CHAPTER VI. 
THE EASTERN COAST. 
Voyage of Vasco de Gama. — Description and conquest of 
Zanguebar. — Settlement of Mosambique and Sqfala. — Ex- 
peditions to the Gold Mines. — Hamilton, — Salt. 
There is no part of the African continent which 
has been less explored, or which, in fact, has ex- 
cited less interest in Europe, than the eastern 
coast. This may be, in a great measure, imputed 
to the jealous care with which the Portuguese 
guarded its approach, and withheld all information 
respecting it. The only details of its early dis- 
covery are found in the narratives which the Por- 
tuguese historians have given of the exploits of 
their countrymen in India. The first and most 
interesting voyage is that of Vasco de Gama, who 
was obliged to sail along the greater part of this 
coast before he could procure a guide across the 
ocean. In detailing his progress, we shall take De 
Barros * as our best and most authentic guide. 
On the 20th of November 1498, Gama passed 
the celebrated boundary of the Cape of Tempests^ 
with much less danger and difficulty than the crew 
* Da Asia, Liv. IV. 4, 5, 6. VIII. 4, 5, 7 3 8, 
