第8章

Hestammereddistractedly。

"Iwant……Iwant……to……to……know……"

Onthecandidlightoftheeyesflittedshadows；shadowsofdoubt，ofsuspicion，thereadysuspicionofanunquenchableantagonism，thepitilessmistrustofaneternalinstinctofdefence；thehate，theprofound，frightenedhateofanincomprehensible——ofanabominableemotionintrudingitscoarsematerialismuponthespiritualandtragiccontestofherfeelings。

"Alvan……Iwon’tbearthis……"Shebegantopantsuddenly，"I’vearight——arightto——to——myself……"

Heliftedonearm，andappearedsomenacingthatshestoppedinafrightandshrankbackalittle。

Hestoodwithupliftedhand……Theyearswouldpass——andhewouldhavetolivewiththatunfathomablecandourwhereflitshadowsofsuspicionsandhate……Theyearswouldpass——andhewouldneverknow——nevertrust……Theyearswouldpasswithoutfaithandlove……

"Canyoustandit？"heshouted，asthoughshecouldhaveheardallhisthoughts。

Helookedmenacing。Shethoughtofviolence，ofdanger——and，justforaninstant，shedoubtedwhetherthereweresplendoursenoughonearthtopaythepriceofsuchabrutalexperience。Hecriedagain：

"Canyoustandit？"andglaredasifinsane。Hereyesblazed，too。Shecouldnotheartheappallingclamourofhisthoughts。Shesuspectedinhimasuddenregret，afreshfitofjealousy，adishonestdesireofevasion。Sheshoutedbackangrily——

"Yes！"

Hewasshakenwherehestoodasifbyastruggletobreakoutofinvisiblebonds。Shetrembledfromheadtofoot。

"Well，Ican’t！"Heflungbothhisarmsout，asiftopushheraway，andstrodefromtheroom。Thedoorswungtowithaclick。Shemadethreequickstepstowardsitandstoodstill，lookingatthewhiteandgoldpanels。Nosoundcamefrombeyond，notawhisper，notasigh；notevenafootstepwasheardoutsideonthethickcarpet。Itwasasthoughnosoonergonehehadsuddenlyexpired——asthoughhehaddiedthereandhisbodyhadvanishedontheinstanttogetherwithhissoul。

Shelistened，withpartedlipsandirresoluteeyes。Thenbelow，farbelowher，asifintheentrailsoftheearth，adoorslammedheavily；

andthequiethousevibratedtoitfromrooftofoundations，morethantoaclapofthunder。

Heneverreturned。

THELAGOON

Thewhiteman，leaningwithbotharmsovertheroofofthelittlehouseinthesternoftheboat，saidtothesteersman——

"WewillpassthenightinArsat’sclearing。Itislate。"

TheMalayonlygrunted，andwentonlookingfixedlyattheriver。Thewhitemanrestedhischinonhiscrossedarmsandgazedatthewakeoftheboat。Attheendofthestraightavenueofforestscutbytheintenseglitteroftheriver，thesunappeareduncloudedanddazzling，poisedlowoverthewaterthatshonesmoothlylikeabandofmetal。

Theforests，sombreanddull，stoodmotionlessandsilentoneachsideofthebroadstream。Atthefootofbig，toweringtrees，trunklessnipapalmsrosefromthemudofthebank，inbunchesofleavesenormousandheavy，thathungunstirringoverthebrownswirlofeddies。Inthestillnessoftheaireverytree，everyleaf，everybough，everytendrilofcreeperandeverypetalofminuteblossomsseemedtohavebeenbewitchedintoanimmobilityperfectandfinal。

Nothingmovedontheriverbuttheeightpaddlesthatroseflashingregularly，dippedtogetherwithasinglesplash；whilethesteersmansweptrightandleftwithaperiodicandsuddenflourishofhisbladedescribingaglintingsemicircleabovehishead。Thechurned-upwaterfrothedalongsidewithaconfusedmurmur。Andthewhiteman’scanoe，advancingupstreamintheshort-liveddisturbanceofitsownmaking，seemedtoentertheportalsofalandfromwhichtheverymemoryofmotionhadforeverdeparted。

