IV
Thisis，imperfectly，whathesaid——
\"ItwasafterthegreattroublethatbroketheallianceofthefourstatesofWajo。Wefoughtamongstourselves，andtheDutchwatchedfromafartillwewereweary。Thenthesmokeoftheirfire-shipswasseenatthemouthofourrivers，andtheirgreatmencameinboatsfullofsoldierstotalktousofprotectionandpeace。Weansweredwithcautionandwisdom，forourvillageswereburnt，ourstockadesweak，thepeopleweary，andtheweaponsblunt。Theycameandwent；
therehadbeenmuchtalk，butaftertheywentawayeverythingseemedtobeasbefore，onlytheirshipsremainedinsightfromourcoast，andverysoontheirtraderscameamongstusunderapromiseofsafety。MybrotherwasaRuler，andoneofthosewhohadgiventhepromise。Iwasyoungthen，andhadfoughtinthewar，andPataMatarahadfoughtbymyside。Wehadsharedhunger，danger，fatigue，andvictory。Hiseyessawmydangerquickly，andtwicemyarmhadpreservedhislife。Itwashisdestiny。Hewasmyfriend。Andhewasgreatamongstus——oneofthosewhowerenearmybrother，theRuler。Hespokeincouncil，hiscouragewasgreat，hewasthechiefofmanyvillagesroundthegreatlakethatisinthemiddleofourcountryastheheartisinthemiddleofaman’sbody。Whenhisswordwascarriedintoacamponginadvanceofhiscoming，themaidenswhisperedwonderinglyunderthefruit-trees，therichmenconsultedtogetherintheshade，andafeastwasmadereadywithrejoicingandsongs。HehadthefavouroftheRulerandtheaffectionofthepoor。Helovedwar，deerhunts，andthecharmsofwomen。Hewasthepossessorofjewels，ofluckyweapons，andofmen’sdevotion。Hewasafierceman；andI
hadnootherfriend。
\"Iwasthechiefofastockadeatthemouthoftheriver，andcollectedtollsformybrotherfromthepassingboats。OnedayIsawaDutchtradergouptheriver。Hewentupwiththreeboats，andnotollwasdemandedfromhim，becausethesmokeofDutchwar-shipsstoodoutfromtheopensea，andweweretooweaktoforgettreaties。Hewentupunderthepromiseofsafety，andmybrothergavehimprotection。Hesaidhecametotrade。Helistenedtoourvoices，forwearemenwhospeakopenlyandwithoutfear；hecountedthenumberofourspears，heexaminedthetrees，therunningwaters，thegrassesofthebank，theslopesofourhills。HewentuptoMatara’scountryandobtainedpermissiontobuildahouse。Hetradedandplanted。Hedespisedourjoys，ourthoughts，andoursorrows。Hisfacewasred，hishairlikeflame，andhiseyespale，likearivermist；hemovedheavily，andspokewithadeepvoice；helaughedaloudlikeafool，andknewnocourtesyinhisspeech。Hewasabig，scornfulman，wholookedintowomen’sfacesandputhishandontheshouldersoffreemenasthoughhehadbeenanoble-bornchief。Weborewithhim。Timepassed。
\"ThenPataMatara’ssisterfledfromthecampongandwenttoliveintheDutchman’shouse。Shewasagreatandwilfullady：Ihadseenheroncecarriedhighonslaves’shouldersamongstthepeople，withuncoveredface，andIhadheardallmensaythatherbeautywasextreme，silencingthereasonandravishingtheheartofthebeholders。Thepeopleweredismayed；Matara’sfacewasblackenedwiththatdisgrace，forsheknewshehadbeenpromisedtoanotherman。
MatarawenttotheDutchman’shouse，andsaid，’Giveheruptodie——sheisthedaughterofchiefs。’Thewhitemanrefusedandshuthimselfup，whilehisservantskeptguardnightanddaywithloadedguns。Matararaged。Mybrothercalledacouncil。ButtheDutchshipswerenear，andwatchedourcoastgreedily。Mybrothersaid，’Ifhediesnowourlandwillpayforhisblood。Leavehimalonetillwegrowstrongerandtheshipsaregone。’Matarawaswise；hewaitedandwatched。Butthewhitemanfearedforherlifeandwentaway。
\"Helefthishouse，hisplantations，andhisgoods！Hedeparted，armedandmenacing，andleftall——forher！Shehadravishedhisheart！FrommystockadeIsawhimputouttoseainabigboat。MataraandI
