第5章

hiswivesfurtherin；thechildrenwiththeirmothers。Shecouldheartheirbreathing；Bulangi"ssleepyvoice；thesharpcryofachildsoonhushedwithtenderwords。Andsheclosedhereyestothemurmurofthewaterbelowher，tothewhisperofthewarmwindabove，ignorantofthenever-ceasinglifeofthattropicalnaturethatspoketoherinvainwiththethousandfaintvoicesofthenearforest，withthebreathoftepidwind；intheheavyscentsthatlingeredaroundherhead；inthewhitewraithsofmorningmistthathungoverherinthesolemnhushofallcreationbeforethedawn。

Suchhadbeenherexistencebeforethecomingofthebrigwiththestrangers。Sherememberedwellthattime；theuproarinthesettlement，thenever-endingwonder，thedaysandnightsoftalkandexcitement。Sherememberedherowntimiditywiththestrangemen，tillthebrigmooredtothebankbecameinamannerpartofthesettlement，andthefearworeoffinthefamiliarityofconstantintercourse。Thecallonboardthenbecamepartofherdailyround。Shewalkedhesitatinglyuptheslantingplanksofthegangwayamidsttheencouragingshoutsandmoreorlessdecentjokesofthemenidlingoverthebulwarks。Thereshesoldherwarestothosementhatspokesoloudandcarriedthemselvessofree。Therewasathrong，aconstantcomingandgoing；callsinterchanged，ordersgivenandexecutedwithshouts；therattleofblocks，theflingingaboutofcoilsofrope。Shesatoutofthewayundertheshadeoftheawning，withhertraybeforeher，theveildrawnwelloverherface，feelingshyamongstsomanymen。Shesmiledatallbuyers，butspoketonone，lettingtheirjestspasswithstolidunconcern。Sheheardmanytalestoldaroundheroffar-offcountries，ofstrangecustoms，ofeventsstrangerstill。Thosemenwerebrave；butthemostfearlessofthemspokeoftheirchiefwithfear。Oftenthemantheycalledtheirmasterpassedbeforeher，walkingerectandindifferent，intheprideofyouth，intheflashofrichdress，withatinkleofgoldornaments，whileeverybodystoodasidewatchinganxiouslyforamovementofhislips，readytodohisbidding。Thenallherlifeseemedtorushintohereyes，andfromunderherveilshegazedathim，charmed，yetfearfultoattractattention。Onedayhenoticedherandasked，"Whoisthatgirl？""Aslave，Tuan！Agirlthatsellscakes，"adozenvoicesrepliedtogether。

Sheroseinterrortorunonshore，whenhecalledherback；andasshestoodtremblingwithheadhungdownbeforehim，hespokekindwords，liftingherchinwithhishandandlookingintohereyeswithasmile。"Donotbeafraid，"hesaid。Heneverspoketoheranymore。Somebodycalledoutfromtheriverbank；heturnedawayandforgotherexistence。TaminahsawAlmayerstandingontheshorewithNinaonhisarm。SheheardNina"svoicecallingoutgaily，andsawDain"sfacebrightenwithjoyasheleapedonshore。Shehatedthesoundofthatvoiceeversince。

AfterthatdaysheleftoffvisitingAlmayer"scompound，andpassedthenoonhoursundertheshadeofthebrigawning。Shewatchedforhiscomingwithheartbeatingquickerandquicker，asheapproached，intoawildtumultofnewly-arousedfeelingsofjoyandhopeandfearthatdiedawaywithDain"sretreatingfigure，leavinghertiredout，asifafterastruggle，sittingstillforalongtimeindreamylanguor。Thenshepaddledhomeslowlyintheafternoon，oftenlettinghercanoefloatwiththelazystreaminthequietbackwateroftheriver。Thepaddlehungidleinthewaterasshesatinthestern，onehandsupportingherchin，hereyeswideopen，listeningintentlytothewhisperingofherheartthatseemedtoswellatlastintoasongofextremesweetness。Listeningtothatsongshehuskedthericeathome；itdulledherearstotheshrillbickeringsofBulangi"swives，tothesoundofangryreproachesaddressedtoherself。

Andwhenthesunwasnearitssettingshewalkedtothebathing-placeandhearditasshestoodonthetendergrassofthelowbank，herrobeatherfeet，andlookedatthereflectionofherfigureontheglass-likesurfaceofthecreek。Listeningtoitshewalkedslowlyback，herwethairhangingoverhershoulders；layingdowntorestunderthebrightstars，sheclosedhereyestothemurmurofthewaterbelow，ofthewarmwindabove；tothevoiceofnaturespeakingthroughthefaintnoisesofthegreatforest，andtothesongofherownheart。

Sheheard，butdidnotunderstand，anddrankinthedreamyjoyofhernewexistencewithouttroublingaboutitsmeaningoritsend，tillthefullconsciousnessoflifecametoherthroughpainandanger。AndshesufferedhorriblythefirsttimeshesawNina"slongcanoedriftsilentlypastthesleepinghouseofBulangi，bearingthetwoloversintothewhitemistofthegreatriver。

Herjealousyandrageculminatedintoaparoxysmofphysicalpainthatleftherlyingpantingontheriverbank，inthedumbagonyofawoundedanimal。Butshewentonmovingpatientlyintheenchantedcircleofslavery，goingthroughhertaskdayafterdaywithallthepathosofthegriefshecouldnotexpress，eventoherself，lockedwithinherbreast。SheshrankfromNinaasshewouldhaveshrunkfromthesharpbladeofaknifecuttingintoherflesh，butshekeptonvisitingthebrigtofeedherdumb，ignorantsoulonherowndespair。ShesawDainmanytimes。

Heneverspoke，heneverlooked。Couldhiseyesseeonlyonewoman"simage？Couldhisearshearonlyonewoman"svoice？

