164 
BOY SPEARED 
“ The poor boy has borne this heavy affliction with the greatest 
fortitude, assuring us “ that he is not afraid to die.” He says 
that on Monday (5th), he was left in the station hut whilst his 
brother came into town, and that about ten or eleven natives 
surrounded his hut, and wished for something to eat. He gave 
them bread and rice — all he had, and as they endeavoured to 
force themselves into his hut, he w r ent out and fastened the door, 
standing on the outside with his gun by his side and a sword in 
his hand, which he held for the purpose of fighting them. He 
did not make any signs of using them. One of the children 
gave him a spear to throw, and while in the act of throwing it, 
he received the two spears in his chest — he did not fall. He 
took up his gun and shot one of the natives, who fell, but got 
up again and ran away ; they all fled, but returned and shewed 
signs of throwing another spear, when he lifted the gun a second 
time, upon which they all made off. 
“ He remained with the two spears, seven feet long, sticking in 
his breast ; he tried to cut and saw them without effect ; he also 
tried to walk home, but could not ; he then sat upon the ground 
and put the ends of the spears in the fire to try to burn them 
off, and in this position he was found at ten o’clock at night, 
upon the return of his brother Edward (having been speared 
eleven hours.) He immediately sawed the ends of the spears 
off, and placed him on horseback, and brought him into town, 
when I saw him. 
“Mr. Smith (with the police force) has gone in search of the 
natives, one of whom can be identified as having thrown a spear 
at the boy, he having a piece of red flannel tied round his beard. 
“ This circumstance has thrown the settlement into great dis- 
tress. The German missionary, Rev. Mr. Schurman, has gone 
with Mr. Smith. I am told that the natives have been fired at 
from some of the stations. I hope this is not the case. The 
Rev. Mr. Schurman says that Mr. Edward Hawson told him 
he shot after some a short time ago to frighten them, after they 
had stolen something from the same hut where they speared his 
brother. This is denied by the family, but I will ascertain the 
