THE PIRATES OF SEGNA. 415 



Scarcely had Antonio's startled glance been able 

 to take in this imposing spectacle, when the storm, 

 which had long been impending, burst forth with 

 tremendous violence ; the wind howled furiously 

 amongst the rigging, and the galley was tossed like 

 a nutshell from crest to crest of the foaming waves, 

 each moment bringing it into more dangerous prox- 

 imity to the rocky shoals of that iron-bound shore. 

 The light from the burning town showed the Vene- 

 tians all the dangers of their situation ; and their 

 peril was the more imminent because the signal 

 usually made for boats to tow large vessels through 

 the rocks and breakers was at such a moment not 

 likely to be observed or attended to by the people of 

 Pesca. Nevertheless the signal was hoisted; but 

 instead of bringing the assistance so much needed 

 by the Venetians, it drew upon them an enemy far 

 more formidable than the elements with which they 

 were already contending. Boats were soon seen ap- 

 proaching the galley ; but as they drew near it was 

 evident they were not manned by the peaceful fisher- 

 men Avho usually came out to render assistance to 

 vessels. They were crowded with wild, fierce-looking 

 figures, who, on arriving within a short distance of 

 the ship, set up a savage yell of defiance, and sent 

 a deadly volley of musket-balls amongst the astounded 

 Venetians. Before the latter had recovered from 

 their astonishment, the light skiffs of the Uzcoques 

 were within a few yards of the galley. Another 



