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TRAVELS F K O M T H E
CAPEof'GOOD-HOPE,
INTO T,H E,
INTERIOR PARTS OF AFRICA,
INCLUDING MANY
JNTERESTINGANECPOTES, WITH ELEGANT PLATES,
Defcriptive of the Country and Inhabitants :
* ~ . INSCRIBED BY PERMISSION TO
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF MONTAGU,

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF
MO NS IEUR'VAILLANT. A
¦»¦
IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR WILLIAM LANE, LEADENHALL-STREET.

TRAVELS INTO THE
INTERIOR PARTS
O F
AFRICA.

CHAPTER I.

ACCOUNT OF THE OONAdUAIS, THEIR
ORIGIN, &C. — -MESSENGERS FROM THEIR
CHIEF  THE AUTHOR PREPARES.TO VISIT
HIM — PECULIARITY OF HIS DRESS
DESCRIBED.
IN the thirty-fix hours that I patted
among the Gonaquais, I had time to
make fome ufeful obfervations on their-
manners and fpeech : I remarked that they
clucked with their tongues like the other
Hottentots, (I will hereafter explain the
Vol. II. B man-

2 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
manner of this clucking-, and how it
varies), and, though their language is very
fimilar, my people could not always under
stand them.
Th<iy alfo differed from my Hottentots
by the darknefs of their complexions j
their nofes were not fo flat; they were
much taller and better proportioned ; and
in a word, had a more agreeable appear
ance and deportment. The plates of Narina
and the young Gonaquais, faithfully taken,
may give fome idea of their perfons.
When they accoft any one they prefent
their hand, faying -"Tabe (I falute you).
This word and ceremony is alfo ufed
among the Caffres, but not among, thofe
properly called Hottentots.
The affinity of c'ufto'ms* manners, and
difpofitions, the neighbourhood of Caff-
ran'a, and the infight that I afterwards received, '

' r//f/tt///7<7//f//,) r /fo//f///if>-f/f

TRAVELS IN ARICA. 3
received, convinced me that the Hoords
of the Gonaquais, which refemble equally
the Caffres and Hottentots muft have
been originally the produce of thofe two
nations. The drefs of the Gonaquais men,
though better contrived and arranged, has
the fame form with that of the Hotten
tots, but as the firft are of a more elevated
ftature, it is not with the fkins of theep,
but with thofe of calves that they make
their cloaks, which are all called Krojes.
Some among them wear on their neck a
bit of ivory or very white Sheep's bone,
which, contrafted with the colour of their
fkins, has a good effect.
When the heat is exceflive, they take
off all their covering but their jackals,
which is a piece of Skin of the animal fo
named, and hangs from their girdles.
B 2 The

4 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
The women take a great deal more
trouble than the men in regard to drefsj
they alfo wear the Kros, but their aprons
are larger, and wrought with a good deal
of Skill; in very hot weather they only
wear this laft habiliment, and a Skin that
defcends from the loins to the calf of their
legs. Young girls, until nine years old, go
abfolutely naked; after that age they wear
an apron.
It was night when the Hottentot that I
fent with. Haabas returned from the Hoord;
he was accompanied by two Gonaquais,
who brought me a fat ox, which their chief
entreated me to accept. Narina, to remind
me of my promife, fent me a baSket of
goat's milk, which She knew I was very
fond of. Her Sifter had feen the prefents
She had received, and regretted that She
had not likewife vifited my camp : this I
was

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 5
was told by one of the meSTengers of
Haabas, who likewife brought the thanks
of her mother for the prefent I had fent
her. With the ox I alfo received fome
Sheep, I regaled the meSTengers with to
bacco and brandy, one of them refembled
Narina, I thought it was her brother,
but he proved to be only her CouSin : his
features were at once manly and pleafing,
his height and form unexceptionable, he
was altogether the handfomeft favage I
had ever feen ; and from him I received
more information than even from HaabaS ;
he told me that before the war with the
Caffres, their Hoord contained but one
family, of which the grandfather of Na
rina was the laft chief. After his death
it had long remained without a comman
der, but war having broke out, the
Hoord of Haabas, (who dwelt on the
borders of a river near the feat of action)
came and joined them. At firft the arrival
of Haabas had 'occasioned a great deal
B3 of

6 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
of diScontent, as the Hoord would not
acknowledge him, faying they had a right
to chufe a chief, and it was not juft a new
comer Should exact obedience in a Hoord
that had only permitted his fettlement
among them: this difference of opinion
caufed long quarrels, and fome bloodshed ;
at length the common intereft having
obliged them to join againft a precipitate
attack of the Caffres, the prudent and
courageous conduit of Haabas (who had
repulfed the enemy) made them unani
mously elect: him chief of both Hoards,
and now, by their intermarriages and Strict;
friendship, it was considered but as one.
My brandy began to operate on the
young Gonaquais, whofe details were in
exhaustible ; and it was one o'clock before
I retired to reft; recommending to my
people to follow my example, as I intended
going out to Shoot birds at day break. I rofe

TRAVELS IN AFRICA, J ,
I rofe with the fun, the coufin of Na-
rina afked leave to follow me, it was fuch
a pleafure, as he expreSfed it, to fee me fire
my gun, which was to him a pheno
menon he could not acccount for ; I gave
him my carbine to carry, *as we might
chance to meet fome larger game.
Thecuriofity of Amiroo (that being his
name) was not eaSily Satisfied, we drew
near to a vulture that had fettled on the
point of a rock, my firft Shot wounded, '
the fecond killed it ; the comrades of
Amiroo on their return to the Hoord had
told him, I could fire a number of times
together, but judging of my arms by his,'
he could not conceive it poffible that the
fame arrow Should wound twice, he was
Strangely furprifed to hear the fecond
report, and to fee the bird dead; how
much did he wifh to poSfefs fuch a wea
pon, to ufe in battle againft the Caffres!
His manner, his voice, in expreSfing this
B4 wifh

8 , TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
wifh, convinced me that if man is not the
ftrongeft, • he is the nobleft, and moft
courageous of creatures. He afked me why
the colonifts had not guns ? The queftiori
though pertinent,, was unanfwerable:
Before my arrival they had not even feen
any; and in the countries I travelled
through, at a diftance from the Cape, it -
was fpoke of as a curifioty without parallel.
In my converfatioh with Amiroo I found
he thought I could fire my piece at plea-
fure, having no idea of its requiring a
charge; and the queftion he afterwards
put, convinced me of this: a kite flew
over our heads, I fired my two charges,
the bird only took a round, and continued
his way. Amiroo aSked me why I did not
fire until I killed it ? I anfwered, the bird
was too common, and I had no inclina
tion to it, befid.es the noife might frighten
others which I wifhed to kill; by this turn
I avoided explaining what I thought it
prudent he Should^ ever be ignorant of. I
alfo

TRAVELS^N AFRICA. q
alfo augmented the idea of 'Superiority that
favages entertain of an European.
Among a number of other birds, I Shot
a cuckow of a fpecies entirely unknown :
there was nothing remarkable in his plu
mage, being almoft all over of a dark
brown ; its notes are compofed of a num^
ber of founds differently accented, and
may be heard at a great diftance. And as
it Sings for, whole , hours without. inter
ruption, it betrays itfelf to the fportfmen :
I have called it Criard in my Ornithology.
Amiroo feeing me Shoot the fmall birds
fo eafily, defired I would lend him my
gun to try his Skill ; but it did not enter into
my plan of politics to give him ufeful lef-
fons in that faience. Without wanting
to pafs for a conjuror, I wifhed to per-
fuade him by his own experience, that
there was an enormous difference between
a European and a Hottentot ; I therefore charged

10 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
charged my gun with powder only, and
let him fire as often as he pkafed. He was
out of patience to fee nothing fall ; had I
put in Shot he would not have been more
content, for the fear of burning his face
made him turn away his head when he
pulled the trigger : though I fuppofed him
very aukward, yet I left nothing to chance ;
for had he killed a Single bird, my fupe^
riority would have been much leSfened,
not only in his own opinion, but alfo in
that of the whole Hoord; and if their opi
nion did not protect my perfon,. it at leaft
gratified my felf-love. As we returned
to our camp we met with a number of
Bubales, I killed one with my carbine, it
appeared Strange to my companion that
at only fifteen paces, he could not kill a
Single -bird; he meafured with aftoniSh-
ment the diftance between us and the
Bubale, his reflections gave ' his features
an air of forrow, I considered him with
pity; he was not aware how interesting was

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. II
was that Simplicity that perfuaded him of
his inferiority to his fellow creature : long
mayeft thou keep thy happy ignorance,
and may I be the laft Stranger who, with
daring Step, Shall tread thy land and pro
fane thy folitude.
We covered the Bubale with branches,
and on our return fent a horfe and my
Hottentot to fetch it.
To amufe Amiroo and his comrade, I
employed the reft of the day in preparing
my birds. I detained them that night,
telling them the day following they Should
conduct me to their Hoord; this intelli
gence occasioned the moft lively joy, and
the evening paSfed away gaily; we drank
tea and milk before a good fire, I had one
of the Sheep killed that Haabas had fent
me, the fupper was chearful. Mufic (the
jew's-harp) was not forgotten, I gave two

12 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
two to my visitors, who had feen fome I
had given to thofe of the Hoord that had
before vifited me, they had much wiShed
for them but dared not aSk me, in grati
fying their wifhes I augmented the friend- '
Ship they entertained for me.
The hour of reft arrived, I informed.
all my people of the journey on the mor
row, ordering Klaas to have my horfes
ready at day-break.
On my rifing I found the companion
of Amiroo was gone to inform Haabas of
my intended vifit. The population ofthe
immenfe deferts of Africa muft not be cal
culated by the innumerable quantities of
blacks that fwarm the weft and border
the ocean from the Canaries on the king
dom of Morocco, to the environs of the
Cape of Good Hope, there is certainly no
proportion. Notwithstanding, the bar
barous navigators of Europe (by a com
merce

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 13
merce approved by a fmall number, de-
tefted by the greater) have, by fpecious
allurements, feduced the negroes to give
up their prifoners, or thofe in their pow
er; and taught them in proportion to
their want, to become perfidious and in
human. The chief has fold his fubjedts,-
the parents their children, and nature,
as if to furniSh them with the means for
this unnatural traffic, has rendered them
fruitful. But this execrable trade is yet unknown
, in the interior of the continent, the de-
fert is Strictly the defert, and it is only at
diftances from each other, that we find
fcattered fettlements, the people few, liv
ing on the fruits ofthe earth and the pro
duce of their cattle, and ever a long way
from one Hoord to another. The heat
of the climate, the Sterility of the foil,
the fcarcity of water, mountains almoft
impaSTable, Savage beafts to cope with, or
what

14 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
what is poffibly worfe, the phlegmatic
temperament of this people may be a Suf
ficient reaSbn why a Hottentot is Seldom
or never the father of Six children.
The country of the Gonaquais which I
was now exploring, might reckon about
three thoufand people, on an extent of
thirty or forty leagues, out of which the
Hoord oi Haabas (the moft considerable
in the country) contained four hundred.
They were not here degenerate and
miferable Hottentots like thofe who lan
guish in the neighbourhood of the Cape,
defpifing and defpifed, remembering of
their origin but the empty name ; and
enjoying, at. the price of their liberty, a
little peace bought dearly at the expence
of exceSIive labour.
But here I could contemplate a people
brave and free, poSfeSTrng only independ ence,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 1 5
ence, yielding to the impulfe of their
natures, which is truly philanthropic and
magnanimous. As I would not prefent myfelf to this
refpectable nation like a tired huntfman,
who wo*i,by hunger and fatigue is obliged
to Stop at the firft place he can find; in
in the morning I dreSfed myfelf with great
care, powdering my hair, and combing my
beard to make it fet in the beft manner
poffible : it was not a ridiculous whim, as
has been faid, that had made me let it grow
for a year, (for though negligent of my
perfon, exact cleanlinefs was my greateft
pleafure), the project was conceived before
I left the Cape. As I was well informed
ofthe wars between the Caffres and colo-
nifts it was neceSfary that I Should have
the appearance of an entire Stranger, who
vifited this country from curiofiry, with
out any connection with the colonifts.
My plan fucceeded, and in all the Hoards
I vifited,

l6 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
I vifited, and was received as a fuperiof
being. The invincible diSlike I had, to
tobacco and brandy, fo much prized by
the colonifts and favages, encreafed their
aftonifhment. The knowledge of this
favourable idea gave me an aflurance, nay,
even infpired me with a degree^f intre
pidity which was of the greatest utility,
thefe were advantages which other tra
vellers (from not having ufed the fame
precautions) have not enjoyed. I went
every where' without fear, arid might have
croffed the centre of Africa into Barbary
without inquietude, had not the foil for-,
bidden it,
But the extremes of hunger and thirft,
will even be unfurmountable barriers to
fuch a hazardous expedition ; for in a jour
ney of that length, and where a number
of deSert wilds form a principal part, it
muft be abfolutely neceSfary to make a
large provifion; how this is to be done (in

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

*7

(in countries whereof fome are totally,
and others almoft unknown) is a queftion
at prefent as impenetrable as thefe unex
plored regions.
But, to return to my drefs; among
other fuits, I had one of dark brown with
diamond-cut Steel buttons, this I chofe
for my vifiting habit, for the fun-beams
reflecting on my buttons, would .make
me an object of admiration to the favages ;
under this I put a white waiftcoat, and
in lieu of boots a pair of nankeen troufers ; '
I happened to have a pair of European
Shoes in my wardrobe, thofe I likewiSe
put on, not forgetting my large Silver l
buckles, which by chance were very fpark-
ling; I ardently wiShed for a gold-laced
hat, but wiShes were in vain ; my troufers
rendered my brilliant knee-buckles ufelefs,
but I was refolved they Should not be loft,
fo made them up into a kind of clafp for
my hat, which was decorated with an
elegant plume of oftrich feathers.
Vol. II. C The

l8 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
The accoutrements of my horfe, did not
anfwer to the ornaments of his mafter ;
the panther Skin, that would have been
thought beautiful in France, was nothing
in the eyes of a favage ; had he been de
corated with even the worft of thofe fear-
let houfings that cover the backs of the
horSes which pafs weekly from Paris to
PoiSfy, what an object would he have
been for admiration !
I -had ordered my faithful Klaas to at
tend me on horfe-back, he had likewife
adorned himfelf in the beft manner he
could ; but wifhing to distinguish him, I
gave him an old pair of red breeches, which
were put on with an air of vanity, that
Shewed the importance he received from
this decoration.

CHAP

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 19

CHAPTER IL

SETS OUT ON HIS VISIT— RECEPTION BT
THE CHIEF  ACCOMPANIES HIM TO VIEW
THE KRAAL  HUMANE TREATMENT OF
THE AGED  REMARKABLE ACCOUNT OF
A DISEASED GONAQUAIS— DISTRIBUTES
PRESENTS — RETURNS TO THE CAMP.

EVERY thing being ready for our
departure, I ordered our two huntf-
men to go before with their guns, to in
form the Hoord of my coming ; and as
foon as I had breakfafted fet out myfelf;
I Stuck my poignard in my button-hole,
a~ pair of piftols in my girdle, another in
my faddle, with my double barreled gun;
C 2 KJaas

20 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Klaas, with the carbine, followed me, four
of my dogs in his train, and after him
four of his fellows efcorting another that
carried a box, which contained two red
handkerchiefs, fome brafs rings, knives,
and trinkets-, which I intended to prefent
the Hoard wi th . Amiroo marched at the head
of our cavalcade to Shew us the way, we
travelled by the river fide for near an hour,
after which we quitted it. Amiroo con
ducted us between two high mountains,
in a narrow pafs, whofe length and wind
ings could not be lefs than two leagues ;
the end of this defile brought us again
within fix paces of the river. The coun
try lay open before., us, and from this
place out- guide, pointing with his finger,
mewed me a little rife on which I faw a
Kraal; Amiroo informed me it was that
of Haabas. We were now at a Short dif-
, tance from it; I had found the way longer
than I expected, for we had been three
hours on the road. When

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 21
When I was within two hundred paces
I fired my piece, directing four of my
men to do the fame, the two I had fent
before anfwered the falute; this was to
all the Hoord the fignal for exclamations
of joy. I Shall not attempt to make any
reflections on this fcene, the feeling rea
der will partake the emotion it caufed in
my heart, and will prefer a Simple and
true to an elaborate recital. , Every one
came out of their huts, and aSfembled in
crowds ; but as I. drew nearer, the wo
men, girls, and children difappeared, and
the men were left alone with their chief,
who advanced to meet me. I dismounted,
Saying Tabe, Tabe, to the good old man,
at the fame time taking his hand ; he
anfwered my falute, with a warmth which
fpoke the effufions of a grateful heart,
which felt itfelf touched with a mark of
honour he knew himfelf the object of.
I went through this ceremony fcdth
C 3 wch

22 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
each of them, except that the others from
refpedt omitted the Shake of the hand,
inftead of which they made a motion with
the head, pronouncing the word Tabe,
accompanied with a more fenfible cluck
ing of the tongue.
Every one examined me with the great-
eft attention, the moft minute parts of my
drefs did not efcape their obfervation;
even Haabas (who had never feen me but
in my common hunting drefs) appeared
aftonifhed at the elegance of my decora-.
tions ; he treated me with a more marked
distinction, and fpoke with a greater air
of refpedt than ufual. I had left my horfe
under the Shade of a great tree, where we
had been met by Haabas ; I only Stopped
a minute to refrefh myfelf, being impati
ent to contemplate this interesting Hoord,
and I walked accompanied by the whole
community. As I paSTed by the huts,
' wl^ich, like thofe of the Hottentots, have
f but

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 23
but one opening, and that very low, the
miftrefs of each viewed me at a diftance,
but difappeared on my nearer approach ;
I was obliged to Stoop, in order to infpedt
the infide of the huts, and it was truly
laughable to fee their black faces perfectly
immoveable in the moft obfcure part of
the dwelling.
After fome little time they grew rather
more familiar, and at length came round
me, prefenting me with milk; Narina
was not among the number, I aSked for
her, they ran to Seek her ; She arrived
carrying a baSket of goat's milk which
She offered me with earneftnefs ; I took
her's in preference, as well for the na
tural graces with which She accompanied
the gift, as for the extreme cleanlinefs of
the veSTel, none of the others being com
parable in that point.
All the women were decorated with
C 4 their

24 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
their beft ornaments, their faces were
greafed and painted in a hundred differ
ent forms, which plainly Shewed the pre
parations that had been made in the Hoord
for my arrival.
Narina likewife wore the prefent I had
made her ; but ' what was my furprife,
when I faw She had not followed the ex
ample of her companions, but had omit
ted the greafe and painting ; She knew it
was difagreeable to me,, and though the
omiflion muft have given her concern,
She deprived herfelf of it ; She prefented,
her Sifter to me, who was really pretty ;
but .whether partiality made me blind, or
the fmell of the greafe difgufted me, I
thought her not comparable to Narina.
Haabas introduced me to his wife, She
was not distinguishable from the others,
and I found here, as is fometimes found in
other places, that the fuperior's lady (fo far
from

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

25

from excelling the reft) was both old and
ugly ; but I was a courtier, and therefore
prefented her with a red handkerchief,
which She received without ceremony,
tying it immediately about her head, to
this prefent I added a knife and a Steel :
but wishing to know her tafte, and will-
ling to fee a female favage embarraffed in
her choice of ornaments, I fpread my
whole pack of beads before her, entreat
ing her to choofe thofe She liked beft. I
did not enjoy the fatisfadtion I promifed
myfelf; for without hesitation She feized
on the white and red beads, the other She
faid were not to her liking, refembling too
much the colour of her Skin. I have ever
remarked that favages in general hold
black and blue in little estimation. I gave
her likewife fome large brafs wire for two
pair of bracelets, this laft article She ap
peared to hold in the higheft estima
tion. Thefe

2.6 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Thefe prefents were not feen without
envy by the other women, who raifed
their hands with ecftacy, declaring with a
loud voice their admiration, and that the
fpoufe of Haabas was the happieft of
women, and the richeft ever feen in the
country ofthe Gonaquais.
I now distributed the remainder of my
beads, and I truly own that I took care
the young and handfome Should have the
beft Share. I gave to the men knives,
Steels, and Some tobacco ; my intention
in vifiting this Hoord was, that all the
families composing it, Should enjoy my
liberality, and for that purpofe, the quan
tity I brought was not inconfiderable.
Haabas intreated me, in the name of feve-
ral Old men who were unable to quit their
huts, to accompany him in paying them
a vifit, and I immediately confented to
this propofal. They

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. ZJ
They were all waited on by children,
from eight to ten years old, who gave
them their food ; in fine, they had all thofe
attentions, which age and weaknefs re
quire. This refpedtful institution among a fa
vage people, aSfedted me Strongly, and I
expreSfed my fatisfadtion to my conductor.
The greater part of thefe old men were
confined by extreme age, and not by the
infirmities that are the natural appendages
of excefs in more civilized countries : I
remarked with furprize, that their hair
was not turned grey. I was conducted
after this into a hut at a diftance from the
reft, it contained a miferable wretch,
covered with fores from head to foot. I
had Stooped at the entrance, in order to
look in, but an infectious fmell made me
draw back with horror ; the poor crea ture

28 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
ture had lain here above a year without
any perfon daring to approach him, fo
much did they fear the communication of
his malady which paSTed for contagious,
his wife and two children dying of it about
two months before ; his provifion was
thrown in at the opening of his hut, or
rather tomb, for he could hardly be faid
to be a living creature; his deplorable
Situation infpired me with pity, how much
did I wifh it in my power to administer a
remedy. His having remained ill fo long
convinced me it could be no mortal or con
tagious diftemper, as thefe are ever more
fudden in their effects.
It was in vain that I called to my re
membrance how at Surinam we gathered
the balfam of capivi, and that of racajjin,
which is, I believe, the Tolu of the phy-
ficians, and with only thofe helps eafily
cured our Negroes. Africa,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

29

Africa afforded me none of thofe falu-
tary plants, if they grew here I was igno
rant of the fpot. However, a fudden idea
Struck me, that if I could not entirely
cure his pains, at leaft I might ' relieve
them. I began, by tranquilifing the minds of
thefe good favages, aSfuring them the ma
lady was not contagious, neither would it
communicate by touching the Sick man,
much lefs by breathing the air that fur-
rounded him ; to perfuade them yet more,
I aSfured them the malady was perfectly
known to me; without this precaution,
the defign I had formed would have been
rendered abortive, an invincible prejudice
making them dread an epidemical difor-
der ; fortunately they believed me, and
promifed to execute my orders. I told
them it would be neceSfary that the Sick
man Should be rubbed with mutton fat,
that this innocent remedy would relax the
Skin,

gO TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Skin, and enable him to move. I defired
they would give him fome mate, which
were placed under him ; I then propofed
to build a new hut, and to have him car
ried to it ; this advice was . received with
pleafure by my afliftants ; not to give
them time to cool, my Hottentots and
myfelf aSlifted in forming the hut, which
was foon finished, and fit to receive him.
He was brought out Stretched on the
mats, and carried to his new dwelling,
the old one was im.mediately demolished.
I appeared a fuperior being in the eyes
of thefe favages, with what concern did
they follow the poor fellow, their looks
alternately fixed on him and me, they
already conceived hopes ; that gentle
foother of the human heart beamed in
their countenances, and redoubled their
compaffion ; the women entreating that
aSfiftance they fuppofed me capable of
giving

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 31
giving, in order to relieve his fuSferings,
and reftore him to health.

And, indeed, there never was feen a
more miferable objedt, he appeared almoft
a Skeleton, ill covered with a Shrunk and
parched Skin, which in feveral places ex-
pofed the bones of his legs, arms, and
fides; the joints were fwelled beyond mea-
fure ; in Short, it is impoffible for imagi
nation to form a picture of greater horror
and diftrefs.
After the rubbing I had ordered, they
carried him into the hut, where I re
commended him to the care of the whole
Hoord; and defired he might have no
other food than milk.
I much doubt whether the help he re
ceived was Sufficient to relieve him, I was
but an indifferent phyfician, but as I
thought

32^ TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
thought his end inevitable, I believed my
felf justifiable in attempting to relieve
him, though the trial had even haftened
his diffolution.
Indeed, fo have kept him in the State
he was, would have been a height of
cruelty that even his greateft enemy could
hardly have been guilty of.
On returning to the dwelling of Haabas
his wife. prefented me with fome milk, She
had likewife killed a Sheep to entertain me
and my people. I had caufed fome Slices
of meat to be broiled before the hut, but
the horrid fpectacle I had juft quitted
continued to prefent itfelf to my imagina
tion, and deftroyed my appetite ; but fear
ful that the hofpitable favages Should
think their meat aifgufted me, (which
would have been a cruel mortification), I
forced myfelf to eat a little. From

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 33
From the place I fat I could fee my
people, who, lefs delicate than their ma
ster, were regaling themfelves heartily with
the food that had been given them, and
were as merry as if they had been at a
wedding. . ' *
Dinner finifhed, I had but the neceifary-
time left to reach home before it was dark,
I therefore took leave of my friendly enter
tainers with a general Tabe, and mounted
followed by the whole Hoord; being hur
ried in point of time I fet fpurs to my
horfe, and in lefs than an hour Klaas and
myfelf reached the waggons, the reft of
my people were much later ; about twenty
Gonaquais men and women whom curio
sity attached to their Steps accompanied
them. At any other time this vifit might
not been inconvenient, but it now happened
that I had plenty of provisions, therefore
what they confumed could in no wife
derange me,
Vol. II. D It

34 TRAVELS IN AFRICA. i
It will no doubt be fuppofed that gentle
Narina was among the number ; but what
afterwards furprifed me was, She had
fo well concealed herfelf, that it was. only
on the morrow, I learned from herfelf,
when She arrived.
The night was paSfed in Singing and
dancing, and unwilling to deprive them
of their amufement, I could not refolve
to give them any interruption.
The means of preferving over the fa
vage that Superiority, which the prefump-
tuous European ever claims, is not (as
has been believed) to intimidate and fpread
drfmay ; fuch weak fyftems could only be
formed by the temerity of a fool, or exe
cuted by a paltroon at the head of his
guards ;. who, ¦ by means of his power,
enacts harm and imperious laws.
I am convinced we Should not require
;¦ • ' of

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 35
of thefe men of nature facrifipes too pain
ful, for by prudently moderating our de-
fires we frequently gain more than when
we grafp at every thing with a greedy
avidity : the only way to gain their' friendr-
Ship, is to make ourfelves beloved; with
thefe ideas it may be eafily fuppofed I do
not believe there' is a country fo defert or
little known, but I could prefent myfelf
in it without fear ; diftruft is the caufe
of barbarity among the favages, if an adt
can be fo termed, whofe principle only
tends to deftroy thofe who invade their
property, and deftroy their peace.
I had not been able to Sleep the whole
night ; I rofe at day-break — what was my
furprize to behold Narina ! She appeared
more embarraSfed, more timid than ufual :
it was" now (as I have before obferved)
that She informed me She had arrived with
the reft the evening before.
D 2 I gently

36 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
I gently reproached her for having con
cealed herfelf from me, • and intreated her
to tell me the reafon of it ; but notwith
standing my moft preffing instances I could
obtain no pofitive anfwer, fo obstinately
did She adhere to her refolution of con
cealment ; iii a word, as if She had feared
all at once to have been too fanguine in
her hopes, She became more fearful on
perceiving the fufpicions and inquietudes
which I experienced on her account.
This ingenuous referve increafed my af-
fedtion. The coffee was juft prepared,
and Narina partook of it with me.
The whole day was fpent in dancing
and merriment. On the morrow curiofity
brought in their turns the whole Hoord
to my camp ; they were coming and going
in every direction, from morning to night
without intermiffion. This fpedtacle was
very pleafing to me ; it was the charming
picture of a village holliday, and I received

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 37
my visitors with the utmoft cordiality. I
enquired after the • invalid, the account
they gave of him was very agreeable to me.
I was aSfured that he never ceafed to men
tion me with tears of gratitude.
He was Still in pain, but how much was
his condition altered ! What comfort did
he receive from the neceffaries with which
I had furnifhed him ! — He now, at leaft,
enjoyed the confolation of feeing and con
versing with his former companions, who,
confiding in my aSfurances, made no fcru-
ple of entering his hilt, and yielding him
their affiftance.
Their prefence was a balm to his
wounds, more falutary than the moft
emollient plants. His fi tua tion was fo
defperate that I much doubt whether it
was poffible he Should recover, if he did,
the cafe afforded his mind muft have con
tributed to it confiderably. What could
D 3 have

38 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
have been more diftreffing, more horrible,
than to have feen himfelf forfaken by his
friends, his neareft relatives, and aban
doned as an out-caft from fociety ?
Every one related the circumstances of
tli is poor fellow as they happened to Strike
him; and thefe accounts were accompa
nied with thanks more or lefs ardent, in
proportion as the relators were more or
lefs Connected by family or friendship to
the unhappy fufferer.
It was not till the afternoon of the
fecond day, that thefe worthy Gonaquais
took leave of my camp. In order the
more ftrongly to recommend their iick
countryman to their care, I aSfurcd
them at parting, that I Should look on
the pains beftowed on him as a favour
conferred on myfelf; and I conjured Na-
rhia in particular, to prefent him from,
me with a finall quantity of tobacco. Be Sore

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 39
Before ilie quitted me, I added fome frefli
prefents to thofe I had already given her.
I had not often been in this girl's company,
yet I was fenfible of an attachment to her,
I was pleafed with her manner ; and
her difpofition feemed to bear fuch an
analogy with my own, that I could
hardly perfuade myfelf our friendship was
of fo late a date, or that it would be So
fuddenly terminated ; yet I fuppofed I was
about to bid her an eternal adieu ! other
cares, other purfuits demanded my atten
tion.

D 4. CHAP-

4~0 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*

CHAPTER IH.

MODEST BEHAVIOUR OF THE GDNAC^UAIS »
WOMEN — SITUATION AND DESCRIPTION *
OF A KRAAL  ACCOUNT OF THEIR
DRESS AND ORNAMENTS  MODE OF
NURSING CHILDREN. '

IT is necefiary to obferve, that the wo
men of this country had not behaved
with my people like thofe who inhabit
about thp river Gamtoos- they conducted
themfelves with the greateft difcretion,
never coming without their men, nor re
maining after they had left us4 I con-

TRAVELSTN AFRICA, j 4I
I confefs, that thefe vifits, which were
often long and very frequent, began to
give me uneafinefs. I feared, with rea-
fon, that the refult of them would be
the introducing, diforder among my peo-
vple, and making them too much in love
with amufements. Already they be
gan to relax in tffeir occupations, they
hunted with lefs ardour than formerly,
dancing took up all their thoughts. Thofe
I, had appointed to look after my cattle
performed v their duty with regret, and
fuffered them to wander where they pleaf-
ed; others abfented themfelves from my
camp the whole night ; but I thought it
good policy to Shut my eyes on thefe abu-
fes, until I had an opportunity of making
them return infenfibly to their duty. The
heats at this time began to be infupporta-
ble ; the fun after having repaffed the
equator, darted his beams on our heads
with fuch violence, as rendered travelling
in the heat of > the day extremely danger ous;

42 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
ous ; my very tent at this time feemed a __
Stove, fo violently heated as fcarcely to be
endured. What a powerful motive was
this to engage me to feek the Shelter of
fome wood, that might ward off the
fcorching ray; but it Should be remem
bered, that Koks Kraal was the rendez
vous appointed with that part of my train
which I had fent to the Caffres; and at
their return, had they been difappointed
in meeting *with me at this place, they
might have concluded fome accident had
happened ; or, that tired with wait
ing for them, I had decamped and conti
nued my journey : but I was too much
concerned for the happinefs of thofe who
attended me, to give them the uneafinefs
of thinking I could abandon, them. I de
termined therefore, to continue where I
was until their arrival, which I thought
could not be at any great distance ; re-
folving to employ this interval in endea
vouring to make each Of my people at
tentive

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 43
ten tive to the employment afhgned him ;
and I refolved to fet them an example of
diligence myfelf.
I never failed (in purfuance of my ori
ginal plan) to appropriate a part of each
evening to- the writing my journal, and
marking the particulars which distinguish
the different nations of Hottentots, that I
had encountered; particularly thofe Sin
gularities in which the Gonaquais differ
from all others.
The Kraal oi Haabas is Situated at about
four hundred paces diftance from the rive^
Groot Vis, on a gentle afcent, which rifes
imperceptibly till you arrive at the foot of
a chain of mountains,' which are covered
with forefts of very large trees. A rivulet
croSfes the Kraal, and lofes' itfelf in the
river. The huts, which are about forty
,in number,' 2nd which oCcupy an area of
about fix hundred feet fquare, form feveral half

44 TRAVELS IN ARIC A.
half circles, and are united with each
other by thofe little inclofures in which
'each family keeps its calves and lambs ;
for they never fuffer them to follow their
dams during the day. They only fuck
morning and evening, at which time they
milk their cows and ewes. B.efides thefe
particular inclofures there are' three larger
ones, ftrongly fenced, and deftined to con
tain, during the night the general Stock
of cattle belonging to the whole Hoord.
The form of thefe huts is the fame with
thofe of the Hottentots of the colonies, and
meafure about eight or nine feet in dia
meter. Some of them are covered with
the hides of oxen or Sheep, but more with
mats. They have but one aperture, which
is very low and narrow ; the fire is made
in the centre of the hut, fo that the thick
fmoke which defcends from it, mingled
with the fetid fmells from innumerable
caufes, would fuffocate an European who
Should have the courage to remain in it
two

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 45
two minutes ; yet, cuftom has rendered
this bearable, perhaps comfortable to thefe
favages. It is true, they are always in the
open air during the day, but when night
approaches every one gains his habitation,
where ftretched on his mat, and covered
with a Sheep's Skin, he refts.as content,
and Sleeps as foundly, as if repofing on a
bed of dawn. When the nighf happens
to be more cold than ordinary, they cover
themfelves with larger Skins, fuch as they
put over,, their mats to Sleep on. The
Gonaquais always have a change of thefe
necefiaries. When the day appears the
mats and Skins are rowled up, and placed
on one fide of the hut; and when the
weather is fine they frequently expoSe
them to the fun and "air, and beat them
carefully,- not only to free them from the
duft, but alfo to clear them from thofe
infects which abound in thofe vtfarm cli
mates, and whofe company is* extremely
djfagreeable ; but with all their care they
have

46 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
have enough to do to prevent' their in-
creafe. I have before obferved that the female
Gonaquais have an appearance of care, and
finery in their ornaments unknown to the
Hottentots of the colonies. There is no
difference in the form of their habits, but
the former wear them confiderably larger
than they are worn by the colonifts. Their
aprons, which they Call Neuyp Kros, de-
fcend almoft to their knees, and it is in the
ornaments, I might fay in the prodigious
profufion of embroidery, that is lavished
on them, that confifts the richnefs, the
magnificence on which they pride them
felves. It is in the arrangement of this
apron that the tafte and fmartnefs of the
female Gonaquais confifts. The flourishes
and compartments, the art with which
the different colours are mingled and con
trasted, in Short, nothing is neglected
which they think will render them pleaf-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 47
ing to the eye. The more their habits
are decorated with beads aud Shells, the
more fumptuous they conceive themfelves.
They likewife ornament their caps with
them; thefe are ufually made of the Skin
of a Zebra, becaufe the white fur of that
animal, varied with brown or black Streaks,
gives a relief to their countenances; and
(as they fay) renders their charms more
Striking. Glafs beads are held in the higheft,
eftimation, and conftitute a principal part
of their finery. They take the greateft
care in the decorations of their perfons ;
bracelets, girdles, necklaces, nothing is
forgotten, when they mean to appear full
dreffed, which they think can add to their
embellishment. ' They likewiSe make a
kind of netting to cover their legs with,
in the form of buSkirts; but thofe who
cannot arrive at the height of magnifi
cence here defcribed, content themfelves
with decorating their legs only, with the
fame kind of ruShes their mats are made of,

48 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
of, or with fmall thongs cut from the
hide of an ox and rounded, with a mallet.

This cuftom has given rife to thofe ac
counts which are to be met with in a
number of travels, (moftly copied one
from another) where thefe people are faid
" to wrap the inteftines of the beafts they
kill, round. their legs and arms ) and that
they devour their ornaments when they
begin to pu.trify : it is a grofs error, which
ought to be forgotten with the books that
have produced it. A Hottentot, perhaps,
may have been reduced by famine, to
make ufe of this refource to preferve his
existence; he may have eaten his fandals,
when he could not poffibly have procured
any other fubfiftence; but have not the
horrors of a fiege often reduced the moft
civilized people to avail themfelves of the
moft difgufting aliments ? and Should we
-thence conclude that they were fond of
what neceSfity alone would have constrain ed

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 49
ed them to make ufe of, and from, which
they would otherwife have turned with
the utmoft horror and difguft ?
Originally the bandages of leather, or
ruShes, with which the Hottentots ufed to
envelope their legs, were considered, as a
necefiary preservative againft the thorns
and briars : they ferved likewife to fecure
them from the bite of the ferpents, with
which thefe parts of Africa abound ; but
luxury has fubverted thefe inventions
which neceSIity fuggeSlced, and the women
have fupplied the place of thofe Skins and
ruShes, which were of real utility, with
netting and beads, which they now con
sider merely as an ornament. 1
Thus, in the wilds, of Africa, as well as
in the more enlightened parts of the globe,
the wifeft and moft falutary institutions,
are in time corrupted and degraded ! This
cuftom of the Hottentots at leaft confirms
Vol. II. E one

50 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
one truth, that vanity is the production
of every climate, and however Scantily
nature may have furnished the means of
fatisfying that paffion, women will endea
vour to gratify it^ \
Though fo much habituated to the
fight of thefe Africans, I could never
reconcile myfelf to the cuftonrthey have
of painting themfelves with a thoufand
ridiculous marks and figures ; to the laft,
it appeared to me hedious and difgufting.
I cannot conceive what, grace they can
poSfibly think they receive from this abo
minable cuftom, which is nqf only ridicu-
culous but nafty. *I have added a plate of
a female Hottentot in all her habiliments,
and I can aflure my readers it is by no
means, exaggerated. :
The two colours in greateft eftimation
,among them are red and black. The firft
is an ochre, which is found in a number" of

•//W/V

'-//r^/tr -//.first

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 51
of places in this country, and is prepared
for their ufe by being ground up with
a' quantity of greafe. The black colour
is nothing more than foot or charcoal, and '
is prepared in the fame manner. Some
women, it is true, content themfelves with
painting their cheeks only, but the gene
rality divide their faces into feveral diftindt
compartments, and this article of embel
lishment they are a considerable time in
completing. Thefe favourite colours of
the Hottentots are always perfumed with
the powder of bucku, which does nof
Strike the fmejl of an European with any
agreeable fenfation, but perhaps our
eSfences, odours, and perfumes, would'be
equally infupportable to a Hottentot. At
leaft, the bucku has one advantage over
our paftes, waShes, and rouge; it is not
pernicious to the Skin, and never reduces
thofe who ufe it to confumptions. The
Hottentot who knows nothing of muSk,
ambergreafe, or benjamin, is likewife unac-
E 2 quainted

52 TRAVELS IN AFR.ICA.
quainted with megrims, fpafms, and va
pours. The men never paint their faces
like the women, but they frequently make
ufe of a mixture of the two colours to
daub their upper lips ; by which dispo
sition of it they have the fatisfadtion of
enjoying the fmell inceifantly. The young
laffes Sometimes fuffer their lovers to apply
this delicate mixture under their nofes ;
this is oonfidered as a favour, and gives
the lafs fo decorated an air of fmartnefs
which renders her extremely interesting
in the eyes of a young Hottentot. .. 3'
i
I would not have my readers infer from
what I have faid, that the female Hottentots
are fo intent on decorating their perfons
as to negledt thofe daily and neceffary
occupations which their mode of living
requires ; it is only on certain holidays,
which occur but feldom, that they fpend
io much of their time in drefs. * Separated

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 53
Separated from Europe by an immenfe
ocean, and from the Dutch colonies by
deferts, mountains, and dangerous rocks ;
they are cut off from all communication
with other people, and if they have not
arrived at our improvements, they have
equally avoided the excefs of our depra
vity. When women here have the happi-
nels to become mothers, they apply them -
Selves more intenfely than in more polifhed
countries, to the duties of their fituation;
nothing can poflibly exceed the tendernefs
and Solicitude with which they nurfe and
rear their infant offspring. From the
time of its birth till it is able to walk, the
child never quits the back of its mother :
her loved burden is fattened there by
means of two bandages, diSpofed in fuch
a manner as to prevent its Aiding down ;
they are a kind of aprons, made of tlie
Skin of Some animal, and generally orna
mented with (hells, beads, ccc. which, at
the Same time that they fupport, ferve to
E 3 fecure

54 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
fecure the infant from the fun and wind ;
thefe Simple articles are all the rieceSfaries
that are requisite for a new-born infant: *
Whether the mother is employed in the
neceSTary oCcupatibns of her family, or
goes to a dance, or even when She par
takes of this anlufement, her child con
tinues at her back, its head only is vifible;
it never cries, or is peevifh, unlefs when
it has occafion for the breaft, then the
mother turns it to her fide, which She can
readily do without untying it. But after
a woman has had Several children, She has
in general, no occafion to take this trou
ble, but gives it the nipple under her arm
or over her Shoulder ; the infant having
fatisfied its hunger, the mother recom
mences her dancing.
When the child is fuppofed to have ac
quired a Sufficient degree of Strength to
enable it to make an attempt to walk,
they fet it on the ground before their hut,
where,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. ^
where, after repeated eudeavours it learns
to Stand; its Strength encreafing, it is foon
able to walk, and in a Short time to fol
low its father or mother. This fimple
method, which nature herfelf feems to
have didtated, is, in my opinion, prefer
able to our manner of teaching children
the ufe of their feet. The great dispro
portion that fubfifts between the weight
of an infant's body, and the ftrerigth of
its legs, obliges it to reft the greateft part
of its weight on the leading Strings, which
paSTing over the breaft, Straighten and con
tract the cheft, injure its health, and fre
quently render it ricketty and disfigured
for the reft of its life.
Never either in America or Africa have
I feen a Single inftance of a native being
either crooked legged or hunch backed ;
' it is the inhabitants of Europe chiefly who
are fubjedt to thefe melancholy distor
tions.
E 4 What

$6 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
What likewiSe contributes to give the
children of thefe Africans that Strength
and activity for which they are remark
able, is the care the mothers take to rub
; their limbs frequently with mutton fuet ;
even the men accuftom themfelves to this
unction, which renders their fkin foft and
flexible, and at the fame time makes them
lefs fenfible of the impetuofity of the wind,
or violent heats of the fun. The African
climates are not fo favourable in their pro
ductions to the Hottentots as thofe of
America are to the Caribbees, who have
the advantage of the rocou, which renders
them a continual fervice. It is well known
that this tree produces a kind of fruit
whofe pod contains about Sixty feeds or
kernels, covered with an oily reddiSh Skin.
The Indian, who always goes naked,
never fails to rub himfelf with them every
morning, from head to foot; this preferves '
him from being fcorched by the rays of
the fun, or incommoded by the ftings of
the

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 57
the mufqiiitoes, and prevents the too
abundant perfpiration, to which the in
habitants of thefe tropical regions are fub-
jedt. When a Hottentot woman draws neat
the time of her delivery, She is carefully
affifted by an old woman of. the Hoord;
thefe births are always happy • the Cae-
farian method is unknown among theSe
favages, tlie queftion is never aSked whe
ther the infant Shall be preferved at the
expence of the mother; if the life of one
muft necefiarily be Sacrificed, no horrible
distinction could ever fuggeft the unna
tural, abominable: idea of murdering the
parent to preferve the child.
I took great pains to enquire among
the Hottentots whether, when a mother
is delivered of twins, one of them is de
stroyed upon the Spot; the refult of my
enquiry

^S TRA-VELS INXAFRICA.
enquiry was, that this unnatural cuftom
is very rarely pradtifed. Though a great
cruelty, it is fuppofed to owe its rife to
maternal tendernefs, the fear of not being
able to furniSh fuSficient nourishment for
both, ( and confequently feeing them pe-
riSh), has fuggefted the expedient of-fa-
crificing one td the Safety of the other.
The Gonaquais are totally exempt from
this reproach, and I have even feen fome
among them highly offended with my en
quiries. But what right have we to hold
thefe favages in abhorrence indifcriminately,
for a cuftom which does not generally pre
vail, and which, as I have obferved, bears
at leaft the plaufible excufe of a preven
tion? Even in the bofom of the moft
enlightened nations, we have frequent in
stances of unnatural mothers, who expofe
in the ftreets, and abandon to the care of
the firft comer, their innocent and un
fortunate offspring. They

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

59

They calumniate thefe people therefore,
who charge them with a crime which they
difavow and contradict by their practice.
In more than one Hoord, I have met with
mothers who have nurfed their twins
without any apparent inconvenience ;-forne
travellers notwithstanding, have attefted
the existence of this barbarous cuftom:
even Mr. Sparman, Speaking of fucking
infants who chance to lofe their mothers,
expreffes himfelf as follows, in the fecond
volume of his work :
" Another cuftom, ,not lefs horrible,
" which has never before been remarked,
" by any author, but whdfe existence
" among the Hottentots has been fully
" certified ; is,, that when a mother hap-
" pens to die, *t%y bury alive with her
" the infant at her breaft. This very
" year, in a place where I happened to be,'
" the fact which I am about to relate ac-
" tually

-60 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
" tually happened. A female Hottentot
" belonging to this plantation happening
*' to die of an epidemical fever, the other
" Hottentots who did not think them-
" felves able to bring up the female infant,
" or who did not care to trouble them-
" felves with* it, had already wrapped it
'* up in a Sheep-Skin in onler to bury it
" with its mother. Some farmers in the
" neighbourhood however, prevented the
*' accomplishment of their defigns ; but
" the infant expired foon after in convul-
" fions. " My hoftefs, who was not very young,
" aflured me, that about Sixteen or feven-
"teen years before in the canton of Swel-
" lenham, an infant Hottentot was found
** packed up in a Skin mSo* faftened to the
" arm of a tree, near the fpot where his
*' mother had < been recently interred ; its
" life was faved, and it was brought up
" by

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 6l
" by the relations of Madam Rock, but
" died at the age of eighteen ; the refult of
'" thefe examples, and feveral other infor-
" mations which I have received from the
" colonifts, &c."
We might conclude from thefe words
of the botanift, that he had feen nothin?
of what he relates ; Since he declares here,
as in fome other parts of his work, that
he had thefe particulars from the colonifts.
He was fufficiently acquainted with them,
to know how little either their knowledge
or memory was to be depended on ; this
might have been a fufficient reafon to have
fpared him the trouble of writing, and
me of contradicting a number of fables.
It js not from auricular tales that we
Should form a judgment, or eftimate of a
people. In the moft cautious accounts
wrote by thofe who may have had
ample means of information, fome
miftakes

6z ' TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
' V
mistakes will arife'; but how egregioufly
may we mislead others, when we at
tempt to account for, and defcribe cuftoms
we have not been eye-witneSTes of. It is to
be obferved, that the mother of the firft
mentioned child died of an epidemical dif-
temper; and is it not very poffible, that
the Hottentots had fled both frbm the
corps and infant, through dread of the
infection ? This motive is Sufficiently
powerful, to make them inftantly foffake
even their flocks, which are their greateft
riches. The Second child, found in the
canton of Swillendam, might have been
abandoned from the fame caufe ; and un
til they have given me better demonstra
tion of the frequent practice of this bar
barity, I would wifh to expunge it from
the hiftory of thefe people, the moft peace
ful and com.paffionate that I ever met with :,
indeed, almoft all the accounts of thefe
%poor Africans Should be exploded and for-
forgotten,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 6$
gotten, with the Stories of , witches and
conjurers. It feems extraordinary, that writers
have endeavoured to vilify thefe innocent
people ; while they have a degree of re
fpedt, equally unaccountable, for the in
habitants of the "eaft : for example, they
pafs lightly over the cuftom which the
womeri of Pekin have, of expofing thofe
children they wifh to get rid of in the
Street during the night, that they may be
cruShed to death at day-break, by the car
riages and beafts of burden, or devoured •
by the fwine.

