第2章

CHAPTERFOUR

HismeditationwhichresembledslowdriftingintosuicidewasinterruptedbyLingard，who，withaloud"I’vegotyouatlast！"

droppedhishandheavilyonWillems’shoulder。Thistimeitwastheoldseamanhimselfgoingoutofhiswaytopickuptheuninterestingwaif——allthattherewasleftofthatsuddenandsordidshipwreck。ToWillems，therough，friendlyvoicewasaquickandfleetingrelieffollowedbyasharperpangofangerandunavailingregret。Thatvoicecarriedhimbacktothebeginningofhispromisingcareer，theendofwhichwasveryvisiblenowfromthejettywheretheybothstood。Heshookhimselffreefromthefriendlygrasp，sayingwithreadybitterness——

"It’sallyourfault。Givemeapushnow，do，andsendmeover。

Ihavebeenstandingherewaitingforhelp。Youaretheman——ofallmen。Youhelpedatthebeginning；yououghttohaveahandintheend。"

"Ihavebetteruseforyouthantothrowyoutothefishes，"saidLingard，seriously，takingWillemsbythearmandforcinghimgentlytowalkupthejetty。"Ihavebeenbuzzingoverthistownlikeabluebottlefly，lookingforyouhighandlow。Ihaveheardalot。Iwilltellyouwhat，Willems；youarenosaint，that’safact。Andyouhavenotbeenover-wiseeither。Iamnotthrowingstones，"headded，hastily，asWillemsmadeanefforttogetaway，"butIamnotgoingtomincematters。Nevercould！

YoukeepquietwhileItalk。Can’tyou？"

Withagestureofresignationandahalf-stifledgroanWillemssubmittedtothestrongerwill，andthetwomenpacedslowlyupanddowntheresoundingplanks，whileLingarddisclosedtoWillemstheexactmannerofhisundoing。AfterthefirstshockWillemslostthefacultyofsurpriseintheover-poweringfeelingofindignation。SoitwasVinckandLeonardwhohadservedhimso。Theyhadwatchedhim，trackedhismisdeeds，reportedthemtoHudig。TheyhadbribedobscureChinamen，wormedoutconfidencesfromtipsyskippers，gotatvariousboatmen，andhadpiecedoutinthatwaythestoryofhisirregularities。Theblacknessofthisdarkintriguefilledhimwithhorror。HecouldunderstandVinck。Therewasnolovelostbetweenthem。ButLeonard！

Leonard！

"Why，CaptainLingard，"heburstout，"thefellowlickedmyboots。"

"Yes，yes，yes，"saidLingard，testily，"weknowthat，andyoudidyourbesttocramyourbootdownhisthroat。Nomanlikesthat，myboy。"

"Iwasalwaysgivingmoneytoallthathungrylot，"wentonWillems，passionately。"Alwaysmyhandinmypocket。Theyneverhadtoasktwice。"

"Justso。Yourgenerosityfrightenedthem。Theyaskedthemselveswhereallthatcamefrom，andconcludedthatitwassafertothrowyouoverboard。Afterall，Hudigisamuchgreatermanthanyou，myfriend，andtheyhaveaclaimonhimalso。"

"Whatdoyoumean，CaptainLingard？"

"WhatdoImean？"repeatedLingard，slowly。"Why，youarenotgoingtomakemebelieveyoudidnotknowyourwifewasHudig’sdaughter。Comenow！"

Willemsstoppedsuddenlyandswayedabout。

"Ah！Iunderstand，"hegasped。"Ineverheard……LatelyI

thoughttherewas……Butno，Ineverguessed。"

"Oh，yousimpleton！"saidLingard，pityingly。"’Ponmyword，"hemutteredtohimself，"Idon’tbelievethefellowknew。Well！

well！Steadynow。Pullyourselftogether。What’swrongthere。

Sheisagoodwifetoyou。"

"Excellentwife，"saidWillems，inadrearyvoice，lookingfarovertheblackandscintillatingwater。

"Verywellthen，"wentonLingard，withincreasingfriendliness。

"Nothingwrongthere。ButdidyoureallythinkthatHudigwasmarryingyouoffandgivingyouahouseandIdon’tknowwhat，outofloveforyou？"

"Ihadservedhimwell，"answeredWillems。"Howwell，youknowyourself——throughthickandthin。Nomatterwhatworkandwhatrisk，Iwasalwaysthere；alwaysready。"

Howwellhesawthegreatnessofhisworkandtheimmensityofthatinjusticewhichwashisreward。Shewasthatman’sdaughter！

Inthelightofthisdisclosurethefactsofthelastfiveyearsofhislifestoodclearlyrevealedintheirfullmeaning。HehadspokenfirsttoJoannaatthegateoftheirdwellingashewenttohisworkinthebrilliantflushoftheearlymorning，whenwomenandflowersarecharmingeventothedullesteyes。Amostrespectablefamily——twowomenandayoungman——werehisnext-doorneighbours。Nobodyevercametotheirlittlehousebutthepriest，anativefromtheSpanishislands，nowandthen。TheyoungmanLeonardhehadmetintown，andwasflatteredbythelittlefellow’simmenserespectforthegreatWillems。Helethimbringchairs，callthewaiters，chalkhiscueswhenplayingbilliards，expresshisadmirationinchoicewords。HeevencondescendedtolistenpatientlytoLeonard’sallusionsto"ourbelovedfather，"amanofofficialposition，agovernmentagentinKoti，wherehediedofcholera，alas！avictimtoduty，likeagoodCatholic，andagoodman。Itsoundedveryrespectable，andWillemsapprovedofthosefeelingreferences。Moreover，hepridedhimselfuponhavingnocolour-prejudicesandnoracialantipathies。HeconsentedtodrinkcuracoaoneafternoonontheverandahofMrs。daSouza’shouse。HerememberedJoannathatday，swinginginahammock。Shewasuntidyeventhen，heremembered，andthatwastheonlyimpressionhecarriedawayfromthatvisit。Hehadnotimeforloveinthosegloriousdays，notimeevenforapassingfancy，butgraduallyhefellintothehabitofcallingalmosteverydayatthatlittlehousewherehewasgreetedbyMrs。daSouza’sshrillvoicescreamingforJoannatocomeandentertainthegentlemanfromHudig&Co。Andthenthesuddenandunexpectedvisitofthepriest。Herememberedtheman’sflat，yellowface，histhinlegs，hispropitiatorysmile，hisbeamingblackeyes，hisconciliatingmanner，hisveiledhintswhichhedidnotunderstandatthetime。Howhewonderedwhatthemanwanted，andhowunceremoniouslyhegotridofhim。AndthencamevividlyintohisrecollectionthemorningwhenhemetagainthatfellowcomingoutofHudig’soffice，andhowhewasamusedattheincongruousvisit。AndthatmorningwithHudig！

Wouldheeverforgetit？Wouldheeverforgethissurpriseasthemaster，insteadofplungingatonceintobusiness，lookedathimthoughtfullybeforeturning，withafurtivesmile，tothepapersonthedesk？Hecouldhearhimnow，hisnoseinthepaperbeforehim，droppingastonishingwordsintheintervalsofwheezybreathing。

"Heardsaid……calledthereoften……mostrespectableladies……knewthefatherverywell……estimable……bestthingforayoungman……settledown……Personally，verygladtohear……thingarranged……Suitablerecognitionofvaluableservices……Bestthing——bestthingtodo。"

