162 OMANBONDE VISITED BY HIPPOPOTAMI. 



before us, then at each other in mute dismay and astonish- 

 ment. A dried-up vley, very little more than a mile in ex- 

 tent, and a patch of reeds, was the only reward for months 

 of toil and anxiety ! 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Omanbonde visited by Hippopotami. — Vegetation, &c., described. — 

 Game somewhat scarce. — Combat between Elephant and Rhinoce- 

 ros. — Advance or Retreat. — Favorable reports of the Ovambo-land. 

 — Resolve to proceed there. — Reconnoitre the Country. — Depart 

 from Omanbonde. — Author shoots a Giraffe. — Splendid Mirage. — 

 The Fan-palm. — The Guide absconds. — Commotion among the 

 Natives. — Arrive at Okamabute. — Unsuccessful Elephant-hunt. — 

 Vegetation. — Accident to Wagon. — Obliged to proceed on Ox-back. 

 — The Party go astray. — Baboon Fountain. — Meeting with the 

 Ovambo ; their personal Appearance, &c. — Return to Encampment. 

 — An Elephant killed. — Discover a curious Plant. — Immorality. 

 — Reflections. 



Dry as the basin of Omanbonde then was, it neverthe- 

 less appeared evident that, at no distant period, it had con- 

 tained a good deal of water. Moreover, there could be but 

 little doubt as to hippopotami having also, at one time, ex- 

 isted there. 



On becoming better acquainted with the geography of 

 these regions, we thought we were able to explain the phe- 

 nomenon satisfactorily. Thus, for instance, from (or to?) 

 the deep, trough-shaped basin of Omanbonde leads a peculiar 

 water-course, in an easterly direction, called Omuramba-* 

 k'Omanbonde, consisting of a succession of immense guUeys, 

 very similar to Omanbonde itself. These (after being in a 

 short time joined by the Omuramba-k'Omatako) we supposed 

 to be connected with some large permanent water, abound- 



* Omuramba, in the Damara language, signifies a water-course, in 

 the bed of which both grass and water is to be had. 



