ave escaped with his life。 This he did by hiding close and tying his coat over his horse’s head to prevent it from neighing。 When darkness fell he rode back to the Tugela and swam its corpse…crowded waters。 Sir Theophilus visited its banks a day or two afterwards； and told me that he never saw another sight so fearful as they presented； because of the multitude of dead men； women and children with which they were strewn。
5 Published in 1913。 — Ed。
There ong us of Shepstone’s staff during that long journey or afterwards。 Indeed we were a band of brothers — as brothers ought to be。 Personally I formed friendships then； especially with Osborn and Clarke； that endured till their deaths and I trust may be renewed elsewhere。
When we crossed into the Transvaal our expedition assumed a more business aspect。 Greater ceremony was observed and a guard was mounted at night； for we did not quite know how we should be received。 Now I made my first real acquaintance with the Boers； who came from all quarters to visit or to spy upon us。 They were rough folk： big； bearded men with all the old Dutch characteristics； who made a greater show of religion than they practised； especially when Kaffirs were concerned。 I did not like them much at the time — few Englishmen did — but I can see now that I ought to have made more allowances。 The circumstances of their history and up…bringing account for that which was repellent both in their actions and their character。 Into that history I will not enter further than to say that they had been bred in an atmosphere of hereditary hate of England and its Governments； which in some particulars； such as that of the manner of freeing of the slaves in the Cape Colony in 1836； was not altogether unjustified。 Moreover they had fought fea