Then Nicolini and Francia drew their swords and tried to defend us, and Beppo and Jacopo both fought bravely too with their oars; but Beppo was knocked overboard, and I am afraid Nicolini and Francia are killed, and in another moment they would have got at us, when this young gentleman came alongside in his gondola, and dragged us on board, for we were too bewildered and frightened to do anything.

One of them--he seemed the leader of the party--tried to jump on board, but our protector struck him a terrible blow with his oar, and he fell into the water, and then the gondola made off, and, so far as we could see, they did not chase us." "It is a scandalous outrage, and I will demand justice at the hands of the council.
"Young sir, you have laid me under an obligation I shall never forget.
You have saved my daughter from the worst calamity that could befall her.

Who is it to whom I am thus indebted ?" "My name is Francis Hammond.

My father is an English merchant who has, for the last four years, established himself here." "I know him well by repute," Polani said.

"I trust I shall know more of him in the future.
"But where is your duenna, girls ?" "She remained behind in the gondola, father; she seemed too frightened to move." "The lady seemed to have lost her head altogether," Francis said.