324 DIVERSIONS ^DISTILLING DOSIESTIC ANIMALS. 



power to satisfy the cravings of nature. If urged to work, 

 they have been heard to say, "Why should we resemble 

 the worms of the ground ?" A few may occasionally be seen 

 employing themselves in making neat little camp-stools and 

 in repairing guns, for which they have a certain aptitude. 

 Jonker Afrikaner — be it said to his honor — is by far the 

 most industrious Hottentot that I have yet seen. 



They are excessively fond of diversions, more especially 

 music and dancing. They do not, however, distinguish them- 

 selves by grace in their movements, nor do they even possess 

 that dexterity and flexibility of limb that the Ovambo ladies 

 — at the expense of our peace of mind — exhibited at King 

 Nangoro's court hall. 



They understand and practice the art of distilling spirits. 

 When a certain kind of berry, of a sweet and agreeable taste, 

 is ripe, large quantities are collected and put into a skin bag 

 to ferment. On being sufficiently advanced, they are depos- 

 ited in a large pot and boiled, and the steam drawn off into 

 another vessel joined to it by an old gun-barrel. The liquor 

 is then allowed to settle for a few days, and becomes so strong 

 and intoxicating that a small glass or two is sufficient to up- 

 set any man's reason not previously accustomed to it. I 

 have seen the natives become perfectly maddened by its 

 effect. 



They also make a kind of mead (a favorite drink with the 

 ancient Northmen), which is a pleasant and refreshing bev- 

 erage, and, unless partaken of to excess, is comparatively 

 harmless. 



The domestic animals of the country are the cow, the 

 sheep, the goat, and the dog. The sheep is highly prized by 

 them, so much so that at one time (before the introduction 

 of tobacco) it was more thought of than any thing else — even 

 than women ! The original breed of Namaqua cattle is near- 

 ly extinct. The southern tribes still possess it, though more 

 or less mixed with that of the colony and Damara-land. In 



