i 



ELEPHANT FOUNTAIN KEACH TUNOBIS. 



233 



AVILD BOAE'S head. 



double this number. We also 

 observed a few wild boars. 



After a fortnight's harass- 

 ing travel we arrived at Ele- 

 phant Fountain, formerly a 

 Wesleyan missionary station. 

 It was founded in 1847 by the 

 Rev. Mr. Tindal, but had of 

 late years been abandoned in 

 consequence of a destructive 

 fever, which carried off many 

 of the natives. Even the few Europeans settled there suf- 

 fered severely. It was situated within the territory of the 

 chief Amral, who M^as born and bred in the Cape Colony, 

 and, if I am not misinformed, was raised to his present dig- 

 nity partly through missionary influence. 



Elephant Fountain is chiefly inhabited by Hill-Damaras, 

 who cultivate extensive gardens of tobacco, &c. Game was 

 abundant thereabout, but we had not then time to look aft- 

 er it. 



From Elephant Fountain eastward the country was rep- 

 resented as very sandy and bushy, and, as our oxen were in 

 a very indifferent condition, we determined to leave the wag- 

 on behind in charge of John Mortar, the cook, and to pros- 

 ecute our journey with pack-and-ride oxen. Amral, Avith a 

 great number of the tribe, expressed a wish to accompany 

 us, chiefly for the sake of the anticipated sport. As we trav- 

 eled on we were joined by Lambert, his^ son, and other Na- 

 maquas, with their attendants, till at last our party amount- 

 ed to several hundred indiA-iduals. 



After no little inconvenience and misery, on account of the 

 great heat, the terrible drought, and scarcity of pasturage 

 about the few and widely - separated watering - places, we 

 reached Tunobis, or. Otjombinde, on the 3d of October. Ac- 

 cording to Mr. Galton's observations, this place is situated in 

 latitude 21° oo'' and 21° 55^ east longitude. 



