CHAP, v.] GIVES ME ADVICE. 141 



act of clemency, which should secure them against 

 retaliation ; and it was but natural that Damara chiefs 

 should pay some little deference to my mediation, since 

 I had just checked the Hottentots from laying hands 

 on their cattle. But Kahikene was too ]proud to receive 

 back part and compromise the matter, though he said 

 that he knew his expedition was but a forlorn hope, 

 and that he woidd be killed. He said that his best 

 soldiers were gone, and that those with him were but 

 arrant cowards, who would leave him at the first 

 danger. He made these complimentary speeches quite 

 loud, while all his men were sitting around us. He 

 showed us all the scars and cuts with which he was 

 covered, and gave the history of them in an easy chatty 

 way. He criticised my arrangements, and said that I 

 was much too careless in the way I travelled and 

 encamped — that I ought never to allow many Damaras 

 to mix in with my men, because if they made one of 

 their sudden attacks I should be overpowered directly. 

 He recommended the greatest caution in trusting the 

 Damaras. I knew too well the truth of much that he 

 said, but my waggon -men were far too negligent for 

 me to keep up anything like the disciphne I should 

 have wished amongst them. At very Httle trifles they 

 were ready to show discontent, and if I had pushed 

 them too much they would have turned back and left 

 me. Kahikene assm^ed me, and I had heard from 

 other quarters also, that Omagunde's son would not 

 let us pass through his country. I wished to send 

 messengers to him, but no Damara dared to go. His 

 feelings were anything but favourable towards whites ; 



