CHAPTER III.

_Respecting the affairs of Khair-ad-din, from the time of his being made Capudan of the fleet_.

The pasha, on his return from Aleppo, built sixty-one _bashderdés_[32] and galleys, with which and eighteen vessels which he brought with him from Algiers and five private ones, in all eighty-four, he was ordered out to sea.

THE FIRST EXPEDITION OF KHAIR-AD-DIN PASHA.

On a propitious day Khair-ad-din Pasha sailed with the above-mentioned eighty-four vessels, and went towards Messina, where he demolished the castle of Reggio, which had been evacuated by the infidels. That night he lay with lantern lights, and prayed for success in an expedition he contemplated against Malta. Having had a favourable dream, he arose and set sail during the night, and by morning reached a castle called Santalohso, which he took and plundered. Seven thousand eight hundred prisoners were taken, and the fortress rased. In the evening he again sailed, and reached a fortress called Giatros, where he landed his men, took it by the sword, and made the people prisoners. Here he found eighteen full-built vessels, which, with the castle and houses, he entirely destroyed. After this he went again to sea, and took another castle in the neighbourhood of Anapoli, the people of which he also took captive. Passing thence, he sailed a day and a night, and attacked the castle of Sperlonca, where he took ten thousand prisoners, and levelled the fortress with the ground. He then proceeded onwards, attacked the island of Sardinia, and having plundered it, turned his course towards Algiers; but the weather driving him to the Arab shores, he was about to proceed to the castle of Bekerzet, when the governor abandoned it, and went to acquaint Hefs, the king of Tunis.

KHAIR-AD-DIN’S EXPEDITION AGAINST TUNIS, AND THE ATTACK OF THE INFIDELS UPON THAT CITY.

At this period the kingdom of Tunis was held by the Beni Hefs, Sultan Hassan, the twentieth king of that branch, being the reigning monarch. His brother Rashid had some time before this gone with Khair-ad-din to the Porte, where a provision had been made for him.[33] Khair-ad-din was exceedingly anxious to add to the possessions of the Sublime Power the city of Tunis, and particularly the castle of Halk-al-vad (Goletta), on account of the conveniences it afforded for the wintering of a fleet, and its being a well secured place; and on representing to his majesty the expediency of his project, he was charged with the reduction of the place.

The Tunisians at this time were discontented with Sultan Hassan, and Khair-ad-din coming against them ostensibly in the company of Rashid, who however remained at Constantinople, was directed to Halk-al-vad. Hassan now took to flight, whereupon Khair-ad-din left the castle of Halk-al-vad, and entered the city of Tunis, which was nine miles distant. The partisans of the Hefsi now held out the hand of submission to Khair-ad-din, who collected and imprisoned them in the castle, executing a few of the sheikhs. Hassan then commenced an attack from the outside, and Khair-ad-din going without the gates, a fierce battle ensued. Three hundred Arabs fell, and Hassan was routed and fled. Khair-ad-din having thus subdued Tunis, wrote letters to all the Arab Meshaïekh, and adopted measures for the apprehension of Hassan. He also brought a few troops from Algiers, and registered the subjects. The Tunisians having at length discovered that Rashid was not with Khair-ad-din, became discontented and rebellious: but order was speedily restored by putting to death some of the insurgents. Hassan, on the other hand, collected a force at Kairavan, (Cyrene,) whilst Khair-ad-din with his Arab troops, consisting of ten thousand men, and thirty cannons, the carriages of which were propelled by sails, marched from Tunis into the desert. The battle was commenced by the firing of the artillery, and the enemy, unable to maintain their ground against cannon and musketry, fled in confusion. Hassan being thus again routed, the Arab sheikhs came over and submitted themselves to Khair-ad-din. At this time a brother of Hassan, Abdul-momin, considering the absence of the Sultan Soleiman Khan in Persia afforded a favourable opportunity for his enterprise, went over to Tripoli. Charles, king of Spain, also, excited by the Pope, united with Portugal, embarked twenty-four thousand troops on board three hundred barges and galleys, and made preparations for sailing. Just at this time Hassan sent a message to the latter, informing them that he had besieged Barbarossa with his Arab army in Tunis, and inviting them to come and take him prisoner. They thereupon immediately resolved to go and take Tunis, and then to resume their intended course. On the seventh day they arrived, and entered the harbour by the left tower, near the castle of Halk-al-vad, where they landed their men. When the Tunisians saw the infidels they joined Khair-ad-din; and the castle of Halk-al-vad being rather confined, the besieged cast a trench about it, raised tabors,[34] and disposed their artillery. The infidel forces having fixed their camps, for several days fierce engagements were fought, and more than six thousand of the enemy were slain; but as they constantly received fresh assistance from their rear, they kept their ground, and continued the assault: they also raised mounds, and strengthened themselves with one hundred and twenty pieces of cannon, which they landed from their ships. For thirty-two days and nights they kept up an incessant attack upon the castle, which exhausted their stock of ammunition. Thrice did the Moslems force their mound, on each occasion killing great numbers of the infidels; but the attack of the latter was so violent, that, finding it impossible to hold out any longer, they were obliged to evacuate the castle and secure themselves in Tunis.—The infidels then took possession of it, when Sultan Hassan, coming up with a few Arabs, mixed his own troops with the infidels, and sent letters, holding forth great promises, to his friends in Tunis. The Tunisians were at this time divided into four parties; one of them consisting of the people of the castle, and the other three of Mar’esh. Khair-ad-din having assembled these parties, thus addressed them: “You have received letters from the infidels: what is _your_ intention? _I_ shall go out and fight, but _you_ may remain in the city.” They cried out, “God forbid!” and swore they would accompany him. Nine thousand seven hundred men accordingly went out with him, the party that had seemed favourable to the enemy joining them, though against their inclination. When the infidels approached the castle, Khair-ad-din attacked them, and fought bravely. A few Algerines having made their appearance in the rear, the infidels turned back, and the Algerines pursued and killed many of them. The enemy being now on the point of making a retreat, the party that had been standing neutral fled towards the castle, Khair-ad-din sent men to induce them to return; but failing in his object, the others too began to fly, and he then removed his artillery to the castle. The infidels supposing that the Turks had fled, began to return, but after some slight skirmishing, as the evening drew on they retired to their tents. Next morning Khair-ad-din having raised a mound about the fortress, and sent his Algerines forward, leaving a person called Giafer Agha in charge of the city, shortly afterwards followed them himself. The infidels, being now greatly distressed by reason of the great heat and the scarcity of water, were about to retreat, when the Tunisians evacuated the city and fled. There were only four thousand captives, who immediately freed themselves and shut the gates. According to one account, the above-mentioned Giafer Beg had joined the opposite party of Tunis, and had persuaded them to leave the place. The infidels having taken to flight, when it was over Khair-ad-din, with about two hundred men who had stood by him, pursued the fugitive Tunisians, and turning them from the direction which Hassan’s army had taken, brought them into the road leading to Bajaiah. The infidels in the mean time came back, took possession of the city, and placed Hassan on the throne. At his request they repaired the fortress of Halk-al-vad, and garrisoned it with four thousand soldiers. The vile race who had been the cause of the insurrection, and who remained in the castle, were accused of adherence to Rashid, and the greater part of them publicly executed.

