134 THE OX TRIBE. 



young ox is fully instructed, and becomes a watchful 

 guardian of the herds, and an able auxiliary in war. 



" The Backeleyers (so called from the Hottentot word 

 Backeley for war) know every inhabitant of the Kraal they 

 belong to, men, women, and children, and pay them all 

 just the same respect that is paid by a dog to every 

 person who dwells in his master's house. Any of the 

 inhabitants may, therefore, at any time present themselves 

 very safely on any side of the herds ; the Backeleyers will 

 in nowise offend them. But if a stranger, especially a 

 European, shall approach the herds, without the company 

 of a Hottentot of the Kraal they belong to, he must look 

 sharp to himself; for these Backeleyers, which generally 

 feed at the skirts of the herds, quickly discover him, and 

 make at him upon a full gallop. And if he is not within 

 hearing of any of the Hottentots who keep the herds, or 

 has not a fire-arm, or a light pair of heels, or there is not 

 a tree at hand which he can immediately climb, he is 

 certainly demolished. The Backeleyers mind not sticks 

 or the throwing of stones at them. This is one great 

 reason why the Europeans always travel the Hottentot 

 countries with fire-arms. But the first thing a European 

 does, upon the appearance of such an enemy, is to shout 

 and call to the Hottentots that look to the herds. The 

 Hottentot that hears him hastens to his assistance, making 

 all the way a very shrill whistling through his fingers. 

 The Backeleyers no sooner hear the whistling of their 

 keepers, which they very well know, than they stop, turn 

 about, and return leisurely to the herds. 



"But if a European, in such a case, does not (upon his 

 shouting and calling to the keepers), hear the whistle, 

 before the Backeleyers come up with him, he discharges 



