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.