120 MURDER OF LANDDROST STOCKENSTROM, 20 March, 
Hottentot servants. They wear no uniform, but are divided into 
squadrons, under the command of a veldcommandant, who is also a 
boor, nominated by the government, and who at all times retains that 
title, and with it, a rank superior to that of veldcornet. This militia 
is never called into service, but in cases of necessity ; and if the duty 
should appear likely to continue for a considerable length of time, as 
in the present case, they are allowed, after serving a certain period, 
to return to their homes ; and are replaced by others called out by 
the same authorities. 
I now heard a confirmation of the lamentable news respecting 
Mr. Stockenstrom the late landdrost of Graaffreynet, a man so much 
esteemed and respected, and so peculiarly well fitted for the station 
he held, that his death was considered as a loss to the Colony. The 
circumstances which I afterwards learnt more fully, were, that being 
under the necessity of conferring with the commander of the troops 
stationed in the Zuureveld, he went escorted by a cavalry party of 
twenty-two Burghers (or Citizens ; as the Dutch colonists are fre- 
quently termed) and their attendant Hottentots. Desirous of going 
by a shorter road, he ventured, contrary to the advice of the boors, 
through a part of the country from which the Caffres were, at that 
time, not completely expelled. He had no hesitation in taking this 
step, because, having on all occasions before the breaking out of the 
war, behaved with the greatest kindness towards that nation, he 
would not believe it possible that they could illtreat one who had 
been so much their friend. But unfortunately, it happened that a 
chief who had not been one of those who had shared his liberality, 
was in that neighbourhood, and heard from his spies that the land- 
drost was passing. This chief hastily collected a body of men, and 
sent them off with orders to destroy the whole of the party. When 
the Caffres met them, they accosted the colonists in an amicable 
manner ; and the landdrost, as he had often done before, made them 
presents of tobacco, accompanied with friendly advice, to them and 
to their whole nation, to retire quietly out of the Zuureveld, that the 
soldiers might not be under the necessity of shooting them. They 
continued a short time longer in conversation ; but at last perceiving 
