"
In a few minutes, several fast galleys started for the fleet, which was
still so far away that the vessels could scarcely be made out, still
less their rig and nationality. It would be some time before the boats
would return with the news, and Pisani went ashore, and, with the doge,
moved among the men, exhorting them to be steadfast, above all things
not to give way to panic, should the newcomers prove to be enemies.
"If all is done in order," he said, "they cannot interfere with our
retreat to Venice. They do not know how weak we are, and will not
venture to attack so large a fleet. Therefore, when the signal is made
that they are Genoese, we will fall back in good order to our boats,
and take to our ships, and then either return to Venice, or sail out
and give battle, as it may be decided."
The boats, before starting, had been told to hoist white flags should
the galleys be Venetian, but to show no signal if they were Genoese.
The boats were watched, from the mastheads, until they became specks in
the distance. An hour afterwards, the lookout signalled to those on
shore that they were returning.
"Go off again, Francisco. I must remain here to keep up the men's
hearts, if the news be bad. Take your stand on the poop of my ship, and
the moment the lookouts can say, with certainty, whether the boats
carry a white flag or not, hoist the Lion of Saint Mark to the
masthead, if it be Zeno.
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