36 MEMOIR OF BRUCE. 



purchased at Algiers, the Arabs mistook him for a 

 Turk ; and after many kicks and curses, they stript 

 their defenceless and half-dead victim, leaving him 

 in a state of nudity on the sand. Suspecting the 

 true cause of his misusage (the Arabs detest the 

 Turks), he contrived to let the robbers know that 

 he was a poor Christian physician, a dervish going 

 about doing good, and wrecked while on his way 

 to Greece to get bread. This information pro- 

 cured him better treatment ; the Sheik or chief of 

 the tribe ordered him a plentiful supper, where he 

 had the happiness to meet his attendants. Camels 

 were then brought, and the whole party proceeded 

 to Bengazi ; here Bruce wrote to the Sheik, entreat- 

 ing him to endeavour to fish up his cases and in- 

 struments from the wreck ; but this was not effected, 

 though a handsome reward was offered, and he lost 

 by this importune accident a sextant, telescope, 

 time-piece, a small camera obscura, several guns, 

 pistols, drawings, with many of his notes and ob- 

 servations. 



After being detained at Bengazi about two 

 months, Bruce obtained a passage in a small French 

 sloop, the master of which he had known at Algiers ; 

 and bidding farewell to Africa, he landed at Crete, 

 where in consequence of his exertion in the waves, 

 he was seized with an obstinate ague, and for some 

 days lay dangerously ill. From Crete he sailed to 

 Rhodes, where he had the pleasure to find his books 

 and instruments. Being desirous to view some 

 magnificent ruins on the coast of Caramania in 



