第7章

Babalatchimovedaboutintheshadows，whisperingtoanindistinctformortwothatflittedaboutatthefarendofthehut。WithoutstirringLingardglancedsideways，andcaughtsightofmuffled-uphumanshapesthathoveredforamomentneartheedgeoflightandretreatedsuddenlybackintothedarkness。

Babalatchiapproached，andsatatLingard’sfeetonarolled-upbundleofmats。

"Willyoueatriceanddrinksagueir？"hesaid。"Ihavewakedupmyhousehold。"

"Myfriend，"saidLingard，withoutlookingathim，"whenIcometoseeLakamba，oranyofLakamba’sservants，Iamneverhungryandneverthirsty。Tau！Savee！Never！DoyouthinkIamdevoidofreason？Thatthereisnothingthere？"

Hesatup，and，fixingabruptlyhiseyesonBabalatchi，tappedhisownforeheadsignificantly。

"Tse！Tse！Tse！Howcanyoutalklikethat，Tuan！"exclaimedBabalatchi，inahorrifiedtone。

"ItalkasIthink。Ihavelivedmanyyears，"saidLingard，stretchinghisarmnegligentlytotakeupthegun，whichhebegantoexamineknowingly，cockingit，andeasingdownthehammerseveraltimes。"Thisisgood。Matarammake。Old，too，"hewenton。

"Hai！"brokeinBabalatchi，eagerly。"IgotitwhenIwasyoung。

HewasanArutrader，amanwithabigstomachandaloudvoice，andbrave——verybrave。Whenwecameupwithhisprauinthegreymorning，hestoodaftshoutingtohismenandfiredthisgunatusonce。Onlyonce！"……Hepaused，laughedsoftly，andwentoninalow，dreamyvoice。"Inthegreymorningwecameup:

fortysilentmeninaswiftSuluprau；andwhenthesunwassohigh"——herehehelduphishandsaboutthreefeetapart——"whenthesunwasonlysohigh，Tuan，ourworkwasdone——andtherewasafeastreadyforthefishesofthesea。"

"Aye！aye！"mutteredLingard，noddinghisheadslowly。"Isee。

Youshouldnotletitgetrustylikethis，"headded。

Heletthegunfallbetweenhisknees，andmovingbackonhisseat，leanedhisheadagainstthewallofthehut，crossinghisarmsonhisbreast。

"Agoodgun，"wentonBabalatchi。"Carryfarandtrue。Betterthanthis——there。"

WiththetipsofhisfingershetouchedgentlythebuttofarevolverpeepingoutoftherightpocketofLingard’swhitejacket。

"Takeyourhandoffthat，"saidLingardsharply，butinagood-humouredtoneandwithoutmakingtheslightestmovement。

Babalatchismiledandhitchedhisseatalittlefurtheroff。

Forsometimetheysatinsilence。Lingard，withhisheadtiltedback，lookeddownwardswithloweredeyelidsatBabalatchi，whowastracinginvisiblelineswithhisfingeronthematbetweenhisfeet。Outside，theycouldhearAliandtheotherboatmenchatteringandlaughingroundthefiretheyhadlightedinthebiganddesertedcourtyard。

"Well，whataboutthatwhiteman？"saidLingard，quietly。

ItseemedasifBabalatchihadnotheardthequestion。Hewentontracingelaboratepatternsonthefloorforagoodwhile。

Lingardwaitedmotionless。AtlasttheMalayliftedhishead。

"Hai！Thewhiteman。Iknow！"hemurmuredabsently。"Thiswhitemanoranother……Tuan，"hesaidaloudwithunexpectedanimation，"youareamanofthesea？"

"Youknowme。Whyask？"saidLingard，inalowtone。

"Yes。Amanofthesea——evenasweare。AtrueOrangLaut，"

wentonBabalatchi，thoughtfully，"notliketherestofthewhitemen。"

"Iamlikeotherwhites，anddonotwishtospeakmanywordswhenthetruthisshort。IcameheretoseethewhitemanthathelpedLakambaagainstPatalolo，whoismyfriend。Showmewherethatwhitemanlives；Iwanthimtohearmytalk。"

"Talkonly？Tuan！Whyhurry？Thenightislonganddeathisswift——asyououghttoknow；youwhohavedealtittosomanyofmypeople。ManyyearsagoIhavefacedyou，armsinhand。Doyounotremember？ItwasinCarimata——farfromhere。"

"Icannotremembereveryvagabondthatcameinmyway，"protestedLingard，seriously。

"Hai！Hai！"continuedBabalatchi，unmovedanddreamy。"Manyyearsago。Thenallthis"——andlookingupsuddenlyatLingard’sbeard，heflourishedhisfingersbelowhisownbeardlesschin——"thenallthiswaslikegoldinsunlight，nowitislikethefoamofanangrysea。"

"Maybe，maybe，"saidLingard，patiently，payingtheinvoluntarytributeofafaintsightothememoriesofthepastevokedbyBabalatchi’swords。

HehadbeenlivingwithMalayssolongandsoclosethattheextremedeliberationanddeviousnessoftheirmentalproceedingshadceasedtoirritatehimmuch。To-night，perhaps，hewaslesspronetoimpatiencethanever。Hewasdisposed，ifnottolistentoBabalatchi，thentolethimtalk。Itwasevidenttohimthatthemanhadsomethingtosay，andhehopedthatfromthetalkarayoflightwouldshootthroughthethickblacknessofinexplicabletreachery，toshowhimclearly——ifonlyforasecond——themanuponwhomhewouldhavetoexecutetheverdictofjustice。Justiceonly！Nothingwasfurtherfromhisthoughtsthansuchanuselessthingasrevenge。Justiceonly。Itwashisdutythatjusticeshouldbedone——andbyhisownhand。Hedidnotliketothinkhow。Tohim，astoBabalatchi，itseemedthatthenightwouldbelongenoughfortheworkhehadtodo。Buthedidnotdefinetohimselfthenatureofthework，andhesatverystill，andwillinglydilatory，underthefearsomeoppressionofhiscall。Whatwasthegoodtothinkaboutit？Itwasinevitable，anditstimewasnear。Yethecouldnotcommandhismemoriesthatcamecrowdingroundhiminthatevil-smellinghut，whileBabalatchitalkedoninaflowingmonotone，nothingofhimmovingbutthelips，intheartificiallyinanimatedface。

Lingard，likeananchoredshipthathadbrokenhersheer，dartedabouthereandthereontherapidtideofhisrecollections。Thesubduedsoundofsoftwordsrangaroundhim，buthisthoughtswerelost，nowinthecontemplationofthepastsweetnessandstrifeofCarimatadays，nowintheuneasywonderatthefailureofhisjudgment；atthefatalblindnessofaccidentthathadcausedhim，manyyearsago，torescueahalf-starvedrunawayfromaDutchshipinSamarangroads。Howhehadlikedtheman:hisassurance，hispush，hisdesiretogeton，hisconceitedgood-humourandhisselfisheloquence。Hehadlikedhisveryfaults——thosefaultsthathadsomany，tohim，sympatheticsides。

Andhehadalwaysdealtfairlybyhimfromtheverybeginning；

andhewoulddealfairlybyhimnow——totheveryend。ThislastthoughtdarkenedLingard’sfeatureswitharesponsiveandmenacingfrown。Thedoerofjusticesatwithcompressedlipsandaheavyheart，whileinthecalmdarknessoutsidethesilentworldseemedtobewaitingbreathlesslyforthatjusticeheheldinhishand——inhisstronghand:——readytostrike——reluctanttomove。

CHAPTERTWO

Babalatchiceasedspeaking。Lingardshiftedhisfeetalittle，uncrossedhisarms，andshookhisheadslowly。ThenarrativeoftheeventsinSambir，relatedfromthepointofviewoftheastutestatesman，thesenseofwhichhadbeencaughthereandtherebyhisinattentiveears，hadbeenyetlikeathreadtoguidehimoutofthesombrelabyrinthofhisthoughts；andnowhehadcometotheendofit，outofthetangledpastintothepressingnecessitiesofthepresent。Withthepalmsofhishandsonhisknees，hiselbowssquaredout，helookeddownonBabalatchiwhosatinastiffattitude，inexpressiveandmuteasatalkingdollthemechanismofwhichhadatlengthrundown。

"Youpeopledidallthis，"saidLingardatlast，"andyouwillbesorryforitbeforethedrywindbeginstoblowagain。Abdulla’svoicewillbringtheDutchrulehere。"

