Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

CEUISE OF THE " CASTOE's " BOATS. 17
nioi^ning of the 15tli, when the boats were
hoisted out,
manned, and armed, in preparation
for exploring the river the next day.
It will be remembered that at this time
slavery had not been abohshed in the United
States, South America, Portugal, or the Spanish
settlements, therefore there was a large trade
going on with these countries from the east
coast of Africa, which, being considered safer
than the west coast for the slavers, owing to the
number of cruisers on the latter station, although
the distance was greater, was for a long time
tlie favourite coast for shipping the slaves, both
with the Spanish and American traders. These
vessels were generally disguised as whalers
until a fitting opportunity presented itself, and
when they thought the road was clear they
would anchor at the entrance of a river and,
aided by the dhows, in one night would take
in cargoes of several hundreds of slaves, and be
far off the coast the next morning. At that
time there were so few cruisers in this part,
and the slavers were kept so well informed as
to then" movements, that capture was improc