356 An Historical Account of the Formation* fyc. 



which the Commander makes great complaints of the ingrati- 

 tude of Harry and his tribe, it appears he considered the cattle 

 irretrievably lost. Although, in this instance, Van Riebeck 

 wa-s out-witted by the cunning of Harry, who was better ac- 

 quainted with the country, yet his policy soon shewed him to be 

 far superior to his treacherous enemy. He immediately prohi- 

 bited his people from taking any revenge on account of this 

 theft, even if they were to meet Harry himself; as under pre- 

 sent circumstances the innocent might suffer with the guilty. 

 From this misfortune he derived many wise lessons. He in- 

 creased his precaution; divided his people into companies ; 

 pointed out to each person his place in time of danger; and 

 doubled his guards. 



He proceeded with his labours in the woods; and got beams 

 and other wood work for the gate of his Fort; using in the 

 wagon two of his Batavian horses in place of the stolen oxen. 



He tried every means, at this critical juncture, to gain the 

 good opinion of the natives, particularly that of the Saldan- 

 hians. By his moderation and wisdom, every thing remained 

 undisturbed, and he continued steady to his undertaking ; af- 

 fording a remarkable proof that, in dangerous circumstances, 

 prudence alone can direct the arm of power with success. 



Soon after, some Saldanhians appeared under one of their 

 Chiefs or Captains, and, moved by the kind treatment they 

 had experienced, sympathized in his misfortune, and informed 

 him that Harry was the person who had stolen the cattle, and 

 was with them near Cape False. The Chief having nobly re- 

 jected Harry's oifer to participate in the spoil, tendered Van 

 Riebeck his assistance to retake it. The Council resolved — 

 " To despatch thither that same evening, the 23d, a detach- 

 ment of 17 able soldiers, under the Corporal Jan van Haer- 

 waerden, with provisions for 4 or 5 days, to retake the stolen 

 cattle; and in the event of getting Harry or his people into 

 his power, by fair means or by foul, to bring them to the 

 Fort." The sequel shewed that Harry, being better acquaint- 

 ed with the country, escaped with his plunder. 



Van Riebeck received information oveuland, that the Com- 

 mander of the Galiot in Saldanha Bay, had engaged 4 French 

 sailors for the Company's service, and would shortly return 

 to Table Bay. 



November. — In the commencement of November the only in- 

 interesting occurrences were the espousals of the second in com- 

 mand, Jacob Ryniers/, with Eli/abeth van Opdorp, the Com- 

 mander's niece;* and the return of the Galiot about the middle 

 of the month ; when they cut the first cauliflower grown here. 



An interesting conversation now passed with the four 



* Records of Council, 8th November, 1053,— 30th meeting-. 



