18 RED CAFFERS 



panion, from a stronger suspicion of their predatory 

 habits, urged me not to loiter amongst hem, but 

 follow him with all speed. We overtook in the 

 afternoon two of the natives returning home from 

 the fair at Fort Wiltshire with a quantity of the red 

 clay with which they are accustomed to besmear 

 their bodies, a practice already noticed, and which 

 has doubtless obtained for them among earlier tra- 

 vellers the distinction of Red Gaffers. This peculiar 

 clay is found in the vicinity of the Fish River, and it 

 is surprising how distant a journey these people will 

 undertake to procure it, so essential is it considered 

 in completing the adornment of their persons. Our 

 guide being in some doubt as to the direction we had 

 taken, we were not sorry to perceive a solitary Caffer 

 at some distance, whom we immediately approached, 

 in the hope of gaining correct information. On 

 his observing, however, that we were making towards 

 him, he bounded off with the speed of an antelope ; 

 and as we quickened our pace, he redoubled his, 

 until the chase assumed a regular form, to the great 

 enjoyment of our guide, who had evidently not 

 been recognised by his flying countryman. Hearing 

 himself accosted, as we gained upon him, in his na- 

 tive language, the affrighted Caffer, whose expecta- 

 tion of outstripping us had gradually decreased, im- 

 mediately faced about, and displayed an attitude of 

 defence ; but on learning our real intentions, he dis- 

 missed his fears, and readily gave the desired intelli- 



