CHAPTER XXII

Summary

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-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 Matluarin 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.