watchedhimfromthefightingplatformbehindthepointedstakes。Hesatcross-legged，withhisguninhishands，ontheroofatthesternofhisprau。Thebarrelofhisrifleglintedaslantbeforehisbigredface。Thebroadriverwasstretchedunderhim——level，smooth，shining，likeaplainofsilver；andhisprau，lookingveryshortandblackfromtheshore，glidedalongthesilverplainandoverintotheblueofthesea。
\"ThriceMatara，standingbymyside，calledaloudhernamewithgriefandimprecations。Hestirredmyheart。Itleapedthreetimes；andthreetimeswiththeeyesofmymindIsawinthegloomwithintheenclosedspaceoftheprauawomanwithstreaminghairgoingawayfromherlandandherpeople。Iwasangry——andsorry。Why？AndthenIalsocriedoutinsultsandthreats。Matarasaid，’Nowtheyhaveleftourlandtheirlivesaremind。Ishallfollowandstrike——and，alone，paythepriceofblood。’Agreatwindwassweepingtowardsthesettingsunovertheemptyriver。Icried，’ByyoursideIwillgo！’Heloweredhisheadinsignofassent。Itwashisdestiny。Thesunhadset，andthetreesswayedtheirboughswithagreatnoiseaboveourheads。
\"Onthethirdnightwetwoleftourlandtogetherinatradingprau。
\"Theseametus——thesea，wide，pathless，andwithoutvoice。A
sailingprauleavesnotrack。Wewentsouth。Themoonwasfull；and，lookingup，wesaidtooneanother，’Whenthenextmoonshinesasthisone，weshallreturnandtheywillbedead。’Itwasfifteenyearsago。
ManymoonshavegrownfullandwitheredandIhavenotseenmylandsince。Wesailedsouth；weovertookmanypraus；weexaminedthecreeksandthebays；wesawtheendofourcoast，ofourisland——asteepcapeoveradisturbedstrait，wheredrifttheshadowsofshipwreckedprausanddrownedmenclamourinthenight。Thewideseawasallroundusnow。Wesawagreatmountainburninginthemidstofwater；wesawthousandsofisletsscatteredlikebitsofironfiredfromabiggun；
wesawalongcoastofmountainandlowlandsstretchingawayinsunshinefromwesttoeast。ItwasJava。Wesaid，’Theyarethere；
theirtimeisnear，andweshallreturnordiecleansedfromdishonour。’
\"Welanded。Isthereanythinggoodinthatcountry？Thepathsrunstraightandhardanddusty。Stonecampongs，fullofwhitefaces，aresurroundedbyfertilefields，buteverymanyoumeetisaslave。Therulersliveundertheedgeofaforeignsword。Weascendedmountains，wetraversedvalleys；atsunsetweenteredvillages。Weaskedeveryone，’Haveyouseensuchawhiteman？’Somestared；otherslaughed；womengaveusfood，sometimes，withfearandrespect，asthoughwehadbeendistractedbythevisitationofGod；butsomedidnotunderstandourlanguage，andsomecursedus，or，yawning，askedwithcontemptthereasonofourquest。Once，asweweregoingaway，anoldmancalledafterus，’Desist！’
\"Wewenton。Concealingourweapons，westoodhumblyasidebeforethehorsemenontheroad；webowedlowinthecourtyardsofchiefswhowerenobetterthanslaves。Welostourselvesinthefields，inthejungle；andonenight，inatangledforest，wecameuponaplacewherecrumblingoldwallshadfallenamongstthetrees，andwherestrangestoneidols——carvedimagesofdevilswithmanyarmsandlegs，withsnakestwinedroundtheirbodies，withtwentyheadsandholdingahundredswords——seemedtoliveandthreateninthelightofourcampfire。Nothingdismayedus。Andontheroad，byeveryfire，inresting-places，wealwaystalkedofherandofhim。Theirtimewasnear。Wespokeofnothingelse。No！notofhunger，thirst，weariness，andfalteringhearts。No！wespokeofhimandher！Ofher！Andwethoughtofthem——ofher！Matarabroodedbythefire。Isatandthoughtandthought，tillsuddenlyIcouldseeagaintheimageofawoman，beautiful，andyoung，andgreatandproud，andtender，goingawayfromherlandandherpeople。Matarasaid，’Whenwefindthemweshallkillherfirsttocleansethedishonour——thenthemanmustdie。’Iwouldsay，’Itshallbeso；itisyourvengeance。’Hestaredlongatmewithhisbigsunkeneyes。