KHAIR-AD-DIN’S RETURN TO ALGIERS.

About this time Khair-ad-din had given the fortress of Beled-al-enab in charge to a certain capudan, whom he sent thither with fifteen small vessels. On his arrival there, hearing of the attack of the infidels upon Tunis, he sunk the vessels by order of the pasha. On the fifth day after the above events Khair-ad-din went to Bajaiah, and thence to Beled-al-enab, where he gave orders that each reis should bring out his vessel, and placing several pieces of cannon at the mouth of the river, he repulsed the infidel ships that attempted to approach. Having fully equipped the vessels, he sailed for Algiers, the inhabitants of which came out to meet him. After having had an interview with his family, the pasha began to equip the nine vessels which were lying there under the command of Murad Agha, with which and eight private Algerine ones, after a stay of fifteen days, he went out to sea, having in all thirty-two vessels under his command. He first anchored at a place about thirty miles from Majorca, and early the next morning a salute of fifty-six guns was fired from the castle. The pasha, telling his people they should learn the cause of all this afterwards, then made sail, and on his way took two barges, in which were some Tunisian captives. These he set free; but put the infidels into chains, and burnt their ships. From Minorca he sailed to a castle called Milota, into the harbour of which he entered with infidel colours. The infidel fleet had put into this port on its way to Tunis, and now when Khair-ad-din approached the castle, the infidels, supposing it to be Andrea’s fleet on its return, fired a salute. Two Portuguese barges that were coming in with a fair wind, when they saw Khair-ad-din’s fleet tacked and were about to fly, but on hearing the salute returned and anchored. Several infidels then came from the castle to learn the news about Tunis; these Khair-ad-din seized and put into chains. He also sent two boats to the barges with the intimation, “Come along—Barbarossa wants you:” a mandate which the terrified infidels obeyed; and ninety prisoners found on board were liberated.

When Khair-ad-din came to these islands,[35] a report had been spread that his intention was to plunder them, and the inhabitants were in consequence greatly alarmed. The governor, in order to comfort them, sent them a prisoner dressed like the pasha, with a message that the king, having taken Barbarossa, had sent him to them that they might burn him. The captive was accordingly burnt, and this gave occasion to the salute. When however the capture of Minorca was made known, the circumstance afforded a source of ridicule to the captives.

CAPTURE OF THE CASTLE OF MINORCA[36].

Khair-ad-din having landed his men, laid siege to this castle; and when the attack had lasted four days, the governor of the island came out with six thousand infidels, when, after a furious engagement, he was routed, and his horse being hamstrung, he fell, and was killed on the spot. The infidels, seeing this, surrendered the castle. Khair-ad-din then abandoned the wealth of the place to the plunder of his warriors. Five thousand seven hundred prisoners were taken, and eight hundred were killed: and on the sixth day Khair-ad-din rased the fortress and returned to Algiers.

CAUSE OF THE COWARDICE OF THE INFIDELS.

