1811. 
DISTRIBUTION OF AMMUNITION. 
281 
animal, and, though much praised, I felt no desire to make a meal 
of it. 
Prudent precaution against future emergencies required that my 
little flock of sheep should be spared as long as possible, that it 
might be a resource in greater necessity, and I therefore supplied 
my men plentifully with powder and ball ; but this j3roduced for us 
at present but little food, owing as much to their want of practice in 
shooting, as to the scarcity of game. Philip, however, brought home 
a Steenbok the meat of which was very good-tasted. 
The missionaries also distributed among their people, a large 
quantity of ammunition, to which I contributed my share, to be 
used only for the defense of the caravan in case of an attack from 
the Caffres, or the Bushmen. Every gun was kept ready loaded, 
and small parties held watch during the night, as we had now 
reached that part of our road where we might begin to expect some 
attempt on the part of the natives, to carry off our cattle. The 
country through which we had now to pass, is inhabited by the wild 
Hottentots usually called Bushmen ; and, as they are almost always 
in a state of hostility towards the colonists, we were uncertain 
whether they would treat us as friends or as enemies ; although the 
missionaries had every right to be considered as the former. 
Their good intentions towards these savages had been unequi- 
vocally shown at a spot a few miles westward of our station ; where, 
about twelve years before, they persevered for a year or two in 
endeavouring to establish a mission, and to give religious instruction 
to all who would attend. But, whether owing to the natural diffi- 
culties of the undertaking; to want of judgment on one side; or of 
inclination on the other, the attempt failed altogether. 
September 1st. Several more waggons which had been expected, 
and for which we waited, joined us here ; this being the last place 
appointed as a rendezvous. The number was now increased to 
eighteen, drawn up together on a wide open plain, where nothing 
covered the red arid soil, except here and there a scrubby stunted 
* Antilope rupestris ; already noticed at page 202. 
0 O 
