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But the most interesting man of all with whom I came in contact in Natal was one who afterwards became my beloved chief and friend； for； notwithstanding the wide difference of our years； that relationship existed between us。 I refer to Sir Theophilus Shepstone； or “Sompseu” as he was called by the natives throughout South Africa。
Sir Theophilus was born in England in 1817； and emigrated to the Cape with his father； a clergyman； when he was but three years old。 In his early youth he learned many Kaffir dialects at the mission stations。 After filling various appointments he became Secretary for Native Affairs in Natal in 1856； a position which he held for twenty years。 His policy was to maintain the tribal system of the natives under the supremacy of the British Crown； and to civilise them by degrees。 Often he has told me that he believed that the Zulus should be taught to work and that their minds should be opened before attempts were made to Christianise them。 I should add that his policy； although much criticised； was singularly successful。 This is proved by the fact that； notwithstanding the enormous number of savages who poured from Zululand into Natal； with the single exception of the petty rising of the chief Langalibalele （“the Bright Shining Sun”）； which happened a year or two before I went to the Colony； there was no rebellion or native war during all the time of his management of affairs。 Personally he was known and almost worshipped by every Kaffir in the land。
“I love that boy；” I once heard him say to one of my elder colleagues as I passed by him； he thought out of earshot； and I have never forgotten the words or the tone in which they were uttered。 Well； the affection was reciprocated； and will be while I have memory。
He was a curious； silent man； any of the characteristics of the natives among whom he lived。 Often it was impossible to guess from his somewhat impassive face what was passing in his brain。 He had the power of silence； but he observed everything and forgot little。 To me； however； when the mood was on him； he would talk a great deal — the stories I have heard from him would fill half a volume — and sometimes even unfold to me the secret springs of his actions。 I only once remember his being angry with me； for he was very tender to my faults； and that was； I think； just before the issue of the Proclamation annexing the Transvaal。 I had ventured to suggest to him that it would be wiser to leave the country unannexed and retire to Natal。
“Then；” I said； “the Zulus and the Boers will destroy each other； and the Transvaal will fall like a ripe apple into the lap of Great Britain。”
He asked me angrily if I understood what I was saying； and that such a policy would mean the destruction of thousands of white men； women and children by Zulu assegais； to be followed by a great war between white and black。
I collapsed； but often and often since that day have I reflected that my advice； tainted though it may have been with the callousness of youth； was absolutely sound。 For what happened？ First we had to fight the Zulus and slaughter them by thousands； paying no small toll ourselves； and then we had to fight the Boers； not once； but twice。 If we had allowed them to exhaust themselves upon each other the total loss of life would have been no greater； if so great； and the settlement of South Africa would have been effected without the shedding of British blood； moreover； in the end the Boers would have implored our assistance and gladly have accepted our rule。 But I anticipate； of these matters I must speak later。
With the Zulus themselves； as distinguished from the Natal Kaffirs； Shepstone had much to do。 Thus in 1861； while King Panda still reigned； and after the great civil war between Cetewayo and his brother Umbelazi； in which the latter was killed or died at the battle of the Tugela； he was sent by the Government to proclaim Cetewayo heir to the throne。 For some unknown reason； Cetewayo did not wish to be thus recognised by the white men。 Indeed a preliminary difficulty arose。 The Zulu lawyers and headmen declared that it was impossible that their future king should be nominated by Sompseu。 It was overe in the following extraordinary fashion。 At a great meeting of the indunas or councillors and chiefs it was announced that Sompseu was a Zulu king； that he stood in the place of Chaka； the African Napoleon and Panda’s uncle； and that the spirit of Chaka had entered into him — not a very fortable possession for a highly respectable English gentleman。 From that day forward； quite independent of his authority as a representative of the Queen； Shepstone had personal sovereign rights in Zululand。 Thus he could have ordered anyone to be killed or have declared war or peace。 It was； I firmly believe； because of this personal authority that he was able to prevent the Zulus from attacking the Boers in 1877； as I shall show that he did。
But of all these and many other events I have told in my book； “Cetewayo and his White Neighbours；” which was first published in 1882； and to that book I must refer the reader who is interested in them。 In these pages I do not propose to write a history of South Africa during the eventful years in which I knew it； but rather to treat of my personal experiences at the time； which perhaps may throw some new light upon parts of that history。
The remainder of my life in Natal； that is as secretary to the Governor — for I returned to that country afterwards in another capacity — can be summed up in few words。 I copied despatches； received guests； and did my other duties； probably not as well as I might have done。 But in connection with these I cannot think of much that is worth setting down。
Perhaps I may add a curious little story。 Captain Cox； my colleague on Sir Henry Bulwer’s staff； who was an officer in one of the regiments in Natal — I think he belonged to the ill…fated 24th — received a blow while playing polo which severed what I believe is called the external carotid artery； a vessel which runs up by the side of the temple。 A serious operation was performed on him by the doctors which necessitated his being kept under chloroform for five hours； but great difficulty was experienced in tying this artery。 He seemed to get better； and at last was allowed to eat a snipe which I went out and shot for him。 That evening some circumstance or other made me uneasy about him； and of my own motion I passed the night sitting up in the office； going in to look at him from time to time。 He slept well； and when the dawn came I thought that I would retire to bed。 By an afterthought I returned to give him another look； and found him still lying asleep； but with the blood spurting from his head in a little fountain。 I pressed my thumb on the artery and held it there until assistance came。 Another operation was performed； and ultimately he recovered； though one of his eyes was affected。
Captain Cox was subsequently wounded at Ulundi； and in the end died； I think； in India when he was Colonel of his regiment。
Chapter 4 THE SPECIAL MISSION TO THE TRANSVAAL
Shepstone appointed Special missioner to Transvaal — Wide powers — H。 R。 H。 on Shepstone’s staff — Umslopogaas attached to mission — To Pretoria by ox…waggon — Thirty…five days — Melmoth Osborn and Major Marshal Clarke on mission — First acquaintance with Boers — “Opsitting” — President Burgers — Danger to Transvaal from Cetewayo’s Zulus and Secocoeni’s tribe — Arrive Pretoria — H。 R。 H。 acpanies Osborn and Clarke on Mission to Secocoeni — Rough journey — Indaba at his kraal — Plot to murder English Mission — Frustrated by an accident — Safe return to Pretoria。
At the end of 1876 Sir Theophilus Shepstone was appointed Special missioner to the Transvaal。 His mission was a wide one； for； although this was not known at the time； it gave him powers； if he thought fit； to annex the country； “in order to secure the peace and safety of our said colonies and our subjects elsewhere。” When the vastness of the territories and the questions concerned are considered； this was a great authority to leave to the discretion of a single man。 But thus was the British Empire made before the days of cables； when everything de