CAFFRARIA. 
531 
In these plundering expeditions the CalFres never travel on 
the roads, but through the woods; where, in consequence of 
the multiplicity of obstacles, no European soldiers can come 
up with them ; but the Hottentots shewing themselves to be 
as nimble travellers through the woods and bushes, govern- 
ment have chiefly employed the Hottentot regiment in op- 
posing the Caffres. 
Sometime after the commencement of the Caffrewar, one 
of the chiefs desired a conference with the British Com- 
mander, who agreed to meet him in a plain, accompanied by 
a certain number of his men, and the Caffre to bring the 
like number. The chief asked, to whom that country be- 
longed so many years ago ? A Dutch boor mentioned a 
person to whom it had belonged. *^ O," said the Caffre, 
" I remember him, but it belonged to us before his lime.'' 
Be that as it might, said the Officer, he and his people 
must remove beyond the Great Fish River, and he recom- 
mended their doing it in a peaceable manner. They de- 
sired time to cut down their corn, but this could not be 
granted; but it was promised that it should be cut down and 
sent after them. The Commander observing the Caffres 
increasing in number around, and laying hold of their assa- 
gays, thought it prudent to fall back on his main body. So 
long as the corn remained on the ground, it was a constant 
bone of contention ; wherefore orders were given that all 
the growing corn, tobacco, 8cc. should be destroyed, which 
was accordingly done ; since which they have not crossed the 
Fish River in such numbers as formerly ; but that river is 
found a poor boundary, being sometimes compleatly dryo 
There is said to be a large and deep river about twenty days 
journey beyond it, which some recommend driving them 
beyond; else, say they, the war must be perpetual. On 
receiving such orders, king Gika might say, as a Canadian 
chief did on being ordered with his people to remove higher 
up the country, to make way for fresh settlers from Europe — ■ 
" Were we not born here ? are not the bones of our fore- 
fathers interred here? and can we say to them, Arise and go 
with us to a foreign land ?" But I doubt much the exis- 
tence" of such a river, for having afterwards travelled far 
higher up on the west side of the Caffre land, I did not meet 
with one river or stream running towards Calfraria, but all 
running towards the opposite side of the Continent. Should 
it only rise among those mountains which bound Caffraria on 
the westward, it is not likely to be both wide and deep. 
The Caffres, being divided into many tribes, each of which 
3 Y 2 
