第3章

Thegrassonthebankofthestreamtrembledandatremulouspathofitsshivering，silver-greytopsranfromthewatertothebeginningofthethicket。Andyettherewasnotabreathofwind。Somebodykindpassedthere。Helookedpensivewhilethetremordiedoutinaquicktrembleunderhiseyes；andthegrassstoodhigh，unstirring，withdroopingheadsinthewarmandmotionlessair。

Hehurriedon，drivenbyasuddenlyawakenedcuriosity，andenteredthenarrowwaybetweenthebushes。Atthenextturnofthepathhecaughtagaintheglimpseofcolouredstuffandofawoman’sblackhairbeforehim。Hehastenedhispaceandcameinfullviewoftheobjectofhispursuit。Thewoman，whowascarryingtwobamboovesselsfullofwater，heardhisfootsteps，stopped，andputtingthebamboosdownhalfturnedtolookback。

Willemsalsostoodstillforaminute，thenwalkedsteadilyonwithafirmtread，whilethewomanmovedasidetolethimpass。

Hekepthiseyesfixedstraightbeforehim，yetalmostunconsciouslyhetookineverydetailofthetallandgracefulfigure。Asheapproachedherthewomantossedherheadslightlyback，andwithafreegestureofherstrong，roundarm，caughtupthemassoflooseblackhairandbroughtitoverhershoulderandacrossthelowerpartofherface。Thenextmomenthewaspassingherclose，walkingrigidly，likeamaninatrance。Heheardherrapidbreathingandhefeltthetouchofalookdartedathimfromhalf-openeyes。Ittouchedhisbrainandhishearttogether。Itseemedtohimtobesomethingloudandstirringlikeashout，silentandpenetratinglikeaninspiration。Themomentumofhismotioncarriedhimpasther，butaninvisibleforcemadeupofsurpriseandcuriosityanddesirespunhimroundassoonashehadpassed。

Shehadtakenupherburdenalready，withtheintentionofpursuingherpath。Hissuddenmovementarrestedheratthefirststep，andagainshestoodstraight，slim，expectant，withareadinesstodartawaysuggestedinthelightimmobilityofherpose。Highabove，thebranchesofthetreesmetinatransparentshimmerofwavinggreenmist，throughwhichtherainofyellowraysdescendeduponherhead，streamedinglintsdownherblacktresses，shonewiththechangingglowofliquidmetalonherface，andlostitselfinvanishingsparksinthesombredepthsofhereyesthat，wideopennow，withenlargedpupils，lookedsteadilyatthemaninherpath。AndWillemsstaredather，charmedwithacharmthatcarrieswithitasenseofirreparableloss，tinglingwiththatfeelingwhichbeginslikeacaressandendsinablow，inthatsuddenhurtofanewemotionmakingitswayintoahumanheart，withthebrusquestirringofsleepingsensationsawakeningsuddenlytotherushofnewhopes，newfears，newdesires——andtotheflightofone’soldself。

Shemovedastepforwardandagainhalted。Abreathofwindthatcamethroughthetrees，butinWillems’fancyseemedtobedrivenbyhermovingfigure，rippledinahotwaveroundhisbodyandscorchedhisfaceinaburningtouch。Hedrewitinwithalongbreath，thelastlongbreathofasoldierbeforetherushofbattle，ofaloverbeforehetakesinhisarmstheadoredwoman；

thebreaththatgivescouragetoconfrontthemenaceofdeathorthestormofpassion。

Whowasshe？Wheredidshecomefrom？Wonderinglyhetookhiseyesoffherfacetolookroundattheserriedtreesoftheforestthatstoodbigandstillandstraight，asifwatchinghimandherbreathlessly。Hehadbeenbaffled，repelled，almostfrightenedbytheintensityofthattropicallifewhichwantsthesunshinebutworksingloom；whichseemstobeallgraceofcolourandform，allbrilliance，allsmiles，butisonlytheblossomingofthedead；whosemysteryholdsthepromiseofjoyandbeauty，yetcontainsnothingbutpoisonanddecay。Hehadbeenfrightenedbythevagueperceptionofdangerbefore，butnow，ashelookedatthatlifeagain，hiseyesseemedabletopiercethefantasticveilofcreepersandleaves，tolookpastthesolidtrunks，toseethroughtheforbiddinggloom——andthemysterywasdisclosed——enchanting，subduing，beautiful。Helookedatthewoman。Throughthecheckeredlightbetweenthemsheappearedtohimwiththeimpalpabledistinctnessofadream。

Theveryspiritofthatlandofmysteriousforests，standingbeforehimlikeanapparitionbehindatransparentveil——aveilwovenofsunbeamsandshadows。

Shehadapproachedhimstillnearer。Hefeltastrangeimpatiencewithinhimatheradvance。Confusedthoughtsrushedthroughhishead，disordered，shapeless，stunning。Thenheheardhisownvoiceasking——

"Whoareyou？"

"IamthedaughteroftheblindOmar，"sheanswered，inalowbutsteadytone。"Andyou，"shewenton，alittlelouder，"youarethewhitetrader——thegreatmanofthisplace。"

"Yes，"saidWillems，holdinghereyeswithhisinasenseofextremeeffort，"Yes，Iamwhite。"Thenheadded，feelingasifhespokeaboutsomeotherman，"ButIamtheoutcastofmypeople。"

Shelistenedtohimgravely。Throughthemeshofscatteredhairherfacelookedlikethefaceofagoldenstatuewithlivingeyes。Theheavyeyelidsdroppedslightly，andfrombetweenthelongeyelashesshesentoutasidelonglook:hard，keen，andnarrow，likethegleamofsharpsteel。Herlipswerefirmandcomposedinagracefulcurve，butthedistendednostrils，theupwardpoiseofthehalf-avertedhead，gavetoherwholepersontheexpressionofawildandresentfuldefiance。

AshadowpassedoverWillems’face。Heputhishandoverhislipsasiftokeepbackthewordsthatwantedtocomeoutinasurgeofimpulsivenecessity，theoutcomeofdominantthoughtthatrushesfromthehearttothebrainandmustbespokeninthefaceofdoubt，ofdanger，offear，ofdestructionitself。

"Youarebeautiful，"hewhispered。

Shelookedathimagainwithaglancethatrunninginonequickflashofhereyesoverhissunburntfeatures，hisbroadshoulders，hisstraight，tall，motionlessfigure，restedatlastonthegroundathisfeet。Thenshesmiled。Inthesombrebeautyofherfacethatsmilewaslikethefirstrayoflightonastormydaybreakthatdartsevanescentandpalethroughthegloomyclouds:theforerunnerofsunriseandofthunder。

CHAPTERSEVEN

Thereareinourlivesshortperiodswhichholdnoplaceinmemorybutonlyastherecollectionofafeeling。Thereisnoremembranceofgesture，ofaction，ofanyoutwardmanifestationoflife；thosearelostintheunearthlybrillianceorintheunearthlygloomofsuchmoments。Weareabsorbedinthecontemplationofthatsomething，withinourbodies，whichrejoicesorsufferswhilethebodygoesonbreathing，instinctivelyrunsawayor，notlessinstinctively，fights——perhapsdies。Butdeathinsuchamomentistheprivilegeofthefortunate，itisahighandrarefavour，asupremegrace。

