The distance to Johannesburg from the frontier was but an hour and a
half of ordinary running, but from the time we neared the Vaal River it
occupied us eleven hours. A reporter from the _Star_ had come aboard at
the frontier station, and from him we learned a few facts regarding
Johannesburg, such as that the uitlander miners intended to starve the
burghers out by closing the mines, that the Australians were leaving in
crowds, and though there were three Presidential candidates in the
field, Kruger was sure to be returned for a fourth term, as General
Joubert was known to be weak, and Schalk Burger almost unknown.