3i6 TRAVELS IN 
We did not pafs the night in tranquillity^ 
for our dogs difturbed us fo much that we en-- 
joyed no fleep at all. 
At the break of day, I perceived at a 
dlftance three of my Hottentots advancing 
towards us, accompanied by three ftrangers : 
one of them, named Hans, the fon of a Hotten- 
tot woman by a white man, had lived almoft 
his whole life among the Caffres, and fpoke 
their language very fluently. By giving him 
a few glalTes of brandy, which I had kept in 
referve, I foon gained his confidence ; and I 
made him tell me every thing that I wiflied 
to know, refpedling the ftate of affairs at that 
time. What I learned confirmed me in my 
opinion, that the Caffres in general are a 
harmlefs and peaceful people ; but he affured 
me that, being continually oppreffed, plun- 
dered, and maffacred bv the whites, they had 
found themfelves reduced to the neceffity of 
taking up arms in their own defence ; adding, 
that the planters every where gave out, that 
thefe people were barbarous and fanguinary, 
in order to juftify their robberies, and the 
cruelty which they daily exercifed againft 
them, and which they endeavoured to make 
appear as reprifals 3 that, under pretence of 
their 
