284 
BUSHMEN.— TRANQUILITY RESTORED. 25, 26 June, 
country, this fact might be taken as a proof, either of their hostile 
disposition towards strangers, or of their fears of retahation for past 
robberies, or of the scarcity of inhabitants in this part of the country. 
Which last supposition is the least probable of the three ; for a land 
which, it would seem by Speelman's discovery yesterday, is in general 
not deficient in water considered as a Bushman country, is not likely 
to be totally unoccupied by their tribes : besides which, we had, 
during our stay at this station, every night observed their fires at a 
distance, in several directions around us. I have before made the 
remark, that, according as the Bushmen view strangers either as 
friends or as foes ; or suppose themselves to be viewed as one or 
other of these, so their country will appear, either well inhabited, or 
perfectly deserted. 
We had, however, sufficient reason for concluding that at this 
time they were not watching our motions ; otherwise they might 
easily have made a prize of the sheep. But I could not avoid 
noticing on this, and on many other, occasions since leaving Graaff- 
reynet, how little prudence belongs to the Hottentot character ; and 
how inconsistent with their fears of the Bushmen and other native 
tribes, is their want of precaution and vigilance. How often have 
they through heedlessness and neglect of order and discipline, ex- 
posed themselves unnecessarily to the risk of being cut off by the 
savages, had these been so inclined, or really so ferocious and ill- 
disposed, as their own fears, or the tales of others, taught them to 
believe. 
Having recovered the sheep and our two companions, whom we 
were just beginning to deplore as lost, and never to be seen more, all 
our affairs became smooth again, and every one seemed happy and 
freed from care ; even the dread of the savage Bushmen of the 
Kosi, and the fear of being taken too far into the Interior, appeared 
to have left them, like an intermittent fever : and there now ensued 
an interval of tranquillity which lasted for some time. 
As soon as Philip returned, the baggage waggon was unloaded 
without delay, and sent for the kanna which he had shot : this 
was brought home by eight o'clock the same evening. It being 