Thewhiteman，turninghisbackuponthesettingsun，lookedalongtheemptyandbroadexpanseofthesea-reach。Forthelastthreemilesofitscoursethewandering，hesitatingriver，asifenticedirresistiblybythefreedomofanopenhorizon，flowsstraightintothesea，flowsstraighttotheeast——totheeastthatharboursbothlightanddarkness。Asternoftheboattherepeatedcallofsomebird，acrydiscordantandfeeble，skippedalongoverthesmoothwaterandlostitself，beforeitcouldreachtheothershore，inthebreathlesssilenceoftheworld。

Thesteersmandughispaddleintothestream，andheldhardwithstiffenedarms，hisbodythrownforward。Thewatergurgledaloud；andsuddenlythelongstraightreachseemedtopivotonitscentre，theforestsswunginasemicircle，andtheslantingbeamsofsunsettouchedthebroadsideofthecanoewithafieryglow，throwingtheslenderanddistortedshadowsofitscrewuponthestreakedglitteroftheriver。Thewhitemanturnedtolookahead。Thecourseoftheboathadbeenalteredatright-anglestothestream，andthecarveddragon-headofitsprowwaspointingnowatagapinthefringingbushesofthebank。Itglidedthrough，brushingtheoverhangingtwigs，anddisappearedfromtheriverlikesomeslimandamphibiouscreatureleavingthewaterforitslairintheforests。

Thenarrowcreekwaslikeaditch：tortuous，fabulouslydeep；filledwithgloomunderthethinstripofpureandshiningblueoftheheaven。Immensetreessoaredup，invisiblebehindthefestooneddraperiesofcreepers。Hereandthere，neartheglisteningblacknessofthewater，atwistedrootofsometalltreeshowedamongstthetraceryofsmallferns，blackanddull，writhingandmotionless，likeanarrestedsnake。Theshortwordsofthepaddlersreverberatedloudlybetweenthethickandsombrewallsofvegetation。Darknessoozedoutfrombetweenthetrees，throughthetangledmazeofthecreepers，frombehindthegreatfantasticandunstirringleaves；thedarkness，mysteriousandinvincible；thedarknessscentedandpoisonousofimpenetrableforests。

Themenpoledintheshoalingwater。Thecreekbroadened，openingoutintoawidesweepofastagnantlagoon。Theforestsrecededfromthemarshybank，leavingalevelstripofbrightgreen，reedygrasstoframethereflectedbluenessofthesky。Afleecypinkclouddriftedhighabove，trailingthedelicatecolouringofitsimageunderthefloatingleavesandthesilveryblossomsofthelotus。Alittlehouse，perchedonhighpiles，appearedblackinthedistance。Nearit，twotallnibongpalms，thatseemedtohavecomeoutoftheforestsinthebackground，leanedslightlyovertheraggedroof，withasuggestionofsadtendernessandcareinthedroopoftheirleafyandsoaringheads。

Thesteersman，pointingwithhispaddle，said，"Arsatisthere。Iseehiscanoefastbetweenthepiles。"

Thepolersranalongthesidesoftheboatglancingovertheirshouldersattheendoftheday’sjourney。Theywouldhavepreferredtospendthenightsomewhereelsethanonthislagoonofweirdaspectandghostlyreputation。Moreover，theydislikedArsat，firstasastranger，andalsobecausehewhorepairsaruinedhouse，anddwellsinit，proclaimsthatheisnotafraidtoliveamongstthespiritsthathaunttheplacesabandonedbymankind。Suchamancandisturbthecourseoffatebyglancesorwords；whilehisfamiliarghostsarenoteasytopropitiatebycasualwayfarersuponwhomtheylongtowreakthemaliceoftheirhumanmaster。Whitemencarenotforsuchthings，beingunbelieversandinleaguewiththeFatherofEvil，wholeadsthemunharmedthroughtheinvisibledangersofthisworld。Tothewarningsoftherighteoustheyopposeanoffensivepretenceofdisbelief。Whatistheretobedone？

Sotheythought，throwingtheirweightontheendoftheirlongpoles。

Thebigcanoeglidedonswiftly，noiselessly，andsmoothly，towardsArsat’sclearing，till，inagreatrattlingofpolesthrowndown，andtheloudmurmursof"Allahbepraised！"itcamewithagentleknockagainstthecrookedpilesbelowthehouse。

Theboatmenwithupliftedfacesshouteddiscordantly，"Arsat！O

Arsat！"Nobodycame。Thewhitemanbegantoclimbtherudeladdergivingaccesstothebambooplatformbeforethehouse。Thejuraganoftheboatsaidsulkily，"Wewillcookinthesampan，andsleeponthewater。"

