第6章

Anyway，hedidit，andLakambaacceptedatlast。ThenWillemsmadeaspeechtothecrowd。SaidthatonhiswaytothewesttheRajah——hemeantPatalolo——wouldseetheGreatWhiteRulerinBataviaandobtainhisprotectionforSambir。Meantime，hewenton，I，anOrangBlandaandyourfriend，hoisttheflagundertheshadowofwhichthereissafety。WiththatheranupaDutchflagtothemast-head。Itwasmadehurriedly，duringthenight，ofcottonstuffs，and，beingheavy，hungdownthemast，whilethecrowdstared。Alitoldmetherewasagreatsighofsurprise，butnotawordwasspokentillLakambaadvancedandproclaimedinaloudvoicethatduringallthatdayeveryonepassingbytheflagstaffmustuncoverhisheadandsalaambeforetheemblem。"

"But，hangitall！"exclaimedLingard——"AbdullaisBritish！"

"Abdullawasn’tthereatall——didnotgoonshorethatday。YetAli，whohashiswitsabouthim，noticedthatthespacewherethecrowdstoodwasunderthegunsoftheLordoftheIsles。Theyhadputacoirwarpashore，andgavethebarqueacantinthecurrent，soastobringthebroadsidetobearontheflagstaff。

Clever！Eh？Butnobodydreamtofresistance。Whentheyrecoveredfromthesurprisetherewasalittlequietjeering；andBahassoenabusedLakambaviolentlytilloneofLakamba’smenhithimontheheadwithastaff。Frightfulcrack，Iamtold。Thentheyleftoffjeering。MeantimePatalolowentaway，andLakambasatinthechairatthefootoftheflagstaff，whilethecrowdsurgedaround，asiftheycouldnotmakeuptheirmindstogo。

SuddenlytherewasagreatnoisebehindLakamba’schair。Itwasthatwoman，whowentforWillems。Alisaysshewaslikeawildbeast，buthetwistedherwristandmadehergrovelinthedust。

Nobodyknowsexactlywhatitwasabout。Somesayitwasaboutthatflag。Hecarriedheroff，flungherintoacanoe，andwentonboardAbdulla’sship。AfterthatSahaminwasthefirsttosalaamtotheflag。Othersfollowedsuit。Beforenooneverythingwasquietinthesettlement，andAlicamebackandtoldmeallthis。"

Almayerdrewalongbreath。Lingardstretchedouthislegs。

"Goon！"hesaid。

Almayerseemedtostrugglewithhimself。Atlasthesplutteredout:

"Thehardestistotellyet。Themostunheard-ofthing！Anoutrage！Afiendishoutrage！"

CHAPTERTHREE

"Well！Let’sknowallaboutit。Ican’timagine……"beganLingard，afterwaitingforsometimeinsilence。

"Can’timagine！Ishouldthinkyoucouldn’t，"interruptedAlmayer。"Why！……Youjustlisten。WhenAlicamebackI

feltalittleeasierinmymind。TherewasthensomesemblanceoforderinSambir。IhadtheJackupsincethemorningandbegantofeelsafer。Someofmymenturnedupintheafternoon。

Ididnotaskanyquestions；setthemtoworkasifnothinghadhappened。Towardstheevening——itmighthavebeenfiveorhalf-past——IwasonourjettywiththechildwhenIheardshoutsatthefar-offendofthesettlement。AtfirstIdidn’ttakemuchnotice。ByandbyAlicametomeandsays，’Master，givemethechild，thereismuchtroubleinthesettlement。’SoIgavehimNinaandwentin，tookmyrevolver，andpassedthroughthehouseintothebackcourtyard。AsIcamedownthestepsIsawalltheservinggirlsclearoutfromthecookingshed，andI

heardabigcrowdhowlingontheothersideofthedryditchwhichisthelimitofourground。Couldnotseethemonaccountofthefringeofbushesalongtheditch，butIknewthatcrowdwasangryandaftersomebody。AsIstoodwondering，thatJim-Eng——youknowtheChinamanwhosettledhereacoupleofyearsago？"

"Hewasmypassenger；Ibroughthimhere，"exclaimedLingard。"A

first-classChinamanthat。"

"Didyou？Ihadforgotten。Well，thatJim-Eng，heburstthroughthebushandfellintomyarms，sotospeak。Hetoldme，panting，thattheywereafterhimbecausehewouldn’ttakeoffhishattotheflag。Hewasnotsomuchscared，buthewasveryangryandindignant。Ofcoursehehadtorunforit；thereweresomefiftymenafterhim——Lakamba’sfriends——buthewasfulloffight。SaidhewasanEnglishman，andwouldnottakeoffhishattoanyflagbutEnglish。Itriedtosoothehimwhilethecrowdwasshoutingontheothersideoftheditch。Itoldhimhemusttakeoneofmycanoesandcrosstheriver。Stopontheothersideforacoupleofdays。Hewouldn’t。Nothe。HewasEnglish，andhewouldfightthewholelot。Sayshe:’Theyareonlyblackfellows。Wewhitemen，’meaningmeandhimself，’canfighteverybodyinSambir。’Hewasmadwithpassion。Thecrowdquietedalittle，andIthoughtIcouldshelterJim-Engwithoutmuchrisk，whenallofasuddenIheardWillems’voice。HeshoutedtomeinEnglish:’LetfourmenenteryourcompoundtogetthatChinaman！’Isaidnothing。ToldJim-Engtokeepquiettoo。ThenafterawhileWillemsshoutsagain:’Don’tresist，Almayer。Igiveyougoodadvice。Iamkeepingthiscrowdback。

Don’tresistthem！’Thatbeggar’svoiceenragedme；Icouldnothelpit。Icriedtohim:’Youarealiar！’andjustthenJim-Eng，whohadflungoffhisjacketandhadtuckeduphistrousersreadyforafight；justthenthatfellowhesnatchestherevolveroutofmyhandandletsflyatthemthroughthebush。

Therewasasharpcry——hemusthavehitsomebody——andagreatyell，andbeforeIcouldwinktwicetheywereovertheditchandthroughthebushandontopofus！Simplyrolledoverus！Therewasn’ttheslightestchancetoresist。Iwastrampledunderfoot，Jim-Enggotadozengashesabouthisbody，andwewerecarriedhalfwayuptheyardinthefirstrush。Myeyesandmouthwerefullofdust；Iwasonmybackwiththreeorfourfellowssittingonme。IcouldhearJim-Engtryingtoshoutnotveryfarfromme。Nowandthentheywouldthrottlehimandhewouldgurgle。Icouldhardlybreathemyselfwithtwoheavyfellowsonmychest。Willemscameuprunningandorderedthemtoraisemeup，buttokeepgoodhold。Theyledmeintotheverandah。I

lookedround，butdidnotseeeitherAliorthechild。Felteasier。Struggledalittle……Oh，myGod！"

Almayer’sfacewasdistortedwithapassingspasmofrage。

Lingardmovedinhischairslightly。Almayerwentonafterashortpause:

"Theyheldme，shoutingthreatsinmyface。Willemstookdownmyhammockandthrewittothem。Hepulledoutthedrawerofthistable，andfoundthereapalmandneedleandsomesail-twine。Weweremakingawningsforyourbrig，asyouhadaskedmelastvoyagebeforeyouleft。Heknew，ofcourse，wheretolookforwhathewanted。Byhisorderstheylaidmeoutonthefloor，wrappedmeinmyhammock，andhestartedtostitchmein，asifI

hadbeenacorpse，beginningatthefeet。Whileheworkedhelaughedwickedly。IcalledhimallthenamesIcouldthinkof。

Hetoldthemtoputtheirdirtypawsovermymouthandnose。I

wasnearlychoked。WheneverImovedtheypunchedmeintheribs。

Hewentontakingfreshneedlefulsashewantedthem，andworkingsteadily。Sewedmeuptomythroat。Thenherose，saying，’Thatwilldo；letgo。’Thatwomanhadbeenstandingby；theymusthavebeenreconciled。Sheclappedherhands。Ilayonthefloorlikeabaleofgoodswhilehestaredatme，andthewomanshriekedwithdelight。Likeabaleofgoods！Therewasagrinoneveryface，andtheverandahwasfullofthem。Iwishedmyselfdead——’ponmyword，CaptainLingard，Idid！IdonowwheneverIthinkofit！"

Lingard’sfaceexpressedsympatheticindignation。Almayerdroppedhisheaduponhisarmsonthetable，andspokeinthatpositioninanindistinctandmuffledvoice，withoutlookingup。

