SOUTHERN AFRICA, 365 
panics of infantry, and the greater part of the Hottentot corps, 
should march into the district under the command of Brigadier 
General Vandeleur. The rebellious boors, now collected in 
very considerable numbers, had stationed themselves between 
the drosj and Algoa Ba3% where they had formed a kind of 
camp, and, to a certain degree, according to the new term 
which their Cape friends had taught them to adopt, had orga- 
nized their forces. 
But as the courage of these people displays itself only on 
jparticular occasions, such as in acting against defenceless 
Hottentots, the moment they heard that troops were ad- 
vancing, they thought proper to disperse, leaving, in the hands 
of a neutral person, a most humble petition, in which they 
acknowledged their error, and supplicated forgiveness. To this 
address the General very properly returned a verbal answer, 
stating, that he could hold no communication with rebels, 
until they had voluntarily surrendered themselves to his dis- 
cretion, and laid their arms at his feet ; that, for this purpose, 
he should name a certain place and day ; and that all such 
as should not appear at the time and place appointed, Avould 
be considered in the light of rebels and traitors to his Ma- 
jesty's government, and would be pursued accordingly. 
On the day fixed, the majority of the rebels obeyed the sum- 
mons ; and never surely was exhibited such a motley group of 
armed cavalry so whimsically equipped. The greater part 
were such uncouth beings, so very 
« Huge of bulk, 
** Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait," 
