CHAP. VI GALLA HORSEMEN 59 



hardly suited to a country of burniii<; sun, thorns, and 

 snakes ; but when his face, arms, and knees had become 

 a fine mahogany colour, the contrast was not so great. 

 W. did not court the sun, and affected a coat, with cloth 

 gaiters and a khaki umbrella. I stuck to putties, as 

 offering more resistance to both thorns and snakes than 

 loose gaiters or stockings, and at the same time not 

 rustling in the grass, as leather does. I also wore a 

 khaki coat with a good spine pad inside, and a pith 

 helmet (as being less trouble than an umbrella). A pair 

 of red braces which I wore (for I think braces cooler 

 than a belt) were always the subject of much chaff. H. 

 was the only member of the party who shaved, and that 

 only at intervals. 



While we were waiting for the caravan in the shade 

 of a fine mimosa tree on the banks of the Hawash, a 

 body of Galla horsemen arrived on the scene, galloping 

 up in little groups. At first we were a bit uncertain as 

 to their intentions, but, on questioning the first arrivals, 

 our interpreter learned that they were off on a big 

 elephant-hunt. They were a fine-looking body of men, 

 naked except for a loin-cloth, and perhaps a leopard skin 

 hanging loosely over one shoulder. Their arms w^ere a 

 throwing and a stabbing spear, besides a curious large 

 knife which is common to the Esa tribes. They were 

 mounted on strong, wiry, unshod ponies, accustomed to 

 picking up their living anywhere. These animals were 

 decorated in a remarkable manner. The harness was 

 gay with brass discs, and their saddles covered with the 

 skin of the swiftest or most ferocious animal the owner 

 had killed. Round the pony's neck and about his head 