Henevernoticedher；notonce。

Andthenhewentaway。ShesawhimandNinaforthelasttimeonthatmorningwhenBabalatchi，whilevisitinghisfishbaskets，hadhissuspicionsofthewhiteman"sdaughter"sloveaffairwithDainconfirmedbeyondtheshadowofdoubt。Daindisappeared，andTaminah"sheart，wherelayuselessandbarrentheseedsofallloveandofallhate，thepossibilitiesofallpassionsandofallsacrifices，forgotitsjoysanditssufferingswhendeprivedofthehelpofthesenses。Herhalf-formed，savagemind，theslaveofherbody——asherbodywastheslaveofanother"swill——forgotthefaintandvagueimageoftheidealthathadfounditsbeginninginthephysicalpromptingsofhersavagenature。Shedroppedbackintothetorporofherformerlifeandfoundconsolation——evenacertainkindofhappiness——inthethoughtthatnowNinaandDainwereseparated，probablyforever。

Hewouldforget。Thisthoughtsoothedthelastpangsofdyingjealousythathadnothingnowtofeedupon，andTaminahfoundpeace。Itwaslikethedrearytranquillityofadesert，wherethereispeaceonlybecausethereisnolife。

Andnowhehadreturned。ShehadrecognisedhisvoicecallingaloudinthenightforBulangi。Shehadcreptoutafterhermastertolistenclosertotheintoxicatingsound。Dainwasthere，inaboat，talkingtoBulangi。Taminah，listeningwitharrestedbreath，heardanothervoice。Themaddeningjoy，thatonlyasecondbeforeshethoughtherselfincapableofcontainingwithinherfast-beatingheart，diedout，andlefthershiveringintheoldanguishofphysicalpainthatshehadsufferedoncebeforeatthesightofDainandNina。Ninaspokenow，orderingandentreatinginturns，andBulangiwasrefusing，expostulating，atlastconsenting。Hewentintotakeapaddlefromtheheaplyingbehindthedoor。Outsidethemurmuroftwovoiceswenton，andshecaughtawordhereandthere。Sheunderstoodthathewasfleeingfromwhitemen，thathewasseekingahiding-place，thathewasinsomedanger。Butsheheardalsowordswhichwoketherageofjealousythathadbeenasleepforsomanydaysinherbosom。Crouchinglowonthemudintheblackdarknessamongstthepiles，sheheardthewhisperintheboatthatmadelightoftoil，ofprivation，ofdanger，oflifeitself，ifinexchangetherecouldbebutashortmomentofcloseembrace，alookfromtheeyes，thefeeloflightbreath，thetouchofsoftlips。SospokeDainashesatinthecanoeholdingNina"shandswhilewaitingforBulangi"sreturn；andTaminah，supportingherselfbytheslimypile，feltasifaheavyweightwascrushingherdown，downintotheblackoilywateratherfeet。Shewantedtocryout；torushatthemandteartheirvagueshadowsapart；tothrowNinaintothesmoothwater，clingtoherclose，holdhertothebottomwherethatmancouldnotfindher。Shecouldnotcry，shecouldnotmove。Thenfootstepswereheardonthebambooplatformaboveherhead；shesawBulangigetintohissmallestcanoeandtakethelead，theotherboatfollowing，paddledbyDainandNina。Withaslightsplashofthepaddlesdippedstealthilyintothewater，theirindistinctformspassedbeforeherachingeyesandvanishedinthedarknessofthecreek。

Sheremainedthereinthecoldandwet，powerlesstomove，breathingpainfullyunderthecrushingweightthatthemysterioushandofFatehadlaidsosuddenlyuponherslendershoulders，andshivering，shefeltwithinaburningfire，thatseemedtofeeduponherverylife。Whenthebreakingdayhadspreadapalegoldenribbonovertheblackoutlineoftheforests，shetookuphertrayanddepartedtowardsthesettlement，goingabouthertaskpurelyfromtheforceofhabit。AssheapproachedSambirshecouldseetheexcitementandsheheardwithmomentarysurpriseofthefindingofDain"sbody。Itwasnottrue，ofcourse。Sheknewitwell。Sheregrettedthathewasnotdead。

SheshouldhavelikedDaintobedead，soastobepartedfromthatwoman——fromallwomen。ShefeltastrongdesiretoseeNina，butwithoutanyclearobject。Shehatedher，andfearedherandshefeltanirresistibleimpulsepushinghertowardsAlmayer"shousetoseethewhitewoman"sface，tolookcloseatthoseeyes，tohearagainthatvoice，forthesoundofwhichDainwasreadytoriskhisliberty，hislifeeven。Shehadseenhermanytimes；shehadheardhervoicedailyformanymonthspast。

Whatwasthereinher？WhatwasthereinthatbeingtomakeamanspeakasDainhadspoken，tomakehimblindtoallotherfaces，deaftoallothervoices？

Sheleftthecrowdbytheriverside，andwanderedaimlesslyamongtheemptyhouses，resistingtheimpulsethatpushedhertowardsAlmayer"scampongtoseekthereinNina"seyesthesecretofherownmisery。Thesunmountinghigher，shortenedtheshadowsandpoureddownuponherafloodoflightandofstiflingheatasshepassedonfromshadowtolight，fromlighttoshadow，amongstthehouses，thebushes，thetalltrees，inherunconsciousflightfromthepaininherownheart。Intheextremityofherdistressshecouldfindnowordstoprayforrelief，sheknewofnoheaventosendherprayerto，andshewanderedonwithtiredfeetinthedumbsurpriseandterrorattheinjusticeofthesufferinginflicteduponherwithoutcauseandwithoutredress。

TheshorttalkwithReshid，theproposalofAbdullasteadiedheralittleandturnedherthoughtsintoanotherchannel。Dainwasinsomedanger。Hewashidingfromwhitemen。Somuchshehadoverheardlastnight。Theyallthoughthimdead。Sheknewhewasalive，andsheknewofhishiding-place。WhatdidtheArabswanttoknowaboutthewhitemen？ThewhitemenwantwithDain？

Didtheywishtokillhim？Shecouldtellthemall——no，shewouldsaynothing，andinthenightshewouldgotohimandsellhimhislifeforaword，forasmile，foragestureeven，andbehisslaveinfar-offcountries，awayfromNina。Butthereweredangers。Theone-eyedBabalatchiwhokneweverything；thewhiteman"swife——shewasawitch。Perhapstheywouldtell。AndthentherewasNina。Shemusthurryonandsee。

