LECTURE II. 35 



to the English authorities, to inform them that I was 

 protecting the Bakwains with cannon; and even some 

 Boers were killed with guns. The reputation of this 

 cannon kept the Boers away for seven years; but when 

 their independence was declared by the Colonial govern- 

 ment, they again made war upon the Bakwains, and being 

 mounted and possessing guns, had the advantage, but it 

 so happened that the Bakwains killed some of the Boers 

 in one foray, and the latter gave me all the credit for it : 

 asserting as a reason, " These people knew nothing of 

 shooting till this Englishman came among them, and he 

 has taught it them." The Boers, however, ultimately 

 were victorious, and carried off 200 children of the Bak- 

 wains into slavery, killing 60 adults. 



Sechele, knowing that such a proceeding was contrary 

 to their engagements, and all law, set off to go to the Queen 

 of England, to tell her of their conduct. I met him on his 

 way to the Cape, and endeavoured to persuade him from 

 going any further ; on explaining the difficulties of the way, 

 and endeavouring to dissuade him from the attempt, he 

 put the pointed question : — " Will the Queen not listen to 

 me, supposing I should reach her!" I replied, "I believe 

 she would listen, but the difficulty is to get to her. " He 

 had many conversations with me on the subject, but he 

 was determined, however, in his course, and proceeded 

 to Cape Town. 



Now, it so happened, that the Governor of Cape 

 Colony had just sent home a flaming account of the 



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