It was shortly after the death of his brother Uruj that the storm arose which bade fair to sweep, not only Kheyr-ed-Din but all the corsairs of the North African coast, clean out of their strongholds, for the Emperor Charles V., at this time young, eager, and enthusiastic, gave orders for their destruction. These robbers troubled the peace of Europe; they did more than this, they insulted the Majesty of the Emperor, and Charles regarded their perpetual incursions in the light of an affront to his personal dignity. The divinity which hedged such a monarch as the grandson of “Los Reyes Cathòlicos,” Ferdinand and Isabella, was a very real thing, and, if offended, was likely to find concrete expression in the most vigorous form. Charles, much annoyed at the necessity for chastising a band of robbers, determined that he would make an end of them once and for all. To Don Hugo de Moncada, the Viceroy of Sicily, to Don Perisan de Ribera at Bougie, to the Marquis de Comares at Oran, orders were sent to prepare their forces for an attack on Algiers. There was no lack of good-will on the part of the Christian princes, nobles, and governors. The Spanish veterans in Sicily were rusting for want of employment, the levies on the African littoral welcomed anything in the way of war as a distraction from the deadly monotony of their lives. The soldier in these days who rested too long upon his arms became in time practically useless for the purpose for which he existed; but such rulers as Charles V. gave their fighting men but small cause of complaint in the matter of want of employment. The Pope sent his blessing and a contingent, and, to show how serious was the purpose of the Emperor, who took the command in person, let us set forth the total of the expedition which was to utterly destroy and root out the corsairs and their leader: FLEET. SAILING SHIP TRANSPORT. Galleys of the Pope 4 The Frigate of Malta 1 ” of Malta 4 Division of Spezzia 100 ” of Sicily 4 ” of Fernando Gonzaga 150 ” of Antony Doria 6 ” of Spain 200 ” of Naples 5 ” of Monaco 2 ” of Marquis of Terra Nova 2 ” of Vicome de Cigala 2 ” of Fernando de Gonzaga 7 ” of Spain 15 ” of Andrea Doria 14 ——— Total Galleys 65 Total Transports 451 === Add Transports 451 ——— Total Fleet 516 === We now come to the military side of the expedition, which consisted of: