Free The Wanderer by Mika Waltari Page B

That is indeed what we expect of you. With empty hands you shall win back Algiers and proclaim the great admiral Khaireddin as its governor, so that he may drive out the Spaniards and obtain peace for those unhappy coasts. After that the malevolent Spaniards can no longer obstruct our naval enterprises.”  
    “Then, if as you say I am a hakjm, a physician, I forbid you to drink any more wine, for already your wits are clouded. Is not Algiers a great and mighty city, surrounded by impregnable walls?”  
    “It is indeed,” they cried in chorus. “It is a shining city on the shores of this blue sea, a flashing jewel which our commander Khaireddin desires to set beside the crescent on Sultan Suleiman’s turban, so to deserve his favor. And the whole of this city is guarded by the island fortress of the Spaniards, which blocks the entrance to the harbor and obstructs sea traffic.”
    I tore the turban from my head and cried aloud, “What curse is on me, that I must ever fall among maniacs who either cheat me or demand the impossible from me?”
    But Abu el-Kasim spoke soothingly, saying, “You are here offered the opportunity for great deeds which will bring you honor. The Hafsid rule has been marked by so many crimes, fratricides, and feuds, and such licentiousness, that its overthrow will be an act pleasing to God. Baba Aroush fell in the attempt, as also his brothers Elias and Ishak, so that now only the youngest brother Khisr, called Khaireddin, remains alive.”
    “You’ve set too many names whirling in my head at once,” I told them. “Nor do I see how you, a trafficker in cheap perfumes, can talk of this admiral as if he were your brother.”
    Sinan interposed here, to say, “The wise man hides his treasure. Never judge a man by his clothes or his seeming poverty. Even I, poor wretch, am a Jew by birth, so that I was compelled to turn Christian before I was allowed to take the turban and acknowledge the Prophet, blessed be his name.” Mastering his tears he went on, “We, who drag our bare living from the sea, are feeble enough taken singly. Storm clouds are piling up, especially in the west, and we must unite our strength and lay the foundations of solid sea power, with the support of the Sultan, so that he recognizes Khaireddin as beylerbey in Algiers and sends him a kaftan of honor and a horsetail switch. That is the simple core of the matter. We must first get Algiers into our hands, then build an arsenal and a base for operations at sea.”
    Thus it was that Sinan the Jew disclosed to me the pirates’ secret plans. There was no fault to be found with them; indeed I was bound to admit to myself that the time was ripe for their realization, now that the Emperor was waging bitter war against the French King, the Pope, and Venice. Moreover the Emperor had split his forces by frivolously sending good ships to the new countries beyond the western ocean. For my own part I cherished no very friendly feelings toward His Imperial Majesty, although I had taken part in the sack of Rome on his behalf. But neither had I any wish to lose my head for Khaireddin. I said therefore, “Muster your fleet, attack Algiers like brave men, and win it for the Sultan! The time is favorable, and I make no doubt that the Sultan will have the greatest pleasure in sending you kaftans of honor, and no doubt horses’ tails as well.”
    Both talking at once, they said, “No, no, that will never do. The inhabitants must overthrow their own ruler and summon Khaireddin to be their governor. Our forces are too weak to take the place by storm, especially with the hostile Berber tribes at our heels. We know; we have tried.”
    Abu el-Kasim said, “You shall come with me to Algiers, where you will gain a reputation as a physician. You shall also study at the mosque school and be circumcised, that you may gain the confidence of your teachers. Your brother shall earn his living as a wrestler in the market place near the mosque. If he’s