SOUTHERN AFRICA. 41,5 
These people soon perceived of how much greater advant- 
age was a short weapon to a muscular arm, than a long missile 
spear, whose slow motion through the air makes it easily to 
be avoided. The blade of the Roman sword, which once con- 
quered the world, was only about fifteen inches long, and 
such a sword would, perhaps, at this^ awful moment, be well 
suited for the nervous arm and the bold and invincible spirit 
of a Briton. 
The same letter gave an account of an unfortunate affair 
that happened to Lieutenant Chumney and twenty men of the 
81st regiment. This officer had been detached towards the sea- 
coast, and was returning to the camp at Bosjesman's River, 
when his party was surprized among the thickets by a large 
party of Kaffers, who attacked them hand to hand with the 
iron part of their Hassagais, the wooden shaft being previ- 
ously broken off. This young officer defended himself bravely 
till sixteen of his party were killed. The remaining four, with 
a Dutch boor, got into a waggon that accompanied the de- 
tachment, and arrived safe at the camp. Poor Chumney was 
on horseback, and when the waggon set out had three Has- 
sagais sticking in his body. Finding himself mortally wounded, 
and perceiving that the whole aim of the enemy was directed 
towards him, he made a sign to the waggon to drive off ; and 
turning his horse, he set off in a contrary direction, pursued 
by the whole body of Kaffers ; affording thus an opportunity 
for the small remains of his party to save their lives by flight. 
In this situation of affairs the rebel boors, associated with 
the Kaffers, contrived to circulate a report among the Hot- 