\"Wecamebacktothecoast。Ourfeetwerebleeding，ourbodiesthin。
Wesleptinragsundertheshadowofstoneenclosures；weprowled，soiledandlean，aboutthegatewaysofwhitemen’scourtyards。Theirhairydogsbarkedatus，andtheirservantsshoutedfromafar，’Begone！’Low-bornwretches，thatkeepwatchoverthestreetsofstonecampongs，askeduswhowewere。Welied，wecringed，wesmiledwithhateinourhearts，andwekeptlookinghere，lookingthereforthem——forthewhitemanwithhairlikeflame，andforher，forthewomanwhohadbrokenfaith，andthereforemustdie。Welooked。Atlastineverywoman’sfaceIthoughtIcouldseehers。Weranswiftly。No！
SometimesMatarawouldwhisper，’Hereistheman，’andwewaited，crouching。Hecamenear。Itwasnottheman——thoseDutchmenareallalike。Wesufferedtheanguishofdeception。InmysleepIsawherface，andwasbothjoyfulandsorry……Why？……Iseemedtohearawhispernearme。Iturnedswiftly。Shewasnotthere！AndaswetrudgedwearilyfromstonecitytostonecityIseemedtohearalightfootstepnearme。AtimecamewhenIhearditalways，andIwasglad。
Ithought，walkingdizzyandwearyinsunshineonthehardpathsofwhitemenIthought，Sheisthere——withus！……Matarawassombre。
Wewereoftenhungry。
\"Wesoldthecarvedsheathsofourkrisses——theivorysheathswithgoldenferules。Wesoldthejewelledhilts。Butwekepttheblades——forthem。Thebladesthatnevertouchbutkill——wekeptthebladesforher……Why？Shewasalwaysbyourside……Westarved。Webegged。WeleftJavaatlast。
\"WewentWest，wewentEast。Wesawmanylands，crowdsofstrangefaces，menthatliveintreesandmenwhoeattheiroldpeople。Wecutrattansintheforestforahandfulofrice，andforalivingsweptthedecksofbigshipsandheardcursesheapeduponourheads。Wetoiledinvillages；wewanderedupontheseaswiththeBajowpeople，whohavenocountry。Wefoughtforpay；wehiredourselvestoworkforGorammen，andwerecheated；andundertheordersofroughwhitefaceswedivedforpearlsinbarrenbays，dottedwithblackrocks，uponacoastofsandanddesolation。Andeverywherewewatched，welistened，weasked。Weaskedtraders，robbers，whitemen。Weheardjeers，mockery，threats——wordsofwonderandwordsofcontempt。Weneverknewrest；weneverthoughtofhome，forourworkwasnotdone。Ayearpassed，thenanother。Iceasedtocountthenumberofnights，ofmoons，ofyears。IwatchedoverMatara。Hehadmylasthandfulofrice；iftherewaswaterenoughforonehedrankit；Icoveredhimupwhenheshiveredwithcold；andwhenthehotsicknesscameuponhimI
satsleeplessthroughmanynightsandfannedhisface。Hewasafierceman，andmyfriend。Hespokeofherwithfuryinthedaytime，withsorrowinthedark；herememberedherinhealth，insickness。Isaidnothing；butIsawhereveryday——always！AtfirstIsawonlyherhead，asofawomanwalkinginthelowmistonariverbank。Thenshesatbyourfire。Isawher！Ilookedather！Shehadtendereyesandaravishingface。Imurmuredtoherinthenight。Matarasaidsleepilysometimes，’Towhomareyoutalking？Whoisthere？’Iansweredquickly，’Noone’……Itwasalie！Sheneverleftme。Shesharedthewarmthofourfire，shesatonmycouchofleaves，sheswamontheseatofollowme……Isawher！……ItellyouIsawherlongblackhairspreadbehindheruponthemoonlitwaterasshestruckoutwithbarearmsbythesideofaswiftprau。Shewasbeautiful，shewasfaithful，andinthesilenceofforeigncountriesshespoketomeverylowinthelanguageofmypeople。Noonesawher；nooneheardher；
