The old man did not know what to make of the tale, but, remembering Frank Muller's threats, he shook his head.
"If there is any truth in it, that villain Muller has a hand in it," he said.

"I'll go to the house and see Jantje.

Give me your arm, John." He obeyed, and, on arriving at the top of the steep path, they perceived the stout figure of old Hans Coetzee, who had been John's host at the shooting-party, ambling along on his fat little pony.
"Ah," said Silas, "here is the man who will tell us if there is anything in it all." "Good-day, _Oom_ Coetzee, good-day!" he shouted out in his stentorian tones.

"What news do you bring with you ?" The jolly-looking Boer rolled awkwardly off his pony before answering, and, throwing the reins over its head, came to meet them.
"_Allemachter_, _Oom_ Silas, it is bad news.

You have heard of the _bymakaar_ at Paarde Kraal.