At first I thought you lost, for the villain was counted one of the best swordsmen in Venice, and you are still but a lad; but I saw you did not give way an inch, but held your own against him; and I believe you would have slain him unaided, for you were fighting with greater coolness than he was.

Still, I was relieved when I saw him fall, for even then the combat was doubtful, and his men, to do them justice, fought like demons.

How comes it that one so young as you should be so skilled with your weapon ?" "This is not the first time that my young friend has done good service to the state," Polani said; "for it was he who led a crew of one of my ships to the aid of Pisani, when his galley was boarded by the Genoese, at the battle of Antium." "Is this he ?" the governor said, in surprise.

"I heard, of course, by the account of those who came from Venice a month since, how Pisani was aided, when hard pressed, by the crew of one of your ships, headed by a young Englishman, upon whom the state had conferred the rights of citizenship as a recognition of his services; but I did not dream that the Englishman was but a lad.
"What is your age, young sir ?" "I am just eighteen," Francis replied.

"Our people are all fond of strong exercise, and thus it was that I became more skilled, perhaps, than many of my age, in the use of arms." At nine o'clock the squadron arrived in the port, bringing with them the captured galley.