At the last-mentioned siege the Moslems had to resist the infidel begs for some days, on account of their superior numbers: for had they not possessed this advantage, they would not have fought in the position which Khair-ad-din had taken; since it is written in their books that it is lawful to fall alive into the enemy’s hand, and that they who fall in battle do not enter paradise; their learned men also teach this doctrine. It is related that Andrea Doria once asked a learned captive the reason why our race were so brave in battle. The captive replied that it was a miracle performed by our prophet, because that whoever received his faith became brave, and would draw his sword even against his own relatives. Andrea asked a farther reason, but the captive could not give him any other, and said he knew no more on the subject. Andrea then said, “Is it not written in your books that whoever flies from battle goes to hell, and that if a person flies from two infidels he cannot enter paradise? These are the words that make the Moslems so brave. Now in our books it is written, that if a thousand men should be attacked by one Moslem, and they know they are to be killed by him, they need not fight him, because those who die in battle do not enter paradise. This it is that makes us so cowardly.” This doctrine is also taught by the Pope; the infidel soldiers however fight till they die, caring little about a future state. The author has questioned several learned men among the Christians on this subject, and has ascertained that the case is not as stated by Andrea, who being an ignorant fellow and unacquainted with books, spoke only his own ideas of the matter. The Christians do not consider it lawful to turn from battle.

RETURN OF KHAIR-AD-DIN TO THE PORTE.

Whilst the king of Spain was on a visit to the Pope, and was boasting that he had killed Barbarossa and taken Tunis, the account of the capture of Minorca reached him, disclosed his falsehood, and obliged him to return with shame to his own country. Andrea having also heard of the fate of Minorca, resolved on going against Barbarossa. The latter had just left Algiers, and on his way came in sight of Andrea’s fleet, but not being observed himself, he took no notice of the fleet. The pasha next touched at Jarba, and thence continued his course to the Porte. The emperor at that time had just returned from Bagdad, and Khair-ad-din having paid his respects,[37] was ordered to build two hundred vessels for an expedition against Puglia, to the completion of which he accordingly applied himself.

THE EXPEDITION TO PUGLIA.

The warlike pasha in the month Rabia-al-akher 943 (Sept. 1536) left the royal arsenal with thirty light vessels, and sailing into the Mediterranean, directed his course to a strong fortress called Castel, which he captured after a hot engagement. Having secured the prisoners, he plundered the fortress, and the winter season having set in, returned to the Porte to repair and refit his fleet.

SULTAN SOLEIMAN’S EXPEDITION TO CORFU.

The cause of this expedition was this. In the time of Sultan Mohammed Khan, the conqueror, the kingdom of Puglia had been subdued, but when Keduk Ahmed Pasha succeeded to it, Spain demanded its restoration. The warlike emperor therefore determined to send a large fleet to that quarter; for the Grand Vizier Eias Pasha represented that the sanjaks of Avlona and Delvina, situated opposite to Puglia, being now subject to the Porte, the reduction of this territory ought to be considered a matter of importance to the state. Kemal Reis, however, having recommended the capture of Corfu in the first place, the Sultan resolved upon going thither in person, and on a Friday, in the middle of Zilhijé 943 (May 1537), Lutfi Pasha being then commander of the fleet, Khair-ad-din sailed for the Mediterranean with one hundred and thirty-five galleys and other vessels, amounting in all to two hundred and eighty. Never before had so large a fleet sailed. Thirty thousand sailors had been collected from all parts of the Ottoman dominions. On the 7th of Zilhijé (17th May) the illustrious emperor with his two sons left the capital, and set out on his journey, taking Smako on the way. About the end of Moharrem, 944 (A. D. 1533), they passed Albassan, and on the fifth of Seffer entered the plains of Avlona, where they had a sight of the royal fleet, which had arrived and lay off that coast.

The Vezier Mustaffa Pasha, having been charged with the subjugation of that part of Albania which was in rebellion, proceeded thither, and subdued it, plundering the inhabitants. Avlona being bounded on the west by the sea, and on the east by rebellious Albania, the natives of which held intercourse with the infidel ships, by the advice of Eias Pasha the whole of that line of country was subjugated; and the rebels of Delvina having also submitted, territory to the extent of two sanjaks was thus added to the Sublime Porte.

When the whole fleet was collected opposite Avlona, sixty vessels were consigned to Khair-ad-din to conduct those that were bringing provisions from Egypt. The chief commander, Lutfi Pasha, taking charge of the remaining vessels, went over to the Puglia coasts, and attacked a few castles, which he rased, first securing the prisoners and their wealth.

As Khair-ad-din was passing the island of Corfu, about forty Venetian galleys that were lying in the neighbourhood, seeing his fleet, and supposing that he was leaving altogether, resolved to join the rest of their fleet, which was then in the Gulf of Venice. On their way to the rendezvous they were met by Lutfi Pasha on his return from Puglia, who gave them battle, sunk two of their ships, took two, and the rest escaped to Corfu. Khair-ad-din then brought his provision-ships to Prevesa, and thence sailed to Avlona, where the sultans fleet had again assembled.

ACCOUNT OF THE TREACHERY OF THE VENETIANS.

The Venetian infidels are a people famous for their great wealth, their extensive commerce, and their deceit and perfidy in all their transactions. Having by treachery taken most of the islands in their possession from the Hungarian princes, and these islands being on the borders of the Ottoman dominions, and deriving their subsistence and trade from them, the Venetians from necessity maintain a show of friendship, but are in reality the most inveterate of all the enemies of the faith. During the above expedition, they being unmolested, the governor of Gallipoli harbour, Ali Ketkhoda, happened to touch at Corfu with two galleys on his way to join the Moslem fleet, when Andrea Doria, who was there at the time, came out with the Corfiote vessels, and attacked him. A fierce engagement ensued, in which the superior numbers of the infidels overcame the warriors, and the battle having lasted from morning till afternoon,[38] most of the Gallipoli vessels were burnt or sunk, and the survivors were made prisoners.