CHAP-

6^ TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

CHAPTER IV.

MISTAKES OFFORMER AUTHORS CORRECTED
RESPECTINGTHE HOTTENTOT MARRIAGES
—MODE OF SEPARATION  FONDNESS OF
THE GONAQUAISFOR HUNTING — DESCRIP
TION OF THEIR WEAPONS.

TH E travellers of Afia inform us,
that the lords of Thibet go in pil
grimage to Putali, the place of the grand
Lama's refidence ; where they procure the
excrements of this fovereign prieft, which v
they carry as amulets about their necks,
and. even mingle with their aliments. This

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 65
This ridiculous and naufeous cuftom is
not more difgufting than that falfely at
tributed to the Hottentots in the celebra
tion of their marriages, where thofe people
are not only furnifhed with ceremonies,
but even with priefts ; which is an oSfice
they never had the leaft conception of.
From, the difpenfer of thefe imaginary
myfteries, the bride and bridegroom are
faid to receive a ftream, which, with great
devotion, they rub into their bodies ; the
author, I have juft before cited, is very
much inclined to believe thefe rhapfo-
dies, on the report only of the colonifts :
for he" fays, that, " the common accounts
" respecting the matrimonial rites of thefe
" people are not destitute of foundation,
•' but are only pradtifed in the interior part
" of the Kraals, and never in the prefence
" of the colonifts."
Kolben has been very particular in his
defcription of thefe ceremonies; and, in
Vol. II. F order

66 TRAVELS IN AF RICA.
order to give an appearance of authen
ticity to his relation, has prefented his
readers with a plate defcriptive of them.
Others, without a knowledge ofthe fub-
ject they have written on, have copied
him : even to the French translation of
Mr. Sparman, to which they have thought
fit to add (by way of completing the
fecond volume), I know not what extracts
from a new^Syfiem of Geography. Indeed,
I am not acquainted with a Single account
of thefe parts of Africa, but what is dif-
figured with the abfurd reveries of Kolben;
even the work of a moft eftimable author,
being not totally exempt from them. Thus,
for more than eighty years paft, the farne
mistakes have been word for word , re
peated, not only with refpedt to their
marriage ceremonies, but alfo in the de-
fcription of their initiation into an order
of knighthood, which terminates by a
general immerfion of the knight. But,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 67
But, I dwell too long on thefe details,
though I wiSh to fender a juft account,
not. only ofthe objedts I encountered, but
alfo of the refledtions they gave rife to ;
and I thought that marking the errors of
former writers might be of as great utility
as pointing my readers to new difcoveries.
At about twelve or thirteen, a Hotten
tot girl is marriageable; when the firft
youth that can gain her affections, readily
obtains the confent of her parents.
In a country where there is no differ
ence in birth or rank, every inhabitant is
neceSfarily on an equality. Luxury and
vanity (which in more polifhed countries
confume the largeft fortunes) create a
thoufan^ unhappy diftindtions, entirely
unknown to thefe favages ; their defires
are bounded by real wants, nor are they
excluded from the means of gratifying
them ; and thefe means may be, and are
F 2 effec-

68 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
effectually purfucd by all : thus, the vari
ous combinations of pride for the aggran-
difement of families, all the fchemes for
heaping fortune on fortune in the fame
coffer, being utterly unknown, no in
trigues are created, no opprcilions prac-
tifed, in Sine, no crimes inftigated. Parents
have not a Single motive which can tempt
them to oppofc thofe fentiments of pre
dilection, which their children may form
for one objedt in preference to another.
Thefe marriages founded on reciprocal
inclination have ever n happy ifliie ; ami
as love is their only cement, they require
no other motive for parting than indiffer
ence; this however is by no means fre
quent, for in thcfc peaceful and innocent
abodes their unions arc more durable than
many might fuppofc them. A lively and
mutual affection ufually fubfifts between
the wedded pair; and the love of their
children

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 69
children renders them every day more dear
and necelfary to each other.
The formalities, then, of thefe mar
riages confift in the promifes made by each
party, to live together as long as they may
find it convenient : the engagement made,
the young couple from that moment are
man and wife. They then kill fome Sheep,
fometimes an ox, to celebrate this little
holiday ; the parents on both fides furniSh
the young couple with fome cattle, they
immediately apply themfelves to the con
struction of a hut, forming an inclofure,
and in getting together their little Stock
of neceSTaries, where, as I have hinted
before, they live together as long as har
mony fubfifts between them : for Should
any difference arife, which is not likely to
fubfide, they make no fcruple of fepara-
tion, but part with as little ceremony as
they met, and each one free to form
F 3 other

70 TRAVELS IN 'AFRICA,
other connections, feeks elfewhere a more
agreeable partner.
Juftice certainly prefcribes that the
effects of the married pair in thefe in
stances Should be equally divided, but
Should the huSband in his quality of ma
ster infift on retaining the whole, the wife
never fails to find thofe who will aSfert
and defend her right ; her family interests
itfelf, nor are the friends of the man idle,
fo that fometimes the whole Hoord is in a
ferment ; in the end they come to blows,
and as in all other places, the Conquerors
give laws to the vanquished. The mother
always has the care of the younger child
ren, especially if they are girls; while
»the boys who are able to follow their
father, are fure to belonrr to him. Thefe
difagreements I muft again obferve, are
very rare ; and it is equally worthy of re
mark, that they have no known law or
established

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 71
established cuftom, to which they can refer
for the termination of their differences. —
Every thing that Kolben has advanced of
their courts of juftice, their manner of
proceeding in civil affairs, the account
of the fuperior council of the nation, their
prifons, public aSfemblies, in a word, all
thofe institutions which indeed have no
correfpondence with the appellation of
favage, (Since a people thus governed dif
fer from us only in their colour and cli
mate), Should be considered in the fame
light with the reft of his affertions.
I never either faw or heard of any quar
rel being attended with a murder ; but if
this misfortune Should happen, the family
to whom the unhappy victim belonged,
would certainly require that the law of
retaliation Should be put in force* the
whole Hoord would join to puniSh fuch
an atrocious crime, and the aSfaSiin would
F 4 be

yZ TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
, be constrained, if he would efcape death,
to feek his fafety by a precipitate flight.
Though poligamy is not repugnant to
the cuftoms of the Hottentots, it is by no
means common among them ; they may
take as many wives as they pleafe, but
whether from a love of peace, or any
other motive, that number feldom ex
ceeds one. Women are never known to
cohabit with two men; nature, that would
ever have a father able to afcertain his own
offspring, has wifely planted in the heart
of a female Gonaquais, an invincible hor
ror for Such infamous prostitution. Nay,
fo difgufting is it to thefe people, that a
huSband on the knowledge of the moft
trifling infidelity of his, wife, might kill
her without fear of incurring the reproach
of the Hoord. '
Jt will be remembered that this remark bears

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 73
bears fome exceptions ; I allude to the
familiarity with which the firft Hottentots
came amongft my people ; but the reader
Should alfo recollect, that they dwelt
nearer the colonifts, where the force of
example is dangerous ; and it would he
next to miraculous to fee among thefe
half favages conjugal faith, firm againft
the folicitation and artful addreffes of an
European ; one of thefe women thus di
stinguished, looks on her huSband with
haughtinefs and diSguft, while he is foon
appeafed, and eafily confoled by fome
trifling prefents; but even that precaution
is fometimes ufelefs ; for by an altera
tion of their primitive manners, they are
fcarcely fufceptible of jealoufy, much lefs
of its attendant horrors.
The -Gonaquai is not fo particular in
his drefs as the women : it has been faid,
that in the winter feafon he wears the
hairy fide of his Kros inward ; that during the

74 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the heats he turns it; the thing is poffi-
ble, and totally indifferent : but they have
always one without hair, and which re
quires infinite pains in the preparation.
I have before remarked, that the Gona
quais are much taller than the Hottentots
of the colonies, and that their Kros is
made of a calf Skin: indeed, it is rarely
that one. Skin anfwers the purpofe; as they
make it fuller, by adding to each Side a
piece, which is fewed on with thread,
made from the entrails of animals: this
feam is Sewed in the manner of thofe made
by our Shoe-makers. To make holes,'
the Savage ufes a bit of iron ; if he cannot
procure it, he contents himfelf with a
piece of bone : thofe of oftrich's legs are
the hardeft, and moft efteemed. They
have two ways- of dreSTing their Skins :
when it is frefh, they wrap it up with the
hair inwards, leaving it for two days until
it begins to ferment ; this is the proper time

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 75
time for taking off the hair, which fepa-
rates without much trouble; they then
give it a kind of preparation by rubbing,
after which it is left for a day or two co
vered with the leaves ofthe Hottentot fig
well macerated; this operation finished,
they take away all the fibres and fleShy
parts that. remain ; at length, after being
again well rubbed with mutton fat, it re
quires great foftnefs and flexibility ; there
is not much difference between this me
thod and that ufed by the furriers and tan
ners of Europe; yet, though the Hotten
tots are very expert in preparing their
Skins, they are not comparable to ours.
If the Skin is fuffered to dry before it
has been prepared, or has been preferved
with the hair on, and the favage, in de-
fault of another, wifhes to convert it into
a Kros for fummer, the work requires a
different procefs, which is very tedious.
With the rib bones of a Sheep, they form
a kind

76 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
a kind of fciSfars which are made as Sharp
as poffible ; this instrument is managed
with great Skill, and brings the hair out
by the roots without damaging the leather,
but the work requires infinite pains and
addrefs. The Gonaquai, (except in very cold or
rainy weather) goes bare headed; his hair
is ufually adorned with beads, or feathers ;
fome I have feen ufe bits of cut leather
for this purpofe, others having killed fome
fmall quadruped, inflate the bladder,
which they faften as a kind of aigrette
on their foreheads.
In general they wear fandals, which
they faften with leather thongs ; they al
fo ornament their legs and arms with
bracelets of ivOry; but thefe are not fo
much valued as thofe of thick brafs wire -x
thefe they take great pains with, rubbing them

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. J J
them often, until they are extremely well
poliShed. They are fond of hunting, and have
great Skill in it ; independant of the fnares
fpread for large game they lay wait for,
and attack them with their Affaygay, or
Shoot them with empoifoned arrows ; thefe
two are the only weapons they ufe : an
animal wounded with the latter, foon feels
the effect of the poifon which coagulates
the blood ; though an elephant thus
wounded, has fometimes been found dead
'twenty or thirty leagues diftant from the
fpot where he received the mortal blow.
As foon as the animal is dead, they cut
off the wounded part, which they consi
der as dangerous, but the reft is not in
any manner infected by the poifon. I
have often partook of thofe meats with
out experiencing the fmalleft inconveni
ence ; but I muft confefs, I Should not
have

78 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

1

have been fond of doing this when the
poifon had remained in the animal fome
time'. The firft time I infpedted their
arrows, I did not fuppofe them fuch
deadly weapons; they are neither fo long
nor wound at fuch a diftance as thofe the
Caribbees ufe in America ; but even their
fmallnefs renders them more dangerous;
for, when Shot, it is impoffible for the
eye to perceive their Slight, confequently,
there is no means to avoid them, and the
fmalleft wound is always mortal, if the
poifon reaches the blood; the only remedy
is a fpeedy amputation of the wounded'
part, if in the limbs ; but if the wound is
in the body, it is inevitable death.
Thefe arrows are made of reeds, and
very curioufly formed ; they are not above
eighteen inches, or at moft two foot long,
while thofe of the Caribbees are fix feet :
at the end of the reed they fix a fmall
bit of bone, three or four inches in length,
5 which

TRAVELS' IN AFRICA. 79
which they have previously rounded ; this
is fmaller in diameter than the reed, and
fo Slightly fixed in it, that when the ar
row has entered the fleSh the reed may
be drawn away, while the bone Still re
mains in the wound. To make it more
deadly, it has a fmall barb of iron on one
Side, which on the leaft motion, conti
nues to lacerate the fleSh, and renders
every attempt to extract it abortive. This
bone they anoint with a poifon, that has
the confiftence of maftic ; and it is ufually
pointed "with a little angular head, ex
tremely Sharp, which altogether renders
this weapon very terrible;
In each country, they have a particular
manner of preparing their poifon, accord
ing to the different noxious plants their
foil produces, and from which they ex
tract the juice. A particular Species of
ferpent likewife fupplies them with an
other kind, which the favages prefer, as
being

80 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.'
being the moft fubtil. It is impoSfible to
gain the leaft information of their manner
of preparing the venom extracted from
thefe ferpents, it being a fecret which
they inviolably preferve. This poifon is
very fudden in its effect, as I have feen on
many occafions ; yet I am inclined to
think it lofes great part of its power after
it has been long procured, notwithstand
ing the experiment made in the king's
garden, whereby its force was warranted.
Thefe poifons, as I have before faid, are
various ; that brought by Monfieur Gonda-
mine, on his return from Peru, is no law
for thofe of Africa : I will alfo add, an
experiment of this may be eafily made,
under the infpedtion of fome learned men ;
fince I have in my poSTeffion a quiver of
arrows that I had the good fortune to take
from a Hottentot Bojhis man in a rencon
tre, where I only faved my own life at the
expence of his ; but I Shall recount this
circumftance in its proper place. The

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 8l
The bows are proportioned to the arrows,
being not above two feet and a half, or at
moft three feet long; the String is made of
the inteftines of an animal.
The affaygay, in the hand of .a Hottentot,
is not a very certain weapon, even the
length renders if lefs dangerous, as its
cpurfe through the air may be readily feen,
and eafily avoided. Though they can throw
this weapon a confiderable way, they have
little chance of hitting their mark, when
at above forty paces diftance ; and it is only
in a clofe engagement, that it is capable of
doing any confiderable execution.
The affaygay of this and other countries,
is formed like a lance, thofe of African
wood are the lighteft and moft ufeful,
tapering gradually from the extremity to
the barbed head.
The ufe of this weapon is not well un
derstood here, for the warrior that handles
Vol. II. G it

%Z TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
it with the greateft Skill is eafily difarmed.
The Gonaquais, and all the other Hotten
tots never carrv more than one, and the
embarraffment this occafions, is a plain
indication that it is by no means their fa
vourite weapon, from whence we may
conclude that the bow and arrows are the
natural and proper arms of the Hottentots,
I have feen fome throw the affaygay with
Skill, but the far greater part are wholly
ignorant of it ; on the contray, the Caffrees
have no other weapon. Such are the
means ufed for attack and defence by fome
of the favage nations in ASVica ; a Euro
pean will perhaps look on them with dif-
dain, and tax them with ferocity, but he
will then forget that before thofe thunder
ing engines were employed (that in a
moment make fo many ruins and fill fo
many tombs), his forefathers were obliged
like them to make ufe of fimilar, and
Content themfelves with lefs destructive
weapons.
C HAP-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA,. 83

CHAPTER V.

THE HOTTENTOTS IGNORANT OF AGRICUL
TURE  FONDNESS FOR SMOAKING —
MANNER OF TRAINING OXEN: — DISOR-
1.
DERS OF THE CATTLE — ACCOUNT OF THE
CAPE SHEEP — ROOTS, PLANTS, &C
DESCRIBED.

TH E Hottentot is unacquainted even
with the firft elements of agricul
ture ; he neither fows, plants, nor reaps ;
all that has been faid of their manner
of cultivating the earth, gathering the
grain, or making of butter, can only re
gard the colonifts, and the Hottentots they
G 2 employ.

§4 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
i
employ. The African drinks milk in its
natural Slate : if they had any tafte for
agriculture it would certainly begin with
tobacco, and the vine ; for drinking and
fmoaking are the darling pleafures of both
young and old.
They fometimes make an intoxicating
liquor compofed of honey, and a root,
which they leave to ferment in water;
and which makes a kind of mead ; this
liquor is not their ordinary drink ; they
never make any referve of it, but drink it
up at once.
They fmoke a plant which is called
dagha, (and not daka, as fome authors
have termed it), this is the hemp of Eu
rope; fome of the colonifts cultivate itj
and when they have dried the leaves fell
it very dear to the Hottentots, or change it
for Oxen; and there are thofe among
them who prefer it to tobacco, but the
greater

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 8$
a
greater part by choice mix them toger
ther. The pipes that come from Europe are
held in lefs eftimation than thofe they fa
bricate themfelves, the former they reckon
too fmall ; theirs is compofed of bamboo,
and the bowl' of baked earth, or of a foft
kind of Stone, which they make very car
pacious ; for the greater quantity of tobacco
it holds the more they value it. I have
feen fome, the cavity of whofe Stem
(through which they draw the fmoke)
was at leaft an inch in diameter.
You never meet among the Gonaquais
with men who. apply themfelves to any
particular kind of work, in order to fatisfy
the caprice of others ; the woman, who
defires to lie foft, will fabricate her own
mat, or a wifh to be clothed, will inftrudt
a man to make a habit, The huntfman
who would have good weapons can depend
G 3 on

\
86 TRAVELS IN AFRICA. \
on thofe of his own making, and the lover
is the only architect of the cabin that is to
contain his future companion.
I own it would not be difficult to find in
moft other nations a greater degree of art
and knowledge ; the only furniture I faw
in this country, except their mats and
fkins, was fome very brittle earthen-ware.
The Gonaquais feldom boil their meat,
preferring it either roaft or broiled ; their
pottery therefore is chiefly ufeful in melt
ing the fat of their animals, which they
preferve in calibaShes or bags, made of
Sheep -Skins, &c.
Though they have prodigious quantities
of Sheep and oxen, it is very uncommon
for them to kill any of the latter, unlefs
they meet with fome accident, or old age
has rendered them ufelefs ; their principal
food is the milk of cows and ewes, with
the produce of the chace, and now and
then

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 87
then a Sheep. When they with to fatten
thefe animals, they have a cuftom which
is not the lefs efficacious, becaufe un
known in Europe ; and it has this particu
lar advantage over our method, that it
requires no care or Skill in the operation.
Inftead of caftrating thefe animals, they
bruife the part with a couple of flat Stones,
which anfwers the fame purpofe ; in a Short
time after they get extremely fat, and
when killed, are very good eating. It is
not cuftomary to train oxen for war in
this country, I had not feen the leaft ap
pearance of it in any place I had yet vifited,
though it is very common among the
greater Namaquais, and I Shall fpeak of it
in my defcription of that people. Thofe
which the Hottentots breed are purpofely
to carry baggage from one place to an
other, or to be exchanged,
The beafts fet apart to carry burdens,
are trained very early to this work, other-
G 4 wife

SS TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
wife they would be fo untoward it would
be utterly impoSfible to manage them. —
While the Animal is young, they pierce the
griftle that feparates the noStrils, through
which they pafs a Slick of about eight or
ten inches in length, and one in diameter;
to prevent this from coming out, a leather
Strap is faftened to each end : this curb
continues in the animal as long as he lives.
As the ox acquires Strength, they begin
to accuftom him to the ufe of the girth,
to which his future burdens are to be
faftened ; this they tighten by degrees, for
a beaft not ufed to fuch a mode of treat
ment, would be extremely incommoded,
if not killed by it. After it has learned to
bear the tightnefs of the girth, they begin
to load it with fmall burdens, as Skins or
mats ; and, by infenfibly increasing the
load, accuftom them to carry without
any inconvenience five hundred weight or
more. The

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 89
The manner of loading the ox is very
iimple: a man before, holds the ftrap that
is faftened to the Stick, paffed through his
noftrils; his back is covered with Skins,
to prevent his receiving any injury; as the
effects which compofe his load are thrown
over his back, two Hottentots (one on
each fide) fecure them by paffing under
the belly and round the burden a Strong
girth, fometimes twenty yards in length ;
at each winding of this bandage, the men
apply their knees or feet to the fide ofthe
beaft, in order to tighten it.
It is with an equal degree of pity and
aftoniShment, that a perfon,' unacquainted
with this cuftom, beholds the poor ani
mal walk quietly on, though compreffed
to half its ufual fize.
The Hottentots, and even the colonifts
fometimes ufe them in lieu of horfes ; the
motion of the ox is eafy, particularly when he

90 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
he trots; I have feen fome bred for this
purpofe, that would travel equal to a horfe.
Milking the cows and ewes, belongs
to the women ; and the animals are fo
docile, that it is unneceffary to tie them.
It muft be obferved, that in Africa a cow
gives no milk if She is deprived of her
calf; a misfortune the people take great
care to avoid, as it renders the mother
ufelefs, and would diminish one- of the
greateft refources of thefe people. The
inftindt which teaches a cow to retain her
milk, unlefs fucked by her calf, deferves
our attention; but on thefe occafions the
Hottentots have recourfe to a very com
mon and eafy method ; they carefully
drefs up the Skin of a calf, which they
place by the fide of the cow, who, de
ceived by this artifice, readily gives her
raiik. But this expedient feldom fuc-
ceeds for more than a month, which is a
great lofs to the proprietor; for when a
CQW

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 91
cow has not loft its calf, it continues
giving milk until within fix weeks of its
having another.
The cows of Africa like thofe of Eu
rope, according to the difference of the
lands on which they feed, are fat or lean;
in general they yield but little milk ; thofe
that give three or four pints a day, are
looked on as extraordinary good ones. It
Should feem that as we approach the ve
ry hot climates? milk, that defirable gift
of nature, becomes a vaft deal fcarcer.
I remember it was thought very extraor
dinary at Surinam, (which is near the line)
for a cow to give one or two pints a day :
what makes good my affertion, is, that
at the Cape in the rainy feafon, the cows
yield much more, and the contrary when
the heats commence. This time is ex
tremely dangerous for thefe poor animals,
who are Subject to four deadly maladies,
which often make cruel havock. The
firft,

92 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
firft, called at the Cape Lam-Sikte, is a
fudden paralitic Stroke; and though the
beaft is large and fat, when attacked by
this diforder, it is incapable of riling from
the ground, and generally dies in about
•fifteen days. As foon as this diforder is
perceived, they kill all that are attacked
with it ; they do this the more willingly,
as the colonifts themfelves have no diflike
to this unwholefome meat. It may there
fore be fuppofed, they make no fcruple to
feed their Hottentot domeftics and Slaves
with it, who are not over delicate.
The fecond diforder is the Tong-Sikte,
and is fo prodigious a fwelling of the
tongue, that it fills up the whole vacuity
of the mouth and throat, and puts the
animal in danger of inftant fuffocation.
This evil is as terrible as the former; for
though there is a remedy, it is fo little
known, and fo badly administered, that
it has feldom the defired effect : they ge
nerally

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 93
neralry kill all thofe who are dangerouSly
attacked with it, as the means of preferv-
ing the Skin and fleSh.
The Klauw-Sikte attacks the feet,
which fwell prodigiouSly, and Sometimes
fuppurate. The hoof loofens, hardly
hanging on the foot ; and to fee the ani
mal walk, fuppofing yourfelf placed be
hind him, it has the appearancee of Shuf
fling along in Slippers; they are not
moved when in this Situation, but left to
reft while the diforder lafts ; it is not dan
gerous, ufually ending m about fifteen
days. It is not thus with the Spong-Sikte,
which rages among the herds of the co
lonifts, and even extends itfelf fometimes
to the cattle belonging to the Hoards:
this plague fpares few, and happy the man
that lofes but half his flock. This difor
der is a fpecies of leprofy, which is ex
tremely

94 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
tremely contagious; the animals feized
with it, have their fleSh bloated, fpungy,
and livid, the whole body bearing the
appearance of bruifes, filled with a red
viScous humour ; fo very difguSting, that
even dogs will not approach them.
On the firft Symptoms of this peStilence,
if there is not great care taken to feparate
the healthy from the difeafed, it is im-
poSfible to fave any of them from the con
tagion. Such are the principal diforders, which,
by their periodical ravages, maintain a
balance between the encreafe, and mor
tality of the beafts in Africa ; and with
out which, the colonifts, (who are ex
tremely frugal in the confumption of their
ftock) would be foon poffeffed of innume
rable flocks.
The Sheep the favages breed towards the
eaft

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 95
eaft, are a fpecies known by the name of
Cape Sheep, the largenefs of their tails
has made them much fpoken of, though
with a great degree of exaggeration ; its
ordinary weight being only from four to
five pounds. During my ftay in Cape
Town there was one Shewn from houfe to
houfe, and looked on as very extraordi
nary, whofe tail weighed at moft nine
pounds and a half; its confiftence is merely
a lump of fat, which has the peculiar
quality, when melted, of remaining in a
kind of congealed oil, which the Hotten
tots prefer for anointing themfelves. The
colonifts likewife ufe it in their cookery,
and, mixed with other greafy fubftances,
it fupplies the place of butter in thofe
cantons that are too barren to permit them
to keep cows ; in the more plentiful coun
tries they call it from derifion, the butter
of fuch a place ; at the Cape they fay the
butter of Swart Land, a barren canton
where milk is very fcarce. Thofe

96 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
- . Thofe dry and barren lands agree well
with the goats, who are very healthy;
their Size varying in the different cantons,
but generally thriving, and giving as much
milk as a cow. They have young twice
a year like the Sheep, which commonly
have two; but the goat three, or fome
times four. , 8.8 >
Hogs are not known to the Hottentots^
even the European colonifts difdain to
breed them ; yet I have feen fome in par
ticular cantons, where they multiply and
range at liberty, nor can they be obtained
but by Shooting.
Poultry is not at all efteemed among the
Hottentots, but had they an inclination to
breed them it would be impoffible, as
they fow no kind of grain.
The roots they are particularly fond of,
are reduced to a fmall number ; they are
never

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 97
never dreffed in any manner, but always
eaten raw ; and a trial of both ways con
vinced me the Hottentots were right. That
I moft preferred, called by the natives
Kamero, is the fize of a melon, of an
agreeable and pleafing flavour; and admir
able for quenching thiril. , .
How bountiful is nature in a burning
climate, (where it is impoSfible at fome
feafons to find a fpring) to prefent us with
fo refreshing a gift !
Though this root is very common, it
is not always eafily found ; for when ar
rived at a State of maturity, the leaves fade
and drop ; therefore, it is neceffary to
have obferved it before; but a knowledge
of the country foon directs a perfon to the
fpot where it is moft likely to be found.
When 'parched with heat, and finking
with fatigue, my mouth and throat dry,
Vol. II. H covered

Q.B TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
covered with fweat and duft, no friendly
Shade to Shelter me from the fcorching
beams of the fun, how have I wiShed for a
refreshing ftream, how reviving would have
been the fight even of the moft Stagnant
lake; but frequently thefe were not to be
found, and patience was the only remedy.
The, European who enjoys a temperate
climate, by whofe Side an ample river
rolls on difregarded, who is furrounded
with plenty of every luxury that imagina
tion can fuggeft, cannot form an idea of
his fituation, who feels the want of all
thefe bleSfings he enjoys ; or the ardour
with which the traveller in Africa wiShes
for the cooling refreshment of that ele
ment, which, from its abundance, he Sur
veys with acarelefs eye.
How much did I congratulate myfelf
on the poffeSflon of my domeftic animals ;
which, though they may appear ufelefs, were

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 99
were of infinite fervice to me. Faithful
Kees ever attended my Steps, and when I
wandered from my waggons, natural in-
ftindt led him to fome or other of thofe
defirable roots or plants which I Should
not otherwife have found ; in default of
the latter, with his paws he would dig in
fearch of the former; but his progrefs
was Slow, and I ever affifted him with
my dagger or knife, and then fairly di
vided our difcovered treafure.
Two other roots, not exceeding the
thicknefs of a finger, but veiy long, were
equally agreeable to me; they have a Slight
fmell of fennel and anifeed, and are very
fweet and tender, which made me prefer
them when I was fortunate enough to
meet with any. , They are found in the
colonies, and are known by the names
of Anys-Wortel and Vinkel-Worten.
In fome of the Stony cantons, there
H 2 grows

100 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
grows a kind of potatoe which the favages
Call Kaa-Nap ; it is of an irregular figure,
and muft be fucked to extract the juice,
which is fweet and milky. I have tried
to drefs them, but found, that like the
others, they loft in dreSfing their agreeable
flavour, leaving nothing but an infipid
mafs. Some roots which I roafted in
aShes, had very much the flavour of chef-
nuts. The number of wild fruits are few,
thofe I have met with being only infipid
berries, which may indeed tempt children,
if we may judge by thofe of our own
country; who love to regale themfelves
with the produce ofthe hedges : fome of
thefe are of a purging quality.
Though almoft' a ftranger to one part
of natural hiftory, I Should have thought
myfelf extremely reprehenfible and negli
gent in So diftant a country, Which had
never

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 101
never been explored, to have omitted any
occafion of Studying the interesting objects
that furrounded me ; and without being a
botanift, I employed fome time in difco-
veries relative to that fcience; which,
though it has nothing to do with the finer
feelings of the foul, has the instruction
and welfare of mankind for its object.
When I found any bulbous roots, plants,
or Shrubs, whofe flowers attracted my no
tice, I took particular care to procure
them, ever faving the feed; and in my
feveral incampments had made that Study
an agreeable recreation, and a means of
varying my different purfuits. In one of
my returns to Cape Town, having a vaT
luable collection, Monfieur de Percheron,
French agent at that place, remitted it
from me (for the king's gardens) to that
refpedtable family, whpfe name I dare not
mention; to whom nature has difclofed
her choiceft fecrets, and by configning
hpr nobleft treafures to its care, has rank-
H 3 , ed

102 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
ed in the number of her principal favorites.
Thefe plants never reached the place of
their destination, as the agent of France
informed me, the Ship, to which they were
consigned, was eaft away.
I was more fortunate in the drawings
I had made, and which I brought on
my return. A very Skilful botanift has
informed me, that he is totally unac
quainted with the greateft part of them!
thefe, on fome future occafion, I Shall
prefent to the public. And now let me
return to details that are more pleafing,
and fpeak again of the Gonaquais, for
whom I had conceived a' Sincere efteem.

CHAP-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. IO3

CHAPTER VI.

THE METHOD OF COMPUTING TIME AMONG
THE GONAQUAIS  THEIR MQDE OF
INTERMENT — DREAD OF THE SMALL
POX  SOMETIMES ABANDON THEIR
KRAALS — NO SUBORDINATION AMONG
THEIR WARRIORS.
ON a Slight view of the Gonaquais,
it would be difficult to guefs their
age ; for, though the old are fometimes
wrinkled, their hair is never grey ; and I
Should fuppofe that a man who had at
tained the age of feventy, would be look
ed on as fomething extraordinary. They
divide the year by the wet and dry feafons,
which is the general cuftom among the
H 4 inhabit

104 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
inhabitants of the tropics : they fubdivide
it by moons, never counting days when
the number exceeds that of their fingers :
a longer period of time, (yet lefs than the
revolution of a moon), is marked by fome
particular occurrence ; fuch as a Storm,
the killing of an elephant, an epidemical
diforder, an emigration, &c. They count
the time of the dayby the courfe of the
fun ; for example, pointing with the fin
ger, they fay, " It was there, when I
"departed; yonder, when I returned."
Though this method is not very exact,
it anfwers well enough for people who
have no amorous rendezvous, which
require a fcrupulous exactitude ; no law-
fuits to attend, no fcandal to publish ; who
make no mean defpicable court to proud
ignorant-patrons, nor have any theatrical
pieces either to hifs or commend: with
calm tranquillity they beholdthe riling or
the fetting fun, unknowing and regardlefs
of the pointed hour on the time-.piece $
which

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 10$
which is ever bringing joy to fome few,
but forrow to the greater number.
When a Hottentot is Sick, befides the
ligatures I have already mentioned, they
have recourfe to fome medicinal plants
whofe virtues they are well, acquainted
with; there may be fome among them
more Skilful than others whom they Con-
fult on thefe occafions, but as there is
certainly no fcience that requires more in-
tenfe Study, more minute application than
phyfic, (there being many internal mala
dies arifing from different caufes, which
are not to be distinguished from each other
by outward appearances), they are often
much embarraffed in the application of
thefe remedies ; they take great care, how
ever, to conceal their ignorance, and are
as great adepts in grimace as any of our
phyficians can be, and as clearly demon
strate (when the patient happens to die)
that the difeafe was abfolutely incurable. They

106 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
They are more Skilful in the treatment of
wounds, or even fractures ; and it is very
extraordinary to meet with a lame Hotten
tot. An idea of propriety among thefe
favages, ever keeps thofe who are indif-
pofed at a diftance from the healthy; and
it certainly never entered the imagination
of a Hottentot to expofe his diftreffes from
a view of exciting commiferation; indeed,
it would be ufelefs in a country where
every one is naturally compaflionate.
They have no idea of letting blood, or
of its efficacy in many diforders ; nor do
I think it would be poffible to find one
among them who would confent to the
operation. The colonift Hottentots, in
deed, are accuftomed to European man
ners, have acquired our difeafes, and
adopted our remedies.
The famous Kolben has fpoke of a
number of operations performed by their
doctors,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

IO7

doctors, -with a cuftom (among the Hot
tentots of the defert) of hanging about the
neck of the patient the fcalp of a Sheep,
till it rots away, or of confulting the en
trails of the fame animal ; all thefe tales
were certainly wrote to amufe the igno
rant, and are, indeed, calculated for no
other purpofe. Modes of divination are
the ufual appendages of fuperftitious wor
ship, but how can this exift where they
have no religion, no idea of a fuperior
Being ? The fame author has given his
phyficians a rank fuperior to his priefts ;
as they are all the creatures of his own
brain, he certainly had a right to do as he
pleafed with them ; for the fadt is, in thefe
Hoards they have neither phyfician, nor
prieft, no fuperiority of degree, nor any
word in the Hottentot language that Sig
nifies in any manner thefe distinctions.
To Shew how far the flights of imagi
nation carried this visionary, it is fufficient to

Io8 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
to read in his work, that a Hottentot
doctor cured one of his patients of the
leprofy by means of Roman vitriol ! — How
could thefe favages become acquainted
with a fait which is procured by means of
a chymical procefs ? To give belief tp
fuch a ridiculous tale, we muft fuppofe
them acquainted with our arts, and fur
nished with alembics, furnaces, and all the
appendages of pharmacy.
As foon as a Hottentot dies he is wrapped
in his worft Kros, his legs being bent in
fuch a manner as to be entirely covered
with it ; his relatives then carry him to a
certain diftance from the Hoord, and lay
him in a hole dug for that purpofe, which
is never deep ; covering him with earth,
and then with Stones, if it happens to be
a fituation where thefe can be procured.
It is not to be imagined that fuch a tomb
can withstand the efforts of the jackal or
bycena, and the body is often rooted up
and

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 109
and devoured. However incautioufly they
may fulfil this laft duty, the Hottentot may
appear excufable when we recolledt that
fome famous nations had a cuftom of ex
pofing their dead on elevated towers, or
in uncovered tombs, that the crows and
vultures might carry them away.
The African in consigning to the earth
the inanimate remains of his friend or
father, recommends to its penetrating falts
the care of gently diffolving the body ; if
his wiShes are not always anfwered, and he
finds the facred fpot disturbed, the precious
depofit? gone, his afflictions, his lamenta
tions, Shew at once the piety of his man
ners, and natural humanity of his temper.
When the chief of a Hoord dies, the only
difference obferved in his funeral is, that
the heap of earth and Stones which cover
his body is much larger.
If the deceafed was greatly efteemed, the
family

110 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
family he belonged to is plunged in for-
row and confternation ; the night paffes
in fcreams and bowlings, mingled with
imprecations againft death; Every new
comer augments the clamour, which at a
diftance might as well be taken for the
tumultuous accents of joy as of defpair :
not that their grief is by any means equi
vocal on a nearer examination, as I have
often feen them Shed tears of unfeigned
forrow on thefe occafions.
Mr. Sparman has been witnefs in the
colonies of a fcene which he relates, thus,
" Two old women Shook, and beat with
" their Sifts, one of their countrymen, who
" was either dying or already dead ; at the
" fame time fcreaming reproaches and
" confolations in his ears." One ought
not to fuffer one's felf to be mifled by fuch
a relation. If thefe women had been per
fuaded this young man was really deadr
they would never have added to their la
ment-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Ill
mentations either Shaking or blows ; but
thefe actions (which the doctor reprefents
as the convulsive agitations of defpair)
were no other than a means of fupplying
the want of thofe ftimulating falts and
effences which we make ufe of in Europe,
when a perfon in a fainting fit can hardly
be distinguished from a corps. The Shak
ing which the old women administered
feemed an equally efficacious remedy, and
apparently produced very falutary effects,
fince Mr. Sparman adds, " it wrought even
" the refurredtion of the Sick perfon."
The Small-pox, which has fo often
cruelly ravaged the Hottentot colonies,
never but once made its. baleful, appear
ance among the Gonaquais, when it fwept
off half their people; and they are now fo
apprehenfive of its approach, that on the
firft news of its having attacked any of the
colonies, they abandon every thing they
cannot take with them, and fly into the
heart

112 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
heart of their deferts ; for convinced they
have no remedy to cure this dangerous
diforder, Should it be a father, a wife, a
child, it is immaterial, they are deaf to
the voice of nature, and leave them to
their unhappy fate ; when deprived of
every aSfiftance, Should they efcape the
diforder, they muft perifli with hunger. —
This fear fo powerful among and natural
to a favage people, is no impeachment of
their humanity ; the fearful devaftation of
their Hoords, ever prefent to their imagina
tion, is calculated to make them neglect
the moft Sacred duties ; but we arc dif-
gufted to read in the ancient authors, and
to find a modern voyager repeat after them,
that the Hottentots, when they choofe to
change their habitations, abandon with
out pity their old people, and every thing
that would contribute to the retarding of
their march. This affertion muft not be
trufted without limitation, nor the rule
confidered as general ; it is only practised when

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 113
when they find themfelves in the fatal fi
tuation, I have already defcribed, or in war.
On other occafions what motive can they
have for being fo precipitate in their
march ? I confefs I never faw any reafon
to believe tlie Hottentots would adt thus,
but when urged by the moft cruel necef-
fity. When attacked by a power of fu
perior ftrength, unable to repel force by
force, they eScape as they can ; in that
Situation they have no other refource;
they muft forfake their old and Sick, or
Slay and periSh with them ; and what man
can be ib ill inftrudted in the calamities of
war, as to impute to the Hottentot as a
crime that neceflity under which an Euro
pean muft act in the Same manner ? I
Shall go further : the favages do not fcru-
ple to do the fame when fuddenly attack
ed by famine, which is frequently more
cruel in its effects than either war or pefti-
lence, and conftrains them to abandon
fome few individuals, which they can by
Vol. II. I no

114 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
no means fave, as neceSIary victims to the
prefervation of the reft ; even thofe who
fly to feek fome fertile fpot, are far from
being fure to efcape this dreadful fcourge,
more than three-fourths of them fome
times perishing by thirft or fatigue among
the barren rocks, or on the parched fandy
deferts ; while the wretched furvivors
wander frequently to a prodigious diftance,
Supported by the moft Slender means.
Thefe three motives lead the Hottentots
to pradtife a barbarity to which they find
themfelves constrained by a neceSfity, more
powerful than even love or duty. Their
natural timidity, and love of life, drowns
the voice of nature ; but becaufe, for a
moment She is not heard, Shall we con
clude they are void of natural affedtions ?
Thefe public calamities (which they have
no means of withstanding or appeafing)
operating on a people, into whofe minds
education has not inftilled the neceSfity of
fortitude, or force of relative duties,
prompts,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

"5

prompts them, from a motive of felf-pre-
fervation, to a precipitate efcape; and what
we Should do on thefe occafions, ought not
to be formed into a law to judge them by.
No one will add, I hope, as a fourth
inftance of their barbarity, thofe indif-
penfable emigrations to which an incle
ment feafon may oblige them. An extra
ordinary courfe of hot weather fometimes
dries up all the Springs and lakes in the
environs of their Kraal ; or, by having
burned up their paftures, threats them
with an approaching famine. Either of
thefe caufes is fufficient to make them
change the place of their abode; but thefe
neceffary emigrations though fudden, are
always made with the greateft order and
tranquillity. They drive off their flocks
and herds, the aged and infirm are placed
on their oxen, and no one is left behind.
The beft effects are fent off firft : thus
they travel peaceably along, and fettle at
I 2 the

Il6 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the firft place they come to, which they
think will anfwer their purpofe. I have
often met with whole Hoards, that have
been obliged to tranfport themfelves from
one or other of thefe caufes ; both the old
and fick were of the party: how many
times with a fmall quantity of tobacco, or
ftill more agreeable, with a few glaffes of
brandy, have I rejoiced the hearts of thefe
poor people, and made them fmile in the
midft of their calamities ; or, with Still
greater expreflions of fenfibility, have I
feen the tears of gratitude tracing each
other down their cheeks; and afterwards,
when in the courfe of my journey I have
arrived at the fpot they had abandoned,
how have I examined every part of its
environs, but could never find any marks
of that cruel infenfibility with which they
are reproached. All their huts, effects,
domeftic animals, every thing that apper
tained to them was removed. The

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 1 17
The children, or in default of theSe,
the next of kin, take poffeSfion of what
ever a perfon may happen to. have at the
time of his death ; but the quality bf chief
is not hereditary ; he is always elected by
the Hoord, and his power is very limited.
Free to do his dependents every benefit,
he is reftrained from doing them the
fmalleft injury. He is not honoured with
any exterior mark of diftindtion ; he enjoys
no privilege above the reft, except that
of being excufed from taking his turn in
watching the cattle who are feeding in the
paftures. In their councils they take his
advice, if it appears good to the majority,
otherwife they pay no regard to it. When
they go to battle they have neither order
nor divisions ; neither generals nor cap
tains ; all are foldiers, all are officers ;
every one attacks or defends, as he fees
occafion ; the boldeft march at the head;
and when they chance to gain a victory,-,
they never gjve to one man the whole
I 3 honour

Il8 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
honour of an action, which has been
atchieved by the joint efforts and courage
of them all : in thefe inftances it is the
whole Hoord that triumphs.
The Gonaquaisis the only nation among all
thofe I have feen, who may be confidered
as absolutely free; at fome future time,
perhaps, they will be obliged to remove
farther up the country, or to receive laws
from their neighbours. Eaftward the lands
are generally good, and the colonifts are
ever endeavouring to enlarge their limits
on that fide, and one day, no doubt, their
avarice will fucceed. Woe to that peace
able and happy people when that period
Shall arrive ! oppreffions, maffacres, all
the horrors attending unjuft invafion,will
obliterate every veftige of their liberty.
Thefe misfortunes have been expe
rienced by all thofe Hoards, of which the
firft authors have given an account.— Weakened

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 119
Weakened by frequent difmemberments, <
they have at length become abfolutely de
pendant on the Dutch ; and the primitive
manners, original cuftoms, and -hiftory of
this people, would either have been for
gotten or confidered as fables, had not
fome travellers, curious to difcover the
remains of them, had courage to penetrate
the deferts of the great" Namaquais, whofe
barren rocks, whofe Steep and Steril moun
tains produce no plant, no tree that can
tempt the fpeculative avidity of the
Europeans,

CHAP-

120 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

CHAPTER VII.

