第1章

TO

EDWARDLANCELOTSANDERSON

AUTHOR’SNOTE

"AnOutcastoftheIslands"ismysecondnovelintheabsolutesenseoftheword；secondinconception，secondinexecution，secondasitwereinitsessence。Therewasnohesitation，half-formedplan，vagueidea，orthevaguestreverieofanythingelsebetweenitand"Almayer’sFolly。"TheonlydoubtIsufferedfrom，afterthepublicationof"Almayer’sFolly，"waswhetherI

shouldwriteanotherlineforprint。Thosedays，nowgrownsodim，hadtheirpoignantmoments。NeitherinmymindnorinmyhearthadIthengivenupthesea。IntruthIwasclingingtoitdesperately，allthemoredesperatelybecause，againstmywill，I

couldnothelpfeelingthattherewassomethingchangedinmyrelationtoit。"Almayer’sFolly，"hadbeenfinishedanddonewith。Themooditselfwasgone。Butithadleftthememoryofanexperiencethat，bothinthoughtandemotionwasunconnectedwiththesea，andIsupposethatpartofmymoralbeingwhichisrootedinconsistencywasbadlyshaken。Iwasavictimofcontrarystresseswhichproducedastateofimmobility。Igavemyselfuptoindolence。SinceitwasimpossibleformetofacebothwaysIhadelectedtofacenothing。Thediscoveryofnewvaluesinlifeisaverychaoticexperience；thereisatremendousamountofjostlingandconfusionandamomentaryfeelingofdarkness。Iletmyspiritfloatsupineoverthatchaos。

AphraseofEdwardGarnett’sis，asamatteroffact，responsibleforthisbook。ThefirstofthefriendsImadeformyselfbymypenitwasbutnaturalthatheshouldbetherecipient，atthattime，ofmyconfidences。Oneeveningwhenwehaddinedtogetherandhehadlistenedtotheaccountofmyperplexities(Ifearhemusthavebeengrowingalittletiredofthem)hepointedoutthattherewasnoneedtodeterminemyfutureabsolutely。Thenheadded:"Youhavethestyle，youhavethetemperament；whynotwriteanother？"Ibelievethatasfarasonemanmaywishtoinfluenceanotherman’slifeEdwardGarnetthadagreatdesirethatIshouldgoonwriting。Atthattime，andImaysay，everafterwards，hewasalwaysverypatientandgentlewithme。Whatstrikesmemosthoweverinthephrasequotedabovewhichwasofferedtomeinatoneofdetachmentisnotitsgentlenessbutitseffectivewisdom。Hadhesaid，"Whynotgoonwriting，"itisveryprobablehewouldhavescaredmeawayfrompenandinkforever；buttherewasnothingeithertofrightenoneorarouseone’santagonisminthemeresuggestionto"writeanother。"Andthusadeadpointintherevolutionofmyaffairswasinsidiouslygotover。Theword"another"didit。Atabouteleveno’clockofaniceLondonnight，EdwardandIwalkedalonginterminablestreetstalkingofmanythings，andIrememberthatongettinghomeIsatdownandwroteabouthalfapageof"AnOutcastoftheIslands"beforeIslept。Thiswascommittingmyselfdefinitely，Iwon’tsaytoanotherlife，buttoanotherbook。ThereisapparentlysomethinginmycharacterwhichwillnotallowmetoabandonforgoodanypieceofworkIhavebegun。Ihavelaidasidemanybeginnings。Ihavelaidthemasidewithsorrow，withdisgust，withrage，withmelancholyandevenwithself-contempt；

butevenattheworstIhadanuneasyconsciousnessthatIwouldhavetogobacktothem。

"AnOutcastoftheIslands"belongstothosenovelsofminethatwereneverlaidaside；andthoughitbroughtmethequalificationof"exoticwriter"Idon’tthinkthechargewasatalljustified。

ForthelifeofmeIdon’tseethatthereistheslightestexoticspiritintheconceptionorstyleofthatnovel。ItiscertainlythemostTROPICALofmyeasterntales。ThemerescenerygotagreatholdonmeasIwenton，perhapsbecause(Imayjustaswellconfessthat)thestoryitselfwasneververynearmyheart。

Itengagedmyimaginationmuchmorethanmyaffection。AstomyfeelingforWillemsitwasbuttheregardonecannothelphavingforone’sowncreation。ObviouslyIcouldnotbeindifferenttoamanonwhoseheadIhadbroughtsomuchevilsimplybyimagininghimsuchasheappearsinthenovel——andthat，too，onaveryslightfoundation。

ThemanwhosuggestedWillemstomewasnotparticularlyinterestinginhimself。Myinterestwasarousedbyhisdependentposition，hisstrange，dubiousstatusofamistrusted，disliked，worn-outEuropeanlivingonthereluctanttolerationofthatSettlementhiddenintheheartoftheforest-land，upthatsombrestreamwhichourshipwastheonlywhitemen’sshiptovisit。

Withhishollow，clean-shavedcheeks，aheavygreymoustacheandeyeswithoutanyexpressionwhatever，cladalwaysinaspotlesssleepingsuitmuchbe-froggedinfront，whichlefthisleanneckwhollyuncovered，andwithhisbarefeetinapairofstrawslippers，hewanderedsilentlyamongstthehousesindaylight，almostasdumbasananimalandapparentlymuchmorehomeless。I

don’tknowwhathedidwithhimselfatnight。Hemusthavehadaplace，ahut，apalm-leafshed，somesortofhovelwherehekepthisrazorandhischangeofsleepingsuits。Anairoffutilemysteryhungoverhim，somethingnotexactlydarkbutobviouslyugly。TheonlydefinitestatementIcouldextractfromanybodywasthatitwashewhohad"broughttheArabsintotheriver。"

Thatmusthavehappenedmanyyearsbefore。Buthowdidhebringthemintotheriver？Hecouldhardlyhavedoneitinhisarmslikealotofkittens。IknewthatAlmayerfoundedthechronologyofallhismisfortunesonthedateofthatfatefuladvent；andyettheveryfirsttimewedinedwithAlmayertherewasWillemssittingattablewithusinthemanneroftheskeletonatthefeast，obviouslyshunnedbyeverybody，neveraddressedbyanyone，andforallrecognitionofhisexistencegettingnowandthenfromAlmayeravenomousglancewhichI

observedwithgreatsurprise。InthecourseofthewholeeveningheventuredonesingleremarkwhichIdidn’tcatchbecausehisarticulationwasimperfect，asofamanwhohadforgottenhowtospeak。Iwastheonlypersonwhoseemedawareofthesound。

Willemssubsided。Presentlyheretired，pointedlyunnoticed——intotheforestmaybe？Itsimmensitywasthere，withinthreehundredyardsoftheverandah，readytoswallowupanything。Almayerconversingwithmycaptaindidnotstoptalkingwhileheglaredangrilyattheretreatingback。Didn’tthatfellowbringtheArabsintotheriver！NeverthelessWillemsturnedupnextmorningonAlmayer’sverandah。FromthebridgeofthesteamerIcouldseeplainlythesetwo，breakfastingtogether，teteateteand，Isuppose，indeadsilence，onewithhisairofbeingnolongerinterestedinthisworldandtheotherraisinghiseyesnowandthenwithintensedislike。

