第5章

CHAPTERSIX

AssoonasAbdullaandhiscompanionshadlefttheenclosure，AissaapproachedWillemsandstoodbyhisside。Hetooknonoticeofherexpectantattitudetillshetouchedhimgently，whenheturnedfuriouslyuponherand，tearingoffherface-veil，trampleduponitasthoughithadbeenamortalenemy。Shelookedathimwiththefaintsmileofpatientcuriosity，withthepuzzledinterestofignorancewatchingtherunningofacomplicatedpieceofmachinery。Afterhehadexhaustedhisrage，hestoodagainsevereandunbendinglookingdownatthefire，butthetouchofherfingersatthenapeofhisneckeffacedinstantlythehardlinesroundhismouth；hiseyeswavereduneasily；hislipstrembledslightly。Startingwiththeunresistingrapidityofaparticleofiron——which，quiescentonemoment，leapsinthenexttoapowerfulmagnet——hemovedforward，caughtherinhisarmsandpressedherviolentlytohisbreast。

Hereleasedherassuddenly，andshestumbledalittle，steppedback，breathedquicklythroughherpartedlips，andsaidinatoneofpleasedreproof——

"OFool-man！Andifyouhadkilledmeinyourstrongarmswhatwouldyouhavedone？"

"Youwanttolive……andtorunawayfrommeagain，"hesaidgently。"Tellme——doyou？"

Shemovedtowardshimwithveryshortsteps，herheadalittleononeside，handsonhips，withaslightbalancingofherbody:anapproachmoretantalizingthananescape。Helookedon，eager——charmed。Shespokejestingly。

"WhatamItosaytoamanwhohasbeenawaythreedaysfromme？

Three！"sherepeated，holdingupplayfullythreefingersbeforeWillems’eyes。Hesnatchedatthehand，butshewasonherguardandwhiskeditbehindherback。

"No！"shesaid。"Icannotbecaught。ButIwillcome。IamcomingmyselfbecauseIlike。Donotmove。Donottouchmewithyourmightyhands，Ochild！"

Asshespokeshemadeastepnearer，thenanother。Willemsdidnotstir。Pressingagainsthimshestoodontiptoetolookintohiseyes，andherownseemedtogrowbigger，glisteningandtender，appealingandpromising。Withthatlookshedrewtheman’ssoulawayfromhimthroughhisimmobilepupils，andfromWillems’featuresthesparkofreasonvanishedunderhergazeandwasreplacedbyanappearanceofphysicalwell-being，anecstasyofthesenseswhichhadtakenpossessionofhisrigidbody；anecstasythatdroveoutregrets，hesitationanddoubt，andproclaimeditsterribleworkbyanappallingaspectofidioticbeatitude。Heneverstirredalimb，hardlybreathed，butstoodinstiffimmobility，absorbingthedelightofherclosecontactbyeverypore。

"Closer！Closer！"hemurmured。

Slowlysheraisedherarms，putthemoverhisshoulders，andclaspingherhandsatthebackofhisneck，swungoffthefulllengthofherarms。Herheadfellback，theeyelidsdroppedslightly，andherthickhairhungstraightdown:amassofebonytouchedbytheredgleamsofthefire。Hestoodunyieldingunderthestrain，assolidandmotionlessasoneofthebigtreesofthesurroundingforests；andhiseyeslookedatthemodellingofherchin，attheoutlineofherneck，attheswellinglinesofherbosom，withthefamishedandconcentratedexpressionofastarvingmanlookingatfood。Shedrewherselfuptohimandrubbedherheadagainsthischeekslowlyandgently。Hesighed。

She，withherhandsstillonhisshoulders，glancedupattheplacidstarsandsaid——

"Thenightishalfgone。Weshallfinishitbythisfire。Bythisfireyoushalltellmeall:yourwordsandSyedAbdulla’swords；andlisteningtoyouIshallforgetthethreedays——becauseIamgood。Tellme——amIgood？"

Hesaid"Yes"dreamily，andsheranofftowardsthebighouse。

Whenshecameback，balancingarolloffinematsonherhead，hehadreplenishedthefireandwasreadytohelpherinarrangingacouchonthesideofitnearesttothehut。Shesankdownwithaquickbutgracefullycontrolledmovement，andhethrewhimselffulllengthwithimpatienthaste，asifhewishedtoforestallsomebody。Shetookhisheadonherknees，andwhenhefeltherhandstouchinghisface，herfingersplayingwithhishair，hehadanexpressionofbeingtakenpossessionof；heexperiencedasenseofpeace，ofrest，ofhappiness，andofsoothingdelight。

Hishandsstrayedupwardsaboutherneck，andhedrewherdownsoastohaveherfaceabovehis。Thenhewhispered——"IwishI

coulddielikethis——now！"Shelookedathimwithherbigsombreeyes，inwhichtherewasnoresponsivelight。Histhoughtwassoremotefromherunderstandingthatsheletthewordspassbyunnoticed，likethebreathofthewind，liketheflightofacloud。Womanthoughshewas，shecouldnotcomprehend，inhersimplicity，thetremendouscomplimentofthatspeech，thatwhisperofdeadlyhappiness，sosincere，sospontaneous，comingsostraightfromtheheart——likeeverycorruption。Itwasthevoiceofmadness，ofadeliriouspeace，ofhappinessthatisinfamous，cowardly，andsoexquisitethatthedebasedmindrefusestocontemplateitstermination:fortothevictimsofsuchhappinessthemomentofitsceasingisthebeginningafreshofthattorturewhichisitsprice。

Withherbrowsslightlyknittedinthedeterminedpreoccupationofherowndesires，shesaid——

"Nowtellmeall。AllthewordsspokenbetweenyouandSyedAbdulla。"

Tellwhat？Whatwords？Hervoicerecalledbacktheconsciousnessthathaddepartedunderhertouch，andhebecameawareofthepassingminuteseveryoneofwhichwaslikeareproach；ofthoseminutesthatfalling，slow，reluctant，irresistibleintothepast，markedhisfootstepsonthewaytoperdition。Notthathehadanyconvictionaboutit，anynotionofthepossibleendingonthatpainfulroad。Itwasanindistinctfeeling，athreatofsufferingliketheconfusedwarningofcomingdisease，aninarticulatemonitionofevilmadeupoffearandpleasure，ofresignationandofrevolt。Hewasashamedofhisstateofmind。Afterall，whatwasheafraidof？

Werethosescruples？Whythathesitationtothink，tospeakofwhatheintendeddoing？Scrupleswereforimbeciles。Hiscleardutywastomakehimselfhappy。DidheevertakeanoathoffidelitytoLingard？No。Wellthen——hewouldnotletanyinterestofthatoldfoolstandbetweenWillemsandWillems’

happiness。Happiness？Washenot，perchance，onafalsetrack？

Happinessmeantmoney。Muchmoney。Atleasthehadalwaysthoughtsotillhehadexperiencedthosenewsensationswhich……

Aissa’squestion，repeatedimpatiently，interruptedhismusings，andlookingupatherfaceshiningabovehiminthedimlightofthefirehestretchedhislimbsluxuriouslyandobedienttoherdesire，hespokeslowlyandhardlyabovehisbreath。She，withherheadclosetohislips，listenedabsorbed，interested，inattentiveimmobility。Themanynoisesofthegreatcourtyardwerehushedupgraduallybythesleepthatstilledallvoicesandclosedalleyes。Thensomebodydronedoutasongwithanasaldrawlattheendofeveryverse。Hestirred。Sheputherhandsuddenlyonhislipsandsatupright。Therewasafeeblecoughing，arustleofleaves，andthenacompletesilencetookpossessionoftheland；asilencecold，mournful，profound；morelikedeaththanpeace；morehardtobearthanthefiercesttumult。Assoonassheremovedherhandhehastenedtospeak，soinsupportabletohimwasthatstillnessperfectandabsoluteinwhichhisthoughtsseemedtoringwiththeloudnessofshouts。

"Whowastheremakingthatnoise？"heasked。

"Idonotknow。Heisgonenow，"sheanswered，hastily。"Tellme，youwillnotreturntoyourpeople；notwithoutme。Notwithme。Doyoupromise？"

"Ihavepromisedalready。Ihavenopeopleofmyown。HaveI

nottoldyou，thatyouareeverybodytome？"