On another occasion, another governor of Gallipoli, Boustan Ketkhoda, was sailing to Corfu with dispatches from Lutfi Pasha, when four of the Venetian ships gave him chase, and captured him. It was of no avail that he declared he was only going on an embassy. Fearing however that the affair might become known, they sunk the vessel and cruelly murdered all that were on board, except a youth who threw himself into the sea, and floated on a board till he was taken up by one of the ships of the fleet, which conveyed him to Lutfi Pasha. Lutfi Pasha laid the matter before the Sultan, who, on account of these two outrages, commanded that Corfu should be besieged.

SIEGE OF CORFU.

Accordingly, the expedition to Puglia having been abandoned, the imperial fleet was ordered to lay siege to and plunder the castle of Corfu, whilst the emperor left Avlona, and took up his quarters over-against the island. According to one account, a bridge of boats was constructed across the channel where its width did not exceed half a mile, by means of which the armies of the faithful passed over to the island. One hundred and forty villages in the neighbourhood of the town were all pillaged, so that the town alone remained, against which the artillery was drawn up, and the siege was regularly commenced. But it being almost entirely surrounded by sea, they attacked it on the land side for full forty-three days and nights. When however they had opened the sally ports, and had several fierce engagements, they found their time for warlike operations was exhausted, the setting in of winter having commenced, and heavy rains falling, accompanied with extreme cold,—added to which, the sailing season was past. The emperor therefore, out of compassion for the army, sent Eias Pasha over to the island with orders to raise the siege. Lutfi Pasha and Khair-ad-din Pasha, however, remonstrated against this step, saying that so much labour ought not to be thrown away, and endeavoured to make the matter appear feasible: but there is an adage, “What is ordained must come to pass,” and therefore their counsel did not meet the royal approbation. One history relates that when it was reported to his majesty that a cannon ball had killed four of his men, he declared he would not exchange one of his brave warriors for a thousand such castles, and immediately gave orders to raise the siege. In short, the reduction of this place having been so long attempted without success, a divan was held about the end of the month Rabi-al-akher, and after robes of honor had been given to the nobles, presents to the naval capudans and reises, two pieces of money to each of the cavalry, and one piece to each of the infantry, on the 24th of the same month the troops retired from the siege, and his majesty, passing through Perpol, Kortsha, Prespa, Monaster, Florina, and Salonica, after a journey of twenty days, arrived at Adrianople.

Lutfi Pasha and Khair-ad-din Pasha on their return landed at Cephalonia, which they attacked and plundered, taking immense booty.

ATTACK OF KHAIR-AD-DIN UPON THE VENETIAN ISLANDS.

The royal fleet leaving Cephalonia proceeded to Motone, where Khair-ad-din chose sixty vessels, with which he remained at sea, Lutfi Pasha returning with the rest to the Porte. Khair-ad-din first touched at Cerigo, whence he went to an island called Egina, which was a strong fortress. To this, having prepared his artillery, he laid siege, and after three days’ fighting, succeeded in capturing it on the fourth day, when he took four thousand eight hundred prisoners, besides considerable booty. He then went to an island called Merted,[39] which he also took, and carried off twelve hundred prisoners. He next proceeded to the island of Bara (Paros), which the infidels defended with great obstinacy for some time: but it was at length taken at the point of the sword, and yielded much plunder. On his going against Naksha (Naxia), the infidels came out and agreed to an impost. Khair-ad-Din’s men with his permission then went and plundered an island in the neighbourhood, and returned with great spoils. The victorious pasha then attacked another island, and in fourteen days took three of its castles and made eleven thousand prisoners. Having done this, he bound down these six islands to pay an annual tribute of five thousand pieces of gold. In the course of this expedition Khair-ad-din collected cloth, money, a thousand girls, and fifteen hundred boys—plunder amounting in all to the value of four hundred thousand pieces of gold: such at least was the calculation of his wealth. He then returned to Constantinople.

THE CAPUDAN PASHA’S PRESENT TO THE SULTAN.

The morning after his arrival the pasha dressed two hundred boys in scarlet, bearing in their hands flasks and goblets of gold and silver. Behind them followed thirty others, each carrying on his shoulders a purse of gold; after these came two hundred men, each carrying a purse of money; and lastly, two hundred infidels wearing collars, each bearing a roll of cloth on his back. These he took as a present to the emperor, and having kissed the royal hand, was presented with robes of the most splendid kind, and received the highest marks of honour; for never at any period had any capudan done such signal service.

THIRD EXPEDITION OF KHAIR-AD-DIN PASHA.

