Scarcely had they entered the channel, when a large rowboat shot out from the shadow of the shore and hailed them.
"Stop rowing in that boat! Who are you that are entering so late ?" "Fishermen," Philippo shouted back, but without stopping rowing.
"Stop!" shouted the officer, "till we examine you! It is forbidden to enter the channel after dark." But the gondoliers rowed steadily on, until ahead of the boat coming out.

This fell into their wake, and its angry officer shouted threats against the fugitives, and exhorted his men to row their hardest.
"There are two more boats ahead, signor.

They are lying on their oars to cut us off.

One is a good deal further out than the other, and I don't think we shall gain Pelestrina." "Then make for the Brondolo shore till we have passed them," Francis said.
The boat whirled off her course, and made towards the shore.

The Genoese galleys ahead at once made towards them; but in spite of the numerous oars they pulled, the craft could not keep up with the racing gondola, and it crossed ahead of them.