shewasmineonly！Indaylightshemovedwithaswayingwalkbeforemeuponthewearypaths；herfigurewasstraightandflexiblelikethestemofaslendertree；theheelsofherfeetwereroundandpolishedlikeshellsofeggs；withherroundarmshemadesigns。Atnightshelookedintomyface。Andshewassad！Hereyesweretenderandfrightened；hervoicesoftandpleading。OnceImurmuredtoher，’Youshallnotdie，’andshesmiled……everaftershesmiled！……Shegavemecouragetobearwearinessandhardships。Thoseweretimesofpain，andshesoothedme。Wewanderedpatientinoursearch。Weknewdeception，falsehopes；weknewcaptivity，sickness，thirst，misery，despair……Enough！Wefoundthem！……\"
Hecriedoutthelastwordsandpaused。Hisfacewasimpassive，andhekeptstilllikeamaninatrance。Hollissatupquickly，andspreadhiselbowsonthetable。Jacksonmadeabrusquemovement，andaccidentallytouchedtheguitar。Aplaintiveresonancefilledthecabinwithconfusedvibrationsanddiedoutslowly。ThenKarainbegantospeakagain。Therestrainedfiercenessofhistoneseemedtoriselikeavoicefromoutside，likeathingunspokenbutheard；itfilledthecabinandenvelopedinitsintenseanddeadenedmurmurthemotionlessfigureinthechair。
\"WewereonourwaytoAtjeh，wheretherewaswar；butthevesselranonasandbank，andwehadtolandinDelli。Wehadearnedalittlemoney，andhadboughtagunfromsomeSelangoretraders；onlyonegun，whichwasfiredbythesparkofastone；Mataracarriedit。Welanded。
Manywhitemenlivedthere，plantingtobaccoonconqueredplains，andMatara……Butnomatter。Hesawhim！……TheDutchman！……Atlast！……Wecreptandwatched。Twonightsandadaywewatched。Hehadahouse——abighouseinaclearinginthemidstofhisfields；
flowersandbushesgrewaround；therewerenarrowpathsofyellowearthbetweenthecutgrass，andthickhedgestokeeppeopleout。
Thethirdnightwecamearmed，andlaybehindahedge。
\"Aheavydewseemedtosoakthroughourfleshandmadeourveryentrailscold。Thegrass，thetwigs，theleaves，coveredwithdropsofwater，weregrayinthemoonlight。Matara，curledupinthegrass，shiveredinhissleep。MyteethrattledinmyheadsoloudthatIwasafraidthenoisewouldwakeupalltheland。Afar，thewatchmenofwhitemen’shousesstruckwoodenclappersandhootedinthedarkness。
And，aseverynight，Isawherbymyside。Shesmilednomore！……
Thefireofanguishburnedinmybreast，andshewhisperedtomewithcompassion，withpity，softly——aswomenwill；shesoothedthepainofmymind；shebentherfaceoverme——thefaceofawomanwhoravishestheheartsandsilencesthereasonofmen。Shewasallmine，andnoonecouldseeher——nooneoflivingmankind！Starsshonethroughherbosom，throughherfloatinghair。Iwasovercomewithregret，withtenderness，withsorrow。Mataraslept……HadIslept？Matarawasshakingmebytheshoulder，andthefireofthesunwasdryingthegrass，thebushes，theleaves。Itwasday。Shredsofwhitemisthungbetweenthebranchesoftrees。
\"Wasitnightorday？IsawnothingagaintillIheardMatarabreathequicklywherehelay，andthenoutsidethehouseIsawher。Isawthemboth。Theyhadcomeout。Shesatonabenchunderthewall，andtwigsladenwithflowerscrepthighaboveherhead，hungoverherhair。Shehadaboxonherlap，andgazedintoit，countingtheincreaseofherpearls。TheDutchmanstoodbylookingon；hesmileddownather；hiswhiteteethflashed；thehaironhislipwasliketwotwistedflames。
Hewasbigandfat，andjoyous，andwithoutfear。Mataratippedfreshprimingfromthehollowofhispalm，scrapedtheflintwithhisthumb-nail，andgavetheguntome。Tome！Itookit……Ofate！
\"Hewhisperedintomyear，lyingonhisstomach，’Ishallcreepcloseandthenamok……letherdiebymyhand。Youtakeaimatthefatswinethere。Lethimseemestrikemyshameoffthefaceoftheearth——andthen……youaremyfriend——killwithasureshot。’I
saidnothing；therewasnoairinmychest——therewasnoairintheworld。Matarahadgonesuddenlyfrommyside。Thegrassnodded。Thenabushrustled。Sheliftedherhead。
