"They are bound for the Isle of Rabbits, which is the other side of Malamocco, Magnificence. It is a sandbank where the smugglers and pirates meet for trade with the fishermen, when the Lords of the Night are not too vigilant. A bad place, and one where a law-keeping man may come by much harm."
"Are you afraid to go there?"
Beppo chuckled.
"Afraid? Giacomo, the foreign lord asks if we are afraid to go to the Isle of Rabbits."
A grim noise which might have been laughter grated from the unseen bow of the gondola.
"You hear?" said Beppo. "Giacomo says with me, lords, that he will ask nothing better than a fight on the Isle of Rabbits this night."
"You may be assured of your desire," retorted Matteo. "But shall we not be visible to our enemies out here on the expanse of the lagoons?"
"Not so, lord. We will drop behind and approach the Isle from the west. They will expect nobody from that quarter."
Presently, the blurr that was the green gondola disappeared altogether, swallowed in the darkness, and the comrades were alone. It was a calm night, and the water was scarcely ruffled. Once they passed a group of shipping, lying at anchor with riding-lights showing. After that they saw nothing until a long, ragged shadow loomed across their course.
"The Isle of Rabbits," whispered Beppo to the jongleur, who crouched beside him on the raised deck aft.