InherimpatiencesheleftthepathandrantowardsAlmayer"sdwellingthroughtheundergrowthbetweenthepalmtrees。Shecameoutatthebackofthehouse，whereanarrowditch，fullofstagnantwaterthatoverflowedfromtheriver，separatedAlmayer"scampongfromtherestofthesettlement。Thethickbushesgrowingonthebankwerehidingfromhersightthelargecourtyardwithitscookingshed。Abovethemroseseveralthincolumnsofsmoke，andfrombehindthesoundofstrangevoicesinformedTaminahthattheMenoftheSeabelongingtothewarshiphadalreadylandedandwerecampedbetweentheditchandthehouse。TotheleftoneofAlmayer"sslave-girlscamedowntotheditchandbentovertheshinywater，washingakettle。Totherightthetopsofthebananaplantation，visibleabovethebushes，swayedandshookunderthetouchofinvisiblehandsgatheringthefruit。Onthecalmwaterseveralcanoesmooredtoaheavystakewerecrowdedtogether，nearlybridgingtheditchjustattheplacewhereTaminahstood。Thevoicesinthecourtyardroseattimesintoanoutburstofcalls，replies，andlaughter，andthendiedawayintoasilencethatsoonwasbrokenagainbyafreshclamour。Nowandagainthethinbluesmokerushedoutthickerandblacker，anddroveinodorousmassesoverthecreek，wrappingherforamomentinasuffocatingveil；then，asthefreshwoodcaughtwellalight，thesmokevanishedinthebrightsunlight，andonlythescentofaromaticwooddriftedafar，toleewardofthecracklingfires。

Taminahrestedhertrayonastumpofatree，andremainedstandingwithhereyesturnedtowardsAlmayer"shouse，whoseroofandpartofawhitewashedwallwerevisibleoverthebushes。Theslave-girlfinishedherwork，andafterlookingforawhilecuriouslyatTaminah，pushedherwaythroughthedensethicketbacktothecourtyard。RoundTaminahtherewasnowacompletesolitude。Shethrewherselfdownontheground，andhidherfaceinherhands。NowwhensocloseshehadnocouragetoseeNina。

AteveryburstofloudervoicesfromthecourtyardsheshiveredinthefearofhearingNina"svoice。Shecametotheresolutionofwaitingwhereshewastilldark，andthengoingstraighttoDain"shiding-place。Fromwhereshewasshecouldwatchthemovementsofwhitemen，ofNina，ofallDain"sfriends，andofallhisenemies。Bothwerehatefulaliketoher，forbothwouldtakehimawaybeyondherreach。Shehidherselfinthelonggrasstowaitanxiouslyforthesunsetthatseemedsoslowtocome。

Ontheothersideoftheditch，behindthebush，bytheclearfires，theseamenofthefrigatehadencampedonthehospitableinvitationofAlmayer。Almayer，rousedoutofhisapathybytheprayersandimportunityofNina，hadmanagedtogetdownintimetothejettysoastoreceivetheofficersattheirlanding。ThelieutenantincommandacceptedhisinvitationtohishousewiththeremarkthatinanycasetheirbusinesswaswithAlmayer——andperhapsnotverypleasant，headded。Almayerhardlyheardhim。

Heshookhandswiththemabsentlyandledthewaytowardsthehouse。Hewasscarcelyconsciousofthepolitewordsofwelcomehegreetedthestrangerswith，andafterwardsrepeatedseveraltimesoveragaininhiseffortstoappearatease。Theagitationoftheirhostdidnotescapetheofficer"seyes，andthechiefconfidedtohissubordinate，inalowvoice，hisdoubtsastoAlmayer"ssobriety。Theyoungsub-lieutenantlaughedandexpressedinawhisperthehopethatthewhitemanwasnotintoxicatedenoughtoneglecttheofferofsomerefreshments。

"Hedoesnotseemverydangerous，"headded，astheyfollowedAlmayerupthestepsoftheverandah。

"No，heseemsmoreofafoolthanaknave；Ihaveheardofhim，"

returnedthesenior。

Theysataroundthetable。Almayerwithshakinghandsmadegincocktails，offeredthemallround，anddrankhimself，witheverygulpfeelingstronger，steadier，andbetterabletofaceallthedifficultiesofhisposition。Ignorantofthefateofthebrighedidnotsuspecttherealobjectoftheofficer"svisit。Hehadageneralnotionthatsomethingmusthaveleakedoutaboutthegunpowdertrade，butapprehendednothingbeyondsometemporaryinconveniences。Afteremptyinghisglasshebegantochateasily，lyingbackinhischairwithoneofhislegsthrownnegligentlyoverthearm。Thelieutenantastrideonhischair，aglowingcherootinthecornerofhismouth，listenedwithaslysmilefrombehindthethickvolumesofsmokethatescapedfromhiscompressedlips。Theyoungsub-lieutenant，leaningwithbothelbowsonthetable，hisheadbetweenhishands，lookedonsleepilyinthetorporinducedbyfatigueandthegin。Almayertalkedon——

"Itisagreatpleasuretoseewhitefaceshere。Ihavelivedheremanyyearsingreatsolitude。TheMalays，youunderstand，arenotcompanyforawhiteman；moreovertheyarenotfriendly；

theydonotunderstandourways。Greatrascalstheyare。

I

believeIamtheonlywhitemanontheeastcoastthatisasettledresident。WegetvisitorsfromMacassarorSingaporesometimes——traders，agents，orexplorers，buttheyarerare。

Therewasascientificexplorerhereayearormoreago。Helivedinmyhouse：drankfrommorningtonight。Helivedjoyouslyforafewmonths，andwhentheliquorhebroughtwithhimwasgonehereturnedtoBataviawithareportonthemineralwealthoftheinterior。Ha，ha，ha！Good，isitnot？"

Heceasedabruptlyandlookedathisguestswithameaninglessstare。Whiletheylaughedhewasrecitingtohimselftheoldstory："Daindead，allmyplansdestroyed。Thisistheendofallhopeandofallthings。"Hisheartsankwithinhim。

