CHAPTER XIX 
The Boers on the trek to Damaraland settle accounts with a native chief who 
molested one of the party—Our party to a man refuse to accompany me 
across the Okovanga when the canoe arrives—Paul volunteers—Strange 
people visible on the opposite shore—Mombokooshus ferry us over—The 
expedition follows with glee—Canoe men display dexterity in sport—People 
from Lake Ngami—Advise us to go to the lake—Intuh6 has dispute with 
Debabe, Indala’s nephew—Indala the wizard levies tribute from the lake 
people—We are under suspicion of being spies, and are obliged to go to the 
lake—Breaking-in pack-oxen—I give farewell advice to Indala—About the 
Mombokooshus. 
The Boer trek of 1879, led by the enterprising Smidt and 
Kreeling, which came from the Transvaal via Shoshong, Lake 
Ngami, and made its way into Portuguese territory and Damara¬ 
land, certainly had a terrifying effect on the natives; and, 
although they never visited Indala’s district, the reports of their 
doings with some of the natives who interfered with members 
of the trek had reached the Cubango chief, probably causing 
him many severe moments at the recollections of his misdeeds 
and their probable consequences. It appears that, while the 
trek was proceeding to its destination, some hundred miles 
south-west of Indala, a chief living in that neighbourhood 
molested a Boer hunter whom he found shooting alone. Five 
of the Boers, well mounted and armed, paid this individual a visit 
to settle accounts for the transgression, and the country being 
fairly open they had such an innings with their long Martini- 
Henry rifles at these natives that they left the tribe over one 
hundred men short in the number of their mess, beside knock¬ 
ing the fear of Hades into the remainder, who at last fled like 
game over the country, followed by their relentless pursuers, till 
darkness put a stop to the proceedings. Whenever the natives 
rallied and made an attack on these five men, they calmly fired 
