The like treaties existed with the English, but had been very little
heeded by the Algerines till recently, when the possession of Gibraltar
and Minorca had provided harbours for British ships, which exercised a
salutary supervision over these Southern sea-kings. The last Dey, Baba
Hali, had been a wise and prudent man, anxious to repress outrage, and
to be on good terms with the two great European powers; but he had died
in the spring of the current year, 1718, and the temper of his
successor, Mehemed, had not yet been proved.

Madame de Bourke had some trust in the Dutch Reis, renegade though he
was. She had given him her beautiful watch, set with brilliants, and
he had taken it with a certain gruff reluctance, declaring that he did
not want it,--he was ready enough to serve her without such a toy.

Nevertheless the lady thought it well to impress on each and all, in
case of any separation or further disaster, that their appeal must be
to the French Consul, explaining minutely the forms in which it should
be made.

'I cannot tell you,' she said to Arthur, 'how great a comfort it is to
me to have with me a gentleman, one of intelligence and education to
whom I can confide my poor children. I know you will do your utmost to
protect them and restore them to their father.'

'With my very heart's blood, Madame.'

'I hope that may not be asked of you, Monsieur,' she returned with a
faint smile,--'though I fear there may be much of perplexity and
difficulty in the way before again rejoining him. You see where I have
placed our passports? My daughter knows it likewise; but in case of