第4章

ThehandoftheCompassionateisheavyonmyhead！Oh，mycalamity！Oh，myshame！"

Hecalmeddownafterawhile，andaskedquietly——

"Isthesunset，Babalatchi？"

"ItisnowaslowasthehighesttreeIcanseefromhere，"

answeredBabalatchi。

"Itisthetimeofprayer，"saidOmar，attemptingtogetup。

DutifullyBabalatchihelpedhisoldchieftorise，andtheywalkedslowlytowardsthehut。Omarwaitedoutside，whileBabalatchiwentinandcameoutdirectly，draggingafterhimtheoldArab’sprayingcarpet。OutofabrassvesselhepouredthewaterofablutiononOmar’soutstretchedhands，andeasedhimcarefullydownintoakneelingposture，forthevenerablerobberwasfartooinfirmtobeabletostand。ThenasOmardronedoutthefirstwordsandmadehisfirstbowtowardstheHolyCity，BabalatchisteppednoiselesslytowardsAissa，whodidnotmoveallthetime。

Aissalookedsteadilyattheone-eyedsage，whowasapproachingherslowlyandwithagreatshowofdeference。Foramomenttheystoodfacingeachotherinsilence。Babalatchiappearedembarrassed。Withasuddenandquickgestureshecaughtholdofhisarm，andwiththeotherhandpointedtowardsthesinkingreddiscthatglowed，rayless，throughthefloatingmistsoftheevening。

"Thethirdsunset！Thelast！Andheisnothere，"shewhispered；"whathaveyoudone，manwithoutfaith？Whathaveyoudone？"

"IndeedIhavekeptmyword，"murmuredBabalatchi，earnestly。

"ThismorningBulangiwentwithacanoetolookforhim。Heisastrangeman，butourfriend，andshallkeepclosetohimandwatchhimwithoutostentation。AndatthethirdhourofthedayIhavesentanothercanoewithfourrowers。Indeed，themanyoulongfor，OdaughterofOmar！maycomewhenhelikes。"

"Butheisnothere！Iwaitedforhimyesterday。To-day！

To-morrowIshallgo。"

"Notalive！"mutteredBabalatchitohimself。"Anddoyoudoubtyourpower，"hewentoninaloudertone——"youthattohimaremorebeautifulthananhourioftheseventhHeaven？Heisyourslave。"

"Aslavedoesrunawaysometimes，"shesaid，gloomily，"andthenthemastermustgoandseekhimout。"

"Anddoyouwanttoliveanddieabeggar？"askedBabalatchi，impatiently。

"Icarenot，"sheexclaimed，wringingherhands；andtheblackpupilsofherwide-openeyesdartedwildlyhereandtherelikepetrelsbeforethestorm。

"Sh！Sh！"hissedBabalatchi，withaglancetowardsOmar。"Doyouthink，Ogirl！thathehimselfwouldlivelikeabeggar，evenwithyou？"

"Heisgreat，"shesaid，ardently。"Hedespisesyouall！Hedespisesyouall！Heisindeedaman！"

"Youknowthatbest，"mutteredBabalatchi，withafugitivesmile——"butremember，womanwiththestrongheart，thattoholdhimnowyoumustbetohimlikethegreatseatothirstymen——anever-ceasingtorment，andamadness。"

Heceasedandtheystoodinsilence，bothlookingontheground，andforatimenothingwasheardabovethecracklingofthefirebuttheintoningofOmarglorifyingtheGod——hisGod，andtheFaith——hisfaith。ThenBabalatchicockedhisheadononesideandappearedtolistenintentlytothehumofvoicesinthebigcourtyard。Thedullnoiseswelledintodistinctshouts，thenintoagreattumultofvoices，dyingaway，recommencing，growinglouder，toceaseagainabruptly；andinthoseshortpausestheshrillvociferationsofwomenrushedup，asifreleased，towardsthequietheaven。AissaandBabalatchistarted，butthelattergrippedinhisturnthegirl’sarmandrestrainedherwithastronggrasp。

"Wait，"hewhispered。

ThelittledoorintheheavystockadewhichseparatedLakamba’sprivategroundfromOmar’senclosureswungbackquickly，andthenobleexileappearedwithdisturbedmienandanakedshortswordinhishand。Histurbanwashalfunrolled，andtheendtrailedonthegroundbehindhim。Hisjacketwasopen。Hebreathedthicklyforamomentbeforehespoke。

"HecameinBulangi’sboat，"hesaid，"andwalkedquietlytillhewasinmypresence，whenthesenselessfuryofwhitemencausedhimtorushuponme。Ihavebeeningreatdanger，"wentontheambitiousnoblemaninanaggrievedtone。"Doyouhearthat，Babalatchi？Thateaterofswineaimedablowatmyfacewithhisuncleanfist。Hetriedtorushamongstmyhousehold。Sixmenareholdinghimnow。"

AfreshoutburstofyellsstoppedLakamba’sdiscourse。Angryvoicesshouted:"Holdhim。Beathimdown。Strikeathishead。"

Thentheclamourceasedwithsuddencompleteness，asifstrangledbyamightyhand，andafterasecondofsurprisingsilencethevoiceofWillemswasheardalone，howlingmaledictionsinMalay，inDutch，andinEnglish。

"Listen，"saidLakamba，speakingwithunsteadylips，"heblasphemeshisGod。Hisspeechisliketheravingofamaddog。

Canweholdhimforever？Hemustbekilled！"

"Fool！"mutteredBabalatchi，lookingupatAissa，whostoodwithsetteeth，withgleamingeyesanddistendednostrils，yetobedienttothetouchofhisrestraininghand。"Itisthethirdday，andIhavekeptmypromise，"hesaidtoher，speakingverylow。"Remember，"headdedwarningly——"liketheseatothethirsty！Andnow，"hesaidaloud，releasingherandsteppingback，"go，fearlessdaughter，go！"

Likeanarrow，rapidandsilentsheflewdowntheenclosure，anddisappearedthroughthegateofthecourtyard。LakambaandBabalatchilookedafterher。Theyheardtherenewedtumult，thegirl’sclearvoicecallingout，"Lethimgo！"ThenafterapauseinthedinnolongerthanhalfthehumanbreaththenameofAissaranginashoutloud，discordant，andpiercing，whichsentthroughthemaninvoluntaryshudder。OldOmarcollapsedonhiscarpetandmoanedfeebly；Lakambastaredwithgloomycontemptinthedirectionoftheinhumansound；butBabalatchi，forcingasmile，pushedhisdistinguishedprotectorthroughthenarrowgateinthestockade，followedhim，andcloseditquickly。

Theoldwoman，whohadbeenmostofthetimekneelingbythefire，nowrose，glancedroundfearfullyandcrouchedhidingbehindthetree。Thegateofthegreatcourtyardflewopenwithagreatclatterbeforeafrantickick，andWillemsdartedincarryingAissainhisarms。Herusheduptheenclosurelikeatornado，pressingthegirltohisbreast，herarmsroundhisneck，herheadhangingbackoverhisarm，hereyesclosedandherlonghairnearlytouchingtheground。Theyappearedforasecondintheglareofthefire，then，withimmensestrides，hedasheduptheplanksanddisappearedwithhisburdeninthedoorwayofthebighouse。

Insideandoutsidetheenclosuretherewassilence。Omarlaysupportinghimselfonhiselbow，histerrifiedfacewithitsclosedeyesgivinghimtheappearanceofamantormentedbyanightmare。

"Whatisit？Help！Helpmetorise！"hecalledoutfaintly。

Theoldhag，stillcrouchingintheshadow，staredwithblearedeyesatthedoorwayofthebighouse，andtooknonoticeofhiscall。Helistenedforawhile，thenhisarmgaveway，and，withadeepsighofdiscouragement，helethimselffallonthecarpet。

