Genoese saw the Venetian fleet approaching, but, as sunset was not far
off, both sides tacitly agreed to defer the engagement.[17]
The Genoese would appear to have occupied a position near the eastern
end of the Island of Curzola, with the Peninsula of Sabbioncello behind
them, and Meleda on their left, whilst the Venetians advanced along the
south side of Curzola. (See map on p. _50_).
According to Venetian accounts the Genoese were staggered at the sight
of the Venetian armaments, and sent more than once to seek terms,
offering finally to surrender galleys and munitions of war, if the
crews were allowed to depart. This is an improbable story, and that
of the Genoese ballad seems more like truth. Doria, it says, held
a council of his captains in the evening at which they all voted
for attack, whilst the Venetians, with that overweening sense of
superiority which at this time is reflected in their own annals as
distinctly as in those of their enemies, kept scout-vessels out to
watch that the Genoese fleet, which they looked on as already their
own, did not steal away in the darkness. A vain imagination, says the
poet:—
“Blind error of vainglorious men
To dream that we should seek to flee
After those weary leagues of sea
Crossed, but to hunt them in their den!”[18]
[Sidenote: The Venetians defeated, and Marco Polo a prisoner.]