234 
ACCOUNT OP HOUKAY. 
[1820. 
Kars and Berends the Griqua captain, who were 
both present, remarked that Houkay had killed 
many more than five persons, but they saw he 
suspected our reason for asking such questions. 
In all his combats, he had only received two 
wounds from poisoned arrows, one in his right 
arm, and the other on his side, both of these 
he showed, and either would have proved mortal 
had not the parts been instantly cut out. He 
said the Bushmen around never attack him now, 
being afraid, because they know that he is a 
brave and resolute man. These were his own 
words. Like all his countrymen, he has suffered 
great hardships, having often been destitute of 
food for several successive days, during those 
seasons when both roots and game were scarce. 
I advised him to be more economical of food 
when he had it ; he replied, that often after he 
had roasted, or rather burnt flesh, he pounded 
it to powder, and kept it many days. 
Inquiring if he knew how men first came into 
the world ; he said he was a child, (meaning in 
understanding) and knew nothing ; that he never 
heard his father speak about any thing except 
game. I inquired where the sun went after it 
sunk behind the mountain. He could not tell ; 
but thought it died, and a new one came up the 
next morning. He had heard of God since he 
