“No; you see the Genoese have got a footing in the island, and of course they represent us to the natives as being robbers, who would take their island if we got the chance.  All round these coasts and islands the people are partisans either of Venice or Genoa.  They care very little for Constantinople, although they form part of the empire.  Constantinople taxes them heavily, and is too weak to afford them protection.  Of course they are Greeks, but the Greeks of the islands have very little in common, beyond their language, with the Greeks of Constantinople.  They see, too, that the Turks are increasing in power, and they know that, if they are to be saved from falling into the hands of the Moslem, it is Venice or Genoa who will protect them, and not Constantinople, who will have enough to do to defend herself.

“As to themselves, they would naturally prefer Venice, because Venice is a far better mistress than Genoa; but of course, when the Genoese get a footing, they spread lies as to our tyranny and greed, and so it comes that the people of the islands are divided in their wishes, and that while we are gladly received in some of them, we are regarded with hate 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 may continue to blow strong for days, and it is no use our attempting to work 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 more than 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 yet been proclaimed with Genoa, although there is little doubt it will be so 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 too watchful.  State galleys would not be attacked, but merchant vessels are different.  Who is to inquire about a merchant ship!  Why, if we were attacked and plundered here, who would be any the wiser?  We should either have our throats cut, or be sent to rot in the dungeons of Genoa.  And not till there was an exchange of prisoners, perhaps years hence, would any in Venice know what had befallen us.  When weeks passed, and no news came to Venice of our having reached Candia, it would be supposed that we had been lost in the storm.

“Signor Polani would run his pen through the name of the Bonito, and put her down as a total loss, and there would be an end of it, till those of us who were alive, when the prison doors were opened, made their way back to Venice.  No, no, Messer Francisco.  In these eastern waters one must always act as if the republic were at war.  Why, did not Antonio Doria, in a time of profound peace, attack and seize eight Venetian ships laden with goods, killing two of the merchants on board, and putting the ships at a ransom?  As to single vessels missing, and never heard of, their number is innumerable.