ay to the chief and people, How can Basutoland
belong to Basutos? I tell all that the Government want to do good
to the people. The Queen does not want the Colony to take land of
Basutos, and what the Colony and the Queen are afraid of is that if
abandoned the Basutos would be eaten up. I like the Boers; they are
brave, and like their own government; and when they fought, they
fought for their own government. England could have beaten the
Boers if they liked, but thought it unjust. Which do Basutos think
Dutch like best--Basutos or land? I think they like land best.
Supposing Colony abandoned this country, by-and-by they have
trouble with Free State; after that begins fighting; then I look
forward ten years, and I see Dutch farms close here. I do not want
that, the Colony does not, and the Queen does not, and no Basuto
either. Then I say, Basutos, make friends with the Government....

"Suppose Boers drive you away, for me it would be all the same, and
not much difference when you are put in the ground. I wish the
Basutos would do what I say. What I want is for all to speak with
one tongue. I cannot make myself black. I cannot make Masupha and
his people do what I want, so I leave it to Jesus, who works
everything. This is all I have to say--Do what you like; think
well; pray to Jesus for advice."

No sooner had General Gordon gone on his peaceful mission than he
discovered that Mr. Sauer had actually induced Lerethodi, a rival
chief, to attack Masupha. This action not only endangered Gordon's
life, but outraged his sense of honour to such an extent, that he
decided forthwith to sever all connection with the Cape Government. It
was, to say the least, extraordinary conduct, to send a messenger of
peace to a rebel chief, and then, without waiting for any reply, to
induce some of his own countrymen to attack and coerce him. It would
perhaps not be fair to hold the whole of the Cape Government
responsible for the action of a single man, but this curious proceeding
confirmed General Gordon in an opinion he held, that white men often
fail to practise towards the despised coloured men that honourable,
upright dealing that might be expected from the leaders of civilised
nations.

Mr. Arthur Pattison, writing to the _Times_ on the 20th August 1885,
after Gordon's death, said of Masupha, "If you trust him
straightforwardly, he is as nice a man as po