CECIL RHODES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 January 1927, Page 11

CECIL RHODES

A DRAMATIC story about Cecil Rhodes is told in a new book by one of his friends. The rebellious natives of Mataeleland had sent a message asking Rhodes to meet them in the 1 hills. Rhodes hoped this might be the end of the war, and he was ready to take any risk for that. So with only four companions he set out.

The five white men let their horses follow a track which led them through a narrow pass in the hills. They entered a narrow basin rimmed! by kopjes. There the little party of white men dismounted, and waited. It was an anxious moment. They were' at the mercy of. the natives. If there was treachery it would mean a very.horrible death. But Rhodes seemed perfectly calm. All at once a white flag appeared floating against the green scrubs. After it came swarming a host of natives. Rhodes cried joyously: “Yes;, yes, there they are! This is one of those moments that make life worth living! ” The warriors came steadily on. One of them carried a battle-axe.

Rhodes rose and gave them the peace greeting, and the leader returned it. “But,” he said, “we would speak to tfiee. mv.father. ”

“Speak then,” said Rhodes, The chief began a passionate oration. As he recounted the grievances of the natives his followers became excited. The friend of Rhodes felt that at any moment the rage engendered by their wrongs might lead the warriors to forget the flag of truce, and take vengeance on the white leader. He determined to shoot the man with the battle-axe at the first rush.

But Rhodes broke in upon the speech. He promised that the wrongs should be righted. And then he asked: “Is it peace?' ’

The native chief carried a reed in his hand. He threw it on the ground and said: “There is my assegai.’’ Tt was his symbol of submission.