\"Isawher！Theconsolerofsleeplessnights，ofwearydays；thecompanionoftroubledyears！Isawher！ShelookedstraightattheplacewhereIcrouched。ShewasthereasIhadseenherforyears——afaithfulwandererbymyside。Shelookedwithsadeyesandhadsmilinglips；shelookedatme……Smilinglips！HadInotpromisedthatsheshouldnotdie！
\"ShewasfaroffandIfelthernear。Hertouchcaressedme，andhervoicemurmured，whisperedaboveme，aroundme。’Whoshallbethycompanion，whoshallconsoletheeifIdie？’Isawafloweringthickettotheleftofherstiralittle……Matarawasready……Icriedaloud——’Return！’
\"Sheleapedup；theboxfell；thepearlsstreamedatherfeet。ThebigDutchmanbyhersiderolledmenacingeyesthroughthestillsunshine。
Thegunwentuptomyshoulder。IwaskneelingandIwasfirm——firmerthanthetrees，therocks，themountains。Butinfrontofthesteadylongbarrelthefields，thehouse，theearth，theskyswayedtoandfrolikeshadowsinaforestonawindyday。Mataraburstoutofthethicket；beforehimthepetalsoftornflowerswhirledhighasifdrivenbyatempest。Iheardhercry；Isawherspringwithopenarmsinfrontofthewhiteman。Shewasawomanofmycountryandofnobleblood。Theyareso！Iheardhershriekofanguishandfear——andallstoodstill！Thefields，thehouse，theearth，theskystoodstill——whileMataraleapedatherwithupliftedarm。Ipulledthetrigger，sawaspark，heardnothing；thesmokedrovebackintomyface，andthenIcouldseeMatararolloverheadfirstandliewithstretchedarmsatherfeet。Ha！Asureshot！Thesunshinefellonmybackcolderthantherunningwater。Asureshot！Iflungthegunaftertheshot。Thosetwostoodoverthedeadmanasthoughtheyhadbeenbewitchedbyacharm。Ishoutedather，’Liveandremember！’ThenforatimeIstumbledaboutinacolddarkness。
\"Behindmethereweregreatshouts，therunningofmanyfeet；strangemensurroundedme，criedmeaninglesswordsintomyface，pushedme，draggedme，supportedme……IstoodbeforethebigDutchman：hestaredasifbereftofhisreason。Hewantedtoknow，hetalkedfast，hespokeofgratitude，heofferedmefood，shelter，gold——heaskedmanyquestions。Ilaughedinhisface。Isaid，’IamaKorinchitravellerfromPerakoverthere，andknownothingofthatdeadman。I
waspassingalongthepathwhenIheardashot，andyoursenselesspeoplerushedoutanddraggedmehere。’Heliftedhisarms，hewondered，hecouldnotbelieve，hecouldnotunderstand，heclamouredinhisowntongue！Shehadherarmsclaspedroundhisneck，andoverhershoulderstaredbackatmewithwideeyes。Ismiledandlookedather；Ismiledandwaitedtohearthesoundofhervoice。Thewhitemanaskedhersuddenly。’Doyouknowhim？’Ilistened——mylifewasinmyears！Shelookedatmelong，shelookedatmewithunflinchingeyes，andsaidaloud，’No！Ineversawhimbefore。’……What！Neverbefore？Hadsheforgottenalready？Wasitpossible？Forgottenalready——aftersomanyyears——somanyyearsofwandering，ofcompanionship，oftrouble，oftenderwords！Forgottenalready！……Itoremyselfoutfromthehandsthatheldmeandwentawaywithoutaword……
Theyletmego。
\"Iwasweary。DidIsleep？Idonotknow。Irememberwalkinguponabroadpathunderaclearstarlight；andthatstrangecountryseemedsobig，therice-fieldssovast，that，asIlookedaround，myheadswamwiththefearofspace。ThenIsawaforest。Thejoyousstarlightwasheavyuponme。Iturnedoffthepathandenteredtheforest，whichwasverysombreandverysad。\"
V
