If the Genoese take her, they take her, and your remaining on board could not do any good.

What are you going to do now ?" "We will at once leave the place with the men, Matteo, and retire into the country behind.

It is not likely the Genoese would land and seize us here, but they might do so, or the inhabitants, to please Genoa, might seize us and send us on board.

At any rate, we shall be safer in the country." The men had, by the captain's orders, brought their arms ashore on leaving the ship.

This was the suggestion of Francis, who said that, were they unarmed, the people might seize them and hand them over to the Genoese.