40 LOSS OF THE 
depredations, that they constantly secured their cattle as they 
approached, and even used violence to keep them at a dis- 
tance. So true it is that in all countries poverty is consider- 
ed rather as a crime than a misfortune, and that he who has 
nothing to bestow, is immediately suspected of an intention 
to take away. 
But the Caffres had been characterized as a humane and 
inoffensive people. How are we then to reconcile this de- 
scription with the conduct they displayed to our countrymen? 
May not the idea that they were Dutchmen, solve the difficul- 
ty ? Between the Caffres and the Dutch colonists an invete- 
rate enmity subsisted at that period. The Caffres had been 
treated with unparalleled cruelty and oppression by the white 
people with whom they were conversant ; all white people 
were, therefore, probably regarded as enemies. Among un- 
civilized nations, wherever any intercourse has been establish- 
ed with Europeans, the characters of the latter, in general, 
have been determined from the conduct of a worthless few. 
Thus, as on other important occasions, many suffer for the 
vices of individuals. 
Our travelers, every where repelled or regarded with ap- 
prehension, at length came to a river, and having crossed it, 
were met by a party of natives, one of whom had adorned 
his hair with a piece of a silver buckle, which was known to 
have belonged to the ship's cook. It seemed the cook, who 
set a particular value upon his buckles, had covered them 
with bits of cloth, to conceal them from the natives ; but at 
length hunger had compelled him to break them up, in order 
to barter them for food : but no sooner was the price deposited 
than the natives broke their engagement, as had been their 
general practice, except in one solitary instance, and drove 
the claimants away. 
Hynes and his party were roughly handled by the natives 
tliey had fallen in with. To avoid their persecution, they 
traveled till late at night, and after reposing for a few hours, 
they recommenced their journey before it was light, that they 
might escape a repetition of their ill treatment. 
Next day about noon they reached a spot where there was 
good water, and the probability of finding an abundance of 
shell-fish; here, being much fatigued, they determined to 
spend the night. While in this situation they were overtaken 
by a tremendous storm of thunder and lightning, and the rain 
poured down in such torrents that they were obliged to hold 
up *lieir canvass frocks over the fire to save it from being ex.- 
