INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xix 



to the weak state to which they were all reduced by fever, new 

 difficulties arose. After proceeding five or six days in a southerly 

 direction, Andersson was compelled to command a halt in 

 consequence of intelligence having reached him, through parties 

 he had sent forward to reconnoitre, that the country in front 

 was untraversable owing to the scarcity of water; and sub- 

 sequently information of a still more serious nature was .brought 

 him namely, that an attack on his encampment was imminent 

 on the part of the Ovampo (the tribe that in 1857 made an 

 onslaught on Green and his party). Stuck fast, so to say, as 

 Andersson now was in the wilderness, his situation about the 

 middle of November was very critical. 



Fortunately the Ovampo had taken a long time in making 

 their preparations ; and intelligence of their murderous intentions 

 in regard to Andersson had in the meantime reached Green, 

 then on his return from an expedition to the eastward of the 

 Ngami. 



On learning there their evil designs, this gentleman instantly 

 resolved on proceeding to the assistance of his friend, or, in the 

 worst event, of avenging his death. That his movements might 

 be more rapid he separated from his companions and started off 

 all but alone ; and though the dangers and difficulties of the 

 route were great, they were overcome, and the travellers had 

 once more the pleasure of embracing each other. 



It now only remained to gain Green's encampment ; for when 

 their forces were united it was hardly probable the Ovampo 

 would venture on an attack, as the prospect of success would 

 then be small indeed. Without delay, therefore^ Andersson 

 broke up his camp, and commenced the march. They had, 

 however, a five days' march before them through a fearful desert, 

 but succeeded in accomplishing it without accident of any kind. 

 "For that while"*, says Andersson, "we had little to satisfy 

 hunger or thirst. Its happy issue was, under Providence, 

 * The Okavango River, p. 246. 



