"I do not mean that we should take part in the fight, for we have but a hundred men, and the galleys must each carry at least three times as many.
Still, we might be near enough to see something, and perhaps to give succour to any disabled ship that drops out of the fight." "I will do so if you like, Messer Francisco," the captain said.

"If you will take the responsibility.

But if our side gets the worst of it, you must remember that the Bonito may be captured." "I don't think there's much chance of Pisani being beaten by an enemy no stronger than himself," Francis said; "and even if they should be victorious, the Genoese will certainly have enough on their hands, with repairing damages and securing prisoners, to think of setting off in chase of a ship like ours." "That is true enough," the captain agreed, for he was indeed as anxious as Francis and Matteo to witness the struggle.
The vessels on both sides were under canvas, for it was impossible to row in such a sea.

As soon as they approached each other, both fleets broke up, and the vessels each singling an opponent out, the combat began.

It was a singular one, and differed widely from ordinary sea fights of the time, in which the combatants always tried to grapple with their enemies and carry them by boarding.