Theboughsofthetreenoddedandtrembledintheunsteadycurrentsofthelightwind。Aleaffluttereddownslowlyfromsomehighbranchandrestedontheground，immobile，asifrestingforever，intheglowofthefire；butsoonitstirred，thensoaredsuddenly，andflew，spinningandturningbeforethebreathoftheperfumedbreeze，drivenhelplesslyintothedarknightthathadclosedovertheland。

CHAPTERTHREE

ForupwardsoffortyyearsAbdullahadwalkedinthewayofhisLord。SonoftherichSyedSelimbinSali，thegreatMohammedantraderoftheStraits，hewentforthattheageofseventeenonhisfirstcommercialexpedition，ashisfather’srepresentativeonboardapilgrimshipcharteredbythewealthyArabtoconveyacrowdofpiousMalaystotheHolyShrine。Thatwasinthedayswhensteamwasnotinthoseseas——or，atleast，notsomuchasnow。Thevoyagewaslong，andtheyoungman’seyeswereopenedtothewondersofmanylands。Allahhadmadeithisfatetobecomeapilgrimveryearlyinlife。ThiswasagreatfavourofHeaven，anditcouldnothavebeenbestoweduponamanwhoprizeditmore，orwhomadehimselfmoreworthyofitbytheunswervingpietyofhisheartandbythereligioussolemnityofhisdemeanour。Lateronitbecameclearthatthebookofhisdestinycontainedtheprogrammeofawanderinglife。HevisitedBombayandCalcutta，lookedinatthePersianGulf，beheldinduecoursethehighandbarrencoastsoftheGulfofSuez，andthiswasthelimitofhiswanderingswestward。Hewasthentwenty-seven，andthewritingonhisforeheaddecreedthatthetimehadcomeforhimtoreturntotheStraitsandtakefromhisdyingfather’shandsthemanythreadsofabusinessthatwasspreadoveralltheArchipelago:fromSumatratoNewGuinea，fromBataviatoPalawan。

Verysoonhisability，hiswill——strongtoobstinacy——hiswisdombeyondhisyears，causedhimtoberecognizedastheheadofafamilywhosemembersandconnectionswerefoundineverypartofthoseseas。Anunclehere——abrotherthere；afather-in-lawinBatavia，anotherinPalembang；husbandsofnumeroussisters；

cousinsinnumerablescatterednorth，south，east，andwest——ineveryplacewheretherewastrade:thegreatfamilylaylikeanetworkovertheislands。Theylentmoneytoprinces，influencedthecouncil-rooms，faced——ifneedbe——withpeacefulintrepiditythewhiterulerswhoheldthelandandtheseaundertheedgeofsharpswords；andtheyallpaidgreatdeferencetoAbdulla，listenedtohisadvice，enteredintohisplans——becausehewaswise，pious，andfortunate。

HeborehimselfwiththehumilitybecomingaBeliever，whoneverforgets，evenforonemomentofhiswakinglife，thatheistheservantoftheMostHigh。HewaslargelycharitablebecausethecharitablemanisthefriendofAllah，andwhenhewalkedoutofhishouse——builtofstone，justoutsidethetownofPenang——onhiswaytohisgodownsintheport，hehadoftentosnatchhishandawaysharplyfromunderthelipsofmenofhisraceandcreed；andoftenhehadtomurmurdeprecatingwords，oreventorebukewithseveritythosewhoattemptedtotouchhiskneeswiththeirfinger-tipsingratitudeorsupplication。Hewasveryhandsome，andcarriedhissmallheadhighwithmeekgravity。Hisloftybrow，straightnose，narrow，darkfacewithitschiselleddelicacyoffeature，gavehimanaristocraticappearancewhichproclaimedhispuredescent。Hisbeardwastrimmedcloseandtoaroundedpoint。Hislargebrowneyeslookedoutsteadilywithasweetnessthatwasbeliedbytheexpressionofhisthin-lippedmouth。Hisaspectwasserene。Hehadabeliefinhisownprosperitywhichnothingcouldshake。

Restless，likeallhispeople，heveryseldomdweltformanydaystogetherinhissplendidhouseinPenang。Ownerofships，hewasoftenonboardoneoranotherofthem，traversinginalldirectionsthefieldofhisoperations。Ineveryporthehadahousehold——hisownorthatofarelation——tohailhisadventwithdemonstrativejoy。Ineveryporttherewererichandinfluentialmeneagertoseehim，therewasbusinesstotalkover，therewereimportantletterstoread:animmensecorrespondence，enclosedinsilkenvelopes——acorrespondencewhichhadnothingtodowiththeinfidelsofcolonialpost-offices，butcameintohishandsbydevious，yetsafe，ways。Itwasleftforhimbytaciturnnakhodasofnativetradingcraft，orwasdeliveredwithprofoundsalaamsbytravel-stainedandwearymenwhowouldwithdrawfromhispresencecallinguponAllahtoblessthegenerousgiverofsplendidrewards。Andthenewswasalwaysgood，andallhisattemptsalwayssucceeded，andinhisearsthererangalwaysachorusofadmiration，ofgratitude，ofhumbleentreaties。

Afortunateman。Andhisfelicitywassocompletethatthegoodgenii，whoorderedthestarsathisbirth，hadnotneglected——byarefinementofbenevolencestrangeinsuchprimitivebeings——toprovidehimwithadesiredifficulttoattain，andwithanenemyhardtoovercome。TheenvyofLingard’spoliticalandcommercialsuccesses，andthewishtogetthebestofhimineveryway，becameAbdulla’smania，theparamountinterestofhislife，thesaltofhisexistence。

ForthelastfewmonthshehadbeenreceivingmysteriousmessagesfromSambirurginghimtodecisiveaction。Hehadfoundtheriveracoupleofyearsago，andhadbeenanchoredmorethanonceoffthatestuarywherethe，tillthen，rapidPantai，spreadingslowlyoverthelowlands，seemstohesitate，beforeitflowsgentlythroughtwentyoutlets；overamazeofmudflats，sandbanksandreefs，intotheexpectantsea。Hehadneverattemptedtheentrance，however，becausemenofhisrace，althoughbraveandadventuroustravellers，lackthetrueseamanlikeinstincts，andhewasafraidofgettingwrecked。HecouldnotbeartheideaoftheRajahLautbeingabletoboastthatAbdullabinSelim，likeotherandlessermen，hadalsocometogriefwhentryingtowresthissecretfromhim。MeantimehereturnedencouraginganswerstohisunknownfriendsinSambir，andwaitedforhisopportunityinthecalmcertitudeofultimatetriumph。

SuchwasthemanwhomLakambaandBabalatchiexpectedtoseeforthefirsttimeonthenightofWillems’returntoAissa。

Babalatchi，whohadbeentormentedforthreedaysbythefearofhavingover-reachedhimselfinhislittleplot，now，feelingsureofhiswhiteman，feltlightheartedandhappyashesuperintendedthepreparationsinthecourtyardforAbdulla’sreception。

Half-waybetweenLakamba’shouseandtheriverapileofdrywoodwasmadereadyforthetorchthatwouldsetfiretoitatthemomentofAbdulla’slanding。Betweenthisandthehouseagaintherewas，rangedinasemicircle，asetoflowbambooframes，andonthosewerepiledallthecarpetsandcushionsofLakamba’shousehold。Ithadbeendecidedthatthereceptionwastotakeplaceintheopenair，andthatitshouldbemadeimpressivebythegreatnumberofLakamba’sretainers，who，cladincleanwhite，withtheirredsarongsgatheredroundtheirwaists，chopperatsideandlanceinhand，weremovingaboutthecompoundor，gatheringintosmallknots，discussedeagerlythecomingceremony。