ItwasclearthatinthosedaysWillemslivedonAlmayer’scharity。YetonreturningtwomonthslatertoSambirIheardthathehadgoneonanexpeditionuptheriverinchargeofasteam-launchbelongingtotheArabs，tomakesomediscoveryorother。OnaccountofthestrangereluctancethateveryonemanifestedtotalkaboutWillemsitwasimpossibleformetogetattherightsofthattransaction。Moreover，Iwasanewcomer，theyoungestofthecompany，and，Isuspect，notjudgedquitefitasyetforafullconfidence。Iwasnotmuchconcernedaboutthatexclusion。ThefaintsuggestionofplotsandmysteriespertainingtoallmatterstouchingAlmayer’saffairsamusedmevastly。Almayerwasobviouslyverymuchaffected。IbelievehemissedWillemsimmensely。Heworeanairofsinisterpreoccupationandtalkedconfidentiallywithmycaptain。Icouldcatchonlysnatchesofmumbledsentences。ThenonemorningasI

camealongthedecktotakemyplaceatthebreakfasttableAlmayercheckedhimselfinhislow-toneddiscourse。Mycaptain’sfacewasperfectlyimpenetrable。TherewasamomentofprofoundsilenceandthenasifunabletocontainhimselfAlmayerburstoutinaloudvicioustone:

"Onething’scertain；ifhefindsanythingworthhavinguptheretheywillpoisonhimlikeadog。"

Disconnectedthoughitwas，thatphrase，asfoodforthought，wasdistinctlyworthhearing。WelefttheriverthreedaysafterwardsandIneverreturnedtoSambir；butwhateverhappenedtotheprotagonistofmyWillemsnobodycandenythatIhaverecordedforhimalesssqualidfate。

J。C。

1919。

PARTI

ANOUTCASTOFTHEISLANDS

CHAPTERONE

Whenhesteppedoffthestraightandnarrowpathofhispeculiarhonesty，itwaswithaninwardassertionofunflinchingresolvetofallbackagainintothemonotonousbutsafestrideofvirtueassoonashislittleexcursionintothewaysidequagmireshadproducedthedesiredeffect。Itwasgoingtobeashortepisode——asentenceinbrackets，sotospeak——intheflowingtaleofhislife:athingofnomoment，tobedoneunwillingly，yetneatly，andtobequicklyforgotten。Heimaginedthathecouldgoonafterwardslookingatthesunshine，enjoyingtheshade，breathingintheperfumeofflowersinthesmallgardenbeforehishouse。Hefanciedthatnothingwouldbechanged，thathewouldbeableasheretoforetotyrannizegood-humouredlyoverhishalf-castewife，tonoticewithtendercontempthispaleyellowchild，topatronizeloftilyhisdark-skinnedbrother-in-law，wholovedpinknecktiesandworepatent-leatherbootsonhislittlefeet，andwassohumblebeforethewhitehusbandoftheluckysister。Thosewerethedelightsofhislife，andhewasunabletoconceivethatthemoralsignificanceofanyactofhiscouldinterferewiththeverynatureofthings，coulddimthelightofthesun，coulddestroytheperfumeoftheflowers，thesubmissionofhiswife，thesmileofhischild，theawe-struckrespectofLeonarddaSouzaandofalltheDaSouzafamily。Thatfamily’sadmirationwasthegreatluxuryofhislife。Itroundedandcompletedhisexistenceinaperpetualassuranceofunquestionablesuperiority。Helovedtobreathethecoarseincensetheyofferedbeforetheshrineofthesuccessfulwhiteman；themanthathaddonethemthehonourtomarrytheirdaughter，sister，cousin；therisingmansuretoclimbveryhigh；

theconfidentialclerkofHudig&Co。Theywereanumerousandanuncleancrowd，livinginruinedbamboohouses，surroundedbyneglectedcompounds，ontheoutskirtsofMacassar。Hekeptthematarm’slengthandevenfurtheroff，perhaps，havingnoillusionsastotheirworth。Theywereahalf-caste，lazylot，andhesawthemastheywere——ragged，lean，unwashed，undersizedmenofvariousages，shufflingaboutaimlesslyinslippers；

motionlessoldwomenwholookedlikemonstrousbagsofpinkcalicostuffedwithshapelesslumpsoffat，anddepositedaskewupondecayingrattanchairsinshadycornersofdustyverandahs；

youngwomen，slimandyellow，big-eyed，long-haired，movinglanguidlyamongstthedirtandrubbishoftheirdwellingsasifeverysteptheytookwasgoingtobetheirverylast。Heheardtheirshrillquarrellings，thesquallingoftheirchildren，thegruntingoftheirpigs；hesmelttheodoursoftheheapsofgarbageintheircourtyards:andhewasgreatlydisgusted。Buthefedandclothedthatshabbymultitude；thosedegeneratedescendantsofPortugueseconquerors；hewastheirprovidence；hekeptthemsinginghispraisesinthemidstoftheirlaziness，oftheirdirt，oftheirimmenseandhopelesssqualor:andhewasgreatlydelighted。Theywantedmuch，buthecouldgivethemalltheywantedwithoutruininghimself。Inexchangehehadtheirsilentfear，theirloquaciouslove，theirnoisyveneration。Itisafinethingtobeaprovidence，andtobetoldsooneverydayofone’slife。Itgivesoneafeelingofenormouslyremotesuperiority，andWillemsrevelledinit。Hedidnotanalyzethestateofhismind，butprobablyhisgreatestdelightlayintheunexpressedbutintimateconvictionthat，shouldheclosehishand，allthoseadmiringhumanbeingswouldstarve。Hismunificencehaddemoralizedthem。Aneasytask。SincehedescendedamongstthemandmarriedJoannatheyhadlostthelittleaptitudeandstrengthforworktheymighthavehadtoputforthunderthestressofextremenecessity。Theylivednowbythegraceofhiswill。Thiswaspower。Willemslovedit。

Inanother，andperhapsalowerplane，hisdaysdidnotwantfortheirlesscomplexbutmoreobviouspleasures。Helikedthesimplegamesofskill——billiards；alsogamesnotsosimple，andcallingforquiteanotherkindofskill——poker。Hehadbeentheaptestpupilofasteady-eyed，sententiousAmerican，whohaddriftedmysteriouslyintoMacassarfromthewastesofthePacific，and，afterknockingaboutforatimeintheeddiesoftownlife，haddriftedoutenigmaticallyintothesunnysolitudesoftheIndianOcean。ThememoryoftheCalifornianstrangerwasperpetuatedinthegameofpoker——whichbecamepopularinthecapitalofCelebesfromthattime——andinapowerfulcocktail，therecipeforwhichistransmitted——intheKwang-tungdialect——fromheadboytoheadboyoftheChineseservantsintheSundaHoteleventothisday。Willemswasaconnoisseurinthedrinkandanadeptatthegame。Ofthoseaccomplishmentshewasmoderatelyproud。OftheconfidencereposedinhimbyHudig——themaster——hewasboastfullyandobtrusivelyproud。Thisarosefromhisgreatbenevolence，andfromanexaltedsenseofhisdutytohimselfandtheworldatlarge。Heexperiencedthatirresistibleimpulsetoimpartinformationwhichisinseparablefromgrossignorance。Thereisalwayssomeonethingwhichtheignorantmanknows，andthatthingistheonlythingworthknowing；itfillstheignorantman’suniverse。Willemsknewallabouthimself。Onthedaywhen，withmanymisgivings，heranawayfromaDutchEast-IndiamaninSamarangroads，hehadcommencedthatstudyofhimself，ofhisownways，ofhisownabilities，ofthosefate-compellingqualitiesofhiswhichledhimtowardthatlucrativepositionwhichhenowfilled。Beingofamodestanddiffidentnature，hissuccessesamazed，almostfrightenedhim，andended——ashegotoverthesucceedingshocksofsurprise——bymakinghimferociouslyconceited。Hebelievedinhisgeniusandinhisknowledgeoftheworld。Othersshouldknowofitalso；

