MOMBASA, PAST AND PRESENT. , T 
v) 
auspices of the British Imperial East African Company, 
will, it is to be hoped, again return. Five hundred 
years ago it was the main outlet for all commerce 
from the interior, and since then it has sustained 
the assaults of English, Portuguese, Arab, and other 
foreigners. An excellent description of its history 
may be found in Mr. Thomson’s book, “ Through 
Masai-land.” The town is situated on an island, of 
which only a small portion is cultivated, the rest 
being covered with dense bush. A great deal of 
its recent trade has been diverted by the Pagani 
route, which, though longer, is easier and far better 
supplied with water. 
In the evening we sat in council discussing the 
forward move. Martin was all for our starting at once 
to Taveta and taking with us as many loads as we 
could carry, allowing him then to return for the re¬ 
mainder, as he was afraid that if we stayed long at 
Mombasa our Zanzibaris would desert. We decided, 
however, to await the turn of events for at least a day 
or two, and those of the next day seemed to justify 
our decision, as about thirty men came in by twos and 
threes and offered their services, which were formally 
accepted. 
During the afternoon, B- paid a visit to the 
Governor, carrying with him a present of a revolver 
and an infantry Colonel’s sword, for we were now in 
the land of those who considered it more blessed to 
receive than to give, and every one expected some¬ 
thing. B-was received by the Governor in a large 
