Africa. 371 
fidered as their property, and of courfe they 
muft either give or fell her. 
At the begihning of my journey, T had nd 
woman with me but the wife of Klaas, who 
was neceflary to look after my linen, my kit- 
chen, and fome other branches of my fervice; 
arid I dhofe to admit ilo other into my cara-» 
van • perfiiaded that they would only ocea- 
flon me trouble, difcord, and perplexity. ' 
What had occurred on the banks of the 
Orange-River, when each of my people had 
formed to himfelf a little feraglio, confirmed 
tnt in my refolution. But fince, that a party 
of Caminoiiqua vi'omen bad entered into my 
fervice with their hulbands and fathers, I had 
changed my opinion. The innumerable good 
offices rendered me by thefe women, their ever- 
adive readinefs to prevent my wilhes, and the 
gaiety they kept up in my camp, rendered their 
prefence highly gratifying to me ; and I thence 
c:oncluded that, if temporary miftreffes i^ere 
calculated to produce nothing but diforder 
among my people, regular wives might be 
beneficial, were it only to keep the men near 
mc, and prevent their continually Healing away^ 
to purchafe meetings and bargain for favours. 
B b 2 In 
