CHAPTERSIX
AssoonasAbdullaandhiscompanionshadlefttheenclosure，AissaapproachedWillemsandstoodbyhisside。Hetooknonoticeofherexpectantattitudetillshetouchedhimgently，whenheturnedfuriouslyuponherand，tearingoffherface-veil，trampleduponitasthoughithadbeenamortalenemy。Shelookedathimwiththefaintsmileofpatientcuriosity，withthepuzzledinterestofignorancewatchingtherunningofacomplicatedpieceofmachinery。Afterhehadexhaustedhisrage，hestoodagainsevereandunbendinglookingdownatthefire，butthetouchofherfingersatthenapeofhisneckeffacedinstantlythehardlinesroundhismouth；hiseyeswavereduneasily；hislipstrembledslightly。Startingwiththeunresistingrapidityofaparticleofiron——which，quiescentonemoment，leapsinthenexttoapowerfulmagnet——hemovedforward，caughtherinhisarmsandpressedherviolentlytohisbreast。
Hereleasedherassuddenly，andshestumbledalittle，steppedback，breathedquicklythroughherpartedlips，andsaidinatoneofpleasedreproof——
\"OFool-man！Andifyouhadkilledmeinyourstrongarmswhatwouldyouhavedone？\"
\"Youwanttolive……andtorunawayfrommeagain，\"hesaidgently。\"Tellme——doyou？\"
Shemovedtowardshimwithveryshortsteps，herheadalittleononeside，handsonhips，withaslightbalancingofherbody:anapproachmoretantalizingthananescape。Helookedon，eager——charmed。Shespokejestingly。
\"WhatamItosaytoamanwhohasbeenawaythreedaysfromme？
Three！\"sherepeated，holdingupplayfullythreefingersbeforeWillems’eyes。Hesnatchedatthehand，butshewasonherguardandwhiskeditbehindherback。
\"No！\"shesaid。\"Icannotbecaught。ButIwillcome。IamcomingmyselfbecauseIlike。Donotmove。Donottouchmewithyourmightyhands，Ochild！\"
Asshespokeshemadeastepnearer，thenanother。Willemsdidnotstir。Pressingagainsthimshestoodontiptoetolookintohiseyes，andherownseemedtogrowbigger，glisteningandtender，appealingandpromising。Withthatlookshedrewtheman’ssoulawayfromhimthroughhisimmobilepupils，andfromWillems’featuresthesparkofreasonvanishedunderhergazeandwasreplacedbyanappearanceofphysicalwell-being，anecstasyofthesenseswhichhadtakenpossessionofhisrigidbody；anecstasythatdroveoutregrets，hesitationanddoubt，andproclaimeditsterribleworkbyanappallingaspectofidioticbeatitude。Heneverstirredalimb，hardlybreathed，butstoodinstiffimmobility，absorbingthedelightofherclosecontactbyeverypore。
\"Closer！Closer！\"hemurmured。
Slowlysheraisedherarms，putthemoverhisshoulders，andclaspingherhandsatthebackofhisneck，swungoffthefulllengthofherarms。Herheadfellback，theeyelidsdroppedslightly，andherthickhairhungstraightdown:amassofebonytouchedbytheredgleamsofthefire。Hestoodunyieldingunderthestrain，assolidandmotionlessasoneofthebigtreesofthesurroundingforests；andhiseyeslookedatthemodellingofherchin，attheoutlineofherneck，attheswellinglinesofherbosom，withthefamishedandconcentratedexpressionofastarvingmanlookingatfood。Shedrewherselfuptohimandrubbedherheadagainsthischeekslowlyandgently。Hesighed。
She，withherhandsstillonhisshoulders，glancedupattheplacidstarsandsaid——
\"Thenightishalfgone。Weshallfinishitbythisfire。Bythisfireyoushalltellmeall:yourwordsandSyedAbdulla’swords；andlisteningtoyouIshallforgetthethreedays——becauseIamgood。Tellme——amIgood？\"
Hesaid\"Yes\"dreamily，andsheranofftowardsthebighouse。
Whenshecameback，balancingarolloffinematsonherhead，hehadreplenishedthefireandwasreadytohelpherinarrangingacouchonthesideofitnearesttothehut。Shesankdownwithaquickbutgracefullycontrolledmovement，andhethrewhimselffulllengthwithimpatienthaste，asifhewishedtoforestallsomebody。Shetookhisheadonherknees，andwhenhefeltherhandstouchinghisface，herfingersplayingwithhishair，hehadanexpressionofbeingtakenpossessionof；heexperiencedasenseofpeace，ofrest，ofhappiness，andofsoothingdelight。
Hishandsstrayedupwardsaboutherneck，andhedrewherdownsoastohaveherfaceabovehis。Thenhewhispered——\"IwishI
coulddielikethis——now！\"Shelookedathimwithherbigsombreeyes，inwhichtherewasnoresponsivelight。Histhoughtwassoremotefromherunderstandingthatsheletthewordspassbyunnoticed，likethebreathofthewind，liketheflightofacloud。Womanthoughshewas，shecouldnotcomprehend，inhersimplicity，thetremendouscomplimentofthatspeech，thatwhisperofdeadlyhappiness，sosincere，sospontaneous，comingsostraightfromtheheart——likeeverycorruption。Itwasthevoiceofmadness，ofadeliriouspeace，ofhappinessthatisinfamous，cowardly，andsoexquisitethatthedebasedmindrefusestocontemplateitstermination:fortothevictimsofsuchhappinessthemomentofitsceasingisthebeginningafreshofthattorturewhichisitsprice。
Withherbrowsslightlyknittedinthedeterminedpreoccupationofherowndesires，shesaid——
\"Nowtellmeall。AllthewordsspokenbetweenyouandSyedAbdulla。\"
Tellwhat？Whatwords？Hervoicerecalledbacktheconsciousnessthathaddepartedunderhertouch，andhebecameawareofthepassingminuteseveryoneofwhichwaslikeareproach；ofthoseminutesthatfalling，slow，reluctant，irresistibleintothepast，markedhisfootstepsonthewaytoperdition。Notthathehadanyconvictionaboutit，anynotionofthepossibleendingonthatpainfulroad。Itwasanindistinctfeeling，athreatofsufferingliketheconfusedwarningofcomingdisease，aninarticulatemonitionofevilmadeupoffearandpleasure，ofresignationandofrevolt。Hewasashamedofhisstateofmind。Afterall，whatwasheafraidof？
Werethosescruples？Whythathesitationtothink，tospeakofwhatheintendeddoing？Scrupleswereforimbeciles。Hiscleardutywastomakehimselfhappy。DidheevertakeanoathoffidelitytoLingard？No。Wellthen——hewouldnotletanyinterestofthatoldfoolstandbetweenWillemsandWillems’
happiness。Happiness？Washenot，perchance，onafalsetrack？
Happinessmeantmoney。Muchmoney。Atleasthehadalwaysthoughtsotillhehadexperiencedthosenewsensationswhich……
Aissa’squestion，repeatedimpatiently，interruptedhismusings，andlookingupatherfaceshiningabovehiminthedimlightofthefirehestretchedhislimbsluxuriouslyandobedienttoherdesire，hespokeslowlyandhardlyabovehisbreath。She，withherheadclosetohislips，listenedabsorbed，interested，inattentiveimmobility。Themanynoisesofthegreatcourtyardwerehushedupgraduallybythesleepthatstilledallvoicesandclosedalleyes。Thensomebodydronedoutasongwithanasaldrawlattheendofeveryverse。Hestirred。Sheputherhandsuddenlyonhislipsandsatupright。Therewasafeeblecoughing，arustleofleaves，andthenacompletesilencetookpossessionoftheland；asilencecold，mournful，profound；morelikedeaththanpeace；morehardtobearthanthefiercesttumult。Assoonassheremovedherhandhehastenedtospeak，soinsupportabletohimwasthatstillnessperfectandabsoluteinwhichhisthoughtsseemedtoringwiththeloudnessofshouts。
\"Whowastheremakingthatnoise？\"heasked。
\"Idonotknow。Heisgonenow，\"sheanswered，hastily。\"Tellme，youwillnotreturntoyourpeople；notwithoutme。Notwithme。Doyoupromise？\"