fortheirowngoodandforhisgreaterglory。Allthosefriendlymenwhoslappedhimonthebackandgreetedhimnoisilyshouldhavethebenefitofhisexample。Forthathemusttalk。Hetalkedtothemconscientiously。Intheafternoonheexpoundedhistheoryofsuccessoverthelittletables，dippingnowandthenhismoustacheinthecrushediceofthecocktails；intheeveninghewouldoftenholdforth，cueinhand，toayounglisteneracrossthebilliardtable。Thebilliardballsstoodstillasiflisteningalso，underthevividbrillianceoftheshadedoillampshunglowoverthecloth；whileawayintheshadowsofthebigroomtheChinamanmarkerwouldleanwearilyagainstthewall，theblankmaskofhisfacelookingpaleunderthemahoganymarking-board；hiseyelidsdroppedinthedrowsyfatigueoflatehoursandinthebuzzingmonotonyoftheunintelligiblestreamofwordspouredoutbythewhiteman。Inasuddenpauseofthetalkthegamewouldrecommencewithasharpclickandgoonforatimeintheflowingsoftwhirrandthesubduedthudsastheballsrolledzig-zaggingtowardstheinevitablysuccessfulcannon。

Throughthebigwindowsandtheopendoorsthesaltdampnessofthesea，thevaguesmellofmouldandflowersfromthegardenofthehoteldriftedinandmingledwiththeodouroflampoil，growingheavierasthenightadvanced。Theplayers’headsdivedintothelightastheybentdownforthestroke，springingbackagainsmartlyintothegreenishgloomofbroadlamp-shades；theclocktickedmethodically；theunmovedChinamancontinuouslyrepeatedthescoreinalifelessvoice，likeabigtalkingdoll——andWillemswouldwinthegame。Witharemarkthatitwasgettinglate，andthathewasamarriedman，hewouldsayapatronizinggood-nightandstepoutintothelong，emptystreet。

Atthathouritswhitedustwaslikeadazzlingstreakofmoonlightwheretheeyesoughtreposeinthedimmergleamofrareoillamps。Willemswalkedhomewards，followingthelineofwallsovertoppedbytheluxuriantvegetationofthefrontgardens。Thehousesrightandleftwerehiddenbehindtheblackmassesoffloweringshrubs。Willemshadthestreettohimself。Hewouldwalkinthemiddle，hisshadowglidingobsequiouslybeforehim。

Helookeddownonitcomplacently。Theshadowofasuccessfulman！Hewouldbeslightlydizzywiththecocktailsandwiththeintoxicationofhisownglory。Asheoftentoldpeople，hecameeastfourteenyearsago——acabinboy。Asmallboy。Hisshadowmusthavebeenverysmallatthattime；hethoughtwithasmilethathewasnotawarethenhehadanything——evenashadow——whichhedaredcallhisown。AndnowhewaslookingattheshadowoftheconfidentialclerkofHudig&Co。goinghome。Howglorious！

Howgoodwaslifeforthosethatwereonthewinningside！Hehadwonthegameoflife；alsothegameofbilliards。Hewalkedfaster，jinglinghiswinnings，andthinkingofthewhitestonedaysthathadmarkedthepathofhisexistence。HethoughtofthetriptoLombokforponies——thatfirstimportanttransactionconfidedtohimbyHudig；thenhereviewedthemoreimportantaffairs:thequietdealinopium；theillegaltrafficingunpowder；thegreataffairofsmuggledfirearms，thedifficultbusinessoftheRajahofGoak。Hecarriedthatlastthroughbysheerpluck；hehadbeardedthesavageoldrulerinhiscouncilroom；hehadbribedhimwithagiltglasscoach，which，rumoursaid，wasusedasahen-coopnow；hehadover-persuadedhim；hehadbestedhimineveryway。Thatwasthewaytogeton。Hedisapprovedoftheelementarydishonestythatdipsthehandinthecash-box，butonecouldevadethelawsandpushtheprinciplesoftradetotheirfurthestconsequences。Somecallthatcheating。Thosearethefools，theweak，thecontemptible。

Thewise，thestrong，therespected，havenoscruples。Wheretherearescruplestherecanbenopower。Onthattexthepreachedoftentotheyoungmen。Itwashisdoctrine，andhe，himself，wasashiningexampleofitstruth。

Nightafternighthewenthomethus，afteradayoftoilandpleasure，drunkwiththesoundofhisownvoicecelebratinghisownprosperity。Onhisthirtiethbirthdayhewenthomethus。Hehadspentingoodcompanyanice，noisyevening，and，ashewalkedalongtheemptystreet，thefeelingofhisowngreatnessgrewuponhim，liftedhimabovethewhitedustoftheroad，andfilledhimwithexultationandregrets。Hehadnotdonehimselfjusticeoverthereinthehotel，hehadnottalkedenoughabouthimself，hehadnotimpressedhishearersenough。Nevermind。

Someothertime。Nowhewouldgohomeandmakehiswifegetupandlistentohim。Whyshouldshenotgetup？——andmixacocktailforhim——andlistenpatiently。Justso。Sheshall。IfhewantedhecouldmakealltheDaSouzafamilygetup。Hehadonlytosayawordandtheywouldallcomeandsitsilentlyintheirnightvestmentsonthehard，coldgroundofhiscompoundandlisten，aslongashewishedtogoonexplainingtothemfromthetopofthestairs，howgreatandgoodhewas。Theywould。

However，hiswifewoulddo——forto-night。

Hiswife！Hewincedinwardly。Adismalwomanwithstartledeyesanddolorouslydroopingmouth，thatwouldlistentohiminpainedwonderandmutestillness。Shewasusedtothosenight-discoursesnow。Shehadrebelledonce——atthebeginning。Onlyonce。Now，whilehesprawledinthelongchairanddrankandtalked，shewouldstandatthefurtherendofthetable，herhandsrestingontheedge，herfrightenedeyeswatchinghislips，withoutasound，withoutastir，hardlybreathing，tillhedismissedherwithacontemptuous:"Gotobed，dummy。"Shewoulddrawalongbreaththenandtrailoutoftheroom，relievedbutunmoved。Nothingcouldstartleher，makeherscoldormakehercry。Shedidnotcomplain，shedidnotrebel。Thatfirstdifferenceoftheirswasdecisive。Toodecisive，thoughtWillems，discontentedly。Ithadfrightenedthesouloutofherbodyapparently。Adismalwoman！

Adamn’dbusinessaltogether！Whatthedevildidhewanttogoandsaddlehimself……Ah！Well！hewantedahome，andthematchseemedtopleaseHudig，andHudiggavehimthebungalow，thatflower-boweredhousetowhichhewaswendinghiswayinthecoolmoonlight。AndhehadtheworshipoftheDaSouzatribe。A

manofhisstampcouldcarryoffanything，doanything，aspiretoanything。InanotherfiveyearsthosewhitepeoplewhoattendedtheSundaycard-partiesoftheGovernorwouldaccepthim——half-castewifeandall！Hooray！Hesawhisshadowdartforwardandwaveahat，asbigasarumbarrel，attheendofanarmseveralyardslong……Whoshoutedhooray？……Hesmiledshamefacedlytohimself，and，pushinghishandsdeepintohispockets，walkedfasterwithasuddenlygraveface。

