156 MAGNIFICENT FOUNTAIN FIG-TREE. 



counted no less than seven distinct species of thorny trees 

 and bushes, each of which was a perfect '' Wacht-een-bigte," 

 or " Wait a little," as the Dutch colonists very properly call 

 these tormentors. Few individuals have ever traveled in the 

 more northerly parts of Southern Africa without being greet- 

 ed with a friendly salutation of ' Stop a little, if you please ;' 

 and fewer still, who have disregarded this gentle hint, ever 

 came away without first paying a forfeit of some part or oth- 

 er of their dress. Indeed, the fish-hook principle on which 

 most of the thorns are shaped, and the strength of each, make 

 them most formidable enemies. At an average, each prickle 

 will sustain a weight of seven pounds. Now, if the reader 

 will be pleased to conceive a few scores of these to lay hold 

 of a man at once, I think it will not be difficult to imagine 

 the consequences. Indeed, on our return to Barmen, after a 

 few months' absence, I possessed hardly a decent article of 

 clothing ; and, had not Mr. Hahn kindly taken pity on my 

 forlorn condition, I am afraid there would soon have been 

 little difference between me and the savages. 



In the course of the day we arrived at a magnificent fount- 

 ain, called Otjironjuba — the Calabash — on the side of Omu- 

 vereoom. Its source was situated fully two hundred feet 

 above the base of the mountain, and took its rise from differ- 

 ent spots ; but, soon uniting, the stream danced merrily down 

 the cliffs. These cascades, falling to the plain below, flowed 

 over a bed of red gravel. A gigantic fig-tree had entwined 

 its roots round the scattered blocks of stone by the side of 

 Otjironjuba fountain, its wide and shady branches affording a 

 delicious retreat during the heat of the noonday sun. It 

 bore an abundance of fruit ; but it was not yet the season for 

 figs. Several half-ripe ones that I opened contained a large 

 quantity of small ants, and even wasps. Great caution, there- 

 fore, is necessary in eating them. 



Otjironjuba was to us a perfect paradise. We enjoyed it 

 the more on account of the marked contrast it presented to 

 the country we had previously traversed. 



