"THE CHIEF OF A REBELLIOUS CLAN." 375 



largest of these immense vegetable productions that I 

 had yet seen was here found. I carefully measured its 

 circumference and found it almost incredible, I acknow- 

 ledge one hundred and forty feet in circumference. 

 Truly it was a giant ; like others that I have observed, 

 it was hollow, scooped out till but a mere shell remained, 

 and against that fires had been lighted in numerous 

 places by the erratic Massaras. The abundance of game 

 in the vicinity causes me to conclude that there is water 

 near which my people know nothing of; further, that it 

 is so scarce in front of us that all the beasts have been 

 driven in, and thus congregated here. 



The spoor of lions along the dry river-bed is very 

 abundant ; still there is so much prey for them, in the 

 shape of their natural food, that I do not apprehend any 

 danger from their attack. About sunset I viewed large 

 numbers of Namaqua partridge flying north-west, also 

 flocks of doves, a certain indication that open water is 

 to be found in that direction. If I were not almost 

 broken down by my fall from Euby, and by another and 

 severer accident, also with fever, and had not good grounds 

 for believing that my people were disaffected, I could 

 remain here for an indefinite time. My camping-place 

 is very pretty a wide long grassy glade, terminating in 

 the river-bank, and fringed with beautiful trees, the 

 meruley being most numerous. Umganey gathers their 

 fruit in pailfuls, to make a drink for my parched lips. 

 It is very refreshing, and superior to anything of the 

 kind I know. What a pity no one tries to cultivate it, 

 so as to reduce the stone, and increase the edible portion ! 



Disaffection has been apparent among my people for 

 some time. As to its origin, I am entirely ignorant ; 

 and, worse than all, I believe Umganey to be infected 



