When we came to the Vaal River we were forced to turn about. We took another way back. After driving all day, we stopped for a little. We had to get food ready as quickly as possible. It was very dark; but later the moon began to shine. We fled on in great anxiety, knowing that at any moment the “khakis” might be upon us. My husband said that it would be too bad if they were to take me prisoner when he was near the waggon, for he would have to fight then, and to leave me to myself. I said, “Nay, do not let that disturb you; do what you can to escape when they come; the Lord has always preserved me until now, and He will continue to do so.” At midnight we stopped for a little to let the oxen take a rest; but after an hour or two we pressed forward again in good earnest. Bokkie was saddled and marched behind the waggon, and all were ready to meet the “khakis.” We hurried on; it was near the break of day, and I thought to myself how grateful I should be to the Lord if it pleased Him to guide the course of the night so that I might not be taken. It grew light and the sun began to shine. All was quiet and we stopped to rest. Then it was reported that the “khakis” had gone past us. We were all very happy, and after we had had something to eat, and had taken a little rest, we went once more on our way. It was Saturday, and we hoped to be able to spend Sunday in peace. When we had gone on again, I sat in my waggon and felt very thankful that this time I had again escaped with my freedom. And then the words came into my head, “Offer your thanks unto the Lord, and call upon the name of the Almighty.” “Yes,” I thought, “that is what I have done in my need; praise be unto the Lord that He has preserved me from falling into the hands of mine enemy. The good God has saved me now and many a time before.” On Sunday we found ourselves in Brakspruit, and there we spent a peaceful Sabbath day: on Monday we set out for Wolmaransstad, there we found our houses in ruins. It was dreary to return and find the place in such a plight. A little way from Wolmaransstad we went to Mr Bezuidenhout’s farm and found that his house was fortunately still intact. We were able to bake bread there and make preparations for our next flight. After remaining there a week we went back to the Lichtenburg district. At Malgasfontein I found refuge in a house whose owners had been taken by the “khakis.” As I had a good number of oxen with me, and it was raining just enough, I had a lot of mealies sown there, for we were constantly doing whatever we could to keep things going. Everybody sowed and planted wherever possible. The “khakis” might destroy as much as they liked, the Boers were still full of courage.