Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/460

 874 SOUTH AND EAST AFRICA. too cmifinod to afford much accommodation for shipping. West of the island, however, there is developed the deep and safe inlet of Kiliudini, which ramifies northwards forming other landlocked basins, where vessels of the largest tonnage might tind ample room in smooth water. The island is connected with the mainland north of Monihaz by a causeway which crosses the estuary at a point where it is almost completely choked by sandbanks. North-east of Mombaz, and on the opposite side of the creek, stands the English station of Frercfoini, so named in honour of Sir Bartle Frere, who took so much interest in the colonisation of these regions by means of emancipated slaves. A headland, rising to the west of Freretowu with its shady raangosteen plantations, is crowned by the village of liabai, which has been occupied since the middle of the century by the missionaries, and which has also received a large number of runaway slaves from the interior. Not far from this station F.tands the ridge of elevated hills which is visible from the sea, and which serves as a landmark to mariners bound for the port of Mombaz. Hence this ridge has received from the rortuf'uese the name of Coroa de Mombaz, that is to say, the " Crown of Mombaz." Of still less importance, at least for the present, are the other seaports which follow northwards between the ancient city and the mouth of the Tana. Kileji {Qmlifa), situated a little to the south of the river of like name, presents nothing but a low beach where the Arab dhows often run aground. The splendid havens in the vicinity ai e now completely abandoned, and Tangauuku, which was a flourishing place in the eighteenth century, is now little more than a camping- ground for the slaves scattered amid the surrounding bush. Farther north stretch the open roadsteads of Malindl {Meliiuli), memorable in the history of n ivigation in the eastern seas. After doubling the Cape of Good IIojK), the intrepid Vasco de Gama touched at this pLice and took on board the pilots, under whose guidance he boldly steered for India. To commemorate his visit he erected, about four miles north of the present town, a pndrao, or pillar, which still exists, inscribed with a cross and the arms of Portugal. This is the only sur- viving monument which still recalls the days of Lusitanian predominance along this section of the seaboard. All the inscriptions hitherto discovered in the ruined grass- grown city, till recently exposed to the nightly visits of the elephant, are of l*ersian or Arab origin. According to the local tradition, Melinda was founded many centuries ago by Persian immigrants from Shiraz. During the period of the Zenj power it was renowned far and wide for its potent magicians and snake- charmers. Pecently this famous seaport has begun to recover a little of its former greatness; but being destitute of a well-sheltered natural harbour, it can never hope to rival the southern ports of Mombaz and Pangani, even should the tide of prosperity again set towards this now desolate seaboard.