Twolittlefiresburnedbrightlyonthewater’sedgeoneachsideofthelandingplace。Asmallheapofdamar-gumtorcheslaybyeach，andbetweenthemBabalatchistrolledbackwardsandforwards，stoppingoftenwithhisfacetotheriverandhisheadononeside，listeningtothesoundsthatcamefromthedarknessoverthewater。Therewasnomoonandthenightwasveryclearoverhead，but，aftertheafternoonbreezehadexpiredinfitfulpuffs，thevapourshungthickeningovertheglancingsurfaceofthePantaiandclungtotheshore，hidingfromviewthemiddleofthestream。

Acryinthemist——thenanother——and，beforeBabalatchicouldanswer，twolittlecanoesdasheduptothelanding-place，andtwooftheprincipalcitizensofSambir，DaoudSahaminandHametBahassoen，whohadbeenconfidentiallyinvitedtomeetAbdulla，landedquicklyandaftergreetingBabalatchiwalkedupthedarkcourtyardtowardsthehouse。Thelittlestircausedbytheirarrivalsoonsubsided，andanothersilenthourdraggeditsslowlengthwhileBabalatchitrampedupanddownbetweenthefires，hisfacegrowingmoreanxiouswitheverypassingmoment。

Atlasttherewasheardaloudhailfromdowntheriver。AtacallfromBabalatchimenrandowntotheriversideand，snatchingthetorches，thrustthemintothefires，thenwavedthemabovetheirheadstilltheyburstintoaflame。Thesmokeascendedinthick，wispystreams，andhunginaruddycloudabovetheglarethatlitupthecourtyardandflashedoverthewater，showingthreelongcanoesmannedbymanypaddlerslyingalittleoff；themeninthemliftingtheirpaddlesonhighanddippingthemdowntogether，inaneasystrokethatkeptthesmallflotillamotionlessinthestrongcurrent，exactlyabreastofthelanding-

place。Amanstoodupinthelargestcraftandcalledout——

"SyedAbdullabinSelimishere！"

Babalatchiansweredaloudinaformaltone——

"Allahgladdensourhearts！Cometotheland！"

Abdullalandedfirst，steadyinghimselfbythehelpofBabalatchi’sextendedhand。Intheshortmomentofhispassingfromtheboattotheshoretheyexchangedsharpglancesandafewrapidwords。

"Whoareyou？"

"Babalatchi。ThefriendofOmar。TheprotectedofLakamba。"

"Youwrote？"

"Mywordswerewritten，OGiverofalms！"

AndthenAbdullawalkedwithcomposedfacebetweenthetwolinesofmenholdingtorches，andmetLakambainfrontofthebigfirethatwascracklingitselfupintoagreatblaze。Foramomenttheystoodwithclaspedhandsinvokingpeaceuponeachother’shead，thenLakamba，stillholdinghishonouredguestbythehand，ledhimroundthefiretothepreparedseats。Babalatchifollowedclosebehindhisprotector。AbdullawasaccompaniedbytwoArabs。He，likehiscompanions，wasdressedinawhiterobeofstarchedmuslin，whichfellinstifffoldsstraightfromtheneck。Itwasbuttonedfromthethroathalfwaydownwithacloserowofverysmallgoldbuttons；roundthetightsleevestherewasanarrowbraidofgoldlace。Onhisshavenheadheworeasmallskull-capofplaitedgrass。Hewasshodinpatentleatherslippersoverhisnakedfeet。Arosaryofheavywoodenbeadshungbyaroundturnfromhisrightwrist。Hesatdownslowlyintheplaceofhonour，and，droppinghisslippers，tuckeduphislegsunderhimdecorously。

Theimproviseddivanwasarrangedinawidesemi-circle，ofwhichthepointmostdistantfromthefire——sometenyards——wasalsothenearesttoLakamba’sdwelling。Assoonastheprincipalpersonageswereseated，theverandahofthehousewasfilledsilentlybythemuffled-upformsofLakamba’sfemalebelongings。

Theycrowdedclosetotherailandlookeddown，whisperingfaintly。Below，theformalexchangeofcomplimentswentonforsometimebetweenLakambaandAbdulla，whosatsidebyside。

Babalatchisquattedhumblyathisprotector’sfeet，withnothingbutathinmatbetweenhimselfandthehardground。

Thentherewasapause。Abdullaglancedroundinanexpectantmanner，andafterawhileBabalatchi，whohadbeensittingverystillinapensiveattitude，seemedtorousehimselfwithaneffort，andbegantospeakingentleandpersuasivetones。HedescribedinflowingsentencesthefirstbeginningsofSambir，thedisputeofthepresentruler，Patalolo，withtheSultanofKoti，theconsequenttroublesendingwiththerisingofBugissettlersundertheleadershipofLakamba。AtdifferentpointsofthenarrativehewouldturnforconfirmationtoSahaminandBahassoen，whosatlisteningeagerlyandassentedtogetherwitha"Betul！Betul！Right！Right！"ejaculatedinaferventundertone。

Warmingupwithhissubjectasthenarrativeproceeded，BabalatchiwentontorelatethefactsconnectedwithLingard’sactionatthecriticalperiodofthoseinternaldissensions。Hespokeinarestrainedvoicestill，butwithagrowingenergyofindignation。Whatwashe，thatmanoffierceaspect，tokeepalltheworldawayfromthem？Washeagovernment？Whomadehimruler？HetookpossessionofPatalolo’smindandmadehishearthard；heputseverewordsintohismouthandcausedhishandtostrikerightandleft。ThatunbelieverkepttheFaithfulpantingundertheweightofhissenselessoppression。Theyhadtotradewithhim——acceptsuchgoodsashewouldgive——suchcreditashewouldaccord。Andheexactedpaymenteveryyear……

"Verytrue！"exclaimedSahaminandBahassoentogether。

BabalatchiglancedatthemapprovinglyandturnedtoAbdulla。

"Listentothosemen，OProtectoroftheoppressed！"heexclaimed。"Whatcouldwedo？Amanmusttrade。Therewasnobodyelse。"

Sahamingotup，staffinhand，andspoketoAbdullawithponderouscourtesy，emphasizinghiswordsbythesolemnflourishesofhisrightarm。

"Itisso。Wearewearyofpayingourdebtstothatwhitemanhere，whoisthesonoftheRajahLaut。Thatwhiteman——maythegraveofhismotherbedefiled！——isnotcontenttoholdusallinhishandwithacruelgrasp。Heseekstocauseourverydeath。

HetradeswiththeDyaksoftheforest，whoarenobetterthanmonkeys。Hebuysfromthemguttahandrattans——whilewestarve。

OnlytwodaysagoIwenttohimandsaid，’TuanAlmayer’——evenso；wemustspeakpolitelytothatfriendofSatan——’TuanAlmayer，Ihavesuchandsuchgoodstosell。Willyoubuy？’Andhespokethus——becausethosewhitemenhavenounderstandingofanycourtesy——hespoketomeasifIwasaslave:’Daoud，youarealuckyman’——remark，OFirstamongsttheBelievers！thatbythosewordshecouldhavebroughtmisfortuneonmyhead——’youarealuckymantohaveanythinginthesehardtimes。Bringyourgoodsquickly，andIshallreceivetheminpaymentofwhatyouowemefromlastyear。’Andhelaughed，andstruckmeontheshoulderwithhisopenhand。MayJehannumbehislot！"