Behindhim——totheleft——acigarendglowedinthegatewayofMr。

Vinck’sfrontyard。Leaningagainstoneofthebrickpillars，Mr。Vinck，thecashierofHudig&Co。，smokedthelastcherootoftheevening。AmongsttheshadowsofthetrimmedbushesMrs。

Vinckcrunchedslowly，withmeasuredsteps，thegravelofthecircularpathbeforethehouse。

"There’sWillemsgoinghomeonfoot——anddrunkIfancy，"saidMr。

Vinckoverhisshoulder。"Isawhimjumpandwavehishat。"

Thecrunchingofthegravelstopped。

"Horridman，"saidMrs。Vinck，calmly。"Ihaveheardhebeatshiswife。"

"Ohno，mydear，no，"mutteredabsentlyMr。Vinck，withavaguegesture。TheaspectofWillemsasawife-beaterpresentedtohimnointerest。Howwomendomisjudge！IfWillemswantedtotorturehiswifehewouldhaverecoursetolessprimitivemethods。Mr。VinckknewWillemswell，andbelievedhimtobeveryable，verysmart——objectionablyso。Ashetookthelastquickdrawsatthestumpofhischeroot，Mr。VinckreflectedthattheconfidenceaccordedbyHudigtoWillemswasopen，underthecircumstances，toloyalcriticismfromHudig’scashier。

"Heisbecomingdangerous；heknowstoomuch。Hewillhavetobegotridof，"saidMr。Vinckaloud。ButMrs。Vinckhadgoneinalready，andaftershakinghisheadhethrewawayhischerootandfollowedherslowly。

Willemswalkedonhomewardweavingthesplendidwebofhisfuture。Theroadtogreatnesslayplainlybeforehiseyes，straightandshining，withoutanyobstaclethathecouldsee。Hehadsteppedoffthepathofhonesty，asheunderstoodit，buthewouldsoonregainit，nevertoleaveitanymore！Itwasaverysmallmatter。Hewouldsoonputitrightagain。Meantimehisdutywasnottobefoundout，andhetrustedinhisskill，inhisluck，inhiswell-establishedreputationthatwoulddisarmsuspicionifanybodydaredtosuspect。Butnobodywoulddare！

True，hewasconsciousofaslightdeterioration。HehadappropriatedtemporarilysomeofHudig’smoney。Adeplorablenecessity。Buthejudgedhimselfwiththeindulgencethatshouldbeextendedtotheweaknessesofgenius。Hewouldmakereparationandallwouldbeasbefore；nobodywouldbetheloserforit，andhewouldgoonuncheckedtowardthebrilliantgoalofhisambition。

Hudig’spartner！

Beforegoingupthestepsofhishousehestoodforawhile，hisfeetwellapart，chininhand，contemplatingmentallyHudig’sfuturepartner。Agloriousoccupation。Hesawhimquitesafe；

solidasthehills；deep——deepasanabyss；discreetasthegrave。

CHAPTERTWO

Thesea，perhapsbecauseofitssaltness，roughenstheoutsidebutkeepssweetthekernelofitsservants’soul。Theoldsea；

theseaofmanyyearsago，whoseservantsweredevotedslavesandwentfromyouthtoageortoasuddengravewithoutneedingtoopenthebookoflife，becausetheycouldlookateternityreflectedontheelementthatgavethelifeanddealtthedeath。

Likeabeautifulandunscrupulouswoman，theseaofthepastwasgloriousinitssmiles，irresistibleinitsanger，capricious，enticing，illogical，irresponsible；athingtolove，athingtofear。Itcastaspell，itgavejoy，itlulledgentlyintoboundlessfaith；thenwithquickandcauselessangeritkilled。

Butitscrueltywasredeemedbythecharmofitsinscrutablemystery，bytheimmensityofitspromise，bythesupremewitcheryofitspossiblefavour。Strongmenwithchildlikeheartswerefaithfultoit，werecontenttolivebyitsgrace——todiebyitswill。ThatwastheseabeforethetimewhentheFrenchmindsettheEgyptianmuscleinmotionandproducedadismalbutprofitableditch。Thenagreatpallofsmokesentoutbycountlesssteam-boatswasspreadovertherestlessmirroroftheInfinite。Thehandoftheengineertoredowntheveiloftheterriblebeautyinorderthatgreedyandfaithlesslandlubbersmightpocketdividends。Themysterywasdestroyed。Likeallmysteries，itlivedonlyintheheartsofitsworshippers。Theheartschanged；themenchanged。Theoncelovinganddevotedservantswentoutarmedwithfireandiron，andconqueringthefearoftheirownheartsbecameacalculatingcrowdofcoldandexactingmasters。Theseaofthepastwasanincomparablybeautifulmistress，withinscrutableface，withcruelandpromisingeyes。Theseaofto-dayisaused-updrudge，wrinkledanddefacedbythechurned-upwakesofbrutalpropellers，robbedoftheenslavingcharmofitsvastness，strippedofitsbeauty，ofitsmysteryandofitspromise。

TomLingardwasamaster，alover，aservantofthesea。Theseatookhimyoung，fashionedhimbodyandsoul；gavehimhisfierceaspect，hisloudvoice，hisfearlesseyes，hisstupidlyguilelessheart。Generouslyitgavehimhisabsurdfaithinhimself，hisuniversalloveofcreation，hiswideindulgence，hiscontemptuousseverity，hisstraightforwardsimplicityofmotiveandhonestyofaim。Havingmadehimwhathewas，womanlike，theseaservedhimhumblyandlethimbaskunharmedinthesunshineofitsterriblyuncertainfavour。TomLingardgrewrichontheseaandbythesea。Heloveditwiththeardentaffectionofalover，hemadelightofitwiththeassuranceofperfectmastery，hefeareditwiththewisefearofabraveman，andhetooklibertieswithitasaspoiledchildmightdowithapaternalandgood-naturedogre。Hewasgratefultoit，withthegratitudeofanhonestheart。Hisgreatestpridelayinhisprofoundconvictionofitsfaithfulness——inthedeepsenseofhisunerringknowledgeofitstreachery。

ThelittlebrigFlashwastheinstrumentofLingard’sfortune。

Theycamenorthtogether——bothyoung——outofanAustralianport，andafteraveryfewyearstherewasnotawhitemanintheislands，fromPalembangtoTernate，fromOmbawatoPalawan，thatdidnotknowCaptainTomandhisluckycraft。Hewaslikedforhisrecklessgenerosity，forhisunswervinghonesty，andatfirstwasalittlefearedonaccountofhisviolenttemper。Verysoon，however，theyfoundhimout，andthewordwentroundthatCaptainTom’sfurywaslessdangerousthanmanyaman’ssmile。Heprosperedgreatly。Afterhisfirst——andsuccessful——fightwiththesearobbers，whenherescued，asrumourhadit，theyachtofsomebigwigfromhome，somewheredownCarimataway，hisgreatpopularitybegan。Asyearswentonitgrewapace。Alwaysvisitingout-of-the-wayplacesofthatpartoftheworld，alwaysinsearchofnewmarketsforhiscargoes——notsomuchforprofitasforthepleasureoffindingthem——hesoonbecameknowntotheMalays，andbyhissuccessfulrecklessnessinseveralencounterswithpirates，establishedtheterrorofhisname。Thosewhitemenwithwhomhehadbusiness，andwhonaturallywereonthelook-outforhisweaknesses，couldeasilyseethatitwasenoughtogivehimhisMalaytitletoflatterhimgreatly。Sowhentherewasanythingtobegainedbyit，andsometimesoutofpureandunprofitablegoodnature，theywoulddroptheceremonious"CaptainLingard"andaddresshimhalfseriouslyasRajahLaut——theKingoftheSea。

