THE RIVER CUNENE PRISONERS AT LARGE. 205 



of sand-banks at its mouth, which compels it to take a sub- 

 terraneous course. Occasionally, however, it breaks through 

 these barriers. This was exceedingly interesting, inasmuch 

 as it explained the cause of its mysterious disappearance. 



The Ovambo themselves gave us to understand that they 

 often extended their trading excursions to the Cunene, and 

 even crossed it by means of canoes. The people dwelling on 

 its south bank were called Ovapangari (a few of whom we 

 saw in Ondonga) and Ovabundya. The latter were repre- 

 sented as living among "many waters," which we conjec- 

 tured meant the confluence of some of the branches. 



Our curiosity to see the Cunene was greatly aroused, 

 though, in order to accomplish this object, it would be neces- 

 sary to overcome many difficulties. Pleasant as our arrival 

 and stay at Ondonga had generally been, it was in some re- 

 spects attended with much inconvenience. The freedom we 

 had enjoyed to such perfection among the Damaras ceased 

 with our entrance into Ovambo-land. We could hardly stir 

 half a mile from our camp without having first obtained the 

 permission of our despotic friend, and much less could we 

 think of returning or proceeding. AVe had left half our par- 

 ty behind us in a savage and inhospitable country without a 

 sufficiency of provisions. Our own stores were very deficient 

 in animal food. No pasturage was left in Ondonga but corn- 

 stubble, or rather corn-stalks ; and of this, as Avell as of wa- 

 ter, the inhabitants were extremely tenacious. The conse- 

 quence was that the poor cattle daily fell off in condition. 

 We were already two long weeks' journey distant from our 

 camp at Okamabuti, and to undertake an excursion to the 

 Cunene, and return, would occupy fully another fortnight, 

 making thus, at the very least, a whole month's actual trav- 

 el. This, we feared, was more than our emaciated cattle 

 were equal to. Yet, notwithstanding all these formidable 

 difficulties, the enterprise was of such great importance that 

 we determined not to give it up without at struggle. Unless 



