340 BOTANICAL INFORM ATION. 



miles distant from our camp, at the bottom of the same 

 mountain, seemingly under an impression that they were 

 sufficiently safe because residing near some emigrants. They 

 chiefly depended on the produce of the soil, and supplied us 

 frequently with vegetables, pumpkins, Indian corn, and 

 milk ; for they possessed a small number of cattle, which 

 they had earned from the emigrants, for wages as herdsmen, 

 or in exchange for vegetables. However, they were surprised 

 one day by a party of marauders from the south, who were 

 armed with guns. They took the few cattle from these 

 defenceless creatures, and killed several men who attempted 

 to defend their property. Some of our party met these 

 villains, as they returned homewards from that roving expe- 

 dition, riding on horseback, with their booty before them. 

 We communicated what had occurred, to our neighbours 

 the emigrants, who were very sorry to hear such dis- 

 tressing news, for they liked the Betchuana people, and 

 declared they found them of great advantage, both from the 

 supply of their vegetables and the service they rendered as 

 trustful herdsmen. But in order to avoid any misrepresenta- 

 tion, they observed strict neutrality amongst these tribes, and 

 declined to assist either party. However, they declared, 

 should any party lay hold of the property, they would cer- 

 tainly teach them a lesson not to repeat it a second time. 

 These villains find a ready market for plundered cattle near 

 the colonial boundary, where traders frequently resort ; and it 

 being no easy task to distinguish an honest proprietor from a 

 criminal, in a lawless country like this, they will carry on 

 that horrible practice till fire-arms come into general usie 

 amongst those Betchuanas, to prevent the illegal practice of 

 freebooting. There being already many individuals at the 

 missionary stations who carry fire-arms, freebooting has 

 diminished considerably of late years, and is chiefly practised 

 upon small parties, living beyond the bounds of protection 

 from the main body of their tribes. 



As we had scarcely seen any of the Acacia Capensis since 

 leaving the banks of the Orange river, the occurrence of 