HOTTENTOT DANCES  MUSICAL INSTRU-
MENTSDESCRIBED  UNJUSTLY CHARGED
WITH INCEST — DESCRIPTION OF THEIR
PERSONS  THEIR HOSPITALITY.

TH E nations cited by former authors
under the names of the Gungemans,
and the Koopmans never had any existence.
The word Gungemans has no fignification
in the Hottentot language. Some traveller,
who understood nothing of their tongue,
made a mistake in. writing this word,
which is properly Goed-man s, and Signifies,
in Dutch, good-men, or good-people; a
quality

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 121
quality which was attributed by the firft
colonifts to the Hottentots in general, be-
caufe they found them a peaceable and
accommodating people.
Koopmans was a name given to thofe with
whom they eftablifhed their firft traffic;
this name is compofed of two words,
which fignify in Dutch,' merchant, or
trader, and has no more relation to one
country than another. Thus, when a.
traveller is utterly unacquainted with the
language of a country, he makes mistakes
in the orthography, and inftead of the
name of a favage nation, often prefents
his readers with a barbarifm.
The manners and cuftoms of different
diftant countries will never be properly
defcribed by any one who is ignorant of
their feveral languages; if, for example,
the authors who have advanced that the
Hottentots adored the moon, had compre hended

122 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
hended the fenfe of the words they fang by
its light, they muft have been convinced
they have no reference to homage, pray
ers, or invocations ; they would have
known, that the fubjedt of thefe fongs is
ever an adventure, which has happened,
either to an individual among them, or
elfe to their own, or the neighbouring
Hoord; it is fung in the extempory man
ner of the negroes, and they might fing
the x whole night on the fame fubjedt, by
repeating according to their cuftom, the
fame words a thoufand times over. They
prefer the night to day becaufe it is cooler,
and on that account more proper for then-
dances and diversions. \
In dancing they form themfelves into al
ring by taking hold of each others hands,
which is larger or fmaller according to the
number that compofe it. The women and
men are in equal number, and Stand alter
nately. This chain formed, they turn
different

TRAVELS IN AFRICA- 123
different ways ; at intervals they clap their
hands altogether, without any interruption
to the cadence ; their voices unite with
the found of their instruments, often re
peating Hoo ! Hoo ! which is the general
cadence. Sometimes one of the dancers
quitting the extremity of the circle, places
himfelf in the center, where he begins a
dance which 'bears fome refemblance to
an English hornpipe; the whole merit
confifting in its being executed with ra
pidity and precision, without Stirring from
the fpot.
Sometimes they quit hands, and follow
one another carelefsly, affecting an air of
melancholy and concern, the head hung
upon one Shoulder, the eyes eaft mourn
fully Upon the ground; thefe geftures give
place in a moment, to the moft wild and
lively demonstrations of joy and gaiety :
this contraft when well exprefled delights
and enchants them. It may be perceived that

124 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
that thefe dances are but an aSiemblage of
pantomimical expreffions, very Strange and
amufing. During the whole time of its
continuance, the dancers make a kind of
monotonous humming, which is never
interrupted, except to join with the Specta
tors in the favourite chorus of Hoo ! Hoo !
which feems the very foul and fpirit of this
pompous and whimfical melody. They
ufually finifh all by a general ballat ; that
is, the circle is broken; and they all dance
pell mell together, every one in his own
way ; it is then their ftrength and addrefs
is moft conspicuous, the dancers endea
vouring to excell each other in thofe peri
lous feats of activity, which in our theatres
excite exclamations of applaufe, and which
are equally amufing, and not lefs applauded
in the open air by an audience of unin
formed Africans. The instruments, which
for their fuppofed excellence, are moft ad
mired here, are, the goura, or joum-joum,
the rabouquin, and the romelpot. The

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 12$
The goura has the form of the Hotten
tot bow, and is about the fame fize. They
tie a cord, made of the, entrails of fome
animal, to one of the extremities, the
other end of it is faftened- by a knot in
the quill of a feather, which is Slit and
flattened. This feather, when fpread,
forms an ifofcele triangle, which may be
about, two inches long. It is at the bafe
of this triangle that the hole is made that
retains the cord, and the point of the quill
being folded back, is faftened by a fmall
thong to the other end of the bow. This
cord may be more or lefs tightened ac
cording to the will of the mufician ; but
when feveral gouras are played together, -
they contrive never to have them in unifon
with each other. This would never be
thought a wind instrument from its ap
pearance, though it certainly -is one. The
figure of it may be feen in the Plate of
the Gonaquai Hottentot. While

i

126 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
While playing on it, it is held much
in manner of the hunting-horn, the end
of the bow where the feather is placed,
being applied to the mouth ; and both in
afpirating and drawing his breath, the
player produces a found which is tolerably
melodious ; but even the favages, who
Xucceed the beft with it, never play any
regular tune.
I took a delight in feeing one of my
people, named John, ( who paSIed for a
very expert mufician), regale his comrades
for feveral hours together, who, transported
with his performance, would interrupt him
from time to time, crying out, " O how
*' charming that was ! play it once more !"
John ever ready to oblige, began again,
but never could repeat what had produced
fuch an effect on his auditors ; for as I
before obferved, it is impoSfible to play
any fet Strain on this instrument, whofe notes

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

I27

notes are the effect of chance, and depend
in a great meafure on the quality of the
feather. The beft for this purpofe are taken
from the wing of the bujiard ; when I
happened to kill one of thefe, I always
took care to fupply our orcheftra with a
number of them.
The goura is called by a different name,
when played on by a woman, it then ac
quires the title of a joum-joum. Seated on
the ground, She places it perpendicularly
before her, in the manner of a harp ; the
bottom of it is held by paffing one of her
feet between the bow and the cord, ob-
ferving not to touch the latter ; with her
left hand She grafps the middle of the bow,
and while She blows upon the feather,
Strikes the ftring with a little wand, of
about five or fix inches length, which She
has in her other hand, and which pro
duces

128 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
duces fome variety in the modulation ; but
the ear muft be at no great diftance from
the instrument to mark distinctly the gra
dation of its founds. This manner of hold
ing the goura produces a very good effect,
and gives a grace to the Hottentot who
plays upon it.
The rabouquin is a triangular piece of
wood, on which are extended three Strings,
faftened to pegs that can be tightened or
Slackened at pleafure, in the manner of
our European instruments ; it is, indeed,
a kind of guittar ; any other than a Hot
tentot might, perhaps, make fomething of
it, and render its mufic agreeable, but
here they are content to twang it with
their fingers, and produce founds without
art or order.
The Rolempot is the moft noify of all their
instruments. It is made of the hollowed
trunk of a tree, from two to three feet
high;

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 129
high ; over one end they extend the Skin
of a Sheep well tanned, which they beat
with their hands, or rather, with their
fifts ; and fometimes with a Stick. This
instrument, which may be heard at a great
diftance, it muft be confeffed, is by no
means a mafter-piece of contrivance ; but
would be a tolerable method, in any place,
of fupplying by noife the want of tafte.
Perhaps I am too particular in my de-
fcription of the dances and mufical instru
ments of the Hottentots, which are not
very curious: but details that tend to
throw fome light on the manners and dif-
pofitions of thefe Africans, I thought,
Should not be entirely neglected.
The favages, who are under the imme
diate guidance of nature, have no need of
the mingled harmony of our orcheftres to
excite in their affemblies the moft lively
demonftrations of joy and pleafure ; their
Vol. II. K con-

I30 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
contracted and monotonous mufic fuffl-
cienftly anfwers their purpofe; enlivened
by its found they exert themfelves to the
utmoft, and feel no want of better.
One of our modern authors, who ha9
made a rule of ftudying the genius of the
people at the fame time that he defcribed
their country, in his Select Geographical
Readings, obferves, with great fagacity,
" that in a civilifed country, Singing and
" dancing are two arts, but in favage wilds
iC they are the natural expreffions of con<-
" cord and friendship, of tendernefs and
" pleafure. We -are taught by mafters,"
adds this learned writer, " to modulate
" our voices, and to move our limbs- in
" cadence ; the favage has no mafter but
" his paSfions, his heart, and nature; that
¦ ° which he feels, we feign: thus, when
'* the favage Sings or dances he is always
" happy." I have

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 13I
I have before obferved, that the Hot
tentots never aifemble to divert themfelves
till night, extlufive of the reafon I have
already given for this practice, their daily
occupations allow them no other oppor
tunity ; every one has fome indifpenfable
duties to perform during the day. They
muft watch their flocks and herds, which
ate feeding at a diftance in the fields, not
only to prevent their wandering, but to
protect them from the beafts of prey, who
are continually on the watch for them. —
They muft milk their cows and ewes,
fabricate their mats, gather wood for their
fires, drefs their meat, and fearch for
roots ; thefe latter occupations belong
particularly to the women. The men
hunt, examine the fnares they fet for
game, &c. make their arrows, and all
the instruments of which they have need;
and though thefe instruments ^ and ne-
ceffaries are in general clumSy, and ill
made, they require much time and labour
K 2 in

Ip. TRAVELS INAFRICA.
in the fabrication, becaufe they are desti
tute of a multitude of tools which would
facilitate and Shorten thefe operations ; in
deed, their addrefs in general is much lefs
to be admired than their patience. It would
be aftoniShing if thefe people, whofe
company I have fo much frequented, and
among whom I have lived fo long, Should
have had the addrefs and cunning to con
ceal from me, fo artfully, that I could
never difcover, either by their difcourfe
or manner of living, any appearance of
that fuperftition with which they have .
been charged; for I am far from con
sidering as religious rites, certain priva
tions which they impoSe on themfelves,
and which appear very natural when once
we have difcovered their reafons for them.
For example, they fcarce ever eat hare,
or the gazel, called duykers. In their
opinion the hare is an animal of a diguft-
ing form, and the fleSh of the duykers
appears too black; befides this, thefe
animals

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

33

animals are always exceffive lean, which
would be a fuSficient reafon for their re
jection of them. But what is to me a
convincing proof that jt is no chimerical
idea that prevents their making ufe of
this food is, that when pinched by hunger,
I have feen them have recourfe to it, and
think themfelves happy it was to be pro
cured. When 'we fee a Hollander, diSgufted at
the fight of a plate of perriwinkles, or the
beft cooked fricafee of frogs, (which the
French think extreme good eating),
Should ' the Batavian diSguft be considered
as a religious abstinence ?
Before we announce, as an effential rite
among the Hottentots, the ceremony of
cutting off a joint from their fingers or
toes, before we attribute their femi-caf-
tration to the fame motive, it would cer^
jainly be reasonable to eftabliSh the exift- '
K 3 enee

134 TRAVELS IN AFRIC^..
ence of th^fe cuftoms. Kolben had heard
them fpqken, ojf aniohg a. number of others,
hut never endeavoured to investigate th,e.
truth of them; this i,s fufficiently proved
by his attributing thefe cuftoms to a^l the
Hppentots. indifcrinfinately. M. Sparman
is likewife guilty of an error wnen> ^.
affirms, in contradidtipn to Kolben, that
no fuch pradtice as femi-caftration ever
had any existence among them. Both thefe
cuftoms are adtually made,, ufe of in two
Hpqrds Situate tQ the nopth of the Cape,
under the twenty-eighth, degree of lati
tude, known by the name of. the Gaifti-
quais, and the Koraquais cantons, in which.
I found the Girafes, of which I Shall Speak
in my fecond voyage ; and it is certain
Kolben never penetrated in,tp tjnpfe parts,
except in a dream,. Doctor Sparman has
fuffered. himfelf to be deceived, in refpedt
to the Gonaquais, Since he. is inclined to
believe that thefe Hoards rn^ke ufp of cir-
cumcifion : the colonics aflured me as they did

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 135
did: Wm, that this was a fact; but this
atffurance was, with me, a powerful rea
fon. to diftruft it; but I have Since had an
opportunity of Satisfying myfelf^ and can
affirm that they have a quite contrary
appearance, which muft certainly have
efcaped the observation of thofe who have
attributed this cuftom to. them.
I may Say the fame of thofe peculiarities
in the formation of their women, which
former authors have dwelt fo much on in
in their histories, or rather fables, of thefe
people; and which is cuftomary in a Hoard
which I have vifited, I may fay it is fa
shionable; for fo far from being the work
of nature, it Should be regarded as the
moft monftrous and extraordinary refine
ment that was ever invented by caprice,
and which is confined to, this fmalf por*.
tion of the habitable globe.
Spme ancient authors have affured us
K 4 that

I36 TRAVELS IN AFRICA^'
that the-Hottentots. Sleep altogether in the
Same hut, without regard to difference of
age or fex, or feeling that invincible hor
ror which fets bounds to the paSfions
among near relations. It is true, that thefe
favages, confined to what is Strictly ne-
ceffary, have no idea of concealing a mon-'
ftrous inclination- under an outward ap
pearance of fcrupulous decency. They
have not among them one department for
the brother, another for the Sifter ; an
apartment- for the mother, another for the
fons : but to conclude, becaufe they have
only one mat, on which to repofe themr
felves after the fatigues of the day, that
they live in the manner of the brutes, is
to commit an outrage againft nature, and
to calumniate innocence. It could only
be an author badly inftrudted or ill-inten
tioned, that could give way to fuch infa
mous fufpicions, — Yes, the whole family
inhabits one fcanty hut — the father Sleeps
with his daughter — the brother with his
fifter—

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. I37
fifter— -the mother with her fon — but on
the return of Aurora every <jne rifes with
a pure heart ; without having caufo to
bluSh before the great Father of beings,
or any of thofe creatures whom he has
fealed with his divine image. The favage
is neither a brute nor unnatural ; the true
monfter is he who afferts the exiftence of
a crime wherever he fuppofes one, trufting
implicitly to the odious testimony of his
own confcious depravity.
I have vifited a number of favage na- ,
tions, and I always found the . greateft
modefty and circumspection among their
women, I might add among their men :
the author that I have fo often been
obliged to contradict, renders homage to
this truth, when he affirms, " that they
" will judge ill, who fuppbfe thefe favages
*' have as little modefty as covering."
I hayc before remarked that then- com
merce

J 3$ TRAVELS in' AFRICA,
merce with the whites has been the means
©£ corrupting their manners : the Hptten-,
tofs of the colonies furnifh,- a convincing
proof of this aSIertion, thofe of the defert
being quite a different fort of people. At
fome future period, perhaps, they will.he
feduced by the ill example of their neigh
bours. When Mr. Forfter, in his voyage round,
the world with Captain Cook, informs
us that the women of Eafter-ISland were
fhamelefs courtefans; he does' not endea
vour to conceal that the Sailors were guilty •
of the moft infamous debauches with
them : but he might have added, without
Scruple, that female favages who have
been once vifited and corrupted by Euro
peans, afterwards give themfelves up to
them without referve.
When the defire of information has
prompted me to make inquiries among thefe

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. $39.
thefe people refpedting the* above-men
tioned, inceftious communications, I have
uniformly received fome fuch anfwer as
this : " Do you then confound us with
"- the brutes ? they, alone, are capable
of what you mention ! ' ' Could, I after this
be deceived in this particular; or refuSe
tp attribute virtue to thofe who never heard
the name, or faw the imrnenfe commen
taries compofed on the idea it contains ?
This innate Sentiment in the heart of man,
that neither education has enlightened, nor
example corrupted, was conferred on him
by way of diftin^tipn, and to mark the;
fuperiority of his nature. The horror of
uniting with hjis, own bipod, is one of the
moft Striking traits of charadter by which
the Creator has been pleafed to mark the
difference between the human and the
brujte creation.; and np thing but the moft
glaring depravity can induce them to break
down this almoft infurmountable barrier.
I dare aSfert, that if there is a cprner of
the

I40 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the world w,here propriety of conduct and
manners is to be adored, one muft feek its
temples in themidft of defarts. The favage
has received his principles neither from
education or prejudice, he owes them to
Simple nature ; love with' him is not (as
in civilifed countries) a tumultuous paf-
fion, which leads to diforders, ravages,
and wrongs. But in vain, by the exam
ple of Buffon, Should I endeavour to root
out this malady of heated imaginations;
I Should never be able to overturn an altar
loaded with the fplendid offerings of the
poets and novelifts ; I Should have too
many prejudices to contend with. The
deity, who owes his birth to thefe chy-
meras, would call all his votaries to the
attack, and never forgive the facrilege.
A phyfiognpmift, or if you will, a mo--
dern wit, might divert himfelf, and com
panions of a Similar difpofition, by giving
the Hottentot a place in the Scale of being, be<«

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 14!
between a human creature, and an Ou-
rang-Outang, but I cannot confent to do
him that wrong, being fenfible that he
does not deferve to be fo degraded. I have
found his perfon agreeable, becaufe I knew
his foul to be refpedtable. I muft own his
features are different from thofe of other
men, the prominence of his cheek bones
makes his face appear very broad in that
part, this contrasted with the narrownefs
of his jaw, which gradually leffens to
wards the chin, gives him an appearance
of megernefs that makes his head feem
diSpropof tioned and too little for his body,
which is in general fat and bulky. His
nofe is broad and flat, his noftrils very
open, his mouth large, but filled with
Small teeth of an amazing whitenefs, his
eyes large and fine, inclining a little to
wards his hofe, hke the Chinefe. His
hair, both to the fight and touch, refem-
bles wooli, is black as ebony, and in no
great quantity ; yet they are continually thin-

5-42 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
thinning of it. His eye-brows, which are
very fcantily fet, do not require that care.
The beard only grows on the Upper lip,
and on the extremity Of the chin ; this
they never fail to pull out by the roots,
which gives them an air of effeminacy
that; joined to the natural foftnefs of their
character,' tends very much to deprive
them of that haughty afpect which has
procured men in general, the title of
lords of the creation.
The Hottentot is perfectly well made,
his carriage graceful and active, very dif
ferent from the favages of South Arheriea,
who appear only the rough draughts of
iiature. The women, though more delicate,
have the fame features, are equally well
made, their necks beautifully Xbrmed,
their hands fmalland their feet well Shaped >
though, in general, they wear no fandals. They

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 143
They have a foft tone of voice, and their
fpeech is not unpleafing. They make
ufe of an infinity of gefture when ,they
talk, which Shows their arms to great ad
vantage. The natural timidity of the Hottentot,
prevents his being enterprising, while his
fang froid, and deliberate method of Speak -
ing, gives him an air of referve, even in
his hours of joy and relaxation ; when, on
the contrary, all the other black or tawny
nations, give way to lively pleafure, and
the moft expanded gaiety ; carelefs to in-
adtion and lazinefs, tending his flocks and
procuring himfelf food is his only Study.
When he hunts, he muft not be consi
dered as a fportfman, but as one oppreffed
with hunger ; in Short, he is forgetful of
the paft and regardlefs of the future, the
prefent alone employs and interests his
thoughts : but he is good, generous and
hofpitable; thofe who travel among them, are

144 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
are fure to find meat and lodging; they
will receive you with pleafure, but never
efcadt a recompenfe.
If the traveller has far to go, and the
Hottentot knows he will encounter no
Hoards by the way, he will furniSh him
with as much provifion as his means will
permit, and enable him to continue his
journey to. the place of destination.
Before the arrival of the Europeans at
the Cape, commerce was unknown to
the Hottentots ; perhaps they had not even
art idea of exchange ; but the appearance
of tobacco and beads, innitiated them in
to mercantile mifteries ; thofe new luxu
ries in time became wants, which the
Hottentots of the colonies procure for
them ; for I muft obferve, that fond as
they are of thefe trifles, they will rather
do without, than Stir a Step to fetch them :
a ufeful lefibn to thofe who drag through hfe

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. I45
life in fearch of, and agitated by chi
meras. Such were thefe people, or at leaft fuch
they appeared to me, in all the innocence
of paftoral life ; and they yet offer to my
imagination the idea of human nature in
its infancy.
' A Sublime trait, which I Shall next de-
fcribe (although it belongs to my fecond
voyage farther north of the Cape, and to
ward the weftern fide) will finiSh the pic
ture of this people, which I have endea
voured to draw with all poSfible truth and
candour; without eloquence it is true,
but equally void of enthufiafm ; unadorn
ed with vain declamation, but with that
franknefs and Simplicity which is dear to
me, and which I Shall ever profefs.

Vol. II. L CHAP-

I46 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

CHAPTER VIII.

STRIKING INSTANCE OF GOOD-NATURE—
GENERAL REFLECTIONS ON SAVAGES-
ACCOUNT OF THE BASTARD-WHITES.

A Considerable Hoord of the Kaminou-
Kais came to vifit the camp, with
that frank air of confidence which is the
characteristic of men who have not been
rendered fufpicious by the deceit or inju
ries oftheSr fellow-creatures.
Constrained to be frugal in the ufe of
my provifions, it was not poSfible to re
gale every one with brandy, the company was

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 147
«was too numerous, and I would not with
out imprudence appear generous ; I pre
fented a glafs to the chief, and to thofe
among them, who, by their figure, or
ftill more by their age, appeared the moft
refpedtable : but to what means will not
beneficence have recourfe ! how ingenious
is She in finding opportunities to demon
strate her exiftence ! What was my afto-
ment, after having obferved that each
kept his liquor in his glafs, to fee them
approach their comrades who had not re
ceived any, and distribute it from mouth
to mouth ! I muft confefs I was in-
chanted by this unexpected and affecting
Stroke of native generofity. Is there a
heart fo void of feeling that it would re
main untouched by fuch a fcene ? or eyes
.that would not have furniShed tears of
fenfibility ? Tranfported. with admiration,
•I embraced the chief, and thofe who hke
him had distributed my gift to their fur-
rounding friends. Vain talkers ! elegant
L 2 coquets

I48 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
coquets and beaus, perfumed with all the
effences of Flora ! you, I know, will
Shrink with horror at the idea ; but, thank
Heaven, I have not your qualms, your
faftidious refinements; and my worthy
Kaminou-Kais gave me no fentiment of
diSguft in this unpremeditated and frater
nal expreffion of regard.
I can never call to mind, without emo
tion, thefe refpedtable people, and feveral
others among, whom I have feen the fame
ceremony repeated: when we have bid
adieu, and I faw them returning home;
content and happy, " Favored mortals!"
have I exclaimed, " long, long, may you
" poffefs your precious innocence ; but
" live unknown ! Poor favages ! regret
" not, being born under a burning Sky,
"ona barren foil, which fcarce produces*
" the bramble and the heath ; but rather
" confider your fituation as a Signal favour
" of Providence, your deferts will never
" tempt

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

I49

** tempt European cupidity; unite your-
*' felves with thofe happy nations, who,
" like you, are Strangers to them ; bury,
" and efface even the fmalleft traces of that
" yellow duft which forms itfelf in your
*c rocks and mingles with your Streams,
*' Should it be difcovered you are loft;
" know it is the fcourge of the earth, the
¦" Source of crimes, and dread above all
" things, the approach of an Almagro,
(( a Pizarro, or a Fernando Cortez."
In a Slate of nature man is effentially
good; Why Should the Hottentot be an
exception to this rule ? It is without rea
fon that he is accufed of being cruel, he
is only vindictive*; too fenfible of the
wrong that it offered him, can any thing
be more natural than to repel force by
force? It is ridiculous to expect from
thefe children of nature the pradtice of
our refined humanity, whofe rules, in
deed, we are more ready to expect than
L 3 to

150 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
to perform. What is the law of retalia
tion, the only one we knew before we
began to be philofophers, but the right
of rendering injury for injury, and de
priving him of life whofe attempts 'we
dread upon our own ?
Suppofe the favages of Africa and
America Should chance to think them
felves unhappy becaufe destitute of our
arts, our riches, and all the refources of
our ingenuity; fuppofe they Should af-
femble* from all parts, armed with de
structive weapons, invade Europe, and
endeavour to chafe us from our poffef-
fions ; with what temper Should we re
ceive the barbarians ? ' what treatment
Should we beftow on their attempt? Yet
fuch has been our pradtice with refpedt
to them ; fuch have been the temptations
to our enterprifes in the three quarters of
the globe, which have been crowned with
more fuccefs than they deferved. Where- ever

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. X$t
ever we have thought fit to eftabliSh our-
felves, we have reduced the unhappy na
tives to Slavery or flight ; we have appro
priated to our own ufe, without fcruple,
whatever appeared to anfwer our purpofe ;
when they have feized the hour of
vengeance, and in proportion to their
wrongs have given way to their refent-
ment— too much blinded by our interest
or prejudice, to confider the provocations
they have received, we dare to load them
with the opprobrious epithets of barba-*
rians and anthropophagites, nourished by
murder, delighting in human blood.
To what imprudence may we attribute
the death of that celebrated navigator,
Captain Cook ! I am pleafed to find,
that his bold and enterprising character,
with the knowledge of the power he pof-
feffed, never carried him to the commif-
fipn of any culpable exceffes, though in
the end he became the victim of them,
1/4 ty

I^Z TRAVELS IN AFRICA."
by the ardent defire that existed among
thofe iflanders, to revenge themfelves on
his undifciplined followers.
The Sailors on all occafions had made
too free with the women; this was too
great an outrage to remain long unnoticed,
nothing being more likely to irritate thefe
favages, and even through the fmoak of
their cannon, while his thundering artil
lery founded in their ears, the chief is
known and maffacred in the midft of his
people, for not having been able in time
to fupprefs thefe diforders.
The firft fentiment we Should endeavour
to inftil into the mind of favages, among
whom we wifh to fojourn, is confidence ;
to acquire it, we muft be humane, bene
ficent, never abufing their confidence,
neither infpiring them with fear, nor
feeming to entertain any of them ; they
will give every thing where nothing is ex
acted.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. IJJ
acted. In addition to this, we muft be
fuSficiently mafter of our paSfions to ob-
ferve the moft feyere continence with
regard to their women, for if once they
are jealous, they become implacable ene
mies, and if they are not, their(somplai-
fance in this particular, puts you too much
on an equality ; you depreciate yourfelf in
their opinion, and lofe that convenient
fuperiority which has dazzled them. In
countries where jealoufy is not general,
there are always fome individuals infected
with it ; and it has been judicioufiy ob-
ferved, that thofe nations who are moft
exempt from this paffion are the moft
diffolute in their manners.
In order to appear to advantage with a
favage people, we Should take care to
value ourfelves leaft of all on the fupe
riority of our arms ; for why Should we
endeavour to fender ourfelves redoubtable
to thofe we do not fear ? In

154 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
In the midft of our precautions , we
ought to preferve an appearance of calm-
nefs and ferenity, never employing the
force of our arms, but to render them a
fervice, either in providing them with
game, or affifting to deftroy the beafts of
prey that moleft their flocks.
With thefe precautions you may quit a
Kraal with the greateft fecurity, certain
that your departure will be regretted, and
that gratitude will recal you inceffantly to
their remembrance. Some among them
will not be able to perfuade themfelves to
part with you, they will quit their home,
and accompany you to the next Hoord,
with whom, upon the advantageous testi
mony of your guides, you will be Sure to
meet with the fame affection, the fame
endeavours to ferve you ; hofpitality will
welcome you to their abode, and your
prefence will occafion a holiday among
them. . s Governed

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 15,5
Governed by thefe peaceful maxims, I
have traverfed a fmall part of the immenfe
fpace of the earth, and could have pene
trated into every part of Africa, had not
infurmountable obstacles oppofed, which
all my cares could not have provided
againft, and which it is unneceffary to
explain. The more I faw the utility of thefe'
maxims, the more I was convinced that
having affociates in fuch enterprizes muft
rifk the rendering of them abortive ; my
plan was fixed how to meet dangers, and
apply a remedy to them ; furrounded with
companions equal in power, I could not
flatter myfelf that they would always em
brace my advice, and the folly or mifcon-
dudt of' one night be the ruin" of us all, if
I failed now, I had only my own to
blame. The Hottentots have been reprefented as

I56 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
as a nation miferably poor, fuperftitious,
ferocious, indolent, and nafty to excefs;
in Short, authors have reviled them in
every particular.
If there Should happen among thefe
general affertions to be one that has fome
refemblance to truth, it would certainly
be more depended on were they to fup-
prefs all the ill-natured exaggerations
which have arifen from the abfurd tedious;
tales of the colonifts, who take delight in
deceiving thofe Strangers who hope to
obtain inftrudtion by liftening to their
fables. One Should fpeak only from ex
perience, nor affert any thing as a fact,
which we have not had occular demons
fixation of.
It is for want of this precaution, for ex
ample, that the work of doctor Sparman
(which -is very eftimable in more refpedts
than one) contains, among a number of
inter-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 157
interesting and well wrote obfervations,
thofe apocryphal recitals of chafing lions,
elephants, &c. which have not the leaft
appearance of truth, and that he fpeaks
of the unicorn, which a colonift, per
haps, had defcried on fome uninhabitable
rock, and fubftitutes the fquare for the
round form ofthe huts in Caffraria, which
he never vifited.
One ought to obferve, in favour of this
learned man, that his own candour and
probity made him take thofe facts for in
contestable that had once been certified by
a colonift ; Jan-Kock, particularly, whom
he announces for the moft ready and ju
dicious ohferver he had ever met with,
never could expect the praife he received
for furnifhing him with errors which have
made many people range with the works
of Kolben, a book of great utility in many
refpedts ; and that would have been unex
ceptionable had the author confined him-' felf

tj8 TRAVELS IN AFRICA,
felf to thofe particulars he had an oppor
tunity of obferving. I render homage to
truth when I find it in doctor Sparman,
and place thofe miftakes which I meet
with to the account of his informer ; but
When one or the other affures me that
*' he has never feen the Hottentots wipe or
" clean their Skin ; that inftead of waShing
" their hands and arms, they rub them
" with cow-dung, even up to the fhould-
" ers ; that this undtion is not conceived
" to be neceffary, but purely ornamental ;
'* that the duft and filth, mingled with the
" greafe with which they anoint them-
" felves, adheres to the Skin, and is eort-
" tinually corroding it, &c." And after
wards, when Mr. Sparman affures us, he
never faw them wafh or clean themfelves,
I cannot help remarking, that this is a
very light method of reafoning, and will
never pafs for found logic. Suppofe I was
to aver in my turn, I had never remarked
that cow-dung was reckoned an ornament among

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 159
among the Hottentots ; that I had never
feen their Skin corroded with "filth and
greafe ; this negative affertion would not
convince any one, nor decide the queftion
in dispute.
No one attempts to controvert a quality
which thefe Savages all poffefs (men,
women, and children, without exception)
of being tlie moft expert Swimmers and
divers ; muft not we naturally conclude
that the cuftom they obferve of being in
the water feveral times in the courfe ofthe
day, neceSfarily occafions a degree of clean
linefs, which gives very little time either
for their unctions or the duft to corrode
and- injure the Skin ? The affiduity with
which a female Gonaquais decorates her
felf, is a SuSticient proof that they are
careful of their perfons, and wifh to render
themfelves pleafing ; all that can be faid
on the Subject is, that the means they ufe
to accomplish this purpofe are ridiculous ;
bu

l6o TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
but even in confeffing thus much, might
it not be reafonable to enquire whether,
the heat of the climate does not render
fome kind of undtion neceffary ?
Their habiliments, it is true, are but
the Spoils either of tame or wild animals ;
but, as I have already obferved, they never
neglect (as we have been taught to be
lieve) the care of freeing them from all
impurities before they are converted into
habits. The Hottentot is neither poor nor mifer
able ; he is not poor, becaufe his defires
never extend beyond his knowledge,
which is very confined ; he never feels
the fling of neceSfity aggravated by cut
ting comparifons ; a perfect uniformity in
recourfes renders the fate of all equal ; in
a time of plenty every one is happy, when
fcarcity prevails they are all constrained to
retrench. The painful comparifon of
riches

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. l6l
riches mounted on a car of gold, while
poverty is training her tatters in the duft,
never wrings his heart ; it is, indeed, an
idea that never entered his imagination.
The Spectacle of indigence reduced to
defrJair, that torture to Sympathising dif-
pofitions, does not prefent itfelf to his
eyes under a thoufand different diftreffing
forms ; it is a mortification which human
nature in its favage State never experiences,
and if in polished focieties man is in time
habituated to the fight of mifery, and So
far hardened that he can look with all the
apathy of optimifm on that inequality of
condition which is fo difgufting, fo much
to be lamented, it is becaufe he is no
longer the acknowledged child of nature $
She knows him not, She turns from him
with difguft, aShamed of her work, which
other hands have fo disfigured..
After having, by fo long a digreSTion,
interrupted the recital of the little events
Vol. II. M of

l6z TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
of my journey, in order to eftabliSh fome
more adequate idea of the Hottentots, too
little known even to this time, there would
be fomething wanting to the light I have
thrown on the fubjedt, if I was to omit
Speaking of a particular kind of people that
may be ftiled the compojite, who have
principally fprung up in the prefent age,
and have not yet, I believe, been men
tioned by any traveller. This new gene
ration will one day over-balance the old,
and the epocha of its power will no doifot
introduce extraordinary changes in the
cplony, and perhaps effedt its ruin.
The multiplication of thefe individuals,
which may be extremely rapid, might
reafonably alarm the Dutch politics, but
they feem to be in a lethargy in this re
fpedt, and to take very httle care of the,
confequences which mzy probably arife
from want of exertion. I mean to fpeak
of the natural children which have fprung from,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 163
from an intercourfe of the Whites with
the female Hottentots, or between thefe
fame women and the negroes. They are
commonly known at the Cape under the
appellation of Baftards, though this deno
mination is rather more applicable to the
former fort; for the latter are not fo nu
merous, the Hottentot women not being
willing to form connections with the ne
groes, becaufe, as they Say, they Suffer
themfelves to be fold like brutes ; while,
on the contrary, they look on themfelves
as honoured by an intercourfe with the
Europeans, and love to have the title of
their miftreffes. The race produced by
thefe laft mentioned unions, gains ground
and multiplies considerably. They are
free like the Hottentots, and held in greater
efteem by them, notwithstanding the dif-
dain with which they are treated at the
Cape, where they do not even give them
felves the trouble to baptize them. Their
character approaches nearer the European
M 2 than

164 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
than the Hottentot ; they have more cou
rage and energy than the latter, and are
not fo averfe to labour ; but on the other
hand, they are more paflionate, enter
prising, and mifchievous; and it is not
uncommon to fee them affaSfinate the
mafters to whom they have fold their fer-
vices ; in this refpedt they are even worfe
than the negroes, and are ufually the fa
bricators of thofe villanies that are every
day committed in one or other of the
plantations. The Hottentot is of a more peaceable
difpofition, too phlegmatic to plan any
atrocious enterprize, he has not even the
refolution to affift in their accomplish
ment, and the worft treatment would not
be able to provoke him to any great degree
of exertion; in one word, the colonift
who has only Hottentots in his fervice may
Sleep in peace, certain they will rather warn

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. l6$
warn him of danger than attempt any
thing to his difadvantage.
The Bajlard-White is well made, robuft,
his Skin is of a cleaner olive than the Hot
tentot, or rather of the colour of dried
lemon peel ; his hair is black, but longer,
and lefs woolly; the children of thefe
women by a white, as may be fuppofed,
are ftill fairer, but when by "thefe gra
dations the Skin and hair cannot be distin
guished from thofe of a European, the
prominence of the cheeks will continue
remarkable ; it is an indelible character
by which they may be known even after
the fourth generation.
The race produced by the Hottentot
women and negroes is far fuperior to
the others ; they are even taller and
better formed ; their colour bears a juft
proportion between the black of the father,
and the olive of the mother, and is more
agreeable to the eye than either.
M 3 They

1 66 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
They are, indeed* very different from
the Bajiard-White, both in their phyfical
and moral qualities ; they are in general
requeft for labour ; but what renders them
ftill more eftimable, is, that to great acti
vity without turbulence, they join the
merit of a fidelity which may be depended
on. Unhappily this kind is fcarce, owing
to the difdain with which the Hottentots
look on the negroes. It would long Since
have been of public utility, and a particur
lar advantage to the colonifts, had admi
nistration encouraged the propagation of
this fort of people; the expence would
not have been burthenSbme, and in the
end would have been returned an hundred
fold. We are not now in that age facred
to ignorance, when every black was ac
counted a canibal ; the Spaniards them
felves have given up the opinion that pre
vailed in the time of their barbarous Peru
vian incurfions, when it was thought
impoSfible that a foul of any value Should exift

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 167
lixiSt but in a white body. Travellers,
or rather the- establishment of a found
and rational philofophy, taught us that a
rough outfide might cover a, precious
diamond. Among the various nations that inhabit
the weftern coaft of Africa, fome are
distinguished from others by their focial
qualities and laudable inclinations, be
sides poffeSfing a greater degree of aptitude
and energy; thefe Should be encouraged
to fettle in the colonies where they Should
have entire liberty ; the colonifts, to the
utmoft of their power/ Should endeavour
to promote a union between them and the
female Hottentots ; when l once thefe wo
men beheld them free, they would no
longer defpife them, and by this means a
generation might be produced, who, add
ing the pacific difpofitions of their mothers,
fo the good qualities Of the beft Guinea
blacks, Would render ufelefs, nay, incon-
M 4 venient,

1 68 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.'
venient, the unnatural bonds of Slavery in
all this part of Africa.
But thefe eafy and natural means, which
formerly would have required no difficulty
in the execution, will probably never be
attempted; perhaps it is now too late.
On the other hand, if the project is yet
practicable, it muft be brought about by
the Dutch Eaft- India Company, whofe
endeavours, on this occafion, might over
come many obftacles. With the moft
fcrupulous exactitude in its engagements,
it unites a generofity, which, for the fake
of their honour and profperi ty, all -other
commercial affociations Should take pat
tern by; was it properly reprefented to
this refpedtable body, they would, doubt-
lefs, take the neceffary meafures to execute
a plan that would render their names im
mortal. But it is to be lamented, that a
radical vice in the difpofition of the colo
nifts oppofes its accomplishment, and it
would

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 169
would be requisite in the firft place to re-
. move thofe ridiculous and anti-patriotic
prejudices, which prevade the whole body
of them.
They fuffer, becaufe it appears difficult
to Stop the progrefs of the evil, that the
colonifts, fo vain of their colour, but
who, in general, have no mental qualifi
cations to diftinguiSh them from their
v , Slaves. They fuffer, I fay, that thefe un
informed country people, proud of a me
diocrity of fortune, which they have not
acquired by fuperior abilities, Should look
on, and treat with difdain, men, who by
their Services, either as fpldiers or failors,
have merited well of the company, and
obtained permiflion to fettle at the Cape :
to fuch a height are their ideas of fupe
riority carried, that the moft inconsider
able among them would think himfelf de
graded by giving his daughter to one of
thefe brave foldiers or expert feamen ; and
a girl

17© TRAVELS IN AFRICA;
a girl educated in thefe principles, would
rather hve in a Slate of celibacy than be
come the wife of one of thefe defenders
of her country. This clafs of people,
therefore, rejected by the whites, are in
a manner constrained to form connedtions
with the female Hottentots, and this is the
reafon of that amazing increafe of Baftard-
Whites, which bid fair to overflow the
colonies; the turbulent and enterprising
blood of the Europeans circulates in their
veins, and there is a continual danger of
troubles being fomented and projects
formed, which the colonifts (who are too
much difperfed about the country to unite
fuddenly in one body) would neither have
time or power to prevent.
It is now computed that the number
of Bajlard-Whites in the colonies, bears
about the fame proportion with refpedt to
the Hottentots, as one to five ; the epo-
cha of this mixture, to fix it, at its moft early

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 171
early period, cannot be prior to the esta
blishment of the Dutch at the Cape, that
is to Say, one hundred and thirty years :
it may further be prefumed, that if inter-
courfes with the Hottentots, who were
then in their Savage State, foon took place,
they were neither fo eafily effedted or fo
general as of late years : again, it is cer
tain that the population of the colonies
did not amount as now to twenty-four
thoufand whites.
Thefe obfervations may give fome idea
of the progreffive increafe of both forts';
tlie limits of the colonifts are every day
extending, confequently the number of
Hottentots in their jurisdiction is Continu
ally augmented ; at the fame time, deviat
ing more and mere from their original
character, they baftardize, and are con
founded by a mixture with the whites and
negroes ; the degeneration is rapid, and
their

172 Travels in Africa.
their natural good qualities will foon be
corrupted. The cold and phlegmatic constitution
- of the Hottentot men, forbids any rapid
increafe in their posterity ; but . this fame
caufe has a quite contrary effect with the
other fex, and the women, who would
have only three or four children by a Hot
tentot, .will have three times that number
by a negro, and Still more with a white.
If the Bajiard-White is naturally of a
bad difpofition ; if he is vindictive, enter-
prifing and perfidious ; is it, alas ! be-
" caufe he is the offspring of a white by a
female Hottentot, and that children par
take more of the difpofition of the father
than of the mother ? This prefumption,
humiliating as it may appear to us, can
not be controverted ; for when it happens
(which is very rare) that a white woman
has children by a Hottentot, the mild and
peace-

\

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. I7J
peaceable difpofition of the father is al*
ways predominant in thenf^
Such, in general, are the obfervations
I have made during my refidence among
thefe people; I Shall- now drop the fub
jedt, left I Should fatigue the attention of
my readers by thefe dry unentertaining
details, and Shall only refume it when oc
cafion prefents me with opportunities of
touching lightly on thefe matters, in the
courfe of the .events and exigencies of my
journey.

CHAP-

*74 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
v '
CHAPTER IX.

