128 INGRATITUDE OF THE NATIVES. 



ton and myself visited the spot soon after our arrival at 

 Schmelen's Hope, and saw the bleached bones of the victims 

 scattered about, but we were unable to ascertain the exact 

 number of people killed, as the jackals and the hyaenas had 

 carried away and demolished many parts of the skeletons. 



Though no direct attack was made on the missionary sta- 

 tion on this occasion, Mr. Kolbe nevertheless considered it 

 would be imprudent to remain there any longer. According- 

 ly, packing the most valuable of his goods on his wagon, he 

 hurriedly departed for Barmen. 



A few days afterward, some fugitive Damaras returned 

 to the place of their misfortunes, and, on finding the house 

 abandoned, they were base enough to despoil it of its con- 

 tents. Moreover, what they could not themselves use they 

 wantonly destroyed or scattered about on the ground. On 

 our arrival at Schmelen's Hope, therefore, we found nothing 

 remaining but the mere shell of the house. This, though 

 simply constructed of clay, and thatched with reeds, was 

 rather neatly executed, and had apparently, at one time, 

 been the exterior of a comfortable dwelling. 



Water was obtained from a large pool or vley, which, 

 however, in very arid years, might dry away. About five 

 miles up the Swakop was, moreover, a rather copious fount- 

 ain, called Okandu, where cattle might drink. 



Generally speaking,- if they have a chance of obtaining cat- 

 tle, the Namaquas are not at all nice as to whether they rob 

 friend or foe. On this particular occasion, however, they 

 were supposed to have had an old grudge against Kahichene 

 and his tribe. Once, as Jonker and a large party of his fol- 

 lowers were on the way to Walfisch Bay, their provisions 

 failed them, and hearing that Kahichene, with whom they 

 were then on friendly terms, was in the neighborhood, they 

 bent their steps toward his kraal. Kahichene received them 

 civill}^, but refused to supply their wants. He, however, ad- 

 vised elonker to help himself to cattle from another Damara 



