第4章

Sheranlightly，unawareofanyeffortofherbody。Highsharprocksthat，whenthebayisfull，showabovetheglitteringplainofbluewaterlikepointedtowersofsubmergedchurches，glidedpasther，rushingtothelandatatremendouspace。Totheleft，inthedistance，shecouldseesomethingshining：abroaddiscoflightinwhichnarrowshadowspivotedroundthecentrelikethespokesofawheel。Sheheardavoicecalling，"Hey！There！"andansweredwithawildscream。So，hecouldcallyet！Hewascallingafterhertostop。

Never！……Shetorethroughthenight，pastthestartledgroupofseaweed-gathererswhostoodroundtheirlanternparalysedwithfearattheunearthlyscreechcomingfromthatfleeingshadow。Themenleanedontheirpitchforksstaringfearfully。Awomanfellonherknees，and，crossingherself，begantoprayaloud。Alittlegirlwithherraggedskirtfullofslimyseaweedbegantosobdespairingly，lugginghersoakedburdenclosetothemanwhocarriedthelight。Somebodysaid：

"Thethingranouttowardsthesea。"Anothervoiceexclaimed："Andtheseaiscomingback！Lookatthespreadingpuddles。Doyouhear——youwoman——there！Getup！"Severalvoicescriedtogether。"Yes，letusbeoff！Lettheaccursedthinggotothesea！"Theymovedon，keepingcloseroundthelight。Suddenlyamansworeloudly。Hewouldgoandseewhatwasthematter。Ithadbeenawoman’svoice。Hewouldgo。

Therewereshrillprotestsfromwomen——buthishighformdetacheditselffromthegroupandwentoffrunning。Theysentanunanimouscallofscaredvoicesafterhim。Aword，insultingandmocking，cameback，thrownatthemthroughthedarkness。Awomanmoaned。Anoldmansaidgravely："Suchthingsoughttobeleftalone。"Theywentonslower，shufflingintheyieldingsandandwhisperingtooneanotherthatMillotfearednothing，havingnoreligion，butthatitwouldendbadlysomeday。

SusanmettheincomingtidebytheRavenisletandstopped，panting，withherfeetinthewater。Sheheardthemurmurandfeltthecoldcaressofthesea，and，calmernow，couldseethesombreandconfusedmassoftheRavenononesideandontheotherthelongwhitestreakofMolenesandsthatarelefthighabovethedrybottomofFougereBayateveryebb。Sheturnedroundandsawfaraway，alongthestarredbackgroundofthesky，theraggedoutlineofthecoast。Aboveit，nearlyfacingher，appearedthetowerofPloumarChurch；aslenderandtallpyramidshootingupdarkandpointedintotheclusteredglitterofthestars。Shefeltstrangelycalm。Sheknewwhereshewas，andbegantorememberhowshecamethere——andwhy。Shepeeredintothesmoothobscuritynearher。Shewasalone。Therewasnothingthere；

nothingnearher，eitherlivingordead。

Thetidewascreepinginquietly，puttingoutlongimpatientarmsofstrangerivuletsthatrantowardsthelandbetweenridgesofsand。

Underthenightthepoolsgrewbiggerwithmysteriousrapidity，whilethegreatsea，yetfaroff，thunderedinaregularrhythmalongtheindistinctlineofthehorizon。Susansplashedherwaybackforafewyardswithoutbeingabletogetclearofthewaterthatmurmuredtenderlyallaroundand，suddenly，withaspitefulgurgle，nearlytookheroffherfeet。Herheartthumpedwithfear。Thisplacewastoobigandtooemptytodiein。To-morrowtheywoulddowithherwhattheyliked。Butbeforeshediedshemusttellthem——tellthegentlemeninblackclothesthattherearethingsnowomancanbear。Shemustexplainhowithappened……Shesplashedthroughapool，gettingwettothewaist，toopreoccupiedtocare……Shemustexplain。"Hecameinthesamewayaseverandsaid，justso：’DoyouthinkIamgoingtoleavethelandtothosepeoplefromMorbihanthatIdonotknow？Doyou？Weshallsee！Comealong，youcreatureofmischance！’

Andheputhisarmsout。Then，Messieurs，Isaid：’BeforeGod——never！’Andhesaid，stridingatmewithopenpalms：’ThereisnoGodtoholdme！Doyouunderstand，youuselesscarcase。IwilldowhatIlike。’Andhetookmebytheshoulders。ThenI，Messieurs，calledtoGodforhelp，andnextminute，whilehewasshakingme，Ifeltmylongscissorsinmyhand。Hisshirtwasunbuttoned，and，bythecandle-

light，Isawthehollowofhisthroat。Icried：’Letgo！’Hewascrushingmyshoulders。Hewasstrong，mymanwas！ThenIthought：No！……MustI？……Thentake！——andIstruckinthehollowplace。I

neversawhimfall……Theoldfatherneverturnedhishead。Heisdeafandchildish，gentlemen……Nobodysawhimfall。Iranout……Nobodysaw……"

ShehadbeenscramblingamongstthebouldersoftheRavenandnowfoundherself，alloutofbreath，standingamongsttheheavyshadowsoftherockyislet。TheRavenisconnectedwiththemainlandbyanaturalpierofimmenseandslipperystones。Sheintendedtoreturnhomethatway。Washestillstandingthere？Athome。Home！Fouridiotsandacorpse。Shemustgobackandexplain。Anybodywouldunderstand……

Belowherthenightortheseaseemedtopronouncedistinctly——

"Aha！Iseeyouatlast！"

Shestarted，slipped，fell；andwithoutattemptingtorise，listened，terrified。Sheheardheavybreathing，aclatterofwoodenclogs。Itstopped。

"Wherethedevildidyoupass？"saidaninvisibleman，hoarsely。

Sheheldherbreath。Sherecognizedthevoice。Shehadnotseenhimfall。Washepursuinghertheredead，orperhaps……alive？

Shelostherhead。Shecriedfromthecrevicewhereshelayhuddled，"Never，never！"

"Ah！Youarestillthere。Youledmeafinedance。Wait，mybeauty，I

mustseehowyoulookafterallthis。Youwait……"

