Nicholo Gallieano was charged with the defence of the Lazaretto, San Clemente, Santa Elena, and the neighbourhood; while on the strand between Lido and Malamocco, behind the main wall, were the mercenaries, eight thousand strong, under Jacopo Cavalli.

Heavy booms were placed across all the canals by which it was likely that the enemy's fleet might advance.
Francis found his office, under the energetic admiral, no sinecure.

He was kept constantly moving from one point to the other, to see that all was going on well, and to report the progress made.

The work never ceased, night or day, and for the first week neither Francis, nor his commander, ever went to bed, contenting themselves with such chance sleep as they could snatch.
Having wasted eight precious days, the enemy, on the 24th of August, advanced to the attack.

A Genoese force, under Doria's brother, landed upon San Nicolo; while the Paduans attacked San Spirito and Santa Marta.