It was a queen's speech, indeed, that Nongkause put forth; yet there were
conditions attached. Before anything could happen, the Kaffirs must
destroy their own cattle, grain, and other belongings, to the uttermost.
The chief who had many oxen must slaughter them, and throw the bodies to
the wild beasts. The clansman who had a little store of corn must
straight way destroy it. Even the kraals, which gave shelter from the
elements, were to be burned down, as if an enemy were being pillaged.
Otherwise the new heaven would not appear; while the starry heaven above,
would fall and destroy the disobedient.
'When I heard of the movement,' Sir George Grey narrated, 'I at once
hurried north to grapple with it. I could not have believed it so
serious, until I was actually on the spot. Kaffraria was in a ferment,
and a wave of destruction might roll from it across Cape Colony. Here
were nearly a quarter of a million of Kaffirs, a large proportion of whom
were busy acting upon the advice of the prophetess. They were destroying
their cattle and produce, and looking forward eagerly to a triumph over
the whites.
'I went among the chiefs, although warned that I endangered myself
unduly, hoping to check the movement. However, it was useless to talk to
natives aflame with superstition and passion.
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