Andhebelieved！Whatcredulity！Whatanass！Hudigknewthefather！Rather。Andsodideverybodyelseprobably；allexcepthimself。HowproudhehadbeenofHudig’sbenevolentinterestinhisfate！HowproudhewaswheninvitedbyHudigtostaywithhimathislittlehouseinthecountry——wherehecouldmeetmen，menofofficialposition——asafriend。Vinckhadbeengreenwithenvy。Oh，yes！Hehadbelievedinthebestthing，andtookthegirllikeagiftoffortune。HowheboastedtoHudigofbeingfreefromprejudices。Theoldscoundrelmusthavebeenlaughinginhissleeveathisfoolofaconfidentialclerk。Hetookthegirl，guessingnothing。Howcouldhe？Therehadbeenafatherofsomekindtothecommonknowledge。Menknewhim；spokeabouthim。Alankmanofhopelesslymixeddescent，butotherwise——apparently——unobjectionable。Theshadyrelationscameoutafterward，but——withhisfreedomfromprejudices——hedidnotmindthem，because，withtheirhumbledependence，theycompletedhistriumphantlife。Takenin！takenin！Hudighadfoundaneasywaytoprovideforthebeggingcrowd。Hehadshiftedtheburdenofhisyouthfulvagariesontotheshouldersofhisconfidentialclerk；andwhileheworkedforthemaster，themasterhadcheatedhim；hadstolenhisveryselffromhim。Hewasmarried。Hebelongedtothatwoman，nomatterwhatshemightdo！……Hadsworn……foralllife！……Thrownhimselfaway……Andthatmandaredthisverymorningcallhimathief！Damnation！

"Letgo，Lingard！"heshouted，tryingtogetawaybyasuddenjerkfromthewatchfuloldseaman。"Letmegoandkillthat……"

"Noyoudon’t！"pantedLingard，hangingonmanfully。"Youwanttokill，doyou？Youlunatic。Ah！——I’vegotyounow！Bequiet，Isay！"

Theystruggledviolently，LingardforcingWillemsslowlytowardstheguard-rail。Undertheirfeetthejettysoundedlikeadruminthequietnight。Ontheshoreendthenativecaretakerofthewharfwatchedthecombat，squattingbehindthesafeshelterofsomebigcases。Thenextdayheinformedhisfriends，withcalmsatisfaction，thattwodrunkenwhitemenhadfoughtonthejetty。

Ithadbeenagreatfight。Theyfoughtwithoutarms，likewildbeasts，afterthemannerofwhitemen。No！nobodywaskilled，ortherewouldhavebeentroubleandareporttomake。Howcouldheknowwhytheyfought？Whitemenhavenoreasonwhentheyarelikethat。

JustasLingardwasbeginningtofearthathewouldbeunabletorestrainmuchlongertheviolenceoftheyoungerman，hefeltWillems’musclesrelaxing，andtookadvantageofthisopportunitytopinhim，byalasteffort，totherail。Theybothpantedheavily，speechless，theirfacesveryclose。

"Allright，"mutteredWillemsatlast。"Don’tbreakmybackoverthisinfernalrail。Iwillbequiet。"

"Nowyouarereasonable，"saidLingard，muchrelieved。"Whatmadeyouflyintothatpassion？"heasked，leadinghimbacktotheendofthejetty，and，stillholdinghimprudentlywithonehand，hefumbledwiththeotherforhiswhistleandblewashrillandprolongedblast。Overthesmoothwateroftheroadsteadcameinanswerafaintcryfromoneoftheshipsatanchor。

"Myboatwillbeheredirectly，"saidLingard。"Thinkofwhatyouaregoingtodo。Isailto-night。"

"Whatisthereformetodo，exceptonething？"saidWillems，gloomily。

"Lookhere，"saidLingard；"Ipickedyouupasaboy，andconsidermyselfresponsibleforyouinaway。Youtookyourlifeintoyourownhandsmanyyearsago——butstill……"

Hepaused，listening，tillheheardtheregulargrindoftheoarsintherowlocksoftheapproachingboatthenwentonagain。

"IhavemadeitallrightwithHudig。Youowehimnothingnow。

Gobacktoyourwife。Sheisagoodwoman。Gobacktoher。"

"Why，CaptainLingard，"exclaimedWillems，"she……"

"Itwasmostaffecting，"wentonLingard，withoutheedinghim。

"IwenttoyourhousetolookforyouandthereIsawherdespair。Itwasheart-breaking。Shecalledforyou；sheentreatedmetofindyou。Shespokewildly，poorwoman，asifallthiswasherfault。"

Willemslistenedamazed。Theblindoldidiot！Howqueerlyhemisunderstood！Butifitwastrue，ifitwaseventrue，theveryideaofseeingherfilledhissoulwithintenseloathing。Hedidnotbreakhisoath，buthewouldnotgobacktoher。Lethersbethesinofthatseparation；ofthesacredbondbroken。Herevelledintheextremepurityofhisheart，andhewouldnotgobacktoher。Lethercomebacktohim。Hehadthecomfortableconvictionthathewouldneverseeheragain，andthatthroughherownfaultonly。Inthisconvictionhetoldhimselfsolemnlythatifshewouldcometohimhewouldreceiveherwithgenerousforgiveness，becausesuchwasthepraiseworthysolidityofhisprinciples。ButhehesitatedwhetherhewouldorwouldnotdisclosetoLingardtherevoltingcompletenessofhishumiliation。Turnedoutofhishouse——andbyhiswife；thatwomanwhohardlydaredtobreatheinhispresence，yesterday。Heremainedperplexedandsilent。No。Helackedthecouragetotelltheignoblestory。

Astheboatofthebrigappearedsuddenlyontheblackwaterclosetothejetty，Lingardbrokethepainfulsilence。

"Ialwaysthought，"hesaid，sadly，"Ialwaysthoughtyouweresomewhatheartless，Willems，andapttocastadriftthosethatthoughtmostofyou。Iappealtowhatisbestinyou；donotabandonthatwoman。"

"Ihavenotabandonedher，"answeredWillems，quickly，withconscioustruthfulness。"WhyshouldI？Asyousojustlyobserved，shehasbeenagoodwifetome。Averygood，quiet，obedient，lovingwife，andIloveherasmuchasshelovesme。

Everybit。Butastogoingbacknow，tothatplacewhereI……

Towalkagainamongstthosemenwhoyesterdaywerereadytocrawlbeforeme，andthenfeelonmybackthestingoftheirpityingorsatisfiedsmiles——no！Ican’t。Iwouldratherhidefromthematthebottomofthesea，"hewenton，withresoluteenergy。"I

don’tthink，CaptainLingard，"headded，morequietly，"Idon’tthinkthatyourealizewhatmypositionwasthere。"

Inawidesweepofhishandhetookinthesleepingshorefromnorthtosouth，asifwishingitaproudandthreateninggood-bye。Forashortmomentheforgothisdownfallintherecollectionofhisbrillianttriumphs。Amongstthemenofhisclassandoccupationwhosleptinthosedarkhouseshehadbeenindeedthefirst。

"Itishard，"mutteredLingard，pensively。"Butwhosethefault？

Whosethefault？"

"CaptainLingard！"criedWillems，underthesuddenimpulseofafelicitousinspiration，"ifyouleavemehereonthisjetty——it’smurder。Ishallneverreturntothatplacealive，wifeornowife。Youmayjustaswellcutmythroatatonce。"

Theoldseamanstarted。

"Don’ttrytofrightenme，Willems，"hesaid，withgreatseverity，andpaused。

AbovetheaccentsofWillems’brazendespairheheard，withconsiderableuneasiness，thewhisperofhisownabsurdconscience。Hemeditatedforawhilewithanirresoluteair。

"Icouldtellyoutogoanddrownyourself，andbedamnedtoyou，"hesaid，withanunsuccessfulassumptionofbrutalityinhismanner，"butIwon’t。Weareresponsibleforoneanother——worseluck。Iamalmostashamedofmyself，butIcanunderstandyourdirtypride。Ican！By……"

Hebrokeoffwithaloudsighandwalkedbrisklytothesteps，atthebottomofwhichlayhisboat，risingandfallinggentlyontheslightandinvisibleswell。

"Belowthere！Gotalampintheboat？Well，lightitandbringitup，oneofyou。Hurrynow！"

Hetoreoutapageofhispocketbook，moistenedhispencilwithgreatenergyandwaited，stampinghisfeetimpatiently。

"Iwillseethisthingthrough，"hemutteredtohimself。"AndI

willhaveitallsquareandship-shape；seeifIdon’t！Areyougoingtobringthatlamp，yousonofacrippledmud-turtle？Iamwaiting。"

Thegleamofthelightonthepaperplacatedhisprofessionalanger，andhewroterapidly，thefinaldashofhissignaturecurlingthepaperupinatriangulartear。