WillemsneverrememberedhowandwhenhepartedfromAissa。Hecaughthimselfdrinkingthemuddywateroutofthehollowofhishand，whilehiscanoewasdriftinginmid-streampastthelasthousesofSambir。Withhisreturningwitscamethefearofsomethingunknownthathadtakenpossessionofhisheart，ofsomethinginarticulateandmasterfulwhichcouldnotspeakandwouldbeobeyed。Hisfirstimpulsewasthatofrevolt。Hewouldnevergobackthere。Never！Helookedroundslowlyatthebrillianceofthingsinthedeadlysunshineandtookuphispaddle！Howchangedeverythingseemed！Theriverwasbroader，theskywashigher。Howfastthecanoeflewunderthestrokesofhispaddle！Sincewhenhadheacquiredthestrengthoftwomenormore？Helookedupanddownthereachattheforestsofthebankwithaconfusednotionthatwithonesweepofhishandhecouldtumbleallthesetreesintothestream。Hisfacefeltburning。Hedrankagain，andshudderedwithadepravedsenseofpleasureattheafter-tasteofslimeinthewater。

ItwaslatewhenhereachedAlmayer’shouse，buthecrossedthedarkandunevencourtyard，walkinglightlyintheradianceofsomelightofhisown，invisibletoothereyes。Hishost’ssulkygreetingjarredhimlikeasuddenfalldownagreatheight。HetookhisplaceatthetableoppositeAlmayerandtriedtospeakcheerfullytohisgloomycompanion，butwhenthemealwasendedandtheysatsmokinginsilencehefeltanabruptdiscouragement，alassitudeinallhislimbs，asenseofimmensesadnessasaftersomegreatandirreparableloss。Thedarknessofthenightenteredhisheart，bringingwithitdoubtandhesitationanddullangerwithhimselfandalltheworld。Hehadanimpulsetoshouthorriblecurses，toquarrelwithAlmayer，todosomethingviolent。Quitewithoutanyimmediateprovocationhethoughthewouldliketoassaultthewretched，sulkybeast。Heglancedathimferociouslyfromunderhiseyebrows。TheunconsciousAlmayersmokedthoughtfully，planningto-morrow’sworkprobably。Theman’scomposureseemedtoWillemsanunpardonableinsult。Whydidn’tthatidiottalkto-nightwhenhewantedhimto？……onothernightshewasreadyenoughtochatter。Andsuchdullnonsensetoo！AndWillems，tryinghardtorepresshisownsenselessrage，lookedfixedlythroughthethicktobacco-smokeatthestainedtablecloth。

Theyretiredearly，asusual，butinthemiddleofthenightWillemsleapedoutofhishammockwithastifledexecrationandrandownthestepsintothecourtyard。Thetwonightwatchmen，whosatbyalittlefiretalkingtogetherinamonotonousundertone，liftedtheirheadstolookwonderinglyatthediscomposedfeaturesofthewhitemanashecrossedthecircleoflightthrownoutbytheirfire。Hedisappearedinthedarknessandthencamebackagain，passingthemclose，butwithnosignofconsciousnessoftheirpresenceonhisface。Backwardsandforwardshepaced，mutteringtohimself，andthetwoMalays，afterashortconsultationinwhispersleftthefirequietly，notthinkingitsafetoremaininthevicinityofawhitemanwhobehavedinsuchastrangemanner。TheyretiredroundthecornerofthegodownandwatchedWillemscuriouslythroughthenight，tilltheshortdaybreakwasfollowedbythesuddenblazeoftherisingsun，andAlmayer’sestablishmentwokeuptolifeandwork。

Assoonashecouldgetawayunnoticedinthebustleofthebusyriverside，WillemscrossedtheriveronhiswaytotheplacewherehehadmetAissa。Hethrewhimselfdowninthegrassbythesideofthebrookandlistenedforthesoundofherfootsteps。Thebrilliantlightofdayfellthroughtheirregularopeninginthehighbranchesofthetreesandstreameddown，softened，amongsttheshadowsofbigtrunks。Hereandthereanarrowsunbeamtouchedtheruggedbarkofatreewithagoldensplash，sparkledontheleapingwaterofthebrook，orrestedonaleafthatstoodout，shimmeringanddistinct，onthemonotonousbackgroundofsombregreentints。Thecleargapofblueabovehisheadwascrossedbythequickflightofwhiterice-birdswhosewingsflashedinthesunlight，whilethroughittheheatpoureddownfromthesky，clungaboutthesteamingearth，rolledamongthetrees，andwrappedupWillemsinthesoftandodorousfoldsofairheavywiththefaintscentofblossomsandwiththeacridsmellofdecayinglife。AndinthatatmosphereofNature’sworkshopWillemsfeltsoothedandlulledintoforgetfulnessofhispast，intoindifferenceastohisfuture。Therecollectionsofhistriumphs，ofhiswrongsandofhisambitionvanishedinthatwarmth，whichseemedtomeltallregrets，allhope，allanger，allstrengthoutofhisheart。Andhelaythere，dreamilycontented，inthetepidandperfumedshelter，thinkingofAissa’seyes；recallingthesoundofhervoice，thequiverofherlips——herfrownsandhersmile。

Shecame，ofcourse。Toherhewassomethingnew，unknownandstrange。Hewasbigger，strongerthananymanshehadseenbefore，andaltogetherdifferentfromallthosesheknew。Hewasofthevictoriousrace。Withavividremembranceofthegreatcatastropheofherlifeheappearedtoherwithallthefascinationofagreatanddangerousthing；ofaterrorvanquished，surmounted，madeaplaythingof。Theyspokewithjustsuchadeepvoice——thosevictoriousmen；theylookedwithjustsuchhardblueeyesattheirenemies。Andshemadethatvoicespeaksoftlytoher，thoseeyeslooktenderlyatherface！

Hewasindeedaman。Shecouldnotunderstandallhetoldherofhislife，butthefragmentssheunderstoodshemadeupforherselfintoastoryofamangreatamongsthisownpeople，valorousandunfortunate；anundauntedfugitivedreamingofvengeanceagainsthisenemies。Hehadalltheattractivenessofthevagueandtheunknown——oftheunforeseenandofthesudden；

ofabeingstrong，dangerous，alive，andhuman，readytobeenslaved。

Shefeltthathewasready。Shefeltitwiththeunerringintuitionofaprimitivewomanconfrontedbyasimpleimpulse。

Dayafterday，whentheymetandshestoodalittlewayoff，listeningtohiswords，holdinghimwithherlook，theundefinedterrorofthenewconquestbecamefaintandblurredlikethememoryofadream，andthecertitudegrewdistinct，andconvincing，andvisibletotheeyeslikesomematerialthinginfullsunlight。Itwasadeepjoy，agreatpride，atangiblesweetnessthatseemedtoleavethetasteofhoneyonherlips。

Helaystretchedatherfeetwithoutmoving，forheknewfromexperiencehowaslightmovementofhiscouldfrightenherawayinthosefirstdaysoftheirintercourse。Helayveryquiet，withalltheardourofhisdesireringinginhisvoiceandshininginhiseyes，whilsthisbodywasstill，likedeathitself。Andhelookedather，standingabovehim，herheadlostintheshadowofbroadandgracefulleavesthattouchedhercheek；whiletheslenderspikesofpalegreenorchidsstreameddownfromamongsttheboughsandmingledwiththeblackhairthatframedherface，asifallthoseplantsclaimedherfortheirown——theanimatedandbrilliantflowerofallthatexuberantlifewhich，borningloom，strugglesforevertowardsthesunshine。

