where an appendage like a thimble, the removal of which I
is considered culpably indecorous. They wear additional I
ornaments, charms, &c., of birds’ claws, hoofs and horns I
• v r
fa s /, ¿r?
of wild animals tied onl
with strings, and some-.
times an article like a kilt,
made of loose strips of skin, ]
or the entire skins of ver-|
min strung close together!
These things I have merely!
noticed in passing, because!
I shall hereafter have occa-l
sion to allude to a migra-|
tory people, the Watutal
who, dressing much in the!
same manner, extend from!
Lake N’yassa to UzinzaJ
and may originally have!
been a part of this samel
Zulu Kafir, Delagoa Bay
Kafir race, who are themselves supposed to have migrated!
from the regions at present occupied by the Gallas. Next!
day (the 28th) we went on to Europa, a small island ¡ oil
coralline, covered with salsolacious shrubs, and tenanted!
only by sea-birds, owls, finches, rats, and turtles. Of thel
last we succeeded in turning three, the average weigh!
of each being 360 lb., and we took large numbers oil
their eggs.
We then went to Mozambique, and visited the Portu!
guese Governor, John Travers de Almeida, who showed!
considerable interest in the prospects of the expedition,!
and regretted that, as it cost so much money to visit the!
interior from that place, his officers were unable to gol
there. One experimental trip only had been accomplished!
by Mr Soares, who was forced to pay the Makiia chiefs!
120 dollars footing, to reach a small hill in view of the!
sea, about twenty-five miles off.
I Leaving Mozambique on the 9th August, bound for
Johanna, we came the next day, at 11.30 A.M., in sight of
a slaver, ship-rigged, bearing on us full sail, but so distant
from us that her mast-tops were only just visible. As
quick as ourselves, she saw who we were and tried to
escape by retreating. This manoeuvre left no doubt what
she was, and the Brisk, all full of excitement, gave chase
at full speed, and in four hours more drew abreast of her.
jl great commotion ensued on board the slaver. The sea-
Jfirates threw overboard their colours, bags, and numerous
boxes, but would not heave-to, although repeatedly challenged,
until a gun was fired across her bows. Our boats
were then lowered, and in a few minutes more the “ prize”
was taken, by her crew being exchanged for some of our
men, and w;e learnt all about her from accurate reports
furnished by Mr Frere, the Cape Slave Commissioner,
(fleared from Havannah as “ the Sunny South,” professing
to be destined for Hong-Kong, she changed her name to
the Manuela, and came slave-hunting in these regions. The
slaver’s crew consisted of a captain, doctor, and several
sailors, mostly Spaniards. The vessel was well stored with
provisions and medicines; but there was scarcely enough
room in her, though she was said to be only half freighted,
for the 544 creatures they were transporting. The next
morning, as we entered Pamoni harbour by an intricate
approach to the rich little island hill Johanna, the slaver,
as she followed us, stranded, and for a while caused considerable
alarm to everybody but her late captain. He
thought his luck very bad, after escaping so often, to be
taken thus; for his vessel’s powers of sailing were so good,
that, had she had the wind in her favour, the Brisk, even
with the assistance of steam, could not have come up with
her. On going on board her, I found the slaves to be
mostly Wahiyow. A few of them were old women, but
all the rest children. They had been captured during wars
in their own country, and sold to Arabs, who brought