"Finally，byhisdirections，theyflungmeintothebigrocking-chair。IwassewedinsotightthatIwasstifflikeapieceofwood。Hewasgivingordersinaveryloudvoice，andthatmanBabalatchisawthattheywereexecuted。Theyobeyedhimimplicitly。MeantimeIlaythereinthechairlikealog，andthatwomancaperedbeforemeandmadefaces；snappedherfingersbeforemynose。Womenarebad！——ain’tthey？Ineversawherbefore，asfarasIknow。Neverdoneanythingtoher。Yetshewasperfectlyfiendish。Canyouunderstandit？Nowandthenshewouldleavemealonetohangroundhisneckforawhile，andthenshewouldreturnbeforemychairandbeginherexercisesagain。

Helookedon，indulgent。Theperspirationrandownmyface，gotintomyeyes——myarmsweresewnin。Iwasblindedhalfthetime；

attimesIcouldseebetter。Shedragshimbeforemychair。’I

amlikewhitewomen，’shesays，herarmsroundhisneck。Youshouldhaveseenthefacesofthefellowsintheverandah！Theywerescandalizedandashamedofthemselvestoseeherbehaviour。

Suddenlysheaskshim，alludingtome:’Whenareyougoingtokillhim？’ImaginehowIfelt。Imusthaveswooned；Idon’trememberexactly。Ifancytherewasarow；hewasangry。WhenI

gotmywitsagainhewassittingclosetome，andshewasgone。

Iunderstoodhesenthertomywife，whowashidinginthebackroomandnevercameoutduringthisaffair。Willemssaystome——IfancyIcanhearhisvoice，hoarseanddull——hesaystome:

’Notahairofyourheadshallbetouched。’Imadenosound。

Thenhegoeson:’Pleaseremarkthattheflagyouhavehoisted——which，bytheby，isnotyours——hasbeenrespected。

TellCaptainLingardsowhenyoudoseehim。But，’hesays，’youfirstfiredatthecrowd。’’Youarealiar，youblackguard！’I

shouted。Hewinced，Iamsure。IthurthimtoseeIwasnotfrightened。’Anyways，’hesays，’ashothadbeenfiredoutofyourcompoundandamanwashit。Still，allyourpropertyshallberespectedonaccountoftheUnionJack。Moreover，IhavenoquarrelwithCaptainLingard，whoistheseniorpartnerinthisbusiness。Astoyou，’hecontinued，’youwillnotforgetthisday——notifyoulivetobeahundredyearsold——orIdon’tknowyournature。Youwillkeepthebittertasteofthishumiliationtothelastdayofyourlife，andsoyourkindnesstomeshallberepaid。Ishallremoveallthepowderyouhave。ThiscoastisundertheprotectionoftheNetherlands，andyouhavenorighttohaveanypowder。TherearetheGovernor’sOrdersinCounciltothateffect，andyouknowit。Tellmewherethekeyofthesmallstorehouseis？’Isaidnotaword，andhewaitedalittle，thenrose，saying:’It’syourownfaultifthereisanydamagedone。’

HeorderedBabalatchitohavethelockoftheoffice-roomforced，andwentin——rummagedamongstmydrawers——couldnotfindthekey。

ThenthatwomanAissaaskedmywife，andshegavethemthekey。

Afterawhiletheytumbledeverybarrelintotheriver。

Eighty-threehundredweight！Hesuperintendedhimself，andsaweverybarrelrollintothewater。Thereweremutterings。

Babalatchiwasangryandtriedtoexpostulate，buthegavehimagoodshaking。Imustsayhewasperfectlyfearlesswiththosefellows。Thenhecamebacktotheverandah，satdownbymeagain，andsays:’WefoundyourmanAliwithyourlittledaughterhidinginthebushesuptheriver。Webroughtthemin。Theyareperfectlysafe，ofcourse。Letmecongratulateyou，Almayer，upontheclevernessofyourchild。Sherecognizedmeatonce，andcried"pig"asnaturallyasyouwouldyourself。

Circumstancesalterfeelings。YoushouldhaveseenhowfrightenedyourmanAliwas。Clappedhishandsoverhermouth。

Ithinkyouspoilher，Almayer。ButIamnotangry。Really，youlooksoridiculousinthischairthatIcan’tfeelangry。’I

madeafranticefforttoburstoutofmyhammocktogetatthatscoundrel’sthroat，butIonlyfelloffandupsetthechairovermyself。Helaughedandsaidonly:’Ileaveyouhalfofyourrevolvercartridgesandtakehalfmyself；theywillfitmine。Wearebothwhitemen，andshouldbackeachotherup。Imaywantthem。’Ishoutedathimfromunderthechair:’Youareathief，’

butheneverlooked，andwentaway，onehandroundthatwoman’swaist，theotheronBabalatchi’sshoulder，towhomhewastalking——layingdownthelawaboutsomethingorother。Inlessthanfiveminutestherewasnobodyinsideourfences。AfterawhileAlicametolookformeandcutmefree。Ihaven’tseenWillemssince——noranybodyelseforthatmatter。Ihavebeenleftalone。Iofferedsixtydollarstothemanwhohadbeenwounded，whichwereaccepted。TheyreleasedJim-Engthenextday，whentheflaghadbeenhauleddown。Hesentsixcasesofopiumtomeforsafekeepingbuthasnotlefthishouse。Ithinkheissafeenoughnow。Everythingisveryquiet。"

TowardstheendofhisnarrativeAlmayerliftedhisheadoffthetable，andnowsatbackinhischairandstaredatthebambooraftersoftheroofabovehim。Lingardlolledinhisseatwithhislegsstretchedout。Inthepeacefulgloomoftheverandah，withitsloweredscreens，theyheardfaintnoisesfromtheworldoutsideintheblazingsunshine:ahailontheriver，theanswerfromtheshore，thecreakofapulley；soundsshort，interrupted，asiflostsuddenlyinthebrillianceofnoonday。Lingardgotupslowly，walkedtothefrontrail，andholdingoneofthescreensaside，lookedoutinsilence。OverthewaterandtheemptycourtyardcameadistinctvoicefromasmallschooneranchoredabreastoftheLingardjetty。

"Serang！Takeapullatthemainpeakhalyards。Thisgaffisdownontheboom。’’

Therewasashrillpipedyinginlong-drawncadence，thesongofthemenswingingontherope。Thevoicesaidsharply:"Thatwilldo！"Anothervoice——theserang’sprobably——shouted:"Ikat！"andasLingarddroppedtheblindandturnedawayallwassilentagain，asiftherehadbeennothingontheothersideoftheswayingscreen；nothingbutthelight，brilliant，crude，heavy，lyingonadeadlandlikeapalloffire。Lingardsatdownagain，facingAlmayer，hiselbowonthetable，inathoughtfulattitude。

"Nicelittleschooner，"mutteredAlmayer，wearily。"Didyoubuyher？"

"No，"answeredLingard。"AfterIlosttheFlashwegottoPalembanginourboats。Icharteredherthere，forsixmonths。

FromyoungFord，youknow。Belongstohim。Hewantedaspellashore，soItookchargemyself。OfcourseallFord’speopleonboard。Strangerstome。IhadtogotoSingaporeabouttheinsurance；thenIwenttoMacassar，ofcourse。Hadlongpassages。Nowind。Itwaslikeacurseonme。IhadlotsoftroublewitholdHudig。Thatdelayedmemuch。"

"Ah！Hudig！WhywithHudig？"askedAlmayer，inaperfunctorymanner。

"Oh！abouta……awoman，"mumbledLingard。

Almayerlookedathimwithlanguidsurprise。Theoldseamanhadtwistedhiswhitebeardintoapoint，andnowwasbusygivinghismoustachesafiercecurl。Hislittleredeyes——thoseeyesthathadsmartedunderthesaltspraysofeverysea，thathadlookedunwinkingtowindwardinthegalesofalllatitudes——nowglaredatAlmayerfrombehindtheloweredeyebrowslikeapairoffrightenedwildbeastscrouchinginabush。

"Extraordinary！Solikeyou！WhatcanyouhavetodowithHudig’swomen？Theoldsinner！"saidAlmayer，negligently。

"Whatareyoutalkingabout！Wifeofafriendof……ImeanofamanIknow……"

"Still，Idon’tsee……"interjectedAlmayercarelessly。

"Ofamanyouknowtoo。Well。Verywell。"

"Iknewsomanymenbeforeyoumademeburymyselfinthishole！"

growledAlmayer，unamiably。"IfshehadanythingtodowithHudig——thatwife——thenshecan’tbeuptomuch。Iwouldbesorryfortheman，"addedAlmayer，brighteningupwiththerecollectionofthescandaloustittle-tattleofthepast，whenhewasayoungmaninthesecondcapitaloftheIslands——andsowellinformed，sowellinformed。Helaughed。Lingard’sfrowndeepened。

