Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

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rORTUGUESE TOSSESSIONS. 249
bed. Through the interpreter I promised that
everything should be * arranged so that she
should receive what was due to her late husband
through the Consul, and answered many of
her questions about poor Jumah's death, &c.
She seemed glad to
see me, and though unable
to speak English appeared to understand it a
little. During this conversation she drew the
curtains on one side, and then I saw that she
was dressed and sitting in the middle of the
bed. I asked her, through Abdala, how long
she was going to remain there.
"Five months," she replied.
Five months on that bed ?"
"Yes," she said; "that is the proper time
for those of my religion to remain on their
mourning."
"Well, what then?"
" Oh !
then I get married again."
bed
This, I suppose, was a calculation she had
made on the prospect of the pay and prizemoney
to be paid to her, and, after such a
calmly expressed intention, I thought she was
likely to mourn with very natural tears the
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