About this time Kazi-Zadeh, the governor of Tunis, revolted, and having excited the Arab tribes against Khair-ad-din, came and besieged Algiers. The infidels inhabiting a small island near Algiers also effected a passage, and attacked the city on one side. For six months Khair-ad-din was engaged in various battles with the besiegers, but still remained unconquered. At length, on the approach of winter, Kazi-Zadeh was under the necessity of begging a truce, and returned to Tunis. Shortly afterwards, however, he again sent an army against Algiers, under the command of his brother; but Khair-ad-din came out, and having completely routed them, sent in pursuit of the fugitives Kara Hassan, one of his attendants, who reduced all the fortresses belonging to Tunis. But Kazi-Zadeh corrupted him also, and induced him to come over to his own party. Khair-ad-din had now nothing left him but the city of Algiers; and even here the inhabitants began to be disaffected. Having discovered that it was the intention of the Arab sheikhs to leave the city, he assembled his followers, who, as about two hundred of the sheikhs were rushing towards the palace, the gate of which opened into three roads, attacked and dispersed them, taking several, whom they put in prison. The followers of Khair-ad-din recommended a general massacre in the city; but this he prevented. In the morning he assembled the citizens at the mosque, and reasoned with them. One hundred and fifty of the insurgents he sent to prison, and dismissed the others; whilst the twenty-five persons who had been the original conspirators met the fate they deserved. Peace was thus restored, which continued for two years.
A misunderstanding afterwards arose between the inhabitants of Algiers and Khair-ad-din Beg, whose troops quarrelled with the natives; and the intercourse between Algiers and the neighbouring places was interrupted. In this state of affairs, Khair-ad-din, being little better than a prisoner, determined on leaving the place; but was undecided as to taking his property with him. While he was perplexed about this matter, and was praying for direction, the Prophet (upon whom be the blessing of God!) appeared to him in a dream, and seemed to him to be commencing in person the operation of placing the warrior’s effects in a ship. At this time information had been received of the apprehension of Kara Hassan, with offers to deliver him up. Khair-ad-din, therefore, under the pretence of going to secure him, emptied his house, and in the morning loaded nine vessels with his property, and put on board his family and servants. He then called for the principal men of the town, and the men of Ibn Kazi, who wished to make peace with him, and throwing them the keys of the city, exclaimed, “The troubles of Islamism be upon your shoulders, ye wretches!” mounted his horse, and went down to his ship. That night he lay in the harbour, whilst the Algerines raised a great lamentation, and great and small came to bid him farewell, and entreated him for advice. Khair-ad-din recommended them to God, and telling them to wait three years, and that they might then go where they pleased, he weighed anchor, and sailed for Jijeli.