"Ah，yes，"shesaid，slowly，"butIliketohearyousaythatagain——everyday，andeverynight，wheneverIask；andnevertobeangrybecauseIask。Iamafraidofwhitewomenwhoareshamelessandhavefierceeyes。"Shescannedhisfeaturescloseforamomentandadded:

"Aretheyverybeautiful？Theymustbe。"

"Idonotknow，"hewhispered，thoughtfully。"AndifIeverdidknow，lookingatyouIhaveforgotten。"

"Forgotten！Andforthreedaysandtwonightsyouhaveforgottenmealso！Why？WhywereyouangrywithmewhenIspokeatfirstofTuanAbdulla，inthedayswhenwelivedbesidethebrook？Yourememberedsomebodythen。Somebodyinthelandwhenceyoucome。

Yourtongueisfalse。Youarewhiteindeed，andyourheartisfullofdeception。Iknowit。AndyetIcannothelpbelievingyouwhenyoutalkofyourloveforme。ButIamafraid！"

Hefeltflatteredandannoyedbyhervehemence，andsaid——

"Well，Iamwithyounow。Ididcomeback。Anditwasyouthatwentaway。"

"WhenyouhavehelpedAbdullaagainsttheRajahLaut，whoisthefirstofwhitemen，Ishallnotbeafraidanymore，"shewhispered。

"YoumustbelievewhatIsaywhenItellyouthatthereneverwasanotherwoman；thatthereisnothingformetoregret，andnothingbutmyenemiestoremember。"

"Wheredoyoucomefrom？"shesaid，impulsiveandinconsequent，inapassionatewhisper。"Whatisthatlandbeyondthegreatseafromwhichyoucome？Alandofliesandofevilfromwhichnothingbutmisfortuneevercomestous——whoarenotwhite。Didyounotatfirstaskmetogotherewithyou？ThatiswhyIwentaway。"

"Ishallneveraskyouagain。"

"Andthereisnowomanwaitingforyouthere？"

"No！"saidWillems，firmly。

Shebentoverhim。Herlipshoveredabovehisfaceandherlonghairbrushedhischeeks。

"YoutaughtmetheloveofyourpeoplewhichisoftheDevil，"

shemurmured，andbendingstilllower，shesaidfaintly，"Likethis？"

"Yes，likethis！"heansweredverylow，inavoicethattrembledslightlywitheagerness；andshepressedsuddenlyherlipstohiswhileheclosedhiseyesinanecstasyofdelight。

Therewasalongintervalofsilence。Shestrokedhisheadwithgentletouches，andhelaydreamily，perfectlyhappybutfortheannoyanceofanindistinctvisionofawell-knownfigure；amangoingawayfromhimanddiminishinginalongperspectiveoffantastictrees，whoseeveryleafwasaneyelookingafterthatman，whowalkedawaygrowingsmaller，butnevergettingoutofsightforallhissteadyprogress。Hefeltadesiretoseehimvanish，ahurriedimpatienceofhisdisappearance，andhewatchedforitwithacarefulandirksomeeffort。Therewassomethingfamiliaraboutthatfigure。Why！Himself！Hegaveasuddenstartandopenedhiseyes，quiveringwiththeemotionofthatquickreturnfromsofar，offindinghimselfbackbythefirewiththerapidityofaflashoflightning。Ithadbeenhalfadream；hehadslumberedinherarmsforafewseconds。Onlythebeginningofadream——nothingmore。Butitwassometimebeforeherecoveredfromtheshockofseeinghimselfgoawaysodeliberately，sodefinitely，sounguardedly；andgoingaway——where？Now，ifhehadnotwokeupintimehewouldneverhavecomebackagainfromthere；fromwhateverplacehewasgoingto。Hefeltindignant。Itwaslikeanevasion，likeaprisonerbreakinghisparole——thatthingslinkingoffstealthilywhileheslept。Hewasveryindignant，andwasalsoastonishedattheabsurdityofhisownemotions。

Shefelthimtremble，andmurmuringtenderwords，pressedhisheadtoherbreast。Againhefeltverypeacefulwithapeacethatwasascompleteasthesilenceroundthem。Hemuttered——

"Youaretired，Aissa。"

Sheansweredsolowthatitwaslikeasighshapedintofaintwords。

"Ishallwatchyoursleep，Ochild！"

Helayveryquiet，andlistenedtothebeatingofherheart。

Thatsound，light，rapid，persistent，andsteady；herverylifebeatingagainsthischeek，gavehimaclearperceptionofsecureownership，strengthenedhisbeliefinhispossessionofthathumanbeing，waslikeanassuranceofthevaguefelicityofthefuture。Therewerenoregrets，nodoubts，nohesitationnow。

Hadthereeverbeen？Allthatseemedfaraway，agesago——asunrealandpaleasthefadingmemoryofsomedelirium。Alltheanguish，suffering，strifeofthepastdays；thehumiliationandangerofhisdownfall；allthatwasaninfamousnightmare，athingborninsleeptobeforgottenandleavenotrace——andtruelifewasthis:thisdreamyimmobilitywithhisheadagainstherheartthatbeatsosteadily。

Hewasbroadawakenow，withthattinglingwakefulnessofthetiredbodywhichsucceedstothefewrefreshingsecondsofirresistiblesleep，andhiswide-openeyeslookedabsentlyatthedoorwayofOmar’shut。Thereedwallsglistenedinthelightofthefire，thesmokeofwhich，thinandblue，driftedslantinginasuccessionofringsandspiralsacrossthedoorway，whoseemptyblacknessseemedtohimimpenetrableandenigmaticallikeacurtainhidingvastspacesfullofunexpectedsurprises。Thiswasonlyhisfancy，butitwasabsorbingenoughtomakehimacceptthesuddenappearanceofahead，comingoutofthegloom，aspartofhisidlefantasyorasthebeginningofanothershortdream，ofanothervagaryofhisovertiredbrain。Afacewithdroopingeyelids，old，thin，andyellow，abovethescatteredwhiteofalongbeardthattouchedtheearth。Aheadwithoutabody，onlyafootabovetheground，turningslightlyfromsidetosideontheedgeofthecircleoflightasiftocatchtheradiatingheatofthefireoneithercheekinsuccession。Hewatcheditinpassiveamazement，growingdistinct，asifcomingnearertohim，andtheconfusedoutlinesofabodycrawlingonallfourscameout，creepinginchbyinchtowardsthefire，withasilentandallbutimperceptiblemovement。Hewasastoundedattheappearanceofthatblindheaddraggingthatcrippledbodybehind，withoutasound，withoutachangeinthecomposureofthesightlessface，whichwasplainonesecond，blurredthenextintheplayofthelightthatdrewittoitselfsteadily。Amutefacewithakrissbetweenitslips。Thiswasnodream。Omar’sface。Butwhy？Whatwasheafter？

Hewastooindolentinthehappylanguorofthemomenttoanswerthequestion。Itdartedthroughhisbrainandpassedout，leavinghimfreetolistenagaintothebeatingofherheart；tothatpreciousanddelicatesoundwhichfilledthequietimmensityofthenight。Glancingupwardshesawthemotionlessheadofthewomanlookingdownathiminatendergleamofliquidwhitebetweenthelongeyelashes，whoseshadowrestedonthesoftcurveofhercheek；andunderthecaressofthatlook，theuneasywonderandtheobscurefearofthatapparition，crouchingandcreepinginturnstowardsthefirethatwasitsguide，werelost——weredrownedinthequietudeofallhissenses，aspainisdrownedinthefloodofdrowsyserenitythatfollowsuponadoseofopium。

Healteredthepositionofhisheadbyeversolittle，andnowcouldseeeasilythatapparitionwhichhehadseenaminutebeforeandhadnearlyforgottenalready。Ithadmovedcloser，glidingandnoiselessliketheshadowofsomenightmare，andnowitwasthere，verynear，motionlessandstillasiflistening；

onehandandonekneeadvanced；theneckstretchedoutandtheheadturnedfulltowardsthefire。Hecouldseetheemaciatedface，theskinshinyovertheprominentbones，theblackshadowsofthehollowtemplesandsunkencheeks，andthetwopatchesofblacknessovertheeyes，overthoseeyesthatweredeadandcouldnotsee。Whatwastheimpulsewhichdroveoutthisblindcrippleintothenighttocreepandcrawltowardsthatfire？Helookedathim，fascinated，buttheface，withitsshiftinglightsandshadows，letoutnothing，closedandimpenetrablelikeawalleddoor。

