ThehandoftheCompassionateisheavyonmyhead！Oh，mycalamity！Oh，myshame！\"
Hecalmeddownafterawhile，andaskedquietly——
\"Isthesunset，Babalatchi？\"
\"ItisnowaslowasthehighesttreeIcanseefromhere，\"
answeredBabalatchi。
\"Itisthetimeofprayer，\"saidOmar，attemptingtogetup。
DutifullyBabalatchihelpedhisoldchieftorise，andtheywalkedslowlytowardsthehut。Omarwaitedoutside，whileBabalatchiwentinandcameoutdirectly，draggingafterhimtheoldArab’sprayingcarpet。OutofabrassvesselhepouredthewaterofablutiononOmar’soutstretchedhands，andeasedhimcarefullydownintoakneelingposture，forthevenerablerobberwasfartooinfirmtobeabletostand。ThenasOmardronedoutthefirstwordsandmadehisfirstbowtowardstheHolyCity，BabalatchisteppednoiselesslytowardsAissa，whodidnotmoveallthetime。
Aissalookedsteadilyattheone-eyedsage，whowasapproachingherslowlyandwithagreatshowofdeference。Foramomenttheystoodfacingeachotherinsilence。Babalatchiappearedembarrassed。Withasuddenandquickgestureshecaughtholdofhisarm，andwiththeotherhandpointedtowardsthesinkingreddiscthatglowed，rayless，throughthefloatingmistsoftheevening。
\"Thethirdsunset！Thelast！Andheisnothere，\"shewhispered；\"whathaveyoudone，manwithoutfaith？Whathaveyoudone？\"
\"IndeedIhavekeptmyword，\"murmuredBabalatchi，earnestly。
\"ThismorningBulangiwentwithacanoetolookforhim。Heisastrangeman，butourfriend，andshallkeepclosetohimandwatchhimwithoutostentation。AndatthethirdhourofthedayIhavesentanothercanoewithfourrowers。Indeed，themanyoulongfor，OdaughterofOmar！maycomewhenhelikes。\"
\"Butheisnothere！Iwaitedforhimyesterday。To-day！
To-morrowIshallgo。\"
\"Notalive！\"mutteredBabalatchitohimself。\"Anddoyoudoubtyourpower，\"hewentoninaloudertone——\"youthattohimaremorebeautifulthananhourioftheseventhHeaven？Heisyourslave。\"
\"Aslavedoesrunawaysometimes，\"shesaid，gloomily，\"andthenthemastermustgoandseekhimout。\"
\"Anddoyouwanttoliveanddieabeggar？\"askedBabalatchi，impatiently。
\"Icarenot，\"sheexclaimed，wringingherhands；andtheblackpupilsofherwide-openeyesdartedwildlyhereandtherelikepetrelsbeforethestorm。
\"Sh！Sh！\"hissedBabalatchi，withaglancetowardsOmar。\"Doyouthink，Ogirl！thathehimselfwouldlivelikeabeggar，evenwithyou？\"
\"Heisgreat，\"shesaid，ardently。\"Hedespisesyouall！Hedespisesyouall！Heisindeedaman！\"
\"Youknowthatbest，\"mutteredBabalatchi，withafugitivesmile——\"butremember，womanwiththestrongheart，thattoholdhimnowyoumustbetohimlikethegreatseatothirstymen——anever-ceasingtorment，andamadness。\"
Heceasedandtheystoodinsilence，bothlookingontheground，andforatimenothingwasheardabovethecracklingofthefirebuttheintoningofOmarglorifyingtheGod——hisGod，andtheFaith——hisfaith。ThenBabalatchicockedhisheadononesideandappearedtolistenintentlytothehumofvoicesinthebigcourtyard。Thedullnoiseswelledintodistinctshouts，thenintoagreattumultofvoices，dyingaway，recommencing，growinglouder，toceaseagainabruptly；andinthoseshortpausestheshrillvociferationsofwomenrushedup，asifreleased，towardsthequietheaven。AissaandBabalatchistarted，butthelattergrippedinhisturnthegirl’sarmandrestrainedherwithastronggrasp。
\"Wait，\"hewhispered。
ThelittledoorintheheavystockadewhichseparatedLakamba’sprivategroundfromOmar’senclosureswungbackquickly，andthenobleexileappearedwithdisturbedmienandanakedshortswordinhishand。Histurbanwashalfunrolled，andtheendtrailedonthegroundbehindhim。Hisjacketwasopen。Hebreathedthicklyforamomentbeforehespoke。
\"HecameinBulangi’sboat，\"hesaid，\"andwalkedquietlytillhewasinmypresence，whenthesenselessfuryofwhitemencausedhimtorushuponme。Ihavebeeningreatdanger，\"wentontheambitiousnoblemaninanaggrievedtone。\"Doyouhearthat，Babalatchi？Thateaterofswineaimedablowatmyfacewithhisuncleanfist。Hetriedtorushamongstmyhousehold。Sixmenareholdinghimnow。\"
AfreshoutburstofyellsstoppedLakamba’sdiscourse。Angryvoicesshouted:\"Holdhim。Beathimdown。Strikeathishead。\"
Thentheclamourceasedwithsuddencompleteness，asifstrangledbyamightyhand，andafterasecondofsurprisingsilencethevoiceofWillemswasheardalone，howlingmaledictionsinMalay，inDutch，andinEnglish。
\"Listen，\"saidLakamba，speakingwithunsteadylips，\"heblasphemeshisGod。Hisspeechisliketheravingofamaddog。
Canweholdhimforever？Hemustbekilled！\"
\"Fool！\"mutteredBabalatchi，lookingupatAissa，whostoodwithsetteeth，withgleamingeyesanddistendednostrils，yetobedienttothetouchofhisrestraininghand。\"Itisthethirdday，andIhavekeptmypromise，\"hesaidtoher，speakingverylow。\"Remember，\"headdedwarningly——\"liketheseatothethirsty！Andnow，\"hesaidaloud，releasingherandsteppingback，\"go，fearlessdaughter，go！\"
Likeanarrow，rapidandsilentsheflewdowntheenclosure，anddisappearedthroughthegateofthecourtyard。LakambaandBabalatchilookedafterher。Theyheardtherenewedtumult，thegirl’sclearvoicecallingout，\"Lethimgo！\"ThenafterapauseinthedinnolongerthanhalfthehumanbreaththenameofAissaranginashoutloud，discordant，andpiercing，whichsentthroughthemaninvoluntaryshudder。OldOmarcollapsedonhiscarpetandmoanedfeebly；Lakambastaredwithgloomycontemptinthedirectionoftheinhumansound；butBabalatchi，forcingasmile，pushedhisdistinguishedprotectorthroughthenarrowgateinthestockade，followedhim，andcloseditquickly。
Theoldwoman，whohadbeenmostofthetimekneelingbythefire，nowrose，glancedroundfearfullyandcrouchedhidingbehindthetree。Thegateofthegreatcourtyardflewopenwithagreatclatterbeforeafrantickick，andWillemsdartedincarryingAissainhisarms。Herusheduptheenclosurelikeatornado，pressingthegirltohisbreast，herarmsroundhisneck，herheadhangingbackoverhisarm，hereyesclosedandherlonghairnearlytouchingtheground。Theyappearedforasecondintheglareofthefire，then，withimmensestrides，hedasheduptheplanksanddisappearedwithhisburdeninthedoorwayofthebighouse。
Insideandoutsidetheenclosuretherewassilence。Omarlaysupportinghimselfonhiselbow，histerrifiedfacewithitsclosedeyesgivinghimtheappearanceofamantormentedbyanightmare。
\"Whatisit？Help！Helpmetorise！\"hecalledoutfaintly。
Theoldhag，stillcrouchingintheshadow，staredwithblearedeyesatthedoorwayofthebighouse，andtooknonoticeofhiscall。Helistenedforawhile，thenhisarmgaveway，and，withadeepsighofdiscouragement，helethimselffallonthecarpet。
