Between Snow and Fire — page 113: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Ps = * More than three weeks have elapsed since the sacking of _ Kreli’s principal kraal, and during this time reinforcements, - poth of colonial levies and Imperial troops, have been pouring into the Transkei. Several conflicts of greater or less importance have taken place, and the Gcaléka country has been effectually cleared, its warlike inhabitants having either betaken themselves to the dense forest country along the coast, or fled for refuge across the Bashi to their more peaceful neighbours, the Bomvanas, who dare not refuse them shelter, even if desirous to do so. On the whole, the progress of the war has been anything but satisfactory. A number of the Gcalékas have been killed, certainly, but the tribe is unsubdued. The Great Chief, Krell, is still at large, as are also his sons and principal councillors; and although the land has been swept, yet its refugee inhabit- ants are only awaiting the departure of the colonial forces to swarm back into their old locations. Meanwhile, a large force is kept in the field, at heavy expense to the Colony, and in no wise to the advantage of the burghers and volun. teers themselves, whose farms or businesses are likely to suffer through their prolonged absence. Of late, however, operations have been mainly confined to hunting down stray groups of the enemy by a system of patrols—with poor re- sults—perhaps killing a Kafir or two by a long and lucky shot, for the savages have learnt caution and invariably show the invaders a clean pair of heels. But no one imagines the war at an end, and that notwith- standing a proclamation issuing from the office of the Com- missioner of Crown Lands offering free grants of land in the Gcaléka country conditional upon the residence of the grantee on his exceedingly perilous holding. ‘This procla- mation, however, is regarded as a little practical joke on the part of the Honourable the Commissioner, Few, if any, make application, and certainly none comply with the con- ditions of the grant. ‘The while patrolling goes on as vig- . orously as ever. | Eustace and his travelling companions had reached the camp of the Kaffrarian Rangers in due course. Hoste, indeed, would have been elected toa subordinate command in the troop had he taken the field at first, but now his place was filled up and he must perforce join in a private capacity ; which position he accepted with complete equa- nimity. He could have all the fun, he said, and none of 5 (Elo)