Omarraisedhimselftoakneelingpostureandsankonhisheels，withhishandshangingdownbeforehim。Willems，lookingoutofhisdreamynumbness，couldseeplainlythekrissbetweenthethinlips，abaracrosstheface；thehandleononesidewherethepolishedwoodcaughtaredgleamfromthefireandthethinlineofthebladerunningtoadullblackpointontheother。Hefeltaninwardshock，whichlefthisbodypassiveinAissa’sembrace，butfilledhisbreastwithatumultofpowerlessfear；andheperceivedsuddenlythatitwashisowndeaththatwasgropingtowardshim；thatitwasthehateofhimselfandthehateofherloveforhimwhichdrovethishelplesswreckofaoncebrilliantandresolutepirate，toattemptadesperatedeedthatwouldbethegloriousandsupremeconsolationofanunhappyoldage。Andwhilehelooked，paralyzedwithdread，atthefatherwhohadresumedhiscautiousadvance——blindlikefate，persistentlikedestiny——helistenedwithgreedyeagernesstotheheartofthedaughterbeatinglight，rapid，andsteadyagainsthishead。

Hewasinthegripofhorriblefear；ofafearwhosecoldhandrobsitsvictimofallwillandofallpower；ofallwishtoescape，toresist，ortomove；whichdestroyshopeanddespairalike，andholdstheemptyanduselesscarcassasifinaviseunderthecomingstroke。Itwasnotthefearofdeath——hehadfaceddangerbefore——itwasnoteventhefearofthatparticularformofdeath。Itwasnotthefearoftheend，forheknewthattheendwouldnotcomethen。Amovement，aleap，ashoutwouldsavehimfromthefeeblehandoftheblindoldman，fromthathandthatevennowwas，withcautioussweepsalongtheground，feelingforhisbodyinthedarkness。Itwastheunreasoningfearofthisglimpseintotheunknownthings，intothosemotives，impulses，desireshehadignored，butthathadlivedinthebreastsofdespisedmen，closebyhisside，andwererevealedtohimforasecond，tobehiddenagainbehindtheblackmistsofdoubtanddeception。Itwasnotdeaththatfrightenedhim:itwasthehorrorofbewilderedlifewherehecouldunderstandnothingandnobodyroundhim；wherehecouldguide，control，comprehendnothingandnoone——notevenhimself。

Hefeltatouchonhisside。Thatcontact，lighterthanthecaressofamother’shandonthecheekofasleepingchild，hadforhimtheforceofacrushingblow。Omarhadcreptclose，andnow，kneelingabovehim，heldthekrissinonehandwhiletheotherskimmedoverhisjacketuptowardshisbreastingentletouches；buttheblindface，stillturnedtotheheatofthefire，wassetandimmovableinitsaspectofstonyindifferencetothingsitcouldnothopetosee。WithaneffortWillemstookhiseyesoffthedeathlikemaskandturnedthemuptoAissa’shead。Shesatmotionlessasifshehadbeenpartofthesleepingearth，thensuddenlyhesawherbigsombreeyesopenoutwideinapiercingstareandfelttheconvulsivepressureofherhandspinninghisarmsalonghisbody。Aseconddraggeditselfout，slowandbitter，likeadayofmourning；asecondfullofregretandgriefforthatfaithinherwhichtookitsflightfromtheshatteredruinsofhistrust。Shewasholdinghim！Shetoo！Hefeltherheartgiveagreatleap，hisheadslippeddownonherknees，heclosedhiseyesandtherewasnothing。Nothing！Itwasasifshehaddied；asthoughherhearthadleapedoutintothenight，abandoninghim，defencelessandalone，inanemptyworld。

Hisheadstruckthegroundheavilyassheflunghimasideinhersuddenrush。Helayasifstunned，faceupand，daringnotmove，didnotseethestruggle，butheardthepiercingshriekofmadfear，herlowangrywords；anothershriekdyingoutinamoan。

WhenhegotupatlasthelookedatAissakneelingoverherfather，hesawherbentbackintheeffortofholdinghimdown，Omar’scontortedlimbs，ahandthrownupaboveherheadandherquickmovementgraspingthewrist。Hemadeanimpulsivestepforward，butsheturnedawildfacetohimandcalledoutoverhershoulder——

"Keepback！Donotcomenear！Donot……"

Andhestoppedshort，hisarmshanginglifelesslybyhisside，asifthosewordshadchangedhimintostone。Shewasafraidofhispossibleviolence，butintheunsettlingofallhisconvictionshewasstruckwiththefrightfulthoughtthatshepreferredtokillherfatherallbyherself；andthelaststageoftheirstruggle，atwhichhelookedasthougharedfoghadfilledhiseyes，loomedupwithanunnaturalferocity，withasinistermeaning；likesomethingmonstrousanddepraved，forcingitscomplicityuponhimunderthecoverofthatawfulnight。Hewashorrifiedandgrateful；drawnirresistiblytoher——andreadytorunaway。Hecouldnotmoveatfirst——thenhedidnotwanttostir。Hewantedtoseewhatwouldhappen。Hesawherlift，withatremendouseffort，theapparentlylifelessbodyintothehut，andremainedstanding，aftertheydisappeared，withthevividimageinhiseyesofthatheadswayingonhershoulder，thelowerjawhangingdown，collapsed，passive，meaningless，liketheheadofacorpse。

Thenafterawhileheheardhervoicespeakinginside，harshly，withanagitatedabruptnessoftone；andinanswerthereweregroansandbrokenmurmursofexhaustion。Shespokelouder。Heheardhersayingviolently——"No！No！Never！"

Andagainaplaintivemurmurofentreatyasofsomeonebeggingforasupremefavour，withalastbreath。Thenshesaid——

"Never！Iwouldsoonerstrikeitintomyownheart。"

Shecameout，stoodpantingforashortmomentinthedoorway，andthensteppedintothefirelight。Behindher，throughthedarknesscamethesoundofwordscallingthevengeanceofheavenonherhead，risinghigher，shrill，strained，repeatingthecurseoverandoveragain——tillthevoicecrackedinapassionateshriekthatdiedoutintohoarsemutteringendingwithadeepandprolongedsigh。ShestoodfacingWillems，onehandbehindherback，theotherraisedinagesturecompellingattention，andshelistenedinthatattitudetillallwasstillinsidethehut。

Thenshemadeanotherstepforwardandherhanddroppedslowly。

"Nothingbutmisfortune，"shewhispered，absently，toherself。

"Nothingbutmisfortunetouswhoarenotwhite。"Theangerandexcitementdiedoutofherface，andshelookedstraightatWillemswithanintenseandmournfulgaze。

Herecoveredhissensesandhispowerofspeechwithasuddenstart。

"Aissa，"heexclaimed，andthewordsbrokeoutthroughhislipswithhurriednervousness。"Aissa！HowcanIlivehere？Trustme。Believeinme。Letusgoawayfromhere。Goveryfaraway！

Veryfar；youandI！"

Hedidnotstoptoaskhimselfwhetherhecouldescape，andhow，andwhere。Hewascarriedawaybythefloodofhate，disgust，andcontemptofawhitemanforthatbloodwhichisnothisblood，forthatracewhichisnothisrace；forthebrownskins；

fortheheartsfalselikethesea，blackerthannight。Thisfeelingofrepulsionovermasteredhisreasoninaclearconvictionoftheimpossibilityforhimtolivewithherpeople。

Heurgedherpassionatelytoflywithhimbecauseoutofallthatabhorredcrowdhewantedthisonewoman，butwantedherawayfromthem，awayfromthatraceofslavesandcut-throatsfromwhichshesprang。Hewantedherforhimself——farfromeverybody，insomesafeanddumbsolitude。Andashespokehisangerandcontemptrose，hishatebecamealmostfear；andhisdesireofhergrewimmense，burning，illogicalandmerciless；cryingtohimthroughallhissenses；louderthanhishate，strongerthanhisfear，deeperthanhiscontempt——irresistibleandcertainlikedeathitself。

