The report came that evening that they had all been taken.
Then we heard the sound of riding, and we wondered if that could be “khakis” again. As we were just a handful of women and children we would far rather it were not more “khakis.” They came riding up. It was Dr van Rennenkampf and Tom Sisk. How happy we were to see some of our own people again! I heard from them then that all those with whom I had let my cattle go had been taken prisoners.
There I was now, quite helpless. The people on the farm were very good, but they, too, were equally helpless. We had no living animals that we could use for “trekking.”
The doctor had his cart and mules, and therefore I told him he must just stay here with us. I felt as if I could die of sorrow; I had no wish now to stay any longer, but all my cattle were taken and I could not get away.
There was nothing here to slaughter; however, I thought to myself that things had always come right somehow or other up to now, and that it would be the same this time also.
And there came a brave burgher with sheep for the women and children. Thus did the Lord always provide that we never should be without something to feed us.
And the doctor was there to ride for “mealies,” which was a great help to us in those days.
The week was not yet over when we heard that the “khakis” were coming back from Vryburg.
I said, “What am I going to do with the ‘khakis’ now? I thought they were not coming back again.” And just a week after they had left, back they were again. They came towards us in their thousands. However, the doctor was with us now. Colonel Williams came up to me and said that General Hamilton was coming to see me. He had news of General De la Rey.
“Very well,” I said, “let him come.”