Everydayshecamealittlenearer。Hewatchedherslowprogress——thegradualtamingofthatwomanbythewordsofhislove。Itwasthemonotonoussongofpraiseanddesirethat，commencingatcreation，wrapsuptheworldlikeanatmosphereandshallendonlyintheendofallthings——whentherearenolipstosingandnoearstohear。Hetoldherthatshewasbeautifulanddesirable，andherepeateditagainandagain；forwhenhetoldherthat，hehadsaidalltherewaswithinhim——hehadexpressedhisonlythought，hisonlyfeeling。Andhewatchedthestartledlookofwonderandmistrustvanishfromherfacewiththepassingdays，hereyessoften，thesmiledwelllongerandlongeronherlips；asmileasofonecharmedbyadelightfuldream；withtheslightexaltationofintoxicatingtriumphlurkinginitsdawningtenderness。

Andwhileshewasneartherewasnothinginthewholeworld——forthatidleman——butherlookandhersmile。Nothinginthepast，nothinginthefuture；andinthepresentonlytheluminousfactofherexistence。Butinthesuddendarknessofhergoinghewouldbeleftweakandhelpless，asthoughdespoiledviolentlyofallthatwashimself。Hewhohadlivedallhislifewithnopreoccupationbutthatofhisowncareer，contemptuouslyindifferenttoallfeminineinfluence，fullofscornformenthatwouldsubmittoit，ifeversolittle；he，sostrong，sosuperioreveninhiserrors，realizedatlastthathisveryindividualitywassnatchedfromwithinhimselfbythehandofawoman。Wherewastheassuranceandprideofhiscleverness；thebeliefinsuccess，theangeroffailure，thewishtoretrievehisfortune，thecertitudeofhisabilitytoaccomplishityet？Gone。Allgone。Allthathadbeenamanwithinhimwasgone，andthereremainedonlythetroubleofhisheart——thatheartwhichhadbecomeacontemptiblething；whichcouldbeflutteredbyalookorasmile，tormentedbyaword，soothedbyapromise。

Whenthelonged-fordaycameatlast，whenshesankonthegrassbyhissideandwithaquickgesturetookhishandinhers，hesatupsuddenlywiththemovementandlookofamanawakenedbythecrashofhisownfallinghouse。Allhisblood，allhissensation，allhislifeseemedtorushintothathandleavinghimwithoutstrength，inacoldshiver，inthesuddenclamminessandcollapseasofadeadlygun-shotwound。Heflungherhandawaybrutally，likesomethingburning，andsatmotionless，hisheadfallenforward，staringonthegroundandcatchinghisbreathinpainfulgasps。Hisimpulseoffearandapparenthorrordidnotdismayherintheleast。Herfacewasgraveandhereyeslookedseriouslyathim。Herfingerstouchedthehairofhistemple，raninalightcaressdownhischeek，twistedgentlytheendofhislongmoustache:andwhilehesatinthetremorofthatcontactsheranoffwithstartlingfleetnessanddisappearedinapealofclearlaughter，inthestirofgrass，inthenodofyoungtwigsgrowingoverthepath；leavingbehindonlyavanishingtrailofmotionandsound。

Hescrambledtohisfeetslowlyandpainfully，likeamanwithaburdenonhisshoulders，andwalkedtowardstheriverside。Hehuggedtohisbreasttherecollectionofhisfearandofhisdelight，buttoldhimselfseriouslyoverandoveragainthatthismustbetheendofthatadventure。Aftershovingoffhiscanoeintothestreamheliftedhiseyestothebankandgazedatitlongandsteadily，asiftakinghislastlookataplaceofcharmingmemories。HemarcheduptoAlmayer’shousewiththeconcentratedexpressionandthedeterminedstepofamanwhohadjusttakenamomentousresolution。Hisfacewassetandrigid，hisgesturesandmovementswereguardedandslow。Hewaskeepingatighthandonhimself。Averytighthand。Hehadavividillusion——asvividasrealityalmost——ofbeinginchargeofaslipperyprisoner。HesatoppositeAlmayerduringthatdinner——whichwastheirlastmealtogether——withaperfectlycalmfaceandwithinhimagrowingterrorofescapefromhisownself。

Nowandthenhewouldgrasptheedgeofthetableandsethisteethhardinasuddenwaveofacutedespair，likeonewho，fallingdownasmoothandrapiddeclivitythatendsinaprecipice，digshisfingernailsintotheyieldingsurfaceandfeelshimselfslippinghelplesslytoinevitabledestruction。

Then，abruptly，camearelaxationofhismuscles，thegivingwayofhiswill。Somethingseemedtosnapinhishead，andthatwish，thatideakeptbackduringallthosehours，dartedintohisbrainwiththeheatandnoiseofaconflagration。Hemustseeher！Seeheratonce！Gonow！To-night！Hehadtheragingregretofthelosthour，ofeverypassingmoment。Therewasnothoughtofresistancenow。Yetwiththeinstinctivefearoftheirrevocable，withtheinnatefalsenessofthehumanheart，hewantedtokeepopenthewayofretreat。Hehadneverabsentedhimselfduringthenight。WhatdidAlmayerknow？WhatwouldAlmayerthink？Betteraskhimforthegun。Amoonlightnight……Lookfordeer……Acolourablepretext。HewouldlietoAlmayer。Whatdiditmatter！Heliedtohimselfeveryminuteofhislife。Andforwhat？Forawoman。Andsuch……

Almayer’sanswershowedhimthatdeceptionwasuseless。

Everythinggetstobeknown，eveninthisplace。Well，hedidnotcare。Caredfornothingbutforthelostseconds。Whatifheshouldsuddenlydie。Diebeforehesawher。Beforehecould……

As，withthesoundofAlmayer’slaughterinhisears，heurgedhiscanoeinaslantingcourseacrosstherapidcurrent，hetriedtotellhimselfthathecouldreturnatanymoment。Hewouldjustgoandlookattheplacewheretheyusedtomeet，atthetreeunderwhichhelaywhenshetookhishand，atthespotwhereshesatbyhisside。Justgothereandthenreturn——nothingmore；butwhenhislittleskifftouchedthebankheleapedout，forgettingthepainter，andthecanoehungforamomentamongstthebushesandthenswungoutofsightbeforehehadtimetodashintothewaterandsecureit。Hewasthunderstruckatfirst。

NowhecouldnotgobackunlesshecalleduptheRajah’speopletogetaboatandrowers——andthewaytoPatalolo’scampongledpastAissa’shouse！

Hewentupthepathwiththeeagereyesandreluctantstepsofamanpursuingaphantom，andwhenhefoundhimselfataplacewhereanarrowtrackbranchedofftothelefttowardsOmar’sclearinghestoodstill，withalookofstrainedattentiononhisfaceasiflisteningtoafar-offvoice——thevoiceofhisfate。

