MESURIL. 43 
On the 7th of September the Governor came over to Mesuril for 
the purpose of examining into the state of the peninsula of Caba- 
ceiro, and in the excursions which he made for this purpose, he, 
with great politeness, permitted me to accompany him. The set- 
tlement of Mosambique depends almost entirely on this tract of 
land for its supplies, excepting those which it draws from a few 
isolated spots cultivated by the Moors at Loomb, on the opposite 
side of the bay. The peninsula is about eleven miles long, by 
four broad, and is connected to the continent by a neck of land 
about a mile across, called Soue Souah, an Arabic term import- 
ing the approximation of the sea on the two sides. Were there 
deep water on both sides of this isthmus, it would be easily ren- 
dered secure against any attack from the interior ; but, unfortu- 
nately for the possessors, this occurs only to the north, while to 
the south extends a very broad sandy creek, which becomes dry 
at low water, and leaves a line of nearly four miles exposed to 
an enemy. To defend this, a fort is built on a projecting point 
near the village of Mesuril, which occupies a considerable space 
of ground, and contains a chapel dedicated to St. John, above 
which rises an embattled tower with a gun upon it commanding 
the works below. The whole of these are in a state of dilapida- 
tion, and are defended by a few rusty cannon only, which, 
to do any service, stand greatly in need of their patron sainf s 
assistance. Indeed the situation itself is ill-chosen, and not 
calculated to answer the purpose intended, as at a much less 
expense Martello towers might have been constructed across 
the whole line, and with this the Governor seemed so forci- 
bly impressed that he told me he would, if possible, carry 
G 
