第9章

Hetookupthedish，tuckedupthebottleunderhisarmpit，andwentoff。

"Myhammock！"shoutedAlmayerafterhim。

"Ada！Icomesoon，"answeredAlifromthedoorwayinanoffendedtone，lookingbackoverhisshoulder……Howcouldheclearthetableandhangthehammockatthesametime。Ya-wa！Thosewhitemenwereallalike。Wantedeverythingdoneatonce。Likechildren……

Theindistinctmurmurofhiscriticismwentaway，fadedanddiedouttogetherwiththesoftfootfallofhisbarefeetinthedarkpassage。

ForsometimeAlmayerdidnotmove。Histhoughtswerebusyatworkshapingamomentousresolution，andintheperfectsilenceofthehousehebelievedthathecouldhearthenoiseoftheoperationasiftheworkhadbeendonewithahammer。Hecertainlyfeltathumpingofstrokes，faint，profound，andstartling，somewherelowdowninhisbreast；andhewasawareofasoundofdullknocking，abruptandrapid，inhisears。Nowandthenheheldhisbreath，unconsciously，toolong，andhadtorelievehimselfbyadeepexpirationthatwhistleddullythroughhispursedlips。Thelampstandingonthefarsideofthetablethrewasectionofalightedcircleonthefloor，wherehisout-stretchedlegsstuckoutfromunderthetablewithfeetrigidandturneduplikethefeetofacorpse；andhissetfacewithfixedeyeswouldhavebeenalsolikethefaceofthedead，butforitsvacantyetconsciousaspect；thehard，thestupid，thestonyaspectofonenotdead，butonlyburiedunderthedust，ashes，andcorruptionofpersonalthoughts，ofbasefears，ofselfishdesires。

"Iwilldoit！"

Nottillheheardhisownvoicedidheknowthathehadspoken。

Itstartledhim。Hestoodup。Theknucklesofhishand，somewhatbehindhim，wererestingontheedgeofthetableasheremainedstillwithonefootadvanced，hislipsalittleopen，andthought:ItwouldnotdotofoolaboutwithLingard。ButI

mustriskit。It’stheonlywayIcansee。Imusttellher。

Shehassomelittlesense。Iwishtheywereathousandmilesoffalready。Ahundredthousandmiles。Ido。Andifitfails。AndsheblabsoutthentoLingard？Sheseemedafool。No；probablytheywillgetaway。Andiftheydid，wouldLingardbelieveme？

Yes。Ineverliedtohim。Hewouldbelieve。Idon’tknow……

Perhapshewon’t……"Imustdoit。Must！"hearguedaloudtohimself。

Foralongtimehestoodstill，lookingbeforehimwithanintensegaze，agazeraptandimmobile，thatseemedtowatchtheminutequiveringofadelicatebalance，comingtoarest。

Totheleftofhim，inthewhitewashedwallofthehousethatformedthebackoftheverandah，therewasacloseddoor。BlackletterswerepaintedonitproclaimingthefactthatbehindthatdoortherewastheofficeofLingard&Co。TheinteriorhadbeenfurnishedbyLingardwhenhehadbuiltthehouseforhisadopteddaughterandherhusband，andithadbeenfurnishedwithrecklessprodigality。Therewasanofficedesk，arevolvingchair，bookshelves，asafe:alltohumourtheweaknessofAlmayer，whothoughtallthoseparaphernalianecessarytosuccessfultrading。

Lingardhadlaughed，buthadtakenimmensetroubletogetthethings。Itpleasedhimtomakehisprotege，hisadoptedson-in-law，happy。IthadbeenthesensationofSambirsomefiveyearsago。Whilethethingswerebeinglanded，thewholesettlementliterallylivedontheriverbankinfrontoftheRajahLaut’shouse，tolook，towonder，toadmire……Whatabigmeza，withmanyboxesfittedalloveritandunderit！Whatdidthewhitemandowithsuchatable？Andlook，look，O

Brothers！Thereisagreensquarebox，withagoldplateonit，aboxsoheavythatthosetwentymencannotdragitupthebank。

Letusgo，brothers，andhelppullattheropes，andperchancewemayseewhat’sinside。Treasure，nodoubt。Goldisheavyandhardtohold，OBrothers！LetusgoandearnarecompensefromthefierceRajahoftheSeawhoshoutsoverthere，witharedface。See！Thereisamancarryingapileofbooksfromtheboat！Whatanumberofbooks。Whatweretheyfor？……Andanoldinvalidedjurumudi，whohadtravelledovermanyseasandhadheardholymenspeakinfar-offcountries，explainedtoasmallknotofunsophisticatedcitizensofSambirthatthosebookswerebooksofmagic——ofmagicthatguidesthewhitemen’sshipsovertheseas，thatgivesthemtheirwickedwisdomandtheirstrength；

ofmagicthatmakesthemgreat，powerful，andirresistiblewhiletheylive，and——praisebetoAllah！——thevictimsofSatan，theslavesofJehannumwhentheydie。

Andwhenhesawtheroomfurnished，Almayerhadfeltproud。Inhisexultationofanempty-headedquill-driver，hethoughthimself，bythevirtueofthatfurniture，attheheadofaseriousbusiness。HehadsoldhimselftoLingardforthesethings——marriedtheMalaygirlofhisadoptionfortherewardofthesethingsandofthegreatwealththatmustnecessarilyfollowuponconscientiousbook-keeping。HefoundoutverysoonthattradeinSambirmeantsomethingentirelydifferent。HecouldnotguidePatalolo，controltheirrepressibleoldSahamin，orrestraintheyouthfulvagariesofthefierceBahassoenwithpen，ink，andpaper。Hefoundnosuccessfulmagicintheblankpagesofhisledgers；andgraduallyhelosthisoldpointofviewinthesanerappreciationofhissituation。Theroomknownastheofficebecameneglectedthenlikeatempleofanexplodedsuperstition。Atfirst，whenhiswiferevertedtoheroriginalsavagery，Almayer，nowandagain，hadsoughtrefugefromherthere；butaftertheirchildbegantospeak，toknowhim，hebecamebraver，forhefoundcourageandconsolationinhisunreasoningandfierceaffectionforhisdaughter——intheimpenetrablemantleofselfishnesshewrappedroundboththeirlives:roundhimself，andthatyounglifethatwasalsohis。

WhenLingardorderedhimtoreceiveJoannaintohishouse，hehadatrucklebedputintotheoffice——theonlyroomhecouldspare。

Thebigofficedeskwaspushedononeside，andJoannacamewithherlittleshabbytrunkandwithherchildandtookpossessioninherdreamy，slack，half-asleepway；tookpossessionofthedust，dirt，andsqualor，wheresheappearednaturallyathome，whereshedraggedamelancholyanddullexistence；anexistencemadeupofsadremorseandfrightenedhope，amongstthehopelessdisorder——thesenselessandvaindecayofalltheseemblemsofcivilizedcommerce。Bitsofwhitestuff；ragsyellow，pink，blue:ragslimp，brilliantandsoiled，trailedonthefloor，layonthedeskamongstthesombrecoversofbookssoiled，grimy，butstiff-backed，invirtue，perhaps，oftheirEuropeanorigin。Thebiggestsetofbookshelveswaspartlyhiddenbyapetticoat，thewaistbandofwhichwascaughtuponthebackofaslenderbookpulledalittleoutoftherowsoastomakeanimprovisedclothespeg。Thefoldingcanvasbedsteadstoodnearlyinthemiddleoftheroom，stoodanyhow，paralleltonowall，asifithadbeen，intheprocessoftransportationtosomeremoteplace，droppedcasuallytherebytiredbearers。Andonthetumbledblanketsthatlayinadisorderedheaponitsedge，Joannasatalmostalldaywithherstockinglessfeetupononeofthebedpillowsthatweresomehowalwayskickingaboutthefloor。Shesatthere，vaguelytormentedattimesbythethoughtofherabsenthusband，butmostofthetimethinkingtearfullyofnothingatall，lookingwithswimmingeyesatherlittleson——atthebig-headed，pasty-faced，andsicklyLouisWillems——whorolledaglassinkstand，solidwithdriedink，aboutthefloor，andtotteredafteritwiththeportentousgravityofdemeanourandabsoluteabsorptionbythebusinessinhandthatcharacterizethepursuitsofearlychildhood。Throughthehalf-openshutterarayofsunlight，araymercilessandcrude，cameintotheroom，beatintheearlymorninguponthesafeinthefar-offcorner，then，travellingagainstthesun，cutatmiddaythebigdeskintwowithitssolidandclean-edgedbrilliance；withitshotbrillianceinwhichaswarmofflieshoveredindancingflightoversomedirtyplateforgottenthereamongstyellowpapersformanyaday。Andtowardstheeveningthecynicalrayseemedtoclingtotheraggedpetticoat，lingeredonitwithwickedenjoymentofthatmiseryithadexposedallday；lingeredonthecornerofthedustybookshelf，inaredglowintenseandmocking，tillitwassuddenlysnatchedbythesettingsunoutofthewayofthecomingnight。Andthenightenteredtheroom。Thenightabrupt，impenetrableandall-fillingwithitsfloodofdarkness；