Itwasasoundinarticulatebutfullofmeaning；andfollowingittherecamearendingandtearingwithinhisbreast。Hetwistedhisfingerstogether，andthejointsofhishandsandarmscracked。Onhisforeheadtheperspirationstoodoutinsmallpearlydrops。Helookedroundwildly。Abovetheshapelessdarknessoftheforestundergrowthrosethetreetopswiththeirhighboughsandleavesstandingoutblackonthepalesky——likefragmentsofnightfloatingonmoonbeams。Underhisfeetwarmsteamrosefromtheheatedearth。Roundhimtherewasagreatsilence。

Hewaslookingroundforhelp。Thissilence，thisimmobilityofhissurroundingsseemedtohimacoldrebuke，asternrefusal，acruelunconcern。Therewasnosafetyoutsideofhimself——andinhimselftherewasnorefuge；therewasonlytheimageofthatwoman。Hehadasuddenmomentoflucidity——ofthatcruelluciditythatcomesonceinlifetothemostbenighted。Heseemedtoseewhatwentonwithinhim，andwashorrifiedatthestrangesight。

He，awhitemanwhoseworstfaulttillthenhadbeenalittlewantofjudgmentandtoomuchconfidenceintherectitudeofhiskind！Thatwomanwasacompletesavage，and……Hetriedtotellhimselfthatthethingwasofnoconsequence。Itwasavaineffort。Thenoveltyofthesensationshehadneverexperiencedbeforeintheslightestdegree，yethaddespisedonhearsayfromhissafepositionofacivilizedman，destroyedhiscourage。Hewasdisappointedwithhimself。Heseemedtobesurrenderingtoawildcreaturetheunstainedpurityofhislife，ofhisrace，ofhiscivilization。Hehadanotionofbeinglostamongstshapelessthingsthatweredangerousandghastly。Hestruggledwiththesenseofcertaindefeat——losthisfooting——fellbackintothedarkness。Withafaintcryandanupwardthrowofhisarmshegaveupasatiredswimmergivesup:becausetheswampedcraftisgonefromunderhisfeet；becausethenightisdarkandtheshoreisfar——becausedeathisbetterthanstrife。

PARTII

CHAPTERONE

Thelightandheatfelluponthesettlement，theclearings，andtheriverasifflungdownbyanangryhand。Thelandlaysilent，still，andbrilliantundertheavalancheofburningraysthathaddestroyedallsoundandallmotion，hadburiedallshadows，hadchokedeverybreath。Nolivingthingdaredtoaffronttheserenityofthiscloudlesssky，daredtorevoltagainsttheoppressionofthisgloriousandcruelsunshine。

Strengthandresolution，bodyandmindalikewerehelpless，andtriedtohidebeforetherushofthefirefromheaven。Onlythefrailbutterflies，thefearlesschildrenofthesun，thecapricioustyrantsoftheflowers，flutteredaudaciouslyintheopen，andtheirminuteshadowshoveredinswarmsoverthedroopingblossoms，ranlightlyonthewitheringgrass，orglidedonthedryandcrackedearth。Novoicewasheardinthishotnoontidebutthefaintmurmuroftheriverthathurriedoninswirlsandeddies，itssparklingwaveletschasingeachotherintheirjoyouscoursetotheshelteringdepths，tothecoolrefugeofthesea。

Almayerhaddismissedhisworkmenforthemiddayrest，and，hislittledaughteronhisshoulder，ranquicklyacrossthecourtyard，makingfortheshadeoftheverandahofhishouse。Helaidthesleepychildontheseatofthebigrocking-chair，onapillowwhichhetookoutofhisownhammock，andstoodforawhilelookingdownatherwithtenderandpensiveeyes。Thechild，tiredandhot，moveduneasily，sighed，andlookedupathimwiththeveiledlookofsleepyfatigue。Hepickedupfromthefloorabrokenpalm-leaffan，andbeganfanninggentlytheflushedlittleface。HereyelidsflutteredandAlmayersmiled。

Aresponsivesmilebrightenedforasecondherheavyeyes，brokewithadimplethesoftoutlineofhercheek；thentheeyelidsdroppedsuddenly，shedrewalongbreaththroughthepartedlips——andwasinadeepsleepbeforethefleetingsmilecouldvanishfromherface。

Almayermovedlightlyoff，tookoneofthewoodenarmchairs，andplacingitclosetothebalustradeoftheverandahsatdownwithasighofrelief。Hespreadhiselbowsonthetoprailandrestinghischinonhisclaspedhandslookedabsentlyattheriver，atthedanceofsunlightontheflowingwater。Graduallytheforestofthefurtherbankbecamesmaller，asifsinkingbelowtheleveloftheriver。Theoutlineswavered，grewthin，dissolvedintheair。Beforehiseyestherewasnowonlyaspaceofundulatingblue——onebig，emptyskygrowingdarkattimes……Wherewasthesunshine？……Hefeltsoothedandhappy，asifsomegentleandinvisiblehandhadremovedfromhissoultheburdenofhisbody。Inanothersecondheseemedtofloatoutintoacoolbrightnesswheretherewasnosuchthingasmemoryorpain。Delicious。Hiseyesclosed——opened——closedagain。

"Almayer！"

Withasuddenjerkofhiswholebodyhesatup，graspingthefrontrailwithbothhishands，andblinkedstupidly。

"What？What’sthat？"hemuttered，lookingroundvaguely。

"Here！Downhere，Almayer。"

Halfrisinginhischair，Almayerlookedovertherailatthefootoftheverandah，andfellbackwithalowwhistleofastonishment。

"Aghost，byheavens！"heexclaimedsoftlytohimself。

"Willyoulistentome？"wentonthehuskyvoicefromthecourtyard。"MayIcomeup，Almayer？"

Almayerstoodupandleanedovertherail。"Don’tyoudare，"hesaid，inavoicesubduedbutdistinct。"Don’tyoudare！Thechildsleepshere。AndIdon’twanttohearyou——orspeaktoyoueither。"

"Youmustlistentome！It’ssomethingimportant。"

"Nottome，surely。"

"Yes！Toyou。Veryimportant。"

"Youwerealwaysahumbug，"saidAlmayer，afterashortsilence，inanindulgenttone。"Always！Iremembertheolddays。Somefellowsusedtosaytherewasnoonelikeyouforsmartness——butyounevertookmein。Notquite。Ineverquitebelievedinyou，Mr。Willems。"

"Iadmityoursuperiorintelligence，"retortedWillems，withscornfulimpatience，frombelow。"Listeningtomewouldbeafurtherproofofit。Youwillbesorryifyoudon’t。"

"Oh，youfunnyfellow！"saidAlmayer，banteringly。"Well，comeup。Don’tmakeanoise，butcomeup。You’llcatchasunstrokedownthereanddieonmydoorstepperhaps。Idon’twantanytragedyhere。Comeon！"

BeforehefinishedspeakingWillems’headappearedabovethelevelofthefloor，thenhisshouldersrosegraduallyandhestoodatlastbeforeAlmayer——amasqueradingspectreoftheoncesoveryconfidentialclerkoftherichestmerchantintheislands。Hisjacketwassoiledandtorn；belowthewaisthewasclothedinaworn-outandfadedsarong。Heflungoffhishat，uncoveringhislong，tangledhairthatstuckinwispsonhisperspiringforeheadandstraggledoverhiseyes，whichglittereddeepdowninthesocketslikethelastsparksamongsttheblackembersofaburnt-outfire。Anuncleanbeardgrewoutofthecavernsofhissunburntcheeks。ThehandheputouttowardsAlmayerwasveryunsteady。Theoncefirmmouthhadthetell-taledroopofmentalsufferingandphysicalexhaustion。Hewasbarefooted。Almayersurveyedhimwithleisurelycomposure。

