Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

120 DHOW-CHASING.
with slaves on board without a licence there.
Jumah landing at the town in one of them to
obtain information from his friends for our
guidance.
On the afternoon of the 2nd August, the
cutter chased a dhow, and on boarding found
a cargo of forty slaves in her. The dhow was
brought alongside, and the papers retained
until Jumah' s return to examine them, which
when he did he found her licensed to convey
thirty-nine slaves only. Among the forty was
a small laughing infant on the back of its
mother, and who appeared to be of about
that age when, as I have heard in England,
they are " beginning to take notice." Through
the interpreter, I asked the owner how- it was
he had one slave more than he ought to
have.
" One infant very small," he rephed.
«'
Well, that doesn't exempt it from the tax.
Why isn't it included in the papers ?"
" It was born since leaving Zanzibar."
" How long since you left ?"
" Three days, sir."