upon himself to ask for an explanation on the part of the regulars. This, R----y of the Artillery--a thorough officer and gentleman, be it said--kindly gave him for me. He appeared satisfied, and thus the matter ended. In the report I made of this affair, I stated matters as they virtually occurred; and a few days after, an order arrived in camp from headquarters, stating that no officer of any rank whatever was to interfere with my movements, but, on the contrary, to give me whatever help I asked for; and Colonel S----t, secretary to the Commander-in-chief, sent me the following, enclosed with a kind letter:-- “TO CAPTAIN LAKEMAN. “FORT BEAUFORT, _Aug._ 31, 1852. “SIR,--Having submitted your report of the 29th inst., I am directed to convey to you, by desire of the Commander of the Forces, his Excellency’s satisfaction with the constant activity and military energy you have displayed since you have been engaged in the operations in the vicinity of the Water-kloof. (Signed) “A. J. CLOËTE, _Quartermaster-General_.” A native levy of Fingoes was now adjoined to my command. This strengthened my position considerably; but what gave me an absolute power over the native population of the district was an event which occurred concerning some Kaffir prisoners in my camp. It happened thus: While out coursing one day, a short distance from my quarters, I saw a considerable stir there going on, and ultimately a string of men went from thence to a by-path on the ridge of the hill, which led down towards Blinkwater Post. It was evidently an escort of prisoners, and I was greatly exercised by the thought of where these came from, knowing that there were none excepting those in my camp, with whom no one had the right to interfere. I sent a man on horseback to inquire into the matter. He came back and reported that they were the very prisoners in question, and that they were being removed by General N----t’s orders to Fort Beaufort. I galloped immediately back, and told the officer in command of the escort that he could not proceed: these prisoners were mine, and had been taken in an engagement in which none but my own men had been employed. They were also necessary to me for the information they could give as to the whereabouts of the rest of the tribe. After a long and painful interview of more than an hour, the prisoners were taken back to my camp, escorted by my own men. The Fingoes in my new levy, after this act of mine, used to call me “Government,” from, I was told, the fact of their always hearing this word spoken of in relation to her Majesty’s proclamations in the colony, which always began with, “Whereas her Majesty’s Government.” But let the fact be as it may, from that day they were implicit followers of mine.