42 MR. BAM. 



ful degree. Kain falls seldom or never at this place, but 

 thirsty nature is relieved by heavy dews. Fresh water and 

 fuel, however, two of the great necessaries of life, are found 

 in abundance. 



Sandy and barren as the soil appears to the eye, portions 

 of it, nevertheless, are capable of great fertility. From time 

 to time, Mr. Bam has cultivated small spots of garden ground 

 in the bed of the river ; but, although many things thrive ex- 

 ceedingly well, the trouble, risk, and labor were too great to 

 make it worth his while to persevere. A sudden and unex- 

 pected flood, the effect of heavy rains in the interior, often 

 lays waste in a few minutes what has taken months to raise. 



The principal trees thereabouts are the ana and the giraffe- 

 thorn {acacia girajw) ; and the chief herbage, a species of 

 sand-reed, which is much relished by the cattle when once 

 accustomed to it, but more especially by horses, mules, and 

 donkeys, which thrive and fatten wonderfully on this diet. 



During our stay at Scheppmansdorf we were the constant 

 guests of ]Mr. and Mrs. Bam, but we felt almost sorry to tres- 

 pass on a hospitality that we knew they could ill afford, for 

 it was only once in every two years that they received their 

 supplies from the Cape, and then only in sufficient quantities 

 for their own families. The genuine sincerity, however, with 

 which it was offered overruled all scruples. 



Mr. Bam had long been a dweller in various parts of Great 

 Namaqua-land.* His present residence, however, in this its 

 western portion, was of comparatively recent date. Although 

 he had used every effort to civilize and Christianize his small 

 community, all his endeavors had hitherto proved nearly 

 abortive ; but as we become acquainted with the character 

 of the Namaquas, who are partially-civilized Hottentots, the 

 wonder ceases, and we discover that they possess every vice 



* The southeni limit of Great Namaqua-land is, at the present mo- 

 ment, the Orange River. To the north it is bounded by Damara-land, 

 or by about the twenty-second degree of south latitude. 



