Transferred to Fingoe Service--Fingoe character--Ordered to Kye
river--Chief Krielle--Colonel Eyre--Through the bush--The Chief's
position--Battered by big guns--Cattle captured--On return
march--Harassed by enemy--One month on march bring in 500 head--Sir
Harry called home--Sir George Cathcart--Sandilla surrendered--Chief
Moshusha--Attack his stronghold--Surrenders--Back to Fort
William--Disbanded--Off on elephant hunt--Provisions for--Plan
to capture--Kill four--Trading with Chiefs and their
wives--Precautions against lions--Elephant's spoor--Excursion often
fatal--Back to Grahamstown--Stiles' Hotel.
[Sidenote: Cattle captured.]
In February, 1852, I was transferred to the Fort Peddie Fingoe Levy,
under Captain Fainton. The Fingoes are a tribe formerly conquered
and kept in bondage by the Amagahekas, but released by the British,
and located at the Fort of that name, near Grahamstown. They are
very loyal, industrious, and make fine farm servants to the Scotch
settlers on the frontier. So trustworthy are they, many are employed
as police. Understanding the traits of the Kaffir character, they
are very useful, particularly as they hold a grudge against their
old oppressors. Sir Harry Smith, having learned the enemy had sent
all their cattle across the Kye river to Chief Krielle, Colonel
Eyre, of the 73rd, was ordered, in conjunction with a squadron the
12th Lancers, under Major Tottenham, two troops Montague horse, with
all the infantry, consisting of 73rd, 43rd, and 60th Rifles, and my
company of Fingoes, to capture them, punishing the Chief Krielle
for his deception, as he had given his adhesion to the British. The
Montague horse, knowing the country so well, were advanced as guides
and picket, and hot work we had of it. When we got to the Kye, our
passage was strongly opposed, even without any opposition. It looked
a fearful place. The river flowed rapidly down a deep gully, between
two rugged, jagged mountains, a dense bush to the water's edge. One
thousand good men could keep twenty thousand from crossing if so
disposed; but as nothing ever stopped the progress of British troops,
if forward was the word, we forced the passage, after some fighting,
and the mounted force, under Tottenham, pushed on to intercept the
cattle before they drove them to Zululand, where Pandee was chief.
After seven days' hard marching, we reached the Umzuvoola river in
front of them, and now, as we had the river behind, and the cattle
in front coming up, we expected some severe bush fighting. This we
accomplished, seizing 30,000 head, besides sheep and goats. Many of
these cattle had been stolen from our settlers, comprising their
entire wealth, and by capturing these we were injuring our enemy as
much as in actual war, as the less they had the sooner would they
make peace. On returning, they were separated into three droves,
with infantry on the flanks, cavalry in rear, Fingoes driving. One
drove a day behind the other, one to the left, one to the extreme
right on account of the grass, and when halting at night, we lighted
fires all around to prevent a stampede, the enemy following us,
firing all night, to get a run. In approaching the river Kye, we had
great trouble in keeping them together. They had no water two days,
and naturally enough, the brutes were running over each other to
get at it. Then the rush down to the water, the confusion caused
by the presence of so many, the shouting of all the men in their
different dialects, swimming across the river, clambering over rocks
on opposite side, the barking of dogs, sheep and goats bleating,
hundreds lying down dying, the chasing of others along, trampling
on the fallen--such a bedlam and confusion of noises I never before
experienced, and heartily wished it all over. After one month's
marching, not all so bad, but nearly, as I have just described, we
reached headquarters at King William's Town, short 5,000 cattle and
sheep, eaten up by the lions, wolves and wild dogs following in our
track. As soon as the saved were rested, and it became known to the
farmers, all were sold to the farmers at a nominal sum.
Shortly after this affair, Sir Harry Smith was called home, Sir
George Cathcart having arrived to take his place. Sandilla, feeling
the immense loss of the cattle, came in and surrendered.
[Sidenote: Attack chief Moshusha's stronghold.]
The relief which this movement of Sandilla occasioned lasted only a
few weeks, news arriving of the uprising of another Chief, Moshusha,
of the Basautees' country. No news could be more unsatisfactory, as
the men hated bush fighting, never having a chance of open, man to
man warfare. Pleasant or unpleasant, we marched for his territory.
His stronghold we found in a high hill, standing almost alone in a
plain, but so covered with prickly pears and cactus as to seem almost
impossible to reach. Getting our big guns in position, we played
on his fortress with such good effect, it was soon abandoned, and
down they came on the plain where the 12th Lancers, after some hard
fighting, intercepted their retreat to the Transvaal. Finding it was
useless to continue the struggle, their chief capitulated, terms of
peace were arranged, and the volunteers returned to Fort William,
were disbanded, and returned to their respective homes.
Many had died of dysentery, brought on chiefly through lack of flour
for bread. Our living on this route was chiefly on fresh meat and
roasted corn cobs--no vegetables, and bad water. One instance of
the filth and dirty habits of the Kaffirs I saw on this expedition
which I may mention. On the slaughter of a bullock for our use, when
the paunch was exposed, filled with green food or fodder, it has
invariably been seized and devoured as a luxury, just as it was, hot
from the carcase.