The winter season being nearly over, Sultan Soleiman gave orders to his veziers to equip a hundred and fifty vessels, and to send Khair-ad-din to sea. Accordingly, although the ships were not ready, the veziers pressed Khair-ad-din to sail; and he not consenting, they had recourse to stratagem, saying that Andrea Doria had gone with forty vessels to Candia, where he was waiting to intercept Saleh Reis, who with twenty vessels had gone to bring the Indian merchandise from Egypt. Khair-ad-din therefore with the forty ships that were in readiness (the other ninety being ordered to follow) sailed on the ninth of Moharrem, 945, (June 8th, 1538,) accompanied by three thousand janissaries; and Ali Beg, the beg of Koga-eili, Khorrem Beg, the beg of Tekké, Ali Beg, the beg of Seida, and Mustaffa Beg, the beg of Alanieh, having joined him, they proceeded to Imbro, where some time previously a vessel containing seventeen pieces of cannon had been wrecked, and having possessed themselves of these, they sailed to an island called Ishkatos (Skiathos), which had a strong castle and harbour. In consequence of the complaint of the governor of Negropont that the pirates were in the habit of lying there and carrying on their depredations in the vicinity, they conveyed their artillery from a distance of seven miles, and blockaded the castle for six days and nights, taking it by assault on the seventh day. A great number of the infidels were slain, and three thousand eight hundred taken prisoners.

The ninety vessels from Constantinople, and Saleh Reis, with the twenty under his command, had now arrived; so that, according to the royal command, the fleet now consisted of a hundred and fifty vessels; but the equipment and manning of the ninety from the Porte not being quite complete, Khair-ad-din emptied and sent back twelve of them to Gallipoli; the rest he despatched to the Negropont. The fleet then touched at Eskeri (Skyro), which they left the same night. In the forenoon of the following day, which was very foggy, they met seventy of the Mediterranean pirate boats which had but the day before attempted in vain to take Skyro. On the approach of Khair-ad-din, however, the infidels of the castle surrendered, crying for quarter; and he accordingly spared them, on the condition that they should pay an annual sum of one thousand pieces of gold. At this place he remained a short time, and oiled his vessels. With the plunder he took he filled seven vessels, and sent them to Constantinople. Two cannoniers had been sent from Candia to Skyro; but not arriving till the afternoon, when the castle had surrendered, they were seized and brought before the pasha, who having obtained from them the information he needed respecting the enemy’s movements, divided his fleet into seven squadrons, which he sent in different directions,—one cruising about the islands to levy the tribute. He then sailed to Istandil (Tino), the governor of which was a Frank, and the people Greeks. These immediately surrendered, and the pasha agreed to molest them no further if they would deliver up their chiefs, which they accordingly did. He then appointed one of the principal inhabitants governor, and stipulated for an annual tribute of five thousand pieces of gold. He next sailed to Andro, the people of which also submitted. On this and a neighbouring island he imposed an annual tribute of one thousand pieces of gold. From Andro the squadron proceeded to Naxia, and received the tribute from that island, the inhabitants firing a salute. In the afternoon of the third day from this time, as they were sailing to Candia, they perceived before them a huge barge, which seemed like a black mountain rising out of the sea. They immediately bore down upon her; but she received their fire for a considerable time without striking her colours. At length, however, she was weakened by several balls striking her prow, when the Capudan Ibrahim went in and took her in tow. On the fifteenth of Seffer the fleet arrived at Candia, first touching at the castle of Miloietimo, where they landed their men. They then plundered twenty of the neighbouring villages, which had been abandoned by the infidels, and proceeding thence to Bakorna, took the natives prisoners, and plundered sixty of the adjacent villages. On the 17th they sailed towards a very strong castle called Khania (Canea), and as the infidels had fled into the fortress, took in a supply of water, and made preparations to attack it. But several of the more experienced capudans were of opinion that to attack this castle would be a most difficult matter; because, being on the side next the sea strongly fortified, and on the land side protected by a wall of three miles in extent, besides being well stored with arms and ammunition, and strongly garrisoned, to effect its reduction would require an armament of no ordinary strength. For these reasons they desisted from their attack, but fired the houses on the outside, demolished all the strong buildings in the neighbourhood, and in the course of three days plundered three hundred villages. They then came upon Menolilo and Retimo, the villages of which they plundered. Thence they went to Ista (Setia), where the inhabitants seemed disposed to resist: but finding themselves unable to hold out, speedily took to flight. Most of them were taken prisoners, and the rest were devoured by the sword. Two castles, called Isklaria and Istilo, were next reduced, and eighty villages in their neighbourhood plundered. In one short week the whole of Candia was overrun and pillaged. More than fifteen thousand prisoners were taken, of whom a few were sent in barges to Constantinople. The fleet afterwards proceeded to the island of Kirpé, which had three forts. Here they remained ten days, during which they took all the three, and laid them under tribute.

The heat at this time became very oppressive, and hot winds like the Sam[40] beginning to blow, and the sailors suffering much, the fleet went over to the island of Ilki (Piscopia), where they rested for some time. Sailing thence to Stanko, they broke up the levend frigates, and manned the galleys with the sailors they found on board. Besides these, they also took in a great number of infidel sailors from the islands and the Anatolian coasts. They then reduced an island called Stanpalia, which the pasha left to be plundered by the volunteer ships. This year the Venetians possessed twenty-five islands, each having one, two, or three castles; all of which were taken; twelve of the islands being laid under tribute, and the remaining thirteen plundered.