ACCOUNT OF THE HOTTENTOT LANGUAGE.
«
AS I purpofed to pafs fome time in
Africa, my firft care was to ftudy
the language of this people, and I Succeed
ed in it even beyond my expectations.
This language (which it muft be confeffed
is very imperfect) has no occafion for terms
to convey abstract and metaphyficat ideas ;
it is not fufceptible of much ornament, and
contains neither elegance nor exact fyntax,
yet its difficulties are not the lefs inextri
cable to him who does not bring both in
clination and patience to the ftudy ; but I
have

/

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. I75
have been too well rewarded for my pains
in this particular, by the pleafure I found
in converfing freely with the natives in,
the courfe of my journey, to repent the
pains I took in adding this Singular pro
nunciation and idiom to the various lan
guages whofe ftudy had formed the major
part of that laborious education I have
received. .
The Hottentot language does not refem-
ble (as fome ancient authors have faid)
" the cackling of young turkeys, the con-
" fufed noife the old ones make when they
" attack each other, the chattering of the
'•' magpye, nor the hooting ofthe fcreech-
" owl ;" it has Still lefs affinity to the
cries of the bat, to which Pliny and He
rodotus have compared it ; indeed one
need only reflect on this variety of affimi-
lations, to be convinced that it is. impof-
fible any one language Should refemble all
thefe different founds at the fame time.Some

I76 TRAVELS I N AFRICA.
Some have advanced, with no greater de
gree of truth, that to hear a number of
Hottentots converfing together, they would-
be taken for a parcel of Stammerers. All
thefe affeftions, which fo Strangely claSh
and contradidt each other, naturally lead
one to fuppofe, that none of thofe travel
lers who had defcribed the Hottentot lan
guage ever gave themfelves the trouble to
obtain any precife idea of it, and confe-
quently, without endeavouring to account
for thefe miftakes any otherwife, they have
deceived their readers juft as they happen
ed to be deceived themfelves.
This language, notwithstanding the
Singularity and difficulty of its pronuncia
tion, is not fo difpleafing as many have
reprefented it, and may be attained by per-
feverance. I have known colonifts who /poke it
readily, and found that with a little ap
plication

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 177
plication I could foon make myfelf under
stood ; though it is certainly very difficult
for a European, and more fo to a French
man than a Dutchman or German, be
caufe the u, the h, and the g are pro
nounced much the fame as in the Dutch
and German languages, that is to fay, the
u by the 0 u, and the two other letters
by thofe expirations which the throat of a
•Frenchman does not feem formed to exe
cute, and which they never perform with
facility. Of all the vocabularies published in
different works, there is not one from
which a Single word may be learned ; in
vain would any traveller endeavour to
make himfelf understood, a Hottentot could
never fufpedt he was endeavouring to Speak
to him in his own language.
One would fuppofe they had taken pains
in all thefe vocabularies to omit a cha-
Vol. II. N radter

178 travels in Africa."
racier of the greateft Signification; they"
have not endeavoured to mark thofe dif
ferent duckings of the tongue, which are
indifpenfable Signs, that precede or fepe-
rate their words, and without which,
they have no precife meaning.
Thefe duckings are of three different
kinds; the firft I Shall exprefs thus, (a).
This, which occurs mofe frequently than '
the others, is the fofteft and moft attain
able ; it is formed by preffing the tongue
againft the palate of the mouth and fore
teeth, the mouth being Shut, then open
ing it; and fuddenly detaching the tongue
at the fame time, the cluck is produced.
Indeed, it is no other than the fmall noife
which is fo familiar to us, when being
plagued with a troublefome companion),
we endeavour to exprefs our impatience
without fpeaking.
The fecond (v) is louder than the firft; <te

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. I79
to produce this the tongue muft be de
tached from the middle of the palate ;
it is the noife a coachman makes when he
wiShes to put his horfes in motion ; but
it Should be obferved, that Simply detach
ing the tongue is fuSficient ; for when too
much articulated, it is very difficult to
join it with the firft fyllable of the word
to which it belongs.
The third kind (A) requires greater
force, and may be readily heard; this is
the leaft in ufe, and is exceeding difficult,
requiring much time and attention before
you can join it properly to the fucceeding
word. It is produced by a Singular contraction
of the tongue, which muft be drawn to
the bottom of the palate near the throat ;
and it may be eafily conceived that after
this collision, it is difficult to bring it to
the lips inftantly, in order to articulate
N 2 the

l8o TRAVELS IN AFRICA,
the following word without any fenfible
interruption. . Thefe duckings have different modu
lations, and are more difficult to be united
to fome letters or Syllables than others;
for, as I have already hinted, they muft
be founded at the fame inftant, or" the
meaning would be equivocal, as the force
of the language may be faid to lay in thefe
founds. Thefe various combinations will appear
almoft impracticable, and found harSh
to the ear of an European ; in the be
ginning they appeared fo to me, but I
foon became habituated to them, and can
affirm that, when learned, this language
is not deftitute of harmony, and in the
mouth of a female Hottentot has its graces,
as well as the German, when Spoken by an
amiable woman of Saxony. I am

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. l8l
I am perfuaded that if any one Should
endeavour to Study this language from the
vocabularies that have yet appeared, with
out any further instruction in the prin
ciples of it, he would foon be bewildered
in a tedious chaos, where the fatigued
imagination would find nothing but ridi-
culouShefs and abfurdity. It is true, they
make ufe of fome words unaccompanied
by a clucking, but thefe exceptions are
very rare.
To prove how much the different founds
produced in this manner by the tongue are
necefiary to afcertain the fignification of a
number of fynonimous words, I Shall add
a few examples which will help to eluci
date the Subject. Aap Signifies a horfe, in
the Hottentot language, the fame word
means a river, and again, an arroiv ; it is
the clucking alone that determines thefe
variations. Naturally proneunced, with
out any collision, it Signified a horfe, with
N 3. the

. l82 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the fecond cluck a river, and with the
third an arrow. In the' fame manner,
h-ou ip means a rock, while A-ou ip is the
name of the bujlard. A-kaip is the term
given to one of their venomous ferpents,
but A-kaip fignifies the pafon, a kind of
African gazel. Independent of thefe three
indifpenfable duckings, there are Some
imperfect founds produced by the throat
that cannot be defcribed, and can only be
acquired by a long courfe of pradtice ; I
Shall mark them by a fmall crofs, thus, ~h
placed over the letter where they Should
be introduced.
What I have faid is Sufficient to give an
idea of the difficulty that would attend
Writing this language, in fuch a manner
as to be pronounced with the precision it
requires. In the firft place, it would be
necefiary to form a particular alphabet,
and acquiring, the duckings would be the
principle difficulty. But as the ftudy of
this

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 183
language will never enter into any plan of
polite education, I Shall not fatigue the
reader with a tedious didtionary ; but, for
the fake of thofe who may be curious in
this refpedt, add a fmall lift of words that
concern natural hiftory; and if any na
turalist Should chance to vifit the Same
country, he may be pleafed to have it in
his power to afk the Hottentots for thofe
animals he may wifh to procure.
The following, are the names moft of
the African animals are known by among"
the Hpttentots of the defert ;, I have added
thofe which have been given them by the
colonifts. It Should be obferved that the Hottentots
of the colonies having forgot part of their
language, disfigure the remainder by a
mixture of bad Dutch, in fuch a manner,
that many of the animals are called by
other names, or known by feveral in the
different cantons, which produces a con-
N 4 fufion

i&4

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

fufion difficult to be defcribed ; this made
me give the preference to a vocabulary,
formed among thofe people whofe lan
guage is not fubjedt to fo many variations.

Vocabulary.
Englijh Names. Dutch Names. Hottentot Names.

The Elephant
The Rhinoceros
The Hippopotamus
The Giraff
Tho Buffalo
The Ifland-Gazel
The Pafan
The Condouma
The Buballe
The Zebra
The Kwaga
The Hare
The Marmofet
The Wild Boar
The Porcupine
A Dog
Dotrs A Rat
A Bat
A Lion
A Tyger
A Tyger Cat
The Hyasna-
The Wild Dog
The Jackal
The Horfe

Oliphant
Rcnofter Zee-Koe
Kameel-PaerdBuffleEeland Gems-Bock Coudoe
Harte-BeeftWeldc-PaerdKwaga or
Welde-EzelHaazeDasWelde-Varke Yzer-Varke
HondHonden RottVleer-MuyfeLeuw ij
Tyger
Tyger-Kat
WolfWelde-Hond Jakals Paerd

A-GoapV-Nabap V-Kaous
A-Na-i'p A.-Ka-oop
A-Kaana
A-Kaip V-Koudou or Ga'i'p
A-KamapV-Kouarep
i V-Nou V-Kouarep
+'
A-Ou amp
V-Ka oump
V-Kou-GoopV-Nou ap
A-Harip A-HarinaDouroupA-Nouga-Bouroup GammaGarou Gamma
+
A-Qu amp
A-Hirop A-GoupA-DirepAap The

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

185

Englijb Names,
The Bull
A Cow
An Ox
A Sheep
Sheep
A He-Goat
A She-Goat
A Bird
A Buftard
The Pheafant
The Martin
The Partridge
The Quail
The Sparrow
The Vulture
A. Wild Goofe
The Mountain Drake
The Flamingo
A Turtle Dove
A Mountain
A Rock
A.RiverA Fountain
The Sea •
A Tree
A Waggon
A Flower.
Milk
Water Meat Fift
A Spider
A Camelion
A Butterfly

Three different
Species of Ga
gels

}

Dutch Names.
BeullKoe Ofs Shaap ShaapenBock Gytt
Voogel Trap-GansFefant
Welde-Swaluw Pattys
Kwartel Mofs Aas-VoogelWelde-GansBerg-Eend Flamingo
Tortel-Duyf Berg
KlepRivier Fontyn
Zee
Boom
Waage Blom Melck WaaterVleefch Vis Spen
Kapelle Ree Bock
Duyker Steen Bock

Hottentot Names.
Karamap GoumasGoumap '
GoouGaouna Bri-i'
Tarare bris-
A-Kanip
A-Ou ip
Koa Koa or V-Kabos
A-O-atfi A-nambro
A-Ouri-Kinas
A-Kabip V-Kabari
A-Gha ip
GaampA-Karo hei gaamp
A-Gaorip
A-NeisA-Oummi
A-Ou ip or A-Karip
V-Aap A-Aaup
Hourip •
Haip
Kouri-ipA-Narina
Deip V-Kama
V-Gaaiis
A-Ko oup
A-HousV-Karou-Koiip Tabou Tabou
Gnioop
A-AoumpA-Harip A Fly

1 86 TRAVELS IN AFRICA."

Exglijb Names.
A Fly
A Serpent
A Tortoife
A Toad
The Legouan
A Mu&et
An Arrow
A Bow
An Affagaye
An European
A Negro
A Hottentot Man

Dutch Karnes.
VKg SlangSchil-PadPade
L'Egouane Snaphan
Peyl
Boog Sagaye
Europees Swarte-Jong
Hottentot

A Hottentot Woman Hottentoten

Hottentot Names.
A-Dinaap A_-Kanou-Goup
A-OunaV-OorokoopV-Nafeep A-KabooupA-AapKgaap A-Aure-Koop
V-Oree-GoepKabop + +
Khoe-Khoep Tarare-Khoes

After what I have faid of the manners
and fimplicity of this nation, it might
eafily be conjedtured their language is a
barren one ; before the arrival of the Eu
ropeans it was ftill more fo, but they
having introduced new objects, new* names
became neceffary ; this accounts for the
Hottentots of the colonies having expref-
fions which are neither employed nor un
derstood by the Hottentot favages, to whom
many of thefe objects are unknown.

Thus much is certain, there is ufually
a great

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 187
a great analogy between the name and the
thing Signified ; for example, they call a
mulket A-kabooup, the cluck, and pro
nouncing tlie firft Syllable. A-ka, imitates
the fnapping of the lock on pulling the
trigger, while the conclufion of the word
booup, approaches as near as poffible to tlie
explofion ofthe piece; and as thefe people
ufe a yaft deal of gesticulation in Speaking,
reprefenting (if I may fo exprefs myfelf)
in pantomime what they exprefs, it is
fufficient to have but a very fuperficial
knowledge of their idiom to comprehend.
every thing that is important.

CHAP.

l88 TRAVELS IN AFRICA,

CHAPTER X.

THE AUTHOR VISITED BY A TROOP OF"
CAFFREES  ACCOUNT OF THE EXPEDI
TION OF HIS DEPUTIES.

THREE weeks were now elapfed
fince the departure of my deputies.
I had for fome time paft been reflecting
on the caufes that could occafion fo long
an abfence, but I kept my fufpicions and
inquietudes to myfelf, not wifhing to
communicate them to thofe who fur-
rounded me, as it would be only fur
nishing them with arms to combat my
defigns. The

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 189
The relblution I had formed of pene
trating into Caffraria, was by no means
acceptable to my Hottentots. I fome
times furprifed them confulting together
on the fubjedt, and murmuring more or
lefs againft me ; not but I was convinced
a Sincere attachment to my . perfon, and
dread of the dangers I Should be expofed
to, were among the objections they had to
the journey.
The conclufion of their consultations
feemed to be, that I difcovered too much
temerity in running thus on the moft im
minent dangers ; that, apparently, I was
regardlefs of my own life, and obstinately
bent on leading them to be Slaughtered
by their enemies; and I had reafon to
believe they were unanimoufly refolved
to abandon me if I perfifted in my defign.
The queftion 'now feemed, to be, how
they Should put this plan in execution; for

I90 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
for of the five and twenty who were dif-
fatisfied, I found fcarce two Were of a
mind. Thofe I had hired in the courfe
of my journey need make no ceremony
of leaving me, but I had engaged fome at
Mr.' Mulders, ih the country of Auteni-
quas, and others I had brought from the
Cape, under the recommendation of the
Fifcal ; thefe laft, in particular, were
much embarraffed, not knowing whether
they might venture to return to town,
after having forfaken me. Meantime I
Was almoft univerfally accufed with hav
ing facrificed my deputies.
I muft confefs their ftay began to be
Very extraordinary : Hans had affured me
it only required three, or four days at
moft, to reach the Caffree king, Pharoo ;
then, giving him as many days to Slop
there, and allowing an equal number for
his return, he had already doubled the
time that, by this calculation, appeared necef-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. igi •
necefiary for the journey : the natural
Conclufion was, fome finifter accident had
detained them, and the moft probable one
feemed to be, that the fufpicions of the
Caffrees had been fatal to my unfortunate
meSTengers. Floating, on a fea of uncertainties, not
having yet relinquished all hope of feeing
them return, I was at a lofs what orders
to give my people, or how to put an end
to their debates and inquietudes.
My faithful KlaaS was of opinion, that
I Should not come to any conclufion, but
expedt for fome time longer the return of
Hans and his party ; letting thofe depart,
who expreffed the greateft degree of ob
stinacy and ill humour.
All this time I affected an air of tran
quillity, and continued my cuftomary
hunting; but a kind of involuntary in
clination

iq& TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
clination uSually drew me in that direc
tion from my camp, from whence I fo
ardently defired to fee the return of my
people. During the day I contrived to
keep hope ahve, but at night my horrors
returned with double force, and in the
morning I renewed my fruitlefs melan
choly Search.
At length, Klaas (who was almoft as
unhappy as his mafter) Shut himfelf up
with me in the tent ; and, to complete
the dejection which already preyed upon
my fpirits, affured me he had given up
every expectation of ever feeing Hans or
his comrades again. He -fuppofed the
mufkets- with which they were provided,
had tempted the Caffrees ; who, being
now actually at war, were in great want
of iron, and that they were infallibly af-
laffinated. He advifed me to remain here
no longer, as it would be impoSfible after
this misfortune to advance into Caffraria. I felt,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. I93
I felt the whole force of this reafoning,
which I knew to be dictated by the moft
lively intereft for the fafety of my perfon,
and Should, perhaps, have been perfuaded
to quit Koks-Kraal, the only rendezvous-
where my generous deputies could hope
to rejoin their mafter, when one of the
four Hottentots who were fet to watch our
cattle, entered the tent out of breath,
with all the figns of fear and trepidation
on his countenance. He informed me
that they had juft difcovered a numerous
troop of Caffrees on the oppofite fide of
the river, that they advanced towards my
camp, and were now about to crofs the
Stream. This news univerfally alarmed my peo
ple. As the hope of feeing the meSTen
gers return was not entirely extinguished,
my firft impulfe was to run to meet them ;
but the consideration of the great number
I was affured were approaching, prefently
Vol. II. O destroyed

I94 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
destroyed that idea, and diffipated every
flattering illufion.
I immediately difpatched four of my
people, under the command of Klaas, to
help to collect my cattle, and drive them
inftantly to the camp. After having per
formed this fervice, I wifhed him to re
connoitre the party, if poffible, without
being perceived, to be fatisfied whether
they were in fuch numbers as had been
reprefented, and endeavour to judge by
their proceedings what defigns had brought
them here. I exprefsly defired Klaas, if
he difcovered my deputies among them,
to caufe his party to fire their mufkets ;
but if not, to keep themfelves concealed
and endeavour to fend one of the four to
inform me of the motions of the enemy.
Juft as they were departing the cattle
arrived at my camp, conducted by the
remaining three, who had the care of
them,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 195
them, and who were equally alarmed with
their comrade.
I inftantly fet about examining and
charging our arms : it was not my inten
tion to commence hostilities', but I deter
mined to remain firm in my camp, to put
every thing in the beft pofture of defence,
and (if attacked) to make a vigorous
refiftance. I confefs I waj; greatly agitated; not
that I doubted the fuccefs of the combat;
the fuperiority of our arms infpired me
with confidence in this particular : but I
was unhappy at the thought of coming to
thefe extremities without any previous ex
planation. I faw the hopes of my future
journey, all thofe pacific meafures I had
refolved to maintain, and under the fanc-
tion -of which I flattered myfelf I Should
be able to explore every part of Caffraria,
on the eve of being irrevocably destroyed,-
and myfelf ranged, in the opinion of this
O 2 people,

I96 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
people, among the colonifts, who take
pleafure in loading them with unmerited
injuries, in revenge of which, they would
now endeavour to exterminate my whole
caravan. I was roufed from thefe difagreeable
reflections by hearing the report of feveral
mufkets, which, after the orders I had
given Klaas, confiderably raifed the Spirits
of myfelf and people, as it affured us Hans
and his companions were yet alive, and of
the party. Still I had enough to do to calm
their apprehenfions, especially as thofe
who had been with the cattle affirmed,
they had not difcovered a Single Hottentot
among the troop of Caffrees: paffing,
therefore, immediately from hope to fear,
they fuppofed the difcharge we had heard
was occafioned by Klaas and the reft being
fuddenly furprifed by them; and concluded
that at this moment they were contending,
or perhaps, murdered by the enemy. At

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 197
At the veiy inftant that my imagina
tion began to be infected with this idea,
how great was my fatisfadtion to fee Klaas
himfelf make his appearance from behind
a little rock at about three hundred paces
diftance ! The compofure of his counte
nance, which, by the aid of my telefcope,
I could perfedtly diftinguiSh, convinced me
he had no ill news to announce ; and I was
confirmed in this opinion, when, a few
minutes after, I faw the whole troop file
off by the fame road, and advance peace
ably, and in good order towards the camp.
My Hottentots walking among the Caff
rees, with the greateft appearance of cor
diality, affured me I had nothing to fear.
I now ordered my people to lay down their
arms, and endeavour to appear calm and
compofed. How impatient was I to queftion my
deputies, and to learn what I might un-
O 3 dertake

I98 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
dertake refpedting my future journey,
without danger to them or myfelf ! Yet,
I refolved not to advance, or quit my little
arfenal. When the company had approached
within reach of the affaygay, Hans ordered
them to halt, and advancing alone to
where I ftood, informed me in few
words, that. I was at liberty to travel into
Caffraria, without- running . the fmalleft
danger, being on his reprefentation, re-
fpected there as a friend ; the nation he
had juft quitted, having conjured me not
to defer my intentions, and declared they
Should fee my approach with joy. He
added, I might judge of the favourable
opinion they entertained of my defigns,
by the confidence they had themfelves
testified in taking the liberty to vifit me,
in order to make an offer of their friend-
Ship, and demand mine : in a word, they
had undertaken this journey on the affu-
rances

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 199
ranees he gave them of a favourable recep
tion at my camp.
In regard to the length of time they had
been abfent, Hans informed me, that, on
his arrival among the Caffrees, he had not
been able to meet with king P karoo, who
was removed thirty leagues from his ufual
refidence. That, after remaining there
fome time in hopes of his return, Shag-
reened at not being able to execute my
commiSfion to his fatisfadtion, he had fet
off in queft of him, but had the mortifi
cation to learn, from a Hoord he met with
on the way, that the chief was again re
moved, and that they were utterly igno
rant of the rout he had taken, or how
long he would be abfent. Some thought
he was gone towards the colonies ; others
that he was with the Tambouchis, a nation
on the borders of Caffraria, which they
hoped could fupply them" with arms and
iron; he added, that finding it impoSfible
0 4 tQ

200 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
to obey my orders, and not knowing what
further to do, he thought it beft to return ;
that owing to the advantageous ideas he
had given the Caffrees of my charadter and
peaceable difpofition, they had offered to
accompany him, and form in their turn a
a deputation to me, to affure me of the
general good will of the country, and that
being convinced I was no colonift, they -
were ready to receive me as a friend and
protector. Thefe Caffrees flattered themfelves I
Should be able to revenge them on a cer
tain colonift of Bruyntjes-Hoogte, of whom
they had dreadful complaints to make,
and whofe very name infpired horror. In
the fequel I learned a number of incidents
refpedting the conduct of this wretch,
whofe odious name fome particular con-
fiderations prevent my publishing, but the
crimes which have acquired him distinc
tion even in the clafs of monfters, are of
fucb

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 201
fuch public notoriety, that every inhabi
tant of the Cape is acquainted with them.
In vain has government fummoned him to
its tribunal, to render an account of his
condudt ; fituated on the limits of the
colonies, where the laws have not fuffi
cient power, the orders of the governor,
or threats of his officers, are but, for him,
the Signals to new offences.

CHAP-

202 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

CHAPTER XI.

INSTANCE OF ADDRESS IN A YOUNG CAFFREE
— THE AUTHOR INTREATED TO ENTER
CAFFRARIA  THE MANNER IN WHICH
THE CAFFREES FORGE THEIR ASSAYGAYS
 RECEIVE SOME USEFUL HINTS FROM
THE AUTHOR.
WITHOUT waiting for any far
ther difcourfe, I gave Hans orders
to bid the Caffrees advance ; he imme
diately made a Sign with his hand, and in
a moment, I was furrounded by the whole
company, which (without counting my
deputies) amounted to nineteen men, five
women, and two young children. They

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 203
They faluted me by the Tabe, which
was as familiar to me as to themfelves,
and was the only anfwer I made to their
compliments. I found I could not under
stand the Caffree language, and that they
did not employ in pronouncing it thofe
duckings moft frequent with the Hotten
tots ; in every other refpedt their faluta-
tions were the fame as among the Gona
quais, but they addrefied me all_ at once,
with a precipitation and' volubility, that
appeared the Stranger, as for more than a
year I had been accuftomed to the delibe
ration of my inactive Hottentots ; this
transition was fo fudden, that I was con
founded with the immediate buzzing that
attacked my ears, and prefently out of
patience at not being able to make out
any diftant found.
I obferved they were very bufy in mak
ing remarks on the different objects that
my camp prefented to their view. They
examined

204 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
examined every article ; and each, in his
turn, expreffed furprize and fatisfadtion.
I have fomewhere read, that aftonifh-
ment is a certain indication of ignorance ;
however that may be, ignorance is no
certain mark of incapacity : this laft obfer-
vation, at leaft, holds good with the Caf
frees, who cannot without injuftice be
accufed of inaptitude, there being a pro
digious difference between them and the
Hottentots in refpedt to addrefs and in
dustry. Hans had enlarged on the merits of my
double barrelled guns and piftols ; and,
on the ftrength of his recitals, they were
already diSpofed to look on my weapons as
little Short of miraculous. One of the
Caffrees, in the name of the reft, foon
begged permiffion to fee them. I ordered
fome to be produced, and put them myfelf
into their hands, without any appearance of

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 20$
of diftruft ; on which, they were handed
from one to the other and examined with
the moft minute attention : but their cu-
riofity demanded fomething more than a
bare examination; this I was mware of,
and chance furniShed me with an excel
lent opportunity of gratifying their wifhes:
Two fwalloWs were at this time pafling
and repaffing before us ; the two charges
from the piece I had in my hand brought
them down; this very much aftonifhed.
the Caffrees ; they did not know which
to admire moft, me or my weapon.
It is certain I was very fortunate in this
demonstration of my Skill, which might
very poffibly have failed ; but my fiiccefs
gave them the higheft opinion of my
abilities; which, in the fequel, I never
failed to take advantage of.
I demanded, if they could do as much with

206 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
with their affaygaysf hut, fmiling, they
Shook their heads, and confefled that
weapon was infufficient to arreft a bird in
its Slight. One among them advanced,
and poin^ng to the Sheep that were at
about a hundred paces diftance, gave me
to underftand, that one of his comrades
could Strike, while running, either thofe
or any other quadrupeds. Hans now
prefented the young Caffree alluded to ;
he was perfectly well made, and his coun
tenance immediately interefted me in his
behalf. I could not help admiring the
appearance of this youth, who they allured
me he was accounted among his country
men to be one of the moft expert at
throwing the affaygay and Short maffue,
(which weapon they make ufe, of in the
fame manner), and that his addrefs in this
refpedt, had acquired him great reputa
tion. I had heard fo much of Caffraria, and the

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 207
the redoubtable weapons ufed there, that
I wiShed to be myfelf a witnefs of what
could be effedted with them by a youth of
about eighteen ; who, with a good grace,
prepared himfelf for the trial.
As I propofed treating this company,
one of my Hottentots had already feparated
a Sheep from the flock, which I thought
would anfwer the purpofe; I therefore
bad him try his Skill on that. He took
five affaygays in his left hand, and one in
his right ; on a fignal given, my man let
go the Sheep, which ran to rejoin the
flock ; he brandished his weapon* and
running four or five Steps, threw it with
amazing force : the Shaft whiftled through
the air — the head was prefently buried in
the fide of the animal, who fell and died
on the fpot.
J could not conceal my pleafure and fur-
prize, fo much Skill, united with ftrength and

208 TRAVELS IN AFRICA,
and grace, enchanted all my people. Self-
love is a univerfal paffion', though modi
fied according to the tafte and manners of
different climes and people : in Europe, it
Sparkles in the eyes of a handfome wo
man, and renders her difdaiiiful"; it is the
foul of genius, the Stimulator to every fur-
prifing effort of art ; it exults in the pomp
of luxury; it hides itfelf under filth ahd
tatters. In Africa, the favage has not the
art to difguife his fentiments ; the testi
monies of admiration this young Caffres
had drawn from us, gave an additional ani
mation to his countenance : proud of his
triumph, he fcarcely appeared to touch the
earth, he ranged himfelf by my fide with
a look of exultation, and feemed to" fay,
" where is the difference V
His countrymen were not lefs charmed
with his fuccefs; they fixed their eyes
upon me, and endeavoured to fearch my
thoughts,

J?

/r;

r//7/

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 20O
thoughts, for the effedt this effay of his
addrefs had produced on my mind.
I had many opportunities after this, of
remarking that there only wanted an ex
perienced chief at the head of thefe people,
to overthrow the whole Hottentot nation,
and all the colonifts ; but at prefent, the
great fuperiority or our arms renders all
their courage and addrefs ineffectual.
After having drawn his lance from the
body of the animal, the young Caffree
plunged the head of it feveral times into
the fand, and wiped it carefully with a
handful of orafs.

61

I was very Sorry I could not converfe
freely with thefe new comers ; the tediouf-
nefs of interpretation, perhaps, the limited
conception of the interpreter, gave me a
vexation I could hardly moderate; they
on their part, more animated, having
Vol. II. '- P nothing

210 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
nothing of the heavy taciturnity of the
Hottentots, were equally eager to commu
nicate their thoughts, or rather to learn
fomething of me,
"Ever fince the arrival of thefe people, I
had been fully employed in anfwering the
queftions curiofity had prompted them to
aSk ; meantime, I wiShed to queftion them,
ahd flattered myfelf this torrent of words
and geftures would Shortly be exhausted ;
hoping, when the firft moment of effer-
vefcence had fubfided, I Should have my
turn at interrogation.
More prudent than the Hottentots, leav
ing their fubfiftence lefs to hazard, they
had not embarked on this expedition with
out a quantity of bifket, feveral oxen def-
tined to fupply them with meat, and four
others to carry neceffaries. They had not
forgot to. bring fome of thofe baSkets I had
fo much admired among the Gonaquais, which

TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 211
which they hoped to exchange for fome
thing that would turn to their advantage.
They had likewife fome cows and calves;
fo that upon the whole, this caravan had
an appearance of eafe and abundance,
which we Should vainly expedt to en
counter in the difmal vallies of Savoy.
I marked out, at fome diftance from my
camp, the precife place where I wiShed
them to eredt their huts, and was more >¦
fortunate, and better obeyed than Idome-
neus, when he meant to build the city of
Salentum; for, in the fpace of a quarter of
an hour, I faw them bufily establishing
their little colony. The fires were kind
led ; the Sheep the young Caffree had
killed was cut into pieces ; it was roafted,
and prefently nothing remained of it but
the bones.
I was not to learn what a powerful agent
interest is, and how readily She difpofes
P 2 man-

212 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
mankind to accommodate themfelves to
each others neceffities, having frequently
found myfelf in circumstances where the
application of this remark had proved of
the greateft utility ; I wiShed to attach
myfelf to the Caffrees, as I did to the firft
favages I had encountered, particularly the
Gonaquais : I distributed therefore, among
my vifitors, a part of my trinkets and
tobacco. They received my prefents with
fatisfadtion, and on the fpot, every one
began to make ufe of them according to
his fancy ; but what moft ftruck their
attention, and which, I believe, they
would have been -very glad to have robbed
me of, was the iron. They gazed ar
dently on it, extolled its value, and feemed
to prize it above all things ; the hatchets,
pick-axes, augers that were in my wag-
, gons, they beheld, with aftoniShment, and
feemed to covet with a degree of im
patience. Irt

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 213
In order to diminish the ardour of thefe
defires, (fince it was now impoSfible to .
prevent them from knowing I was in
poffeSfion of thefe articles), I gave orders
to have them carefully concealed:
After what I knew of the embarraff
ment thefe favages are under on account
of materials for their weapons, it was ex
tremely dangerous to Stimulate thefe defires
too far, Since they might fuggeft intentions
inimical to my repofe ; or, at feaft, excite
them to obtain that by art, which they
defpaired of accomplishing by force.
Such is the general difpofition of man
kind in a Slate of incukivation ; indeed,
nature herfelf feems to inculcate the lefTon,
and declare it unreafonable that any one
Should monopolize for his own particular
purpofes, what is the general birth-right of
all ; and any glaring inftance of inequality,
may bring on the moft alarming confe-
quences. P 3 Whoever

214 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Whoever has read Captain Cook's Voy
ages" to the South Seas, muft have re
marked, that this celebrated navigator or
his party, fcarce ever fet foot on Shore
without meeting with fome lofs. The
iflanders came and plundered them, even
in their Ships ; they ftole the hunters
arms, and the failors habits. Mr. Forfter,
the naturalift, relates of doctor Sparman,
that after having robbed him of his fword,
they helped themfelves to more than two
thirds of his apparel.
The Caffrees and Hottentots are not yet
arrived at their degree of dexterity, but
they are not entirely exempt from blame,
and thofe who would live at peace with
them, muft fometimes, wink at this foible.
Some trifling inftances of how difficult
it is for % Caffree to refift the temptation
of pilfering iron, foon prefented them--
felves ; but I reproached my own folly, with

TRAVELS IN AFRIC^. 21$
with being in fome meafure the caufe of
this, as I Should certainly have taken more
timely precautions. Meantime, I took
care to have them narrowly watched.
Myfelf and Klaas obferved (not with
out inquietude) by their manner of dif-
courfing among themfelves, and the eager-
nefs with which they meafured the length
and thicknefs of the plates of iron my
waggon wheels were Shod with, how
happy the poffeSfion of that treafure would
make them. The obferving and jealous
eyes of my Hottentots were never off the
Caffrees, and as if my own remarks were
not fufficient, they were, ever adding their
fufpicions, and endeavouring to alarm my
fears with refpedt to my guefts.
I obferved with regret, that a fpirit of
hatred and difcord was every moment fer
menting and gaining ground among my
people, and juftly reproached myfelf with
P 4 having

2l6 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
having been, in a great meafure the caufe
of it, by prematurely difcovering my future
plan of operations, in which they con
ceived there was too great, a degree of
temerity. I regretted the few hours I had
Slopped at Bruyntjes-Hoogte, to folicit the
fuccour of the colonifts, who, by their
difeourfes concerning the Caffrees, had
frighted my people, and disturbed the good
intelligence which till then had fubfifted
among us. So true it is, that in every
expedition fecrecy is absolutely neceffary.
For my own part, ' I apprehended no
danger that could reafonably alarm me;
we were fo fuperior to our vifitors, efpe-
cially in point of arms, that had they har
boured any ilf defigns they could have but
little profpedt of fuccefs ; but I was not
the lefs particular in my precautions, and
took care not to relax in the feverity of
my difcipline, as well to keep my people
firm to their duty, as to prevent the Caf
frees

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 217
frees from entertaining any idea of attack
ing us with fuccefs, in cafe they Should
be fo difpofed. Except the two huntf-
men, who went out every day in fearch of
game, and the four men who guarded my
cattle in the paftures, none of my Hotten
tots were ever out of fight of the camp.
I paffed whole days fchiong the Caffrees,
converfing with them by means of an in
terpreter, and having a number of parti
culars explained refpedting that nation,
which is lefs known to Europeans than
even the Hottentots. The embarraffment
and difficulty of this mode of difcourfe
took up, it is true,"much time; the im
provement of each day was very trivial,
and the fum total not very voluminous.
I employed a whole week in this manner,
difcovering nothing but good -will and
candour in my vifitors. Fully convinced
they were ingenuous in their expreffion's1
,pf attachment, I was the lefs on my guard with

2l8' TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
with refpedt to them, and admonished my
people to appear lefs fufpicious.
I foon became more habituated to their
language, began to underftand them, and
to make myfelf understood, confequently
our difeourfes became more interesting on
both fides.
They were inceffstntly conjuring me to
accompany them into Caffraria. Twenty
times had they repeated every motive they
conceived moft likely to induce me to it.
I was fufficiently inclined to clofe with
thefe repeated invitations, but I had fome
very powerful reafon s that forbad my giv
ing way to this defire, which the reader
will Shortly find explained. I excufed
myfelf by affuring them it would be im
poSfible to hegin my journey fo foon as
they wifhed ; and added, (examining them
meantime with great attention), that I
had been informed their country was fo
befet

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 219
befefcwith woods and mountains, that it
would be abfolutely impoSfible to take my
waggons with me. I obferved with plea
fure, that this declaration did not feem
to effect them, and by the fatisfadtion they
continued to exprefs on my renewed affur-
ances of vifiting them with the earlieft
opportunity, I was fatisfied their affections
were not fo unalterably fixed, as I had
apprehended, on my augers, hatchets; or
the fhoding of my waggon wheels : but I
obferved, that in proportion as I affured
them of my friendship, vengeance feemed
to Sparkle in their eyes, while every look
and gefture plainly evinced how much
they Should think themfelves Strengthened
by my alliance ; then, turning about, they
Confered eagerly among themfelves, de
monstrating, by their manner, the high
opinion they entertained both of my
power, and inclination to ferve them.
The name of the above-mentioned cruel
inha-

220 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
inhabitant of Bruyntjes-Hoogte, was in-
ceffantly in their mouths ; one of the Caf
frees, in particular, in an agony of rage
and defpair, violently ftruck his head,
while relating the tragical Story of his
wife big with child and two of their "off
spring being murthered by the hand of
this relentlefs colonift, whofe unnatural
thirft of blood carried to the wanton com-
miSfion of the moft abominable crimes.
The following anecdote however ex
traordinary it may appear, was related to
me by one of thefe Caffrees ; and I have
twenty times fince had the truth of it
confirmed by different people.
At a time when peace was eftablifhed
between the Caffrees and colonifts, while
they lived together in tolerable good in
telligence, having no apparent reafon ei
ther to fear or perfecute each other ; this
tyger of Bruyntges-Hoogte, who found his

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 221
his fchemes difconcerted by this good fel
lowship, being only happy in the bofom
of horror and carnage, in hope of renew
ing the flame of war, contrived to pur-
chafe at Cape Town, fome old unfervice-
able mufket barrels, which he knew he
could readily exchange with the unfuf-
pedting Caffrees, who are always in want
of that metal. The bargain being made
before he delivered them, he nailed up the
touch-holes, and having loaded them with
a double charge of powder each, ramed in
bits of broken brafs, old iron, &c. up to
the mouth. The unhappy favages, who
underftand only the dreadful effedts of
fire-arms, and nothing of their mechanifm,
took home their purchafe, and immedi
ately fat about converting them into af
faygay s : the fire is kindled, and the fatal
instruments of deftrudtion difpofed on it ;
prefently the powder takes fire, and pro
duces a dreadful detonation, which fcat-
ters in an inftant the barrels, their con
tents,

222 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
tents, aud the flaming brands that fur
rounded them, burning and wounding in
every direction. One among them, who
related this event, which the whole Hoord
had been witnefs of, made me remark the
fears of feveral wounds he had received
on this tragical occafion.
An inftance of this nature is fufficient
to juftify the Caffrees for that implacable
refentment that rankles in their wounded
minds, and urges them inceffantly to ven
geance. Why Should we fuppofe this the
effect of a natural atrocity, when, in fact,
it proceeds from a fpirit of reprifal ?
Nature has no more played the Step
mother with the Caffree, than with any
other favage ; injuftice and tyranny are
'univerfally odious to them.
The moft thoughtlefs and tranquil fet
of beings we know, the Carribees on the
coaft

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 223
coaft of South America, would be convert
ed into furious lions, Should any one have
the temerity to endeavour to difpoffefs
them of the miferable retreat with which
they are content.
If rendered defperate by perfecution,
continually harrafled and defpoiled, defpair
has conducted the Caffrees to cruelty; if
their plans of , revenge have fometimes
proved fuccefsful, if they have fpoiled the
produce of the field, burned the habita
tions, and murdered the proprietors, the
whites have, been to blame in fetting them
examples of thefe Shocking exceffes.
The hatred of this people is unhappily
extended to the Hottentots, whom the
perfidious politics of the colonifts have not
failed to prevent and employ in their ma-
cinations; thinking by this means, to di
minish the dangers to which they are
fometimes expofed ; but thefe precautions fre-

224 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
frequently prove abortive when oppofed
to the adtive and enterprising diSpofition
ofthe Caffrees.
The Hottentot is too timerous and ill
armed to face danger boldly, he therefore
chiefly depends on his cunning ; and
charged with the office of a Spy, recon
noitres the pofts of the enemy, endeavour
ing particularly to difcover where his ef
fedts are concealed; the piercing eye of
the Caffree frequently difcovers thefe
manoeuvres, he darts on his prey with
the rapidity of lightning, and facrifices
him in an inftant. .
Having taken fome pains to ftudy the
difpofition of thefe people, (who have
been fo much calumniated), I began to
entertain as favorable an opinion of them
as of the Hottentots ; my days paffed as
ufual, continually varying my amufements and

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 225
and occupations, without being tormented
with fufpicions on account of my guefts.
I now recommenced my hunting, fome
of my vifitors ufually attended me; but I
was beft pleafed when accompanied by the
young Caffree, who frequently gave addi
tional proofs of his addreSs, Striking the
game with his unerring ajj

In one of our excursions he helped me
to kill a very large male hippopotamus ;
this was the only one we met with, the
frequent report* of our Sire-arms having
probably frighted away the reft. This did
not prove fuch good eating as the female
we had killed ; my people affured me it
was an old one, though (according to their
account) the females are ever the moft
delicate food. Its fat has a rancidky which
is very difagreeable, except to a Hottentot.
The Caffrees did not fet much Store by it,
prefering their own beef; this, indeed, is
Vol. II. Q^ the

226 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the favourite food of thefe people, to which
they think mutton — by no means com
parable, confequently they never give
themfelves the trouble to breed Sheep.
Thad not yet remarked the horned cat
tle they had brought with them, for at
day-break they are driven to pafture, and
do not return till the evening; but one
morning, happening to be very early at the
Kraal, I was ftruck with the appearance
of thefe animals, and could hardly fuppofe
them to be cows and oxen ; not becaufe
they were So much lefs than ours, but from
the number and formations of the horns.
Perfuaded thefe were natural concretions,
I looked on the cattle of the Caffrees as a
different fpecies from any I had ever feen ;
but I was quickly difabufed by my guefts,
who affured me the peculiarity I was fo
much furprifed at was an effect of art, and
varied according to the fancy of the ope
rator. That by means of a procefs, fami liar

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 227
liar to them, they would not only multiply
the horns, but give them almoft any form
they pleafed, and they offered to give me
occular demonftration of the poffibility of
what they afferted. I was too curious to
learn a method which feemed to produce
fuch unaccountable effedts, to make any
difficulty of becoming their pupil.
I found they begin the operation when
the animal is young; juft as the horn be
gins to appear they make a vertical incifion
in it, on which the parts naturally divide
from each other, and grow up in two or
more distinct horns, as the perfon by cut
ting it happens to determine. If after
wards they wifh to make one of thefe
divisions, or the whole horn (fuppofing it
has not been feparated) form a circle, they
pare off a fmall part from the fide without
injuring the point; this operation fre
quently repeated, occafions it to bend in a
contrary direction, and in time will bring
Qjz the

22& TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the point to the root. Convinced by ex
perience that this method will always
determine the bend of the horn, it may
eafily be conceived they may form an in
finity of variations, according to the caprice
of the operator.
One day, while I was examining the
different utenfils belonging to the Caffrees,
and aSking them a number of queftions
refpedling their country, I took notice of
a particular kind of noife which ftruck my
ear at intervals, and feemed at no great
diftance. I enquired whence it proceeded,
and was informed two or three of their
countrymen were bufy at the foot of a
little rock, forging feveral pieces of old
iron they had brought from home with
them. Wishing to know whether they
had robbed me of fome of my tools, and
curious to fee them perform fo difficult an
operation as forging iron muft be to peo
ple who feemed to have no conveniencies for

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 229
for that purpofe, I engaged two among
them to conduct me to the fpot.
This unexpected vifit, that furniShed me
with an opportunity of giving thefe peo
ple fome infight into the firft mechanifm
of a forge, of which they feemed to enter
tain but a very imperfect idea, was fo re
markable, that I think it may not be
improper to relate the cjrcumStances of it.
The Caffrees make and forge their own
affaygay s, but know nothing of iron beyond
its malleability ; the melting, or feperat-
ing it from the oar. It is what has been
already wrought, fuch as muSket-barrels,
hoops, or indeed, any kind of old iron,
that they are fond of.
The affaygays are of two kinds ; fome
have a plain iron head, rounded, and
Simply Sharpened to a point; others are
more artfully, I might fay, more cruelly
0^3 formed,

230 Travels in Africa.
formed, being Square, and the four angles
cut into notches or teeth, two rows verg
ing downwards, and two in a contrary
direction, fo that they neceffarily tear the
fleSh, either on entering or being drawn
from the wound.
One cannot help admiring the patience
of thefe favages, when it is confidered that
on a block of granite, or fometimes on the
rock itfelf, which anfwers the purpofe of
an anvil, with a piece of the fame fub-
ftance for a hammer, they will produce
inftruments fo neatly formed that the beft
armourer might not be aShamed of, and I
think I might defy any one of them, with
all his addrefs and genius, to produce,
with fuch tools, weapons that could com
pare in neatnefs with thofe formed by the
Caffrees, Thofe I am now fpeaking of were bufy
round a large fire, at the foot of a rock of
granite ;

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 23I
granite ; they took from it a piece of iron
tolerably red, laid it on their anvil, and
began beating it with fragments of Stone,
chipped into a Shape convenient to be held,
which they feemed to ply with great
dexterity : but their bellows appeared to
be the moft extraordinary part of the appa
ratus, and furniShed me with an excellent
opportunity of giving them a better idea of
an instrument which would be fo profit
able did they once know the full ufe of it.
The bellows they were furniShed with
were moft miferably contrived ; formed of
a Sheep-Skin, from Which the animal had
been extracted with the leaft poffible in-
cifion, and the hole carefully fewed up
again. The parts which had covered the
legs were cut off, and the holes tyed to
render it as air-tight as poffible. The
place of the head was fupplied with a piece
of the barrel of a gun, to which the Skin
was ftrongly faftened. The blower prer-
Q^4 fented

232 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
fented this pipe to the fire with one
hand, while holding the extremity of the
fkin with the other, he alternately prefled
it towards, and drew it from the tube, nor
would this fatiguing method Stimulate the
fire Sufficiently to give the iron a requisite'
degree of heat; but, as they knew no bet
ter, thefe poor cyclops did not feem to
conceive it any hardship. I pitied them,
and the pains I faw them take redoubled
the pleafure I promifed myfelf in furnish
ing them with a more convenient instru
ment. I had much trouble to make them com
prehend how fuperior our contrivance was
to theirs, and not being certain that I had
furniShed' them with any ideas they would
be able to reduce to pradtife, was refolved
to join example to precept, and demon
strate the fuperiority ofthe machine I had
been defcribing. In

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 233
In purfuance of this refolution, I fent
one of my people to the camp for two
pieces of board, part of an old fummer
Kros, a fmall hoop, fome nails, a hammer,
faw, and other tools I Should have occa
fion for, and prefently produced a very
clumfy pair of bellows, which had about
the fame force as thofe commonly ufed in
kitchens. I fupplied the place of an iron
pipe, with an old tooth-pick cafe, whofe
end I fawed off, and, as I only meant
thefe for a model, the fubftitute did tole
rably well.
Having finished my machine, I placed
it on the ground, at a convenient diftance
from the fire, and driving in a couple of
Stakes, faftened it to them with fome
packthread, leaving fufficient fpace for the
claper to play eafily.
One muft have feen the attention with
which thefe Caffrees watched all my mo
tions,

234 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
tions, and the incertitude, or rather defire
they expreffed to know whence all this
preparation tended, to form an adequate
idea of the intereft they took in it; but
when I had got them faftened to my mind,
they could not contain their exclamations
of rapture and aftonifhment, on feeing
that with an eafy motion of one hand I
could give the fire a much greater degree
of activity than they could with all their
labour. I put in fome fmall pieces of iron,
and convinced them I could make them
much hotter in three minutes than they
could have done in half an hour; this gave
the finishing Stroke to their furprize. In
a Seeming extafy they leaped about the
fire, blowed it by turns, then clapping
their hands, expreSfed fatisfadtion by a
thoufand extravagant geftures.
When the firft moments of furprize
were over, they entreated me to prefent
them with this wonderful machine, and
feemed

T'RAVELS IN AFRICA. 235
feemed to attend my anfwer with inquiet
ude, fcarcely believing I could perfuade
myfelf to part with what appeared to them
fo eftimable.I Shall be delighted to hear, at fome
future period, that they ufe my bellows,
have improved on the model ; and remem
ber the Stranger who gave them the idea
of an inftrument fo neeeffary in metallurgy.

