Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa since September 1795, Volume 1 (1908).pdf/70

46 villain of despicable character, who had been proclaimed an outlaw in February 1798 by Lord Macartney, on account of his continuing to live in Kaffirland, in defiance of an order to return to the colony. He was a man of great bodily vigour, and was by no means wanting in intellect, but was utterly devoid of morality. Among his female companions at this time was the mother of Gaika, and this connection was the chief source of his influence in the colony as well as in Kaffirland, for it caused the colonists to believe that his power was considerable. That such a man should have been accepted as a leader by the disaffected farmers is a fact that must always weigh against their cause, though he was so plausible in speech that even the clergyman of the district was at first inclined to regard him as really not criminally disposed. Many years after this date he became the pioneer European settler in the territory north of the Vaal. There one night he addressed his children by black women, telling them that under all circumstances they were to put their trust in God, and before morning heartlessly abandoned them.

Prinsloo and Du Buis now sent out circulars, calling upon the farmers of the district to assemble in arms at the drostdy on the 12th of February. But as many of those to whom the circulars were sent announced that they had no intention of joining in the insurrection, and the commandants Hendrik van Rensburg and Thomas Dreyer declaring themselves on the side of the government, the meeting did not take place.

On the 17th of February about one hundred men assembled at the farm of Barend Burger. The reverend Mr. Ballot was there, and tried to persuade them to return to their homes, but they did not seem disposed to listen to his advice. They dispersed indeed, but with the understanding that they should meet again at Koega in a few days, and form a camp there under command of Jan Botha, to prevent the landing of troops at Algoa Bay.

On the 20th of February the thirty men who were blockading the drostdy entered the village and threatened violence. They were divided in opinion as to what should be done, some