"Don’ttalkfoolish！It’sWillems’wife。"

Almayergraspedthesidesofhisseat，hiseyesandmouthopenedwide。

"What？Why！"heexclaimed，bewildered。

"Willems’——wife，"repeatedLingarddistinctly。"Youain’tdeaf，areyou？ThewifeofWillems。Justso。Astowhy！Therewasapromise。AndIdidnotknowwhathadhappenedhere。"

"Whatisit。You’vebeengivinghermoney，Ibet，"criedAlmayer。

"Well，no！"saidLingard，deliberately。"AlthoughIsupposeI

shallhaveto……"

Almayergroaned。

"Thefactis，"wentonLingard，speakingslowlyandsteadily，"thefactisthatIhave……Ihavebroughtherhere。Here。

ToSambir。"

"Inheaven’sname！why？"shoutedAlmayer，jumpingup。Thechairtiltedandfellslowlyover。Heraisedhisclaspedhandsabovehisheadandbroughtthemdownjerkily，separatinghisfingerswithaneffort，asiftearingthemapart。Lingardnodded，quickly，severaltimes。

"Ihave。Awkward。Hey？"hesaid，withapuzzledlookupwards。

"Uponmyword，"saidAlmayer，tearfully。"Ican’tunderstandyouatall。Whatwillyoudonext！cWillems’wife！"

"Wifeandchild。Smallboy，youknow。Theyareonboardtheschooner。"

AlmayerlookedatLingardwithsuddensuspicion，thenturningawaybusiedhimselfinpickingupthechair，satdowninitturninghisbackupontheoldseaman，andtriedtowhistle，butgaveitupdirectly。Lingardwenton——

"Factis，thefellowgotintotroublewithHudig。Workeduponmyfeelings。Ipromisedtoarrangematters。Idid。Withmuchtrouble。Hudigwasangrywithherforwishingtojoinherhusband。Unprincipledoldfellow。Youknowsheishisdaughter。

Well，IsaidIwouldseeherthroughitallright；helpWillemstoafreshstartandsoon。IspoketoCraiginPalembang。Heisgettingoninyears，andwantedamanagerorpartner。I

promisedtoguaranteeWillems’goodbehaviour。Wesettledallthat。Craigisanoldcronyofmine。Beenshipmatesintheforties。He’swaitingforhimnow。Aprettymess！Whatdoyouthink？"

Almayershruggedhisshoulders。

"ThatwomanbrokewithHudigonmyassurancethatallwouldbewell，"wentonLingard，withgrowingdismay。"Shedid。Properthing，ofcourse。Wife，husband……together……asitshouldbe……Smartfellow……Impossiblescoundrel……

Jollyoldgo！Oh！damn！"

Almayerlaughedspitefully。

"Howdelightedhewillbe，"hesaid，softly。"Youwillmaketwopeoplehappy。Twoatleast！"Helaughedagain，whileLingardlookedathisshakingshouldersinconsternation。

"Iamjammedonaleeshorethistime，ifeverIwas，"mutteredLingard。

"Sendherbackquick，"suggestedAlmayer，stiflinganotherlaugh。

"Whatareyousniggeringat？"growledLingard，angrily。"I’llworkitoutallclearyet。Meantimeyoumustreceiveherintothishouse。"

"Myhouse！"criedAlmayer，turninground。

"It’sminetoo——alittleisn’tit？"saidLingard。"Don’targue，"

heshouted，asAlmayeropenedhismouth。"Obeyordersandholdyourtongue！"

"Oh！Ifyoutakeitinthattone！"mumbledAlmayer，sulkily，withagestureofassent。

"Youaresoaggravatingtoo，myboy，"saidtheoldseaman，withunexpectedplacidity。"Youmustgivemetimetoturnround。I

can’tkeepheronboardallthetime。Imusttellhersomething。

Say，forinstance，thatheisgoneuptheriver。Expectedbackeveryday。That’sit。D’yehear？Youmustputheronthattackanddodgeheralongeasy，whileItakethekinksoutofthesituation。ByGod！"heexclaimed，mournfully，afterashortpause，"lifeisfoul！Foullikealeeforebraceonadirtynight。Andyet。Andyet。Onemustseeitclearforrunningbeforegoingbelow——forgood。NowyouattendtowhatIsaid，"headded，sharply，"ifyoudon’twanttoquarrelwithme，myboy。"

"Idon’twanttoquarrelwithyou，"murmuredAlmayerwithunwillingdeference。"OnlyIwishIcouldunderstandyou。I

knowyouaremybestfriend，CaptainLingard；only，uponmyword，Ican’tmakeyououtsometimes！IwishIcould……"

Lingardburstintoaloudlaughwhichendedshortlyinadeepsigh。Heclosedhiseyes，tiltinghisheadoverthebackofhisarmchair；andonhisface，bakedbytheuncloudedsunsofmanyhardyears，thereappearedforamomentawearinessandalookofagewhichstartledAlmayer，likeanunexpecteddisclosureofevil。

"Iamdoneup，"saidLingard，gently。"Perfectlydoneup。Allnightondeckgettingthatschooneruptheriver。Thentalkingwithyou。SeemstomeIcouldgotosleeponaclothes-line。I

shouldliketoeatsomethingthough。Justseeaboutthat，Kaspar。"

Almayerclappedhishands，andreceivingnoresponsewasgoingtocall，wheninthecentralpassageofthehouse，behindtheredcurtainofthedoorwayopeningupontheverandah，theyheardachild’simperiousvoicespeakingshrilly。

"Takemeupatonce。Iwanttobecarriedintotheverandah。I

shallbeveryangry。Takemeup。"

Aman’svoiceanswered，subdued，inhumbleremonstrance。ThefacesofAlmayerandLingardbrightenedatonce。Theoldseamancalledout——

"Bringthechild。Lekas！"

"Youwillseehowshehasgrown，"exclaimedAlmayer，inajubilanttone。

ThroughthecurtaineddoorwayAliappearedwithlittleNinaAlmayerinhisarms。Thechildhadonearmroundhisneck，andwiththeothershehuggedaripepumelonearlyasbigasherownhead。Herlittlepink，sleevelessrobehadhalfslippedoffhershoulders，butthelongblackhair，thatframedheroliveface，inwhichthebigblackeyeslookedoutinchildishsolemnity，fellinluxuriantprofusionoverhershoulders，allroundherandoverAli’sarms，likeaclose-meshedanddelicatenetofsilkenthreads。LingardgotuptomeetAli，andassoonasshecaughtsightoftheoldseamanshedroppedthefruitandputoutbothherhandswithacryofdelight。HetookherfromtheMalay，andshelaidholdofhismoustacheswithanaffectionategoodwillthatbroughtunaccustomedtearsintohislittleredeyes。

"Notsohard，littleone，notsohard，"hemurmured，pressingwithanenormoushand，thatcovereditentirely，thechild’sheadtohisface。

"Pickupmypumelo，ORajahofthesea！"shesaid，speakinginahigh-pitched，clearvoicewithgreatvolubility。"There，underthetable。Iwantitquick！Quick！Youhavebeenawayfightingwithmanymen。Alisaysso。Youareamightyfighter。Alisaysso。Onthegreatseafaraway，away，away。"

Shewavedherhand，staringwithdreamyvacancy，whileLingardlookedather，andsquattingdowngropedunderthetableafterthepumelo。

"Wheredoesshegetthosenotions？"saidLingard，gettingupcautiously，toAlmayer，whohadbeengivingorderstoAli。

"Sheisalwayswiththemen。ManyatimeI’vefoundherwithherfingersintheirricedish，ofanevening。Shedoesnotcareforhermotherthough——Iamgladtosay。Howprettysheis——andsosharp。Myveryimage！"

Lingardhadputthechildonthetable，andbothmenstoodlookingatherwithradiantfaces。

"Aperfectlittlewoman，"whisperedLingard。"Yes，mydearboy，weshallmakehersomebody。You’llsee！"

"Verylittlechanceofthatnow，"remarkedAlmayer，sadly。

"Youdonotknow！"exclaimedLingard，takingupthechildagain，andbeginningtowalkupanddowntheverandah。"Ihavemyplans。Ihave——listen。"

