After his inquiries as to the object of my journey, I asked him as quietly as the emotions then striving within me would allow, that my efforts in the late clearing out of the Water-kloof should be mentioned in the same kind manner in which he had stated my previous services--and if he thought it requisite for the public good to publish the names of officers who had not seen a shot fired that day, I hoped he would consider that my name had still juster claims for his acknowledgment. The General rose in a towering passion, exclaiming that if I did not resign immediately he would have me tried by court-martial. I replied that, if he would consent to my stating the real causes for sending in my resignation, I was ready to pen it there and then before him. After a pause he asked me to be seated, and placing himself on a camp-stool, the old soldier began conning the matter over to himself, looking towards me at times more inquiringly than decided as to which of the two had the best of the case. His womanly weakness to please the great men at home had evidently led him to pander a little too much to their acquaintances out here, whilst I, whom he personally liked, had been unduly neglected. The thought was galling; but at last he rose, and said he had not forgotten me, but thought it better to mention my name in a different manner; and was then occupied in sending his despatches home to the Horse Guards, in which he had asked for a military appointment for me in India. “Leave me now,” he added, “and tomorrow you shall have a general order also.” In fulfilment of this promise, Colonel S---- called upon me the next day, with “Here, Lakeman, is what you asked for--a general order all to yourself--while the rest of us only get mentioned in a lump. I am, however, pleased at the result of your interview with the General. I could not help hearing in the next room that it was rather hot at one time; but all’s well that ends well--give us your hand.” No mention by me could have done kind-hearted, brave Colonel S---- any good, dead or alive; but now that he has laid down his life for his country, he belongs somewhat to all that remain; and I wish to say how much I respected and liked him. Had he not been so much above me in station and favour, I should add still more to my panegyric. “HEADQUARTERS, GRAHAM’S TOWN, _October_ 7, 1852. “Lakeman’s Volunteer Corps, from their good conduct and the gallantry of their commander, not only in the recent clearing out of the Water-kloof, but also on many previous occasions, will be called for the future the Water-kloof Rangers. (Signed) A. J. CLOËTE, _Quartermaster-General_.” Thus ended my only disagreement on military matters of this kind at the Cape. I rather cemented than otherwise my relations with the Commander-in-chief, but became the acknowledged enemy of Colonel Cloëte, the Quartermaster-general, who, I had good reason for believing, had been the originator of the dispute in question.