236 
TRAVELS IN 
were to remain In a ftate of fervitude during their lives. Such 
as have been taken very young and well treated, have turned 
out mofl; excellent fervants ; they have fhewn great talent, 
great activity, and great fidelity. An oppofite treatment has 
been productive of a contrary effed ; and the brutal conduct of 
moft of the Dutch farmers towards thofe in their employ has 
already been . noticed. The poor Hottentot bears it with 
patience, or finks under it ; but on the temper and the turn 
of mind of the Bosjefman it has a very different effe£l. He 
takes the firft opportunity that offers of efcaping to his coun- 
trymen, and contrives frequently to carry off with him a muf- 
quet, and powder and ball. With tales of cruelty he excites 
them to revenge ; he affiils them in their plans of attack ; tells 
them the ftrength of the whole, and of individuals ; the num- 
ber of their cattle, and the advantages and the dangers that 
will occur in the attempt to carry them off j the manner in 
which expeditions are condudled againft them ; and, in fhoit, 
every thing he knows rcfpedting the colonifts. Armed with 
mufquets and poifoned arrows, a party of thefe people was 
bold enough, a few days before we commenced our journey, 
to approach within four or five miles of the Drofdy, from 
vv'hence they carried off feveral hundred fheep. They were 
followed into a kloof of one of the mountains of Sneuwberg, 
where they remained in poffeffion of their plunder, laughing at 
their purfuers, and inviting them to approach and tafte a 
little of their own mutton. One of them fired a mufquet, 
and the ball grazing the hat of a peafant, caufed the purfuing 
party to make a precipitate retreat. 
In 
