Grey's Insubordination.

Still less did Grey keep faith with the War Office. On the plea or pretence that he could not settle in Kafraria men who had no families (as if, in all countries, most emigrants had not been males, unaccompanied by females!), he kept them under arms and on full pay. This was a manifest breach of the understanding with the War Office. That department had stipulated that, if the legionaries were employed in active service, they should receive full pay, but if not so employed, they should be struck off the pay-list. Having ascertained that the Legion was not acting against an enemy in the field, the War Office directed the Lieutenant-General commanding the forces in South Africa to strike off the legionaries. Grey there-upon directed the Lieutenant-General to keep them on the pay-list "until we can hear again from Her Majesty's Government." It was his stereotyped formula in carrying on his rebellions. The War Office persisted in its demand, and the Governor persisted in his refusal, winding up and declaring, in a style he was to repeat in New Zealand, that the censures of the War Office had only made him more resolved to persevere in his resistance. He added that he would follow this line without regarding the cost or the sacrifice that such a course would entail on him. He had grown reckless, and then he was astounded when the necessary consequences of his acts burst upon him.

Grey was no less imperious in his way of clothing his Legion. He coolly ordered the necessary clothes and boots page 108from the military department and sent the bill to the astonished War Office. The War Office was furious, and reiterated its instructions (as he admitted) in "peremptory and positive terms." Grey remained deaf to the official thunder and loftily left it to be settled by the Imperial Government which department should bear the cost. Once more the rebel was victorious. The Lords of the Treasury decided that the War Office should foot the bill.