412 LIFE OF DA VI D LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



He purchased twenty donkeys, each of which would carry a load of about 

 140 lbs., and the loads for the human bearers were made up into bundles of 

 681bs. each. An armed escort of twenty men, whom he designates in hia 

 narrative as soldiers, were engaged with Bombay, an old servant of Captain 

 Speke's, in his journey to Lake Tanganyika as chief. Mabruki and other five 

 of Speke's "faithfuls " were also engaged. When his escort appeared before 

 him, " they were an exceedingly fine-looking body of men — far more intelli- 

 gent in appearance than I could ever have believed African barbarians to be." 

 John William Shaw, an Englishman, third mate of an American ship, applied 

 for a situation in the caravan, and was engaged. The carriers could only be 

 engaged at Bagamoyo, on the mainland. Before leaving he was presented to 

 the Sultan by Captain Webb. The Sultan's palace "is a large, roomy, lofty, 

 sylvan house, close to the port, built of coral, and plastered thickly with lime 

 mortar. In appearance, it is half Arabic, and half Italian. The shutters are 

 Venetian blinds, painted a vivid green, and presenting a striking contrast to 

 the white-washed walls." 



The party was received at the outer door of the Palace by the Sultan, 

 who waived them up the steps, and into the audience chamber before him. The 

 room was lofty, and painted in the Arabic style ; the carpet was of Persian 

 fabric, and the furniture consisted, in addition to the chair of state, of a dozen 

 gilt chairs and a chandelier. 



" The Sultan," says Mr. Stanley, " so far as dress goes, might be taken 

 for a Mongolian gentleman, excepting, indeed, for the turban, whose ample 

 folds, in alternate colours of red, yellow, brown, and white, encircled his head. 

 His long robe was of dark cloth, cinctured round the waist with his rich sword- 

 belt, from which was suspended a gold-hilted scimitar, encased in a scabbard 

 also enriched with gold. His legs and feet were bare, and had a ponderous 

 look about them, since he suffered from that strange curse of Zanzibar — ele- 

 phantiasis. His feet were slipped into a pair of slippers, with thick soles, and 

 a strong leathern band over the instep. His light complexion and correct 

 features, which are intelligent and regular, bespeak the Arab patrician. They 

 indicate, however, nothing except his high descent and blood ; no traits of 

 character are visible, unless there is just a trace of amiability, and perfect 

 contentment with himself and all around. 



" Such is Prince, or Seyd Burghash, Sultan of Zanzibar and Pemba, and 

 the East coast of Africa, from Somali Land to the Mozambique, as he appeared 

 to me. Coffee was served in cups supported by golden finjans, also some 

 cocoa-nut milk and rich sweet sherbet. The conversation began with the 

 question, addressed to the Consul — 



"'Are you well?' — 'Yes, thank you; how is His Highness?' — 'Quite 

 well.' 



" His Highness to me. ' Are you well ? ' — ' Quite well, thanks. 