"TakethattothiswhiteTuan’shouse。Iwillsendtheboatbackforyouinhalfanhour。"

ThecoxswainraisedhislampdeliberatelytoWillem’sface。

"ThisTuan？Tau！Iknow。"

"Quickthen！"saidLingard，takingthelampfromhim——andthemanwentoffatarun。

"Kassimem！Totheladyherself，"calledLingardafterhim。

Then，whenthemandisappeared，heturnedtoWillems。

"Ihavewrittentoyourwife，"hesaid。"Ifyoudonotreturnforgood，youdonotgobacktothathouseonlyforanotherparting。Youmustcomeasyoustand。Iwon’thavethatpoorwomantormented。Iwillseetoitthatyouarenotseparatedforlong。Trustme！"

Willemsshivered，thensmiledinthedarkness。

"Nofearofthat，"hemuttered，enigmatically。"Itrustyouimplicitly，CaptainLingard，"headded，inaloudertone。

Lingardledthewaydownthesteps，swingingthelampandspeakingoverhisshoulder。

"Itisthesecondtime，Willems，Itakeyouinhand。Minditisthelast。Thesecondtime；andtheonlydifferencebetweenthenandnowisthatyouwerebare-footedthenandhavebootsnow。Infourteenyears。Withallyoursmartness！Apoorresultthat。A

verypoorresult。"

Hestoodforawhileonthelowestplatformofthesteps，thelightofthelampfallingontheupturnedfaceofthestrokeoar，whoheldthegunwaleoftheboatclosealongside，readyforthecaptaintostepin。

"Yousee，"hewenton，argumentatively，fumblingaboutthetopofthelamp，"yougotyourselfsocrookedamongstthose’longshorequill-driversthatyoucouldnotrunclearinanyway。That’swhatcomesofsuchtalkasyours，andofsuchalife。Amanseessomuchfalsehoodthathebeginstolietohimself。Pah！"hesaid，indisgust，"there’sonlyoneplaceforanhonestman。Thesea，myboy，thesea！Butyouneverwould；didn’tthinktherewasenoughmoneyinit；andnow——look！"

Heblewthelightout，and，steppingintotheboat，stretchedquicklyhishandtowardsWillems，withfriendlycare。Willemssatbyhiminsilence，andtheboatshovedoff，sweepinginawidecircletowardsthebrig。

"Yourcompassionisallformywife，CaptainLingard，"saidWillems，moodily。"DoyouthinkIamsoveryhappy？"

"No！no！"saidLingard，heartily。"Notawordmoreshallpassmylips。Ihadtospeakmymindonce，seeingthatIknewyoufromachild，sotospeak。AndnowIshallforget；butyouareyoungyet。Lifeisverylong，"hewenton，withunconscioussadness；

"letthisbealessontoyou。"

HelaidhishandaffectionatelyonWillems’shoulder，andtheybothsatsilenttilltheboatcamealongsidetheship’sladder。

WhenonboardLingardgaveorderstohismate，andleadingWillemsonthepoop，satonthebreechofoneofthebrasssix-pounderswithwhichhisvesselwasarmed。Theboatwentoffagaintobringbackthemessenger。Assoonasitwasseenreturningdarkformsappearedonthebrig’sspars；thenthesailsfellinfestoonswithaswishoftheirheavyfolds，andhungmotionlessundertheyardsinthedeadcalmoftheclearanddewynight。Fromtheforwardendcametheclinkofthewindlass，andsoonafterwardsthehailofthechiefmateinformingLingardthatthecablewashoveshort。

"Holdoneverything，"hailedbackLingard；"wemustwaitfortheland-breezebeforeweletgoourholdoftheground。"

HeapproachedWillems，whosatontheskylight，hisbodybentdown，hisheadlow，andhishandshanginglistlesslybetweenhisknees。

"IamgoingtotakeyoutoSambir，"hesaid。"You’veneverheardoftheplace，haveyou？Well，it’supthatriverofmineaboutwhichpeopletalksomuchandknowsolittle。I’vefoundouttheentranceforashipofFlash’ssize。Itisn’teasy。You’llsee。

Iwillshowyou。Youhavebeenatsealongenoughtotakeaninterest……Pityyoudidn’tsticktoit。Well，Iamgoingthere。Ihavemyowntradingpostintheplace。Almayerismypartner。YouknewhimwhenhewasatHudig’s。Oh，helivesthereashappyasaking。D’yesee，Ihavethemallinmypocket。Therajahisanoldfriendofmine。Mywordislaw——andIamtheonlytrader。NootherwhitemanbutAlmayerhadeverbeeninthatsettlement。YouwilllivequietlytheretillIcomebackfrommynextcruisetothewestward。Weshallseethenwhatcanbedoneforyou。Neverfear。Ihavenodoubtmysecretwillbesafewithyou。Keepmumaboutmyriverwhenyougetamongstthetradersagain。There’smanywouldgivetheirearsfortheknowledgeofit。I’lltellyousomething:that’swhereIgetallmyguttahandrattans。Simplyinexhaustible，myboy。"

WhileLingardspokeWillemslookedupquickly，butsoonhisheadfellonhisbreastinthediscouragingcertitudethattheknowledgeheandHudighadwishedforsomuchhadcometohimtoolate。Hesatinalistlessattitude。

"YouwillhelpAlmayerinhistradingifyouhaveaheartforit，"continuedLingard，"justtokilltimetillIcomebackforyou。Onlysixweeksorso。"

Overtheirheadsthedampsailsflutterednoisilyinthefirstfaintpuffofthebreeze；then，astheairsfreshened，thebrigtendedtothewind，andthesilencedcanvaslayquietlyaback。

Thematespokewithlowdistinctnessfromtheshadowsofthequarter-deck。

"There’sthebreeze。Whichwaydoyouwanttocasther，CaptainLingard？"

Lingard’seyes，thathadbeenfixedaloft，glanceddownatthedejectedfigureofthemansittingontheskylight。Heseemedtohesitateforaminute。

"Tothenorthward，tothenorthward，"heanswered，testily，asifannoyedathisownfleetingthought，"andbearahandthere。

Everypuffofwindisworthmoneyintheseseas。"

Heremainedmotionless，listeningtotherattleofblocksandthecreakingoftrussesasthehead-yardswerehauledround。Sailwasmadeontheshipandthewindlassmannedagainwhilehestoodstill，lostinthought。Heonlyrousedhimselfwhenabarefootedseacannieglidedpasthimsilentlyonhiswaytothewheel。

"Putthehelmaport！Hardover！"hesaid，inhisharshsea-voice，tothemanwhosefaceappearedsuddenlyoutofthedarknessinthecircleoflightthrownupwardsfromthebinnaclelamps。

Theanchorwassecured，theyardstrimmed，andthebrigbegantomoveoutoftheroadstead。Theseawokeupunderthepushofthesharpcutwater，andwhisperedsoftlytotheglidingcraftinthattenderandripplingmurmurinwhichitspeakssometimestothoseitnursesandloves。Lingardstoodbythetaff-raillistening，withapleasedsmiletilltheFlashbegantodrawclosetotheonlyothervesselintheanchorage。

"Here，Willems，"hesaid，callinghimtohisside，"d’yeseethatbarquehere？That’sanArabvessel。Whitemenhavemostlygivenupthegame，butthisfellowdropsinmywakeoften，andlivesinhopesofcuttingmeoutinthatsettlement。NotwhileIlive，I

trust。Yousee，Willems，Ibroughtprosperitytothatplace。I

composedtheirquarrels，andsawthemgrowundermyeyes。

There’speaceandhappinessthere。IammoremastertherethanhisDutchExcellencydowninBataviaeverwillbewhensomedayalazyman-of-warblundersatlastagainsttheriver。ImeantokeeptheArabsoutofit，withtheirliesandtheirintrigues。I

shallkeepthevenomousbreedout，ifitcostsmemyfortune。"

TheFlashdrewquietlyabreastofthebarque，andwasbeginningtodropitasternwhenawhitefigurestarteduponthepoopoftheArabvessel，andavoicecalledout——

