Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

122 DHOW-CHASING.
From Pemba we proceeded to
the Commoro
group, and anchored off the picturesque island
of Mohilla. On August 20th some of the
officials came on board to convey her Majesty's
"welcome to the island," and with an invitation
to visit her.
On the afternoon of the same day I landed
with Mr. Shapcote, the paymaster, for that
purpose ;
passing through the village, which is
chiefly composed of neat huts, we ascended the
hill accompanied by our interpreter, and three
Ai^ab chiefs whom, whether rightly or wrongly,
I set down to be the prime minister, the foreign
secretary, and the commander-in-chief of " all
the forces." In the last case I was not
mistaken, for as we ascended the hill " all the
forces" themselves made their appearance,
coming down to meet us ; they consisted of about
twenty-five or thirty men of very different
sizes, and of as many shades of colour, and
as they approached, the commander-in-chief
displayed his authority by exclaiming in a
magnificent tone, and to my utter astonishment
in plain English, "Halt," "front," "dress,"