‘It had,’ Sir George brought up an apt anecdote, ’been promised the natives that their laws and customs should not be interfered with.  After I introduced the courts, a chief was discovered to have put one of his tribe to death for witchcraft.  I had the affair gone into, whereupon the chief contended, “You are aware of the undertaking we got, and trial for witchcraft is part of our customs.”

’He fancied there could be no answer to this, and the other chiefs within hearing grinned approval.  “Very well,” I addressed him, “let us take it that way.  But as you have killed this man you must support his widow.  That has nothing to do with any question of custom.”  ’All the chiefs rolled on the ground, splitting with laughter.  Knowing the penalty they might incur, the heads of tribes henceforth thought twice, before sending any man to death on a charge of witchcraft.  They knew I had the means of compelling them to maintain the widow and family.  I could stop the necessary amount out of their salaries.  It was cheaper, and more effective, to give a bonus to a native chief than to keep a large standing army in Kaffraria.’

Sir George had worn the red coat, but he was never anxious to have it picturesquely dotting a country-side, when other measures were possible.  He had bartered with Downing Street for the allowance to his chiefs.  Paring down on a Budget, Disraeli bethought himself of saving half of the grant for Kaffraria.  Sir George Grey entered protest.  He was answered, that when difficulties had to be met at home, sacrifices must be made in the Colonies.

From tribulation, Sir George built authority.  ’The fact that I was fighting the battle of the chiefs with the Home Government, naturally increased my prestige among them.  They saw that I was sincere in all I had done, and that I accepted them absolutely as good friends and loyal subjects of the Queen.’

What happened?  From his private means, Sir George made up, to the full amount, the instalment of salaries next due.  It was a stroke which he had to repeat on a larger scale.

England raised a German legion for service in the Crimea, and, the war over, did not know what to do with the men.  It was not considered wise to let them loose in England, and if they went back to Germany they might have to face the music of a drumhead court-martial.  Cape Colony agreed to receive the Germans as military settlers; they would be planted, a row of defence, along the borders of Kaffraria.  But the condition was attached that German families, into which the men might marry, should also be sent out.

When asked to perform the second part of the bargain, Downing Street said, ’Yes, we should like very much to do so, but we can’t, for Parliament won’t grant the money.’

This left the matter in an unfortunate state altogether.  The German firm, managing the emigration of the families, reported to Sir George, ’The scheme must fall through, unless we have twenty thousand pounds at once.’