As soon as the anchor was dropped the captain, accompanied by Francis, hired a gondola, and rowed into the city to give an account to Signor Polani of the success of his voyage, and to lay before him a list of the cargo with which the Bonito was laden.

The merchant received them with great cordiality, and embraced Francis with the affection of a father.
"Do you go at once into the salon, Francisco.

You will find my daughters expecting you there, for the news came an hour ago that the Bonito was entering port.

Of course, we heard from the letters from Candia of your adventures with the pirates, and the gallant way in which the Bonito defeated them.
"You will find, captain, that I have ordered an extra month's pay to be given 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 the ramming of the enemy was neutralized, and for the courage you showed in carrying out your idea; but we will talk of that afterwards.

He and I have business to transact which will occupy us for some time, so the sooner you go the better." Francis at once took himself off and joined the girls, who received him with the heartiest greeting.
"We were glad indeed, Francis," Maria said, "when our father told us that the Bonito was signalled as entering the port.