332 APPENDIX. 
Their plans have been matured with so much secrecy, 
and are so well calculated to embarrass the Colonists, and 
to render the possibility of defence, without an abandon- 
ment of property, utterly impracticable, that we cannot 
doubt their having fully counted the cost before they en- 
_ gaged in the enterprise ; and there is good reason to sup- 
pose, that when their plans are more fully developed, they 
will be found much better prepared to defend themselves, 
either within their own territories or by retaliation on the 
Colonists within our limits, than some people are led to 
expect. We have, however, no fears as to the result of the 
contest. We attach but little importance to their display 
of fire-arms, on which so much stress has been laid, not- 
withstanding it is the opinion of a few well-informed persons, 
that they will muster not less than 600 or 700 men, mounted 
and well armed with guns: still their stock of ammunition 
must. be exhausted—their horses will rather encumber them 
than be of service—and must, if we only act with prompti- 
tude and boldness, soon fall into our hands; should they be 
hard pressed, they will instantly fly to the bush for refuge, 
and in that case their horses must be abandoned, and fall 
into the hands of their pursuers. Still it must be borne in 
mind that it is imprudent ever to despise an enemy; one 
rash or false movement, when we take the field, and the 
consequences may be most serious. It must be remembered 
that the numerical superiority of the enemy is very great, 
and that immense multitudes are at hand to be poured in 
upon us if it should be apparent that we are not sufficiently 
powerful to repel the present unprovoked aggression, and 
to punish, as they deserve, the audacious and savage 
invaders. 
At the Missionary Institution of Theopolis, the Hot- 
tentots, and the few whites stationed there, were greatly 
