22 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL NAPIEK'S OPINION. 



The Kaffir has had one or two severe lessons,, showing 

 him that he is no match for the white man in fair open 

 fights, and so, gathering experience from these lessons, 

 he now rarely runs an open risk, hut confines himself to 

 attacks where he has every advantage of numbers and posi- 

 tion. His great stronghold is the bush, and without doubt 

 he is there a most dangerous animal. Active, unencumbered 

 with clothing, and his colour well suited for concealment, 

 he glides about like a snake; the knowledge he has 

 gained in surprising the quick-sighted and sharp-eared 

 animals of his country, he now applies to the destruction 

 of his enemies. Hiding himself amongst the roots and 

 underwood, he waits patiently his opportunity, his gun 

 in readiness and his assagies handy. It is not at all 

 remarkable that the raw soldier, whose early training 

 has been the plough or a shop, or some other occupation 

 as little likely to fit him for bush-craft, falls a victim to 

 the hidden foe. The scarlet coat of the British soldier 

 makes him a capital target, while his belts and other 

 trappings retard his movements most effectually. 



Lieutenant-Colonel E. Napier, in his work entitled 

 "Excursions in Southern Africa/' has described the 

 effect of the trappings of the English soldier in so able a 

 manner, that I am afraid to attempt any further descrip- 

 tion, but must e'en pirate this author's words, and beg 

 his pardon for the theft : 



"The 'Rode Bashees ' of the party, as the Kaffirs 

 denominate our gallant red-jackets, to distinguish them 

 from the ' Amabula ' (Boers) and the ' Umlaou/ or Hot- 

 tentots, of the force, had previously, as much as possible, 



