republic, from whom he happened to differ on some point of routine. he was a relative of the doge andrea contarini, and had been employed not only as an officer in the navy, but as a military engineer and as a diplomatist, and in each capacity had shown equal talent.

he was connected with the polani family, and was at their house several times before he sailed. here he heard from his kinsman an account of the manner in which francisco had saved the bonito from being rammed by the pirates, and how he had succeeded in getting the lido out of the hands of the genoese; and he was so much pleased that he offered to take him with him in his galley, but polani advised francis not to accept the offer.

"it is quite true," he said, "that most of our noble families are, like myself, engaged in commerce; and that one day they are trading as merchants and the next fighting under the state; but at present, if you take my advice, you will stick to the peaceful side of the profession; especially as, being an englishman, you are in no way called upon to serve the state. in another five or six years, if we are then at war, it will be different. i have frequently offered galleys for the service of the state, and you can then take the command of one, and will, i have no doubt, distinguish yourself; but were you to enter now, you might remain in the service of the state for some years, and would be losing your time as a merchant.

"there are countries in which, when a man once takes up the profession of arms, he remains a soldier all his life, and may not only achieve honour but wealth and wide possessions. it is not so in venice. here we are all citizens as well as all soldiers if need be. we fight for the state while a war lasts, and then return to our peaceful avocations. even my kinsman, pisani, may be admiral of the fleet today, and a week hence may be a private citizen. therefore, my lad, i think it would be very foolish of you to give up commerce at present to take military service."

"i quite agree with you, signor," francis said, although, in truth, for a moment he had felt a strong mind to accept the offer of pisani. "i am just beginning to learn a little of trade, and desire nothing better than to be a successful merchant; though i confess that i should like to take part in such a glorious sea fight as that which is likely to take place soon."

"yes, and perhaps be killed in the first engagement, francis, for neither skill nor bravery avail against a bolt from a genoese crossbow. no, my lad, be content with trade, especially since you have seen already that even the life of a trader has plenty of incident and excitement. what with storms, what with pirates, what with the enemies of the state and the treachery of the native peoples with whom we trade, there is no lack of adventure in the life of a venetian merchant."

francis felt that this was true, and that he had in the past six months had fully his share in adventures. his stay on shore this time extended over a month, and it was not until three weeks after pisani sailed that he again set out.

the notice was a short one. polani had been sent for to attend the council early in the morning, and on his return he said to francis:

"you must go down to the port at once, francis. news has been received from pisani that he has sailed almost into the port of genoa, without finding the fleet of fieschi. the genoese have been in a terrible state of panic. the lord of fiesole, who is our ally, is menacing the city by land; the stella company of condottieri, which is in our pay, is also marching against them; and the news that pisani was close at hand seems to have frightened them out of their senses. their first step, as usual, has been to depose their doge and choose another.

"however, that is not the point. pisani has written asking that some ships with provisions and stores shall be sent out to him. they are to go through the straits of messina and up the coast of italy until he meets them. his force is far too small for him to think of making an attack upon genoa. he will wait in the neighbourhood of the city for a short time in hopes of fieschi's fleet returning. if it does not do so he will come down the coast searching for it, and as he does not wish to put in port, he desires the stores mentioned to be sent out to him.

"i have placed the bonito at their service, and have promised that she shall be ready to sail tomorrow morning, if they will send the stores on board today. three other merchants placed ships at their disposal, but these may not sail for a day or two. they are particularly anxious that the bonito shall start at once, as, in addition to provisions, she will carry a store of javelins, arrows, and other missiles of which there was not a sufficiency in the arsenal when pisani sailed.

