That evening we went farther. As we were going to unyoke the oxen and rest for the night a number of people came past, saying that there were troops coming on out of Vryburg. “Ah!” I said, “my oxen are so tired, how can I get on any farther to-night?” However, after resting a little, I went on again.
At sunrise we halted near a farm, where there were trees with undergrowth, so that we could get firewood.
Coffee was just ready when, before I could see to the rest of the breakfast, there came the news that the troops were only a couple of hours’ riding from us. We should have to go on again. We moved very slowly, the oxen being so tired. Fortunately, we found out it was not true about the troops coming from Vryburg.
Sometimes all my Kaffirs would be pulling at the sailcloth to hold it down and fasten it securely, so that I would think that the awning was surely going to be blown away from the waggon. It was dreadful to go through those storms in the waggon. However, man’s nature is such that when it is once again a beautiful calm evening he thinks no more of the storms and the lightnings that are over.
It was again a calm and pleasant day; the “storm” of the “khakis” was also over—they had gone back to Klerksdorp and we were able to take a little rest. I went to Delport’s place on the Harts River. I had lost all my cattle during the flight from Schweizer-Renecke. Here I found about fifty-two head belonging to me, which had been driven on with all the other cattle during the flight. But I did not get my cows back; those had been looted by the English. I waited anxiously to hear what our people were doing in Pretoria. A few days later they arrived. I said how disheartening it was to have been so worried by the “khakis.” They had been doing all they possibly could to harm us during the time that the Generals were away. I was very glad when they returned; then I could get news of my children in Pretoria, from whom I had not heard for so long. A few days later General De la Rey began his meetings. The brave burghers were having a bitterly hard life of it at that time and their families were in great want.
Nevertheless, they would not abandon their rights. They were determined to go on fighting for their freedom and their rights.
These brave men were depending, not on their strength, but on their rights.
It was a very grave question to consider.
They had struggled for so long; they had given up wives and children, and all that a man holds most precious; there might be thousands of the enemy rising up against their small band, and even shutting them in on every side; nevertheless, they had long since grown to be convinced that it was not they who were fighting, but a Power superior to the might of man. But many had been killed or taken, so that they were greatly weakened, especially of late.
And worst of all were the defections and treachery.