"GreetingtotheRajahLaut！"

"Toyougreeting！"answeredLingard，afteramomentofhesitatingsurprise。ThenheturnedtoWillemswithagrimsmile。"That’sAbdulla’svoice，"hesaid。"Mightycivilallofasudden，isn’the？Iwonderwhatitmeans。Justlikehisimpudence！Nomatter！Hiscivilityorhisimpudenceareallonetome。Iknowthatthisfellowwillbeunderwayandaftermelikeashot。I

don’tcare！Ihavetheheelsofanythingthatfloatsintheseseas，"headded，whilehisproudandlovingglanceranoverandrestedfondlyamongstthebrig’sloftyandgracefulspars。

CHAPTERFIVE

"Itwasthewritingonhisforehead，"saidBabalatchi，addingacoupleofsmallstickstothelittlefirebywhichhewassquatting，andwithoutlookingatLakambawholaydownsupportedonhiselbowontheothersideoftheembers。"Itwaswrittenwhenhewasbornthatheshouldendhislifeindarkness，andnowheislikeamanwalkinginablacknight——withhiseyesopen，yetseeingnot。Iknewhimwellwhenhehadslaves，andmanywives，andmuchmerchandise，andtradingpraus，andprausforfighting。Hai——ya！HewasagreatfighterinthedaysbeforethebreathoftheMercifulputoutthelightinhiseyes。Hewasapilgrim，andhadmanyvirtues:hewasbrave，hishandwasopen，andhewasagreatrobber。Formanyyearsheledthementhatdrankbloodonthesea:firstinprayerandfirstinfight！HaveInotstoodbehindhimwhenhisfacewasturnedtotheWest？

HaveInotwatchedbyhissideshipswithhighmastsburninginastraightflameonthecalmwater？HaveInotfollowedhimondarknightsamongstsleepingmenthatwokeuponlytodie？HisswordwasswifterthanthefirefromHeaven，andstruckbeforeitflashed。Hai！Tuan！Thosewerethedaysandthatwasaleader，andImyselfwasyounger；andinthosedaystherewerenotsomanyfireshipswithgunsthatdealfierydeathfromafar。Overthehillandovertheforest——O！TuanLakamba！theydroppedwhistlingfireballsintothecreekwhereourpraustookrefuge，andwheretheydarednotfollowmenwhohadarmsintheirhands。"

Heshookhisheadwithmournfulregretandthrewanotherhandfuloffuelonthefire。Theburstofclearflamelituphisbroad，dark，andpock-markedface，wherethebiglips，stainedwithbetel-juice，lookedlikeadeepandbleedinggashofafreshwound。Thereflectionofthefirelightgleamedbrightlyinhissolitaryeye，lendingitforamomentafierceanimationthatdiedouttogetherwiththeshort-livedflame。Withquicktouchesofhisbarehandsherakedtheembersintoaheap，then，wipingthewarmashonhiswaistcloth——hisonlygarment——heclaspedhisthinlegswithhisentwinedfingers，andrestedhischinonhisdrawn-upknees。Lakambastirredslightlywithoutchanginghispositionortakinghiseyesofftheglowingcoals，onwhichtheyhadbeenfixedindreamyimmobility。

"Yes，"wentonBabalatchi，inalowmonotone，asifpursuingaloudatrainofthoughtthathaditsbeginninginthesilentcontemplationoftheunstablenatureofearthlygreatness——"yes。

Hehasbeenrichandstrong，andnowhelivesonalms:old，feeble，blind，andwithoutcompanions，butforhisdaughter。TheRajahPatalologiveshimrice，andthepalewoman——hisdaughter——cooksitforhim，forhehasnoslave。"

"Isawherfromafar，"mutteredLakamba，disparagingly。"A

she-dogwithwhiteteeth，likeawomanoftheOrang-Putih。"

"Right，right，"assentedBabalatchi；"butyouhavenotseenhernear。Hermotherwasawomanfromthewest；aBaghdadiwomanwithveiledface。Nowshegoesuncovered，likeourwomendo，forsheispoorandheisblind，andnobodyevercomesnearthemunlesstoaskforacharmorablessinganddepartquicklyforfearofhisangerandoftheRajah’shand。Youhavenotbeenonthatsideoftheriver？"

"Notforalongtime。IfIgo……"

"True！true！"interruptedBabalatchi，soothingly，"butIgooftenalone——foryourgood——andlook——andlisten。Whenthetimecomes；

whenwebothgotogethertowardstheRajah’scampong，itwillbetoenter——andtoremain。"

LakambasatupandlookedatBabalatchigloomily。

"Thisisgoodtalk，once，twice；whenitisheardtoooftenitbecomesfoolish，liketheprattleofchildren。"

"Many，manytimeshaveIseenthecloudyskyandhaveheardthewindoftherainyseasons，"saidBabalatchi，impressively。

"Andwhereisyourwisdom？Itmustbewiththewindandthecloudsofseasonspast，forIdonothearitinyourtalk。"

"Thosearethewordsoftheungrateful！"shoutedBabalatchi，withsuddenexasperation。"Verily，ouronlyrefugeiswiththeOne，theMighty，theRedresserof……"

"Peace！Peace！"growledthestartledLakamba。"Itisbutafriend’stalk。"

Babalatchisubsidedintohisformerattitude，mutteringtohimself。Afterawhilehewentonagaininaloudervoice——

"SincetheRajahLautleftanotherwhitemanhereinSambir，thedaughteroftheblindOmarelBadavihasspokentootherearsthanmine。"

"Wouldawhitemanlistentoabeggar’sdaughter？"saidLakamba，doubtingly。

"Hai！Ihaveseen……"

"Andwhatdidyousee？Oone-eyedone！"exclaimedLakamba，contemptuously。

"Ihaveseenthestrangewhitemanwalkingonthenarrowpathbeforethesuncoulddrythedropsofdewonthebushes，andI

haveheardthewhisperofhisvoicewhenhespokethroughthesmokeofthemorningfiretothatwomanwithbigeyesandapaleskin。Womaninbody，butinheartaman！Sheknowsnofearandnoshame。Ihaveheardhervoicetoo。"

HenoddedtwiceatLakambasagaciouslyandgavehimselfuptosilentmusing，hissolitaryeyefixedimmovablyuponthestraightwallofforestontheoppositebank。Lakambalaysilent，staringvacantly。UnderthemLingard’sownriverrippledsoftlyamongstthepilessupportingthebambooplatformofthelittlewatch-housebeforewhichtheywerelying。Behindthehousethegroundroseinagentleswellofalowhillclearedofthebigtimber，butthicklyovergrownwiththegrassandbushes，nowwitheredandburntupinthelongdroughtofthedryseason。

Thisoldriceclearing，whichhadbeenseveralyearslyingfallow，wasframedonthreesidesbytheimpenetrableandtangledgrowthoftheuntouchedforest，andonthefourthcamedowntothemuddyriverbank。Therewasnotabreathofwindonthelandorriver，buthighabove，inthetransparentsky，littlecloudsrushedpastthemoon，nowappearinginherdiffusedrayswiththebrillianceofsilver，nowobscuringherfacewiththeblacknessofebony。Faraway，inthemiddleoftheriver，afishwouldleapnowandthenwithashortsplash，theveryloudnessofwhichmeasuredtheprofundityoftheoverpoweringsilencethatswallowedupthesharpsoundsuddenly。

Lakambadozeduneasilyoff，butthewakefulBabalatchisatthinkingdeeply，sighingfromtimetotime，andslappinghimselfoverhisnakedtorsoincessantlyinavainendeavourtokeepoffanoccasionalandwanderingmosquitothat，risingashighastheplatformabovetheswarmsoftheriverside，wouldsettlewithapingoftriumphontheunexpectedvictim。Themoon，pursuinghersilentandtoilsomepath，attainedherhighestelevation，andchasingtheshadowoftheroof-eavesfromLakamba’sface，seemedtohangarrestedovertheirheads。Babalatchirevivedthefireandwokeuphiscompanion，whosatupyawningandshiveringdiscontentedly。