"you will have a strong party on board, as speed is required, and the oars must be kept going until you join the fleet. therefore i shall place the crew of the lido on board as well as the bonito's own complement, and this will bring the number up to a hundred men. the captain has had an accident, and will not be able to go in charge, therefore the lido's captain will command. this time i shall appoint you specifically second in command, as well as my representative. now get off on board as quickly as you can, for there is enough to keep you at work, till tomorrow morning, to get everything in readiness for a start. you had best run in and say goodbye to my daughters, as it may be that you will not find time to return before sailing. you can send your boy ashore for what things you require. matteo will accompany you."

a few minutes later, francis was on his way to the port, leaving giuseppi to charter a gondola and follow with his trunks. as polani had said, he was occupied without intermission until the time for sailing next morning. the barges of the state kept coming alongside with stores and provisions from the arsenal; while other boats brought out the ship's stores; and francis had to take a note of all that came on board.

the captain superintended the setting up of the rigging, and the getting of the ship into working order; while the under officers saw to the hoisting in and storing of the cargo. gangs of men were at work tarring the sides of the ship, for she had only two days before returned from a trip to spain; and a number of sailors were unloading the cargo from one hatchway, while her fresh freight was being taken in at the other.

it seemed well nigh impossible that she could be ready to sail at the hour named, but everyone worked with a will, and by daybreak things were almost in order. polani himself came down to the port as soon as it was light, and expressed satisfaction at the work which had been done; and half an hour afterwards the anchor was weighed.

just as the sails had been hoisted, matteo arrived.

"you are only just in time, matteo," polani said. "why did you not come off yesterday and help?"

"i was out," matteo said, "when your message came, and only returned just in time to go to the entertainment at the ducal palace. i knew i could be of no use on board while they were only getting in the cargo."

"you will never be of any use on board, matteo, if you go to entertainments when there's work to be done. you could have taken the marks on the bales as they came on board, just as well as another. i suppose you thought that the dirt and dust wouldn't suit a fine gentleman like you! another time, unless you come on board when sent for, and make yourself as useful as you can, while the ship is fitting out and loading, you will not sail in her. one part of the duty is just as important as the other, and seamanship does not consist solely in strolling up and down the deck, and watching a vessel sail for her destination."

matteo was abashed at the reproach, but soon recovered his usual spirits after polani had left, when the vessel was under way.

"my cousin was rather in a sharp mood this morning," he said with a laugh to francis; "but really i did not think i could be of any good, and the entertainment was a grand one. everyone was there, and i should have been very sorry to have missed it."

"everyone to his taste, matteo. for my part, i would very much rather have been at work here all night watching the cargo got in and checking it off, than have been standing about doing nothing in the palace."

"doing nothing!" matteo repeated indignantly. "why, i was talking to someone the whole time i was there."

"talking about what, matteo?"

"the heat, and the music, and the costumes, and the last bit of scandal at the piazza."

"i don't call that talk. i call it chatter. and now, matteo, i shall leave you to your own devices, for i am going to turn in and get a sleep for a few hours."

"you look as if you wanted it," matteo said; "but i think that you stand in even more need of a wash. you are grimy with dust. it is just as well that my cousin giulia did not come on board with her father this morning, for the sight of your face would have given her quite a shock, and would have dissipated any illusions she may have had that you were a good-looking fellow."

francis went off to his cabin with a laugh, and took matteo's advice as to the wash before he turned in. in a few minutes he was asleep, and did not wake until giuseppi came to say that the midday meal was just ready.

the bonito made a rapid voyage. the winds were light, and for the most part favourable, and the twenty-four oars were kept going night and day, the men relieving each other every two hours, so that they had six hours' rest between the spells of rowing.

when they rounded the southern point of italy a sharp lookout was kept for the fleet of fieschi, but they passed through the straits without catching sight of a single vessel carrying the genoese flag. the most vigilant watch was now kept for pisani's galleys, and they always anchored at the close of day, lest they should pass him in the dark.

occasionally they overhauled a fishing boat, and endeavoured to obtain news of the two squadrons; but beyond the fact that fieschi had been seen steering north some days before, and that no signs had been seen of pisani's returning fleet, they could learn nothing.