After this the fleet sailed towards Roumelia, and having broken up the heavy sailing vessels at Kuzil Hissar, put into the harbour of Negropont. They then took over the light sailing vessels by night to Kara-Ata, where they oiled their sides, and returned to Negropont to take in provisions. At this time Saleh Reis, who was a most valiant commander, arrived at Negropont with thirty vessels; on which occasion numerous salutes were fired.

THE GRAND BATTLE OF KHAIR-AD-DIN PASHA.

About this time information was received that the Spanish, Papal, and Venetian fleets had assembled at Corfu, and attacked Prevesa; whereupon Khair-ad-din sent twenty small privateers to that quarter, which, on reaching Zante, came in sight of forty guard ships. These latter immediately returned to their fleet and gave information that Barbarossa was in the neighbourhood. The enemy then left Prevesa; which circumstance being made known to Khair-ad-din, when he was near Motone, he took in water at Helomej, and proceeded thence to Cephalonia, where he landed his men and plundered the surrounding villages. Crossing thence to Prevesa, the castle of which had been much injured by the enemy’s cannon, he was preparing to besiege it, when he received reinforcements during the night from Santa Maura. With this assistance he entered the fortress, many of the infidels being slain in the assault: and having planted his great guns, the infidels, exhausted and terrified, left the place.[41] The pasha then ordered his troops to repair the fortress; and in the mean time sent over a few private vessels to the infidel coasts to obtain information. These on their return reported that the Spanish, Papal, Portuguese and Venetian fleets had assembled at Corfu. This intelligence was immediately forwarded to the sultan, who was then on an expedition into Boghdan (Moldavia). About the middle of the month Jemazi-al-avul the fleets of these accursed infidels arrived and anchored about two miles from Prevesa.

THE NUMBER OF THE INFIDELS’ SHIPS.

Andrea Doria had fifty-two galleys; the Venetian general, seventy; the Popes admiral, thirty; and the lieutenant of the Grand-Master of Rhodes, ten. The Spaniards and Portuguese had eighty barges, and the Venetians ten krakas, each of which contained two thousand arms of different sorts, and was equal to fifty galleys. Andrea Doria’s own ship was a huge galleon, with arms and ammunition beyond computation. Besides these there were a few barges from different places; the whole amounting to one hundred and sixty-two galleys, one hundred and forty barges, and three hundred other ships, which, with the small privateers, formed a fleet of upwards of six hundred sail.

The Moslem fleet consisted of only one hundred and twenty-two light galleys. Khair-ad-din having held a consultation, and encouraged his troops, began to make preparations for an engagement. He then lowered the masts, giving strict injunctions to his officers to keep a constant eye upon his movements. The private vessels he ordered to take a position by themselves out of the line, and when they came in contact with the enemy’s ships to fire their bow-guns. The begs, seeing the number of the infidel ships, recommended the landing of the men and artillery. Khair-ad-din however did not consider this advisable; but having afterwards ascertained that the plan of the enemy was to enter the bay of Prevesa by night, he landed his men and stationed his artillery on the shore. The infidels shortly afterwards landed, when he commenced a fire upon them, whilst Mourad Agha, of the line of privateers, Tourghoudjé, Kouzloujé Mohammed, Sadek Reis, and several others, attacked them in the rear, and filled them with terror. Two days after several of the enemy’s light vessels came up to the strait of Prevesa, where the arrogant wretches opened a fire upon the Moslem vessels. The brave and experienced pasha, unable to bear this insolence any longer, beat his drum and cymbals, hoisted his flags, and sailed out of the bay, with the intention of there meeting the fleet of the despicable infidels. Casting anchor about six miles from land, he waited until the rest of the Moslem vessels should join him; and when they were all assembled, and had taken their proper positions, gave a signal, at which each of the hundred and twenty-two ships fired three guns, and coming forward to the attack, the brave Moslems filled the air with their shouts. This struck dismay into the hearts of the infidels, who, as evening approached, weighed anchor and fled towards Corfu. The pasha then returned to his former position. That night, whilst praying for direction, he saw in a dream great numbers of fishes issuing out of the harbour; and rising up at midnight, he sailed in that direction.

ATTACK AND FLIGHT OF THE INFIDELS.

On the third of Jemazi-al-avul, as Andrea Doria was preparing to enter the Gulf of Lepanto, Khair-ad-din sailed to Bahshiler, and having reached that place, he sent men to the mast-heads, who descried masts in the neighbourhood of Santa Maura and the harbour of Ingir. He therefore immediately weighed anchor, and sailed, prepared for an engagement. The infidels observing them, came out to meet them; and the wind being in their favour, the Moslems were overwhelmed with fear, for galleys are not able to compete with barges under such circumstances. Khair-ad-din however wrote two verses of the Koran, and threw one on each side of his vessel; when the wind immediately fell, and the barges lay motionless. This occurrence teaches that commanders, however celebrated, ought not to trust in human means alone, but also to pay all possible regard to spiritual means for ensuring success. The unfortunate infidels, stationing themselves in regular lines, now began to discharge their artillery; which, however, wanted strength to make it efficient. A galleon first came out and opened a heavy fire, but was driven back by the fire of the fleet. Khair-ad-din succeeded in taking several of the barges by attacking them from a distance, and thus gradually weakening them. Andrea Doria and the general having now come up with their galleys, were about to commence an attack, when the brave pasha bore down upon them, and commenced a heavy fire, which obliged them to bring round their barges. The balls from the barges now fell like rain, and the two fleets were so enveloped in smoke, that they could not see each other. The enemy’s galleys several times attempted to take the Moslem vessels in the rear, that so they might take up a position between them and the other ships and barges. The latter, which, from their size resembled floating castles, were dashing against each other with great violence; nor was it possible to separate them. At length, after nine of the barges had been driven back by the strength of the Moslem vessels, the pasha (of lion-like courage) redoubled his exertions, and keeping up a brisk fire, sunk several, and clearing a way through them, passed on to the galleys, strictly prohibiting his men from plundering a single barge. The infidels were astonished, and overwhelmed with terror at the impetus of the warriors: and their small galleys being unable any longer to maintain the fight, they turned their faces to flight. The slaughter continued during the whole of the interval between the two hours of prayer, and most of the barges were either destroyed or sunk by the cannon. Andrea Doria seeing this tore his beard, and took to flight, all the smaller galleys following him. The Moslems, supposing the barges were of less value than the galleys, pursued the latter, and succeeded in capturing two of them.

