ever thought at
Zanzibar could ever be uttered by black women; and he was rapidly
beginning to learn that women are the same all over the world, whether
they are white or black, and that human love and kindness belong as much
to the black as to the white, and are as often practised. And the
outcast, despised negro race were rising daily in his estimation.
Neither was Selim indifferent to the tones of sympathy he heard from
them; not only did Kalulu win his friendship more and more each day, but
the whole negro race was being admitted into his brotherhood.

These were really happy days. Abdullah was improving each day, and
Selim was fast becoming as joyous a companion as Kalulu could desire.
Inspired by the invigorating sound of the drums, and the lively chorus,
he was compelled to leave the side of Abdullah and join in the dance. A
favourite song of the Watuta was the boatmen's song, which seemed
interminable; but the chorus was so pretty, and had such a sweet,
pathetic melody, that Selim joined with pleasure in it for its pathos.

The first and second verses ran somewhat in this strain:--

Down the brown Liemba,
The home of fierce Mamba [crocodiles],
We are gliding.
With sudden stroke and song
The boat is sent along,
Swiftly gliding.

We fear no fierce mamba
In the deep Liemba
While we are gliding;
Nor bush nor thickest brake,
Nor foe that would us take--
Swiftly gliding.

The fifth, seventh, and eighth verses are descriptive of the scenery on
the Liemba:--

By waving fields of grain.
With song and loud refrain,
We are gliding;
While women hoe the corn
Till eve from dewy morn--
Swiftly gliding.

Lo! Isle of Ihata,
Blest Isle of Liemba,
By which we are gliding.
The isle was long ago
Blest by great Moshono--
Softly gliding.

Near that tree on yon plain
Died Moshono in pain--
We are gliding--
Burnt by dread Warungu,
Who fear no Malungu--
Softly gliding.

The ninth verse is somewhat superstitious:--

Sole on that lofty rock
Lives Moshono's sacred cock.
We are gliding.
Now, boatmen, here cease to row,
Bad luck, to hear no crow!--
Softly gliding.

As I have said, the boat song is almost interminable; it describes every
view on that beautiful river, each tradition that surrounds the hills,
and memorable sites of battles fought and victories won; for it is thus
tha