42 



THE FORT, 



1035, lias been so much altered that it is now 

 an Arabo-Msawaliili construction. Its position 

 is excellent, outside and S. East of the Gavana, 

 pointing to the N. East, with complete com- 

 mand, at a distance of 600 fathoms, over the 

 narrow northern entrance, and wanting only a 

 reform in the batteries a fleur d'eau, and clearing 

 out the interior of sheds and forage, to be a 

 match for all the fleets of Arabia. Originally a 

 quadrangle, some 120 yards square, with 4 bas- 

 tions facing the cardinal points, it was sunk 

 below the level of the coralline rock, which thus 

 forms the footing of the walls, and which sup- 

 plies a broad, deep moat. According to the 

 Mombasali chronicle, the stones were brought 

 ready cut from Portugal : the phrase is ' Do 

 Eeino,' which Capt. Owen has rendered ' from 

 E^ainu,' and elsewhere is commemorated 'The 

 Sultan of Eainu.' The S.S. Western is the 

 strongest side, whence a land attack might be 

 expected : the other flanks are rich in dead 

 ground, and the N.N. West front protects the 

 Gavana. My sketch of the north-eastern face, 

 taken from the Mhoma-ni Shamba, on the 

 opposite side of the creek, shows a picturesque 

 yellow pile, with tall, long, and buttressed cur- 

 tains, which appear slightly salient, enclosing 