"Wewillfighthim，"saidyoungBahassoen，crisply。"Weshallfightifthereishelpandaleader。TuanAbdulla，willyoucomeamongus？"

Abdulladidnotansweratonce。Hislipsmovedinaninaudiblewhisperandthebeadspassedthroughhisfingerswithadryclick。Allwaitedinrespectfulsilence。"Ishallcomeifmyshipcanenterthisriver，"saidAbdullaatlast，inasolemntone。

"Itcan，Tuan，"exclaimedBabalatchi。"Thereisawhitemanherewho……"

"IwanttoseeOmarelBadaviandthatwhitemanyouwroteabout，"interruptedAbdulla。

Babalatchigotonhisfeetquickly，andtherewasageneralmove。

Thewomenontheverandahhurriedindoors，andfromthecrowdthathadkeptdiscreetlyindistantpartsofthecourtyardacoupleofmenranwitharmfulsofdryfuel，whichtheycastuponthefire。Oneofthem，atasignfromBabalatchi，approachedand，aftergettinghisorders，wenttowardsthelittlegateandenteredOmar’senclosure。Whilewaitingforhisreturn，Lakamba，Abdulla，andBabalatchitalkedtogetherinlowtones。Sahaminsatbyhimselfchewingbetel-nutsleepilywithaslightandindolentmotionofhisheavyjaw。Bahassoen，hishandonthehiltofhisshortsword，struttedbackwardsandforwardsinthefulllightofthefire，lookingverywarlikeandreckless；theenvyandadmirationofLakamba’sretainers，whostoodingroupsorflittedaboutnoiselesslyintheshadowsofthecourtyard。

ThemessengerwhohadbeensenttoOmarcamebackandstoodatadistance，waitingtillsomebodynoticedhim。Babalatchibeckonedhimclose。

"Whatarehiswords？"askedBabalatchi。

"HesaysthatSyedAbdullaiswelcomenow，"answeredtheman。

LakambawasspeakinglowtoAbdulla，wholistenedtohimwithdeepinterest。

"……Wecouldhaveeightymeniftherewasneed，"hewassaying——"eightymeninfourteencanoes。Theonlythingwewantisgunpowder……"

"Hai！therewillbenofighting，"brokeinBabalatchi。"Thefearofyournamewillbeenoughandtheterrorofyourcoming。"

"Theremaybepowdertoo，"mutteredAbdullawithgreatnonchalance，"ifonlytheshipenterstheriversafely。"

"Iftheheartisstouttheshipwillbesafe，"saidBabalatchi。

"WewillgonowandseeOmarelBadaviandthewhitemanIhavehere。"

Lakamba’sdulleyesbecameanimatedsuddenly。

"Takecare，TuanAbdulla，"hesaid，"takecare。Thebehaviourofthatuncleanwhitemadmanisfuriousintheextreme。Heofferedtostrike……"

"Onmyhead，youaresafe，OGiverofalms！"interruptedBabalatchi。

Abdullalookedfromonetotheother，andthefaintestflickerofapassingsmiledisturbedforamomenthisgravecomposure。HeturnedtoBabalatchi，andsaidwithdecision——

"Letusgo。"

"Thisway，OUplifterofourhearts！"rattledonBabalatchi，withfussydeference。"OnlyaveryfewpacesandyoushallbeholdOmarthebrave，andawhitemanofgreatstrengthandcunning。

Thisway。"

HemadeasignforLakambatoremainbehind，andwithrespectfultouchesontheelbowsteeredAbdullatowardsthegateattheupperendofthecourt-yard。Astheywalkedonslowly，followedbythetwoArabs，hekeptontalkinginarapidundertonetothegreatman，whoneverlookedathimonce，althoughappearingtolistenwithflatteringattention。WhennearthegateBabalatchimovedforwardandstopped，facingAbdulla，withhishandonthefastenings。

"Youshallseethemboth，"hesaid。"Allmywordsaboutthemaretrue。WhenIsawhimenslavedbytheoneofwhomIspoke，Iknewhewouldbesoftinmyhandlikethemudoftheriver。Atfirstheansweredmytalkwithbadwordsofhisownlanguage，afterthemannerofwhitemen。Afterwards，whenlisteningtothevoiceheloved，hehesitated。Hehesitatedformanydays——toomany。I，knowinghimwell，madeOmarwithdrawherewithhis……

household。Thenthisred-facedmanragedforthreedayslikeablackpantherthatishungry。Andthisevening，thisveryevening，hecame。Ihavehimhere。Heisinthegraspofonewithamercilessheart。Ihavehimhere，"endedBabalatchi，exultinglytappingtheuprightofthegatewithhishand。

"Thatisgood，"murmuredAbdulla。

"Andheshallguideyourshipandleadinthefight——iffighttherebe，"wentonBabalatchi。"Ifthereisanykilling——lethimbetheslayer。Youshouldgivehimarms——ashortgunthatfiresmanytimes。"

"Yes，byAllah！"assentedAbdulla，withslowthoughtfulness。

"Andyouwillhavetoopenyourhand，OFirstamongstthegenerous！"continuedBabalatchi。"Youwillhavetosatisfytherapacityofawhiteman，andalsoofonewhoisnotaman，andthereforegreedyofornaments。"

"Theyshallbesatisfied，"saidAbdulla；"but……"Hehesitated，lookingdownonthegroundandstrokinghisbeard，whileBabalatchiwaited，anxious，withpartedlips。Afterashorttimehespokeagainjerkilyinanindistinctwhisper，sothatBabalatchihadtoturnhisheadtocatchthewords。"Yes。

ButOmaristhesonofmyfather’suncle……andallbelongingtohimareoftheFaith……whilethatmanisanunbeliever。

Itismostunseemly……veryunseemly。Hecannotliveundermyshadow。Notthatdog。Penitence！ItakerefugewithmyGod，"

hemumbledrapidly。"Howcanheliveundermyeyeswiththatwoman，whoisoftheFaith？Scandal！Oabomination！"

Hefinishedwitharushanddrewalongbreath，thenaddeddubiously——

"Andwhenthatmanhasdoneallwewant，whatistobedonewithhim？"

Theystoodclosetogether，meditativeandsilent，theireyesroamingidlyoverthecourtyard。Thebigbonfireburnedbrightly，andawaveringsplashoflightlayonthedarkearthattheirfeet，whilethelazysmokewreatheditselfslowlyingleamingcoilsamongsttheblackboughsofthetrees。TheycouldseeLakamba，whohadreturnedtohisplace，sittinghunchedupspiritlesslyonthecushions，andSahamin，whohadgotonhisfeetagainandappearedtobetalkingtohimwithdignifiedanimation。Menintwosorthreescameoutoftheshadowsintothelight，strollingslowly，andpassedagainintotheshadows，theirfacesturnedtoeachother，theirarmsmovinginrestrainedgestures。Bahassoen，hisheadproudlythrownback，hisornaments，embroideries，andsword-hiltflashinginthelight，circledsteadilyroundthefirelikeaplanetroundthesun。A

coolwhiffofdampaircamefromthedarknessoftheriverside；

itmadeAbdullaandBabalatchishiver，andwokethemupfromtheirabstraction。

"Openthegateandgofirst，"saidAbdulla；"thereisnodanger？"

"Onmylife，no！"answeredBabalatchi，liftingtherattanring。

"Heisallpeaceandcontent，likeathirstymanwhohasdrunkwateraftermanydays。"

Heswungthegatewide，madeafewpacesintothegloomoftheenclosure，andretracedhisstepssuddenly。

"Hemaybemadeusefulinmanyways，"hewhisperedtoAbdulla，whohadstoppedshort，seeinghimcomeback。

