Little Chioggia, the portion of the town separated from the rest by the Canal of Santa Caterina, was captured without difficulty; but the bridge across the canal was strongly defended by bastions and redoubts, and here Pietro Emo made a brave stand, with his garrison of three thousand five hundred men.
The enemy at once erected his batteries, and, on the 12th of August, the Genoese opened fire.

The Venetians replied stoutly, and for three days a heavy cannonade was kept up on both sides.

Reinforcements had reached the garrison from Venice, and, hour by hour, swift boats brought the news to the city of the progress of the fight.
So far, all seemed going on well.

The Genoese had suffered heavily, and made no impression upon the batteries at the head of the bridge.

The days passed in Venice in a state of restless disquietude.