CHAP. IX.] THE KUBABEES REACH 'NGAMI. 261 



Amii'al a letter about it. He described the boats that 

 were there, and said much about the alligators, who 

 kUled very many of their dogs. The Hottentots made 

 a most murderous excursion, having fallen upon a 

 village that was situated on the river, connected with 

 the west of the lake, and cut every person's throat the}' 

 could lay hands on. They then robbed the huts and 

 decamped with their booty. Carosses, made of skins 

 that were unknown to them, were amongst the plunder. 

 The lake itself they did not dare to go to ; a bill or 

 mountain was pointed out to them, at the foot of which 

 not only the lake, but a large werft of natives were ; 

 and these they did not venture to approach. I was 

 told that I should probably see the Bushmen, who 

 guided them. Amii'al was very anxious to lay hold 

 of these Bushmen, and require them not to guide 

 strangers, as the harm which tlie Kubabees Hottentots 

 had done would j)robably be retaliated on his head. 



It was most likely on a visit of expostulation, or as 

 spies, that the Mationa chiefs had been to Wesley 

 Vale ; but as no interpreter could be found, the inter- 

 view ended in nothing but an exchange of presents. 

 I heard that there was a woman born among the 

 Mationa, but now naturalised in Amiral's tribe ; and 

 I sent messengers long distances to try and bring her, 

 but she was not to be found — only her two half-caste 

 children, who knew nothing but Hottentot. 



The country appeared to have become quite devoid 

 of all landmarks, only a few rising heads and long 

 undulating ridges being visible, which I could make no 

 use of in triangulating. I had brought my triangu- 



