CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
TREATS OF HOPES, FEARS, AND PROSPECTS, BESIDES DESCRIBING A PECULIARBATTLE.
Mounted on a pair of sturdy ponies Hans Marais and Charlie Considinegalloped over the plains of the Zuurveld in the direction ofGrahamstown. The brothers Skyd had preceded them, Edwin Brook was tofollow.
It was a glorious day, though this was nothing unusual in that sunnyclime, and the spirits of the young men were high. Excitement has atendency to reproduce itself. Hans and his friend did not feelparticularly or personally interested in the arrival of the RoyalCommissioners, but they were sympathetic, and could not resistsurrounding influences. Everywhere they overtook or passed, or somehowmet with, cavaliers on the road--middle-aged and young--for old men werenot numerous there at that time--all hastening to the same goal, the"city of the settlers," and all had the same tale to tell, the samehopes to express. "Things are going to be put right now. TheCommissioners have full powers to inquire and to act. We courtinvestigation. The sky is brightening at last; the sun of prosperitywill rise in the `east' ere long!"
In Grahamstown itself the bustle and excitement culminated. Friendsfrom the country were naturally stirred by meeting each other there,besides being additionally affected by the object of the meeting.Crowds gathered in the chief places of the fast rising town to discussgrievances, and friends met in the houses of friends to do the same anddraw up petitions.
At last the Commissioners arrived and were welcomed by the people withwild enthusiasm.
Abel Slingsby, an impulsive youth, and a friend of Hans Marais, who hadjust been married to a pretty neighbour of Hans in the karroo, and wasin Grahamstown on his honeymoon, declared that he would, without amoment's hesitation, throw up his farm and emigrate to Brazil, if thingswere not put right without delay.
"No, you wouldn't," said his pretty bride, with an arch look; "you'dtake time to think well over it and consult with me first."
"Right, Lizzie, right; so I would," cried Slingsby, with a laugh. "Butyou must admit that we have had, and still have, great provocation.Just think," he added, with returning indignation, "of free-born Britishsubjects being allowed no newspaper to read except one that is firstrevised by a jealous, despotic Governor, and of our being obliged toprocure a `pass' to entitle us to go about the country, as if we wereKafirs or Hottentots--to say nothing of the insolence of theJacks-in-office who grant such `passes,' or the ridiculous lawsregarding the natives--bah! I have no patience to recount our wrongs--Come, Hans, let's go out and see what's doing; and don't forget, Liz, tohave candles ready for the illumination, and tell the Tottie to clean mygun. I must be ready to do them honour, like other loyal subjects."
The young men sallied forth and found that the Commissioners had beenreceived by the authorities with sullen courtesy.
"A clear sign that the authorities know themselves to be in the wrong,"said Considine, "for honest men always court open investigation."
"This attitude looks like rebellion against the British Government onthe part of the colonial authorities," said Hans. "I shouldn't wonderif we were to get a surprise from them while in such a mood."
Evening drew on apace, and crowds of people moved about to witness theillumination and other evidences of rejoicing, while some of the moreenthusiastic sought to express their sentiments by firing a volley withsmall arms. According to an eye-witness, [see Note 1] the signal wastaken up at once, and, the example spreading like wildfire, the hillssoon resounded on all sides with a noise that might have been mistakenfor the storming of the town. This was a demonstration the authoritiescould not brook. The necessary orders were given and soon the bugles ofthe garrison sounded the assembly at Scott's Barracks, while thetrumpets of the Mounted Rifles at Fort England sent squadrons of horsethundering up Bathurst Street to assist in the terrible emergency causedby blank cartridges and joyous hurrahs! Parties of infantry patrolledthe streets, making prisoners in all directions, and the peopleassembled in Church Square to see the illuminations were surrounded bytroops. The leading men there, foreseeing the advantage that wouldresult so their cause by such a style of repressing public opinion,advised those around them to keep quiet and be true to their principles.
Hans Marais and his friends happened to be in Church Square at the time,and at once fell in with and acted on the peaceful advice, though theimpulsive Slingsby found it difficult to restrain his British spirit.