thenightcoolandmerciful；theblindnightthatsawnothing，butcouldhearthefretfulwhimperingofthechild，thecreakofthebedstead，Joanna’sdeepsighsassheturnedover，sleepless，intheconfusedconvictionofherwickedness，thinkingofthatmanmasterful，fair-headed，andstrong——amanhardperhaps，butherhusband；hercleverandhandsomehusbandtowhomshehadactedsocruellyontheadviceofbadpeople，ifherownpeople；

andofherpoor，dear，deceivedmother。

ToAlmayer，Joanna’spresencewasaconstantworry，aworryunobtrusiveyetintolerable；aconstant，butmostlymute，warningofpossibledanger。InviewoftheabsurdsoftnessofLingard’sheart，everyoneinwhomLingardmanifestedtheslightestinterestwastoAlmayeranaturalenemy。Hewasquitealivetothatfeeling，andintheintimacyofthesecretintercoursewithhisinnerselfhadoftencongratulatedhimselfuponhisownwide-awakecomprehensionofhisposition。Inthatway，andimpelledbythatmotive，Almayerhadhatedmanyandvariouspersonsatvarioustimes。ButheneverhadhatedandfearedanybodysomuchashedidhateandfearWillems。EvenafterWillems’treachery，whichseemedtoremovehimbeyondthepaleofallhumansympathy，AlmayermistrustedthesituationandgroanedinspiriteverytimehecaughtsightofJoanna。

Hesawherveryseldominthedaytime。Butintheshortandopal-tintedtwilights，orintheazureduskofstarryevenings，heoftensaw，beforeheslept，theslenderandtallfiguretrailingtoandfrotheraggedtailofitswhitegownoverthedriedmudoftheriversideinfrontofthehouse。Onceortwicewhenhesatlateontheverandah，withhisfeetuponthedealtableonalevelwiththelamp，readingthesevenmonths’oldcopyoftheNorthChinaHerald，broughtbyLingard，heheardthestairscreak，and，lookingroundthepaper，hesawherfrailandmeagreformrisestepbystepandtoilacrosstheverandah，carryingwithdifficultythebig，fatchild，whosehead，lyingonthemother’sbonyshoulder，seemedofthesamesizeasJoanna’sown。Severaltimesshehadassailedhimwithtearfulclamourormadentreaties:askingaboutherhusband，wantingtoknowwherehewas，whenhewouldbeback；andendingeverysuchoutburstwithdespairingandincoherentself-reproachesthatwereabsolutelyincomprehensibletoAlmayer。Ononeortwooccasionsshehadoverwhelmedherhostwithvituperativeabuse，makinghimresponsibleforherhusband’sabsence。Thosescenes，begunwithoutanywarning，endedabruptlyinasobbingflightandabangofthedoor；stirredthehousewithasudden，afierce，andanevanescentdisturbance；likethoseinexplicablewhirlwindsthatrise，run，andvanishwithoutapparentcauseuponthesun-scorcheddeadlevelofaridandlamentableplains。

Butto-nightthehousewasquiet，deadlyquiet，whileAlmayerstoodstill，watchingthatdelicatebalancewherehewasweighingallhischances:Joanna’sintelligence，Lingard’scredulity，Willems’recklessaudacity，desiretoescape，readinesstoseizeanunexpectedopportunity。Heweighed，anxiousandattentive，hisfearsandhisdesiresagainstthetremendousriskofaquarrelwithLingard……Yes。Lingardwouldbeangry。

Lingardmightsuspecthimofsomeconnivanceinhisprisoner’sescape——butsurelyhewouldnotquarrelwithhim——Almayer——aboutthosepeopleoncetheyweregone——gonetothedevilintheirownway。AndthenhehadholdofLingardthroughthelittlegirl。

Good。Whatanannoyance！Aprisoner！Asifonecouldkeephiminthere。Hewasboundtogetawaysometimeorother。Ofcourse。Asituationlikethatcan’tlast。vAnybodycouldseethat。Lingard’seccentricitypassedallbounds。Youmaykillaman，butyoumustn’ttorturehim。Itwasalmostcriminal。Itcausedworry，trouble，andunpleasantness……AlmayerforamomentfeltveryangrywithLingard。Hemadehimresponsiblefortheanguishhesufferedfrom，fortheanguishofdoubtandfear；

forcompellinghim——thepracticalandinnocentAlmayer——tosuchpainfuleffortsofmindinordertofindoutsomeissueforabsurdsituationscreatedbytheunreasonablesentimentalityofLingard’sunpracticalimpulses。

"Nowifthefellowweredeaditwouldbeallright，"saidAlmayertotheverandah。

Hestirredalittle，andscratchinghisnosethoughtfully，revelledinashortflightoffancy，showinghimhisownimagecrouchinginabigboat，thatfloatedarrested——sayfiftyyardsoff——abreastofWillems’landing-place。Inthebottomoftheboattherewasagun。Aloadedgun。Oneoftheboatmenwouldshout，andWillemswouldanswer——fromthebushes。cTherascalwouldbesuspicious。Ofcourse。ThenthemanwouldwaveapieceofpaperurgingWillemstocometothelanding-placeandreceiveanimportantmessage。"FromtheRajahLaut"themanwouldyellastheboatedgedin-shore，andthatwouldfetchWillemsout。

Wouldn’tit？Rather！AndAlmayersawhimselfjumpingupattherightmoment，takingaim，pullingthetrigger——andWillemstumblingover，hisheadinthewater——theswine！

Heseemedtohearthereportoftheshot。Itmadehimthrillfromheadtofootwherehestood……Howsimple！……

Unfortunate……Lingard……Hesighed，shookhishead。

Pity。Couldn’tbedone。Andcouldn’tleavehimthereeither！

SupposetheArabsweretogetholdofhimagain——forinstancetoleadanexpeditionuptheriver！Goodnessonlyknowswhatharmwouldcomeofit……

Thebalancewasatrestnowandincliningtothesideofimmediateaction。Almayerwalkedtothedoor，walkedupveryclosetoit，knockedloudly，andturnedhisheadaway，lookingfrightenedforamomentatwhathehaddone。Afterwaitingforawhileheputhisearagainstthepanelandlistened。Nothing。

Hecomposedhisfeaturesintoanagreeableexpressionwhilehestoodlisteningandthinkingtohimself:Ihearher。Crying。

Eh？IbelieveshehaslostthelittlewitsshehadandiscryingnightanddaysinceIbegantoprepareherforthenewsofherhusband’sdeath——asLingardtoldme。Iwonderwhatshethinks。

It’sjustlikefathertomakemeinventallthesestoriesfornothingatall。Outofkindness。Kindness！Damn！……Sheisn’tdeaf，surely。

Heknockedagain，thensaidinafriendlytone，grinningbenevolentlyatthecloseddoor——

"It’sme，Mrs。Willems。Iwanttospeaktoyou。Ihave……

have……importantnews……"

"Whatisit？"

"News，"repeatedAlmayer，distinctly。"Newsaboutyourhusband。

Yourhusband！……Damnhim！"headded，underhisbreath。

Heheardastumblingrushinside。Thingswereoverturned。

Joanna’sagitatedvoicecried——

"News！What？What？Iamcomingout。"

"No，"shoutedAlmayer。"Putonsomeclothes，Mrs。Willems，andletmein。It’s……veryconfidential。Youhaveacandle，haven’tyou？"

Shewasknockingherselfaboutblindlyamongstthefurnitureinthatroom。Thecandlestickwasupset。Matcheswerestruckineffectually。Thematchboxfell。Heheardherdroponherkneesandgropeoverthefloorwhileshekeptonmoaninginmaddeneddistraction。

"Oh，myGod！News！Yes……yes……Ah！where……where……candle。Oh，myGod！……Ican’tfind……Don’tgoaway，fortheloveofHeaven……"

"Idon’twanttogoaway，"saidAlmayer，impatiently，throughthekeyhole；"butlooksharp。It’sconi……it’spressing。"

Hestampedhisfootlightly，waitingwithhishandonthedoor-handle。Hethoughtanxiously:Thewoman’saperfectidiot。

WhyshouldIgoaway？Shewillbeoffherhead。Shewillnevercatchmymeaning。She’stoostupid。

Shewasmovingnowinsidetheroomhurriedlyandinsilence。Hewaited。Therewasamomentofperfectstillnessinthere，andthenshespokeinanexhaustedvoice，inwordsthatwereshapedoutofanexpiringsigh——outofasighlightandprofound，likewordsbreathedoutbyawomanbeforegoingoffintoadeadfaint——

"Comein。"