Millotwasstumbling，laughing，swearingmeaninglesslyoutofpuresatisfaction，pleasedwithhimselfforhavingrundownthatfly-by-night。"Asifthereweresuchthingsasghosts！Bah！IttookanoldAfricansoldiertoshowthoseclodhoppers……Butitwascurious。Whothedevilwasshe？"

Susanlistened，crouching。Hewascomingforher，thisdeadman。Therewasnoescape。Whatanoisehemadeamongstthestones……Shesawhisheadriseup，thentheshoulders。Hewastall——herownman！Hislongarmswavedabout，anditwashisownvoicesoundingalittlestrange……becauseofthescissors。Shescrambledoutquickly，rushedtotheedgeofthecauseway，andturnedround。Themanstoodstillonahighstone，detachinghimselfindeadblackontheglitterofthesky。

"Whereareyougoingto？"hecalled，roughly。

Sheanswered，"Home！"andwatchedhimintensely。Hemadeastriding，clumsyleapontoanotherboulder，andstoppedagain，balancinghimself，thensaid——

"Ha！ha！Well，Iamgoingwithyou。It’stheleastIcando。Ha！ha！

ha！"

Shestaredathimtillhereyesseemedtobecomeglowingcoalsthatburneddeepintoherbrain，andyetshewasinmortalfearofmakingoutthewell-knownfeatures。Belowherthesealappedsoftlyagainsttherockwithasplashcontinuousandgentle。

Themansaid，advancinganotherstep——

"Iamcomingforyou。Whatdoyouthink？"

Shetrembled。Comingforher！Therewasnoescape，nopeace，nohope。

Shelookedrounddespairingly。Suddenlythewholeshadowycoast，theblurredislets，theheavenitself，swayedabouttwice，thencametoarest。Sheclosedhereyesandshouted——

"Can’tyouwaittillIamdead！"

Shewasshakenbyafurioushateforthatshadethatpursuedherinthisworld，unappeasedevenbydeathinitslongingforanheirthatwouldbelikeotherpeople’schildren。

"Hey！What？"saidMillot，keepinghisdistanceprudently。Hewassayingtohimself："Lookout！Somelunatic。Anaccidenthappenssoon。"

Shewenton，wildly——

"Iwanttolive。Tolivealone——foraweek——foraday。Imustexplaintothem……Iwouldtearyoutopieces，IwouldkillyoutwentytimesoverratherthanletyoutouchmewhileIlive。HowmanytimesmustIkillyou——youblasphemer！Satansendsyouhere。Iamdamnedtoo！"

"Come，"saidMillot，alarmedandconciliating。"Iamperfectlyalive！……Oh，myGod！"

Shehadscreamed，"Alive！"andatoncevanishedbeforehiseyes，asiftheisletitselfhadswervedasidefromunderherfeet。Millotrushedforward，andfellflatwithhischinovertheedge。Farbelowhesawthewaterwhitenedbyherstruggles，andheardoneshrillcryforhelpthatseemedtodartupwardsalongtheperpendicularfaceoftherock，andsoarpast，straightintothehighandimpassiveheaven。

MadameLevaillesat，dry-eyed，ontheshortgrassofthehillside，withherthicklegsstretchedout，andheroldfeetturnedupintheirblackclothshoes。Herclogsstoodnearby，andfurtherofftheumbrellalayonthewitheredswardlikeaweapondroppedfromthegraspofavanquishedwarrior。TheMarquisofChavanes，onhorseback，oneglovedhandonthigh，lookeddownatherasshegotuplaboriously，withgroans。Onthenarrowtrackoftheseaweed-cartsfourmenwerecarryinginlandSusan’sbodyonahand-barrow，whileseveralothersstraggledlistlesslybehind。MadameLevaillelookedaftertheprocession。"Yes，MonsieurleMarquis，"shesaiddispassionately，inherusualcalmtoneofareasonableoldwoman。

"Thereareunfortunatepeopleonthisearth。Ihadonlyonechild。

Onlyone！Andtheywon’tburyherinconsecratedground！"

Hereyesfilledsuddenly，andashortshoweroftearsrolleddownthebroadcheeks。Shepulledtheshawlcloseabouther。TheMarquisleanedslightlyoverinhissaddle，andsaid——

"Itisverysad。Youhaveallmysympathy。IshallspeaktotheCure。

Shewasunquestionablyinsane，andthefallwasaccidental。Millotsayssodistinctly。Good-day，Madame。"

Andhetrottedoff，thinkingtohimself："Imustgetthisoldwomanappointedguardianofthoseidiots，andadministratorofthefarm。ItwouldbemuchbetterthanhavinghereoneofthoseotherBacadous，probablyaredrepublican，corruptingmycommune。"

