Company Of Spears

The lieutenant-governor continued. ‘The Dutch are ever of concern, of course, but they are not – or need not be – so violently opposed to our presence, since theirs was a colonial enterprise here too, and as long as they are allowed their own customs, and taxation is not burdensome, I see no cause for vexation out of the ordinary. Except, of course, in the business of slaves; and there we must proceed with great circumspection. The Cape is not India, however, though its … shall we say raison d’etre is India. The Company in India has become, now, an enterprise of factoring as much as trade – some would say more than trade – because, like the crab, it moved sideways, this way and that, crawling sometimes, scuttling at others, with no apparent great purpose, merely as the wind or the tides dictated.’

Somervile accompanied his soliloquy with increasingly extravagant gestures, to the consternation of the khitmagars trying to serve at table while avoiding his flailing arms.

‘And so now there is a Company army as large as the King’s own, and the prospect of continual skirmishes, for we are not committed to the settlement of the continent, only its administration. Here, on the other hand, we wish to see a settled European population. First the Dutch and then we have dispossessed the native tribes, which we have not done in India – merely their rulers, and in some cases the predatory hordes that made misery of so much of the country. We are not resented there except by those we have usurped – and these are they whom we must fight. Their power is limited to the arms they can raise, but that will always be under good regulation by the Company’s. Here in the colony we have sown the seeds of a different peril. We have destroyed, to all intents and purposes, the Hottentots and the Bushmen.’

Emma was distressed, as much by her husband’s casual reference to it as the destruction itself (she knew his true mind well enough).

Somervile noticed her discomfort and sought to make amends. ‘Grievous as that may be, it is done, it cannot be undone, and we might therefore make the most of it. The Xhosa, however, are a different prospect. By dispossessing rather than destroying them we have created a hostile neighbouring power. How permanently hostile, it is difficult to say. We have taken from them what might appear to be indifferent farmland, but patently it was greatly prized by them. If, of course, their present settled territory proves fertile – in every sense – then in a generation or so there might be contentment and therefore peace. It occurs to me we should help them towards that happy condition by treating with them as if they were any other sovereign nation – in the free intercourse of trade, for one thing. I therefore intend issuing instructions and regulations for trade with the Xhosa, on a strictly businesslike and cordial foundation. Colonel Somerset, I know your own father to have favoured such a view of the Xhosa – of Gaika, at least – and although it was not successful in keeping tranquillity along the frontier, we do not know that the opposite policy would not have brought an infinitely greater peril.’

Hervey remained silent, as did Somerset, who was nodding gently as if weighing the words and finding them sure. It was Emma who began the scrutiny. ‘Is there a danger that the Xhosa might combine in alliance with another? For then they might truly overwhelm the Crown’s resources?’

Somervile had contemplated the question long, but he turned to his senior guest. ‘What is your opinion, Colonel Somerset?’

Somerset thought for a moment. ‘Sir Eyre, for all my years here I will admit to a very imperfect knowledge of native affairs, but it is better than most, including the Dutch, who are inclined to believe they know everything. There are a number of smaller tribes with whom the Xhosa are conversant, made easier by the closeness of their speech, but in truth if all these were to combine I do not believe we should find ourselves greatly threatened – no more than at present, such is the situation of their territory.’

The lieutenant-governor nodded, though in a way that said he understood rather than agreed.

‘The one alliance that should trouble us, were it ever to be made, is of the principal Kaffir tribes, the Xhosa and Zulu.’

Emma inclined her head. ‘I have heard of the Zulu, Colonel, but are you able to enlighten me a little more?’

Somerset glanced at his host, finding the same enquiry in his expression. ‘I have had no personal contact with the Zulu, you understand, Lady Somervile, but throughout my time here there has been a steady increase in their influence. Their chief – king, as they have it – is called Shaka, by all accounts an able but exceedingly cruel man. The Zulu were but a small tribe before Shaka became king, about ten years ago, their country confined on the far eastern coast. Shaka made an army out of them – terrified the neighbouring tribes, who one by one submitted. They now occupy extensive territory.’