Theboughsofthetreenoddedandtrembledintheunsteadycurrentsofthelightwind。Aleaffluttereddownslowlyfromsomehighbranchandrestedontheground，immobile，asifrestingforever，intheglowofthefire；butsoonitstirred，thensoaredsuddenly，andflew，spinningandturningbeforethebreathoftheperfumedbreeze，drivenhelplesslyintothedarknightthathadclosedovertheland。
CHAPTERTHREE
ForupwardsoffortyyearsAbdullahadwalkedinthewayofhisLord。SonoftherichSyedSelimbinSali，thegreatMohammedantraderoftheStraits，hewentforthattheageofseventeenonhisfirstcommercialexpedition，ashisfather’srepresentativeonboardapilgrimshipcharteredbythewealthyArabtoconveyacrowdofpiousMalaystotheHolyShrine。Thatwasinthedayswhensteamwasnotinthoseseas——or，atleast，notsomuchasnow。Thevoyagewaslong，andtheyoungman’seyeswereopenedtothewondersofmanylands。Allahhadmadeithisfatetobecomeapilgrimveryearlyinlife。ThiswasagreatfavourofHeaven，anditcouldnothavebeenbestoweduponamanwhoprizeditmore，orwhomadehimselfmoreworthyofitbytheunswervingpietyofhisheartandbythereligioussolemnityofhisdemeanour。Lateronitbecameclearthatthebookofhisdestinycontainedtheprogrammeofawanderinglife。HevisitedBombayandCalcutta，lookedinatthePersianGulf，beheldinduecoursethehighandbarrencoastsoftheGulfofSuez，andthiswasthelimitofhiswanderingswestward。Hewasthentwenty-seven，andthewritingonhisforeheaddecreedthatthetimehadcomeforhimtoreturntotheStraitsandtakefromhisdyingfather’shandsthemanythreadsofabusinessthatwasspreadoveralltheArchipelago:fromSumatratoNewGuinea，fromBataviatoPalawan。
Verysoonhisability，hiswill——strongtoobstinacy——hiswisdombeyondhisyears，causedhimtoberecognizedastheheadofafamilywhosemembersandconnectionswerefoundineverypartofthoseseas。Anunclehere——abrotherthere；afather-in-lawinBatavia，anotherinPalembang；husbandsofnumeroussisters；
cousinsinnumerablescatterednorth，south，east，andwest——ineveryplacewheretherewastrade:thegreatfamilylaylikeanetworkovertheislands。Theylentmoneytoprinces，influencedthecouncil-rooms，faced——ifneedbe——withpeacefulintrepiditythewhiterulerswhoheldthelandandtheseaundertheedgeofsharpswords；andtheyallpaidgreatdeferencetoAbdulla，listenedtohisadvice，enteredintohisplans——becausehewaswise，pious，andfortunate。
HeborehimselfwiththehumilitybecomingaBeliever，whoneverforgets，evenforonemomentofhiswakinglife，thatheistheservantoftheMostHigh。HewaslargelycharitablebecausethecharitablemanisthefriendofAllah，andwhenhewalkedoutofhishouse——builtofstone，justoutsidethetownofPenang——onhiswaytohisgodownsintheport，hehadoftentosnatchhishandawaysharplyfromunderthelipsofmenofhisraceandcreed；andoftenhehadtomurmurdeprecatingwords，oreventorebukewithseveritythosewhoattemptedtotouchhiskneeswiththeirfinger-tipsingratitudeorsupplication。Hewasveryhandsome，andcarriedhissmallheadhighwithmeekgravity。Hisloftybrow，straightnose，narrow，darkfacewithitschiselleddelicacyoffeature，gavehimanaristocraticappearancewhichproclaimedhispuredescent。Hisbeardwastrimmedcloseandtoaroundedpoint。Hislargebrowneyeslookedoutsteadilywithasweetnessthatwasbeliedbytheexpressionofhisthin-lippedmouth。Hisaspectwasserene。Hehadabeliefinhisownprosperitywhichnothingcouldshake。
Restless，likeallhispeople，heveryseldomdweltformanydaystogetherinhissplendidhouseinPenang。Ownerofships，hewasoftenonboardoneoranotherofthem，traversinginalldirectionsthefieldofhisoperations。Ineveryporthehadahousehold——hisownorthatofarelation——tohailhisadventwithdemonstrativejoy。Ineveryporttherewererichandinfluentialmeneagertoseehim，therewasbusinesstotalkover，therewereimportantletterstoread:animmensecorrespondence，enclosedinsilkenvelopes——acorrespondencewhichhadnothingtodowiththeinfidelsofcolonialpost-offices，butcameintohishandsbydevious，yetsafe，ways。Itwasleftforhimbytaciturnnakhodasofnativetradingcraft，orwasdeliveredwithprofoundsalaamsbytravel-stainedandwearymenwhowouldwithdrawfromhispresencecallinguponAllahtoblessthegenerousgiverofsplendidrewards。Andthenewswasalwaysgood，andallhisattemptsalwayssucceeded，andinhisearsthererangalwaysachorusofadmiration，ofgratitude，ofhumbleentreaties。
Afortunateman。Andhisfelicitywassocompletethatthegoodgenii，whoorderedthestarsathisbirth，hadnotneglected——byarefinementofbenevolencestrangeinsuchprimitivebeings——toprovidehimwithadesiredifficulttoattain，andwithanenemyhardtoovercome。TheenvyofLingard’spoliticalandcommercialsuccesses，andthewishtogetthebestofhimineveryway，becameAbdulla’smania，theparamountinterestofhislife，thesaltofhisexistence。
ForthelastfewmonthshehadbeenreceivingmysteriousmessagesfromSambirurginghimtodecisiveaction。Hehadfoundtheriveracoupleofyearsago，andhadbeenanchoredmorethanonceoffthatestuarywherethe，tillthen，rapidPantai，spreadingslowlyoverthelowlands，seemstohesitate，beforeitflowsgentlythroughtwentyoutlets；overamazeofmudflats，sandbanksandreefs，intotheexpectantsea。Hehadneverattemptedtheentrance，however，becausemenofhisrace，althoughbraveandadventuroustravellers，lackthetrueseamanlikeinstincts，andhewasafraidofgettingwrecked。HecouldnotbeartheideaoftheRajahLautbeingabletoboastthatAbdullabinSelim，likeotherandlessermen，hadalsocometogriefwhentryingtowresthissecretfromhim。MeantimehereturnedencouraginganswerstohisunknownfriendsinSambir，andwaitedforhisopportunityinthecalmcertitudeofultimatetriumph。
SuchwasthemanwhomLakambaandBabalatchiexpectedtoseeforthefirsttimeonthenightofWillems’returntoAissa。
Babalatchi，whohadbeentormentedforthreedaysbythefearofhavingover-reachedhimselfinhislittleplot，now，feelingsureofhiswhiteman，feltlightheartedandhappyashesuperintendedthepreparationsinthecourtyardforAbdulla’sreception。
Half-waybetweenLakamba’shouseandtheriverapileofdrywoodwasmadereadyforthetorchthatwouldsetfiretoitatthemomentofAbdulla’slanding。Betweenthisandthehouseagaintherewas，rangedinasemicircle，asetoflowbambooframes，andonthosewerepiledallthecarpetsandcushionsofLakamba’shousehold。Ithadbeendecidedthatthereceptionwastotakeplaceintheopenair，andthatitshouldbemadeimpressivebythegreatnumberofLakamba’sretainers，who，cladincleanwhite，withtheirredsarongsgatheredroundtheirwaists，chopperatsideandlanceinhand，weremovingaboutthecompoundor，gatheringintosmallknots，discussedeagerlythecomingceremony。