"Passmyblanketsandthebasket，"saidthewhiteman，curtly。

Hekneltontheedgeoftheplatformtoreceivethebundle。Thentheboatshovedoff，andthewhiteman，standingup，confrontedArsat，whohadcomeoutthroughthelowdoorofhishut。Hewasamanyoung，powerful，withbroadchestandmusculararms。Hehadnothingonbuthissarong。Hisheadwasbare。Hisbig，softeyesstaredeagerlyatthewhiteman，buthisvoiceanddemeanourwerecomposedasheasked，withoutanywordsofgreeting——

"Haveyoumedicine，Tuan？"

"No，"saidthevisitorinastartledtone。"No。Why？Istheresicknessinthehouse？"

"Enterandsee，"repliedArsat，inthesamecalmmanner，andturningshortround，passedagainthroughthesmalldoorway。Thewhiteman，droppinghisbundles，followed。

Inthedimlightofthedwellinghemadeoutonacouchofbamboosawomanstretchedonherbackunderabroadsheetofredcottoncloth。

Shelaystill，asifdead；butherbigeyes，wideopen，glitteredinthegloom，staringupwardsattheslenderrafters，motionlessandunseeing。Shewasinahighfever，andevidentlyunconscious。Hercheeksweresunkslightly，herlipswerepartlyopen，andontheyoungfacetherewastheominousandfixedexpression——theabsorbed，contemplatingexpressionoftheunconsciouswhoaregoingtodie。Thetwomenstoodlookingdownatherinsilence。

"Hasshebeenlongill？"askedthetraveller。

"Ihavenotsleptforfivenights，"answeredtheMalay，inadeliberatetone。"Atfirstsheheardvoicescallingherfromthewaterandstruggledagainstmewhoheldher。Butsincethesunofto-dayroseshehearsnothing——shehearsnotme。Sheseesnothing。Sheseesnotme——me！"

Heremainedsilentforaminute，thenaskedsoftly——

"Tuan，willshedie？"

"Ifearso，"saidthewhiteman，sorrowfully。HehadknownArsatyearsago，inafarcountryintimesoftroubleanddanger，whennofriendshipistobedespised。AndsincehisMalayfriendhadcomeunexpectedlytodwellinthehutonthelagoonwithastrangewoman，hehadsleptmanytimesthere，inhisjourneysupanddowntheriver。

Helikedthemanwhoknewhowtokeepfaithincouncilandhowtofightwithoutfearbythesideofhiswhitefriend。Helikedhim——notsomuchperhapsasamanlikeshisfavouritedog——butstillhelikedhimwellenoughtohelpandasknoquestions，tothinksometimesvaguelyandhazilyinthemidstofhisownpursuits，aboutthelonelymanandthelong-hairedwomanwithaudaciousfaceandtriumphanteyes，wholivedtogetherhiddenbytheforests——aloneandfeared。

Thewhitemancameoutofthehutintimetoseetheenormousconflagrationofsunsetputoutbytheswiftandstealthyshadowsthat，risinglikeablackandimpalpablevapourabovethetree-tops，spreadovertheheaven，extinguishingthecrimsonglowoffloatingcloudsandtheredbrillianceofdepartingdaylight。Inafewmomentsallthestarscameoutabovetheintenseblacknessoftheearthandthegreatlagoongleamingsuddenlywithreflectedlightsresembledanovalpatchofnightskyflungdownintothehopelessandabysmalnightofthewilderness。Thewhitemanhadsomesupperoutofthebasket，thencollectingafewsticksthatlayabouttheplatform，madeupasmallfire，notforwarmth，butforthesakeofthesmoke，whichwouldkeepoffthemosquitos。Hewrappedhimselfintheblanketsandsatwithhisbackagainstthereedwallofthehouse，smokingthoughtfully。

Arsatcamethroughthedoorwaywithnoiselessstepsandsquatteddownbythefire。Thewhitemanmovedhisoutstretchedlegsalittle。

"Shebreathes，"saidArsatinalowvoice，anticipatingtheexpectedquestion。"Shebreathesandburnsasifwithagreatfire。Shespeaksnot；shehearsnot——andburns！"

Hepausedforamoment，thenaskedinaquiet，incurioustone——

"Tuan……willshedie？"

Thewhitemanmovedhisshouldersuneasilyandmutteredinahesitatingmanner——

"Ifsuchisherfate。"

