"Go and fetch him, Giuseppi; and if you can find one or two old fishermen of Chioggia, bring them also with you. I want to gain as much information as possible regarding the country."
"Is it true that the fleet starts tomorrow, Francisco?" Maria asked as he entered. "Everyone says so."
"It is quite true. There will be no further change. The orders have been all issued, and you may rely upon it that we are going to sea."
"And when will you return?"
"That's another matter altogether," Francis laughed. "It may be a week, it may be three months."
"But I thought we were going to fight the Genoese galleys. It does not seem to me that a week is wanted to do that. A day to go to Chioggia, a day to fight, and a day to return. What can you want more than that for?"
"I do not think that we are going to fight the Genoese galleys," Francis answered. "Certainly we shall not do so if we can help it. They are vastly stronger than we are; but I do not know that we need fear them for all that."
"What do you mean, Francisco? You do not mean to fight--they are vastly stronger than you are--and yet you do not fear them. You are not given to speak in riddles; but you have puzzled me this time."
"Well, I will explain myself a little," Francis said; "but you must remember that it is a secret, and not to be whispered to anyone."
"That is right," Maria said. "I love a secret, especially a state secret.