It was a strife of years, and decades of years.

The Whites and the Blacks hunted each other, ambushed each other, butchered each other.

The Blacks were not numerous.

But they were wary, alert, cunning, and they knew their country well.

They lasted a long time, few as they were, and inflicted much slaughter upon the Whites.
The Government wanted to save the Blacks from ultimate extermination, if possible.