Five of the galleys had been dismantled, and were under repair, and Pisani would not wait for them to be got into fighting order, as he was afraid lest Fieschi might weigh anchor and escape if he delayed an hour.

He learned that the Genoese had nine ships with him, and as he had himself this number ready for sea, he sailed at once.
"The weather was stormy, and the sea very high, when he appeared within sight of Antium.

Fieschi sailed boldly out to meet him.

The battle lasted all day, for it was next to impossible to board; but in the end, as I say, four Genoese galleys surrendered and the rest fled.

It was a terrible sight; for it seemed at every moment as if the waves would hurl the vessels against each other, and so break them into fragments; but in no case did such an accident happen." "Why, you speak as if you saw it, Francisco! Had you joined the admiral before the battle took place ?" "No, signor.