Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

154 DHOW-CHASING.
this, because Lamoo, where slaves are not really
required and which only serves as a safe startingpoint
for a vast number of them on their way
to the more northern markets, was then overstocked
with them, owing to war existing
between two tribes on opposite sides of the Juba
river north of it, which prevented the slaves
being marched over-land to Brava, Magadoxa,
and places farther north, as was generally done
to avoid the risk of capture, and then reshipped
at those places for the Persian Gulf. This route
being closed by the war, they were compelled to
convey them in dhows the whole way.
Our appearance in the harbour at this time
was calculated to make them hesitate. I gave
out publicly what my orders were on leaving
Zanzibar, namely, to proceed to Bombay—without
letting them know that I intended to
examine the coast on my way north—and to
confirm the slave-dealers in the belief of this,
I undertook to receive a freight which some
Banyans requested me to convey to Bombay,
probably with the view of ascertaining whether
I really was going there or not, never think-