Hefeltakindofdeadlysickness。

"Verygood。Capital！"exclaimedbothofficers。Almayercameoutofhisdespondencywithanotherburstoftalk。

"Eh！whataboutthedinner？Youhavegotacookwithyou。

That"sallright。Thereisacookingshedintheothercourtyard。Icangiveyouagoose。Lookatmygeese——theonlygeeseontheeastcoast——perhapsonthewholeisland。Isthatyourcook？Verygood。Here，Ali，showthisChinamanthecookingplaceandtellMemAlmayertolethimhaveroomthere。Mywife，gentlemen，doesnotcomeout；mydaughtermay。Meantimehavesomemoredrink。Itisahotday。"

Thelieutenanttookthecigaroutofhismouth，lookedattheashcritically，shookitoffandturnedtowardsAlmayer。

"Wehavearatherunpleasantbusinesswithyou，"hesaid。

"Iamsorry，"returnedAlmayer。"Itcanbenothingveryserious，surely。"

"Ifyouthinkanattempttoblowupfortymenatleast，notaseriousmatteryouwillnotfindmanypeopleofyouropinion，"

retortedtheofficersharply。

"Blowup！What？Iknownothingaboutit"exclaimedAlmayer。

"Whodidthat，ortriedtodoit？"

"Amanwithwhomyouhadsomedealings，"answeredthelieutenant。

"HepassedhereunderthenameofDainMaroola。Yousoldhimthegunpowderhehadinthatbrigwecaptured。"

"Howdidyouhearaboutthebrig？"askedAlmayer。"Iknownothingaboutthepowderhemayhavehad。"

"AnArabtraderofthisplacehassenttheinformationaboutyourgoingsonheretoBatavia，acoupleofmonthsago，"saidtheofficer。"Wewerewaitingforthebrigoutside，butheslippedpastusatthemouthoftheriver，andwehadtochasethefellowtothesouthward。Whenhesightedusheraninsidethereefsandputthebrigashore。Thecrewescapedinboatsbeforewecouldtakepossession。Asourboatsnearedthecraftitblewupwithatremendousexplosion；oneoftheboatsbeingtooneargotswamped。Twomendrowned——thatistheresultofyourspeculation，Mr。Almayer。NowwewantthisDain。WehavegoodgroundstosupposeheishidinginSambir。Doyouknowwhereheis？Youhadbetterputyourselfrightwiththeauthoritiesasmuchaspossiblebybeingperfectlyfrankwithme。

WhereisthisDain？"

Almayergotupandwalkedtowardsthebalustradeoftheverandah。

Heseemednottobethinkingoftheofficer"squestion。Helookedatthebodylayingstraightandrigidunderitswhitecoveronwhichthesun，decliningamongstthecloudstothewestward，threwapaletingeofred。Thelieutenantwaitedfortheanswer，takingquickpullsathishalf-extinguishedcigar。

BehindthemAlimovednoiselesslylayingthetable，rangingsolemnlytheill-assortedandshabbycrockery，thetinspoons，theforkswithbrokenprongs，andthekniveswithsaw-likebladesandloosehandles。Hehadalmostforgottenhowtopreparethetableforwhitemen。Hefeltaggrieved；MemNinawouldnothelphim。Hesteppedbacktolookathisworkadmiringly，feelingveryproud。Thismustberight；andifthemasterafterwardsisangryandswears，thensomuchtheworseforMemNina。Whydidshenothelp？Helefttheverandahtofetchthedinner。

"Well，Mr。Almayer，willyouanswermyquestionasfranklyasitisputtoyou？"askedthelieutenant，afteralongsilence。

Almayerturnedroundandlookedathisinterlocutorsteadily。

"IfyoucatchthisDainwhatwillyoudowithhim？"heasked。

Theofficer"sfaceflushed。"Thisisnotananswer，"hesaid，annoyed。

"Andwhatwillyoudowithme？"wentonAlmayer，notheedingtheinterruption。

"Areyouinclinedtobargain？"growledtheother。"Itwouldbebadpolicy，Iassureyou。AtpresentIhavenoordersaboutyourperson，butweexpectedyourassistanceincatchingthisMalay。"

"Ah！"interruptedAlmayer，"justso：youcandonothingwithoutme，andI，knowingthemanwell，amtohelpyouinfindinghim。"

"Thisisexactlywhatweexpect，"assentedtheofficer。"Youhavebrokenthelaw，Mr。Almayer，andyououghttomakeamends。"

"Andsavemyself？"

"Well，inasenseyes。Yourheadisnotinanydanger，"saidthelieutenant，withashortlaugh。

"Verywell，"saidAlmayer，withdecision，"Ishalldeliverthemanuptoyou。"

Bothofficersrosetotheirfeetquickly，andlookedfortheirside-armswhichtheyhadunbuckled。Almayerlaughedharshly。

"Steady，gentlemen！"heexclaimed。"Inmyowntimeandinmyownway。Afterdinner，gentlemen，youshallhavehim。"

"Thisispreposterous，"urgedthelieutenant。"Mr。Almayer，thisisnojokingmatter。Themanisacriminal。Hedeservestohang。Whilewedinehemayescape；therumourofourarrival——"

Almayerwalkedtowardsthetable。"Igiveyoumywordofhonour，gentlemen，thatheshallnotescape；Ihavehimsafeenough。"

"Thearrestshouldbeeffectedbeforedark，"remarkedtheyoungsub。

"Ishallholdyouresponsibleforanyfailure。Weareready，butcandonothingjustnowwithoutyou，"addedthesenior，withevidentannoyance。

Almayermadeagestureofassent。"Onmywordofhonour，"herepeatedvaguely。"Andnowletusdine，"headdedbriskly。

NinacamethroughthedoorwayandstoodforamomentholdingthecurtainasideforAliandtheoldMalaywomanbearingthedishes；

thenshemovedtowardsthethreemenbythetable。

"Allowme，"saidAlmayer，pompously。"Thisismydaughter。

Nina，thesegentlemen，officersofthefrigateoutside，havedonemethehonourtoacceptmyhospitality。"