Babalatchiwavedhishandtowardsthedarkdoorway。

"Thereareforeststhere。Lakambarulesthelandnow。Tellme，Tuan，doyouthinkthebigtreesknowthenameoftheruler？No。

Theyareborn，theygrow，theyliveandtheydie——yetknownot，feelnot。Itistheirland。"

"Evenabigtreemaybekilledbyasmallaxe，"saidLingard，drily。"And，remember，myone-eyedfriend，thataxesaremadebywhitehands。Youwillsoonfindthatout，sinceyouhavehoistedtheflagoftheDutch。"

"Ay——wa！"saidBabalatchi，slowly。"Itiswrittenthattheearthbelongstothosewhohavefairskinsandhardbutfoolishhearts。

Thefartherawayisthemaster，theeasieritisfortheslave，Tuan！Youweretoonear。Yourvoiceranginourearsalways。

Nowitisnotgoingtobeso。ThegreatRajahinBataviaisstrong，buthemaybedeceived。Hemustspeakveryloudtobeheardhere。Butifwehaveneedtoshout，thenhemusthearthemanyvoicesthatcallforprotection。Heisbutawhiteman。"

"IfIeverspoketoPatalolo，likeanelderbrother，itwasforyourgood——forthegoodofall，"saidLingardwithgreatearnestness。

"Thisisawhiteman’stalk，"exclaimedBabalatchi，withbitterexultation。"Iknowyou。Thatishowyoualltalkwhileyouloadyourgunsandsharpenyourswords；andwhenyouareready，thentothosewhoareweakyousay:’Obeymeandbehappy，ordie！Youarestrange，youwhitemen。Youthinkitisonlyyourwisdomandyourvirtueandyourhappinessthataretrue。Youarestrongerthanthewildbeasts，butnotsowise。Ablacktigerknowswhenheisnothungry——youdonot。Heknowsthedifferencebetweenhimselfandthosethatcanspeak；youdonotunderstandthedifferencebetweenyourselvesandus——whoaremen。Youarewiseandgreat——andyoushallalwaysbefools。"

Hethrewupbothhishands，stirringthesleepingcloudofsmokethathungabovehishead，andbroughttheopenpalmsontheflimsyflooroneachsideofhisoutstretchedlegs。Thewholehutshook。Lingardlookedattheexcitedstatesmancuriously。

"Apa！Apa！What’sthematter？"hemurmured，soothingly。"WhomdidIkillhere？Wherearemyguns？WhathaveIdone？WhathaveIeatenup？"

Babalatchicalmeddown，andspokewithstudiedcourtesy。

"You，Tuan，areofthesea，andmorelikewhatweare。ThereforeIspeaktoyouallthewordsthatareinmyheart……OnlyoncehastheseabeenstrongerthantheRajahofthesea。"

"Youknowit；doyou？"saidLingard，withpainedsharpness。

"Hai！Wehaveheardaboutyourship——andsomerejoiced。NotI。

Amongstthewhites，whoaredevils，youareaman。"

"Trimakassi！Igiveyouthanks，"saidLingard，gravely。

Babalatchilookeddownwithabashfulsmile，buthisfacebecamesaddeneddirectly，andwhenhespokeagainitwasinamournfultone。

"Hadyoucomeadaysooner，Tuan，youwouldhaveseenanenemydie。Youwouldhaveseenhimdiepoor，blind，unhappy——withnosontodighisgraveandspeakofhiswisdomandcourage。Yes；

youwouldhaveseenthemanthatfoughtyouinCarimatamanyyearsago，diealone——butforonefriend。Agreatsighttoyou。"

"Nottome，"answeredLingard。"Ididnotevenrememberhimtillyouspokehisnamejustnow。Youdonotunderstandus。Wefight，wevanquish——andweforget。"

"True，true，"saidBabalatchi，withpoliteirony；"youwhitesaresogreatthatyoudisdaintorememberyourenemies。No！No！"hewenton，inthesametone，"youhavesomuchmercyforus，thatthereisnoroomforanyremembrance。Oh，youaregreatandgood！Butitisinmymindthatamongstyourselvesyouknowhowtoremember。Isitnotso，Tuan？"

Lingardsaidnothing。Hisshouldersmovedimperceptibly。Helaidhisgunacrosshiskneesandstaredattheflintlockabsently。

"Yes，"wentonBabalatchi，fallingagainintoamournfulmood，"yes，hediedindarkness。Isatbyhissideandheldhishand，buthecouldnotseethefaceofhimwhowatchedthefaintbreathonhislips。She，whomhehadcursedbecauseofthewhiteman，wastheretoo，andweptwithcoveredface。Thewhitemanwalkedaboutthecourtyardmakingmanynoises。Nowandthenhewouldcometothedoorwayandglareatuswhomourned。Hestaredwithwickedeyes，andthenIwasgladthathewhowasdyingwasblind。

Thisistruetalk。Iwasglad；forawhiteman’seyesarenotgoodtoseewhenthedevilthatliveswithinislookingoutthroughthem。"

"Devil！Hey？"saidLingard，halfaloudtohimself，asifstruckwiththeobviousnessofsomenovelidea。Babalatchiwenton:

"Atthefirsthourofthemorninghesatup——hesoweak——andsaidplainlysomewordsthatwerenotmeantforhumanears。Iheldhishandtightly，butitwastimefortheleaderofbravementogoamongsttheFaithfulwhoarehappy。Theyofmyhouseholdbroughtawhitesheet，andIbegantodigagraveinthehutinwhichhedied。Shemournedaloud。Thewhitemancametothedoorwayandshouted。Hewasangry。Angrywithherbecauseshebeatherbreast，andtoreherhair，andmournedwithshrillcriesasawomanshould。DoyouunderstandwhatIsay，Tuan？Thatwhitemancameinsidethehutwithgreatfury，andtookherbytheshoulder，anddraggedherout。Yes，Tuan。IsawOmardead，andIsawheratthefeetofthatwhitedogwhohasdeceivedme。

Isawhisfacegrey，likethecoldmistofthemorning；IsawhispaleeyeslookingdownatOmar’sdaughterbeatingherheadonthegroundathisfeet。AtthefeetofhimwhoisAbdulla’sslave。

Yes，helivesbyAbdulla’swill。ThatiswhyIheldmyhandwhileIsawallthis。IheldmyhandbecausewearenowundertheflagoftheOrangBlanda，andAbdullacanspeakintotheearsofthegreat。Wemustnothaveanytroublewithwhitemen。

Abdullahasspoken——andImustobey。"

"That’sit，isit？"growledLingardinhismoustache。TheninMalay，"Itseemsthatyouareangry，OBabalatchi！"

"No；Iamnotangry，Tuan，"answeredBabalatchi，descendingfromtheinsecureheightsofhisindignationintotheinsinceredepthsofsafehumility。"Iamnotangry。WhatamItobeangry？IamonlyanOrangLaut，andIhavefledbeforeyourpeoplemanytimes。Servantofthisone——protectedofanother；Ihavegivenmycounselhereandthereforahandfulofrice。WhatamI，tobeangrywithawhiteman？Whatisangerwithoutthepowertostrike？Butyouwhiteshavetakenall:theland，thesea，andthepowertostrike！Andthereisnothingleftforusintheislandsbutyourwhitemen’sjustice；yourgreatjusticethatknowsnotanger。"

Hegotupandstoodforamomentinthedoorway，sniffingthehotairofthecourtyard，thenturnedbackandleanedagainstthestayoftheridgepole，facingLingardwhokepthisseatonthechest。Thetorch，consumednearlytotheend，burnednoisily。

Smallexplosionstookplaceintheheartoftheflame，drivingthroughitssmokyblazestringsofhard，roundpuffsofwhitesmoke，nobiggerthanpeas，whichrolledoutofdoorsinthefaintdraughtthatcamefrominvisiblecracksofthebamboowalls。Thepungenttaintofuncleanthingsbelowandaboutthehutgrewheavier，weighingdownLingard’sresolutionandhisthoughtsinanirresistiblenumbnessofthebrain。Hethoughtdrowsilyofhimselfandofthatmanwhowantedtoseehim——whowaitedtoseehim。Whowaited！Nightandday。Waited……A

spitefulbutvaporousideafloatedthroughhisbrainthatsuchwaitingcouldnotbeverypleasanttothefellow。Well，lethimwait。Hewouldseehimsoonenough。Andforhowlong？Fiveseconds——fiveminutes——saynothing——saysomething。What？No！

Justgivehimtimetotakeonegoodlook，andthen……

SuddenlyBabalatchibegantospeakinasoftvoice。Lingardblinked，clearedhisthroat——satupstraight。

