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No stranger is allowed to enter these caves, or even to ascend the kopje, though they do not object to one's inspecting some of the other fortifications. Dismounting from our wearied horses, we passed through a cattle kraal and came into the presence of "Swasi," Secocoeni's uncle, a fat old fellow who was busily engaged in braying a skin.
Burgers elected president His character and aspirations His pension from the English Government His visit to England The railway loan Relations of the republic with native tribes The pass laws Its quarrel with Cetywayo Confiscation of native territory by the Keate award Treaty with the Swazi king The Secocoeni war Capture of Johannes' stronghold by the Swazi allies Attack on Secocoeni's mountain Defeat and dispersion of the Boers Elation of the natives Von Schlickmann's volunteers Cruelties perpetrated Abel Erasmus Treatment of natives by Boers Public meeting at Potchefstroom in 1768 The slavery question Some evidence on the subject Pecuniary position of the Transvaal prior to the annexation Internal troubles Divisions amongst the Boers Hopeless condition of the country.
At Secocoeni's kraal we had engaged two boys to carry our packs as far as the fort, who, on their arrival, were so well satisfied with the way in which we treated them that they requested to be allowed to proceed with us. On those legs he peacefully slumbered when the waggon was going over ground that prohibited our even stopping in it.
It was on this plain that the only real fight between the volunteers and Secocoeni's men took place, when the former managed to get between the Basutus and the hills, and shot them down like game, killing over 200 men.
Then we crossed the range of hills which overlooks the fort, and passing Secocoeni's old kraal where he used to live before he retreated to his fastnesses, we arrived at a great alluvial valley nine miles broad, on the other side of which rises the Loolu.
As regards the Boers' right to Secocoeni's country, Sir H. Barkly sums up the question thus, in a despatch addressed to President Burgers, dated 28th Nov. 1876: "On the whole, it seems perfectly clear, and I feel bound to repeat it, that Sikukuni was neither de jure or de facto a subject of the Republic when your Honour declared war against him in June last."
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