Ninaansweredthelowbowsofthetwoofficersbyaslowinclinationoftheheadandtookherplaceatthetableoppositeherfather。Allsatdown。Thecoxswainofthesteamlaunchcameupcarryingsomebottlesofwine。

"Youwillallowmetohavethisputuponthetable？"saidthelieutenanttoAlmayer。

"What！Wine！Youareverykind。Certainly，Ihavenonemyself。

Timesareveryhard。"

ThelastwordsofhisreplywerespokenbyAlmayerinafalteringvoice。ThethoughtthatDainwasdeadrecurredtohimvividlyagain，andhefeltasifaninvisiblehandwasgrippinghisthroat。Hereachedfortheginbottlewhiletheywereuncorkingthewineandswallowedabiggulp。Thelieutenant，whowasspeakingtoNina，gavehimaquickglance。TheyoungsubbegantorecoverfromtheastonishmentandconfusioncausedbyNina"sunexpectedappearanceandgreatbeauty。"Shewasverybeautifulandimposing，"hereflected，"butafterallahalf-castegirl。"

ThisthoughtcausedhimtopluckupheartandlookatNinasideways。Nina，withcomposedface，wasansweringinalow，evenvoicetheelderofficer"spolitequestionsastothecountryandhermodeoflife。Almayerpushedhisplateawayanddrankhisguest"swineingloomysilence。

chapter09

CHAPTERIX。

"CanIbelievewhatyoutellme？Itislikeataleformenthatlistenonlyhalfawakebythecampfire，anditseemstohaverunoffawoman"stongue。"

"Whoistherehereformetodeceive，ORajah？"answeredBabalatchi。"WithoutyouIamnothing。AllIhavetoldyouI

believetobetrue。Ihavebeensafeformanyyearsinthehollowofyourhand。Thisisnotimetoharboursuspicions。

Thedangerisverygreat。Weshouldadviseandactatonce，beforethesunsets。"

"Right。Right，"mutteredLakamba，pensively。

TheyhadbeensittingforthelasthourtogetherintheaudiencechamberoftheRajah"shouse，forBabalatchi，assoonashehadwitnessedthelandingoftheDutchofficers，hadcrossedtherivertoreporttohismastertheeventsofthemorning，andtoconferwithhimuponthelineofconducttopursueinthefaceofalteredcircumstances。Theywerebothpuzzledandfrightenedbytheunexpectedturntheeventshadtaken。TheRajah，sittingcrossleggedonhischair，lookedfixedlyatthefloor；Babalatchiwassquattingclosebyinanattitudeofdeepdejection。

"Andwheredidyousayheishidingnow？"askedLakamba，breakingatlastthesilencefullofgloomyforebodingsinwhichtheybothhadbeenlostforalongwhile。

"InBulangi"sclearing——thefurthestone，awayfromthehouse。

Theywenttherethatverynight。Thewhiteman"sdaughtertookhimthere。Shetoldmesoherself，speakingtomeopenly，forsheishalfwhiteandhasnodecency。Shesaidshewaswaitingforhimwhilehewashere；then，afteralongtime，hecameoutofthedarknessandfellatherfeetexhausted。Helaylikeonedead，butshebroughthimbacktolifeinherarms，andmadehimbreatheagainwithherownbreath。Thatiswhatshesaid，speakingtomyface，asIamspeakingnowtoyou，Rajah。Sheislikeawhitewomanandknowsnoshame。"

Hepaused，deeplyshocked。Lakambanoddedhishead。"Well，andthen？"heasked。

"Theycalledtheoldwoman，"wentonBabalatchi，"andhetoldthemall——aboutthebrig，andhowhetriedtokillmanymen。HeknewtheOrangBlandawereverynear，althoughhehadsaidnothingtousaboutthat；heknewhisgreatdanger。Hethoughthehadkilledmany，buttherewereonlytwodead，asIhaveheardfromthemenoftheseathatcameinthewarship"sboats。"

"Andtheotherman，hethatwasfoundintheriver？"interruptedLakamba。

"Thatwasoneofhisboatmen。Whenhiscanoewasoverturnedbythelogsthosetwoswamtogether，buttheothermanmusthavebeenhurt。Dainswam，holdinghimup。Helefthiminthebusheswhenhewentuptothehouse。Whentheyallcamedownhishearthadceasedtobeat；thentheoldwomanspoke；Dainthoughtitwasgood。Hetookoffhisankletandbrokeit，twistingitroundtheman"sfoot。Hisringheputonthatslave"shand。Hetookoffhissarongandclothedthatthingthatwantednoclothes，thetwowomenholdingitupmeanwhile，theirintentbeingtodeceivealleyesandtomisleadthemindsinthesettlement，sothattheycouldsweartothethingthatwasnot，andthattherecouldbenotreacherywhenthewhite-mencame。ThenDainandthewhitewomandepartedtocallupBulangiandfindahiding-place。Theoldwomanremainedbythebody。"

"Hai！"exclaimedLakamba。"Shehaswisdom。"

"Yes，shehasaDevilofherowntowhispercounselinherear，"

assentedBabalatchi。"Shedraggedthebodywithgreattoiltothepointwheremanylogswerestranded。Allthesethingsweredoneinthedarknessafterthestormhadpassedaway。Thenshewaited。Atthefirstsignofdaylightshebatteredthefaceofthedeadwithaheavystone，andshepushedhimamongstthelogs。

Sheremainednear，watching。AtsunriseMahmatBanjercameandfoundhim。Theyallbelieved；Imyselfwasdeceived，butnotforlong。Thewhitemanbelieved，and，grieving，fledtohishouse。

WhenwewerealoneI，havingdoubts，spoketothewoman，andshe，fearingmyangerandyourmight，toldmeall，askingforhelpinsavingDain。"

"HemustnotfallintothehandsoftheOrangBlanda，"saidLakamba；"butlethimdie，ifthethingcanbedonequietly。"

"Itcannot，Tuan！Rememberthereisthatwomanwho，beinghalfwhite，isungovernable，andwouldraiseagreatoutcry。Alsotheofficersarehere。Theyareangryenoughalready。Dainmustescape；hemustgo。Wemusthelphimnowforourownsafety。"