Standingatalittledistance，justwithinthelight——butonthethresholdofthatdarknessfromwhichshehadcome——shelistened，onehandstillbehindherback，theotherarmstretchedoutwiththehandhalfopenasiftocatchthefleetingwordsthatrangaroundher，passionate，menacing，imploring，butalltingedwiththeanguishofhissuffering，allhurriedbytheimpatiencethatgnawedhisbreast。Andwhileshelistenedshefeltaslowingdownofherheart-beatsasthemeaningofhisappealgrewclearerbeforeherindignanteyes，asshesawwithrageandpaintheedificeofherlove，herownwork，crumbleslowlytopieces，destroyedbythatman’sfears，bythatman’sfalseness。Hermemoryrecalledthedaysbythebrookwhenshehadlistenedtootherwords——tootherthoughts——topromisesandtopleadingsforotherthings，whichcamefromthatman’slipsatthebiddingofherlookorhersmile，atthenodofherhead，atthewhisperofherlips。Wastheretheninhisheartsomethingelsethanherimage，otherdesiresthanthedesiresofherlove，otherfearsthanthefearoflosingher？Howcouldthatbe？Hadshegrownuglyoroldinamoment？Shewasappalled，surprisedandangrywiththeangerofunexpectedhumiliation；andhereyeslookedfixedly，sombreandsteady，atthatmanborninthelandofviolenceandofevilwherefromnothingbutmisfortunecomestothosewhoarenotwhite。Insteadofthinkingofhercaresses，insteadofforgettingalltheworldinherembrace，hewasthinkingyetofhispeople；ofthatpeoplethatstealseveryland，masterseverysea，thatknowsnomercyandnotruth——knowsnothingbutitsownstrength。Omanofstrongarmandoffalseheart！Gowithhimtoafarcountry，belostinthethrongofcoldeyesandfalsehearts——losehimthere！Never！Hewasmad——madwithfear；butheshouldnotescapeher！Shewouldkeephimhereaslaveandamaster；herewherehewasalonewithher；

wherehemustliveforher——ordie。Shehadarighttohislovewhichwasofhermaking，tothelovethatwasinhimnow，whilehespokethosewordswithoutsense。Shemustputbetweenhimandotherwhitemenabarrierofhate。Hemustnotonlystay，buthemustalsokeephispromisetoAbdulla，thefulfilmentofwhichwouldmakehersafe。

"Aissa，letusgo！WithyoubymysideIwouldattackthemwithmynakedhands。Orno！Tomorrowweshallbeoutside，onboardAbdulla’sship。YoushallcomewithmeandthenIcould……

Iftheshipwentashorebysomechance，thenwecouldstealacanoeandescapeintheconfusion……Youarenotafraidofthesea……oftheseathatwouldgivemefreedom……"

Hewasapproachinghergraduallywithextendedarms，whilehepleadedardentlyinincoherentwordsthatranoverandtrippedeachotherintheextremeeagernessofhisspeech。Shesteppedback，keepingherdistance，hereyesonhisface，watchingonittheplayofhisdoubtsandofhishopeswithapiercinggaze，thatseemedtosearchouttheinnermostrecessesofhisthought；

anditwasasifshehaddrawnslowlythedarknessroundher，wrappingherselfinitsundulatingfoldsthatmadeherindistinctandvague。Hefollowedherstepbysteptillatlasttheybothstopped，facingeachotherunderthebigtreeoftheenclosure。

Thesolitaryexileoftheforests，great，motionlessandsolemninhisabandonment，leftalonebythelifeofagesthathadbeenpushedawayfromhimbythosepigmiesthatcreptathisfoot，toweredhighandstraightabovetheirheads。Heseemedtolookon，dispassionateandimposing，inhislonelygreatness，spreadinghisbrancheswideinagestureofloftyprotection，asiftohidetheminthesombreshelterofinnumerableleaves；asifmovedbythedisdainfulcompassionofthestrong，bythescornfulpityofanagedgiant，toscreenthisstruggleoftwohumanheartsfromthecoldscrutinyofglitteringstars。

Thelastcryofhisappealtohermercyroseloud，vibratedunderthesombrecanopy，dartedamongtheboughsstartlingthewhitebirdsthatsleptwingtowing——anddiedwithoutanecho，strangledinthedensemassofunstirringleaves。Hecouldnotseeherface，butheheardhersighsandthedistractedmurmurofindistinctwords。Then，ashelistenedholdinghisbreath，sheexclaimedsuddenly——

"Haveyouheardhim？HehascursedmebecauseIloveyou。Youbroughtmesufferingandstrife——andhiscurse。AndnowyouwanttotakemefarawaywhereIwouldloseyou，losemylife；becauseyourloveismylifenow。Whatelseisthere？Donotmove，"shecriedviolently，ashestirredalittle——"donotspeak！Takethis！Sleepinpeace！"

Hesawashadowymovementofherarm。Somethingwhizzedpastandstruckthegroundbehindhim，closetothefire。Instinctivelyheturnedroundtolookatit。Akrisswithoutitssheathlaybytheembers；asinuousdarkobject，lookinglikesomethingthathadbeenaliveandwasnowcrushed，deadandveryinoffensive；ablackwavyoutlineverydistinctandstillinthedullredglow。

Withoutthinkinghemovedtopickitup，stoopingwiththesadandhumblemovementofabeggargatheringthealmsflungintothedustoftheroadside。Wasthistheanswertohispleading，tothehotandlivingwordsthatcamefromhisheart？Wasthistheanswerthrownathimlikeaninsult，thatthingmadeofwoodandiron，insignificantandvenomous，fragileanddeadly？Hehelditbythebladeandlookedatthehandlestupidlyforamomentbeforeheletitfallagainathisfeet；andwhenheturnedroundhefacedonlythenight:——thenightimmense，profoundandquiet；

aseaofdarknessinwhichshehaddisappearedwithoutleavingatrace。

Hemovedforwardwithuncertainsteps，puttingoutbothhishandsbeforehimwiththeanguishofamanblindedsuddenly。

"Aissa！"hecried——"cometomeatonce。"

Hepeeredandlistened，butsawnothing，heardnothing。Afterawhilethesolidblacknessseemedtowavebeforehiseyeslikeacurtaindisclosingmovementsbuthidingforms，andheheardlightandhurriedfootsteps，thentheshortclatterofthegateleadingtoLakamba’sprivateenclosure。Hesprangforwardandbroughtupagainsttheroughtimberintimetohearthewords，"Quick！

Quick！"andthesoundofthewoodenbardroppedontheotherside，securingthegate。Withhisarmsthrownup，thepalmsagainstthepaling，hesliddowninaheapontheground。

"Aissa，"hesaid，pleadingly，pressinghislipstoachinkbetweenthestakes。"Aissa，doyouhearme？Comeback！Iwilldowhatyouwant，giveyouallyoudesire——ifIhavetosetthewholeSambironfireandputthatfireoutwithblood。Onlycomeback。Now！Atonce！Areyouthere？Doyouhearme？Aissa！"

Ontheothersidetherewerestartledwhispersoffemininevoices；afrightenedlittlelaughsuddenlyinterrupted；somewoman’sadmiringmurmur——"Thisisbravetalk！"ThenafterashortsilenceAissacried——

"Sleepinpeace——forthetimeofyourgoingisnear。NowIamafraidofyou。Afraidofyourfear。WhenyoureturnwithTuanAbdullayoushallbegreat。Youwillfindmehere。Andtherewillbenothingbutlove。Nothingelse！——Always！——Tillwedie！"

Helistenedtotheshuffleoffootstepsgoingaway，andstaggeredtohisfeet，mutewiththeexcessofhispassionateangeragainstthatbeingsosavageandsocharming；loathingher，himself，everybodyhehadeverknown；theearth，thesky，theveryairhedrewintohisoppressedchest；loathingitbecauseitmadehimlive，loathingherbecauseshemadehimsuffer。Buthecouldnotleavethatgatethroughwhichshehadpassed。Hewanderedalittlewayoff，thenswervedround，camebackandfelldownagainbythestockadeonlytorisesuddenlyinanotherattempttobreakawayfromthespellthatheldhim，thatbroughthimbackthere，dumb，obedientandfurious。Andundertheimmobilizedgestureofloftyprotectioninthebranchesoutspreadwideabovehishead，underthehighbrancheswherewhitebirdssleptwingtowingintheshelterofcountlessleaves，hetossedlikeagrainofdustinawhirlwind——sinkingandrising——roundandround——alwaysnearthatgate。Allthroughthelanguidstillnessofthatnighthefoughtwiththeimpalpable；hefoughtwiththeshadows，withthedarkness，withthesilence。Hefoughtwithoutasound，strikingfutileblows，dashingfromsidetoside；obstinate，hopeless，andalwaysbeatenback；likeamanbewitchedwithintheinvisiblesweepofamagiccircle。

