Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

THE CEUISE OF THE "DAPHNE." 139
" engages.''^ On one occasion I received information
at Mozambique that two dliows under
French colours were taking in cargoes of slaves
at Sofalo, and although we did not arrive off
that port in time to apprehend them, we had
every reason to believe that they succeeded in
taking these slaves to Madagascar.
On the 9th of September we left Tamatave,
and proceeded to the north-west end of the
island, where, after examining that part of the
coast, we steered for Mayotte, and anchored on
the 1 7th off the town, inside the extensive coral
reefs that form the harbour.
Mayotte is one of the Commoro group, consisting
of four islands, viz. Commoro, Johanna,
Mayotte, and Mohilla, which we have before
mentioned.
Each of these islands was formerly
governed, as all but Mayotte are still, by petty
chiefs calling themselves kings and sultans.
Mayotte now belongs to the French.
How did the
French obtain it ?
They hoisted their flag there,
and said, " We want this island, we therefore
take it;" and no one can say the island is worse
off than it was before ;
and they are doing all in
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