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Expectation was raised to the highest pitch, and when it was heard that the Commissioners had reached Capetown preparations were made in Grahamstown to give them a warm reception. Mounted on a pair of sturdy ponies Hans Marais and Charlie Considine galloped over the plains of the Zuurveld in the direction of Grahamstown. The brothers Skyd had preceded them, Edwin Brook was to follow.
Among them were hardy Englishmen from the Zuurveld, tough with the training of fourteen years in the wilderness, and massive Dutchmen from the karroo, splendid horsemen and deadly shots. While the bustle was at its height a party of horsemen galloped up to the gate, headed by a giant.
About the same time that the Scotch "party" left the Bay, several of the other parties set out, some large and some small, each under its appointed leader, to colonise the undulating plains of the Zuurveld. Soon the pilgrims became accustomed to the nightly serenade of hyena and jackal also to breakneck steeps, and crashing jolts, and ugly tumbles.
"So you're gaun to settle thereawa'?" said Sandy Black to John Skyd and his brothers as they stood on an eminence commanding a magnificent view of the rich plains and woodlands of the Zuurveld. "Even so, friend Black," replied John, "and sorry am I that our lot is not to be cast together. However, let's hope that we may meet again ere long somewhere or other in our new land."
Perchance God spoke to them in suggestive prophecy, for the contrast was typical of their future chequered career in these almost unknown wilds of South Africa. Left by their escort on the following day as their English brethren had been left in the Zuurveld of Lower Albany to take root and grow there or perish, the heads of families assembled, and their leader addressed them.
"Peace at last!" said Edwin Brook to George Dally, on arriving at his ravaged and herdless farm in the Zuurveld, whither George had preceded him. "Peace is it, sir? Ah, that's well. It's about time too, for we've got a deal to do haven't we, sir?" George spoke quite cheerily, under the impression that his master required comforting.
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