414 ARRIVAL AT ZANZIBAR. CHAP. XV. 



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 resem- 

 blance 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 PI ay fair. 



Dr. Seward was very doubtful if we could reach Bombay 

 before what is called the break of the monsoon took place. 

 This break occurs usually between the end of May and the 

 12th of June. The wind still blows from Africa to India, 

 but with so much violence, and with such a murky 

 atmosphere, that few or no observations for position can be 

 taken. We were, however, at the time very anxious to dis- 

 pose of the "Lady Nyassa," and, the only market we could 

 reach being Bombay, we resolved to run the risk of getting 

 there before the stormy period commenced; and, after 

 taking fourteen tons of coal on board, we started on the 

 30th April from Zanzibar. 



Our complement consisted of seven native Zambesians, 

 two boys, and four Europeans; namely, one stoker, one 

 sailor, one carpenter, whose names have been already men- 

 tioned, and Dr. Livingstone, as navigator. The " Lady 

 Nyassa " had shown herself to be a good sea-boat. The 

 natives had proved themselves capital sailors, though before 



