ds we have been accustomed, from time to time, to read
in books of travels about the great advances annually made by
Mohammedanism in Africa. The rate at which this religion spreads was
said to be so rapid, that in after days, in our own pretty extensive
travels, we have constantly been on the look out for the advancing wave
from North to South, which, it was prophesied, would soon reduce the
entire continent to the faith of the false prophet. The only foundation
that we can discover for the assertions referred to, and for others of
more recent date, is the fact that in a remote corner of North-Western
Africa the Fulahs, and Mandingoes, and some others in Northern Africa, as
mentioned by Dr. Barth, have made conquests of territory; but even they
care so very little for the extension of their faith, that after the
conquest no pains whatever are taken to indoctrinate the adults of the
tribe. This is in exact accordance with the impression we have received
from our intercourse with Mohammedans and Christians. The followers of
Christ alone are anxious to propagate their faith. A _quasi_
philanthropist would certainly never need to recommend the followers of
Islam, whom we have met, to restrain their benevolence by preaching that
"Charity should begin at home."

Though Selele and his companions were bound to their masters by domestic
ties, the only new idea they had imbibed from Mohammedanism was, that it
would be wrong to eat meat killed by other people. They thought it would
be "unlucky." Just as the inhabitants of Kolobeng, before being taught
the requirements of Christianity, refrained from hoeing their gardens on
Sundays, lest they should reap an unlucky crop. So far as we could
learn, no efforts had been made to convert the natives, though these two
Arabs, and about a dozen half-castes, had been in the country for many
years; and judging from our experience with a dozen Mohammedans in our
employ at high wages for sixteen months, the Africans would be the better
men in proportion as they retained their native faith. This may appear
only a harsh judgment from a mind imbued with Christian prejudices; but
without any pretention to that impartiality, which leaves it doubtful to
which side the affections lean, the truth may be fairly stated by one who
viewed all Mohammedans and Africans with the sincerest good will.

Our twelve Mohammedans from Johanna were the least open of any of our
party to impression from kindn