PARTIII

CHAPTERONE

"Yes！Cat，dog，anythingthatcanscratchorbite；aslongasitisharmfulenoughandmangyenough。Asicktigerwouldmakeyouhappy——ofallthings。Ahalf-deadtigerthatyoucouldweepoverandpalmuponsomepoordevilinyourpower，totendandnurseforyou。Nevermindtheconsequences——tothepoordevil。Lethimbemangledoreatenup，ofcourse！Youhaven’tanypitytospareforthevictimsofyourinfernalcharity。Notyou！Yourtenderheartbleedsonlyforwhatispoisonousanddeadly。I

cursethedaywhenyousetyourbenevolenteyesonhim。Icurseit……"

"Nowthen！Nowthen！"growledLingardinhismoustache。

Almayer，whohadtalkedhimselfuptothechokingpoint，drewalongbreathandwenton——

"Yes！Ithasbeenalwaysso。Always。AsfarbackasIcanremember。Don’tyourecollect？Whataboutthathalf-starveddogyoubroughtonboardinBankokinyourarms。Inyourarmsby……！Itwentmadnextdayandbittheserang。Youdon’tmeantosayyouhaveforgotten？Thebestserangyoueverhad！Yousaidsoyourselfwhileyouwerehelpingustolashhimdowntothechain-cable，justbeforehediedinhisfits。Now，didn’tyou？

Twowivesandeversomanychildrenthemanleft。Thatwasyourdoing……AndwhenyouwentoutofyourwayandriskedyourshiptorescuesomeChinamenfromawater-loggedjunkinFormosaStraits，thatwasalsoacleverpieceofbusiness。Wasn’tit？

ThosedamnedChinamenroseonyoubeforeforty-eighthours。Theywerecut-throats，thosepoorfishermen。Youknewtheywerecut-throatsbeforeyoumadeupyourmindtorundownonaleeshoreinagaleofwindtosavethem。Amadtrick！Iftheyhadn’tbeenscoundrels——hopelessscoundrels——youwouldnothaveputyourshipinjeopardyforthem，Iknow。Youwouldnothaveriskedthelivesofyourcrew——thatcrewyoulovedso——andyourownlife。Wasn’tthatfoolish！And，besides，youwerenothonest。Supposeyouhadbeendrowned？Iwouldhavebeeninaprettymessthen，leftaloneherewiththatadopteddaughterofyours。Yourdutywastomyselffirst。Imarriedthatgirlbecauseyoupromisedtomakemyfortune。Youknowyoudid！Andthenthreemonthsafterwardsyougoanddothatmadtrick——foralotofChinamentoo。Chinamen！Youhavenomorality。Imighthavebeenruinedforthesakeofthosemurderousscoundrelsthat，afterall，hadtobedrivenoverboardafterkillingeversomanyofyourcrew——ofyourbelovedcrew！Doyoucallthathonest？"

"Well，well！"mutteredLingard，chewingnervouslythestumpofhischerootthathadgoneoutandlookingatAlmayer——whostampedwildlyabouttheverandah——muchasashepherdmightlookatapetsheepinhisobedientflockturningunexpectedlyuponhiminenragedrevolt。Heseemeddisconcerted，contemptuouslyangryyetsomewhatamused；andalsoalittlehurtasifatsomebitterjestathisownexpense。Almayerstoppedsuddenly，andcrossinghisarmsonhisbreast，benthisbodyforwardandwentonspeaking。

"Imighthavebeenlefttheninanawkwardhole——allonaccountofyourabsurddisregardforyoursafety——yetIborenogrudge。

Iknewyourweaknesses。Butnow——whenIthinkofit！Nowweareruined。Ruined！Ruined！MypoorlittleNina。Ruined！"

Heslappedhisthighssmartly，walkedwithsmallstepsthiswayandthat，seizedachair，planteditwithabangbeforeLingard，andsatdownstaringattheoldseamanwithhaggardeyes。

Lingard，returninghisstaresteadily，divedslowlyintovariouspockets，fishedoutatlastaboxofmatchesandproceededtolighthischerootcarefully，rollingitroundandroundbetweenhislips，withouttakinghisgazeforamomentoffthedistressedAlmayer。Thenfrombehindacloudoftobaccosmokehesaidcalmly——

"IfyouhadbeenintroubleasoftenasIhave，myboy，youwouldn’tcarryonso。Ihavebeenruinedmorethanonce。Well，hereIam。"

"Yes，hereyouare，"interruptedAlmayer。"Muchgooditistome。Hadyoubeenhereamonthagoitwouldhavebeenofsomeuse。Butnow！……Youmightaswellbeathousandmilesoff。"

"Youscoldlikeadrunkenfish-wife，"saidLingard，serenely。Hegotupandmovedslowlytothefrontrailoftheverandah。Thefloorshookandthewholehousevibratedunderhisheavystep。

ForamomenthestoodwithhisbacktoAlmayer，lookingoutontheriverandforestoftheeastbank，thenturnedroundandgazedmildlydownuponhim。

"It’sverylonelythismorninghere。Hey？"hesaid。

Almayerlifteduphishead。

"Ah！younoticeit——don’tyou？Ishouldthinkitislonely！

Yes，CaptainLingard，yourdayisoverinSambir。Onlyamonthagothisverandahwouldhavebeenfullofpeoplecomingtogreetyou。Fellowswouldbecomingupthosestepsgrinningandsalaaming——toyouandtome。Butourdayisover。Andnotbymyfaulteither。Youcan’tsaythat。It’sallthedoingofthatpetrascalofyours。Ah！Heisabeauty！Youshouldhaveseenhimleadingthathellishcrowd。Youwouldhavebeenproudofyouroldfavourite。"

"Smartfellowthat，"mutteredLingard，thoughtfully。Almayerjumpedupwithashriek。

"Andthat’sallyouhavetosay！Smartfellow！OLord！"

"Don’tmakeashowofyourself。Sitdown。Let’stalkquietly。

Iwanttoknowallaboutit。Soheled？"

"Hewasthesoulofthewholething。HepilotedAbdulla’sshipin。Heorderedeverythingandeverybody，"saidAlmayer，whosatdownagain，witharesignedair。

"Whendidithappen——exactly？"

"OnthesixteenthIheardthefirstrumoursofAbdulla’sshipbeingintheriver；athingIrefusedtobelieveatfirst。NextdayIcouldnotdoubtanymore。TherewasagreatcouncilheldopenlyinLakamba’splacewherealmosteverybodyinSambirattended。OntheeighteenththeLordoftheIsleswasanchoredinSambirreach，abreastofmyhouse。Let’ssee。Sixweeksto-day，exactly。"

"Andallthathappenedlikethis？Allofasudden。Youneverheardanything——nowarning。Nothing。Neverhadanideathatsomethingwasup？Come，Almayer！"

"Heard！Yes，Iusedtohearsomethingeveryday。Mostlylies。

IsthereanythingelseinSambir？"

"Youmightnothavebelievedthem，"observedLingard。"Infactyououghtnottohavebelievedeverythingthatwastoldtoyou，asifyouhadbeenagreenhandonhisfirstvoyage。"

Almayermovedinhischairuneasily。

"Thatscoundrelcamehereoneday，"hesaid。"Hehadbeenawayfromthehouseforacoupleofmonthslivingwiththatwoman。I

onlyheardabouthimnowandthenfromPatalolo’speoplewhentheycameover。Welloneday，aboutnoon，heappearedinthiscourtyard，asifhehadbeenjerkedupfromhell-wherehebelongs。"

Lingardtookhischerootout，and，withhismouthfullofwhitesmokethatoozedoutthroughhispartedlips，listened，attentive。AfterashortpauseAlmayerwenton，lookingatthefloormoodily——

"Imustsayhelookedawful。Hadabadboutoftheagueprobably。Theleftshoreisveryunhealthy。Strangethatonlythebreadthoftheriver……"

Hedroppedoffintodeepthoughtfulnessasifhehadforgottenhisgrievancesinabittermeditationupontheunsanitaryconditionofthevirginforestsontheleftbank。Lingardtookthisopportunitytoexpelthesmokeinamightyexpirationandthrewthestumpofhischerootoverhisshoulder。

"Goon，"hesaid，afterawhile。"Hecametoseeyou……"

"Butitwasn’tunhealthyenoughtofinishhim，worseluck！"wentonAlmayer，rousinghimself，"and，asIsaid，heturnedupherewithhisbrazenimpudence。Hebulliedme，hethreatenedvaguely。