Hecarriedthenamebravelyonhisbroadshoulders。HehadcarrieditmanyyearsalreadywhentheboyWillemsranbarefootedonthedeckoftheshipKosmopolietIV。inSamarangroads，lookingwithinnocenteyesonthestrangeshoreandobjurgatinghisimmediatesurroundingswithblasphemouslips，whilehischildishbrainworkedupontheheroicideaofrunningaway。FromthepoopoftheFlashLingardsawintheearlymorningtheDutchshipgetlumberinglyunderweigh，boundfortheeasternports。

Verylateintheeveningofthesamedayhestoodonthequayofthelandingcanal，readytogoonboardofhisbrig。Thenightwasstarryandclear；thelittlecustom-housebuildingwasshutup，andasthegharrythatbroughthimdowndisappearedupthelongavenueofdustytreesleadingtothetown，Lingardthoughthimselfaloneonthequay。Herouseduphissleepingboat-crewandstoodwaitingforthemtogetready，whenhefeltatugathiscoatandathinvoicesaid，verydistinctly——

"Englishcaptain。"

Lingardturnedroundquickly，andwhatseemedtobeaveryleanboyjumpedbackwithcommendableactivity。

"Whoareyou？Wheredoyouspringfrom？"askedLingard，instartledsurprise。

Fromasafedistancetheboypointedtowardacargolightermooredtothequay。

"Beenhidingthere，haveyou？"saidLingard。"Well，whatdoyouwant？Speakout，confoundyou。Youdidnotcomeheretoscaremetodeath，forfun，didyou？"

TheboytriedtoexplaininimperfectEnglish，butverysoonLingardinterruptedhim。

"Isee，"heexclaimed，"youranawayfromthebigshipthatsailedthismorning。Well，whydon’tyougotoyourcountrymenhere？"

"Shipgoneonlyalittleway——toSourabaya。Makemegobacktotheship，"explainedtheboy。

"Bestthingforyou，"affirmedLingardwithconviction。

"No，"retortedtheboy；"mewantstophere；notwantgohome。

Getmoneyhere；homenogood。"

"Thisbeatsallmygoinga-fishing，"commentedtheastonishedLingard。"It’smoneyyouwant？Well！well！Andyouwerenotafraidtorunaway，youbagofbones，you！"

Theboyintimatedthathewasfrightenedofnothingbutofbeingsentbacktotheship。Lingardlookedathiminmeditativesilence。

"Comecloser，"hesaidatlast。Hetooktheboybythechin，andturninguphisfacegavehimasearchinglook。"Howoldareyou？"

"Seventeen。"

"There’snotmuchofyouforseventeen。Areyouhungry？"

"Alittle。"

"Willyoucomewithme，inthatbrigthere？"

Theboymovedwithoutawordtowardstheboatandscrambledintothebows。

"Knowshisplace，"mutteredLingardtohimselfashesteppedheavilyintothesternsheetsandtookuptheyokelines。"Givewaythere。"

TheMalayboatcrewlaybacktogether，andthegigsprangawayfromthequayheadingtowardsthebrig’sridinglight。

SuchwasthebeginningofWillems’career。

LingardlearnedinhalfanhourallthattherewasofWillems’

commonplacestory。Fatheroutdoorclerkofsomeship-brokerinRotterdam；motherdead。Theboyquickinlearning，butidleinschool。Thestraitenedcircumstancesinthehousefilledwithsmallbrothersandsisters，sufficientlyclothedandfedbutotherwiserunningwild，whilethedisconsolatewidowertrampedaboutalldayinashabbyovercoatandimperfectbootsonthemuddyquays，andintheeveningpilotedwearilythehalf-intoxicatedforeignskippersamongsttheplacesofcheapdelights，returninghomelate，sickwithtoomuchsmokinganddrinking——forcompany’ssake——withthesemen，whoexpectedsuchattentionsinthewayofbusiness。Thentheofferofthegood-naturedcaptainofKosmopolietIV。，whowaspleasedtodosomethingforthepatientandobligingfellow；youngWillems’

greatjoy，hisstillgreaterdisappointmentwiththeseathatlookedsocharmingfromafar，butprovedsohardandexactingoncloseracquaintance——andthenthisrunningawaybyasuddenimpulse。Theboywashopelesslyatvariancewiththespiritofthesea。Hehadaninstinctivecontemptforthehonestsimplicityofthatworkwhichledtonothinghecaredfor。

Lingardsoonfoundthisout。HeofferedtosendhimhomeinanEnglishship，buttheboybeggedhardtobepermittedtoremain。

Hewroteabeautifulhand，becamesoonperfectinEnglish，wasquickatfigures；andLingardmadehimusefulinthatway。Ashegrewolderhistradinginstinctsdevelopedthemselvesastonishingly，andLingardlefthimoftentotradeinoneislandoranotherwhilehe，himself，madeanintermediatetriptosomeout-of-the-wayplace。OnWillemsexpressingawishtothateffect，LingardlethimenterHudig’sservice。Hefeltalittlesoreatthatabandonmentbecausehehadattachedhimself，inaway，tohisprotege。Stillhewasproudofhim，andspokeupforhimloyally。Atfirstitwas，"Smartboythat——nevermakeaseamanthough。"ThenwhenWillemswashelpinginthetradinghereferredtohimas"thatcleveryoungfellow。"LaterwhenWillemsbecametheconfidentialagentofHudig，employedinmanyadelicateaffair，thesimple-heartedoldseamanwouldpointanadmiringfingerathisbackandwhispertowhoeverstoodnearatthemoment，"Long-headedchapthat；deucedlong-headedchap。

Lookathim。ConfidentialmanofoldHudig。Ipickedhimupinaditch，youmaysay，likeastarvedcat。Skinandbone。’PonmywordIdid。AndnowheknowsmorethanIdoaboutislandtrading。Fact。Iamnotjoking。MorethanIdo，"hewouldrepeat，seriously，withinnocentprideinhishonesteyes。

FromthesafeelevationofhiscommercialsuccessesWillemspatronizedLingard。Hehadalikingforhisbenefactor，notunmixedwithsomedisdainforthecrudedirectnessoftheoldfellow’smethodsofconduct。Therewere，however，certainsidesofLingard’scharacterforwhichWillemsfeltaqualifiedrespect。ThetalkativeseamanknewhowtobesilentoncertainmattersthattoWillemswereveryinteresting。Besides，Lingardwasrich，andthatinitselfwasenoughtocompelWillems’

unwillingadmiration。InhisconfidentialchatswithHudig，WillemsgenerallyalludedtothebenevolentEnglishmanasthe"luckyoldfool"inaverydistincttoneofvexation；Hudigwouldgruntanunqualifiedassent，andthenthetwowouldlookateachotherinasuddenimmobilityofpupilsfixedbyastareofunexpressedthought。

"Youcan’tfindoutwherehegetsallthatindia-rubber，heyWillems？"Hudigwouldaskatlast，turningawayandbendingoverthepapersonhisdesk。

"No，Mr。Hudig。Notyet。ButIamtrying，"wasWillems’

invariablereply，deliveredwitharingofregretfuldeprecation。

"Try！Alwaystry！Youmaytry！Youthinkyourselfcleverperhaps，"rumbledonHudig，withoutlookingup。"Ihavebeentradingwithhimtwenty——thirtyyearsnow。Theoldfox。AndI

havetried。Bah！"

