"Just so, Ernest, and for some years previously to that there had been a feeling of uneasiness in the colony, that the English were meditating some attempt upon them. That is one of the things that induces me to believe the Hottentot's story. Well, the Dutch in the fourth year after the appearance of the strangers, got together what they call a commando in these parts--" "I know what that is," interposed Wilmore. "I heard my uncle talking about it with some of the passengers. They get all the Dutchmen in the neighbourhood together, as well as some troops from the government, and make a raid on some unlucky Hottentot village--kill all the men, make slaves of the women and children, seize the cattle and goods of the natives, and burn the houses." "That's what you call a clean sweep," observed Nick. "Yes, no doubt. But it's shockingly cruel and wicked," exclaimed Warley. "I should think you must be overstating the matter, Frank." "I am afraid he is not," said Lavie. "That is very much what they were wont to do at commandos, as I had good grounds for knowing while I was living at Cape Town. They had a great deal of provocation, no doubt. The boors' cattle was continually being stolen, and could very seldom be recovered. And it was next to impossible to prove the theft against any tribe in particular--" "But that would not justify them in burning and shooting right and left, without any inquiry," rejoined Warley. "I could not have believed that any Christian people--" "Well, Ernest, I am inclined to go a long way with you on this subject, though I differ somewhat," said the doctor, "but we have no time to discuss it now. Well, the Dutch commando attacked Omatoko's village by night and burnt it, as Frank says, to the ground. Probably all the other results of which he spoke would have ensued, if the English had not heard the firing, and come up to the rescue." "I hope they peppered the Dutchmen properly," cried Nick. "Well, they seem to have made a good fight of it; but the Dutchmen were ten to one, and the Hottentots very little good. The upshot was that a large part of the tribe escaped, and the rest, together with the survivors of the English, surrendered themselves at discretion. Omatoko was one of those made prisoners, and he was for eight years in the service of a boor. He was pretty well treated; for the colony was all that time in the hands of the English, and they wouldn't allow any cruelties to be exercised against the slaves. But two years ago the Cape was given back to the Dutch, and they began the old system again as soon as they were in possession. Omatoko and one or two others made their escape some twelve months ago; and he went back to his tribe, who are living, he says, at no great distance from this. The Dutch, he declares, have been trying to seize or kill him ever since--"