continued procrastinations. Hamed, however, very
quietly denied the imputation, declaring that he desired
nothing but what I might frankly give, and continued
his former kindnesses as though nothing had
happened. I then begged his counsel as to the best
mode of proceeding, upon which he advised my returning
to Ujiji, where an Arab merchant called Said
bin Majid, with many men of the sort I required, was
reported to be arriving. In the meanwhile, during
his absence at Uruwa, he would authorise his agent
to make the dhow over to me whenever I should come
or send for it. It is needless to say how easily, had
my hands now been free to act, I might have availed
myself of this tempting opportunity of accompanying
Hamed on his journey to Uruwa, and have thus
nearly connected this line from Zanzibar with the
Portuguese and Dr Livingstone’s routes to Loando
on the western coast. I t would also have afforded a
more perfect knowledge of the copper mines at Ka-
tata, a quantity of which comes to Uruwa. Hamed
describes the roads as easy to travel over, for the track
lay across an undulating country, intersected by many
small insignificant streams, running from north to
south, which only contribute to fertilise the land,
and present no obstacles whatever. The line is cheap,
and affords provisions in abundance. I t may appear
odd that men should go so far into the interior of
Africa to procure ivory, when undoubtedly much is
to be found at places not half so distant from Zanzibar
; but the reason of it is simple. The nearer coun-
------------------------ V V I L I I u c a u s ctJLLLl
cloth, that ivory there has risen to so great a price,
it does not pay its transport. Hence every succeed-
ing year finds the Arabs penetrating farther inland.
Now, it will be seen that the Zanzibar Arabs have
reached the uttermost limits of their tether ; for
Uruwa is half-way across the continent, and in a few
years they must unite their labours with the people
who come from Loando on the opposite coast.
As to obtain the dhow would, in our hampered state,
have been of much importance—for our cloth and
supplies were all fast ebbing away—I did not yet
give in applying for it, and next day tried another
device to tempt this wily Arab, by offering 500 dollars,
or £100, if he would defer his journey for a short
time, and accompany us round the lake. This was a
large, and evidently an unexpected offer, and tried
his cupidity sorely; it produced a nervous fidgetiness,
and he begged leave to retire and con the matter
over. Next day, however, to my great distress, he
said he was sorry that he must decline, for his business
would not stand deferment, but declared himself
willing to sail with us on his return from Uruwa,
three months hence, if we could only stay till then.*
Feeling now satisfied that nothing would prevail
upon Hamed to let us have the dhow, I wished to
quit the island and return to Ujiji, but found my
(Colonel Hamerton’s suc-
ssor) that Hamed and all his slaves were murdered on their ioumev
to Uruwa, and their property was seized by the natives.
Q