Babalatchispokeagaininavoicewhichwaslikethemurmurofabrookthatrunsoverthestones:low，monotonous，persistent；

irresistibleinitspowertowearoutandtodestroythehardestobstacles。Lakambalistened，silentbutinterested。TheywereMalayadventurers；ambitiousmenofthatplaceandtime；theBohemiansoftheirrace。Intheearlydaysofthesettlement，beforetherulerPatalolohadshakenoffhisallegiancetotheSultanofKoti，Lakambaappearedintheriverwithtwosmalltradingvessels。HewasdisappointedtofindalreadysomesemblanceoforganizationamongstthesettlersofvariousraceswhorecognizedtheunobtrusiveswayofoldPatalolo，andhewasnotpoliticenoughtoconcealhisdisappointment。Hedeclaredhimselftobeamanfromtheeast，fromthosepartswherenowhitemanruled，andtobeofanoppressedrace，butofaprincelyfamily。Andtrulyenoughhehadallthegiftsofanexiledprince。Hewasdiscontented，ungrateful，turbulent；amanfullofenvyandreadyforintrigue，withbravewordsandemptypromisesforeveronhislips。Hewasobstinate，buthiswillwasmadeupofshortimpulsesthatneverlastedlongenoughtocarryhimtothegoalofhisambition。ReceivedcoldlybythesuspiciousPatalolo，hepersisted——permissionornopermission——inclearingthegroundonagoodspotsomefourteenmilesdowntheriverfromSambir，andbuilthimselfahousethere，whichhefortifiedbyahighpalisade。Ashehadmanyfollowersandseemedveryreckless，theoldRajahdidnotthinkitprudentatthetimetointerferewithhimbyforce。Oncesettled，hebegantointrigue。ThequarrelofPatalolowiththeSultanofKotiwasofhisfomenting，butfailedtoproducetheresultheexpectedbecausetheSultancouldnotbackhimupeffectivelyatsuchagreatdistance。Disappointedinthatscheme，hepromptlyorganizedanoutbreakoftheBugissettlers，andbesiegedtheoldRajahinhisstockadewithmuchnoisyvalourandafairchanceofsuccess；butLingardthenappearedonthescenewiththearmedbrig，andtheoldseaman’shairyforefinger，shakenmenacinglyinhisface，quelledhismartialardour。NomancaredtoencountertheRajahLaut，andLakamba，withmomentaryresignation，subsidedintoahalf-cultivator，half-trader，andnursedinhisfortifiedhousehiswrathandhisambition，keepingitforuseonamorepropitiousoccasion。

Stillfaithfultohischaracterofaprince-pretender，hewouldnotrecognizetheconstitutedauthorities，answeringsulkilytheRajah’smessenger，whoclaimedthetributeforthecultivatedfields，thattheRajahhadbettercomeandtakeithimself。ByLingard’sadvicehewasleftalone，notwithstandinghisrebelliousmood；andformanydayshelivedundisturbedamongsthiswivesandretainers，cherishingthatpersistentandcauselesshopeofbettertimes，thepossessionofwhichseemstobetheuniversalprivilegeofexiledgreatness。

Butthepassingdaysbroughtnochange。Thehopegrewfaintandthehotambitionburntitselfout，leavingonlyafeebleandexpiringsparkamongstaheapofdullandtepidashesofindolentacquiescencewiththedecreesofFate，tillBabalatchifanneditagainintoabrightflame。Babalatchihadblunderedupontheriverwhileinsearchofasaferefugeforhisdisreputablehead。

Hewasavagabondoftheseas，atrueOrang-Laut，livingbyrapineandplunderofcoastsandshipsinhisprosperousdays；

earninghislivingbyhonestandirksometoilwhenthedaysofadversitywereuponhim。So，althoughattimesleadingtheSulurovers，hehadalsoservedasSerangofcountryships，andinthatwisehadvisitedthedistantseas，beheldthegloriesofBombay，themightoftheMascatiSultan；hadevenstruggledinapiousthrongfortheprivilegeoftouchingwithhislipstheSacredStoneoftheHolyCity。Hegatheredexperienceandwisdominmanylands，andafterattachinghimselftoOmarelBadavi，heaffectedgreatpiety(asbecameapilgrim)，althoughunabletoreadtheinspiredwordsoftheProphet。Hewasbraveandbloodthirstywithoutanyaffection，andhehatedthewhitemenwhointerferedwiththemanlypursuitsofthroat-cutting，kidnapping，slave-dealing，andfire-raising，thatweretheonlypossibleoccupationforatruemanofthesea。Hefoundfavourintheeyesofhischief，thefearlessOmarelBadavi，theleaderofBruneirovers，whomhefollowedwithunquestioningloyaltythroughthelongyearsofsuccessfuldepredation。Andwhenthatlongcareerofmurder，robberyandviolencereceiveditsfirstseriouscheckatthehandsofwhitemen，hestoodfaithfullybyhischief，lookedsteadilyattheburstingshells，wasundismayedbytheflamesoftheburningstronghold，bythedeathofhiscompanions，bytheshrieksoftheirwomen，thewailingoftheirchildren；bythesuddenruinanddestructionofallthathedeemedindispensabletoahappyandgloriousexistence。Thebeatengroundbetweenthehouseswasslipperywithblood，andthedarkmangrovesofthemuddycreekswerefullofsighsofthedyingmenwhowerestrickendownbeforetheycouldseetheirenemy。Theydiedhelplessly，forintothetangledforesttherewasnoescape，andtheirswiftpraus，inwhichtheyhadsooftenscouredthecoastandtheseas，nowwedgedtogetherinthenarrowcreek，wereburningfiercely。Babalatchi，withtheclearperceptionofthecomingend，devotedallhisenergiestosavingifitwasbutonlyoneofthem。Hesucceededintime。Whentheendcameintheexplosionofthestoredpowder-barrels，hewasreadytolookforhischief。Hefoundhimhalfdeadandtotallyblinded，withnobodynearhimbuthisdaughterAissa:——thesonshadfallenearlierintheday，asbecamemenoftheircourage。

Helpedbythegirlwiththesteadfastheart，BabalatchicarriedOmaronboardthelightprauandsucceededinescaping，butwithveryfewcompanionsonly。Astheyhauledtheircraftintothenetworkofdarkandsilentcreeks，theycouldhearthecheeringofthecrewsoftheman-of-war’sboatsdashingtotheattackoftherover’svillage。Aissa，sittingonthehighafter-deck，herfather’sblackenedandbleedingheadinherlap，lookedupwithfearlesseyesatBabalatchi。"Theyshallfindonlysmoke，bloodanddeadmen，andwomenmadwithfearthere，butnothingelseliving，"shesaid，mournfully。Babalatchi，pressingwithhisrighthandthedeepgashonhisshoulder，answeredsadly:"Theyareverystrong。Whenwefightwiththemwecanonlydie。Yet，"

headded，menacingly——"someofusstilllive！Someofusstilllive！"

Forashorttimehedreamedofvengeance，buthisdreamwasdispelledbythecoldreceptionoftheSultanofSulu，withwhomtheysoughtrefugeatfirstandwhogavethemonlyacontemptuousandgrudginghospitality。WhileOmar，nursedbyAissa，wasrecoveringfromhiswounds，BabalatchiattendedindustriouslybeforetheexaltedPresencethathadextendedtothemthehandofProtection。Forallthat，whenBabalatchispokeintotheSultan’searcertainproposalsofagreatandprofitableraid，thatwastosweeptheislandsfromTernatetoAcheen，theSultanwasveryangry。"Iknowyou，youmenfromthewest，"heexclaimed，angrily。"YourwordsarepoisoninaRuler’sears。

Yourtalkisoffireandmurderandbooty——butonourheadsfallsthevengeanceofthebloodyoudrink。Begone！"

Therewasnothingtobedone。Timeswerechanged。Sochangedthat，whenaSpanishfrigateappearedbeforetheislandandademandwassenttotheSultantodeliverOmarandhiscompanions，Babalatchiwasnotsurprisedtohearthattheyweregoingtobemadethevictimsofpoliticalexpediency。Butfromthatsaneappreciationofdangertotamesubmissionwasaverylongstep。

