1812. 
NIGHTLY WATCH.— DISCOVERY OF THE BRIQUAS. 
273 
wilde-paards (Wild Horses) elands and harteheests, from the neigh- 
bouring mountains, appeared in sight near the water. They were 
instantly pursued and a wilde-paard [Equus montanus), or quakka, 
as it was oftener called, was shot. This was a timely and welcome 
supply to the Hottentots, as the buffalo-meat was already become 
so dry and hard, that it afforded us but tough and unpalatable 
food. 
So much had been told us by the missionaries and Hotten- 
tots, of the peculiarly hostile disposition of the Bushinen who 
inhabit the vicinity of the Kosi fountain, that, not despising their 
advice, and chusing rather to be over-prudent, than neglectful of 
measures of 'precaution, I delivered out ammunition to my people, 
and ordered them two by two, to keep regular watch throughout the 
night ; relieving each other every two hours. With these orders 
their fears rendered them very ready to comply, however uncongenial 
to the nature of a Hottentot, night-watching might be, under cir- 
cumstances of less apprehension. 
Gert, who had so long in our absence, an opportunity of hearing 
these tales, and who seemed to have deeply imbibed the timidity they 
were meant to inspire, related to me a story which he had picked up at 
Klaarwater, respecting the fate of the first party of Hottentots who 
ventured among the Briquas ; and who were the first visitors which 
that nation had ever received from the side of the Colony. This 
party, consisting of a considerable number of Mixed Hottentots, had 
reached the chief town of these Briquas or Bachapins, and were 
received apparently with friendship : an ox was on the occasion 
killed for them by the chief, and a large party of natives were also 
assembled to partake of it. At this time, it was discovered that some 
of their pack-oxen were missing ; on which, a part of the Hottentots 
went to look for them : but in the mean time, as it was said, the 
Briquas seeing the party thus divided, fell upon them and murdered 
all but five. Of these five, only three reached home alive, the others 
having, on the way, died of their wounds. 
This story, he had learnt from the widows of those who were 
thus murdered : but the whole appeared so inconsistent with other 
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