\"Ihavepromisedalready。Ihavenopeopleofmyown。HaveI
nottoldyou，thatyouareeverybodytome？\"
\"Ah，yes，\"shesaid，slowly，\"butIliketohearyousaythatagain——everyday，andeverynight，wheneverIask；andnevertobeangrybecauseIask。Iamafraidofwhitewomenwhoareshamelessandhavefierceeyes。\"Shescannedhisfeaturescloseforamomentandadded:
\"Aretheyverybeautiful？Theymustbe。\"
\"Idonotknow，\"hewhispered，thoughtfully。\"AndifIeverdidknow，lookingatyouIhaveforgotten。\"
\"Forgotten！Andforthreedaysandtwonightsyouhaveforgottenmealso！Why？WhywereyouangrywithmewhenIspokeatfirstofTuanAbdulla，inthedayswhenwelivedbesidethebrook？Yourememberedsomebodythen。Somebodyinthelandwhenceyoucome。
Yourtongueisfalse。Youarewhiteindeed，andyourheartisfullofdeception。Iknowit。AndyetIcannothelpbelievingyouwhenyoutalkofyourloveforme。ButIamafraid！\"
Hefeltflatteredandannoyedbyhervehemence，andsaid——
\"Well，Iamwithyounow。Ididcomeback。Anditwasyouthatwentaway。\"
\"WhenyouhavehelpedAbdullaagainsttheRajahLaut，whoisthefirstofwhitemen，Ishallnotbeafraidanymore，\"shewhispered。
\"YoumustbelievewhatIsaywhenItellyouthatthereneverwasanotherwoman；thatthereisnothingformetoregret，andnothingbutmyenemiestoremember。\"
\"Wheredoyoucomefrom？\"shesaid，impulsiveandinconsequent，inapassionatewhisper。\"Whatisthatlandbeyondthegreatseafromwhichyoucome？Alandofliesandofevilfromwhichnothingbutmisfortuneevercomestous——whoarenotwhite。Didyounotatfirstaskmetogotherewithyou？ThatiswhyIwentaway。\"
\"Ishallneveraskyouagain。\"
\"Andthereisnowomanwaitingforyouthere？\"
\"No！\"saidWillems，firmly。
Shebentoverhim。Herlipshoveredabovehisfaceandherlonghairbrushedhischeeks。
\"YoutaughtmetheloveofyourpeoplewhichisoftheDevil，\"
shemurmured，andbendingstilllower，shesaidfaintly，\"Likethis？\"
\"Yes，likethis！\"heansweredverylow，inavoicethattrembledslightlywitheagerness；andshepressedsuddenlyherlipstohiswhileheclosedhiseyesinanecstasyofdelight。
Therewasalongintervalofsilence。Shestrokedhisheadwithgentletouches，andhelaydreamily，perfectlyhappybutfortheannoyanceofanindistinctvisionofawell-knownfigure；amangoingawayfromhimanddiminishinginalongperspectiveoffantastictrees，whoseeveryleafwasaneyelookingafterthatman，whowalkedawaygrowingsmaller，butnevergettingoutofsightforallhissteadyprogress。Hefeltadesiretoseehimvanish，ahurriedimpatienceofhisdisappearance，andhewatchedforitwithacarefulandirksomeeffort。Therewassomethingfamiliaraboutthatfigure。Why！Himself！Hegaveasuddenstartandopenedhiseyes，quiveringwiththeemotionofthatquickreturnfromsofar，offindinghimselfbackbythefirewiththerapidityofaflashoflightning。Ithadbeenhalfadream；hehadslumberedinherarmsforafewseconds。Onlythebeginningofadream——nothingmore。Butitwassometimebeforeherecoveredfromtheshockofseeinghimselfgoawaysodeliberately，sodefinitely，sounguardedly；andgoingaway——where？Now，ifhehadnotwokeupintimehewouldneverhavecomebackagainfromthere；fromwhateverplacehewasgoingto。Hefeltindignant。Itwaslikeanevasion，likeaprisonerbreakinghisparole——thatthingslinkingoffstealthilywhileheslept。Hewasveryindignant，andwasalsoastonishedattheabsurdityofhisownemotions。
Shefelthimtremble，andmurmuringtenderwords，pressedhisheadtoherbreast。Againhefeltverypeacefulwithapeacethatwasascompleteasthesilenceroundthem。Hemuttered——
\"Youaretired，Aissa。\"
Sheansweredsolowthatitwaslikeasighshapedintofaintwords。
\"Ishallwatchyoursleep，Ochild！\"
Helayveryquiet，andlistenedtothebeatingofherheart。
Thatsound，light，rapid，persistent，andsteady；herverylifebeatingagainsthischeek，gavehimaclearperceptionofsecureownership，strengthenedhisbeliefinhispossessionofthathumanbeing，waslikeanassuranceofthevaguefelicityofthefuture。Therewerenoregrets，nodoubts，nohesitationnow。
Hadthereeverbeen？Allthatseemedfaraway，agesago——asunrealandpaleasthefadingmemoryofsomedelirium。Alltheanguish，suffering，strifeofthepastdays；thehumiliationandangerofhisdownfall；allthatwasaninfamousnightmare，athingborninsleeptobeforgottenandleavenotrace——andtruelifewasthis:thisdreamyimmobilitywithhisheadagainstherheartthatbeatsosteadily。
Hewasbroadawakenow，withthattinglingwakefulnessofthetiredbodywhichsucceedstothefewrefreshingsecondsofirresistiblesleep，andhiswide-openeyeslookedabsentlyatthedoorwayofOmar’shut。Thereedwallsglistenedinthelightofthefire，thesmokeofwhich，thinandblue，driftedslantinginasuccessionofringsandspiralsacrossthedoorway，whoseemptyblacknessseemedtohimimpenetrableandenigmaticallikeacurtainhidingvastspacesfullofunexpectedsurprises。Thiswasonlyhisfancy，butitwasabsorbingenoughtomakehimacceptthesuddenappearanceofahead，comingoutofthegloom，aspartofhisidlefantasyorasthebeginningofanothershortdream，ofanothervagaryofhisovertiredbrain。Afacewithdroopingeyelids，old，thin，andyellow，abovethescatteredwhiteofalongbeardthattouchedtheearth。Aheadwithoutabody，onlyafootabovetheground，turningslightlyfromsidetosideontheedgeofthecircleoflightasiftocatchtheradiatingheatofthefireoneithercheekinsuccession。Hewatcheditinpassiveamazement，growingdistinct，asifcomingnearertohim，andtheconfusedoutlinesofabodycrawlingonallfourscameout，creepinginchbyinchtowardsthefire，withasilentandallbutimperceptiblemovement。Hewasastoundedattheappearanceofthatblindheaddraggingthatcrippledbodybehind，withoutasound，withoutachangeinthecomposureofthesightlessface，whichwasplainonesecond，blurredthenextintheplayofthelightthatdrewittoitselfsteadily。Amutefacewithakrissbetweenitslips。Thiswasnodream。Omar’sface。Butwhy？Whatwasheafter？
Hewastooindolentinthehappylanguorofthemomenttoanswerthequestion。Itdartedthroughhisbrainandpassedout，leavinghimfreetolistenagaintothebeatingofherheart；tothatpreciousanddelicatesoundwhichfilledthequietimmensityofthenight。Glancingupwardshesawthemotionlessheadofthewomanlookingdownathiminatendergleamofliquidwhitebetweenthelongeyelashes，whoseshadowrestedonthesoftcurveofhercheek；andunderthecaressofthatlook，theuneasywonderandtheobscurefearofthatapparition，crouchingandcreepinginturnstowardsthefirethatwasitsguide，werelost——weredrownedinthequietudeofallhissenses，aspainisdrownedinthefloodofdrowsyserenitythatfollowsuponadoseofopium。
Healteredthepositionofhisheadbyeversolittle，andnowcouldseeeasilythatapparitionwhichhehadseenaminutebeforeandhadnearlyforgottenalready。Ithadmovedcloser，glidingandnoiselessliketheshadowofsomenightmare，andnowitwasthere，verynear，motionlessandstillasiflistening；
onehandandonekneeadvanced；theneckstretchedoutandtheheadturnedfulltowardsthefire。Hecouldseetheemaciatedface，theskinshinyovertheprominentbones，theblackshadowsofthehollowtemplesandsunkencheeks，andthetwopatchesofblacknessovertheeyes，overthoseeyesthatweredeadandcouldnotsee。Whatwastheimpulsewhichdroveoutthisblindcrippleintothenighttocreepandcrawltowardsthatfire？Helookedathim，fascinated，buttheface，withitsshiftinglightsandshadows，letoutnothing，closedandimpenetrablelikeawalleddoor。
