revailing in Komgha during the period of
hostilities within the Transkei, was as nothing to that which prevailed
now that the tide of war was rolling around the very outposts of the
settlement itself.

The once sleepy little village had become a vast armed camp, garrisoned
by regular troops, as well as being the halting place for numerous
bodies of irregulars--mounted burghers or Fingo levies--once more called
out or volunteering for active service, the latter with more zest this
time, inasmuch as the enemy was within their very gates. It was the
headquarters of operations, and all day long--frequently all night too--
what with expeditions or patrols setting out, or returning, or
preparing; the arrival of reinforcements; the flash and trappings of the
military element; the exaggerated and conflicting rumours varying with
every half-hour that went by. With all these things, we say, the
sojourners in that favoured settlement found things as lively as they
could wish.

There was no mistaking the position of affairs now. The Gaikas, whose
locations occupied the whole northern half of British Kaffraria, the
Hlambi clans, who held the rugged country along the eastern slopes of
the Amatola Mountains, were all up in arms. All, that is, save an
insignificant fraction, who applied to the Government for protection as
`loyals'; their loyalty consisting in taking no part in hostilities
themselves, but aiding with supplies and information those who did--as
well as affording a refuge in time of need to the women and cattle
belonging to their hostile countrymen. Communication with the Colony
was practically cut off--for, except to strong parties, the King
Williamstown road was closed. A strong escort, consisting of Police and
military, was attacked within a few miles of the settlement itself, only
getting through by dint of hard fighting; and ever in their bushy hiding
places, on the surrounding hills, hovered dark clouds of armed Savages
ready to swoop down upon lonely express-rider or waggon train
insufficiently guarded. The smoke of ruined homesteads rose from the
fair plains of British Kaffraria, and by night the lurid signals of the
hostile barbarians flamed forth from many a lofty peak.

In the Transkei matters were rather worse than before the previous three
months of campaigning. Very far from crushed, the Gcalekas swarmed back
into their oft-swept country, and with the aid of their new allies set
to work with redoub