"Youknowallnow，Tuan。LakambadwellsinthestockadedhouseofPatalolo；Abdullahasbeguntobuildgodownsofplankandstone；andnowthatOmarisdead，ImyselfshalldepartfromthisplaceandlivewithLakambaandspeakinhisear。Ihaveservedmany。Thebestofthemallsleepsinthegroundinawhitesheet，withnothingtomarkhisgravebuttheashesofthehutinwhichhedied。Yes，Tuan！thewhitemandestroyedithimself。

Withablazingbrandinhishandhestrodearound，shoutingtometocomeout——shoutingtome，whowasthrowingearthonthebodyofagreatleader。Yes；swearingtomebythenameofyourGodandoursthathewouldburnmeandherinthereifwedidnotmakehaste……Hai！Thewhitemenareverymasterfulandwise。Idraggedheroutquickly！"

"Oh，damnit！"exclaimedLingard——thenwentoninMalay，speakingearnestly。"Listen。Thatmanisnotlikeotherwhitemen。Youknowheisnot。Heisnotamanatall。Heis……Idon’tknow。"

Babalatchiliftedhishanddeprecatingly。Hiseyetwinkled，andhisred-stainedbiglips，partedbyanexpressionlessgrin，uncoveredastumpyrowofblackteethfiledevenlytothegums。

"Hai！Hai！Notlikeyou。Notlikeyou，"hesaid，increasingthesoftnessofhistonesashenearedtheobjectuppermostinhismindduringthatmuch-desiredinterview。"Notlikeyou，Tuan，whoarelikeourselves，onlywiserandstronger。Yethe，also，isfullofgreatcunning，andspeaksofyouwithoutanyrespect，afterthemannerofwhitemenwhentheytalkofoneanother。"

Lingardleapedinhisseatasifhehadbeenprodded。

"Hespeaks！Whatdoeshesay？"heshouted。

"Nay，Tuan，"protestedthecomposedBabalatchi；"whatmattershistalkifheisnotaman？Iamnothingbeforeyou——whyshouldI

repeatwordsofonewhitemanaboutanother？HedidboasttoAbdullaofhavinglearnedmuchfromyourwisdominyearspast。

OtherwordsIhaveforgotten。Indeed，Tuan，Ihave……"

LingardcutshortBabalatchi’sprotestationsbyacontemptuouswaveofthehandandreseatedhimselfwithdignity。

"Ishallgo，"saidBabalatchi，"andthewhitemanwillremainhere，alonewiththespiritofthedeadandwithherwhohasbeenthedelightofhisheart。He，beingwhite，cannothearthevoiceofthosethatdied……Tellme，Tuan，"hewenton，lookingatLingardwithcuriosity——"tellme，Tuan，doyouwhitepeopleeverhearthevoicesoftheinvisibleones？"

"Wedonot，"answeredLingard，"becausethosethatwecannotseedonotspeak。"

"Neverspeak！Andnevercomplainwithsoundsthatarenotwords？"exclaimedBabalatchi，doubtingly。"Itmaybeso——oryourearsaredull。WeMalayshearmanysoundsneartheplaceswheremenareburied。To-nightIheard……Yes，evenIhaveheard……Idonotwanttohearanymore，"headded，nervously。

"PerhapsIwaswrongwhenI……TherearethingsIregret。

Thetroublewasheavyinhisheartwhenhedied。SometimesI

thinkIwaswrong……butIdonotwanttohearthecomplaintofinvisiblelips。ThereforeIgo，Tuan。Lettheunquietspiritspeaktohisenemythewhitemanwhoknowsnotfear，orlove，ormercy——knowsnothingbutcontemptandviolence。Ihavebeenwrong！Ihave！Hai！Hai！"

Hestoodforawhilewithhiselbowinthepalmofhislefthand，thefingersoftheotheroverhislipsasiftostifletheexpressionofinconvenientremorse；then，afterglancingatthetorch，burntoutnearlytoitsend，hemovedtowardsthewallbythechest，fumbledaboutthereandsuddenlyflungopenalargeshutterofattapswoveninalightframeworkofsticks。Lingardswunghislegsquicklyroundthecornerofhisseat。

"Hallo！"hesaid，surprised。

Thecloudofsmokestirred，andaslowwispcurledoutthroughthenewopening。Thetorchflickered，hissed，andwentout，theglowingendfallingonthemat，whenceBabalatchisnatcheditupandtosseditoutsidethroughtheopensquare。Itdescribedavanishingcurveofredlight，andlaybelow，shiningfeeblyinthevastdarkness。Babalatchiremainedwithhisarmstretchedoutintotheemptynight。

"There，"hesaid，"youcanseethewhiteman’scourtyard，Tuan，andhishouse。"

"Icanseenothing，"answeredLingard，puttinghisheadthroughtheshutter-hole。"It’stoodark。"

"Wait，Tuan，"urgedBabalatchi。"Youhavebeenlookinglongattheburningtorch。Youwillsoonsee。Mindthegun，Tuan。Itisloaded。"

"Thereisnoflintinit。Youcouldnotfindafire-stoneforahundredmilesroundthisspot，"saidLingard，testily。"Foolishthingtoloadthatgun。"

"Ihaveastone。IhaditfromamanwiseandpiousthatlivesinMenangKabau。Averypiousman——verygoodfire。Hespokewordsoverthatstonethatmakeitssparksgood。Andthegunisgood——carriesstraightandfar。Wouldcarryfromheretothedoorofthewhiteman’shouse，Ibelieve，Tuan。"

"Tidaapa。Nevermindyourgun，"mutteredLingard，peeringintotheformlessdarkness。"Isthatthehouse——thatblackthingoverthere？"heasked。

"Yes，"answeredBabalatchi；"thatishishouse。HelivestherebythewillofAbdulla，andshalllivetheretill……Fromwhereyoustand，Tuan，youcanlookoverthefenceandacrossthecourtyardstraightatthedoor——atthedoorfromwhichhecomesouteverymorning，lookinglikeamanthathadseenJehannuminhissleep。"

Lingarddrewhisheadin。Babalatchitouchedhisshoulderwithagropinghand。

"Waitalittle，Tuan。Sitstill。Themorningisnotfaroffnow——amorningwithoutsunafteranightwithoutstars。ButtherewillbelightenoughtoseethemanwhosaidnotmanydaysagothathealonehasmadeyoulessthanachildinSambir。"

Hefeltaslighttremorunderhishand，buttookitoffdirectlyandbeganfeelingalloverthelidofthechest，behindLingard’sback，forthegun。

"Whatareyouat？"saidLingard，impatiently。"Youdoworryaboutthatrottengun。Youhadbettergetalight。"

"Alight！Itellyou，Tuan，thatthelightofheavenisverynear，"saidBabalatchi，whohadnowobtainedpossessionoftheobjectofhissolicitude，andgraspingitstronglybyitslongbarrel，groundedthestockathisfeet。

"Perhapsitisnear，"saidLingard，leaningbothhiselbowsonthelowercross-pieceoftheprimitivewindowandlookingout。

"Itisveryblackoutsideyet，"heremarkedcarelessly。

Babalatchifidgetedabout。

"Itisnotgoodforyoutositwhereyoumaybeseen，"hemuttered。

"Whynot？"askedLingard。

"Thewhitemansleeps，itistrue，"explainedBabalatchi，softly；

"yethemaycomeoutearly，andhehasarms。"

"Ah！hehasarms？"saidLingard。

"Yes；ashortgunthatfiresmanytimes——likeyourshere。

Abdullahadtogiveittohim。"

LingardheardBabalatchi’swords，butmadenomovement。Totheoldadventurertheideathatfirearmscouldbedangerousinotherhandsthanhisowndidnotoccurreadily，andcertainlynotinconnectionwithWillems。Hewassobusywiththethoughtsaboutwhatheconsideredhisownsacredduty，thathecouldnotgiveanyconsiderationtotheprobableactionsofthemanofwhomhethought——asonemaythinkofanexecutedcriminal——withwonderingindignationtemperedbyscornfulpity。Whilehesatstaringintothedarkness，thateveryminutegrewthinnerbeforehispensiveeyes，likeadispersingmist，Willemsappearedtohimasafigurebelongingalreadywhollytothepast——afigurethatcouldcomeinnowayintohislifeagain。Hehadmadeuphismind，andthethingwasaswellasdone。Inhiswearythoughtshehadclosedthisfatal，inexplicable，andhorribleepisodeinhislife。Theworsthadhappened。Thecomingdayswouldseetheretribution。