Omarraisedhimselftoakneelingpostureandsankonhisheels，withhishandshangingdownbeforehim。Willems，lookingoutofhisdreamynumbness，couldseeplainlythekrissbetweenthethinlips，abaracrosstheface；thehandleononesidewherethepolishedwoodcaughtaredgleamfromthefireandthethinlineofthebladerunningtoadullblackpointontheother。Hefeltaninwardshock，whichlefthisbodypassiveinAissa’sembrace，butfilledhisbreastwithatumultofpowerlessfear；andheperceivedsuddenlythatitwashisowndeaththatwasgropingtowardshim；thatitwasthehateofhimselfandthehateofherloveforhimwhichdrovethishelplesswreckofaoncebrilliantandresolutepirate，toattemptadesperatedeedthatwouldbethegloriousandsupremeconsolationofanunhappyoldage。Andwhilehelooked，paralyzedwithdread，atthefatherwhohadresumedhiscautiousadvance——blindlikefate，persistentlikedestiny——helistenedwithgreedyeagernesstotheheartofthedaughterbeatinglight，rapid，andsteadyagainsthishead。
Hewasinthegripofhorriblefear；ofafearwhosecoldhandrobsitsvictimofallwillandofallpower；ofallwishtoescape，toresist，ortomove；whichdestroyshopeanddespairalike，andholdstheemptyanduselesscarcassasifinaviseunderthecomingstroke。Itwasnotthefearofdeath——hehadfaceddangerbefore——itwasnoteventhefearofthatparticularformofdeath。Itwasnotthefearoftheend，forheknewthattheendwouldnotcomethen。Amovement，aleap，ashoutwouldsavehimfromthefeeblehandoftheblindoldman，fromthathandthatevennowwas，withcautioussweepsalongtheground，feelingforhisbodyinthedarkness。Itwastheunreasoningfearofthisglimpseintotheunknownthings，intothosemotives，impulses，desireshehadignored，butthathadlivedinthebreastsofdespisedmen，closebyhisside，andwererevealedtohimforasecond，tobehiddenagainbehindtheblackmistsofdoubtanddeception。Itwasnotdeaththatfrightenedhim:itwasthehorrorofbewilderedlifewherehecouldunderstandnothingandnobodyroundhim；wherehecouldguide，control，comprehendnothingandnoone——notevenhimself。
Hefeltatouchonhisside。Thatcontact，lighterthanthecaressofamother’shandonthecheekofasleepingchild，hadforhimtheforceofacrushingblow。Omarhadcreptclose，andnow，kneelingabovehim，heldthekrissinonehandwhiletheotherskimmedoverhisjacketuptowardshisbreastingentletouches；buttheblindface，stillturnedtotheheatofthefire，wassetandimmovableinitsaspectofstonyindifferencetothingsitcouldnothopetosee。WithaneffortWillemstookhiseyesoffthedeathlikemaskandturnedthemuptoAissa’shead。Shesatmotionlessasifshehadbeenpartofthesleepingearth，thensuddenlyhesawherbigsombreeyesopenoutwideinapiercingstareandfelttheconvulsivepressureofherhandspinninghisarmsalonghisbody。Aseconddraggeditselfout，slowandbitter，likeadayofmourning；asecondfullofregretandgriefforthatfaithinherwhichtookitsflightfromtheshatteredruinsofhistrust。Shewasholdinghim！Shetoo！Hefeltherheartgiveagreatleap，hisheadslippeddownonherknees，heclosedhiseyesandtherewasnothing。Nothing！Itwasasifshehaddied；asthoughherhearthadleapedoutintothenight，abandoninghim，defencelessandalone，inanemptyworld。
Hisheadstruckthegroundheavilyassheflunghimasideinhersuddenrush。Helayasifstunned，faceupand，daringnotmove，didnotseethestruggle，butheardthepiercingshriekofmadfear，herlowangrywords；anothershriekdyingoutinamoan。
WhenhegotupatlasthelookedatAissakneelingoverherfather，hesawherbentbackintheeffortofholdinghimdown，Omar’scontortedlimbs，ahandthrownupaboveherheadandherquickmovementgraspingthewrist。Hemadeanimpulsivestepforward，butsheturnedawildfacetohimandcalledoutoverhershoulder——
\"Keepback！Donotcomenear！Donot……\"
Andhestoppedshort，hisarmshanginglifelesslybyhisside，asifthosewordshadchangedhimintostone。Shewasafraidofhispossibleviolence，butintheunsettlingofallhisconvictionshewasstruckwiththefrightfulthoughtthatshepreferredtokillherfatherallbyherself；andthelaststageoftheirstruggle，atwhichhelookedasthougharedfoghadfilledhiseyes，loomedupwithanunnaturalferocity，withasinistermeaning；likesomethingmonstrousanddepraved，forcingitscomplicityuponhimunderthecoverofthatawfulnight。Hewashorrifiedandgrateful；drawnirresistiblytoher——andreadytorunaway。Hecouldnotmoveatfirst——thenhedidnotwanttostir。Hewantedtoseewhatwouldhappen。Hesawherlift，withatremendouseffort，theapparentlylifelessbodyintothehut，andremainedstanding，aftertheydisappeared，withthevividimageinhiseyesofthatheadswayingonhershoulder，thelowerjawhangingdown，collapsed，passive，meaningless，liketheheadofacorpse。
Thenafterawhileheheardhervoicespeakinginside，harshly，withanagitatedabruptnessoftone；andinanswerthereweregroansandbrokenmurmursofexhaustion。Shespokelouder。Heheardhersayingviolently——\"No！No！Never！\"
Andagainaplaintivemurmurofentreatyasofsomeonebeggingforasupremefavour，withalastbreath。Thenshesaid——
\"Never！Iwouldsoonerstrikeitintomyownheart。\"
Shecameout，stoodpantingforashortmomentinthedoorway，andthensteppedintothefirelight。Behindher，throughthedarknesscamethesoundofwordscallingthevengeanceofheavenonherhead，risinghigher，shrill，strained，repeatingthecurseoverandoveragain——tillthevoicecrackedinapassionateshriekthatdiedoutintohoarsemutteringendingwithadeepandprolongedsigh。ShestoodfacingWillems，onehandbehindherback，theotherraisedinagesturecompellingattention，andshelistenedinthatattitudetillallwasstillinsidethehut。
Thenshemadeanotherstepforwardandherhanddroppedslowly。
\"Nothingbutmisfortune，\"shewhispered，absently，toherself。
\"Nothingbutmisfortunetouswhoarenotwhite。\"Theangerandexcitementdiedoutofherface，andshelookedstraightatWillemswithanintenseandmournfulgaze。
Herecoveredhissensesandhispowerofspeechwithasuddenstart。
\"Aissa，\"heexclaimed，andthewordsbrokeoutthroughhislipswithhurriednervousness。\"Aissa！HowcanIlivehere？Trustme。Believeinme。Letusgoawayfromhere。Goveryfaraway！
Veryfar；youandI！\"
Hedidnotstoptoaskhimselfwhetherhecouldescape，andhow，andwhere。Hewascarriedawaybythefloodofhate，disgust，andcontemptofawhitemanforthatbloodwhichisnothisblood，forthatracewhichisnothisrace；forthebrownskins；
fortheheartsfalselikethesea，blackerthannight。Thisfeelingofrepulsionovermasteredhisreasoninaclearconvictionoftheimpossibilityforhimtolivewithherpeople。
Heurgedherpassionatelytoflywithhimbecauseoutofallthatabhorredcrowdhewantedthisonewoman，butwantedherawayfromthem，awayfromthatraceofslavesandcut-throatsfromwhichshesprang。Hewantedherforhimself——farfromeverybody，insomesafeanddumbsolitude。Andashespokehisangerandcontemptrose，hishatebecamealmostfear；andhisdesireofhergrewimmense，burning，illogicalandmerciless；cryingtohimthroughallhissenses；louderthanhishate，strongerthanhisfear，deeperthanhiscontempt——irresistibleandcertainlikedeathitself。
