On the night of the 14th the "Prophet" himself was specially
sent for by motor car to be personally present on the 15th to
witness the consummation of his prophecy. The conspirators
hoped to profit by the impression he would undoubtedly make on
those who still hesitated.
Unfortunately for them, however, the seer refused to leave his
home, saying that "it was not yet clear to him that that was
his path."
The signal for the revolt was to be the arrival of General Beyers and
General de la Rey in the Potchefstroom camp. The latter was returning
from Cape Town via Kimberley, and was due to arrive in Potchefstroom on
the 15th. But for some reason he chose to come back through the Free
State, and by the 15th was only at Johannesburg.
This upset plans. Beyers had to act quickly. He had his chauffeur
overhaul his motor car, equip it with new tubes and covers, in readiness
for "a long journey." In a short time the car was on its way to bring
General de la Rey from Johannesburg to Pretoria, where Beyers would meet
him.
There was no time to be lost. It was too late to stage the rebellion for
the 15th, but Beyers arranged for it to be at 4 o'clock on the morning
of Wednesday, the 16th.
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