AFRICA. 167 
and I loft all patience, becaufe I could ^ot 
catch any diftin<3: found. 
Though I could not comprehend what 
thefe CafFres faid to one another, I obferved 
that their attention was very much engaged, 
cither with my camp, my perfon, or my 
people, and their different motions. Their 
eyes roved with rapidity from one objed: to 
another ; and every thing m turns ftruck 
them with furprife. I have fomewhere read 
that aftonlfhment indicates ignorance ; but 
ignorance does not prove want of abilities. 
This refledtlon may be applied to the Caffres, 
for undoubtedly they cannot be accufed of 
ftupidity ; and between them and the Hot- 
tentots there Is a vaft diftance, in refpe£t to 
ingenuity and induftry. Hans had boafted 
much to them of my double-barrelled fuzees 
and piftols ; and from his account they were 
inclined to confider my arms as wonderful 
things. One of them, in the name of all 
the reft, having alked permlffion to fee them, 
I ordered them to be brought forth ; and I 
(hewed them to them without manlfefting 
the leaft fufpiclon. Being handed about 
from one to another, they were examined 
and turned over with the moft minute at- 
M 4 tent ion ; 
