same style. The Naybe was dressed in an old shabby Turkish habit, much too short for him, and on his head he wore a Turkish cowke, or cap.

In the afternoon, Bruce went to pay his respects to him, and found him sitting in a large elbow, chair, from which two files of naked savages formed an avenue that reached to the door. The Naybe was a tall, thin, black man, with a large mouth and nose; he had no beard, save a scanty tuft of grey hairs on the point of his chin; his eyes were large and heavy; a malicious, contemptuous smile sat on his countenance. His character perfectly corresponded with his appearance; for he was a man of no abilities, cruel to excess, brutal, avaricious, and, moreover, a great drunkard.

It was to this creature that Bruce presented a firman, which the greatest pasha in the Turkish empire would have kissed and carried to his forehead. The Naybe took it, as well as the various letters which accompanied it, in both his hands, and laying them unopened by his side- You should have brought a moullah (an interpreter) with you,' he said to Bruce. Do you think I shall read all these letters ?-why, it would take me a month!' Just as you please!' replied

Bruce.

A dead silence followed this laconic remark: at last Bruce offered his presents, and then took his leave, little pleased with his reception, and heartily rejoicing that the despatches which had been sent to Janni were now far beyond the power of the Naybe.

The inhabitants of Masuah, which, like the

whole of the low coast of the Red Sea, is at all times a most unhealthy spot, were sinking under the small-pox in such numbers, that the living were scarcely able to bury the dead; and the whole island, night and day, resounded with shrieks and lamentations. Bruce, on this account, had suppressed his character of physician, fearing lest he should be detained by the multitude of the sick.

On the 15th of October, the Naybe despatched the vessel which had brought Bruce to Masuah; and this evidence or spy upon his own conduct was no sooner out of the way, than that very night he sent a message to Bruce, desiring that he would prepare for him a handsome present: he even gave a list of the articles he required, which he desired might be made up in three parcels, to be delivered to him on three separate days. The first parcel was to be given to him as Naybe of Arkeeko, the second as the representative of the Grand Seignor, and the third for having passed the baggage, particularly the quadrant, gratis and unopened.

It is always worse than useless to yield to the impositions of a savage; for in his presence he who bends must also break. Under these circumstances, firmness can hardly be called courage; for it is rather a desperate means of preserving life and property. Bruce replied, that having the firman of the Grand Seignor, and letters from the Sherriffe of Mecca, it was mere generosity which had induced him to give any present at all; that he was not a trafficker who bought and sold; that he had no merchandise on board; and, therefore,

that he had no customs to pay. Upon this, the Naybe sent for Bruce to his house, where he found him in a most violent passion: many words passed on both sides; at last, the Naybe peremptorily declared, that unless Bruce paid him three hundred ounces of gold, he would confine him in a dungeon, without light, air, or meat, until his bones came through his skin.'

'Since you have broken your faith,' replied Bruce undauntedly, with the Grand Seignor, the government of Cairo, the Pasha of Jidda, and the Sherriffe of Mecca, you will, no doubt, do as you please with me; but you may expect to see the English man-of-war, the Lion, before Arkeeko some morning before daybreak!

'I should be glad,' exclaimed the Naybe, holding out his hand, to see that man at Arkeeko or Masuah that would carry as much writing from you to Jidda as would lie upon my thumb-nail. I would strip his shirt off first, then his skin, and then hang him before your door, to teach you more wisdom.'

'But my wisdom,' replied Bruce,' has already taught me to prevent all this. My letter is already gone to Jidda! and if, in twenty days from this, another letter from me does not follow it, you will see what will arrive. In the meantime, I here announce it to you, that I have letters from the Sherriffe of Mecca to Ras Michael, Governor of Tigré, and to the King of Abyssinia; let me, therefore, continue my journey!'

What, Michael too!' muttered the Naybe, writhing under the conviction that Bruce had overreached him; 'then go your journey,' he

maliciously added, and think of the ill that is before you!'

On the 29th of October, the Naybe again came from Arkeeko to Masuah, and sent for Bruce, who found him in a large room, like a barn, with about sixty of his janissaries and officers of state, all naked. The first question which the Naybe asked Bruce was, 'what the comet meant, and why it had appeared?' He added, the first time it was visible it brought the small-pox, which killed about one thousand people in Masuah and Arkeeko. It is known you conversed with it every night at Loheia. It has now followed you here, to finish the few that remain; and then they say you are to carry it with you into Abyssinia. What have you to do with the comet?' To this strange, barbarous speech Bruce was about to reply, when some one present said he had been informed that Bruce was going to Ras Michael, to teach the Abyssinians to make cannon and gunpowder, in order to attack Masuah. Five or six others spoke loudly in the same strain; and, surrounded by such a crowd of naked savages-savages in every sense of the word-Bruce would most probably at this moment have ended his travels and his life, had it not been for the precautions he had taken in bringing proper letters to Masuah, and in sending others from it, which placed the Naybe between two batteries, the fire of which he trembled to incur. 'Dog of a Christian!' exclaimed one of the company, putting his hand to his knife, if the Naybe wished to murder you, could he not do it here this minute?' 'No!' exclaimed another voice from the crowd,' he could not! I would

not suffer it. Achmet is the stranger's friend, and has to-day recommended me to see that no injury be done him. Achmet is ill, or he would have been here himself!'

Bruce now turned upon his heel, and without form or ceremony, walked out of the barn. He had scarcely dined, when a servant came with a letter from Achmet (who was at Arkeeko), telling him how ill he had been, and how much surprise he had felt at his refusal to see him-he concluded, by desiring that the bearer should take charge of Bruce's gate, until he could come himself to Masuah. Bruce now discovered the falsehood and treachery of the Naybe, and resolved to follow Achmet's instructions. At midnight, his gate was attacked, but declaring he would fire, the assassins retired.

On the 4th of November, Bruce went to Arkeeko, and found Achmet in his own house, ill of an intermitting fever, which had the very worst symptoms; however, he prescribed for, and remained with his patient, until he was free from the disorder. On the 6th, in the morning, while at breakfast, he was rejoiced to hear that three servants had arrived from Tigré. One was from Janni, the Greek officer of the customs at Adoua; the other two were evidently servants of Ras Michael, or rather of the king, both wearing the red short cloak lined and turned up with mazarine blue, which is the badge of the royal retinue.

Ras Michael's letters to the Naybe were very short. He said the king's health was bad, that he wondered why a physician sent to him from Arabia was not at once allowed to proceed to