CHAP. X. 
THE AFEAIK IN THE COWIE BUSH. 
73 
When we got back to the dear old General, who was 
always most considerate about his men, he exclaimed, 
6 Oh, this will never do, to have my men killed in the 
bush in this way—we must leave them alone.’ But 
Armstrong and I both implored him not to do so, as in 
that case the Kafirs would look upon it as a victory to 
them, and it would give them more courage in their 
attacks on the Colony. We also pointed out how they 
were hemmed in, and how impossible it was for them to 
escape, if we only extended and advanced up the kloof, 
from where the men were left in double file, to guard 
against the escape of the enemy into the Cowie Bush. 
After a good deal of persuasion, the General said, 6 Oh, if 
you must go at them again, you may take volunteers; I 
won’t order my men into the bush to be killed.’ This 
was all Armstrong and I wanted, for we both commanded 
squadrons, and the men were very fond of us; so we 
stepped to the front of our men and asked for volun¬ 
teers to re-enter the bush and attack the enemy ; and it 
was most gratifying to see every man step to the front, 
eager to follow us. When the dear old General saw this 
he exclaimed a third time, 6 Oh, this will never do— 
this will never do. Tell off from the right and left 
of squadrons, and let the centre of threes stand fast.’ 
Thus we got two-thirds of the men; and the remain¬ 
ing third, or centre of threes, were left to hold the 
horses. 
