SOUTHERN AFRICA. ,37 
and depriving them of gunpowder ; both of which might eafily 
and completely be effeded by the fmall military poft at Algoa 
Bay. 
However defirable it might have been to apprehend and 
punifh the rebels, who had inftigated the KafFers to ails of 
hoftility againft the Britilh troops, yet it was by no means ad- 
vifable, in order to obtain that point, to wage an unequal contefl: 
with favages in the midft of impenetrable thickets, whofe de- 
ftrudlion would have added little luftre to the Britifli arms, and 
been advantageous only to the very people who had urged them 
on. General Vandeleur, therefore, very prudently withdrew 
his forces, and marched them down to Algoa Bay, where part 
of them were embarked on board the Rattlefnake, and the reft 
intended to proceed to the Cape by eafy marches. Subfequent 
events, however, delayed their departure, and rendered the pre- 
fence of troops neceffary at Algoa Bay until the evacuation of 
the colony. 
Having delivered over the remaining Hottentots, on the re- 
turn of the General, and finding I could be of no further ufe, 
I fet out for the Cape, where, after a journey of fixteen days, 
performed with two horfes, I arrived on the 8th of June. 
Little occurred on the homeward journey that was worthy of 
obfervation, unlefs it was the vifible change that had taken place 
in the behaviour of the people of Zwellendam. While the 
boors of Graaf Reynet were ftill in arms, the inhabitants of 
this neighbouring diftrid: appeared to be wavering, but on hear- 
VOL. II. T ing 