"Well！"hesaidatlast，withouttakingtheextendedhandwhichdroppedslowlyalongWillems’body。

"Iamcome，"beganWillems。

"SoIsee，"interruptedAlmayer。"Youmighthavesparedmethistreatwithoutmakingmeunhappy。Youhavebeenawayfiveweeks，ifIamnotmistaken。Igotonverywellwithoutyou——andnowyouarehereyouarenotprettytolookat。"

"Letmespeak，willyou！"exclaimedWillems。

"Don’tshoutlikethis。Doyouthinkyourselfintheforestwithyour……yourfriends？Thisisacivilizedman’shouse。A

whiteman’s。Understand？"

"Iamcome，"beganWillemsagain；"Iamcomeforyourgoodandmine。"

"Youlookasifyouhadcomeforagoodfeed，"chimedintheirrepressibleAlmayer，whileWillemswavedhishandinadiscouragedgesture。"Don’ttheygiveyouenoughtoeat，"wentonAlmayer，inatoneofeasybanter，"those——whatamItocallthem——thosenewrelationsofyours？Thatoldblindscoundrelmustbedelightedwithyourcompany。Youknow，hewasthegreatestthiefandmurdererofthoseseas。Say！doyouexchangeconfidences？Tellme，Willems，didyoukillsomebodyinMacassarordidyouonlystealsomething？"

"Itisnottrue！"exclaimedWillems，hotly。"Ionlyborrowed……Theyalllied！I……"

"Sh-sh！"hissedAlmayer，warningly，withalookatthesleepingchild。"Soyoudidsteal，"hewenton，withrepressedexultation。"Ithoughttherewassomethingofthekind。Andnow，here，youstealagain。"

ForthefirsttimeWillemsraisedhiseyestoAlmayer’sface。

"Oh，Idon’tmeanfromme。Ihaven’tmissedanything，"saidAlmayer，withmockinghaste。"Butthatgirl。Hey！Youstoleher。Youdidnotpaytheoldfellow。Sheisnogoodtohimnow，isshe？"

"Stopthat。Almayer！"

SomethinginWillems’tonecausedAlmayertopause。Helookednarrowlyatthemanbeforehim，andcouldnothelpbeingshockedathisappearance。

"Almayer，"wentonWillems，"listentome。Ifyouareahumanbeingyouwill。Isufferhorribly——andforyoursake。"

Almayerliftedhiseyebrows。"Indeed！How？Butyouareraving，"headded，negligently。

"Ah！Youdon’tknow，"whisperedWillems。"Sheisgone。Gone，"

herepeated，withtearsinhisvoice，"gonetwodaysago。"

"No！"exclaimedthesurprisedAlmayer。"Gone！Ihaven’theardthatnewsyet。"Heburstintoasubduedlaugh。"Howfunny！Hadenoughofyoualready？Youknowit’snotflatteringforyou，mysuperiorcountryman。"

Willems——asifnothearinghim——leanedagainstoneofthecolumnsoftheroofandlookedovertheriver。"Atfirst，"hewhispered，dreamily，"mylifewaslikeavisionofheaven——orhell；Ididn’tknowwhich。SinceshewentIknowwhatperditionmeans；whatdarknessis。Iknowwhatitistobetorntopiecesalive。

That’showIfeel。"

"Youmaycomeandlivewithmeagain，"saidAlmayer，coldly。

"Afterall，Lingard——whomIcallmyfatherandrespectassuch——leftyouundermycare。Youpleasedyourselfbygoingaway。Verygood。Nowyouwanttocomeback。Beitso。Iamnofriendofyours。IactforCaptainLingard。"

"Comeback？"repeatedWillems，passionately。"Comebacktoyouandabandonher？DoyouthinkIammad？Withouther！Man！whatareyoumadeof？Tothinkthatshemoves，lives，breathesoutofmysight。Iamjealousofthewindthatfansher，oftheairshebreathes，oftheearththatreceivesthecaressofherfoot，ofthesunthatlooksathernowwhileI……Ihaven’tseenherfortwodays——twodays。"

TheintensityofWillems’feelingmovedAlmayersomewhat，butheaffectedtoyawnelaborately"Youdoboreme，"hemuttered。"Whydon’tyougoafterherinsteadofcominghere？"

"Whyindeed？"

"Don’tyouknowwheresheis？Shecan’tbeveryfar。Nonativecrafthasleftthisriverforthelastfortnight。"

"No！notveryfar——andIwilltellyouwheresheis。SheisinLakamba’scampong。"AndWillemsfixedhiseyessteadilyonAlmayer’sface。

"Phew！Pataloloneversenttoletmeknow。Strange，"saidAlmayer，thoughtfully。"Areyouafraidofthatlot？"headded，afterashortpause。

"I——afraid！"

"Thenisitthecareofyourdignitywhichpreventsyoufromfollowingherthere，myhigh-mindedfriend？"askedAlmayer，withmocksolicitude。"Hownobleofyou！"

Therewasashortsilence；thenWillemssaid，quietly，"Youareafool。Ishouldliketokickyou。"

"Nofear，"answeredAlmayer，carelessly；"youaretooweakforthat。Youlookstarved。"

"Idon’tthinkIhaveeatenanythingforthelasttwodays；

perhapsmore——Idon’tremember。Itdoesnotmatter。Iamfullofliveembers，"saidWillems，gloomily。"Look！"andhebaredanarmcoveredwithfreshscars。"Ihavebeenbitingmyselftoforgetinthatpainthefirethathurtsmethere！"Hestruckhisbreastviolentlywithhisfist，reeledunderhisownblow，fellintoachairthatstoodnearandclosedhiseyesslowly。

"Disgustingexhibition，"saidAlmayer，loftily。"Whatcouldfathereverseeinyou？Youareasestimableasaheapofgarbage。"

"Youtalklikethat！You，whosoldyoursoulforafewguilders，"mutteredWillems，wearily，withoutopeninghiseyes。

"Notsofew，"saidAlmayer，withinstinctivereadiness，andstoppedconfusedforamoment。Herecoveredhimselfquickly，however，andwenton:"Butyou——youhavethrownyoursawayfornothing；flungitunderthefeetofadamnedsavagewomanwhohasmadeyoualreadythethingyouare，andwillkillyouverysoon，onewayoranother，withherloveorwithherhate。Youspokejustnowaboutguilders。YoumeantLingard’smoney，Isuppose。

Well，whateverIhavesold，andforwhateverprice，Inevermeantyou——youofallpeople——tospoilmybargain。Ifeelprettysafethough。Evenfather，evenCaptainLingard，wouldnottouchyounowwithapairoftongs；notwithaten-footpole……"

Hespokeexcitedly，allinonebreath，and，ceasingsuddenly，glaredatWillemsandbreathedhardthroughhisnoseinsulkyresentment。Willemslookedathimsteadilyforamoment，thengotup。

