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Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

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—<br />

PORTUGUESE POSSESSIONS. 223<br />

always an Arab near who flies Arab colours, and<br />

allows the Portuguese ensign to sport <strong>in</strong> the<br />

w<strong>in</strong>d on the pr<strong>in</strong>ciple that, " it pleases him and<br />

does not hurt me." But this is not always<br />

tolerated, and I could quote several <strong>in</strong>stances<br />

to prove the utter powerlessness of the<br />

Portuguese<br />

to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> their hold of this coast, if the<br />

natives were to make a determ<strong>in</strong>ed effort to<br />

expel them.<br />

In the Blue Book of<br />

1870, a despatch from<br />

Mr. Pakenham, report<strong>in</strong>g the capture of a cargo<br />

of slaves <strong>in</strong> Madagascar, gives the defence of<br />

the capta<strong>in</strong> of the vessel <strong>in</strong> the follow<strong>in</strong>g terms :<br />

" <strong>The</strong> K<strong>in</strong>g of Sangazy at Mozambique (that is<br />

a native), had sent them on board," &c.,<br />

show<strong>in</strong>g that the Portuguese had not then<br />

possession of this place. But we have had<br />

more serious proofs <strong>in</strong> circumstances unpleasantly<br />

affect<strong>in</strong>g ourselves, that the Arabs<br />

are <strong>in</strong> actual possession of the country, for<br />

<strong>in</strong>stance, our boats<br />

are frequently attacked on<br />

the coast; I have already mentioned one or<br />

two occurrences of this k<strong>in</strong>d, but a more recent<br />

and positive <strong>in</strong>stance occurred <strong>in</strong> the year 1864,

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