[Sidenote: Off on elephant hunt.]
This last surrender of the Basantees' Chief put an end to the war.
All the native and European levies were disbanded, the officers
receiving six months' pay for the losses of effects. Each farmer
returned to his farm, the merchant to his legitimate business, and
the local magistrate, as we had many with us serving in the ranks, to
his business. I, with five others, planned an excursion to the Vaal
river, intending to trade with the natives for ivory, skins, gum, or
anything we could obtain of value, also intending to try our hands at
elephant shooting or hunting. This we found easy to commence, as the
merchants of Grahamstown supply all necessary articles for an outfit
to the amount of two hundred pounds, should the party pay one-half of
the sum provided on the return you trade the articles you received
with them. We were supplied with a waggon, fourteen oxen loaded
with articles to carry on our traffic. Each man mounted a good nag,
with a rifle slung across the shoulder, and a Hottentot as a driver
of the waggon. We had in it a barrel of flour, a case of brandy,
also quinine. Our guns would supply all the animal food required.
On approaching a tribe, our policy was to show great respect to the
chief, making first for his kraal, and as his wives approached,
giving them presents of trinkets, such as a string of beads, or a
piece of red cloth, this being understood as a friendly offering. We
found they are always pleased to meet the trader, and will do all
they can to protect him, in hopes of his coming again. Then, again,
by acts of kindness such as these, you secure a guide from the chief
to conduct you to the next.
After crossing the Vaal, it became necessary to light fires at night,
to protect our horses and ourselves from the great number of lions
in the country. One always remained on watch, he being relieved once
during the night. It is well known lions will not attack an animal
tied up for fear of being trapped, nor will they approach a fire, as
it dazzles their eyesight. They, however, use an expedient by roaring
terrifically, scaring any cattle or horses, expecting a general
stampede. This also we had to prepare against, by being always ready
to hold the animal in fright.
On reaching the elephant track a bushranger is procured. The best to
be got are from the Macatee tribe of Kaffirs. He starts on a hunt for
the spoor or footprint of the beast. We had two of these men, who
now took us to the ground most likely to find the herds. On reaching
their feeding ground we outspan the oxen; two men stop to guard the
waggon, the remaining four start in pursuit of game. As soon as we
came on the herd, browsing in a sort of park or plain, the males were
on the outside, the females and young in the centre. Our first care
was not to be scented; to avoid this we rode to the leeward, and then
we drew lots for our separate posts. Number one goes in first; next
number plants himself near a tree in sight of number one, and within
reach if necessary; the next a certain distance from number two, and
so with the last, near number three.
[Sidenote: Elephant hunting.]
When all are posted, number one moves out stealthily, as near as
possible to the greatest male with large tusks--previously I should
have said, dismounted--and, without any noise, delivers the shot
at the most vulnerable part of his body. As soon as hit, this one
blew his trumpet as an alarm and a defiance. Number one then shows
himself more distinctly in front of him, he stamped his feet in
wild rage and made a charge. Number one was quickly on horseback,
leading on to number two, who delivers his shot, then jumps his
horse and leads on to number three. The elephant each time going
for the one who last fired, and is on foot, thus follows all in
succession, giving the first who fired time to reload. He now, having
four different enemies, gets baffled, goes for each separately,
till tired, he crushes through the jungle or dense bush on his way,
and is easily shot down, falling with an awful thud. Marking the
spot where he lays, the herd is followed, now some miles away, and
the same planning is gone through till the hunters have all they
require. This is not done without a great deal of danger; coolness is
indespensable, also a good horse and guides. When we had thus killed
our fourth, we returned to each in succession, cut out the tusks,
loaded them on our waggon, and left the carcase for the lions. Our
larder, while out, was supplied with plenty of antelope and birds,
which swarm in the African jungles. On our return we again visit our
tribes, gathering skins, horns, or anything they have for barter, and
made tracks for Grahamstown.
The Hottentot holds that the lion never kills a man at once when he
has struck him down, unless he is irritated. This would appear to be
true, in general, as the following incidents may prove. I may add,
there is nothing absolute in history on the subject.
[Sidenote: Precautions against lions.]
My comrade had one day wounded a lion which had been sneaking after
our bullocks, and was in the act of reloading when the lion sprung
on him. He stood on ground a little elevated, the animal caught him
on the shoulder, and both tumbled to the ground, the lion bellowing
heartily close to his head; he then shook him with as much ease as
a terrier would a rat. He, remembering after, and as he related it,
this shaking produced a sort of stupor, a sort of dreaminess in
which he neither felt pain nor terror, though quite conscious of his
position and all that was happening. Whatever was the cause of this
he could never make out--no sense of horror whatever on seeing the
beast, and he in his power. It led me to think if this unconscious
state is produced on all animals who are killed by the carnivora, it
is a wise provision of Providence for lessening pain. The animal's
eye was directed towards me, as I raised my piece to shoot him at a
distance of about fifteen yards. My gun missed in both barrels as he
sprang on me. Leaving his fallen victim he was despatched by a spear
in the hands of a Kaffir, one of our attendants. A farmer told me
that while unyoking his oxen, a lion made a plunge and killed two
outright by breaking their spine. Now it seems by this the lion takes
quite a different course in despatching the larger animals, and I
have thought what can be the reason. Man inspires him with fear, and
the lion's natural prudence causes him to suspect some ambuscade,
even when man is in his power. Even the Africans allow themselves,
the lion's knowledge between the different colour of Europeans and
themselves, they are very cautious of the whites.
