THE GOVERNMENT OF KHAIR-AD-DIN BEG AT ALGIERS.
During these transactions Khair-ad-din assembled the citizens of Algiers, and addressed them in these words:—“Hitherto I have given you every assistance, and I have fortified your castle by placing in it four hundred pieces of cannon; now appoint whom you please as your governor, and I will proceed by sea to some other place.” All of them simultaneously began to cry out and beseech him not to leave them. Khair-ad-din answered that the begs of Tunis and Tilmisan were opposed to him; but that if the khotba[22] and the coinage were made in the name of the Ottoman Sultan, he would consent to remain with them. To this they agreed; and Khair-ad-din having fitted out four vessels, and loaded them with spoils, arms, and various presents, as also forty valiant youths selected from among the prisoners, sent them as a present to Sultan Selim. The illustrious emperor graciously accepted them, and in return sent him a splendid sabre and a dress of honour, with a sanjak[23], which he gave in charge to one Haji Hussein, a servant of the Sublime Court. But on their way to Algiers eight Venetian galleys attacked them, and killed all the servants of Khair-ad-din Beg. Haji Hussein with three others escaped, and landed at Motone, whence he returned to the capital. On application to the Venetian governor, the ships were restored, and they once more set out for Algiers. On their arrival Khair-ad-din came out to meet them, and received with profound reverence the horse and sanjak, which the emperor had sent him. He then assembled his divan, and ordered the criers to proclaim the authority of the sultan. After having given a splendid entertainment to the messenger, and treated him with proper courtesy, he sent him back to the Porte.