The History of the Maritime Wars of the Turks. Chapters I. to IV.Kâtip Çelebi
History
The History of the Maritime Wars of the Turks. Chapters I. to IV.
Kâtip Çelebi
Turkey -- History -- 1453-1683; Turkey -- History, Naval
Abdullah drew out his Arab troops, whilst Khair-ad-din marched against
him from Algiers, and his efforts being crowned with success, he routed
Abdullah, who fled, leaving behind him only eight thousand camels,
which fell into the hands of the victorious troops. Abdullah then sent
a messenger to sue for peace; and having read the khotba and issued the
coinage in the name of the sultan, a peace was concluded, on condition
that he should pay an indemnity of twenty thousand ducats, and an
annual sum of ten thousand ducats for six years. His brother Ibn Kazi
having also rebelled, Khair-ad-din marched against him, and compelled
him to pay thirty _yūks_[24] of silver. Having now overcome most of the
difficulties with which he had been surrounded, Khair-ad-din began to
think of reducing the island opposite Algiers. On this island, which is
about a bow-shot from the city, there was formerly a small fortress,
of which the infidels by some means or other had obtained possession;
and when Khair-ad-din took Algiers they filled it with ammunition, and
strongly fortified it. Previously to that event these infidels exacted
a tribute from the citizens; and whilst the Moslems were calling to
prayers from the minarets, were accustomed to discharge the artillery,
and thus did considerable injury. On the arrival of Khair-ad-din Beg
at Algiers, they petitioned him to allow them to remain unmolested in
their fortress, promising at the same time never to set foot within the
city. Khair-ad-din however would not consent to a peace, but continued
to annoy them. This state of things had now continued, fourteen years,
when Khair-ad-din Beg blockaded the castle; and hearing that the king
of Spain had resolved to send to its succour, he continued his attacks
night and day for a whole week. The besieged then begged for quarter;
but this he refused, and took the castle, sword in hand. Besides those
who were killed, about five hundred men were taken prisoners. He then
ordered that the castle should be rased, and the passage filled up,
so that the centre might form a harbour; and it accordingly forms the
present harbour of Algiers. He next made the infidels repair those
parts of the town which they had destroyed with their cannon, and put
their chiefs to death. Nine barges which had come to their assistance
from Spain, not being able to find the castle, were about to return,
when Khair-ad-din pursued them with fifteen galleys; took them all by
force of arms, and returned to Algiers. Besides those who fell in the
engagement, one thousand seven hundred men were made prisoners.
The moral this event teaches is, that a barge may be taken by a galley
provided the commander of the latter be an experienced person.
THE WARS OF AIDIN REIS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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