These excursions often prove fatal to many. Numbers have never been
heard of. Whether they fell a prey to the numerous wild animals,
whether they were prostrated by fevers so prevalent, or their oxen
got the tongue sick from the tyse flies or other insects so numerous,
I could never learn, but many leaving on this sport have never
returned.
Travelling in the wilds of Africa during the day the scenery all
around is grand in the extreme, and so wild; the different-coloured
foliage in the sunbeams, the wild craggy hills covered with thick
bush, the roar of the lion occasionally as he scents some antelope
or zebra near a river or stream, birds of every colour, monkeys
innumerable, while the dense gloom that settles on all at night in
the great solitude is indescribable.
On arriving at Grahamstown, our merchant received all our articles,
and we retired to Stile's hotel to talk of our adventures and enjoy
ourselves as Christians should, making some arrangements as to our
future movements. While here we came across many who lived in this
way; they are called Winklere; some, by continuing and being lucky,
have realized a considerable amount of money, while others, as I have
before stated, go, but have never returned.
[Sidenote: Dutch Boers of South Africa.]
The Kaffir's memory is remarkable. He will not forget a bullock he
has once seen, and two or three years afterwards he will identify
it at once, and without difficulty; they will also remember a white
man the same. During the war a man of the Macomos tribe was brought
in a prisoner; two years after, when I was through that part of the
country and visited Macom, that man recognized me, and spoke of the
good treatment he got when a prisoner.
The Dutch Boers of South Africa have become so nomadic in their
instincts that even when they are permanently settled in villages
they still sleep in their clothes. Moreover, they never dream of
indulging in the luxury of candles, but turn in with the setting sun,
as they did in their waggons, and they detest the British since the
abolition of slavery. They are truly patriarchal, living in large
families, and having large flocks of sheep, and herds of cattle. The
minister of the Lutheran Church travels from place to place, stopping
a month at each, when they have camp-meetings. Then the neighbours
assemble from all the surrounding farms, bringing waggons, women and
children, also Hottentot servants with them.
[Sidenote: British heroes.]
When my memory carries me back to the battles in the north-west of
India, and I think of the bravery displayed by my comrades in arms,
what need to go back to Greek History for heroes. Where is there a
nation that has produced greater men than Great Britain, on the field
of battle, or in the council. Go back to Poitiers and Agincourt,
Blenheim and Malplaquet. Then in the Peninsula, Generals Moore,
Nelson, Wellington, Picton, Ponsonby; then again, in India: Lords
Clive, Gough, Hardinge, Sir Harry Smith, Havelock, Lawrence, Sir
Colin Campbell--a long list of heroes whose names are handed down
to future generations. Then go back to the Crimea for a Cathcart,
who fell at Inkerman; the gallant charge of the 16th Lancers through
three squares of infantry, at Aliwal; and the Sikhs were no mean
foe; they acknowledged the prowess of the British; also the death
ride of the gallant 600 at Balaclava; the Guards and Light Division,
at Inkerman, against fearful odds. The British soldiers have in
most critical times, been surrounded when there seemed no hope of
deliverance, yet they have cut their way out, often with heavy loss.
Let me remind the reader of the Indian mutiny, of the rebels that had
been pampered by the East India Company, how they massacred women and
children without mercy, and all hope of saving India seemed gone. Yet
that noble man Lawrence went and raised a body of Sikhs and Afghans,
our old foes, and with them aided the few Europeans to crush the
rebellion, and at the siege of Delhi gained the crowning victory.
Yet there are other heroes as brave. The pioneers in this new
country, who have had to face innumerable difficulties, such as the
lurking Indian, the wolf, bear and panther in the wild bush, opening
up the country and making the wilderness blossom as the rose.
I have often been surprised during my residence in Canada, at the
little interest the people here take in our affairs in other parts of
the globe. Very few seem to know the extent of the British Empire, or
the geographical positions of Bengal, Australia, or the Cape Colony,
and seem to forget that the settlers in those other parts of the
Empire are brothers of the same flesh and blood, and all from the old
sod, English, Scotch and Irish, and that the sun never sets on the
British dominions, and the English language is spoken in every land.
Where shall we find the land that has sent forth these heroes. Look
at the map of the world and you can hardly trace the little spots
called the British Isles; yet they are gems in the ocean, and how
many good Christian heroes have they sent forth to every clime to
battle for the Cross; and the Word of God has been printed in every
language.
[Illustration: (Vignette)]
[Illustration: (Vignette)]