136 KAHIKENE SENDS TO US. [chap. v. 



that if I started now to Omanboncle, and travelled as 

 fast as I could, it would take me so long that I should 

 be an old man when I came back. 



My plan of journeying was this ; to move steadily 

 on, and whenever I came across water, after three 

 hours' travel, to stop ; in this way my oxen would keep 

 fresh for any severe exertion they might be called 

 upon to make, and I should also have more time to 

 learn particulars about the country, which would be 

 of essential use if I returned in the dry season. The 

 necks of the oxen had also to become hardened to the 

 yoke ; if a raw was established the beast would be 

 useless. 



On the third day's travel, the long slope, which is 

 the watershed of the Swakop, was sm'mounted, and 

 quite new scenery lay before us. In front rose the 

 two magnificent cones of Omatako, each appearing as 

 perfect as that of Tenerifi'e ; to the far left were 

 many broken mountains, some of which must look 

 down upon Erongo ; more northerly lay the long 

 escarpment of another Ghou Damup mountain, 

 Koniati ; and to the westward of north, a very distant 

 blue hill was seen, which had to be passed on our way 

 to Omanbonde. The sandy soil was covered with thin 

 dry gTass, and a scanty thorn coppice, without under- 

 wood, overspread the land. 



As we travelled on, some messengers met us. They 

 were sent from the Chief Kahikene, who begged 

 me to visit him. He lay at a large vley in front, 

 whither he had moved to meet me. The messenger 

 brought a magnificent black ox as a present from him ; 



