Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

210 DHOW-CHASING.
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Master Charlie, do we not remember
well your downcast head and your eyes watching
us so narrowly and furtively out of their
corners for fear we should discover some
mistaJces in your long and numerous bills.
Well, well ! we would have said nothing about
you, had it not been implied by a recent visitor
to Zanzibar that he should have selected your
society on the island, next to that of Mr.
Webb's, if the latter had failed him ; but though
your "arrack" and tobacco may be preferred
to the " British Consul's " mild " wine and
cigars," yet, knowing the agreeable and enlightened
people that are always to be met
with there ready to welcome strangers of their
own more refined tastes and manners, we do
not think the expressed predilection in favour
of Mr. Webb much of a compliment to the
distinguished American Consul.
There was never any delay on the part of
Master Charlie in the execution of orders ; he
had fully learned by experience the uncertainty
of an English cruiser's movements—very often
sudden and unexpected at Zanzibar—and the