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406 numbers of the Turkish fleet which fought at Lepanto. There were galleys to the number of two hundred and fifty or thereabouts, and a following of smaller craft. Altogether, the Infidels had a more numerous fleet; but they had not ships so powerful as the League's heaviest, and their artillery was less effective. Ali Pasha was in command. Hassan Pasha, who had been viceroy of Algiers; Mahomet Sirocco Pasha, Governor of Alexandria; and Hamet Bey, Governor of Negropont, were his chief officers. Aluch Ali, viceroy of Algiers, commanded the squadron of his province.

In one respect the Sultan's fleet had an immense advantage over its antagonist fleet. Every captain in it obeyed the will of one man, and had no desire but for such a result as would give the greatest satisfaction. Whereas, in the allied fleet of the League, every admiral was solicitous for the honour of his own flag, and the advantage of his own nation. This inherent weakness, the source of much trouble and danger, would have been fatal, had it not been rectified by the tact, courtesy, and determination of Don John of Austria.

Before the fleets left Messina, Don John was assailed by a perplexity in which the mind of a weaker man would certainly have been misled. He became aware that the old Spanish officers were very much disposed to avoid a battle, at any rate for some time. They thought that the interests and the reputation of Spain would suffer more by a defeat or a disadvantage than they could gain by a victory. They were impressed by the belief that the Infidel fleet was far more powerful than that of the League. Their counsel, therefore, was to observe and impede the enemy as much as possible, without staking everything upon the issue of a fleet action; and to use any opportunity that might present itself of capturing squadrons or seizing seaports. The counsellors who thus spoke and wrote, knew of course full well that the Pope's heart was set upon inflicting, with the great armament, a signal punishment on the heathen; also that it was matter of life or death to Venice, whether the power of the Turk should or should not now be effectually broken. Yet it was their selfish policy to give little heed to the needs or wishes of Spain's allies, and to act solely with a view to the interests of Spain herself. Now Don John was a very young man, and, though Captain-General of the League, he was also the brother of the King of Spain. It is therefore highly to his honour, that in these the early days of his expedition he put from him selfish and partial considerations, and determined to carry out loyally the great designs of the League; and that he assured Veniero and Colonna of his determination to seek the enemy for the purpose of bringing him to action.

Don John now issued special and detailed instructions to the fleet, which were to regulate the discipline, the order of sailing, and especially to govern officers in a general action with the enemy. After that, the great forest of masts left the harbour, and proceeded, by what we should call very easy cruises, to Corfu. Here intelligence, on which the chiefs thought they could rely, was received to the effect that the Turkish fleet was somewhere in the Gulf of Lepanto. Hereupon was called a council of war, which was numerously attended, and wherein it was earnestly debated whether,