246 
MAKING CARTRIDGES. 
15, 16 June, 
takes delight in associating with us, in sharing our abode, and 
is even jealous that our attention should be bestowed on him 
alone : it is he, who knows us personally, watches for us and warns 
us of danger. It is impossible for the naturalist, when taking a 
survey of the whole animal creation, not to feel a conviction that 
this friendship between two creatures so different from each other, 
must be the result of the laws of Nature ; nor can the humane and 
feelinp' mind avoid the belief that kindness to those animals from 
which he derives continued and essential assistance, is part of his 
moral duty. To me, during my travels, the Jiorse and the ox were 
scarcely less the objects of my admiration and gratitude ; and his 
patient performance of his unceasing and daily labors, strongly 
attached the latter to me. 
As the expeditious loading of olir muskets, might, under a variety 
of circumstances, be of the greatest importance, I employed six 
of the people in making cartridges ; and in the course of the morning, 
we completed between two and three hundred. This being a work 
with which none of my men were acquainted, I was compelled to be 
their instructor and overseer. 
As both Speelman and Philip had been in military service, I 
concluded that they would impress their companions with a proper 
idea of the advantages of this mode of loading. But although all 
confessed that it was excellent ; yet such was the influence and force 
of habit and custom, that they never could be brought voluntarily to 
adopt this improvement. Having first learnt from the boors, to carry 
their powder in a horn, and their bullets in a kogel-tas (bullet-pouch) 
they were now either too awkward, or too lazy, to practise any new 
method. Though their ammunition was for a long time delivered to 
them in this form, and though they always professed to follow my 
instructions, I discovered that at length they frequently took the 
cartridges to pieces, and loaded their guns in the old manner ; in 
which much powder is wasted. But during our travels in the Trans- 
gariepine, I continued the use of these ; although at last they were 
allowed when hunting, also to carry loose powder and ball. A large 
stock of cartridges, however, was always kept ready in my waggon, 
in case of any sudden attack from the savages. 
