Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

THE ORUISE OF THE '* DAPHNE." 203
It is one of the principal markets on the
Arabian coast to which dhows proceed when,
caught by the n.e. monsoon and unable to
get farther towards Muscat. After leaving the
African coast they cross over from Cape Guardafui
to Maculla, which bears N.w. of that Cape,
where they sell their slaves, some of whom may
find their w^ay to other places by land, but the
greatest number remain there until the change
of the monsoon again, when they are sent to
the Persian Gulf.
Maculla is
a genuine Arab town, the houses
square built, with white-washed walls, giving
the outside some appearance of cleanliness in
the distance, but within the town, and within
most of those houses, are filth and misery of
every kind.
The country round is a barren, dried up
mountainous district, with no vestigfe of
vegetation to be seen anywhere near it from the
sea. I went on shore to call on the Sheik, who
appeared to be rather alarmed at our appearance,
as he had unpleasant recollections of
H.M.S. "Highflyer" having about two years
p 2