28 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

and fat, which not being in the best possible con-

dition, combined with the straining of the dhow, caused her to leak considerably, and gave constant

employment to two men in baling out the water. The mast was placed very far forward, and carried

one large square sail, but no jib. The cargo was

badly stowed, and the vessel had a considerable list

to starboard, which, however, did not appear to inter-

fere with her speed. Just as we were about to start, a venerable-looking Hindu with a magnificent white

beard brought a woman and three little children on

board, and requested me to look after them as far as

Bagamoyo, which, of course, I consented to do. At

length, after waiting some three hours doing nothing, the captain, who was also owner, quartermaster,

supercargo, and steward all in one, came on board,

the order to hoist sail,

" Tweka tanga," was given, the sailors replied with " Ewala, e wala," the anchor

was hauled up, the huge yard went creaking and

groaning up the mast, and we were at last fairly on

our way towards the continent of Africa. There

was a strong breeze blowing, and the town and

island of Zanzibar faded rapidly from our view, as we flew over the reefs, whose snowy masses of coral

were distinctly visible several fathoms below, with

shoals of rainbow-hued fishes swimming in the clear,

cool depths. We bounded merrily on over the blue

waters, the coast of Africa, which at starting had

been but a grey line on the horizon, grew clearer