Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

APPENDIX. 407
*'
I have given two instances above of puuislimcnt
to slave-traders, the pubhc execution of
which takes place in the market-place.
It is to
be remarked that these punishments are not on
account of the slave-trade, but on account of
the theft of Christian children, which perhaps
would not take place without the presence of a
European friendly to the Abyssinians. The
Abyssinian chiefs feel the bitter shame which
attaches to the slave-trade, but the demon of
avarice makes them put up with what is evil.
" The traffic in slaves from the Galla and
negro countries has been permitted up to
the
present time, and was (is ?) allowed because the
chiefs willingly saw large sums pour into their
treasury. For some years the open trade in
slaves has visibly decreased, because guards are
placed on the frontier by order of the Enghsh
Consulate.
*' The Emperor Theodore—now no longer,
very fortunately—forbade the sale of slaves,
but this prohibition was only a feigned one to
deceive Europe (England ?) ; he not only
countenanced it without any feeling
of shame,
but constantly levied the tax on passing slaves
after the issue of this prohibition, and even
went so far as himself to point out to
caravans
of slaves the best bye-roads. One reason of
the diminution of the traffic is, that many
purchasers will no longer risk their money on