AndhebegantoexplaintotheinterestedAlmayerhisplansforthefuture。HewouldinterviewAbdullaandLakamba。Theremustbesomeunderstandingwiththosefellowsnowtheyhadtheupperhand。Hereheinterruptedhimselftoswearfreely，whilethechild，whohadbeendiligentlyfumblingabouthisneck，hadfoundhiswhistleandblewaloudblastnowandthenclosetohisear——whichmadehimwinceandlaughasheputherhandsdown，scoldingherlovingly。Yes——thatwouldbeeasilysettled。Hewasamantobereckonedwithyet。NobodyknewthatbetterthanAlmayer。Verywell。Thenhemustpatientlytryandkeepsomelittletradetogether。Itwouldbeallright。Butthegreatthing——andhereLingardspokelower，bringinghimselftoasuddenstandstillbeforetheentrancedAlmayer——thegreatthingwouldbethegoldhuntuptheriver。He——Lingard——woulddevotehimselftoit。Hehadbeenintheinteriorbefore。Therewereimmensedepositsofalluvialgoldthere。Fabulous。Hefeltsure。Hadseenplaces。Dangerouswork？Ofcourse！Butwhatareward！Hewouldexplore——andfind。Notashadowofdoubt。Hangthedanger！Theywouldfirstgetasmuchastheycouldforthemselves。Keepthethingquiet。ThenafteratimeformaCompany。InBataviaorinEngland。Yes，inEngland。Muchbetter。Splendid！Why，ofcourse。Andthatbabywouldbetherichestwomanintheworld。He——Lingard——wouldnot，perhaps，seeit——althoughhefeltgoodformanyyearsyet——butAlmayerwould。

Herewassomethingtoliveforyet！Hey？

Buttherichestwomanintheworldhadbeenforthelastfiveminutesshoutingshrilly——"RajahLaut！RajahLaut！Hai！Giveear！"whiletheoldseamanhadbeenspeakinglouder，unconsciously，tomakehisdeepbassheardabovetheimpatientclamour。Hestoppednowandsaidtenderly——

"Whatisit，littlewoman？"

"Iamnotalittlewoman。Iamawhitechild。AnakPutih。A

whitechild；andthewhitemenaremybrothers。Fathersaysso。

AndAlisayssotoo。Aliknowsasmuchasfather。Everything。"

Almayeralmostdancedwithpaternaldelight。

"Itaughther。Itaughther，"herepeated，laughingwithtearsinhiseyes。"Isn’tshesharp？"

"Iamtheslaveofthewhitechild，"saidLingard，withplayfulsolemnity。"Whatistheorder？"

"Iwantahouse，"shewarbled，withgreateagerness。"Iwantahouse，andanotherhouseontheroof，andanotherontheroof——high。High！Liketheplaceswheretheydwell——mybrothers——inthelandwherethesunsleeps。"

"Tothewestward，"explainedAlmayer，underhisbreath。"Sherememberseverything。Shewantsyoutobuildahouseofcards。

Youdid，lasttimeyouwerehere。"

Lingardsatdownwiththechildonhisknees，andAlmayerpulledoutviolentlyonedrawerafteranother，lookingforthecards，asifthefateoftheworlddependeduponhishaste。HeproducedadirtydoublepackwhichwasonlyusedduringLingard’svisittoSambir，whenhewouldsometimesplay——ofanevening——withAlmayer，agamewhichhecalledChinesebezique。ItboredAlmayer，buttheoldseamandelightedinit，consideringitaremarkableproductofChinesegenius——araceforwhichhehadanunaccountablelikingandadmiration。

"Nowwewillgeton，mylittlepearl，"hesaid，puttingtogetherwithextremeprecautiontwocardsthatlookedabsurdlyflimsybetweenhisbigfingers。LittleNinawatchedhimwithintenseseriousnessashewentonerectingthegroundfloor，whilehecontinuedtospeaktoAlmayerwithhisheadoverhisshouldersoasnottoendangerthestructurewithhisbreath。

"IknowwhatIamtalkingabout……BeeninCaliforniainforty-nine……NotthatImademuch……theninVictoriaintheearlydays……Iknowallaboutit。Trustme。Moreoverablindmancould……Bequiet，littlesister，oryouwillknockthisaffairdown……Myhandprettysteadyyet！Hey，Kaspar？……Now，delightofmyheart，weshallputathirdhouseonthetopofthesetwo……keepveryquiet……AsI

wassaying，yougotonlytostoopandgatherhandfulsofgold……dust……there。Nowhereweare。Threehousesontopofoneanother。Grand！"

Heleanedbackinhischair，onehandonthechild’shead，whichhesmoothedmechanically，andgesticulatedwiththeother，speakingtoAlmayer。

"Onceonthespot，therewouldbeonlythetroubletopickupthestuff。ThenweshallallgotoEurope。Thechildmustbeeducated。Weshallberich。Richisnonameforit。DowninDevonshirewhereIbelong，therewasafellowwhobuiltahousenearTeignmouthwhichhadasmanywindowsasathree-deckerhasports。Madeallhismoneysomewhereouthereinthegoodolddays。Peoplearoundsaidhehadbeenapirate。Weboys——IwasaboyinaBrixhamtrawlerthen——certainlybelievedthat。Hewentaboutinabath-chairinhisgrounds。Hadaglasseye……"

"Higher，Higher！"calledoutNina，pullingtheoldseaman’sbeard。

"Youdoworryme——don’tyou？"saidLingard，gently，givingheratenderkiss。"What？Onemorehouseontopofallthese？Well！

Iwilltry。"

Thechildwatchedhimbreathlessly。Whenthedifficultfeatwasaccomplishedsheclappedherhands，lookedonsteadily，andafterawhilegaveagreatsighofcontent。

"Oh！Lookout！"shoutedAlmayer。

Thestructurecollapsedsuddenlybeforethechild’slightbreath。

Lingardlookeddiscomposedforamoment。Almayerlaughed，butthelittlegirlbegantocry。

"Takeher，"saidtheoldseaman，abruptly。Then，afterAlmayerwentawaywiththecryingchild，heremainedsittingbythetable，lookinggloomilyattheheapofcards。

"DamnthisWillems，"hemutteredtohimself。"ButIwilldoityet！"

Hegotup，andwithanangrypushofhishandsweptthecardsoffthetable。Thenhefellbackinhischair。

"Tiredasadog，"hesighedout，closinghiseyes。

CHAPTERFOUR

Consciouslyorunconsciously，menareproudoftheirfirmness，steadfastnessofpurpose，directnessofaim。Theygostraighttowardstheirdesire，totheaccomplishmentofvirtue——sometimesofcrime——inanupliftingpersuasionoftheirfirmness。Theywalktheroadoflife，theroadfencedinbytheirtastes，prejudices，disdainsorenthusiasms，generallyhonest，invariablystupid，andareproudofneverlosingtheirway。Iftheydostop，itistolookforamomentoverthehedgesthatmakethemsafe，tolookatthemistyvalleys，atthedistantpeaks，atcliffsandmorasses，atthedarkforestsandthehazyplainswhereotherhumanbeingsgropetheirdayspainfullyaway，stumblingoverthebonesofthewise，overtheunburiedremainsoftheirpredecessorswhodiedalone，ingloomorinsunshine，halfwayfromanywhere。Themanofpurposedoesnotunderstand，andgoeson，fullofcontempt。Heneverloseshisway。Heknowswhereheisgoingandwhathewants。Travellingon，heachievesgreatlengthwithoutanybreadth，andbattered，besmirched，andweary，hetouchesthegoalatlast；hegraspstherewardofhisperseverance，ofhisvirtue，ofhishealthyoptimism:anuntruthfultombstoneoveradarkandsoonforgottengrave。

Lingardhadneverhesitatedinhislife。Whyshouldhe？Hehadbeenamostsuccessfultrader，andamanluckyinhisfights，skilfulinnavigation，undeniablyfirstinseamanshipinthoseseas。Heknewit。Hadhenotheardthevoiceofcommonconsent？

