256 BOTANICAL EXCURSIONS 
Tambookie Caffer, as the * great wives” of the chiefs of the 
Amakosa are most usually. It is very possible, however, 
that she may have some Hottentot blood in her. 
All the Caffers at Block Drift, with the exception of their 
chiefs, were armed with their national weapon, the light spear 
or javelin, which they themselves call Umkonto, but to which 
the colonists have given the name of Assagai. It hasa slen- 
der shaft about five feet long, made of the very tough and 
elastic wood which the Dutch call Assagai-hout, and an iron 
head or blade, somewhat like that of a lance, generally with- 
out any barb, but sharp at the edges as well as at the point. 
The whole thing is very light, and is but a paltry weapon 
against European troops ; it can be thrown fifty or sixty yards 
with effect, but beyond that distance they have no certainty 
of aim. Another weapon used by the Amakosa is the Kirrie 
or Keerie, which is simply a thick stick of a very hard and 
heavy wood, with a knob at one end ; this is likewise used as 
a missile, and it is said that they can bring down birds on the | 
wing with it. A considerable number of these people are x 
now provided with fire-arms, and though, as yet, few are ex- 
pert in the use of them, there seems to be no reason why the 
Caffers should not in time become as skilful marksmen as the 
North American Indians. They will in that case be truly 
formidable enemies in the bush. Macomo, I have been told, 
is a good shot. The frontier colonists, notwithstanding their 
dread and hatred of these people, have been induced by the 
allurements of gain to supply them with muskets and ammu- 
nition, and it is said that an active contraband trade in 
these articles has been carried on in spite of the military 
posts. : 
Whether the Amakosa can be called a brave people, may 
admit of doubt; certainly the mode in which they carry Oh — — 
their warfare, at least against the English, does not exhibit — 
this quality, if they possess it. Their practice is to avoid. 
open encounters as much as possible, and not to attack in a 
body unless they have an immense superiority of numbers. 
They lurk in the bush, hang on the flanks and rear of the 