"See," he said, pointing to a gentleman who approached, "there goes theReverend Mr Geary. Do you know him, Hans? He's a man of the truesort. Let me tell you in your ear that I heard he has got into badodour in high quarters for refusing to have anything to do with a`proscription list' furnished by the Governor, which contains the namesof persons who are to be shunned and narrowly watched--some of thesepersons being the best and most loyal in the colony."
As he spoke the clergyman referred to was stopped by a friend, and theyoverheard him express much gratification at the arrival of theCommissioners, and a hope that abuses would soon be reformed, at thesame time stating his determination not to be a party man.
Unfortunately for the clergyman there were minions of the Governmentwithin earshot at the time. His words were reported, and, shortlyafterwards, he was summarily removed.
Just then some of the Cape Corps men charged part of the crowd andscattered it. At the same time various persons were arrested. Amongthese was the indignant Slingsby. Unable to restrain his ire he calledout "Shame!" and was instantly pounced upon by a serjeant and party ofinfantry. Immediately becoming sensible of his folly, after a momentarystruggle he suffered himself to be led quietly away, but looked over hisshoulder as he was marched off to the "tronk," and said hurriedly--
"Console Lizzie, Hans!"
With a look of sympathy, Hans assured his friend that he would do so,without fail, and then, with Considine, proceeded to the house wherepoor Lizzie had already lit up the windows and got the gun in readiness.
"They dare not keep him long," said Hans, in his vain attempts tocomfort the weeping bride, "and depend upon it that the conduct of theauthorities this evening will go a long way to damage their own causeand advance that of the settlers."
Hans was right. Slingsby was liberated the following morning. TheCommissioners turned out to be able men, who were not to be hoodwinked.True, a considerable period elapsed before the "report" afterwards madeby them took effect, and for some time the settlers continued to suffer;but in the following year the fruits of the visit began to appear.Among other improvements was the creation of a Council to advise andassist the Governor--consisting of seven members, including himself,--whereby a wholesome check was put upon his arbitrary power. Trial byjury was also introduced, and the power of magistrates was modified.These and other more or less beneficial changes took place, so thatthere was reason to believe a time of real prosperity had at lengthdawned.
But the settlers were not yet out of the furnace.
Providence saw fit to send other troubles to try them besides unjust andfoolish men in power. There was still another plague in store.
One day Charlie Considine rode towards the farm which had now forseveral years been his home.
The young members of the Marais family had grown learned under his care,and he was now regarded as a son by old Marais and his wife, while thechildren looked on him as an elder brother. Charlie had not intended tostay so long, and sometimes his conscience reproved him for having givenup his profession of medicine, but the longer he stayed with thosesweet-tempered Dutch-African farmers with whom his lot had been cast themore he liked them, and the more they liked him. What more natural thenthat he should stay on from day to day, until he became almost one ofthemselves? When people are happy they desire no change.
But it must not be supposed that the youth's office was a sinecure. Theyoung Marais were numerous, and some of them were stupid,--thoughamiable. The trouble caused by these, however, was more thancompensated by the brightness of others, the friendship of Hans, and thesunsh
ine of Bertha. The last by the way, had now, like Gertrude Brook,sprung into a woman, and though neither so graceful nor so sprightly asthe pretty English girl, she was pre-eminently sweet and lovable.
Well, one day, as we have said, Charlie Considine rode towards the farm.He had been out hunting alone, and a springbok tied across the horsebehind him showed that he had been successful.
Rousing himself from a reverie, he suddenly found himself in the midstof a scene of surpassing beauty. In front lay a quiet pond, whosesurface was so still that it might have been a sheet of clear glass. Onhis left the familiar mountain-range beyond the farm appeared bluer andnearer than usual, owing to the intense heat. To the right theundulating karroo, covered with wild-flowers, and dotted with clumps ofmimosa-bush, terminated abruptly in a lake which stretched away, in someplaces like a sea, to the horizon. Islands innumerable studded thesmooth surface of this lake, and were reflected in its crystal depths.Not a breath of air riffled its surface, and there was a warm sunnybrightness, a stillness, a deep quietude, about the whole scene whichwere powerfully suggestive of heavenly peace and rest.
"Glorious!" exclaimed Considine, reining up to a walking pace. "_How_delicious while it lasts, and yet how evanescent! Does it not resemblemy life here? _That_ cannot last."