"Almayer，"hesaidresolutely，"Iwanttobecomeatraderinthisplace。"

Almayershruggedhisshoulders。

"Yes。Andyoushallsetmeup。Iwantahouseandtradegoods——perhapsalittlemoney。Iaskyouforit。"

"Anythingelseyouwant？Perhapsthiscoat？"andhereAlmayerunbuttonedhisjacket——"ormyhouse——ormyboots？"

"Afterallit’snatural，"wentonWillems，withoutpayinganyattentiontoAlmayer——"it’snaturalthatsheshouldexpecttheadvantageswhich……andthenIcouldshutupthatoldwretchandthen……"

Hepaused，hisfacebrightenedwiththesoftlightofdreamyenthusiasm，andheturnedhiseyesupwards。Withhisgauntfigureanddilapidatedappearancehelookedlikesomeasceticdwellerinawilderness，findingtherewardofaself-denyinglifeinavisionofdazzlingglory。Hewentoninanimpassionedmurmur——

"AndthenIwouldhaveheralltomyselfawayfromherpeople——alltomyself——undermyowninfluence——tofashion——tomould——toadore——tosoften——to……Oh！Delight！Andthen——thengoawaytosomedistantplacewhere，farfromallsheknew，Iwouldbealltheworldtoher！Alltheworldtoher！"

Hisfacechangedsuddenly。Hiseyeswanderedforawhileandthenbecamesteadyallatonce。

"Iwouldrepayeverycent，ofcourse，"hesaid，inabusiness-liketone，withsomethingofhisoldassurance，ofhisoldbeliefinhimself，init。"Everycent。Ineednotinterferewithyourbusiness。Ishallcutoutthesmallnativetraders。I

haveideas——butnevermindthatnow。AndCaptainLingardwouldapprove，Ifeelsure。Afterallit’saloan，andIshallbeathand。Safethingforyou。"

"Ah！CaptainLingardwouldapprove！Hewouldapp……"

Almayerchoked。ThenotionofLingarddoingsomethingforWillemsenragedhim。Hisfacewaspurple。Hesplutteredinsultingwords。Willemslookedathimcoolly。

"Iassureyou，Almayer，"hesaid，gently，"thatIhavegoodgroundsformydemand。"

"Yourcursedimpudence！"

"Believeme，Almayer，yourpositionhereisnotsosafeasyoumaythink。Anunscrupulousrivalherewoulddestroyyourtradeinayear。Itwouldberuin。NowLingard’slongabsencegivescouragetocertainindividuals。Youknow？——Ihaveheardmuchlately。Theymadeproposalstome……Youareverymuchalonehere。EvenPatalolo……"

"DamnPatalolo！Iammasterinthisplace。"

"But，Almayer，don’tyousee……"

"Yes，Isee。Iseeamysteriousass，"interruptedAlmayer，violently。"Whatisthemeaningofyourveiledthreats？Don’tyouthinkIknowsomethingalso？Theyhavebeenintriguingforyears——andnothinghashappened。TheArabshavebeenhangingaboutoutsidethisriverforyears——andIamstilltheonlytraderhere；themasterhere。Doyoubringmeadeclarationofwar？Thenit’sfromyourselfonly。Iknowallmyotherenemies。

Ioughttoknockyouonthehead。Youarenotworthpowderandshotthough。Yououghttobedestroyedwithastick——likeasnake。"

Almayer’svoicewokeupthelittlegirl，whosatuponthepillowwithasharpcry。Herushedovertothechair，caughtupthechildinhisarms，walkedbackblindly，stumbledagainstWillems’

hatwhichlayonthefloor，andkickeditfuriouslydownthesteps。

"Clearoutofthis！Clearout！"heshouted。

Willemsmadeanattempttospeak，butAlmayerhowledhimdown。

"Takeyourselfoff！Don’tyouseeyoufrightenthechild——youscarecrow！No，no！dear，"hewentontohislittledaughter，soothingly，whileWillemswalkeddownthestepsslowly。"No。

Don’tcry。See！Badmangoingaway。Look！Heisafraidofyourpapa。Nasty，badman。Nevercomebackagain。Heshallliveinthewoodsandnevercomenearmylittlegirl。Ifhecomespapawillkillhim——so！"HestruckhisfistontherailofthebalustradetoshowhowhewouldkillWillems，and，perchingtheconsoledchildonhisshoulderheldherwithonehand，whilehepointedtowardtheretreatingfigureofhisvisitor。

"Lookhowherunsaway，dearest，"hesaid，coaxingly。"Isn’thefunny。Call’pig’afterhim，dearest。Callafterhim。"

Theseriousnessofherfacevanishedintodimples。Underthelongeyelashes，glisteningwithrecenttears，herbigeyessparkledanddancedwithfun。ShetookfirmholdofAlmayer’shairwithonehand，whileshewavedtheotherjoyouslyandcalledoutwithallhermight，inaclearnote，softanddistinctlikethepipeofabird:——

"Pig！Pig！Pig！"

CHAPTERTWO

Asighundertheflamingblue，ashiverofthesleepingsea，acoolbreathasifadoorhadbeenswunguponthefrozenspacesoftheuniverse，andwithastirofleaves，withthenodofboughs，withthetrembleofslenderbranchestheseabreezestruckthecoast，rusheduptheriver，sweptroundthebroadreaches，andtravelledoninasoftrippleofdarkeningwater，inthewhisperofbranches，intherustleofleavesoftheawakenedforests。ItfannedinLakamba’scampongthedullredofexpiringembersintoapalebrilliance；and，underitstouch，theslender，uprightspiralsofsmokethatrosefromeveryglowingheapswayed，wavered，andeddyingdownfilledthetwilightofclusteredshadetreeswiththearomaticscentoftheburningwood。Themenwhohadbeendozingintheshadeduringthehothoursoftheafternoonwokeup，andthesilenceofthebigcourtyardwasbrokenbythehesitatingmurmurofyetsleepyvoices，bycoughsandyawns，withnowandthenaburstoflaughter，aloudhail，anameorajokesentoutinasoftdrawl。Smallgroupssquattedroundthelittlefires，andthemonotonousundertoneoftalkfilledtheenclosure；thetalkofbarbarians，persistent，steady，repeatingitselfinthesoftsyllables，inmusicaltonesofthenever-endingdiscoursesofthosemenoftheforestsandthesea，whocantalkmostofthedayandallthenight；whoneverexhaustasubject，neverseemabletothreshamatterout；towhomthattalkispoetryandpaintingandmusic，allart，allhistory；

theironlyaccomplishment，theironlysuperiority，theironlyamusement。Thetalkofcampfires，whichspeaksofbraveryandcunning，ofstrangeeventsandoffarcountries，ofthenewsofyesterdayandthenewsofto-morrow。Thetalkaboutthedeadandtheliving——aboutthosewhofoughtandthosewholoved。

Lakambacameoutontheplatformbeforehisownhouseandsatdown——perspiring，halfasleep，andsulky——inawoodenarmchairundertheshadeoftheoverhangingeaves。Throughthedarknessofthedoorwayhecouldhearthesoftwarblingofhiswomenkind，busyroundtheloomswheretheywereweavingthecheckeredpatternofhisgalasarongs。Rightandleftofhimontheflexiblebamboofloorthoseofhisfollowerstowhomtheirdistinguishedbirth，longdevotion，orfaithfulservicehadgiventheprivilegeofusingthechief’shouse，weresleepingonmatsorjustsatuprubbingtheireyes:whilethemorewakefulhadmusteredenoughenergytodrawachessboardwithredclayonafinematandwerenowmeditatingsilentlyovertheirmoves。

