CHAPTER XXII.

The Griquas arrive-The commando proceeds-Appalling sights— Narrow escape-Battle commences-Savage fighting-The enemy flee-The women and children-Description of the MantateesRenewed attempts to rescue the women-A night's anxietyFresh alarms-The women and dead horse-Goods stolenCruelty of the Bechuanas-Review of the subject-Concluding reflections-Missionary among the Mantatees.

DURING the interval of eleven days which elapsed before assistance could arrive from Griqua Town, very great uneasiness prevailed on the station, and most of our heavy goods were packed and buried, that we might not be encumbered should flight become inevitable.* As it had been frequently reported that there were white men among the invaders, when the commando, consisting of about a hundred horse

Mr. Thompson, who, with a guide, reconnoitred the movements of the Mantatees whom he witnessed entering Old Lithako, returned to the Colony to give information of the near approach of so powerful an enemy. He had taken the liveliest interest in the whole affair, as well as in the welfare of the mission, which endeared him not only to us, but to the natives, who had very characteristically described him as a 66 man on whom the light of day might shine." His kind and generous disposition sympathized with us in our anxieties and troubles, which at the same time afforded him opportunities of forming a correct estimate of our real situation and danger, which he has so well described in his "Travels," long before the public.

THE COMMANDO PROCEEDS.

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men arrived, it was the general opinion that I ought to accompany them; as, having some knowledge of the language, my presence might have more influence in bringing about a treaty; and Mr. Melvill, Government agent at Griqua Town, having arrived with the intention of accompanying the commando, we started on the following day. Before leaving, we all met to pray for Divine counsel, which we felt we greatly needed. The future appeared dark and portentous, and we were convinced that nothing but an Almighty power could preserve the country from impending ruin, by arresting the progress of those whose feet were swift to shed blood. A blessing on the means of preventing its further effusion was earnestly implored, and if recourse must be had to violent measures, that the heads of those engaged might be shielded in the day of battle. Having bivouacked at the Matlaurin River, Waterboer, the Griqua chief, I, and a few others, mounted our horses after dark, rode forward for about four hours, and then halted among some trees till morning. At daybreak we again proceeded till we came within sight of the enemy, who were lying a short distance south of the town of Lithako. A second and more numerous division occupied the town itself. Our first impressions were, on seeing an immense black surface on the opposite declivity, from which many small columns of smoke were arising, that the bushes and grass had been set on fire during the night; but on closer inspection we were startled to find it the camp of one portion of the enemy, containing a mass of human beings. As we drew nearer, we saw that we were discovered, and considerable confusion prevailed. The war-axes

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APPALLING SIGHTS.

and brass ornaments could be distinctly seen glittering in the sun.

Waterboer and I rode up to a young woman whom we saw in one of the ravines. In reply to our question, made in the Bechuana language, she said that the invaders had come from a distant country, but would give no further information. She was gathering the pods of the acacia, and eating them; which, as well as her appearance, indicated the most extreme want. Having told her who we were, and that our object was to speak to the people, and not to fight, we gave her some food, and a piece of tobacco, -requesting her to go and apprize them of our wishes. We then advanced within two musket shots of the enemy, where we found, reclining under a small rock, an old man and his son; the latter without the least signs of animation, while the father could scarcely articulate that he too was dying from hunger. We could only learn from this object of pity, that the people to whom he belonged were the common enemy so much dreaded. We remained here for about half an hour, to allow the young woman ample time to inform the main body, and at the same time to convince the enemy we were not afraid of them, nor disposed to injure them. In the mean time we despatched one of our men to give information to the commando, who were about twenty miles behind. On looking around in search of water, we saw the dead bodies (reduced to skeletons) of several of the enemy, who had come to the pool to drink, and there expired; one lying partly in the element with which we had to quench our thirst. While standing, we observed that all the cattle were collected and inclosed in the centre

of the multitude. No one came near us, except a few warriors, who, in a threatening attitude, dared our approach, but whose spears fell short of the mark. It had been agreed that one of our number, and I, after advancing within a short distance of the enemy, should dismount, and go forward unarmed, and invite two or three of them to come and speak with us. This plan, however, was entirely defeated. We had all just approached within a hundred yards, and two of us were just about leaving our saddles, when the savages uttered a hideous yell; and I had hardly time to say, "Be upon your guard, they are preparing to attack," when several hundred armed men rushed forward in a furious manner, throwing their weapons with such velocity, that we had scarcely time to turn our terrified steeds, and gallop clear of them. Having retreated a few hundred yards, we stopped, and stood perfectly astonished at their savage fury. Seeing no possible means of bringing them to a parley, we retired to a height at a short distance, but within view of the enemy. Here we remained the whole day, and, to supply our wants, shot two khoris, called by the colonists, wild peacocks, a species of bustard, which we very thankfully roasted and ate. We, at a very great risk, sent the horses to the water,-all to inspire confidence in the Mantatees, that some one might be influenced to draw near, but none approached. At sunset I left Waterboer and the scouts, and rode back, to confer with Mr. Melvill and the other Griqua chiefs, and to devise some scheme to bring the enemy to terms of peace, and prevent, if possible, the dreadful consequences of a battle. The Griquas had come, headed by their respective chiefs, Adam Kok, Berend

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THE BATTLE COMMENCES.

Berend, Andries Waterboer, and Cornelius Kok; but it was unanimously agreed that Waterboer should take the command. Cornelius nobly and generously insisted on my taking his best horse, urging that my life was far more valuable than his. This kind act was the more sensibly felt, as the horse was one of the strongest in the commando; and but for this circumstance, I could not have done what I did, nor, humanly speaking, could I have escaped with my life.

Having spent an almost sleepless night on the plain, from extreme cold, we were all in motion next morning before daylight. The attempt made the preceding day to bring about a friendly communication having entirely failed, it was judged expedient for the commando to ride up to the invaders, hoping, from the imposing appearance of about one hundred horsemen, to intimidate them, and bring them to a parley. For this purpose, the commando approached within 150 yards, with a view to beckon some one to come out. On this the enemy commenced their terrible howl, and at once discharged their clubs and javelins. Their black dismal appearance, and savage fury, with their hoarse and stentorian voices, were calculated to daunt; and the Griquas, on their first attack, wisely retreated to a short distance, and again drew up. Waterboer, the chief, commenced firing, and levelled one of their warriors to the ground; several more instantly shared the same fate. It was confidently expected that their courage would be daunted when they saw their warriors fall by an invisible weapon; and it was hoped they would be humbled and alarmed, that thus farther bloodshed might be prevented. Though they beheld