Thus, not only will the Genoese galleys be unable to sally out to attack us, but the whole of the Genoese army will be cooped up, and we shall then do to them what they have been doing to us, namely, starve them out!" "Capital, capital!" Maria said, clapping her hands.

"Your Pisani is a grand man, Francisco.

And if he can do this for us, there is nothing which we would not do to show our gratitude.

But you won't find it easy; besides, in the game of starving out, are we likely to win?
The contest will not be even, for they start on it full men and strong, while our people are half starved already." "I do not regard success as certain," Francis replied; "and Pisani himself acknowledges the chances are very great against us.

Still, it is possible; and as nothing else seems possible, we are going to attempt it." Polani looked grave, when he heard of the mission which Francis was going to undertake.