Standingatalittledistance，justwithinthelight——butonthethresholdofthatdarknessfromwhichshehadcome——shelistened，onehandstillbehindherback，theotherarmstretchedoutwiththehandhalfopenasiftocatchthefleetingwordsthatrangaroundher，passionate，menacing，imploring，butalltingedwiththeanguishofhissuffering，allhurriedbytheimpatiencethatgnawedhisbreast。Andwhileshelistenedshefeltaslowingdownofherheart-beatsasthemeaningofhisappealgrewclearerbeforeherindignanteyes，asshesawwithrageandpaintheedificeofherlove，herownwork，crumbleslowlytopieces，destroyedbythatman’sfears，bythatman’sfalseness。Hermemoryrecalledthedaysbythebrookwhenshehadlistenedtootherwords——tootherthoughts——topromisesandtopleadingsforotherthings，whichcamefromthatman’slipsatthebiddingofherlookorhersmile，atthenodofherhead，atthewhisperofherlips。Wastheretheninhisheartsomethingelsethanherimage，otherdesiresthanthedesiresofherlove，otherfearsthanthefearoflosingher？Howcouldthatbe？Hadshegrownuglyoroldinamoment？Shewasappalled，surprisedandangrywiththeangerofunexpectedhumiliation；andhereyeslookedfixedly，sombreandsteady，atthatmanborninthelandofviolenceandofevilwherefromnothingbutmisfortunecomestothosewhoarenotwhite。Insteadofthinkingofhercaresses，insteadofforgettingalltheworldinherembrace，hewasthinkingyetofhispeople；ofthatpeoplethatstealseveryland，masterseverysea，thatknowsnomercyandnotruth——knowsnothingbutitsownstrength。Omanofstrongarmandoffalseheart！Gowithhimtoafarcountry，belostinthethrongofcoldeyesandfalsehearts——losehimthere！Never！Hewasmad——madwithfear；butheshouldnotescapeher！Shewouldkeephimhereaslaveandamaster；herewherehewasalonewithher；
wherehemustliveforher——ordie。Shehadarighttohislovewhichwasofhermaking，tothelovethatwasinhimnow，whilehespokethosewordswithoutsense。Shemustputbetweenhimandotherwhitemenabarrierofhate。Hemustnotonlystay，buthemustalsokeephispromisetoAbdulla，thefulfilmentofwhichwouldmakehersafe。
\"Aissa，letusgo！WithyoubymysideIwouldattackthemwithmynakedhands。Orno！Tomorrowweshallbeoutside，onboardAbdulla’sship。YoushallcomewithmeandthenIcould……
Iftheshipwentashorebysomechance，thenwecouldstealacanoeandescapeintheconfusion……Youarenotafraidofthesea……oftheseathatwouldgivemefreedom……\"
Hewasapproachinghergraduallywithextendedarms，whilehepleadedardentlyinincoherentwordsthatranoverandtrippedeachotherintheextremeeagernessofhisspeech。Shesteppedback，keepingherdistance，hereyesonhisface，watchingonittheplayofhisdoubtsandofhishopeswithapiercinggaze，thatseemedtosearchouttheinnermostrecessesofhisthought；
anditwasasifshehaddrawnslowlythedarknessroundher，wrappingherselfinitsundulatingfoldsthatmadeherindistinctandvague。Hefollowedherstepbysteptillatlasttheybothstopped，facingeachotherunderthebigtreeoftheenclosure。
Thesolitaryexileoftheforests，great，motionlessandsolemninhisabandonment，leftalonebythelifeofagesthathadbeenpushedawayfromhimbythosepigmiesthatcreptathisfoot，toweredhighandstraightabovetheirheads。Heseemedtolookon，dispassionateandimposing，inhislonelygreatness，spreadinghisbrancheswideinagestureofloftyprotection，asiftohidetheminthesombreshelterofinnumerableleaves；asifmovedbythedisdainfulcompassionofthestrong，bythescornfulpityofanagedgiant，toscreenthisstruggleoftwohumanheartsfromthecoldscrutinyofglitteringstars。
Thelastcryofhisappealtohermercyroseloud，vibratedunderthesombrecanopy，dartedamongtheboughsstartlingthewhitebirdsthatsleptwingtowing——anddiedwithoutanecho，strangledinthedensemassofunstirringleaves。Hecouldnotseeherface，butheheardhersighsandthedistractedmurmurofindistinctwords。Then，ashelistenedholdinghisbreath，sheexclaimedsuddenly——
\"Haveyouheardhim？HehascursedmebecauseIloveyou。Youbroughtmesufferingandstrife——andhiscurse。AndnowyouwanttotakemefarawaywhereIwouldloseyou，losemylife；becauseyourloveismylifenow。Whatelseisthere？Donotmove，\"shecriedviolently，ashestirredalittle——\"donotspeak！Takethis！Sleepinpeace！\"
Hesawashadowymovementofherarm。Somethingwhizzedpastandstruckthegroundbehindhim，closetothefire。Instinctivelyheturnedroundtolookatit。Akrisswithoutitssheathlaybytheembers；asinuousdarkobject，lookinglikesomethingthathadbeenaliveandwasnowcrushed，deadandveryinoffensive；ablackwavyoutlineverydistinctandstillinthedullredglow。
Withoutthinkinghemovedtopickitup，stoopingwiththesadandhumblemovementofabeggargatheringthealmsflungintothedustoftheroadside。Wasthistheanswertohispleading，tothehotandlivingwordsthatcamefromhisheart？Wasthistheanswerthrownathimlikeaninsult，thatthingmadeofwoodandiron，insignificantandvenomous，fragileanddeadly？Hehelditbythebladeandlookedatthehandlestupidlyforamomentbeforeheletitfallagainathisfeet；andwhenheturnedroundhefacedonlythenight:——thenightimmense，profoundandquiet；
aseaofdarknessinwhichshehaddisappearedwithoutleavingatrace。
Hemovedforwardwithuncertainsteps，puttingoutbothhishandsbeforehimwiththeanguishofamanblindedsuddenly。
\"Aissa！\"hecried——\"cometomeatonce。\"
Hepeeredandlistened，butsawnothing，heardnothing。Afterawhilethesolidblacknessseemedtowavebeforehiseyeslikeacurtaindisclosingmovementsbuthidingforms，andheheardlightandhurriedfootsteps，thentheshortclatterofthegateleadingtoLakamba’sprivateenclosure。Hesprangforwardandbroughtupagainsttheroughtimberintimetohearthewords，\"Quick！
Quick！\"andthesoundofthewoodenbardroppedontheotherside，securingthegate。Withhisarmsthrownup，thepalmsagainstthepaling，hesliddowninaheapontheground。
\"Aissa，\"hesaid，pleadingly，pressinghislipstoachinkbetweenthestakes。\"Aissa，doyouhearme？Comeback！Iwilldowhatyouwant，giveyouallyoudesire——ifIhavetosetthewholeSambironfireandputthatfireoutwithblood。Onlycomeback。Now！Atonce！Areyouthere？Doyouhearme？Aissa！\"
Ontheothersidetherewerestartledwhispersoffemininevoices；afrightenedlittlelaughsuddenlyinterrupted；somewoman’sadmiringmurmur——\"Thisisbravetalk！\"ThenafterashortsilenceAissacried——
\"Sleepinpeace——forthetimeofyourgoingisnear。NowIamafraidofyou。Afraidofyourfear。WhenyoureturnwithTuanAbdullayoushallbegreat。Youwillfindmehere。Andtherewillbenothingbutlove。Nothingelse！——Always！——Tillwedie！\"
