§3? t R A V E L S I N 
Withbut exception, I found an Imbecile ftd- 
pidity, which made them enraptured with 
every thing I carried with me for my ufe^ 
The Houzouanas contemplated them with 
thofe emotions of curiofity 'which every pro- 
dudion of induftry would naturally excite in a 
people deftitute of arts ; but this curiofity was 
neither ftupid admiration nor the childifh de- 
fire of favages in generaL 
Nothing filled them with real aftonifhment 
but my fire-arms. During the whole time 
they were with me, thefe were the fubjeds of 
their attention and difeourfe* But it is to be 
©bferved^ I had endeavoured to infpire them 
with the greateft terror by difplaying their 
effeds. I never fuffered them to touch my 
fufees, and I was particularly careful not to 
fhow them the mode of ufmg them. When 
once they had imbibed the defire of poflefllng 
them, perhaps it would not be long before 
they w^ould contrive means of procuring them j 
and then how dangerous would be thefe moun-^ 
taineers to the plantations, and even to the 
Cape itfelf ; fince, fecure from attack in their 
mountains, and indefatigable in their expedi-^ 
tians, their nodurnal and unexpeded attacks 
render 