"OSin！OTemptation！"sighedoutAbdulla，faintly。"OurrefugeiswiththeMostHigh。CanIfeedthisinfidelforeverandforever？"headded，impatiently。

"No，"breathedoutBabalatchi。"No！Notforever。Onlywhileheservesyourdesigns，ODispenserofAllah’sgifts！Whenthetimecomes——andyourorder……"

HesidledclosetoAbdulla，andbrushedwithadelicatetouchthehandthathungdownlistlessly，holdingtheprayer-beads。

"Iamyourslaveandyouroffering，"hemurmured，inadistinctandpolitetone，intoAbdulla’sear。"Whenyourwisdomspeaks，theremaybefoundalittlepoisonthatwillnotlie。Whoknows？"

CHAPTERFOUR

BabalatchisawAbdullapassthroughthelowandnarrowentranceintothedarknessofOmar’shut；heardthemexchangetheusualgreetingsandthedistinguishedvisitor’sgravevoiceasking:

"Thereisnomisfortune——pleaseGod——butthesight？"andthen，becomingawareofthedisapprovinglooksofthetwoArabswhohadaccompaniedAbdulla，hefollowedtheirexampleandfellbackoutofearshot。Hediditunwillingly，althoughhedidnotignorethatwhatwasgoingtohappenintherewasnowabsolutelybeyondhiscontrol。Heroamedirresolutelyaboutforawhile，andatlastwanderedwithcarelessstepstowardsthefire，whichhadbeenmoved，fromunderthetree，closetothehutandalittletowindwardofitsentrance。Hesquattedonhisheelsandbeganplayingpensivelywithliveembers，aswashishabitwhenengrossedinthought，withdrawinghishandsharplyandshakingitabovehisheadwhenheburnthisfingersinafitofdeeperabstraction。Sittingtherehecouldhearthemurmurofthetalkinsidethehut，andhecoulddistinguishthevoicesbutnotthewords。Abdullaspokeindeeptones，andnowandthenthisflowingmonotonewasinterruptedbyaquerulousexclamation，aweakmoanoraplaintivequaveroftheoldman。Yes。Itwasannoyingnottobeabletomakeoutwhattheyweresaying，thoughtBabalatchi，ashesatgazingfixedlyattheunsteadyglowofthefire。Butitwillberight。Allwillberight。Abdullainspiredhimwithconfidence。Hecameupfullytohisexpectation。Fromtheveryfirstmomentwhenhesethiseyeonhimhefeltsurethatthisman——whomhehadknownbyreputationonly——wasveryresolute。Perhapstooresolute。Perhapshewouldwanttograsptoomuchlateron。AshadowflittedoverBabalatchi’sface。Ontheeveoftheaccomplishmentofhisdesireshefeltthebittertasteofthatdropofdoubtwhichismixedwiththesweetnessofeverysuccess。

When，hearingfootstepsontheverandahofthebighouse，heliftedhishead，theshadowhadpassedawayandonhisfacetherewasanexpressionofwatchfulalertness。Willemswascomingdowntheplankway，intothecourtyard。Thelightwithintrickledthroughthecracksofthebadlyjoinedwallsofthehouse，andintheilluminateddoorwayappearedthemovingformofAissa。Shealsopassedintothenightoutsideanddisappearedfromview。

Babalatchiwonderedwhereshehadgotto，andforthemomentforgottheapproachofWillems。Thevoiceofthewhitemanspeakingroughlyabovehisheadmadehimjumptohisfeetasifimpelledupwardsbyapowerfulspring。

"Where’sAbdulla？"

Babalatchiwavedhishandtowardsthehutandstoodlisteningintently。Thevoiceswithinhadceased，thenrecommencedagain。

HeshotanobliqueglanceatWillems，whoseindistinctformtoweredabovetheglowofdyingembers。

"Makeupthisfire，"saidWillems，abruptly。"Iwanttoseeyourface。"

WithobligingalacrityBabalatchiputsomedrybrushwoodonthecoalsfromahandypile，keepingallthetimeawatchfuleyeonWillems。Whenhestraightenedhimselfuphishandwanderedalmostinvoluntarilytowardshisleftsidetofeelthehandleofakrissamongstthefoldsofhissarong，buthetriedtolookunconcernedundertheangrystare。

"Youareingoodhealth，pleaseGod？"hemurmured。

"Yes！"answeredWillems，withanunexpectedloudnessthatcausedBabalatchitostartnervously。"Yes！……Health！……You……"

HemadealongstrideanddroppedbothhishandsontheMalay’sshoulders。InthepowerfulgripBabalatchiswayedtoandfrolimply，buthisfacewasaspeacefulaswhenhesat——alittlewhileago——dreamingbythefire。WithafinalviciousjerkWillemsletgosuddenly，andturningawayonhisheelstretchedhishandsoverthefire。Babalatchistumbledbackwards，recoveredhimself，andwriggledhisshoulderslaboriously。

"Tse！Tse！Tse！"heclicked，deprecatingly。Afterashortsilencehewentonwithaccentuatedadmiration:"Whatamanitis！Whatastrongman！Amanlikethat"——heconcluded，inatoneofmeditativewonder——"amanlikethatcouldupsetmountains——mountains！"

HegazedhopefullyforawhileatWillems’broadshoulders，andcontinued，addressingtheinimicalback，inalowandpersuasivevoice——

"Butwhybeangrywithme？Withmewhothinkonlyofyourgood？

DidInotgiveherrefuge，inmyownhouse？Yes，Tuan！Thisismyownhouse。Iwillletyouhaveitwithoutanyrecompensebecauseshemusthaveashelter。Thereforeyouandsheshalllivehere。Whocanknowawoman’smind？Andsuchawoman！Ifshewantedtogoawayfromthatotherplace，whoamI——tosayno！

IamOmar’sservant。Isaid:’Gladdenmyheartbytakingmyhouse。’DidIsayright？"

"I’lltellyousomething，"saidWillems，withoutchanginghisposition；"ifshetakesafancytogoawayfromthisplaceitisyouwhoshallsuffer。Iwillwringyourneck。"

"Whentheheartisfulloflovethereisnoroominitforjustice，"recommencedBabalatchi，withunmovedandpersistentsoftness。"Whyslayme？Youknow，Tuan，whatshewants。A

splendiddestinyisherdesire——asofallwomen。Youhavebeenwrongedandcastoutbyyourpeople。Sheknowsthat。Butyouarebrave，youarestrong——youareaman；and，Tuan——Iamolderthanyou——youareinherhand。Suchisthefateofstrongmen。

Andsheisofnoblebirthandcannotlivelikeaslave。Youknowher——andyouareinherhand。Youarelikeasnaredbird，becauseofyourstrength。And——rememberIamamanthathasseenmuch——submit，Tuan！Submit！……Orelse……"

Hedrawledoutthelastwordsinahesitatingmannerandbrokeoffhissentence。Stillstretchinghishandsinturnstowardstheblazeandwithoutmovinghishead，Willemsgaveashort，lugubriouslaugh，andasked——

"Orelsewhat？"

"Shemaygoawayagain。Whoknows？"finishedBabalatchi，inagentleandinsinuatingtone。

ThistimeWillemsspunroundsharply。Babalatchisteppedback。

"Ifshedoesitwillbetheworseforyou，"saidWillems，inamenacingvoice。"Itwillbeyourdoing，andI……"

Babalatchispoke，frombeyondthecircleoflight，withcalmdisdain。

"Hai——ya！Ihaveheardbefore。Ifshegoes——thenIdie。Good！

Willthatbringherbackdoyouthink——Tuan？Ifitismydoingitshallbewelldone，Owhiteman！and——whoknows——youwillhavetolivewithouther。"

