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Updated: May 28, 2025
He headed for Springhaan Nek, about fifteen miles east of Thabanchu. This pass is about four miles broad, with a British fort upon either side of it. There was only one way to safety, for Knox's mounted infantrymen and lancers were already dotting the southern skyline.
As they stood gazing, with hearts full of fear, the two riders appeared coming out of the cloud, and then they were seen to gallop forward over the plain in the direction of the house. They came on at full speed, but long before they had got near, the voice of Swartboy could be heard crying out, "Baas Von Bloom! da springhaans are comin! da springhaan! da springhaan!"
"Ah! the springhaan!" cried Von Bloom, recognising the Dutch name for the far-famed migratory locust. The mystery was explained. The singular cloud that was spreading itself over the plain was neither more nor less than a flight of locusts! It was a sight that none of them, except Swartboy, had ever witnessed before.
Bushman hab no garden no maize no buckwheat no nothing for da springhaan to eat. Bushman eat locust himself he grow fat on da locust. Ebery thing eat dem dar springhaan. Ebery thing grow fat in da locust season. Ho! den for dem springhaan!" These remarks of Swartboy were true enough. The locusts are eaten by almost every species of animal known in South Africa.
Bushman hab no garden no maize no buckwheat no nothing for da springhaan to eat. Bushman eat locust himself he grow fat on da locust. Ebery thing eat dem dar springhaan. Ebery thing grow fat in da locust season. Ho! den for dem springhaan!" These remarks of Swartboy were true enough. The locusts are eaten by almost every species of animal known in South Africa.
The result then of these bustling operations had been that De Wet and his force survived, but that he had failed in his purpose of invading the Colony, and had dropped some five hundred horses, two guns, and about a hundred of his men. Haasbroek's commando had been detached by De Wet to make a feint at another pass while he made his way through the Springhaan.
Von Bloom now bethought him of his cattle. Their forms were seen afar off in the midst of the locust-covered plain. "Let 'em feed um little while, baas," suggested Swartboy. "On what?" inquired his master. "Don't you see the grass is covered!" "On de springhaan demself, baas," replied the Bushman; "good for fatten big ox better dan grass ya, better dan mealies."
How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate." Even the rude Swartboy could perceive the poetic beauty of this description. But Swartboy had much to say about the locusts, as well as the inspired Joel. Thus spoke Swartboy: "Bushman no fear da springhaan.
They saw that their father suffered; though they knew not why. They gathered inquiringly around him. "Alas! alas! Lost! lost!" exclaimed he; "yes, all our crop our labour of the year gone, gone! O my dear children!" "How lost, father? how gone?" exclaimed several of them in a breath. "See the springhaan! they will eat up our crop all all!"
Von Bloom now bethought him of his cattle. Their forms were seen afar off in the midst of the locust-covered plain. "Let 'em feed um little while, baas," suggested Swartboy. "On what?" inquired his master. "Don't you see the grass is covered!" "On de springhaan demself, baas," replied the Bushman; "good for fatten big ox better dan grass ya, better dan mealies."
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