CHAP-

236 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

CHAPTER XII.

ATTACHMENT OF THE CAFFREES TO THEIR
CATTLE AND DOGS  FOUR SPIES DETECTED
IN THE CAMP  THE CAFFREES GREATLY
ALARMED AT IT.

TH E inhabitant of Caffraria lives fo
familiarly with his cattle, and Speaks
to them in fo kind an accent, that they
pundtually obey his voice. As they are
not tormented by their conductors, thefe
pacific animals never attempt to make any
mifchievous ufe of the weapons with
which they are fupplied by nature. Thofe
wno have the care of milking the cows, have

TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 237
have no occafion to tye them. I have al
ready mentioned the inftindt which in this
part of Africa teaches that animal to re
tain its milk for her young. The means
the Caffrees make ufe of to counteract
this, is different from that adopted by the
Hottentots: they faften a cord to one ofthe
hind feet of the animal, which a man pulls
with all his ftrength; incommoded by
having its leg drawn in this manner from
under it, the creature gives its milk freely.
Whatever may occafion this difference
between the African cows and thofe of
Europe, there is no doubt of its exiftence,
and that fome fuch expedient is neeeffary,
and in general ufed among the favages.
They milk into thofe bafkets I have
already defcribed ; thefe are exclusively
fabricated by the women ; the fize depends
entirely on the fancy of the maker, but the
form is constantly the fame. Being very
light.

23$ TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
hght, and not made of brittle materials,
they are, without contradiction, very fer-
viceable. The Caffree women were not
idle while at my camp, they had brought
plenty of ruShes, and employed themfelves
in making thefe baSkets, which when they
had worked with all the art they were
miftreffes of, they wifhed to exchange
with me for hardware.
They are always well wafhed before they
attempt to put milk in. them, not indeed,
from an idea of cleanlinefs, but to fwell
the ruShes, and render them capable of
containing liquids ; for, to confefs the
truth, they are not very delicate or care-v
fui in cleaning thefe utenfils, which are
frequently very difgufting. They had a
cuftom of bringing a baSket of milk every
evening, which my Hottentots and Kees,
who were not fo difficult as their matter,
enjoyed the benefit of. I took care, how
ever, not to let my neighbours fee my
repug-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 239
repugnance, not wishing either to afflict or
humiliate them by refufing to partake of
their prefents : for it has always been my
maxim never to ridicule, or contradidt the
manners or cuftoms of any nation I might
happen to be among, nothing being more
grating to the difpofition of a people ; and
it is certain nothing can be more indecent
or abfurd.
I am concerned at having to reproach
one of the moft amiable and focial of na
tions with this vice, and to fee them
remarked for it by their neighbours. —
Should we 'be furprifed at not finding at
London the airs, the fafhions, and amufe-
ments of the agreeable flirts that inhabit
the banks of the Seine ? A fenfible man
will never openly reprove the practice of
the country he vifits ; however ridiculous
their prejudices may happen to appear tp
him, he will feem to refpedt, becaufe he
has no right to contradidt them ; and this
behaviour

24O TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
behaviour (while he gives free play to his
reflections) will be fure to gain him the
good will of every one, however they may
happen to differ among themfelves. For
me, I can accommodate myfelf, with the
greateft facility, to the manners of the
country where I happen to refide ; there
is nothing I prefer to rcaft-beef and pud
ding when I eat them in England; I could
mingle with the Laplanders, and partake of
their train-oil without repugnance; and in
Africa, content with the broiled collops of
the Hottentots, I could eafily forget bread,
and think corn an unneceffary luxftry.
However fond the Caffree may be of his
Cattle, they do not entirely engrofs his at
tention ; indeed, his partiality for his dog
feems moft predominant, and the atten
tion beftowed on him rather border on the
ridiculous ; while the gratitude of the a~ni^
mal feems proportioned to the kindnefs
With which he is treated. My

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 24!
My pack was never fo much careSIed, '
or fed fo plentifully as during the time the
Caffrees were with me. My great dog
gager, was particularly an objedt of admi
ration ; they were continually avering
that it was impoSfible to form a concep
tion of a more beautiful animal, and he
was fo great a favourite that there was
hardly a man in the party who would not
have purchafed him at the expence of a
dozen of his oxen.
It muft be confeffed gager was one of
the fineft dogs in the country : neither he
nor his fellow animals ever quitted the
Kraal of the Caffrees but with regref;
and ufually fpent the major part of the day
there. The good people never checked
them for putting their nofes in the baSkets
and lapping as much milk as they pleafed.
I am perfuaded (though they every
night Slept about my tent) they would
Vol. II, R , have

242 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
have been of little fervice to me, had I
apprehended any thing from thefe favages ;
they were fo firmly attached to them, and
feemed fo much to have forgot my peo
ple, that when any one of the Hottentots.
happened to be later than ufual from the
camp, he was forced to call out to his com
rades to hold the dogs, and prevent them
from attacking him.
Had I apprehended any danger from
the Caffrees, I Should have endeavoured
to prevent this ; but as I entertained no
fuch fufpicions, I did not wiSh to deprive
them of a felicity that helped to attach
them more firmly to my perfon, but giv
ing them every pardon and indulgence,
endeavoured to mark the confidence I put
in them.
In the fituation I then was, it would
have been extremely impolite to have ex-
prefl'ed any apprehenfions respecting my
vifitors,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 243
vifitors, fince by fo doing, I Should only
have added to the vain terrors of my Hot
tentots^ who were already alarmed to fuch
a degree that all my confidence, with
every poffible demonftration of the friendly
difpofitions of thefe people, could never
obliterate their fufpicions. Caffraria, in the
ideas of my people, was the tomb in which
they had refolved neither to be accom
plices nor fall victims to my imprudence,
nor could the fear of puniShment on their
return to the Cape, nor threats of chaf-
tifing on the fpot, fuch weak deferters,
prevail over their fears.
This change in the temper of my Hot
tentots appeared the Stranger to me, as I
had not before been accuftomed to the
leaft degree of obftinacy or contradiction.
It is true they always feemed averfe to
the expedition, even before our' arrival at
Bruyntjes-Hoogte, where I was fo dif-
agreebly and cruelly abandoned by the
R 2 Hoord

244 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Hoord that had for fome time accompa
nied me ; but our prefent circumftances
were widely different, we had hgjt then
received any friendly affurance from the
Caffrees, we had never met with any of
them, their manners, character, and mode
of living were utterly unknown, and pre
judice, as ufual, had magnified every idea
of danger, and prefented them to our im-
maginations as a people fanguinary and
ferocious. The proposition, therefore, to
crofs their country, even to the fea, might
reafonably be fuppofed to alarm men who
have no great Share of fortitude or intre
pidity; but at prefent a refufal feemed the
effect of obftinacy and difobedience, or of
difguft and fatigue on the contemplation
of fo long a journey. Other caufes might
contribute to this backwardnefs, which I
then knew nothing of, nor became ac
quainted with, till it was too late.
Notwithstanding every impediment, I
was

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 245
was fully determined to adhere to my
plan. I could not bear the, idea that my
people, who had until now been fo fub-
miffive to my will, Should flatter them
felves with having made me alter my reso
lutions, or didtating to their chief, as a
prudential law, what I knew to be the
fuggeftions of pufillanimity. I tormented
my imagination (if I may ufe the expref-
fion) and contrived a thoufand expedients
to extricate myfelf from ,the embarafling
delemma in which I was plunged.
I counted on Klaas as on myfelf; I was
equally certain of old Swanepoel, of the
huntfman Zean, who had followed me
from the valley of Soet-Melk, and Shot
my firft Tzeiran ; Pit and Adam feemed
alfo well difpofed; and the coufin of Na--
rina, with two of his companions, had
offered their Service : it muft be confeffed
the three laft were unacquainted with the
ufe of fire-arms, and would have been
R 3 almoft

246 TRAVELS I N AFRICA.
almoft as much, intimidated at firing a
piece as Standing in the way of the ball ;
yet they helped to make up a number,
and were, therefore, of fome confidera-
tion in the party.
I was fully refolved to hazard the jour
ney with thefe eight men, but my plan
being not yet thoroughly digefted, I
thought it moft prudent to poftpone an
nouncing it to my Hottentots till after the
departure of the Caffrees.
A circumftance now happened, which
placed this matter in a new light. , Klaas
returning one afternoon from hunting,
entered my tent, and informed me that
four Bajlard-whites had concealed them
felves in my camp ever fince morning,
and he fufpedted they were fpiea from
Bruyntjes-Hoogte, employed by the colo
nifts. He had picked out of the coUver-
fation of thefe four rogues, that the
whites

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 247
whites had been informed of the arrival of
the Caffrees, and were furprifed and mur
mured at my having treated with fo much
cordiality their mortal enemies. Klaas
conjured me to be on my guard till he
had made a more certain difcovery of their
intentions, and have an eye particularly
on one of my people called Slinger, whom
he fuSpedted of having held intelligence
with thefe four emiflaries.
Violently irritated at the audacity of
thefe people, I ordered them to be imme
diately brought before me. The embar
raffed and timid appearance of thefe fel
lows, fufficiently demonstrated the culpa
bility of their defigns. I questioned them
with feverity ; demanding by what right,
or whofe order," they had dared introduce
and conceal themfelves among my peo
ple ? This apoftrophe, accompanied with
a threat to have them punished on the
fpot, with the anger that animated my
R 4 counts-*

248 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.'
countenance, difconcerted them fo much
that they were unable to reply. I added,
whoever had been fo bold as to introduce
them, merited my anger, and deferved to
be puniShed as a traitor ; that I Should
not now proceed to extremities, but,
whatever their commiffion was, they
might inform thofe who had employed
them of every thing they had obferved in
my camp ; that abfolutely independent
and free to profecUte my own defigns, I
owed no one any account of my actions,
and that a conduct void of reproach,
placed me above the reach of fear ; that
being a friend to mankind in general, I
held traitors of every nation in abhor
rence ; being unconnedted with any fet
of people I efpoufed none of their quarrels,
had none with the Caffrees, with whom
I was furrounded, and to whom I Should
be happy to render every good office, that
fincere friends and worthy people have an
Undoubted right to expect from every juft and

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 249
compaflionate man; that I would be re
sponsible for the behaviour of the Caffrees
as long as they remained with me, and the
equity that constrained me to intereft my
felf in their defence, while they conducted
themfelves peaceably, would equally oblige
me to turn my arms againft them the mo
ment they difcovered defigns inimical to
the peace of the colonies; I concluded,
with an affurance, that I was fufficiently
inftrudted in the motives of both parties,
to be convinced thefe favages were peace
ably inclined, and Would never commence
hostilities. After this difcourfe, I ordered the Spies
to be condudted out of fight of my camp,
by four of my Hottentots, armed with muf
kets, and affured them, if ever, under any
pretext whatever, they fet foot in my
camp clandestinely, I would treat them
like beafts of prey, or any others who
Should dare obtrude themfelves with fimi-
Jar intentions. lob.

250 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
I obferved that thefe laft menaces made
great impreflion on my Hottentots, and
when it came to their turn to be interro
gated on having concealed thefe fellows in
my camp, no one dared to offer a Single
word in his own excufe. I reproached
them with the greateft feverity, declaring
I would puniSh, and, afterwards drive from
me, the firft among them that Should
approach the habitations of the colonifts,
with whom I meant for the future to hold
no manner of communication. I endea
voured to mark with particular feverity
thofe words which were addreffed . to
Slinger, and forbad him to quit his poft
without my orders.
The Caffrees, who were witneffes of
this fcene, having remarked my looks and
geftures, feemed ftruck with the vivacity
of my refentment, and the confternation
that was impreffed on the countenances of
the Hottentots. They knew fomething that

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 2$l
that had happened in my camp made me
entertain great animofity againft a'part of
of my people, but underftood too little of
our language to comprehend the meaning
of what they Saw; yet they appeared greatly
alarmed and furprifed at the disturbance,
expreffing by their looks and actions the
perplexity and uneafinefs it gave them.
Hans took great pains to explain this
enigma; and I thought this precaution
tended to calm the inquietude that existed
among them, but when they confidered
the colonifts had been with us, nothing
could fupprefs the idea that the perfidious
and vindictive whites would Shortly affem-
ble,vand attack them even in my camp.
In vain did I endeavour to affure them of
my protection — of fafety, I faw no more,
that chearful and unfufpicious gaiety which
-before fat on the countenances of my Caf
frees, and announced the tranquillity of
their minds ; they fpake much among them-

252 TRAVELS INUFRICA.
themfelves^ feemed eager in confultations,
and evidently wiShed to haften their de
parture. Hans, who accompained them to the
Kraal, informed me next day that they
entertained fome idea of his having betray
ed, and brought them here to be affaSfi-
hated ; confequently, I could not be in-
terely free from their fufpicions . They
recollected that one of thefe Baftard-whites
had been feveral times among them on pre
tence of exchanging commodities for cat
tle ; that, confidering him as their friend,
he had their confidence, and they beheld
his return with fatisfadtion, while the
monfter was endeavouring to betray them;
enraged at this inftance of perfidy, they
unanimously refolved, Should he dare repeat
his vifit, to punifh his villany with death.
Hans concluded, by acquainting me with ?
the refolution the Caffrees had formed of
returning into their own country, and
begging

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 253
begging me in behalf of my vifitors to
exchange part of my old iron for fome
oxen. I peremtorily refufed this article, aflur-
ing them I would not poffibly acquiefce,
as the colonifts would naturally complain
that I had furniShed them with arms; be
sides, I had before formed the refolution
of obferving the moft perfect neutrality;
but iron excepted, they were welcome to
any thing I had in my poffeffion, and be
fore their departure, I meant to give proof
of my attachment; and ftill further to
foften this refufal, which I knew to be a
trying difappointment, I affured them, f
was ready to make the fame anfwer to
their enemies, if fcarcity of arms Should
prompt them to a Similar application, dur
ing the continuance of the war.
Though thefe reaTons' were fufficiently
Strong, the Caffrees were not to be repuls ed

254 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
ed by a Single refufal,. they returned again
to the charge, and the moft eager Solicita
tions were more than once repeated ; but
I had already formed my refolutions on
this point, and they were not to be Shaken.
I was too well acquainted with the ex-
agerating difpofition of the colonifts, who,
, for the moft trifling article of this kind,
drawn from me by the utmoft importuni
ty, would not have failed to magnify the
wrong done them, and to reprefent my
condefcenfion in this particular, as a crime
deferving the fevereft reprehenfion.
However powerful this prudential rea
fon may appear, I had one, ^which to me
was ftill more forcible ; I wiShed to fup-
prefs rather than foment the dangerous
animofities that fubfifted between thefe
parties, weft knowing that if they came
to blows, at this time, it would be diffi
cult to avoid taking part with one fide, or

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 255
or the other which would by no means
correspond with my defigns.
On the departure of the Caffrees, I
meant to prefent them with a quantity of
glafs, and hardware, which I had fome
days before refufed to exchange for fome
of their oxen. I ardently wiShed to per
fuade the youngCaffree, I have before men
tioned, to remain with me, but it was no
more poffible to prevail on him in this
particular, than it had been for his coun
trymen to alter my refolution refpedling
iron ; neither my prefents, nor promifes
that he Should be entirely his own matter,
and free to return whenever he pleafed,
had any influence on him ; he oppofed all
my folicitations fo abfolutely that L found
it would be impoSfible to fucceed. " I
" know the whites too well," faid he,
" to truft them. They are ever ftudying
" to opprefs us, and was I Simple enough
" to follow you, after being once reduced " to

256 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
" to Slavery it would be in vain to remind
"' you of your promife, I Should never be
" permitted to revifit my native country."
He feared to be treated as the colonifts of
Bruyntjes-Hoogte treat their Slaves ; but
fuppofing he was fufficiently convinced of
my humanity, and refolution to fulfil my
promifes, he was not certain, he re
marked, that I Should always have it in
my power to protedt or fend him back to
Caffraria. I attempted a thoufand times to calm
his fufpicions, telling him, he Should not
confound the Hollanders with the fangui-
nary and perfidious colonifts. I demanded
if the men I had in my fervice appeared
unhappy, or had'reafon to complain ? —
that every one of them might make ufe of
his liberty, and quit me on the inftant if
he thought he could better his condition :
but, notwithstanding all my arguments he
continued firm to his refolution. Our

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 257
Our frequent hunting, and the above-
mentioned alteration in my camp, inter
rupted in fome meafure thofe familiar con
versations I had held^ with the Caffrees j
yet I did not entirely neglect, when op
portunity offered, to obtain every poffible
information, which they gave with the
utmoft cordiality and cheerfulnefs. The
news of their departure made me the more
eager to queftion them, as I had by no
means forgot the unhappy fufferers who
were Ship- wrecked in the Grofvenor, an
English Eaft India-man.
They could not give me fo ample an ac
count as I wiShed in this particular, being
fimply acquainted with the fact. Situated
towards the north-weft, they were far
ther from the «fea than myfelf, and could
give no politive account of this melan
choly cataftrophe : they had, indeed, feen
part of the effedts taken from the wreck,
which had been exchanged with other
Hoords for cattle j even the Caffres, now
Vol. II. S at

258 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
at my camp, poffeffed fome trifling part
of the property. One Shewed me a piece
of Silver coin, which he wore at his neck,
another a fmall fteel key ; they likewife
defcribed, as well as they could, a curiofi
ty which had been divided among them.
By their account I judged this muft have
been a watch, whofe wheels they had fe-
parated, -and formed into different orna
ments ; and I was convinced I was. right
in my conjecture, when on Shewing them
mine, they all exclaimed it was the fame
thing, only of a different colour, their's
refembling the piece of coin the Caffree
wore about his neck. They added, the
moft valuable of the effedts had been taken
by their countrymen that inhabited the fea
coaft, who were in poffeffion of a great
quantity of pieces fimilar to that they had
Shewn me. As for the people who
efcaped the wreck, they had been inform
ed fome were found dead upon the fand,
but that others, more fortunate, had
reached

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

259

reached fome country inhabited by white
people. My confultations with the Caffrees ufu
ally concluded with their united felicita
tions for me to accompany them.
(
Had this Step agreed with my tafte, it
could not with my prudence ; for though
I did not believe them capable either of
deceiving me, attempting my life, or pil
laring my effedts, I by no means wiShed
them to be acquainted with the differences
I had with my people refpedling the jour
ney, or that no more than eight of my
Hottentots confented to follow me ; on the
contrary, I wiShed them to inform the
Caffrees that we were Strong, numerous,
and could entertain no fear of them, were
they inclined to do us an injury;
, I thought it fafeft to ufe fome precau
tions with thefe favages : for example, I
S 2 fuffered

260. TRAVELS IN AFRICA..
fuffered none of them to pafs the night at
my camp ; Swanepoel taking care thefe
orders Should be rigoroufly obeyed. We
ever Slept in- our inclofures, which none
of my Hottentots were permitted to quit
in the evening, which is the time the fa
vages generally chofe to attack the whites,
as their colour renders them lefs difcern-
able. Had the Caffrees been acquainted with
mylituation, I Should certainly have en
tertained fome apprehenfions on account
of thofe I left behind me ; but, keeping
them ignorant of the exact time and man
ner of my departure, they fuppofed, when
I began my march, I Should leave nothing
behind, having taken fome pains to make
them believe I Should fend my waggons
back to the colonies.

CHAP.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 26l

CHAPTER XIII,

DEPARTURE OF THE CAFFREES  AUTHOR
PREPARES TO VISIT CAFFRARIA  TAKES
LEAVE OF HIS CAMP — BEGINS HIS JOUR
NEY.

ON the twenty-firft of October, the
Caffrees came to inform me -they
purpofed to fet off that day. Every pro-
teftation of friendship and gratitude was
renewed; joined with promifes, that,
through whatever Hoords they paffed,
they would publish how kindly and hof-
pitably I had received them, and the riches
| had gratified them with on their depar-
S 3 ture;

262 TRAVELS IN AFRICA."
ture ; after this favourable account, every
Kraal would expedt my arrival with im
patience, and welcome my appearance
among them with joy. They promifed to
defcribe my camp, my perfon, but above
all my beard, this being an evident mark
by which I could be diftinguifhed from
the colonifts ; obferving the flag on my
tent, they demanded whether I fhould take
it with me? And on being anfwered in
the affirmative, exprefTed their joy by loud
acclamations. Delighted with the thought
of feeing me among them, they appre
hended my being confounded with their
unworthy perfecutors, and affectionately
wifhed to fecure me from any unlucky
mistake. After the ufual Tabes, I accompanied
them to the river fide ; having, with their
beafts, fwam to the oppofite Shore, I fa-
luted them for the laft time with a gene
ral difcharge of my mufketry ; and fooriafter

«

mil

w,~

r 7Zm//tc ( r///r/yf

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 263
after the trees and buShes intercepted them
from my view.
The annexed plates are engraved from
two drawings I took of thefe people, who
were aftoniShed to fee the refemblance I
produced. The Caffrees gone, I flattered myfelf
the Hottentots in my train would reflect
on the eafy, tranquil manner they had paf-
fed their time with us, confider every for
mer fear as ill founded, and conclude by
confenting to accompany me in my expe
dition. I did not defign to appear violently
interefted in this project, wishing them to
be determined by their own opinion of the
enterprize : I fet off, therefore, immedi
ately to vilit the venerable Haabas ; de
termined, if I found this defirable change
in the fentiments of my people on my re
turn, to Strike the camp, and begin my
journey before they had time to cool, or
alter their determination. S 4 During

$64 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
During the ftay of the Caffrees, I had
feen but two Gonaquais ; I wiShed to re
new my acquaintance with thefe worthy
neighbours, and inform them of what had
paffed fince our feparation.
I went to their Kraal unattended, they
were overjoyed to fee me. Haabas in
formed me of his fears, and likewife thofe
of the Hoord on rny account, during the
time of the Caffrees ftay with us ; then
aSked me a hundred times if I was fure
their retreat was undifcovered? I faid
every thing in my power to quiet thefe
fears; as that the Caffrees had told me
they bore no hatred to the Gonaquais,
knowing they had no communication with
the Whites, or other Hottentots. I like-
wife affured them that the fituation of
their Kraal was perfectly unknown to the
Caffrees ; but if their fears (notwithstand
ing this affurance) were ftill predominant,
it would be better for them to remove. Haabas

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 26$
Haabas embraced this propoSal with
warmth ; he did not, he faid, give much
credit to their profeffions, having been
obliged very lately to defend the Hoord
from their attacks; and being unwilling to
fubjedt himfelf to a like misfortune, he
defired I would advife with him Concern
ing a new fettlement : the refult of our
deliberations was, that they Should gain
the weftern mountains, which extend to
wards the north-eaft, at a great diftance
frcrn Caffraria^
The banks of the Sondag were formerly
the limits of the Caffrees, whofe princi
pal habitations were at Bruyntjes-Hoogte,
the veftages of which are yet to be feen.
The exprefs orders and intentions of go
vernment (who wiShed to live in peace
with thefe favages) were, that thofe limits
Should be facred ; but the colonift, who is
neither actuated by a principle of wifdom
.Of found policy, finding the lands of his
defence-

266 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
defencelefs neighbours preferable to his
own, has from time to time extended his
limits, and gained with impunity on thefe
people, obliging them to retire even to
the Groot -Vis.
Several motives engaged me not to ftay
with Haabas, but before my return, I
wiShed to know whether , he could not
perfuade more of his people to join thofe
1 who had offered to accompany me ; and
in order to remove every idea of compul
sion, I affigned the three who had ten
dered their fervice a rendezvous in my
camp, and gave them four days to pre
pare for the journey.
I could not take my waggons with me,
as I could only rely on eight men to ac
company me in this journey to Caffraria,
and thefe were by no means fufficient for
the management of my caravan ; I there
fore wiShed to procure fome oxen for the
carriage

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 267
carriage of my baggage, as we had but
one ufed to that bufinefs, and would gladly
have exchanged fome commodity I was
in poffeffion of, for more of thofe ufeful
animals. Notwithstanding the hofpitality of the
chief, and indeed of the whole Hoord, I
refolved to quit them, and for that pur
pofe pretended immediate bufinefs : to
confefs the truth, I was in no mood for
company, a fudden and unaccountable
fadnefs having overwhelmed me; my
travels no longer appeared in that pleafing
point of view as before ; crofied in all
my defigns, freSh difficulties fprang up,
and depreffed my fpirits with vexation and
fatigue. Before I quitted Haabas, I did not for
get to enquire after the fick Hottentot,
though I did not wifh to fee him : they
affured me all our endeavours to reftore him

268 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
him had been ineffectual, that his pains
had not diminished, and they noW de-
fpaired of his life. I aSked after the young
Narina, who was abfent with her mo-s
ther ; I fufpedted fome of the Hoord were
gone to inform her of my arrival; as (in
the prefent difpofition of my mind) I did
not wiSh to fee her, I faluted Haabas and
returned to my camp.
I immediately began examining my men
feparately, wishing to be informed from
their own mouths of the intention of each ;
and, if poffible, difcover whether there
was not fome mutinous fpirits among them,
who blew up the flame of diSTenfion.
I found them unanimous in declaring,
that their non-compliance was occafioned
by my temerity, in undertaking fuch a
hazardous enterprife.
Whatever anger I felt from this difobe dience,

. TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 269
dience, whatever inconveniences I was to
fuffer by it, I had not power to reprimand
them feverely. Too many reafons fpoke
to my heart in their favour, and I ftill felt
my attachment to them as Strong as ever.
Fear had, indeed, deranged the duty they
owed me, but by no means annihilated it.
How could they go into a country, they
faid, from whence a White or Hottentot
fcarce ever returned ?
I conjured them to remain faithful, and
not forget their duty in my abfence. Re
gard was fo ftrongly pourtrayed on the
countenances of my Hottentots, and thefe
words feemed to make fo great an impref-
fion on them, that I drew a favourable
opinion of what I might expedt from their
affedtion and fidelity could I have renoun
ced this contested and fo much dreaded
journey. I concluded, by promifing them
an equal Share of affection for the future ;
and, Shutting myfelf up in the tent, em
ployed

270 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
ployed the greater part of the night irt
forming fchemes for putting my plan in
immediate execution.
The next morning I affembled the Hot
tentots on whom I could depend, and in
formed them I was ready to depart^if they
were yet refolved to follow me. To dif-
pel every idea of danger, and prove I did
not wifh to adt with incautious temerity,
I' affured them, I had no intention of pe
netrating farther into Caffraria than ap
peared perfectly confiftent with our com
mon Safety.
As, from the account of my meSTengers,
it appeared uncertain whether I Should be
able to meet with king Pharoo, I fimply
propofed vifiting thofe Caffrees who ex
pected me with fuch impatience ; and
then, turning eaftward, defigned to ap
proach the fea, and endeavour to difcover
the wreck of the unfortunate Grofvenor.* I had

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 27I
I had the fatisfadtion to find thefe all
continued firm to the promife they had
before made me. I then addreffed Swane
poel, telling him I confided in his care
during my abfence, and conjuring him to
to maintain good order in my camp.
My three Gonaquais arrived at the ap
pointed time ; our provisions and neceffa-
ries were prefently got ready. I filled two
leathern bags with gun-powder, thefe
were inclofed in a third to preferve them
from damp ; we eaft fome balls and Shot,
designing to take eight guns, leaving the
fame number for the ufe of the camp. I
prepared an affortment of glafs and hard
ware, in, fmall parcels ; took my tent, a
woollen coverlet, a large cloak, and other
effects indifpenfably neeeffary. My cook
ing utenfils confifted of one pot and a
boiler ; and I did not forget fome tea, fu-
gar, and fait. My companions were oc
cupied in rolling up their Skins, mats, &c. and

272 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
and requested me not to forget a plentiful
provifion of brandy and tobacco.
The buftle and agitation occafioned
in my caiyip by thefe neceSlary prepara
tions, would have afforded me a ftriklng
and entertaining pidture, had my people
been all willing to follow, me, and my
mind tolerably at eafe. The mingled air
of contrition and "regret, that marked the
faces of one part of my people, was Strik
ingly contrasted by the loud voices and
haughty looks of thofe that were about
to accompany me, who feemed tQ regard
the reft with pity and contempt.
Every thing being now in readinefs, we
fixed our departure for the next. day, being
the third of November.
When our evening fires were lighted,
and I was feated as ufual among my peo
ple, I obferved thofe who were to remain at

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 273
at the camp, expreffed their uneafinefs for
our departure by a number of queftions
refpedling the length of our journey, the
time we Should be abfent, and a number
of other particulars which demonstrated
their impatience of our return. I feized
this opportunity of making a gentle ex
hortation, but without the leaft appearance
of difcontent ; nay I even feigned to ap
prove their reafons, well affured that fuch
approbation would have no ill effedt on the
determination of my intended companions.
In anfwer to the apprenhenfions they en
tertained for my fafety, I affured them I
relied too much on the aSfiftance of my
comrades, and peaceable difpofitions of,
the Caffrees, to apprehend any danger. I
recommended obedience to old Swanepoel^
promifing rewards to fuch as behaved
properly in my abfence; and finally, to
obliterate all forrow, ordered a general
bumper to the fuccefs of our journey ; af
ter which we retired to reft.
Vol. II. T I could

274 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
I could not clofe my eyes the whole
night ; at day-break I called up my peo
ple, ordering the four oxen to be harneff-
ed, that we purpofed taking with us. —
While we were at breakfaft, I ordered my
dogs to be tied up, as without this precau
tion I Should have been followed by the
whole pack, and it was my defign to take
only five of them with me.
Before I bad adieu to my camp, I -took
old Swanepoel afide, telling him, that if I
found it impoSfible to crofs Caffraria, I
Should return in fifteen days ; if, at the
expiration of this time he faw nothing of
me, he was to remain where he was fix
weeks, when he was to Strike the camp and
go to Camdebo (his country) , and I gave him
leave to take that rout even before this
time was elapfed, Should he fee occafion,
or apprehend any danger in remaining
where he now was. I entreated him to
mind my people, to be careful of my
waggons

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

z7$

waggons and colledtions; in a word, on
the leaft fignal of danger, to think of no
thing but getting away in fafety. " And
Should my ftay," faid I, with an emotion
I could not fuppfefs, " give you reafon
'" to believe I have perifhed in my expe-
" dition, take the road to the Cape with
" the remainder of my people, and put
"" all my effedts into the hands of my
" friend Mr. Boers."
The honeft old man could not hear
thefe words without tears. I confoled
him by promifing to attempt nothing I
might not reafon ably, expedt to fucceed
in, efcaped from his affectionate remon
strances, and joined thofe who were wait
ing my departure.
Kees was among the foremoft; thus
attended by my eight men, one of whom
carried my flag, I began my journey, and
foon loft fight of the camp. It was necef-
T 2^ fary

276 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
fary to go a league and a .half up the river
before we could crofs the ftream ; part of
my people, who had accompanied me thus
far, returned back, when we had reached
the oppofite fide.
We quitted this river and took the
north-eaft road. Striking at once into the
moft extenfive part of Caffraria, which
agreed both with my opinion, and the in
formation I had received from Hans.
We marched continually under the
Shade of the Mimofa Nilotica, the whole"
canton being overfpread with them. The
ground was covered with fuch very high
grafs that it was veiy fatiguing to walk
through it. My people fuffered more
from this than myfelf, for being very dry
it fcratched their legs at every ftep, and
obliged them at length to make themfelves
boots, either of Skins, or woven grafs. My

TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

277

My oxen were the only part of my cal-
valcade that feemed pleafed with this fpot,
feeding as they walked along, without
having the trouble of bending their heads
to the ground. We had continually be
fore our eyes a great number of gazells of
different fpecies, particularly the kind
Called fpring-bock.
My dogs fprung a bujiard which I kill
ed; it was different from any that have
yet been defcribed, and larger than the
European duck ; its plumage on the neck,
breaft, and belly, light blue; the reft of
the body red, pointed and Streaked with
black. The croaking pf this bird refem-
bles that of a toad, but is .considerably
louder. We continued our journey for five hours,
though the heat was exceffive, which, at
length, obliged us to Slop. It is true, we
were in fome meafure Sheltered from the
fun by the above-mentioned trees, but
T 3 their

278 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
their leaves are fo fmall and thinly fet,
that its Shade is not very fervicable ; there
were no others on the plain, but I ob
ferved fome large ones on the mountains
at a diftance, like thofe of the country of
Auteniquas. I remarked as we went along, ' that my
monkey frequently Slopped at the Mimofa,
pulling off the' briars with which that tree
is garnifhed, and eating them with the
greateft appearance of fatisfadtion. Trust
ing to the g'oodnefs of his palate, I re
folved to partake of this regale ; and
found, on examination, that the greeneft
of thefe thorns only are eatable ; they are
two or three inches in length, and as
brittle as afparagus ; but the event did not
anfwer my expectation : at firft, indeed,
the tafte was fweet and agreeable, but the
mouth and throat are immediately after
attacked with a difagreeable burning fen-
fation, accompanied with a tafte which has

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 279
has a greet affinity to garlick ; and I found
the feed, which feemed particularly to
pleafe Kees' palate, was equally difagree-
able. On this tree I found a beautiful large
caterpillar; it was circled with a black like
velvet, on a green ground ; the wings
white, with brown fpots ; and the body
fo foft that it felt like cotton.
I have fince remarked, that when the
Mimofa bloffoms (which is generally about
January) the flowers are covered with
vaft quantities of infects of different Spe
cies ; confequenfiy, the cantons, where
thefe trees moft abound, are convenient
for the ftudy of this part of natural hif
tory ; and, at the fame time, collect an
infinity of birds, who are attracted by,
and feed on them,
The firft time we halted, I Skinned the
T 4 Bujlard

2DO TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
buffard I had Shot, and made an excellent
meal of it, while my men ufed the pro
visions we had brought with us. My
oxen had fo well regaled themfelves by
the way, that we no fooner Stopped than
they laid down to Sleep, and, notwith
standing the loads on their backs, the
height of the grafs entirely intercepted
them from our view.
,The afternoon became cloudy, and we
were affailed by a dreadful Storm, accom
panied by thunder ; notwithftanding this,
we purfued pur journey, for finding no
fhelter where we dined, the inconvenience
arifing from the bad weather, was not
augmented by travelling. By five o'clock
jn the evening we were fo fatigued, that
finding it irnpoffible to proceed, I ordered
the fmall tent we had with us to be erect
ed, kindled feveral large fires, and having
dried myfelf as well as our prefent circum
stances would permit, retired to reft ; my
people

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 281
people, laid on mats and covered with
Skins to Shelter them from the rain, did
the fame. The dampnefs ofthe earth foon
penetrated the coverlet on which I had
ftretched myfelf, and the rain, that fell
without intermiffion, foaking through the
tent, and overflowing the Hottentots, ren
dered this fituation fo difagreeable that we
began to prepare for our departure before
day-break. Hans afferted we were at no great di
stance from a Caffree Kraal, which had
been destroyed by the colonifts. The rifing
fun difperfing the clouds, reanimated my
fpirits, and I refolved to gain this fpot,
which would afford us a comfortable fhel
ter ; but after eleven hours march, I found
we had yet three leagues farther to go. —
The wearinefs of our oxen, approach of
evening, and meeting with a charming
rivulet, made me determine to remain
where I was for the night. Every

282 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Every league we proceeded the Mimofa
became fcarcer, and not fo flourishing.- —
From our encampment (which was on a
gentle eminence) wc could difcover a very
high mountain, which my people thought
they recognized, and I could plainly di
ftinguiSh by my glafs it was that adjoining
to Koks-Kraal, which might now be about
twelve' or fifteen leagues distant.
When the oxen were unloaded, and my
tent pitched, I took a walk by the fide of
the ftream, which I judged, after many
windings, difcharges itfelf into the Groot-
Vis. In this excurfion I Shot a bird I was
unacquainted with, it was a kind of
cuckow, which, notwithstanding its af
finity to that I have before defcribed,
(and which is likewife fpoken of by Buf
fon, under the name of the Coucou-verd-
dort of the Cape), I have great reafon to
believe of another fpecies, its note being
totally different. I loft much time in pur-
fuing

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 283
filing the female, which is very Shy : I
could compare her to nothing but an art-
fui coquette, who every moment flattered
my hopes, and when I thought myfelf fure
of her, inftantly flew to a greater diftance
than ever. I was employed in this purfuit
a whole hour, and at length loft her en
tirely in a thick wood.
I arrived at the tent juft as one of my
men was bringing in a kind of ga^el/, call
ed a Guou. This Species was firft noticed
by Mr. Gordon, and the description he
Sent to the Profeffor Allaman, which that
gentleman has fince published, is very
exact, though it is to be regretted that the
figure is very defective,' and ill executed.
This animal (whoSe form refembles a fmall
ox) is not better known by the engraving
in the French translation of Doctor Spar
man ; for the artift, or the defign from
which he copied, not content with giving
it the cheft and loins of a horle, has alio
added

284 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
added a horfe's tail, though the Gnou has
one exadtly like an ox.
The Hottentots call it Nou, which word
is preceded by a cluck of the fecond kind,
(as before defcribed), and it was probably
this found that influenced colonel Gordon
to add the g to the proper name, which in
pronunciation produces an effect fome
thing fimilar. Doctor Sparman writes it
Gnu, becaufe the Swedes and Germans
pronounce the tu, like ou. Translators
Should take into consideration the confu-
fion occafioned by fuch errors relative to
the proper names of animals, which it is
effential to defcribe exactly.
The night paffed quietly ; we heard,
indeed, the roaring of lions in the moun
tains, but that did not give us any un-
eafinefs, as we thought ourfelves and
cattle out of danger ; having taking the
precaution to confine our horfes and oxen
to the fpot by means of long bridles.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 285 I
CHAPTER XIV.

