230 LEAVE BARMEN EIKHAMS. 



sion to the eastward, partly with the view of penetrating to 

 the Lake Ngami, our original object, and partly to become 

 better acquainted with Great Namaqua-land and its semi- 

 civilized inhabitants. Moreover, the prospect of good sport 

 with the larger game, which every one said we were sure to 

 meet with in abundance, was a further inducement to under- 

 take the journey. 



It was arranged that Hans should proceed to Walfisch 

 Bay with one of the vehicles to fetch the remainder of the 

 stores, &c., while Galton and myself, with the other wagon, 

 prosecuted our journey to the eastward. A rendezvous hav- 

 ing been appointed where Hans was to meet us, we left Bar- 

 men in the afternoon of the 12th of August. In about three 

 days we reached Eikhams, the residence, as already said, of 

 Jonker Afrikaner ; where my friend, before finally leaving 

 the country, was anxious to settle certain disputes between 

 the native tribes. 



Eikhams is very prettily situated on the slope of a hill, 

 bare at the summit, but at its base adorned with very fine 

 groups of mimosas, among which a tributary to the Swakop 

 winds its course. It was the only spot in South Africa 

 where I ever saw any thing resembling a twilight. This 

 was produced from the reflection of the setting sun on the 

 peaks of the picturesque mountain ranges by Avhich it is al- 

 most entirely surrounded. 



Eikhams is abundantly supplied with water from three or 

 four copious springs, and the feite of these springs being ele- 

 vated, the land in the lower ground is easily irrigated. The 

 natives construct gardens, wherein they grow many sorts of 

 vegetables, some of which arrive at perfection. The soil is 

 exceedingly fertile, and seems well suited to the cultivation 

 of tobacco. Taking it as a whole, Eikhams is the prettiest 

 place I ever saw either in Damara-land or Namaqua-land. 



About twenty minutes' walk from Eikhams is a bountiful 

 hot spring. The water, just where it gushes out from the 



