Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa from 1873 to 1884, Volume 1 (1919).djvu/85

 1877] The Ninth Kaffir War. 65 had his name (meaning the gi'eat spider) given to him from his plan of attack in an engagement with the Tembus in October 1872. The destruction of his kraal was the first reverse he ever sustained. Colonel Griffith's plan of operations was that from each of his posts a party should march, and all join at the great place, as the residence of an important chief is termed. It was a little over six miles or about ten kilometres from Ibeka. At daybreak he left the camp with two troops of the mounted police, under Inspector David Hook, two field guns, under Captain Robinson, and a body of King-Williamstown burghers under Com- mandant Bertram Bowker. Large bands of Fingos marched at the same time from three points under Messrs. James Ayliff, Allan Maclean, and F. Pattle. The Gonubi volunteers under Captain George. Grey and the Maclean volunteers under Captain Howard Sprigg marched from the Springs, and some mounted police under In- spector Bailie, a body of Queenstown burghers under Captain George Hay, and a Tembu contingent under Major Elliot advanced from Idutywa. Captain Grey's volunteers, ninety in number, when in a rugged part of the country were drawn into an ambuscade, and found themselves surrounded by the enemy in great force, whose design was to close in upon them. In this emergency the little band acted with the greatest bravery, and by the accuracy of its fire kept the Galekas at a distance and fought its way out with only two men wounded. Colonel Griffith reached Kreli's kraal soon after sunrise, and found a strong force of Galekas there, who were taken completely by surprise. The artillery opened fire upon the kraal, and when the enemy was thrown into confusion, the Fingos under Allan and Alexander Maclean rushed forward and took the place. While these operations were in progress, other parties were advancing to the neighbouring kraals, many of which were defended with much obstinacy, but all were 6