188 ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



Punt, situated a long march higher up the river, there 

 to cross and join me in Colesberg on the evening of the 

 following day ; and having breakfasted, I saddled " The 

 Immense Brute," and, taking the ford high up, managed 

 to cross the river in safety, the current having twice 

 taken my horse off his legs. In two hours I entered 

 the village of Colesberg, where I found the officers of 

 the 91st and all my other friends in great force. 



My wagons did not make their appearance in Coles- 

 berg until the afternoon of the third day. I took up 

 my quarters with my old friend Mr. Paterson, who also 

 kindly accommodated the half of my stud in his stables', 

 and the other half I picketed in the stables of my old 

 regiment, the Cape Mounted Rifles. My oxen I per- 

 mitted to run day and night in the neighboring mount- 

 ains. On the 7th we off-loaded the wagons, and made 

 a grand parade of my heads and hunting trophies in 

 front of Paterson's house, which was situated in the 

 center of the village : this attracted crowds of persons 

 throughout the day. In the afternoon of the 8th, Mr. 

 Rawstorne, the resident magistrate, received dispatches 

 from Adam Kok, chief of the Bastards, stating that the 

 Boers had commenced active hostilities, and craving 

 assistance from government. Accordingly, in the even- 

 ing, an order was issued that all the available force in 

 the garrison should march upon the Orange River next 

 day. This I considered an intense bore, as I should 

 thereby lose the society of all my friends. On the fol- 

 lowing morning all was bustle and preparation through- 

 out the village, the military preparing for the march, 

 and the merchants loading up their wagons with com- 

 missariat for the supply of the troops, while many a 

 dark-eyed nymph wiped the hot tear from her express- 

 ive eye, and heaved a deep-drawn sigh as she reflect 



