THE OVAMBO AN EXPLORATION. 165 



distance to the north there lived a nation called Ovambo, 

 who had much intercourse with the Damaras, with whom 

 they bartered cattle for iron-ware. They were a people, 

 moreover, of agricultural habits, having permanent dwell- 

 ings, and were reported to be industrious and strictly honest. 

 The Damaras spoke in raptures of their hospitality and 

 friendliness toward strangers, and represented them as a very 

 numerous and powerful nation, ruled by a single chief or 

 king named Nangoro, who, to their notions, was a perfect 

 giant in size. With regard to the distance to this country, 

 they gave us the same wild, conflicting, and unsatisfactory 

 accounts as those we received about the position of Oman- 

 bonde. A variety of circumstances at last induced us, let 

 the consequence be whatever it might, to attempt to reach 

 this interesting land. 



As, however, no reliance could possibly be placed on the 

 accounts of the natives with regard to water, character of 

 the country, and so forth, it was deemed advisable, be- 

 fore moving from our present encampment, to make a short 

 exploratory excursion in order to see and judge for our- 

 selves. 



Mr. Galton, accompanied by a few of the men, therefore 

 rode northward, in order to ascertain if the route we pur- 

 posed taking was traversable with wagons. On the evening 

 of the third day he returned^ being assured of its practicabil- 

 ity. He had met with several native villages, and, though 

 his reception there had by no means been very flattering, we 

 determined to proceed without a moment's delay. 



None of the Damaras whom we had brought with us from 

 Barmen professed to know any thing of the country we were 

 about to explore. The guide, however, whom we had pro- 

 cured a short distance south of Omanbonde, said that he was 

 well acquainted with it, and volunteered to show us the wa}' 

 to the Ovambo provided his services should be rewarded 

 with a cow-calf. Mr. Galton gladly agreed to his termp, 



