Words like these, from his lips, carried with them more weight than all the written documents the Colonial Office could send forth. As the Chiefs retired to their position, his Excellency, having possessed himself of a piece of paper for the purpose, held it up to the multitude as emblematic of the former Treaties; and, tearing it to pieces, scattered it to the winds, exclaiming with his accustomed energy, "There go the Treaties!" He next seized the staff of war, and, poising it for a few moments, cast it to the ground with great vehemence. "Behold," said he, "the end of war! And now, three cheers for Peace!" Lifting his hat, he bade those beside him follow his example. The loud hurrahs ascended to the sky, sending their echoes along the banks of the Buffalo River. All united in the acclamations which the occasion called forth. From soldiers, spectators, and Kaffirs arose one simultaneous shout, and from kloof to kloof, from plain to plain, resounded the cheers which proclaimed "Peace on earth, and good will towards men!" two days before the great festival of Christmas. On the evening of the 23rd, some of the chiefs being offered coffee in an officer's tent, old Botman was heard making sundry remarks on the occurrences of the day. On being asked what he thought of the Governor's address, he replied, "The day was stormy--the wind blew very strong." But there was no gaining from him his real opinion as to past circumstances, or future arrangements. It is the custom of the Kaffirs to assemble after any great gathering, whether of peace or war, a wedding or a witchcraft scene. Those who have not been present are always desirous of hearing "the news." When Sir Harry Smith was in Kaffirland in 1836 he had occasion to summon the Chiefs to a meeting, when he reproached them severely for sundry aggressions. On their dismissal, they repaired to the Kraal, where several members of each tribe awaited their return with the eager question, "What news?" "There was a storm," said one, "Much thunder!" "But," asked another, "was it followed by refreshing rain?" "Oh! yes, when the thunder ceased there fell some cooling and pleasant showers;" alluding to food and gifts. One secret of Sir Harry Smith's success is, that he does not suffer the Kaffirs to parley with him. He looks upon them now as unworthy to be listened to, and they feel this; they make no attempt to reply. As for reasoning with them, it were but lost time; they are the cleverest logicians in the world, and have always an answer more suitable to their own purpose than we could possibly anticipate.