Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

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rOHTUGUESE POSSESSIONS. 221
more than twenty years ago at about seven
thousand, of which six thousand were negro
slaves ; the garrison did not number more than
two hundred, the remainder consisting chiefly
of Arabs and Banyans. The population is now
much nearer twelve thousand, the increase
being entirely in the negro population. To the
self-interest of the Banyans, and also to a
certain extent to that of the resident Arabs,
may be attributed the continued possession of
that island by the Portuguese, and were these
two races to quit it, the latter could not hold it
for a day.
Ibo Island is another Portuguese settlement
it is from four to five miles in length, and about
three miles in diameter, and is the most important
of all after Mozambique; moreover,
with the exception of a small settlement recently
made in Tongy Bay, Cape Delgado, for the
purpose of collecting certain customs' dues,
Ibo is the northernmost of the Portuguese ports;
but they are not likely to retain their hold of
Tongy Bay long, however, for it depends on
the caprice of the natives, who are always very