178 DEPART FROM OKAMABUTI ^VISIT FROM A LION. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Depart from Okamabuti. — Visit from a Lion. — Amulets. — Revisit 

 Baboon Fountain. — Otjikoto; a wonderful Freak of Nature; Re- 

 markable Cavern. — Natives unacquainted with the Art of Swim- 

 ming. — Fish abundant in Otjikoto ; frequented by immense Flock?. 

 of Doves. — Panic of the Ovambo on seeing Birds shot on the Wing. 

 — Arrive at Omutjamatunda. — A greasy Welcome. — Ducks and 

 Grouse numerous. — Author finds himself somewhat "overdone." — 

 "Salt-pans." — All "look Blue." — A second Paradise. — Hospitable 

 Eeception. — Vegetation. — People live in Patriarchal Style. — Popu- 

 lation. — Enormous Hogs. — Arrive at the Residence of the redoubt- 

 able Nangoro. 



In conversation with the Ovambo, we learned that Nan- 

 goro's werft was distant at least a fortnight's steady travel. 

 We therefore felt anxious for the speedy return of the trad- 

 ing parties, in order that we might prosecute or journey; but 

 they tarried longer than we had expected. By degrees, how- 

 ever, they reassembled at Tjopopa's werft, having brought 

 about two hundred head of cattle, the result of their trade. 



On the 22d of May Chikor'onkombe, their leader, an- 

 nounced that every thing was in readiness for a start ; and, 

 as we ourselves had long been prepared, the caravan set out 

 that very afternoon. 



We bivouacked at one of Tjopopa's cattle-posts, only a 

 few hours' journey from Okamabuti, and had just finished 

 dinner, when all at once our people rushed toward the fire 

 with cries of " Ongeama ! ongeama !" 



And so it was. A lion had, it seems, been crouched in 

 the bush within twenty paces of our camp, in readiness to 

 spring on the cattle that were scattered about; but as one 

 of the men who was in search of fuel had fortunately discov- 

 ered him, the beast retreated. He was evidently much dis- 



