Where are your crew ?" "There are only four on board," the captain said.

"We have filled up our cargo, and were going to sail tomorrow, and therefore the rest of the crew were allowed to go on shore; and I do not think it is likely that they will return now," for one of the Genoese sailors had hauled down the flag of Venice, and had replaced it with that of Genoa.
The Genoese officer briefly examined the vessel.
"Whom have you here on board with you ?" he asked, struck with the furniture and fittings of Francis' cabin.
"This is the cabin of Matteo Giustiniani, a young noble of Venice, who is making his first voyage, in order to fit himself for entering the service of the state: and of Francisco Hammond, who stands high in the affections of my patron." The Genoese uttered an angry exclamation.

The name of Polani was well known in Genoa as one of the chief merchants of Venice and as belonging to a ducal house, while the family of Giustiniani was even more illustrious; and had these passengers fallen into his hands, a ransom might have been obtained greatly exceeding the value of the Lido and her cargo.

Leaving four of his men on board he went off to the galley of the officer commanding the fleet, and presently returned with a large boat full of sailors.
"You and your men can go ashore," he said to the captain.

"The admiral does not deem you worth the trouble of carrying to Genoa; but be quick, or you will have to swim to shore." As the Lido's boats had all gone ashore, the captain hailed a fishing boat which was passing, and with the four sailors was rowed to shore, well content that he had escaped the dungeons of Genoa.