Thevoiceoftheworldthatrespectedhimsomuch；thewholeworldtohim——fortousthelimitsoftheuniversearestrictlydefinedbythoseweknow。Thereisnothingforusoutsidethebabbleofpraiseandblameonfamiliarlips，andbeyondourlastacquaintancethereliesonlyavastchaos；achaosoflaughterandtearswhichconcernsusnot；laughterandtearsunpleasant，wicked，morbid，contemptible——becauseheardimperfectlybyearsrebellioustostrangesounds。ToLingard——simplehimself——allthingsweresimple。Heseldomread。Bookswerenotmuchinhisway，andhehadtoworkhardnavigating，trading，andalso，inobediencetohisbenevolentinstincts，shapingstrayliveshefoundhereandthereunderhisbusyhand。HerememberedtheSunday-schoolteachingsofhisnativevillageandthediscoursesoftheblack-coatedgentlemanconnectedwiththeMissiontoFishermenandSeamen，whoseyawl-riggedboatdartingthroughrain-squallsamongstthecoasterswind-boundinFalmouthBay，waspartofthosepreciouspicturesofhisyouthfuldaysthatlingeredinhismemory。"Ascleverasky-pilotasyoucouldwishtosee，"hewouldsaywithconviction，"andthebestmantohandleaboatinanyweatherIeverdidmeet！"Suchweretheagenciesthathadroughlyshapedhisyoungsoulbeforehewentawaytoseetheworldinasouthern-goingship——beforehewent，ignorantandhappy，heavyofhand，pureinheart，profaneinspeech，togivehimselfuptothegreatseathattookhislifeandgavehimhisfortune。Whenthinkingofhisriseintheworld——commanderofships，thenshipowner，thenamanofmuchcapital，respectedwhereverhewent，Lingardinaword，theRajahLaut——hewasamazedandawedbyhisfate，thatseemedtohisill-informedmindthemostwondrousknownintheannalsofmen。

Hisexperienceappearedtohimimmenseandconclusive，teachinghimthelessonofthesimplicityoflife。Inlife——asinseamanship——therewereonlytwowaysofdoingathing:therightwayandthewrongway。Commonsenseandexperiencetaughtamanthewaythatwasright。Theotherwasforlubbersandfools，andled，inseamanship，tolossofsparsandsailsorshipwreck；inlife，tolossofmoneyandconsideration，ortoanunluckyknockonthehead。Hedidnotconsiderithisdutytobeangrywithrascals。Hewasonlyangrywiththingshecouldnotunderstand，butfortheweaknessesofhumanityhecouldfindacontemptuoustolerance。Itbeingmanifestthathewaswiseandlucky——otherwisehowcouldhehavebeenassuccessfulinlifeashehadbeen？——hehadaninclinationtosetrightthelivesofotherpeople，justashecouldhardlyrefrain——indefianceofnauticaletiquette——frominterferingwithhischiefofficerwhenthecrewwassendingupanewtopmast，orgenerallywhenbusyabout，whathecalled，"aheavyjob。"Hewasmeddlesomewithperfectmodesty；ifheknewathingortwotherewasnomeritinit。"Hardknockstaughtmewisdom，myboy，"heusedtosay，"andyouhadbettertaketheadviceofamanwhohasbeenafoolinhistime。Haveanother。"And"myboy"asaruletookthecooldrink，theadvice，andtheconsequenthelpwhichLingardfelthimselfboundinhonourtogive，soastobackuphisopinionlikeanhonestman。CaptainTomwentsailingfromislandtoisland，appearingunexpectedlyinvariouslocalities，beaming，noisy，anecdotal，commendatoryorcomminatory，butalwayswelcome。

ItwasonlysincehisreturntoSambirthattheoldseamanhadforthefirsttimeknowndoubtandunhappiness，ThelossoftheFlash——plantedfirmlyandforeveronaledgeofrockatthenorthendofGasparStraitsintheuncertainlightofacloudymorning——shookhimconsiderably；andtheamazingnewswhichheheardonhisarrivalinSambirwerenotmadetosoothehisfeelings。Agoodmanyyearsago——promptedbyhisloveofadventure——he，withinfinitetrouble，hadfoundoutandsurveyed——forhisownbenefitonly——theentrancestothatriver，where，hehadheardthroughnativereport，anewsettlementofMalayswasforming。Nodoubthethoughtatthetimemostlyofpersonalgain；but，receivedwithheartyfriendlinessbyPatalolo，hesooncametoliketherulerandthepeople，offeredhiscounselandhishelp，and——knowingnothingofArcadia——hedreamedofArcadianhappinessforthatlittlecorneroftheworldwhichhelovedtothinkallhisown。Hisdeep-seatedandimmovableconvictionthatonlyhe——he，Lingard——knewwhatwasgoodforthemwascharacteristicofhim。and，afterall，notsoveryfarwrong。Hewouldmakethemhappywhetherorno，hesaid，andhemeantit。Histradebroughtprosperitytotheyoungstate，andthefearofhisheavyhandsecureditsinternalpeaceformanyyears。

Helookedproudlyuponhiswork。Witheverypassingyearhelovedmoretheland，thepeople，themuddyriverthat，ifhecouldhelpit，wouldcarrynoothercraftbuttheFlashonitsuncleanandfriendlysurface。Asheslowlywarpedhisvesselup-streamhewouldscanwithknowinglookstheriversideclearings，andpronouncesolemnjudgmentupontheprospectsoftheseason’srice-crop。HekneweverysettleronthebanksbetweentheseaandSambir；heknewtheirwives，theirchildren；

hekneweveryindividualofthemulti-colouredgroupsthat，standingontheflimsyplatformsoftinyreeddwellingsbuiltoverthewater，wavedtheirhandsandshoutedshrilly:"O！Kapallayer！Hai！"whiletheFlashsweptslowlythroughthepopulatedreach，toenterthelonelystretchesofsparklingbrownwaterborderedbythedenseandsilentforest，whosebigtreesnoddedtheiroutspreadboughsgentlyinthefaint，warmbreeze——asifinsignoftenderbutmelancholywelcome。Heloveditall:thelandscapeofbrowngoldsandbrilliantemeraldsunderthedomeofhotsapphire；thewhisperingbigtrees；theloquaciousnipa-palmsthatrattledtheirleavesvolublyinthenightbreeze，asifinhastetotellhimallthesecretsofthegreatforestbehindthem。Helovedtheheavyscentsofblossomsandblackearth，thatbreathoflifeandofdeathwhichlingeredoverhisbriginthedampairoftepidandpeacefulnights。Helovedthenarrowandsombrecreeks，strangerstosunshine:black，smooth，tortuous——likebywaysofdespair。Helikedeventhetroopsofsorrowful-facedmonkeysthatprofanedthequietspotswithcapriciousgambolsandinsanegesturesofinhumanmadness。Helovedeverythingthere，animatedorinanimated；theverymudoftheriverside；theveryalligators，enormousandstolid，baskingonitwithimpertinentunconcern。Theirsizewasasourceofpridetohim。"Immensefellows！MaketwoofthemPalembangreptiles！Itellyou，oldman！"hewouldshout，pokingsomecronyofhisplayfullyintheribs:"Itellyou，bigasyouare，theycouldswallowyouinonegulp，hat，bootsandall！

Magnificentbeggars！Wouldn’tyouliketoseethem？Wouldn’tyou！Ha！ha！ha！"Histhunderouslaughterfilledtheverandah，rolledoverthehotelgarden，overflowedintothestreet，paralyzingforashortmomentthenoiselesstrafficofbarebrownfeet；anditsloudreverberationswouldevenstartlethelandlord’stamebird——ashamelessmynah——intoamomentaryproprietyofbehaviourunderthenearestchair。Inthebigbilliard-roomperspiringmeninthincottonsingletswouldstopthegame，listen，cueinhand，forawhilethroughtheopenwindows，thennodtheirmoistfacesateachothersagaciouslyandwhisper:"Theoldfellowistalkingabouthisriver。"

Hisriver！Thewhispersofcuriousmen，themysteryofthething，weretoLingardasourceofnever-endingdelight。Thecommontalkofignoranceexaggeratedtheprofitsofhisqueermonopoly，and，althoughstrictlytruthfulingeneral，heliked，onthatmatter，tomisleadspeculationstillfurtherbyboastsfullofcoldraillery。Hisriver！Byithewasnotonlyrich——hewasinteresting。Thissecretofhiswhichmadehimdifferenttotheothertradersofthoseseasgaveintimatesatisfactiontothatdesireforsingularitywhichhesharedwiththerestofmankind，withoutbeingawareofitspresencewithinhisbreast。Itwasthegreaterpartofhishappiness，butheonlyknewitafteritsloss，sounforeseen，sosuddenandsocruel。

AfterhisconversationwithAlmayerhewentonboardtheschooner，sentJoannaonshore，andshuthimselfupinhiscabin，feelingveryunwell。HemadethemostofhisindispositiontoAlmayer，whocametovisithimtwiceaday。Itwasanexcusefordoingnothingjustyet。Hewantedtothink。Hewasveryangry。