Charlie was not given to moralising, but somehow he could not help itthat day. With an unusually profound sigh he shook the reins andcantered towards the lake. It was not the first time he had seen it,and he knew full well that it would not bar his progress. Even as hegave vent to the sigh the glassy waters trembled, undulated, retreated,and, under the influence of a puff of air, slowly melted away, leavingthe waterless karroo in its place.
Truly it is no wonder that thirsty travellers in African deserts have,from time immemorial, rushed towards these phantom waters of thewell-known _mirage_, to meet with bitter disappointment! Theresemblance is so perfect that any one might be deceived if unacquaintedwith the phenomenon. [See note 2.]
On coming within sight of the farm, Considine observed columns of thicksmoke rising from various parts of the homestead. With a vague feelingof alarm he put spurs to his horse. Drawing quickly nearer he perceivedthat the smoke arose from the garden, and that the people seemed to bebustling about in a state of violent activity. Stretching out at fullspeed, he was soon at the garden gate, and found that all the bustle,energising, and shouting went on at the end farthest from the gate. Ashe threw the reins over a post and sprang in he could see through thetrees that every one in the establishment was engaged in a wild franticfight, in which sticks and stones, bushes and blankets, were usedindiscriminately. The smoke that rose around suggested fire on theplains, and he ran in haste to render assistance.
It was a goodly garden that he passed through. Fruit-trees of everykind were so laden with golden treasures that many of the branches,unable to bear the strain, had given way and the superabundance trailedupon the earth. Vegetables of all kinds covered the borders withluscious-looking bulbs and delicious green leaves, while grapes,currants, figs, etcetera, half smothered their respective bushes.Through this rich display of plenty Considine dashed, and, on reachingthe wall at the further end, found Conrad Marais with his wife anddaughter, sons, servants, and slaves, engaged in furious conflict with--locusts!
The enemy had come on them suddenly and in force. The ground was alivewith them. Armies, legions, were there--not full-grown flying locusts,but young ones, styled foot-gangers, in other words, crawlers, walkers,or hoppers,--and every soul in the establishment had turned out tofight.
Even the modest Bertha was there, defending a breach in the garden wallwith a big shawl, dishevelled in dress and hair, flushed in face, boldand resolute in aspect, laying about her with the vigour of an Amazon.The usually phlegmatic Conrad defended another weak point, while his atother times amiable spouse stood near him making fearful and frequentraids upon the foe with the branch of of a thorn-tree. Hans, likeGulliver among the Lilliputs, guarded a gate in company with four of hisbrothers, and they toiled and moiled like heroes, while perspirationrolled in streams from their blazing faces. Elsewhere men and women,boys and girls--black, brown, and yellow--exerted themselves to theuttermost.
Never was fortress more gallantly defended, never were ramparts morecourageously assailed. Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, wereslain under that garden wall--hundreds of thousands, millions, hoppedover their comrades' backs and continued the assault with unconquerablepluck. The heroes of ancient Greece and Rome were nothing to them.Horses, cattle, and sheep were driven in among them and made to prancewildly, not in the hope of destroying the foe--as well might you haveattempted to blot out the milky way,--but for the purpose of stemmingthe torrent and turning, if possible, the leading battalions aside fromthe garden. They would not turn aside. "On, hoppers, on--straight on!"was their watchword. "Death or victory" must have been their motto!
At one spot was a hollow trench or dry ditch leading towards an outhousewhich intervened between the locusts and the garden. No storming partywas detailed to carry the point. Where the numbers were so vast as tocover the whole country, that was needless. They marched in columns,and the columns that chanced to come up to the point voluntarily andpromptly undertook the duty. They swarmed into the ditch. Considineand a small Hottentot boy observed the move, and with admirable skillkept the advancing column in check until a fire was kindled in theditch. It was roused to a pitch of fierce heat that would havesatisfied Nebuchadnezzar himself, and was then left, for other points ofdanger in the walls claimed more vigorous attention. Onward hopped andcrawled the enemy and stormed the fire. The leading files were roastedalive, those following tumbled over their dead bodies into the flames.Had the rest wished to take warning by the fate of their comrades--whichthey did not--they would have found it impossible to escape, for thosebehind pushed them on. The fire was filled with the dead, overwhelmedby the dying, fairly put out by both, and the victorious army marchedover in triumph. Then the outhouse met them, but they scorned to turnaside, although there was a four foot wall, which one might havesupposed more practicable. They walked straight up the outhouse andover it, and were triumphantly descending the other side in myriadsbefore they were discovered and met, with shrieks of vengeance, by MrsMarais.
