THE ENGAGEMENTS OF ORUJ AND KHAIR-AD-DIN.
After the winter had passed, and the season for sailing had returned, the two corsairs fitted up two vessels, and left Halk-al-vad. They first came in contact with a large Genoese vessel, with a cargo of corn, which they seized without any ceremony. Shortly afterwards they met a huge merchant ship laden with cloth: this they also took without any loss of time; and returned to Tunis, where they gave up a fifth part of their plunder, and divided the remainder. They then once more made for the infidel coasts, and soon met a Spanish vessel in full sail, to which they made up; but there being on board of her an infidel beg, they had to fight sharply for some time. At last however they took the ship.
The fame of these two men now began to be very conspicuous, and their valour was celebrated along the shores of the Mediterranean. On one occasion they went out with four ships, and proceeded to a castle called Bajaia (Bujia), in the vicinity of Trabalos (Tripoli), of which they had obtained possession. Here they were opposed by the Spanish fleet, which gave them battle; but they bravely resisted them, and by the favour of God were victorious. They took two of the ships, and dispersed the rest, except one which Oruj Reis sunk. After the engagement Oruj Reis went out, and whilst he was surveying the castle, the enemy made an attempt to recover their vessels. Whilst Oruj Reis was employed in repelling them, a shot from the castle wounded his left arm. His brother took him on board, and had his arm dressed; but, as the wound seemed incurable, they were obliged to amputate it. In the mean time they took a barge and several small vessels, which they sent to Tunis. Khair-ad-din himself sailed to the island of Majorca, which he attacked, reduced several of the fortresses, and enriched himself with the plunder of the villages. Whilst he continued his cruise, the capudan of Corsica came out with eight galleys, and made preparations for an engagement. Khair-ad-din turned upon the capudan’s galley and attacked it; but the contest was long, and many men fell on both sides. At last the infidels were beaten, and began to retreat. The two vessels which they had taken Khair-ad-din obliged them to give up. He then returned to Tunis, where he left Oruj Reis on account of his wound.