ARTICLES OF GOMMESCB. 33 



In years when the prices of cattle are low, these 

 traders occasionally vary their line of march, and, for- 

 saking the Boers for a season, they load up a suitable 

 cargo, and direct their coxirse for the Bechnana tribes, 

 from whom they obtain ivory, karosses (skin cloaks), 

 and ostrich feathers, along with various curiosities, for 

 which they obtain a ready sale in the Grahamstown 

 market, where good ivory averages from 4s. to 4s. 6d. 

 per pound. Karosses vary in price from £1 to £3 each, 

 according to their size, kind, and quality. Ostrich 

 feathers used to fetch from £5 to £6 per pound, but, 

 partly owing to the feathers being less worn by the 

 votaries of fashion in London, and partly to the late 

 disturbances throughout Europe, the prices have great- 

 ly fallen.* The articles required for trading with the 

 Bechuana tribes consist of beads of all sizes and colors, 

 brass and copper wire, knives and hatchets, clothing 

 for both sexes, ammunition, guns, young cows, and she- 

 goats. The two latter the trader obtains in barter from 

 the Boers, Griqua and Koranna tribes, more immedi- 

 ately adjacent to the colony. Some writers have er- 

 roneously stated that snuff and tobacco are a good cir- 

 culating medium among the tribes in Southern Africa, 

 but in the course of my experience I can scarcely re- 

 member having ever obtained the smallest article in 

 barter for either, not even a drink of milk. The natives 

 have certainly no objection to receive these articles 

 when given gratuitously, but are far too wide awake to 

 place any great value upon them. During my career 

 in Southern Africa I have had much experience in 

 trading with the Bechuana tribes, and, as I shall have 

 occasion to refer to my trading exploits in the course 



* From seventh-five to ninety good sized ostrich feathers weigh « 

 pound. 