Willemsgaspedandstartedbacklikeaconfidentwayfarerwho，pursuingapathhethinkssafe，shouldseejustintimeabottomlesschasmunderhisfeet。BabalatchicameintothelightandapproachedWillemssideways，withhisheadthrownbackandalittleononesidesoastobringhisonlyeyetobearfullonthecountenanceofthetallwhiteman。

"Youthreatenme，"saidWillems，indistinctly。

"I，Tuan！"exclaimedBabalatchi，withaslightsuspicionofironyintheaffectedsurpriseofhistone。"I，Tuan？Whospokeofdeath？WasitI？No！Ispokeoflifeonly。Onlyoflife。Ofalonglifeforalonelyman！"

Theystoodwiththefirebetweenthem，bothsilent，bothaware，eachinhisownway，oftheimportanceofthepassingminutes。

Babalatchi’sfatalismgavehimonlyaninsignificantreliefinhissuspense，becausenofatalismcankillthethoughtofthefuture，thedesireofsuccess，thepainofwaitingforthedisclosureoftheimmutabledecreesofHeaven。Fatalismisbornofthefearoffailure，forweallbelievethatwecarrysuccessinourownhands，andwesuspectthatourhandsareweak。

BabalatchilookedatWillemsandcongratulatedhimselfuponhisabilitytomanagethatwhiteman。TherewasapilotforAbdulla——avictimtoappeaseLingard’sangerincaseofanymishap。Hewouldtakegoodcaretoputhimforwardineverything。Inanycaseletthewhitemenfightitoutamongstthemselves。Theywerefools。Hehatedthem——thestrongfools——andknewthatforhisrighteouswisdomwasreservedthesafetriumph。

Willemsmeasureddismallythedepthofhisdegradation。He——awhiteman，theadmiredofwhitemen，washeldbythosemiserablesavageswhosetoolhewasabouttobecome。Hefeltforthemallthehateofhisrace，ofhismorality，ofhisintelligence。Helookeduponhimselfwithdismayandpity。Shehadhim。Hehadheardofsuchthings。Hehadheardofwomenwho……Hewouldneverbelievesuchstories……Yettheyweretrue。Buthisowncaptivityseemedmorecomplete，terrible，andfinal——withoutthehopeofanyredemption。HewonderedatthewickednessofProvidencethathadmadehimwhathewas；that，worsestill，permittedsuchacreatureasAlmayertolive。Hehaddonehisdutybygoingtohim。Whydidhenotunderstand？Allmenwerefools。Hegavehimhischance。Thefellowdidnotseeit。Itwashard，veryhardonhimself——Willems。Hewantedtotakeherfromamongstherownpeople。That’swhyhehadcondescendedtogotoAlmayer。Heexaminedhimself。Withasinkinghearthethoughtthatreallyhecouldnot——somehow——livewithouther。Itwasterribleandsweet。Herememberedthefirstdays。Herappearance，herface，hersmile，hereyes，herwords。Asavagewoman！Yetheperceivedthathecouldthinkofnothingelsebutofthethreedaysoftheirseparation，ofthefewhourssincetheirreunion。Verywell。Ifhecouldnottakeheraway，thenhewouldgotoher……Hehad，foramoment，awickedpleasureinthethoughtthatwhathehaddonecouldnotbeundone。Hehadgivenhimselfup。Hefeltproudofit。Hewasreadytofaceanything，doanything。Hecaredfornothing，fornobody。Hethoughthimselfveryfearless，butasamatteroffacthewasonlydrunk；drunkwiththepoisonofpassionatememories。

Hestretchedhishandsoverthefire，lookedroundandcalledout——

"Aissa！"

Shemusthavebeennear，forsheappearedatoncewithinthelightofthefire。Theupperpartofherbodywaswrappedupinthethickfoldsofaheadcoveringwhichwaspulleddownoverherbrow，andoneendofitthrownacrossfromshouldertoshoulderhidthelowerpartofherface。Onlyhereyeswerevisible——

sombreandgleaminglikeastarrynight。

Willems，lookingatthisstrange，muffledfigure，feltexasperated，amazedandhelpless。Theex-confidentialclerkoftherichHudigwouldhugtohisbreastsettledconceptionsofrespectableconduct。Hesoughtrefugewithinhisideasofproprietyfromthedismalmangroves，fromthedarknessoftheforestsandoftheheathensoulsofthesavagesthatwerehismasters。Shelookedlikeananimatedpackageofcheapcottongoods！Itmadehimfurious。Shehaddisguisedherselfsobecauseamanofherracewasnear！Hetoldhernottodoit，andshedidnotobey。Wouldhisideaseverchangesoastoagreewithherownnotionsofwhatwasbecoming，properandrespectable？Hewasreallyafraidtheywould，intime。Itseemedtohimawful。Shewouldneverchange！Thismanifestationofhersenseofproprietieswasanothersignoftheirhopelessdiversity；somethinglikeanotherstepdownwardsforhim。Shewastoodifferentfromhim。Hewassocivilized！Itstruckhimsuddenlythattheyhadnothingincommon——notathought，notafeeling；hecouldnotmakecleartoherthesimplestmotiveofanyactofhis……andhecouldnotlivewithouther。

ThecourageousmanwhostoodfacingBabalatchigaspedunexpectedlywithagaspthatwashalfagroan。Thislittlematterofherveilingherselfagainsthiswishacteduponhimlikeadisclosureofsomegreatdisaster。Itincreasedhiscontemptforhimselfastheslaveofapassionhehadalwaysderided，asthemanunabletoasserthiswill。Thiswill，allhissensations，hispersonality——allthisseemedtobelostintheabominabledesire，inthepricelesspromiseofthatwoman。

Hewasnot，ofcourse，abletodiscernclearlythecausesofhismisery；buttherearenonesoignorantasnottoknowsuffering，nonesosimpleasnottofeelandsufferfromtheshockofwarringimpulses。Theignorantmustfeelandsufferfromtheircomplexityaswellasthewisest；buttothemthepainofstruggleanddefeatappearsstrange，mysterious，remediableandunjust。Hestoodwatchingher，watchinghimself。Hetingledwithragefromheadtofoot，asifhehadbeenstruckintheface。Suddenlyhelaughed；buthislaughwaslikeadistortedechoofsomeinsinceremirthveryfaraway。

FromtheothersideofthefireBabalatchispokehurriedly——

"HereisTuanAbdulla。"

CHAPTERFIVE

DirectlyonsteppingoutsideOmar’shutAbdullacaughtsightofWillems。Heexpected，ofcourse，toseeawhiteman，butnotthatwhiteman，whomheknewsowell。Everybodywhotradedintheislands，andwhohadanydealingswithHudig，knewWillems。

ForthelasttwoyearsofhisstayinMacassartheconfidentialclerkhadbeenmanagingallthelocaltradeofthehouseunderaveryslightsupervisiononlyonthepartofthemaster。SoeverybodyknewWillems，Abdullaamongstothers——buthewasignorantofWillems’disgrace。Asamatteroffactthethinghadbeenkeptveryquiet——soquietthatagoodmanypeopleinMacassarwereexpectingWillems’returnthere，supposinghimtobeabsentonsomeconfidentialmission。Abdulla，inhissurprise，hesitatedonthethreshold。Hehadpreparedhimselftoseesomeseaman——someoldofficerofLingard’s；acommonman——

perhapsdifficulttodealwith，butstillnomatchforhim。

Instead，hesawhimselfconfrontedbyanindividualwhosereputationforsagacityinbusinesswaswellknowntohim。Howdidhegethere，andwhy？Abdulla，recoveringfromhissurprise，advancedinadignifiedmannertowardsthefire，keepinghiseyesfixedsteadilyonWillems。WhenwithintwopacesfromWillemshestoppedandliftedhisrighthandingravesalutation。Willemsnoddedslightlyandspokeafterawhile。

