[The Lion of Saint Mark by G. A. Henty]@TWC D-Link bookThe Lion of Saint Mark CHAPTER 15: The Battle Of Pola 9/31
From seven to eight hundred Venetians perished in the fight, two thousand four hundred were taken prisoners, twelve commanders were killed, and five captured.
The Genoese losses were also severe, and Doria himself was among the slain, having been killed by a spear thrust by Donato Zeno, commander of one of the galleys, almost at the moment of victory. The Pluto had defended herself, for a long time, against the attacks of three of the Genoese galleys, and had repeatedly endeavoured to force her way out of the throng, but the Genoese held her fast with their grapnels, and at last the greater part of her crew were driven down below, and Francis, seeing the uselessness of further resistance, ordered the little group, who were now completely pent in by the Genoese, to lower their weapons.
All were more or less severely wounded, and were bleeding from sword cuts and thrusts. "This is an evil day for Venice," Matteo said, as, having been deprived of their weapons, the prisoners were thrust below.
"I heard the Genoese say that only six of our galleys have escaped, all the rest have been taken.
We were the last ship to surrender, that's a comfort anyhow." "Now, Matteo, before you do anything else, let me bind up your wounds. You are bleeding in two or three places." "And you are bleeding from something like a dozen, Francisco, so you had better let me play the doctor first." "The captain is always served last, so do as you are told, and strip off your doublet. "Now, gentlemen," he said, turning to the other officers, "let each of us do what we can to dress the wounds of others.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|