Tell them, thou, from me, that I came thus far, in order to do them respect, but that, seeing the hopelessness of beseeching further, I have gone to my nets, and to my prayers to blessed St.Anthony." As he ceased speaking, Antonio wrung the hand of his motionless companion, and turned away, as if to retire.

Two halberds fell to the level of his breast ere his foot had quitted the marble floor, and he now saw, for the first time, that armed men crossed his passage, and that, in truth, he was a prisoner.

Nature had endowed the fisherman with a quick and just perception, and long habit had given great steadiness to his nerves.

When he perceived his real situation, instead of entering into useless remonstrance, or in any manner betraying alarm, he again turned to Jacopo with an air of patience and resignation.
"It must be that the illustrious Signore wish to do me justice," he said, smoothing the remnant of his hair, as men of his class prepare themselves for the presence of their superiors, "and it would not be decent in an humble fisherman to refuse them the opportunity.

It would be better, however, if there were less force used here in Venice, in a matter of simple right and wrong.