Helistenedtotheshuffleoffootstepsgoingaway，andstaggeredtohisfeet，mutewiththeexcessofhispassionateangeragainstthatbeingsosavageandsocharming；loathingher，himself，everybodyhehadeverknown；theearth，thesky，theveryairhedrewintohisoppressedchest；loathingitbecauseitmadehimlive，loathingherbecauseshemadehimsuffer。Buthecouldnotleavethatgatethroughwhichshehadpassed。Hewanderedalittlewayoff，thenswervedround，camebackandfelldownagainbythestockadeonlytorisesuddenlyinanotherattempttobreakawayfromthespellthatheldhim，thatbroughthimbackthere，dumb，obedientandfurious。Andundertheimmobilizedgestureofloftyprotectioninthebranchesoutspreadwideabovehishead，underthehighbrancheswherewhitebirdssleptwingtowingintheshelterofcountlessleaves，hetossedlikeagrainofdustinawhirlwind——sinkingandrising——roundandround——alwaysnearthatgate。Allthroughthelanguidstillnessofthatnighthefoughtwiththeimpalpable；hefoughtwiththeshadows，withthedarkness，withthesilence。Hefoughtwithoutasound，strikingfutileblows，dashingfromsidetoside；obstinate，hopeless，andalwaysbeatenback；likeamanbewitchedwithintheinvisiblesweepofamagiccircle。
PARTIII
CHAPTERONE
\"Yes！Cat，dog，anythingthatcanscratchorbite；aslongasitisharmfulenoughandmangyenough。Asicktigerwouldmakeyouhappy——ofallthings。Ahalf-deadtigerthatyoucouldweepoverandpalmuponsomepoordevilinyourpower，totendandnurseforyou。Nevermindtheconsequences——tothepoordevil。Lethimbemangledoreatenup，ofcourse！Youhaven’tanypitytospareforthevictimsofyourinfernalcharity。Notyou！Yourtenderheartbleedsonlyforwhatispoisonousanddeadly。I
cursethedaywhenyousetyourbenevolenteyesonhim。Icurseit……\"
\"Nowthen！Nowthen！\"growledLingardinhismoustache。
Almayer，whohadtalkedhimselfuptothechokingpoint，drewalongbreathandwenton——
\"Yes！Ithasbeenalwaysso。Always。AsfarbackasIcanremember。Don’tyourecollect？Whataboutthathalf-starveddogyoubroughtonboardinBankokinyourarms。Inyourarmsby……！Itwentmadnextdayandbittheserang。Youdon’tmeantosayyouhaveforgotten？Thebestserangyoueverhad！Yousaidsoyourselfwhileyouwerehelpingustolashhimdowntothechain-cable，justbeforehediedinhisfits。Now，didn’tyou？
Twowivesandeversomanychildrenthemanleft。Thatwasyourdoing……AndwhenyouwentoutofyourwayandriskedyourshiptorescuesomeChinamenfromawater-loggedjunkinFormosaStraits，thatwasalsoacleverpieceofbusiness。Wasn’tit？
ThosedamnedChinamenroseonyoubeforeforty-eighthours。Theywerecut-throats，thosepoorfishermen。Youknewtheywerecut-throatsbeforeyoumadeupyourmindtorundownonaleeshoreinagaleofwindtosavethem。Amadtrick！Iftheyhadn’tbeenscoundrels——hopelessscoundrels——youwouldnothaveputyourshipinjeopardyforthem，Iknow。Youwouldnothaveriskedthelivesofyourcrew——thatcrewyoulovedso——andyourownlife。Wasn’tthatfoolish！And，besides，youwerenothonest。Supposeyouhadbeendrowned？Iwouldhavebeeninaprettymessthen，leftaloneherewiththatadopteddaughterofyours。Yourdutywastomyselffirst。Imarriedthatgirlbecauseyoupromisedtomakemyfortune。Youknowyoudid！Andthenthreemonthsafterwardsyougoanddothatmadtrick——foralotofChinamentoo。Chinamen！Youhavenomorality。Imighthavebeenruinedforthesakeofthosemurderousscoundrelsthat，afterall，hadtobedrivenoverboardafterkillingeversomanyofyourcrew——ofyourbelovedcrew！Doyoucallthathonest？\"
\"Well，well！\"mutteredLingard，chewingnervouslythestumpofhischerootthathadgoneoutandlookingatAlmayer——whostampedwildlyabouttheverandah——muchasashepherdmightlookatapetsheepinhisobedientflockturningunexpectedlyuponhiminenragedrevolt。Heseemeddisconcerted，contemptuouslyangryyetsomewhatamused；andalsoalittlehurtasifatsomebitterjestathisownexpense。Almayerstoppedsuddenly，andcrossinghisarmsonhisbreast，benthisbodyforwardandwentonspeaking。
\"Imighthavebeenlefttheninanawkwardhole——allonaccountofyourabsurddisregardforyoursafety——yetIborenogrudge。
Iknewyourweaknesses。Butnow——whenIthinkofit！Nowweareruined。Ruined！Ruined！MypoorlittleNina。Ruined！\"
Heslappedhisthighssmartly，walkedwithsmallstepsthiswayandthat，seizedachair，planteditwithabangbeforeLingard，andsatdownstaringattheoldseamanwithhaggardeyes。
Lingard，returninghisstaresteadily，divedslowlyintovariouspockets，fishedoutatlastaboxofmatchesandproceededtolighthischerootcarefully，rollingitroundandroundbetweenhislips，withouttakinghisgazeforamomentoffthedistressedAlmayer。Thenfrombehindacloudoftobaccosmokehesaidcalmly——
\"IfyouhadbeenintroubleasoftenasIhave，myboy，youwouldn’tcarryonso。Ihavebeenruinedmorethanonce。Well，hereIam。\"
\"Yes，hereyouare，\"interruptedAlmayer。\"Muchgooditistome。Hadyoubeenhereamonthagoitwouldhavebeenofsomeuse。Butnow！……Youmightaswellbeathousandmilesoff。\"
\"Youscoldlikeadrunkenfish-wife，\"saidLingard，serenely。Hegotupandmovedslowlytothefrontrailoftheverandah。Thefloorshookandthewholehousevibratedunderhisheavystep。
ForamomenthestoodwithhisbacktoAlmayer，lookingoutontheriverandforestoftheeastbank，thenturnedroundandgazedmildlydownuponhim。
\"It’sverylonelythismorninghere。Hey？\"hesaid。
Almayerlifteduphishead。
\"Ah！younoticeit——don’tyou？Ishouldthinkitislonely！
Yes，CaptainLingard，yourdayisoverinSambir。Onlyamonthagothisverandahwouldhavebeenfullofpeoplecomingtogreetyou。Fellowswouldbecomingupthosestepsgrinningandsalaaming——toyouandtome。Butourdayisover。Andnotbymyfaulteither。Youcan’tsaythat。It’sallthedoingofthatpetrascalofyours。Ah！Heisabeauty！Youshouldhaveseenhimleadingthathellishcrowd。Youwouldhavebeenproudofyouroldfavourite。\"
\"Smartfellowthat，\"mutteredLingard，thoughtfully。Almayerjumpedupwithashriek。
\"Andthat’sallyouhavetosay！Smartfellow！OLord！\"
\"Don’tmakeashowofyourself。Sitdown。Let’stalkquietly。
Iwanttoknowallaboutit。Soheled？\"
\"Hewasthesoulofthewholething。HepilotedAbdulla’sshipin。Heorderedeverythingandeverybody，\"saidAlmayer，whosatdownagain，witharesignedair。
\"Whendidithappen——exactly？\"
\"OnthesixteenthIheardthefirstrumoursofAbdulla’sshipbeingintheriver；athingIrefusedtobelieveatfirst。NextdayIcouldnotdoubtanymore。TherewasagreatcouncilheldopenlyinLakamba’splacewherealmosteverybodyinSambirattended。OntheeighteenththeLordoftheIsleswasanchoredinSambirreach，abreastofmyhouse。Let’ssee。Sixweeksto-day，exactly。\"
\"Andallthathappenedlikethis？Allofasudden。Youneverheardanything——nowarning。Nothing。Neverhadanideathatsomethingwasup？Come，Almayer！\"
\"Heard！Yes，Iusedtohearsomethingeveryday。Mostlylies。
IsthereanythingelseinSambir？\"
\"Youmightnothavebelievedthem，\"observedLingard。\"Infactyououghtnottohavebelievedeverythingthatwastoldtoyou，asifyouhadbeenagreenhandonhisfirstvoyage。\"
Almayermovedinhischairuneasily。
\"Thatscoundrelcamehereoneday，\"hesaid。\"Hehadbeenawayfromthehouseforacoupleofmonthslivingwiththatwoman。I
onlyheardabouthimnowandthenfromPatalolo’speoplewhentheycameover。Welloneday，aboutnoon，heappearedinthiscourtyard，asifhehadbeenjerkedupfromhell-wherehebelongs。\"
Lingardtookhischerootout，and，withhismouthfullofwhitesmokethatoozedoutthroughhispartedlips，listened，attentive。AfterashortpauseAlmayerwenton，lookingatthefloormoodily——
\"Imustsayhelookedawful。Hadabadboutoftheagueprobably。Theleftshoreisveryunhealthy。Strangethatonlythebreadthoftheriver……\"
