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But the decision didn't sit well with us and so we hesitated. Just then we were called back into the building. A third official had arrived and with him a cute young girl. I heard something said about the third man being "the chief". He asked Issa questions in halting English. As he did, the little girl at his side traced her finger over the faded Disney-like character incongrously imprinted on Issa's t-shirt.leave only once they are full. We were four travelling together: with Evelyn and me were Lisa—our American friend who'd met us in Dakar, and Ebrima—a guide from Gambia whom Lisa Great, I thought, now this guy wants his cut as well. But then the chief was saying to Issa "if I let you go, do you understand that you will not be permitted to return to Senegal?" What he was saying was that we would be at the mercy of the Gambian officials up the road. If they didn't let Issa in, he'd be stuck in the narrow no-man's land between the two countries. We offered up our thanks and quickly returned to the awaiting taxis.