Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa since September 1795, Volume 1 (1908).pdf/78

54 dence, and who was believed to have sufficient influence with Ndlambe and with the Hottentots of Graaff-Reinet to be able to induce them to agree to reasonable terms of peace.

On the 10th of August, before General Dundas and Mr. Maynier reached Swellendam on their way to the seene of disturbances, a great horde of Xosas and Hottentots appeared in the neighbourhood of the camp at Ferreira's, and got possession of most of the slaughter and draft oxen belonging to the commissariat; but they were followed up, and the cattle were recovered. General Vandeleur was so irritated by this occurrence that he caused a Xosa spy, who was detected in the camp on the following day, to be hanged "as an example to the savages."

In the beginning of September General Dundas arrived on the frontier, and shortly afterwards Mr. Maynier commenced to treat with the Kaffirs and Hottentots for peace. A considerable military force under General Vandeleur, and three strong divisions of burghers from the districts of Stellenbosch, Swellendam, and Graaff-Reinet, respectively under Commandants Strydoni, Van der Walt, and Van Rensburg, were at the time in the field. There was nothing left to plunder within reach of the insurgents and invaders. Under these circumstanees it was an easy matter to persuade the Hottentot and Xosa captains to give their word that they would abstain from further hostilities and not trespass beyond the Znurveld. They were promised that they would not be molested there, and large presents were made to them. To the condition of things thus created Mr. Maynier gave the name of peace, and the government gladly consented to the word being used, though General Dundas subsequently described the arrangement as a withdrawal from war rather than a restoration of tranquillity. On the 16th of October it was announced that hostilities were at an end. The hearts of the farmers sank within them, but they were obliged to abide by the decision of the authorities; and thus was established a kind of truce, which was thereafter observed in an indifferent manner.

The commandos were disbanded, and the troops were with-