DISTRESS OF DUTCH FARMERS. 337 
tige " of victory with the Zoolah chieftain, to 
whom the loss of several hundreds of his best 
warriors, was always considered but of little 
moment, imparting only an exciting interest to 
his fiendish propensities and habits. 
" The emigrant farmers were, however, so 
disheartened by the result of their attack, and 
that of the English, settlers from the bay, upon 
Dingaan's forces, that they gave up all hope of 
resuming hostilities for the present. They had 
been taught a lesson of prudence by the talent 
and daring displayed by the Zoolah armies, and 
they accordingly kept a watchful eye upon their 
Northern frontier, and sent messengers out in 
various directions, imploring further accession 
to their numbers, both from the Cape and the 
present Sovereignty. Many parties upon hear- 
ing of their distressed state, came to join them, 
but this, at the moment, only increased their 
misery and wants, as their cattle and herds 
having been swept away, (these being still in 
the hands of the Zoolahs) and, having been pre- 
vented from cultivating any lands, they were 
exposed, not only to the greatest want, but 
were actually in a state of famine, when some 
liberal minded countrymen of theirs at the Cape, 
hearing of their distressed condition, sent them 
supplies of food, medicine, and other necessaries 
of life, which helped them through the miseries 
z 
