It had been passed up-stream from neighbour to neighbour till Bulangi, whose clearing was nearest to the settlement, had brought that news himself to Abdulla whose favour he courted.

But rumour also spoke of a fight and of Dain's death on board his own vessel.

And now all the settlement talked of Dain's visit to the Rajah and of his death when crossing the river in the dark to see Almayer.
They could not understand this.

Reshid thought that it was very strange.
He felt uneasy and doubtful.

But Abdulla, after the first shock of surprise, with the old age's dislike for solving riddles, showed a becoming resignation.