ARRIVES AT A DESERTED KRAAL  ACCOUNT
OF TREES, MOSS, &C.  DESCRIPTION
OF A PARTICULAR KIND OF GAZELL 
ARRIVES AT ANOTHER KRAAL.
ON the fifth of the month we fet out
very early, and arrived at the Kraal
we had expected to reach the night before,
but did not find a fingle inhabitant. The
greater part of the huts were entire, feven
of them ftood near each other, the reft,
to the number of fifty or fixty, were
fcattered over a fpace of half a league.
Here, for the firft time fince my quiting
the colonies, I difcovered Some figns of
cui-

286 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
cultivation, the natives fowing a kind of
millet, known by the name of Caffrarian
Corn Each perfon, after choofing the Spot
he means to cultivate, erects his hut in
the centre ; which is the reafon their
dwellings are not huddled together like
thofe of the Hottentots. It appeared that
the inhabitants of this Kraal had been
recently furprifed by the colonifts ; for we
' found a number of dead bodies half de
voured by the wild beafts. Some. fields
of corn, ready for cutting, had become
the haunt of a number of gazells, who
having nearly laid them wafte ; we let
loofe our oxen to complete the trefpafs.
I took up my refidence in the tent as
ufual, while the Hottentots occupied the
feven adjoining huts. They cut down
large branches of trees and covered my
tent in fuch a manner, that it could hardly be

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 287
be distinguished from one. Juft' before
us ran a fpring over a pebble bottom; a
few fcattered Mimofa trees grew here and
there ; while at a fmall diftance from our
camp, rofe a majeftic foreft, in which I
generally paffed the heat of the day: a
number of trodden paths, in a hundred.
different directions, plainly Shewed the
Spot had been much and long frequented.
1 faw a number of trees which I had
before obferved in the country of Autene-
quas ; the Cois-puant abounds on all fides,
this I have already obferved, grows in the
bay of Lagoa, from whence the inhabi
tants of the Cape procure it for cabinet
work ; but the price of carriage ren
ders it very fcarce and dear. This wood,
capable of receiving the fineft polifh, is
inacceflable to worms ; when old, it
changes to a maroon colour, variegated
by light and dark veins. While green,
it exhales a Smell, fo difagreeable, as to
excite

288 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
excite ficknefs, particularly in damp wea
ther ; but it lofes this quality as it dries*
The growth of this tree (like all other
clofe compact woods) is Slow, though in
time it furpafles in height and fize the
largeft oak. .
I alfo remarked the Geele-Houtt, (yel
low- wood) fo called from its colour ; which,
though not fo much efteemed as the form
er for furniture, is very ferviceable for
planks, beams, and rafters. It bears a
yellow fruit, about the fize of a fmall
plumb, covered with a thick rind ; con
taining a very hard ftone, the kernel of
which is the only part that can be eaten.
Another tree, called Roye-Houtt, (red
wood) fo named from its deep red colour,
grows very thick, and is fo foft that the
tincture may be eafily extracted. The
fruit, which is as big as a large olive, is
likewife red, and when ripe may be eaten with

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 289
with pleafure : the inhabitants diftil a
kind of brandy from it.
I Slopped under a Kaerfen-Boom, (cher
ry tree) which had no other merit than
calling to remembrance my killing the
four elephants. I recollected thefe ani
mals appeared fond of this tree, feeding
on its fruit and leaves; as I had never
tafted them, I took this opportunity of
fatisfying my curiofity, but judged from
the experiment, that elephants alone
could be fenfible of their goodnefs.
The Hottentots made me remark a tree
which I had never before feen, though
they informed me it was formerly com
mon in the colonies, and ufed particularly
for wheels by the cart-wrights belonging
to the company ; who had exprefsly pro
hibited, under fevere penalties, any indi
vidual from making ufe of it. This edict
has occafioned its extirpation, except in
Vol. II. U parts

29O TRAVELS I BS AFRICA;
parts distant from the fettlements, the
colonifts having entirely given up the
propagation of it. This tree is called at
the, Cape Boeken-Houit .
Near the Small rivers, or in fwampy
parts of Caffraria, I frequently found
trees refembling our willows; alfo wild
almonds, with narrows leaves, and fruit
fimilar to ours, differing only in "the red-
nefs of the Skins.
An enlightened botanift might certain
ly, in travelling through this country,
find many objects worthy his attention,
and ufeful to fcience ; for me, incapable
of •affignihg to ¦ plants, Shrubs, or trees,
their particular merits, or ranging them in
proper claffes, I only Stopped when fome
thing unknown or extraordinary ftruck
my attention ; for example, the chains of
yellow mofs, which frequently (in fome
of the cantons) Shoot to ten or twelve feet

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 29I
feet in „ length, and fo furround the trees
that you can neither diftinguiSh trunjc,
leaves, nor branches, was a circumftanee
that to me appeared remarkable.
I found this mofs very ufeful in prepar
ing my birds, and I would adyife any or-
nithologift, who may be tempted to vifit
this curious part of Africa, not to incom
mode himfelf with flax, tow, cotton, or
any fuch materials, as this mofs anfwers
the purpofe equally well. Wishing to
flock myfelf with it for all my travels, I
had one of thefe trees cut down and ftriped
of all its covering, fearing I might not
meet with it again. Wfiile young, it
is very foft and Short ; biit when fix, or
ten feet long, it is only fit. for quadrupeds,
or large birds.
There are, likewife, numbers of Lian-
nes, which are covered from top to bottom
with nets of the fame growth ; thefe are
U 2 / fmall

292 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
fmall and weak at firft, but afterwards
attain the thicknefs of a man's arm, and,
like thofe of America, form numberlefs
, links, which the inhabitants call Bawians
Touw (Bawians cords) ; the monkeys of
that name climbing by them to. the tops
of thefe trees and gathering the fruit,
which is about the fize of a cherry, and
of a crimfon colour, Birds in general,
but particularly the Touracos, are fond of
a round flat feed, which is inclofed in the
pulp. I fpeak here of the kind of Lianne
which is fometimes called the wild grape,
from the refemblance the leaves bear to
thofe of a vine. Thefe natural cords will
fuftain the weight of a man ; provided
the branches they are attached to are fuf
ficiently Strong. This fruit is very good
when Steeped in brandy, and ftill better
when conferved. I have frequently im-
mitated the monkeys in climbing by thefe
nets to gather it, and fometimes in fearch
of infedts. Thefe

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 293
Thefe woods abound in two different
fpecies of, gaz/clls ; the Bof-bpck, which I
was before acquainted with ; and another,
named by the Hottentots, Noumetjes, which
I had only juft a fight of in the country
of Auteniquas; not that it is fcarce, but
fo Shy, that there is a difficulty in getting
near enough to Shoot it ; never venturing
in the open country, but remaining among
the bufhes in the thickeft part of the
foreft. The height of this animal is, at
moft, twelve or fifteen inches ; the male
has ftraight fmooth horns, at the diftance
of a hand's breadth from each other. It
is of a light moufe colour, with a rediSh
tinge on the back ; the belly and infide of
the legs white; its form is beautiful, and
fpeed Surprising. It fquats like a hare ;
but no fooner perceives any one near, than
it darts away with the rapidity of light
ning ; Stopping at fome diftance, it ex
amines the huntfman; and, though the
pauSe is but momentary, this is the only
U 3 inftant

294 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
/
inftant in which you have any chance of
killing it. Its cry, which I might call
note, or warbling, is very Sharp, and of
confiderable continuance ; it would, in
deed, be difficult to give a proper difcrip-
tion.of this; but fuppofe a Shrill whittling,
prefently interrupted by founds like thofe
produced by a tabor with fmall bells ; and
you may entertain no very diftant idea of
it. It is hardly conceivable that fo fmall
an animal Should make fo loud . a noife,
which very much amazed me the firft
, time I heard it. The fleSh is excellent ;
being fuperior to every other kind of ga-,
zell. Among other birds, which were new
to me in thefe parts, I Shot a final] kind
of eagle, with a long tuft on the back
part of the head; and another bird which
I called Martin-Chaffeur, on account of
its analogy to the Martin- Pecheur (King
fisher) ; , its beak is long and red ; the
back,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 29 C
back, wings, and tail, of a bright blue ; it
fives in the forefts, feeding on infects, and
builds in hollow trees.

Nothing remarkable happened during
our encampment at this place; except
that every day, between three and four
o'clock, we experienced Short but violent
Storms. On the ninth day of the month, we
packed up the baggage, and continued
our journey.
My Hottentots, according to their ufual
cuftom of giving names to our encamp
ments, called the Kraal we had juft quit
ted, The Camp of Majfacre.
We took 'an eaftWard courfe, croffing
a country whofe grafs jiad been entirely
destroyed by fire ; the freSh verdure, which
was juft fpringing up, prefented (the eye
with a beautiful green carpet, -
U 4 We

296 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
We faw on every fide flocks of the
fpring-bock, t gnous, and ojlriches. As
we had plenty of provisions, I did not
fire at the gazells, but fent a few unfuc-
cefsful Shot after the ojlriches, who' were
too Shy to let me approach them. The
gazells, collecting in a prodigious body,
ftood gazing at us ; and the weather being
extremely hot, the tranfpiration arofe in
clouds from this innumerable flock. In
my way I Shot as many partridges as dined
all my people, but did not Stop to drefs
them till after five hours hard travel. The
Storm of rain, which came on at the ufual
hour, ferved to refrefh us,
In thefe cantons I frequently faw the
print of oxen's feet, but by no means
freSh ; and was furprifed to find fo beau
tiful a country defert, not meeting with a
fingle Caffree, though we had already
travelled thirty leagues. Hans fuppofed
the alarm given by the colonifts had oc-
cafione4

. TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 297
cafioned this, and I began to defpair of
meeting with any Hoord; every thing
evincing that the inhabitants had retired
into the heart of the country ; and Should
we chance to meet any, it could only be
fpies; who, devoted to the general fafety,
either ranged the country or lurked' in
ambufcade. As I was chatting with my men, a
fmall flock of gazells ruShed by with
great celerity, purfued by feventeen wild
dogs ; I immediately leaped on my horfe,
determined to protect the gazells and at
tack their purfuers : unfortunately I foon
loft fight of them, the high grafs con
cealing Stones againft which my horfe
Stumbled every moment, and endangered
breaking both our necks ; I was forced to
rejoin my people.
An ojirich Starting before me at the
diftance of twenty paces, I thought it
might

29$ TRAVELS IN AFRICA:
might be fitting, arid haftened to the fpofe
from whence She rofe, where I found
eleven eggs quite warm, and four others
at the diftance of two or three feet from
the neft. I called to my companions,
who broke one of the warm eggs, in
which was a young ojlrich, perfectly
formed, about the fize of a chicken juft
hatched. I thought thefe quite fpoiled,
but found my people entertained a very
different opinion of the matter, every one
being eager to come in for his Share.
Amiroo, meantime, caught up the four
outward ones, affuring me I Should find
them excellent. In the fequel I learned
from this African what the reft of my
Hottentots, and even naturalists themfelves
are unacquainted with, fince none that I
recollect have ever mentioned it. The
ojlrich ever places near her neft a certain
number of eggs, proportioned to thofe
She intends to fit on, thefe remaining fe
parate and uncovered continue good a long
while,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 299
while, being defigned by the provident
mother for the firft nourishment of her
young. Experience has convinced me of
the truth of this observation, for I never
met with an' oftrich's neft without find
ing eggs diSpofed in this manner at a fmall
diftance from it.
At half paft feven we Slopped at a large
lake formed by the rains, not knowing
whether we Should be able to procure any
at a Short diftance, and wishing to water
our oxen, who had none at our mid-day
halt. Our "fires made, my people began
dreSfing their eggs, each in his own man
ner : they broke the top of one of thofe
referved for me, and putting in a piece
of fat, half covered it with the hot em
bers, then Stirring it with a wooden Spoon
made what they called a mixed egg. Not
withstanding I was very hungry, and this
new food delicious, I could only eat half
pf one, which at leaft equalled in quantity two

3OO 'TRAVELS IN AFRICA."
two dozen pullet's eggs. Some of my
men, after taking out the young from
thofe which were partly hatched, made
an omelet of the remainder. I could not
help joking them on this delicate ragout;
but, being perfuaded to tafte it, I muft
confefs that had I not been prejudiced by
a difguft the idea had occafioned, I Should
have found no difference between thefe
and that I myfelf had eaten of.
The evening paffed cheerfully, not fo
the night, being disturbed by the conti
nual barking of our dogs, which gave us
the greater inquietude, as we heard no
other kind of noife, and could think of
nothing but ambufcades of Caffrees ; for
had wild beafts been approaching, their
howling would have announced them.
The day returned, but did not diffipate
our fears ; we vainly explored every part
about our camp, arid ftill remained igno^-
rant whether it was Caffrees, or thofe
thieves

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 3OI
thieves, the Bojhis-men, that had given
us the alarm, not being able to difcover
the traces of their feet, or what path they
had taken. On the tenth, without farther
information, we continued our journey
eaftward. .n.
This direction led us to a canton where
the mimofa trees grew in great abund
ance. Being very high andj branching,
they formed a thick foreft ; which hav
ing croffed, we approached a fmall river
that was fordable ; we walked along its
banks for full two leagues ; when, night
beginning to approach, we pitched our
tent. Our guide informed me that three lea
gues further we Should find the Hoord of
Caffrees that had folicited me to vifit
them ; as this was a numerous eftabliShed
fettlement, very commodious and well
known to the favages, I particularly wish ed

302 TRAVELS. IN AFRICA.
ed to fee itl Thinking the report of our
pieces might betray our fituation, I or
dered none to be fired at. gamcj. My tent
being pitched, <and-fire kindled, we fat
round it till late at night ; when, laying
on frefh fuel, tp prevent its being extin
guished before morning, we retired to reft
as ufual, and our Slumbers were undif-
tucbed. Next morning I fent Hans forward,
attended by two of my Hottentots well
armed, appointing a rendezvous at two
leagues diftance, and within one of the
above-mentioned Kraal; ordering them to
bring me an account of any difcoveries
they might be able to make.
This party returned, according to ap
pointment, informing me, with grief and
aftonifhment, that they had found the
Kraal in a good Slate ; but, like the laft,
abfolutely defer ted. , We now continued > our

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 303
our joUrney, and took poffeffion of this new
empire, where we found a hundred old
huts, folidly conftrudted, and Situated, 'as
ufual, at a confiderable diftance from each
other. Probably the inhabitants had taken
fome falfe alarm, as we faw no figns of
havock or devaftation. 4n one of the huts
I found two affaygay s, the iron of which
was rufty ; in another, a woman's apron,
feveral wooden inftruments, and fome
other trifles which I took poffeffion of.—
The plantations of corn did not exhibit
fuch images- of defolatiOn and pillage as
thofewe had encountered ; here the har
vest appeared to have been peaceably got
in. I determined to remain two "days in
this place ; and meantime endeavour to
difcover if any Caffrees were in the neigh
bourhood. I well knew, that by directing
our Steps northward, we Should fall into
the very center of Caffraria, which was
what I wiShed to avoid ; defigning to pro
ceed by degrees, hazarding according to
the

304 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the dangers that prefented themfelves, or
the information I might receive by the
way. All our refcearches were in vain, no
Caffree was to be feen.
I Shall not deny that the fidtious de-
fcription I had been entertained with, of
the magnificence common with Afiatic
defpots (which I expected to fee realifed
in the Slate of thefe Caffree princes) con
tributed at firft to infpire me with the re
folution of vifiting king Pharoo ; but my
curiofity had not the fame incitement fince
the Caffrees, who had been at my camp,
informed me he had no particular atten
dants, inhabiting a hut neither larger nor
more commodious than the meaneft of his
fubjedts, and ran the fame danger of being
reduced to indigence, Should a mortality
happen among his cattle, the people af
fording him neither aid nor tax ; in a
word, he is only a chief like thofe of the
Hottentots; the only difference being, that his

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 3OJ
his dependants are more numerous, and
his dignity hereditary; he is decorated
with no external marks of royalty, and
enjoys but a limited authority. I now,
therefore, turned all my thoughts to the
Ship- wrecked veffel; which, from the ac
count given by the Caffrees, I entertained
but little chance of finding ; notwith-
ftand I turned towards the Shore, ftill
flattering myfelf with the chimerical idea
that I Should obtain more certain infor
mation. On every fide we faw deferted huts,
but difcovered no appearance of any in
habitant. The buffalos, gazells, and other
game, abounded in every place we paffed
through; which proves that the Caffree
is not fo great a huntfman as the Hotten
tot, trufting lefs to ~ chance, depending
more on his flocks and corn than the re
fources that arife from his Skill in the
management of the affaygay. We faw
Vol. II. X feveral

306 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
feveral elephants, but they paffed too
quickly Jto give me any chance of Shoot
ing them.
Since my departure from Koks-Kraal,
I had made fo confiderable a collection of
birds, that I hardly knew where to ,ftow
them; the bulk and care neeeffary for
their prefervation being more inconvenient
than the weight, though I ever took care
to flatten them that they might lay in the
leaft poffible compafs.

CHAP-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA? 307

CHAPTER XV.

PURSUES HIS JOURNEY — DESCRIPTION OF
THE KOOPER-CAPEL  ALARMED BY THE
APPEARANCE OF SOME FIRES  MEETS A
COMPANY OF CAFFREES  DISTRESSES
OF THAT PEOPLE  RESOLVES TO RETURN
TO KOKS-KRAALw

ON the fifteenth we crofted the little
river, along whofe banks we had
Continued our journey till this time ; in
order to avoid the barren and craggy
mountains that prefented themfelves. I
now determined to incline towards the
fouth, but finding no beaten path we were
obHged to purfue our way as circumftance
X 2 or

7308 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
or chance directed. A large bujtard rofe
before me, which I immediately Shot : it
Was fitting on two eggs, whofe Shells the
young were juft ready to quit, being co
vered with their firft down. I was de
lighted that chance had thrown this bird
in my way, which was entirely new to
me ; the male and female alternately fit
on the eggs : that I had juft killed was
a male, its head is adprned with a large tuft
of feathers, The female prefently re
turned; and, flying round, appeared to
watch us, giving, from time to time, a
hoarfe kind of cry; wishing to entice her
to the fpot, I left the eggs in the neft,
purpofing to Shoot her Should She return ;
but finding no place convenient to conceal
myfelf, I relinquished the project, and
continued my journey,
It is probable there was not a Single
Caffree in the part we had traverfed ; or
in our different encampments and marches we

, TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 309)
we Should certainly have met with them ;
for being by no means fearful, they would
have fought no concealment. We were
not all of the fame opinion on this fubjedt^
which furniShed matter for our ordinary
difcourfe ; fome afferted there muft be
Caffrees, who, not being powerful, feared
to Shew themfelves; others maintained
there were none, as we had not been at
tacked; fometimes we" talked ofthe con
dudt we Should obferve in that cafe, each
forming ridiculous and impracticable plans
of defence.
I was of opinion that we Should fuftaln
their firft affault, and endeavour to come
to a peaceable explanation before we made
ufe of our arms, which would infure us a
decided advantage when ever we might be
conftrained to have recourfe to them. I
had no doubt but this plan would fucceed
if we happened to be attacked during the
day ; for the night it was quite a different
X 3 cafe.

'316 Travels in Africa.
cafe, and I forefaw almoft infurmoun table
difficulties. To avoid misfortune, I had
conftantly purfued my firft method of
Sleeping at fifty paces diftance from my
tent, on which I ever took the precaution
to place my flag, that it might be feen at
a diftance. This I thought might Save us
from any fudden furprize.
We began to experience a fcarcity of
water, which gave us great alarm. One
day when the weather was cloudy, and
our march on that account very agreeable,
though long, I perceived Kees flop fud
denly, and turning his nofe towards the
wind, fet out with the utmoft fpeed, fol
lowed by all the dogs, who were totally
regardlefs of my call. AftoniShed at this
Singularity, I fet fpurs to my horfe, and
was furprifed to find them affembled round
a fountain, at about three hundred paces
from the place when they fet off. I called
to my men, who foon approached, and we.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 3II
we encamped near this welcome fpring,
to which I gave the name of Kees-fountain.
I Shall more than once have occafion to
mention circumftances in which the in
stinct of animals has been particularly fer-
viceable, having extricated me from feveral
dilemmas. I do not doubt but man has
received from his Creator the fame advanr-
tages, which infenfible depravity has made
him loofe; for the greater diftance the
favage is from us, the nearer he approaches
to a Slate of nature,
Refolving to pafs the night at Kees-
fountain, I feized the occafion to prepare
my bujlard. The gathering clouds an
nounced a Storm ; I therefore ordered my
oxen to be unyoked and tent pitched. The
rain fell abundantly, but was not lafting;
as foon as it was over, while ranging on
every fide to difcover birds, two ferpents
of a bright yellow colour, fuddenly Started
V X 4 up

312 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
up before me ; they were of the fpecies fo
well known in the colonies by the name
of Kooper -Capel. Thefe reptiles at Sight
of me, Swelled their heads prodigiouSly,
hiffing in a fearful manner ; I knew their
bite to be mortal, and the facility with
which they dart to a confiderable diftance,
renders them ftill more dangerous : I fired
immediately, one fell dead on the fpot,
and the other took refuge in his hole.
That I had killed meafured five feet three
inches in length, and nine inches in cir
cumference; befides an infinite number
of fmall Sharp teeth which furnifhes his
mouth, on each fide his upper jaw, at the
height of his noftrils, was a hook which
meafured about five lines, fupplied with a
joint like the talons of a cat, or tyger, andy
which he could contract dr throw out at
pleafure. ,
My Hottentots broke one of thefe ; I
was pleafed to hear them defcant on na-
.•¦.-!: f tural

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 313
tural hiftory, frequently gaining more in
formation from their rude reafoning, than
from the ingenious fpeculations of our
learned men. I questioned them1 refpedl
ing thefe ferpents, and received more
fatisfadtory anfwers than I expedted. — >¦
They made me obferve, among other
Singularities, that this hook, or hollowed
gutter, is the conductor by which the
venom is injected into the wound itfelf
has made. The fame thing has already
been obferved, if I am not miftaken, of
the Boicininga, or Rattle-fnake, which I
had often met with in South America.
I remarked on the occafion how much
monkeyf are afraid of 'thefe reptiles; it
was not poffible to make Kees approach
this, though it was quite dead. I contriv
ed, however, to amufe myfelf for a mo
ment, by tying it to his tail ; and not being
able to Stir without giving motion to the
ferpent, it may be eafily imagined by what leaps

314' TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
leaps and anticks poor Kees expreffed his
fright and impatience, while his dreaded
enemy was in this fituation,
At. night we perceived a fire; which,
as well as the darknefs would permit
us to judge, might be at about three
leagues diftance. My Hottentots thought
they difcerned the Shadows of men paffing
and repaffing before it, and my glafs con
vinced me they were not miftaken . The
queftion now was, were they Caffrees, or
deteftable Bojhis-men, enemies of all na
tions, thieves by profeffion, and with
whom no terms are to be relied on ? We
concluded thefe muft be the latter fort,
as the Caffrees never inhabit tbft tops of
mountains ; therefore took the precaution
to extinguish our fires, and the night
paffed in tranquillity.
On the morrow our firft care was to
difcover where the fires were, and to
whom.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 315
whom they had belonged ; the weather
was fo fine, that we might eafily have
difcerned the fmoke, but, being extin
guished, we were deprived of any fixed
point of diredtion, and our fearch might
Wave involved us in the narrow paffes and
defiles of the mountains, where we en
dangered loofing our way ; but my peo
ple, perfuaded they were not Caffrees,
feemed lefs repugnant to follow me on
this • fide at all events ; we, .therefore,
packed up our baggage, and bad farewel
to Kees-fountain.
We croffed a wood where the mimofa
trees were fo numerous, thick, and bufhy,
that we could hardly go ten paces with
out Stopping to clear the paffage; this
perplexed us extremely on account of our
oxen, but perfeverance- brought us, at
length, through this troublefome foreft ;
though I am perfuaded that after all our
fatigue, wandering, and turning for the
, fpace

316 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
fpace of three hours, we had not advanc
ed more than a league from Kees-foun-
tain. Before us was a copfe like that we
had juft traverfed, to efcape which we
continued our way more to the fouth-eaft.
Covered with duft and overcome with
heat, after fix hours march, we ftopped
at the fide of a lake which prefented it
felf very conveniently. One of my dogs
(that had been much heated in purfuit of
game) muft infalliably haveperiShed, if fan
had not perceived him in the water, and
immediately jumped in to refcue him. I
mention this circumftance, which may
feem indifferent to the reader, that I may
eftabliSh a fadt I was witnefs to in Africa.
If a dog, while violently over-heated,
throws himfelf into the water, he dies
if not inftantly taken out. In a Shooting
party, I had with Mr. Boers, a grey
hound, that preceded us, leaped into a
ftream we had to crofs, and expired before
wre could reach him. As

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 317
As foon as we were encamped, and had
refreshed ourfelves, I fent Some Hottentots
to difcover, if poffible, thofe who had
given us fuch inquietude the night before;
in lefs than an hour I received news from
one of my people, who ran full fpeed to
inform me, they had difcovered a com
pany of Caffrees ; he now conducted me
and Hans through feveral turnings, till we
could difcern ten men who were con-|
dudling fome cattle very peaceably ; having;
nothing to fear from fo fmall a number,.'
we prefented ourfelves at a little diftance p
on Sight of our fire-arms thefe people:
made an inftindtive effort to efcape, but
Hans calling in their own language, and
affuring them they might advance with
fafety ; they inftanly ftopped till he joined
them ; and, on being informed I was the
friend of the Caffrees, they immediately
approached ; I prefented my hand, faluting
them with tabe. Their fears fubfided at
fight of my beard, having heard of me
from

318 TRAVELS IN AFRICA"*
from thofe Caffrees I had entertained at
Koks-Kraal ; one of them was likewife
acquainted with Hans, whom he had
feen in his own country. I led them to
my tent, where I regaled them with bran
dy and tobacco; pointing at my flag,
thefe Caffrees gave me to underftand they
had heard of me, and expreffed furprife at
not feeing my waggons. Not willing to
acquaint them with the apprehenfions of
my Hottentots, I gave them to underftand,
I was only taking a little turn into their
country, which I Shotdd hereafter travel
(through at leifure.
They appeared anxious to learn the
fituation of the colonifts at this time, and
whether they yet fought them ? I gave
fuch anfwers as I thought likely to calm
their apprehenfions ; as that I had feen
the colonifts at Bryntjes-Hootge, where
they held themfelves on the defensive, and
were agitated by as Strong alarms as even
the Caffrees themfelves. They

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 319
They informed me, that to reach the
neareft Hoord of .their nation, would re
quire (from the place where I then was)
five days hard travelling ; calculating,
therefore, the diftance that feparated them
from their enemies, at about fixty leagues,
I could, without any deception, leffen the
fears of thefe Caffrees, by informing them,
that the colonifts were neither prepared;
nor diSpofed to undertake fo long a jour
ney; an affurance that appeared to com
fort thefe unhappy people, who claimed
my utmoft pity from the continual mo
lestation they had experienced : for, added
to the loffes fuftained by the depredations
of the whites, they were continually dif-
treffed by the Tambouchis, a neighbouring
nation, who, inftead of yielding them any
aSfiftance, feized this critical opportunity
of making inroads into feveral of the can
tons, robbing and murdering the unfor
tunate Caffrees ; who, preffed thus on all
fides, in want of impliments of war and
every

320 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
every means of defence, acted' on the de
fensive, having no refource but a precipi
tate retreat towards the north : meantime
a third foe, not lefs to be dreaded, the
BoJJpis-men, plundered and diftroyed all
they chanced to meet with.
I was aftoniShed to find that thefe people
had wandered fo far from the reft of their
countrymen ; this they prefently explained,
by informing me, that on the firft incur
sion of the whites, they had haftily driven
away their mingled herds, fome to the fea
coaft, and others to the diftant inland
parts of Caffraria ; but hearing of no new
hostilities, they had wandered thus far in
fearch of their difperfed cattle : they had,
indeed, about thirty with them.
I Spoke of the fires we had obferved
during the night, and was informed they
belonged to them ; they did not perceive
mine, which would have given them great
uneafinefs.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 32I
uneafinefs. I enquired about the Ship
wrecked veffel, but learned little more
than I was before acquainted with, — that
it had been eaft away on the coaft of
Caffraria. I judged this melancholy event had hap
pened beyond the country of the Tambou-
ches, as high, as Madagafcar, towards the
channel of Mofambique. Thefe people
affured me, that, befides the difficulties
I Should have to encounter after having,
paffed their limits, among feveral other
rivers, we muft crofs one that was too wide
to be fwam over, and muft advance a
great way towards . the north to find it
fordable ; they added, they had feen feveral
white men among the Tambouches, fome
time ago, when they exchanged fome
merchandize with that people for nails
taken from the wreck, but being now at
war with them, they could procure no
more iron, which they much wanted : they
Vol. II. Y concluded

322 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
concluded by a requeft, common among
thefe unhappy people, that I would fup-
ply them with this commodity. I had
expected the melancholy entreaty, which
neceSfity obliged me to deny.
To foften this refufal, I distributed
among them a part of my beads, toys,
&c. with plenty of tobacco. They en
treated me to accept two of their oxen in
return ; I anfwered, that fo far from re
ceiving what was fo neeeffary to them, I
wished myfelf in a fituation to augment
the number; this reply had the more ef
fect on people who fuppofe white men to
be the moft dangerous and malignant of
beings. They declared in very energetic
terms to Hans, who repeated it to me
(but with that ingenuous timidity that
feems fearful of giving offence where it
means to praife), that I refembled the
only honejl man of my colour they had
ever feen. This perfon, I found, they had

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 3.23
had encountered fome years before, near
the river of the Bojhis-men, where they
dwelt at that time, as the colonifts had
not then fucceeded in driving them fur
ther ; he was a man, they faid, who tra
velled like me for information. It required
no great pains to recognife Colonel CJor-
don in this defcription ; and they were
overjoyed when I informed them he was
my friend, bidding me remind him of
them when I Should return to. the Cape ;
and entreat him to make a report to go
vernment of their unhappy Situation; and
draw a true and pathetic picture of the
miferies and cruel dilemmas to which the
barbarous injuftice of their perfecutor*
had reduced them.
I paffed the whole day in converfation
with thefe Caffrees, informing myfelf of
the manners, cuftoms, religion, and re
fources of this people; their accounts
were conformable to thofe I had before
Y'a received j

324 TRAVELS IN AFRICA."
received ; their failings were related with
as much candour as their eftimable quali
ties. My Hottentots found thefe people
fo friendly, that at night they entreated
me to let them remain among us ; I
granted their fequeft, and then retired to
my tent to repofe myfelf, and prepare for
the fatigues of the morrow.
In the morning, while the Caffrees
were preparing to depart, I called my
men together ; the reflections - thefe
people (whom they had formerly dreaded
as wild beafts) might have occafioned,
efpecially as they had an opportunity of
converfing together after I had retired to
reft, determined me not to leave to them
the merit of advifing what meafures were
proper to purfue in our prefent circum
stances ; on the contrary, I wiShed to im-
prefs them with an idea of my prudence
and caution, as it might be ufeful in my
future operations. I therefore informed them,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 325
them, that, after what we had heard the
evening before of the difficulties we might
encounter, with the danger of being af«
faulted by the Tambouchis or Bojhes-men,
who were now fcattered over every part of
Caffraria, I thought it moft advifable to
return towards Koks-Kraal ; that if we
directed our Steps weftward we Should
certainly fall in with the Groot- Vis, by
following the courfe of which river for
fome days we could not fail of rejoining
our camp ; I concluded by faying, they
were all welcome to give their opinions
of my propofal.
The pleafure that brightened their fea
tures plainly Shewed how much my advice
had pleafed them ; this they confirmed by
unanimously expreffing their fatisfadtion.
I then informed them, that on our return
to Koks-Kraal, I Should make no ftay but
what Should be neeeffary for the repair of
Y 3 my

326 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
my waggons and preparation for a journey
toward the fno w mountains, from whence,
paSfing Weftward, I Should return to the
Cape. I well knew the latter part of this plan
was not to the tafte of my Hottentots ;
for in croffing thofe barren and fandy de-
ferts in the time of the drought, every
One might promife himfelf a full Share of
difagreeable circumftances ; but, impatient
to explore the natural curiofities of that
country, I Was refolved to traverfe it, and
I communicated my intention at this time
that my people might be familiarifed to
the idea before my return to the camp,
fince their prejudices conquered, J Should
have the fewer to contend with on my
arrival. Before I parted with the Caffrees, I
prefented them with a good quantity of
tobacco, referving no more than was fuf-
ficienj

TRAVELS IN AFRICA* 327
ficient for my people till we could gain
the camp ; this furniShed me with room
for fome birds I had Shot, or any I might
kill by the way ; for I muft obferve, my
collection was already fo large tjhat I knew
not where to place it.
The ten Caffrees helped us to pack up
our neceffaries and load the oxen ; after
which (wishing each other a good journey)
we feparated, they going northward, we
towards the South.

Y 4 CHAP-

328 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE AUTHOR RETURNS TO KOKS-KRAAL—
PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE CAFFREES
 PREPARATIONS FOR HIS RETURN TO
THE CAPE  TAKES LEAVE OF THEHOORD
OF HAABAS.
WE were three whole days gaining
the banks ofthe river Groot -Vis,
during which time nothing % remarkable
happened. This march had been very
fatiguing both to my men and oxen ; I
determined, therefore, to ftop all the next
day, both to refreSh ourfelves and fee if
there was any thing worth obfervation in
the environs. We

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 329
We could entertain no fear- of wanting
water, as the river was to be our guide ;
indeed, we had found. no fcarcity while
Seeking it, but we could not afcertain-the
precife time it would take to reach our
camp, fince high mountains or other"
caufes might poffibly oblige the river to
take many windings before it reached the
fea, which would neceffarily prolong our
march. We continued our journey along its
banks for three days, on the morning of
the fourth we difcovered the high moun
tain, the reverfe of which we had feen
fome days after our departure ; this occa
sioned great joy, as it was an affurance
that we Should Shortly fee our camp,- our
flocks, our wealth, and the reft of -our
companions : we quickened our pace, and
late the fame night reached the camp un
difcovered, where every thing was in per
fect order ; but I could not enjoy the
aftonifh-

33O TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
aftoniShment this unexpected arrival would
liave occafioned, for the dogs immediately
fpread the alarm, and my people recog
nising, our voices ran out inftantly, every
one expreffing the greateft joy at our re
turn ; even the dogs by their leaping and
fondling, appeared to Share the general
fatisfadtion ; but another fight yet more
interesting, was the augmentation of my
family, for fince my departure a fmall
detachment of the worthy Gonaquais had
quitted their Kraal and fettled on the fpot
I had affigned the Caffrees, having conr
ftrudted feveral new huts. I was informed
that during my abfence every thing had
remained in the greateft tranquillity ; in^>
deed, the admirable order the camp
appeared in, rendered thjs information
unneceSJary. Swanepoel gave me a very fatisfactory
account of all my people, told me that
each night they had thought and fppke of
us :

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 33I
OS ; that the firft fortnight having ekpfed
without hearing any news, he could not
hdp feeling a kind of prefentiment that
we Should only meet at the Cape, as he
well knew that unlefs prevented by insur
mountable difficulties I Should continue
my way.
I muft own that having been near a
month deprived of the indulgencies of my
camp, I was delighted to find myfelf re
turned. What inward Satisfaction did I
experience at the fidelity and attachment
of the Hottentots ! Wishing to Shew my
gratitude, I announced with a loud voice
that it was Saturday; this declaration,
. which ran from one to another even to
the Gonaquais, completed the rejoicing:
but this is a circumftance that requires
fome explanation, which I Shall enter into
with pleafure ; for the rememberance of
thefe Simple, though dehcious means of
amufing my leifure hours, while in an
almoft

332 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
almoft uninhabited defert, and fecluded
,/rom the ufual means of recreation, recalls
the idea of that pure and tranquil fatis-
, faction which, in the bofom of the arts,
and furrounded by every attractive delight,
I have fometimes fought in vain.
On leaving the Cape I had forgot to
procure an almanack, but wishing to rec
kon how time went, I computed each
month at thirty days, and as I never
paffed one without an exact diftindtion
tof weeks, the omiffion was not very ma
terial. Every Saturday it was my cuftom to de
liver the Hottentots their weekly portion
of tobacco : if the name of the day had
flipped my memory, and I did not choofe
to take the trouble of confulting my book
(which was fometimes the cafe) on refer-
inc- to them, the anfwer may eafily be
devined, it was always Saturday according to

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 333
to their calculation ; and on my return to
the Cape, computing my register, af
ter fifteen months travel, I found feveral
weeks had contained two of thefe Satur
days. • I was now furrounded by my numerous
family, who were all fmoaking their pipes
round a great fire, not excepting the Go
naquais women, each individual being re
galed with a double portion of brandy,
while I enjoyed ,. my tea and milk, which
I had for fome time been deprived of.
I fpake of the road I intended to pur
fue, and found that every one of my peo
ple was already acquainted with this de
termination, nor did I meet with fo many
objedtions and remonftrances as I had ex
pected : worn with fatigue, they thought
all ways good that led towards the Cape,
though the paffage of fnow-mountains, which

334 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
which are the ufual retreat of the Bochis-
men, infpired fome of them with terror.
I fixed our departure for the eighth, that
we might have time to repair the wag
gons, conftrudt a new tilt for that which.
contained my arms, ammunition, &c.
replace the old traces by new ones made
from the hides of two buffalos, killed dur
ing my abfence, and eaft fome ball and
fmall Shot, all which preparations required
time ; the addition made to my collection
wanted confiderable arrangement ; and I
wiShed to enter in my journal the various
obfervations I had made in Caffraria.
Our good neighbours, the Gonaquais, af-
fifted the Hottentots, while Shut up in the
tent with the idea frefh on my memory, I
fettled my journal.
To judge of the Caffrees by thofe I
had feen, they are taller than the Hotten
tots of the colonies, or even than the
Gonaquais,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 33$
Gonaquais, though they greatly refemble
the latter, but are more robuft and pofiefs
a greater degree of pride and courage ; the
features of the Caffrees are likewife more
agreeable, none of their faces contradting
towards the bottom, nor do the cheek
bones of thefe people project in the un
couth manner of the Hottentots ; neither
have they large flat faces and thick lips
like their neighbours, the negroes of Mof-
ambique, but a well formed contour, an
agreeable nofe, with eyes Sparkling and
expreffive ; fo that, fetting afide our pre
judice with refpedt to colour, there are
many women among them who might be
thought handfome by the fide of an Eu
ropean. The drawings of a Caffree man
and woman, as reprefented in the plates,
were taken from nature. They do- not'
disfigure themfelves by daubing their eye->
brows like the Hottentots, but are very
' much tatooed, particularly about the face. Th«

336 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
The hair of the Caffrees (which is
Strong and curling) is never greafed, but
they anoint the reft of their bodies with
a view of making themfelves active and
Strong. '
The men are more particular in decora
tions than the women, being very fond of
beads and brafs rings ; they are feldom
feen without bracelets on their legs and
arms, made of the tuSks of an elephant,
which they faw to a convenient thicknefs,
and then polifh and round them. As thefe
rings cannot be opened, it is neeeffary to
make them big enough to pafs the hand
through, fo that they fall or rife accord
ing to the motion of the arm. Sometimes
they place fmall rings on the arm's of their
children, whofe growth foon fills up the
fpace and fixes the ornament, a circum
ftance which is particularly pleafing to.
them. They likewife make necklaces of
the bones of animals, which they polish and

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 337
and whiten in the moft perfect manner :
fome content themfelves with the leg-
bone of a Sheep hanging on the breaft,
which is thought as pleafing a decoration
as a patch on the face of a pretty woman.
This ornament is likewife ufed by the
Gonaquai, as expreffed in the plate.
Sometimes this embellishment is changed
for the horn of a gazeli, or any other thing,
according tb the caprice of the moment;
and I think they would difplay as much
variety and whimficality in decoration as
the Europeans themfelves, was it equally
in their power; and are conftant'in the
fame habiliments, only becaufe they can
not fubftitute any other covering in the;
place of Skins.
In the warm feafon the Caffrees only
wear their ornaments ; when the weather
is cold, they make ufe of krofes made of
the Skins of calves or oxen, which reach
Vol. II. Z to

338 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
to the feet. In the plates I have given
an exact idea of the young Caffree holding
his affaygays, and a woman fuckling her
infant.

One particularity which deferves atten
tion, and does not exift elfewhere, is, that
the Caffree women care little for orna
ments; indeed, they are well made and
pretty, when compared to other favages ;
perhaps too, they have fenfe enough to
know that decorations are more fit to maSk
imperfection than to add to beauty : be
that as it may, thefe women never ufe the
uncouth profufion of Hottentot coquetry,
not even wearing copper bracelets. Their
aprons, like thofe of the Gonaquais, are
bordered with feveral rows of beads, which
is the only vanity they exhibit.
The Skin that the female Hottentot ties
about the loins, the Caffree woman wears
as high as her Shoulders, tying it over the
bofom,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 339
bofom, which it covers. They have, like
the' men, a kros or cloak of calf or ox Skin
divefted of the hair; but it is only in the
cold or rainy feafon that either fex wear it.
Thefe Skins are as foft and pliant as the
fineft Stuffs : the Caffrees prepare them
nearly in the fame manner as the Hottentots.
Let the weather or feafon prove ever fo
bad, neither men or women ever cover
their heads; fometimes, indeed, I have
feen the head of a Caffree adorned with a
feather, Stuck in the hair, but this fight
is by no means common. *
One part of the daily occupations of
thefe women is making earthen ware,
which they faShion as dexteroufly as their
huSbands. Thofe I formerly had at my
camp, finding a foil that fuited the pur
pofe, immediately fat about making pots
and other veffels, taking with them at
their departure a quantity of clay, with
Z 2 which

340 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
which they loaded fome of the oxen. I
have before obferved that the women make
bafkets ; they likewife prepare the fields
for feed, fcratching the earth, rather than
digging it, with wooden pickaxes.
The huts of the Caffrees are higher and
more commodious than thofe of the Hot
tentots ; their form, too, is more regular,
being a perfedt half globe, compofed of a
kind of crofs-barred arbour work, very
compact and ftrong, covered both within
and without, with a mixture of earth,
clay, and cow-dung, well mixed together,
which is fpread extremely fmooth and
even, and ftrike the eye with an air of
neatnefs unknown among the Hottentots.
The opening, or door- way, is fo low,
that to enter the dwelling you muft crawh
on your hands and knees ; this cuftom ap
pears very extraordinary, but as thefe huts
are only ufed to Sleep in, this fmall aper ture

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 341
ture is more readily clofed, and can be
better defended, whether againft wild
beafts or the attacks of an enemy. The
hearth or fire place is in the centre, fur*
rounded by a circular rim which rifes two
or three inches ; this confines the fire and
prevents it from endangering the hut.
At the diftance of five or fix inches
round tlie outside of the hut, they dig a
channel of half a foot deep, and about the
lame width ; this ferves as a drain, keep
ing the cabin perfedtly dry. I have feen,
in different cantons, between feven and
eight hundred huts, but never faw one
that was Square ; not that I think it ma
terial to the reader whether thefe people
five in Square or round habitations, but
this obfervation proved to me, that tlie
traveller who refolves to describe every
thing, fometimes proves that his travels
have been confined to a fmall compals.
£ 3 The

342 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
, Th? lands of Caffraria (either from
their fituation, or the number of fmall
rivers that refreSh them) are more fertile
than thofe of the Hottentots. The Caf
frees pradtife agriculture, which proves
they are not naturally wanderers ; in fadt,
on the fpot where they are born they ge
nerally die, unlefs the fettlement is dif-
turbed, either by barbarous perfecutors,
pr fome of thofe cruel maladies to which
mankind are fubjedt.
An agreeable and durable habitation,
fituated near a Spring, on a tradt of land
cultivated by his forefathers, is furely
fufficient to enrich the Caffree language
with the delightful term of my native land :
an expreffion that can never be ufed with
propriety by the errant, carelefs, indolent
Hottentot. I have made a remark, which, though it

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 343
it may appear ftrarige, is no lefs certain,
that, notwithstanding the beautiful forefts
that adonl Caffraria, and delightful paf-
tures which fpring up and almoft cover
the animals who feed on them, with the
numerous rivulets- and brooks that meander
in a thoufand different directions, the
oxen, cows, and almoft all other animals
in this country, are fmaller than thofe of
the Hottentots. This peculiarity certainly
arifes from the properties of the fap which
gives the grafs a different quality. I have
made the obfervation both on domeftic
and wild animals, which never acquire the
fize of thofe bred in the dry barren countries
I had paffed through ; and I remarked in
my travels among the Namaquais, who
inhabit the moft rocky and fteril fpot of
all Africa, that the oxen were the fineft I
had feen,. and that the elephants and hip-
popotamufes were larger and Stronger than
elfewhere.; which proves that the fcanty
paftures of this country muft be falutary.
Z 4 Induftry

344- TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Induftry is a leading trait in. the cha
racter of the Caffrees ; fome arts, taught
indeed by neceSfity, a love of agriculture,
with a few religious dogmas, diftinguiSh
them as a more civilifed people than thofe
towards the fouth. Circumfion, which is
generally pradtifed among them, proves
they either owe their origin to an ancient
people, or have Simply imitated the in^
habitants of feme neighbouring country,
of whom they have no longer any re
membrance ; neither do they ufe it (as
they fay) in any religious or myftical
fenfe. They entertain a very high opinion of
the Supreme Being, and of his- power ;
believe in a future Slate, where the good
will be rewarded and the wicked punished;
but have no idea of the creation, thinking
the world had no beginning, and will ever
continue its prefent State ; they have no
facred ceremonies, and never pray ; fo that if

TRAVELS IN- AFRICA. 345
if religion cannot exift without forms,
they have none. They inftrudt their own
children, haying no priefts ; <bpt inftead
of them a kind of Sorcerers, or conjurors,
whom thoy greatly diftinguiSh and revere;.
I never enjoyed the Sati^fadtion of meete
ing with one of thefe, and I much doubt,
with all their credit, whether they impofe
more on the multitude than thofe of the
fame defcription, who profit hy vulgar
credulity in more poliShed kingdoms.
The Caffrees are governed by a chiefs
or king, whofe power, as I have before
obferved, is very limited, receiving no tax,
having no troops at his command, but
being the fathpr of a free people ; neither
attended nor feared, but refpedted and be-
loved, and frequently poorer than many
of his fubjedts; being permitted to take
as many wives as he pleafes (who think it
an honour to belong to him) it is necef-- fary

346 TRAVELS IN AFRICA."
fary that he Should have a larger portion
of land to cultivate, and a greater number
of cattle to tend and feed; thefe being his
only refources for the maintainance of his
numerous family, he is frequently in dan
ger of being ruined. His cabin is neither
higher nor better decorated than the reft ;
his whole family and feraglio live round
him, compofing a group of a dozen or
fifteen huts ; the adjoining lands is gene
rally of his own cultivation. It is a cuf
tom among them for each to gather his
own grain, which is the favourite nou
rishment of the Caffrees, and which they
grind or rather crufh between two Slones;
for which reafon, the families living fe-
parately, each furrounded by its own plan
tation of corn, occafions a fmall Hoord to
occupy a large portion of ground, a cir
cumftance never feen among the Hot-,
tentots. The diftance of the different Hoards makes

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 347
makes it neeeffary that they Should each
have a chief, who is appointed by the king;
when there is any thing to communicate,
interefting to the nation, he fends for and
gives them orders, or rather information,
which the chiefs bear to their feveral
Hoords. The principal weapon of the Caffree is
the lance, or affaygay, which Shews his dif
pofition to be at once intrepid and noble ;
defpifing, as below his courage, the en
venomed dart, fo much in ufe among his
neighbours ; feeking his enemy, face to
face, and never throwing his lance but
openly. The Hottentot, on the contrary,
hid in the nook of a rock, or concealed
by a thicket, difpatches an unfeen death,
without expofing himfelf to the hazard of
a return ; thus one is a perfidious tyger
who ruShes by Stealth upon his prey,
while the other, like the generous lion,
gives warning, attacks openly, and either
conquers or falls. The idea of inequality of

34$ TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
©f weapons is not capable of fubduing
his courage, which bears him above fuch
considerations. In war he carries a Shield,
of about three feet in height, made of the
thickeft part of the hide of a buffalo ; this
defends him from the arrow or affaygay,
but is not proof againft a muSket ball.
The Caffree alfo manages with great
-fltill a club, of a about two feet and a
half long, made of a folid peice of wood
three or four inches thick in the largeft
part, and gradually diminishing towards
one of the ends. When, in a clofe en
gagement, they ftrike with this weapon,
or frequently throw it to the diftance of
fifteen or twenty paces, in which cafe it
feldom fails of the intended effect. I
Saw one of thefe Savages ftrike a partridge
in this manner, as She was riling to begin
her flight.
The fovereignty here is hereditary, the
eldeft

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 349
eldeft fon ever fucceeding. In default of
male heirs, it is not the king's brother that
fucceeds, but the eldeft nephew ; and in
cafe the king Should have neither children
nor nephews, the chiefs of the different
Hoords elect a king ; an event which is
fometimes attended by an oppofition of
intereft, and fpirit of jparty and. cabal,
which generally concludes by bloodshed.
Polygamy is cuftomary among the Caf
frees, their marriages are even more Am
ple than thofe of the Hottentots; the, pa
rents of the bridegroom being always
content with his choice; the friends of
the bride are rather more difficult, but
feldom refufe their confent ; after which
they rejoice, drink and dance for weeks
together, according to the wealth of the
families ; but thefe feafts are never held
but on the firft eSjpoufals.
The Caffrees have no mufical instru ments

350 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
ments but fuch as are ufed by the Hotten
tots ; except that J once faw a miferable
kind of flute among them, that does not
deferve defcription. As for their dances,
the Step is not unlike the English.
At the death of the father, the fons
and the mother divide the property he
has left between them; the daughters
daiming nothing, remain at home with
their mother or brother, unlefs it pleafes
fome man to take them; and, if this
circumftance takes place during the life
of the parents, they receive cattle in pro
portion to the wealth of their father.
The dead are feldom buried, but car
ried away from the Kraal by their family,
and depofited in a deep trench common to
the whole Hoord on fuch occafions, where
the wild beafts repair at leifure, which
prefcrves the air from thofe noxious va
pours

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 351
pours which otherwife the putrefaction
would occafion. ¦»
The honours of burial are only due to
the king, or chief of a Hoord; they cover
thefe bodies with piles of ftones formed
like a dome, which may account for that
range of fmall hills which were formerly
to be feen in the environs of Bruyntjes-
Hoogte, the ancient dominion of the
Caffrees. I am unacquainted with the difpofi
tion of the Caffrees refpedling love and
jealoufy; but believe they only feel the
latter fenfation in regard to their country
men; voluntarily giving up their women
for a fmall consideration to the firft white
that expreffes an inclination for them. —
Hans more than once informed me that
thofe at the camp were at my fervice; and
to fay the truth, they ufed every poffible
attraction to entice me, even in the pre-
fence

352 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*.
fence of their huSbands, who perhaps Wel'd
fcandalized at my want of complaifance,
and the coolnefs with which I received
thefe advances.
I Shall Carry thefe details no farther,
having faid enough to Shew how much
the Caffrees differ from their neighbours,
with whom they have no concern, but by
bloody Wars and eternal enmity.
The eighth (the happy day we were
to fet out ort our return to the Cape) at
length arrived ; I took a general review
of my waggons, harnefs, and cattle ; my
colledtions were in good order, the ball
and fmall fhot prepared ; my oxen, who
had enjoyed a long reft, and excellent paf-
ture, were fat and healthy ; in a word,
every thing was ready for our departure,
which I protracted for two days that we
might have time to bid farewel to our
good

TRAVELS IN. AFRICA.