AndthenbeganOmar’ssecondflight。Itbeganarmsinhand，forthelittlebandhadtofightinthenightonthebeachforthepossessionofthesmallcanoesinwhichthosethatsurvivedgotawayatlast。Thestoryofthatescapelivesintheheartsofbravemeneventothisday。TheytalkofBabalatchiandofthestrongwomanwhocarriedherblindfatherthroughthesurfunderthefireofthewarshipfromthenorth。Thecompanionsofthatpiraticalandson-lessAeneasaredeadnow，buttheirghostswanderoverthewatersandtheislandsatnight——afterthemannerofghosts——andhauntthefiresbywhichsitarmedmen，asismeetforthespiritsoffearlesswarriorswhodiedinbattle。Theretheymayhearthestoryoftheirowndeeds，oftheirowncourage，sufferinganddeath，onthelipsoflivingmen。Thatstoryistoldinmanyplaces。OnthecoolmatsinbreezyverandahsofRajahs’housesitisalludedtodisdainfullybyimpassivestatesmen，butamongstarmedmenthatthrongthecourtyardsitisatalewhichstillsthemurmurofvoicesandthetinkleofanklets；arreststhepassageofthesiri-vessel，andfixestheeyesinabsorbedgaze。Theytalkofthefight，ofthefearlesswoman，ofthewiseman；oflongsufferingonthethirstyseainleakycanoes；ofthosewhodied……Manydied。Afewsurvived。Thechief，thewoman，andanotheronewhobecamegreat。

TherewasnohintofincipientgreatnessinBabalatchi’sunostentatiousarrivalinSambir。HecamewithOmarandAissainasmallprauloadedwithgreencocoanuts，andclaimedtheownershipofbothvesselandcargo。HowitcametopassthatBabalatchi，fleeingforhislifeinasmallcanoe，managedtoendhishazardousjourneyinavesselfullofavaluablecommodity，isoneofthosesecretsoftheseathatbafflethemostsearchinginquiry。Intruthnobodyinquiredmuch。TherewererumoursofamissingtradingpraubelongingtoMenado，buttheywerevagueandremainedmysterious。Babalatchitoldastorywhich——itmustbesaidinjusticetoPatalolo’sknowledgeoftheworld——wasnotbelieved。WhentheRajahventuredtostatehisdoubts，Babalatchiaskedhimintonesofcalmremonstrancewhetherhecouldreasonablysupposethattwooldishmen——whohadonlyoneeyeamongstthem——andayoungwomanwerelikelytogainpossessionofanythingwhateverbyviolence？CharitywasavirtuerecommendedbytheProphet。Therewerecharitablepeople，andtheirhandwasopentothedeserving。Patalolowaggedhisagedheaddoubtingly，andBabalatchiwithdrewwithashockedmienandputhimselfforthwithunderLakamba’sprotection。Thetwomenwhocompletedtheprau’screwfollowedhimintothatmagnate’scampong。TheblindOmar，withAissa，remainedunderthecareoftheRajah，andtheRajahconfiscatedthecargo。Theprauhauleduponthemud-bank，atthejunctionofthetwobranchesofthePantai，rottedintherain，warpedinthesun，felltopiecesandgraduallyvanishedintothesmokeofhouseholdfiresofthesettlement。Onlyaforgottenplankandaribortwo，stickingneglectedintheshinyoozeforalongtime，servedtoremindBabalatchiduringmanymonthsthathewasastrangerintheland。

Otherwise，hefeltperfectlyathomeinLakamba’sestablishment，wherehispeculiarpositionandinfluencewerequicklyrecognizedandsoonsubmittedtoevenbythewomen。Hehadallatruevagabond’spliabilitytocircumstancesandadaptivenesstomomentarysurroundings。Inhisreadinesstolearnfromexperiencethatcontemptforearlyprinciplessonecessarytoatruestatesman，heequalledthemostsuccessfulpoliticiansofanyage；andhehadenoughpersuasivenessandfirmnessofpurposetoacquireacompletemasteryoverLakamba’svacillatingmind——wheretherewasnothingstablebutanall-pervadingdiscontent。Hekeptthediscontentalive，herekindledtheexpiringambition，hemoderatedthepoorexile’snotunnaturalimpatiencetoattainahighandlucrativeposition。He——themanofviolence——deprecatedtheuseofforce，forhehadaclearcomprehensionofthedifficultsituation。Fromthesamecause，he——thehaterofwhitemen——wouldtosomeextentadmittheeventualexpediencyofDutchprotection。Butnothingshouldbedoneinahurry。WhateverhismasterLakambamightthink，therewasnouseinpoisoningoldPatalolo，hemaintained。Itcouldbedone，ofcourse；butwhatthen？AslongasLingard’sinfluencewasparamount——aslongasAlmayer，Lingard’srepresentative，wastheonlygreattraderofthesettlement，itwasnotworthLakamba’swhile——evenifithadbeenpossible——tograsptheruleoftheyoungstate。KillingAlmayerandLingardwassodifficultandsoriskythatitmightbedismissedasimpracticable。Whatwaswantedwasanalliance；somebodytosetupagainstthewhitemen’sinfluence——andsomebodywho，whilefavourabletoLakamba，wouldatthesametimebeapersonofagoodstandingwiththeDutchauthorities。Arichandconsideredtraderwaswanted。

SuchapersononcefirmlyestablishedinSambirwouldhelpthemtoousttheoldRajah，toremovehimfrompowerorfromlifeiftherewasnootherway。ThenitwouldbetimetoapplytotheOrangBlandaforaflag；forarecognitionoftheirmeritoriousservices；forthatprotectionwhichwouldmakethemsafeforever！ThewordofarichandloyaltraderwouldmeansomethingwiththeRulerdowninBatavia。ThefirstthingtodowastofindsuchanallyandtoinducehimtosettleinSambir。Awhitetraderwouldnotdo。Awhitemanwouldnotfallinwiththeirideas——wouldnotbetrustworthy。Themantheywantedshouldberich，unscrupulous，havemanyfollowers，andbeawell-knownpersonalityintheislands。SuchamanmightbefoundamongsttheArabtraders。Lingard’sjealousy，saidBabalatchi，keptallthetradersoutoftheriver。Somewereafraid，andsomedidnotknowhowtogetthere；othersignoredtheveryexistenceofSambir；agoodmanydidnotthinkitworththeirwhiletoruntheriskofLingard’senmityforthedoubtfuladvantageoftradewithacomparativelyunknownsettlement。Thegreatmajoritywereundesirableoruntrustworthy。AndBabalatchimentionedregretfullythemenhehadknowninhisyoungdays:wealthy，resolute，courageous，reckless，readyforanyenterprise！Butwhylamentthepastandspeakaboutthedead？Thereisoneman——living——great——notfaroff……

SuchwasBabalatchi’slineofpolicylaidbeforehisambitiousprotector。Lakambaassented，hisonlyobjectionbeingthatitwasveryslowwork。Inhisextremedesiretograspdollarsandpower，theunintellectualexilewasreadytothrowhimselfintothearmsofanywanderingcut-throatwhosehelpcouldbesecured，andBabalatchiexperiencedgreatdifficultyinrestraininghimfromunconsideredviolence。ItwouldnotdotoletitbeseenthattheyhadanyhandinintroducinganewelementintothesocialandpoliticallifeofSambir。Therewasalwaysapossibilityoffailure，andinthatcaseLingard’svengeancewouldbeswiftandcertain。Noriskshouldberun。Theymustwait。

Meantimehepervadedthesettlement，squattinginthecourseofeachdaybymanyhouseholdfires，testingthepublictemperandpublicopinion——andalwaystalkingabouthisimpendingdeparture。