Hepushedthedoor。Ali，comingthroughthepassagewithanarmfulofpillowsandblanketspressedtohisbreasthighupunderhischin，caughtsightofhismasterbeforethedoorclosedbehindhim。Hewassoastonishedthathedroppedhisbundleandstoodstaringatthedoorforalongtime。Heheardthevoiceofhismastertalking。TalkingtothatSiraniwoman！Whowasshe？

Hehadneverthoughtaboutthatreally。Hespeculatedforawhilehazilyuponthingsingeneral。ShewasaSiraniwoman——andugly。Hemadeadisdainfulgrimace，pickedupthebedding，andwentabouthiswork，slingingthehammockbetweentwouprightsoftheverandah……Thosethingsdidnotconcernhim。Shewasugly，andbroughtherebytheRajahLaut，andhismasterspoketoherinthenight。Verywell。He，Ali，hadhisworktodo。

Slingthehammock——goroundandseethatthewatchmenwereawake——takealookatthemooringsoftheboats，atthepadlockofthebigstorehouse——thengotosleep。Tosleep！Heshiveredpleasantly。Heleanedwithbotharmsoverhismaster’shammockandfellintoalightdoze。

Ascream，unexpected，piercing——ascreambeginningatonceinthehighestpitchofawoman’svoiceandthencutshort，soshortthatitsuggestedtheswiftworkofdeath——causedAlitojumpononesideawayfromthehammock，andthesilencethatsucceededseemedtohimasstartlingastheawfulshriek。Hewasthunderstruckwithsurprise。Almayercameoutoftheoffice，leavingthedoorajar，passedclosetohisservantwithouttakinganynotice，andmadestraightforthewater-chattyhungonanailinadraughtyplace。Hetookitdownandcameback，missingthepetrifiedAlibyaninch。Hemovedwithlongstrides，yet，notwithstandinghishaste，stoppedshortbeforethedoor，and，throwinghisheadback，pouredathinstreamofwaterdownhisthroat。Whilehecameandwent，whilehestoppedtodrink，whilehedidallthis，therecamesteadilyfromthedarkroomthesoundoffeebleandpersistentcrying，thecryingofasleepyandfrightenedchild。Afterhehaddrunk，Almayerwentin，closingthedoorcarefully。

Alididnotbudge。ThatSiraniwomanshrieked！Hefeltanimmensecuriosityveryunusualtohisstoliddisposition。Hecouldnottakehiseyesoffthedoor。Wasshedeadinthere？

Howinterestingandfunny！Hestoodwithopenmouthtillheheardagaintherattleofthedoor-handle。Mastercomingout。

Hepivotedonhisheelswithgreatrapidityandmadebelievetobeabsorbedinthecontemplationofthenightoutside。HeheardAlmayermovingaboutbehindhisback。Chairsweredisplaced。

Hismastersatdown。

"Ali，"saidAlmayer。

Hisfacewasgloomyandthoughtful。Helookedathisheadman，whohadapproachedthetable，thenhepulledouthiswatch。Itwasgoing。WheneverLingardwasinSambirAlmayer’swatchwasgoing。Hewouldsetitbythecabinclock，tellinghimselfeverytimethathemustreallykeepthatwatchgoingforthefuture。

Andeverytime，whenLingardwentaway，hewouldletitrundownandwouldmeasurehiswearinessbysunrisesandsunsetsinanapatheticindifferencetomerehours；tohoursonly；tohoursthathadnoimportanceinSambirlife，inthetiredstagnationofemptydays；whennothingmatteredtohimbutthequalityofguttahandthesizeofrattans；wheretherewerenosmallhopestobewatchedfor；wheretohimtherewasnothinginteresting，nothingsupportable，nothingdesirabletoexpect；nothingbitterbuttheslownessofthepassingdays；nothingsweetbutthehope，thedistantandglorioushope——thehopewearying，achingandprecious，ofgettingaway。

Helookedatthewatch。Half-pasteight。Aliwaitedstolidly。

"Gotothesettlement，"saidAlmayer，"andtellMahmatBanjertocomeandspeaktometo-night。"

Aliwentoffmuttering。Hedidnotlikehiserrand。BanjerandhistwobrotherswereBajowvagabondswhohadappearedlatelyinSambirandhadbeenallowedtotakepossessionofatumbledownabandonedhut，onthreeposts，belongingtoLingard&Co。，andstandingjustoutsidetheirfence。Alidisapprovedofthefavourshowntothosestrangers。AnykindofdwellingwasvaluableinSambiratthattime，andifmasterdidnotwantthatoldrottenhousehemighthavegivenittohim，Ali，whowashisservant，insteadofbestowingituponthosebadmen。Everybodyknewtheywerebad。ItwaswellknownthattheyhadstolenaboatfromHinopari，whowasveryagedandfeebleandhadnosons；andthatafterwards，bythetruculentrecklessnessoftheirdemeanour，theyhadfrightenedthepooroldmanintoholdinghistongueaboutit。Yeteverybodyknewofit。ItwasoneofthetoleratedscandalsofSambir，disapprovedandaccepted，amanifestationofthatbaseacquiescenceinsuccess，ofthatinexpressedandcowardlytolerationofstrength，thatexists，infamousandirremediable，atthebottomofallhearts，inallsocieties；

whenevermencongregate；inbiggerandmorevirtuousplacesthanSambir，andinSambiralso，where，asinotherplaces，onemancouldstealaboatwithimpunitywhileanotherwouldhavenorighttolookatapaddle。

Almayer，leaningbackinhischair，meditated。Themorehethought，themorehefeltconvincedthatBanjerandhisbrotherswereexactlythemenhewanted。Thosefellowswereseagipsies，andcoulddisappearwithoutattractingnotice；andiftheyreturned，nobody——andLingardleastofall——woulddreamofseekinginformationfromthem。Moreover，theyhadnopersonalinterestofanykindinSambiraffairs——hadtakennosides——wouldknownothinganyway。

Hecalledinastrongvoice:"Mrs。Willems！"

Shecameoutquickly，almoststartlinghim，somuchdidsheappearasthoughshehadsurgedupthroughthefloor，ontheothersideofthetable。Thelampwasbetweenthem，andAlmayermoveditaside，lookingupatherfromhischair。Shewascrying。Shewascryinggently，silently，inaceaselesswellingupoftearsthatdidnotfallindrops，butseemedtooverflowinaclearsheetfromunderhereyelids——seemedtoflowatoncealloverherface，hercheeks，andoverherchinthatglistenedwithmoistureinthelight。Herbreastandhershoulderswereshakenrepeatedlybyaconvulsiveandnoiselesscatchinginherbreath，andaftereveryspasmodicsobhersorrowfullittlehead，tiedupinaredkerchief，trembledonherlongneck，roundwhichherbonyhandgatheredandclaspedthedisarrangeddress。

"Composeyourself，Mrs。Willems，"saidAlmayer。

Sheemittedaninarticulatesoundthatseemedtobeafaint，averyfaroff，ahardlyaudiblecryofmortaldistress。Thenthetearswentonflowinginprofoundstillness。

"YoumustunderstandthatIhavetoldyouallthisbecauseIamyourfriend——realfriend，"saidAlmayer，afterlookingatherforsometimewithvisibledissatisfaction。"You，hiswife，oughttoknowthedangerheisin。CaptainLingardisaterribleman，youknow。"

Sheblubberedout，sniffingandsobbingtogether。

"Doyou……you……speak……the……thetruthnow？"

"Uponmywordofhonour。Ontheheadofmychild，"protestedAlmayer。"IhadtodeceiveyoutillnowbecauseofCaptainLingard。ButIcouldn’tbearit。ThinkonlywhatariskIrunintellingyou——ifeverLingardwastoknow！WhyshouldIdoit？

Purefriendship。DearPeterwasmycolleagueinMacassarforyears，youknow。"

"WhatshallIdo……whatshallIdo！"sheexclaimed，faintly，lookingaroundoneverysideasifshecouldnotmakeuphermindwhichwaytorushoff。

"Youmusthelphimtoclearout，nowLingardisaway。HeoffendedLingard，andthat’snojoke。Lingardsaidhewouldkillhim。Hewilldoit，too，"saidAlmayer，earnestly。

Shewrungherhands。"Oh！thewickedman。Thewicked，wickedman！"shemoaned，swayingherbodyfromsidetoside。

"Yes。Yes！Heisterrible，"assentedAlmayer。"Youmustnotloseanytime。Isay！Doyouunderstandme，Mrs。Willems？

Thinkofyourhusband。Ofyourpoorhusband。Howhappyhewillbe。Youwillbringhimhislife——actuallyhislife。Thinkofhim。"

Sheceasedherswayingmovement，andnow，withherheadsunkbetweenhershoulders，shehuggedherselfwithbothherarms；andshestaredatAlmayerwithwildeyes，whileherteethchattered，rattlingviolentlyanduninterruptedly，withaveryloudsound，inthedeeppeaceofthehouse。

"Oh！MotherofGod！"shewailed。"Iamamiserablewoman。Willheforgiveme？Thepoor，innocentman。Willheforgiveme？Oh，Mr。Almayer，heissosevere。Oh！helpme……Idarenot……Youdon’tknowwhatI’vedonetohim……Idaren’t！……

