ant talents.
He was then appointed to the military command of the district of
Treviso, which the Paduans were then invading. Here he very greatly
distinguished himself, and in numberless engagements was always
successful, so that he became known as Zeno the Unconquered.

When Pisani was appointed captain general, in April, 1378, he was
appointed governor of Negropont, and soon afterwards received a
separate naval command. He had been lost sight of for many months,
prior to his appearance so opportunely before Brondolo, and he now
confirmed to the doge the news that had been received shortly before.
He had captured nearly seventy Genoese vessels, of various sizes, had
cruised for some time in sight of Genoa, struck a heavy blow at her
commerce, and prevented the despatch of the reinforcements promised to
Doria. Among the vessels taken was one which was carrying three hundred
thousand ducats from Genoa.

He reported himself ready with his men to take up the brunt of the
siege forthwith, and selecting Brondolo as the most dangerous position,
at once landed his crews. The stores on board ship were also brought
ashore, and proved ample for the present necessities of the army.

In a few days, he sailed with his galleys and recaptured Loredo,
driving out the Paduan garrison there. This conquest was all important
to Venice, for it opened their communication with Ferrara, and vast
stores of provisions were at once sent by their ally to Venice, and the
pressure of starvation immediately ceased.

The siege of Brondolo was now pushed on, and on the 22nd of January the
great bombard, the Victory, so battered the wall opposite to it that it
fell suddenly, crushing beneath its ruins the Genoese commander, Doria.

The change which three weeks had made in the appearance of the Venetian
forces was marvellous. Ample food, firing, and shelter had restored
their wasted frames, and assurance of victory had taken the place of
the courage of despair. A month of toil, hardship, and fighting had
converted a mob of recruits into disciplined soldiers, and Zeno and
Pisani seemed to have filled all with their own energy and courage.
Zeno, indeed, was so rash and fearless that he had innumerable escapes
from death.

One evening after dusk his own vessel, having been accidentally torn
from its anchorage near the Lova Fort by the force of the wind and
currents, was driven across the passage against the enemy's forts,
whence showers of missiles w