II.] CAPTAIN HANSARD'S KIND ATTENTIONS. 31 



CHAPTER II. 



Parting Visit to Zanzibar. — Completing Equipment. — French Charlie's Store. — Fare- 

 well Dinners. — Our First Campaign. — A Fracas. — Upholding our Dignity. — The 

 Father pleads for his Son. — Shamba Gon^ra. — Visit from Dr. Kirk. — Our First 

 Touch of Fever. — A New Volunteer. — Start for Kikoka. — The March. — Alligator- 

 shooting. — Deserters. 



It was not until tlie lltli of February that we succeeded in February, 

 getting a dhow to take us across to Zanzibar, for which we ^^'^^• 

 sailed early that morning, accompanied by Pere Horner of the 

 French mission, who was en route for France for a short and 

 sorely needed holiday. 



The wind fell light when we, in company with some other 

 dhows, were half-way across, and two of the Daphne's boats, 

 looking out for slavers, came among us and visited our dhow, 

 and shortly afterward boarded another, which, I believe, proved 

 a prize. Having now drifted far to the south, it was decided 

 to anchor ; but just before sunset a fresh breeze sprung uj), and, 

 thus favored, we reached the town of Zanzibar. 



Here we found the Punjab, and Captain Hansard kindly in- 

 sisted on our taking up our quarters on board during his stay — 

 an arrangement which was far more comfortable than living in 

 the English jail. 



All the stores that we had ordered in England were on board, 

 as also an extra supply of ammunition, two Abyssinian tents 

 supplied by the Indian Government, and a portable India-rub- 

 ber boat by Mathews, of Cockspur Street — for which we were 

 indebted to the thoughtful kindness of Major Euan C. Smith, 

 C.S.L, Secretary to Sir Bartle Frere, who telegraphed for them 

 while we were at Cairo — and thoroughly good and useful they 

 proved. Murphy, having been granted leave by the Indian Gov- 

 ernment, also came by the Punjab. 



At Zanzibar we took the opportunity of completing our out- 

 fit, as far as possible, at the stores kept by Tarya Topan, French 



3 



