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The Commerce struck near Cape Bojador on August 28, 1815. The whole crew reached shore but the Arabs forced them back to the wreck. They repaired the boat and after their second landing near Cape Barba, they were captured and enslaved by Arabs. After many adventures Riley was ransomed by the British consul in Mogadore. This was one of the most popular books of the 19th century in the United States, probably because of interest in the Arab countries developed in the wars with the Barbary States, and because of its interesting reverse view of slavery. Sabin 71389