On the 10th of June four companies of the regiment embarked at Simon’s Town, for Algoa Bay, where they arrived in fifty-four hours, and marched from thence to Graham’s Town, the frontier head-quarters, to relieve the twenty-first light dragoons, who were ordered to proceed to India. These companies were distributed in detachments along the bank of the Great Fish River, to occupy posts established a short time previously, and to construct others, in continuation of a chain, to protect the frontiers against the depredations of the warlike tribes of Kafirs, who maintained a constant state of preparation for aggression and acts of hostility, and whose propensities appear more suited to plunder and warfare, than the cultivation of their country. This proved an arduous and toilsome duty, in a country nearly devoid of resources, infested by savage animals and marauding Kafirs; the soldiers lived under canvas, were frequently exposed to the inclemency of the weather, especially while constructing new posts, and patrols were constantly moving from station to station; yet the men were preserved, by the care and attention of their officers, remarkably healthy, and the eldest soldiers, who had been long accustomed to the comparative ease and luxury of the service at the Mauritius and Cape Town, performed this difficult duty with facility. [Sidenote: 1819] Notwithstanding every effort made to cover the country, depredations were frequently committed, and a party of Kafirs having succeeded in stealing a quantity of cattle from a Dutch farmer, in the beginning of February, 1819, the circumstance was reported to Captain Gethin, who was stationed at De Bruins Drift. The captain instantly pursued the robbers, with a few soldiers, accompanied by a number of Dutch farmers, mounted and armed; he came up with the cattle in a country covered with thick underwood, and trusting to the support of the armed farmers, in the event of an attack, he entered the bush with a few men, and was proceeding to drive out the cattle, when the party in advance was surrounded and attacked by a number of Kafirs armed with spears and clubs. The captain and his small party made a determined resistance; but the farmers stood aloof, leaving the soldiers to perish. Captain Gethin was overpowered, and fell pierced with thirty-two wounds; one serjeant and one private soldier were also killed on this occasion. Captain Gethin was a highly respected, brave, and intelligent officer; he had distinguished himself in the Peninsular war, particularly at the siege of St. Sebastian, and had been rewarded with promotion; his death was much regretted. [Sidenote: 1821]