They Wear Additional Ornaments, Charms, &C., Of
Birds' Claws, Hoofs And Horns Of Wild Animals Tied On With
Strings, And Sometimes An Article Like A Kilt, Made Of Loose
Strips Of Skin, Or The Entire Skins Of Vermin Strung Close
Together.
These things I have merely noticed in passing, because
I shall hereafter have occasion to allude to a migratory
People,
the Watuta, who dressing much in the same manner, extend from
Lake N'yassa to Uzinza, and may originally have been a part of
this same 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 of coralline,
covered with salsolacious shrubs, and tenanted only by sea-birds,
owls, finches, rats, and turtles. Of the last we succeeded in
turning three, the average weight of each being 360 lb., and we
took large numbers of their eggs.
We then went to Mozambique, and visited the Portuguese 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 go there. One experimental trip only had been
accomplished by Mr Soares, who was forced to pay the Makua chiefs
120 dollars footing, to reach a small hill in view of the sea,
about twenty-five miles off.
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. A great commotion ensued on board the slaver. The sea-
pirates 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 we learnt all about her from
accurate reports furnished by Mr Frere, the Cape Slave
Commissioner. Cleared 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.
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