Mgongo Thembo, or the Elephant's Back. 



CHAP. XVII. 



THE DOWN-MAECH TO THE COAST. 



On the 5th September 1858, Musa Mzuri — handsome 

 Moses, as he was called by the Africans — returned with 

 great pomp to Kazeh after his long residence at Ka- 

 ragwah. Some details concerning this merchant, who 

 has played a conspicuous part in the eventful " pen- 

 pities " of African discovery, may be deemed well placed. 



About thirty-five years ago, Musa, a Moslem of the 

 Kojah sect, and then a youth, was driven by poverty 

 from his native Surat to follow his eldest brother 

 " Sayyan," who having sought fortune at Zanzibar, and 

 having been provided with an outfit by the Sayyid el 



