A DANCE 



and their cartridge belts, and took their rifles, while my 

 escort, together with the headman, interpreter and 

 gun-bearers, came up armed to the teeth and stood 

 behind and on each side of me. There is always a 

 certain element of danger in these dances, for the 

 young men, or warriors, work themselves up to a 

 high pitch of excitement, and sometimes the elders 

 lose control over them. 



Soon the whole village assembled, and the dance 

 began. It was characterised by much noise and 

 extreme energy, but, like all African dances, it soon 

 became very monotonous. In the same way as at 

 Kismayu, each warrior came springing towards me, 

 brandishing his spear a few inches off my face, crying 

 out, "Modt" (Hail!). Everybody watched me to 

 see if I would flinch, but I had been warned before- 

 hand by my headman of what was going to happen, so 

 that I was able to maintain my self-control, although 

 I must confess it was somewhat disconcerting at first. 

 This went on for about two hours, when I called a 

 halt, as I was growing very tired of the performance. 

 I then made another short speech of thanks, gave 

 the dancers some more coffee, and the elders some 

 presents, with which they were very pleased, and then 

 dismissed them. Thus ended a very pleasant and 

 interesting day. 



As I had now reached the northerly limits of the 

 country inhabited by Hunter's hartebeeste, I propose 

 to give in the following chapter an account of the 

 characteristics and habits of these rare and interesting 

 animals before proceeding to describe the days I spent 

 in hunting them. 



93 



