The outbreak of the war in Europe suddenly brought the Lichtenburger's
prophecy down to earth and crystallized the dream. The commandants were
evidently as convinced that independence was at hand as the crowd.
Careful inquiries by other local officers brought to light the
following facts:
Veld Kornet, I.E. Claassen, and Commandant F.G.A. Wolmarans of
Ward Onder Hartsrivier had been commandeering their own
burghers as well as their political friends since the first
week of August to come to the meeting which was to be held at
Treurfontein on the 15th. The instructions given to these men
were that they were to come with rifle, horse, saddle and
bridle, and as much ammunitions and provisions as they could
manage to bring.
The meeting was to be addressed by General de la Rey, and it
was generally believed that the assembled burghers would march
on Potchefstroom immediately after the meeting.
None doubted the truth of the seer's prophecy now. The Western Transvaal
took it for its guide with implicit confidence.
The strange vision of the number 15, which had long been
common knowledge, was now discussed with intense interest.
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