CHAPTEE VIII. 



We are ordered to return. — Hesitation. — The Slave dealings here. — Future 

 of Ovampo-land. — A Field for Missionaries. — Best way of getting 

 there. — Slavery and Servitude. — Giving men away. — AiTange my 

 packs. — Start Homeward. — Leave Ondonga. — The Oxen suffer severely. 

 — Reach Okamabuti. — The Waggons are safe. — Start for Omaramba. 

 — Okavare. — Elephants visit us. — Ice every night. — Pass Omagundd. 

 — Reach Barmen. 



On one occasion Nangoro told me that he would 

 send Chik back with me to my country. I promised to 

 take him as far as that of the Hottentots, where he could 

 see some of my countrymen ; but that my country was so 

 far off, that if he went to it, he would never find his 

 way back again ; besides, it was cold, and he would die 

 there ; so it was agreed that Chik should go back with 

 me to Barmen. I was very glad of this arrangement, as 

 I wanted to obtain fuUer information from him than I 

 possessed. I wished to make a small vocabulary of 

 the language of the Ovampo, and learn something more 

 than I could observe of their manners and customs ; 

 but here in Ovampo-land Chik would scarcely answer 

 a single question. He constantly replied, " You must 

 not ask these things ; Nangoro will tliink that you 

 want to take away his Kfe." And he became quite sulky 

 if he was pressed. Indeed, I have no conception to 



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