ANOUTPOSTOFPROGRESS

I

Thereweretwowhitemeninchargeofthetradingstation。Kayerts，thechief，wasshortandfat；Carlier，theassistant，wastall，withalargeheadandaverybroadtrunkpercheduponalongpairofthinlegs。ThethirdmanonthestaffwasaSierraLeonenigger，whomaintainedthathisnamewasHenryPrice。However，forsomereasonorother，thenativesdowntheriverhadgivenhimthenameofMakola，anditstucktohimthroughallhiswanderingsaboutthecountry。HespokeEnglishandFrenchwithawarblingaccent，wroteabeautifulhand，understoodbookkeeping，andcherishedinhisinnermosthearttheworshipofevilspirits。HiswifewasanegressfromLoanda，verylargeandverynoisy。Threechildrenrolledaboutinsunshinebeforethedoorofhislow，shed-likedwelling。Makola，taciturnandimpenetrable，despisedthetwowhitemen。Hehadchargeofasmallclaystorehousewithadried-grassroof，andpretendedtokeepacorrectaccountofbeads，cottoncloth，redkerchiefs，brasswire，andothertradegoodsitcontained。BesidesthestorehouseandMakola’shut，therewasonlyonelargebuildingintheclearedgroundofthestation。Itwasbuiltneatlyofreeds，withaverandahonallthefoursides。Therewerethreeroomsinit。Theoneinthemiddlewastheliving-room，andhadtworoughtablesandafewstoolsinit。Theothertwowerethebedroomsforthewhitemen。Eachhadabedsteadandamosquitonetforallfurniture。Theplankfloorwaslitteredwiththebelongingsofthewhitemen；openhalf-emptyboxes，tornwearingapparel，oldboots；allthethingsdirty，andallthethingsbroken，thataccumulatemysteriouslyrounduntidymen。Therewasalsoanotherdwelling-placesomedistanceawayfromthebuildings。Init，underatallcrossmuchoutoftheperpendicular，sleptthemanwhohadseenthebeginningofallthis；whohadplannedandhadwatchedtheconstructionofthisoutpostofprogress。Hehadbeen，athome，anunsuccessfulpainterwho，wearyofpursuingfameonanemptystomach，hadgoneouttherethroughhighprotections。Hehadbeenthefirstchiefofthatstation。Makolahadwatchedtheenergeticartistdieoffeverinthejustfinishedhousewithhisusualkindof"Itoldyouso"indifference。Then，foratime，hedweltalonewithhisfamily，hisaccountbooks，andtheEvilSpiritthatrulesthelandsundertheequator。Hegotonverywellwithhisgod。Perhapshehadpropitiatedhimbyapromiseofmorewhitementoplaywith，byandby。AtanyratethedirectoroftheGreatTradingCompany，comingupinasteamerthatresembledanenormoussardineboxwithaflat-roofedshederectedonit，foundthestationingoodorder，andMakolaasusualquietlydiligent。Thedirectorhadthecrossputupoverthefirstagent’sgrave，andappointedKayertstothepost。Carlierwastoldoffassecondincharge。Thedirectorwasamanruthlessandefficient，whoattimes，butveryimperceptibly，indulgedingrimhumour。HemadeaspeechtoKayertsandCarlier，pointingouttothemthepromisingaspectoftheirstation。Thenearesttrading-postwasaboutthreehundredmilesaway。Itwasanexceptionalopportunityforthemtodistinguishthemselvesandtoearnpercentagesonthetrade。Thisappointmentwasafavourdonetobeginners。Kayertswasmovedalmosttotearsbyhisdirector’skindness。Hewould，hesaid，bydoinghisbest，trytojustifytheflatteringconfidence，&c。，&c。KayertshadbeenintheAdministrationoftheTelegraphs，andknewhowtoexpresshimselfcorrectly。Carlier，anex-non-commissionedofficerofcavalryinanarmyguaranteedfromharmbyseveralEuropeanPowers，waslessimpressed。Iftherewerecommissionstoget，somuchthebetter；and，trailingasulkyglanceovertheriver，theforests，theimpenetrablebushthatseemedtocutoffthestationfromtherestoftheworld，hemutteredbetweenhisteeth，"Weshallsee，verysoon。"

Nextday，somebalesofcottongoodsandafewcasesofprovisionshavingbeenthrownonshore，thesardine-boxsteamerwentoff，nottoreturnforanothersixmonths。Onthedeckthedirectortouchedhiscaptothetwoagents，whostoodonthebankwavingtheirhats，andturningtoanoldservantoftheCompanyonhispassagetoheadquarters，said，"Lookatthosetwoimbeciles。Theymustbemadathometosendmesuchspecimens。Itoldthosefellowstoplantavegetablegarden，buildnewstorehousesandfences，andconstructalanding-stage。Ibetnothingwillbedone！Theywon’tknowhowtobegin。Ialwaysthoughtthestationonthisriveruseless，andtheyjustfitthestation！"

"Theywillformthemselvesthere，"saidtheoldstagerwithaquietsmile。

"Atanyrate，Iamridofthemforsixmonths，"retortedthedirector。

Thetwomenwatchedthesteamerroundthebend，then，ascendingarminarmtheslopeofthebank，returnedtothestation。Theyhadbeeninthisvastanddarkcountryonlyaveryshorttime，andasyetalwaysinthemidstofotherwhitemen，undertheeyeandguidanceoftheirsuperiors。Andnow，dullastheyweretothesubtleinfluencesofsurroundings，theyfeltthemselvesverymuchalone，whensuddenlyleftunassistedtofacethewilderness；awildernessrenderedmorestrange，moreincomprehensiblebythemysteriousglimpsesofthevigorouslifeitcontained。Theyweretwoperfectlyinsignificantandincapableindividuals，whoseexistenceisonlyrenderedpossiblethroughthehighorganizationofcivilizedcrowds。Fewmenrealizethattheirlife，theveryessenceoftheircharacter，theircapabilitiesandtheiraudacities，areonlytheexpressionoftheirbeliefinthesafetyoftheirsurroundings。Thecourage，thecomposure，theconfidence；theemotionsandprinciples；everygreatandeveryinsignificantthoughtbelongsnottotheindividualbuttothecrowd：tothecrowdthatbelievesblindlyintheirresistibleforceofitsinstitutionsandofitsmorals，inthepowerofitspoliceandofitsopinion。Butthecontactwithpureunmitigatedsavagery，withprimitivenatureandprimitiveman，bringssuddenandprofoundtroubleintotheheart。Tothesentimentofbeingaloneofone’skind，totheclearperceptionofthelonelinessofone’sthoughts，ofone’ssensations——tothenegationofthehabitual，whichissafe，thereisaddedtheaffirmationoftheunusual，whichisdangerous；asuggestionofthingsvague，uncontrollable，andrepulsive，whosediscomposingintrusionexcitestheimaginationandtriesthecivilizednervesofthefoolishandthewisealike。

KayertsandCarlierwalkedarminarm，drawingclosetooneanotheraschildrendointhedark；andtheyhadthesame，notaltogetherunpleasant，senseofdangerwhichonehalfsuspectstobeimaginary。