Ican’t！……Godhelpme！"

Thelastwordscameinadespairingcry。Hadshebeenflayedaliveshecouldnothavesenttoheavenamoreterrible，amoreheartrendingandanguishedplaint。

"Sh！Sh！"hissedAlmayer，jumpingup。"Youwillwakeupeverybodywithyourshouting。"

Shekeptonsobbingthenwithoutanynoise，andAlmayerstaredatherinboundlessastonishment。Theideathat，maybe，hehaddonewrongbyconfidinginher，upsethimsomuchthatforamomenthecouldnotfindaconnectedthoughtinhishead。

Atlasthesaid:"Isweartoyouthatyourhusbandisinsuchapositionthathewouldwelcomethedevil……listenwelltome……thedevilhimselfifthedevilcametohiminacanoe。

UnlessIammuchmistaken，’’headded，underhisbreath。Thenagain，loudly:"Ifyouhaveanylittledifferencetomakeupwithhim，Iassureyou——Isweartoyou——thisisyourtime！"

Theardentlypersuasivetoneofhiswords——hethought——wouldhavecarriedirresistibleconvictiontoagravenimage。HenoticedwithsatisfactionthatJoannaseemedtohavegotsomeinklingofhismeaning。Hecontinued，speakingslowly——

"Lookhere，Mrs。Willems。Ican’tdoanything。Daren’t。ButI

willtellyouwhatIwilldo。TherewillcomehereinabouttenminutesaBugisman——youknowthelanguage；youarefromMacassar。Hehasalargecanoe；hecantakeyouthere。TothenewRajah’sclearing，tellhim。Theyarethreebrothers，readyforanythingifyoupaythem……youhavesomemoney。Haven’tyou？"

Shestood——perhapslistening——butgivingnosignofintelligence，andstaredatthefloorinsuddenimmobility，asifthehorrorofthesituation，theoverwhelmingsenseofherownwickednessandofherhusband’sgreatdanger，hadstunnedherbrain，herheart，herwill——hadlefthernofacultybutthatofbreathingandofkeepingonherfeet。Almayersworetohimselfwithmuchmentalprofanitythathehadneverseenamoreuseless，amorestupidbeing。

"D’yehearme？"hesaid，raisinghisvoice。"Dotrytounderstand。Haveyouanymoney？Money。Dollars。Guilders。

Money！What’sthematterwithyou？"

Withoutraisinghereyesshesaid，inavoicethatsoundedweakandundecidedasifshehadbeenmakingadesperateeffortofmemory——

"Thehousehasbeensold。Mr。Hudigwasangry。"

Almayergrippedtheedgeofthetablewithallhisstrength。Heresistedmanfullyanalmostuncontrollableimpulsetoflyatherandboxherears。

"Itwassoldformoney，Isuppose，"hesaidwithstudiedandincisivecalmness。"Haveyougotit？Whohasgotit？"

Shelookedupathim，raisingherswolleneyelidswithagreateffort，inasorrowfulexpressionofherdroopingmouth，ofherwholebesmudgedandtear-stainedface。Shewhisperedresignedly——

"Leonardhadsome。Hewantedtogetmarried。AnduncleAntonio；

hesatatthedoorandwouldnotgoaway。AndAghostina——sheissopoor……andsomany，manychildren——littlechildren。AndLuiztheengineer。Heneversaidawordagainstmyhusband。

AlsoourcousinMaria。Shecameandshouted，andmyheadwassobad，andmyheartwasworse。ThencousinSalvatorandoldDanieldaSouza，who……"

Almayerhadlistenedtoherspeechlesswithrage。Hethought:I

mustgivemoneynowtothatidiot。Must！MustgetheroutofthewaynowbeforeLingardisback。Hemadetwoattemptstospeakbeforehemanagedtoburstout——

"Idon’twanttoknowtheirblastednames！Tellme，didallthoseinfernalpeopleleaveyouanything？Toyou！That’swhatI

wanttoknow！"

"Ihavetwohundredandfifteendollars，"saidJoanna，inafrightenedtone。

Almayerbreathedfreely。Hespokewithgreatfriendliness——

"Thatwilldo。Itisn’tmuch，butitwilldo。NowwhenthemancomesIwillbeoutoftheway。Youspeaktohim。Givehimsomemoney；onlyalittle，mind！Andpromisemore。Thenwhenyougetthereyouwillbeguidedbyyourhusband，ofcourse。Anddon’tforgettotellhimthatCaptainLingardisatthemouthoftheriver——thenorthernentrance。Youwillremember。Won’tyou？

Thenorthernbranch。Lingardis——death。"

Joannashivered。Almayerwentonrapidly——

"Iwouldhavegivenyoumoneyifyouhadwantedit。’Ponmyword！TellyourhusbandI’vesentyoutohim。Andtellhimnottoloseanytime。Andalsosaytohimfrommethatweshallmeet——someday。ThatIcouldnotdiehappyunlessImethimoncemore。Onlyonce。Ilovehim，youknow。Iproveit。Tremendousrisktome——thisbusinessis！"

Joannasnatchedhishandandbeforeheknewwhatshewouldbeat，pressedittoherlips。

"Mrs。Willems！Don’t。Whatareyou……"criedtheabashedAlmayer，tearinghishandaway。

"Oh，youaregood！"shecried，withsuddenexaltation，"Youarenoble……Ishallprayeveryday……toallthesaints……

Ishall……"

"Nevermind……nevermind！"stammeredoutAlmayer，confusedly，withoutknowingverywellwhathewassaying。"OnlylookoutforLingard……Iamhappytobeable……inyoursadsituation……believeme……"

Theystoodwiththetablebetweenthem，Joannalookingdown，andherface，inthehalf-lightabovethelamp，appearedlikeasoiledcarvingofoldivory——acarving，withaccentuatedanxioushollows，ofold，veryoldivory。Almayerlookedather，mistrustful，hopeful。Hewassayingtohimself:Howfrailsheis！Icouldupsetherbyblowingather。Sheseemstohavegotsomeideaofwhatmustbedone，butwillshehavethestrengthtocarryitthrough？Imusttrusttolucknow！

SomewherefarinthebackcourtyardAli’svoicerangsuddenlyinangryremonstrance——

"Whydidyoushutthegate，Ofatherofallmischief？Youawatchman！Youareonlyawildman。DidInottellyouIwascomingback？You……"

"Iamoff，Mrs。Willems，"exclaimedAlmayer。"Thatmanishere——withmyservant。Becalm。Tryto……"

Heheardthefootstepsofthetwomeninthepassage，andwithoutfinishinghissentenceranrapidlydownthestepstowardstheriverside。

CHAPTERTWO

Forthenexthalf-hourAlmayer，whowantedtogiveJoannaplentyoftime，stumbledamongstthelumberindistantpartsofhisenclosure，sneakedalongthefences；orheldhisbreath，flattenedagainstgrasswallsbehindvariousouthouses:allthistoescapeAli’sinconvenientlyzealoussearchforhismaster。Heheardhimtalkwiththeheadwatchman——sometimesquiteclosetohiminthedarkness——thenmovingoff，comingback，wondering，and，asthetimepassed，growinguneasy。

"Hedidnotfallintotheriver？——say，thoublindwatcher！"Aliwasgrowlinginabullyingtone，totheotherman。"HetoldmetofetchMahmat，andwhenIcamebackswiftlyIfoundhimnotinthehouse。ThereisthatSiraniwomanthere，sothatMahmatcannotstealanything，butitisinmymind，thenightwillbehalfgonebeforeIrest。"

Heshouted——

"Master！Omaster！Omast……"

"Whatareyoumakingthatnoisefor？"saidAlmayer，withseverity，steppingoutclosetothem。

ThetwoMalaysleapedawayfromeachotherintheirsurprise。

"Youmaygo。Idon’twantyouanymoretonight，Ali，"wentonAlmayer。"IsMahmatthere？"

"Unlesstheill-behavedsavagegottiredofwaiting。Thosemenknownotpoliteness。Theyshouldnotbespokentobywhitemen，"

saidAli，resentfully。

Almayerwenttowardsthehouse，leavinghisservantstowonderwherehehadsprungfromsounexpectedly。Thewatchmanhintedobscurelyatpowersofinvisibilitypossessedbythemaster，whooftenatnight……Aliinterruptedhimwithgreatscorn。Noteverywhitemanhasthepower。Now，theRajahLautcouldmakehimselfinvisible。Also，hecouldbeintwoplacesatonce，aseverybodyknew；excepthe——theuselesswatchman——whoknewnomoreaboutwhitementhanawildpig！Ya-wa！