Hewantedtoscareme，toblackmailme。Me！And，byheaven——hesaidyouwouldapprove。You！Canyouconceivesuchimpudence？

Icouldn’texactlymakeoutwhathewasdrivingat。HadIknown，Iwouldhaveapprovedhim。Yes！Withabangonthehead。ButhowcouldIguessthatheknewenoughtopilotashipthroughtheentranceyoualwayssaidwassodifficult。And，afterall，thatwastheonlydanger。Icoulddealwithanybodyhere——butwhenAbdullacame……Thatbarqueofhisisarmed。Hecarriestwelvebrasssix-pounders，andaboutthirtymen。Desperatebeggars。Sumatramen，fromDeliandAcheen。Fightalldayandaskformoreintheevening。Thatkind。"

"Iknow，Iknow，"saidLingard，impatiently。

"Ofcourse，then，theywerecheekyasmuchasyoupleaseafterheanchoredabreastofourjetty。Willemsbroughtheruphimselfinthebestberth。Icouldseehimfromthisverandahstandingforward，togetherwiththehalf-castemaster。Andthatwomanwastheretoo。Closetohim。IheardtheytookheronboardoffLakamba’splace。Willemssaidhewouldnotgohigherwithouther。Stormedandraged。Frightenedthem，Ibelieve。Abdullahadtointerfere。Shecameoffaloneinacanoe，andnosoonerondeckthanshefellathisfeetbeforeallhands，embracedhisknees，wept，raved，beggedhispardon。Why？Iwonder。

EverybodyinSambiristalkingofit。Theyneverheardtellorsawanythinglikeit。IhaveallthisfromAli，whogoesaboutinthesettlementandbringsmethenews。Ihadbetterknowwhatisgoingon——hadn’tI？FromwhatIcanmakeout，they——heandthatwoman——arelookeduponassomethingmysterious——beyondcomprehension。Somethinkthemmad。TheylivealonewithanoldwomaninahouseoutsideLakamba’scampongandaregreatlyrespected——orfeared，Ishouldsayrather。Atleast，heis。Heisveryviolent。Sheknowsnobody，seesnobody，willspeaktonobodybuthim。Neverleaveshimforamoment。It’sthetalkoftheplace。Thereareotherrumours。FromwhatIhearIsuspectthatLakambaandAbdullaaretiredofhim。There’salsotalkofhimgoingawayintheLordoftheIsles——whensheleaveshereforthesouthward——asakindofAbdulla’sagent。Atanyrate，hemusttaketheshipout。Thehalf-casteisnotequaltoitasyet。"

Lingard，whohadlistenedabsorbedtillthen，begannowtowalkwithmeasuredsteps。Almayerceasedtalkingandfollowedhimwithhiseyesashepacedupanddownwithaquarter-deckswing，tormentingandtwistinghislongwhitebeard，hisfaceperplexedandthoughtful。

"Sohecametoyoufirstofall，didhe？"askedLingard，withoutstopping。

"Yes。Itoldyouso。Hedidcome。Cametoextortmoney，goods——Idon’tknowwhatelse。Wantedtosetupasatrader——theswine！Ikickedhishatintothecourtyard，andhewentafterit，andthatwasthelastofhimtillheshowedupwithAbdulla。

HowcouldIknowthathecoulddoharminthatway？Orinanywayatthat！AnylocalrisingIcouldputdowneasywithmyownmenandwithPatalolo’shelp。"

"Oh！yes。Patalolo。Nogood。Eh？Didyoutryhimatall？"

"Didn’tI！"exclaimedAlmayer。"Iwenttoseehimmyselfonthetwelfth。ThatwasfourdaysbeforeAbdullaenteredtheriver。

Infact，samedayWillemstriedtogetatme。Ididfeelalittleuneasythen。PataloloassuredmethattherewasnohumanbeingthatdidnotlovemeinSambir。Lookedaswiseasanowl。Toldmenottolistentotheliesofwickedpeoplefromdowntheriver。HewasalludingtothatmanBulangi，wholivesuptheseareach，andwhohadsentmewordthatastrangeshipwasanchoredoutside——which，ofcourse，IrepeatedtoPatalolo。

Hewouldnotbelieve。Keptonmumbling’No！No！No！’likeanoldparrot，hisheadallofatremble，allbeslobberedwithbetel-nutjuice。Ithoughttherewassomethingqueerabouthim。Seemedsorestless，andasifinahurrytogetridofme。Well。Nextdaythatone-eyedmalefactorwholiveswithLakamba——what’shisname——Babalatchi，putinanappearancehere！Cameaboutmid-day，casuallylike，andstoodthereonthisverandahchattingaboutonethingandanother。AskingwhenIexpectedyou，andsoon。

Then，incidentally，hementionedthatthey——hismasterandhimself——wereverymuchbotheredbyaferociouswhiteman——myfriend——whowashangingaboutthatwoman——Omar’sdaughter。Askedmyadvice。Verydeferentialandproper。Itoldhimthewhitemanwasnotmyfriend，andthattheyhadbetterkickhimout。

Whereuponhewentawaysalaaming，andprotestinghisfriendshipandhismaster’sgoodwill。OfcourseIknownowtheinfernalniggercametospyandtotalkoversomeofmymen。Anyway，eightweremissingattheeveningmuster。ThenItookalarm。

Didnotdaretoleavemyhouseunguarded。Youknowwhatmywifeis，don’tyou？AndIdidnotcaretotakethechildwithme——itbeinglate——soIsentamessagetoPatalolotosaythatweoughttoconsult；thattherewererumoursanduneasinessinthesettlement。DoyouknowwhatanswerIgot？"

LingardstoppedshortinhiswalkbeforeAlmayer，whowenton，afteranimpressivepause，withgrowinganimation。

"Allbroughtit:’TheRajahsendsafriend’sgreeting，anddoesnotunderstandthemessage。’Thatwasall。NotawordmorecouldAligetoutofhim。IcouldseethatAliwasprettywellscared。Hehungabout，arrangingmyhammock——onethingandanother。Thenjustbeforegoingawayhementionedthatthewater-gateoftheRajah’splacewasheavilybarred，butthathecouldseeonlyveryfewmenaboutthecourtyard。Finallyhesaid，’ThereisdarknessinourRajah’shouse，butnosleep。Onlydarknessandfearandthewailingofwomen。’Cheerful，wasn’tit？Itmademefeelcolddownmybacksomehow。AfterAlislippedawayIstoodhere——bythistable，andlistenedtotheshoutinganddrumminginthesettlement。Racketenoughfortwentyweddings。Itwasalittlepastmidnightthen。"

AgainAlmayerstoppedinhisnarrativewithanabruptshuttingoflips，asifhehadsaidallthattherewastotell，andLingardstoodstaringathim，pensiveandsilent。Abigbluebottleflyflewinrecklesslyintothecoolverandah，anddartedwithloudbuzzingbetweenthetwomen。Lingardstruckatitwithhishat。

Theflyswerved，andAlmayerdodgedhisheadoutoftheway。

ThenLingardaimedanotherineffectualblow；Almayerjumpedupandwavedhisarmsabout。Theflybuzzeddesperately，andthevibrationofminutewingssoundedinthepeaceoftheearlymorninglikeafar-offstringorchestraaccompanyingthehollow，determinedstampingofthetwomen，who，withheadsthrownbackandarmsgyratingonhigh，oragainbendinglowwithinfuriatedlunges，wereintentuponkillingtheintruder。Butsuddenlythebuzzdiedoutinathinthrillawayintheopenspaceofthecourtyard，leavingLingardandAlmayerstandingfacetofaceinthefreshsilenceoftheyoungday，lookingverypuzzledandidle，theirarmshanginguselesslybytheirsides——likemendisheartenedbysomeportentousfailure。

"Lookatthat！"mutteredLingard。"Gotawayafterall。"

"Nuisance，"saidAlmayerinthesametone。"Riversideisoverrunwiththem。Thishouseisbadlyplaced……mosquitos……andthesebigflies……lastweekstungNina……beenillfourdays……poorchild……Iwonderwhatsuchdamnedthingsaremadefor！"

CHAPTERTWO

Afteralongsilence，duringwhichAlmayerhadmovedtowardsthetableandsatdown，hisheadbetweenhishands，staringstraightbeforehim，Lingard，whohadrecommencedwalking，clearedhisthroatandsaid——

