Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

86 DHOW-CHASING.
ments.
It did not surprise us to hear the next
morning, what some w^ho had served in the ship
from the beginning had predicted, that the
master had been sent for at dayhght and
ordered to steer for the northward again, but
that the doctor had not been required since the
first visit. It is due, however, to the memory
of the Commodore to state that whenever an
ojB&cer became seriously ill, as some did, he had
him brought to his cabin and supplied him with
wine and other luxuries, which he alone by
that time possessed, and without which these
officers could not have recovered.
It was a few days after the above occurrence,
about 8 p.m., when off the river Mazemba (all
the boats being away, each in charge of one
of the lieutenants of the ship), that a vessel was
reported to the windward, steering towards us,
with studding-sails set. There was no question
at the time but that it was the vessel we were
in search of, and as soon as she was seen—it
was just becoming dark—all sail was shortened
and the ship hove to, the topsails lowered on
the cap to prevent her seeing us. It was dark