"Aretheofficersveryangry？"inquiredLakamba，withinterest。

"Theyare。Theprincipalchiefusedstrongwordswhenspeakingtome——tomewhenIsalaamedinyourname。Idonotthink，"

addedBabalatchi，afterashortpauseandlookingveryworried——"IdonotthinkIsawawhitechiefsoangrybefore。

Hesaidwewerecarelessorevenworse。HetoldmehewouldspeaktotheRajah，andthatIwasofnoaccount。"

"SpeaktotheRajah！"repeatedLakamba，thoughtfully。"Listen，Babalatchi：Iamsick，andshallwithdraw；youcrossoverandtellthewhitemen。"

"Yes，"saidBabalatchi，"Iamgoingoveratonce；andastoDain？"

"Yougethimawayasyoucanbest。Thisisagreattroubleinmyheart，"sighedLakamba。

Babalatchigotup，and，goingclosetohismaster，spokeearnestly。

"Thereisoneofourprausatthesouthernmouthoftheriver。

TheDutchwarshipistothenorthwardwatchingthemainentrance。

IshallsendDainoffto-nightinacanoe，bythehiddenchannels，onboardtheprau。Hisfatherisagreatprince，andshallhearofourgenerosity。LettheprautakehimtoAmpanam。

Yourgloryshallbegreat，andyourrewardinpowerfulfriendship。AlmayerwillnodoubtdeliverthedeadbodyasDain"stotheofficers，andthefoolishwhitemenshallsay，"Thisisverygood；lettherebepeace。"Andthetroubleshallberemovedfromyourheart，Rajah。"

"True！true！"saidLakamba。

"And，thisbeingaccomplishedbymewhoamyourslave，youshallrewardwithageneroushand。ThatIknow！Thewhitemanisgrievingforthelosttreasure，inthemannerofwhitemenwhothirstafterdollars。Now，whenallotherthingsareinorder，weshallperhapsobtainthetreasurefromthewhiteman。Dainmustescape，andAlmayermustlive。"

"Nowgo，Babalatchi，go！"saidLakamba，gettingoffhischair。

"Iamverysick，andwantmedicine。Tellthewhitechiefso。"

ButBabalatchiwasnottobegotridofinthissummarymanner。

Heknewthathismaster，afterthemannerofthegreat，likedtoshifttheburdenoftoilanddangerontohisservants"

shoulders，butinthedifficultstraitsinwhichtheywerenowtheRajahmustplayhispart。Hemaybeverysickforthewhitemen，foralltheworldifheliked，aslongashewouldtakeuponhimselftheexecutionofpartatleastofBabalatchi"scarefullythought-ofplan。BabalatchiwantedabigcanoemannedbytwelvementobesentoutafterdarktowardsBulangi"sclearing。Dainmayhavetobeoverpowered。Amaninlovecannotbeexpectedtoseeclearlythepathofsafetyifitleadshimawayfromtheobjectofhisaffections，arguedBabalatchi，andinthatcasetheywouldhavetouseforceinordertomakehimgo。WouldtheRajahseethattrustymenmannedthecanoe？Thethingmustbedonesecretly。PerhapstheRajahwouldcomehimself，soastobringalltheweightofhisauthoritytobearuponDainifheshouldproveobstinateandrefusetoleavehishiding-place。TheRajahwouldnotcommithimselftoadefinitepromise，andanxiouslypressedBabalatchitogo，beingafraidofthewhitemenpayinghimanunexpectedvisit。Theagedstatesmanreluctantlytookhisleaveandwentintothecourtyard。

BeforegoingdowntohisboatBabalatchistoppedforawhileinthebigopenspacewherethethick-leavedtreesputblackpatchesofshadowwhichseemedtofloatonafloodofsmooth，intenselightthatrolleduptothehousesanddowntothestockadeandovertheriver，whereitbrokeandsparkledinthousandsofglitteringwavelets，likeabandwovenofazureandgoldedgedwiththebrilliantgreenoftheforestsguardingbothbanksofthePantai。Intheperfectcalmbeforethecomingoftheafternoonbreezetheirregularlyjaggedlineoftree-topsstoodunchanging，asiftracedbyanunsteadyhandontheclearblueofthehotsky。Inthespaceshelteredbythehighpalisadestherelingeredthesmellofdecayingblossomsfromthesurroundingforest，ataintofdryingfish；withnowandthenawhiffofacridsmokefromthecookingfireswheniteddieddownfromundertheleafyboughsandclunglazilyabouttheburnt-upgrass。

AsBabalatchilookedupattheflagstaffover-toppingagroupoflowtreesinthemiddleofthecourtyard，thetricolourflagoftheNetherlandsstirredslightlyforthefirsttimesinceithadbeenhoistedthatmorningonthearrivaloftheman-of-warboats。

Withafaintrustleoftreesthebreezecamedowninlightpuffs，playingcapriciouslyforatimewiththisemblemofLakamba"spower，thatwasalsothemarkofhisservitude；thenthebreezefreshenedinasharpgustofwind，andtheflagflewoutstraightandsteadyabovethetrees。Adarkshadowranalongtheriver，rollingoverandcoveringupthesparkleofdecliningsunlight。

Abigwhitecloudsailedslowlyacrossthedarkeningsky，andhungtothewestwardasifwaitingforthesuntojoinitthere。

Menandthingsshookoffthetorporofthehotafternoonandstirredintolifeunderthefirstbreathoftheseabreeze。

Babalatchihurrieddowntothewater-gate；yetbeforehepassedthroughithepausedtolookroundthecourtyard，withitslightandshade，withitscheeryfires，withthegroupsofLakamba"ssoldiersandretainersscatteredabout。Hisownhousestoodamongsttheotherbuildingsinthatenclosure，andthestatesmanofSambiraskedhimselfwithasinkingheartwhenandhowwoulditbegivenhimtoreturntothathouse。Hehadtodealwithamanmoredangerousthananywildbeastofhisexperience：aproudman，amanwilfulafterthemannerofprinces，amaninlove。

