THE ENGAGEMENT WITH ABDULLAH.
Abdullah drew out his Arab troops, whilst Khair-ad-din marched against him from Algiers, and his efforts being crowned with success, he routed Abdullah, who fled, leaving behind him only eight thousand camels, which fell into the hands of the victorious troops. Abdullah then sent a messenger to sue for peace; and having read the khotba and issued the coinage in the name of the sultan, a peace was concluded, on condition that he should pay an indemnity of twenty thousand ducats, and an annual sum of ten thousand ducats for six years. His brother Ibn Kazi having also rebelled, Khair-ad-din marched against him, and compelled him to pay thirty yūks[24] of silver. Having now overcome most of the difficulties with which he had been surrounded, Khair-ad-din began to think of reducing the island opposite Algiers. On this island, which is about a bow-shot from the city, there was formerly a small fortress, of which the infidels by some means or other had obtained possession; and when Khair-ad-din took Algiers they filled it with ammunition, and strongly fortified it. Previously to that event these infidels exacted a tribute from the citizens; and whilst the Moslems were calling to prayers from the minarets, were accustomed to discharge the artillery, and thus did considerable injury. On the arrival of Khair-ad-din Beg at Algiers, they petitioned him to allow them to remain unmolested in their fortress, promising at the same time never to set foot within the city. Khair-ad-din however would not consent to a peace, but continued to annoy them. This state of things had now continued, fourteen years, when Khair-ad-din Beg blockaded the castle; and hearing that the king of Spain had resolved to send to its succour, he continued his attacks night and day for a whole week. The besieged then begged for quarter; but this he refused, and took the castle, sword in hand. Besides those who were killed, about five hundred men were taken prisoners. He then ordered that the castle should be rased, and the passage filled up, so that the centre might form a harbour; and it accordingly forms the present harbour of Algiers. He next made the infidels repair those parts of the town which they had destroyed with their cannon, and put their chiefs to death. Nine barges which had come to their assistance from Spain, not being able to find the castle, were about to return, when Khair-ad-din pursued them with fifteen galleys; took them all by force of arms, and returned to Algiers. Besides those who fell in the engagement, one thousand seven hundred men were made prisoners.
The moral this event teaches is, that a barge may be taken by a galley provided the commander of the latter be an experienced person.