378 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
unreserved way. I was also asked about slavery, 
which I denounced in the plainest language I could 
use. Mandara and the Wasuahili winced, but the 
people were with me here, and a murmur of appro- 
bation broke from all those sitting by at what I said. 
This was as far as they dared to go in the presence of 
the chief I was asked if I belonged to the Wazungu 
who captured and burnt the slave vessels of the 
Wasuahili and Arabs. Of course Mandara had been 
told about our cruising operations by the Wasuahili 
themselves, but under a false guise. We are repre- 
sented as a nation of pirates, cannibals, etc. I tried 
to put the matter upon its proper footing. Mandara 
in conclusion said, "We never sold our people till 
the Wasuahili came with tempting offers of fine 
cloths, etc., and it is a bad business." 
Mandara left towards evening. The day had been 
finer than it had been for some time, indeed it had 
been sunny. A sight which I had long desired was in 
store for me. Mandara and most of the people had 
gone, when suddenly I heard Tofiki exclaim, Is not 
that the Kilima 1 (hill or mountain.) Dude ! (what a 
thing ! ) What a height ! how white !" I was at Tofiki's 
side in a moment. In the direction in which he 
pointed, over the tops of the plantains, moved slowly 
and majestically a mass of white pile-cloud. But 
above and beyond, in beautiful circular outline, as 
round and as smooth as the edge of the moon, was 
seen something far whiter, exciting the unconscious 
exclamation, as white as snow." I had almost lost 
myself in my eagerness to see the wonderful phe- 
nomenon, and my exclamation, heard perhaps by no 
one else, startled me, and coming to myself I said, " It 
