216 TRAVELS IN 
this opportunity of being revenged for the 
contenmpt with which I had more than once 
treated them ; and they would then have no 
longer wanted a pretence for rendering me 
criminal. However powerful this prudent 
policy might be, which induced me to be- 
have in this manner towards them, I had 
ftill a motive of much greater weight. 
Being too much above the attacks of thefe 
banditti, and their atrocious confpiracies, 
by refuting arms to thefe favages againft the 
planters, and to the latter refources againft 
the favages, I prevented them from conti- 
nuing their horrid ravages. In cafe either 
of the parties fliould be exhaufted, as had 
more than once happened, I could not fup- 
ply them without taking a part in their 
quarrels ; and this conduct would have very 
ill agreed with the integrity and fentiments 
of my heart. I even fcrupled to accept a 
few cattle, offered me by the Caffres in ex- 
change for a quantity of beads and toys, 
which I diftrlbuted among them when they 
departed. 
I greatly wifhed that the young CafFre 
would remain with me ^ but I had no better 
fuccefs in endeavouring to entice him, than 
his 