"Whatwasityouweresaying？"

"Ah！Yes！Youshouldhaveseenthissettlementthatnight。I

don’tthinkanybodywenttobed。Iwalkeddowntothepoint，andcouldseethem。Theyhadabigbonfireinthepalmgrove，andthetalkwentontheretillthemorning。WhenIcamebackhereandsatinthedarkverandahinthisquiethouseIfeltsofrightfullylonelythatIstoleinandtookthechildoutofhercotandbroughtherhereintomyhammock。Ifithadn’tbeenforherIamsureIwouldhavegonemad；Ifeltsoutterlyaloneandhelpless。Remember，Ihadn’theardfromyouforfourmonths。

Didn’tknowwhetheryouwerealiveordead。Patalolowouldhavenothingtodowithme。Myownmenweredesertingmelikeratsdoasinkinghulk。Thatwasablacknightforme，CaptainLingard。

AblacknightasIsatherenotknowingwhatwouldhappennext。

TheyweresoexcitedandrowdythatIreallyfearedtheywouldcomeandburnthehouseovermyhead。Iwentandbroughtmyrevolver。Laiditloadedonthetable。Thereweresuchawfulyellsnowandthen。Luckilythechildsleptthroughit，andseeinghersoprettyandpeacefulsteadiedmesomehow。Couldn’tbelievetherewasanyviolenceinthisworld，lookingatherlyingsoquietandsounconsciousofwhatwenton。Butitwasveryhard。Everythingwasatanend。YoumustunderstandthatonthatnighttherewasnogovernmentinSambir。Nothingtorestrainthosefellows。Patalolohadcollapsed。Iwasabandonedbymyownpeople，andallthatlotcouldventtheirspiteonmeiftheywanted。Theyknownogratitude。Howmanytimeshaven’tI

savedthissettlementfromstarvation？Absolutestarvation。

OnlythreemonthsagoIdistributedagainalotofriceoncredit。Therewasnothingtoeatinthisinfernalplace。Theycamebeggingontheirknees。Thereisn’tamaninSambir，bigorlittle，whoisnotindebttoLingard&Co。Notone。Yououghttobesatisfied。Youalwayssaidthatwastherightpolicyforus。Well，Icarrieditout。Ah！CaptainLingard，apolicylikethatshouldbebackedbyloadedrifles……"

"Youhadthem！"exclaimedLingardinthemidstofhispromenade，thatwentonmorerapidasAlmayertalked:theheadlongtrampofamanhurryingontodosomethingviolent。Theverandahwasfullofdust，oppressiveandchoking，whichroseundertheoldseaman’sfeet，andmadeAlmayercoughagainandagain。

"Yes，Ihad！Twenty。Andnotafingertopullatrigger。It’seasytotalk，"hespluttered，hisfaceveryred。

Lingarddroppedintoachair，andleanedbackwithonehandstretchedoutatlengthuponthetable，theotherthrownoverthebackofhisseat。Thedustsettled，andthesunsurgingabovetheforestfloodedtheverandahwithaclearlight。Almayergotupandbusiedhimselfinloweringthesplitrattanscreensthathungbetweenthecolumnsoftheverandah。

"Phew！"saidLingard，"itwillbeahotday。That’sright，myboy。Keepthesunout。Wedon’twanttoberoastedalivehere。"

Almayercameback，satdown，andspokeverycalmly——

"InthemorningIwentacrosstoseePatalolo。Itookthechildwithme，ofcourse。Ifoundthewater-gatebarred，andhadtowalkroundthroughthebushes。Pataloloreceivedmelyingonthefloor，inthedark，alltheshuttersclosed。Icouldgetnothingoutofhimbutlamentationsandgroans。Hesaidyoumustbedead。ThatLakambawascomingnowwithAbdulla’sgunstokilleverybody。Saidhedidnotmindbeingkilled，ashewasanoldman，butthatthewishofhisheartwastomakeapilgrimage。Hewastiredofmen’singratitude——hehadnoheirs——hewantedtogotoMeccaanddiethere。HewouldaskAbdullatolethimgo。

ThenheabusedLakamba——betweensobs——andyou，alittle。Youpreventedhimfromaskingforaflagthatwouldhavebeenrespected——hewasrightthere——andnowwhenhisenemieswerestronghewasweak，andyouwerenottheretohelphim。WhenI

triedtoputsomeheartintohim，tellinghimhehadfourbigguns——youknowthebrasssix-poundersyouleftherelastyear——andthatIwouldgetpowder，andthat，perhaps，togetherwecouldmakeheadagainstLakamba，hesimplyhowledatme。Nomatterwhichwayheturned——heshrieked——thewhitemenwouldbethedeathofhim，whilehewantedonlytobeapilgrimandbeatpeace。Mybeliefis，"addedAlmayer，afterashortpause，andfixingadullstareuponLingard，"thattheoldfoolsawthisthingcomingforalongtime，andwasnotonlytoofrightenedtodoanythinghimself，butactuallytooscaredtoletyouormeknowofhissuspicions。Anotherofyourparticularpets！Well！

Youhavealuckyhand，Imustsay！"

Lingardstruckasuddenblowonthetablewithhisclenchedhand。

Therewasasharpcrackofsplittingwood。Almayerstartedupviolently，thenfellbackinhischairandlookedatthetable。

"There！"hesaid，moodily，"youdon’tknowyourownstrength。

Thistableiscompletelyruined。TheonlytableIhadbeenabletosavefrommywife。ByandbyIwillhavetoeatsquattingonthefloorlikeanative。"

Lingardlaughedheartily。"Wellthen，don’tnagatmelikeawomanatadrunkenhusband！"Hebecameveryseriousafterawhile，andadded，"Ifithadn’tbeenforthelossoftheFlashI

wouldhavebeenherethreemonthsago，andallwouldhavebeenwell。Nousecryingoverthat。Don’tyoubeuneasy，Kaspar。Wewillhaveeverythingship-shapehereinaveryshorttime。"

"What？Youdon’tmeantoexpelAbdullaoutofherebyforce！I

tellyou，youcan’t。"

"NotI！"exclaimedLingard。"That’sallover，Iamafraid。

Greatpity。Theywillsufferforit。Hewillsqueezethem。

Greatpity。Damnit！IfeelsosorryforthemifIhadtheFlashhereIwouldtryforce。Eh！Whynot？However，thepoorFlashisgone，andthereisanendofit。Pooroldhooker。Hey，Almayer？Youmadeavoyageortwowithme。Wasn’tsheasweetcraft？Couldmakeherdoanythingbuttalk。Shewasbetterthanawifetome。Neverscolded。Hey？……Andtothinkthatitshouldcometothis。ThatIshouldleaveherpooroldbonesstickingonareefasthoughIhadbeenadamnedfoolofasouthern-goingmanwhomusthavehalfamileofwaterunderhiskeeltobesafe！Well！well！It’sonlythosewhodonothingthatmakenomistakes，Isuppose。Butit’shard。Hard。"

Henoddedsadly，withhiseyesontheground。Almayerlookedathimwithgrowingindignation。

"Uponmyword，youareheartless，"heburstout；"perfectlyheartless——andselfish。Itdoesnotseemtostrikeyou——inallthat——thatinlosingyourship——byyourrecklessness，Iamsure——youruinme——us，andmylittleNina。What’sgoingtobecomeofmeandofher？That’swhatIwanttoknow。Youbroughtmehere，mademeyourpartner，andnow，wheneverythingisgonetothedevil——throughyourfault，mindyou——youtalkaboutyourship……ship！Youcangetanother。Buthere。

Thistrade。That’sgonenow，thankstoWillems……YourdearWillems！"

"NeveryoumindaboutWillems。Iwilllookafterhim，"saidLingard，severely。"Andastothetrade……Iwillmakeyourfortuneyet，myboy。Neverfear。Haveyougotanycargofortheschoonerthatbroughtmehere？"

"Theshedisfullofrattans，"answeredAlmayer，"andIhaveabouteightytonsofguttahinthewell。ThelastlotIeverwillhave，nodoubt，"headded，bitterly。

"So，afterall，therewasnorobbery。You’velostnothingactually。Well，then，youmust……Hallo！What’sthematter！……Here！……"

