Those Of The Bishop's
Flock Whom We Had On Board Were Kindly Allowed A Passage To The Cape.
The Boys
Went in the "Orestes," and we are glad of the opportunity to
record our heartfelt thanks to Captains Forsyth, Gardner,
And Chapman
for rendering us, at various times, every aid in their power. Mr.
Waller went in the "Pioneer," and continued his generous services to
all connected with the Mission, whether white or black, till they
were no longer needed; and we must say that his conduct to them
throughout was truly noble, and worthy of the highest praise.
After beaching the "Lady Nyassa" at Caboceira, opposite the house of
a Portuguese gentleman well known to all Englishmen, Joao da Costa
Soares, we put in brine cocks, and cleaned and painted her bottom.
Mr. Soares appeared to us to have been very much vilified in a
publication in England a few years ago; our experience proved him to
be extremely kind and obliging. All the members of the Expedition
who passed Mosambique were unanimous in extolling his generosity and,
from the general testimony of English visitors in his favour, we very
much regret that his character was so grievously misrepresented. To
the authorities at Mosambique our thanks are also due for obliging
accommodation; and though we differ entirely from the Portuguese
officials as to the light in which we regard the slave-trade, we
trust our exposure of the system, in which unfortunately they are
engaged, will not be understood as indicating any want of kindly
feeling and good will to them personally. Senhor Canto e Castro, who
arrived at Mosambique two days after our departure to take the office
of Governor-General, was well known to us in Angola. We lived two
months in his house when he was Commandant of Golungo Alto; and,
knowing him thoroughly, believe that no better man could have been
selected for the office. We trust that his good principles may
enable him to withstand the temptations of his position; but we
should be sorry to have ours tried in a den of slave-traders with the
miserable pittance he receives for his support.
While at Mosambique, a species of Pedalia called by Mr. Soares
Dadeleira, and by the natives - from its resemblance to Gerzilin, or
sesamum - "wild sesamum," was shown to us, and is said to be well
known among native nurses as a very gentle and tasteless aperient for
children. A few leaves of it are stirred in a cup of cold water for
eight or nine seconds, and a couple of teaspoonfuls of the liquid
given as a dose. The leaves form a sort of mucilage in the water by
longer stirring, which is said to have diuretic properties besides.
On the 16th April we steamed out from Mosambique; and, the currents
being in our favour, in a week reached Zanzibar. Here we experienced
much hospitality from our countrymen, and especially from Dr. Seward,
then acting consul and political agent for Colonel Playfair.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 260 of 263
Words from 135082 to 135583
of 136856