Abovetheprostrateformsoftheplayers，wholayfacedownwardsupportedonelbow，thesolesoftheirfeetwavingirresolutelyabout，intheabsorbedmeditationofthegame，theretoweredhereandtherethestraightfigureofanattentivespectatorlookingdownwithdispassionatebutprofoundinterest。Ontheedgeoftheplatformarowofhigh-heeledleathersandalsstoodrangedcarefullyinalevelline，andagainsttheroughwoodenrailleanedtheslendershaftsofthespearsbelongingtothesegentlemen，thebroadbladesofdulledsteellookingveryblackinthereddeninglightofapproachingsunset。

Aboyofabouttwelve——thepersonalattendantofLakamba——

squattedathismaster’sfeetandhelduptowardshimasilversiribox。SlowlyLakambatookthebox，openedit，andtearingoffapieceofgreenleafdepositedinitapinchoflime，amorselofgambier，asmallbitofarecanut，andwrappedupthewholewithadexteroustwist。Hepaused，morselinhand，seemedtomisssomething，turnedhisheadfromsidetoside，slowly，likeamanwithastiffneck，andejaculatedinanill-humouredbass——

"Babalatchi！"

Theplayersglancedupquickly，andlookeddownagaindirectly。

Thosemenwhowerestandingstirreduneasilyasifproddedbythesoundofthechief’svoice。TheonenearesttoLakambarepeatedthecall，afterawhile，overtherailintothecourtyard。Therewasamovementofupturnedfacesbelowbythefires，andthecrytrailedovertheenclosureinsing-songtones。ThethumpingofwoodenpestleshuskingtheeveningricestoppedforamomentandBabalatchi’snamerangafreshshrillyonwomen’slipsinvariouskeys。Avoicefaroffshoutedsomething——another，nearer，repeatedit；therewasashorthubbubwhichdiedoutwithextremesuddenness。ThefirstcrierturnedtoLakamba，sayingindolently——

"HeiswiththeblindOmar。"

Lakamba’slipsmovedinaudibly。Themanwhohadjustspokenwasagaindeeplyabsorbedinthegamegoingonathisfeet；andthechief——asifhehadforgottenallaboutitalready——satwithastolidfaceamongsthissilentfollowers，leaningbacksquarelyinhischair，hishandsonthearmsofhisseat，hiskneesapart，hisbigblood-shoteyesblinkingsolemnly，asifdazzledbythenoblevacuityofhisthoughts。

BabalatchihadgonetoseeoldOmarlateintheafternoon。Thedelicatemanipulationoftheancientpirate’ssusceptibilities，theskilfulmanagementofAissa’sviolentimpulsesengrossedhimtotheexclusionofeveryotherbusiness——interferedwithhisregularattendanceuponhischiefandprotector——evendisturbedhissleepforthelastthreenights。Thatdaywhenhelefthisownbamboohut——whichstoodamongstothersinLakamba’scampong——hisheartwasheavywithanxietyandwithdoubtastothesuccessofhisintrigue。Hewalkedslowly，withhisusualairofdetachmentfromhissurroundings，asifunawarethatmanysleepyeyeswatchedfromallpartsofthecourtyardhisprogresstowardsasmallgateatitsupperend。Thatgategaveaccesstoaseparateenclosureinwhicharatherlargehouse，builtofplanks，hadbeenpreparedbyLakamba’sordersforthereceptionofOmarandAissa。ItwasasuperiorkindofhabitationwhichLakambaintendedforthedwellingofhischiefadviser——whoseabilitieswereworththathonour，hethought。Butaftertheconsultationinthedesertedclearing——whenBabalatchihaddisclosedhisplan——theybothhadagreedthatthenewhouseshouldbeusedatfirsttoshelterOmarandAissaaftertheyhadbeenpersuadedtoleavetheRajah’splace，orhadbeenkidnappedfromthere——asthecasemightbe。Babalatchididnotmindintheleasttheputtingoffofhisownoccupationofthehouseofhonour，becauseithadmanyadvantagesforthequietworkingoutofhisplans。Ithadacertainseclusion，havinganenclosureofitsown，andthatenclosurecommunicatedalsowithLakamba’sprivatecourtyardatthebackofhisresidence——aplacesetapartforthefemalehouseholdofthechief。Theonlycommunicationwiththeriverwasthroughthegreatfrontcourtyardalwaysfullofarmedmenandwatchfuleyes。Behindthewholegroupofbuildingstherestretchedthelevelgroundofrice-clearings，whichintheirturnwereclosedinbythewallofuntouchedforestswithundergrowthsothickandtangledthatnothingbutabullet——andthatfiredatprettycloserange——couldpenetrateanydistancethere。

Babalatchislippedquietlythroughthelittlegateand，closingit，tiedupcarefullytherattanfastenings。Beforethehousetherewasasquarespaceofground，beatenhardintothelevelsmoothnessofasphalte。Abigbuttressedtree，agiantleftthereonpurposeduringtheprocessofclearingtheland，roofedintheclearspacewithahighcanopyofgnarledboughsandthick，sombreleaves。Totheright——andsomesmalldistanceawayfromthelargehouse——alittlehutofreeds，coveredwithmats，hadbeenputupforthespecialconvenienceofOmar，who，beingblindandinfirm，hadsomedifficultyinascendingthesteepplankwaythatledtothemoresubstantialdwelling，whichwasbuiltonlowpostsandhadanuncoveredverandah。Closebythetrunkofthetree，andfacingthedoorwayofthehut，thehouseholdfireglowedinasmallhandfulofembersinthemidstofalargecircleofwhiteashes。Anoldwoman——somehumblerelationofoneofLakamba’swives，whohadbeenorderedtoattendonAissa——wassquattingoverthefireandliftedupherblearedeyestogazeatBabalatchiinanuninterestedmanner，asheadvancedrapidlyacrossthecourtyard。

Babalatchitookinthecourtyardwithakeenglanceofhissolitaryeye，andwithoutlookingdownattheoldwomanmutteredaquestion。Silently，thewomanstretchedatremulousandemaciatedarmtowardsthehut。Babalatchimadeafewstepstowardsthedoorway，butstoppedoutsideinthesunlight。

"O！TuanOmar，Omarbesar！ItisI——Babalatchi！"

Withinthehuttherewasafeeblegroan，afitofcoughingandanindistinctmurmurinthebrokentonesofavagueplaint。