In the evening the wind fell, which obliged them to remain on the scene of action; whilst the unfortunate infidels set fire to the remaining barges, which continued to burn till morning. Such wonderful battles as those fought between the forenoon and sunset of that day were never before seen at sea.

Next morning the pasha went to Santa Maura, where he gave his son charge of two captains he had taken, and despatched him to the sultan with the news of the victory. He then proceeded to Prevesa, where the begs kissed his hand and congratulated him. Sultan Soleiman Khan was at this time hunting at Ianboli, where the pashas son on his arrival was received with the greatest honors; and a divan being assembled, the proclamation of the victory was read, all present standing, and thanksgiving and praise were offered to the Divine Being. The Capudan Pasha then received orders to make an advance of one hundred thousand pieces of money to the principal officers, to send the proclamation of the victory to all parts of the country, and to order public rejoicings in all the towns.

Andrea Doria after his flight made Corfu his place of rendezvous; whilst the pasha on the 14th of the same month started from Prevesa by night, and on the evening of the following day arrived at Bahshiler; but finding no traces of the infidels there, he returned to Prevesa. The privateers having obtained his permission to plunder Cephalonia, proceeded thither, and left nothing behind them but the bare fortress. On the other hand, whilst the pasha was engaged in repairing the fortress of Prevesa, information was brought him that the infidels had attacked Durazzo; upon which he cleared his galleys, and stood out to sea the same night. Next morning he attacked the fort of Parga, put the inhabitants to flight, took four hundred prisoners, and plundered and set fire to the castle. On his way to Bahshiler he took two barges; and after resting there two days, on the morning of the third, he again sailed to the channel of Corfu, where he was overtaken by a violent storm, which obliged him to put into Avlona, where he was detained for ten days till the weather cleared up. During this time the army suffered greatly. While there the pasha received orders either to winter there, or to return to Constantinople, as he might think most advisable. He chose the latter alternative, and immediately sailed for Constantinople. On their way the fleet had to encounter another dreadful storm at the strait of Beberjek, but succeeded in reaching Gallipoli, and thence proceeded to Constantinople, which they entered amidst the firing of numerous salutes.

CAPTURE OF CASTEL NOVO BY THE INFIDELS.

Andrea, taking advantage of the storm which detained Khair-ad-din at Avlona, returned and attacked Novo; and the governor being a weak man, he with the most consummate assurance took possession of it, garrisoned it with six thousand soldiers, and left it.

EXPEDITION OF SOLEIMAN PASHA TO INDIA.

Spain had just completed the conquest of the New World; and so early as the year 900 (A. D. 1494.) the Portuguese, emboldened by her success, proceeded from the Western to the Eastern Ocean, and passing along the Mountains of the Moon, (where the blessed Nile has its source,) and the coasts of Abyssinia and Zanguebar, penetrated into India, and took possession of the fortresses of Sind. The kings of that country being too weak to resist them, the king of Guzerat applied for assistance to Sultan Soleiman Khan. This zealous monarch, with the view of driving the oppressive infidels from the coasts of Yemen and India, equipped a fleet of thirty galleys in the road of Suez, and gave the command of them to Khadem Soleiman Pasha, chief of the emirs of Egypt, who left the port of Suez about the end of Moharrem (940 A.D. 1533), and arrived on the seventh of Rabi-al-avul at the city of Aden, on the coast of Yemen, the fortresses of which, under the command of Amar Ben Davud, he took possession of, and having considerably strengthened them, gave them in charge to Behram Beg. He then proceeded towards Div, an Indian port in the possession of the Portuguese, which was the principal object of his efforts. The winds being favourable, he arrived in the beginning of Rabi-al-avul at the citadels of Goa and Kari, situate in the neighbourhood of Div, and also in the possession of the Portuguese, where he landed his men and artillery, and took both these fortresses; a thousand infidels falling by the sword. He next laid siege to Div, the citadel of which was defended on three sides by the sea, and on the land side by very strong fortifications; on which account he deemed it advisable to land twenty thousand men, and a considerable quantity of ammunition. The siege had how lasted a month, and the king of Guzerat had in vain expected the ammunition and provisions he had demanded from Prince Mahmoud. This prince, frightened at the murder of Amar, the emir of Aden, would neither come himself nor send succours. The besieged infidels then, as a last resource, persuaded Mahmoud that the murder was committed by Soleiman Pasha, and that any good the latter might do him would be dictated by treachery. Deceived by these insinuations of the infidels, he decidedly refused the succours. This refusal, together with his open opposition to them in other matters, and the peace he had made with the infidels, obliged the Moslems to raise the siege of the citadel: and they accordingly reimbarked their artillery and departed for Shedjer, where they arrived safely in twenty days. The governor of this city having surrendered, the fleet departed for Aden and Zebid. Emir Ahmed, having taken possession of the country, was then its governor. On the approach of Soleiman, the emir shut himself up in a fortress, which was subsequently taken, and the command of the province of Yemen was given to Mustafa Beg, son of Mohammed Pasha Bikli.[42] Soleiman Pasha, after remaining a month at these places for the defence of Yemen, sailed for Jidda, where he arrived on the twentieth of Sheval. Immediately on his arrival there he undertook the pilgrimage (to Mecca), and whilst the fleet continued its voyage, accompanying the caravan, he proceeded by land to Egypt, and at length reached Constantinople, where he obtained a seat in the divan.

