coasts, the
implacable Corsairs of Barbary. For, however great may be the dangers of
which we have just spoken, and no matter now many examples they may see
of the fury and inconstancy of Neptune, they cease not their irritating
performances, kindling warfare in all the coasts of the Christian
nations. It is there that they exercise their infamous piracies, and
there also that they glory in the most shameful of all commerce--the
trade of the brigand.

"Which in all towns that are well policed have always met with a swift
and just retribution, because the law is ordained against those who
maintain such practices.

"But such does not happen among these pirates.

"On the contrary, it may truthfully be said that, while in towns in
which good persons dwell good actions receive the palms and the crown,
it is among the Corsairs but to the wicked to whom are given recompense
and praise.

"In effect the most determined among them--I mean the most unworthy
robbers who are best versed in all the infamies of their trade and most
accustomed to the practice of violence--are those who are covered with
honours, and who pass in the estimation of their fellows for men of
heart and courage.

"Indeed experience has taught all Christian merchants that the infidels
of the coast of Barbary are all brigands.

"Among these those of Algiers carry off the prize for riches, for ships,
for strength, and for villainy."

The bachelor in theology is somewhat sweeping in his criticisms, and his
meaning is, perhaps, somewhat clearer than his grammar. One thing, however,
is perfectly plain, that, in the opinion of the reverend brother, those who
go to sea are to be divided into two categories, rogues and fools, with a
strong preponderance of the worse Element of the two.

Of the corsairs dealt with in this record of their deeds the two
Barbarossas were the sons of a Mohammedan father and a Christian mother.
Dragut Reis was a pure Mohammedan, and Ali Basha was a pure-blooded
Italian. All these men, as will be seen, raised themselves to eminence in
the profession of piracy; in each and every separate case starting at the
very bottom rung of the ladder and rising, by sheer stress of valour and
character, to the very top. Each in turn became Admiralissimo to the Grand
Turk at Constantinople. Kheyr-ed-Din Barbarossa commanded the Ottoman fleet
at the great battle of Prevesa, at which he met with his li