74 "losing the way" the eule. 



One day, as I was riding with Hans, he pointed out to me 

 a place where. he had been attacked by a lion in broad day- 

 light, pulled off his ox, and only escaped death by a miracle. 



Not being encumbered by a vehicle, we were now able to 

 hold the course of the Swakop uninterruptedly ; but on ar- 

 riving at the Usab gorge, it became necessary to leave the 

 river and to cross the Naarip plain to Scheppmansdorf. 

 From the great length of this stage (fifteen hours' actual 

 travel), and the total absence of water and pasturage, it is 

 necessary to traverse it during the night. As thick fogs and 

 mists, however, are not uncommon here, the traveler is ex- 

 posed to some risk. It not unfrequently happens that he 

 loses the track ; the result of which usually is, that when the 

 day breaks upon him he finds himself either back at the place 

 from which he started or in some unknown part of the plain. 

 Instances are narrated of people having remained in this in- 

 hospitable desert as long as three days 1 " Losing the way," 

 as my friend Galton says, '* is the rule here and not the ex- 

 ception ; and a person who has crossed the plain without do- 

 ing so rather plumes himself upon the feat." 



Hans recited to me the particulars of an adventure which 

 happened to a European in this wilderness. During the time 

 Captain Greybourn (to whom allusion has already been made) 

 was established at Walfisch Bay, the medical gentleman who 

 resided with him had occasion to cross the Naarip plain ; but, 

 being a total stranger to the country, he engaged a Hottentot 

 as guide. The day proved hot and oppressive, and the way- 

 farers had not proceeded far when the doctor felt faint and 



stiffness, the strip is subjected to a severe hammering, for the double 

 purpose of condensing it and giving it a rounded shape. It is then 

 reduced to the desired size by means of a knife or plane ; and, lastly, 

 a piece of sand-paper, or glass, if at hand, is employed to give it the 

 finishing smoothness and polish. The " shambok" is exceedingly 

 tough and pliable, will inflict the most severe wounds and bruises, and 

 will last for years. The price of one of these " whips," in the colony, 

 varies from eighteen pence to as much as nine or ten shillings. 



