1812. 
CLOTHING. — LOST OXEN. -THE LIKHAAL 
373 
life; and at this time expressed himself as averse from adopting 
that part of their dress, after having been so long clothed in a very 
different manner. 
With respect to the covering of the human body, we may re- 
mark that among tlie various nations of the globe, whatever advance- 
ment they may have made, they rarely if ever make a retrograde 
change. And, could this opinion be established as a rule, it would 
lead us to conclude that the aborigines of Southern Africa could 
never have descended from a nation once accustomed to wear com- 
plete clothing. 
The place allotted for my cattle, was in the same pound with 
those- of the Chief. A little before sunset, a Bachapin, who said 
he was Mattlvi's son-in-law, entered the enclosure, driving in my 
oxen before him. They were found in the town, without any 
one attending them ; and, being used to come home at that hour, 
had of their own accord gone into one of the mootsies, which happen- 
ing to be his, they were immediately recognised as belonging to me, 
and every one selected, without mistake, from among his own with 
which they had mingled ; a further proof of the faculty which all 
these South- Africans have, of distinguishing and recognising oxen 
in the midst of numerous herds. He claimed a piece of tobacco for 
his trouble, and, on receiving three inches, departed as much pleased 
at my cattle having strayed into his kraal, as I was vexed at finding 
that they had been so much neglected by my own herdsman. But I 
consoled myself with having by these means discovered that there 
existed so much good faith and honesty in the inhabitants, that on 
such occasions they were ready to restore the lost oxen to their owner, 
instead of concealing them, in order to profit by my loss. 
Adjoining the public enclosures, are others of the same kind, 
called likJida?, and also ?nuotsi, in which the cattle are confined at 
night, and to which there is usually no entrance but through the 
first : so that by placing a guard here and around the hedge, their 
cows and oxen are well secured, both from breaking out, and from 
any attempts of their enemies. 
A wooden jug, containing about a gallon of sour or thick milk, 
