Page 101 - The Diary of A. H. W. Behrens

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1875
In June 1875 Superintendent Karl Hohls took us from Hermannsburg to Durban, “us” being his son Otto (15 years
at the time) and Georg Moe (12 years at the time), son of Missionary Moe, who were both to learn something in Germany. So it was the three of us. Then Missionary Posselt, from the Berlin Mission, came and brought a young stupid man, Karl Wesche, and asked that he could travel back to Germany with us because his brother-in-law Missionary Wesche wanted it that way. I was 21 years old and an experienced traveller and had to take care of 3 young people – a big responsibility!
With a coastal steamer, the Basuto, we travelled from Durban to Cape Town, experienced a massive storm and were very sea-sick on the small steamer! From Cape Town we travelled onboard the ocean steamer Teuton to Plymouth in 28 days and from there by rail to London to Merchant Behne. During the sea travels the idiotic Karl caused me much trouble.
At the Waterloo station in London there was nobody to pick
us up, as had been agreed and arranged. We sat on our luggage as though we were lost until I eventually succeeded in renting a span to take us to the residence of the merchant. As we were about to leave, Miss Behne eventually arrived. We experienced quite a lot on our way, but eventually arrived at a large villa in the rain and were warmly welcomed.