Theychattedpersistentlyinfamiliartones。"Ourstationisprettilysituated，"saidone。Theotherassentedwithenthusiasm，enlargingvolublyonthebeautiesofthesituation。Thentheypassednearthegrave。"Poordevil！"saidKayerts。"Hediedoffever，didn’the？"

mutteredCarlier，stoppingshort。"Why，"retortedKayerts，withindignation，"I’vebeentoldthatthefellowexposedhimselfrecklesslytothesun。Theclimatehere，everybodysays，isnotatallworsethanathome，aslongasyoukeepoutofthesun。Doyouhearthat，Carlier？Iamchiefhere，andmyordersarethatyoushouldnotexposeyourselftothesun！"Heassumedhissuperiorityjocularly，buthismeaningwasserious。Theideathathewould，perhaps，havetoburyCarlierandremainalone，gavehimaninwardshiver。HefeltsuddenlythatthisCarlierwasmoreprecioustohimhere，inthecentreofAfrica，thanabrothercouldbeanywhereelse。Carlier，enteringintothespiritofthething，madeamilitarysaluteandansweredinabrisktone，"Yourordersshallbeattendedto，chief！"Thenheburstoutlaughing，slappedKayertsonthebackandshouted，"Weshallletliferuneasilyhere！Justsitstillandgatherintheivorythosesavageswillbring。Thiscountryhasitsgoodpoints，afterall！"TheybothlaughedloudlywhileCarlierthought："ThatpoorKayerts；heissofatandunhealthy。ItwouldbeawfulifIhadtoburyhimhere。HeisamanIrespect。"……Beforetheyreachedtheverandahoftheirhousetheycalledoneanother"mydearfellow。"

Thefirstdaytheywereveryactive，potteringaboutwithhammersandnailsandredcalico，toputupcurtains，maketheirhousehabitableandpretty；resolvedtosettledowncomfortablytotheirnewlife。Forthemanimpossibletask。Tograppleeffectuallywithevenpurelymaterialproblemsrequiresmoreserenityofmindandmoreloftycouragethanpeoplegenerallyimagine。Notwobeingscouldhavebeenmoreunfittedforsuchastruggle。Society，notfromanytenderness，butbecauseofitsstrangeneeds，hadtakencareofthosetwomen，forbiddingthemallindependentthought，allinitiative，alldeparturefromroutine；andforbiddingitunderpainofdeath。Theycouldonlyliveonconditionofbeingmachines。Andnow，releasedfromthefosteringcareofmenwithpensbehindtheears，orofmenwithgoldlaceonthesleeves，theywerelikethoselifelongprisonerswho，liberatedaftermanyyears，donotknowwhatusetomakeoftheirfreedom。Theydidnotknowwhatusetomakeoftheirfaculties，beingboth，throughwantofpractice，incapableofindependentthought。

AttheendoftwomonthsKayertsoftenwouldsay，"IfitwasnotformyMelie，youwouldn’tcatchmehere。"Meliewashisdaughter。HehadthrownuphispostintheAdministrationoftheTelegraphs，thoughhehadbeenforseventeenyearsperfectlyhappythere，toearnadowryforhisgirl。Hiswifewasdead，andthechildwasbeingbroughtupbyhissisters。Heregrettedthestreets，thepavements，thecafes，hisfriendsofmanyyears；allthethingsheusedtosee，dayafterday；

allthethoughtssuggestedbyfamiliarthings——thethoughtseffortless，monotonous，andsoothingofaGovernmentclerk；heregrettedallthegossip，thesmallenmities，themildvenom，andthelittlejokesofGovernmentoffices。"IfIhadhadadecentbrother-

in-law，"Carlierwouldremark，"afellowwithaheart，Iwouldnotbehere。"Hehadleftthearmyandhadmadehimselfsoobnoxioustohisfamilybyhislazinessandimpudence，thatanexasperatedbrother-in-lawhadmadesuperhumaneffortstoprocurehimanappoint-

mentintheCompanyasasecond-classagent。Havingnotapennyintheworldhewascompelledtoacceptthismeansoflivelihoodassoonasitbecamequitecleartohimthattherewasnothingmoretosqueezeoutofhisrelations。He，likeKayerts，regrettedhisoldlife。Heregrettedtheclinkofsabreandspursonafineafternoon，thebarrack-roomwitticisms，thegirlsofgarrisontowns；but，besides，hehadalsoasenseofgrievance。Hewasevidentlyamuchill-usedman。

Thismadehimmoody，attimes。Butthetwomengotonwelltogetherinthefellowshipoftheirstupidityandlaziness。Togethertheydidnothing，absolutelynothing，andenjoyedthesenseoftheidlenessforwhichtheywerepaid。Andintimetheycametofeelsomethingresemblingaffectionforoneanother。

Theylivedlikeblindmeninalargeroom，awareonlyofwhatcameincontactwiththem（andofthatonlyimperfectly），butunabletoseethegeneralaspectofthings。Theriver，theforest，allthegreatlandthrobbingwithlife，werelikeagreatemptiness。Eventhebrilliantsunshinedisclosednothingintelligible。Thingsappearedanddisappearedbeforetheireyesinanunconnectedandaimlesskindofway。Theriverseemedtocomefromnowhereandflownowhither。Itflowedthroughavoid。Outofthatvoid，attimes，camecanoes，andmenwithspearsintheirhandswouldsuddenlycrowdtheyardofthestation。Theywerenaked，glossyblack，ornamentedwithsnowyshellsandglisteningbrasswire，perfectoflimb。Theymadeanuncouthbabblingnoisewhentheyspoke，movedinastatelymanner，andsentquick，wildglancesoutoftheirstartled，never-restingeyes。Thosewarriorswouldsquatinlongrows，fourormoredeep，beforetheverandah，whiletheirchiefsbargainedforhourswithMakolaoveranelephanttusk。Kayertssatonhischairandlookeddownontheproceedings，understandingnothing。Hestaredatthemwithhisroundblueeyes，calledouttoCarlier，"Here，look！lookatthatfellowthere——andthatotherone，totheleft。Didyoueversuchaface？Oh，thefunnybrute！"

Carlier，smokingnativetobaccoinashortwoodenpipe，wouldswaggeruptwirlinghismoustaches，andsurveyingthewarriorswithhaughtyindulgence，wouldsay——

