Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-10
sandTli will either surrender at once or bolt be-


shall see about 1t tomorrow, and at any rate
it's a good thing to have the question solved
one way OF the other. Nothing can be worse
state of suspense. The fellows will have to
make up their mind one way or the otner
now"
under colonel Mackinnon, marched from Fort
Cox The Kafir police led the way, and were
followed by the Cape Mounted Rifles. the In,
fantry forming the rear There were go1,a ,o
greetings as tiS column passed, and 1t pro-
ceeded quietly until it reached the narrow
rocky gorge Of the Keiskamma, which could
only be rraversed in single file. Ronald Mer-
vyn had been placed In orders the previous
evening as corporal, and he was pleased to nnd
by the remarks of the men that they did NOT
quick to recognize stesdiness and ability. and
they had long since concluded that Harry
Blunt, although he never spoke about his mill
tary experiences, had served for some time,
and thoroughly knew his work. and had been
commissioned officer, If not an officer.
Il don't like the look of this place at all, !" ne
said to Sergeant Menzies as they walked to the
mouth of the gorge. If were in command OF
the force moving among population who
might any moment show themselves hostile. l
would not advance through this gorge till 1
had sent company of infantry on ahead to
skirmish among the bushes. and find out
whether there is anyone hidden there. On
horseback as we are we should be almost at
their mercy"
1.-THE Kaffir policemen ahead ought to have
done this work." the Sergeant said. why,
bless you. If there was as much as 4 fox lurk-
ing among the bushes they could find him."
Yes, have no doubt they could if they
wanted TO" Ronald agreed, "but the question
is, do they want to. have no faith whatever
in those kaf1ir police. have been watching
Gaikas, and if the natives really mean mis-
chief 1 would wager the police Join them"
1t was now their turn to enter the gorge, and
as they moved along in single file, Ronald
M hQld
ready in hand. while he narrowly scanned the
bushes that came down to the narrow path
along which they were making their way. He
crew a deep breath of relief when he emerged
from the pass. As the troop reached the open
ground they formed up and were about to move
forward when they heard sudden outburst OF
heavy guns carried by the natives, and then
quickly afterward the continuous rattle OF the
soldiers muskets.
A cry of rage broke from the troopers. Cap
tain Twentyman. who was in command of the
squadron. saw that cavalry could be of no use
in the gorge, and that they would only add to
the confusion Gid they try to go back to assist
the infantry He therefore spread them out in
the shape of a fan in front OF the entrance to
the gorge to protect it against any body OF
natives who might be approaching. Rifles in
hand and with eyes strained into the forest
ahead of them. the cavalry sat their horses,
anxiously listening to the DIN behind them.
Presently the infantry began TO emerge, and at
last the whole of the force was reunited. It
was found that the Assistant Surgeon and IL
men had been killed, and two officers and
seven privates wounded. They had. however,
beaten off the enemy with considerable loss
As it was clear that, now the Kaffirs had
broken into open war, it would be unsafe in the
extreme with the force under him to endeavor
to penetrate further, Colonel Mackinnon or
dered the force to retire. The gorge was thor
oughly searched by the infantry before the
movement began. and it was not until they had
found that it was completely deserted by the
enemy that the column moved back. They
q
upon hearing what had taken place. immedi-
ateiy proclaimed martial law. and ordered q
strict inquiry to be made into the conduct OF
the Kaffir police. In the morning, however,
the encampment OF the corps was found de-
serted, 3o5 men. taking with them their wives,
cattle and equipments, having deserted to the
enemy during the night. Two strong patrols
were sent out to carry the news to the COM
manders of the other two columns and TO ex-
anime the state of the country. They came
upon sight that enraged the the troops, even
more than the attack upon themselves A
patty of the Forty-fifth Regiment, consisting
of sergeant and IA privates escorting wagons
been suddenly attacked by the Kafirs, who
had murdered the whole party.
Ronald Mervyn did not hear of this unpro o
vokeG atrocty at the time.
At daybreak six detachments-three drawn
from each troop of the Rifles and each COM
posed of six men and a non-commissioned Off
cer-were ordered to start at once to various
settlements on the border to warn the colonists
of the outbreak of war. Ronald was placed In
the command of one of these detachments
and was chosen to command that which was to
warn the settlers on the river as he was ac-
quainted with the country there. 1t was hoped
that these detachments would arrive in time
for 1t was supposed that the attack on the col.
umn had been an isolated affair, the work of
the tribes in the immediate neighborhood
Circumstances proved, however, that that ac-
tion was only part of a preconcerted plan for
next day, Christmas day, a simultaneous at
tack was made upon almost all the border set
Elements.
Some of these were military villages, Gov
ernlaent having at the conclusion of the pre-
vious war given grants of land and assistance
to start in their farms to a number of dis
charged soldiers, upon the condition of their
turning out at any time for the defense of the
country. A number of prosperous little vii
lived on most friendly terms with the neigh
boring Kaffirs, constantly entertaining them
as their guests and employing many of them
on their FARMS In a few cases the news of the
fight at Keiskammma arrived in time for the
settlers TO prepare for defense but in the
great majority of cases they were taken by sur
prise and massacred, often by the very men
who had Just been sharing their Christmas
dinner. Many of the villages were entirely de-
stroyed, and in some cases not a single man es-
capped to tell the tale.
1t needed no orders for the messengers to use
speed. Ronald and his men went at a gallop,
only breaking into a slower pace at times to
enable the men to breathe their horses. They
had long ride before them, and anxious as he
horses as much as possible. He arrived at the
station his detachment had before occupied at
about l o'clock. The inhabitants were Just
sitting down to dinner. A good many Kaffirs
were scattered about through the village.
These looked surprised at the arrival of a de-
tachment OF cavalry, and gradually disap-
peared, supposing that Ronald's party was but
the advance guard of larger body. AS soon
as the news spread, the Inhabitants hurried
from their houses, men, women and children,
loaded with such articles they could snatch up
i,oir hos 6aII has
which they had before decided should be used
as a citadel in case of need Bows galloped out
to the fields to drive the cattle into the kraal
that had been constructed within easy range of
the guns of the defenders of the fort. Men
were placed on sentry, while others brought in
from the houses food, bedding and clothes. and
in short time the village was prepared for
defense.
Ronald made a stay of few minutes only
A mouthful of food was given to the horses. as
he watched the settlers collecting for defense,
and then. satisfied that they were prepared
against surprise here, he rode on with his men
AT the isolated farmhouses he passed horses
were put into light carts as soon as his news
was told. In these women and children we're
slowed. A bundle or two of clothes were
thrown In, the men then mounted and the
wnoie MADE on at the top of their speed to-
ward the nearest town. A few of the younger
men, and those unencumbered by women and
children, mounted their horses, and taking
their arms, Joined Ronald's party The next
village was five miles from the first and
screams mingled with yelis. Putting spurs
to their horses the little party dashed
on. Rou1d each of the five or six houses in
the village were groups of Kaffirs, who were
dragging the inhabitants from the houses and
them. One or two shots we're
heard as they rode up, showing that some of
the men were selling their lives dearly. With
a shout the little party of horsemen. counting
10 men, dashed in upon the Kaffirs. Taken
wholly by surprise, the latter did not see their
foes until they were just upon them, and it was
to throw their sssegaIs with effect. Pouring in