BASUTOS AND BRITISH POWER.
In a graphic account of the annexation ceremony at Pretoria, the special correspondent of tho“ Standard ” describes the astonishment with which the Basuto Chiefs viewed the spectacle. They wore greatly impressed with the number of our soldiers, whom they compared to the grass on the veldt for multitude. When they saw a sin gun, “ Surely, ” they exclaimed in amazement, “ there are in Heaven no bigger guns than this! ” To the inventiveness of tho men who turned out such a wonderful weapon, they were unable to set limits. “If the great white lords can make such great cannon, why should they ever die? Why do they not discover some witch powder to bring them to life again ? ” The military bands specially delighted the Bosuto warriors. “ How beautifully the music keeps time to the marching of tho men 1 ” was their native expression of surprise. The Gordon Highlanders seemed to bo particular favourites of the dusky Chiefs, who at first had their doubts as to the propriety of the hilt, but who were afterwards good enough to say that they saw no reason “ why soldiers should not wear petticoats if they choose. We, too, have our customs, ” they added.
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Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 February 1901, Page 4
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201BASUTOS AND BRITISH POWER. Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 February 1901, Page 4
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