Hedroppedoffintodeepthoughtfulnessasifhehadforgottenhisgrievancesinabittermeditationupontheunsanitaryconditionofthevirginforestsontheleftbank。Lingardtookthisopportunitytoexpelthesmokeinamightyexpirationandthrewthestumpofhischerootoverhisshoulder。
\"Goon，\"hesaid，afterawhile。\"Hecametoseeyou……\"
\"Butitwasn’tunhealthyenoughtofinishhim，worseluck！\"wentonAlmayer，rousinghimself，\"and，asIsaid，heturnedupherewithhisbrazenimpudence。Hebulliedme，hethreatenedvaguely。
Hewantedtoscareme，toblackmailme。Me！And，byheaven——hesaidyouwouldapprove。You！Canyouconceivesuchimpudence？
Icouldn’texactlymakeoutwhathewasdrivingat。HadIknown，Iwouldhaveapprovedhim。Yes！Withabangonthehead。ButhowcouldIguessthatheknewenoughtopilotashipthroughtheentranceyoualwayssaidwassodifficult。And，afterall，thatwastheonlydanger。Icoulddealwithanybodyhere——butwhenAbdullacame……Thatbarqueofhisisarmed。Hecarriestwelvebrasssix-pounders，andaboutthirtymen。Desperatebeggars。Sumatramen，fromDeliandAcheen。Fightalldayandaskformoreintheevening。Thatkind。\"
\"Iknow，Iknow，\"saidLingard，impatiently。
\"Ofcourse，then，theywerecheekyasmuchasyoupleaseafterheanchoredabreastofourjetty。Willemsbroughtheruphimselfinthebestberth。Icouldseehimfromthisverandahstandingforward，togetherwiththehalf-castemaster。Andthatwomanwastheretoo。Closetohim。IheardtheytookheronboardoffLakamba’splace。Willemssaidhewouldnotgohigherwithouther。Stormedandraged。Frightenedthem，Ibelieve。Abdullahadtointerfere。Shecameoffaloneinacanoe，andnosoonerondeckthanshefellathisfeetbeforeallhands，embracedhisknees，wept，raved，beggedhispardon。Why？Iwonder。
EverybodyinSambiristalkingofit。Theyneverheardtellorsawanythinglikeit。IhaveallthisfromAli，whogoesaboutinthesettlementandbringsmethenews。Ihadbetterknowwhatisgoingon——hadn’tI？FromwhatIcanmakeout，they——heandthatwoman——arelookeduponassomethingmysterious——beyondcomprehension。Somethinkthemmad。TheylivealonewithanoldwomaninahouseoutsideLakamba’scampongandaregreatlyrespected——orfeared，Ishouldsayrather。Atleast，heis。Heisveryviolent。Sheknowsnobody，seesnobody，willspeaktonobodybuthim。Neverleaveshimforamoment。It’sthetalkoftheplace。Thereareotherrumours。FromwhatIhearIsuspectthatLakambaandAbdullaaretiredofhim。There’salsotalkofhimgoingawayintheLordoftheIsles——whensheleaveshereforthesouthward——asakindofAbdulla’sagent。Atanyrate，hemusttaketheshipout。Thehalf-casteisnotequaltoitasyet。\"
Lingard，whohadlistenedabsorbedtillthen，begannowtowalkwithmeasuredsteps。Almayerceasedtalkingandfollowedhimwithhiseyesashepacedupanddownwithaquarter-deckswing，tormentingandtwistinghislongwhitebeard，hisfaceperplexedandthoughtful。
\"Sohecametoyoufirstofall，didhe？\"askedLingard，withoutstopping。
\"Yes。Itoldyouso。Hedidcome。Cametoextortmoney，goods——Idon’tknowwhatelse。Wantedtosetupasatrader——theswine！Ikickedhishatintothecourtyard，andhewentafterit，andthatwasthelastofhimtillheshowedupwithAbdulla。
HowcouldIknowthathecoulddoharminthatway？Orinanywayatthat！AnylocalrisingIcouldputdowneasywithmyownmenandwithPatalolo’shelp。\"
\"Oh！yes。Patalolo。Nogood。Eh？Didyoutryhimatall？\"
\"Didn’tI！\"exclaimedAlmayer。\"Iwenttoseehimmyselfonthetwelfth。ThatwasfourdaysbeforeAbdullaenteredtheriver。
Infact，samedayWillemstriedtogetatme。Ididfeelalittleuneasythen。PataloloassuredmethattherewasnohumanbeingthatdidnotlovemeinSambir。Lookedaswiseasanowl。Toldmenottolistentotheliesofwickedpeoplefromdowntheriver。HewasalludingtothatmanBulangi，wholivesuptheseareach，andwhohadsentmewordthatastrangeshipwasanchoredoutside——which，ofcourse，IrepeatedtoPatalolo。
Hewouldnotbelieve。Keptonmumbling’No！No！No！’likeanoldparrot，hisheadallofatremble，allbeslobberedwithbetel-nutjuice。Ithoughttherewassomethingqueerabouthim。Seemedsorestless，andasifinahurrytogetridofme。Well。Nextdaythatone-eyedmalefactorwholiveswithLakamba——what’shisname——Babalatchi，putinanappearancehere！Cameaboutmid-day，casuallylike，andstoodthereonthisverandahchattingaboutonethingandanother。AskingwhenIexpectedyou，andsoon。
Then，incidentally，hementionedthatthey——hismasterandhimself——wereverymuchbotheredbyaferociouswhiteman——myfriend——whowashangingaboutthatwoman——Omar’sdaughter。Askedmyadvice。Verydeferentialandproper。Itoldhimthewhitemanwasnotmyfriend，andthattheyhadbetterkickhimout。
Whereuponhewentawaysalaaming，andprotestinghisfriendshipandhismaster’sgoodwill。OfcourseIknownowtheinfernalniggercametospyandtotalkoversomeofmymen。Anyway，eightweremissingattheeveningmuster。ThenItookalarm。
Didnotdaretoleavemyhouseunguarded。Youknowwhatmywifeis，don’tyou？AndIdidnotcaretotakethechildwithme——itbeinglate——soIsentamessagetoPatalolotosaythatweoughttoconsult；thattherewererumoursanduneasinessinthesettlement。DoyouknowwhatanswerIgot？\"
LingardstoppedshortinhiswalkbeforeAlmayer，whowenton，afteranimpressivepause，withgrowinganimation。
\"Allbroughtit:’TheRajahsendsafriend’sgreeting，anddoesnotunderstandthemessage。’Thatwasall。NotawordmorecouldAligetoutofhim。IcouldseethatAliwasprettywellscared。Hehungabout，arrangingmyhammock——onethingandanother。Thenjustbeforegoingawayhementionedthatthewater-gateoftheRajah’splacewasheavilybarred，butthathecouldseeonlyveryfewmenaboutthecourtyard。Finallyhesaid，’ThereisdarknessinourRajah’shouse，butnosleep。Onlydarknessandfearandthewailingofwomen。’Cheerful，wasn’tit？Itmademefeelcolddownmybacksomehow。AfterAlislippedawayIstoodhere——bythistable，andlistenedtotheshoutinganddrumminginthesettlement。Racketenoughfortwentyweddings。Itwasalittlepastmidnightthen。\"
AgainAlmayerstoppedinhisnarrativewithanabruptshuttingoflips，asifhehadsaidallthattherewastotell，andLingardstoodstaringathim，pensiveandsilent。Abigbluebottleflyflewinrecklesslyintothecoolverandah，anddartedwithloudbuzzingbetweenthetwomen。Lingardstruckatitwithhishat。
Theflyswerved，andAlmayerdodgedhisheadoutoftheway。
ThenLingardaimedanotherineffectualblow；Almayerjumpedupandwavedhisarmsabout。Theflybuzzeddesperately，andthevibrationofminutewingssoundedinthepeaceoftheearlymorninglikeafar-offstringorchestraaccompanyingthehollow，determinedstampingofthetwomen，who，withheadsthrownbackandarmsgyratingonhigh，oragainbendinglowwithinfuriatedlunges，wereintentuponkillingtheintruder。Butsuddenlythebuzzdiedoutinathinthrillawayintheopenspaceofthecourtyard，leavingLingardandAlmayerstandingfacetofaceinthefreshsilenceoftheyoungday，lookingverypuzzledandidle，theirarmshanginguselesslybytheirsides——likemendisheartenedbysomeportentousfailure。
\"Lookatthat！\"mutteredLingard。\"Gotawayafterall。\"