353

good neighbours, and make merry with
them. The news of our departure being car
ried to the Hoord of Haabas, I foon faw
both men and women hastening to us in
fmall parties ; Haabas preceded them, all
that were able following to take leave of
us. The good Haabas prefented four or
five Gonaquais from a different Hoord,
who, having heard fpeak of my journey,
fent thefe deputies to engage me to vifit
their cantons. It was impoSfible for me
to comply, but I foftened my refufal by
promifing to remember their kind invi
tation on the firft journey I Should under
take into thefe countries. »
During the forty-eight hours we had to
pafs together, all was rejoicing and plea
fure ; my brandy was not fpared, any more
than the mead that Haabas had prepared
and brought with him. My gentle Narina
Vol. II. A a and

354 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
and her Sifter were the only perSbns that
appeared not to Share the general joy j
their traits of innocent fimplicity were
clouded by melancholy; particularly Nari
na, whom I ufed every endeavour to con-
fole, loading her with prefents for herfelf,
Sifter, mother and friends ; in a word, I
bereaved myfelf of all my trinkets to adorn
her, — but decoration did not at that mo
ment employ the thoughts of Narina. I
gave to Haabas and his people all I could
poffibly fpare, particularly tobacco, keep
ing only enough to fupply my own men
till we reached the Cape.
At length I took leave of the venerable
Haabas, entreating him with earneftnefs,
and not without emotion, to follow the
counfels I had given in refpedt to his
Hoord, repeating that the colonifts, re
maining affembled in the fame place,
indicated fome new project and announc
ed fome frefh treachery to be hatching ;
and

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 355
and as his Kraal was immediately between
them and the Caffrees, they would fooner
or later become the victims of one or
other of the parties. He promifed to
take my advice and go to fome diftance ;
that he Should have determined fooner,
but waited to fee me on my return from
Caffraria : he finished, by faying, (with
that honeft fimplicity and affection that
marked his charadter), that, if the times
became happier, by the re-eftablifhment
of peace, he had formed the refolution
of fettling on the fpot where we were
encamped; as, added to its agreeable and
convenient fituation, it would remind him
of a friend.

A a 2 CHAP-

356 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE AUTHOR LEAVES KOKS-KRAAL —
DESCRIPTION OF A PARTICULAR SPECIES
OF MONKEYS  MEETS WITH AN EXTRA
ORDINARY FLIGHT OF LOCUSTS.
ON the tenth of December we de
parted. In vain -Should I attempt
to paint the grief of the affedtionate Gona
quais, who, in lofing me, appeared to be
deprived of their deareft friend ; I can yet
lefs defcribe the emotion their attachment
caufed in my heart. I gave the Signal,
my men, waggons, and cattle, began the
march, myfelf following Slowly, the bri
dle laying on my horfes neck, I dared not
look

TRAVELS IK AFRICA. 3 57
loci back, I could not fpeak, nor am I
aShamed to own, tears eafed the oppreffion
of my htart.
My good and true friends whom I Shall
ne%er more fee ! you promifed to remem
ber me, nor is the vow I returned oblite
rated from my memory, no time Shall ever
erafe it; perhap;, refledting on my grief
when quiting you, in your calamities you
have expected and wiShed for my return ;
or remembrance has led you to the favorite
rendezvous of our feafts and entertain
ments, where in vain you have called for
me; alas ! I can ndther defend, nor give
you counfel; immenfe countries feparate
us for ever. Forget me ; let no vain hope
embitter the tranquillity of your days, the
very idea would be the torment of my life.
¦ I have retaken the chains of fodety, which
muft bind me till death ; and though I
may Shortly be forgotten by my kindred
and civihfed friends, my memory Shall
Aa 3 ftill

358 TRAV-ELS IN AFRICA.
ftill live, and the track of my Steps be re
membered among the worthy Gonaquais.
From the information we had procured,
I prefumed we Should find Sneuw-Bergen
towards the weft, and that by leaving
Bruyntjes-Hoogte on the left, and croffing
the chain of mountains, we Should reach
this canton after a journey of about forty
or fifty leagues, as we Should be obliged
to make many turnings and windings for
the convenience of the waggons.
I had heard fo many different accounts
of thefe mountains, that I ardently longed
to traverfe them ; I knew that their height
and coldnefs made them uninhabitable
during feveral months in the year; this
climate promifed me a variety of new pro
ductions, worthy of exciting my curiofity.
We travelled fix leagues, though the
heat was exceffive ; and, about one o'clock in

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 359
in the afternoon, ftopped on the ruins of
a Kraal, the fight of which infpired hor
ror : the unhappy Hoord, moft probably,
having been furprifed and maffacred, as
the earth was Strewed with human bones,
and mangled limbs ; a revolting fpedtacle !
which we quitted as foon as poffible.
We continued our journey till four
o'clock, which brought us to an aban
doned habitation, the houShold utenfils
of which were all gone. Here we re
folved to pafs the night, but were hardly
fettled before my whole body was over-run,
and almoft devoured. I tore open my
waiftcoat, and found my bofom black with
innumerable fwarais of fleas, neither were
my Hottentots- exempt from thefe trou-
blefome vermin, We quitted the place
immediately, which my men named Flea-
Camp, and pitched our tent pn the banks
of a pleafing rivulet, in which I plunged,
without taking time to undrefs. Klaas
A a 4 advifed

360 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
advifed me, after bathing, to be anointed
in the manner of the favages ; accordingly
I was greafed, for the firft time in my life,
and became much eafier. Though we
had Slopped but a quarter of an hour in
that ill-encountered fpot, my waggons
and dogs were covered with the nafty ver
min ; and the balfamic operation I had un
dergone was obliged to be repeated till the
firft ftorm of rain, which cleared us of
our unwelcome vifitors. The common
ufe of greafe, perhaps, prevented my men
from being fo much aflailed as their ma
ster. The new fituation we had chofen
was very agreeable. Sheltered from tbe
north wind by prodigious fprefts, and the
plain covered with the mimofa trees,
which the colonifts call Doorcn-Boom, I
had the pleafure to fee it in full blolfom,
which I regarded as a fortunate circum
ftance. I have before obferved, that the
flowers

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 361
flowers of this tree are covered with num
bers of infects, common in this feafon,
and which attradt prodigious flights of
birds of all kinds ; I therefore fixed my
camp on the plain, occafionally varying
its fituation. I have no doubt but the
borders of this foreft were originally inha
bited by Caffrees, as we could not go any
diftance without meeting with antique
huts, more or lefs demolifhed by time. I
found the two fpecies of gazells, the gnou
and fpring-bock. Never did the awful
Silence of night ftrike me fo powerfully
as in this place; the profound calm,
which was at intervals broken by the roar-
of lions, gave it an additional folemnity.
Cuftom had rendered the neighbour-
hood of thofe ferocious creatures habitual,
and, after paffing twelve months, in a
manner, perpetually among them, we
Slept without fear, having taken the ne
eeffary precautions. Each day I added to
my

362 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
my collection, which I enriched by a
beautiful bird, unknown to the ornitho
logists ; my men named it Uyt Lager
.(the Mocker), as it was fufficient for them
to fee us, or even our animals, to make
them affemble by fcores, and, perching
perpendicularly on the branches, balanc
ing their bodies backward and forward,
deafened us with a quick repetition of
gra, ga, ga, ga. This, poor bird feemed
to furrender at difcretion, for we killed as
many of them as we pleafed. It is nearly
the fize pf the blackbird ; its plumage,
Shaded with gold colour, purple and green ;
the tail long and pointed like the head of
a lance ; that and the wings are fpotted
with white ; the beak long and bent, is
remarkable for being of a fine red, as are
likewife the feet. It hops from branch
to branch in fearch of infects, picking
them out of the holes in the bark very
dexteroufly. This

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 363
This bird muft not be miftaken for the
wood-pecker, though theremay appear
fome refemblance, effential differences dif-
tinguifhing it from that bird. Having one
night remarked, that, infenfible of fear,
they came in flights to rooft in the differ
ent holes of fome large trees, near our
encampment, I caufed feveral of them to
be ftopped up, and enjoyed the fatisfac-
tion of taking them by the beak the next
morning, having made a fmall hole to let
them pafs fingly. All the fpecies of the
wood-peckers may be caught int his man
ner, though they hide themfelves more
artfully than thofe juft mentioned. It is
a general rule, I believe, with all birds,
who have two claws behind and two be
fore, to retire at night into the holes of
trees ; not that this inftinct is peculiar to
them, being common to the Mefanges
(Titmoufe) and a number of others.
It would be imprudent to run one's hand

364 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
hand into thefe holes, without being well
informed what they contained, as they are
frequently inhabited by quadrupeds of the
fize of a rat; and fometimes contain
fnakes, who are fearching for the eggs of
birds; and, though a number of thefe
reptiles are harmlefs, yet touching them
unexpedtedly is very difagreeable and
alarming. The fpecies called Kooper-Kapel, of
which I have before fpoken, frequently
go into trees, and might eafily hide them
felves in the hollows ; this might occafion
more than an alarm, ahd curiofity would
be dearly repaid.
On the fixteenth, we continued our
journey; three hours march brought us
to the river Klein-Vis, We could go no
further that day, as we loft a great deal
of time in feeking a part fordable for the
waggons, which had been nearly over
turned. The

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 365
The next morning we croffed fortu
nately ; a forfaken habitation prefented
itfelf, but I was not tempted to approach
it. Some leagues further the mimofa was
in great quantities, and in bloffom ; I did
not refift the temptation I had to ftop in
this place, as I found a convenient Settle
ment, on a fmall plain, in the middle of a
wood of lofty trees ; the fituation pleafed
me, and was commodious for my wag
gons ; the only difficulty was to get them
through the bufhes, brambles, and thick
ets that barred the paffage; but as we
had before overcome many difficulties
that appeared almoft infurmountable, I
determined to attempt this, in which we
fucceeded ; though, on the nineteenth,
in completing our labour, I had the mis
fortune to lofe one of my leading oxen,
who, dragging violently againft a mimofa
tree, the thorns penetrated into his
Shoulder, and, breaking off, remained
there. We

366 TRAVELS IN AFRICA. .
We drew out all we could perceive
with our pinchers, but this was infuffi-
cient, as doubtlefs many remained. In
twenty four hours a violent inflamation
fucceeded, and the refult of our united
confultations were to kill the animal,
which was accordingly executed.
The Touracos were very plenty in this
wood, and, by no means fo Shy as thofe of
Auteniquas. I found a new fpecies of the
Calao, and a number of others I was unac
quainted with, among which was a black
bird, with an orange coloured breaft.
In addition to the pleafure this difcovery
gave me, it procured me an opportunity
of remarking the fimplicity of the Hot
tentots.
One of them named Pit, was the firft
who brought me this bird, it was a hen ;
I immediately ordered him to return to the
fpot

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 367
fpot where he had killed it, not doubting
but he would meet with the male bird ;
he begged me to excufe him, not daring,
he added, to fire at it ; I infifted on it ;
but was aftoniShed to fee him affume a
melancholy air, and declare in a lament
able tone, that fome cruel misfortune
would certainly befal him ; for that he had
no fooner Shot the hen, than the cock
flew after him, repeating feveral times
Pit me frow ; it muft be obferved, it is
the ufual cry of this bird, as I was after
wards convinced, on Shooting fome of the
Same kind. But the Syllables he had pro
nounced and which fo much alarmed my
huntfman are three Dutch words which
figniSy pit, or peter, my wife; he there
fore imagined the bird called him by his
name, and demanded his unfortunate
partner. It was impoSfible to quiet the imagina
tion ofthe poor fellow fufficiently to make him

368 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
him fire at thefe birds ; and had we after
wards met with any accident in our
marches or Shooting parties, from whatever
caufe it might have proceeded, himfelf and
comrades would not have failed to attri
bute it to the death of the firft blackbird.
In the foreft I met with quantities of
monkeys with black faces, but could not
catch any ; for, jumping from branch to
branch, they appeared to fet me at de
fiance ; their motions being fo quick that
they were feen and loft in the fame inftant.
One morning as I was roving in the-
environs of the camp, I perceived about
thirty feated on the branches of a tree,
balking in the fun. The tree was alone,
and not Shaded by any others ; I went
round and gained, their fettlement undifco
vered, without giving them time to efcape;
though I was certain they could not have got

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 369
got away, yet in an inftant not one was
visible; I turned on all Sides, examining
the tree very particularly, as I was certain
they muft be hid, but all to no purpofe.
At length I feated myfelf at a fmall di
ftance, fixing my eyes conftantly On it,
and was prefently paid for my perfeverance;
for One of the animals ftretched out his
head, and appeared to be looking for me %
I fired, and he inftantly fell. I expected
on the report of my piece that the reft
would have run as faft as poffible, but was
miftaken, for during half an hour there
was not the leaft motion among them. — *
Tired with fuch unfuccefsful fport, I
fired at random, feveral times, among the
branches ; two foon fell ; and prefently
after a third, being only Slightly wounded^
hung by the tail to a fmall branch ; a fe
cond Shot brought him down. I picked
up my four monkeys, and walked towards
the camp. When, at a little diftance from;
• the tree, I looked back, and faw the
Vol. II. Bb whole

379 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
whole party defcend with precipitation,
and-haftily gain the thickeft part of the
wood, Screaming violently.
I judged that fome of them were
, wounded, as they appeared to follow the
reft with difficulty; but I did not remark,
as fome travellers have obferved, that
thofe in health helped the lame, or carried
them on their Shoulders; and I believe in
refpedt to thefe, as of Hottentots purfued
in war, that each one is too much occu
pied with his own Safety to think of the
efcape of others.
On returning to my tent, I examin
ed thefe monkeys, which were of the
middle fize, the hair moderately long, and
of a greeniSh colour ; the belly white, and
face entirely black. While I was ex
amining them Kees entered my tent; I
knew his fear of thofe animals (though
thefe were of a different kind) and ex
pected

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 371
pedted him to be much alarmed, but he
appeared to fear dead monkeys much lefs
than living ones ; he feemed rather afto
niShed than frighted, confidered them one
after another, and turned them over as
he had obferved me do ; nor was he, I
fancy, the firft monkey that had aped the
naturalift. A fecret and felfifh motive
interested Kees; he had, in feeling the
cheeks of the defuncts, difcovered a trea
sure ; in a little time he ventured to open
their mouths, one after another, and to
take from the pouch, that is between the
cheek and the jaw, fome ripe almonds,
which had been gathered from the geel-
hout, and depofit them in his own.
The encampment on this fpot was in
teresting and pleafing to me, convenient
for my people, and plentiful for the cattle ;
we remained here till the twenty-eighth,
and even then quitted it with regret. It
was one of thofe fituations in which I felt
Bb 2 it

372 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
it might have been eafy to forget other
climates, manners, and amufements.
On the following morning we con-
tioued our journey, and after three hours
march met fome Hottentot favages, with
flocks of Sheep, who were going to
join their respective Hoards, which they
had quitted for fome reafons I did not
learn. I purchafed two Sheep of them ;
and, our roads laying different ways, we
feparated. About three hours after, having tra
velled fome leagues, we ftopped at the
Klein-Vis, which we now met for the
third time fince we firft croffed it.
One of the wheels of my waggon
became loofe and Shattered; the fpokes.
playing in fuch a manner that the fmalleft
jolt made us tremble ; I therefore refolved
to encamp here for fome days fo repair it.
Two

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 373
Two days after, according to my calender,
was the firft day of the year 1782.
The Hottentots, who knew nothing of
the folar year, were equally unacquainted
with the etiquette that diftinguiShes the
day of its commencement with us ; we
had, therefore, no complimenting, no ly
ing flattery, nor unmeaning protestations.
I, however, put on a new hat in honour
of the day, giving the old one to be Shot
for by my people. Klaas Shattered the
bottle, which was our mark, into a hun
dred pieces. I cannot paint the joy he ex-
preffed on gaining this prize, which added
to his wardrobe a decoration yet more
precious than the worn breeches I had
formerly given him, on our pompous en
try among the Gonaquais*
The next day, while the Hottentots
were bufied in repairing my waggon
wheels, joy fuddenly pyerfpread their
B b 3 features

37+ TRAVELS IN AFRICA."
features ; and when I aSked them the
caufe of this fudden emotion, they point
ed and made me remark a cloud at a con
fiderable diftance. I could not yet con
ceive why it fhould rejoice them, but, on
its approach, I found it was compofed of
millions of locufts. I had heard much
of the emigration of thofe infedts, who
affemble every year in innumerable fwarms,
and travel from the place where they are
bred, to eftabliSh themfelves elfewhere ;
but this was the firft time I had ever feen
them. The light was abfolutely obfcured
by their prodigious numbers ; they did
not rife much above our heads, but form
ed a column from two to three thoufand
feet in circumference, and were more than
an hour in paifing us ; the battalion was
fo clofely wedged, that they fell in clufters,
which Kees caught up and devoured at
pleafure. My people likewife regaled themfelves, and,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 375
and, boaSting much of their excellence, I
was tempted to try them ; but if it is true,
as we are affured, that in Greece, and
even in Athens, the public markets were
fupplied with this provifion, which was
one of the greateft dainties of the time ;
I muft truly own, I Should have cut a
poor figure among thofe epicures, unlefs
heaven had alfo added, to the Grecian
tafte, a different constitution.

Bb4 CHAP-

376 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

CHAPTER XIX.

JOURNEY CONTINUED— rACCIDENT TO ONE
OF THE HOTTENTOTS  ALARMED BY
LIONS — A VIOLENT STORM OF RAIN 
SEES A PARTY OF BOSHIS-MEN,
WE departed on the third of January,
leaving behind us the chain of
mountains, fituated near Bruyntjes-Hoogte,
and perceiving thofe of Sneuw-Bergen to
the north, which we wiShed to reach.
Though it was the hoteft part of the year
we difcovered fnow in the chafms and hol
lows towards the tops of thefe. formidable
mountains. While I was amufing myfelf
with my glafs, the Hottentots told me they faw

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 377
faw a white man ; this news infpired me
with the moft lively intereft, being fo long
fince I had met with any of that colour.
This man had travelled a long way for the
purpofe of procuring fait from a lake, fi
tuated near the Swart-Kop's river : I im
mediately joined him. He could not re
frain from tears, when he informed me,
that on the commencement of the war
with the Caffrees (in which he had never
followed the example of the other colo- '
nifts) he had the misfortune, with his wife,
his only fon, and attendant Hottentots, to
be attacked during the night by fome
Caffrees ; they immediately concealed
themfelves in the thickets, but at day
break, found his fon pierced with feveral
wounds of the affaygay. This unfortunate
father's recital excited my commiferation,
I could not attempt to footh his grief; *
Silence expreffed more than ufelefs dif-
courfe, and was all the confolation, that
a feeling heart could give. He afterwards told

.378 TRAVELS IN AFRICA^
told me the hatred of the Caffrees was
irrevocably fixed : an unfortunate event
for the innocent, who fuffer equally with
their guilty oppreffors.
To amufe this traveller I entreated him
to pafs the night at the camp, regaling
him in my beft manner, with tea, and
tobacco. I know not how it happened, but the
converfation turned on horfes ; in the
courfe of which, he informed me, that
one of his friends, an inhabitant of Swart-
Kops, had Shewn him one he once caught
while he was hunting, and not being able
to difcover the owner', had retained it.
This account reminded me of that I had
abandoned on the banks of Krom-river, on
leaving Ange-Kloof, about feven or eight
months before. After the defcription I
gave of him, he remained fo convinced it
was my horfe, that he immediately offered me

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 379
me two of his oxen for him, entreating a
line to make good his claim. My horfe
was worth more than what he offered, but
calculating the difficulties and ftop it
would occafion in my journey, while the
oxen would be of immediate fervice, and
really wifhing to oblige him, I clofed with
his offer, giving him a note to reclaim the
horfe by.
We continued our way, keeping Sneuw-
Bergen in fight, where I flattered myfelf
I Should arrive the fame day, but about
eleven o'clock the heat was fo intenfe,
that we were obliged to halt on the banks
of the Bly, and there pafs the night. This
river, which is fometimes a torrent, af
forded us but little refreshment, the heats
having almoft dried it up, we were obliged
to quench our thirft with fome ill- tafted
ftagnate water that remained in the hol-
Jows. At

380 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
At day break we quitted this diSagreea-
ble fpot, and after three hours and a half's
march arrived at Vogel-river (Bird's river)
I remarked among other Singularities,
that the nearer we approached the fnow-
mountains, the heat became more intenfe.
The amazing rocks, which appear piled
on each other, to compofe thefe lofty
mountains, being heated by n the fcorch-
ing rays of the fun, which reflect and
concenter in the neighbouring valleys.
The general fatigue would not permit
us to continue further. In the fpace we
had traverfed, from one river to the other,
we had met but one flock of the gazells
fpring-bock, but that flock covered all the
plain, being an emigration, of which we
neither faw the beginning or end ; it was
the feafon when thofe animals abandon
the dry and rocky lands of the point of
Africa, to go northward either into Caf
fraria or fome other well watered country. Were

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 381
Were I to fix the number of thefe ani
mals at twenty, thirty, or even fifty thou
fand, I Should fall Short of truth ; to form
any idea of the number, without having
feen them, is impoSfible.
We continued our way through the
midft of the flock, without their appear
ing much alarmed ; I Shot three from
my waggon ; indeed, innumerable armies
might have been furniShed with provifions
for a confiderable time.
The retreat of thefe gazells predicted
with greater certainty than the almanack of
Liege, the droughts we Should have to
encounter. On the morning of the Sixth, We con
tinued our way up the Birds-river, which
takes its fource from the fnow mountains,
when an accident happening that might
have been attended with ferious confe-
quence,

382 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
quences, and ftopped us for fome time. —
The Hottentot, who conducted one of my
waggons, wishing to feat himfelf, in at-
temptingito get up, fome thorns, he had
not obferved, caught hold of his garment,
and threw him on the ground ; the car
riage ftill continuing its way, one of the
wheels went over his leg.
I ran to his aSfiftance, and was happy,
on examination, to find no fracture. "I
immediately bathed the contufion, cover
ing it up carefully with feveral bandages
Soaked in brandy ; but, left my patient
Should regret feeing his favourite liquor
wafted, I made him Swallow a good bum
per. Some days after he entirely got the
better of this accident, during which
time he rode in my waggon.
Sneuwberg feemed to me the land of
promife, obftacles continually fucceeding
each other, and preventing my reaching it.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 383
it. On the feventh, at the very moment
of our departure, on counting the cattle,
I found three were wanting ; my people
fought them on all fides, and at length
fucceeded; but the fearch had taken fb
much time, that we could not yoke our
oxen before feven at night ; the days were
now at the longeft, the frefhnefs of the
evening was attractive ; and, as we could
not be farther then four or five leagues
from Platte-river, it was my intention to
reach it, and ftop there for the night.
We had hardly proceeded two leagues
before the horfe on which one of my Hot
tentots rode, who was bringing up the
rear of my cavalcade, took fright, and,
running away with him, came fuddenly
upon us, followed by all the reft in the
greateft diforder. The confufion fpread,
and communicated itfelf to the twelve ox
en that were yoked to the waggon we had
made at Pampoen-Kraal, who, having at
that

384 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
that moment no Hottentots to manage the
leaders, took fright, and, running violent
ly, overfet the carriage and broke the
beam, which the oxen dragged after
them, ruShing into a thicket. The con
fufion encreafed every moment, while the
bellowing of the cattle left us very little
room to doubt we Were purfued by lions ;
fome ran to their arms, others endeavoured
to ftop the oxen, which drew the other
waggons, who began running like the
firft ; the reft of my Hottentots were feek-
ing fuel to kindle a fire; meantime I
departed, followed by fome of my beft
markfmen, examining the road we had
juft paffed, determined to oppofe the pur
fuit of the animals, and give my people
time to prepare for them.
The night was not. very dark, we were
on a fandy plain, fo that we could distin
guish objects at a confiderable diftance;
finding the dogs approach us, I made no
doubt

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 38^
doubt but our purfuers were near, and
immediately after perceived two lions on a
fmall hillock, apparently waiting for us.
We fired altogether without any effedt, as
they immediately disappeared. We advanc
ed in hopes of Shooting one at leaft, but
finding our endeavours fruitlefs, and our
fires at this time appearing to be well
kindled, we returned to them; our difperfed
oxen did the fame, arriving one after an
other, the only ones wanting, being thofe
belonging to the Pampoen- Kraal waggon.
We heard thefe low at a diftance, but none
of my men cared to follow the found; I,
however, engaged feveral of them to ac
company me, each carrying a lighted
brand in one hand and a mufket in the
other, and was attended by my dogs, who
prefently conducted us to the fpot. The
piece of die beam, which they had drag
ged away, having caught between two
trees; ftopped the oxen; but the tackle
and traces were fo entangled that it was
Vol. II. C c im-

386 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
impoSfible to difengage, without cutting
them to pieces. Three only were now
wanting j thefe had broken their yoke, and
we concluded were devoured; but, on re
turning, we found they had juft arrived
in fafety.
Could inftindt alone have taught thefe
animals that under the protection of our
fires, they had nothing to fear from their
enemies ; or, could they have reflected,
that during the twelve months they had
travelled with me, the wild beafts, who
had given them fo much inquietude in
the beginning, had never dared attack or
even approach them ; and from thence
entertain a high opinion of mankind, con
sidering them as powerful protectors ? I
Shall not endeavour to explain this my
stery, but I believe that nature has indif-
criminately endued animals with a fuffici
ent quantity of intelligence to fecure their
own prefervation ; and I have had manyocca-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 387
occafions of remarking inftances of this
kind that have ftruck me with aftoniSh-
ment. Natural hiftory has a more extensive
moral than has been generally fuppofed,
the metaphyfic eye looks further; and
blind curiofity, which formerly was the
principle motive in forming colledtions,
now gives place to more noble and efti-
mable ideas ; there is no longer any thing
trivial ; genius and philofophy have given
confequence even to a variety of infedts ;
and, within thefe twenty years, a number
of thefe minute objects have occupied a
conspicuous Station in the chain of being.
At day break, we returned to the Spot
where I had feen the lions ; by the prints
of whofe feet I could difcover that one
was a female, the, marks being fmaller
than thofe of the male. I followed them
Some time, which brought me within a
Cc2 , little

388 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
httle diftance of my people, a proof that
we had been clofe befet.

We congratulated each other on hav
ing been oh our guard all night, and this
proved a ufeful; leffon to me to travel no
more after dark," in a country I was fo lit
tle acquainted with, and which, I after
wards learned, was the moft dangerous of
all- Africa.
I had in my waggons- fome fpare beams
to fupply the .place of any that might
chance to break by accident, thefe had
been cut in the foreft of Auteniquas. As
there was no water in the place we were
obliged to ftop at, and being in abfolute
want of h, we repaired our traces for the
prefent ufe, and, fastening the broken beam
with two ftrong cheeks, departed. Great
was our difappointment on reaching the
Platte-river to find' it quite dry : finking
with drought, we walked up the- banks for

TRAVELS LN AFRICA. 38-9
for three quarters of an hour, when, by
good fortune, we found fome holes of
muddy water that the fun had not yet
dried up.
What a change, from the charming
country of Caffraria ! here was no fine
paftures, or majeftic forefts to delight the
eye ! but rocks topping each other, and
dried fands which became, every day we
advanced, more hedious ; furrounded by
mountains of a thoufand dreary forms,
and whofe tops, inclining over our heads,
filled the foul with melancholy and difmay .
That of Sneuwberg, at whofe feet we now
were, is much higher than the others ;
and, winter feated on its fummit, appears
to difpute with the fun the empire of this
miferable chmate.
My intention was to climb and explore
this famous mountain, but as I knew it to
be the refort of the Bojhis-men, as well
Cc 3 as

390 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
as lions, I determined to Shelter my
felf from the furprifes of either ; I, there
fore, placed my tent openly, fortifying it
in the beft manner I poffibly could.
By chance I found fome prints of the.
feet of a rhinoceros; this fight revived
my former ardour, and I offered a large
prize to any of my people who could find
out one of thefe prodigious animals : we
were not fortunate enough to fucceed, but
fell on a fmall group of eight elks. I
had never before Shot any, but on di£»
charging my piece One fell on the fpot.
This animal is perfectly defcribed by
Doctor Sparman ; the favages call it kana;
it is totally different from the elk, .men
tioned by Buffon, artd is no more than the
largeft fpecies of the Cape gazells.
, On my return to the camp; I was foon
joined by my peopje, who returned fa^
tigued

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 39I
tigued and difappointed. They informed
me that, during their fearch after the rhi
noceros, they had met with a Hoord of/
favages, whofe Kraal was fituated at the
foot of the mountain,
I refolved to vifit them; and the next
morning very early, attended by three of
my beft markfmen, took the road to the
Kraal. We had hardly gone half way,
when we were met by five of thefe peo
ple, who were coming to the" camp to fee
me, but turned back tp conduct us to
their home.
On our arrival, the children no fooner
faw me, than they fcreamed horribly and
ran to hide themfelves '; this unufual fear
appeared very Strange and greatly difcbn-
certed me. When I entered the Hoord
of Haabas, and many others for the firft
time, the women and children retired, but
without any figns of fear or horror. I
C c 4 was.

392 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
was curious to know the caufe of this ;
and was immediately informed that thefe
people were but juft fettled here, having '
experienced in Camdebo (their native
country) fuch cruel perfecutions from the
colonifts, as obliged them to quit it:
feeling,, therefore, for the, whites, the
moft deadly hatred, they implanted it early
in the minds of their children, hoping it
would ftrengthen with age ; nor. were they
forry to fee them give this proof of re->
membering the catechifm of yengeance,
The, men, on the contrary, received
me with great kindncfs ; they were not
furprifed to fee me, having been informed
the preceding evening, that I Should cer
tainly vifit .them. • The Hoard contained
about a hundred and thirty men, On my
way to the Kraal I met their flocks and
herds, which might amount to a hundred
horned cattle, and treble the number of
fheep. This fcanty Stock did not an^
j nounce

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 3,93
nounc.e them to be in very eafy circum
stances, and I was further convinced of
this, when, on reaching their huts, I found
them bufily drying locufts on mats, hav
ing previoufly pulled off the wings and
legs : as this mafs of provifion was alrea
dy in the higheft State of fermentation, I
took care to avoid the wind, which
brought, by intervals, the moft abomina
ble exhalations.
It was fix months fince thefe poor Hot
tentots had taken refuge in this dreary fpot,
to avoid the cruelties of the colonifts,
uncoufcious of having run into other dan
gers ; for here the Bofhis-men might dif
cover them ; and they had likewife to
defend themfelves from the attacks of a
number of ferocious animals, particularly
the wild dogs, who took every opportu
nity of thining their flocks.
J exchanged feveral articles they ftood in

394 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
in need of for fome Sheep, which they
promifed to bring the next day, giving
them befides Some prefents and advice.
I was juft preparing to depart, when a
violent Storm obliged me to enter one of
their huts. It lafted full three hours,
falling, in Such torrents, that it almoft
overwhelmed us ; the whole Kraal feemed
on the point of being carried away with
it, the floods fweeping before them fands,
detached pieces of earth, and trees torn
up by the roots. The hut I had -retired
to was well Sheltered, and I contemplated
with amazement (though up to the knees
in water) the prodigious cafcades os cata
racts, that ruShed from the furrounding
mountains, meeting and dafhing againft
each other in their defcent, and reaching
the valley by a thoufand different chan
nels. The banks of Platte-river, which
ran at a few paces diftance, were no lon
ger difcernable. I ftopped till this flood
had Something fubfided, then (profiting by

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 395
by the firft interval) I returned to my peo
ple; being uneafy on account of the camp,
and wishing to quit the hut, that contained
feveral bags of dried locufts, which emit
ted fo fetid a fmell, that it was almoft
infuppor table.
The rain continued all night, and the
next day the torrents were fo much en-
creafed, that the Hottentots could not
bring the Sheep to my camp, according to
their promife. There was no danger now
of wanting water, and we found that
what was contained in the lakes, was
preferable to that we got from the rivers,
whofe courfe rendered it difturbed and
muddy. The next day the rain abated, and we
were vifited by twenty men and fome wo
men; who brought us four Sheep, and an
old cow, of no great value. Thefe peo
ple preferred tobacco to beads, which they
feemed

396 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
feemed to have plenty of, the women be
ing ornamented with a profufion of them,
As, on my return to the Cape, I could
eafily recruit my Stock of tobaccp, I was
not fparing of it ; my prodigality pleafed
them, and they foon returned with eleven
more Sheep, which I purchafed with the
fame article, greatly to their fatisfadtion.
Informed I had a dry and difagreeable
country to croSs, I referved thefe acqui
sitions, as a refource in cafe of need.
One day, when a number of thefe
Strangers were at the camp, one of the
keepers of my flock came to inform me,
that feveral Bojhis-men had defcended from
the mountains, and drew near them, but
had been kept in awe by a few difcharges
of their mufkets. Myfelf and Klaas got
on horfeback, and, attended by four good
markfmen, went in queft of thefe dan
gerous plunderers, and foon difcovered
thirteen of them ; but feeing we advanc ed

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 397
ed refolutely, and hearing our balls whiftle
through the air, they prefently took to
flight ; and» though we followed full
fpeed, we could, not get near enough to
hit them. They prefently regained, and
hid themfelves among the mountains ; nor
could I help admiring the addrefs with
which they climbed (like monkeys) the
moft craggy and Steep parts of the rock.
I did not pretend to follow, as it would
have been imprudent to attack them ih
their inacceffable retreats. At a diftance,
thefe people appeared entirely naked ; but
I judged, from the prints of their feet,
that they wore fandals.
This little alarm was of great fervice
to me, as it rendered the Hottentots dill—
¦ gent. I doubled the guard, Swanepoel
and myfelf alternately going the round,
while my faithful Klaas, at the head of a
fmall detachment, fcoured the valley and
environs. At Stated times we fired the
carbine

398 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
carbine in our camp, which my herdfmen
were obliged to anfwer with their muf
kets ; by whidi means I was affured they
were not alleep, but kept guard regularly.
Iufed this precaution for the fake of or
der, and that I might have nothing in
future to reproach myfelf- with. Thefe
regulations needed no enforcement, for the
Hottentot fears even the lion lefs than the
Bojhis-men: but thefe perpetual watch-
ings, in the open country, expofed my
people to the heats, which began to be
exceffive. I was' no lefs expofed than
they, never omitting my hunting ; indeed
it was immaterial whether I was at home
or abroad, as remaining in the tent was
impoSfible. Fainting with heat, I found
fome relief from moiftening my hat
crown, but my unquenchable thirft feem
ed to increafe from the great quantity I
drank ; I therefore determined to fup the
water, a method that afforded more re
lief than large draughts. CHAP-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 399

CHAPTER XIX.

THE AUTHOR 'EXPLORES THE HEIGHTS
OF SNEUWBERGEN  ACCOUNT OF THE
BOSHIS-MEN  CROSSES THE RIVER
TUBERS — CONTINUES HIS JOURNEY.
WHILE we were on the borders of
the Platte-river, the lions gave
us but little disturbance, as the rattling
of our guns on all fides during the day,
kept them at a confiderable diftance. We
heard them every night, though they never
but once approached near enough to give us
any disturbance. The panthers juft Shew
ed themfelves morning and evening on
the banks of the. river, but later in the
night

40O TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
night they advanced nearer, though we
were Conftantly apprifed of their approach
by our dogs, and could eafily judge next
day, by the tracks of their feet, how near
us they had ventured.
It is neceSfity that renders carnivorous/
animals bold, naturally they are afraid of
man ; and, I think, the danger of living
in a country infefted with them has been
greatly exaggerated. They are feldom met
with in the woods, as' the only fpecies of
gazells found there are not fufficiently
plenty to fatisfy their voracious appetite,
which makes them prefer following nu
merous herds, that travel from one canton,
to another, among which they fometimes
make a terrible carnage.
My neighbours, feeing me determined
to-climb the heights of Sneuwberg, advifed
me to keep on my guard, and not make
any long Stay there,- as the Bojhis-men were

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 461
Were in confiderable numbers, and might
affemble all thdr force*
My intentions were not to take my
whole caravan, indeed that project would
have been impracticable ; I, therefore, de
termined to explore fome of the fummits,
accompanied by feveral of my beft markf
men, between fun and fun* In purfuance
pf this plan, I removed my camp, placing
it at the foot of the mountain, Within
three hundred paces of the Hoard of Hot-*
tentots.
In cOhfeqUenCe of informations I had
received, I expected to find on the fummit
a confiderable vulcano, emitting fmoke
and flame", but found no appearance of any
fuch phenomenon. From this eminence,
by the help of my glafs, I could difcern
immenfe countries to the north, bounded
only by the horizon. I frequently found
on the flats, or in the crevices of the
Vol. II. D d mountain,

402 TRAVELS "IN A'FRl C J£i
mountain, pebbles and farid, exactly re^
fembling thofe on the Downs, but fought
in vain for Shells, or any figns of conchylia.
I was more fortunate with refpedt to
birds, having the fatisfadtion to Shoot fome
that were very curious, particularly one
of the fpecies called veuve (widow-bird),
which was extremely beautiful. Thefe
harbour in the high grafs, with which
thefe mountains are almoft entirely co
vered. In all our excursions, which always
terminated at fun-fet, I never but once
faw any Bojhis-men, (except the fifteen
before mentioned), but one day we ob
ferved three, that were traverfing the fide
of a mountain oppofite to that on which
we ftood. Thefe vagabonds are not, as
fome have falfly advanced, a particular na
tion of favages, natives of the country
they inhabit. The word Bojhis-men is
derived

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 4O3
derived from two Dutch words, which
Signify, men of the wood, or thickets ; by
which appellation the Dutch inhabitants,
whether in Africa or America, diftinguiSh
the robbers, or affaffins, that defert the
colonies to efcape chaftifement ; fuch as
in the French illands are called Negres
Marrons (run away negroes) ; thus, fo
far from being a particular nation (which
has been very recently afferted), they are
a collection of Mulattos, Negroes, Baf-
tard-whites, and, fometimes, Hottentots ;
mongrels of all kinds, and every Shade of
colour, refembling each other only in
treachery and villainy ; they may truly be
called land pirates, living without law or
order, and abandoned to every excefs of
mifery and defpair, being hopelefs defer-
ters, who have no refource but pillage and
murder. They pafs their lives on the tops
ofthe Sleepeft rocks, in almoft inacceffable
caverns ; the height of the fituation giv
ing them an extenfive view of the fur-
D d 2 rounding

4O4. TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
rounding country; and, no fooner do they
perceive travellers, or fcattered flocks,
than they dart down unawares upon their
prey, killing man and beaft without dif-
tinction, and, loaded with the fpoil, regain
thofe dens, which, like the lion or tyger,
they only quit when inftigated by freSh
wants to the commiffion of new maffa-
Cres ; but as villainy is ufually attended by
cowardice, one determined man, well
armed, will frequently awe a troop of
thefe wretches, who ever avoid thofe ha
bitations which they know poffefs a ma
ster ; artifice and trick, the pitiful Sub
terfuges of weak daftardly minds, are the
only means by which they accomplish
their dark defigns.
In places where the track of their feet
might give alarm to the inhabitants, and
occafion them to be purfued, they make
ufe of means which European robbers,
endowed with more boldnefs, or lefs pa
tience,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 40$
tience, perhaps never devifed : if bare-foot,
they walk backwards; if they wear fandals,
they tye them in fuch a manner that the
heel may come in the place of the toes.
When they purloin a confiderable number
of oxen or Sheep, they feparate them into
fmall parcels with guides to each, after
which they take different ways, and
though purfued, fecure by this means the
major part of their prey.
Under the name of Bojhis-men, are like-
wife confounded a nation different from
the Hottentots ; who, though they ufe the
fame kind of clucking, have a particular
kind of pronunciation, and terms very
different from the reft. In fome cantons
thefe are called Chinefe Hottentots, becaufe
their compledtion refembles the Chinefe
feen at the Cape ; like them too they are
of a middling Stature.
From the great affinity that fubfifts
D d 3 between

406 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
between the language of thefe, and the
great and leffer Namaquais, (whom I Shall
hereafter fpeak of), I believe them to be a
particular race of Hottentots ; and though
the colonifts rank the former under the
general denomination of Bojhis-men, it is
certain that the favages of the defert, who
have no communication with the Dutch
fettlements, distinguish them by the name
of Houfwaana.
Whatever name may be given to this
people, they formerly inhabited Cambedo,
the Bocke-Veld, and the Rogge-Veld ; but
the ufurpation of the whites, to whom,
like the other favages, they have fallen
victims, obliged them to feek refuge at a
diftance from their country, inhabiting at
this time the vaft fpace that lies between
Caffraria and the country of the great
Namaquais. Of all the natipns who have been ill
treated

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 407
treated by the infatiable avarice of the
Europeans, none remember their wrongs
with fo much bitternefs ; the colour, nay
the very name of a white, infpiring hor
ror. Never will they forget the treachery
of the colonifts, or the infamous return
made to the many fignal fervices they had
rendered them ; and fuch is the refentment
of this people, that the terrible cry of
vengeance is ever in their mouths; but
though they are perpetually on the watch
to gratify it, no fit opportunity has hither
to offered, having failed in every attempt.
I Shall give a more particular account of
the Houfwaana, in that part of my travels,
when paffing the tropic, I vifited their
Hoards. Having explored, as far as was consist
ent with my fafety, the moft confpicuous
eminences of Sneuwbergen, I determined
to take a final leave of this dreary country.
My men folicited me warmly to crofs the
D d 4 Carouw

4Q8 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Carouw before the exceffive heats had
dried up the fmall portion of Stagnant
water that might poffibly yet remain there,
and while any pafture was to be found for
our cattle, who had fuffered confiderably
already from the heat of the feafon.
Whether fatigue, or other projects had
diminished my ardour for thefe refearches ;
or that bufy remembrance regained its
empire over my imagination, which had
fo long been filled with a perpetual fuc-
ceffion of the greateft novelties, I no lon
ger found the fame amufement in my
travels as formerly, and ardently wifhed ,
to join my friends : on the fecond of
February, therefore, I continued my jour
ney, directing our Steps fouth-foufh-weft,
accompanied by a part of the Hoord, who
helped us to crofs the river Jubers, at
about three leagues distance, which we
judged muft be confiderably fwelled by
fhe late rains, We were already thinking of

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 409
of rafts, but our conductors prevented
that labour, by Shewing us a Shallow about
half a league further down.
I went firft to examine it, and judged
(after having tried the depth with my
horfe) that by taking the precaution of
raifing the chefts and other lading of my
waggons about eight or ten inches, by
means of branches, buShes, &c. we might
crofs without danger of wetting my col
lection. This expedient was put in im
mediate execution, and had the defired
effect ; it is true we were greatly aSfifted
by our companions in this opperation,
who croffed the river and paffed the night
with us, helping, next morning, to replace
our effedts ; which fervice I did not fail
to reward,
I found in this canton a prodigious num
ber of the green-gilt cuckows, that I have
before fpoken of, and feveral fpecies of
birds

410 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
birds new to me, which I took care to
add to my collection. The fame day we
arrived at a fecond river, which had no
name ; I therefore called it after my re-
fpedtable friend Mr. Boers.
We now , entered the dry and fteril
plains of Carouw. The earth, or rather
fand, only bounded one way by the hori
zon, is covered with rank unwholfome
weeds, and prefents the mind with an
idea of famine and defolation : here and
there a few fcattered fpots of grafs fprung
up reluctantly, offering our cattle a fcanty
fubfiftence ; the other fides are bounded
by Sleep and craggy rocks, whofe appear
ance is not lefs dreary.