Karain’stonehadbeengettinglowerandlower，asthoughhehadbeengoingawayfromus，tillthelastwordssoundedfaintbutclear，asifshoutedonacalmdayfromaverygreatdistance。Hemovednot。HestaredfixedlypastthemotionlessheadofHollis，whofacedhim，asstillashimself。Jacksonhadturnedsideways，andwithelbowonthetableshadedhiseyeswiththepalmofhishand。AndIlookedon，surprisedandmoved；Ilookedatthatman，loyaltoavision，betrayedbyhisdream，spurnedbyhisillusion，andcomingtousunbelieversforhelp——againstathought。Thesilencewasprofound；butitseemedfullofnoiselessphantoms，ofthingssorrowful，shadowy，andmute，inwhoseinvisiblepresencethefirm，pulsatingbeatofthetwoship’schronometerstickingoffsteadilythesecondsofGreenwichTimeseemedtomeaprotectionandarelief。Karainstaredstonily；andlookingathisrigidfigure，Ithoughtofhiswanderings，ofthatobscureOdysseyofrevenge，ofallthementhatwanderamongstillusionsfaithful，faithless；oftheillusionsthatgivejoy，thatgivesorrow，thatgivepain，thatgivepeace；oftheinvincibleillusionsthatcanmakelifeanddeathappearserene，inspiring，tormented，orignoble。
Amurmurwasheard；thatvoicefromoutsideseemedtoflowoutofadreamingworldintothelamp-lightofthecabin。Karainwasspeaking。
\"Ilivedintheforest。
\"Shecamenomore。Never！Neveronce！Ilivedalone。Shehadforgotten。Itwaswell。Ididnotwanther；Iwantednoone。Ifoundanabandonedhouseinanoldclearing。Nobodycamenear。SometimesI
heardinthedistancethevoicesofpeoplegoingalongapath。I
slept；Irested；therewaswildrice，waterfromarunningstream——andpeace！EverynightIsatalonebymysmallfirebeforethehut。Manynightspassedovermyhead。
\"Then，oneevening，asIsatbymyfireafterhavingeaten，Ilookeddownonthegroundandbegantoremembermywanderings。Iliftedmyhead。Ihadheardnosound，norustle，nofootsteps——butIliftedmyhead。Amanwascomingtowardsmeacrossthesmallclearing。Iwaited。
Hecameupwithoutagreetingandsquatteddownintothefirelight。
Thenheturnedhisfacetome。ItwasMatara。Hestaredatmefiercelywithhisbigsunkeneyes。Thenightwascold；theheatdiedsuddenlyoutofthefire，andhestaredatme。Iroseandwentawayfromthere，leavinghimbythefirethathadnoheat。
\"Iwalkedallthatnight，allnextday，andintheeveningmadeupabigblazeandsatdown——towaitforhim。Hehadnotcomeintothelight。Iheardhiminthebusheshereandthere，whispering，whispering。Iunderstoodatlast——Ihadheardthewordsbefore，’Youaremyfriend——killwithasureshot。’
\"IboreitaslongasIcould——thenleapedaway，asonthisverynightIleapedfrommystockadeandswamtoyou。Iran——Irancryinglikeachildleftaloneandfarfromthehouses。Heranbymyside，withoutfootsteps，whispering，whispering——invisibleandheard。Isoughtpeople——Iwantedmenaroundme！Menwhohadnotdied！Andagainwetwowandered。Isoughtdanger，violence，anddeath。IfoughtintheAtjehwar，andabravepeoplewonderedatthevalianceofastranger。Butweweretwo；hewardedofftheblows……Why？Iwantedpeace，notlife。
Andnoonecouldseehim；nooneknew——Idaredtellnoone。Attimeshewouldleaveme，butnotforlong；thenhewouldreturnandwhisperorstare。Myheartwastornwithastrangefear，butcouldnotdie。
ThenImetanoldman。
\"Youallknewhim。Peopleherecalledhimmysorcerer，myservantandsword-bearer；buttomehewasfather，mother，protection，refugeandpeace。WhenImethimhewasreturningfromapilgrimage，andIheardhimintoningtheprayerofsunset。Hehadgonetotheholyplacewithhisson，hisson’swife，andalittlechild；andontheirreturn，bythefavouroftheMostHigh，theyalldied：thestrongman，theyoungmother，thelittlechild——theydied；andtheoldmanreachedhiscountryalone。Hewasapilgrimsereneandpious，verywiseandverylonely。Itoldhimall。Foratimewelivedtogether。Hesaidovermewordsofcompassion，ofwisdom，ofprayer。Hewardedfrommetheshadeofthedead。Ibeggedhimforacharmthatwouldmakemesafe。Foralongtimeherefused；butatlast，withasighandasmile，hegavemeone。Doubtlesshecouldcommandaspiritstrongerthantheunrestofmydeadfriend，andagainIhadpeace；butIhadbecomerestless，andaloverofturmoilanddanger。Theoldmanneverleftme。