SOUTHERN AFRICA. 127 
we found it neceflary to dlfcharge two or three rounds of grape 
from two field-pieces, in order to clear the thickets. 
The fituatlon of the country became more and more embar- 
raffing. It was a point that required iome management to pre- 
vent a jundtion between the Kaffers,. urged by the rebel boors 
to this ad of aggrefTion, and the difiatisfied Hottentots, that 
were every where flying from the perfecutions of their mafters. 
To get the latter down to the plains near Algoa Bay, as fpeedily 
as poflible, w^as the moft advilable meafure ; accordingly, ac- 
companied by a few dragoons, I took charge of the Hottentots 
and their cattle, and we purfued our journey to the fouthward ; 
whilft the General marched back into the Zuure Veld, in order 
to pick up a party of infantry that had been Rationed there, 
with a view of cutting off a retreat of the boors into the Kaffer 
country. 
Whether it happened that, in paffing through the woods, we 
had picked up fome of the cattle belonging to the Kafl^ers, or 
that they had a defign upon thofe of the Hottentots that were 
driven before us, is not certain ; but on our arrival, towards the 
evening, at Zwart Kop's River, a number of the Kaffers were 
obferved lurking among the fhnjbbery. About the middle of 
the night, the centinel, which we had placed by way of precau- 
tion, gave the alarm of an enemy. Upon this a ferjeant of dra- 
goons obferving fomething move in the dark, rulhed into the 
bufhes, and, firing his piftol, brought a man to the ground. It 
was a young well-looking Kaffer about fix feet high. He made> 
great efforts to remain on his feet, but weakened by lofs of 
bloodv 