"Robbery！No！"screamedAlmayer，throwinguphishands。

Hefellbackinthechairandhisfacebecamepurple。Alittlewhitefoamappearedonhislipsandtrickleddownhischin，whilehelayback，showingthewhitesofhisupturnedeyes。WhenhecametohimselfhesawLingardstandingoverhim，withanemptywater-chattyinhishand。

"Youhadafitofsomekind，"saidtheoldseamanwithmuchconcern。"Whatisit？Youdidgivemeafright。Soverysudden。"

Almayer，hishairallwetandstucktohishead，asifhehadbeendiving，satupandgasped。

"Outrage！Afiendishoutrage。I……"

Lingardputthechattyonthetableandlookedathiminattentivesilence。Almayerpassedhishandoverhisforeheadandwentoninanunsteadytone:

"WhenIrememberthat，Iloseallcontrol，"hesaid。"ItoldyouheanchoredAbdulla’sshipabreastourjetty，butovertotheothershore，neartheRajah’splace。Theshipwassurroundedwithboats。Fromhereitlookedasifshehadbeenlandedonaraft。EverydugoutinSambirwasthere。ThroughmyglassI

coulddistinguishthefacesofpeopleonthepoop——Abdulla，Willems，Lakamba——everybody。ThatoldcringingscoundrelSahaminwasthere。Icouldseequiteplain。Thereseemedtobemuchtalkanddiscussion。FinallyIsawaship’sboatlowered。SomeArabgotintoher，andtheboatwenttowardsPatalolo’slanding-place。Itseemstheyhadbeenrefusedadmittance——sotheysay。Ithinkmyselfthatthewater-gatewasnotunbarredquickenoughtopleasetheexaltedmessenger。AtanyrateIsawtheboatcomebackalmostdirectly。Iwaslookingon，ratherinterested，whenIsawWillemsandsomemoregoforward——verybusyaboutsomethingthere。Thatwomanwasalsoamongstthem。

Ah，thatwoman……"

Almayerchoked，andseemedonthepointofhavingarelapse，butbyaviolenteffortregainedacomparativecomposure。

"Allofasudden，"hecontinued——"bang！TheyfiredashotintoPatalolo’sgate，andbeforeIhadtimetocatchmybreath——Iwasstartled，youmaybelieve——theysentanotherandburstthegateopen。Whereupon，Isuppose，theythoughttheyhaddoneenoughforawhile，andprobablyfelthungry，forafeastbeganaft。

Abdullasatamongstthemlikeanidol，cross-legged，hishandsonhislap。He’stoogreataltogethertoeatwhenothersdo，buthepresided，yousee。Willemskeptondodgingaboutforward，alooffromthecrowd，andlookingatmyhousethroughtheship’slongglass。Icouldnotresistit。Ishookmyfistathim。"

"Justso，"saidLingard，gravely。"Thatwasthethingtodo，ofcourse。Ifyoucan’tfightamanthebestthingistoexasperatehim。"

Almayerwavedhishandinasuperiormanner，andcontinued，unmoved:"Youmaysaywhatyoulike。Youcan’trealizemyfeelings。Hesawme，and，withhiseyestillatthesmallendoftheglass，liftedhisarmasifansweringahail。IthoughtmyturntobeshotatwouldcomenextafterPatalolo，soIranuptheUnionJacktotheflagstaffintheyard。Ihadnootherprotection。TherewereonlythreemenbesidesAlithatstucktome——threecripples，forthatmatter，toosicktogetaway。I

wouldhavefoughtsinglehanded，Ithink，Iwasthatangry，buttherewasthechild。Whattodowithher？Couldn’tsendheruptheriverwiththemother。YouknowIcan’ttrustmywife。I

decidedtokeepveryquiet，buttoletnobodylandonourshore。

Privateproperty，that；underadeedfromPatalolo。Iwaswithinmyright——wasn’tI？Themorningwasveryquiet。AftertheyhadafeedonboardthebarquewithAbdullamostofthemwenthome；

onlythebigpeopleremained。Towardsthreeo’clockSahamincrossedaloneinasmallcanoe。Iwentdownonourwharfwithmyguntospeaktohim，butdidn’tlethimland。TheoldhypocritesaidAbdullasentgreetingsandwishedtotalkwithmeonbusiness；wouldIcomeonboard？Isaidno；Iwouldnot。ToldhimthatAbdullamaywriteandIwouldanswer，butnointerview，neitheronboardhisshipnoronshore。IalsosaidthatifanybodyattemptedtolandwithinmyfencesIwouldshoot——nomatterwhom。Onthatheliftedhishandstoheaven，scandalized，andthenpaddledawayprettysmartly——toreport，Isuppose。AnhourorsoafterwardsIsawWillemslandaboatpartyattheRajah’s。Itwasveryquiet。Notashotwasfired，andtherewashardlyanyshouting。TheytumbledthosebrassgunsyoupresentedtoPatalololastyeardownthebankintotheriver。It’sdeeptherecloseto。Thechannelrunsthatway，youknow。Aboutfive，Willemswentbackonboard，andIsawhimjoinAbdullabythewheelaft。Hetalkedalot，swinginghisarmsabout——seemedtoexplainthings——pointedatmyhouse，thendownthereach。

Finally，justbeforesunset，theyhoveuponthecableanddredgedtheshipdownnearlyhalfamiletothejunctionofthetwobranchesoftheriver——wheresheisnow，asyoumighthaveseen。"

Lingardnodded。

"Thatevening，afterdark——Iwasinformed——AbdullalandedforthefirsttimeinSambir。HewasentertainedinSahamin’shouse。I

sentAlitothesettlementfornews。Hereturnedaboutnine，andreportedthatPatalolowassittingonAbdulla’slefthandbeforeSahamin’sfire。Therewasagreatcouncil。AliseemedtothinkthatPatalolowasaprisoner，buthewaswrongthere。Theydidthetrickveryneatly。BeforemidnighteverythingwasarrangedasIcanmakeout。Patalolowentbacktohisdemolishedstockade，escortedbyadozenboatswithtorches。ItappearshebeggedAbdullatolethimhaveapassageintheLordoftheIslestoPenang。FromtherehewouldgotoMecca。Thefiringbusinesswasalludedtoasamistake。Nodoubtitwasinasense。Patalolonevermeantresisting。Soheisgoingassoonastheshipisreadyforsea。Hewentonboardnextdaywiththreewomenandhalfadozenfellowsasoldashimself。ByAbdulla’sordershewasreceivedwithasaluteofsevenguns，andhehasbeenlivingonboardeversince——fiveweeks。Idoubtwhetherhewillleavetheriveralive。Atanyratehewon’tlivetoreachPenang。Lakambatookoverallhisgoods，andgavehimadraftonAbdulla’shousepayableinPenang。Heisboundtodiebeforehegetsthere。Don’tyousee？"

Hesatsilentforawhileindejectedmeditation，thenwenton:

"Ofcoursetherewereseveralrowsduringthenight。Variousfellowstooktheopportunityoftheunsettledstateofaffairstopayoffoldscoresandsettleoldgrudges。Ipassedthenightinthatchairthere，dozinguneasily。Nowandthentherewouldbeagreattumultandyellingwhichwouldmakemesitup，revolverinhand。However，nobodywaskilled。Afewbrokenheads——that’sall。EarlyinthemorningWillemscausedthemtomakeafreshmovewhichImustsaysurprisedmenotalittle。Assoonastherewasdaylighttheybusiedthemselvesinsettingupaflag-poleonthespaceattheotherendofthesettlement，whereAbdullaishavinghishousesbuiltnow。Shortlyaftersunrisetherewasagreatgatheringattheflag-pole。Allwentthere。

Willemswasstandingleaningagainstthemast，onearmoverthatwoman’sshoulders。TheyhadbroughtanarmchairforPatalolo，andLakambastoodontherighthandoftheoldman，whomadeaspeech。EverybodyinSambirwasthere:women，slaves，children——everybody！ThenPatalolospoke。HesaidthatbythemercyoftheMostHighhewasgoingonapilgrimage。Thedearestwishofhisheartwastobeaccomplished。Then，turningtoLakamba，hebeggedhimtorulejustlyduringhis——Patalolo’s——

absence。Therewasabitofplay-actingthere。Lakambasaidhewasunworthyofthehonourableburden，andPataloloinsisted。

Pooroldfool！Itmusthavebeenbittertohim。Theymadehimactuallyentreatthatscoundrel。Fancyamancompelledtobegofarobbertodespoilhim！ButtheoldRajahwassofrightened。