REFRACTORY SERVANTS. 125 



of the missionary-house at Barmen. Indeed, it was high 

 time, for on the third day of our arrival there the Swakop 

 sent down its mighty flood. 



The first showers of rain, it should be remarked, usually 

 fall as early as September and October, but the rainy season 

 does not fairly set in until December and January. 



A letter from Jonker Afrikaner was awaiting our arrival, 

 expressing a wish that Mr. Galton, in person, would pay him 

 an early visit, that they might confer together on the affairs 

 of the country. My friend was at first a little undecided 

 how to act, as it might only have been a ruse of the crafty 

 chief to entrap him. However, as, under every circumstance, 

 it would be better to know his real intentions than to be kept 

 in constant uncertainty and suspense, he determined, as soon 

 as circumstances permitted, to comply with Jonker's desire. 



When we bade farewell to Richterfeldt, it was in the firm 

 conviction that the principal obstacles to the expedition had 

 been removed ; but we were sadly mistaken. Under differ- 

 ent pretexts, the natives whom we had engaged suddenly 

 refused to proceed any further. Even the man who had 

 first drawn our attention to the Lake Omanbonde, and who 

 seemed to be the only one acquainted with it, threatened to 

 leave us. Our Cape servants also became somewhat sulky 

 and discontented. Indeed, two of them, Gabriel and John 

 Waggoner, whom the reader will remember as bavins: al- 

 ready given us some trouble, demanded and obtained their 

 dismissal. Thus circumstanced, it was out of the question 

 to think of immediately carrying our plan into execution. 

 We felt excessively annoyed, and our stock of patience was 

 well-nigh exhausted. Still, we did not give up all hope of 

 ultimate success. 



Barmen, however, was ill suited as an encampment ; for, 

 though agreeable enough as a residence for ourselves, grass 

 for the cattle was scarce and distant. Mr. Hahn advised 

 us to push on to Schmelen's Hope, situated at about fifteen 