\"Nuisance，\"saidAlmayerinthesametone。\"Riversideisoverrunwiththem。Thishouseisbadlyplaced……mosquitos……andthesebigflies……lastweekstungNina……beenillfourdays……poorchild……Iwonderwhatsuchdamnedthingsaremadefor！\"
CHAPTERTWO
Afteralongsilence，duringwhichAlmayerhadmovedtowardsthetableandsatdown，hisheadbetweenhishands，staringstraightbeforehim，Lingard，whohadrecommencedwalking，clearedhisthroatandsaid——
\"Whatwasityouweresaying？\"
\"Ah！Yes！Youshouldhaveseenthissettlementthatnight。I
don’tthinkanybodywenttobed。Iwalkeddowntothepoint，andcouldseethem。Theyhadabigbonfireinthepalmgrove，andthetalkwentontheretillthemorning。WhenIcamebackhereandsatinthedarkverandahinthisquiethouseIfeltsofrightfullylonelythatIstoleinandtookthechildoutofhercotandbroughtherhereintomyhammock。Ifithadn’tbeenforherIamsureIwouldhavegonemad；Ifeltsoutterlyaloneandhelpless。Remember，Ihadn’theardfromyouforfourmonths。
Didn’tknowwhetheryouwerealiveordead。Patalolowouldhavenothingtodowithme。Myownmenweredesertingmelikeratsdoasinkinghulk。Thatwasablacknightforme，CaptainLingard。
AblacknightasIsatherenotknowingwhatwouldhappennext。
TheyweresoexcitedandrowdythatIreallyfearedtheywouldcomeandburnthehouseovermyhead。Iwentandbroughtmyrevolver。Laiditloadedonthetable。Thereweresuchawfulyellsnowandthen。Luckilythechildsleptthroughit，andseeinghersoprettyandpeacefulsteadiedmesomehow。Couldn’tbelievetherewasanyviolenceinthisworld，lookingatherlyingsoquietandsounconsciousofwhatwenton。Butitwasveryhard。Everythingwasatanend。YoumustunderstandthatonthatnighttherewasnogovernmentinSambir。Nothingtorestrainthosefellows。Patalolohadcollapsed。Iwasabandonedbymyownpeople，andallthatlotcouldventtheirspiteonmeiftheywanted。Theyknownogratitude。Howmanytimeshaven’tI
savedthissettlementfromstarvation？Absolutestarvation。
OnlythreemonthsagoIdistributedagainalotofriceoncredit。Therewasnothingtoeatinthisinfernalplace。Theycamebeggingontheirknees。Thereisn’tamaninSambir，bigorlittle，whoisnotindebttoLingard&Co。Notone。Yououghttobesatisfied。Youalwayssaidthatwastherightpolicyforus。Well，Icarrieditout。Ah！CaptainLingard，apolicylikethatshouldbebackedbyloadedrifles……\"
\"Youhadthem！\"exclaimedLingardinthemidstofhispromenade，thatwentonmorerapidasAlmayertalked:theheadlongtrampofamanhurryingontodosomethingviolent。Theverandahwasfullofdust，oppressiveandchoking，whichroseundertheoldseaman’sfeet，andmadeAlmayercoughagainandagain。
\"Yes，Ihad！Twenty。Andnotafingertopullatrigger。It’seasytotalk，\"hespluttered，hisfaceveryred。
Lingarddroppedintoachair，andleanedbackwithonehandstretchedoutatlengthuponthetable，theotherthrownoverthebackofhisseat。Thedustsettled，andthesunsurgingabovetheforestfloodedtheverandahwithaclearlight。Almayergotupandbusiedhimselfinloweringthesplitrattanscreensthathungbetweenthecolumnsoftheverandah。
\"Phew！\"saidLingard，\"itwillbeahotday。That’sright，myboy。Keepthesunout。Wedon’twanttoberoastedalivehere。\"
Almayercameback，satdown，andspokeverycalmly——
\"InthemorningIwentacrosstoseePatalolo。Itookthechildwithme，ofcourse。Ifoundthewater-gatebarred，andhadtowalkroundthroughthebushes。Pataloloreceivedmelyingonthefloor，inthedark，alltheshuttersclosed。Icouldgetnothingoutofhimbutlamentationsandgroans。Hesaidyoumustbedead。ThatLakambawascomingnowwithAbdulla’sgunstokilleverybody。Saidhedidnotmindbeingkilled，ashewasanoldman，butthatthewishofhisheartwastomakeapilgrimage。Hewastiredofmen’singratitude——hehadnoheirs——hewantedtogotoMeccaanddiethere。HewouldaskAbdullatolethimgo。
ThenheabusedLakamba——betweensobs——andyou，alittle。Youpreventedhimfromaskingforaflagthatwouldhavebeenrespected——hewasrightthere——andnowwhenhisenemieswerestronghewasweak，andyouwerenottheretohelphim。WhenI
triedtoputsomeheartintohim，tellinghimhehadfourbigguns——youknowthebrasssix-poundersyouleftherelastyear——andthatIwouldgetpowder，andthat，perhaps，togetherwecouldmakeheadagainstLakamba，hesimplyhowledatme。Nomatterwhichwayheturned——heshrieked——thewhitemenwouldbethedeathofhim，whilehewantedonlytobeapilgrimandbeatpeace。Mybeliefis，\"addedAlmayer，afterashortpause，andfixingadullstareuponLingard，\"thattheoldfoolsawthisthingcomingforalongtime，andwasnotonlytoofrightenedtodoanythinghimself，butactuallytooscaredtoletyouormeknowofhissuspicions。Anotherofyourparticularpets！Well！
Youhavealuckyhand，Imustsay！\"
Lingardstruckasuddenblowonthetablewithhisclenchedhand。
Therewasasharpcrackofsplittingwood。Almayerstartedupviolently，thenfellbackinhischairandlookedatthetable。
\"There！\"hesaid，moodily，\"youdon’tknowyourownstrength。
Thistableiscompletelyruined。TheonlytableIhadbeenabletosavefrommywife。ByandbyIwillhavetoeatsquattingonthefloorlikeanative。\"
Lingardlaughedheartily。\"Wellthen，don’tnagatmelikeawomanatadrunkenhusband！\"Hebecameveryseriousafterawhile，andadded，\"Ifithadn’tbeenforthelossoftheFlashI
wouldhavebeenherethreemonthsago，andallwouldhavebeenwell。Nousecryingoverthat。Don’tyoubeuneasy，Kaspar。Wewillhaveeverythingship-shapehereinaveryshorttime。\"
\"What？Youdon’tmeantoexpelAbdullaoutofherebyforce！I
tellyou，youcan’t。\"
\"NotI！\"exclaimedLingard。\"That’sallover，Iamafraid。
Greatpity。Theywillsufferforit。Hewillsqueezethem。
Greatpity。Damnit！IfeelsosorryforthemifIhadtheFlashhereIwouldtryforce。Eh！Whynot？However，thepoorFlashisgone，andthereisanendofit。Pooroldhooker。Hey，Almayer？Youmadeavoyageortwowithme。Wasn’tsheasweetcraft？Couldmakeherdoanythingbuttalk。Shewasbetterthanawifetome。Neverscolded。Hey？……Andtothinkthatitshouldcometothis。ThatIshouldleaveherpooroldbonesstickingonareefasthoughIhadbeenadamnedfoolofasouthern-goingmanwhomusthavehalfamileofwaterunderhiskeeltobesafe！Well！well！It’sonlythosewhodonothingthatmakenomistakes，Isuppose。Butit’shard。Hard。\"
Henoddedsadly，withhiseyesontheground。Almayerlookedathimwithgrowingindignation。
\"Uponmyword，youareheartless，\"heburstout；\"perfectlyheartless——andselfish。Itdoesnotseemtostrikeyou——inallthat——thatinlosingyourship——byyourrecklessness，Iamsure——youruinme——us，andmylittleNina。What’sgoingtobecomeofmeandofher？That’swhatIwanttoknow。Youbroughtmehere，mademeyourpartner，andnow，wheneverythingisgonetothedevil——throughyourfault，mindyou——youtalkaboutyourship……ship！Youcangetanother。Buthere。
Thistrade。That’sgonenow，thankstoWillems……YourdearWillems！\"
\"NeveryoumindaboutWillems。Iwilllookafterhim，\"saidLingard，severely。\"Andastothetrade……Iwillmakeyourfortuneyet，myboy。Neverfear。Haveyougotanycargofortheschoonerthatbroughtmehere？\"
\"Theshedisfullofrattans，\"answeredAlmayer，\"andIhaveabouteightytonsofguttahinthewell。ThelastlotIeverwillhave，nodoubt，\"headded，bitterly。
\"So，afterall，therewasnorobbery。You’velostnothingactually。Well，then，youmust……Hallo！What’sthematter！……Here！……\"