Hehadremovedanenemyonceortwicebefore，outofhispath；hehadpaidoffsomeveryheavyscoresagoodmanytimes。CaptainTomhadbeenagoodfriendtomany:butitwasgenerallyunderstood，fromHonoluluroundabouttoDiegoSuarez，thatCaptainTom’senmitywasrathermorethananymansingle-handedcouldeasilymanage。Hewouldnot，ashesaidoften，hurtaflyaslongastheflylefthimalone；yetamandoesnotliveforyearsbeyondthepaleofcivilizedlawswithoutevolvingforhimselfsomequeernotionsofjustice。Nobodyofthoseheknewhadevercaredtopointouttohimtheerrorsofhisconceptions。

Itwasnotworthanybody’swhiletoruncountertoLingard’sideasofthefitnessofthings——thatfactwasacquiredtothefloatingwisdomoftheSouthSeas，oftheEasternArchipelago，andwasnowherebetterunderstoodthaninout-of-the-waynooksoftheworld；inthosenookswhichhefilled，unresistedandmasterful，withtheechoesofhisnoisypresence。Thereisnotmuchuseinarguingwithamanwhoboastsofneverhavingregrettedasingleactionofhislife，whoseanswertoamildcriticismisagood-naturedshout——"Youknownothingaboutit。I

woulddoitagain。Yes，sir！"Hisassociatesandhisacquaintancesacceptedhim，hisopinions，hisactionslikethingspreordainedandunchangeable；lookeduponhismany-sidedmanifestationswithpassivewondernotunmixedwiththatadmirationwhichisonlytherightfuldueofasuccessfulman。

Butnobodyhadeverseenhiminthemoodhewasinnow。NobodyhadseenLingarddoubtfulandgivingwaytodoubt，unabletomakeuphismindandunwillingtoact；Lingardtimidandhesitatingoneminute，angryyetinactivethenext；Lingardpuzzledinaword，becauseconfrontedwithasituationthatdiscomposedhimbyitsunprovokedmalevolence，byitsghastlyinjustice，thattohisroughbutunsophisticatedpalatetasteddistinctlyofsulphurousfumesfromthedeepesthell。

Thesmoothdarknessfillingtheshutter-holegrewpalerandbecameblotchywithill-definedshapes，asifanewuniversewasbeingevolvedoutofsombrechaos。Thenoutlinescameout，definingformswithoutanydetails，indicatinghereatree，thereabush；ablackbeltofforestfaroff；thestraightlinesofahouse，theridgeofahighroofnearby。Insidethehut，Babalatchi，wholatelyhadbeenonlyapersuasivevoice，becameahumanshapeleaningitschinimprudentlyonthemuzzleofagunandrollinganuneasyeyeoverthereappearingworld。Thedaycamerapidly，dismalandoppressedbythefogoftheriverandbytheheavyvapoursofthesky——adaywithoutcolourandwithoutsunshine:incomplete，disappointing，andsad。

BabalatchitwitchedgentlyLingard’ssleeve，andwhentheoldseamanhadlifteduphisheadinterrogatively，hestretchedoutanarmandapointingforefingertowardsWillems’house，nowplainlyvisibletotherightandbeyondthebigtreeofthecourtyard。

"Look，Tuan！"hesaid。"Helivesthere。Thatisthedoor——hisdoor。Throughithewillappearsoon，withhishairindisorderandhismouthfullofcurses。Thatisso。Heisawhiteman，andneversatisfied。Itisinmymindheisangryeveninhissleep。Adangerousman。AsTuanmayobserve，"hewenton，obsequiously，"hisdoorfacesthisopening，whereyoucondescendtosit，whichisconcealedfromalleyes。Facesit——straight——andnotfar。Observe，Tuan，notatallfar。"

"Yes，yes；Icansee。Ishallseehimwhenhewakes。"

"Nodoubt，Tuan。Whenhewakes……Ifyouremainherehecannotseeyou。Ishallwithdrawquicklyandpreparemycanoemyself。Iamonlyapoorman，andmustgotoSambirtogreetLakambawhenheopenshiseyes。ImustbowbeforeAbdullawhohasstrength——evenmorestrengththanyou。Nowifyouremainhere，youshalleasilybeholdthemanwhoboastedtoAbdullathathehadbeenyourfriend，evenwhilehepreparedtofightthosewhocalledyouprotector。Yes，heplottedwithAbdullaforthatcursedflag。Lakambawasblindthen，andIwasdeceived。Butyou，Tuan！Remember，hedeceivedyoumore。Ofthatheboastedbeforeallmen。"

Heleanedthegunquietlyagainstthewallclosetothewindow，andsaidsoftly:"ShallIgonow，Tuan？Becarefulofthegun。

Ihaveputthefire-stonein。Thefire-stoneofthewiseman，whichneverfails。"

Lingard’seyeswerefastenedonthedistantdoorway。Acrosshislineofsight，inthegreyemptinessofthecourtyard，abigfruit-pigeonflappedlanguidlytowardstheforestswithaloudboomingcry，likethenoteofadeepgong:abrilliantbirdlookinginthegloomofthreateningdayasblackasacrow。A

serriedflockofwhitericebirdsroseabovethetreeswithafaintscream，andhovered，swayinginadisorderedmassthatsuddenlyscatteredinalldirections，asifburstasunderbyasilentexplosion。BehindhisbackLingardheardashuffleoffeet——womenleavingthehut。Intheothercourtyardavoicewasheardcomplainingofcold，andcomingveryfeeble，butexceedinglydistinct，outofthevastsilenceoftheabandonedhousesandclearings。Babalatchicougheddiscreetly。Fromunderthehousethethumpingofwoodenpestleshuskingthericestartedwithunexpectedabruptness。Theweakbutclearvoiceintheyardagainurged，"Blowuptheembers，Obrother！"Anothervoiceanswered，drawlinginmodulated，thinsing-song，"Doityourself，Oshiveringpig！"andthedrawlofthelastwordsstoppedshort，asifthemanhadfallenintoadeephole。Babalatchicoughedagainalittleimpatiently，andsaidinaconfidentialtone——

"Doyouthinkitistimeformetogo，Tuan？Willyoutakecareofmygun，Tuan？Iamamanthatknowshowtoobey；evenobeyAbdulla，whohasdeceivedme。Neverthelessthisguncarriesfarandtrue——ifyouwouldwanttoknow，Tuan。AndIhaveputinadoublemeasureofpowder，andthreeslugs。Yes，Tuan。

Now——perhaps——Igo。"

WhenBabalatchicommencedspeaking，Lingardturnedslowlyroundandgazeduponhimwiththedullandunwillinglookofasickmanwakingtoanotherdayofsuffering。Astheastutestatesmanproceeded，Lingard’seyebrowscameclose，hiseyesbecameanimated，andabigveinstoodoutonhisforehead，accentuatingaloweringfrown。WhenspeakinghislastwordsBabalatchifaltered，thenstopped，confused，beforethesteadygazeoftheoldseaman。

Lingardrose。Hisfacecleared，andhelookeddownattheanxiousBabalatchiwithsuddenbenevolence。

"So！That’swhatyouwereafter，"hesaid，layingaheavyhandonBabalatchi’syieldingshoulder。"YouthoughtIcameheretomurderhim。Hey？Speak！YoufaithfuldogofanArabtrader！"

"Andwhatelse，Tuan？"shriekedBabalatchi，exasperatedintosincerity。"Whatelse，Tuan！Rememberwhathehasdone；hepoisonedourearswithhistalkaboutyou。Youareaman。Ifyoudidnotcometokill，Tuan，theneitherIamafoolor……"

Hepaused，struckhisnakedbreastwithhisopenpalm，andfinishedinadiscouragedwhisper——"or，Tuan，youare。"

Lingardlookeddownathimwithscornfulserenity。AfterhislongandpainfulgropingsamongsttheobscureabominationsofWillems’conduct，thelogicaliftortuousevolutionsofBabalatchi’sdiplomaticmindweretohimwelcomeasdaylight。

Therewassomethingatlasthecouldunderstand——thecleareffectofasimplecause。Hefeltindulgenttowardsthedisappointedsage。

"Soyouareangrywithyourfriend，Oone-eyedone！"hesaidslowly，noddinghisfiercecountenanceclosetoBabalatchi’sdiscomfitedface。"ItseemstomethatyoumusthavehadmuchtodowithwhathappenedinSambirlately。Hey？Yousonofaburntfather。"

