THE LOOKING-GLASS MEAT BY THE YARD. 159 



be called, since it consisted alternately of dry, open spaces 

 and deep guUeys. Both banks of this peculiar water-course 

 were hemmed in by one vast thorn-jungle, which seemed to 

 defy the passage of man or beast. It was doubly fortunate, 

 therefore, that we met this river, as its sides served as a good 

 and open road, while a plentiful supply of water was afforded 

 by the occasional pools. It was here, at last, that we arrived 

 at some Damara villages, on the fifth day after leaving Otji- 

 ronjuba. At first the natives tried to run away ; but we 

 captured a few women, which soon induced the men to re- 

 turn. These people had never before seen a white man ; and 

 our sudden appearance, therefore, created no small astonish- 

 ment, not to say consternation. But of all our property, noth- 

 ing amused them more than the sight of a looking-glass. 

 On finding that the mirror faithfully reflected the smallest of 

 their motions or gesticulations, they became convulsed with 

 laughter; and some of them were so excited as to throw 

 themselves on the ground, pressing their hands against their 

 stomachs. Others would approach with their faces to the 

 glass as close as they could, then suddenly turn it round, 

 fully expecting somebody at its back. It is a great pity that 

 the Damaras are such unmitigated scoundrels, for they are 

 full of fun and merriment. Give them a "yard of meat" 

 and a bucket of water, and they are the happiest creatures on 

 the face of the earth. 



After some parleying, a man agreed to guide us to the 

 lake. An afternoon's farther traveling brought us to a sec- 

 ond werft, the captain of which was the j oiliest and the most 

 amusing Damara that we ever saw before or since. He mim- 

 icked the figure and the actions of the hippopotamus so ad- 

 mirably that we should never have mistaken the animal, 

 even had we not known a word of the language. He also 

 gave us an amusing and laughable account of the people to 

 the north. 



One day more, and the goal of our hopes and anxieties 



