A HERCULEAN MONGWATO 
383 
espied the others, now cropping the herbage by the pan, to 
which they ran and also at last found the water. Just as we 
were thinking it was time to turn the cattle, who were beginning 
to stray, one gave a grunting low, and they all came rushing 
back to the water, with tails in the air, to have another 
drink. 
I then sent Paul back with the cattle and a canvas bag of 
water, remaining myself to await the arrival of the cart. 
A Herculean, wiry-looking Mongwato meanwhile arrived 
from Shoshong, driving an enormous pack-ox, well laden with 
coloured handkerchief cloths in small bales, tobacco, and other 
trading articles. Besides this ox, he drove a two-year-old bull. 
He off-loaded the pack from his ox, weighing at least three 
hundred pounds, and came to converse with me, asking after 
the water on ahead. On hearing that the small pans between 
here and Lichachane were empty, he appeared distressed, for he 
mentioned that he was proceeding to the Zouga river to trade 
for ostrich feathers on his own behalf, and had hoped that the 
previous rains, having filled the pans, would make his journey 
across the Pooh-Pooh and through the desert an easy task. I 
advised him to try the Machakabe pan, as so far, to our know¬ 
ledge, no travellers had yet paid it a visit. I bantered him on 
his temerity in risking this long journey alone and without 
apparent food. In answer he pointed to his two sharp assegais 
and an enormous knob-stick he carried, and said that he was 
prepared for all-comers, lions included. It was not by any 
means the first time that he had made the journey alone. As 
for food, he would walk till quite hungry, and then slaughter 
the bull either at Malatzwye or Haakedoorn Yley, where he 
would rest and make biltong, and after a good feed would go 
on again. I reminded him that he might be attacked while 
asleep, to which he answered that he only slept a little during 
the middle of the day, when nothing was stirring, and travelled 
all night as a rule. Near Haakedoorn Vley there were some 
friendly Mosarwas whom he knew, and with whom he usually 
rested. 