Twolittlefiresburnedbrightlyonthewater’sedgeoneachsideofthelandingplace。Asmallheapofdamar-gumtorcheslaybyeach，andbetweenthemBabalatchistrolledbackwardsandforwards，stoppingoftenwithhisfacetotheriverandhisheadononeside，listeningtothesoundsthatcamefromthedarknessoverthewater。Therewasnomoonandthenightwasveryclearoverhead，but，aftertheafternoonbreezehadexpiredinfitfulpuffs，thevapourshungthickeningovertheglancingsurfaceofthePantaiandclungtotheshore，hidingfromviewthemiddleofthestream。
Acryinthemist——thenanother——and，beforeBabalatchicouldanswer，twolittlecanoesdasheduptothelanding-place，andtwooftheprincipalcitizensofSambir，DaoudSahaminandHametBahassoen，whohadbeenconfidentiallyinvitedtomeetAbdulla，landedquicklyandaftergreetingBabalatchiwalkedupthedarkcourtyardtowardsthehouse。Thelittlestircausedbytheirarrivalsoonsubsided，andanothersilenthourdraggeditsslowlengthwhileBabalatchitrampedupanddownbetweenthefires，hisfacegrowingmoreanxiouswitheverypassingmoment。
Atlasttherewasheardaloudhailfromdowntheriver。AtacallfromBabalatchimenrandowntotheriversideand，snatchingthetorches，thrustthemintothefires，thenwavedthemabovetheirheadstilltheyburstintoaflame。Thesmokeascendedinthick，wispystreams，andhunginaruddycloudabovetheglarethatlitupthecourtyardandflashedoverthewater，showingthreelongcanoesmannedbymanypaddlerslyingalittleoff；themeninthemliftingtheirpaddlesonhighanddippingthemdowntogether，inaneasystrokethatkeptthesmallflotillamotionlessinthestrongcurrent，exactlyabreastofthelanding-
place。Amanstoodupinthelargestcraftandcalledout——
\"SyedAbdullabinSelimishere！\"
Babalatchiansweredaloudinaformaltone——
\"Allahgladdensourhearts！Cometotheland！\"
Abdullalandedfirst，steadyinghimselfbythehelpofBabalatchi’sextendedhand。Intheshortmomentofhispassingfromtheboattotheshoretheyexchangedsharpglancesandafewrapidwords。
\"Whoareyou？\"
\"Babalatchi。ThefriendofOmar。TheprotectedofLakamba。\"
\"Youwrote？\"
\"Mywordswerewritten，OGiverofalms！\"
AndthenAbdullawalkedwithcomposedfacebetweenthetwolinesofmenholdingtorches，andmetLakambainfrontofthebigfirethatwascracklingitselfupintoagreatblaze。Foramomenttheystoodwithclaspedhandsinvokingpeaceuponeachother’shead，thenLakamba，stillholdinghishonouredguestbythehand，ledhimroundthefiretothepreparedseats。Babalatchifollowedclosebehindhisprotector。AbdullawasaccompaniedbytwoArabs。He，likehiscompanions，wasdressedinawhiterobeofstarchedmuslin，whichfellinstifffoldsstraightfromtheneck。Itwasbuttonedfromthethroathalfwaydownwithacloserowofverysmallgoldbuttons；roundthetightsleevestherewasanarrowbraidofgoldlace。Onhisshavenheadheworeasmallskull-capofplaitedgrass。Hewasshodinpatentleatherslippersoverhisnakedfeet。Arosaryofheavywoodenbeadshungbyaroundturnfromhisrightwrist。Hesatdownslowlyintheplaceofhonour，and，droppinghisslippers，tuckeduphislegsunderhimdecorously。
Theimproviseddivanwasarrangedinawidesemi-circle，ofwhichthepointmostdistantfromthefire——sometenyards——wasalsothenearesttoLakamba’sdwelling。Assoonastheprincipalpersonageswereseated，theverandahofthehousewasfilledsilentlybythemuffled-upformsofLakamba’sfemalebelongings。
Theycrowdedclosetotherailandlookeddown，whisperingfaintly。Below，theformalexchangeofcomplimentswentonforsometimebetweenLakambaandAbdulla，whosatsidebyside。
Babalatchisquattedhumblyathisprotector’sfeet，withnothingbutathinmatbetweenhimselfandthehardground。
Thentherewasapause。Abdullaglancedroundinanexpectantmanner，andafterawhileBabalatchi，whohadbeensittingverystillinapensiveattitude，seemedtorousehimselfwithaneffort，andbegantospeakingentleandpersuasivetones。HedescribedinflowingsentencesthefirstbeginningsofSambir，thedisputeofthepresentruler，Patalolo，withtheSultanofKoti，theconsequenttroublesendingwiththerisingofBugissettlersundertheleadershipofLakamba。AtdifferentpointsofthenarrativehewouldturnforconfirmationtoSahaminandBahassoen，whosatlisteningeagerlyandassentedtogetherwitha\"Betul！Betul！Right！Right！\"ejaculatedinaferventundertone。
Warmingupwithhissubjectasthenarrativeproceeded，BabalatchiwentontorelatethefactsconnectedwithLingard’sactionatthecriticalperiodofthoseinternaldissensions。Hespokeinarestrainedvoicestill，butwithagrowingenergyofindignation。Whatwashe，thatmanoffierceaspect，tokeepalltheworldawayfromthem？Washeagovernment？Whomadehimruler？HetookpossessionofPatalolo’smindandmadehishearthard；heputseverewordsintohismouthandcausedhishandtostrikerightandleft。ThatunbelieverkepttheFaithfulpantingundertheweightofhissenselessoppression。Theyhadtotradewithhim——acceptsuchgoodsashewouldgive——suchcreditashewouldaccord。Andheexactedpaymenteveryyear……
\"Verytrue！\"exclaimedSahaminandBahassoentogether。
BabalatchiglancedatthemapprovinglyandturnedtoAbdulla。
\"Listentothosemen，OProtectoroftheoppressed！\"heexclaimed。\"Whatcouldwedo？Amanmusttrade。Therewasnobodyelse。\"
Sahamingotup，staffinhand，andspoketoAbdullawithponderouscourtesy，emphasizinghiswordsbythesolemnflourishesofhisrightarm。
\"Itisso。Wearewearyofpayingourdebtstothatwhitemanhere，whoisthesonoftheRajahLaut。Thatwhiteman——maythegraveofhismotherbedefiled！——isnotcontenttoholdusallinhishandwithacruelgrasp。Heseekstocauseourverydeath。
HetradeswiththeDyaksoftheforest，whoarenobetterthanmonkeys。Hebuysfromthemguttahandrattans——whilewestarve。
OnlytwodaysagoIwenttohimandsaid，’TuanAlmayer’——evenso；wemustspeakpolitelytothatfriendofSatan——’TuanAlmayer，Ihavesuchandsuchgoodstosell。Willyoubuy？’Andhespokethus——becausethosewhitemenhavenounderstandingofanycourtesy——hespoketomeasifIwasaslave:’Daoud，youarealuckyman’——remark，OFirstamongsttheBelievers！thatbythosewordshecouldhavebroughtmisfortuneonmyhead——’youarealuckymantohaveanythinginthesehardtimes。Bringyourgoodsquickly，andIshallreceivetheminpaymentofwhatyouowemefromlastyear。’Andhelaughed，andstruckmeontheshoulderwithhisopenhand。MayJehannumbehislot！\"
