142 
THROUGH SOMALILAND AND ABYSSINIA chap. 
Zeila and let the assistant Resident, Mr. Walsh, know of our 
whereabouts, as “ something might happen ” if we were to try 
to leave Gildessa. 
Next morning a score or two of young warriors, with the 
large Esa spear and shield, gave us a dance in honour of the 
British Government, but it was cut short by a mounted 
Abyssinian, Dago’s son, who rode up on a pony from the town 
and ordered them to desist. My own men all flew to arms and 
stood ready for a row, and Geli handed me my four -bore, 
suitably loaded as usual. 
The Esa were silent for a moment ; then, giving a derisive 
roar of laughter, they went on with their dance, which was the 
dibditig , or acknowledgment of sovereignty, in our honour. 
The Abyssinian galloped back to Gildessa, and returned with 
the soldiers, marching two deep with loaded rifles ; so the Esa 
suddenly stopped dancing. A young Esa, of splendid physique, 
came forward and asked whether we would like them to go on, 
for, as he courteously put it, “the Esa were the obedient slaves 
of the English.” Thanking him and his comrades, we said they 
were under Abyssinian control here, and must do as they were 
bid. 
They replied that they were sorry, for they felt great friend- 
ship for us. The situation was for a moment awkward. The 
Abyssinians and my own men stood drawn up opposite to each 
other near my tent, the young Esa warriors in a sullen group 
between the two, and a large crowd of Esa, Abyssinian, Arab, 
and GMla townspeople, armed with long guns, swords, and 
spears, had collected on one side. 
The Abyssinians were satisfied by my answer that I had 
no intention of insulting them, and without further word the 
commander marched them back to the town. 
This was already the second hitch, and we were anxious to 
get from Makunan the answer to my letter. We could not 
foresee what trouble might arise with these sensitive Abyssinians 
if we stayed long in Gildessa. We also thought that instead 
of a letter reinforcements might be sent from Harar, and our 
camp was in a spot difficult to defend. 
By noon on the day of the Esa dance no answer had as 
yet come from Harar ; we had delayed over twenty-four hours 
to please the Abyssinians, but now, the stipulated time having 
expired, at 2 p.m. we began loading up. 
Some Abyssinian scouts, who had been posted along the 
