Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

THE CRUISE OF THE " OASTOE." 83
liut,
and what was more serious to tliem, for the
huts can be built in a few days again, cut some
of their cocoa-nut-trees down, which take seven
years, after being planted as young trees, to
produce fruit. They seldom build the huts
excepting where the trees are well grown.
It will not be necessary to dwell longer on
the cruise of the " Castor." It would throw
no light on, and convey no idea of the present
condition of the slave-trade. ^Ye were not
fortunate in making any captures, the destruction
of two slave-dhows by the boats being the
only success we had met with.
The " Pantaloon"
and " Orestes," were more fortunate,
however, having taken two or three American
or Spanish ships, one or two of which were
full of slaves. The monotony of an unsuccessful
cruise up and down the coast affords but
little to write about, I must not neglect to
mention, however, that towards the close of
this cruise, the climate, the water, the short
allowances of provisions, and the constant boatwork
had by that time produced such
an effect
on the crew, that in December or January,
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