"No，Tuan，"saidArsat，calmly。"Ifsuchismyfate。Ihear，Isee，I

wait。Iremember……Tuan，doyouremembertheolddays？Doyouremembermybrother？"

"Yes，"saidthewhiteman。TheMalayrosesuddenlyandwentin。Theother，sittingstilloutside，couldhearthevoiceinthehut。Arsatsaid："Hearme！Speak！"Hiswordsweresucceededbyacompletesilence。"ODiamelen！"hecried，suddenly。Afterthatcrytherewasadeepsigh。Arsatcameoutandsankdownagaininhisoldplace。

Theysatinsilencebeforethefire。Therewasnosoundwithinthehouse，therewasnosoundnearthem；butfarawayonthelagoontheycouldhearthevoicesoftheboatmenringingfitfulanddistinctonthecalmwater。Thefireinthebowsofthesampanshonefaintlyinthedistancewithahazyredglow。Thenitdiedout。Thevoicesceased。Thelandandthewatersleptinvisible，unstirringandmute。

Itwasasthoughtherehadbeennothingleftintheworldbuttheglitterofstarsstreaming，ceaselessandvain，throughtheblackstillnessofthenight。

Thewhitemangazedstraightbeforehimintothedarknesswithwide-openeyes。Thefearandfascination，theinspirationandthewonderofdeath——ofdeathnear，unavoidable，andunseen，soothedtheunrestofhisraceandstirredthemostindistinct，themostintimateofhisthoughts。Theever-readysuspicionofevil，thegnawingsuspicionthatlurksinourhearts，flowedoutintothestillnessroundhim——intothestillnessprofoundanddumb，andmadeitappearuntrustworthyandinfamous，liketheplacidandimpenetrablemaskofanunjustifiableviolence。Inthatfleetingandpowerfuldisturbanceofhisbeingtheearthenfoldedinthestarlightpeacebecameashadowycountryofinhumanstrife，abattle-fieldofphantomsterribleandcharming，augustorignoble，strugglingardentlyforthepossessionofourhelplesshearts。Anunquietandmysteriouscountryofinextinguishabledesiresandfears。

Aplaintivemurmurroseinthenight；amurmursaddeningandstartling，asifthegreatsolitudesofsurroundingwoodshadtriedtowhisperintohisearthewisdomoftheirimmenseandloftyindifference。Soundshesitatingandvaguefloatedintheairroundhim，shapedthemselvesslowlyintowords；andatlastflowedongentlyinamurmuringstreamofsoftandmonotonoussentences。Hestirredlikeamanwakingupandchangedhispositionslightly。Arsat，motionlessandshadowy，sittingwithbowedheadunderthestars，wasspeakinginalowanddreamytone——

"……forwherecanwelaydowntheheavinessofourtroublebutinafriend’sheart？Amanmustspeakofwarandoflove。You，Tuan，knowwhatwaris，andyouhaveseenmeintimeofdangerseekdeathasothermenseeklife！Awritingmaybelost；aliemaybewritten；butwhattheeyehasseenistruthandremainsinthemind！"

"Iremember，"saidthewhiteman，quietly。Arsatwentonwithmournfulcomposure——

"ThereforeIshallspeaktoyouoflove。Speakinthenight。Speakbeforebothnightandlovearegone——andtheeyeofdaylooksuponmysorrowandmyshame；uponmyblackenedface；uponmyburnt-upheart。"

Asigh，shortandfaint，markedanalmostimperceptiblepause，andthenhiswordsflowedon，withoutastir，withoutagesture。

"Afterthetimeoftroubleandwarwasoverandyouwentawayfrommycountryinthepursuitofyourdesires，whichwe，menoftheislands，cannotunderstand，Iandmybrotherbecameagain，aswehadbeenbefore，thesword-bearersoftheRuler。Youknowweweremenoffamily，belongingtoarulingrace，andmorefitthananytocarryonourrightshouldertheemblemofpower。AndinthetimeofprosperitySiDendringshowedusfavour，aswe，intimeofsorrow，hadshowedtohimthefaithfulnessofourcourage。Itwasatimeofpeace。Atimeofdeer-huntsandcock-fights；ofidletalksandfoolishsquabblesbetweenmenwhosebelliesarefullandweaponsarerusty。Butthesowerwatchedtheyoungrice-shootsgrowupwithoutfear，andthetraderscameandwent，departedleanandreturnedfatintotheriverofpeace。Theybroughtnews，too。Broughtliesandtruthmixedtogether，sothatnomanknewwhentorejoiceandwhentobesorry。Weheardfromthemaboutyoualso。Theyhadseenyouhereandhadseenyouthere。AndIwasgladtohear，forIrememberedthestirringtimes，andIalwaysrememberedyou，Tuan，tillthetimecamewhenmyeyescouldseenothinginthepast，becausetheyhadlookedupontheonewhoisdyingthere——inthehouse。"

