278 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. 



The old man informed me that he knew of my 

 coming, and, like his predecessors, wished to know what 

 a soldier wanted in this country. I told him my object 

 was to hunt, become conversant with the people, and 

 see the land. 



" Yes, to see the country, and bring back the red- 

 coated soldiers to take possession of it. You English- 

 men did this in the old Colony, in Natal, and now they 

 are coming here," he said. 



" No, you are quite mistaken ; I have no such 

 object. The people of my country have not the slightest 



idea that I am here. I am " and here I hesitated, 



for what I was going to say struck me with a peculiar 

 force " I am a wanderer." 



" A wanderer," he rejoined. " That means one 

 without a home, without /row or kinderkins, without 

 friends?" 



" Just so." 



" And how is this ? You are not old, you are strong 

 and brave, and you have a wagon and cattle, and plenty 

 of guns and ammunition. Get a frow, before it 'is too 

 late to raise heirs to your name ; and if you do as I 

 tell you, as you are a man skilled in war, come with 

 us to Ovampo Land, where we will make a new home, 

 and wax rich in our old age." 



In joke, I asked him where the wife was to be found. 



His reply was given without hesitation. " My 

 granddaughter is old enough to marry. She is like 

 what my frow was at her age, both in appearance and 

 ways and the Great Father knows she was a good 

 wife ;" and the old man heaved a sigh. 



" Is your wife dead?" 



" Gone to the promised land to await my coming." 



