38 BUSH FIGHTING. 



ness, therefore, must be far superior to the freshly trans- 

 planted European, who finds that he has to commence the 

 A, B, C, under these very men whose appearance would 

 at first produce only a feeling of contempt for their 

 prowess. 



A deadly hatred exists between the Kaifir and the 

 Hottentot, and both are equally expert in the bush, where 

 an Englishman is so rarely at home. 



In fair fighting the British soldier has" proved that no 

 country produces men fit to cope with him ; but let him 

 be cautious of ambuscades and bush-fighting. 



A naval officer, who was in a fort on the west coast of 

 Africa, happened to be attacked by the natives, but as 

 his fort was a stronghold that the barbarians could make 

 nothing of, they were easily repulsed. Elated with his 

 successful defence, he sallied out, and gave them a good 

 drubbing on some open ground near. But not contented 

 with this triumph, he must needs follow them up into the 

 bush, where he was defeated with great slaughter. His 

 jaw-bones are now said to be beating the big drum of 

 Ashantee. 



Our victories over the barbarians of Africa have not 

 been so very great, but that we might condescend to take 

 a useful lesson from these men, savages as they are. 



Any man who has seen the Kaffirs or Hottentots ap- 

 proach dangerous game, their perseverance, courage, 

 activity, and hardihood, combined with caution and cun- 

 ning, may easily understand that they could employ these 

 gifts in a manner that would make them anything but 

 despicable enemies. 