"MayIperishunderyourhand，ORajahofthesea，ifmywordsarenottrue！"saidBabalatchi，withrecklessexcitement。"Youarehereinthemidstofyourenemies。Hethegreatest。Abdullawoulddonothingwithouthim，andIcoulddonothingwithoutAbdulla。Strikeme——sothatyoustrikeall！"

"Whoareyou，"exclaimedLingardcontemptuously——"whoareyoutodarecallyourselfmyenemy！Dirt！Nothing！Gooutfirst，"hewentonseverely。"Lakas！quick。Marchout！"

HepushedBabalatchithroughthedoorwayandfollowedhimdowntheshortladderintothecourtyard。Theboatmensquattingoverthefireturnedtheirsloweyeswithapparentdifficultytowardsthetwomen；then，unconcerned，huddledclosetogetheragain，stretchingforlornlytheirhandsovertheembers。Thewomenstoppedintheirworkandwithupliftedpestlesflashedquickandcuriousglancesfromthegloomunderthehouse。

"Isthattheway？"askedLingardwithanodtowardsthelittlewicket-gateofWillems’enclosure。

"Ifyouseekdeath，thatissurelytheway，"answeredBabalatchiinadispassionatevoice，asifhehadexhaustedalltheemotions。"Helivesthere:hewhodestroyedyourfriends；whohastenedOmar’sdeath；whoplottedwithAbdullafirstagainstyou，thenagainstme。Ihavebeenlikeachild。Oshame！……

Butgo，Tuan。Gothere。"

"IgowhereIlike，"saidLingard，emphatically，"andyoumaygotothedevil；Idonotwantyouanymore。TheislandsoftheseseasshallsinkbeforeI，RajahLaut，servethewillofanyofyourpeople。Tau？ButItellyouthis:Idonotcarewhatyoudowithhimafterto-day。AndIsaythatbecauseIammerciful。"

"Tida！Idonothing，"saidBabalatchi，shakinghisheadwithbitterapathy。"IaminAbdulla’shandandcarenot，evenasyoudo。No！no！"headded，turningaway，"Ihavelearnedmuchwisdomthismorning。Therearenomenanywhere。Youwhitesarecrueltoyourfriendsandmercifultoyourenemies——whichistheworkoffools。"

Hewentawaytowardstheriverside，and，withoutoncelookingback，disappearedinthelowbankofmistthatlayoverthewaterandtheshore。Lingardfollowedhimwithhiseyesthoughtfully。

Afterawhileherousedhimselfandcalledouttohisboatmen——

"Hai——yathere！Afteryouhaveeatenrice，waitformewithyourpaddlesinyourhands。Youhear？"

"Ada，Tuan！"answeredAlithroughthesmokeofthemorningfirethatwasspreadingitself，lowandgentle，overthecourtyard——"wehear！"

Lingardopenedslowlythelittlewicket-gate，madeafewstepsintotheemptyenclosure，andstopped。Hehadfeltabouthisheadtheshortbreathofapuffofwindthatpassedhim，madeeveryleafofthebigtreeshiver——anddiedoutinahardlyperceptibletremorofbranchesandtwigs。Instinctivelyheglancedupwardswithaseaman’simpulse。Abovehim，underthegreymotionlesswasteofastormysky，driftedlowblackvapours，instretchingbars，inshapelesspatches，insinuouswispsandtormentedspirals。Overthecourtyardandthehousefloatedaround，sombre，andlingeringcloud，draggingbehindatailoftangledandfilmystreamers——likethedishevelledhairofamourningwoman。

CHAPTERTHREE

"Beware！"

Thetremulouseffortandthebroken，inadequatetoneofthefaintcry，surprisedLingardmorethantheunexpectedsuddennessofthewarningconveyed，hedidnotknowbywhomandtowhom。Besideshimselftherewasnooneinthecourtyardasfarashecouldsee。

Thecrywasnotrenewed，andhiswatchfuleyes，scanningwarilythemistysolitudeofWillems’enclosure，weremeteverywhereonlybythestolidimpassivenessofinanimatethings:thebigsombre-lookingtree，theshut-up，sightlesshouse，theglisteningbamboofences，thedampanddroopingbushesfurtheroff——allthesethings，thatcondemnedtolookforeverattheincomprehensibleafflictionsorjoysofmankind，assertintheiraspectofcoldunconcernthehighdignityoflifelessmatterthatsurrounds，incuriousandunmoved，therestlessmysteriesoftheever-changing，ofthenever-endinglife。

Lingard，steppingaside，putthetrunkofthetreebetweenhimselfandthehouse，then，movingcautiouslyroundoneoftheprojectingbuttresses，hadtotreadshortinordertoavoidscatteringasmallheapofblackembersuponwhichhecameunexpectedlyontheotherside。Athin，wizened，littleoldwoman，who，standingbehindthetree，hadbeenlookingatthehouse，turnedtowardshimwithastart，gazedwithfaded，expressionlesseyesattheintruder，thenmadealimpingattempttogetaway。Sheseemed，however，torealizedirectlythehopelessnessorthedifficultyoftheundertaking，stopped，hesitated，totteredbackslowly；then，afterblinkingdully，fellsuddenlyonherkneesamongstthewhiteashes，and，bendingovertheheapofsmoulderingcoals，distendedhersunkencheeksinasteadyefforttoblowupthehiddensparksintoausefulblaze。

Lingardlookeddownonher，butsheseemedtohavemadeuphermindthattherewasnotenoughlifeleftinherleanbodyforanythingelsethanthedischargeofthesimpledomesticduty，and，apparently，shebegrudgedhimtheleastmomentofattention。

Afterwaitingforawhile，Lingardasked——

"Whydidyoucall，Odaughter？"

"Isawyouenter，"shecroakedfeebly，stillgrovellingwithherfaceneartheashesandwithoutlookingup，"andIcalled——thecryofwarning。Itwasherorder。Herorder，"sherepeated，withamoaningsigh。

"Anddidshehear？"pursuedLingard，withgentlecomposure。

Herprojectingshoulder-bladesmoveduneasilyunderthethinstuffofthetightbodyjacket。Shescrambledupwithdifficultytoherfeet，andhobbledaway，mutteringpeevishlytoherself，towardsapileofdrybrushwoodheapedupagainstthefence。

Lingard，lookingidlyafterher，heardtherattleoflooseplanksthatledfromthegroundtothedoorofthehouse。HemovedhisheadbeyondtheshelterofthetreeandsawAissacomingdowntheinclinedwayintothecourtyard。Aftermakingafewhurriedpacestowardsthetree，shestoppedwithonefootadvancedinanappearanceofsuddenterror，andhereyesglancedwildlyrightandleft。Herheadwasuncovered。Ablueclothwrappedherfromherheadtofootincloseslantingfolds，withoneendthrownoverhershoulder。Atressofherblackhairstrayedacrossherbosom。Herbarearmspresseddownclosetoherbody，withhandsopenandoutstretchedfingers；herslightlyelevatedshouldersandthebackwardinclinationofhertorsogavehertheaspectofonedefiantyetshrinkingfromacomingblow。Shehadclosedthedoorofthehousebehindher；andasshestoodsolitaryintheunnaturalandthreateningtwilightofthemurkyday，witheverythingunchangedaroundher，sheappearedtoLingardasifshehadbeenmadethere，onthespot，outoftheblackvapoursoftheskyandofthesinistergleamsoffeeblesunshinethatstruggled，throughthethickeningclouds，intothecolourlessdesolationoftheworld。

Afterashortbutattentiveglancetowardstheshut-uphouse，Lingardsteppedoutfrombehindthetreeandadvancedslowlytowardsher。Thesuddenfixityofher——tillthen——restlesseyesandaslighttwitchofherhandsweretheonlysignsshegaveatfirstofhavingseenhim。Shemadealongstrideforward，andputtingherselfrightinhispath，stretchedherarmsacross；herblackeyesopenedwide，herlipspartedasifinanuncertainattempttospeak——butnosoundcameouttobreakthesignificantsilenceoftheirmeeting。Lingardstoppedandlookedatherwithsterncuriosity。Afterawhilehesaidcomposedly——

"Letmepass。Icameheretotalktoaman。Doeshehide？Hashesentyou？"

Shemadeastepnearer，herarmsfellbyherside，thensheputthemstraightoutnearlytouchingLingard’sbreast。

"Heknowsnotfear，"shesaid，speakinglow，withaforwardthrowofherhead，inavoicetremblingbutdistinct。"Itismyownfearthathassentmehere。Hesleeps。"

"Hehassleptlongenough，"saidLingard，inmeasuredtones。"I

amcome——andnowisthetimeofhiswaking。Goandtellhimthis——orelsemyownvoicewillcallhimup。Avoiceheknowswell。"

