The admiral intended, as I hear, to set out at once in search of the fleet of Doria, and doubtless did not wish to weaken himself by despatching a state galley with the news.

But perhaps he may explain the matter in his despatches." Several other councillors had by this time arrived, and the despatches were opened.

The admiral's account of the engagement was brief, for he was fonder of the sword than the pen.

He stated that, having obtained news that Fieschi's fleet was at anchor under the promontory of Antium, he sailed thither with nine ships, these being all that were at the moment fit to take to sea; that Fieschi had sailed out to meet him, and that an engagement had taken place in the storm, which prevented the ships from pursuing their usual tactics, and compelled them to fight with missiles at a distance.

The despatch then went on: "We fought all day, and the upshot of it was, we captured four of their galleys, the admiral himself, and eight hundred prisoners.