420 Dr. A. Smith's Observations relative to the 



either allowing a portion to go to waste, or to be consumed 

 when even far advanced in putridity. 



When in the act of driving away either cattle, sheep, or 

 horses, they are pursued and approached, they immediately 

 commence destroying them ; and as soon as that is completed, 

 they betake themselves to flight*. Should, however, they dis- 

 cover that by the time they have effected the first of those ob- 

 jects, the latter cannot be achieved, they prepare for defence, 

 and then according to circumstances, either are satisfied with 

 attempting that in exposed positions, or else from behind 

 rocks or stones ; or, if time will permit, from holes formed in 

 the ground. The dexterity and quickness with which they 

 often form the latter, is matter of great wonder with the colo- 

 nists ; and I have been told by persons who have been much 

 in the habit of observing them in such situations, that almost 

 in the course of a few minutes they will model cavities, in which 

 two or three can conceal themselves, and avoid in a great 

 measure the effects of fire-arms. From such positions they 

 send forth their arrows with great precision, and while in 

 them they are regarded as nearly upon an equality with their 



opponents. 



* Field Cornet Louw, of the Aghter Hantam, writes, " I received a report 

 on the 20th November, 1829, from the Burgher Hendrik Juhannis Rygert, 

 stating that five Bushmen had taken away, between the place of Middle- 

 kraal and Slang Fonteyn, three black cattle and two horses, belonging to 

 Hendrik Wolfgraaf, when, having driven them a short distance, they shot 

 them dead. I immediately ordered out a commando, and proceeded on the 

 23rd following, as far as the place Hinger Fonteyn, to discover their tracks 

 and the road they had taken. I there ascertained that they had taken some 

 more horses. I then proceeded nearly as far as the Fish river, where was a 

 Bushman kraal, and finding that the aforesaid Bushmen had reached it be- 

 fore me, and had broken it up and gone to a greater distance, I resolved to 

 return, the more on account of want of water. On arriving at Hendrik 

 Visage's he informed me that five Bushmen had again been in the colony, 

 on the Hantam mountains, and that he had sent three bastards on their tracks. 

 I then directed my commando to remain for the day, in order to call in the 

 assistance of more people, as thinking it not strong enough. One of the 

 bastards ordered by me having gone to the place Brandvvacht, to fetch his 

 horses, discovered that the said Bushmen had taken two the day before. 

 Following their tracks he found they had driven them into a deep kloof near 

 the place ; but being afraid to pursue them further, he returned to us to 

 report the same. In consequence of the information, I repaired to the place 

 the same evening, with my commando, and at a late hour sent out spies 

 to see whether they were still in the kloof, but they made no discoveries. I 

 subsequently took the same thither, and came to the spot where it ap- 

 peared, by the remains of the horses, that they had been feasting upon 

 their flesh, having previously pierced them with arrows. Still following 

 their track, I at length arrived at my own place, where, about 1000 yards 

 from the house, I found they had driven off my horses, and at the distance 

 of about half as much further, they had stabbed four of them and shot 

 other* with poisoned arrows, so as to cause their death. Still in pursuit, 



we 



