Page 29 - The Diary of A. H. W. Behrens

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Then father came to fetch us. Two ox wagons were rented from the boers who drove them themselves and all our goods were packed on the wagons and we headed off to Hermannsburg over the highveld and back down into the thorns to Etembeni and from there on the new road to Emhlangane. In order to get up Viljoens Hoogte on the Highveld, 24 oxen had to be yoked before every wagon and down into the valleys to Mooirivier iron stop blocks had to be put onto the rear wheels.
We arrived in Emhlangane just before sunset. Soon everything was unpacked and placed into the small living rooms. My father held the first evening prayer and we all wanted to settle down for the night when we heard horses’ hooves outside. It was a messenger from the magistrate in Greytown with a big letter, we should immediately turn back to Greytown into the camp because two Zulu legions had crossed the Tugela river and would certainly murder all whites and blacks and burn down everything! – We were all very frightened. What should we do? Pack up everything and turn back?! The boers did not want to be held back and told father to decide quickly whether he wanted to remain behind or go with them. Father and mother consulted, knew that they were following God’s paths