wrath
of Masupha. On his return in safety he at once sent in his
resignation, but those who played him false not merely never received
their deserts for an unpardonable breach of faith to a loyal
colleague, but have been permitted by a lax public opinion at the Cape
to remain in the public service, and are now discharging high and
responsible duties.

Gordon's mission to the leading Basuto chief, and the policy of
conciliation which he consistently and ably advocated from the
beginning to the end of his stay at the Cape, were thus failures, but
they failed, as an impartial writer like Mr Gresswell says, solely
because "of Mr Sauer's intrigues behind his back." It is only
necessary to add what Gordon himself wrote on this subject on his
return, and to record that practically the very policy he advocated
was carried into force, not by the Cape Government, but over its head
by the British Government, two years later, in the separation of
Basutoland from the Cape Colony, and by placing it in its old direct
dependence under the British Crown.

"I have looked over the Cape papers; the only thing that is
misrepresented, so far as I could see in a ten minutes' glance at
them, is that Sauer says I knew of his intentions of sending an
expedition against Masupha. He puts it thus: 'Gordon knew that an
expedition was being organised against Masupha.' He gives
apparently three witnesses that I knew well. It is quite true;
but read the words. _I knew Sauer was going_ to try the useless
expedient of an expedition against Masupha, and _before he did
so_ we _agreed I should go and try and make peace_. While
carrying on this peace mission, Sauer sends the expedition. So
you see he is verbally correct; yet the deduction is false; in
fact, who would ever go up with peace overtures to a man who was
to be attacked during those overtures, as Masupha was? Garcia
knew well enough what a surprise it was to him and me when we
heard Sauer was sending the expedition. Garcia was with me at the
time."

And again, when at Jaffa, General Gordon adds further, on the 27th of
July 1883:--

"I saw Masupha one day at 10 A.M., and spoke to him; Sauer was
twenty miles away. At 1 P.M. I came back, and wrote to Sauer an
account of what had passed; before I sent it off I received a
letter from Sauer. I believe it is wished to be made out that
Sauer wrot