THE SUAHILI. 351 



which will be an excellent thing for all parties. 

 In Chapter XVII. I have pointed out the extreme 

 simplicity and perfection of the porter system as it 

 has been developed by Europeans, alone from a 

 labour supply not much tainted by half-caste 

 Arabs. I recommend those who are obliged to use 

 the old system never to allow any one to be en- 

 gaged without the most careful personal inspection 

 by a doctor in the presence of the European who 

 is leading the caravan. My experience with the 

 weakly and sick members of my caravan was the 

 greatest trial I had. Many should never have 

 been engaged at all. I refused to take four, in 

 spite of their having received and spent their 

 three months' pay ; if I had been wise, I should 

 have refused at least fifteen others. It is also 

 a good thing only to take mature men for actual 

 porter's work, though young boys are very useful 

 as servants. 



I think that this book differs from every book of 

 African travel that I know, in one respect. It has 

 no chapter on either missions or the slave question. 

 I cannot, however, resist the temptation of point- 

 ing out the obvious fundamental reason of slavery, 

 which, though extremely simple, seems to be quite 

 overlooked in this country.* 



Slavery is a necessity of Mohammedan Arab 

 life. The Zanzibar Arabs of Muscat, as well as 

 the Egyptians and Turks, cannot exist without 

 Except, perhaps, by Captain Lugard. 