Angrywithhimself，withWillems。AngryatwhatWillemshaddone——andalsoangryatwhathehadleftundone。Thescoundrelwasnotcomplete。Theconceptionwasperfect，buttheexecution，unaccountably，fellshort。Why？HeoughttohavecutAlmayer’sthroatandburnttheplacetoashes——thenclearedout。Gotoutofhisway；ofhim，Lingard！Yethedidn’t。Wasitimpudence，contempt——orwhat？Hefelthurtattheimplieddisrespectofhispower，andtheincompleterascalityoftheproceedingdisturbedhimexceedingly。Therewassomethingshort，somethingwanting，somethingthatwouldhavegivenhimafreehandintheworkofretribution。Theobvious，therightthingtodo，wastoshootWillems。Yethowcouldhe？Hadthefellowresisted，showedfight，orranaway；hadheshownanyconsciousnessofharmdone，itwouldhavebeenmorepossible，morenatural。Butno！Thefellowactuallyhadsenthimamessage。Wantedtoseehim。Whatfor？Thethingcouldnotbeexplained。Anunexampled，cold-bloodedtreachery，awful，incomprehensible。Whydidhedoit？Why？Why？Theoldseamaninthestuffysolitudeofhislittlecabinonboardtheschoonergroanedoutmanytimesthatquestion，strikingwithanopenpalmhisperplexedforehead。

Duringhisfourdaysofseclusionhehadreceivedtwomessagesfromtheouterworld；fromthatworldofSambirwhichhad，sosuddenlyandsofinally，slippedfromhisgrasp。One，afewwordsfromWillemswrittenonatorn-outpageofasmallnotebook；theother，acommunicationfromAbdullacaligraphedcarefullyonalargesheetofflimsypaperanddeliveredtohiminagreensilkwrapper。Thefirsthecouldnotunderstand。Itsaid:"Comeandseeme。Iamnotafraid。Areyou？W。"Hetoreitupangrily，butbeforethesmallbitsofdirtypaperhadthetimetoflutterdownandsettleonthefloor，theangerwasgoneandwasreplacedbyasentimentthatinducedhimtogoonhisknees，pickupthefragmentsofthetornmessage，pieceittogetheronthetopofhischronometerbox，andcontemplateitlongandthoughtfully，asifhehadhopedtoreadtheanswerofthehorribleriddleintheveryformofthelettersthatwenttomakeupthatfreshinsult。Abdulla’sletterhereadcarefullyandrammeditintohispocket，alsowithanger，butwithangerthatendedinahalf-resigned，half-amusedsmile。Hewouldnevergiveinaslongastherewasachance。"It’sgenerallythesafestwaytosticktotheshipaslongasshewillswim，"wasoneofhisfavouritesayings:"Thesafestandtherightway。Toabandonacraftbecauseitleaksiseasy——butpoorwork。Poorwork！"Yethewasintelligentenoughtoknowwhenhewasbeaten，andtoacceptthesituationlikeaman，withoutrepining。WhenAlmayercameonboardthatafternoonhehandedhimtheletterwithoutcomment。

Almayerreadit，returneditinsilence，andleaningoverthetaffrail(thetwomenwereondeck)lookeddownforsometimeattheplayoftheeddiesroundtheschooner’srudder。Atlasthesaidwithoutlookingup——

"That’sadecentenoughletter。Abdullagiveshimuptoyou。I

toldyoutheyweregettingsickofhim。Whatareyougoingtodo？"

Lingardclearedhisthroat，shuffledhisfeet，openedhismouthwithgreatdetermination，butsaidnothingforawhile。Atlasthemurmured——

"I’llbehangedifIknow——justyet。"

"Iwishyouwoulddosomethingsoon……"

"What’sthehurry？"interruptedLingard。"Hecan’tgetaway。Asitstandsheisatmymercy，asfarasIcansee。"

"Yes，"saidAlmayer，reflectively——"andverylittlemercyhedeservestoo。Abdulla’smeaning——asIcanmakeitoutamongstallthosecompliments——is:’Getridformeofthatwhiteman——andweshallliveinpeaceandsharethetrade。"’

"Youbelievethat？"askedLingard，contemptuously。

"Notaltogether，"answeredAlmayer。"Nodoubtwewillsharethetradeforatime——tillhecangrabthelot。Well，whatareyougoingtodo？"

HelookedupashespokeandwassurprisedtoseeLingard’sdiscomposedface。

"Youain’twell。Painanywhere？"heasked，withrealsolicitude。

"Ihavebeenqueer——youknow——theselastfewdays，butnopain。"

Hestruckhisbroadchestseveraltimes，clearedhisthroatwithapowerful"Hem！"andrepeated:"No。Nopain。Goodforafewyearsyet。ButIambotheredwithallthis，Icantellyou！"

"Youmusttakecareofyourself，"saidAlmayer。Thenafterapauseheadded:"YouwillseeAbdulla。Won’tyou？"

"Idon’tknow。Notyet。There’splentyoftime，"saidLingard，impatiently。

"Iwishyouwoulddosomething，"urgedAlmayer，moodily。"Youknow，thatwomanisaperfectnuisancetome。Sheandherbrat！

Yelpsallday。Andthechildrendon’tgetontogether。YesterdaythelittledevilwantedtofightwithmyNina。Scratchedherface，too。Aperfectsavage！Likehishonourablepapa。Yes，really。Sheworriesaboutherhusband，andwhimpersfrommorningtonight。Whensheisn’tweepingsheisfuriouswithme。

Yesterdayshetormentedmetotellherwhenhewouldbebackandcriedbecausehewasengagedinsuchdangerouswork。Isaidsomethingaboutitbeingallright——nonecessitytomakeafoolofherself，whensheturneduponmelikeawildcat。Calledmeabrute，selfish，heartless；ravedaboutherbelovedPeterriskinghislifeformybenefit，whileIdidnotcare。SaidItookadvantageofhisgenerousgood-naturetogethimtododangerouswork——mywork。Thathewasworthtwentyofthelikesofme。

Thatshewouldtellyou——openyoureyesastothekindofmanI

was，andsoon。That’swhatI’vegottoputupwithforyoursake。Youreallymightconsidermealittle。Ihaven’trobbedanybody，"wentonAlmayer，withanattemptatbitterirony——"orsoldmybestfriend，butstillyououghttohavesomepityonme。

It’slikelivinginahotfever。Sheisoutofherwits。Youmakemyhousearefugeforscoundrelsandlunatics。Itisn’tfair。’Ponmyworditisn’t！Whensheisinhertantrumssheisridiculouslyuglyandscreechesso——itsetsmyteethonedge。

ThankGod！mywifegotafitofthesulksandclearedoutofthehouse。Livesinariversidehutsincethataffair——youknow。

ButthisWillems’wifebyherselfisalmostmorethanIcanbear。

AndIaskmyselfwhyshouldI？Youareexactingandnomistake。

ThismorningIthoughtshewasgoingtoclawme。Onlythink！

Shewantedtogoprancingaboutthesettlement。Shemighthaveheardsomethingthere，soItoldhershemustn’t。Itwasn’tsafeoutsideourfences，Isaid。Thereuponsherushesatmewithhertennailsuptomyeyes。’Youmiserableman，’sheyells，’eventhisplaceisnotsafe，andyou’vesenthimupthisawfulriverwherehemaylosehishead。Ifhediesbeforeforgivingme，Heavenwillpunishyouforyourcrime……’Mycrime！IaskmyselfsometimeswhetherIamdreaming！Itwillmakemeill，allthis。I’velostmyappetitealready。"

Heflunghishatondeckandlaidholdofhishairdespairingly。

Lingardlookedathimwithconcern。

"Whatdidshemeanbyit？"hemuttered，thoughtfully。

"Mean！Sheiscrazy，Itellyou——andIwillbe，verysoon，ifthislasts！"

"Justalittlepatience，Kaspar，"pleadedLingard。"Adayorsomore。"

Relievedortiredbyhisviolentoutburst，Almayercalmeddown，pickeduphishatand，leaningagainstthebulwark，commencedtofanhimselfwithit。

"Daysdopass，"hesaid，resignedly——"butthatkindofthingmakesamanoldbeforehistime。Whatistheretothinkabout？——Ican’timagine！Abdullasaysplainlythatifyouundertaketopilothisshipoutandinstructthehalf-caste，hewilldropWillemslikeahotpotatoandbeyourfriendeverafter。Ibelievehimperfectly，astoWillems。It’ssonatural。

Astobeingyourfriendit’salieofcourse，butweneednotbotheraboutthatjustyet。YoujustsayyestoAbdulla，andthenwhateverhappenstoWillemswillbenobody’sbusiness。"

Heinterruptedhimselfandremainedsilentforawhile，glaringaboutwithsetteethanddilatednostrils。

"Youleaveittome。I’llseetoitthatsomethinghappenstohim，"hesaidatlast，withcalmferocity。Lingardsmiledfaintly。

"Thefellowisn’tworthashot。Notthetroubleofit，"hewhispered，asiftohimself。Almayerfiredupsuddenly。

