The latter fought stoutly and steadily now, animated by the voice and example of Fieschi himself; but their assurance of victory was gone, and they were gradually beaten back to the deck of their admiral's ship.

Here they made desperate efforts to cut the lashings and free the vessel; but the yards had got interlocked and the rigging entangled, and the Venetians sprang on to the deck of the ship, and renewed the conflict there.
For some time the struggle was doubtful.

The Genoese had still the advantage in numbers, but they were disheartened at the success, which they had deemed certain, having been so suddenly and unexpectedly snatched from their grasp.
The presence of Pisani, in itself, doubled the strength of the Venetians.

He was the most popular of their commanders, and each strove to imitate the example which he set them.
After ten minutes' hard fighting, the result was no longer doubtful.
Many of the Genoese ran below.

Others threw down their arms, and their admiral, at last, seeing further resistance was hopeless, lowered his sword and surrendered.
No sooner had resistance ceased than Pisani turned to Francis, who had been fighting by his side: "I thank you, in the name of myself and the republic," he said.