184 FOUNTAIN ARCHERY GROUSE. 



agreeable operation on ourselves. On seeing what was com- 

 ing, Galton, held out both his hands, and exclaimed, " Oh ! 

 for goodness' sake, if the thing is necessary, be it at least mod- 

 erate !" His request was granted, for he escaped with a 

 brush or two across the face, but it created much jest and 

 mirth among the company. 



At Omutjamatunda there is a most copious fountain, sit- 

 uated on some rising ground, and commanding a splendid 

 prospect of the surrounding country. It was a refreshing- 

 sight to stand on the borders of the fountain, which was lux- 

 uriantly overgrown with towering reeds, and sweep with the 

 eye the extensive plain encircling the base of the hill, fre- 

 quented as it was not only by vast herds of domesticated 

 cattle, but with the lively springbok and troops of striped ze- 

 bras. If the monotony of our dreary wanderings had not 

 thus occasionally been relieved, I do not know how we 

 should have borne up against our constant trials and diffi- 

 culties. 



In order to ascertain the proficiency of the Ovambo in 

 archery, we had shooting-matches while at Omutjamatunda. 

 The result proved that they were inferior in this respect even 

 to the Damaras, who, as already said, are wretched marks- 

 men. The poor despised Bushmen beat both tribes out and 

 out in the use of the bow, which, however, is to be expected, 

 since they subsist in a great measure by the chase. 



During the two days we remained at Omutjamatunda we 

 amused ourselves with shooting ducks and birds of the grouse 

 kind. Both were abundant, but more especially the latter, 

 which literally obscured the air with their numbers every 

 morning and evening, when they came to quench their 

 thirst. It is, however, only in the dry season, as in the 

 present instance, that they are observed in such astonishing 

 multitudes. They usually go far in search of food, and al- 

 though a pair only may be seen at starting in quest of wa- 

 ter, yet, as they draw nearer to the pool, they describe wide 