"Fineanimals。Broughtanybone？Yes？It’snotanytoosoon。Lookatthemusclesofthatfellowthirdfromtheend。Iwouldn’tcaretogetapunchonthenosefromhim。Finearms，butlegsnogoodbelowtheknee。Couldn’tmakecavalrymenofthem。"Andafterglancingdowncomplacentlyathisownshanks，healwaysconcluded："Pah！Don’ttheystink！You，Makola！Takethatherdovertothefetish"（thestorehousewasineverystationcalledthefetish，perhapsbecauseofthespiritofcivilizationitcontained）"andgivethemupsomeoftherubbishyoukeepthere。I’dratherseeitfullofbonethanfullofrags。"

Kayertsapproved。

"Yes，yes！Goandfinishthatpalaveroverthere，Mr。Makola。Iwillcomeroundwhenyouareready，toweighthetusk。Wemustbecareful。"

Thenturningtohiscompanion："Thisisthetribethatlivesdowntheriver；theyareratheraromatic。Iremember，theyhadbeenoncebeforehere。D’yehearthatrow？Whatafellowhasgottoputupwithinthisdogofacountry！Myheadissplit。"

Suchprofitablevisitswererare。Fordaysthetwopioneersoftradeandprogresswouldlookontheiremptycourtyardinthevibratingbrillianceofverticalsunshine。Belowthehighbank，thesilentriverflowedonglitteringandsteady。Onthesandsinthemiddleofthestream，hipposandalligatorssunnedthemselvessidebyside。Andstretchingawayinalldirections，surroundingtheinsignificantclearedspotofthetradingpost，immenseforests，hidingfatefulcomplicationsoffantasticlife，layintheeloquentsilenceofmutegreatness。Thetwomenunderstoodnothing，caredfornothingbutforthepassageofdaysthatseparatedthemfromthesteamer’sreturn。

Theirpredecessorhadleftsometornbooks。Theytookupthesewrecksofnovels，and，astheyhadneverreadanythingofthekindbefore，theyweresurprisedandamused。Thenduringlongdaystherewereinterminableandsillydiscussionsaboutplotsandpersonages。InthecentreofAfricatheymadeacquaintanceofRichelieuandofd’Artagnan，ofHawk’sEyeandofFatherGoriot，andofmanyotherpeople。Alltheseimaginarypersonagesbecamesubjectsforgossipasiftheyhadbeenlivingfriends。Theydiscountedtheirvirtues，suspectedtheirmotives，decriedtheirsuccesses；werescandalizedattheirduplicityorweredoubtfulabouttheircourage。Theaccountsofcrimesfilledthemwithindignation，whiletenderorpatheticpassagesmovedthemdeeply。Carlierclearedhisthroatandsaidinasoldierlyvoice，"Whatnonsense！"Kayerts，hisroundeyessuffusedwithtears，hisfatcheeksquivering，rubbedhisbaldhead，anddeclared。"Thisisasplendidbook。Ihadnoideathereweresuchcleverfellowsintheworld。"Theyalsofoundsomeoldcopiesofahomepaper。Thatprintdiscussedwhatitwaspleasedtocall"OurColonialExpansion"inhigh-flownlanguage。Itspokemuchoftherightsanddutiesofcivilization，ofthesacrednessofthecivilizingwork，andextolledthemeritsofthosewhowentaboutbringinglight，andfaithandcommercetothedarkplacesoftheearth。CarlierandKayertsread，wondered，andbegantothinkbetterofthemselves。Carliersaidoneevening，wavinghishandabout，"Inahundredyears，therewillbeperhapsatownhere。Quays，andwarehouses，andbarracks，and——and——billiard-rooms。Civilization，myboy，andvirtue——andall。

Andthen，chapswillreadthattwogoodfellows，KayertsandCarlier，werethefirstcivilizedmentoliveinthisveryspot！"Kayertsnodded，"Yes，itisaconsolationtothinkofthat。"Theyseemedtoforgettheirdeadpredecessor；but，earlyoneday，Carlierwentoutandreplantedthecrossfirmly。"ItusedtomakemesquintwheneverI

walkedthatway，"heexplainedtoKayertsoverthemorningcoffee。"Itmademesquint，leaningoversomuch。SoIjustplanteditupright。

Andsolid，Ipromiseyou！Isuspendedmyselfwithbothhandstothecross-piece。Notamove。Oh，Ididthatproperly。"

AttimesGobilacametoseethem。Gobilawasthechiefoftheneighbouringvillages。Hewasagray-headedsavage，thinandblack，withawhiteclothroundhisloinsandamangypantherskinhangingoverhisback。Hecameupwithlongstridesofhisskeletonlegs，swingingastaffastallashimself，and，enteringthecommonroomofthestation，wouldsquatonhisheelstotheleftofthedoor。Therehesat，watchingKayerts，andnowandthenmakingaspeechwhichtheotherdidnotunderstand。Kayerts，withoutinterruptinghisoccupation，wouldfromtimetotimesayinafriendlymanner："Howgoesit，youoldimage？"andtheywouldsmileatoneanother。Thetwowhiteshadalikingforthatoldandincomprehensiblecreature，andcalledhimFatherGobila。Gobila’smannerwaspaternal，andheseemedreallytoloveallwhitemen。Theyallappearedtohimveryyoung，indistinguishablyalike（exceptforstature），andheknewthattheywereallbrothers，andalsoimmortal。Thedeathoftheartist，whowasthefirstwhitemanwhomheknewintimately，didnotdisturbthisbelief，becausehewasfirmlyconvincedthatthewhitestrangerhadpretendedtodieandgothimselfburiedforsomemysteriouspurposeofhisown，intowhichitwasuselesstoinquire。Perhapsitwashiswayofgoinghometohisowncountry？Atanyrate，thesewerehisbrothers，andhetransferredhisabsurdaffectiontothem。Theyreturneditinaway。Carlierslappedhimontheback，andrecklesslystruckoffmatchesforhisamusement。Kayertswasalwaysreadytolethimhaveasniffattheammoniabottle。Inshort，theybehavedjustlikethatotherwhitecreaturethathadhiddenitselfinaholeintheground。Gobilaconsideredthemattentively。Perhapstheywerethesamebeingwiththeother——oroneofthemwas。Hecouldn’tdecide——clearupthatmystery；butheremainedalwaysveryfriendly。InconsequenceofthatfriendshipthewomenofGobila’svillagewalkedinsinglefilethroughthereedygrass，bringingeverymorningtothestation，fowls，andsweetpotatoes，andpalmwine，andsometimesagoat。TheCompanyneverprovisionsthestationsfully，andtheagentsrequiredthoselocalsuppliestolive。Theyhadthemthroughthegood-willofGobila，andlivedwell。Nowandthenoneofthemhadaboutoffever，andtheothernursedhimwithgentledevotion。Theydidnotthinkmuchofit。Itleftthemweaker，andtheirappearancechangedfortheworse。Carlierwashollow-eyedandirritable。Kayertsshowedadrawn，flabbyfaceabovetherotundityofhisstomach，whichgavehimaweirdaspect。Butbeingconstantlytogether，theydidnotnoticethechangethattookplacegraduallyintheirappearance，andalsointheirdispositions。