\"Robbery！No！\"screamedAlmayer，throwinguphishands。
Hefellbackinthechairandhisfacebecamepurple。Alittlewhitefoamappearedonhislipsandtrickleddownhischin，whilehelayback，showingthewhitesofhisupturnedeyes。WhenhecametohimselfhesawLingardstandingoverhim，withanemptywater-chattyinhishand。
\"Youhadafitofsomekind，\"saidtheoldseamanwithmuchconcern。\"Whatisit？Youdidgivemeafright。Soverysudden。\"
Almayer，hishairallwetandstucktohishead，asifhehadbeendiving，satupandgasped。
\"Outrage！Afiendishoutrage。I……\"
Lingardputthechattyonthetableandlookedathiminattentivesilence。Almayerpassedhishandoverhisforeheadandwentoninanunsteadytone:
\"WhenIrememberthat，Iloseallcontrol，\"hesaid。\"ItoldyouheanchoredAbdulla’sshipabreastourjetty，butovertotheothershore，neartheRajah’splace。Theshipwassurroundedwithboats。Fromhereitlookedasifshehadbeenlandedonaraft。EverydugoutinSambirwasthere。ThroughmyglassI
coulddistinguishthefacesofpeopleonthepoop——Abdulla，Willems，Lakamba——everybody。ThatoldcringingscoundrelSahaminwasthere。Icouldseequiteplain。Thereseemedtobemuchtalkanddiscussion。FinallyIsawaship’sboatlowered。SomeArabgotintoher，andtheboatwenttowardsPatalolo’slanding-place。Itseemstheyhadbeenrefusedadmittance——sotheysay。Ithinkmyselfthatthewater-gatewasnotunbarredquickenoughtopleasetheexaltedmessenger。AtanyrateIsawtheboatcomebackalmostdirectly。Iwaslookingon，ratherinterested，whenIsawWillemsandsomemoregoforward——verybusyaboutsomethingthere。Thatwomanwasalsoamongstthem。
Ah，thatwoman……\"
Almayerchoked，andseemedonthepointofhavingarelapse，butbyaviolenteffortregainedacomparativecomposure。
\"Allofasudden，\"hecontinued——\"bang！TheyfiredashotintoPatalolo’sgate，andbeforeIhadtimetocatchmybreath——Iwasstartled，youmaybelieve——theysentanotherandburstthegateopen。Whereupon，Isuppose，theythoughttheyhaddoneenoughforawhile，andprobablyfelthungry，forafeastbeganaft。
Abdullasatamongstthemlikeanidol，cross-legged，hishandsonhislap。He’stoogreataltogethertoeatwhenothersdo，buthepresided，yousee。Willemskeptondodgingaboutforward，alooffromthecrowd，andlookingatmyhousethroughtheship’slongglass。Icouldnotresistit。Ishookmyfistathim。\"
\"Justso，\"saidLingard，gravely。\"Thatwasthethingtodo，ofcourse。Ifyoucan’tfightamanthebestthingistoexasperatehim。\"
Almayerwavedhishandinasuperiormanner，andcontinued，unmoved:\"Youmaysaywhatyoulike。Youcan’trealizemyfeelings。Hesawme，and，withhiseyestillatthesmallendoftheglass，liftedhisarmasifansweringahail。IthoughtmyturntobeshotatwouldcomenextafterPatalolo，soIranuptheUnionJacktotheflagstaffintheyard。Ihadnootherprotection。TherewereonlythreemenbesidesAlithatstucktome——threecripples，forthatmatter，toosicktogetaway。I
wouldhavefoughtsinglehanded，Ithink，Iwasthatangry，buttherewasthechild。Whattodowithher？Couldn’tsendheruptheriverwiththemother。YouknowIcan’ttrustmywife。I
decidedtokeepveryquiet，buttoletnobodylandonourshore。
Privateproperty，that；underadeedfromPatalolo。Iwaswithinmyright——wasn’tI？Themorningwasveryquiet。AftertheyhadafeedonboardthebarquewithAbdullamostofthemwenthome；
onlythebigpeopleremained。Towardsthreeo’clockSahamincrossedaloneinasmallcanoe。Iwentdownonourwharfwithmyguntospeaktohim，butdidn’tlethimland。TheoldhypocritesaidAbdullasentgreetingsandwishedtotalkwithmeonbusiness；wouldIcomeonboard？Isaidno；Iwouldnot。ToldhimthatAbdullamaywriteandIwouldanswer，butnointerview，neitheronboardhisshipnoronshore。IalsosaidthatifanybodyattemptedtolandwithinmyfencesIwouldshoot——nomatterwhom。Onthatheliftedhishandstoheaven，scandalized，andthenpaddledawayprettysmartly——toreport，Isuppose。AnhourorsoafterwardsIsawWillemslandaboatpartyattheRajah’s。Itwasveryquiet。Notashotwasfired，andtherewashardlyanyshouting。TheytumbledthosebrassgunsyoupresentedtoPatalololastyeardownthebankintotheriver。It’sdeeptherecloseto。Thechannelrunsthatway，youknow。Aboutfive，Willemswentbackonboard，andIsawhimjoinAbdullabythewheelaft。Hetalkedalot，swinginghisarmsabout——seemedtoexplainthings——pointedatmyhouse，thendownthereach。
Finally，justbeforesunset，theyhoveuponthecableanddredgedtheshipdownnearlyhalfamiletothejunctionofthetwobranchesoftheriver——wheresheisnow，asyoumighthaveseen。\"
Lingardnodded。
\"Thatevening，afterdark——Iwasinformed——AbdullalandedforthefirsttimeinSambir。HewasentertainedinSahamin’shouse。I
sentAlitothesettlementfornews。Hereturnedaboutnine，andreportedthatPatalolowassittingonAbdulla’slefthandbeforeSahamin’sfire。Therewasagreatcouncil。AliseemedtothinkthatPatalolowasaprisoner，buthewaswrongthere。Theydidthetrickveryneatly。BeforemidnighteverythingwasarrangedasIcanmakeout。Patalolowentbacktohisdemolishedstockade，escortedbyadozenboatswithtorches。ItappearshebeggedAbdullatolethimhaveapassageintheLordoftheIslestoPenang。FromtherehewouldgotoMecca。Thefiringbusinesswasalludedtoasamistake。Nodoubtitwasinasense。Patalolonevermeantresisting。Soheisgoingassoonastheshipisreadyforsea。Hewentonboardnextdaywiththreewomenandhalfadozenfellowsasoldashimself。ByAbdulla’sordershewasreceivedwithasaluteofsevenguns，andhehasbeenlivingonboardeversince——fiveweeks。Idoubtwhetherhewillleavetheriveralive。Atanyratehewon’tlivetoreachPenang。Lakambatookoverallhisgoods，andgavehimadraftonAbdulla’shousepayableinPenang。Heisboundtodiebeforehegetsthere。Don’tyousee？\"
Hesatsilentforawhileindejectedmeditation，thenwenton:
\"Ofcoursetherewereseveralrowsduringthenight。Variousfellowstooktheopportunityoftheunsettledstateofaffairstopayoffoldscoresandsettleoldgrudges。Ipassedthenightinthatchairthere，dozinguneasily。Nowandthentherewouldbeagreattumultandyellingwhichwouldmakemesitup，revolverinhand。However，nobodywaskilled。Afewbrokenheads——that’sall。EarlyinthemorningWillemscausedthemtomakeafreshmovewhichImustsaysurprisedmenotalittle。Assoonastherewasdaylighttheybusiedthemselvesinsettingupaflag-poleonthespaceattheotherendofthesettlement，whereAbdullaishavinghishousesbuiltnow。Shortlyaftersunrisetherewasagreatgatheringattheflag-pole。Allwentthere。
Willemswasstandingleaningagainstthemast，onearmoverthatwoman’sshoulders。TheyhadbroughtanarmchairforPatalolo，andLakambastoodontherighthandoftheoldman，whomadeaspeech。EverybodyinSambirwasthere:women，slaves，children——everybody！ThenPatalolospoke。HesaidthatbythemercyoftheMostHighhewasgoingonapilgrimage。Thedearestwishofhisheartwastobeaccomplished。Then，turningtoLakamba，hebeggedhimtorulejustlyduringhis——Patalolo’s——
absence。Therewasabitofplay-actingthere。Lakambasaidhewasunworthyofthehonourableburden，andPataloloinsisted。
Pooroldfool！Itmusthavebeenbittertohim。Theymadehimactuallyentreatthatscoundrel。Fancyamancompelledtobegofarobbertodespoilhim！ButtheoldRajahwassofrightened。
