266 DEPARTURE FROM SCHEPPMANSDORF. 



It was agreed between us that we should barter our wag- 

 ons, as also every article we could possibly dispense with, for 

 cattle, with which we should proceed to the Cape Colony, 

 where we understood live-stock always commanded a ready 

 market. \Yhen we should have turned the cattle into cash, 

 and provided ourselves with every thing needful, we purposed 

 forthwith returning to Walfisch Bay ; I with a view of pen- 

 etrating to the Lake Ngami, while Hans, in my absence, was 

 to trade with the natives. Should he be successful, my share 

 of the profits would materially aid me in following up my 

 geographical explorations, which, I was aware, would be at- 

 tended with considerable expense. 



Though our stay at Scheppmansdorf and Walfisch Bay had 

 been of some duration, it was not sufficiently long to enable 

 the oxen to recover their strength. They had not suffered 

 actual want, but the change of pasturage, more especially 

 as the grass was then young and green, instead of benefiting 

 them, had rather tended to deteriorate their condition. In- 

 deed, more than half of our best draft-oxen died. 



The country being at length in tolerable order for travel- 

 ing, we once more, on the afternoon of the 26 th of January, 

 took our departure from Scheppmansdorf, keeping the same 

 course as on previous occasions. Besides myself and Hans, 

 our party consisted of John Allen, John St. Helena, Phillip- 

 pus, Onesimus, and a few Damaras. 



The effect of the late rains began soon to show itself, for 

 even the barren Naarip was in places richly carpeted with 

 grass and flowers, and at every step the vegetation became 

 more luxuriant. As evening, with its lengthened shadows, 

 began to close upon us, the air was filled with balmy and aro- 

 matic scents. One little flower, of a milk-white color, was 

 particularly sweet and attractive. I could scarcely realize 

 the wonderful change in the landscape, where, less than a 

 month previously, I might have exclaimed. 



