Three ships were sent here, on the report that a Moorish pirate had been cruising in these waters, and that several vessels were missing.

When the story first came I did not credit it.

The captain of the ship who brought the news told me he had met you about halfway across, and had told you about the supposed pirate.

A vessel arrived four days later, and brought letters from my agent, but he said no word about your boat having arrived.
"Then I became uneasy; and when later news came, and still no word of you, I felt sure that something must have befallen you; that possibly the report was true, and that you had fallen into the hands of the pirates.

So I at once started, in one of the galleys which the council were despatching in answer to the request of the governor here." "In that case, signor, there is not a moment to lose.