Wetravelledtogether。Wewerewelcomedbythegreat；hiswisdomandmycouragearerememberedwhereyourstrength，Owhitemen，isforgotten！WeservedtheSultanofSula。WefoughttheSpaniards。Therewerevictories，hopes，defeats，sorrow，blood，women’stears……Whatfor？……Wefled。Wecollectedwanderersofawarlikeraceandcameheretofightagain。Therestyouknow。Iamtherulerofaconqueredland，aloverofwaranddanger，afighterandaplotter。Buttheoldmanhasdied，andIamagaintheslaveofthedead。Heisnotherenowtodriveawaythereproachfulshade——tosilencethelifelessvoice！Thepowerofhischarmhasdiedwithhim。AndIknowfear；andIhearthewhisper，’Kill！kill！kill！’……HaveInotkilledenough？……\"
Forthefirsttimethatnightasuddenconvulsionofmadnessandragepassedoverhisface。Hiswaveringglancesdartedhereandtherelikescaredbirdsinathunderstorm。Hejumpedup，shouting——
\"Bythespiritsthatdrinkblood：bythespiritsthatcryinthenight：byallthespiritsoffury，misfortune，anddeath，I
swear——somedayIwillstrikeintoeveryheartImeet——I……\"
Helookedsodangerousthatweallthreeleapedtoourfeet，andHollis，withthebackofhishand，sentthekrissflyingoffthetable。Ibelieveweshoutedtogether。Itwasashortscare，andthenextmomenthewasagaincomposedinhischair，withthreewhitemenstandingoverhiminratherfoolishattitudes。Wefeltalittleashamedofourselves。Jacksonpickedupthekriss，and，afteraninquiringglanceatme，gaveittohim。Hereceiveditwithastatelyinclinationoftheheadandstuckitinthetwistofhissarong，withpunctiliouscaretogivehisweaponapacificposition。Thenhelookedupatuswithanausteresmile。Wewereabashedandreproved。Hollissatsidewaysonthetableand，holdinghischininhishand，scrutinizedhiminpensivesilence。Isaid——
\"Youmustabidewithyourpeople。Theyneedyou。Andthereisforgetfulnessinlife。Eventhedeadceasetospeakintime。\"
\"AmIawoman，toforgetlongyearsbeforeaneyelidhashadthetimetobeattwice？\"heexclaimed，withbitterresentment。Hestartledme。
Itwasamazing。Tohimhislife——thatcruelmirageofloveandpeace——seemedasreal，asundeniable，astheirswouldbetoanysaint，philosopher，orfoolofusall。Hollismuttered——
\"Youwon’tsoothehimwithyourplatitudes。\"
Karainspoketome。
\"Youknowus。Youhavelivedwithus。Why？——wecannotknow；butyouunderstandoursorrowsandourthoughts。Youhavelivedwithmypeople，andyouunderstandourdesiresandourfears。WithyouIwillgo。Toyourland——toyourpeople。Toyourpeople，wholiveinunbelief；towhomdayisday，andnightisnight——nothingmore，becauseyouunderstandallthingsseen，anddespiseallelse！Toyourlandofunbelief，wherethedeaddonotspeak，whereeverymaniswise，andalone——andatpeace！\"
\"Capitaldescription，\"murmuredHollis，withtheflickerofasmile。
Karainhunghishead。
\"Icantoil，andfight——andbefaithful，\"hewhispered，inawearytone，\"butIcannotgobacktohimwhowaitsformeontheshore。No！
Takemewithyou……Orelsegivemesomeofyourstrength——ofyourunbelief……Acharm！……\"
Heseemedutterlyexhausted。
\"Yes，takehimhome，\"saidHollis，verylow，asifdebatingwithhimself。\"Thatwouldbeoneway。Theghoststhereareinsociety，andtalkaffablytoladiesandgentlemen，butwouldscornanakedhumanbeing——likeourprincelyfriend……Naked……Flayed！Ishouldsay。Iamsorryforhim。Impossible——ofcourse。Theendofallthisshallbe，\"hewenton，lookingupatus——\"theendofthisshallbe，thatsomedayhewillrunamuckamongsthisfaithfulsubjectsandsend’adpatres’eversomanyofthembeforetheymakeuptheirmindstothedisloyaltyofknockinghimonthehead。\"
