Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

162 DHOW-CHASING.
who was unable to get lier cliild away with her.
She came down to the boat, but while we were
getting the children into it she disappeared. I|
We at last got the seven little ones on board
and were shoving off, when about twenty of the
natives (Somallies) came down waving their
spears and firelocks. Wlien within about a
couple of hundred yards I fired a rifle so as to
strike the ground about twenty yards ahead of
them.
As I fired they threw themselves flat on
their faces on the ground, and immediately got
up, and taking the hint, remained where they
were. We had still to cross the bar, and it was
nearly dark. After attempting to cross it once
or twice, and being carried back by the
breakers, I thought, as we were armed, of
hauhng the boat on to the beach for
the night,
as there was no anchoring inside the bar, for
excepting close to it there was only a white
sheet of foam, which on receding left the
boat nearly high and dry on the coral. At
last, after waiting for about a quarter of an
hour longer, there appeared to be a lull.
It was now or never: the crew gave way