416 FIRST VIEW OF THE LAKE GRATITUDE. 



whole party was in high spirits, and we proceeded cheerily 

 on our road. I myself kept well ahead, in hope of obtaining 

 the first glimpse of Ngami. The country hereabout was 

 finely undulated, and in every distant vale with a defined 

 border I thought I saw a lake. At last a blue line of great 

 extent appeared in the distance, and I made sure it was the 

 long-sought object ; but I was still doomed to disappointment. 

 It turned out to be merely a large hollow, in the rainy season 

 filled with water, but now dry and covered by saline incrust- 

 ations. Several valleys, separated from each other by ridges 

 of sand, bearing a rank vegetation, were afterward crossed. 

 On reaching the top of one of these ridges, the natives, who 

 were in advance of our party, suddenly came to a halt, and, 

 pointing straight before them, exclaimed, " Ngami ! Ngami !" 

 In an instant I was with the men. There, indeed, at no very- 

 great distance, lay spread before me an immense sheet of 

 water, only bounded by the horizon — the object of my ambi- 

 tion for years, and for which I had abandoned home and 

 friends, and risked my life. 



The first sensation occasioned by this sight was very curi- 

 ous. Long as I had been prepared for that event, it now al- 

 most overwhelmed me. It was a mixture of pleasure and 

 pain. My temples throbbed, and my heart beat so violently 

 that I was obliged to dismount and lean against a tree for 

 support until the excitement had subsided. The reader will 

 no doubt think that thus giving way to my feelings was very 

 childish ; but " those who know that the first glimpse of some 

 great object which we have read or dreamed of from earliest 

 recollection is ever a moment of intenpest enjoyment, will 

 forgive the transport." I felt unfeignedly thankful for the 

 unbounded goodness and gracious assistance which I had ex- 

 perienced from Providence throughout the whole of this pro- 

 longed and perilous journey. My trials-had been many; 

 but, my dearest aspirations being attained, the difficulties 

 were all forgotten. And here I could not avoid passing my 