Hestoppedtoexclaiminanintensewhisper，"OMarabahia！O

Calamity！"thenwentonspeakingalittlelouder：

"There’snoworseenemyandnobetterfriendthanabrother，Tuan，foronebrotherknowsanother，andinperfectknowledgeisstrengthforgoodorevil。Ilovedmybrother。IwenttohimandtoldhimthatI

couldseenothingbutoneface，hearnothingbutonevoice。Hetoldme：’Openyourheartsothatshecanseewhatisinit——andwait。

Patienceiswisdom。InchiMidahmaydieorourRulermaythrowoffhisfearofawoman！’……Iwaited！……Youremembertheladywiththeveiledface，Tuan，andthefearofourRulerbeforehercunningandtemper。Andifshewantedherservant，whatcouldIdo？ButIfedthehungerofmyheartonshortglancesandstealthywords。Iloiteredonthepathtothebath-housesinthedaytime，andwhenthesunhadfallenbehindtheforestIcreptalongthejasminehedgesofthewomen’scourtyard。Unseeing，wespoketooneanotherthroughthescentofflowers，throughtheveilofleaves，throughthebladesoflonggrassthatstoodstillbeforeourlips；sogreatwasourprudence，sofaintwasthemurmurofourgreatlonging。Thetimepassedswiftly……andtherewerewhispersamongstwomen——andourenemieswatched——mybrotherwasgloomy，andIbegantothinkofkillingandofafiercedeath……Weareofapeoplewhotakewhattheywant——likeyouwhites。Thereisatimewhenamanshouldforgetloyaltyandrespect。Mightandauthorityaregiventorulers，buttoallmenisgivenloveandstrengthandcourage。Mybrothersaid，’Youshalltakeherfromtheirmidst。Wearetwowhoarelikeone。’AndI

answered，’Letitbesoon，forIfindnowarmthinsunlightthatdoesnotshineuponher。’OurtimecamewhentheRulerandallthegreatpeoplewenttothemouthoftherivertofishbytorchlight。Therewerehundredsofboats，andonthewhitesand，betweenthewaterandtheforests，dwellingsofleaveswerebuiltforthehouseholdsoftheRajahs。Thesmokeofcooking-fireswaslikeabluemistoftheevening，andmanyvoicesranginitjoyfully。Whiletheyweremakingtheboatsreadytobeatupthefish，mybrothercametomeandsaid，’To-night！’Ilookedtomyweapons，andwhenthetimecameourcanoetookitsplaceinthecircleofboatscarryingthetorches。Thelightsblazedonthewater，butbehindtheboatstherewasdarkness。Whentheshoutingbeganandtheexcitementmadethemlikemadwedroppedout。

Thewaterswallowedourfire，andwefloatedbacktotheshorethatwasdarkwithonlyhereandtheretheglimmerofembers。Wecouldhearthetalkofslave-girlsamongstthesheds。Thenwefoundaplacedesertedandsilent。Wewaitedthere。Shecame。Shecamerunningalongtheshore，rapidandleavingnotrace，likealeafdrivenbythewindintothesea。Mybrothersaidgloomily，’Goandtakeher；carryherintoourboat。’Iliftedherinmyarms。Shepanted。Herheartwasbeatingagainstmybreast。Isaid，’Itakeyoufromthosepeople。Youcametothecryofmyheart，butmyarmstakeyouintomyboatagainstthewillofthegreat！’’Itisright，’saidmybrother。’Wearemenwhotakewhatwewantandcanholditagainstmany。Weshouldhavetakenherindaylight。’Isaid，’Letusbeoff’；forsinceshewasinmyboatIbegantothinkofourRuler’smanymen。’Yes。Letusbeoff，’saidmybrother。’Wearecastoutandthisboatisourcountrynow——andtheseaisourrefuge。’Helingeredwithhisfootontheshore，andIentreatedhimtohasten，forIrememberedthestrokesofherheartagainstmybreastandthoughtthattwomencannotwithstandahundred。Weleft，paddlingdownstreamclosetothebank；andaswepassedbythecreekwheretheywerefishing，thegreatshoutinghadceased，butthemurmurofvoiceswasloudlikethehummingofinsectsflyingatnoonday。Theboatsfloated，clusteredtogether，intheredlightoftorches，underablackroofofsmoke；andmentalkedoftheirsport。Menthatboasted，andpraised，andjeered——menthatwouldhavebeenourfriendsinthemorning，butonthatnightwerealreadyourenemies。Wepaddledswiftlypast。Wehadnomorefriendsinthecountryofourbirth。Shesatinthemiddleofthecanoewithcoveredface；silentassheisnow；unseeingassheisnow——andIhadnoregretatwhatIwasleavingbecauseIcouldhearherbreathingclosetome——asIcanhearhernow。"

