The news was shouted to other passing boats, and by the time they reached the steps of the Piazzetta, a throng was round them.
Those on shore shouted out the news, and it spread rapidly from mouth to mouth.

The shopkeepers left their stores, and the loungers on the Piazzetta ran up, and it was with difficulty that Polani and Francis could make their way, through the shouting and excited crowd, to the entrance of the ducal palace.
Polani at once led Francis to the doge, to whom he gave an account of the action.

Messengers were immediately despatched to some of the members of the council, for it was to them that the despatches had to be delivered.

As soon as a sufficient number to transact the business had arrived at the palace, the doge himself led Francis to the council chamber.
"Is the news that we heard, shouted in the streets as we came thither, true, your highness ?" one of the councillors asked as they entered.
"That our fleet has gained a victory over the Genoese ?" "I am happy to say that it is quite true; but this young gentleman is the bearer of despatches from the admiral, and these will doubtless give us all particulars." "Admiral Pisani has chosen a strange messenger for so important a despatch," one of the party hostile to the admiral said.

"It is usual to send despatches of this kind by a trusted officer, and I do not think it respectful, either to the council or the republic, to send home the news of a victory by a lad like this." "The admiral apparently chose this young gentleman because, owing to the death of his captain, he was in command of the ship which Messer Polani placed at the service of the republic, and which was present at the fight.