July.] 
TREATMENT OF BUSHMEN. 
161 
We were all of opinion that killing the Bush- 
men, met with after such robberies, does not 
deter the survivors from stealing upon the first 
opportunity, for death among Bushmen is held in 
light estimation. If the offenders were to be 
seized and punished with severe floggings, impri- 
soned for some time, and afterwards liberated, 
they would not probably attempt to steal again. 
Besides, carrying home upon their bodies the 
marks of their disgraceful and severe punish- 
ment might discourage others from attempting 
such depredations. Jan Hendric, one of the 
Christian natives, had a proof of the success at- 
tending such treatment. When living in his own 
country, Griqua Land, the Bushmen had stolen 
some of his cattle. He and others pursued them 
on horseback, and caught the thieves. He gave 
them a severe flogging with a large sambuck made 
from the skin of a sea-cow, or rhinoceros, and 
which is generally used for driving oxen. This 
inspired them and their neighbours with such 
terror, that they never troubled them again. On 
the present occasion he accompanied Mateebe in 
the pursuit of the Bushmen, and we hoped he 
would prevent the murder of the innocent ; for if 
the Matchappees were to come upon a kraal of 
Bushmen, however innocent of the offence, while 
enraged against that people they would murder 
man, woman, and child, with as much indifference 
as boys would kill mice. A short time before 
VOL. II. M 
