1812. 
A RULE FOR BARTERING WITH TOBACCO. 
49 
to the Hottentots, they are more commonly meted out by the span 
of about eight inches, the weight of which is usually between an 
ounce and a half and two ounces ; and bargains among the latter are 
most frequently made for a certain number of spans of tobacco. Yet 
it is not therefore to be supposed that many Hottentots are ignorant 
of the use of weights and money : it is the inconvenience and scarcity 
of these, which causes them to prefer, on ordinary occasions, the 
readier mode of measurement. I am particular in a description 
which would otherwise be trifling, because, as tobacco is one of the 
principle articles of barter with the nations of the Interior, it will be 
referred to as a " money-table^ for the remainder of the journey ; 
and may furnish some hints, or useful information, to those who may 
hereafter be desirous of visiting the same countries. 
The crowd, having gratified their curiosity by surveying me 
attentively for some time, gradually became more talkative and 
familiar ; and understanding that they were all to receive a present, 
the joy of these poor simple people was manifested in a manner as 
artless as that of children. Their liveliness increased as they observed 
me about to commence the promised distribution : but the women 
were much more noisy and uncontrollable than the men, and it was 
some time before their chieftain was able to still their joyous voci- 
feration. 
To Kaabi I gave three inches of tobacco ; to each man about one 
inch ; and to the women a little less. With this trifling quantity 
they were all completely happy ; because they were contented. The 
delight depicted in their countenances, was not less remarkable here 
than at Poverty Kraal, but it exhibited not that melancholy species 
of thankfulness, which was there so irresistibly affecting. 
This ceremony occupied more than half an hour, on account of 
the difficulty of restraining their vivacity and persuading them to re- 
main steadily in one place : for had they been permitted to change 
their station, I should have found it impossible to have gone through 
this business with regularity. Having previously estimated, and put 
into my pocket, the number of pieces which would be required, I 
took them out one by one, in order that no jealousy might be excited, 
VOL. II. H 
