Small wonder if they had; small wonder had they been utterly destroyed.

But the fact was heroically otherwise; and these dastard calumnies cut to the blood.

They are not forgotten; perhaps they will never be forgiven.
In the meanwhile, events were pressing towards a still more trenchant opposition.

On the 20th, the three consuls met and parted without agreement, Knappe announcing that he had lost men and must take the matter in his own hands to avenge their death.

On the 21st the _Olga_ came before Matafangatele, ordered the delivery of all arms within the hour, and at the end of that period, none being brought, shelled and burned the village.