HOTTENTOT POPULATION. 
143 
These stores are then deposited in holes in the 
ground, and are used with much economy, as 
a very recherche repast, but only occasionally 
to be indulged in during the privations of the 
winter months of the year, when fruit or berries 
are not to be gathered, or game to be found. 
The actual extent of population, of this peo- 
ple, is not correctly ascertained, but is supposed 
to be about 10,000 or 15,000. They have been 
described by T. Pringle, Esq., in his " African 
Poems," pleasingly and graphically : — 
" East by his wild resounding river, 
The listless Coran lingers ever ; 
Still drives his heifers out to feed, 
Soothed by the gorrah's humming reed; 
A rover, still unchecked will range 
As humour calls, or season's change ; 
His tent of mats, and leathern gear, 
All packed upon the patient steer.* 
Mid all his wanderings, hating toil, 
He never tills the stubborn soil ; 
But on the milky dame relies, 
And what spontaneous earth supplies. 
Or should long parching droughts prevail, 
And milk, and bulbs, and locusts fail j 
He lays him down to sleep away, 
In languid trance, the weary day ; 
Oft as he feels gaunt hunger's stound,f 
Still tightening famine's girdle round ; 
* Wife. 
f A sharp pang. — Spencer. 
