3^6 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 (hewn great talent, 
great adivity, and great fidelity. An oppofite treatment has 
been produ6tive of a contrary effeil ; and the brutal condu£l: of 
mofl: of the Dutch farmers tovvrards 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 effect. He 
takes the firfl; 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 afnfts 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 ; the manner in 
which expeditions are conduded againfl them ; and, in fhort, 
every thing he knows refpefting the colonifl:s. 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 
whence they carried off feveral hundred fheep. They were 
followed into a kloof of one of the mountains of Sneuwberg, 
where they remained in pofTeffion 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. t 
In 
