."

But the Great Chief was doggedly bent on meeting his fate. He returned
no answer to the message, and the troops moved on. Arriving at the
mission station of Butterworth, they found it destroyed, and here they
were met by a large body of Fingoes--native slaves--who eagerly offered
their services to fight against their cruel masters the Kafirs. These
Fingoes--destined in after years to make a deep impression on the
colony--were the remains of eight powerful nations, who, broken up and
scattered by the ferocious Chaka and his Zulu hordes, had taken refuge
with Hintza, by whom they were enslaved and treated in the most brutal
manner. He gave them generally the name of Fingo, which means dog.
Their eager offer to serve under the British Chief was therefore most
natural, but Sir Benjamin declined their services at the time, as war
had not yet been declared.

Soon after, a detachment of thirty men was sent back to the colony with
despatches, in charge of an ensign named Armstrong, who was waylaid and
murdered by some of Hintza's Kafirs. The Governor, finding that his
overtures were treated with studied neglect, and that hostilities were
thus begun, called to him a Kafir councillor and warrior, and said--

"Your master has treated all my messages with contempt. He is in secret
alliance with the chiefs who have invaded our colony. He has received
and concealed cattle stolen from the white men. A British trader has
been deliberately murdered in his territory, near his own residence, and
under his protection, and no steps have been taken to punish the
murderers. Violence and outrage have been committed by him on British
traders, and missionaries living under his safeguard have been forced to
flee to the Tambookie chief to save their lives. I will no longer treat
with him. Since Hintza is resolved on war, he shall have it. I will
now take the Fingoes under my special protection, make them subjects of
the king of England, and severely punish any who commit violence upon
them. I will also carry off all the cattle I can find.--Go, tell your
master his blood shall be on his own head."

This message, which was followed up by prompt action, the capture of
considerable numbers of cattle, and a successful attack on one of his
principal kraals, brought the great chief to his senses--apparently, but
not really, as the sequel will show. He sent in four messengers with
proposals, but the Governor refused to treat with any