A F R I G A. , 29 
narrative, the reafons that induced me to ad- 
here inflexibly to my plan, of keepuig at a 
diftance from the habitations of the colonyy 
and of having no intercourfe v^ith the planters. 
Befide the interruptions and inconveniences 
that their vifits would unavoidably occafion, I 
had always a confiderable fpot of ground, a 
fort of eftate, to overlook, which I never 
found in better order than when we had none 
of thefe neighbours about us. It may be 
remembered what eaufe 1 had to repent a 
deviation from this rule at Agter-Bruintjes- 
Hoogte. Though I had intercourfe with 
thefe planters for four hours only, it fpread 
fuch a fpirit of infubordination in my camp, 
that it required all my firmnefs to re efta- 
bliih order and a good underftanding. To 
this unlucky circumftance, to thefe firft fruits 
of fo dangerous a communication, do I owe 
the misfortune of never vifiting the coun- 
try of Caffraria, a country fo extremely cu- 
rious, as to merit of itieif a feparate ex- 
pedition, and fo interefting, that I fhall 
all my life regret the not having known 
it. 
In my prefent plan of traverfing the colony, . 
properly fo called, and ftudying the humour 
Qf 
