236 LEAVE ONDONGA. [chap. vm. 



came, and, to our surprise, Chik would not go with us. 

 We persuaded liim to go as far as Netjo's, whom we 

 knocked up out of liis snug hut in the chill early 

 morning, and wishing him and his family an affectionate 

 adieu, gave him the last beads that we had, and started 

 away on our old track to Damara-land. 



It was with the greatest rehef that I once again 

 felt myself my own master, and coiild go when I liked 

 and as I liked ; anything for liberty, even though 

 among the thorn bushes. 



I was sincerely grieved that Chik would not return 

 with us, as he was a person of great consequence 

 in the coimtry, and I had hoped that by his means 

 the Damara-land Missionaries would be enabled 

 easily to extend theu' stations among the Ovampo, 

 which was an object they had long hoped for. They 

 would also have had leisure to learn from him 

 enough of the Ovampo language to make them- 

 selves independent of an interpreter. I believe Chik 

 wanted to go, but he could persuade no companions 

 to join him, and, naturally enough, did not like to 

 go alone. 



The oxen went very steadily and quickly, and 

 although we had often to adjust their j^acks, yet we 

 made eight hours' actual travelling by four o'clock; 

 they seemed to know they were going home ; we then 

 stopped in a gi'assy place, and the oxen had the first 

 good meal they had enjoyed for more than a fortnight. 

 It was quite pleasant to watch their lank sides dis- 

 tending. There was no time to be lost, so that we 

 were up and packed and off before day-break. The 



