There was the utmost consternation among the Tuscans, and the alarm extended even to Rome, inasmuch as some of Rupert's prizes had been sold in the Papal States.

A disembarcation of the English heretics and even their march to Rome did not seem impossible; and Tuscans and Romans were greatly relieved when the Grand Duke paid L60,000 and the Pope 20,000 pistoles (L14,000), and Blake retired.

His next call was at Tunis, where there were accounts with the Dey.

That Mussulman having pointed to his forts, and dared Blake to do his worst, there was a tremendous bombardment on the 3rd of April, 1655, reducing the forts to ruins, followed by the burning of the Dey's entire war-squadron of nine ships.

This sufficed not only for Tunis, but also for Tripoli and Algiers.