\"Wewillfighthim，\"saidyoungBahassoen，crisply。\"Weshallfightifthereishelpandaleader。TuanAbdulla，willyoucomeamongus？\"
Abdulladidnotansweratonce。Hislipsmovedinaninaudiblewhisperandthebeadspassedthroughhisfingerswithadryclick。Allwaitedinrespectfulsilence。\"Ishallcomeifmyshipcanenterthisriver，\"saidAbdullaatlast，inasolemntone。
\"Itcan，Tuan，\"exclaimedBabalatchi。\"Thereisawhitemanherewho……\"
\"IwanttoseeOmarelBadaviandthatwhitemanyouwroteabout，\"interruptedAbdulla。
Babalatchigotonhisfeetquickly，andtherewasageneralmove。
Thewomenontheverandahhurriedindoors，andfromthecrowdthathadkeptdiscreetlyindistantpartsofthecourtyardacoupleofmenranwitharmfulsofdryfuel，whichtheycastuponthefire。Oneofthem，atasignfromBabalatchi，approachedand，aftergettinghisorders，wenttowardsthelittlegateandenteredOmar’senclosure。Whilewaitingforhisreturn，Lakamba，Abdulla，andBabalatchitalkedtogetherinlowtones。Sahaminsatbyhimselfchewingbetel-nutsleepilywithaslightandindolentmotionofhisheavyjaw。Bahassoen，hishandonthehiltofhisshortsword，struttedbackwardsandforwardsinthefulllightofthefire，lookingverywarlikeandreckless；theenvyandadmirationofLakamba’sretainers，whostoodingroupsorflittedaboutnoiselesslyintheshadowsofthecourtyard。
ThemessengerwhohadbeensenttoOmarcamebackandstoodatadistance，waitingtillsomebodynoticedhim。Babalatchibeckonedhimclose。
\"Whatarehiswords？\"askedBabalatchi。
\"HesaysthatSyedAbdullaiswelcomenow，\"answeredtheman。
LakambawasspeakinglowtoAbdulla，wholistenedtohimwithdeepinterest。
\"……Wecouldhaveeightymeniftherewasneed，\"hewassaying——\"eightymeninfourteencanoes。Theonlythingwewantisgunpowder……\"
\"Hai！therewillbenofighting，\"brokeinBabalatchi。\"Thefearofyournamewillbeenoughandtheterrorofyourcoming。\"
\"Theremaybepowdertoo，\"mutteredAbdullawithgreatnonchalance，\"ifonlytheshipenterstheriversafely。\"
\"Iftheheartisstouttheshipwillbesafe，\"saidBabalatchi。
\"WewillgonowandseeOmarelBadaviandthewhitemanIhavehere。\"
Lakamba’sdulleyesbecameanimatedsuddenly。
\"Takecare，TuanAbdulla，\"hesaid，\"takecare。Thebehaviourofthatuncleanwhitemadmanisfuriousintheextreme。Heofferedtostrike……\"
\"Onmyhead，youaresafe，OGiverofalms！\"interruptedBabalatchi。
Abdullalookedfromonetotheother，andthefaintestflickerofapassingsmiledisturbedforamomenthisgravecomposure。HeturnedtoBabalatchi，andsaidwithdecision——
\"Letusgo。\"
\"Thisway，OUplifterofourhearts！\"rattledonBabalatchi，withfussydeference。\"OnlyaveryfewpacesandyoushallbeholdOmarthebrave，andawhitemanofgreatstrengthandcunning。
Thisway。\"
HemadeasignforLakambatoremainbehind，andwithrespectfultouchesontheelbowsteeredAbdullatowardsthegateattheupperendofthecourt-yard。Astheywalkedonslowly，followedbythetwoArabs，hekeptontalkinginarapidundertonetothegreatman，whoneverlookedathimonce，althoughappearingtolistenwithflatteringattention。WhennearthegateBabalatchimovedforwardandstopped，facingAbdulla，withhishandonthefastenings。
\"Youshallseethemboth，\"hesaid。\"Allmywordsaboutthemaretrue。WhenIsawhimenslavedbytheoneofwhomIspoke，Iknewhewouldbesoftinmyhandlikethemudoftheriver。Atfirstheansweredmytalkwithbadwordsofhisownlanguage，afterthemannerofwhitemen。Afterwards，whenlisteningtothevoiceheloved，hehesitated。Hehesitatedformanydays——toomany。I，knowinghimwell，madeOmarwithdrawherewithhis……
household。Thenthisred-facedmanragedforthreedayslikeablackpantherthatishungry。Andthisevening，thisveryevening，hecame。Ihavehimhere。Heisinthegraspofonewithamercilessheart。Ihavehimhere，\"endedBabalatchi，exultinglytappingtheuprightofthegatewithhishand。
\"Thatisgood，\"murmuredAbdulla。
\"Andheshallguideyourshipandleadinthefight——iffighttherebe，\"wentonBabalatchi。\"Ifthereisanykilling——lethimbetheslayer。Youshouldgivehimarms——ashortgunthatfiresmanytimes。\"
\"Yes，byAllah！\"assentedAbdulla，withslowthoughtfulness。
\"Andyouwillhavetoopenyourhand，OFirstamongstthegenerous！\"continuedBabalatchi。\"Youwillhavetosatisfytherapacityofawhiteman，andalsoofonewhoisnotaman，andthereforegreedyofornaments。\"
\"Theyshallbesatisfied，\"saidAbdulla；\"but……\"Hehesitated，lookingdownonthegroundandstrokinghisbeard，whileBabalatchiwaited，anxious，withpartedlips。Afterashorttimehespokeagainjerkilyinanindistinctwhisper，sothatBabalatchihadtoturnhisheadtocatchthewords。\"Yes。
ButOmaristhesonofmyfather’suncle……andallbelongingtohimareoftheFaith……whilethatmanisanunbeliever。
Itismostunseemly……veryunseemly。Hecannotliveundermyshadow。Notthatdog。Penitence！ItakerefugewithmyGod，\"
hemumbledrapidly。\"Howcanheliveundermyeyeswiththatwoman，whoisoftheFaith？Scandal！Oabomination！\"
Hefinishedwitharushanddrewalongbreath，thenaddeddubiously——
\"Andwhenthatmanhasdoneallwewant，whatistobedonewithhim？\"
Theystoodclosetogether，meditativeandsilent，theireyesroamingidlyoverthecourtyard。Thebigbonfireburnedbrightly，andawaveringsplashoflightlayonthedarkearthattheirfeet，whilethelazysmokewreatheditselfslowlyingleamingcoilsamongsttheblackboughsofthetrees。TheycouldseeLakamba，whohadreturnedtohisplace，sittinghunchedupspiritlesslyonthecushions，andSahamin，whohadgotonhisfeetagainandappearedtobetalkingtohimwithdignifiedanimation。Menintwosorthreescameoutoftheshadowsintothelight，strollingslowly，andpassedagainintotheshadows，theirfacesturnedtoeachother，theirarmsmovinginrestrainedgestures。Bahassoen，hisheadproudlythrownback，hisornaments，embroideries，andsword-hiltflashinginthelight，circledsteadilyroundthefirelikeaplanetroundthesun。A
coolwhiffofdampaircamefromthedarknessoftheriverside；
itmadeAbdullaandBabalatchishiver，andwokethemupfromtheirabstraction。
\"Openthegateandgofirst，\"saidAbdulla；\"thereisnodanger？\"
\"Onmylife，no！\"answeredBabalatchi，liftingtherattanring。
\"Heisallpeaceandcontent，likeathirstymanwhohasdrunkwateraftermanydays。\"
Heswungthegatewide，madeafewpacesintothegloomoftheenclosure，andretracedhisstepssuddenly。
\"Hemaybemadeusefulinmanyways，\"hewhisperedtoAbdulla，whohadstoppedshort，seeinghimcomeback。
