344 TRAVELS IN 
lately aflerted, are only a promlfcuous affem-* 
blage of mulattoes, negroes, and meftizos, 
of every fpecies, and fometimes of Hotten-* 
tots and Bafters ; who all differing in colour, 
j'efemble each other in nothing but in vil- 
lany. They are real land pirates, who live 
lander a chief, without laws and without diC- 
cipline ; abandoned to the utmoft mifery and 
defpair; bafe deferters, who have no other 
refources to procure them a fubfiftence but 
plundering and crimes. They retire to the 
fteepeft rocks, and the moft inacceffible ca*^ 
yerns, and th.ere they pafs their liyes. From 
thefe elevated places they command an ex- 
tenfive profpefl over, the furrounding plains, 
lie in wait for the unwary traveller and the 
fcattered flocks, pour dowp upon them with 
the velocity of an arrow, and fuddenly fall- 
ing upon the inhabitants and their cattle, 
flaughter them without diftindion. Loaded 
with booty, and whatever they can carry 
with them, they then repair tq their gloomy 
caves, which they never quit, till, like thp 
lionsj hunger ^fgain impels them to frefli 
mafi'acres. But as treachery always marches 
with a trembling ftep, and as the prefence 
one refolute perfon is fufficient to overawe- 
whole 