Fivemonthspassedinthatway。

Then，onemorning，asKayertsandCarlier，loungingintheirchairsundertheverandah，talkedabouttheapproachingvisitofthesteamer，aknotofarmedmencameoutoftheforestandadvancedtowardsthestation。Theywerestrangerstothatpartofthecountry。Theyweretall，slight，drapedclassicallyfromnecktoheelinbluefringedcloths，andcarriedpercussionmusketsovertheirbarerightshoulders。Makolashowedsignsofexcitement，andranoutofthestorehouse（wherehespentallhisdays）tomeetthesevisitors。Theycameintothecourtyardandlookedaboutthemwithsteady，scornfulglances。Theirleader，apowerfulanddetermined-lookingnegrowithbloodshoteyes，stoodinfrontoftheverandahandmadealongspeech。Hegesticulatedmuch，andceasedverysuddenly。

Therewassomethinginhisintonation，inthesoundsofthelongsentencesheused，thatstartledthetwowhites。Itwaslikeareminiscenceofsomethingnotexactlyfamiliar，andyetresemblingthespeechofcivilizedmen。Itsoundedlikeoneofthoseimpossiblelanguageswhichsometimeswehearinourdreams。

"Whatlingoisthat？"saidtheamazedCarlier。"InthefirstmomentI

fanciedthefellowwasgoingtospeakFrench。Anyway，itisadifferentkindofgibberishtowhatweeverheard。"

"Yes，"repliedKayerts。"Hey，Makola，whatdoeshesay？Wheredotheycomefrom？Whoarethey？"

ButMakola，whoseemedtobestandingonhotbricks，answeredhurriedly，"Idon’tknow。Theycomefromveryfar。PerhapsMrs。Pricewillunderstand。Theyareperhapsbadmen。"

Theleader，afterwaitingforawhile，saidsomethingsharplytoMakola，whoshookhishead。Thentheman，afterlookinground，noticedMakola’shutandwalkedoverthere。ThenextmomentMrs。Makolawasheardspeakingwithgreatvolubility。Theotherstrangers——theyweresixinall——strolledaboutwithanairofease，puttheirheadsthroughthedoorofthestoreroom，congregatedroundthegrave，pointedunderstandinglyatthecross，andgenerallymadethemselvesathome。

"Idon’tlikethosechaps——and，Isay，Kayerts，theymustbefromthecoast；they’vegotfirearms，"observedthesagaciousCarlier。

Kayertsalsodidnotlikethosechaps。Theyboth，forthefirsttime，becameawarethattheylivedinconditionswheretheunusualmaybedangerous，andthattherewasnopoweronearthoutsideofthemselvestostandbetweenthemandtheunusual。Theybecameuneasy，wentinandloadedtheirrevolvers。Kayertssaid，"WemustorderMakolatotellthemtogoawaybeforedark。"

Thestrangersleftintheafternoon，aftereatingamealpreparedforthembyMrs。Makola。Theimmensewomanwasexcited，andtalkedmuchwiththevisitors。Sherattledawayshrilly，pointinghereandthereattheforestsandattheriver。Makolasatapartandwatched。Attimeshegotupandwhisperedtohiswife。Heaccompaniedthestrangersacrosstheravineatthebackofthestation-ground，andreturnedslowlylookingverythoughtful。Whenquestionedbythewhitemenhewasverystrange，seemednottounderstand，seemedtohaveforgottenFrench——seemedtohaveforgottenhowtospeakaltogether。

KayertsandCarlieragreedthattheniggerhadhadtoomuchpalmwine。

Therewassometalkaboutkeepingawatchinturn，butintheeveningeverythingseemedsoquietandpeacefulthattheyretiredasusual。

Allnighttheyweredisturbedbyalotofdrumminginthevillages。A

deep，rapidrollnearbywouldbefollowedbyanotherfaroff——thenallceased。Soonshortappealswouldrattleouthereandthere，thenallmingletogether，increase，becomevigorousandsustained，wouldspreadoutovertheforest，rollthroughthenight，unbrokenandceaseless，nearandfar，asifthewholelandhadbeenoneimmensedrumboomingoutsteadilyanappealtoheaven。Andthroughthedeepandtremendousnoisesuddenyellsthatresembledsnatchesofsongsfromamadhousedartedshrillandhighindiscordantjetsofsoundwhichseemedtorushfarabovetheearthanddriveallpeacefromunderthestars。

CarlierandKayertssleptbadly。Theyboththoughttheyhadheardshotsfiredduringthenight——buttheycouldnotagreeastothedirection。InthemorningMakolawasgonesomewhere。Hereturnedaboutnoonwithoneofyesterday’sstrangers，andeludedallKayerts’

attemptstoclosewithhim：hadbecomedeafapparently。Kayertswondered。Carlier，whohadbeenfishingoffthebank，camebackandremarkedwhileheshowedhiscatch，"Theniggersseemtobeinadeuceofastir；Iwonderwhat’sup。IsawaboutfifteencanoescrosstheriverduringthetwohoursIwastherefishing。"Kayerts，worried，said，"Isn’tthisMakolaveryqueerto-day？"Carlieradvised，"Keepallourmentogetherincaseofsometrouble。"

