Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

254s
DHOW-CHASING.
posed in proportion to their symmetry, witli
barely a yard of clotli around their hips, with
rows of girls from the age of twelve and
upwards exposed to the examination of throngs
of Arabs, and subject to inexpressible indignities
by the brutal dealers. On entering the market
on one occasion we saw several Arab slavedealers
around these poor creatures ;
they were
in treaty for the purchase of three or four
women, who had been made to take off the only
rag of a garment which they wore. On catching
sight of English faces there was a commotion
amongst the Arabs, and the women were
hurried off round a corner out of sight. And
this is the only expression of shame that occurs
on the part of these slave-dealers, who, knowing
the opinions of the English respecting the
trade, are unwilling that they should detect
them in the perpetration of all their enormities.
Bidding farewell to Zanzibar, to the east
coast of Africa, and to all kind friends we had
found there; bidding farewell also to Arabs and
half-caste Arabs, to Portuguese and half-caste
Portuo;uese, to Banyans and half-caste Banyans;