428 CATTLE AS AN ECONOMIC EACTUR IN SOUTH AEKICA. 



are planted, likewise the seeds of political trouble, and in the 

 beginning- we lind that which has been at the bottom of most of 

 our economic trials antl trium])hs from that hrst day on Angra 

 I'eqtiena's shores in far-off 1485 until our own day. Written 

 in a sentence, it is nothing more nor less than the natives' love of 

 cattle, and his passion for ])ossession. 



The whole development of the idea is traceable in the stories 

 of the succeeding voyages. At Angra I'equena they had searched 

 for human habitation in order to secure fresh meat, but the 

 aborigines were no doubt with their herds where they could get 

 pasturage. Near the Kny^na the Portuguese saw large herds of 

 cattle, but the Plottentots hastily drme them into the interior for 

 safety. 



Twelve years later Da (iama landing at St. Helena Bay made 

 an unfortunate beginning, for while he did contrive to meet with 

 the Hottentots they ]>arted in a (juarrel. 



Learning from ex])erience, he was more careful when he 

 landed at St. Blaize, ami got the length of bartering a few sheep, 

 but the ])eople would not i)art with their cattle. 



Sailing east and north he discovered the Bantus, who 

 bartered copper, ivory, and provisions. Since cattle are not 

 specially mentioned it is ])resumed tliat i)rovisions would cover 

 small stock, and game, but not cattle. At anyratc we have no 

 clear guidance on this particular point. 



Then in 1503 we find Saldanha with his ships in Table Bay 

 bartering a cow and two sheep. The jieople are beginning to get 

 over their superstitious feelings, and their fear of the strange 

 creatures of the sea, which they must have had as they first 

 gazed upon the ships sailing along the coast. Once they have 

 seen and talked with the sailors, and realised that they were men 

 with white skins, but still for all that men shaped much like 

 themselves, then they would talk among themselves about these 

 incidents and the idea of bartering would soon spread along the 

 coasts in that strange way in which news always travels among 

 the natives. It is easy to see how the practice would grow, a.> 

 in fact it did grow, until in a moment of unwisdom, difficulties of 

 language operating no doubt, passions were kindled and the bUxvd 

 followed — and then the hands of the clock were put back for 

 South Africa, which w^as to be avoided at all costs, while the 

 itumense Portuguese trade with India was profoundly affected 

 as we shall see bv the rearrangement of the ports of call, and all 

 this because of the supposed ferociousness of the natives! And 

 yet what thev had done was done because they valued their cattle 

 which the white man was driving away! 



TI. — The Aborigines oe the Land. 



(a) THE BUSHMEN. 



Nor do the values of these voyages end here. They serve as 

 an introduction to the aborigines of the land. Thus when Diaz 