Andhewasgoingforthtospeaktothatmanwordsofcoldandworldlywisdom。Couldanythingbemoreappalling？Whatifthatmanshouldtakeumbrageatsomefanciedslighttohishonourordisregardofhisaffectionsandsuddenly"amok"？Thewiseadviserwouldbethefirstvictim，nodoubt，anddeathwouldbehisreward。Andunderlyingthehorrorofthissituationtherewasthedangerofthosemeddlesomefools，thewhitemen。A

visionofcomfortlessexileinfar-offMaduraroseupbeforeBabalatchi。Wouldn"tthatbeworsethandeathitself？Andtherewasthathalf-whitewomanwiththreateningeyes。Howcouldhetellwhatanincomprehensiblecreatureofthatsortwouldorwouldnotdo？SheknewsomuchthatshemadethekillingofDainanimpossibility。Thatmuchwascertain。Andyetthesharp，rough-edgedkrissisagoodanddiscreetfriend，thoughtBabalatchi，asheexaminedhisownlovingly，andputitbackinthesheath，withasighofregret，beforeunfasteninghiscanoe。

Ashecastoffthepainter，pushedoutintothestream，andtookuphispaddle，herealisedvividlyhowunsatisfactoryitwastohavewomenmixedupinstateaffairs。Youngwomen，ofcourse。

ForMrs。Almayer"smaturewisdom，andfortheeasyaptitudeinintriguethatcomeswithyearstothefemininemind，hefeltthemostsincererespect。

Hepaddledleisurely，lettingthecanoedriftdownashecrossedtowardsthepoint。Thesunwashighyet，andnothingpressed。

Hisworkwouldcommenceonlywiththecomingofdarkness。

AvoidingtheLingardjetty，heroundedthepoint，andpaddledupthecreekatthebackofAlmayer"shouse。Thereweremanycanoeslyingthere，theirnosesalldrawntogether，fastenedalltothesamestake。Babalatchipushedhislittlecraftinamongstthemandsteppedonshore。Ontheothersideoftheditchsomethingmovedinthegrass。

"Who"sthathiding？"hailedBabalatchi。"Comeoutandspeaktome。"

Nobodyanswered。Babalatchicrossedover，passingfromboattoboat，andpokedhisstaffviciouslyinthesuspiciousplace。

Taminahjumpedupwithacry。

"Whatareyoudoinghere？"heasked，surprised。"Ihavenearlysteppedonyourtray。AmIaDyakthatyoushouldhideatmysight？"

"Iwasweary，and——Islept，"whisperedTaminah，confusedly。

"Youslept！Youhavenotsoldanythingto-day，andyouwillbebeatenwhenyoureturnhome，"saidBabalatchi。

Taminahstoodbeforehimabashedandsilent。Babalatchilookedherovercarefullywithgreatsatisfaction。DecidedlyhewouldofferfiftydollarsmoretothatthiefBulangi。Thegirlpleasedhim。

"Nowyougohome。Itislate，"hesaidsharply。"TellBulangithatIshallbenearhishousebeforethenightishalfover，andthatIwanthimtomakeallthingsreadyforalongjourney。Youunderstand？Alongjourneytothesouthward。Tellhimthatbeforesunset，anddonotforgetmywords。"

Taminahmadeagestureofassent，andwatchedBabalatchirecrosstheditchanddisappearthroughthebushesborderingAlmayer"scompound。Shemovedalittlefurtheroffthecreekandsankinthegrassagain，lyingdownonherface，shiveringindry-eyedmisery。

Babalatchiwalkedstraighttowardsthecooking-shedlookingforMrs。Almayer。Thecourtyardwasinagreatuproar。AstrangeChinamanhadpossessionofthekitchenfireandwasnoisilydemandinganothersaucepan。Hehurledobjurgations，intheCantondialectandbadMalay，againstthegroupofslave-girlsstandingalittlewayoff，halffrightened，halfamused，athisviolence。Fromthecampingfiresroundwhichtheseamenofthefrigateweresittingcamewordsofencouragement，mingledwithlaughterandjeering。InthemidstofthisnoiseandconfusionBabalatchimetAli，anemptydishinhishand。

"Wherearethewhitemen？"askedBabalatchi。

"Theyareeatinginthefrontverandah，"answeredAli。"Donotstopme，Tuan。Iamgivingthewhitementheirfoodandambusy。"

"Where"sMemAlmayer？"

"Insideinthepassage。Sheislisteningtothetalk。"

Aligrinnedandpassedon；Babalatchiascendedtheplankwaytotherearverandah，andbeckoningoutMrs。Almayer，engagedherinearnestconversation。Throughthelongpassage，closedatthefurtherendbytheredcurtain，theycouldhearfromtimetotimeAlmayer"svoiceminglinginconversationwithanabruptloudnessthatmadeMrs。AlmayerlooksignificantlyatBabalatchi。

"Listen，"shesaid。"Hehasdrunkmuch。"

"Hehas，"whisperedBabalatchi。"Hewillsleepheavilyto-night。"

Mrs。Almayerlookeddoubtful。

"Sometimesthedevilofstrongginmakeshimkeepawake，andhewalksupanddowntheverandahallnight，cursing；thenwestandafaroff，"explainedMrs。Almayer，withthefullerknowledgebornoftwentyoddyearsofmarriedlife。

"Butthenhedoesnothear，norunderstand，andhishand，ofcourse，hasnostrength。Wedonotwanthimtohearto-night。"

"No，"assentedMrs。Almayer，energetically，butinacautiouslysubduedvoice。"Ifhehearshewillkill。"

Babalatchilookedincredulous。

"HaiTuan，youmaybelieveme。HaveInotlivedmanyyearswiththatman？HaveInotseendeathinthatman"seyesmorethanoncewhenIwasyoungerandheguessedatmanythings。HadhebeenamanofmyownpeopleIwouldnothaveseensuchalooktwice；buthe——"

WithacontemptuousgesturesheseemedtoflingunutterablescornonAlmayer"sweak-mindedaversiontosuddenbloodshed。

"Ifhehasthewishbutnotthestrength，thenwhatdowefear？"

askedBabalatchi，afterashortsilenceduringwhichtheybothlistenedtoAlmayer"sloudtalktillitsubsidedintothemurmurofgeneralconversation。"Whatdowefear？"repeatedBabalatchiagain。

