28 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

and fat, which not being in the best possible condition, 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 interfere 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