AtnighthewouldoftentakeLakamba’ssmallestcanoeanddepartsilentlytopaymysteriousvisitstohisoldchiefontheothersideoftheriver。OmarlivedinodourofsanctityunderthewingofPatalolo。Betweenthebamboofence，enclosingthehousesoftheRajah，andthewildforest，therewasabananaplantation，andonitsfurtheredgestoodtwolittlehousesbuiltonlowpilesunderafewpreciousfruittreesthatgrewonthebanksofaclearbrook，which，bubblingupbehindthehouse，raninitsshortandrapidcoursedowntothebigriver。AlongthebrookanarrowpathledthroughthedensesecondgrowthofaneglectedclearingtothebananaplantationandtothehousesinitwhichtheRajahhadgivenforresidencetoOmar。TheRajahwasgreatlyimpressedbyOmar’sostentatiouspiety，byhisoracularwisdom，byhismanymisfortunes，bythesolemnfortitudewithwhichheborehisaffliction。OftentheoldrulerofSambirwouldvisitinformallytheblindArabandlistengravelytohistalkduringthehothoursofanafternoon。Inthenight，BabalatchiwouldcallandinterruptOmar’srepose，unrebuked。Aissa，standingsilentlyatthedoorofoneofthehuts，couldseethetwooldfriendsastheysatverystillbythefireinthemiddleofthebeatengroundbetweenthetwohouses，talkinginanindistinctmurmurfarintothenight。Shecouldnotheartheirwords，butshewatchedthetwoformlessshadowscuriously。FinallyBabalatchiwouldriseand，takingherfatherbythewrist，wouldleadhimbacktothehouse，arrangehismatsforhim，andgooutquietly。Insteadofgoingaway，Babalatchi，unconsciousofAissa’seyes，oftensatagainbythefire，inalonganddeepmeditation。Aissalookedwithrespectonthatwiseandbraveman——shewasaccustomedtoseeatherfather’ssideaslongasshecouldremember——sittingaloneandthoughtfulinthesilentnightbythedyingfire，hisbodymotionlessandhismindwanderinginthelandofmemories，or——whoknows？——perhapsgropingforaroadinthewastespacesoftheuncertainfuture。

BabalatchinotedthearrivalofWillemswithalarmatthisnewaccessiontothewhitemen’sstrength。Afterwardshechangedhisopinion。HemetWillemsonenightonthepathleadingtoOmar’shouse，andnoticedlateron，withonlyamoderatesurprise，thattheblindArabdidnotseemtobeawareofthenewwhiteman’svisitstotheneighbourhoodofhisdwelling。Once，comingunexpectedlyinthedaytime，Babalatchifanciedhecouldseethegleamofawhitejacketinthebushesontheothersideofthebrook。ThatdayhewatchedAissapensivelyasshemovedaboutpreparingtheeveningrice；butafterawhilehewenthurriedlyawaybeforesunset，refusingOmar’shospitableinvitation，inthenameofAllah，tosharetheirmeal。ThatsameeveninghestartledLakambabyannouncingthatthetimehadcomeatlasttomakethefirstmoveintheirlong-deferredgame。Lakambaaskedexcitedlyforexplanation。Babalatchishookhisheadandpointedtotheflittingshadowsofmovingwomenandtothevagueformsofmensittingbytheeveningfiresinthecourtyard。Notawordwouldhespeakhere，hedeclared。Butwhenthewholehouseholdwasreposing，BabalatchiandLakambapassedsilentamongstsleepinggroupstotheriverside，and，takingacanoe，paddledoffstealthilyontheirwaytothedilapidatedguard-hutintheoldrice-clearing。Theretheyweresafefromalleyesandears，andcouldaccount，ifneedbe，fortheirexcursionbythewishtokilladeer，thespotbeingwellknownasthedrinking-placeofallkindsofgame。IntheseclusionofitsquietsolitudeBabalatchiexplainedhisplantotheattentiveLakamba。HisideawastomakeuseofWillemsforthedestructionofLingard’sinfluence。

"Iknowthewhitemen，Tuan，"hesaid，inconclusion。"InmanylandshaveIseenthem；alwaystheslavesoftheirdesires，alwaysreadytogiveuptheirstrengthandtheirreasonintothehandsofsomewoman。ThefateoftheBelieversiswrittenbythehandoftheMightyOne，buttheywhoworshipmanygodsarethrownintotheworldwithsmoothforeheads，foranywoman’shandtomarktheirdestructionthere。Letonewhitemandestroyanother。

ThewilloftheMostHighisthattheyshouldbefools。Theyknowhowtokeepfaithwiththeirenemies，buttowardseachothertheyknowonlydeception。Hai！Ihaveseen！Ihaveseen！"

Hestretchedhimselffulllengthbeforethefire，andclosedhiseyeinrealorsimulatedsleep。Lakamba，notquiteconvinced，satforalongtimewithhisgazerivetedonthedullembers。Asthenightadvanced，aslightwhitemistrosefromtheriver，andthedecliningmoon，bowedoverthetopsoftheforest，seemedtoseekthereposeoftheearth，likeawaywardandwanderingloverwhoreturnsatlasttolayhistiredandsilentheadonhisbeloved’sbreast。

CHAPTERSIX

"Lendmeyourgun，Almayer，"saidWillems，acrossthetableonwhichasmokylampshoneredlyabovethedisorderofafinishedmeal。"Ihaveamindtogoandlookforadeerwhenthemoonrisesto-night。"

Almayer，sittingsidewisetothetable，hiselbowpushedamongstthedirtyplates，hischinonhisbreastandhislegsstretchedstifflyout，kepthiseyessteadilyonthetoesofhisgrassslippersandlaughedabruptly。

"Youmightsayyesornoinsteadofmakingthatunpleasantnoise，"remarkedWillems，withcalmirritation。

"IfIbelievedonewordofwhatyousay，Iwould，"answeredAlmayerwithoutchanginghisattitudeandspeakingslowly，withpauses，asifdroppinghiswordsonthefloor。"Asitis——what’stheuse？Youknowwherethegunis；youmaytakeitorleaveit。

Gun。Deer。Bosh！Huntdeer！Pah！It’sa……gazelleyouareafter，myhonouredguest。Youwantgoldankletsandsilksarongsforthatgame——mymightyhunter。Andyouwon’tgetthosefortheasking，Ipromiseyou。Alldayamongstthenatives。Afinehelpyouaretome。"

"Youshouldn’tdrinksomuch，Almayer，"saidWillems，disguisinghisfuryunderanaffecteddrawl。"Youhavenohead。Neverhad，asfarasIcanremember，intheolddaysinMacassar。Youdrinktoomuch。"

"Idrinkmyown，"retortedAlmayer，liftinghisheadquicklyanddartinganangryglanceatWillems。

Thosetwospecimensofthesuperiorraceglaredateachothersavagelyforaminute，thenturnedawaytheirheadsatthesamemomentasifbypreviousarrangement，andbothgotup。Almayerkickedoffhisslippersandscrambledintohishammock，whichhungbetweentwowoodencolumnsoftheverandahsoastocatcheveryrarebreezeofthedryseason，andWillems，afterstandingirresolutelybythetableforashorttime，walkedwithoutaworddownthestepsofthehouseandoverthecourtyardtowardsthelittlewoodenjetty，whereseveralsmallcanoesandacoupleofbigwhitewhale-boatsweremadefast，tuggingattheirshortpaintersandbumpingtogetherintheswiftcurrentoftheriver。

Hejumpedintothesmallestcanoe，balancinghimselfclumsily，slippedtherattanpainter，andgaveanunnecessaryandviolentshove，whichnearlysenthimheadlongoverboard。Bythetimeheregainedhisbalancethecanoehaddriftedsomefiftyyardsdowntheriver。Hekneltinthebottomofhislittlecraftandfoughtthecurrentwithlongsweepsofthepaddle。Almayersatupinhishammock，graspinghisfeetandpeeringovertheriverwithpartedlipstillhemadeouttheshadowyformofmanandcanoeastheystruggledpastthejettyagain。

"Ithoughtyouwouldgo，"heshouted。"Won’tyoutakethegun？

Hey？"heyelled，straininghisvoice。Thenhefellbackinhishammockandlaughedtohimselffeeblytillhefellasleep。Ontheriver，Willems，hiseyesfixedintentlyahead，swepthispaddlerightandleft，unheedingthewordsthatreachedhimfaintly。

