THE LAKE OMANBONDE. Ill 



Mr. Galton had not been idle during my absence. Be- 

 sides collecting much interesting information with regard to 

 the Damaras and the Namaquas, he had ascertained the ex- 

 istence of a fresh-water lake called Omanbonde. This had 

 the effect of raising our spirits considerably. We had land- 

 ed at Walfisch Bay with a vague idea as to our route, and 

 had hitherto felt quite at a loss how to act. 



To enable us to reach Omanbonde it was necessary to 

 pass through Damara-land, which was totally unknown to 

 Europeans. Even the missionaries who had resided several 

 years on the frontiers were ignorant of the country beyond 

 a very few miles of their own stations. The Damaras them- 

 selves entertained the most extravagant notions of its extent, 

 population, and fertility. The people, however, were known 

 to be inhospitable, treacherous, suspicious, and inimical to 

 strangers. It had always been considered insecure to travel 

 among them, but more particularly so at this time, since 

 their southern neighbors, the Namaquas, attracted by their 

 vast herds, had lately made several extensive raids upon 

 them, killing the people, and carrying off large numbers of 

 cattle, sheep, &c. They believed, and with some show of 

 reason, that every individual of a light complexion was 

 leagued against them. They Avell knew that the cattle stolen 

 from them by their enemies, the Namaquas, were sold to 

 European traders ; and they knew, also, that if, by accident 

 or design, the cattle belonging to the missionaries, or other 

 white men, were stolen by the thievish people in question, 

 they were always restored on application. This, together 

 with the fact than a European could pass unmolested 

 through the Namaqua territory, strengthened them in the 

 conviction that we were enemies in disguise. 



In order, therefore, to calm their excited feelings, to as- 

 sure them of our friendly and peaceable intentions, and to 

 explain to them the real motive of our journey, Mr. Galton 

 had dispatched messengers to the principal Damara chiefs. 



