356 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XL. 



A desperate struggle of fifteen minutes terminated 

 in their discomfiture. Hurling llieir javelins into 

 the enclosure, they retired in confusion over the heaps 

 of slain, leaving upwards of one hundred and fifty 

 of their number dead or disabled on the field. 



In this affair, which took place on the 29th Octo- 

 ber, Nicholaas Potgeiter and Piet Botha were killed 

 behind the stockade, and twelve other farmers were 

 severely wounded. The assaidt was led in person 

 by Kalipi, Moselekatse's principal captain, and most 

 confidential counsellor. Although shot through the 

 knee, he contrived to make good his retreat, nor did 

 he retire empty-handed ; the whole of the flocks and 

 herds of the emisrants, amountinor to six thousand 

 head of cattle, and forty-one thousand sheep and 

 goats, being swept away by the barbarians, and safely 

 conducted to Kapain. Remounting their horses, 

 the farmers took advantage of the retreat of their 

 savage foes, to add a few more to the list of slain, 

 until the sun descending below the horizon, let drop 

 the curtain upon the scene of carnage. 



This second gentle hint on the part of his Majesty 

 had the desired effect. A portion of the farmers 

 remained with the wreck of the late flourishing camp, 

 whilst others, with all possible haste, conveyed the, 

 women and children to the Rev. Mr. Archbell's 

 missionary station at Thaba Uncha ; whence, having 

 procured fresh oxen, the whole party fell back, and 

 encamped near the sources of the Modder river. 

 Here their numbers were shortly reinforced by a 

 strong detachment of emigrants under the guidance 



