INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. xiii 



intended as well for hunting as for the exploration of the river 

 Cunene. 



As, however, that gentleman was then absent in the interior 

 of Damara Land (in company with the late Mr. Wahlberg, who 

 was shortly afterwards killed by an infuriated elephant), and was 

 not expected to return for some time, Andersson undertook the 

 superintendence of some recently discovered copper-mines on 

 the confines of Namaqua Land ; and when therefore his friend 

 returned to the Cape, which was much sooner than had 

 been anticipated, and set off on the journey to the Cunene, he 

 was unable to accompany him a circumstance which at the 

 time caused much annoyance to Andersson, but which, as the 

 event proved, was little to be regretted, as, owing to the enmity 

 of the Ovampo, the expedition proved altogether unsuccessful. 



But at the expiration of a year, the mines in question having 

 proved a failure, Andersson was free from his engagement ; and 

 he then determined on attempting to carry out the object that 

 Green had failed in accomplishing. 



In March 1858 he started from Objimbinque, situated on the 

 river Swakop, which subsequently became his chief residence, 

 after having by his own great exertions and the kind assistance 

 he received from the missionaries fortunately succeeded in pro- 

 curing the needful outfit. The course he took, which was 

 through Western Damara Land, was not perhaps the most 

 favourable, as he had to traverse a country where both game 

 and water were known to be scarce ; but it was shorter than the 

 eastern route, and he hoped for the best. 



For two months the expedition moved forward, though but 

 slowly, owing partly to the rough nature of the ground and the 

 dense brakes through which they were often obliged to cut their 

 way with the axe, and partly to the frequent detours they were 

 compelled to make in search of water. They persevered, never- 

 theless, and at length reached the Ovatjionba country, where 

 they procured guides, who, however, soon lost themselves in the 



