xxxii APPENDIX III.

for you every blessing, declaring that his wish is that you may preserveyour health. Come qnickly to us with our servants, and assure yourselvesthat nothing shall be done but what will be agreeable to you, and willrejoice your hearts with a happy welcome and reception ; and receive fromus honour, justice, and safety.”

Besides this letter, we had another, full of the same kindness, fromSignor George Braco,* of Scio, a Greek schismatic, and treasurer of theEmperor , which is as follows :

“ Honour to God alone.—To the three present friends, noble country-men, honoured and beloved physicians, who come from Grand Cairo, weannounce health and safety, protesting that ye need have no more fear.We thank God for your safe arrival, and that, having escaped the dangersof the sea, and of men, you are come to us. All that you have desired cameto the ears of the Emperor , who graciously consents to your wishes, andsends his servants to take charge for your security and defence. Do notdelay to come quickly. God, the Almighty God, forward you on yourway ! Peace be to you ! I am, and shall remain your true friend.”

Comforted and secured by these letters, the Governor could no longerdetain us ; so with gratitude to the Lord for freedom once more out of thehands of the Turks, on the 25th of February, 1752, we departed from Messava,the last port in the Red Sea , But our sufferings and disasters did not endhere ; for as there are no regular roads in this country, our way lay overhigh mountains, deep vallies, and through impenetrable woods, in passingwhich we encountered many dangers, and grievous hardships. More thanonce we were obliged to climb the tops of the mountains on our hands andfeet, which were sorely rent and torn with brambles and thorny bushes. Noprovisions being here procurable, travellers are obliged to carry the meal fortheir bread. No house, nor inn, being found here, every body is obliged tolie in the open air, exposed to the depradations of robbers, and liable everymoment to become the prey of wolves, lions, tigers, and beasts of a similardescription, which are almost continually met with, of all which I shall ceaseto speak, from the horror and dread with which the very thought of themstill afflicts me. I shall only say, that in the course of this most hazardous

* A brother of Petros, whom Mr. Bruce mentions.