The Emperor had resolved to send troops from Milan, by way of Genoa, to reinforce Count Mercy, and, knowing the extreme slowness of the Germans, the Admiral resolved to superintend the business personally. On August 23 he returned to Naples, arriving at Genoa on September 7. He found everything extremely backward. After much worry and almost incredible trouble, what with persuasion and threats, he got seven thousand men on board the transports and brought them to Messina. The whole army was overjoyed to see a man who always brought them relief and succour. Count Mercy had returned from Reggio, but with the ball not yet extracted. He was delighted at the Admiral’s success in bringing him help. It decided the fate of the citadel, which surrendered after a siege of ninety-one days. The Spanish General then fortified the almost impregnable position at Castro Giovanni; but Count Mercy and the Admiral thought it more important to occupy Palermo, and while operations for that purpose were being pushed forward the Spaniards offered to evacuate Sicily on terms. Early in 1720 the news arrived that Philip V. had given up his ambitious projects and joined the Quadruple Alliance. Sicily and Sardinia were to be evacuated by the Spaniards within two months. During May and June the Spanish troops were embarked in transports at Termini and sent to Barcelona. The Duke of Savoy was then put into quiet possession of Sardinia. Thus the work was completed for the execution of which the British fleet under Sir George Byng had been sent to the Mediterranean. The English Admiral certainly deserves the highest credit. He was diligent in preparing his measures, attending to every detail himself. In action he was alike careful and energetic. His patience under the most trying circumstances was inexhaustible. He was most successful as a diplomatist, and at length he acquired such influence that he was looked to as an umpire in the numerous misunderstandings and disputes of rival commanders. Thus the service that was entrusted to him, a most harassing and difficult service, was performed with remarkable ability and complete success. On his return he was created Viscount Torrington, and in 1733 he died in harness as First Lord of the Admiralty. Minorca played an unostentatious but very important part in this campaign. Without that base for refitting the ships and refreshing the men the difficulties of Admiral Byng would have been increased tenfold. CHAPTER V Minorca under British rule