or throwing off allegiance to the British Crown, and
forsaking their homes in disgust; and some there were who would have
been willing to remain and suffer, but could not bear the idea of being
left behind by their kindred.

Next morning Conrad completed the loading of his waggons, placed his
wife and children--there was still a baby!--in them, mounted his horse
with the sons who yet remained with him, and bade farewell to the old
home on the karroo. He was followed by a long train of his compatriots'
waggons. They all crossed the frontier into Kafirland and thenceforth
deemed themselves free!

This was the first droppings of a shower--the first leak of a torrent--
the first outbreak of that great exodus of the Dutch-African boers which
was destined in the future to work a mighty change in the South African
colony.

Hans and Gertie accompanied the party for several hours on their
journey, and then, bidding them God-speed, returned to their deserted
home.

But now a cloud was lowering over the land which had been imperceptibly,
though surely, gathering on the horizon for years past.

We have said that hitherto the colony, despite many provocations,
thefts, and occasional murders, had lived in a state of peace with the
Kafirs--the only time that they took up arms for a brief space being in
their defence, at Hintza's request, against the Fetcani.

Latterly, we have also observed, the British settlers had toiled hard
and prospered. The comforts of life they had in abundance. Trade began
to be developed, and missions were established in Kafirland. Among
other things, the freedom of the press had been granted them after a
hard struggle! The first Cape newspaper, the _South African Commercial
Advertiser_, edited by Pringle the poet and Fairbairn, was published in
1824, and the _Grahamstown Journal_, the first Eastern Province
newspaper, was issued by Mr Godlonton in 1831. Schools were also
established. Wool-growing began to assume an importance which was a
premonition of the future staple of the Eastern Provinces.
Savings-banks were established, and, in short, everything gave promise
of the colony--both east and west--becoming a vigorous, as it was
obviously a healthy, chip of the old block.

But amongst all this wheat there had been springing up tares. With the
growing prosperity there were growing evils. A generous and well-meant
effort on the part of Christians and philanthropists to give full
freedom and