200 Seven Years in the Sotidan.

CHAPTER XXV.

SLAVE-DEALING GOVERNORS.

Arrival at Gaba-Slaambt' — Slave dealers — Steamers — Libpration of one hundrecl and seventy slaves — Ibrahim Fauzi IJey — Gaba Shambc — "Want of bearers — Empty magazine— Harif — Agricultural colony of Kojaf — Surur Effendi — Arrival at Lado — Dismissal of Uirahim Fauzi Bey — Difficulty of finding troops at Lado — Deartli of provisions — Hiipopotamus killed — Mangrios Effendi — Tlie Sultan's horse.

I ARRiVEit at Gaba-Shambe at tlie moment when the Scebbin Avas ready to abandon its post of anchorage. But instead of leaving it stopped, owing to an escape of steam. I went on board to see to the damage, and found to my great astonishment some fifty slaves, all from the district of Muru Kraka and Niambara.

The precise number of slaves shipped liad been one hundred and seventy. Of these about one hundred and fifty had been already landed in great haste, it being thought that the rest could be secretly put on shore in the night.

I immediately caused the slaAes to be seized, and put under the surveillance of the troops. The officer commanding the station was a relation of the Governor-General, Ibrahim Fauzi Be}', and Avhen confronted with me he lost all his self-possession, not knowing how to excuse himself. Having made instant enquiry, I caused the captain of the Scebbin to be called, and asked him to explain whence the slaves came. He confessed that being under the