CHAP-

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 4II

CHAPTER XX.

THE AUTHOR ARRIVES AT THE RIVER SON
DAG  DISCHARGES ONE OF HIS ATTEN
DANTS  ENTERS CAMBEDO — MEETS WITH
A BOSHIS-MAN  JOURNEY CONTINUED.
ON the fourth, after five hours march,
we gained the banks of the river
Vogel, which difcharges itfelf into the
Sondag. Our inconveniences augmented
with the heat, which became every day
more intenfe, though I ftill continued my
ufual amufements, whenever leifure would
permit ; and, on my way, Shot a cane-
petiere, of a different Species from any I
had feen before. •1 Early

412 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
Early the next day we reached the ri
ver Sondag, which offered an agreeable
retreat that feemed to reanimate our fink
ing Spirits. Superb avenues of the mi
mofa in full bloom prefented themfelves
in every direction to the delighted eye,
and fcattered the moft delicious perfumes.
The multitude of curious birds and infedts
I found about this fpot, detained me here
till the eighth.
Notwithstanding the quantity of pins
I had brought from the Cape, I now ex
perienced a want of that article in pre-
ferving my infedts ; but a fudden idea
ftruck me, that I could fubftitute in the
place of them the fmall thorns of the mi
mofa ; a contrivance that anfwered per
fectly well.
After quitting the Sondag, we met
fifteen Hottentots on the borders of Swart-
river ; thefe had retired from Cambedo, and

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 413
and were on their way to Sneuwberg, de-
Singing to join the Hoord we had left there.
They affured me they were forced to
take this ftep by formidable troops of
Bojhis-men, who feized, throughout Cam-
bedo, all ammunition, arms and property ;
destroying every thing that oppofed them,
and rendering the face of the country a
fcene of blood and deveftation.
Nothing could be more vexatious to
me than this difagreeable, unexpected
news, which alarmed all my people, who
immediately gave into their former fears,
Perfuaded that tedious perfuafions and ver
monftrances would only the more bewilder
their weak imaginations, I inftantly gave
orders to continue our way. Confulta-
tions were already held among them about
returning back, — it was a moment in
which my authority could hardly be re
collected. The braveft of my men, who
would have followed me through any dan ger,

4I4 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
ger, happily perfuaded the reft ; but I
had particularly obferved that Slinger
(who at Koks-Kraal had given me fo
much reafon to complain of his condudt)
was the moft refractory ; I therefore de
termined, for the firft time, to make art
example of him, which I hoped would
have a falutary effect on his weak com
panions. In the evening we encamped on the
river, Cambedo, which takes its name from
the country it croffes. I now ordered
Slinger inftantly to quit the caravan, re
proaching him with being the fomentor
of all the troubles and fears that had pre
vented my people from attending me into
Caffraria, and having, by that means,
constrained me to relinquish the moft
laudable of my defigns for want of the
aSfiftance neeeffary to bring them to a
happy conclufion. I paid the wages we
had agreed on, and ordered his effects, with

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 4I5
with a quantity of provifions, to be given
him ; after which, I threatened to pur
fue him as a wild beaft Should he ever dare
to appear among us. The vehemence with
which I fpoke, ftruck him with fuch
confternation, that he haftily caught up
his bag and departed.
My people conjedtured he would either
go to the neareft habitation of the colo
nifts, or join the Hottentots we met in the
morning. I had expedted he would make
fome excufes, or that his comrades would
intercede for him, but was very happy to
find myfelf miftaken in this particular,
and found that this well-timed feverity
had the defired effect for the reft of my
journey. On the ninth of February, I quitted
the river Cambedo. Several of my oxen
were attacked with klauw-Jikte, which
rendered their travelling very painful: reft and

416 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
and refreshment being the only remedy
that could reftore them, I fixed my camp
near the river, on a plain furrounded by
mimofa frees, defigning to remain there1
fome days.
I had no occafion to defire my people
to be upon their guard, they feared the
Bojhis-men too much to need any fuch
injunction; efpecially as we were now in
the canton which we had been informed
thefe robbers fo much infefted.
Our provifions ran Short, we had no
large game, and as I wifhed to procure
fome to fait, I went feveral times to a
good distance from the camp in fearch of
it. One day, warm in the purfuit of an
elk, I ftrayed a confiderable way, followed
by one of my beft markfmen on foot. On
paffing a thicket of mimofa trees, we
Stumbled

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 417
tumbled fuddenly on a Hottentot, who
was feeking the chryfalis of ants, (which
is a favourite dainty among thefe favages);
he no fooner faw us than he caught up his
bow and quiver, and fled with amazing
fwiftnefs ; but giving the reins to my
horfe, I prefently overtook him.
From his flight and terror, I judged
him to have been a Bojhis-man ; his life
was in my hands, and I might have pu-
niShed the inexcufable villany of belonging
to fuch a' fet of wretches ; but they had
never yet given me any caufe of complaint,
and I hoped to profit by the encounter,
in procuring fome frefh information.
He foon perceived by my manner that
I had no intention of doing him any injury,
and after ^fome queftions, relative to the
fituation in which we found him, which
he anfwered trembling with apprehenfion,
he became a little more compofed. I
complained of the fcarcity of game, and
Vol. II. E e he

41 8 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
he informed me of the cantons where f
might procure it in abundance. I then
ordered my Hottentot (who had now join
ed us) to make him a prefent of fome part
of his tobacco ; and, after wishing him a
greater Share of moderation and probity,
I rode away. My Hottentot remained be
hind fome minutes to light his pipe, and
SiniSh their converfation. I had hardly
got fifty paces,' before I heard my man
Calling after me in a loud and frighted
accent. I returned inftantly, and found
my poor fellow Struggling with the Bojhis-
man, who, armed with . an arrow, was
ufing his utmoft efforts to wound him irt
the head ; the face of my man being al
ready covered with blood.
Tranfported with rage, I leaped .from
my horfe, and at one blow, with the but
end of my mufket, ftretched him fenfe-
lefs on the earth, on which my Hottentot
caught up his 'Weapon, and immediately difpatched

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 419
difpatched this traitorous enemy. My
man was greately alarmed, dreading the
effect of poifon.
I found the villain had taken an oppor
tunity to throw an arrow at my man the
very moment they were parting ; he had
received the wound in his nofe, which, at
firft, I thought dangerous ; but fortunately
it only proved to be fuperficial, the iron
head, which is never poifoned, having only
entered the wound. I wafhed it carefully,
endeavouring to comfort him with an
affurance that it was not mortal. I al
ways carried in my pocket a Small bottle
of volatil alkali, which had been given me
by Mr. Percheron, on my departure from
the Cape, to ufe as an antidote againft the
effedts of venom. I tore off a piece of
my Shirt, which, dipping, in this liquid, I
apphed to the wound ; but dl my affur-
ances could not pacify the poor fellow,
who obstinately attributed to the poifon,
the pain occafioned by the dreSfing.
Ee 2 It

420 TRA-VELS IN AFRICA.
It was very fortunate for me that he
had not been killed on the fpot, as the
affaffin, armed with his gun, which he
would have feized immediately, might
have watched an opportunity (by coming
round fome by-way, and taking me una
wares) to have difpatched me likewife.
I took poffeffion of the bow and ar
rows of the traitor, and we haftened to
rejoin the camp.
This adventure fpread univerfal alarm ;
my Hottentot was perfuaded he Should
not live till the next day; and, by his
melancholy complaint, added to the ge
neral confternation, in vain did I attempt
to tranquilife them, being all perfuaded
that the wounded man wodd not furvive
the night. Notwithstanding their pre
dictions, he paffed it very fafely, and the
pain leftening gradually, he began to think
the worft was over. His

TRAVELS IN AFRICA." 421
His comrades were much furprifed in
the morning to find him alive ; they
were now in better fpirks, recovered the
ufe of their tongues, and defcanted a hun
dred different ways on what had happened ;
however, they all coindded in thinking it
was particularly fortunate that -the wretch
was killed, for had he efcaped, he would
probably have dogged us through the
thickets, and by-ways, and having dif
covered our retreat, he and his infamous
companions might have defcended in
numbers, and, falling on us unexpectedly,
maffacred the whole caravan.
The different conjectures of the Hot
tentots amufed, and fometimes interested
me. I concluded that in time they might
be familiarifed with danger, and was glad
they had this opportunity of comtemplat-
ing it nearly ; as I knew of no obstacle
more formidable to fuch enterprifes as we
were engaged in, than the vain terrors of
imagination. Ee 3 Wc

422 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
We continued our journey the next
morning; in the courfe of die day I amufed
myfelf by firing my piece to Start game.
A female oftrich roie from her neft, which
was tlie largeft I had ever Seen, containing
thirty two eggs ; twelve more being dif-
tributed at fome diftance, each in a little
cavity by itfelf.
I could not conceive that one female
could cover fo many : they were of an
unequal fize, and, on examination, I found
that nine of them were much lefs than
the neft. This peculiarity interested me,
and I ordered the oxen to be unyoked at
about a quarter of a league diftance from
the reft ; I then concealed myfelf in a
thicket, from whence I could overlook the
place, and yet remain within gun-Shot.
I had not watched long before the fe
male returned and Slit on the eggs. During
the reft of the day, (which I paffed in the
thicket),

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. . 423
thicket), three more came to the fame
neft, covering it alternately, each con
tinued fitting for the fpace of a quarter of
an hour, and then gave place to another,
who, while waiting, fat clofe by the fide
of her it was to fucceed: a circumftance
which made me conjecture that in cold or
rainy nights they fit by pairs, or perhaps
more. The fun was almoft down ; the
male bird approached, (thefe equally with
the females affift in hatching the eggs), I
inftantly Shot him, but the report of my
gun feared the others, who in their fright
broke feveral of them. I now drew near,
and faw with regret that the young ojlriches
were juft ready to quit the Shells, being
perfectly covered with down. The male
I had Shot, had not a fingle good white
feather, all being fpoiled and dirty. I
choofe fome black ones, which appeared
the beft, and left the place, fending fome
of my Hottentots to fetch the thirteen dif
perfed eggs, charging them not to touch
E e 4 the

424 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the others, as I was curious to learn whe-*
ther the femdes would return in the night.
I rofe, and went to the neft at day-break,
but found only fome fcattered Shells re
maining which plainly denoted that I had
prepared a feaft for the jackals, or perhaps,
for the by-ana.
This particularity of female ojlriches
affifting each other for the incubation of
the fame neft, is I think calculated to
awaken the attention of the naturalists ;
and not being a generd rule, proves that
circumftances fometimes determine the
actions of thefe creatures, regulate their
cuftoms, and* ftrengthen "their natural in-
Slindt, by giving them a knowledge not
generally beftowed ; for is it not probable,
that they may affociate to be the more
powerful, and better able to defend their
young ?
In returning to the camp, my dogs
Started

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 425
Started a hare, which they purfued ; I fol
lowed on full gdlop, and faw it efcape
into one of the little cavities of a hillock.
I was determined to find it, therefore
ftopped up the hole by which it had en
tered. We dug away the mould and
ftones that compofed this elevation ; but
how can I paint my aftoniShment, when,
on its removd, I found it was a Hottentot
tomb, and my hare fquatted in a Skeleton !
I took it alive, but, animated by a fpirit
of generofity, which fcorned the death of
this poor animal otherwife than by the
chace, I took an opportunity, when my
dogs were employed, to fet it at liberty.
This action was interpreted by my Hotten
tots as a very honourable one ; I did not
try to undeceive them : they imagined, I
had liberated the hare, becaufe the afylum
of the dead had appeared too facred to be
infringed, and that it was a refpedt I paid
to the grave of one of their countrymen. We

426 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
We covered the Skeleton, and continued
our way.
During this time our huntfmen had
killed four gnous, the faking of which
occupied us for three days.
On the fixteenth, we reached the plan
tation of two free negroes, who were bro
thers '; one of whom was married to a
young mulatto. I was received by thefe
friendly people with tranfports of joy, of
fering me every thing that was in their
power to beftow. How can I confefs,
that my heart, overwhelmed with a thou
fand different fentiments, received with
coldnefs their friendship, and tender foli-
citude ! I began again to recognize the
manners of the world ; I was again enter
ing fociety; I faw inclofures, furniture,
poffeffions, order, mailers ; in Short, I
was in a houfe, and fo much eafe incom moded

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 427
moded me. I walked feveral times round
it, my eyes wandering on all.fides to dif
cern the objects I had left behind, I ap
peared bereft of all ! The torrents,
mountains, majeftic forefts; the impaff-
able woods, the Hoords of favages and
their charming huts, had difappeared ! —
How much did I regret even the wild
beafts, that my fancy pictured at this mo
ment, with friendly difpofitions towards1
me ! I know not whether caprices of this
kind are common to other men, but the
more I think of them, the more I am con
vinced they are the genuine effects of na
ture. Sovereign charm of liberty! in
vincible power, that Shall only periSh with
my exiftence ! how didft thou transform
into pleafures the moft cruel fatigues ; in
to amufement the greateft danger; into
beautiful fcenes the darkeft profpedts ;
Strewing my path with the flowers of re-
pofe and joy ! ' With

428 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.'
With thefe negroes I eat the firft bread
I had tafted for a year ; and I found my
inclination for it was almoft loft. I only pur-
pofed Staying here for a day, but remained
three. We had a large barren country to
travel through, fome prodigious moun
tains to crofs, and many difficulties to
furmount, in the defert of Cambedo, whofe
melancholy afpedt every way prefented itfelf.
Inftead of the beautiful verdure and natu
ral gardens of Pampoen- Kraal, a mingled
profpedt of grey, red, and yellow rocks,
fands and ftones.
In drawing near habitations I was lefs
expofed to danger; but in adhering to my
former ideas, I promifed myfelf moft en
joyment ; and, if I except the place where
I now ftopped, I followed my plan as
exactly on my return, as on my departure.
I procured from thefe friendly brothers a
large provifion of bifcuit, which was ef-
fentially fervicable to us ; I gave them in
exchange

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 429
exchange powder, lead, and gun-flints, all
valuable articles, which they had been
without fome thfce; though fo neeeffary
in a plantation, to keep of the Bojhis-
men, and defend their flocks. The grati
tude of thefe people was fo lively that
they thought I could never be fufficiently
requited, for the fupply I had furniShed
them with.

CHAP-

43O TRAVELS IN AFRICA,

CHAPTE'R XXL

JOURNEY CONTINUED  DISTRESSED FOR
WANT OF WATER  THE AUTHOR AR
RIVES AT HIS FRIEND SLABERS  RE
CEIVES A MESSAGE FROM MR. BOERS-
RETURNS TO THE CAPE.
ON the nineteenth, at four o'clock in
the afternoon, we continued our
journey, travelling two days without meet
ing with a drop of water, and almoft fink
ing from the extreme heat of the fun ; I
had taken the precaution to fill fome jars
at the dwelling of the two brothers, not
withstanding this we were reduced to an
allowance, which had happened more than
once before on my journey. .The

travels IN Africa. 43*
The twenty-firft, we croffed the bed of
the river Kriga, which was dry. I here
met with two inhabitants of Cambedo,
who were returning from the Cape to
their habitations. It was more than, a
year fince I had received any news from
the town ; from them I learnt that, by
the affiftance of France, the Cape had
been preferved from an English invafion,
and ftill remained under the Dutch go
vernment. The pleafure this news gave
me was counterbalanced by an account of
the indifpofition of my benefactor, who,
the travellers affured me, they had left in
the moft dangerous Slate at the hot baths,
which is the laft refource of African in
valids. This information fpread bitternefs
and diftafte throughout the reft of my
journey. I wiShed to haften my march, willing to
rejoin a friend who was fo defervingly dear
to me, but the fear of finding him lan
guishing

432 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
guifhing in illnefs; empoifoned the pica**
fure, I had promifed myfelf in our meet
ing. The colonifts informed me I muft
fuffer great inconvenience by the way from
the drought, as I had fo large a number
of, cattle, and there was no refource but
the florins of rain which might chance to
fall; they likewife told me, that the Bo/his*
men infefted the country, and had taken
from them thirty- two oxen, and killed the
drivers, at the paffage of the Black-river.
This news did not prevent me from con
tinuing my journey; for, after the example
of feverity I had been obliged to make, my
people did not hefitate ; and* I believe,
would have braved all the banditties of
Cambedo had I required ib; but I was not
willing to expofe myfelf raShly, or to tra
vel in the night, as that would have de
prived us of all advantage. The greate!1
part of my oxen were ufelefs from the
diforder of the hoof, and not being able to

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 433
to relieve thofe who were healthy, I made
them fet off before us with a ftrong guard,
that they might not retard our march.
Arrived at the fource of Kriga-fontyn,
our oxen had as much water as was ne-
cefiary, but it was fo brackiSh that the
Hottentots*whp drank of it were attacked
with violent cholics. As I was founding
the bottom, and examining whether the
water might not caufe us yet greater ills,
I v»as furprifed to fee Kees, who was firft
every where, draw out a crab of three or
four inches in diameter; this aftoniShed me
the more as the fountain was in a rock
without any apparent outlet. My monkey
appeared to eat his crab with fo much-
pleafure, that I caufed thirty to be taken,
which I found very good when drefied.—
Four or five Shot procured me more than
forty gelinottes, (water-quails), of a very
fine Species, who frequently come to the
banks by thoufands. The Hottentots of
Vol. II. F f the

434 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the colonies call them perdrix Namaquais,
(Namaquai partridges) ; in the rainy fea
fon they all depart towards the tropic.
After we had quitted the fountain we
found nothing but rank weeds,, and locufts;
all was a fcene of defolation, four of my
oxen being unable to follow rftmained on
the fpot, my dogs were obliged to be put
into the waggon, all halting and dragging
after us with difficulty ; their feet being
worn to the quick, I caufed them to be
greafed that they might lick them, My
horfes were afflicted with the Same mala
dy as my oxen; I therefore had little
boots, or bags made for them, which I
faftened under the tarfus. I would have
done the Same by the oxen, but they were
intradtable and would not willingly have
Submitted ; neither had we fat or Skins
fufficient, for the wheels of my waggons,
which had not been greafed fome time,
creaked in turning like fo many keftrils, Many

Travels in Africa. 435
Many rivers and fountains on which
We much depended had deceived our
hopes, and our animals were reduced to
put their nofes to the ground and lick the
earth were it appeared damp ; deprived of
all healthy grafs, they had no food but
rank weeds, which caufed them excruciat
ing pains, and reduced them to Skeletons.
This defperate fituation lafted till the
night of the twenty-fourth ; we had juft
croffed the Black-river, which was dry
alfo, and were going to unyoke, when
difcovered a flock of Sheep ; I ran to the
keeper who informed me he belonged to
a colonift, whofe habitation was a Short
league off ; we immediately took the road
to it, encamping near a lake where we had
the fatisfadtion of finding plenty of water.
This plantation belonged to Adam Roben-
bymer, and was called Kweec-Valey. I
received many civilities from the mafter
of the houfe, and all the family, which
F f 2 con-.

436 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
confifted of only two daughters.—
The eldeft Dina Sagrias de Beer, who
belonged to tbe mother by a firft marri
age, was one of the moft beautiful Afri
cans I had ever feen. My good hofts
preffed me to remain with them fome
days, particularly the enchanting Dina in
vited me with fo, much innocent fweet-
nefs, that it was impofiible to refift, and
I confented to ftay three days, notwith
standing I returned each night to the
camp, the place where I now was, mak
ing it neeeffary to maintain order; be-
fides, I was fo accuftomed to my hard
mattrafs, that a foft bed would rather have
incommoded, than given me pleafure.
This agreeable halt Was very ufeful to
my cattle, who, prematurely old, by mife-
ry and fatigue, were fo weak that I feared
each moment they would be unable to
draw my waggons ; but this Stoppage re
animated them. The fituation, on many
accounts.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 437
accounts, was convenient, offering to my
men, as well as cattle abundant help to
ward the re-eftablifhment, of their health.
I would willingly have remained here
fome time longer, but each moment pre
fented to my fancy the neceSfity of a
fpeedy return to the Cape, and I was
obliged once more to tear myfelf from fo
many enchanting circumftances, and de
part. Charming Dina had learned from
my people, that the bifcuits I procured
from the negroe brothers were almoft ex
pended, She, therefore, defired me to ac
cept of a fmall quantity which She had
made herfelf.
The firft of March I quitted my ami
able hofts about five o'clock in the even
ing, and took the way towards the Gamka
or Leuw-river, (Lion's river), where we
arrived at nine o'clock and encamped.
Formerly the lions were very common
near this river, as were alfo the gazells ;
F f 3 but,

438 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
but, fince the inhabitants have drawn
nearer that way, the gazells are become
fcarce, confequently the lions are So like-
wife. I had been informed at Kweec Valey,
that in the environs of this fpot were for
midable gangs of Bojhis-men, . prudence
therefore prevented my advancing further
this firft .night ; I had alfo been told, that
after paffing the Gamka, I Should not find
a drop of water till I came to the Buffalos-
river, (a diftance of twenty-five leagues)
and that it was neeeffary if we would
avoid perifhing with drought, to perform
the journey in two days; to travel in the
heat of the day was impoSfible, I there
fore determined to ftop two days near the
lions river to ftrengthen and repofe my
cattle, and on the evening of the fecond
day, throwing of all fear, to continue our
journey. I took the precaution of placing
all my caravan between the waggons, which

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 439
which ferved as fore and rear guard : two
days, or rather two nights forced march,
brought us to the banks of the wiShed for
river. We did not neglect during the
night to fire our pieces at intervals of fix
minutes each, and from time to time to
give water to our horfes from the jars, as
they were almoft overcome with heat and
fatigue. My cattle had neither eat nor
drank, they were panting, and appeared
every moment ready to lay down on the
fpot; and though it was night, for half
an hour before we reached the Buffalos-
river, the relays and other beafts that
marched at liberty, having fcented the
water, began running in the greateft dif
order ; thofe that drew the waggons now
took freSh courage, and went on brifkly,
but had it not been for the attention of
my Hottentots who cut the traces of the
moft refractory one, my waggons muft
have been overfet in the river. We fol-
F f 4 lowed

44° TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
lowed the example of our catllc, and
bathing made us forget our fatigues.
When our fires were lighted, part of
our cattle rejoined us; I was uncafy on
account of the reft though wc heard them
among the buflics that Siirrouniled us,
doubtlcfs fecking fomething to eat. At
day-break they all returned, except two,
whom WC never found; our he -coal like-
wife wandered, but relumed in the courfe
of the day.
On awaking in the morning I was
extremely furprifed to find myfelf in a
charming country which the darknefs of
the night had prevented my difeovn ing.
The river was not wide, hut the depth
and quantity of its water gave a delicious
frefhnefs to the air, running in number-
lefs windings, and the borders covered with
verdure ; it was a long time Since I had
met

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 441
met with fo agreeable a fpot, the cries of
prodigious quantities of partridges, and
water-quail, were contrasted by that of a
fpecies of ducks, herons, brown Storks,
and flamingos, with which the river was
covered. All my people entreated me ear
nestly to ftop here fome days ; I was eafily
prevailed on, and pleafed the propoSal came
from them. It was one of thofe agree
able fituations that prove the poets are not
always above nature and truth in their
defcriptions. The place where we had
paffed the night was, notwithstanding,
unfavourable, fome large rocks Sheltering
it too much, and facilitating a furpriSe
from the enemy ; in confequence of this,
we conducted our waggons and baggage
to the middle of a fmall plain, to which
the winding of the river gave the form of
peninfula, and there fixed our camp.
We had now travelled eighty leagues
fince we left the plantation of the ncgroe
brothers,

442 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
brothers, an idea may be formed of what
we fuffered in fo long a march, and how
fervicable the Sheep were I had procured
from the Hottentots of Sneuwberg, fince
which time we had met with no game,
nor a Single lake pure enough to be ufed
without precaution; all that we had pro
cured being only drinkable when boiled
with tea or coffee, to deftroy and difguife
its malignant and nauciating qualities.
The delightful fituation and plenty we
enjoyed were not the only motives that
detained me on the banks of the Buffa
loes -river, where I remained till the
fourteenth, which time was employed in
repairing my waggons. They had given
me uneafinefs fome time, being Shattered
with the rough roads, and Shrunk with the
fun till they would hardly hold together ;
the wheels particularly wanted repair, the
fpokes being loofe in the nave; I had them
foaked in water fome time before we at
tempted to mend them. I took.

TRAVELS IN AFRICA., 443
I took a review of my collection,
which was in fome diforder, my birds
being Slowed in the chefts that had con
tained my tea, coffee, and fugar. As we
Should foon arrive more into the heart of
the colonies, where I was determined not
to ftop a fingle moment that I could avoid,
I purpofed to travel either by day or night
as might be moft convenient, being per
fuaded we had nothing to fear from the
Bojhis-men. On the fourteenth, we fet off at five
o'clock in the evening, ahd marched till
midnight, then halting at Matjes-fontein,
the Sky was over-caft and threatened a
ftorm, which, however, we efcaped, The
next day we paffed Wet-Waater and ftop
ped at Conjlapel; a very agreeable fituation,
which a fcarcity of water forced the co
lonifts to abandon.
Though the feafon was far advanced, the

444 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
the fultry weather continued, and we were
forced to remain inactive during the ex
treme heat of the day, which incommod
ed us the more as we had no Shade to in
tercept the fcorching rays of the fun. —
The weather prevented our hunting,
neither had we any appetite for frefh or
fait meat ; my Hottentots Slept during the
day ; I lived on the bifcuits prefented me
by Dina, foaking them in goat's milk,
which I always took with pleafure ; and
would recommend all travellers, who may
undertake fimilar journeys, to procure a
number of thofe ufeful animals, who at
tach themfelves to man, fpllow without
trouble, and need no care ; furnifhing him
each day with agreeable and refrefhing
nourishment ; their wants are eafily fup
plied, fuffering drought a long time with
out their milk failing.
On the fixteenth and feyenteenth, after
croffing Touws-rher, at fix leagues dif-
iance,

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 445
tance, near Verkeerde-Valey, we found a
confiderable lake, with a fmall plantation,
the matter of which was abfent, and had
left fome Hottentots to look after it. I
here "faw a colonift who had lately left the
Cape, he eafed my heart from a load that
had long opprefied it, by informing me,
that Mr. Boers's health was re-eftablifh-
ed, and that he was returned to Cape
town. I here met with feveral forts of birds,
among others fome moor-hens like thofe
of Europe. The neighbourhood of the
lake furniShed us with fo many woodcocks,
that we made them our ordinary food.
There was a great many hogs in the
plantation ; I bought one, but was obliged
to Shoot it among the ruShes, for as I have
before obferved, from the manner of breed
ing them, they become wild. I likewife
procured fome flour, to treat my people with

44^ TRAVELS IN AFRICA;
with bread, which they had not tafted
fince our departure : Klaas's wife prepared
it very well. I quitted Verkeerde Valey on
the twenty-firft, and was rtOw entering
into another country; the Boke-Veld,
(plain of fpring-bock) they might ' doubts
lefs be found there fome time ago, but
at prefent are not to be feen in any part
of it. On the adjoining hills we difco
vered feveral habitations which we tried
in vain to avoid, the farther we continued,
the more frequent they became. We
paffed that of Jan Pinar, I refifted his
entreaties to refreSh myfelf, and continued
my way; all the inhabitants, whether
whites, Hottentots, or negroes, ran to fee
us unharnefs our cattle when we halted.
My beard appeared extraordinary in a
country where there is neither capuchin,
or jew ; frightened the women, and made
the children run away. I had enough to
do to anfwer queftions till eleven o'clock at

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 447
at night, when I retired three leagues fur
ther into a peaceful uninhabited fpot ; but
the news of my return had fpread, and at
day-break twenty inhabitants of different
fettlements gathered round my camp, fo
that take what road I would, I could not
efcape. They took pleafure in reciting a
thoufand abfurdities on my account, each
queftion they aSked appearing more ridicu
lous than the laft; publishing that my
waggons were loaded with gold duft, and
precious ftones, found in rivers and un
known rocks. One of the credulous
countrymen intreated me to Shew him a
precious ftone, fuperior to the diamond,
and large as an egg, which I had found
on the head of an enormous ferpent I had
killed. I repeat this to juftify what I
have before advanced of the ftupid love of
the marvellous which the colonifts give
into. It was my intention to have Stayed
quietly

484 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
quietly in the place I was till towards
night, but the crowd increafing every mi
nute, I became impatient and departed
immediately. It was in vain I attempted
to pafs three or four habitations in the
road unnoticed, importunity followed me,
and I had no refource but to profit "by the
darknefs, and hide myfelf like an out-l'aw,
at the foot of an enormous chain of moun
tains called Cloof on the limits of another
country, named the Rooye-fand.
This mountain appeared to me as an
immenfe curtain, which misfortune had
fpread before me ; and, as a frefh obstacle
to redouble my vexations, it was neeeffary
to crofs it, or take a very long circuit,
with which I was unacquainted: I had.
no longer the ardour I Shewed on my firft
departure,, nor the indefatigable courage
which infpired me with impatience to take
firft poffeffion of an unknown and curious
country. I was nov/ by turns depreffed by

* RAVELS IN AFRICA J 449
oy obftacles, and dragged forward by
friendship; at length I determined to
climb the mountain, the fteeps and hol
lows' of which appeared fearful; it is not
withstanding the ordinary road of the
colonifts of that quarter, who rather run
the riSk and danger of over-turning their
carriages* than they will unite to make a
proper road, or at leaft to render it more
paffable,— a Striking proof of their indo
lence; I took this trouble on myfelf, employ*
ing all the day of the twenty-fourth in
caufing branches to be cut to fill up the
hollows; and in covering them with earth,
ftones, and fand ; our labour fucceeded ;
and on the twenty- fifth, in four hours*
thanks to our neeeffary precaution; and
the trouble my men had willingly taken,
we paffed the frightful precipice with lit
tle damage, being the laft we had to en
counter : this is called Mojler-hqek.
Vol. II. Gg We

45° TRAVELS tH AFRICA*
We encamped at the bottom of the op"*
pofite fide of the mountain,- and the next
day ftopped at the entrance of Roye-fand,
near the ruins of a plantation which ap«
peared to have been long abandoned.
I think this canton improperly called
Roye-fand, (Red-land), as I never faw any
of that colour ; remarking, on the cona
trary, that it was. particularly yellow.
This country produces great quantities?
of corn ; the harveft every where prefent -
ing the moft pleafing affurances of plenty;
while Various profpedts, enriched with
plantations that vie with each other iat
the charnis of fituation, are continually
affording a pleafing variety, which Strikes
the eye with fome new charm. Was
it, having been accuftomed for Sixteen
months to the more majeftic fcenes of
uncultivated nature, and the fcattered and
frequently dreary abodes ©f favages, con
trasted

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 451
'trailed with the order and abundance which
howprefert ted themfelves, thatmade alively
and powerful impreffion on my mind ?—
What ever might be the caufe, my admi
ration of this charming country was with
out bounds.
All the chimerical and romantic ideas I
had nourished, all the forrows I had ex
perienced on quitting the favages, began
to give way to calm reafon ; which whif-
pered that, not born for an errant pre-*
Carious life, I had obligations to fulfil,
and other beings to cheriSh ; the idea
gained ftrength, and I Sighed on a reca*
pitdation of my former pleafures and
Cuftoms. Above all, friendship decorated
in the moft delightful form, as it exifts in
delicate feeling fouls, appeared to call me
With open armsi Certain of finding Mr.
Boers at the Cape, each ftep that brought
me nearer infpired me with rapture, which
my people Sincerely partook. I was now
G g 2 only

452 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
only occupied with the pleafure of feeing
my friends, and embracing thofe whom/
my heart particularly distinguished by that
title. On the twenty- Sixth, after efcaping"
(if I may ufe the expreffion) fix habita
tions which were in the road, I croffed
the Breede-river, (Wide river), and a
league further the Waater-Val, (Water
fall), and paffed fome habitations, whofe
proprietors had, doubtlefs, long expfedted
me at the paffage, for they followed me
like a curious beaft, nor quitted me till
their curiofity was fully fatisfied. I paffed
the Roye-fand- Kloof (Valley of red fartdj,
the Klein-berg-river, (the little river of
the mountains),^ and on the twenty -^fe-
venth, arrived at Swart-land. Iorderedmy
horfes, which I had not rode fome time,
to be faddled, and followed by my faith
ful Klaas, leaving the curious fpedtatoffs
about our waggons, went on before, and
enjoyed

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 453
enjoyed that very night, the pleafure of
reaching the habitation of my hoft, the
good Slaber, who had received me fo ge-
neroully two years before, on my dreadful
misfortune at the bay of Saldanha.
I cannot exprefs the joy and furprife
my arrival caufed in this honeft family ;
I was unexpected ; my perfon was altered ;
the relations they had received at the Cape
of the dangers I had encountered having
rendered my death fo probable, that they
were at firft almoft afraid of my approach.
The women particularly made war againft
my beard ; for fome time it had been ufe-
lefs, confequently inconvenient; Mitje
Slaber, the youngeft daughter of my hoft,
profered to rid me of it ; I placed myfelf
at her feet, offering my beard in facrifice.
I difpatched Klaas to Mr. Boers im
mediately, to inform him of my return,
fending him at the fame time two fmall
G g 3 pert

454 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
pen-Sock, and fome partridges I had Shot
by the way. The next day I received the
congratulations of my friend, and two of
his beft horfes, with an earneft defire to,
return to the Cape as Speedily as poffible.
My people, whom I had left with the
waggons, arrived the fame day ; the hour.
of feparation approached, and we mutu
ally forgot our former difagreements ; fome
Sighed, others Shed tears, nor could I re
tain mine. We cpnfoled each other with
the idea of another journey, if circum
stances Shodd be favourable. I distri
buted among thefe faithful companions of
my dangers, . all the effedts which would
be of no particular fervice to me at the
town ; adding, my linen, and all my
cloaths, referving only what I had on.
I entreated two of my Hottentots to ftay
fome days at Slabers to take care of my
horfes and goats, and likewife thofe cattle.
who being fick or ufelefs, I Should leave till

TRAVBIS IN AFRICAN 45$
till further orders ; I gave a rendezvou*
to the reft at Mr. Boers's, and, attended by
Klaas on horfeback, that fame night
readied the Cape, and enjoyed the plea
fure of clafping in my arms my benefa^otf
and friend, whom I had feared neve?
more to fee,.
My waggons arrived the fecond of April,
it was now I could more completely re-
compenfe my faithful feryants and pay
their wages, they were impatient to join
their families ; I held out my hand to
Klaas, who was loath to quit me : as his
Hoord was not fo diftant as thofe of the
reft, whom I had difcharged, I defirecj
him to come and fee me often, promising
him ever the fame favour, confidence, and
friendship; particularly affuring him, I
Should not remain long at the Cape, and
Should depend on him in any new enter
prize : it was what he wiShed, a hope that
counterbalanced his grief. I could not
Gg 4 fc

456 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.'
fee him depart without an emotion and
concern which even the crowds that vi
fited me at Mr. Boers's, could not difpel,
fome of whom were attracted by friend-.
Ship, but the greater number by an cagefl
defire to fatisfy their ardent curiofity.

ACCOUNT

^2sJter^e^J*z*Jtl&&M

- /fate/ (//ra

fr/.

y

ACCOUNT OF THE
G I R A F E S.
AS I only met with the male and fe
male Girafe in my fecond travels,
it may appear irregular to have placed
them at the end of this volume, but was
constrained to it by felicitations and im
portunity I ought to regard as commands.
For an explanation to the two plates, J
muft add a Sketch of the animals they
reprefent, referving a more particular de
fcription for the place to which it natu
rally appertains.
The Girafe has been differently fpoken
of; yet, notwithstanding the elegant and
Scientific differtations oil the fubjedt, a
proper

458 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
proper idea has not been given of its
configuration, manners, temper, or or
ganization. If, among the known quadrupeds, pre
cedence was to be allowed from height,
the Girafe might rank m the firft clafs :
the male, which I have in my cabinet,
and from which the plate is taken, mea
fured, when I Shot it, fixteen feet four
inches, from the hoof to the end pf the,
horns, or Shoots ; I ufe both appellations,
to make myfelf underftood, though both
are equally improper, the Girafe having
neither herns nor Shoots, but between the
ears, on the higheft part of the head, rife^
perpendicularly and parallel to each other^
two parts of the fcull, which, without
any folution of continuity, lengthen to the!
height of eight or nine inches, terminat-:
ing by a convexity, which is ornamented
with a rim, feveral lines wide, of freight,
brifly hair.
The female is generally lower than the
male;

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 459
mde ; that reprefented in the plate mea-
furing ody thirteen feet ten inches, was
certainly at its full growth, as the incifores
were much worn.
From the numbers of thefe animds I
have feen and killed, I may eftablifh for a
certain rule, that the males are ufually
about fifteen or fixteen feet high, and the
females thirteen or fourteen.
Shodd any one judge of the ftrength
and bulk of this animal from its height,
they would be ftrangely miftaken, as it .
may be faid to have only neck and legs :
perfons accuSlomed to the fight of Euro
pean quadrupeds, will find no proportion
between a height of fixteen feet, and a
length of feven, from the breaft to the
tail. Another deformity, if I may call it one,
is the contraft between the anterior and
posterior

4<5® TRAVELS IN AFRICA.
posterior parts ; the firft is of a consider
able thicknefs towards the Shoulders, but
the latter fo lank and thin, that they
fcarcely appear to belong to each other.
Travellers and naturalists, in fpeaking
of the Girafe, agree in allowing the hind ,
legs but half the length of the fore ones ;
hut, had they ever feen the animal ? if fo,
furely they never considered it attentively.
An Italian author (who certainly never
Saw it) has engraven, at Venice, in a Work
entitled Defcrizioni degli Animali, 1771,
a figure exactly chalked from thofe ac-.
counts which have been published ; an
axadlitude that renders it ridiculous, and
may be looked on as a keen criticifm from
the Italian author, on all the defcriptions
that have been printed and repeated till
the prefent time.
Among the moderns, the moft faithful
engraving is that of Doctor Allaman, frorrf
fhe defign pf Mr. Gordon. Among

Travels in Africa. 461
Among the ancients the moft exact
defcription is that of Gilius, who fays,
" The legs of the Girafe are of an equal
" length, but the fore thighs are longer
" than thofe behind ; fo that the back of
" the animal is Slopped like the rOof of
*« a houfe." If, by the fore thighs Gilius
meant the omoplate or Shoulder blade; his
affertion is juft, and I am of the fame
opinion* It is hot thus we read irt Heliodorus,
if we underftand it is the Girafe which he
has fpoken of, when he allows the head
of that animal to be but double the fize
of the head of an oftrich, or muft con
clude, that, in the lapfe of time, nature
has undergone great variation in one or
other of the two fpecies.
The horns being adherent, as I have
before faid, and a part of the feull can
never be Shed. They are not folid like
thofe of the deer, nor of a matter analo gous

462 TRAVELS IN AFRICA'.
gous to thofe of the ox, yet lefs are the^
compofed of re-united hair, as Buffon has
imagined, but fimply of a bony fuhftancei
divided by an infinity of pores, as all bones
are ; the whole length of them is cover
ed with a Short, thick hair, which does not
at all refemble the tufted down on thofe
of the roe-buck, or deer.
The plates placed in the Works of Mi
de Mi M. Buffon and Vofmar, are in ge
neral defective ; the horns of thofe are
ended in a point, which is contrary to" .
truth, and inftead of concluding the main
at the Shoulder it is prolonged to the tail;
a miftake which, joined to a number of
others, degrade and render ufelefs td
•Science thefe reprefen tation s undefervedly
credited from the reputation of their au
thors. The male and female Girafe ate Spotted
equally; yet, exclufive of their height,
they are eafily diftinguiShed from each
other ;

TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 46^ ,
Gther; the mde is of a light grey, fpotted
With a dark brown, approaching to black;
the female is likewife grey, with fallow
coloured fpots, which render her not fo
marking. The young males are fpotted
like their dams, but grow darker as they
advance in age and growth.
Thefe quadrupeds feed on the leaves of
trees, and, in preference, on thofe of a
mimofa, Common in a canton which they
frequent. Grafs is alfo a part of their
aliment, without it being neeeffary for
them to kneel down to graze or drink, as
fome have fdd. They often lay down
to ruminate or Sleep which occafions a
confiderable callofity in the fternon, and,
likewife* the knees to be crowned.
If nature had indued the Girafe with
an irafible temper, it would have had
^much reafon for complaint, as its means
of attack and defence are very trifling j
but this animal is of a peaceful and timor ous

464 TRAVELS IN AFRICA*
w ' *¦ *
ous ten||er, Shtonis danger, ^nd trots fo
very quras, that, irt the chace, a good
horfe finds a difficulty irt keeping pacfc
With it.
. It has been faid, that it has not Strength
tp defend itfelf; notwithstanding, I know
paft all doubt, that, by its kick, it wearies,
difcourages, arid distances the lion. I
never faw them ufe their horns on any
occafion, and they might be looked on as
vifelefs, were it poffible to doubt the wif-
dow and precaution which nature knows
how to employ, though She does not air
ways let us perceive her motives.
I thought it neeeffary tp accompany
thefe two figures, which I gave at ths
earneft defire of fome that entreated it, by
a Slight defcription, which may facilitate
the examination ; but it will be eafily be*
lieved, that I have not faid every thing that
is neeeffary on this extraordinary animaL
¥ I N I &

"YALE UNIVERSITY