SOUTHERN AFRICA, 59 
lirft to the great amufement, but afterwards, to the no lefs an- 
noyance, of the whole camp, he was fuffered to go about his 
bufinefs on paying a heavy penalty in money for the ufe of the 
boy, whom he had abufed in fo fhameful a manner. 
Another inftance occurred, fince our departure from Algoa 
Bay, which ftrongly marked the little reludance that is felt by 
the African boors in the fhedding of human blood, even of 
Chrijlian Menfch^ for whom they affed fo great a veneration. 
On leaving the bay it was difcovered that three fine young lads 
of the 8ift regiment had deferred with their arms; and as thefp 
deferters knew that the reft of the people were to march that 
morning tov./ards the upper part of the country. Van Rojj from 
whofe houfe we departed, concluding they might return, en- 
<]uired of the General what he fliould do in cafe of fuch an 
.event ? The anfwer was, " Secure them, to be fure."— " But if 
*' they fliould refift ?^'— " You mull: take them at any rate j you 
" and your fons and people about the houfe are more than fuf^ 
" ficient to do that." The following day the man came gal- 
lopping after us, pale and frightened, and ready to fmk into 
the ground. He had fliot the three deferters j he had been 
obliged to do it, as he fald, in his own defence, and for the pro- 
tedion of his family, whom they intended to murder. " If 
" you can make that appear to have been the cafe," the General 
told him, you are juftified in what you have donej but thg 
*' fad is fo extraordinary, that a very rigid inquiry will be 
*' made into it." It is wonderful how rapidly the fellow's 
countenance brightened up, on hearing there was fome pallia- 
tion in favour of what he had done. It was evident he fele 
o 2 . neither . 