"That’swhatyouthink，"hecried。"Youhaven’tbeensewnupinyourhammocktobemadealaughing-stockofbeforeaparcelofsavages。Why！Idaren’tlookanybodyhereinthefacewhilethatscoundrelisalive。Iwill……Iwillsettlehim。"

"Idon’tthinkyouwill，"growledLingard。

"DoyouthinkIamafraidofhim？"

"Blessyou！no！"saidLingardwithalacrity。"Afraid！Notyou。

Iknowyou。Idon’tdoubtyourcourage。It’syourhead，myboy，yourheadthatI……"

"That’sit，"saidtheaggrievedAlmayer。"Goon。Whydon’tyoucallmeafoolatonce？"

"BecauseIdon’twantto，"burstoutLingard，withnervousirritability。"IfIwantedtocallyouafool，Iwoulddosowithoutaskingyourleave。"Hebegantowalkathwartthenarrowquarter-deck，kickingropes’endsoutofhiswayandgrowlingtohimself:"Delicategentleman……whatnext？……I’vedoneman’sworkbeforeyoucouldtoddle。Understand……saywhatI

like。"

"Well！well！"saidAlmayer，withaffectedresignation。"There’snotalkingtoyoutheselastfewdays。"Heputonhishat，strolledtothegangwayandstopped，onefootonthelittleinsideladder，asifhesitating，camebackandplantedhimselfinLingard’sway，compellinghimtostandstillandlisten。

"Ofcourseyouwilldowhatyoulike。Younevertakeadvice——I

knowthat；butletmetellyouthatitwouldn’tbehonesttoletthatfellowgetawayfromhere。Ifyoudonothing，thatscoundrelwillleaveinAbdulla’sshipforsure。Abdullawillmakeuseofhimtohurtyouandotherselsewhere。Willemsknowstoomuchaboutyouraffairs。Hewillcauseyoulotsoftrouble。

Youmarkmywords。Lotsoftrouble。Toyou——andtoothersperhaps。Thinkofthat，CaptainLingard。That’sallI’vegottosay。NowImustgobackonshore。There’slotsofwork。Wewillbeginloadingthisschoonerto-morrowmorning，firstthing。

Allthebundlesareready。Ifyoushouldwantmeforanything，hoistsomekindofflagonthemainmast。Atnighttwoshotswillfetchme。"Thenheadded，inafriendlytone，"Won’tyoucomeanddineinthehouseto-night？Itcan’tbegoodforyoutostewonboardlikethat，dayafterday。"

Lingarddidnotanswer。TheimageevokedbyAlmayer；thepictureofWillemsrangingovertheislandsanddisturbingtheharmonyoftheuniversebyrobbery，treachery，andviolence，heldhimsilent，entranced——painfullyspellbound。Almayer，afterwaitingforalittlewhile，movedreluctantlytowardsthegangway，lingeredthere，thensighedandgotovertheside，goingdownstepbystep。Hisheaddisappearedslowlybelowtherail。

Lingard，whohadbeenstaringathimabsently，startedsuddenly，rantotheside，andlookingover，calledout——

"Hey！Kaspar！Holdonabit！"

Almayersignedtohisboatmentoceasepaddling，andturnedhisheadtowardstheschooner。TheboatdriftedbackslowlyabreastofLingard，nearlyalongside。

"Lookhere，"saidLingard，lookingdown——"Iwantagoodcanoewithfourmento-day。"

"Doyouwantitnow？"askedAlmayer。

"No！Catchthisrope。Oh，youclumsydevil！……No，Kaspar，"

wentonLingard，afterthebow-manhadgotholdoftheendofthebracehehadthrowndownintothecanoe——"No，Kaspar。Thesunistoomuchforme。Anditwouldbebettertokeepmyaffairsquiet，too。Sendthecanoe——fourgoodpaddlers，mind，andyourcanvaschairformetositin。Senditaboutsunset。D’yehear？"

"Allright，father，"saidAlmayer，cheerfully——"IwillsendAliforasteersman，andthebestmenI’vegot。Anythingelse？"

"No，mylad。Onlydon’tletthembelate。"

"Isupposeit’snouseaskingyouwhereyouaregoing，"saidAlmayer，tentatively。"BecauseifitistoseeAbdulla，I……"

"IamnotgoingtoseeAbdulla。Notto-day。Nowbeoffwithyou。"

Hewatchedthecanoedartawayshorewards，wavedhishandinresponsetoAlmayer’snod，andwalkedtothetaffrailsmoothingoutAbdulla’sletter，whichhehadpulledoutofhispocket。Hereaditovercarefully，crumpleditupslowly，smilingthewhileandclosinghisfingersfirmlyoverthecracklingpaperasthoughhehadholdthereofAbdulla’sthroat。Halfwaytohispockethechangedhismind，andflingingtheballoverboardlookedatitthoughtfullyasitspunroundintheeddiesforamoment，beforethecurrentboreitawaydown-stream，towardsthesea。

PARTIV

CHAPTERONE

Thenightwasverydark。ForthefirsttimeinmanymonthstheEastCoastsleptunseenbythestarsunderaveilofmotionlesscloudthat，drivenbeforethefirstbreathoftherainymonsoon，haddriftedslowlyfromtheeastwardalltheafternoon；pursuingthedecliningsunwithitsmassesofblackandgreythatseemedtochasethelightwithwickedintent，andwithanominousandgloomysteadiness，asthoughconsciousofthemessageofviolenceandturmoiltheycarried。Atthesun’sdisappearancebelowthewesternhorizon，theimmensecloud，inquickenedmotion，grappledwiththeglowofretreatinglight，androllingdowntotheclearandjaggedoutlineofthedistantmountains，hungarrestedabovethesteamingforests；hanginglow，silentandmenacingovertheunstirringtree-tops；withholdingtheblessingofrain，nursingthewrathofitsthunder；undecided——asifbroodingoveritsownpowerforgoodorforevil。

Babalatchi，comingoutoftheredandsmokylightofhislittlebamboohouse，glancedupwards，drewinalongbreathofthewarmandstagnantair，andstoodforamomentwithhisgoodeyeclosedtightly，asifintimidatedbytheunwontedanddeepsilenceofLakamba’scourtyard。Whenheopenedhiseyehehadrecoveredhissightsofar，thathecoulddistinguishthevariousdegreesofformlessblacknesswhichmarkedtheplacesoftrees，ofabandonedhouses，ofriversidebushes，onthedarkbackgroundofthenight。

Thecarewornsagewalkedcautiouslydownthedesertedcourtyardtothewaterside，andstoodonthebanklisteningtothevoiceoftheinvisibleriverthatflowedathisfeet；listeningtothesoftwhispers，tothedeepmurmurs，tothesuddengurglesandtheshorthissesoftheswiftcurrentracingalongthebankthroughthehotdarkness。

Hestoodwithhisfaceturnedtotheriver，anditseemedtohimthathecouldbreatheeasierwiththeknowledgeoftheclearvastspacebeforehim；then，afterawhileheleanedheavilyforwardonhisstaff，hischinfellonhisbreast，andadeepsighwashisanswertotheselfishdiscourseoftheriverthathurriedonunceasingandfast，regardlessofjoyorsorrow，ofsufferingandofstrife，offailuresandtriumphsthatlivedonitsbanks。Thebrownwaterwasthere，readytocarryfriendsorenemies，tonurseloveorhateonitssubmissiveandheartlessbosom，tohelportohinder，tosavelifeorgivedeath；thegreatandrapidriver:adeliverance，aprison，arefugeoragrave。

PerchancesuchthoughtsasthesecausedBabalatchitosendanothermournfulsighintothetrailingmistsoftheunconcernedPantai。Thebarbarouspoliticianhadforgottentherecentsuccessofhisplottingsinthemelancholycontemplationofasorrowthatmadethenightblacker，theclammyheatmoreoppressive，thestillairmoreheavy，thedumbsolitudemoresignificantoftormentthanofpeace。HehadspentthenightbeforebythesideofthedyingOmar，andnow，aftertwenty-fourhours，hismemorypersistedinreturningtothatlowandsombrereedhutfromwhichthefiercespiritoftheincomparablyaccomplishedpiratetookitsflight，tolearntoolate，inaworseworld，theerrorofitsearthlyways。Themindofthesavagestatesman，chastenedbybereavement，feltforamomenttheweightofhislonelinesswithkeenperceptionworthyevenofasensibilityexasperatedbyalltherefinementsoftendersentimentthatagloriouscivilizationbringsinitstrain，amongotherblessingsandvirtues，intothisexcellentworld。Forthespaceofaboutthirtyseconds，ahalf-naked，betel-chewingpessimiststooduponthebankofthetropicalriver，ontheedgeofthestillandimmenseforests；amanangry，powerless，empty-handed，withacryofbitterdiscontentreadyonhislips；

acrythat，haditcomeout，wouldhaverungthroughthevirginsolitudesofthewoods，astrue，asgreat，asprofound，asanyphilosophicalshriekthatevercamefromthedepthsofaneasy-chairtodisturbtheimpurewildernessofchimneysandroofs。

