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284, NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain, or by the splendour of the rain.
Here we see the natural and poetical aspect of Tsui-goab. But Dr. Hahn gives us an opportunity of watching the practical influence also which a belief in Tsui-goab still exercises on the people. He was himself travelling in Namaqua-land, and wishing to go to a mission station (p. 63).
The distance (he writes) to our next water was calculated three days' hard riding with the ox-wagon. We, however, had made the calculation without the host, because, after three days, we found ourselves still another twelve hours from the water. We had only for ourselves a little water in a cask, which, however, was almost consumed. In the night before the fourth day we lost our road, and it was only after some hours that we discovered our mistake. If we had to pass another twenty-four hours like this, not one of us would have seen the next day. Even in the night the air appeared to come from a hot oven. I scolded the guide, a raw heathen from the Habobe tribe, angrily for his carelessness, and asked : What have you done? to-morrow we shall be caten by the jackals and vultures. Who will now help us out of this trouble?'
The man coolly answered: Tsui-goab will help us.'
I: What nonsense! you and your Tsui-goab are both stupid fools !'
He: Truly, master, he will help.'
In the morning, about nine o'clock, we reached the water. After we had quenched our thirst, and were relishing a cup of coffee and a pipe, and talking over our troubles, my guide said laughingly: "My dear master, yesterday you would almost have killed me, but the Lord refused you to do so); but have you now convinced yourself that the Lord has helped ?'
