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 
