Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

286 DHOW-CHASING.
Sultan of Zanzibar. The best spot for tliis
purpose would be the line of coast from Darra
Salaam, inclusive, to the south entrance of the
Lufigy river ;
this would embrace a line of coast
about eighty-five miles in length.^
Darra Salaam, which I propose to make the
main station, and which is represented in an
engraving taken from a photograph, is on the
left bank at the mouth of the Kingani River
it is as healthy a place as could be selected on
the coast, certainly more so than the island of
Zanzibar, and could be improved by forming
reservoirs for fresh water, into which vegetable
matter could not find its way. At this place
should be stationed one native
Indian regiment
of foot and a large detachment of horse, with a
detachment of fifty or a hundred volunteers
from acclimatized European troops in India.
Uarra Salaam should be the basis of operations
in Eastern Africa, and the only depot for
^
Although this would include the island of Monfia, that
island would be of no use; it being perfectly uninhabitable,
owing to an extensive lagoon and quantities of fever-producing
mangrove-trees and marshes. No natives can live on
this island.