Hepaused，listenedwithhisearturnedtothedoorway，thenshookhisheadandwenton：

"Mybrotherwantedtoshoutthecryofchallenge——onecryonly——toletthepeopleknowwewerefreebornrobberswhotrustedourarmsandthegreatsea。AndagainIbeggedhiminthenameofourlovetobesilent。CouldInothearherbreathingclosetome？Iknewthepursuitwouldcomequickenough。Mybrotherlovedme。Hedippedhispaddlewithoutasplash。Heonlysaid，’Thereishalfamaninyounow——theotherhalfisinthatwoman。Icanwait。Whenyouareawholemanagain，youwillcomebackwithmeheretoshoutdefiance。Wearesonsofthesamemother。’Imadenoanswer。Allmystrengthandallmyspiritwereinmyhandsthatheldthepaddle——forIlongedtobewithherinasafeplacebeyondthereachofmen’sangerandofwomen’sspite。Mylovewassogreat，thatIthoughtitcouldguidemetoacountrywheredeathwasunknown，ifIcouldonlyescapefromInchiMidah’sfuryandfromourRuler’ssword。Wepaddledwithhaste，breathingthroughourteeth。Thebladesbitdeepintothesmoothwater。Wepassedoutoftheriver；weflewinclearchannelsamongsttheshallows。Weskirtedtheblackcoast；weskirtedthesandbeacheswheretheseaspeaksinwhisperstotheland；andthegleamofwhitesandflashedbackpastourboat，soswiftlysheranuponthewater。Wespokenot。OnlyonceIsaid，’Sleep，Diamelen，forsoonyoumaywantallyourstrength。’Iheardthesweetnessofhervoice，butIneverturnedmyhead。Thesunroseandstillwewenton。Waterfellfrommyfacelikerainfromacloud。Weflewinthelightandheat。Ineverlookedback，butIknewthatmybrother’seyes，behindme，werelookingsteadilyahead，fortheboatwentasstraightasabushman’sdart，whenitleavestheendofthesumpitan。Therewasnobetterpaddler，nobettersteersmanthanmybrother。Manytimes，together，wehadwonracesinthatcanoe。Butweneverhadputoutourstrengthaswedidthen——then，whenforthelasttimewepaddledtogether！Therewasnobraverorstrongermaninourcountrythanmybrother。Icouldnotsparethestrengthtoturnmyheadandlookathim，buteverymomentIheardthehissofhisbreathgettinglouderbehindme。Stillhedidnotspeak。Thesunwashigh。Theheatclungtomybacklikeaflameoffire。Myribswerereadytoburst，butIcouldnolongergetenoughairintomychest。AndthenIfeltImustcryoutwithmylastbreath，’Letusrest！’……’Good！’heanswered；andhisvoicewasfirm。Hewasstrong。Hewasbrave。Heknewnotfearandnofatigue……Mybrother！"

Amurmurpowerfulandgentle，amurmurvastandfaint；themurmuroftremblingleaves，ofstirringboughs，ranthroughthetangleddepthsoftheforests，ranoverthestarrysmoothnessofthelagoon，andthewaterbetweenthepileslappedtheslimytimberoncewithasuddensplash。Abreathofwarmairtouchedthetwomen’sfacesandpassedonwithamournfulsound——abreathloudandshortlikeanuneasysighofthedreamingearth。