AndAlistrolledtowardshishut，yawningloudly。

AsAlmayerascendedthestepsheheardthenoiseofadoorflungto，andwhenheenteredtheverandahhesawonlyMahmatthere，closetothedoorwayofthepassage。Mahmatseemedtobecaughtintheveryactofslinkingaway，andAlmayernoticedthatwithsatisfaction。Seeingthewhiteman，theMalaygaveuphisattemptandleanedagainstthewall。Hewasashort，thick，broad-shoulderedmanwithverydarkskinandawide，stained，bright-redmouththatuncovered，whenhespoke，acloserowofblackandglisteningteeth。Hiseyeswerebig，prominent，dreamyandrestless。Hesaidsulkily，lookingallovertheplacefromunderhiseyebrows——

"WhiteTuan，youaregreatandstrong——andIapoorman。Tellmewhatisyourwill，andletmegointhenameofGod。Itislate。"

Almayerexaminedthemanthoughtfully。Howcouldhefindoutwhether……Hehadit！Latelyhehademployedthatmanandhistwobrothersasextraboatmentocarrystores，provisions，andnewaxestoacampofrattancutterssomedistanceuptheriver。Athreedays’expedition。Hewouldtesthimnowinthatway。Hesaidnegligently——

"Iwantyoutostartatonceforthecamp，withsuratfortheKavitan。Onedollaraday。"

Themanappearedplungedindullhesitation，butAlmayer，whoknewhisMalays，feltprettysurefromhisaspectthatnothingwouldinducethefellowtogo。Heurged——

"Itisimportant——andifyouareswiftIshallgivetwodollarsforthelastday。"

"No，Tuan。Wedonotgo，"saidtheman，inahoarsewhisper。

"Why？"

"Westartonanotherjourney。"

"Where？"

"Toaplaceweknowof，"saidMahmat，alittlelouder，inastubbornmanner，andlookingatthefloor。

Almayerexperiencedafeelingofimmensejoy。Hesaid，withaffectedannoyance——

"Youmenliveinmyhouseanditisasifitwereyourown。I

maywantmyhousesoon。"

Mahmatlookedup。

"Wearemenoftheseaandcarenotforaroofwhenwehaveacanoethatwillholdthree，andapaddleapiece。Theseaisourhouse。Peacebewithyou，Tuan。"

Heturnedandwentawayrapidly，andAlmayerheardhimdirectlyafterwardsinthecourtyardcallingtothewatchmantoopenthegate。Mahmatpassedthroughthegateinsilence，butbeforethebarhadbeenputupbehindhimhehadmadeuphismindthatifthewhitemaneverwantedtoejecthimfromhishut，hewouldburnitandalsoasmanyofthewhiteman’sotherbuildingsashecouldsafelygetat。Andhebegantocallhisbrothersbeforehewasinsidethedilapidateddwelling。

"All’swell！"mutteredAlmayertohimself，takingsomelooseJavatobaccofromadrawerinthetable。"NowifanythingcomesoutI

amclear。Iaskedthemantogouptheriver。Iurgedhim。Hewillsaysohimself。Good。"

Hebegantochargethechinabowlofhispipe，apipewithalongcherrystemandacurvedmouthpiece，pressingthetobaccodownwithhisthumbandthinking:No。Isha’n’tseeheragain。

Don’twantto。Iwillgiveheragoodstart，thengoinchase——andsendanexpressboatafterfather。Yes！that’sit。

Heapproachedthedooroftheofficeandsaid，holdinghispipeawayfromhislips——

"Goodlucktoyou，Mrs。Willems。Don’tloseanytime。Youmaygetalongbythebushes；thefencethereisoutofrepair。Don’tlosetime。Don’tforgetthatitisamatterof……lifeanddeath。Anddon’tforgetthatIknownothing。Itrustyou。"

Heheardinsideanoiseasofachest-lidfallingdown。Shemadeafewsteps。Thenasigh，profoundandlong，andsomefaintwordswhichhedidnotcatch。Hemovedawayfromthedoorontiptoe，kickedoffhisslippersinacorneroftheverandah，thenenteredthepassagepuffingathispipe；enteredcautiouslyinagentlecreakingofplanksandturnedintoacurtainedentrancetotheleft。Therewasabigroom。Onthefloorasmallbinnaclelamp——thathadfounditswaytothehouseyearsagofromthelumber-roomoftheFlash——diddutyforanight-light。Itglimmeredverysmallanddullinthegreatdarkness。Almayerwalkedtoit，andpickingituprevivedtheflamebypullingthewickwithhisfingers，whichheshookdirectlyafterwithagrimaceofpain。Sleepingshapes，covered——headandall——withwhitesheets，layaboutonthematsonthefloor。Inthemiddleoftheroomasmallcot，underasquarewhitemosquitonet，stood——theonlypieceoffurniturebetweenthefourwalls——lookinglikeanaltaroftransparentmarbleinagloomytemple。Awoman，half-lyingonthefloorwithherheaddroppedonherarms，whichwerecrossedonthefootofthecot，wokeupasAlmayerstrodeoverheroutstretchedlegs。Shesatupwithoutaword，leaningforward，and，claspingherknees，stareddownwithsadeyes，fullofsleep。

Almayer，thesmokylightinonehand，hispipeintheother，stoodbeforethecurtainedcotlookingathisdaughter——athislittleNina——atthatpartofhimself，atthatsmallandunconsciousparticleofhumanitythatseemedtohimtocontainallhissoul。Anditwasasifhehadbeenbathedinabrightandwarmwaveoftenderness，inatendernessgreaterthantheworld，morepreciousthanlife；theonlythingreal，living，sweet，tangible，beautifulandsafeamongsttheelusive，thedistortedandmenacingshadowsofexistence。Onhisface，litupindistinctlybytheshortyellowflameofthelamp，camealookofraptattentionwhilehelookedintoherfuture。Andhecouldseethingsthere！Thingscharmingandsplendidpassingbeforehiminamagicunrollingofresplendentpictures；picturesofeventsbrilliant，happy，inexpressiblyglorious，thatwouldmakeupherlife。Hewoulddoit！Hewoulddoit。Hewould！Hewould——forthatchild！Andashestoodinthestillnight，lostinhisenchantingandgorgeousdreams，whiletheascending，thinthreadoftobaccosmokespreadintoafaintbluishcloudabovehishead，heappearedstrangelyimpressiveandecstatic:likeadevoutandmysticworshipper，adoring，transportedandmute；

burningincensebeforeashrine，adiaphanousshrineofachild-idolwithclosedeyes；beforeapureandvaporousshrineofasmallgod——fragile，powerless，unconsciousandsleeping。

WhenAli，rousedbyloudandrepeatedshoutingofhisname，stumbledoutsidethedoorofhishut，hesawanarrowstreakoftremblinggoldabovetheforestsandapaleskywithfadedstarsoverhead:signsofthecomingday。Hismasterstoodbeforethedoorwavingapieceofpaperinhishandandshoutingexcitedly——"Quick，Ali！Quick！"Whenhesawhisservantherushedforward，andpressingthepaperonhimobjurgatedhim，intoneswhichinducedAlitothinkthatsomethingawfulhadhappened，tohurryupandgetthewhale-boatreadytogoimmediately——atonce，atonce——afterCaptainLingard。Aliremonstrated，agitatedalso，havingcaughttheinfectionofdistractedhaste。

"Ifmustgoquick，bettercanoe。Whale-boatnocancatch，sameassmallcanoe。"

"No，no！Whale-boat！whale-boat！Youdolt！youwretch！"howledAlmayer，withalltheappearanceofhavinggonemad。"Callthemen！Getalongwithit。Fly！"

AndAlirushedaboutthecourtyardkickingthedoorsofhutsopentoputhisheadinandyellfrightfullyinside；andashedashedfromhoveltohovel，menshiveringandsleepywerecomingout，lookingafterhimstupidly，whiletheyscratchedtheirribswithbewilderedapathy。Itwashardworktoputtheminmotion。Theywantedtimetostretchthemselvesandtoshiveralittle。Somewantedfood。Onesaidhewassick。Nobodyknewwheretherudderwas。Alidartedhereandthere，ordering，abusing，pushingone，thenanother，andstoppinginhisexertionsattimestowringhishandshastilyandgroan，becausethewhale-boatwasmuchslowerthantheworstcanoeandhismasterwouldnotlistentohisprotestations。

Almayersawtheboatgooffatlast，pulledanyhowbymenthatwerecold，hungry，andsulky；andheremainedonthejettywatchingitdownthereach。Itwasbroaddaythen，andtheskywasperfectlycloudless。Almayerwentuptothehouseforamoment。HishouseholdwasallastirandwonderingatthestrangedisappearanceoftheSiraniwoman，whohadtakenherchildandhadleftherluggage。Almayerspoketonoone，gothisrevolver，andwentdowntotheriveragain。Hejumpedintoasmallcanoeandpaddledhimselftowardstheschooner。Heworkedveryleisurely，butassoonashewasnearlyalongsidehebegantohailthesilentcraftwiththetoneandappearanceofamaninatremendoushurry。