"It's of no use, lads," gasped old Marais, pausing for a moment torecover breath; "the place is doomed."
"Don't say so, father," cried Hans.--"Come on, boys! we've nearlystopped them at this gate."
Nearly,--but not quite! A few minutes later and the strength of thegarrison began to fail.
"How long--has this--lasted?" asked Considine, pausing for a momentbeside Bertha, and panting violently.
"Since--breakfast," gasped the exhausted girl; "we--dis--covered them--just after you--left us.--See! they come!"
"Hallo! this way, Hans! bring the flags!" shouted Considine, observingthe tremendous body of reserves which were following up the success ofthe stormers of the fire.
It is a curious fact that the waving of flags had been found of moreavail on that occasion than most other means. The beating of the enemywith bushes and blankets was no doubt very effective, but it killed,scattered, and confused them, so that they pressed, as it were blindly,on their fate, whereas the flag-waving appeared to touch a cord ofintelligence. They saw it, were obviously affected though not killed byit, and showed a tendency to turn aside. It was however only atendency; soon the advance was resumed in force. The human giants werebeaten--fairly overwhelmed. The wall was scaled and the garden finallyentered by countless myriads of this truly formidable thoughindividually contemptible enemy.
Thus are the strong at times confounded by things that are weak!
Had these been flying instead of pedestrian locusts they might, perhaps,have been turned aside by fires, for this is sometimes done. When afarmer sees a cloud of them coming--a cloud, it may be, of three milesin length by half a mile in breadth or more--he kindles fires round hisgarden and fields, raises a dense smoke
, and may sometimes, though notoften, succeed in preventing them from alighting. But the younger orjumping locusts, strong in the stupidity of youth, cannot be turnedaside thus. Nothing, indeed, but a rushing stream will stop them; evena mighty river, if not rapid, is insufficient. Stagnant pools theycross by drowning the leading multitudes, until a bridge--not "ofsighs," but--of death is formed, of size sufficient to carry them over.They even cross the great Orange River thus in places where its flow iscalm. In Africa they pass in such countless swarms, both winged andwingless, that their approach is viewed with dismay, for where they restthey devour every green thing, and flocks and herds are left utterlydestitute, so that starvation or change of ground is unavoidable. Theyusually begin their march, or flight, after sunrise, and encamp atsunset--and woe betide the luckless farmer on whose lands they chance tofix their temporary abode.
Locust-swarms are followed by a little bird--named _springkaan-vogel_ orlocust-bird--which comes in such dense flocks as almost to darken theair. These locust-birds are about the size of a swallow, with numerousspeckles like a starling. They live exclusively on locusts--followthem, build their nests, rear their young in the midst of them, anddevour them. But this is by no means the locust's only enemy. Everyanimal, domestic and wild, destroys and eats him. Cattle, sheep,horses, fowls, dogs, antelopes--all may be seen devouring him withgreediness. He even eats himself, the cannibal! for if any of hiscomrades get hurt or meet with accidents in travelling, as they oftendo, the nearest fellow-travellers fall on, kill and devour theunfortunates without delay.
The only human beings who rejoice at sight of the terrible locusts arethe Bushmen. These have neither herds, flocks nor crops to lose, andthough the wild animals on which they subsist are by these insectsdriven away, the Bushmen care little, for they delight in fresh locusts,follow them up, feed on them, and preserve quantities by drying them forfuture use.
Before morning the splendid garden of Conrad Marais was a leafless,fruitless wilderness. Not a scrap of green or gold was left. And hiscase was by no means singular. The whole colony was more or lessvisited by this plague at that time, and thus the reviving spirits ofthe settlers were once again knocked down by a crushing blow.
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Note 1. Reverend A.A. Dugmore, _the Reminiscences of an AlbanySettler_, page 23.
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Note 2. The author, having seen the mirage while riding on the karroo,writes from personal experience.