\"OSin！OTemptation！\"sighedoutAbdulla，faintly。\"OurrefugeiswiththeMostHigh。CanIfeedthisinfidelforeverandforever？\"headded，impatiently。
\"No，\"breathedoutBabalatchi。\"No！Notforever。Onlywhileheservesyourdesigns，ODispenserofAllah’sgifts！Whenthetimecomes——andyourorder……\"
HesidledclosetoAbdulla，andbrushedwithadelicatetouchthehandthathungdownlistlessly，holdingtheprayer-beads。
\"Iamyourslaveandyouroffering，\"hemurmured，inadistinctandpolitetone，intoAbdulla’sear。\"Whenyourwisdomspeaks，theremaybefoundalittlepoisonthatwillnotlie。Whoknows？\"
CHAPTERFOUR
BabalatchisawAbdullapassthroughthelowandnarrowentranceintothedarknessofOmar’shut；heardthemexchangetheusualgreetingsandthedistinguishedvisitor’sgravevoiceasking:
\"Thereisnomisfortune——pleaseGod——butthesight？\"andthen，becomingawareofthedisapprovinglooksofthetwoArabswhohadaccompaniedAbdulla，hefollowedtheirexampleandfellbackoutofearshot。Hediditunwillingly，althoughhedidnotignorethatwhatwasgoingtohappenintherewasnowabsolutelybeyondhiscontrol。Heroamedirresolutelyaboutforawhile，andatlastwanderedwithcarelessstepstowardsthefire，whichhadbeenmoved，fromunderthetree，closetothehutandalittletowindwardofitsentrance。Hesquattedonhisheelsandbeganplayingpensivelywithliveembers，aswashishabitwhenengrossedinthought，withdrawinghishandsharplyandshakingitabovehisheadwhenheburnthisfingersinafitofdeeperabstraction。Sittingtherehecouldhearthemurmurofthetalkinsidethehut，andhecoulddistinguishthevoicesbutnotthewords。Abdullaspokeindeeptones，andnowandthenthisflowingmonotonewasinterruptedbyaquerulousexclamation，aweakmoanoraplaintivequaveroftheoldman。Yes。Itwasannoyingnottobeabletomakeoutwhattheyweresaying，thoughtBabalatchi，ashesatgazingfixedlyattheunsteadyglowofthefire。Butitwillberight。Allwillberight。Abdullainspiredhimwithconfidence。Hecameupfullytohisexpectation。Fromtheveryfirstmomentwhenhesethiseyeonhimhefeltsurethatthisman——whomhehadknownbyreputationonly——wasveryresolute。Perhapstooresolute。Perhapshewouldwanttograsptoomuchlateron。AshadowflittedoverBabalatchi’sface。Ontheeveoftheaccomplishmentofhisdesireshefeltthebittertasteofthatdropofdoubtwhichismixedwiththesweetnessofeverysuccess。
When，hearingfootstepsontheverandahofthebighouse，heliftedhishead，theshadowhadpassedawayandonhisfacetherewasanexpressionofwatchfulalertness。Willemswascomingdowntheplankway，intothecourtyard。Thelightwithintrickledthroughthecracksofthebadlyjoinedwallsofthehouse，andintheilluminateddoorwayappearedthemovingformofAissa。Shealsopassedintothenightoutsideanddisappearedfromview。
Babalatchiwonderedwhereshehadgotto，andforthemomentforgottheapproachofWillems。Thevoiceofthewhitemanspeakingroughlyabovehisheadmadehimjumptohisfeetasifimpelledupwardsbyapowerfulspring。
\"Where’sAbdulla？\"
Babalatchiwavedhishandtowardsthehutandstoodlisteningintently。Thevoiceswithinhadceased，thenrecommencedagain。
HeshotanobliqueglanceatWillems，whoseindistinctformtoweredabovetheglowofdyingembers。
\"Makeupthisfire，\"saidWillems，abruptly。\"Iwanttoseeyourface。\"
WithobligingalacrityBabalatchiputsomedrybrushwoodonthecoalsfromahandypile，keepingallthetimeawatchfuleyeonWillems。Whenhestraightenedhimselfuphishandwanderedalmostinvoluntarilytowardshisleftsidetofeelthehandleofakrissamongstthefoldsofhissarong，buthetriedtolookunconcernedundertheangrystare。
\"Youareingoodhealth，pleaseGod？\"hemurmured。
\"Yes！\"answeredWillems，withanunexpectedloudnessthatcausedBabalatchitostartnervously。\"Yes！……Health！……You……\"
HemadealongstrideanddroppedbothhishandsontheMalay’sshoulders。InthepowerfulgripBabalatchiswayedtoandfrolimply，buthisfacewasaspeacefulaswhenhesat——alittlewhileago——dreamingbythefire。WithafinalviciousjerkWillemsletgosuddenly，andturningawayonhisheelstretchedhishandsoverthefire。Babalatchistumbledbackwards，recoveredhimself，andwriggledhisshoulderslaboriously。
\"Tse！Tse！Tse！\"heclicked，deprecatingly。Afterashortsilencehewentonwithaccentuatedadmiration:\"Whatamanitis！Whatastrongman！Amanlikethat\"——heconcluded，inatoneofmeditativewonder——\"amanlikethatcouldupsetmountains——mountains！\"
HegazedhopefullyforawhileatWillems’broadshoulders，andcontinued，addressingtheinimicalback，inalowandpersuasivevoice——
\"Butwhybeangrywithme？Withmewhothinkonlyofyourgood？
DidInotgiveherrefuge，inmyownhouse？Yes，Tuan！Thisismyownhouse。Iwillletyouhaveitwithoutanyrecompensebecauseshemusthaveashelter。Thereforeyouandsheshalllivehere。Whocanknowawoman’smind？Andsuchawoman！Ifshewantedtogoawayfromthatotherplace，whoamI——tosayno！
IamOmar’sservant。Isaid:’Gladdenmyheartbytakingmyhouse。’DidIsayright？\"
\"I’lltellyousomething，\"saidWillems，withoutchanginghisposition；\"ifshetakesafancytogoawayfromthisplaceitisyouwhoshallsuffer。Iwillwringyourneck。\"
\"Whentheheartisfulloflovethereisnoroominitforjustice，\"recommencedBabalatchi，withunmovedandpersistentsoftness。\"Whyslayme？Youknow，Tuan，whatshewants。A
splendiddestinyisherdesire——asofallwomen。Youhavebeenwrongedandcastoutbyyourpeople。Sheknowsthat。Butyouarebrave，youarestrong——youareaman；and，Tuan——Iamolderthanyou——youareinherhand。Suchisthefateofstrongmen。
Andsheisofnoblebirthandcannotlivelikeaslave。Youknowher——andyouareinherhand。Youarelikeasnaredbird，becauseofyourstrength。And——rememberIamamanthathasseenmuch——submit，Tuan！Submit！……Orelse……\"
Hedrawledoutthelastwordsinahesitatingmannerandbrokeoffhissentence。Stillstretchinghishandsinturnstowardstheblazeandwithoutmovinghishead，Willemsgaveashort，lugubriouslaugh，andasked——
\"Orelsewhat？\"
\"Shemaygoawayagain。Whoknows？\"finishedBabalatchi，inagentleandinsinuatingtone。
ThistimeWillemsspunroundsharply。Babalatchisteppedback。
\"Ifshedoesitwillbetheworseforyou，\"saidWillems，inamenacingvoice。\"Itwillbeyourdoing，andI……\"
Babalatchispoke，frombeyondthecircleoflight，withcalmdisdain。
\"Hai——ya！Ihaveheardbefore。Ifshegoes——thenIdie。Good！
Willthatbringherbackdoyouthink——Tuan？Ifitismydoingitshallbewelldone，Owhiteman！and——whoknows——youwillhavetolivewithouther。\"