"Schoonerahoy！schoonerahoy！"heshouted。

Arowofblankfacespoppedupabovethebulwark。Afterawhileamanwithawoollyheadofhairsaid——

"Sir！"

"Themate！themate！Callhim，steward！"saidAlmayer，excitedly，makingafranticgrabataropethrowndowntohimbysomebody。

Inlessthanaminutethemateputhisheadover。Heasked，surprised——

"WhatcanIdoforyou，Mr。Almayer？"

"Letmehavethegigatonce，Mr。Swan——atonce。IaskinCaptainLingard’sname。Imusthaveit。Matteroflifeanddeath。"

ThematewasimpressedbyAlmayer’sagitation"Youshallhaveit，sir……Manthegigthere！Bearahand，serang！……It’shangingastern，Mr。Almayer，"hesaid，lookingdownagain。"Getintoit，sir。Themenarecomingdownbythepainter。"

BythetimeAlmayerhadclamberedoverintothesternsheets，fourcalasheswereintheboatandtheoarswerebeingpassedoverthetaffrail。Thematewaslookingon。Suddenlyhesaid——

"Isitdangerouswork？Doyouwantanyhelp？Iwouldcome……"

"Yes，yes！"criedAlmayer。"Comealong。Don’tloseamoment。

Goandgetyourrevolver。Hurryup！hurryup！"

Yet，notwithstandinghisfeverishanxietytobeoff，helolledbackveryquietandunconcernedtillthemategotinand，passingoverthethwarts，satdownbyhisside。Thenheseemedtowakeup，andcalledout——

"Letgo——letgothepainter！"

"Letgothepainter——thepainter！"yelledthebowman，jerkingatit。

Peopleonboardalsoshouted"Letgo！"tooneanother，tillitoccurredatlasttosomebodytocastofftherope；andtheboatdriftedrapidlyawayfromtheschoonerinthesuddensilencingofallvoices。

Almayersteered。Thematesatbyhisside，pushingthecartridgesintothechambersofhisrevolver。Whentheweaponwasloadedheasked——

"Whatisit？Areyouaftersomebody？"

"Yes，"saidAlmayer，curtly，withhiseyesfixedaheadontheriver。"Wemustcatchadangerousman。"

"Ilikeabitofachasemyself，"declaredthemate，andthen，discouragedbyAlmayer’saspectofseverethoughtfulness，saidnothingmore。

Nearlyanhourpassed。Thecalashesstretchedforwardheadfirstandlaybackwiththeirfacestothesky，alternately，inaregularswingthatsenttheboatflyingthroughthewater；andthetwositters，veryuprightinthesternsheets，swayedrhythmicallyalittleateverystrokeofthelongoarspliedvigorously。

Themateobserved:"Thetideiswithus。"

"Thecurrentalwaysrunsdowninthisriver，"saidAlmayer。

"Yes——Iknow，"retortedtheother；"butitrunsfasterontheebb。Lookbythelandatthewaywegetovertheground！A

five-knotcurrenthere，Ishouldsay。"

"H’m！"growledAlmayer。Thensuddenly:"Thereisapassagebetweentwoislandsthatwillsaveusfourmiles。Butatlowwaterthetwoislands，inthedryseason，arelikeonewithonlyamudditchbetweenthem。Still，it’sworthtrying。"

"Ticklishjobthat，onafallingtide，"saidthemate，coolly。

"Youknowbestwhetherthere’stimetogetthrough。"

"Iwilltry，"saidAlmayer，watchingtheshoreintently。"Lookoutnow！"

Hetuggedhardatthestarboardyoke-line。

"Layinyouroars！"shoutedthemate。

Theboatsweptroundandshotthroughthenarrowopeningofacreekthatbroadenedoutbeforethecrafthadtimetoloseitsway。

"Outoars！……Justroomenough，"mutteredthemate。

Itwasasombrecreekofblackwaterspeckledwiththegoldofscatteredsunlightfallingthroughtheboughsthatmetoverheadinasoaring，restlessarcfullofgentlewhisperspassing，tremulous，aloftamongstthethickleaves。Thecreepersclimbedupthetrunksofserriedtreesthatleanedover，lookinginsecureandunderminedbyfloodswhichhadeatenawaytheearthfromundertheirroots。Andthepungent，acridsmellofrottingleaves，offlowers，ofblossomsandplantsdyinginthatpoisonousandcruelgloom，wheretheypinedforsunshineinvain，seemedtolayheavy，topressupontheshinyandstagnantwaterinitstortuouswindingsamongsttheeverlastingandinvincibleshadows。

Almayerlookedanxious。Hesteeredbadly。Severaltimesthebladesoftheoarsgotfoulofthebushesononesideortheother，checkingthewayofthegig。Duringoneofthoseoccurrences，whiletheyweregettingclear，oneofthecalashessaidsomethingtotheothersinarapidwhisper。Theylookeddownatthewater。Sodidthemate。

"Hallo！"heexclaimed。"Eh，Mr。Almayer！Look！Thewaterisrunningout。Seethere！Wewillbecaught。"

"Back！back！Wemustgoback！"criedAlmayer。

"Perhapsbettergoon。"

"No；back！back！"

Hepulledatthesteeringline，andranthenoseoftheboatintothebank。Timewaslostagainingettingclear。

"Giveway，men！giveway！"urgedthemate，anxiously。

Themenpulledwithsetlipsanddilatednostrils，breathinghard。

"Toolate，"saidthemate，suddenly。"Theoarstouchthebottomalready。Wearedone。"

Theboatstuck。Themenlaidintheoars，andsat，panting，withcrossedarms。

"Yes，wearecaught，"saidAlmayer，composedly。"Thatisunlucky！"

Thewaterwasfallingroundtheboat。Thematewatchedthepatchesofmudcomingtothesurface。Theninamomenthelaughed，andpointinghisfingeratthecreek——

"Look！"hesaid；"theblamedriverisrunningawayfromus。

Here’sthelastdropofwaterclearingoutroundthatbend。"

Almayerliftedhishead。Thewaterwasgone，andhelookedonlyatacurvedtrackofmud——ofmudsoftandblack，hidingfever，rottenness，andevilunderitslevelandglazedsurface。

"Weareinforittilltheevening，"hesaid，withcheerfulresignation。"Ididmybest。Couldn’thelpit。"

"Wemustsleepthedayaway，"saidthemate。"There’snothingtoeat，"headded，gloomily。

Almayerstretchedhimselfinthesternsheets。TheMalayscurleddownbetweenthwarts。

"Well，I’mjiggered！"saidthemate，startingupafteralongpause。"Iwasinadevilofahurrytogoandpassthedaystuckinthemud。Here’saholidayforyou！Well！well！"

Theysleptorsatunmovingandpatient。Asthesunmountedhigherthebreezediedout，andperfectstillnessreignedintheemptycreek。Atroopoflong-nosedmonkeysappeared，andcrowdingontheouterboughs，contemplatedtheboatandthemotionlessmeninitwithgraveandsorrowfulintensity，disturbednowandthenbyirrationaloutbreaksofmadgesticulation。Alittlebirdwithsapphirebreastbalancedaslendertwigacrossaslantingbeamoflight，andflashedinittoandfrolikeagemdroppedfromthesky。Hisminuteroundeyestaredatthestrangeandtranquilcreaturesintheboat。Afterawhilehesentoutathintwitterthatsoundedimpertinentandfunnyinthesolemnsilenceofthegreatwilderness；inthegreatsilencefullofstruggleanddeath。

CHAPTERTHREE

OnLingard’sdeparturesolitudeandsilenceclosedroundWillems；

thecruelsolitudeofoneabandonedbymen；thereproachfulsilencewhichsurroundsanoutcastejectedbyhiskind，thesilenceunbrokenbytheslightestwhisperofhope；animmenseandimpenetrablesilencethatswallowsupwithoutechothemurmurofregretandthecryofrevolt。Thebitterpeaceoftheabandonedclearingsenteredhisheart，inwhichnothingcouldlivenowbutthememoryandhateofhispast。Notremorse。Inthebreastofamanpossessedbythemasterfulconsciousnessofhisindividualitywithitsdesiresanditsrights；bytheimmovableconvictionofhisownimportance，ofanimportancesoindisputableandfinalthatitclothesallhiswishes，endeavours，andmistakeswiththedignityofunavoidablefate，therecouldbenoplaceforsuchafeelingasthatofremorse。

