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58 On reaching the Fiji Islands the Captain asked Bruce if he chose to go ashore and remain there; but the latter, knowing the barbarous and sanguinary character of the islanders, indignantly refused. Leaving this place, they sailed for Malacca, where the captain and Bruce went on shore, and the latter, in hopes of seeing the governor or commanding officer to whom he might state his grievances, remained all night; but next morning the unhappy Bruce found that the captain of the ship had treacherously sailed, carrying his wife to Penang.

After remaining at Malacca for some weeks, Bruce set out in quest of the ship, and obtained a passage to Penang, where, upon his arrival, he found that his wife had been bartered away to another officer. On waiting upon the governor of Penang, he was asked what satisfaction he required for the ill treatment he had experienced. Bruce answered that all he wanted was to have his wife restored, and to get a passage to New Zealand. This the governor was, happily, able to accomlish [sic]. His wife, who had been so unjustifiably detained by force, was restored to him; and with her he returned to Malacca in the hope of a promised passage to New South Wales. But the opportunity was missed. Poor Bruce indeed was doomed to much wandering before he finally returned to that country where the cause of the long absence of himself and his wife was still unknown. He returned to Penang, and thence to Bengal, where he and his wife, whose story had become known, were received with great kindness and hospitality, and an opportunity having afterwards occurred, they at length obtained a passage to New South Wales, and from thence to New Zealand, where they were joyfully received. Bruce