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.
INSURRECTION OF THE PEOPLE OF TUNIS AND TILMISAN.
On account of the above proceedings, the begs of Tunis and Tilmisan became jealous, and concerted measures to corrupt Mohammed Beg and Ibn Kazi, two of Khair-ad-din’s most powerful begs. They at last gained them over to their party, and by giving money to the Arabs, would have conquered Algiers; but Khair-ad-din maintained a defensive position, and did not submit to them.
THE CAPTURE OF MUSTAGHANIM.
As was previously mentioned, the two brothers of the beg of Tilmisan had fled to the king of Fez, and he having supplied them with forces, they marched against Tilmisan, and besieged it; but being deserted by their Arabs, Massoud (one of them) came over to Khair-ad-din, whilst his brother fled to Vehran. Khair-ad-din treated Massoud with kindness, and persuaded his Arabs to return to him: whereupon he again set out against Tilmisan with what forces he could collect, and having put his brother to flight, took the castle. But not long after this he broke his faith with Khair-ad-din, and joined the infidels; in consequence of which, Khair-ad-din sent assistance to his brother (Abdullah) at Vehran, whence the allies sent an army by land, and twenty-eight ships by sea, to a castle called Mustaghanim, which they reduced. They then sailed to the infidel coasts, which they plundered extensively, and taking on board all the Moslems they could find in Andalusia, returned to Algiers.
THE SECOND CAPTURE OF TILMISAN.
When Abdullah, the brother of Massoud, had left Vehran and come to Tilmisan, with the troops of Khair-ad-din, Massoud came out against him, but was routed in an engagement, and driven into the castle, where he was shut up twenty days. One night, however, two hundred men scaled the castle walls and threw open the outer gates; but Massoud, who was in the inner castle, made his escape with two hundred horsemen. The criers then proclaimed Sultan Selim sovereign of the place; and as soon as order was restored Abdullah was duly installed governor by Khair-ad-din. The khotba was read, and coinage was issued in the name of the emperor; and a garrison of an hundred and fifty men was left in the castle. On the departure of Khair-ad-din, Massoud returned and besieged it for three months; but the former hastened back to its defence, routed Massoud in an engagement, in which he made him prisoner; and he died in confinement.
REBELLION OF KAZI-ZADEH.
About this time Kazi-Zadeh, the governor of Tunis, revolted, and having excited the Arab tribes against Khair-ad-din, came and besieged Algiers. The infidels inhabiting a small island near Algiers also effected a passage, and attacked the city on one side. For six months Khair-ad-din was engaged in various battles with the besiegers, but still remained unconquered. At length, on the approach of winter, Kazi-Zadeh was under the necessity of begging a truce, and returned to Tunis. Shortly afterwards, however, he again sent an army against Algiers, under the command of his brother; but Khair-ad-din came out, and having completely routed them, sent in pursuit of the fugitives Kara Hassan, one of his attendants, who reduced all the fortresses belonging to Tunis. But Kazi-Zadeh corrupted him also, and induced him to come over to his own party. Khair-ad-din had now nothing left him but the city of Algiers; and even here the inhabitants began to be disaffected. Having discovered that it was the intention of the Arab sheikhs to leave the city, he assembled his followers, who, as about two hundred of the sheikhs were rushing towards the palace, the gate of which opened into three roads, attacked and dispersed them, taking several, whom they put in prison. The followers of Khair-ad-din recommended a general massacre in the city; but this he prevented. In the morning he assembled the citizens at the mosque, and reasoned with them. One hundred and fifty of the insurgents he sent to prison, and dismissed the others; whilst the twenty-five persons who had been the original conspirators met the fate they deserved. Peace was thus restored, which continued for two years.