Heputherhandsdownfirmlyandagainmadeasiftopassbyher。

"Donot！"sheexclaimed，andfellathisfeetasifshehadbeencutdownbyascythe。TheunexpectedsuddennessofhermovementstartledLingard，whosteppedback。

"What’sthis？"heexclaimedinawonderingwhisper——thenaddedinatoneofsharpcommand:"Standup！"

Sheroseatonceandstoodlookingathim，timorousandfearless；

yetwithafireofrecklessnessburninginhereyesthatmadeclearherresolvetopursueherpurposeeventothedeath。

Lingardwentoninaseverevoice——

"Gooutofmypath。YouareOmar’sdaughter，andyououghttoknowthatwhenmenmeetindaylightwomenmustbesilentandabidetheirfate。"

"Women！"sheretorted，withsubduedvehemence。"Yes，Iamawoman！Youreyesseethat，ORajahLaut，butcanyouseemylife？Ialsohaveheard——Omanofmanyfights——Ialsohaveheardthevoiceoffire-arms；Ialsohavefelttherainofyoungtwigsandofleavescutupbybulletsfalldownaboutmyhead；Ialsoknowhowtolookinsilenceatangryfacesandatstronghandsraisedhighgraspingsharpsteel。Ialsosawmenfalldeadaroundmewithoutacryoffearandofmourning；andIhavewatchedthesleepofwearyfugitives，andlookedatnightshadowsfullofmenaceanddeathwitheyesthatknewnothingbutwatchfulness。And，"shewenton，withamournfuldropinhervoice，"Ihavefacedtheheartlesssea，heldonmylaptheheadsofthosewhodiedravingfromthirst，andfromtheircoldhandstookthepaddleandworkedsothatthosewithmedidnotknowthatonemanmorewasdead。Ididallthis。Whatmorehaveyoudone？Thatwasmylife。Whathasbeenyours？"

ThematterandthemannerofherspeechheldLingardmotionless，attentiveandapprovingagainsthiswill。Sheceasedspeaking，andfromherstaringblackeyeswithanarrowborderofwhiteaboveandbelow，adoublerayofherverysoulstreamedoutinafiercedesiretolightupthemostobscuredesignsofhisheart。

Afteralongsilence，whichservedtoemphasizethemeaningofherwords，sheaddedinthewhisperofbitterregret——

"AndIhavekneltatyourfeet！AndIamafraid！"

"You，"saidLingarddeliberately，andreturningherlookwithaninterestedgaze，"youareawomanwhoseheart，Ibelieve，isgreatenoughtofillaman’sbreast:butstillyouareawoman，andtoyou，I，RajahLaut，havenothingtosay。"

Shelistenedbendingherheadinamovementofforcedattention；

andhisvoicesoundedtoherunexpected，faroff，withthedistantandunearthlyringofvoicesthatwehearindreams，sayingfaintlythingsstartling，cruelorabsurd，towhichthereisnopossiblereply。Toherhehadnothingtosay！Shewrungherhands，glancedoverthecourtyardwiththateageranddistractedlookthatseesnothing，thenlookedupatthehopelessskyoflividgreyanddriftingblack；attheunquietmourningofthehotandbrilliantheaventhathadseenthebeginningofherlove，thathadheardhisentreatiesandheranswers，thathadseenhisdesireandherfear；thathadseenherjoy，hersurrender——andhisdefeat。Lingardmovedalittle，andthisslightstirnearherprecipitatedherdisorderedandshapelessthoughtsintohurriedwords。

"Wait！"sheexclaimedinastifledvoice，andwentondisconnectedlyandrapidly——"Stay。Ihaveheard。Menoftenspokebythefires……menofmypeople。Andtheysaidofyou——thefirstonthesea——theysaidthattomen’scriesyouweredeafinbattle，butafter……No！evenwhileyoufought，yourearswereopentothevoiceofchildrenandwomen。Theysaid……that。NowI，awoman，I……"

Shebrokeoffsuddenlyandstoodbeforehimwithdroppedeyelidsandpartedlips，sostillnowthatsheseemedtohavebeenchangedintoabreathless，anunhearing，anunseeingfigure，withoutknowledgeoffearorhope，ofangerordespair。Intheastoundingreposethatcameonherface，nothingmovedbutthedelicatenostrilsthatexpandedandcollapsedquickly，flutteringly，ininterruptedbeats，likethewingsofasnaredbird。

"Iamwhite，"saidLingard，proudly，lookingatherwithasteadygazewheresimplecuriositywasgivingwaytoapityingannoyance，"andmenyouhaveheard，spokeonlywhatistrueovertheeveningfires。Myearsareopentoyourprayer。Butlistentomebeforeyouspeak。Foryourselfyouneednotbeafraid。YoucancomeevennowwithmeandyoushallfindrefugeinthehouseholdofSyedAbdulla——whoisofyourownfaith。Andthisalsoyoumustknow:nothingthatyoumaysaywillchangemypurposetowardsthemanwhoissleeping——orhiding——inthathouse。"

Againshegavehimthelookthatwaslikeastab，notofangerbutofdesire；oftheintense，over-poweringdesiretoseein，toseethrough，tounderstandeverything:everythought，emotion，purpose；everyimpulse，everyhesitationinsidethatman；insidethatwhite-cladforeignbeingwholookedather，whospoketoher，whobreathedbeforeherlikeanyotherman，butbigger，red-faced，white-hairedandmysterious。Itwasthefutureclothedinflesh；theto-morrow；thedayafter；allthedays，alltheyearsofherlifestandingtherebeforeheraliveandsecret，withalltheirgoodorevilshutupwithinthebreastofthatman；ofthatmanwhocouldbepersuaded，cajoled，entreated，perhapstouched，worried；frightened——whoknows？——ifonlyfirsthecouldbeunderstood！Shehadseenalongtimeagowhithereventsweretending。ShehadnotedthecontemptuousyetmenacingcoldnessofAbdulla；shehadheard——alarmedyetunbelieving——Babalatchi’sgloomyhints，covertallusionsandveiledsuggestionstoabandontheuselesswhitemanwhosefatewouldbethepriceofthepeacesecuredbythewiseandgoodwhohadnoneedofhimanymore。Andhe——himself！Sheclungtohim。

Therewasnobodyelse。Nothingelse。Shewouldtrytoclingtohimalways——allthelife！Andyethewasfarfromher。Furthereveryday。Everydayheseemedmoredistant，andshefollowedhimpatiently，hopefully，blindly，butsteadily，throughallthedeviouswanderingsofhismind。Shefollowedaswellasshecould。Yetattimes——veryoftenlately——shehadfeltlostlikeonestrayedinthethicketsoftangledundergrowthofagreatforest。Tohertheex-clerkofoldHudigappearedasremote，asbrilliant，asterrible，asnecessary，asthesunthatgiveslifetotheselands:thesunofuncloudedskiesthatdazzlesandwithers；thesunbeneficentandwicked——thegiveroflight，perfume，andpestilence。Shehadwatchedhim——watchedhimclose；

fascinatedbylove，fascinatedbydanger。Hewasalonenow——butforher；andshesaw——shethoughtshesaw——thathewaslikeamanafraidofsomething。Wasitpossible？Heafraid？Ofwhat？Wasitofthatoldwhitemanwhowascoming——whohadcome？Possibly。

Shehadheardofthatmaneversinceshecouldremember。Thebravestwereafraidofhim！Andnowwhatwasinthemindofthisold，oldmanwholookedsostrong？Whatwashegoingtodowiththelightofherlife？Putitout？Takeitaway？Takeitawayforever！——forever！——andleaveherindarkness:——notinthestirring，whispering，expectantnightinwhichthehushedworldawaitsthereturnofsunshine；butinthenightwithoutend，thenightofthegrave，wherenothingbreathes，nothingmoves，nothingthinks——thelastdarknessofcoldandsilencewithouthopeofanothersunrise。

Shecried——"Yourpurpose！Youknownothing。Imust……"

Heinterrupted——unreasonablyexcited，asifshehad，byherlook，inoculatedhimwithsomeofherowndistress。

"Iknowenough。"

Sheapproached，andstoodfacinghimatarm’slength，withbothherhandsonhisshoulders；andhe，surprisedbythataudacity，closedandopenedhiseyestwoorthreetimes，awareofsomeemotionarisingwithinhim，fromherwords，hertone，hercontact；anemotionunknown，singular，penetratingandsad——attheclosesightofthatstrangewoman，ofthatbeingsavageandtender，stronganddelicate，fearfulandresolute，thathadgotentangledsofatallybetweentheirtwolives——hisownandthatotherwhiteman’s，theabominablescoundrel。

