Allan, pull me up off this stool, where, if I had my way, after so much travelling, I should like to sit while a house was built over my head and for the rest of my life." I obeyed, not without difficulty, and we went to find Retief.
At the moment he was standing alone, watching two wagons that had just trekked away.

These contained his wife with other members of his family, and some friends whom he was sending, under the charge of the Heer Smit, to a place called Doornkop, that lay at a distance of fifteen miles or more.

At this Doornkop he had already caused a rough house, or rather shed, to be built for the Vrouw Retief's occupation, thinking that she would be more comfortable and perhaps safer there during his absence than at the crowded camp in a wagon.
"Allemachte! Allan," he said, catching sight of me, "my heart is sore; I do not know why.

I tell you that when I kissed my old woman good-bye just now I felt as though I should never see her again, and the tears came into my eyes.

I wish we were all safe back from Dingaan.