THE BUSH BOYS

CHAPTER ONE.

THE BOORS.

Hendrik Von Bloom was a _boor_.

My young English reader, do not suppose that I mean any disrespect to
Mynheer Von Bloom, by calling him a "boor." In our good Cape colony a
"boor" is a farmer. It is no reproach to be called a farmer. Von Bloom
was one--a Dutch farmer of the Cape--a boor.

The boors of the Cape colony have figured very considerably in modern
history. Although naturally a people inclined to peace, they have been
forced into various wars, both with native Africans and Europeans; and
in these wars they have acquitted themselves admirably, and given proofs
that a pacific people when need be can fight just as well as those who
are continually exulting in the ruffian glory of the soldier.

But the boors have been accused of cruelty in their wars--especially
those carried on against the native races. In an abstract point of view
the accusation might appear just. But when we come to consider the
provocation, received at the hands of these savage enemies, we learn to
look more leniently upon the conduct of the Cape Dutch. It is true they
reduced the yellow Hottentots to a state of slavery; but at that same
time, we, the English, were transporting ship-loads of black Guineamen
across the Atlantic, while the Spaniards and Portuguese were binding the
Red men of America in fetters as tight and hard.

Another point to be considered is the character of the natives with whom
the Dutch boors had to deal. The keenest cruelty inflicted upon them by
the colonists was mercy, compared with the treatment which these savages
had to bear at the hands of their own despots.

This does not justify the Dutch for having reduced the Hottentots to a
state of slavery; but, all circumstances considered, there is no one of
the maritime nations who can gracefully accuse them of cruelty. In
their dealings with the aborigines of the Cape, they have had to do with
savages of a most wicked and degraded stamp; and the history of
colonisation, under such circumstances, could not be otherwise then full
of unpleasant episodes.

Young reader, I could easily defend the conduct of the boors of Cape
colony, but I have not space here. I can only give you my opinion; and
that is, that they are a brave, strong, healthy, moral, peace-loving,
industrious race--lovers of truth, and friends to republican freedom--in
short, a noble race of men.