296 THE GREAT THIRST LAND. . 



and gave a shout, Umganey did the same, so did the 

 followers, and I, no way loth, joined in. A most trying 

 part of my journey is completed. 



Soshong, the capital of Bamanwatto, and the 

 residence of the King of the Bechuana people, is situated 

 on a flat covered with sand and stone, through the centre 

 of which passes a dry river-bed. In the memory of some 

 of the oldest inhabitants it was a constant stream ; but 

 as in many other parts of South Africa, more especially 

 in the country bordering the Kalahari, it has gradually 

 dried up. The hills which form the background of the 

 town are very rugged, barren, covered with loose stone, 

 and almost destitute of vegetation. Into this penetrates 

 a kloof, forming almost an equilateral triangle, the base 

 of which, drawing a line across the plain at its entrance, 

 must be over a mile wide. Over this space in regular 

 order are built the inhabitants' huts. 



As at Moiloes, in Marico, the community is divided 

 into what we may call divisions, brigades, and regiments, 

 each ruled over by inferior chiefs, who are answerable 

 to the king for the conduct of their subordinates. The 

 huts are all built alike, and have an upright circular 

 wall of clay of the diameter of about- twelve feet, and 

 are roofed with reeds in the shape of an umbrella-top. To 

 each residence there is a little compound, enclosed by a 

 thick hedge of cut thorn bushes. Not unfrequently 

 also in the enclosure will be found a storehouse, a 

 miniature copy of the larger residence. In these 

 compounds the women do their domestic work, such as 

 grinding corn, &c. At the top of the kloof is the 

 spring that once supplied the dried-up river, and from 

 which all water consumed in the town is derived. 



A sight that I frequently enjoyed was to take my 