"Howcanyouknow？"shewenton，inapersuasivetonethatseemedtoflowoutofherveryheart——"howcanyouknow？Ilivewithhimallthedays。Allthenights。Ilookathim；Iseehiseverybreath，everyglanceofhiseye，everymovementofhislips。Iseenothingelse！Whatelseisthere？AndevenIdonotunderstand。Idonotunderstandhim！——Him！——Mylife！Himwhotomeissogreatthathispresencehidestheearthandthewaterfrommysight！"

Lingardstoodstraight，withhishandsdeepinthepocketsofhisjacket。Hiseyeswinkedquickly，becauseshespokeveryclosetohisface。Shedisturbedhimandhehadasenseoftheeffortshewasmakingtogetholdofhermeaning，whileallthetimehecouldnothelptellinghimselfthatallthiswasofnouse。

Sheaddedafterapause——"TherehasbeenatimewhenIcouldunderstandhim。WhenIknewwhatwasinhismindbetterthanheknewithimself。WhenIfelthim。WhenIheldhim……Andnowhehasescaped。"

"Escaped？What？Goneaway！"shoutedLingard。

"Escapedfromme，"shesaid；"leftmealone。Alone。AndIamevernearhim。Yetalone。"

HerhandsslippedslowlyoffLingard’sshouldersandherarmsfellbyherside，listless，discouraged，asiftoher——toher，thesavage，violent，andignorantcreature——hadbeenrevealedclearlyinthatmomentthetremendousfactofourisolation，ofthelonelinessimpenetrableandtransparent，elusiveandeverlasting；oftheindestructiblelonelinessthatsurrounds，envelopes，clotheseveryhumansoulfromthecradletothegrave，and，perhaps，beyond。

"Aye！Verywell！Iunderstand。Hisfaceisturnedawayfromyou，"saidLingard。"Now，whatdoyouwant？"

"Iwant……Ihavelooked——forhelp……everywhere……

againstmen……Allmen……Idonotknow。Firsttheycame，theinvisiblewhites，anddealtdeathfromafar……thenhecame。Hecametomewhowasaloneandsad。Hecame；angrywithhisbrothers；greatamongsthisownpeople；angrywiththoseIhavenotseen:withthepeoplewheremenhavenomercyandwomenhavenoshame。Hewasofthem，andgreatamongstthem。

Forhewasgreat？"

Lingardshookhisheadslightly。Shefrownedathim，andwentonindisorderedhaste——

"Listen。Isawhim。Ihavelivedbythesideofbravemen……

ofchiefs。WhenhecameIwasthedaughterofabeggar——ofablindmanwithoutstrengthandhope。HespoketomeasifIhadbeenbrighterthanthesunshine——moredelightfulthanthecoolwaterofthebrookbywhichwemet——more……"Heranxiouseyessawsomeshadeofexpressionpassonherlistener’sfacethatmadeherholdherbreathforasecond，andthenexplodeintopainedfurysoviolentthatitdroveLingardbackapace，likeanunexpectedblastofwind。Heliftedbothhishands，incongruouslypaternalinhisvenerableaspect，bewilderedandsoothing，whileshestretchedherneckforwardandshoutedathim。

"ItellyouIwasallthattohim。Iknowit！Isawit！……

Therearetimeswhenevenyouwhitemenspeakthetruth。Isawhiseyes。Ifelthiseyes，Itellyou！IsawhimtremblewhenI

camenear——whenIspoke——whenItouchedhim。Lookatme！Youhavebeenyoung。Lookatme。Look，RajahLaut！"

ShestaredatLingardwithprovokingfixity，then，turningherheadquickly，shesentoverhershoulderaglance，fullofhumblefear，atthehousethatstoodhighbehindherback——dark，closed，ricketyandsilentonitscrookedposts。

Lingard’seyesfollowedherlook，andremainedgazingexpectantlyatthehouse。Afteraminuteorsohemuttered，glancingathersuspiciously——

"Ifhehasnotheardyourvoicenow，thenhemustbefaraway——ordead。"

"Heisthere，"shewhispered，alittlecalmedbutstillanxious——"heisthere。Forthreedayshewaited。Waitedforyounightandday。AndIwaitedwithhim。Iwaited，watchinghisface，hiseyes，hislips；listeningtohiswords——TothewordsI

couldnotunderstand——Tothewordshespokeindaylight；tothewordshespokeatnightinhisshortsleep。Ilistened。Hespoketohimselfwalkingupanddownhere——bytheriver；bythebushes。AndIfollowed。Iwantedtoknow——andIcouldnot！Hewastormentedbythingsthatmadehimspeakinthewordsofhisownpeople。Speaktohimself——nottome。Nottome！Whatwashesaying？Whatwashegoingtodo？Washeafraidofyou？——Ofdeath？Whatwasinhisheart？……Fear？……Oranger？……whatdesire？……whatsadness？Hespoke；spoke；manywords。

Allthetime！AndIcouldnotknow！Iwantedtospeaktohim。

Hewasdeaftome。Ifollowedhimeverywhere，watchingforsomewordIcouldunderstand；buthismindwasinthelandofhispeople——awayfromme。WhenItouchedhimhewasangry——so！"

Sheimitatedthemovementofsomeoneshakingoffroughlyanimportunatehand，andlookedatLingardwithtearfulandunsteadyeyes。

Afterashortintervaloflabouredpanting，asifshehadbeenoutofbreathwithrunningorfighting，shelookeddownandwenton——

"Dayafterday，nightafternight，Ilivedwatchinghim——seeingnothing。Andmyheartwasheavy——heavywiththepresenceofdeaththatdweltamongstus。Icouldnotbelieve。Ithoughthewasafraid。Afraidofyou！ThenI，myself，knewfear……

Tellme，RajahLaut，doyouknowthefearwithoutvoice——thefearofsilence——thefearthatcomeswhenthereisnoonenear——whenthereisnobattle，nocries，noangryfacesorarmedhandsanywhere？……Thefearfromwhichthereisnoescape！"

Shepaused，fastenedhereyesagainonthepuzzledLingard，andhurriedoninatoneofdespair——

"AndIknewthenhewouldnotfightyou！Before——manydaysago——Iwentawaytwicetomakehimobeymydesire；tomakehimstrikeathisownpeoplesothathecouldbemine——mine！O

calamity！Hishandwasfalseasyourwhitehearts。Itstruckforward，pushedbymydesire——byhisdesireofme……Itstruckthatstronghand，and——Oshame！——itkillednobody！Itsfierceandlyingblowwokeuphatewithoutanyfear。Roundmeallwaslies。Hisstrengthwasalie。Myownpeopleliedtomeandtohim。Andtomeetyou——you，thegreat！——hehadnoonebutme？Butmewithmyrage，mypain，myweakness。Onlyme！Andtomehewouldnotevenspeak。Thefool！"

ShecameupclosetoLingard，withthewildandstealthyaspectofalunaticlongingtowhisperoutaninsanesecret——oneofthosemisshapen，heart-rending，andludicroussecrets；oneofthosethoughtsthat，likemonsters——cruel，fantastic，andmournful，wanderaboutterribleandunceasinginthenightofmadness。Lingardlookedather，astoundedbutunflinching。Shespokeinhisface，verylow。

"Heisall！Everything。Heismybreath，mylight，myheart……Goaway……Forgethim……Hehasnocourageandnowisdomanymore……andIhavelostmypower……Goawayandforget。Thereareotherenemies……Leavehimtome。Hehadbeenamanonce……Youaretoogreat。Nobodycanwithstandyou……Itried……Iknownow……Icryformercy。

Leavehimtomeandgoaway。"

Thefragmentsofhersupplicatingsentenceswereasiftossedonthecrestofhersobs。Lingard，outwardlyimpassive，withhiseyesfixedonthehouse，experiencedthatfeelingofcondemnation，deep-seated，persuasive，andmasterful；thatillogicalimpulseofdisapprovalwhichishalfdisgust，halfvaguefear，andthatwakesupinourheartsinthepresenceofanythingneworunusual，ofanythingthatisnotrunintothemouldofourownconscience；theaccursedfeelingmadeupofdisdain，ofanger，andofthesenseofsuperiorvirtuethatleavesusdeaf，blind，contemptuousandstupidbeforeanythingwhichisnotlikeourselves。

Heanswered，notlookingatheratfirst，butspeakingtowardsthehousethatfascinatedhim——

"_I_goaway！Hewantedmetocome——hehimselfdid！……YOU

mustgoaway。Youdonotknowwhatyouareaskingfor。Listen。

Gotoyourownpeople。Leavehim。Heis……"