Arsatwentoninaneven，lowvoice。

"Weranourcanoeonthewhitebeachofalittlebayclosetoalongtongueoflandthatseemedtobarourroad；alongwoodedcapegoingfarintothesea。Mybrotherknewthatplace。Beyondthecapeariverhasitsentrance，andthroughthejungleofthatlandthereisanarrowpath。Wemadeafireandcookedrice。Thenwelaydowntosleeponthesoftsandintheshadeofourcanoe，whileshewatched。NosoonerhadIclosedmyeyesthanIheardhercryofalarm。Weleapedup。Thesunwashalfwaydowntheskyalready，andcominginsightintheopeningofthebaywesawapraumannedbymanypaddlers。Weknewitatonce；itwasoneofourRajah’spraus。Theywerewatchingtheshore，andsawus。Theybeatthegong，andturnedtheheadoftheprauintothebay。Ifeltmyheartbecomeweakwithinmybreast。Diamelensatonthesandandcoveredherface。Therewasnoescapebysea。Mybrotherlaughed。Hehadthegunyouhadgivenhim，Tuan，beforeyouwentaway，buttherewasonlyahandfulofpowder。Hespoketomequickly：’Runwithheralongthepath。Ishallkeepthemback，fortheyhavenofirearms，andlandinginthefaceofamanwithaguniscertaindeathforsome。Runwithher。Ontheothersideofthatwoodthereisafisherman’shouse——andacanoe。WhenIhavefiredalltheshotsIwillfollow。Iamagreatrunner，andbeforetheycancomeupweshallbegone。IwillholdoutaslongasIcan，forsheisbutawoman——thatcanneitherrunnorfight，butshehasyourheartinherweakhands。’Hedroppedbehindthecanoe。Theprauwascoming。SheandIran，andaswerushedalongthepathIheardshots。Mybrotherfired——once——twice——andtheboomingofthegongceased。Therewassilencebehindus。Thatneckoflandisnarrow。BeforeIheardmybrotherfirethethirdshotIsawtheshelvingshore，andIsawthewateragain；themouthofabroadriver。Wecrossedagrassyglade。Werandowntothewater。Isawalowhutabovetheblackmud，andasmallcanoehauledup。Iheardanothershotbehindme。Ithought，’Thatishislastcharge。’Werusheddowntothecanoe；amancamerunningfromthehut，butIleapedonhim，andwerolledtogetherinthemud。ThenIgotup，andhelaystillatmyfeet。Idon’tknowwhetherIhadkilledhimornot。IandDiamelenpushedthecanoeafloat。Iheardyellsbehindme，andIsawmybrotherrunacrosstheglade。Manymenwereboundingafterhim，Itookherinmyarmsandthrewherintotheboat，thenleapedinmyself。WhenIlookedbackI

sawthatmybrotherhadfallen。Hefellandwasupagain，butthemenwereclosingroundhim。Heshouted，’Iamcoming！’Themenwereclosetohim。Ilooked。Manymen。ThenIlookedather。Tuan，Ipushedthecanoe！Ipusheditintodeepwater。Shewaskneelingforwardlookingatme，andIsaid，’Takeyourpaddle，’whileIstruckthewaterwithmine。Tuan，Iheardhimcry。Iheardhimcrymynametwice；andI

heardvoicesshouting，’Kill！Strike！’Ineverturnedback。Iheardhimcallingmynameagainwithagreatshriek，aswhenlifeisgoingouttogetherwiththevoice——andIneverturnedmyhead。Myownname！……Mybrother！Threetimeshecalled——butIwasnotafraidoflife。

Wasshenotthereinthatcanoe？AndcouldInotwithherfindacountrywheredeathisforgotten——wheredeathisunknown！"

Thewhitemansatup。Arsatroseandstood，anindistinctandsilentfigureabovethedyingembersofthefire。Overthelagoonamistdriftingandlowhadcrept，erasingslowlytheglitteringimagesofthestars。Andnowagreatexpanseofwhitevapourcoveredtheland：

itflowedcoldandgrayinthedarkness，eddiedinnoiselesswhirlsroundthetree-trunksandabouttheplatformofthehouse，whichseemedtofloatuponarestlessandimpalpableillusionofasea。Onlyfarawaythetopsofthetreesstoodoutlinedonthetwinkleofheaven，likeasombreandforbiddingshore——acoastdeceptive，pitilessandblack。

Arsat’svoicevibratedloudlyintheprofoundpeace。

"Ihadherthere！Ihadher！TogetherIwouldhavefacedallmankind。ButIhadher——and——"

