236 HUNGER OF THE DOGS. [1820. 
his judgment. What the case was I did not 
learn. * 
One of the Hottentots had both his shoes eaten 
by the hungry dogs during the night ; and both 
of the horses had the leathern ropes, by which 
they were fastened to the waggons, eaten as high 
as to their mouths. While we continued at 
Kurreechane, the horses were almost constantly 
surrounded by the inhabitants gazing at them ; 
and when at any time the animals moved their 
tails to drive away the flies, the people retreated 
and fled as if a lion had made his appearance. 
i The children as well as the aged had been all 
inoculated for the small pox between the eye- 
brows.f 
* Among other circumstances of a similar nature, might not 
this practice be considered as a proof of the Jewish or Arabian 
origin of this people. It was probably this practice of giving 
judgment at the gate, to which is referred the declaration of 
Scripture, " The gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." 
t Dr. Hussey, the physician to the forces at the Cape, was 
kind enough to vaccinate four Bootshuanas, who accompanied 
the waggons to Cape Town. The pustules of the youngest, a 
boy of twelve years of age, rose and filled regularly. The other 
three did not take the disorder. This experiment may be con- 
sidered decisive as it respects the question, whether the people 
are acquainted with inoculation for the small pox. The history 
of the introduction of this disorder among the Bootshuanas, 
could it be ascertained, would throw much light upon their 
connection with Europeans, and prove very interesting. 