EXPEDITION OF KHAIR-AD-DIN TO CASTEL NOVO.

The recovery of Castel Novo, which some time before had fallen into the hands of the infidels, being considered a matter of importance both to religion and the state, on the return of spring Khosrow Pasha, the begler-beg of Roumelia, who had remained at Sophia, was sent thither by land. Khair-ad-din also, on the eighth of Rabi-al-akher, sailed with one hundred and fifty vessels, and with thirty-seven pieces of cannon besieged the fortress. After a discharge of eight thousand two hundred shots, on the twenty-second day the walls of one of the fortresses were reduced and the fortress itself taken. Novo had two large fortresses; they therefore proceeded to the other one, which they also took by assault, making the infidels prisoners. The pasha then rebuilt the castle, and placed twenty-six pieces of cannon in it. He then sent his troops to plunder the country of the infidels, and returned to Constantinople with immense riches.

ATTACK OF THE KING OF SPAIN UPON ALGIERS, &C.

In the year 948 (A.D. 1541) the emperor went with his army on an expedition into Hungary, and sent Khair-ad-din at the same time with seventy galleys to guard the Mediterranean. At this time too, the king of Spain, in order to assist the emperor Ferdinand, and to plunder the Moslem territories, sailed with his fleet towards the Venetian coasts. When he heard that Khair-ad-din was at sea, ashamed to return to his own country, he proceeded to Algiers. For some time previous to this Khadem Hassan Agha, to whose care the pasha had confided Algiers, having equipped thirty galleys and golettas, had been carrying on a system of plunder on the Spanish coasts. The king of Spain therefore embarked troops to the number of fifty thousand, four thousand of which were cavalry, on board a hundred galleys, and sailed for Algiers, where he arrived on the twenty-eighth day of Jemazi II., A.H. 948. Hassan thereupon immediately held a divan, and encouraged his men. Meantime the infidels had pitched their camp, and were attempting a trench, when Hassan Beg, with six hundred Turkish and two thousand Arab horsemen, sallied out and attacked them by night. In the confusion which ensued and the darkness of the night the infidels fell upon each other, and three thousand of them were killed; and the warriors returned in safety to the castle. By the decree of God, on the fifth day there was a violent storm of wind and rain, which drove most of the enemys heavy barges ashore, and sunk several; their ammunition too was wet, and their cannon and musketry unfit for service. Hassan Beg therefore made an attack upon them, and after a hot engagement of two hours, returned to the castle. In this storm a hundred and six of the infidels ships were driven ashore, and four galleys into the harbour. In these were one thousand four hundred Moslem prisoners, who were immediately liberated. The infidels, mortified and disappointed, now retired and assembled at a cape called Tementos, whence they set out on their return to their own country. They were pursued by the Moslems, who slew great numbers of them: whilst the Algerines, observing the violence of the stream of dissension which was strongly agitated among them, plunged into it, and sunk or destroyed many of their ships. Those who escaped embarked on board the remaining vessels, and on the 26th of Rajab again put out to sea, but were again overtaken by a storm, which drove them to Bajaiah, and at length with great difficulty made their way to Spain. Not long after this memorable defeat by the storm, which is recorded in the Spanish histories, Charles V. entered a monastery and became a recluse; and his kingdom passed to his son.

FRANCE CRAVES ASSISTANCE OF THE PORTE.

In the year 949 Francis king of France sent an ambassador to the Sublime Porte, to request the aid of a naval force and other assistance, in consequence of a terrible feud that existed between him and Spain. Orders having been given this winter to fit out a considerable number of vessels, Khair-ad-din, in compliance with this request, equipped a hundred galleys, and in the spring of the year 950 sailed with a complete fleet for France. Several historical accounts agree in this statement. On this occasion victory deserted the arms of the pasha.

DEATH OF KHAIR-AD-DIN PASHA.

The pasha, after remaining at sea two years longer, to protect its navigation, returned to the Porte, where he died on the sixth of Jemazi-al-avul, 953 (A.D. August 1546), upwards of eighty years old, and was buried in his tomb at Beshektash. The period of his death is chronogrammatically expressed in the sentence,[43] “The chief of the sea is dead.” May the mercy of God be extended to him!