expedition which was to effect a landing in Catalonia, and would,
it was hoped, be joined by all the people of that province and
Arragon. By the efforts and patronage of the Duchess of Marlborough,
who was all powerful with Queen Anne, the Earl of Peterborough was
named to the command of the expedition.

The choice certainly appeared a singular one, for hitherto the
earl had done nothing which would entitle him to so distinguished
a position. Charles Mordaunt was the eldest son of John Lord Mordaunt,
Viscount Avalon, a brave and daring cavalier, who had fought heart
and soul for Charles, and had been tried by Cromwell for treason,
and narrowly escaped execution. On the restoration, as a reward for
his risk of life and fortune, and for his loyalty and ability, he
was raised to the peerage.

His son Charles inherited none of his father's steadfastness.
Brought up in the profligate court of Charles the Second he became
an atheist, a scoffer at morality, and a republican. At the same time
he had many redeeming points. He was brilliant, witty, energetic,
and brave. He was generous and strictly honorable to his word. He
was filled with a burning desire for adventure, and, at the close
of 1674, when in his seventeenth year, he embarked in Admiral
Torrington's ship, and proceeded to join as a volunteer Sir John
Narborough's fleet in the Mediterranean, in order to take part in
the expedition to restrain and revenge the piratical depredations
of the barbarous states of Tripoli and Algiers.

He distinguished himself on the 14th of January, 1675, in an attack
by the boats of the fleet upon four corsair men o' war moored under
the very guns of the castle and fort of Tripoli. The exploit was a