338 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
of the winter of 1838, during which season, 
want, disease, and famine stalked over the land, 
making fearful ravages among them. 
" Dingaan, ever watchful when to attack his 
foe with advantage, being fully informed of 
their wretched condition, made another attack 
upon them in August, 1838 ; but, on this occa- 
sion, the emigrant farmers (having their scouts 
always out to give them timely intimation of 
his advance), were everywhere prepared to give 
him a warm reception, and at every "laager" 
the Zoolah forces were driven back and defeated 
with great loss, only two or three lives having 
been lost among the emigrants during several 
successive engagements. But although Dingaan 
was thus defeated, the emigrant farmers were 
still contending, up to the close of that year, 
with the greatest difficulties. Small parties 
were pouring in to join them, but bringing little 
effectual support ; until in the beginning of De- 
cember, the season appearing propitious, and a 
number of young men having come in by the So- 
vereignty, 460 fighting and mounted men put 
themselves under the command of Andries Pre- 
terms, who had also recently joined the emi- 
grants, among whom (having formerly been a 
Field-cornet in the Graaf-Eeinet district,) he 
had made himself extremely popular. 
" They were powerfully aided by the brave 
