The news could not have reached here in thirty-eight hours.

What do you mean by coming to me with such a tale ?" The Hottentot smiled.

"It is quite true, Baas.

Bad news flies like a bird," and he picked himself up and slipped off to his work.
Notwithstanding the apparent impossibility of the thing, John was considerably disturbed, knowing the extraordinary speed with which tidings do travel among Kafirs, more swiftly, indeed, than the fleetest mounted messenger can bear them.

Leaving Bessie, who was also somewhat alarmed, he went in search of Silas Croft, and, finding him in the garden, told him what Jantje had said.