ForhalfaminuteandnomoredidBabalatchifacethegodsinthesublimeprivilegeofhisrevolt，andthentheone-eyedpullerofwiresbecamehimselfagain，fullofcareandwisdomandfar-reachingplans，andavictimtothetormentingsuperstitionsofhisrace。Thenight，nomatterhowquiet，isneverperfectlysilenttoattentiveears，andnowBabalatchifanciedhecoulddetectinitothernoisesthanthosecausedbytheripplesandeddiesoftheriver。Heturnedhisheadsharplytotherightandtotheleftinsuccession，andthenspunroundquicklyinastartledandwatchfulmanner，asifhehadexpectedtoseetheblindghostofhisdepartedleaderwanderingintheobscurityoftheemptycourtyardbehindhisback。Nothingthere。Yethehadheardanoise；astrangenoise！Nodoubtaghostlyvoiceofacomplainingandangryspirit。Helistened。Notasound。

Reassured，Babalatchimadeafewpacestowardshishouse，whenaveryhumannoise，thatofhoarsecoughing，reachedhimfromtheriver。Hestopped，listenedattentively，butnowwithoutanysignofemotion，andmovingbrisklybacktothewatersidestoodexpectantwithpartedlips，tryingtopiercewithhiseyethewaveringcurtainofmistthathunglowoverthewater。Hecouldseenothing，yetsomepeopleinacanoemusthavebeenverynear，forheheardwordsspokeninanordinarytone。

"Doyouthinkthisistheplace，Ali？Icanseenothing。"

"Itmustbenearhere，Tuan，"answeredanothervoice。"Shallwetrythebank？"

"No！……Letdriftalittle。Ifyougopokingintothebankinthedarkyoumightstovethecanoeonsomelog。Wemustbecareful……Letdrift！Letdrift！……Thisdoesseemtobeaclearingofsomesort。Wemayseealightbyandbyfromsomehouseorother。InLakamba’scampongtherearemanyhouses？

Hey？"

"Agreatnumber，Tuan……Idonotseeanylight。"

"NorI，"grumbledthefirstvoiceagain，thistimenearlyabreastofthesilentBabalatchiwholookeduneasilytowardshisownhouse，thedoorwayofwhichglowedwiththedimlightofatorchburningwithin。Thehousestoodendontotheriver，anditsdoorwayfaceddown-stream，soBabalatchireasonedrapidlythatthestrangersontherivercouldnotseethelightfromthepositiontheirboatwasinatthemoment。Hecouldnotmakeuphismindtocallouttothem，andwhilehehesitatedheheardthevoicesagain，butnowsomewaybelowthelanding-placewherehestood。

"Nothing。Thiscannotbeit。Letthemgiveway，Ali！Dayongthere！"

Thatorderwasfollowedbythesplashofpaddles，thenasuddencry——

"Iseealight。Iseeit！NowIknowwheretoland，Tuan。"

Therewasmoresplashingasthecanoewaspaddledsharplyroundandcamebackup-streamclosetothebank。

"Callout，"saidverynearadeepvoice，whichBabalatchifeltsuremustbelongtoawhiteman。"Callout——andsomebodymaycomewithatorch。Ican’tseeanything。"

Theloudhailthatsucceededthesewordswasemittednearlyunderthesilentlistener’snose。Babalatchi，topreserveappearances，ranwithlongbutnoiselessstrideshalfwayupthecourtyard，andonlythenshoutedinanswerandkeptonshoutingashewalkedslowlybackagaintowardstheriverbank。Hesawthereanindistinctshapeofaboat，notquitealongsidethelanding-place。

"Whospeaksontheriver？"askedBabalatchi，throwingatoneofsurpriseintohisquestion。

"Awhiteman，"answeredLingardfromthecanoe。"IstherenotonetorchinrichLakamba’scampongtolightaguestonhislanding？"

"Therearenotorchesandnomen。Iamalonehere，"saidBabalatchi，withsomehesitation。

"Alone！"exclaimedLingard。"Whoareyou？"

"OnlyaservantofLakamba。Butland，TuanPutih，andseemyface。Hereismyhand。No！Here！……Byyourmercy……

Ada！……Nowyouaresafe。"

"Andyouarealonehere？"saidLingard，movingwithprecautionafewstepsintothecourtyard。"Howdarkitis，"hemutteredtohimself——"onewouldthinktheworldhadbeenpaintedblack。"

"Yes。Alone。Whatmoredidyousay，Tuan？Ididnotunderstandyourtalk。"

"Itisnothing。Iexpectedtofindhere……Butwherearetheyall？"

"Whatmatterswheretheyare？"saidBabalatchi，gloomily。"Haveyoucometoseemypeople？Thelastdepartedonalongjourney——andIamalone。TomorrowIgotoo。"

"Icametoseeawhiteman，"saidLingard，walkingonslowly。

"Heisnotgone，ishe？"

"No！"answeredBabalatchi，athiselbow。"Amanwitharedskinandhardeyes，"hewenton，musingly，"whosehandisstrong，andwhoseheartisfoolishandweak。Awhitemanindeed……Butstillaman。"

Theywerenowatthefootoftheshortladderwhichledtothesplit-bambooplatformsurroundingBabalatchi’shabitation。Thefaintlightfromthedoorwayfelldownuponthetwomen’sfacesastheystoodlookingateachothercuriously。

"Ishethere？"askedLingard，inalowvoice，withawaveofhishandupwards。

Babalatchi，staringhardathislong-expectedvisitor，didnotansweratonce。"No，notthere，"hesaidatlast，placinghisfootonthelowestrungandlookingback。"Notthere，Tuan——yetnotveryfar。Willyousitdowninmydwelling？Theremaybericeandfishandclearwater——notfromtheriver，butfromaspring……"

"Iamnothungry，"interruptedLingard，curtly，"andIdidnotcomeheretositinyourdwelling。Leadmetothewhitemanwhoexpectsme。Ihavenotimetolose。"

"Thenightislong，Tuan，"wentonBabalatchi，softly，"andthereareothernightsandotherdays。Long。Verylong……Howmuchtimeittakesforamantodie！ORajahLaut！"

Lingardstarted。

"Youknowme！"heexclaimed。

"Ay——wa！Ihaveseenyourfaceandfeltyourhandbefore——manyyearsago，"saidBabalatchi，holdingonhalfwayuptheladder，andbendingdownfromabovetopeerintoLingard’supturnedface。

"Youdonotremember——butIhavenotforgotten。Therearemanymenlikeme:thereisonlyoneRajahLaut。"

Heclimbedwithsuddenagilitythelastfewsteps，andstoodontheplatformwavinghishandinvitinglytoLingard，whofollowedafterashortmomentofindecision。

Theelasticbamboofloorofthehutbentundertheheavyweightoftheoldseaman，who，standingwithinthethreshold，triedtolookintothesmokygloomofthelowdwelling。Underthetorch，thrustintothecleftofastick，fastenedatarightangletothemiddlestayoftheridgepole，layaredpatchoflight，showingafewshabbymatsandacornerofabigwoodenchesttherestofwhichwaslostinshadow。Intheobscurityofthemoreremotepartsofthehousealance-head，abrasstrayhungonthewall，thelongbarrelofagunleaningagainstthechest，caughtthestrayraysofthesmokyilluminationintremblinggleamsthatwavered，disappeared，reappeared，wentout，cameback——asifengagedinadoubtfulstrugglewiththedarknessthat，lyinginwaitindistantcorners，seemedtodartoutviciouslytowardsitsfeebleenemy。Thevastspaceunderthehighpitchoftheroofwasfilledwithathickcloudofsmoke，whoseunder-side——levellikeaceiling——reflectedthelightoftheswayingdullflame，whileatthetopitoozedoutthroughtheimperfectthatchofdriedpalmleaves。Anindescribableandcomplicatedsmell，madeupoftheexhalationofdampearthbelow，ofthetaintofdriedfishandoftheeffluviaofrottingvegetablematter，pervadedtheplaceandcausedLingardtosniffstronglyashestrodeover，satonthechest，and，leaninghiselbowsonhisknees，tookhisheadbetweenhishandsandstaredatthedoorwaythoughtfully。