"Weknoweachother，TuanAbdulla，"hesaid，withanassumptionofeasyindifference。

"Wehavetradedtogether，"answeredAbdulla，solemnly，"butitwasfarfromhere。"

"Andwemaytradeherealso，"saidWillems。

"Theplacedoesnotmatter。Itistheopenmindandthetrueheartthatarerequiredinbusiness。"

"Verytrue。Myheartisasopenasmymind。IwilltellyouwhyIamhere。"

"Whatneedisthere？Inleavinghomeonelearnslife。Youtravel。Travellingisvictory！Youshallreturnwithmuchwisdom。"

"Ishallneverreturn，"interruptedWillems。"Ihavedonewithmypeople。Iamamanwithoutbrothers。Injusticedestroysfidelity。"

Abdullaexpressedhissurprisebyelevatinghiseyebrows。Atthesametimehemadeavaguegesturewithhisarmthatcouldbetakenasanequivalentofanapprovingandconciliating"justso！"

TillthentheArabhadnottakenanynoticeofAissa，whostoodbythefire，butnowshespokeintheintervalofsilencefollowingWillems’declaration。InavoicethatwasmuchdeadenedbyherwrappingssheaddressedAbdullainafewwordsofgreeting，callinghimakinsman。Abdullaglancedatherswiftlyforasecond，andthen，withperfectgoodbreeding，fixedhiseyesontheground。Sheputouttowardshimherhand，coveredwithacornerofherface-veil，andhetookit，pressedittwice，anddroppingitturnedtowardsWillems。Shelookedatthetwomensearchingly，thenbackedawayandseemedtomeltsuddenlyintothenight。

"Iknowwhatyoucamefor，TuanAbdulla，"saidWillems；"Ihavebeentoldbythatmanthere。"HenoddedtowardsBabalatchi，thenwentonslowly，"Itwillbeadifficultthing。"

"Allahmakeseverythingeasy，"interjectedBabalatchi，piously，fromadistance。

Thetwomenturnedquicklyandstoodlookingathimthoughtfully，asifindeepconsiderationofthetruthofthatproposition。

UndertheirsustainedgazeBabalatchiexperiencedanunwontedfeelingofshyness，anddarednotapproachnearer。AtlastWillemsmovedslightly，Abdullafollowedreadily，andtheybothwalkeddownthecourtyard，theirvoicesdyingawayinthedarkness。Soontheywereheardreturning，andthevoicesgrewdistinctastheirformscameoutofthegloom。Bythefiretheywheeledagain，andBabalatchicaughtafewwords。Willemswassaying——

"Ihavebeenatseawithhimmanyyearswhenyoung。Ihaveusedmyknowledgetoobservethewayintotheriverwhencomingin，thistime。"

Abdullaassentedingeneralterms。

"Inthevarietyofknowledgethereissafety，"hesaid；andthentheypassedoutofearshot。

Babalatchirantothetreeandtookuphispositioninthesolidblacknessunderitsbranches，leaningagainstthetrunk。Therehewasaboutmidwaybetweenthefireandtheotherlimitofthetwomen’swalk。Theypassedhimclose。Abdullaslim，verystraight，hisheadhigh，andhishandshangingbeforehimandtwistingmechanicallythestringofbeads；Willemstall，broad，lookingbiggerandstrongerincontrasttotheslightwhitefigurebythesideofwhichhestrolledcarelessly，takingonesteptotheother’stwo；hisbigarmsinconstantmotionashegesticulatedvehemently，bendingforwardtolookAbdullaintheface。

TheypassedandrepassedclosetoBabalatchisomehalfadozentimes，and，whenevertheywerebetweenhimandthefire，hecouldseethemplainenough。Sometimestheywouldstopshort，Willemsspeakingemphatically，Abdullalisteningwithrigidattention，then，whentheotherhadceased，bendinghisheadslightlyasifconsentingtosomedemand，oradmittingsomestatement。NowandthenBabalatchicaughtawordhereandthere，afragmentofasentence，aloudexclamation。Impelledbycuriosityhecrepttotheveryedgeoftheblackshadowunderthetree。Theywerenearinghim，andheheardWillemssay——

"YouwillpaythatmoneyassoonasIcomeonboard。ThatImusthave。"

HecouldnotcatchAbdulla’sreply。Whentheywentpastagain，Willemswassaying——

"Mylifeisinyourhandanyway。TheboatthatbringsmeonboardyourshipshalltakethemoneytoOmar。Youmusthaveitreadyinasealedbag。"

Againtheywereoutofhearing，butinsteadofcomingbacktheystoppedbythefirefacingeachother。Willemsmovedhisarm，shookhishandonhightalkingallthetime，thenbroughtitdownjerkily——stampedhisfoot。Ashortperiodofimmobilityensued。

Babalatchi，gazingintently，sawAbdulla’slipsmovealmostimperceptibly。SuddenlyWillemsseizedtheArab’spassivehandandshookit。Babalatchidrewthelongbreathofrelievedsuspense。Theconferencewasover。Allwell，apparently。

Heventurednowtoapproachthetwomen，whosawhimandwaitedinsilence。Willemshadretiredwithinhimselfalready，andworealookofgrimindifference。Abdullamovedawayasteportwo。

Babalatchilookedathiminquisitively。

"Igonow，"saidAbdulla，"andshallwaitforyououtsidetheriver，TuanWillems，tillthesecondsunset。Youhaveonlyoneword，Iknow。"

"Onlyoneword，"repeatedWillems。

AbdullaandBabalatchiwalkedtogetherdowntheenclosure，leavingthewhitemanalonebythefire。ThetwoArabswhohadcomewithAbdullaprecededthemandpassedatoncethroughthelittlegateintothelightandthemurmurofvoicesoftheprincipalcourtyard，butBabalatchiandAbdullastoppedonthissideofit。Abdullasaid——

"Itiswell。Wehavespokenofmanythings。Heconsents。"

"When？"askedBabalatchi，eagerly。

"Ontheseconddayfromthis。Ihavepromisedeverything。I

meantokeepmuch。"

"Yourhandisalwaysopen，OMostGenerousamongstBelievers！

Youwillnotforgetyourservantwhocalledyouhere。HaveInotspokenthetruth？Shehasmaderoastmeatofhisheart。"

WithahorizontalsweepofhisarmAbdullaseemedtopushawaythatlaststatement，andsaidslowly，withmuchmeaning——

"Hemustbeperfectlysafe；doyouunderstand？Perfectlysafe——asifhewasamongsthisownpeople——till……"

"Tillwhen？"whisperedBabalatchi。

"TillIspeak，"saidAbdulla。"AstoOmar。"Hehesitatedforamoment，thenwentonverylow:"Heisveryold。"

"Hai-ya！Oldandsick，"murmuredBabalatchi，withsuddenmelancholy。

"Hewantedmetokillthatwhiteman。Hebeggedmetohavehimkilledatonce，"saidAbdulla，contemptuously，movingagaintowardsthegate。

"Heisimpatient，likethosewhofeeldeathnearthem，"exclaimedBabalatchi，apologetically。

"Omarshalldwellwithme，"wentonAbdulla，"when……Butnomatter。Remember！Thewhitemanmustbesafe。"

"Helivesinyourshadow，"answeredBabalatchi，solemnly。"Itisenough！"HetouchedhisforeheadandfellbacktoletAbdullagofirst。

