330 APPENDIX. 
Tyali’s and Macomo’s territories, yet this settlement has not 
been plundered of its cattle; and it is said that some which 
were taken were returned by order of those Chiefs. All 
this clearly shows the wily policy of those crafty savages. 
They well know that if they could but paralyze the exertions 
of the Hottentots assembled at that point, or detach them 
from the general cause at the present juncture, they would 
so far weaken our hands; and that were their operations 
ultimately successful, they would then fall an easy and a 
certain prey to these their hereditary enemies. We perceive 
clearly that the Hottentots are at this moment placed in a 
situation—not of difficulty, as their duty is as clear as the 
sun at noon—but of extreme delicacy. 
On Saturday night, a message, in writing, from the 
Caffer chief Tyali reached town. It was addressed to the 
Commandant, Lieut.-Col. Somerset, and had been written 
by the Reverend W. Chalmers, who is stationed at the 
Chumie. This gentleman stated that he was peremptorily 
commanded by Tyali to write this communication, and that 
Tyali himself dictated the terms; which are, as it is under- 
stood to be, a proposal for a cessation of hostilities. 
Tuesday, 6th January, a communication was received that 
an attack had been made that morning by the enemy on the 
Military Post at Hermanns Kraal, a station defended by a 
small detachment of the 75th Regt., and about twenty far- 
mers, who had taken refuge there with their flocks and herds. 
On receipt of this intelligence, a strong party of mounted 
men was immediately despatched to the relief of the place; 
but on arriving, it was found that the Caffers had retreated, 
having succeeded, after a good deal of skirmishing, in carry- 
ing off the flocks and herds. It appears that early in the 
morning the enemy showed themselves in considerable 
force, and commenced the attack on the post by a discharge 
