Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean: The grand period of the Moslem corsairs — John Shaqi
Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean: The grand period of the Moslem corsairsCurrey, E. Hamilton (Edward Hamilton)
History
Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean: The grand period of the Moslem corsairs
Currey, E. Hamilton (Edward Hamilton)
Africa, North -- History; Pirates
But, however this might have been, it is quite certain that no
qualms of conscience troubled Uruj concerning those others: Genoese,
Neapolitans, Catalans, Andalusians, French, or the dwellers of the
Balearic Islands, were all fish sent by a bountiful Providence to be
enclosed in his net, and he seized upon them without distinction.
When in the full tide of his success there was but one thing which
preoccupied the mind of the corsair, which was to find a ready market
for his spoils and a convenient place in which to rid himself of
an embarrassing number of captives. This, however, did not present
an insuperable difficulty, as we have already seen in the case of
Curtogali, and a similar arrangement was carried out by Uruj Barbarossa
and his brother.
Uruj now established himself at the island of Jerba, on the east
coast of Tunis, which formed an admirable base from which to “work”
the Mediterranean from the piratical point of view. Jerba had
originally been conquered and occupied by the Spaniards in 1431, but
the occupation had been allowed to lapse, and the island was lying
derelict when the Barbarossas made it their headquarters. Here Uruj was
joined by his younger brother Khizr, destined to become so much the
more famous of the two; he had already made himself some reputation in
piratical circles, and now brought his cool judgment and wise counsel
to the assistance of that fiery fighting man his elder brother. The
first question to be decided was that which we have already mentioned,
namely, the disposal of spoil from prospective captures, and with this
end in view the corsairs approached the Sultan of Tunis. This potentate
made a gracious response to their overtures, and wished them all
success in their enterprises. He promised them succour and support on
the same terms which Curtogali had obtained, namely, one-fifth of all
the spoil landed in his dominions.
The price to be paid was a stiff one, and was so regarded by the active
partners in this arrangement; they were, however, young and unknown,
and had not the least intention of holding to their bargain when more
favourable circumstances presented themselves. Now they held fair
speech with the puppet princes of North Africa; the day was to come
when they should chase them from their insecure thrones. It was at this
time, shortly after the treaty with the Sultan of Tunis was concluded,
that the younger Barbarossa received from the Grand Turk the glorious
name of Kheyr-ed-Din, or “The Protector of Religion.” It was a somewhat
remarkable title for a pirate, but perhaps its bestower was slightly
deficient in a sense of humour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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