202 REACH AN OVAMPO CATTLE-POST. [chap. vii. 



specimens, and Chik became so frightened that he 

 would not pick them up. We had great fun at 

 Otchikoto; there was a cave there full of bats and 

 owls, which we swam to and explored. The place 

 swarmed with doves, and every now and then a white 

 hawk swooped in amongst them. The Bushman 

 captain fraternised with me, and we interchanged 

 smiles and small presents. 



May 27th. — We travelled through the everlasting 

 thorns and stones for nine hours, and offpacked at 

 wells — wretched affairs, that we had to sit up half 

 the night to clean and dig out. 



May 2dth. — We came on ox spoors. Old Netjo, 

 who is a family man, was beside himself with joy, and 

 kept by my side pointing out all the indications of the 

 neighbouring Ovampo. Passing a reedy, boggy foun- 

 tain, we came an hour after to Omutchamatunda, 

 which then was thronged with the Ovampo and their 

 cattle. We were received very hosi^itably, and had a 

 tree assigned us to camp under. The Ovampo gave 

 us butter to grease ourselves with ; but as it was clean, 

 and as they also brought corn, I preferred eating it. 

 There was a httle game about, and we had some 

 shooting, and also a bathe and a battue of ducks and 

 partridges. No corn was grown here, neither were 

 there any women ; it was simply a cattle -post, and far 

 from the corn countrj' of the Ovampo. 



May QOth. — AVe passed the grave of the god, 

 Omakuru ; the Damaras all threw stones on the cairn 

 that covered it, singing out Tati-kuru ! Tati-kuru ! 

 (Father Omakiu'u). Came to Etosha, a great salt-pan. 



