At the head of this party, which was about fifty strong, Francis marched up through the little town and out into the country.

He had really but little fear, either that the Genoese would arrest them on shore, or that the people would interfere with them, for they would not care to risk the anger of Venice by interfering in such a matter.
He thought it probable, however, that if his men remained in the town, broils would arise between them and any of the Genoese sailors who might land.
As soon as the Genoese galleys came up to the head of the bay, a boat was lowered and rowed to the Lido, at whose masthead the Venetian flag was flying.

An officer, followed by six men, climbed up on to the deck.
"Are you the captain of this ship ?" the officer asked as the captain approached him.
"I am," the captain said.
"What ship is it ?" "It is the Lido, the property of Messer Polani, a merchant of Venice, and laden with a cargo of wheat." "Then you are my prisoner," the Genoese said.

"I seize this vessel as lawful prize." "There is peace between the republics," the captain said.

"I protest against the seizure of this ship, as an act of piracy." "We have news that several of our ships have been seized by the Venetians," the officer said; "and we therefore capture this vessel in reprisal.