Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

298 APPENDIX.
aggerated, perhaps, that for every slave brought
to Zanzibar there is a loss of four or five
additional lives ? "— " No, I think it is not exaggerated;
they are better taken care of, of
course, after they reach Zanzibar; there, they
become comparatively happy. I do not even
think they would return to then' own country if
they had the offer to do so; but the land
journey is very trying, and in the course of it
they are subjected to great cruelty, as is also
the case when they are carried by sea, particularly
when they fall into the hands of the
northern Arabs."
298. " What are the last accounts you have
had from Zanzibar as to the slave-trade ? "
" They are very bad ; from a private letter I have
received, I learn that the slave-trade had increased
in activity ; the policy of Seyd Burgash
towards the British agency had also altered ;
was at first rather frightened at the attitude of
the agency towards him; he did not know
exactly what the British Government might do,
and he was particularly anxious to please ; but
afterwards, seeing that nothing came of the
insolent language he had held immediately after
his accession, he changed about again, and
became as insolent as ever ;
he
as far as the slavetrade
is concerned, I believe he has not changed
his views."