Encouragedevidentlybythosesignsofdismallifewithin，Babalatchienteredthehut，andaftersometimecameoutleadingwithrigidcarefulnesstheblindOmar，whofollowedwithbothhishandsonhisguide’sshoulders。Therewasarudeseatunderthetree，andthereBabalatchiledhisoldchief，whosatdownwithasighofreliefandleanedwearilyagainsttheruggedtrunk。Theraysofthesettingsun，dartingunderthespreadingbranches，restedonthewhite-robedfiguresittingwithheadthrownbackinstiffdignity，onthethinhandsmovinguneasily，andonthestolidfacewithitseyelidsdroppedoverthedestroyedeyeballs；

afacesetintotheimmobilityofaplastercastyellowedbyage。

"Isthesunnearitssetting？"askedOmar，inadullvoice。

"Verynear，"answeredBabalatchi。

"WhereamI？WhyhaveIbeentakenawayfromtheplacewhichI

knew——whereI，blind，couldmovewithoutfear？Itislikeblacknighttothosewhosee。Andthesunisnearitssetting——andI

havenotheardthesoundofherfootstepssincethemorning！

Twiceastrangehandhasgivenmemyfoodto-day。Why？Why？

Whereisshe？"

"Sheisnear，"saidBabalatchi。

"Andhe？"wentonOmar，withsuddeneagerness，andadropinhisvoice。"Whereishe？Nothere。Nothere！"herepeated，turninghisheadfromsidetosideasifindeliberateattempttosee。

"No！Heisnotherenow，"saidBabalatchi，soothingly。Then，afterapause，headdedverylow，"Butheshallsoonreturn。"

"Return！Ocraftyone！Willhereturn？Ihavecursedhimthreetimes，"exclaimedOmar，withweakviolence。

"Heis——nodoubt——accursed，"assentedBabalatchi，inaconciliatingmanner——"andyethewillbeherebeforeverylong——I

know！"

"Youarecraftyandfaithless。Ihavemadeyougreat。Youweredirtundermyfeet——lessthandirt，"saidOmar，withtremulousenergy。

"Ihavefoughtbyyoursidemanytimes，"saidBabalatchi，calmly。

"Whydidhecome？"wentonOmar。"Didyousendhim？WhydidhecometodefiletheairIbreathe——tomockatmyfate——topoisonhermindandstealherbody？Shehasgrownhardofhearttome。

Hardandmercilessandstealthylikerocksthattearaship’slifeoutunderthesmoothsea。"Hedrewalongbreath，struggledwithhisanger，thenbrokedownsuddenly。"Ihavebeenhungry，"

hecontinued，inawhimperingtone——"oftenIhavebeenveryhungry——andcold——andneglected——andnobodynearme。Shehasoftenforgottenme——andmysonsaredead，andthatmanisaninfidelandadog。Whydidhecome？Didyoushowhimtheway？"

"Hefoundthewayhimself，OLeaderofthebrave，"saidBabalatchi，sadly。"Ionlysawawayfortheirdestructionandourowngreatness。AndifIsawaright，thenyoushallneversufferfromhungeranymore。Thereshallbepeaceforus，andgloryandriches。"

"AndIshalldieto-morrow，"murmuredOmar，bitterly。

"Whoknows？Thosethingshavebeenwrittensincethebeginningoftheworld，"whisperedBabalatchi，thoughtfully。

"Donotlethimcomeback，"exclaimedOmar。

"Neithercanheescapehisfate，"wentonBabalatchi。"Heshallcomeback，andthepowerofmenwealwayshated，youandI，shallcrumbleintodustinourhand。"Thenheaddedwithenthusiasm，"Theyshallfightamongstthemselvesandperishboth。"

"Andyoushallseeallthis，while，I……"

"True！"murmuredBabalatchi，regretfully。"Toyoulifeisdarkness。"

"No！Flame！"exclaimedtheoldArab，halfrising，thenfallingbackinhisseat。"Theflameofthatlastday！Iseeityet——thelastthingIsaw！AndIhearthenoiseoftherentearth——whentheyalldied。AndIlivetobetheplaythingofacraftyone，"headded，withinconsequentialpeevishness。

"Youaremymasterstill，"saidBabalatchi，humbly。"Youareverywise——andinyourwisdomyoushallspeaktoSyedAbdullawhenhecomeshere——youshallspeaktohimasIadvised，I，yourservant，themanwhofoughtatyourrighthandformanyyears。IhaveheardbyamessengerthattheSyedAbdullaiscomingto-night，perhapslate；forthosethingsmustbedonesecretly，lestthewhiteman，thetraderuptheriver，shouldknowofthem。Buthewillbehere。TherehasbeenasuratdeliveredtoLakamba。Init，SyedAbdullasayshewillleavehisship，whichisanchoredoutsidetheriver，atthehourofnoonto-day。HewillbeherebeforedaylightifAllahwills。"

Hespokewithhiseyefixedontheground，anddidnotbecomeawareofAissa’spresencetillheliftedhisheadwhenheceasedspeaking。ShehadapproachedsoquietlythatevenOmardidnothearherfootsteps，andshestoodnowlookingatthemwithtroubledeyesandpartedlips，asifshewasgoingtospeak；butatBabalatchi’sentreatinggesturesheremainedsilent。Omarsatabsorbedinthought。

"Aywa！Evenso！"hesaidatlast，inaweakvoice。"Iamtospeakyourwisdom，OBabalatchi！Tellhimtotrustthewhiteman！Idonotunderstand。Iamoldandblindandweak。Idonotunderstand。Iamverycold，"hecontinued，inalowertone，movinghisshouldersuneasily。Heceased，thenwentonramblinginafaintwhisper。"Theyarethesonsofwitches，andtheirfatherisSatanthestoned。Sonsofwitches。Sonsofwitches。"

Afterashortsilenceheaskedsuddenly，inafirmervoice——"Howmanywhitemenaretherehere，Ocraftyone？"

"Therearetwohere。Twowhitementofightoneanother，"

answeredBabalatchi，withalacrity。

"Andhowmanywillbeleftthen？Howmany？Tellme，youwhoarewise。"

"Thedownfallofanenemyistheconsolationoftheunfortunate，"

saidBabalatchi，sententiously。"Theyareoneverysea；onlythewisdomoftheMostHighknowstheirnumber——butyoushallknowthatsomeofthemsuffer。"

"Tellme，Babalatchi，willtheydie？Willtheybothdie？"askedOmar，insuddenagitation。

Aissamadeamovement。Babalatchiheldupawarninghand。

"Theyshall，surely，die，"hesaidsteadily，lookingatthegirlwithunflinchingeye。

"Aywa！Butdiesoon！SothatIcanpassmyhandovertheirfaceswhenAllahhasmadethemstiff。"

"Ifsuchistheirfateandyours，"answeredBabalatchi，withouthesitation。"Godisgreat！"

AviolentfitofcoughingdoubledOmarup，andherockedhimselftoandfro，wheezingandmoaninginturns，whileBabalatchiandthegirllookedathiminsilence。Thenheleanedbackagainstthetree，exhausted。

"Iamalone，Iamalone，"hewailedfeebly，gropingvaguelyaboutwithhistremblinghands。"Isthereanybodynearme？Isthereanybody？Iamafraidofthisstrangeplace。"

"Iambyyourside，OLeaderofthebrave，"saidBabalatchi，touchinghisshoulderlightly。"Alwaysbyyoursideasinthedayswhenwebothwereyoung:asinthetimewhenwebothwentwitharmsinourhands。"

"Hastherebeensuchatime，Babalatchi？"saidOmar，wildly；"I

haveforgotten。AndnowwhenIdietherewillbenoman，nofearlessmantospeakofhisfather’sbravery。Therewasawoman！Awoman！Andshehasforsakenmeforaninfideldog。