50 
AN ARTIFICE. — HOTTENTOT TRADERS. 
6 March, 
by their observing one piece to be larger or smaller than another. I 
confess that I used this artifice, with the view of leading the kraal to 
think that I had given them all I had : for knowing that they would 
continue to ask for tobacco as long as they thought there was any 
remaining, I showed them my empty pockets ; in consequence of 
which I was not troubled by any further solicitation. Otherwise, I 
should have been importuned during the whole day. 
Yet, so eager were they to obtain tobacco, and so essential did 
they think it to their comfort and enjoyment, that for the sake of it 
they would, without hesitation, have parted with any thing they 
possessed. My men, though they thought it equally essential 
to their own comfort, could not, however, resist the temptation of 
some very good bargains which the Bushmen offered to them ; 
and in this manner they procured by barter, several handsome skins. 
My whole party were now in good spirits, and full of courage : and 
our reception by these natives, who had been represented to us as 
formidable savages, proved so truly friendly and so different from 
that which, I confess, I had myself expected, that every one was now 
lamenting that he had not provided himself, on his own private 
account, with a larger stock of tobacco, with which he might here 
have set up for a fur-merchant. But it was far better that they were 
not so provided ; for these foolish improvident people would cer- 
tainly, as soon as we had entered the colony, have bartered all their 
furs for brandy ; and their fine commercial speculations would have 
ended, as they always do end with Hottentots, just where they began. 
The whole village seemed to keep ' holiday' on this occasion, 
and the crowd remained with us for a long time after they had re- 
ceived the presents ; while those of my party who could speak their 
language, found full employment in answering the various questions 
which were put respecting myself In this duty, Ruiter proved him- 
self a valuable addition to our number, as he was not only able to 
interpret, but at this time, was willing also. As soon as they 
found that I was not one of the boors, but even of a different nation 
and language, and that I had no other desire or intention than that of 
being always on friendly terms with them, they again declared, as it 