"Tokeepthedaughterwhomheloveshewouldstrikeintoyourheartandminewithouthesitation，"saidMrs。Almayer。"Whenthegirlisgonehewillbelikethedevilunchained。ThenyouandI

hadbetterbeware。"

"Iamanoldmanandfearnotdeath，"answeredBabalatchi，withamendaciousassumptionofindifference。"Butwhatwillyoudo？"

"Iamanoldwoman，andwishtolive，"retortedMrs。Almayer。

"Sheismydaughteralso。IshallseeksafetyatthefeetofourRajah，speakinginthenameofthepastwhenwebothwereyoung，andhe——"

Babalatchiraisedhishand。

"Enough。Youshallbeprotected，"hesaidsoothingly。

AgainthesoundofAlmayer"svoicewasheard，andagaininterruptingtheirtalk，theylistenedtotheconfusedbutloudutterancecominginburstsofunequalstrength，withunexpectedpausesandnoisyrepetitionsthatmadesomewordsandsentencesfallclearanddistinctontheirearsoutofthemeaninglessjumbleofexcitedshoutingsemphasisedbythethumpingofAlmayer"sfistuponthetable。Ontheshortintervalsofsilence，thehighcomplainingnoteoftumblers，standingclosetogetherandvibratingtotheshock，lingered，growingfainter，tillitleaptupagainintotumultuousringing，whenanewideastartedanewrushofwordsandbroughtdowntheheavyhandagain。Atlastthequarrelsomeshoutingceased，andthethinplaintofdisturbedglassdiedawayintoreluctantquietude。

BabalatchiandMrs。Almayerhadlistenedcuriously，theirbodiesbentandtheirearsturnedtowardsthepassage。Ateveryloudershouttheynoddedateachotherwitharidiculousaffectationofscandalisedpropriety，andtheyremainedinthesameattitudeforsometimeafterthenoisehadceased。

"Thisisthedevilofgin，"whisperedMrs。Almayer。"Yes；hetalkslikethatsometimeswhenthereisnobodytohearhim。"

"Whatdoeshesay？"inquiredBabalatchi，eagerly。"Yououghttounderstand。"

"Ihaveforgottentheirtalk。AlittleIunderstood。HespokewithoutanyrespectofthewhiterulerinBatavia，andofprotection，andsaidhehadbeenwronged；hesaidthatseveraltimes。MoreIdidnotunderstand。Listen！Againhespeaks！"

"Tse！tse！tse！"clickedBabalatchi，tryingtoappearshocked，butwithajoyoustwinkleofhissolitaryeye。"Therewillbegreattroublebetweenthosewhitemen。Iwillgoroundnowandsee。Youtellyourdaughterthatthereisasuddenandalongjourneybeforeher，withmuchgloryandsplendourattheend。

AndtellherthatDainmustgo，orhemustdie，andthathewillnotgoalone。"

"No，hewillnotgoalone，"slowlyrepeatedMrs。Almayer，withathoughtfulair，asshecreptintothepassageafterseeingBabalatchidisappearroundthecornerofthehouse。

ThestatesmanofSambir，undertheimpulseofvividcuriosity，madehiswayquicklytothefrontofthehouse，butoncetherehemovedslowlyandcautiouslyashecreptstepbystepupthestairsoftheverandah。Onthehigheststephesatdownquietly，hisfeetonthestepsbelow，readyforflightshouldhispresenceproveunwelcome。Hefeltprettysafeso。Thetablestoodnearlyendwaystohim，andhesawAlmayer"sback；atNinahelookedfullface，andhadasideviewofbothofficers；butofthefourpersonssittingatthetableonlyNinaandtheyoungerofficernoticedhisnoiselessarrival。ThemomentarydroppingofNina"seyelidsacknowledgedBabalatchi"spresence；shethenspokeatoncetotheyoungsub，whoturnedtowardsherwithattentivealacrity，buthergazewasfastenedsteadilyonherfather"sfacewhileAlmayerwasspeakinguproariously。

"……disloyaltyandunscrupulousness！Whathaveyoueverdonetomakemeloyal？Youhavenogriponthiscountry。Ihadtotakecareofmyself，andwhenIaskedforprotectionIwasmetwiththreatsandcontempt，andhadArabslanderthrowninmyface。I！awhiteman！"

"Don"tbeviolent，Almayer，"remonstratedthelieutenant；"Ihaveheardallthisalready。"

"Thenwhydoyoutalktomeaboutscruples？Iwantedmoney，andIgavepowderinexchange。HowcouldIknowthatsomeofyourwretchedmenweregoingtobeblownup？Scruples！Pah！"

Hegropedunsteadilyamongstthebottles，tryingoneafteranother，grumblingtohimselfthewhile。

"Nomorewine，"hemuttereddiscontentedly。

"Youhavehadenough，Almayer，"saidthelieutenant，ashelightedacigar。"Isitnottimetodelivertousyourprisoner？

ItakeityouhavethatDainMaroolastowedawaysafelysomewhere。Stillwehadbettergetthatbusinessover，andthenweshallhavemoredrink。Come！don"tlookatmelikethis。"

Almayerwasstaringwithstonyeyes，histremblingfingersfumblingabouthisthroat。

"Gold，"hesaidwithdifficulty。"Hem！Ahandonthewindpipe，youknow。Sureyouwillexcuse。Iwantedtosay——alittlegoldforalittlepowder。What"sthat？"

"Iknow，Iknow，"saidthelieutenantsoothingly。

"No！Youdon"tknow。Notoneofyouknows！"shoutedAlmayer。

"Thegovernmentisafool，Itellyou。Heapsofgold。I

amthemanthatknows；Iandanotherone。Buthewon"tspeak。Heis——"

Hecheckedhimselfwithafeeblesmile，and，makinganunsuccessfulattempttopattheofficerontheshoulder，knockedoveracoupleofemptybottles。

"Personallyyouareafinefellow，"hesaidverydistinctly，inapatronisingmanner。Hisheadnoddeddrowsilyashesatmutteringtohimself。