Hepaused，lookeddownatherwithhissteadyeyes；hesitated，asifseekinganadequateexpression；thensnappedhisfingers，andsaid——

"Finish。"

Shesteppedback，hereyesontheground，andpressedhertempleswithbothherhands，whichsheraisedtoherheadinaslowandamplemovementfullofunconscioustragedy。Thetoneofherwordswasgentleandvibrating，likealoudmeditation。Shesaid——

"Tellthebrooknottoruntotheriver；telltherivernottoruntothesea。Speakloud。Speakangrily。Maybetheywillobeyyou。Butitisinmymindthatthebrookwillnotcare。

Thebrookthatspringsoutofthehillsideandrunstothegreatriver。Hewouldnotcareforyourwords:hethatcaresnotfortheverymountainthatgavehimlife；hethattearstheearthfromwhichhesprings。Tearsit，eatsit，destroysit——tohurryfastertotheriver——totheriverinwhichheislostforever……ORajahLaut！Idonotcare。"

ShedrewcloseagaintoLingard，approachingslowly，reluctantly，asifpushedbyaninvisiblehand，andaddedinwordsthatseemedtobetornoutofher——

"Icarednotformyownfather。Forhimthatdied。Iwouldhaverather……YoudonotknowwhatIhavedone……I……"

"Youshallhavehislife，"saidLingard，hastily。

Theystoodtogether，crossingtheirglances；shesuddenlyappeased，andLingardthoughtfulanduneasyunderavaguesenseofdefeat。Andyettherewasnodefeat。Heneverintendedtokillthefellow——notafterthefirstmomentofanger，alongtimeago。Thedaysofbitterwonderhadkilledanger；hadleftonlyabitterindignationandabitterwishforcompletejustice。Hefeltdiscontentedandsurprised。Unexpectedlyhehadcomeuponahumanbeing——awomanatthat——whohadmadehimdisclosehiswillbeforeitstime。Sheshouldhavehislife。Butshemustbetold，shemustknow，thatforsuchmenasWillemstherewasnofavourandnograce。

"Understand，"hesaidslowly，"thatIleavehimhislifenotinmercybutinpunishment。"

Shestarted，watchedeverywordonhislips，andafterhefinishedspeakingsheremainedstillandmuteinastonishedimmobility。Asinglebigdropofrain，adropenormous，pellucidandheavy——likeasuper-humantearcomingstraightandrapidfromabove，tearingitswaythroughthesombresky——struckloudlythedrygroundbetweentheminastarredsplash。Shewrungherhandsinthebewildermentofthenewandincomprehensiblefear。Theanguishofherwhisperwasmorepiercingthantheshrillestcry。

"Whatpunishment！Willyoutakehimawaythen？Awayfromme？

ListentowhatIhavedone……ItisIwho……"

"Ah！"exclaimedLingard，whohadbeenlookingatthehouse。

"Don’tyoubelieveher，CaptainLingard，"shoutedWillemsfromthedoorway，whereheappearedwithswolleneyelidsandbaredbreast。Hestoodforawhile，hishandsgraspingthelintelsoneachsideofthedoor，andwrithedabout，glaringwildly，asifhehadbeencrucifiedthere。Thenhemadeasuddenrushheadforemostdowntheplankwaythatrespondedwithhollow，shortnoisestoeveryfootstep。

Sheheardhim。Aslightthrillpassedonherfaceandthewordsthatwereonherlipsfellbackunspokenintoherbenightedheart；fellbackamongstthemud，thestones——andtheflowers，thatareatthebottomofeveryheart。

CHAPTERFOUR

Whenhefeltthesolidgroundofthecourtyardunderhisfeet，Willemspulledhimselfupinhisheadlongrushandmovedforwardwithamoderategait。Hepacedstiffly，lookingwithextremeexactitudeatLingard’sface；lookingneithertotherightnortotheleftbutatthefaceonly，asiftherewasnothingintheworldbutthosefeaturesfamiliaranddreaded；thatwhite-haired，roughandsevereheaduponwhichhegazedinafixedeffortofhiseyes，likeamantryingtoreadsmallprintatthefullrangeofhumanvision。AssoonasWillems’feethadlefttheplanks，thesilencewhichhadbeenliftedupbythejerkyrattleofhisfootstepsfelldownagainuponthecourtyard；thesilenceofthecloudyskyandofthewindlessair，thesullensilenceoftheearthoppressedbytheaspectofcomingturmoil，thesilenceoftheworldcollectingitsfacultiestowithstandthestorm。

ThroughthissilenceWillemspushedhisway，andstoppedaboutsixfeetfromLingard。Hestoppedsimplybecausehecouldgonofurther。Hehadstartedfromthedoorwiththerecklesspurposeofclappingtheoldfellowontheshoulder。Hehadnoideathatthemanwouldturnouttobesotall，sobigandsounapproachable。Itseemedtohimthathehadnever，neverinhislife，seenLingard。

Hetriedtosay——

"Donotbelieve……"

Afitofcoughingcheckedhissentenceinafaintsplutter。

Directlyafterwardsheswallowed——asitwere——acoupleofpebbles，throwinghischinupintheact；andLingard，wholookedathimnarrowly，sawabone，sharpandtriangularliketheheadofasnake，dartupanddowntwiceundertheskinofhisthroat。

Thenthat，too，didnotmove。Nothingmoved。

"Well，"saidLingard，andwiththatwordhecameunexpectedlytotheendofhisspeech。Hishandinhispocketclosedfirmlyroundthebuttofhisrevolverbulginghisjacketonthehip，andhethoughthowsoonandhowquicklyhecouldterminatehisquarrelwiththatmanwhohadbeensoanxioustodeliverhimselfintohishands——andhowinadequatewouldbethatending！Hecouldnotbeartheideaofthatmanescapingfromhimbygoingoutoflife；escapingfromfear，fromdoubt，fromremorseintothepeacefulcertitudeofdeath。Heheldhimnow。Andhewasnotgoingtolethimgo——tolethimdisappearforeverinthefaintbluesmokeofapistolshot。Hisangergrewwithinhim。

Hefeltatouchasofaburninghandonhisheart。Notonthefleshofhisbreast，butatouchonhisheartitself，onthepalpitatinganduntiringparticleofmatterthatrespondstoeveryemotionofthesoul；thatleapswithjoy，withterror，orwithanger。

Hedrewalongbreath。Hecouldseebeforehimthebarechestofthemanexpandingandcollapsingunderthewide-openjacket。Heglancedaside，andsawthebosomofthewomannearhimriseandfallinquickrespirationsthatmovedslightlyupanddownherhand，whichwaspressedtoherbreastwithallthefingersspreadoutandalittlecurved，asifgraspingsomethingtoobigforitsspan。Andnearlyaminutepassed。Oneofthoseminuteswhenthevoiceissilenced，whilethethoughtsflutterinthehead，likecaptivebirdsinsideacage，inrushesdesperate，exhaustingandvain。

DuringthatminuteofsilenceLingard’sangerkeptrising，immenseandtowering，suchasacrestedwaverunningoverthetroubledshallowsofthesands。Itsroarfilledhiscars；aroarsopowerfulanddistractingthat，itseemedtohim，hisheadmustburstdirectlywiththeexpandingvolumeofthatsound。Helookedatthatman。Thatinfamousfigureuprightonitsfeet，still，rigid，withstonyeyes，asifitsrottensoulhaddepartedthatmomentandthecarcasshadn’thadthetimeyettotoppleover。Forthefractionofasecondhehadtheillusionandthefearofthescoundrelhavingdiedtherebeforetheenragedglanceofhiseyes。Willems’eyelidsfluttered，andtheunconsciousandpassingtremorinthatstifflyerectbodyexasperatedLingardlikeafreshoutrage。Thefellowdaredtostir！Daredtowink，tobreathe，toexist；here，rightbeforehiseyes！Hisgripontherevolverrelaxedgradually。Asthetransportofhisrageincreased，soalsohiscontemptfortheinstrumentsthatpierceorstab，thatinterposethemselvesbetweenthehandandtheobjectofhate。Hewantedanotherkindofsatisfaction。Nakedhands，byheaven！Nofirearms。Handsthatcouldtakehimbythethroat，beatdownhisdefence，batterhisfaceintoshapelessflesh；handsthatcouldfeelallthedesperationofhisresistanceandoverpoweritintheviolentdelightofacontactlingeringandfurious，intimateandbrutal。