CHAPTER III.

The Great Trek and its First Results.

The British Abolition of Slavery--The Immediate Effects of the Measure Disastrous to Both Dutch and Natives--The Trek of 1836 Commences--The Emigrant Farmer, Qualities and Mode of Life--Nature of the Country Traversed Character of the Various Native Tribes--Ruthless Warfare--The Boer Skill in Marksmanship--The Boers North of the Orange River--Their Subjugation of the Matabele--Pieter Retief and His Party in Natal--Massacre by Dingaan--Boer War with the Zulus--Conquest of Dingaan and His Followers by Pretorius--Dutch Treatment of the Natives--Boers Develop Strength in War But Show Signal Weakness in Government--Collision with the English in Natal--The Cape Governor Decides that the Natives Must be Protected--Conflict Between Boers and English--The Republic of Natalia Becomes a British Country--The Boers Trek North of the Vaal River and Colonize the Transvaal--Establishment of Moshesh by the British as Head of a Border Native State--The Griquas--A Third Phase of the South African Question