II

ThereweretenstationmenwhohadbeenleftbytheDirector。Thosefellows，havingengagedthemselvestotheCompanyforsixmonths（withouthavinganyideaofamonthinparticularandonlyaveryfaintnotionoftimeingeneral），hadbeenservingthecauseofprogressforupwardsoftwoyears。Belongingtoatribefromaverydistantpartofthelandofdarknessandsorrow，theydidnotrunaway，naturallysupposingthataswanderingstrangerstheywouldbekilledbytheinhabitantsofthecountry；inwhichtheywereright。

Theylivedinstrawhutsontheslopeofaravineovergrownwithreedygrass，justbehindthestationbuildings。Theywerenothappy，regrettingthefestiveincantations，thesorceries，thehumansacrificesoftheirownland；wheretheyalsohadparents，brothers，sisters，admiredchiefs，respectedmagicians，lovedfriends，andothertiessupposedgenerallytobehuman。Besides，thericerationsservedoutbytheCompanydidnotagreewiththem，beingafoodunknowntotheirland，andtowhichtheycouldnotgetused。Consequentlytheywereunhealthyandmiserable。Hadtheybeenofanyothertribetheywouldhavemadeuptheirmindstodie——fornothingiseasiertocertainsavagesthansuicide——andsohaveescapedfromthepuzzlingdifficultiesofexistence。Butbelonging，astheydid，toawarliketribewithfiledteeth，theyhadmoregrit，andwentonstupidlylivingthroughdiseaseandsorrow。Theydidverylittlework，andhadlosttheirsplendidphysique。CarlierandKayertsdoctoredthemassiduouslywithoutbeingabletobringthembackintoconditionagain。Theyweremusteredeverymorningandtoldofftodifferenttasks——grass-cutting，fence-building，tree-felling，&c。，&c。，whichnopoweronearthcouldinducethemtoexecuteefficiently。Thetwowhiteshadpracticallyverylittlecontroloverthem。

IntheafternoonMakolacameovertothebighouseandfoundKayertswatchingthreeheavycolumnsofsmokerisingabovetheforests。"Whatisthat？"askedKayerts。"Somevillagesburn，"answeredMakola，whoseemedtohaveregainedhiswits。Thenhesaidabruptly："Wehavegotverylittleivory；badsixmonths’trading。Doyoulikegetalittlemoreivory？"

"Yes，"saidKayerts，eagerly。Hethoughtofpercentageswhichwerelow。

"ThosemenwhocameyesterdayaretradersfromLoandawhohavegotmoreivorythantheycancarryhome。ShallIbuy？Iknowtheircamp。"

"Certainly，"saidKayerts。"Whatarethosetraders？"

"Badfellows，"saidMakola，indifferently。"Theyfightwithpeople，andcatchwomenandchildren。Theyarebadmen，andgotguns。Thereisagreatdisturbanceinthecountry。Doyouwantivory？"

"Yes，"saidKayerts。Makolasaidnothingforawhile。Then："Thoseworkmenofoursarenogoodatall，"hemuttered，lookinground。

"Stationinverybadorder，sir。Directorwillgrowl。Bettergetafinelotofivory，thenhesaynothing。"

"Ican’thelpit；themenwon’twork，"saidKayerts。"Whenwillyougetthativory？"

"Verysoon，"saidMakola。"Perhapsto-night。Youleaveittome，andkeepindoors，sir。Ithinkyouhadbettergivesomepalmwinetoourmentomakeadancethisevening。Enjoythemselves。Workbetterto-morrow。There’splentypalmwine——gonealittlesour。"

Kayertssaid"yes，"andMakola，withhisownhandscarriedbigcalabashestothedoorofhishut。Theystoodtheretilltheevening，andMrs。Makolalookedintoeveryone。Themengotthematsunset。

WhenKayertsandCarlierretired，abigbonfirewasflaringbeforethemen’shuts。Theycouldheartheirshoutsanddrumming。SomemenfromGobila’svillagehadjoinedthestationhands，andtheentertainmentwasagreatsuccess。

Inthemiddleofthenight，Carlierwakingsuddenly，heardamanshoutloudly；thenashotwasfired。Onlyone。CarlierranoutandmetKayertsontheverandah。Theywerebothstartled。AstheywentacrosstheyardtocallMakola，theysawshadowsmovinginthenight。Oneofthemcried，"Don’tshoot！It’sme，Price。"ThenMakolaappearedclosetothem。"Goback，goback，please，"heurged，"youspoilall。""Therearestrangemenabout，"saidCarlier。"Nevermind；Iknow，"saidMakola。Thenhewhispered，"Allright。Bringivory。Saynothing！I

knowmybusiness。"Thetwowhitemenreluctantlywentbacktothehouse，butdidnotsleep。Theyheardfootsteps，whispers，somegroans。

Itseemedasifalotofmencamein，dumpedheavythingsontheground，squabbledalongtime，thenwentaway。Theylayontheirhardbedsandthought："ThisMakolaisinvaluable。"InthemorningCarliercameout，verysleepy，andpulledatthecordofthebigbell。Thestationhandsmusteredeverymorningtothesoundofthebell。Thatmorningnobodycame。Kayertsturnedoutalso，yawning。AcrosstheyardtheysawMakolacomeoutofhishut，atinbasinofsoapywaterinhishand。Makola，acivilizednigger，wasveryneatinhisperson。Hethrewthesoapsudsskilfullyoverawretchedlittleyellowcurhehad，thenturninghisfacetotheagent’shouse，heshoutedfromthedistance，"Allthemengonelastnight！"

Theyheardhimplainly，butintheirsurprisetheybothyelledouttogether："What！"Thentheystaredatoneanother。"Weareinaproperfixnow，"growledCarlier。"It’sincredible！"mutteredKayerts。"I

willgotothehutsandsee，"saidCarlier，stridingoff。MakolacomingupfoundKayertsstandingalone。

"Icanhardlybelieveit，"saidKayerts，tearfully。"Wetookcareofthemasiftheyhadbeenourchildren。"

"Theywentwiththecoastpeople，"saidMakolaafteramomentofhesitation。

"WhatdoIcarewithwhomtheywent——theungratefulbrutes！"

exclaimedtheother。Thenwithsuddensuspicion，andlookinghardatMakola，headded："Whatdoyouknowaboutit？"

