CHAPTER 11: The Battle Of Antium.
"We are running very far north," the captain said on the 29th of May.
"We are near Antium now, and are getting into what we may call Genoese waters.

If anything has occurred to prevent Pisani carrying out his intention of sailing back along this coast, or if he has passed us on the way up, our position would be a hazardous one, for as soon as he has rowed away the Genoese galleys will be on the move again, and even if we do not fall in with Fieschi, we may be snapped up by one of their cruisers." "It is rather risky, captain," Francis agreed; "but our orders are distinct.

We were to sail north till we met Pisani, and we must do so till we are within sight of the walls of Genoa.

If we then see he is not lying off the port, we shall put about and make our way back again." "Yes, if they give us the chance, Messer Francisco; but long before we are sufficiently near to Genoa to make out whether Pisani is lying off the port, they will see us from the hills, and will send off a galley to bring us in.

However, we must take our chance, and if we get into a scrape I shall look to you confidently to get us out again." "I should advise you not to count on that," Francis said, laughing.