Thedayspassed。Theypassedunnoticed，unseen，intherapidblazeofglaringsunrises，intheshortglowoftendersunsets，inthecrushingoppressionofhighnoonswithoutacloud。Howmanydays？Two——three——ormore？Hedidnotknow。Tohim，sinceLingardhadgone，thetimeseemedtorolloninprofounddarkness。Allwasnightwithinhim。Allwasgonefromhissight。Hewalkedaboutblindlyinthedesertedcourtyards，amongsttheemptyhousesthat，perchedhighontheirposts，lookeddowninimicallyonhim，awhitestranger，amanfromotherlands；seemedtolookhostileandmuteoutofallthememoriesofnativelifethatlingeredbetweentheirdecayingwalls。Hiswanderingfeetstumbledagainsttheblackenedbrandsofextinctfires，kickingupalightblackdustofcoldashesthatflewindriftingcloudsandsettledtoleewardonthefreshgrasssproutingfromthehardground，betweentheshadetrees。Hemovedon，andon；ceaseless，unresting，inwideningcircles，inzigzaggingpathsthatledtonoissue；hestruggledonwearilywithaset，distressedfacebehindwhich，inhistiredbrain，seethedhisthoughts:restless，sombre，tangled，chilling，horribleandvenomous，likeanestfulofsnakes。

Fromafar，theblearedeyesoftheoldservingwoman，thesombregazeofAissafollowedthegauntandtotteringfigureinitsunceasingprowlalongthefences，betweenthehouses，amongstthewildluxurianceofriversidethickets。Thosethreehumanbeingsabandonedbyallwerelikeshipwreckedpeopleleftonaninsecureandslipperyledgebytheretiringtideofanangrysea——listeningtoitsdistantroar，livinganguishedbetweenthemenaceofitsreturnandthehopelesshorroroftheirsolitude——inthemidstofatempestofpassion，ofregret，ofdisgust，ofdespair。Thebreathofthestormhadcasttwoofthemthere，robbedofeverything——evenofresignation。Thethird，thedecrepitwitnessoftheirstruggleandtheirtorture，acceptedherowndullconceptionoffacts；ofstrengthandyouthgone；ofheruselessoldage；ofherlastservitude；ofbeingthrownawaybyherchief，byhernearest，touseupthelastandworthlessremnantofflickeringlifebetweenthosetwoincomprehensibleandsombreoutcasts:ashrivelled，anunmoved，apassivecompanionoftheirdisaster。

TotheriverWillemsturnedhiseyeslikeacaptivethatlooksfixedlyatthedoorofhiscell。Iftherewasanyhopeintheworlditwouldcomefromtheriver，bytheriver。Forhourstogetherhewouldstandinsunlightwhiletheseabreezesweepingoverthelonelyreachflutteredhisraggedgarments；thekeensaltbreezethatmadehimshivernowandthenunderthefloodofintenseheat。Helookedatthebrownandsparklingsolitudeoftheflowingwater，ofthewaterflowingceaselessandfreeinasoft，coolmurmurofripplesathisfeet。Theworldseemedtoendthere。Theforestsoftheotherbankappearedunattainable，enigmatical，foreverbeyondreachlikethestarsofheaven——andasindifferent。Aboveandbelow，theforestsonhissideoftherivercamedowntothewaterinaserriedmultitudeoftall，immensetreestoweringinagreatspreadoftwistedboughsabovethethickundergrowth；great，solidtrees，lookingsombre，severe，andmalevolentlystolid，likeagiantcrowdofpitilessenemiespressingroundsilentlytowitnesshisslowagony。Hewasalone，small，crushed。Hethoughtofescape——ofsomethingtobedone。What？Araft！Heimaginedhimselfworkingatit，feverishly，desperately；cuttingdowntrees，fasteningthelogstogetherandthendriftingdownwiththecurrent，downtotheseaintothestraits。Therewereshipsthere——ships，help，whitemen。Menlikehimself。Goodmenwhowouldrescuehim，takehimaway，takehimfarawaywheretherewastrade，andhouses，andothermenthatcouldunderstandhimexactly，appreciatehiscapabilities；wheretherewasproperfood，andmoney；wheretherewerebeds，knives，forks，carriages，brassbands，cooldrinks，churcheswithwell-dressedpeopleprayinginthem。Hewouldprayalso。Thesuperiorlandofrefineddelightswherehecouldsitonachair，eathistiffinoffawhitetablecloth，nodtofellows——goodfellows；hewouldbepopular；alwayswas——wherehecouldbevirtuous，correct，dobusiness，drawasalary，smokecigars，buythingsinshops——haveboots……behappy，free，becomerich。OGod！Whatwaswanted？Cutdownafewtrees。

No！Onewoulddo。Theyusedtomakecanoesbyburningoutatreetrunk，hehadheard。Yes！Onewoulddo。Onetreetocutdown……Herushedforward，andsuddenlystoodstillasifrootedintheground。Hehadapocket-knife。

Andhewouldthrowhimselfdownonthegroundbytheriverside。

Hewastired，exhausted；asifthatrafthadbeenmade，thevoyageaccomplished，thefortuneattained。Aglazecameoverhisstaringeyes，overhiseyesthatgazedhopelesslyattherisingriverwherebiglogsanduprootedtreesdriftedintheshineofmid-stream:alongprocessionofblackandraggedspecks。Hecouldswimoutanddriftawayononeofthesetrees。Anythingtoescape！Anything！Anyrisk！Hecouldfastenhimselfupbetweenthedeadbranches。Hewastornbydesire，byfear；hisheartwaswrungbythefalteringofhiscourage。Heturnedover，facedownwards，hisheadonhisarms。Hehadaterriblevisionofshadowlesshorizonswheretheblueskyandtheblueseamet；oracircularandblazingemptinesswhereadeadtreeandadeadmandriftedtogether，endlessly，upanddown，uponthebrilliantundulationsofthestraits。Noshipsthere。Onlydeath。Andtheriverledtoit。

Hesatupwithaprofoundgroan。

Yes，death。Whyshouldhedie？No！Bettersolitude，betterhopelesswaiting，alone。Alone。No！hewasnotalone，hesawdeathlookingathimfromeverywhere；fromthebushes，fromtheclouds——heheardherspeakingtohiminthemurmuroftheriver，fillingthespace，touchinghisheart，hisbrainwithacoldhand。Hecouldseeandthinkofnothingelse。Hesawit——thesuredeath——everywhere。Hesawitsoclosethathewasalwaysonthepointofthrowingouthisarmstokeepitoff。Itpoisonedallhesaw，allhedid；themiserablefoodheate，themuddywaterhedrank；itgaveafrightfulaspecttosunrisesandsunsets，tothebrightnessofhotnoon，tothecoolingshadowsoftheevenings。Hesawthehorribleformamongthebigtrees，inthenetworkofcreepersinthefantasticoutlinesofleaves，ofthegreatindentedleavesthatseemedtobesomanyenormoushandswithbigbroadpalms，withstifffingersoutspreadtolayholdofhim；handsgentlystirring，orhandsarrestedinafrightfulimmobility，withastillnessattentiveandwatchingfortheopportunitytotakehim，toenlacehim，tostranglehim，toholdhimtillhedied；handsthatwouldholdhimdead，thatwouldneverletgo，thatwouldclingtohisbodyforevertillitperished——disappearedintheirfranticandtenaciousgrasp。

Andyettheworldwasfulloflife。Allthethings，allthemenheknew，existed，moved，breathed；andhesawtheminalongperspective，faroff，diminished，distinct，desirable，unattainable，precious……lostforever。Roundhim，ceaselessly，therewentonwithoutasoundthemadturmoiloftropicallife。Afterhehaddiedallthiswouldremain！Hewantedtoclasp，toembracesolidthings；hehadanimmensecravingforsensations；fortouching，pressing，seeing，handling，holdingon，toallthesethings。Allthiswouldremain——remainforyears，forages，forever。Afterhehadmiserablydiedthere，allthiswouldremain，wouldlive，wouldexistinjoyoussunlight，wouldbreatheinthecoolnessofserenenights。Whatfor，then？Hewouldbedead。Hewouldbestretcheduponthewarmmoistureoftheground，feelingnothing，seeingnothing，knowingnothing；hewouldliestiff，passive，rottingslowly；

whileoverhim，underhim，throughhim——unopposed，busy，hurried——theendlessandminutethrongsofinsects，littleshiningmonstersofrepulsiveshapes，withhorns，withclaws，withpincers，wouldswarminstreams，inrushes，ineagerstruggleforhisbody；wouldswarmcountless，persistent，ferociousandgreedy——tilltherewouldremainnothingbutthewhitegleamofbleachingbonesinthelonggrass；inthelonggrassthatwouldshootitsfeatheryheadsbetweenthebareandpolishedribs。Therewouldbethatonlyleftofhim；nobodywouldmisshim；noonewouldrememberhim。

Nonsense！Itcouldnotbe。Therewerewaysoutofthis。

Somebodywouldturnup。Somehumanbeingswouldcome。Hewouldspeak，entreat——useforcetoextorthelpfromthem。Hefeltstrong；hewasverystrong。Hewould……Thediscouragement，theconvictionofthefutilityofhishopeswouldreturninanacutesensationofpaininhisheart。Hewouldbeginagainhisaimlesswanderings。Hetrampedtillhewasreadytodrop，withoutbeingabletocalmbybodilyfatiguethetroubleofhissoul。Therewasnorest，nopeacewithintheclearedgroundsofhisprison。Therewasnoreliefbutintheblackreleaseofsleep，ofsleepwithoutmemoryandwithoutdreams；inthesleepcomingbrutalandheavy，liketheleadthatkills。Toforgetinannihilatingsleep；totumbleheadlong，asifstunned，outofdaylightintothenightofoblivion，wasforhimtheonly，therarerespitefromthisexistencewhichhelackedthecouragetoendure——ortoend。

