G4 EXPEDITION INTO 



CHAPTER X. 



FROM MERITSANE TO MIMORI, AND HUNTING ON THE 



MOLOPO. 



Continuing our journey on the 14th October^ twent3'-eig-ht 

 mileSj throug'h a beautiful country abounding- with trees and 

 grassj we reached the Lotlokane^ the shallow channel of a 

 periodical river, said in the rainy season to contribute its mite 

 to the Molopo, which it joins at some distance to the west- 

 ward. At this season it was perfectly dry ; but we had 

 fortunately found a small pool of water on the road, at 

 which we breakfasted, after killing* several hartebeests and 

 sassaybes. The skins of both these animals, and especially 

 of the latter, are in gTeat demand among-st the savag-es, for 

 kohos, or fur cloaks — both on account of their brilliant 

 colour and their supple nature. They are cured by means 

 of continual rubbing*, stretching* and scraping-; and for 

 this purpose are constantly carried about, and referred to 

 as an amusement in moments of leisure. The operation 

 is rendered less tedious by the constant addition of g-rease ; 

 and less irksome, by savag-e howling-s and g'runting-s, 

 intended to pass current for sing-ing*. 



The sassaybe, or crescent-horned antelope, and the caama, 

 hartebeest, are both members of the Acronotine g'roup, 

 and are alike remarkable for their elevated withers, drooping* 

 hind quarters, and triang-ular form. The colour of the 

 former is a pompadour or purple violet, and of the latter 

 brig*ht orang*e ; their leg's and faces being* eccentrically 