Hiswordswentoutringingintotheemptydistances。Hepaused，andseemedtolistentothemdyingawayveryfar——beyondhelpandbeyondrecall。Thenhesaidquietly——

"Tuan，Ilovedmybrother。"

Abreathofwindmadehimshiver。Highabovehishead，highabovethesilentseaofmistthedroopingleavesofthepalmsrattledtogetherwithamournfulandexpiringsound。Thewhitemanstretchedhislegs。

Hischinrestedonhischest，andhemurmuredsadlywithoutliftinghishead——

"Weallloveourbrothers。"

Arsatburstoutwithanintensewhisperingviolence——

"WhatdidIcarewhodied？Iwantedpeaceinmyownheart。"

Heseemedtohearastirinthehouse——listened——thensteppedinnoiselessly。Thewhitemanstoodup。Abreezewascominginfitfulpuffs。Thestarsshonepalerasiftheyhadretreatedintothefrozendepthsofimmensespace。Afterachillgustofwindtherewereafewsecondsofperfectcalmandabsolutesilence。Thenfrombehindtheblackandwavylineoftheforestsacolumnofgoldenlightshotupintotheheavensandspreadoverthesemicircleoftheeasternhorizon。Thesunhadrisen。Themistlifted，brokeintodriftingpatches，vanishedintothinflyingwreaths；andtheunveiledlagoonlay，polishedandblack，intheheavyshadowsatthefootofthewalloftrees。Awhiteeagleroseoveritwithaslantingandponderousflight，reachedtheclearsunshineandappeareddazzlinglybrilliantforamoment，thensoaringhigher，becameadarkandmotionlessspeckbeforeitvanishedintotheblueasifithadlefttheearthforever。

Thewhiteman，standinggazingupwardsbeforethedoorway，heardinthehutaconfusedandbrokenmurmurofdistractedwordsendingwithaloudgroan。SuddenlyArsatstumbledoutwithoutstretchedhands，shivered，andstoodstillforsometimewithfixedeyes。Thenhesaid——

"Sheburnsnomore。"

Beforehisfacethesunshoweditsedgeabovethetree-topsrisingsteadily。Thebreezefreshened；agreatbrillianceburstuponthelagoon，sparkledontheripplingwater。Theforestscameoutoftheclearshadowsofthemorning，becamedistinct，asiftheyhadrushednearer——tostopshortinagreatstirofleaves，ofnoddingboughs，ofswayingbranches。Inthemercilesssunshinethewhisperofunconsciouslifegrewlouder，speakinginanincomprehensiblevoiceroundthedumbdarknessofthathumansorrow。Arsat’seyeswanderedslowly，thenstaredattherisingsun。

"Icanseenothing，"hesaidhalfaloudtohimself。

"Thereisnothing，"saidthewhiteman，movingtotheedgeoftheplatformandwavinghishandtohisboat。Ashoutcamefaintlyoverthelagoonandthesampanbegantoglidetowardstheabodeofthefriendofghosts。

"Ifyouwanttocomewithme，Iwillwaitallthemorning，"saidthewhiteman，lookingawayuponthewater。

"No，Tuan，"saidArsat，softly。"Ishallnoteatorsleepinthishouse，butImustfirstseemyroad。NowIcanseenothing——seenothing！Thereisnolightandnopeaceintheworld；butthereisdeath——deathformany。Wearesonsofthesamemother——andIlefthiminthemidstofenemies；butIamgoingbacknow。"

Hedrewalongbreathandwentoninadreamytone：

"InalittlewhileIshallseeclearenoughtostrike——tostrike。Butshehasdied，and……now……darkness。"

Heflunghisarmswideopen，letthemfallalonghisbody，thenstoodstillwithunmovedfaceandstonyeyes，staringatthesun。Thewhitemangotdownintohiscanoe。Thepolersransmartlyalongthesidesoftheboat，lookingovertheirshouldersatthebeginningofawearyjourney。Highinthestern，hisheadmuffledupinwhiterags，thejuragansatmoody，lettinghispaddletrailinthewater。Thewhiteman，leaningwithbotharmsoverthegrassroofofthelittlecabin，lookedbackattheshiningrippleoftheboat’swake。Beforethesampanpassedoutofthelagoonintothecreekheliftedhiseyes。

Arsathadnotmoved。Hestoodlonelyinthesearchingsunshine；andhelookedbeyondthegreatlightofacloudlessdayintothedarknessofaworldofillusions。