Willemsgaspedandstartedbacklikeaconfidentwayfarerwho，pursuingapathhethinkssafe，shouldseejustintimeabottomlesschasmunderhisfeet。BabalatchicameintothelightandapproachedWillemssideways，withhisheadthrownbackandalittleononesidesoastobringhisonlyeyetobearfullonthecountenanceofthetallwhiteman。
\"Youthreatenme，\"saidWillems，indistinctly。
\"I，Tuan！\"exclaimedBabalatchi，withaslightsuspicionofironyintheaffectedsurpriseofhistone。\"I，Tuan？Whospokeofdeath？WasitI？No！Ispokeoflifeonly。Onlyoflife。Ofalonglifeforalonelyman！\"
Theystoodwiththefirebetweenthem，bothsilent，bothaware，eachinhisownway，oftheimportanceofthepassingminutes。
Babalatchi’sfatalismgavehimonlyaninsignificantreliefinhissuspense，becausenofatalismcankillthethoughtofthefuture，thedesireofsuccess，thepainofwaitingforthedisclosureoftheimmutabledecreesofHeaven。Fatalismisbornofthefearoffailure，forweallbelievethatwecarrysuccessinourownhands，andwesuspectthatourhandsareweak。
BabalatchilookedatWillemsandcongratulatedhimselfuponhisabilitytomanagethatwhiteman。TherewasapilotforAbdulla——avictimtoappeaseLingard’sangerincaseofanymishap。Hewouldtakegoodcaretoputhimforwardineverything。Inanycaseletthewhitemenfightitoutamongstthemselves。Theywerefools。Hehatedthem——thestrongfools——andknewthatforhisrighteouswisdomwasreservedthesafetriumph。
Willemsmeasureddismallythedepthofhisdegradation。He——awhiteman，theadmiredofwhitemen，washeldbythosemiserablesavageswhosetoolhewasabouttobecome。Hefeltforthemallthehateofhisrace，ofhismorality，ofhisintelligence。Helookeduponhimselfwithdismayandpity。Shehadhim。Hehadheardofsuchthings。Hehadheardofwomenwho……Hewouldneverbelievesuchstories……Yettheyweretrue。Buthisowncaptivityseemedmorecomplete，terrible，andfinal——withoutthehopeofanyredemption。HewonderedatthewickednessofProvidencethathadmadehimwhathewas；that，worsestill，permittedsuchacreatureasAlmayertolive。Hehaddonehisdutybygoingtohim。Whydidhenotunderstand？Allmenwerefools。Hegavehimhischance。Thefellowdidnotseeit。Itwashard，veryhardonhimself——Willems。Hewantedtotakeherfromamongstherownpeople。That’swhyhehadcondescendedtogotoAlmayer。Heexaminedhimself。Withasinkinghearthethoughtthatreallyhecouldnot——somehow——livewithouther。Itwasterribleandsweet。Herememberedthefirstdays。Herappearance，herface，hersmile，hereyes，herwords。Asavagewoman！Yetheperceivedthathecouldthinkofnothingelsebutofthethreedaysoftheirseparation，ofthefewhourssincetheirreunion。Verywell。Ifhecouldnottakeheraway，thenhewouldgotoher……Hehad，foramoment，awickedpleasureinthethoughtthatwhathehaddonecouldnotbeundone。Hehadgivenhimselfup。Hefeltproudofit。Hewasreadytofaceanything，doanything。Hecaredfornothing，fornobody。Hethoughthimselfveryfearless，butasamatteroffacthewasonlydrunk；drunkwiththepoisonofpassionatememories。
Hestretchedhishandsoverthefire，lookedroundandcalledout——
\"Aissa！\"
Shemusthavebeennear，forsheappearedatoncewithinthelightofthefire。Theupperpartofherbodywaswrappedupinthethickfoldsofaheadcoveringwhichwaspulleddownoverherbrow，andoneendofitthrownacrossfromshouldertoshoulderhidthelowerpartofherface。Onlyhereyeswerevisible——
sombreandgleaminglikeastarrynight。
Willems，lookingatthisstrange，muffledfigure，feltexasperated，amazedandhelpless。Theex-confidentialclerkoftherichHudigwouldhugtohisbreastsettledconceptionsofrespectableconduct。Hesoughtrefugewithinhisideasofproprietyfromthedismalmangroves，fromthedarknessoftheforestsandoftheheathensoulsofthesavagesthatwerehismasters。Shelookedlikeananimatedpackageofcheapcottongoods！Itmadehimfurious。Shehaddisguisedherselfsobecauseamanofherracewasnear！Hetoldhernottodoit，andshedidnotobey。Wouldhisideaseverchangesoastoagreewithherownnotionsofwhatwasbecoming，properandrespectable？Hewasreallyafraidtheywould，intime。Itseemedtohimawful。Shewouldneverchange！Thismanifestationofhersenseofproprietieswasanothersignoftheirhopelessdiversity；somethinglikeanotherstepdownwardsforhim。Shewastoodifferentfromhim。Hewassocivilized！Itstruckhimsuddenlythattheyhadnothingincommon——notathought，notafeeling；hecouldnotmakecleartoherthesimplestmotiveofanyactofhis……andhecouldnotlivewithouther。
ThecourageousmanwhostoodfacingBabalatchigaspedunexpectedlywithagaspthatwashalfagroan。Thislittlematterofherveilingherselfagainsthiswishacteduponhimlikeadisclosureofsomegreatdisaster。Itincreasedhiscontemptforhimselfastheslaveofapassionhehadalwaysderided，asthemanunabletoasserthiswill。Thiswill，allhissensations，hispersonality——allthisseemedtobelostintheabominabledesire，inthepricelesspromiseofthatwoman。
Hewasnot，ofcourse，abletodiscernclearlythecausesofhismisery；buttherearenonesoignorantasnottoknowsuffering，nonesosimpleasnottofeelandsufferfromtheshockofwarringimpulses。Theignorantmustfeelandsufferfromtheircomplexityaswellasthewisest；buttothemthepainofstruggleanddefeatappearsstrange，mysterious，remediableandunjust。Hestoodwatchingher，watchinghimself。Hetingledwithragefromheadtofoot，asifhehadbeenstruckintheface。Suddenlyhelaughed；buthislaughwaslikeadistortedechoofsomeinsinceremirthveryfaraway。
FromtheothersideofthefireBabalatchispokehurriedly——
\"HereisTuanAbdulla。\"
CHAPTERFIVE
DirectlyonsteppingoutsideOmar’shutAbdullacaughtsightofWillems。Heexpected，ofcourse，toseeawhiteman，butnotthatwhiteman，whomheknewsowell。Everybodywhotradedintheislands，andwhohadanydealingswithHudig，knewWillems。
ForthelasttwoyearsofhisstayinMacassartheconfidentialclerkhadbeenmanagingallthelocaltradeofthehouseunderaveryslightsupervisiononlyonthepartofthemaster。SoeverybodyknewWillems，Abdullaamongstothers——buthewasignorantofWillems’disgrace。Asamatteroffactthethinghadbeenkeptveryquiet——soquietthatagoodmanypeopleinMacassarwereexpectingWillems’returnthere，supposinghimtobeabsentonsomeconfidentialmission。Abdulla，inhissurprise，hesitatedonthethreshold。Hehadpreparedhimselftoseesomeseaman——someoldofficerofLingard’s；acommonman——
perhapsdifficulttodealwith，butstillnomatchforhim。
