58 
THE GRIQHAR. 
said often to exceed forty thousand in nun ber I cannot 
give an estimate of thoir numbers, for they appear spread 
over a vast expanse of country, and make a quivoring 
motion as they feed, and movo, and toss thoir gracofui 
horns. They feod chiefly on grass; and, as they come 
from the north about the time when the grass most 
abounds, it cannot bo want of food that prompts tne 
movemont. Nor is it want of water; for this antelope is 
ono of tho most abstemious in that respect. Thoir nature 
prompts them to sook as thoir favorito haunts level plain* 
with short grass, whoro thoy may bo able to watch the 
approach of an enemy. Tho Bakalahari take advantage 
of this fooling, and burn off largo patches of grass, not only 
to attract the gamo by tho now crop when it comes up, but 
also to form bare spots for tho springbuck to range ovor. 
On crossing the Orango .River wo como into inde- 
pendent territory inhabited by Griquas and Bechuanas. 
By Griquas is meant any mixed raco sprung from natives 
and Europeans. Those in question wore of Butch extrac- 
tion through association with Hottentot and Bush women 
Half-castes of tho first generation consider themselves 
superior to those of tho second, and all possess in some 
degroo the characteristics of both parents. Thoy were 
governed for many years by an oloeted chiof, named 
Watorboor, who, by treaty, received a small sum per 
annum from the colonial government for the support of 
schools in his country, and proved a most efficient guard 
of our northwest boundary. 
Many hundreds of both Griquas and Bochuanas have 
becomo Christians and partially civilized through the 
teaching of English missionaries. My first impressions of 
tho progross made were that the accounts of tho effects of 
tho gospel among thorn had been too highly colored. 1 
expectod a higher degree of Christian simplicity and purity 
than exists oithor among them or among ourselves. 1 waa 
not anxious for a deeper insight in detecting shams than 
others; but I expected character, such as we imagine the 
