em, they are driven to desperation, and must either become
robbers in their turn, or perish by hunger. Such was the case of the
Mantatees. Unable to withstand the attacks of the Zoolus, they were
driven from their country, and joined their forces with others who had
shared the same fate.

"Such was the origin of the Mantatees, who, although they had not
courage to withstand the attacks of the Zoolus, were stimulated by
desperation and famine to a most extraordinary courage in the attacks
which they made upon others.

"Forming an immense body, now that they were collected together,
accompanied by their wives and children, and unable to procure the
necessary subsistence, it is certain that their habits were so far
changed that they at last became cannibals, and were driven to prey upon
the dead bodies of their enemies, or the flesh of their comrades who
fell in the combats.

"The Bechuana tribes, who are the Caffres of the interior, were the
first assailed, their towns sacked and burnt, and their cattle seized
and devoured. They proceeded on to the Wankeets, one of the Damara
tribes, who inhabit the western coast to the northward of the
Namaqua-land; but the Wankeets were a brave people, and prepared for
them, and the Mantatees were driven back with great slaughter.
Astounded at their defeat, they turned to the southward, and invaded the
Bechuana country.

"At that time our missionaries had established themselves at Koranna,
and when the report of the Mantatees advancing was brought to them, the
Bechuanas were in a great consternation; for although finer-looking men
than the eastern Caffres, they are not by any means so brave and
warlike.

"As the advance of these people would have been the ruin of the mission,
as well as the destruction of the tribe, who were afraid to encounter
them, Mr M, the missionary, determined upon sending for the assistance
of the Griquas, the people whom I have before mentioned, and who had not
only horses, but were well-armed. The Griquas came under their chief,
Waterboer, and marched against the enemy, accompanied by a large army of
Bechuanas, who, encouraged by the presence of the Griquas, now went
forth to the combat.

"The Mantatees had at that time advanced as far [as], and had taken
possession of, Litakoo, a Bechuana town, containing 16,000 inhabitants;
and I will now give, as nearly as I can recollect it, the account of Mr
M, the missionary at Kuruman, who accompanied the Gri