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.