Hestretchedoutashort，podgylegandcontemplatedthebareinstepandthegrassslipperhangingbythetoes。"Youcan’tmakehimdrunk？"hewouldadd，afterapauseofstertorousbreathing。

"No，Mr。Hudig，Ican’treally，"protestedWillems，earnestly。

"Well，don’ttry。Iknowhim。Don’ttry，"advisedthemaster，and，bendingagainoverhisdesk，hisstaringbloodshoteyesclosetothepaper，hewouldgoontracinglaboriouslywithhisthickfingerstheslimunsteadylettersofhiscorrespondence，whileWillemswaitedrespectfullyforhisfurthergoodpleasurebeforeasking，withgreatdeference——

"Anyorders，Mr。Hudig？"

"Hm！yes。GotoBun-Hinyourselfandseethedollarsofthatpaymentcountedandpacked，andhavethemputonboardthemail-boatforTernate。She’sdueherethisafternoon。"

"Yes，Mr。Hudig。"

"And，lookhere。Iftheboatislate，leavethecaseinBun-Hin’sgodowntillto-morrow。Sealitup。Eightsealsasusual。Don’ttakeitawaytilltheboatishere。"

"No，Mr。Hudig。"

"Anddon’tforgetabouttheseopiumcases。It’sforto-night。

Usemyownboatmen。TransshipthemfromtheCarolinetotheArabbarque，"wentonthemasterinhishoarseundertone。"Anddon’tyoucometomewithanotherstoryofacasedroppedoverboardlikelasttime，"headded，withsuddenferocity，lookingupathisconfidentialclerk。

"No，Mr。Hudig。Iwilltakecare。"

"That’sall。Tellthatpigasyougooutthatifhedoesn’tmakethepunkahgoalittlebetterIwillbreakeveryboneinhisbody，"finishedupHudig，wipinghispurplefacewitharedsilkhandkerchiefnearlyasbigasacounterpane。

NoiselesslyWillemswentout，shuttingcarefullybehindhimthelittlegreendoorthroughwhichhepassedtothewarehouse。

Hudig，peninhand，listenedtohimbullyingthepunkahboywithprofaneviolence，bornofunboundedzealforthemaster’scomfort，beforehereturnedtohiswritingamidtherustlingofpapersflutteringinthewindsentdownbythepunkahthatwavedinwidesweepsabovehishead。

WillemswouldnodfamiliarlytoMr。Vinck，whohadhisdeskclosetothelittledooroftheprivateoffice，andmarchdownthewarehousewithanimportantair。Mr。Vinck——extremedislikelurkingineverywrinkleofhisgentlemanlycountenance——wouldfollowwithhiseyesthewhitefigureflittinginthegloomamongstthepilesofbalesandcasestillitpassedoutthroughthebigarchwayintotheglareofthestreet。

CHAPTERTHREE

TheopportunityandthetemptationweretoomuchforWillems，andunderthepressureofsuddennecessityheabusedthattrustwhichwashispride，theperpetualsignofhisclevernessandaloadtooheavyforhimtocarry。Arunofbadluckatcards，thefailureofasmallspeculationundertakenonhisownaccount，anunexpecteddemandformoneyfromoneoranothermemberoftheDaSouzafamily——andalmostbeforehewaswellawareofithewasoffthepathofhispeculiarhonesty。Itwassuchafaintandill-definedtrackthatittookhimsometimetofindouthowfarhehadstrayedamongstthebramblesofthedangerouswildernesshehadbeenskirtingforsomanyyears，withoutanyotherguidethanhisownconvenienceandthatdoctrineofsuccesswhichhehadfoundforhimselfinthebookoflife——inthoseinterestingchaptersthattheDevilhasbeenpermittedtowriteinit，totestthesharpnessofmen’seyesightandthesteadfastnessoftheirhearts。Foroneshort，darkandsolitarymomenthewasdismayed，buthehadthatcouragethatwillnotscaleheights，yetwillwadebravelythroughthemud——iftherebenootherroad。

Heappliedhimselftothetaskofrestitution，anddevotedhimselftothedutyofnotbeingfoundout。Onhisthirtiethbirthdayhehadalmostaccomplishedthetask——andthedutyhadbeenfaithfullyandcleverlyperformed。Hesawhimselfsafe。

Againhecouldlookhopefullytowardsthegoalofhislegitimateambition。Nobodywoulddaretosuspecthim，andinafewdaystherewouldbenothingtosuspect。Hewaselated。Hedidnotknowthathisprosperityhadtouchedthenitshigh-watermark，andthatthetidewasalreadyontheturn。

Twodaysafterwardsheknew。Mr。Vinck，hearingtherattleofthedoor-handle，jumpedupfromhisdesk——wherehehadbeentremulouslylisteningtotheloudvoicesintheprivateoffice——andburiedhisfaceinthebigsafewithnervoushaste。

ForthelasttimeWillemspassedthroughthelittlegreendoorleadingtoHudig’ssanctum，which，duringthepasthalf-hour，mighthavebeentaken——fromthefiendishnoisewithin——forthecavernofsomewildbeast。Willems’troubledeyestookinthequickimpressionofmenandthingsashecameoutfromtheplaceofhishumiliation。Hesawthescaredexpressionofthepunkahboy；theChinamentellerssittingontheirheelswithunmovablefacesturnedupblanklytowardshimwhiletheirarrestedhandshoveredoverthelittlepilesofbrightguildersrangedonthefloor；Mr。Vinck’sshoulder-bladeswiththefleshyrimsoftworedearsabove。Hesawthelongavenueofgincasesstretchingfromwherehestoodtothearcheddoorwaybeyondwhichhewouldbeabletobreatheperhaps。Athinrope’sendlayacrosshispathandhesawitdistinctly，yetstumbledheavilyoveritasifithadbeenabarofiron。Thenhefoundhimselfinthestreetatlast，butcouldnotfindairenoughtofillhislungs。Hewalkedtowardshishome，gasping。

AsthesoundofHudig’sinsultsthatlingeredinhisearsgrewfainterbythelapseoftime，thefeelingofshamewasreplacedslowlybyapassionofangeragainsthimselfandstillmoreagainstthestupidconcourseofcircumstancesthathaddrivenhimintohisidioticindiscretion。Idioticindiscretion；thatishowhedefinedhisguilttohimself。Couldtherebeanythingworsefromthepointofviewofhisundeniablecleverness？Whatafatalaberrationofanacutemind！Hedidnotrecognizehimselfthere。Hemusthavebeenmad。That’sit。Asuddengustofmadness。Andnowtheworkoflongyearswasdestroyedutterly。

Whatwouldbecomeofhim？

Beforehecouldanswerthatquestionhefoundhimselfinthegardenbeforehishouse，Hudig’sweddinggift。Helookedatitwithavaguesurprisetofinditthere。Hispastwassoutterlygonefromhimthatthedwellingwhichbelongedtoitappearedtohimincongruousstandingthereintact，neat，andcheerfulinthesunshineofthehotafternoon。Thehousewasaprettylittlestructurealldoorsandwindows，surroundedonallsidesbythedeepverandahsupportedonslendercolumnsclothedinthegreenfoliageofcreepers，whichalsofringedtheoverhangingeavesofthehigh-pitchedroof。Slowly，Willemsmountedthedozenstepsthatledtotheverandah。Hepausedateverystep。Hemusttellhiswife。Hefeltfrightenedattheprospect，andhisalarmdismayedhim。Frightenedtofaceher！Nothingcouldgivehimabettermeasureofthegreatnessofthechangearoundhim，andinhim。Anotherman——andanotherlifewiththefaithinhimselfgone。Hecouldnotbeworthmuchifhewasafraidtofacethatwoman。

