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Friends and Foes in the Transkei

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Friends and Foes in the Transkei
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Author(s): Helen M. Prichard
Date Published: 2009/09
Page Count: 172
Softcover ISBN-13: 978-1-84677-757-8
Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-1-84677-758-5

Pioneer days in South Africa

Helen Prichard arrived in South Africa with her family in 1876. The colonisation of the interior was in full swing and hers was a family that typified the pioneer sprit of the time. Inevitably the expansion of a new people impacted upon the lives of the native population. These were years—for the British in Africa—when this would have its most significant and disastrous consequences. We experience through Helen Prichard's writings her family's efforts to create a new life for themselves in the wilderness. Their lives are put in jeopardy as the Kaffir tribes rise and as the decade draws to a close imperial forces are preparing to deal with the great Zulu nation. A vital account of a colonist woman's experiences in an uncompromising landscape.

In front of our house was a piece of ground which we hoped to convert into a flower garden; but during these troublous times no one could be induced to fence it for any consideration. We had therefore no means of shutting out the public, and as the nearest way to the magistrate’s was along a path which ran side by side with our veranda; I saw and heard a good deal which I kept to myself, but which made me uneasy.—When we first arrived at Idutywa, the natives would pass our house respectfully; walking on the side of the path farthest away from me, and almost invariably addressing me as “Inkõs;” their whole demeanour expressing deference and respect.<br>
I had always returned these salutations with civility, and the women often brought their babies to show me, and seemed pleased if I noticed them in any way. Now all was changed; the men swaggered past me with a most insolent air; often brushing my dress carelessly with their assegais, for all were armed to the teeth, and displayed their weapons as much as possible.—I thought the most loyal thing to do was to bear it patiently, and sit quietly until they were out of sight, when I would resume my work; but it was a great effort to do so.<br>
Some would even laugh and nod; first at each other and then at the house, and I fancied these significant looks meant, “Oh! yes, my fine lady-chief (Inkõs), these pretty things belong to you for a few more days, but they will soon enough change hands”!<br>
When these insults became too unbearable I would go for a walk with my husband, to shake off the nervous impression. Just about this time the little station at Idutywa was enlivened by a visit from Captain Fraser, (of the telegraph department), who pitched his busy and pretty camp just above our house. Of course we all went to pay him a visit, and I was quite interested in all the curious things he showed us.<br>
Captain Fraser was very kind in explaining everything in the most charming way, but I never could swallow even the smallest dose of science, and should be just as contented if the earth were square, or rested on a tortoise’s back; still I liked to look at the water in the glasses and dip my finger into it, and know that everything in the place could go off if it chose!<br>
I was also charmed with Captain Fraser’s costume, which was made entirely of dark brown leather. It was very becoming, perfectly adapted to the bush; and I did nothing but beg my husband to procure a similar dress all the way home.<br>
Of course the work was being hurried on as fast as possible, as it would be invaluable should any serious disturbance occur; and we all looked lovingly at the telegraph poles, for they seemed a link to civilisation, and we felt very much safer when they were all put up. We went to say goodbye to our friend when he left, and as I looked at the people striking the tents and preparing for departure, how little I guessed that the next camp I should see would be our own; that one dear child would die in a tent, and another little one be born in a tent; and that the time would come when I should look back upon our little cottage at Idutywa as a palace of luxury and paradise of peace; and that all these changes would occur before that line of telegraph was finished!<br>
We certainly had no reason to complain of feeling dull at present; and the little bustle Captain Fraser’s camp created had not yet subsided, when we received official information that his Excellency the Governor, Sir Bartle Frere, and his suite, were about to honour the Transkei with a visit; and my husband received a command to proceed immediately to Butterworth, to receive his Excellency’s instructions. Of course this grand piece of intelligence plunged the whole station into the wildest state of excitement; and we wondered what effect the spectacle of a quiet, elderly gentleman in a shooting-coat would have upon the minds of the natives.<br>
What would we not have given for the presence of a brigade of troops,—a military band,—gorgeous uniforms,—splendid equipages—elephants—nautch-girls—Hengler’s Circus—anything or everything to astonish the natives. When would something happen to show the Kafirs we really were big people? How can they form the smallest estimate of England’s greatness from the scattered handfuls of white people divided from each other by distance, and connected by no ties of affection, whom they contemptuously permitted to dwell among them? All I know is, I am exceedingly grateful to them for not despatching us long ago, for that they could have massacred us with the greatest ease is a fact which no one acquainted with the country will dispute.<br>
My husband left home on Friday, the 14th September, and I feared he might not return for several days; I expected to be very dull, and determined to amuse myself with a good house-cleaning during his absence. Mrs. Gog’s energies had lately been chiefly occupied with the cuisine, and the house was really looking rather black! I thought an air of neglect would impress the Kafir servants with the idea that we did not expect to remain there long; so partly from loyalty to good Queen Victoria, and partly from respect to my own love of order, we cleared the decks and prepared for action. All that Saturday morning we scrubbed, and dusted, and polished, and sang, and laughed, and scolded; until we were almost too tired to eat the hasty luncheon which was all I cared for as my husband was away. After dinner, feeling our work was done, nurse went to lie down in her own room; I locked the front door, took a book, and imitated her example. The Kafir servants took the children out for a walk, and nurse and I never heard the arrival of a visitor, who was no less a personage than Major Elliot.