CHAPTER XIX
THE LAST OF THE ALGERINE CORSAIRS
And now let us take a final look at that pestilential
spot, Algiers. We have seen how that during the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it had been constantly
attacked and conquered, but before long the Algerines
had again broken out into piracy. So soon as their
invaders withdrew their forces the corsairs rebuilt their
walls, fitted out their new craft and went roving the seas
and harassing innocent ships. They had pillaged the coast-*line
of the French Riviera, burning and killing and destroying
in their ruthless manner. And then the French had been
compelled to send Admiral Du Quesne against them, who
had bombarded the place for a time until bad weather had
caused him to withdraw his ships from Algiers.
The pirate trouble had therefore begun afresh, and the Dey had sent to Louis the impudent message that if the French monarch would give him half the money the last French expedition had cost, the Dey would be pleased to burn down his city! So once more Du Quesne had been sent out, who had bombarded Algiers and caused wholesale destruction. Then he had consented to cease firing and discuss terms, but in the meantime the Dey had been assassinated by his own followers, who now elected a new one and ordered the Algerine flag to be re-hoisted on their
