AFRICA. 283 
crs, propofed that we fhould eftablifh oiirfelves 
at a confiderable diftance thence, that we 
might not be in the neighbourhood of Caffra- 
rla ; and, when they faw me depart, they 
alked permiffion to follow me, and to put 
themfelves under the protedion of my camp. 
This requeft I readily complied with ; and 
though at bottom I was overjoyed at their 
propofal, I artfully made a merit of it, as much 
with a defign to keep them dependant upon 
me, as to give fpirits to my people by this for- 
midable body, and to fupport their courage- 
Nothing more fortunate could have occurred; 
I reinforced my troop ; and, befides the parti- 
cular refources of this horde, I had the advan- 
tage of my artillery, which could oppofe whole 
clouds of aflagays and baiBe all the efforts 
of an army of favages, fhould I be well fecond- 
ed. In lefs than two hours all the huts were 
taken down and packed up, and with other 
cSqQlS put on the backs of our fpare oxen. 
I firfl made the half of the men belonging 
to this horde fet out before m.e, with all their 
cattle, giving them two of my people well 
armed to efcort them. They carried with 
* A kind of lance which the CaiTies ufc with much 
dexter itjo 
them 
