THE LOYAL BASUTOS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6511, 9 January 1882, Page 5

THE LOYAL BASUTOS.

A Capetown telegram says:—“ A report published here of an interview between Mr Orpen and a number of loyal Basutos states that Moleko, replying to Mr Orpen’s advice to them to return home now that peace was restored, said : ‘ How can we go home to plough our lands? We have no ploughs and no oxen.’ Mr Orpen replied : ‘ Borrow from your friends, or hire them.’ Moleko rejoined j ‘ The Loyals have no friends.’ Mr Orpen replied : ‘ Well, you must do as you did in the olden times, and till the ground with the Kaffir hoc,’ ” In connection with this extract the following clever parody on the well known song “ Uncle Ned” has been published ; There once was a nlfnjer—let ns call him Undo Nod (’Tls tbe English, we believe, of Moleko)— Who hod got certain notions of the loyal in bis bead. Where now-a-days such notion?, shouldn't grow, Ho “Take down the assegai and bow.bowbow, Linger not to plough nor to sow ; But enrol yourselves as loyalists," this loyal

nigger said ; ** 'Tls the side to which the good niggers go.” Thus spoke tbe faithful chieftain to the tribesmen whom he led.

Whose response was not nndutiful nor slow; For they left the kraal and huntuag gronud, they left the farm and stead, And espoused the British cause (or weal or woe. Ihe; took down the assegai and bow-bow. bow. Staying not to plough nor to sow: And tor service as irregulars, 'tls generally said. They were good enough—as good niggers go. But, alas tor these poor savages who fought for na and bled 1 When the time arrived onr gratitude to show. And they went to Mr Orpen, with their leader at their head. They were thus addressed by worthy Ur 0. : '• Hang up the assegai and bow-bow-bow I Go yon homo to plough and to sow I We’ve squeezed yon dr; and done with yon ” (he virtually said); “ So go home, my friends, like good niggers go!" “ But onr ploughs they are lost, and onr oxen they are dead. And none will lend to Mojals,’ ns you know." Yet still the representative of Britain shook his head, And inflexibly reiterated “ Go! Hang up the assegai and bow-bow-bow! Take down the ancient Kaffir hoe I I’ve nothing further, gentlemen, to add to what I’ve said; You may go to—where the had niggers go I"