AFRICA. 345 
whole troops of thefe banditti, they carefully 
fliua thofe plantations where they are cer- 
tain that the owners themfelves refide. Ar-- 
tifice and cunning, the ufual refources of 
timid fouls, are the only means which they 
employ, and the only guides that accompany 
them in their expeditions. In places where 
the prints of their feet, too ftrongly imprefP- 
ed, might alarm the inhabitants, and roufe 
them to purfuit, they difguife them by a 
wonderful addrefs, to which our plunderers 
in Europe, more impetuous or lefs patient, 
never think of having recourfe : they al- 
ways march backwards if they are not Ihod; 
but if they wear fandals, they tie them to 
the foot in fuch a manner that the heel cor- 
refponds with the toes. When they carry 
off a confiderable flock of living animals, 
they diftribute them, under the care of feveral 
of their gang, into fmall bodies, making 
them purfue different routes ; and by thefe 
means, if they are chafed, they always fecure 
the greater part of their plunder. 
Another nation, entirely different from 
that of the Hottentots, is confounded alfo 
under the name of Boflimen. Though thefe 
people in their language ufe the fame clap- 
pings 