ItwasnowthreemonthssinceLingardhadlandedWillemsinSambirandhaddepartedhurriedly，leavinghiminAlmayer’scare。

Thetwowhitemendidnotgetonwelltogether。Almayer，rememberingthetimewhentheybothservedHudig，andwhenthesuperiorWillemstreatedhimwithoffensivecondescension，feltagreatdisliketowardshisguest。HewasalsojealousofLingard’sfavour。AlmayerhadmarriedaMalaygirlwhomtheoldseamanhadadoptedinoneofhisaccessesofunreasoningbenevolence，andasthemarriagewasnotahappyonefromadomesticpointofview，helookedtoLingard’sfortuneforcompensationinhismatrimonialunhappiness。Theappearanceofthatman，whoseemedtohaveaclaimofsomesortuponLingard，filledhimwithconsiderableuneasiness，themoresobecausetheoldseamandidnotchoosetoacquaintthehusbandofhisadopteddaughterwithWillems’history，ortoconfidetohimhisintentionsastothatindividual’sfuturefate。Suspiciousfromthefirst，AlmayerdiscouragedWillems’attemptstohelphiminhistrading，andthenwhenWillemsdrewback，hemade，withcharacteristicperverseness，agrievanceofhisunconcern。Fromcoldcivilityintheirrelations，thetwomendriftedintosilenthostility，thenintooutspokenenmity，andbothwishedardentlyforLingard’sreturnandtheendofasituationthatgrewmoreintolerablefromdaytoday。Thetimedraggedslowly。Willemswatchedthesucceedingsunriseswonderingdismallywhetherbeforetheeveningsomechangewouldoccurinthedeadlydullnessofhislife。Hemissedthecommercialactivityofthatexistencewhichseemedtohimfaroff，irreparablylost，buriedoutofsightundertheruinsofhispastsuccess——nowgonefromhimbeyondthepossibilityofredemption。HemooneddisconsolatelyaboutAlmayer’scourtyard，watchingfromafar，withuninterestedeyes，theup-countrycanoesdischargingguttahorrattans，andloadingriceorEuropeangoodsonthelittlewharfofLingard&Co。BigaswastheextentofgroundownedbyAlmayer，Willemsyetfeltthattherewasnotenoughroomforhiminsidethoseneatfences。

Themanwho，duringlongyears，becameaccustomedtothinkofhimselfasindispensabletoothers，feltabitterandsavagerageatthecruelconsciousnessofhissuperfluity，ofhisuselessness；atthecoldhostilityvisibleineverylookoftheonlywhitemaninthisbarbarouscorneroftheworld。Hegnashedhisteethwhenhethoughtofthewasteddays，ofthelifethrownawayintheunwillingcompanyofthatpeevishandsuspiciousfool。Heheardthereproachofhisidlenessinthemurmursoftheriver，intheunceasingwhisperofthegreatforests。Roundhimeverythingstirred，moved，sweptbyinarush；theearthunderhisfeetandtheheavensabovehishead。Theverysavagesaroundhimstrove，struggled，fought，worked——ifonlytoprolongamiserableexistence；buttheylived，theylived！Anditwasonlyhimselfthatseemedtobeleftoutsidetheschemeofcreationinahopelessimmobilityfilledwithtormentingangerandwithever-stingingregret。

Hetooktowanderingaboutthesettlement。TheafterwardsflourishingSambirwasborninaswampandpasseditsyouthinmalodorousmud。Thehousescrowdedthebank，and，asiftogetawayfromtheunhealthyshore，steppedboldlyintotheriver，shootingoveritinacloserowofbambooplatformselevatedonhighpiles，amongstwhichthecurrentbelowspokeinasoftandunceasingplaintofmurmuringeddies。Therewasonlyonepathinthewholetownanditranatthebackofthehousesalongthesuccessionofblackenedcircularpatchesthatmarkedtheplaceofthehouseholdfires。Ontheothersidethevirginforestborderedthepath，comingclosetoit，asiftoprovokeimpudentlyanypasser-bytothesolutionofthegloomyproblemofitsdepths。Nobodywouldacceptthedeceptivechallenge。Therewereonlyafewfeebleattemptsataclearinghereandthere，butthegroundwaslowandtheriver，retiringafteritsyearlyfloods，leftoneachagraduallydiminishingmudhole，wheretheimportedbuffaloesoftheBugissettlerswallowedhappilyduringtheheatoftheday。WhenWillemswalkedonthepath，theindolentmenstretchedontheshadysideofthehouseslookedathimwithcalmcuriosity，thewomenbusyroundthecookingfireswouldsendafterhimwonderingandtimidglances，whilethechildrenwouldonlylookonce，andthenrunawayyellingwithfrightatthehorribleappearanceofthemanwitharedandwhiteface。ThesemanifestationsofchildishdisgustandfearstungWillemswithasenseofabsurdhumiliation；hesoughtinhiswalksthecomparativesolitudeoftherudimentaryclearings，buttheverybuffaloessnortedwithalarmathissight，scrambledlumberinglyoutofthecoolmudandstaredwildlyinacompactherdathimashetriedtoslinkunperceivedalongtheedgeoftheforest。Oneday，atsomeunguardedandsuddenmovementofhis，thewholeherdstampededdownthepath，scatteredthefires，sentthewomenflyingwithshrillcries，andleftbehindatrackofsmashedpots，trampledrice，overturnedchildren，andacrowdofangrymenbrandishingsticksinloud-voicedpursuit。Theinnocentcauseofthatdisturbanceranshamefacedlythegauntletofblacklooksandunfriendlyremarks，andhastilysoughtrefugeinAlmayer’scampong。Afterthatheleftthesettlementalone。

Later，whentheenforcedconfinementgrewirksome，WillemstookoneofAlmayer’smanycanoesandcrossedthemainbranchofthePantaiinsearchofsomesolitaryspotwherehecouldhidehisdiscouragementandhisweariness。Heskirtedinhislittlecraftthewalloftangledverdure，keepinginthedeadwaterclosetothebankwherethespreadingnipapalmsnoddedtheirbroadleavesoverhisheadasifincontemptuouspityofthewanderingoutcast。Hereandtherehecouldseethebeginningsofchopped-outpathways，and，withthefixedideaofgettingoutofsightofthebusyriver，hewouldlandandfollowthenarrowandwindingpath，onlytofindthatitlednowhere，endingabruptlyinthediscouragementofthornythickets。Hewouldgobackslowly，withabittersenseofunreasonabledisappointmentandsadness；oppressedbythehotsmellofearth，dampness，anddecayinthatforestwhichseemedtopushhimmercilesslybackintotheglitteringsunshineoftheriver。Andhewouldrecommencepaddlingwithtiredarmstoseekanotheropening，tofindanotherdeception。

AshepaddleduptothepointwheretheRajah’sstockadecamedowntotheriver，thenipaswereleftbehindrattlingtheirleavesoverthebrownwater，andthebigtreeswouldappearonthebank，tall，strong，indifferentintheimmensesolidityoftheirlife，whichenduresforages，tothatshortandfleetinglifeintheheartofthemanwhocreptpainfullyamongsttheirshadowsinsearchofarefugefromtheunceasingreproachofhisthoughts。Amongsttheirsmoothtrunksaclearbrookmeanderedforatimeintwininglacetsbeforeitmadeupitsmindtotakealeapintothehurryingriver，overtheedgeofthesteepbank。

Therewasalsoapathwaythereanditseemedfrequented。Willemslanded，andfollowingthecapriciouspromiseofthetracksoonfoundhimselfinacomparativelyclearspace，wheretheconfusedtraceryofsunlightfellthroughthebranchesandthefoliageoverhead，andlayonthestreamthatshoneinaneasycurvelikeabrightsword-bladedroppedamongstthelongandfeatherygrass。

Furtheron，thepathcontinued，narrowedagaininthethickundergrowth。AttheendofthefirstturningWillemssawaflashofwhiteandcolour，agleamofgoldlikeasun-raylostinshadow，andavisionofblacknessdarkerthanthedeepestshadeoftheforest。Hestopped，surprised，andfanciedhehadheardlightfootsteps——growinglighter——ceasing。Helookedaround。