SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
331 
plained of the inroads made into the colony, the 
chiefs stated, that these were prompted solely by 
the example set first, and on a greater scale, by the 
colonists. This, it seems, was an undeniable fact, 
so that the British could only stipulate for the good 
conduct of their subjects in future, provided the 
Caffres observed a similar procedure. Nothing, 
however, could be concluded without the king 
Geika, with whom these chiefs happened to be 
somewhat at variance. To Geika, accordingly, 
the mission set out, and arrived in a few days. 
They found him absent at a neighbouring village, 
on an alarm, that the wolves were threatening his 
cattle ; but he soon appeared, riding on an ox at 
full gallop. He shewed pleasure at seeing them, 
and proceeded without ceremony to business, caus- 
ing them to sit in a circle for the convenience of 
conversation. He observed that no encroachments 
had been committed by any of his immediate sub- 
jects, but by those of chiefs who owned indeed his 
supremacy, but had given him much cause of com- 
plaint. He readily agreed to all the conditions 
proposed, which, besides the maintenance of peace 
]between the districts, included the affording relief 
to such vessels as should be shipwrecked on their 
coasts. In fact, it appeared, that, on such occa- 
sions, the shipwrecked mariners had been treated 
in the very best manner in every respect, except 
ithat, metal buttons being an irresistible tempta* 
