At noon, on the 20th, his Excellency was in the saddle, _en route_ for King William's Town, _via_ Fort Hare and Post Victoria. He was accompanied by the heads of departments in general, and by his staff. At Fort Hare, the party was entertained at dinner by the officers of the 45th Regiment, and next day, proceeding to King William's Town, breakfasted on the road in the Tyumie valley. At King William's Town, Sir Harry had appointed a meeting of the Chiefs of Kaffirland, desiring them to obey him, or abide the consequences. They knew him too well to hesitate. In the mean time, Pato, hearing that Colonel Somerset was again on the track in search of him, grew frightened; and, as this officer was _en route_ with his force, the rebel savage sent his councillors, with an offer of five thousand head of cattle, and a promise of surrender, if his life might be spared. It was on Sunday, the 19th of December, while Sir Harry Smith was yet in Graham's Town, that the work of Colonel Somerset was, so to speak, brought to a close by the surrender of Pato. While moving with his forces towards the Kei, and debating where he should "off-saddle" and bivouac, for a short refreshment, Colonel Somerset observed two Kaffirs riding at a rapid gallop towards him. These were two of Pato's councillors, who looked tired and frightened beyond description, but they rode direct for Colonel Somerset; and, as soon as one of them could get breath, he spoke. He had been sent by his chief, he said, to make terms of surrender. "The tribe was broken up. Pato was hunted down, and could hold out no longer." Colonel Somerset asked what guarantee he should have that Pato would keep his word: a word which had been broken so often? "I am Pato's mouth," said the messenger; "I speak his word, and _now_ it is true. I have been told to ride and find Somerset, or _die_."