ruled some time longer, receiving an allowance from our Government.

An amusing story is told of a Tambookie warrior that reminds me of the Green Island, for many years my happy residence.

Two Tambookies running from the field of battle hid themselves in a hole, but the leg of one unfortunately protruding caught the eye of some wary Icalaka. They pulled him out, and were preparing to slay him, when he cried, "Spare me, and I will tell you something." They paused, and he said, “There is yet another man in that hole." The second hidden warrior hearing this, called out from his place of concealment, "Don't believe him, kill him at once, he tells lies, there is no one in here." But it availed him nothing, and, after the custom of Kafirs, the two prisoners were forthwith assegaied.

In the following year the Cape Colonial Government sent Commandant Bowker with a considerable force to settle their disputes, which, by his judgment and discretion, he seems to have done in the most satisfactory manner. The following is a short account of the facts:

On the day following, the meeting took place, and was short and satisfactory, with very little excitement, as the effect of fire-water had passed. The Pondos then unconditionally accepted the announcement, and would let byegones be byegones. They broke up, and proceeded by invitation to see and hear Bowker's missionaries who preach peace. One of these, a small cannon, was taken to a spot, and under the able management of Captain Robinson threw some shells for the edification of the many Pongos who had assembled to witness the proceedings. At the word "fire," the gun responded by a loud report, and the shell hastened to its destination, which had previously been indicated, and then burst, to the no small astonishment of the natives.

N'gwilso ventured to look into the cannon's mouth. The discharge of a rocket was also the cause of much astonishment, and one of the spectators made a bolt. The chief N'gwilso remarked very naively, "No wonder that you English overcome us!" and proceeded to ask, "Who taught you these things?" We may state in conclusion that Bowker's mission has been successful in initiating a new and peaceful state between the Pondos and Halas, and the value of the mission may be guessed at by a remark which we heard N'gwilso make, and that was, "Come, Bokolo, fire away; you need not mind about wasting your ammunition; you have none to fight with; you have come in peace, and not to fight."

Gangeleswe was evidently most uneasy in his European dress. The only object which excited his attention was the instrument belonging to the trumpeter, which he was most anxious to obtain, saying that he would direct one of his councillors to play it for his amusement.

It is customary in South Africa on the occasion of a visit from a person of superior rank to present him and his followers with an ox. Should his party not be of sufficient number to consume the whole, the remainder is shared by the followers of the donor. Gangeles we, though so powerful in his kraal, was unable or unwilling to provide the ox; he made great excuses to the interpreter, saying that it was coming; but finally two wretched sheep were substituted, and the chief himself, probably ashamed of his want of hospitality, vanished in the night without even taking leave of his guest.

After a lonely and somewhat fatiguing ride of thirty-five miles we reached the Ungwali river, immediately over which is situated the Mission Station of Clarkebury.

We encamped immediately on the other side of the river, as it is always wise to place a river behind one, lest before the

morning it should be rendered unfordable by sudden rains. At Clarkebury I bid adieu to Lieutenant Robinson, who had accompanied me thus far. Parting thus with one of my armies, I continued my journey with the smaller escort.

The skins of nearly all the Kafirs whom we now met were of a polished Honduras-mahogany red. Both men and women used largely the red-ochre clay; it is said that they are thus protected from the bites of noxious insects and vermin. Fingoes use it as well as Kafirs.

The Commissioner in Basuto land has directed that this red clay should not be introduced into that country, at which the traders complain, as a considerable profit is made from its supply; but in Basuto land the blue coat, round hat, and corduroy trousers, have been adopted to a very great extent, more especially since the opening of the Diamond Fields.

CHAPTER XIV.

WITCHCRAFT.

THE natives whom we now met, both men and women, generally wore no clothing but a few slight ornaments.

An hour after leaving Clarkebury we reached the Bashee river, crossing it at a difficult and dangerous ford full of slippery rocks and boulders. Our only mishap was one to the cart, the wheels of which getting caught between two rocks received such a severe strain as caused the axles to spread at least six inches out of the level, in which condition they remained until we reached Natal.

We also crossed the Umtata river, noted for the slipperiness of its rocky drift. The water was low, but at other times it is deep and dangerous. Immediately on the other side we met an old man of the name of Kaye, who had served in the Kafir wars with the 2nd Queen's. I shall never forget his delight when he found my aide-de-camp to be the son of his old captain. "My boy," he said, "I look upon you as a son." He was doing well, being sober, industrious and steady, and he possessed good horses, sheep, and a large number of cattle.

Mr. Orpen, the Resident of the St. John's Territory, met us here. Although not previously acquainted with him, having read so many of his letters published in parliamentary documents on this country, I felt as if I knew him. I had many an interesting conversation with him, receiving an immense amount of information as regards the Transkei, Basuto land, the Free State, and the colony.

Contrary to the expectation of many, we had not seen one single head of game in this wide-spread country, neither did we see any, with the exception of half-a-dozen rei-buck, during our entire journey to Natal. The fact is, that where Kafirs live no game can long exist. They persecute them morning, evening and night, in and out of season. No sooner is a deer seen than a whole kraal turns out, and, surrounding the bush into which it is tracked, each armed with a bundle of assegais, they assail the unfortunate animal and destroy it.

We had now entered that portion of the country of the Pondos which is ruled over by Damas, the younger brother of Umquikela, the paramount chief. These two chiefs are both the sons of the great King Faku, who considered that Pondo land should be under the rule of the elder. But the younger, Damas, does not share this opinion, and bids his elder brother take it if he can. A few days ago they declared war, and some few Pondos were watching on the hills the advance of my "army." Otherwise the country was very quiet, so that the intention they had expressed of attacking the Pondomise had evidently been postponed.

We met a friendly old settler, Mr. Owen, at the Umtata. He had been a surgeon in the Old East India's Company Navy, but liking land better than water, and freedom in the wilds more than being cooped up on shipboard, he had exchanged the cockpit for a snug cottage in Pondo land, where he had now resided many years. He had the grazing over an unlimited range of country, and possessed many thousands of sheep and several hundred head of cattle, in addition to a store where everything that a Kafir could require was to be procured. No rents were demanded by the chief for grazing or occupation, but continued presents were expected, and indeed required. Lately a better system had crept in, and a rent of 571. per annum had been arranged to be paid by each settler.

This rent cannot be considered excessive for such a range of