Instead，hesawhimselfconfrontedbyanindividualwhosereputationforsagacityinbusinesswaswellknowntohim。Howdidhegethere，andwhy？Abdulla，recoveringfromhissurprise，advancedinadignifiedmannertowardsthefire，keepinghiseyesfixedsteadilyonWillems。WhenwithintwopacesfromWillemshestoppedandliftedhisrighthandingravesalutation。Willemsnoddedslightlyandspokeafterawhile。
\"Weknoweachother，TuanAbdulla，\"hesaid，withanassumptionofeasyindifference。
\"Wehavetradedtogether，\"answeredAbdulla，solemnly，\"butitwasfarfromhere。\"
\"Andwemaytradeherealso，\"saidWillems。
\"Theplacedoesnotmatter。Itistheopenmindandthetrueheartthatarerequiredinbusiness。\"
\"Verytrue。Myheartisasopenasmymind。IwilltellyouwhyIamhere。\"
\"Whatneedisthere？Inleavinghomeonelearnslife。Youtravel。Travellingisvictory！Youshallreturnwithmuchwisdom。\"
\"Ishallneverreturn，\"interruptedWillems。\"Ihavedonewithmypeople。Iamamanwithoutbrothers。Injusticedestroysfidelity。\"
Abdullaexpressedhissurprisebyelevatinghiseyebrows。Atthesametimehemadeavaguegesturewithhisarmthatcouldbetakenasanequivalentofanapprovingandconciliating\"justso！\"
TillthentheArabhadnottakenanynoticeofAissa，whostoodbythefire，butnowshespokeintheintervalofsilencefollowingWillems’declaration。InavoicethatwasmuchdeadenedbyherwrappingssheaddressedAbdullainafewwordsofgreeting，callinghimakinsman。Abdullaglancedatherswiftlyforasecond，andthen，withperfectgoodbreeding，fixedhiseyesontheground。Sheputouttowardshimherhand，coveredwithacornerofherface-veil，andhetookit，pressedittwice，anddroppingitturnedtowardsWillems。Shelookedatthetwomensearchingly，thenbackedawayandseemedtomeltsuddenlyintothenight。
\"Iknowwhatyoucamefor，TuanAbdulla，\"saidWillems；\"Ihavebeentoldbythatmanthere。\"HenoddedtowardsBabalatchi，thenwentonslowly，\"Itwillbeadifficultthing。\"
\"Allahmakeseverythingeasy，\"interjectedBabalatchi，piously，fromadistance。
Thetwomenturnedquicklyandstoodlookingathimthoughtfully，asifindeepconsiderationofthetruthofthatproposition。
UndertheirsustainedgazeBabalatchiexperiencedanunwontedfeelingofshyness，anddarednotapproachnearer。AtlastWillemsmovedslightly，Abdullafollowedreadily，andtheybothwalkeddownthecourtyard，theirvoicesdyingawayinthedarkness。Soontheywereheardreturning，andthevoicesgrewdistinctastheirformscameoutofthegloom。Bythefiretheywheeledagain，andBabalatchicaughtafewwords。Willemswassaying——
\"Ihavebeenatseawithhimmanyyearswhenyoung。Ihaveusedmyknowledgetoobservethewayintotheriverwhencomingin，thistime。\"
Abdullaassentedingeneralterms。
\"Inthevarietyofknowledgethereissafety，\"hesaid；andthentheypassedoutofearshot。
Babalatchirantothetreeandtookuphispositioninthesolidblacknessunderitsbranches，leaningagainstthetrunk。Therehewasaboutmidwaybetweenthefireandtheotherlimitofthetwomen’swalk。Theypassedhimclose。Abdullaslim，verystraight，hisheadhigh，andhishandshangingbeforehimandtwistingmechanicallythestringofbeads；Willemstall，broad，lookingbiggerandstrongerincontrasttotheslightwhitefigurebythesideofwhichhestrolledcarelessly，takingonesteptotheother’stwo；hisbigarmsinconstantmotionashegesticulatedvehemently，bendingforwardtolookAbdullaintheface。
TheypassedandrepassedclosetoBabalatchisomehalfadozentimes，and，whenevertheywerebetweenhimandthefire，hecouldseethemplainenough。Sometimestheywouldstopshort，Willemsspeakingemphatically，Abdullalisteningwithrigidattention，then，whentheotherhadceased，bendinghisheadslightlyasifconsentingtosomedemand，oradmittingsomestatement。NowandthenBabalatchicaughtawordhereandthere，afragmentofasentence，aloudexclamation。Impelledbycuriosityhecrepttotheveryedgeoftheblackshadowunderthetree。Theywerenearinghim，andheheardWillemssay——
\"YouwillpaythatmoneyassoonasIcomeonboard。ThatImusthave。\"
HecouldnotcatchAbdulla’sreply。Whentheywentpastagain，Willemswassaying——
\"Mylifeisinyourhandanyway。TheboatthatbringsmeonboardyourshipshalltakethemoneytoOmar。Youmusthaveitreadyinasealedbag。\"
Againtheywereoutofhearing，butinsteadofcomingbacktheystoppedbythefirefacingeachother。Willemsmovedhisarm，shookhishandonhightalkingallthetime，thenbroughtitdownjerkily——stampedhisfoot。Ashortperiodofimmobilityensued。
Babalatchi，gazingintently，sawAbdulla’slipsmovealmostimperceptibly。SuddenlyWillemsseizedtheArab’spassivehandandshookit。Babalatchidrewthelongbreathofrelievedsuspense。Theconferencewasover。Allwell，apparently。
Heventurednowtoapproachthetwomen，whosawhimandwaitedinsilence。Willemshadretiredwithinhimselfalready，andworealookofgrimindifference。Abdullamovedawayasteportwo。
Babalatchilookedathiminquisitively。
\"Igonow，\"saidAbdulla，\"andshallwaitforyououtsidetheriver，TuanWillems，tillthesecondsunset。Youhaveonlyoneword，Iknow。\"
\"Onlyoneword，\"repeatedWillems。
AbdullaandBabalatchiwalkedtogetherdowntheenclosure，leavingthewhitemanalonebythefire。ThetwoArabswhohadcomewithAbdullaprecededthemandpassedatoncethroughthelittlegateintothelightandthemurmurofvoicesoftheprincipalcourtyard，butBabalatchiandAbdullastoppedonthissideofit。Abdullasaid——
\"Itiswell。Wehavespokenofmanythings。Heconsents。\"
\"When？\"askedBabalatchi，eagerly。
\"Ontheseconddayfromthis。Ihavepromisedeverything。I
meantokeepmuch。\"
\"Yourhandisalwaysopen，OMostGenerousamongstBelievers！
Youwillnotforgetyourservantwhocalledyouhere。HaveInotspokenthetruth？Shehasmaderoastmeatofhisheart。\"
WithahorizontalsweepofhisarmAbdullaseemedtopushawaythatlaststatement，andsaidslowly，withmuchmeaning——
\"Hemustbeperfectlysafe；doyouunderstand？Perfectlysafe——asifhewasamongsthisownpeople——till……\"
\"Tillwhen？\"whisperedBabalatchi。
\"TillIspeak，\"saidAbdulla。\"AstoOmar。\"Hehesitatedforamoment，thenwentonverylow:\"Heisveryold。\"
\"Hai-ya！Oldandsick，\"murmuredBabalatchi，withsuddenmelancholy。
\"Hewantedmetokillthatwhiteman。Hebeggedmetohavehimkilledatonce，\"saidAbdulla，contemptuously，movingagaintowardsthegate。
\"Heisimpatient，likethosewhofeeldeathnearthem，\"exclaimedBabalatchi，apologetically。
\"Omarshalldwellwithme，\"wentonAbdulla，\"when……Butnomatter。Remember！Thewhitemanmustbesafe。\"
\"Helivesinyourshadow，\"answeredBabalatchi，solemnly。\"Itisenough！\"HetouchedhisforeheadandfellbacktoletAbdullagofirst。
