When the meetings were over in the Lichtenburg district they went to the Zwartruggens and Marico. I was then in the Lichtenburg district.
As soon as the General had left Lichtenburg the “khakis” began to “trek” on.
They were already advancing rapidly towards Vryburg. I heard that they were coming on in such large numbers that I thought, “Why is it that the ‘khakis’ can never let me have a little peace? I shall go somewhere where I can stay in some little comfort, and I will not fly any more, for they are busy making peace. Let the ‘khakis’ come if they like.” People were all flying away with their cattle as hard as they could. They advised me to let my cattle also go with the rest. I said, “I do not know what will be best. I have not come across the troops for a long time, and I do not know what they would do now if I were to meet them.”
I let myself be talked over, and sent all my cattle away. I had two waggons; I let one go with the cattle. I remained with one waggon, a tent, a spider and four cows. All the rest went in the flight.
The “khakis” came on in large numbers. They came swarming over the ground. I said, “Where can all these ‘khakis’ have come from that there should be such crowds of them?” Still I did not go away, but stayed on at the place called Corsica, belonging to Mr Meyer, where his wife was still living and some other women besides.
We kept on hearing of large armies that were advancing. All our men were away.
Suddenly we heard the sound of fighting not very far from us. Then all at once we saw horsemen coming up over the rise. We saw that they were Boers, and we asked where the troops were. “Not far from here,” they said. “We have just been fighting with them.”
It was already late and the burghers went away.
In the morning we got up early, knowing that the troops would be getting here very soon. We had not even breakfasted yet when we saw them coming over the rise.
I thought to myself, “What will they do to me now? I have been fleeing before them for eighteen months and they were doing all they could to catch me, but in vain. Perhaps they will revenge themselves on me now. But,” I thought, “the Lord has always watched over me till to-day, and He will continue to do so.”