Upon this point there was a division of opinion among us.
Marais, who was a fatalist, wished to go on, saying that the good Lord would protect us, as He had done in the past.
"Allemachte!" answered the Vrouw Prinsloo.

"Did He protect all those who lie dead at Marais's camp, whither your folly led us, mynheer?
The good Lord expects us to look after our own skins, and I know that these Zulus are of the same blood as Umsilikazi's Kaffirs, who have killed so many of our people.

Let us try the mountains, say I." Of course her husband and son agreed with her, for to them the vrouw's word was law; but Marais, being, as usual, obstinate, would not give way.

All that afternoon they wrangled, while I held my tongue, declaring that I was willing to abide by the decision of the majority.

In the end, as I foresaw they would, they appealed to me to act as umpire between them.
"Friends," I answered, "if you had asked me my opinion before, I should have voted for trying the mountains, beyond which, perhaps, we might find some Boers.