"When the lieutenant-governor was informed of this outrage he at once sent a message to the chiefs of the offending tribe, and demanded that the two prisoners should be brought back and the murderers of the unfortunate Hottentots surrendered. But the young `amadodas' of the tribe were eager for war, and, their counsels outweighing the counsels of the older men, the government message was treated with contempt. "A `palaver' was, however, subsequently arranged for; and last Wednesday the lieutenant-governor, the senior officer at Graham's Town, and I started for the Block Drift mission station to meet the Gaika chiefs. They arrived at the appointed time, attended by a large body of warriors outnumbering the lieutenant-governor's escort by ten to one. "That the treacherous scoundrels meant mischief I am certain, but Captain S--who commanded the escort placed his men so judiciously that they made no attempt to attack us; and though the meeting was most unsatisfactory, at any rate it broke up without a rumpus--which was more than I expected. War, of course, is imminent; for it is absolutely necessary that the government should bring the refractory chiefs to order, otherwise our prestige will be seriously damaged throughout South Africa." "I suppose we shall have it all our way, Captain Jamieson?" said Tom Flinders, now a strapping young fellow of eighteen, with an incipient moustache and whiskers. "These Gaika fellows won't make much of a stand against our troops." "The Gaikas and their allies are brave men, Tom, and fight well," was the reply. "Indeed, my experience of Cape warfare is that at first the Caffres have it all their own way, though in the long run they succumb to our superior discipline and resources. Take the advice of an old campaigner, and never despise your enemies." "Shall you have to go out this time?" asked Janet Jamieson wistfully, putting her arm round the captain's neck. "I hope not, dear father!" "I am afraid so, my girl," he answered gently. "The Lieutenant-governor has offered me the command of a force of volunteers and burghers, and I could not well refuse it." "And what about us?" cried the young men in a breath. "You cannot all go, boys," interposed Miss Jamieson, the tears starting into her bright eyes. "Who is to look after the farm and defend us in case of attack?" "Janet is right," said her father. "Ralfontein must not be left unprotected, for we cannot tell how far this war may spread or how long it will last." "You must allow _me_ to accompany you, Jamieson," Mr Weston struck in; whereupon Miss Janet started and the colour left her cheeks. "I shall be content to serve as a simple volunteer." "My dear Weston, I am relying on your taking command here," rejoined the captain, looking askance at his daughter. "But let me tell you my plans. In the first place," he went on, "the lieutenant-governor has offered provisional ensigncies in the Cape Mounted Rifles to Tom Flinders and Frank, on the--"