304 TRAVELS IN 
fnares for them with more dexterity. This 
laft circumftaiice was not void of foundation ; 
but it could by no means be appUed to the 
more remote hordes. Thus were the inno- 
cent involved in the common fate of the 
guilty. But how was it poffible for favages to 
make a diftlnftion which even civilized nations 
are not accuftomed to do ? They told me, be- 
fides, that the CafFres had procured fome fire 
arms, which they found in thofe plundered 
houfes, or had taken by furprife from the 
Hottentots belonging to the colonies. 
I was, in fhort, informed in the moft mi- 
nute manner of every thing that had pafled, of 
the attacks made, and the battles fought, in 
which, though they had committed horrid 
ravages, the Caffres had always been beat, 
which to me did not appear furprifing. Their 
affagay, their moft deftrudive v/eapon, which 
they handle with great dexterity, cannot ftand 
in competition with our fire arms, employed 
by chaffeurs v^/ho feldom mifs their aim. What 
I had learned interefted me very much, for 
the fmalleft circumftance could not be indif- 
ferent to me. I found myfeif engaged, on my 
own account, in the events and chances of this 
war^ fiace I was aitualiy, as one may fay, ou 
the 
