A FEARLESS ADMIRAL.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 294, 28 May 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

A FEARLESS ADMIRAL.

Admiral Keitel possessed a coolness of address and ready wit which on mora than one occasion stood him in good stead. A veiy difficult busine.s was imposed upon him at tho time he was in command of the Mi di err .nean Squadron. Tl e Dey of Algiers openly permitted piracy on the part of the Algerines, until at length the English Ministry was aroused to action, and the Admiral was instructed to demand satisfaction for the taking of some richly-laden ships which had been carried into Algiers. No man knew better than Keppel how to take a decided course. Sailing into the Bay of Algiers, the Admiral's ship let go her anchors right in front of the Dey's palace. Keppel's liig was rowed ashore, and, attended only by his boat's crew and one or two officers 1 , he walked up to the palace and demanded an audience. After some delay this was granted, and the Admiral stated his case to the ruler of Algerines, and informed him that the King of England required immediate sa isfaction for the mischief which he had done. Per a moment the Dey was speechless with rage. Thou he exclaimed that he wondered at the English King's insolence in sending such a message by " a beardless boy." The Admiral cooly replied that if wisdom was to be measured by the length of the beard doubtless His Britannic Majesty " would have sent the Dey a he-goat." Beside himself with fuiy, the Dey shouted to his slaves to come with the bowstring, telling Admiral Keppel tint he would piy for the insult with his life. The Admiral strode across tho chamber, and pointed to the British fleet riding at anchor in the Bay. Put me to death," he said in calm tones. " There are enough Englishmen in that squadron to make me a glorious funeral pile." The Dey looked at the Admiral, and then at the fleet. The hint was too strong to be ignored, and the Admiral not only returned to his ship iu safety, but full satisfaction was immediately afterwards made.