CHAP, v.] HIPPOPOTAMI. 161 



familiar with, liippopotami, from having been born on the 

 Orange Kiver, which used to abound with them, saw 

 fragments of the animal ; Jonker told me the story and 

 I have no reason to disbelieve it, but from the appear- 

 ance of Damara-land during the dry season, one would 

 as soon expect a hippopotamus to have travelled across 

 the great Sahara as from Omanbonde to Tsobis. There 

 is not a di'op of water, except in wells, (which the beast 

 could not get at,) between Omanbonde and the little 

 fountain two hours from Schmelen's Hope. We 

 encamj)ed by the side of Omanbonde near some wells 

 of excellent water, to wliich hundreds of desert 

 partridges flew every night. My men had had enough 

 of travelling, and wanted to return ; however I had my 

 own way with them. I made them what presents I 

 could. Their shirts were torn to rags, and I served 

 out ail the calico which I had taken as an article of 

 exchange to make them new ones. I gave an assegai 

 to each of my Damaras, and did my best to put the 

 men into good humour, and then made ready to go on 

 to the Ovampo. 