Andnowtheyarebackinthecourtyardwherefrom，attheirappearance，listlessnessvanishes，andallthefacesbecomealertandinterestedoncemore。Lakambaapproacheshisguest，butlooksatBabalatchi，whoreassureshimbyaconfidentnod。
Lakambaclumsilyattemptsasmile，andlooking，withnaturalandineradicablesulkiness，fromunderhiseyebrowsatthemanwhomhewantstohonour，askswhetherhewouldcondescendtovisittheplaceofsittingdownandtakefood。Orperhapshewouldprefertogivehimselfuptorepose？Thehouseishis，andwhatisinit，andthosemanymenthatstandafarwatchingtheinterviewarehis。SyedAbdullapresseshishost’shandtohisbreast，andinformshiminaconfidentialmurmurthathishabitsareasceticandhistemperamentinclinestomelancholy。Norest；nofood；nousewhateverforthosemanymenwhoarehis。SyedAbdullaisimpatienttobegone。Lakambaissorrowfulbutpolite，inhishesitating，gloomyway。TuanAbdullamusthavefreshboatmen，andmany，toshortenthedarkandfatiguingroad。Hai-ya！
There！Boats！
Bytheriversideindistinctformsleapintoanoisyanddisorderlyactivity。Therearecries，orders，banter，abuse。
Torchesblazesendingoutmuchmoresmokethanlight，andintheirredglareBabalatchicomesuptosaythattheboatsareready。
ThroughthatluridglareSyedAbdulla，inhislongwhitegown，seemstoglidefantastically，likeadignifiedapparitionattendedbytwoinferiorshades，andstandsforamomentatthelanding-placetotakeleaveofhishostandally——whomheloves。
SyedAbdullasayssodistinctlybeforeembarking，andtakeshisseatinthemiddleofthecanoeunderasmallcanopyofbluecalicostretchedonfoursticks。BeforeandbehindSyedAbdulla，themensquattingbythegunwalesholdhighthebladesoftheirpaddlesinreadinessforadip，alltogether。Ready？Notyet。
Holdonall！SyedAbdullaspeaksagain，whileLakambaandBabalatchistandcloseonthebanktohearhiswords。Hiswordsareencouraging。Beforethesunrisesforthesecondtimetheyshallmeet，andSyedAbdulla’sshipshallfloatonthewatersofthisriver——atlast！LakambaandBabalatchihavenodoubt——ifAllahwills。TheyareinthehandsoftheCompassionate。Nodoubt。AndsoisSyedAbdulla，thegreattraderwhodoesnotknowwhatthewordfailuremeans；andsoisthewhiteman——thesmartestbusinessmanintheislands——whoislyingnowbyOmar’sfirewithhisheadonAissa’slap，whileSyedAbdullafliesdownthemuddyriverwithcurrentandpaddlesbetweenthesombrewallsofthesleepingforest；onhiswaytotheclearandopenseawheretheLordoftheIsles(formerlyofGreenock，butcondemned，sold，andregisterednowasofPenang)waitsforitsowner，andswingserraticallyatanchorinthecurrentsofthecapricioustide，underthecrumblingredcliffsofTanjongMirrah。
ForsometimeLakamba，Sahamin，andBahassoenlookedsilentlyintothehumiddarknesswhichhadswallowedthebigcanoethatcarriedAbdullaandhisunvaryinggoodfortune。Thenthetwoguestsbrokeintoatalkexpressiveoftheirjoyfulanticipations。ThevenerableSahamin，asbecamehisadvancedage，foundhisdelightinspeculationastotheactivitiesofaratherremotefuture。Hewouldbuypraus，hewouldsendexpeditionsuptheriver，hewouldenlargehistrade，and，backedbyAbdulla’scapital，hewouldgrowrichinaveryfewyears。
Veryfew。MeantimeitwouldbeagoodthingtointerviewAlmayerto-morrowand，profitingbythelastdayofthehatedman’sprosperity，obtainsomegoodsfromhimoncredit。Sahaminthoughtitcouldbedonebyskilfulwheedling。Afterall，thatsonofSatanwasafool，andthethingwasworthdoing，becausethecomingrevolutionwouldwipealldebtsout。Sahamindidnotmindimpartingthatideatohiscompanions，withmuchsenilechuckling，whiletheystrolledtogetherfromtheriversidetowardstheresidence。Thebull-neckedLakamba，listeningwithpoutedlipswithoutthesignofasmile，withoutagleaminhisdull，bloodshoteyes，shuffledslowlyacrossthecourtyardbetweenhistwoguests。ButsuddenlyBahassoenbrokeinupontheoldman’sprattlewiththegenerousenthusiasmofhisyouth……Tradingwasverygood。Butwasthechangethatwouldmakethemhappyeffectedyet？Thewhitemanshouldbedespoiledwithastronghand！……Hegrewexcited，spokeveryloud，andhisfurtherdiscourse，deliveredwithhishandonthehiltofhissword，dealtincoherentlywiththehonourabletopicsofthroat-cutting，fire-raising，andwiththefar-famedvalourofhisancestors。
Babalatchiremainedbehind，alonewiththegreatnessofhisconceptions。ThesagaciousstatesmanofSambirsentascornfulglanceafterhisnobleprotectorandhisnobleprotector’sfriends，andthenstoodmeditatingaboutthatfuturewhichtotheothersseemedsoassured。NotsotoBabalatchi，whopaidthepenaltyofhiswisdombyavaguesenseofinsecuritythatkeptsleepatarm’slengthfromhistiredbody。Whenhethoughtatlastofleavingthewaterside，itwasonlytostrikeapathforhimselfandtocreepalongthefences，avoidingthemiddleofthecourtyardwheresmallfiresglimmeredandwinkedasthoughthesinisterdarknesstherehadreflectedthestarsofthesereneheaven。Heslunkpastthewicket-gateofOmar’senclosure，andcreptonpatientlyalongthelightbamboopalisadetillhewasstoppedbytheanglewhereitjoinedtheheavystockadeofLakamba’sprivateground。Standingthere，hecouldlookoverthefenceandseeOmar’shutandthefirebeforeitsdoor。Hecouldalsoseetheshadowoftwohumanbeingssittingbetweenhimandtheredglow。Amanandawoman。Thesightseemedtoinspirethecarewornsagewithafrivolousdesiretosing。Itcouldhardlybecalledasong；itwasmoreinthenatureofarecitativewithoutanyrhythm，deliveredrapidlybutdistinctlyinacroakingandunsteadyvoice；andifBabalatchiconsidereditasong，thenitwasasongwithapurposeand，perhapsforthatreason，artisticallydefective。Ithadalltheimperfectionsofunskilfulimprovisationanditssubjectwasgruesome。Ittoldataleofshipwreckandofthirst，andofonebrotherkillinganotherforthesakeofagourdofwater。Arepulsivestorywhichmighthavehadapurposebutpossessednomoralwhatever。
YetitmusthavepleasedBabalatchiforherepeatedittwice，thesecondtimeeveninloudertonesthanatfirst，causingadisturbanceamongstthewhiterice-birdsandthewildfruit-pigeonswhichroostedontheboughsofthebigtreegrowinginOmar’scompound。Therewasinthethickfoliageabovethesinger’sheadaconfusedbeatingofwings，sleepyremarksinbird-language，asharpstirofleaves。Theformsbythefiremoved；theshadowofthewomanaltereditsshape，andBabalatchi’ssongwascutshortabruptlybyafitofsoftandpersistentcoughing。Hedidnottrytoresumehiseffortsafterthatinterruption，butwentawaystealthilytoseek——ifnotsleep——then，atleast，repose。
