NICHOLAS AND ANTONIO ZEXO a.d. 



c. 1380. 

 they found certaine Islandes and broken lands which 

 they reduced al unto the Signorie & possession of 

 Zichmni. These seas, forasmuch as they sailed, were 

 in maner nothing but sholds & rocks, in so much that 

 if M. Nicolo and the Venetian mariners had not bene 

 their Pilots, the whole fleete in judgement of all that 

 were in it, had bene cast away, so small was the skill 

 of Zichmnis men, in respect of ours, who had bene 

 trained up in the arte and practise of Navigation all 

 the dayes of their life. Now the fleete having done 

 such things as are declared, the Captaine, by the coun- 

 saile of M. Nicolo, determined to goe a land, at a 

 towne called Bondendon, to understand what successe 

 Zichmni had in his warres : where they heard to their 

 great content, that he had fought a great battell and 

 put to flight the armie of his enemie : by reason of 

 which victory, they sent Embassadours from all parts 

 of the Island to yeeld the countrey up into his handes, 

 taking downe their ensignes in every towne and castle: 

 they thought good to stay in that place for his comming, 

 it being reported for certaine that hee would be there very 

 shortly. At his comming there was great congratulation 

 and many signes of gladnesse shewed, as well for the 

 victory by land, as for that by sea : for the which the 

 Venetians were honoured and extolled of all men, in 

 such sort that there was no talke but of them, and of 

 the great valour of M. Nicolo. Wherefore the prince, 

 who was a great favourer of valiant men and especially 

 of those that could behave themselves well at sea, caused 

 M. Nicolo to be brought before him, and after having 

 commended him with many honourable speeches, and 

 praysed his great industrie and dexteritie of wit, by the 

 which two things he acknowledged himselfe to have 

 received an inestimable benefite, as the saving of his 

 fleet and the winning of many places without any great 

 trouble, he made him knight, and rewarded his men N. Zeno, 

 with many rich & bountiful gifts. Then departing from made knight 

 thence they went in tryumphing maner toward Frisland, y 

 vii 449 2 F 



