34 
MEMOIR OF BRUCE. 
correcting his sketches. During these journeys* 
his health was good, notwithstanding the heat of 
the climate ; the only annoyance to which he was 
exposed was an attack of a tribe of plundering 
Arabs. From Tunis he set out for Tripoli, travelling 
along the coast; the only incidents of importance 
that occurred on the route were his falling in with 
the Haj or pilgrim caravan on its way to Mecca in 
Arabia, and his being assailed by a party of Arab 
horsemen, who were repulsed with considerable 
difficulty. 
At Tripoli he was hospitably received by the 
British consnl, a countryman of his own, the Ho- 
nourable Mr. Fraser of Lovat ; but in consequence 
of some misunderstanding between the Pasha and 
Mr. Fraser, our traveller found it absolutely neces- 
sary for him to return to Tunis, until the differences 
with the Barbary States were adjusted. In August 
1766, he again set out from Tunis, crossing the 
desart by Sfax and Gerba, and arrived in safety at 
Tripoli. He then despatched an English servant 
to Smyrna with his books, drawings, and super- 
numerary instruments, to await his arrival. 
Crossing the gulf of Sydra (the Syrtis Major), 
Bruce visited Bengazi, but he found the whole 
district in a state of lawless disorder, owing to the 
mismanagement of the governor, who was brother 
to the Bey of Tripoli. Quitting this dreadful scene, 
and travelling over the greater part of the Penta- 
polis, he visited the ruins of Orsinoe ; but discovering 
nothing of interest there, nor at Barca, he proceeded 
