"In 1815 a United States fleet defeated the Algerines, and compelled the dey to respect the American flag ever after. The pirates still exacted tribute or presents from several of the nations of Europe. Various outrages upon the commerce and officials of France brought on a war, which continued with more or less activity for thirty years, and was only ended by the capture of Abd-el-kader. The French have been engaged in extending their conquest up to the present time. "The city before you, or the beginning of it, was built in the year 935 by an Arab chief, whose name I don't remember. The fortress you see on the hill, five hundred feet high, is the Casbah, and commands the whole city, as the deys who occupied it found it necessary to overawe their own subjects. You observe the lower town nearest to you, and with the exception of a few mosques, it consists of government and commercial buildings. The French occupy this part of the town, while the upper city is still Moorish, as its people and its inhabitants will assure you when you visit it; and this is the part of the city that will interest you most. But I think I have said enough, and perhaps too much." "No!" shouted Dr. Hawkes, as the professor stepped back and took his seat. "I have been very much interested, for I knew next to nothing about Algeria." "I heartily indorse the remark of my Brother Adipose Tissue," added Uncle Moses, and the whole party gave a round of applause as an expression of the general sentiment. "I see that I did wisely and well to call on the professor for this occasion instead of attempting the task he has done so well," said the commander. "But we will use our time while we have it and the weather is pleasant. We are not compelled to take to the barge or cutters for the purpose of going on shore, for we are fortunately provided with a tender under the name of the Maud; and I have directed the engineers to have her in readiness for us. We shall now be under the command of Captain Scott." "I can find my way to the shore, but I am not a pilot in this harbor," added the captain of the Maud. "I see the custom-house, and I will land you there. There is not less than eighteen feet of water anywhere within the moles, and we can't get aground."