Africa is a wide field for science, and I can hardly go any where without being well rewarded for my journey; and I will say, that should it meet both our views, I should be very glad if we were to travel in company." Mr.Fairburn, who had come on deck, had been standing close to them at the latter portion of the conversation, and made the observation-- "I think it would be a very good plan if Mr.Swinton would venture to go where you are bound, Mr.Wilmot, but you can talk of that another day, when you have been longer together.

There is nothing that requires more deliberation than the choice of a traveling companion; any serious imperfection of temper may make a journey very miserable.

Now, Wilmot, if you are tired of natural history, and wish to change it for the painful history of human nature, I am ready to continue my observations." "With great pleasure, sir." "I hope you have no objection to my reaping the benefit also ?" said Mr.
Swinton.
"Oh, most certainly not," replied Mr.Fairburn, "although I fear you will not gain much information, as you have been at the Cape before.

In a former conversation with Mr.Wilmot I have pointed out the manner in which the Cape was first settled, and how the settlers had gradually reduced the original possessors of the land to a state of serfdom; I will now continue.
"The Dutch boors, as they increased their wealth in cattle, required more pasture, and were now occupying the whole of the land south of the Caffre country: the Caffres are wild, courageous savages, whose wealth consists chiefly in cattle, but in some points they may be considered superior to the Hottentots.
"The weapon of the Hottentot may be said to be the bow and arrow, but the Caffre scorns this warfare, or indeed any treachery; his weapons are his assaguay, or spear, and his shield; he fights openly and bravely.
The Caffres also cultivate their land to a certain extent, and are more cleanly and civilized.

The boors on the Caffre frontier were often plundered by the bushmen, and perhaps occasionally by some few of the Caffres who were in a lawless state on the frontier; but if any complaint was made to the Caffre chiefs, every redress in their power was given: this, however, did not suit the Dutch boors.
"They had entered the Caffre country, and had perceived that the Caffres possessed large herds of cattle, and their avarice pointed out to them how much easier it would be to grow rich by taking the cattle of the Caffres than by rearing them themselves.