Makolamovedhisshoulders，lookingdownontheground。"WhatdoI

know？Ithinkonly。WillyoucomeandlookattheivoryI’vegotthere？Itisafinelot。Youneversawsuch。"

Hemovedtowardsthestore。Kayertsfollowedhimmechanically，thinkingabouttheincredibledesertionofthemen。Onthegroundbeforethedoorofthefetishlaysixsplendidtusks。

"Whatdidyougiveforit？"askedKayerts，aftersurveyingthelotwithsatisfaction。

"Noregulartrade，"saidMakola。"Theybroughttheivoryandgaveittome。Itoldthemtotakewhattheymostwantedinthestation。Itisabeautifullot。Nostationcanshowsuchtusks。Thosetraderswantedcarriersbadly，andourmenwerenogoodhere。Notrade，noentryinbooks：allcorrect。"

Kayertsnearlyburstwithindignation。"Why！"heshouted，"Ibelieveyouhavesoldourmenforthesetusks！"Makolastoodimpassiveandsilent。"I——I——will——I，"stutteredKayerts。"Youfiend！"heyelledout。

"IdidthebestforyouandtheCompany，"saidMakola，imperturbably。

"Whyyoushoutsomuch？Lookatthistusk。"

"Idismissyou！Iwillreportyou——Iwon’tlookatthetusk。Iforbidyoutotouchthem。Iorderyoutothrowthemintotheriver。

You——you！"

"Youveryred，Mr。Kayerts。Ifyouaresoirritableinthesun，youwillgetfeveranddie——likethefirstchief！"pronouncedMakolaimpressively。

Theystoodstill，contemplatingoneanotherwithintenseeyes，asiftheyhadbeenlookingwitheffortacrossimmensedistances。Kayertsshivered。Makolahadmeantnomorethanhesaid，buthiswordsseemedtoKayertsfullofominousmenace！Heturnedsharplyandwentawaytothehouse。Makolaretiredintothebosomofhisfamily；andthetusks，leftlyingbeforethestore，lookedverylargeandvaluableinthesunshine。

Carliercamebackontheverandah。"They’reallgone，hey？"askedKayertsfromthefarendofthecommonroominamuffledvoice。"Youdidnotfindanybody？"

"Oh，yes，"saidCarlier，"IfoundoneofGobila’speoplelyingdeadbeforethehuts——shotthroughthebody。Weheardthatshotlastnight。"

Kayertscameoutquickly。Hefoundhiscompanionstaringgrimlyovertheyardatthetusks，awaybythestore。Theybothsatinsilenceforawhile。ThenKayertsrelatedhisconversationwithMakola。Carliersaidnothing。Atthemiddaymealtheyateverylittle。Theyhardlyexchangedawordthatday。Agreatsilenceseemedtolieheavilyoverthestationandpressontheirlips。Makoladidnotopenthestore；hespentthedayplayingwithhischildren。Helayfull-lengthonamatoutsidehisdoor，andtheyoungsterssatonhischestandclamberedalloverhim。Itwasatouchingpicture。Mrs。Makolawasbusycookingallday，asusual。Thewhitemenmadeasomewhatbettermealintheevening。Afterwards，Carliersmokinghispipestrolledovertothestore；hestoodforalongtimeoverthetusks，touchedoneortwowithhisfoot，eventriedtoliftthelargestonebyitssmallend。Hecamebacktohischief，whohadnotstirredfromtheverandah，threwhimselfinthechairandsaid——

"Icanseeit！Theywerepounceduponwhiletheysleptheavilyafterdrinkingallthatpalmwineyou’veallowedMakolatogivethem。A

put-upjob！See？Theworstis，someofGobila’speoplewerethere，andgotcarriedofftoo，nodoubt。Theleastdrunkwokeup，andgotshotforhissobriety。Thisisafunnycountry。Whatwillyoudonow？"

"Wecan’ttouchit，ofcourse，"saidKayerts。

"Ofcoursenot，"assentedCarlier。

"Slaveryisanawfulthing，"stammeredoutKayertsinanunsteadyvoice。

"Frightful——thesufferings，"gruntedCarlierwithconviction。

Theybelievedtheirwords。Everybodyshowsarespectfuldeferencetocertainsoundsthatheandhisfellowscanmake。Butaboutfeelingspeoplereallyknownothing。Wetalkwithindignationorenthusiasm；wetalkaboutoppression，cruelty，crime，devotion，self-sacrifice，virtue，andweknownothingrealbeyondthewords。Nobodyknowswhatsufferingorsacrificemean——except，perhapsthevictimsofthemysteriouspurposeoftheseillusions。

NextmorningtheysawMakolaverybusysettingupintheyardthebigscalesusedforweighingivory。ByandbyCarliersaid："What’sthatfilthyscoundrelupto？"andloungedoutintotheyard。Kayertsfollowed。Theystoodwatching。Makolatooknonotice。Whenthebalancewasswungtrue，hetriedtoliftatuskintothescale。Itwastooheavy。Helookeduphelplesslywithoutaword，andforaminutetheystoodroundthatbalanceasmuteandstillasthreestatues。SuddenlyCarliersaid："Catchholdoftheotherend，Makola——youbeast！"andtogethertheyswungthetuskup。Kayertstrembledineverylimb。Hemuttered，"Isay！O！Isay！"andputtinghishandinhispocketfoundthereadirtybitofpaperandthestumpofapencil。Heturnedhisbackontheothers，asifabouttodosomethingtricky，andnotedstealthilytheweightswhichCarliershoutedouttohimwithunnecessaryloudness。WhenallwasoverMakolawhisperedtohimself：

"Thesun’sverystronghereforthetusks。"CarliersaidtoKayertsinacarelesstone："Isay，chief，Imightjustaswellgivehimaliftwiththislotintothestore。"

AstheyweregoingbacktothehouseKayertsobservedwithasigh：

"Ithadtobedone。"AndCarliersaid："It’sdeplorable，but，themenbeingCompany’smentheivoryisCompany’sivory。Wemustlookafterit。""IwillreporttotheDirector，ofcourse，"saidKayerts。"Ofcourse；lethimdecide，"approvedCarlier。

Atmiddaytheymadeaheartymeal。Kayertssighedfromtimetotime。