Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

112 DHOW-CHASING.
vessels arrived at Zanzibar with the number
of slaves on board in excess of those specified
in its papers, it is not in the power of a manof-war
to board her without the special permission
of the Sultan himself, which he never
gives unless to meet his own interests against
those of the northern Arabs. Dhows full of
slaves may be anchored in Zanzibar harbour in
such numbers as to surround the English flag
carried by our cruisers, who cannot touch
them. In the China seas, should a Chinese
junk attack and rob another, we call the crew
pirates, attack them, and hand them over to the
authorities for execution; yet this infinitely worse
piracy is covered by a treaty on the part of
a despicable petty Arab chief, who, if w^e
withdrew our protection would be murdered
the next day, and his territory transferred to
another; unless, indeed, some other European
nation than the English should step in, and, without
the same sentimental respect for territory
possessed and governed by those through whom
it is made a curse to all mankind, civilized and
unciviHzed, take possession of it themselves,