Helived，hestruggledwiththeinarticulatedeliriumofhisthoughtsundertheeyesofthesilentAissa。Shesharedhistormentinthepoignantwonder，intheacutelonging，inthedespairinginabilitytounderstandthecauseofhisangerandofhisrepulsion；thehateofhislooks；themysteryofhissilence；

themenaceofhisrarewords——ofthosewordsinthespeechofwhitepeoplethatwerethrownatherwithrage，withcontempt，withtheevidentdesiretohurther；tohurtherwhohadgivenherself，herlife——allshehadtogive——tothatwhiteman；tohurtherwhohadwantedtoshowhimthewaytotruegreatness，whohadtriedtohelphim，inherwoman’sdreamofeverlasting，enduring，unchangeableaffection。Fromtheshortcontactwiththewhitesinthecrashingcollapseofheroldlife，thereremainedwithhertheimposingideaofirresistiblepowerandofruthlessstrength。Shehadfoundamanoftheirrace——andwithalltheirqualities。Allwhitesarealike。Butthisman’sheartwasfullofangeragainsthisownpeople，fullofangerexistingtherebythesideofhisdesireofher。Andtoherithadbeenanintoxicationofhopeforgreatthingsbornintheproudandtenderconsciousnessofherinfluence。Shehadheardthepassingwhisperofwonderandfearinthepresenceofhishesitation，ofhisresistance，ofhiscompromises；andyetwithawoman’sbeliefinthedurablesteadfastnessofhearts，intheirresistiblecharmofherownpersonality，shehadpushedhimforward，trustingthefuture，blindly，hopefully；suretoattainbyhissidetheardentdesireofherlife，ifshecouldonlypushhimfarbeyondthepossibilityofretreat。Shedidnotknow，andcouldnotconceive，anythingofhis——soexalted——ideals。Shethoughtthemanawarriorandachief，readyforbattle，violence，andtreacherytohisownpeople——forher。Whatmorenatural？Washenotagreat，strongman？Thosetwo，surroundedeachbytheimpenetrablewalloftheiraspirations，werehopelesslyalone，outofsight，outofearshotofeachother；eachthecentreofdissimilaranddistanthorizons；standingeachonadifferentearth，underadifferentsky。Sherememberedhiswords，hiseyes，histremblinglips，hisoutstretchedhands；sherememberedthegreat，theimmeasurablesweetnessofhersurrender，thatbeginningofherpowerwhichwastolastuntildeath。Herememberedthequaysidesandthewarehouses；theexcitementofalifeinawhirlofsilvercoins；thegloriousuncertaintyofamoneyhunt；hisnumeroussuccesses，thelostpossibilitiesofwealthandconsequentglory。She，awoman，wasthevictimofherheart，ofherwoman’sbeliefthatthereisnothingintheworldbutlove——theeverlastingthing。Hewasthevictimofhisstrangeprinciples，ofhiscontinence，ofhisblindbeliefinhimself，ofhissolemnvenerationforthevoiceofhisboundlessignorance。

Inamomentofhisidleness，ofsuspense，ofdiscouragement，shehadcome——thatcreature——andbythetouchofherhandhaddestroyedhisfuture，hisdignityofacleverandcivilizedman；

hadawakenedinhisbreasttheinfamousthingwhichhaddrivenhimtowhathehaddone，andtoendmiserablyinthewildernessandbeforgotten，orelserememberedwithhateorcontempt。Hedarednotlookather，becausenowwheneverhelookedatherhisthoughtseemedtotouchcrime，likeanoutstretchedhand。Shecouldonlylookathim——andatnothingelse。Whatelsewasthere？Shefollowedhimwithatimorousgaze，withagazeforeverexpecting，patient，andentreating。Andinhereyestherewasthewonderanddesolationofananimalthatknowsonlysuffering，oftheincompletesoulthatknowspainbutknowsnothope；thatcanfindnorefugefromthefactsoflifeintheillusoryconvictionofitsdignity，ofanexalteddestinybeyond；

intheheavenlyconsolationofabeliefinthemomentousoriginofitshate。

ForthefirstthreedaysafterLingardwentawayhewouldnotevenspeaktoher。Shepreferredhissilencetothesoundofhatedandincomprehensiblewordshehadbeenlatelyaddressingtoherwithawildviolenceofmanner，passingatonceintocompleteapathy。Andduringthesethreedayshehardlyeverlefttheriver，asifonthatmuddybankhehadfelthimselfnearertohisfreedom。Hewouldstaylate；hewouldstaytillsunset；hewouldlookattheglowofgoldpassingawayamongstsombrecloudsinabrightredflush，likeasplashofwarmblood。Itseemedtohimominousandghastlywithaforebodingofviolentdeaththatbeckonedhimfromeverywhere——evenfromthesky。

Oneeveningheremainedbytheriversidelongaftersunset，regardlessofthenightmistthathadclosedroundhim，hadwrappedhimupandclungtohimlikeawetwinding-sheet。A

slightshiverrecalledhimtohissenses，andhewalkedupthecourtyardtowardshishouse。Aissarosefrombeforethefire，thatglimmeredredthroughitsownsmoke，whichhungthickeningundertheboughsofthebigtree。Sheapproachedhimfromthesideashenearedtheplankwayofthehouse。Hesawherstoptolethimbeginhisascent。Inthedarknessherfigurewasliketheshadowofawomanwithclaspedhandsputoutbeseechingly。Hestopped——couldnothelpglancingather。Inallthesombregracefulnessofthestraightfigure，herlimbs，features——allwasindistinctandvaguebutthegleamofhereyesinthefaintstarlight。Heturnedhisheadawayandmovedon。Hecouldfeelherfootstepsbehindhimonthebendingplanks，buthewalkedupwithoutturninghishead。Heknewwhatshewanted。Shewantedtocomeinthere。Heshudderedatthethoughtofwhatmighthappenintheimpenetrabledarknessofthathouseiftheyweretofindthemselvesalone——evenforamoment。Hestoppedinthedoorway，andheardhersay——

"Letmecomein。Whythisanger？Whythissilence？……Letmewatch……byyourside……HaveInotwatchedfaithfully？

DidharmevercometoyouwhenyouclosedyoureyeswhileIwasby？……Ihavewaited……Ihavewaitedforyoursmile，foryourwords……Icanwaitnomore……Lookatme……

speaktome。Isthereabadspiritinyou？Abadspiritthathaseatenupyourcourageandyourlove？Letmetouchyou。

Forgetall……All。Forgetthewickedhearts，theangryfaces……andrememberonlythedayIcametoyou……toyou！Omyheart！Omylife！"

Thepleadingsadnessofherappealfilledthespacewiththetremorofherlowtones，thatcarriedtendernessandtearsintothegreatpeaceofthesleepingworld。Allaroundthemtheforests，theclearings，theriver，coveredbythesilentveilofnight，seemedtowakeupandlistentoherwordsinattentivestillness。Afterthesoundofhervoicehaddiedoutinastifledsightheyappearedtolistenyet；andnothingstirredamongtheshapelessshadowsbuttheinnumerablefirefliesthattwinkledinchangingclusters，inglidingpairs，inwanderingandsolitarypoints——liketheglimmeringdriftofscatteredstar-dust。

Willemsturnedroundslowly，reluctantly，asifcompelledbymainforce。Herfacewashiddeninherhands，andhelookedaboveherbenthead，intothesombrebrillianceofthenight。Itwasoneofthosenightsthatgivetheimpressionofextremevastness，whentheskyseemshigher，whenthepassingpuffsoftepidbreezeseemtobringwiththemfaintwhispersfrombeyondthestars。

Theairwasfullofsweetscent，ofthescentcharming，penetrating。andviolentliketheimpulseoflove。Helookedintothatgreatdarkplaceodorouswiththebreathoflife，withthemysteryofexistence，renewed，fecund，indestructible；andhefeltafraidofhissolitude，ofthesolitudeofhisbody，ofthelonelinessofhissoulinthepresenceofthisunconsciousandardentstruggle，ofthisloftyindifference，ofthismercilessandmysteriouspurpose，perpetuatingstrifeanddeaththroughthemarchofages。Forthesecondtimeinhislifehefelt，inasuddensenseofhissignificance，theneedtosendacryforhelpintothewilderness，andforthesecondtimeherealizedthehopelessnessofitsunconcern。Hecouldshoutforhelponeveryside——andnobodywouldanswer。Hecouldstretchouthishands，hecouldcallforaid，forsupport，forsympathy，forrelief——andnobodywouldcome。Nobody。Therewasnoonethere——butthatwoman。

Hisheartwasmoved，softenedwithpityathisownabandonment。