Andnowtheyarebackinthecourtyardwherefrom，attheirappearance，listlessnessvanishes，andallthefacesbecomealertandinterestedoncemore。Lakambaapproacheshisguest，butlooksatBabalatchi，whoreassureshimbyaconfidentnod。

Lakambaclumsilyattemptsasmile，andlooking，withnaturalandineradicablesulkiness，fromunderhiseyebrowsatthemanwhomhewantstohonour，askswhetherhewouldcondescendtovisittheplaceofsittingdownandtakefood。Orperhapshewouldprefertogivehimselfuptorepose？Thehouseishis，andwhatisinit，andthosemanymenthatstandafarwatchingtheinterviewarehis。SyedAbdullapresseshishost’shandtohisbreast，andinformshiminaconfidentialmurmurthathishabitsareasceticandhistemperamentinclinestomelancholy。Norest；nofood；nousewhateverforthosemanymenwhoarehis。SyedAbdullaisimpatienttobegone。Lakambaissorrowfulbutpolite，inhishesitating，gloomyway。TuanAbdullamusthavefreshboatmen，andmany，toshortenthedarkandfatiguingroad。Hai-ya！

There！Boats！

Bytheriversideindistinctformsleapintoanoisyanddisorderlyactivity。Therearecries，orders，banter，abuse。

Torchesblazesendingoutmuchmoresmokethanlight，andintheirredglareBabalatchicomesuptosaythattheboatsareready。

ThroughthatluridglareSyedAbdulla，inhislongwhitegown，seemstoglidefantastically，likeadignifiedapparitionattendedbytwoinferiorshades，andstandsforamomentatthelanding-placetotakeleaveofhishostandally——whomheloves。

SyedAbdullasayssodistinctlybeforeembarking，andtakeshisseatinthemiddleofthecanoeunderasmallcanopyofbluecalicostretchedonfoursticks。BeforeandbehindSyedAbdulla，themensquattingbythegunwalesholdhighthebladesoftheirpaddlesinreadinessforadip，alltogether。Ready？Notyet。

Holdonall！SyedAbdullaspeaksagain，whileLakambaandBabalatchistandcloseonthebanktohearhiswords。Hiswordsareencouraging。Beforethesunrisesforthesecondtimetheyshallmeet，andSyedAbdulla’sshipshallfloatonthewatersofthisriver——atlast！LakambaandBabalatchihavenodoubt——ifAllahwills。TheyareinthehandsoftheCompassionate。Nodoubt。AndsoisSyedAbdulla，thegreattraderwhodoesnotknowwhatthewordfailuremeans；andsoisthewhiteman——thesmartestbusinessmanintheislands——whoislyingnowbyOmar’sfirewithhisheadonAissa’slap，whileSyedAbdullafliesdownthemuddyriverwithcurrentandpaddlesbetweenthesombrewallsofthesleepingforest；onhiswaytotheclearandopenseawheretheLordoftheIsles(formerlyofGreenock，butcondemned，sold，andregisterednowasofPenang)waitsforitsowner，andswingserraticallyatanchorinthecurrentsofthecapricioustide，underthecrumblingredcliffsofTanjongMirrah。

ForsometimeLakamba，Sahamin，andBahassoenlookedsilentlyintothehumiddarknesswhichhadswallowedthebigcanoethatcarriedAbdullaandhisunvaryinggoodfortune。Thenthetwoguestsbrokeintoatalkexpressiveoftheirjoyfulanticipations。ThevenerableSahamin，asbecamehisadvancedage，foundhisdelightinspeculationastotheactivitiesofaratherremotefuture。Hewouldbuypraus，hewouldsendexpeditionsuptheriver，hewouldenlargehistrade，and，backedbyAbdulla’scapital，hewouldgrowrichinaveryfewyears。

Veryfew。MeantimeitwouldbeagoodthingtointerviewAlmayerto-morrowand，profitingbythelastdayofthehatedman’sprosperity，obtainsomegoodsfromhimoncredit。Sahaminthoughtitcouldbedonebyskilfulwheedling。Afterall，thatsonofSatanwasafool，andthethingwasworthdoing，becausethecomingrevolutionwouldwipealldebtsout。Sahamindidnotmindimpartingthatideatohiscompanions，withmuchsenilechuckling，whiletheystrolledtogetherfromtheriversidetowardstheresidence。Thebull-neckedLakamba，listeningwithpoutedlipswithoutthesignofasmile，withoutagleaminhisdull，bloodshoteyes，shuffledslowlyacrossthecourtyardbetweenhistwoguests。ButsuddenlyBahassoenbrokeinupontheoldman’sprattlewiththegenerousenthusiasmofhisyouth……Tradingwasverygood。Butwasthechangethatwouldmakethemhappyeffectedyet？Thewhitemanshouldbedespoiledwithastronghand！……Hegrewexcited，spokeveryloud，andhisfurtherdiscourse，deliveredwithhishandonthehiltofhissword，dealtincoherentlywiththehonourabletopicsofthroat-cutting，fire-raising，andwiththefar-famedvalourofhisancestors。

Babalatchiremainedbehind，alonewiththegreatnessofhisconceptions。ThesagaciousstatesmanofSambirsentascornfulglanceafterhisnobleprotectorandhisnobleprotector’sfriends，andthenstoodmeditatingaboutthatfuturewhichtotheothersseemedsoassured。NotsotoBabalatchi，whopaidthepenaltyofhiswisdombyavaguesenseofinsecuritythatkeptsleepatarm’slengthfromhistiredbody。Whenhethoughtatlastofleavingthewaterside，itwasonlytostrikeapathforhimselfandtocreepalongthefences，avoidingthemiddleofthecourtyardwheresmallfiresglimmeredandwinkedasthoughthesinisterdarknesstherehadreflectedthestarsofthesereneheaven。Heslunkpastthewicket-gateofOmar’senclosure，andcreptonpatientlyalongthelightbamboopalisadetillhewasstoppedbytheanglewhereitjoinedtheheavystockadeofLakamba’sprivateground。Standingthere，hecouldlookoverthefenceandseeOmar’shutandthefirebeforeitsdoor。Hecouldalsoseetheshadowoftwohumanbeingssittingbetweenhimandtheredglow。Amanandawoman。Thesightseemedtoinspirethecarewornsagewithafrivolousdesiretosing。Itcouldhardlybecalledasong；itwasmoreinthenatureofarecitativewithoutanyrhythm，deliveredrapidlybutdistinctlyinacroakingandunsteadyvoice；andifBabalatchiconsidereditasong，thenitwasasongwithapurposeand，perhapsforthatreason，artisticallydefective。Ithadalltheimperfectionsofunskilfulimprovisationanditssubjectwasgruesome。Ittoldataleofshipwreckandofthirst，andofonebrotherkillinganotherforthesakeofagourdofwater。Arepulsivestorywhichmighthavehadapurposebutpossessednomoralwhatever。

YetitmusthavepleasedBabalatchiforherepeatedittwice，thesecondtimeeveninloudertonesthanatfirst，causingadisturbanceamongstthewhiterice-birdsandthewildfruit-pigeonswhichroostedontheboughsofthebigtreegrowinginOmar’scompound。Therewasinthethickfoliageabovethesinger’sheadaconfusedbeatingofwings，sleepyremarksinbird-language，asharpstirofleaves。Theformsbythefiremoved；theshadowofthewomanaltereditsshape，andBabalatchi’ssongwascutshortabruptlybyafitofsoftandpersistentcoughing。Hedidnottrytoresumehiseffortsafterthatinterruption，butwentawaystealthilytoseek——ifnotsleep——then，atleast，repose。