Hedarednotenterthehousethroughtheopendoorofthedining-room，butstoodirresolutebythelittlework-tablewheretrailedawhitepieceofcalico，withaneedlestuckinit，asiftheworkhadbeenlefthurriedly。Thepink-crestedcockatoostarted，onhisappearance，intoclumsyactivityandbegantoclimblaboriouslyupanddownhisperch，calling"Joanna"withindistinctloudnessandapersistentscreechthatprolongedthelastsyllableofthenameasifinapealofinsanelaughter。

Thescreeninthedoorwaymovedgentlyonceortwiceinthebreeze，andeachtimeWillemsstartedslightly，expectinghiswife，butheneverliftedhiseyes，althoughstraininghisearsforthesoundofherfootsteps。Graduallyhelosthimselfinhisthoughts，intheendlessspeculationastothemannerinwhichshewouldreceivehisnews——andhisorders。Inthispreoccupationhealmostforgotthefearofherpresence。Nodoubtshewillcry，shewilllament，shewillbehelplessandfrightenedandpassiveasever。Andhewouldhavetodragthatlimpweightonandonthroughthedarknessofaspoiledlife。

Horrible！Ofcoursehecouldnotabandonherandthechildtocertainmiseryorpossiblestarvation。ThewifeandthechildofWillems。Willemsthesuccessful，thesmart；Willemstheconf……Pah！AndwhatwasWillemsnow？Willemsthe……Hestrangledthehalf-bornthought，andclearedhisthroattostifleagroan。Ah！Won’ttheytalkto-nightinthebilliard-room——hisworld，wherehehadbeenfirst——allthosementowhomhehadbeensosuperciliouslycondescending。Won’ttheytalkwithsurprise，andaffectedregret，andgravefaces，andwisenods。Someofthemowedhimmoney，butheneverpressedanybody。Nothe。

Willems，theprinceofgoodfellows，theycalledhim。Andnowtheywillrejoice，nodoubt，athisdownfall。Acrowdofimbeciles。Inhisabasementhewasyetawareofhissuperiorityoverthosefellows，whoweremerelyhonestorsimplynotfoundoutyet。Acrowdofimbeciles！Heshookhisfistattheevokedimageofhisfriends，andthestartledparrotfluttereditswingsandshriekedindesperatefright。

InashortglanceupwardsWillemssawhiswifecomeroundthecornerofthehouse。Heloweredhiseyelidsquickly，andwaitedsilentlytillshecamenearandstoodontheothersideofthelittletable。Hewouldnotlookatherface，buthecouldseethereddressing-gownheknewsowell。Shetrailedthroughlifeinthatreddressing-gown，withitsrowofdirtybluebowsdownthefront，stained，andhookedonawry；atornflounceatthebottomfollowingherlikeasnakeasshemovedlanguidlyabout，withherhairnegligentlycaughtup，andatangledwispstragglinguntidilydownherback。Hisgazetravelledupwardsfrombowtobow，noticingthosethathungonlybyathread，butitdidnotgobeyondherchin。Helookedatherleanthroat，attheobtrusivecollarbonevisibleinthedisarrayoftheupperpartofherattire。Hesawthethinarmandthebonyhandclaspingthechildshecarried，andhefeltanimmensedistasteforthoseencumbrancesofhislife。Hewaitedforhertosaysomething，butashefelthereyesrestonhiminunbrokensilencehesighedandbegantospeak。

Itwasahardtask。Hespokeslowly，lingeringamongstthememoriesofthisearlylifeinhisreluctancetoconfessthatthiswastheendofitandthebeginningofalesssplendidexistence。Inhisconvictionofhavingmadeherhappinessinthefullsatisfactionofallmaterialwantsheneverdoubtedforamomentthatshewasreadytokeephimcompanyonnomatterhowhardandstonyaroad。Hewasnotelatedbythiscertitude。HehadmarriedhertopleaseHudig，andthegreatnessofhissacrificeoughttohavemadeherhappywithoutanyfurtherexertiononhispart。ShehadyearsofgloryasWillems’wife，andyearsofcomfort，ofloyalcare，andofsuchtendernessasshedeserved。Hehadguardedhercarefullyfromanybodilyhurt；

andofanyothersufferinghehadnoconception。Theassertionofhissuperioritywasonlyanotherbenefitconferredonher。

Allthiswasamatterofcourse，buthetoldherallthissoastobringvividlybeforeherthegreatnessofherloss。Shewassodullofunderstandingthatshewouldnotgraspitelse。Andnowitwasatanend。Theywouldhavetogo。Leavethishouse，leavethisisland，gofarawaywherehewasunknown。TotheEnglishStrait-Settlementsperhaps。Hewouldfindanopeningthereforhisabilities——andjustermentodealwiththanoldHudig。Helaughedbitterly。

"YouhavethemoneyIleftathomethismorning，Joanna？"heasked。"Wewillwantitallnow。"

Ashespokethosewordshethoughthewasafinefellow。Nothingnewthat。Still，hesurpassedtherehisownexpectations。Hangitall，therearesacredthingsinlife，afterall。Themarriagetiewasoneofthem，andhewasnotthemantobreakit。Thesolidityofhisprinciplescausedhimgreatsatisfaction，buthedidnotcaretolookathiswife，forallthat。Hewaitedforhertospeak。Thenhewouldhavetoconsoleher；tellhernottobeacryingfool；togetreadytogo。Gowhere？How？When？Heshookhishead。Theymustleaveatonce；thatwastheprincipalthing。Hefeltasuddenneedtohurryuphisdeparture。

"Well，Joanna，"hesaid，alittleimpatiently——"don’tstandthereinatrance。Doyouhear？Wemust……"

Helookedupathiswife，andwhateverhewasgoingtoaddremainedunspoken。Shewasstaringathimwithherbig，slantingeyes，thatseemedtohimtwicetheirnaturalsize。Thechild，itsdirtylittlefacepressedtoitsmother’sshoulder，wassleepingpeacefully。Thedeepsilenceofthehousewasnotbroken，butratheraccentuated，bythelowmutterofthecockatoo，nowverystillonitsperch。AsWillemswaslookingatJoannaherupperlipwasdrawnupononeside，givingtohermelancholyfaceaviciousexpressionaltogethernewtohisexperience。Hesteppedbackinhissurprise。

"Oh！Yougreatman！"shesaiddistinctly，butinavoicethatwashardlyaboveawhisper。

Thosewords，andstillmorehertone，stunnedhimasifsomebodyhadfiredagunclosetohisear。Hestaredbackatherstupidly。

"Oh！yougreatman！"sherepeatedslowly，glancingrightandleftasifmeditatingasuddenescape。"AndyouthinkthatIamgoingtostarvewithyou。Youarenobodynow。YouthinkmymammaandLeonardwouldletmegoaway？Andwithyou！Withyou，"sherepeatedscornfully，raisinghervoice，whichwokeupthechildandcausedittowhimperfeebly。

"Joanna！"exclaimedWillems。

"Donotspeaktome。IhaveheardwhatIhavewaitedforalltheseyears。Youarelessthandirt，youthathavewipedyourfeetonme。Ihavewaitedforthis。Iamnotafraidnow。Idonotwantyou；donotcomenearme。Ah-h！"shescreamedshrilly，asheheldouthishandinanentreatinggesture——"Ah！Keepoffme！Keepoffme！Keepoff！"

