Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

402 APPENDIX.
East ;
in fact, such cleanliness as is to be found
there in the houses and streets, is
seldom met
with even in Europe. The streets are wide,
and very much in straight lines. The private
houses of the native citizens have only one
story, but are cheerful, light, and most carefully
looked after in every way, although the owners
are only farmers who keep oxen, sheep, and
goats. This town is very striking from the
number of watch-towers in the walls which
surround its many palatial houses ; also many
houses with two and three stories built
by rich
Arabians of the higher classes who reside at
Mecca, but who here spend, very agreeably, the
hot months, which would be unbearable in
Mecca : it is these richer classes who purchase
slaves to look after their gardens, and who
attract the dealers. This seems to be the last
point where Abyssinian slaves, i. e. those who
come from Abyssinia, are sold.
" Tayf is about 100 English miles from Gedda.
There I found slaves who were stolen, Abyssinian
Christians converted to Mohammedanism.
In Wadi Thama I found a small nomad race,
old Ethiopians, or are they freed Abyssinian
slaves of past generations ? The root of their
dialect is Gees.
" Tayf lies at the beginning, or rather the end
of the paradise-like portion of Arabia. Imme-