Polani accompanied him, explaining his presence to the council by saying: "I have ventured, signors, to accompany my young friend here, in order that I may give you a much further detail of the affair in which he has been engaged, than you are likely to hear from his own lips.

I have just come on shore from his ship, the Pluto, and have heard the story from my kinsman, Matteo Giustiniani." "We have surely seen this young gentleman before, Messer Polani," one of the council said.
"You have, signor," Polani replied.

"You may remember that he greatly distinguished himself at the fight of Antium, was sent home by the admiral with his despatches, and had the honour of receiving, from you, the thanks of the republic and the gift of citizenship." "I remember now," the councillor said; and a murmur of assent from the others showed that they also recalled the circumstance.

"Is he again the bearer of despatches, from the officer in command of the little squadron which, as it seems, has just, by some miracle, entered the port?
And how is it that the officer did not present himself in person before us ?" "The officer has presented himself," Polani said.

"Messer Hammond is in command of the four ships which have just arrived.