Shebackedaway，lookingathimwitheyesbothangryandfrightened。Willemsstaredmotionless，indumbamazementatthemysteryofangerandrevoltintheheadofhiswife。Why？Whathadheeverdonetoher？Thiswasthedayofinjusticeindeed。

FirstHudig——andnowhiswife。Hefeltaterroratthishatethathadlivedstealthilysonearhimforyears。Hetriedtospeak，butsheshriekedagain，anditwaslikeaneedlethroughhisheart。Againheraisedhishand。

"Help！"calledMrs。Willems，inapiercingvoice。"Help！"

"Bequiet！Youfool！"shoutedWillems，tryingtodrownthenoiseofhiswifeandchildinhisownangryaccentsandrattlingviolentlythelittlezinctableinhisexasperation。

Fromunderthehouse，wheretherewerebathroomsandatoolcloset，appearedLeonard，arustyironbarinhishand。Hecalledthreateninglyfromthebottomofthestairs。

"Donothurther，Mr。Willems。Youareasavage。Notatalllikewe，whites。"

"Youtoo！"saidthebewilderedWillems。"Ihaven’ttouchedher。

Isthisamadhouse？"Hemovedtowardsthestairs，andLeonarddroppedthebarwithaclangandmadeforthegateofthecompound。Willemsturnedbacktohiswife。

"Soyouexpectedthis，"hesaid。"Itisaconspiracy。Who’sthatsobbingandgroaningintheroom？Somemoreofyourpreciousfamily。Hey？"

Shewasmorecalmnow，andputtinghastilythecryingchildinthebigchairwalkedtowardshimwithsuddenfearlessness。

"Mymother，"shesaid，"mymotherwhocametodefendmefromyou——manfromnowhere；avagabond！"

"Youdidnotcallmeavagabondwhenyouhungroundmyneck——beforeweweremarried，"saidWillems，contemptuously。

"YoutookgoodcarethatIshouldnothangroundyourneckafterwewere，"sheanswered，clenchingherhands，andputtingherfaceclosetohis。"YouboastedwhileIsufferedandsaidnothing。

Whathasbecomeofyourgreatness；ofourgreatness——youwerealwaysspeakingabout？NowIamgoingtoliveonthecharityofyourmaster。Yes。Thatistrue。HesentLeonardtotellmeso。

Andyouwillgoandboastsomewhereelse，andstarve。So！Ah！

Icanbreathenow！Thishouseismine。"

"Enough！"saidWillems，slowly，withanarrestinggesture。

Sheleapedback，thefrightagaininhereyes，snatchedupthechild，pressedittoherbreast，and，fallingintoachair，drummedinsanelywithherheelsontheresoundingflooroftheverandah。

"Ishallgo，"saidWillems，steadily。"Ithankyou。Forthefirsttimeinyourlifeyoumakemehappy。Youwereastoneroundmyneck；youunderstand。Ididnotmeantotellyouthataslongasyoulived，butyoumademe——now。BeforeIpassthisgateyoushallbegonefrommymind。Youmadeitveryeasy。I

thankyou。"

Heturnedandwentdownthestepswithoutgivingheraglance，whileshesatuprightandquiet，withwide-openeyes，thechildcryingquerulouslyinherarms。AtthegatehecamesuddenlyuponLeonard，whohadbeendodgingaboutthereandfailedtogetoutofthewayintime。

"Donotbebrutal，Mr。Willems，"saidLeonard，hurriedly。"Itisunbecomingbetweenwhitemenwithallthosenativeslookingon。"

Leonard’slegstrembledverymuch，andhisvoicewaveredbetweenhighandlowtoneswithoutanyattemptatcontrolonhispart。

"Restrainyourimproperviolence，"hewentonmumblingrapidly。

"Iamarespectablemanofverygoodfamily，whileyou……itisregrettable……theyallsayso……"

"What？"thunderedWillems。Hefeltasuddenimpulseofmadanger，andbeforeheknewwhathadhappenedhewaslookingatLeonarddaSouzarollinginthedustathisfeet。Hesteppedoverhisprostratebrother-in-lawandtoreblindlydownthestreet，everybodymakingwayforthefranticwhiteman。

Whenhecametohimselfhewasbeyondtheoutskirtsofthetown，stumblingonthehardandcrackedearthofreapedricefields。

Howdidhegetthere？Itwasdark。Hemustgetback。Ashewalkedtowardsthetownslowly，hismindreviewedtheeventsofthedayandhefeltasenseofbitterloneliness。Hiswifehadturnedhimoutofhisownhouse。Hehadassaultedbrutallyhisbrother-in-law，amemberoftheDaSouzafamily——ofthatbandofhisworshippers。Hedid。Well，no！Itwassomeotherman。

Anothermanwascomingback。Amanwithoutapast，withoutafuture，yetfullofpainandshameandanger。Hestoppedandlookedround。Adogortwoglidedacrosstheemptystreetandrushedpasthimwithafrightenedsnarl。HewasnowinthemidstoftheMalayquarterwhosebamboohouses，hiddenintheverdureoftheirlittlegardens，weredarkandsilent。Men，womenandchildrensleptinthere。Humanbeings。Wouldheeversleep，andwhere？Hefeltasifhewastheoutcastofallmankind，andashelookedhopelesslyround，beforeresuminghiswearymarch，itseemedtohimthattheworldwasbigger，thenightmorevastandmoreblack；buthewentondoggedlywithhisheaddownasifpushinghiswaythroughsomethickbrambles。Thensuddenlyhefeltplanksunderhisfeetand，lookingup，sawtheredlightattheendofthejetty。Hewalkedquitetotheendandstoodleaningagainstthepost，underthelamp，lookingattheroadsteadwheretwovesselsatanchorswayedtheirslenderriggingamongstthestars。Theendofthejetty；andhereinonestepmoretheendoflife；theendofeverything。Betterso。

Whatelsecouldhedo？Nothingevercomesback。Hesawitclearly。Therespectandadmirationofthemall，theoldhabitsandoldaffectionsfinishedabruptlyintheclearperceptionofthecauseofhisdisgrace。Hesawallthis；andforatimehecameoutofhimself，outofhisselfishness——outoftheconstantpreoccupationofhisinterestsandhisdesires——outofthetempleofselfandtheconcentrationofpersonalthought。

Histhoughtsnowwanderedhome。Standinginthetepidstillnessofastarrytropicalnighthefeltthebreathofthebittereastwind，hesawthehighandnarrowfrontsoftallhousesunderthegloomofacloudedsky；andonmuddyquayshesawtheshabby，high-shoulderedfigure——thepatient，fadedfaceofthewearymanearningbreadforthechildrenthatwaitedforhiminadingyhome。Itwasmiserable，miserable。Butitwouldnevercomeback。WhatwasthereincommonbetweenthosethingsandWillemstheclever，Willemsthesuccessful。Hehadcuthimselfadriftfromthathomemanyyearsago。Betterforhimthen。Betterforthemnow。Allthiswasgone，nevertocomebackagain；andsuddenlyheshivered，seeinghimselfaloneinthepresenceofunknownandterribledangers。

Forthefirsttimeinhislifehefeltafraidofthefuture，becausehehadlosthisfaith，thefaithinhisownsuccess。Andhehaddestroyeditfoolishlywithhisownhands！