Between Snow and Fire — page 249: what you’re looking at

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

> a CHAPTER XXXVIITI. AT SWAANEPOEL 'S HOEK, SEVERAL months had gone by. The war was nearly over now. Struck on all sides—deci- mated by the terrible breech-loading weapons of the whites— harried even in their wildest strongholds, their supplies running low, their crops destroyed, and winter upon them— the insurgent tribes recognised that they were irretrievably worsted. They had no heart for further fighting—their principal thought now was to make the best terms they could for themselves. So all along the frontier the dis- heartened savages were flocking in to lay down their arms and surrender. Those who belonged to independent tribes in the Transkei were treated as belligerents—and after be- ing disarmed were located at such places as the Government thought fit. Those who were British subjects, and whose locations were within the colonial boundaries, such as the Gaikas, Hlambis, and a section of the Tembus, were treated as rebels and lodged in gaol until such time as it should please the authorities to put them on their trial for high treason, treason-felony, or sedition, according to their rank, responsibilities, or deeds. Still the unfortunate barbarians preferred to discount the chances of the future against present starvation—and continued to come in, in swarms. The gaols were soon crammed to overflowing ; so, too, were the supplementary buildings hired for the emergency. Not all, however, had preferred imprisonment with plenty to liberty with starvation. There were still armed bands lurking in the forest recesses of the Amatola, and in the rugged and bushy fastnesses beyond the Kei. While most of the chiefs of the colonial tribes had either surrendered or been slain, the head and Paramount Chief of all was still — at large. ‘‘ Kreli must be captured or killed,’ was the gen- — eralcry. “‘ Until this is done the war can never be con-— “a ie ? ry sidered at anend,” But the old chief had no intention of | ee i chee - go. 8) oe) Spee oe ~ ite ap