The Venetians, who were first attacked, destroyed ship after ship of their assailants after a close and obstinate contest, but Barliarigo fell dead ere the sunset, with an arrow through his brain.

Meantime the action, immediately after the first onset, had become general.

From noon till evening the battle raged, with a carnage rarely recorded in history.

Don John's own ship lay yard-arm and yard-arm with the Turkish Admiral, and exposed to the fire of seven large vessels besides.

It was a day when personal, audacity, not skilful tactics, was demanded, and the imperial bastard showed the metal he was made of.