CHAPTER V
THE WASPS AT WORK
But if Barbarossa was dead, his sagacious brother
Kheyr-ed-din was ready to take up his work, and he
proceeded on more scientific principles. He began
by sending an ambassador to Constantinople, and begged
protection for the province of Algiers. This, having been
granted, he was appointed officially, in 1519, Governor of
Algiers. His next step was to reinforce his garrisons at
different parts of the coast and so secure his territory from
attacks by sea. And in order to make for safety on the
southern or landward side, he entered into alliances with
the leading Arabian tribes up-country.
He was thus about as secure as it was possible for human diplomacy and organisation to achieve. His ships could still go on their piratical cruises and return with little enough risk. In vain did the Spaniards send an Armada against him. The men indeed landed, but they were driven back, and a storm springing up did the rest. Gradually more and more seaports fell into the net of this corsair, so there were plenty of harbours to run for, plenty of safe shelters whither to bring the valuable prizes. It was not merely the middle or the eastern end of the Mediterranean which was now harassed, but the west end. Those were the days, you will remember, when Spain was developing the