Inodded。IthoughtitmorethanprobablethatsuchwouldbetheendofKarain。Itwasevidentthathehadbeenhuntedbyhisthoughtalongtheverylimitofhumanendurance，andverylittlemorepressingwasneededtomakehimswerveoverintotheformofmadnesspeculiartohisrace。Therespitehehadduringtheoldman’slifemadethereturnofthetormentunbearable。Thatmuchwasclear。
Heliftedhisheadsuddenly；wehadimaginedforamomentthathehadbeendozing。
\"Givemeyourprotection——oryourstrength！\"hecried。\"Acharm……
aweapon！\"
Againhischinfellonhisbreast。Welookedathim，thenlookedatoneanotherwithsuspiciousaweinoureyes，likemenwhocomeunexpectedlyuponthesceneofsomemysteriousdisaster。Hehadgivenhimselfuptous；hehadthrustintoourhandshiserrorsandhistorment，hislifeandhispeace；andwedidnotknowwhattodowiththatproblemfromtheouterdarkness。Wethreewhitemen，lookingattheMalay，couldnotfindonewordtothepurposeamongstus——ifindeedthereexistedawordthatcouldsolvethatproblem。Wepondered，andourheartssank。WefeltasthoughwethreehadbeencalledtotheverygateofInfernalRegionstojudge，todecidethefateofawanderercomingsuddenlyfromaworldofsunshineandillusions。
\"ByJove，heseemstohaveagreatideaofourpower，\"whisperedHollis，hopelessly。Andthenagaintherewasasilence，thefeebleplashofwater，thesteadytickofchronometers。Jackson，withbarearmscrossed，leanedhisshouldersagainstthebulkheadofthecabin。
Hewasbendinghisheadunderthedeckbeam；hisfairbeardspreadoutmagnificentlyoverhischest；helookedcolossal，ineffectual，andmild。Therewassomethinglugubriousintheaspectofthecabin；theairinitseemedtobecomeslowlychargedwiththecruelchillofhelplessness，withthepitilessangerofegoismagainsttheincomprehensibleformofanintrudingpain。Wehadnoideawhattodo；webegantoresentbitterlythehardnecessitytogetridofhim。
Hollismused，mutteredsuddenlywithashortlaugh，\"Strength……
Protection……Charm。\"Heslippedoffthetableandleftthecuddywithoutalookatus。Itseemedabasedesertion。JacksonandI
exchangedindignantglances。Wecouldhearhimrummaginginhispigeon-holeofacabin。Wasthefellowactuallygoingtobed？Karainsighed。Itwasintolerable！
ThenHollisreappeared，holdinginbothhandsasmallleatherbox。Heputitdowngentlyonthetableandlookedatuswithaqueergasp，wethought，asthoughhehadfromsomecausebecomespeechlessforamoment，orwereethicallyuncertainaboutproducingthatbox。Butinaninstanttheinsolentandunerringwisdomofhisyouthgavehimtheneededcourage。Hesaid，asheunlockedtheboxwithaverysmallkey，\"Lookassolemnasyoucan，youfellows。\"
Probablywelookedonlysurprisedandstupid，forheglancedoverhisshoulder，andsaidangrily——
\"Thisisnoplay；Iamgoingtodosomethingforhim。Lookserious。
Confoundit！……Can’tyouliealittle……forafriend！\"
Karainseemedtotakenonoticeofus，butwhenHollisthrewopenthelidoftheboxhiseyesflewtoit——andsodidours。Thequiltedcrimsonsatinoftheinsideputaviolentpatchofcolourintothesombreatmosphere；itwassomethingpositivetolookat——itwasfascinating。
VI
Hollislookedsmilingintothebox。HehadlatelymadeadashhomethroughtheCanal。Hehadbeenawaysixmonths，andonlyjoinedusagainjustintimeforthislasttrip。Wehadneverseentheboxbefore。Hishandshoveredaboveit；andhetalkedtousironically，buthisfacebecameasgraveasthoughhewerepronouncingapowerfulincantationoverthethingsinside。
\"Everyoneofus，\"hesaid，withpausesthatsomehowweremoreoffensivethanhiswords——\"everyoneofus，you’lladmit，hasbeenhauntedbysomewoman……And……astofriends……droppedbytheway……Well！……askyourselves……\"
Hepaused。Karainstared。Adeeprumblewasheardhighupunderthedeck。Jacksonspokeseriously——
\"Don’tbesobeastlycynical。\"
\"Ah！Youarewithoutguile，\"saidHollis，sadly。\"Youwilllearn……
MeantimethisMalayhasbeenourfriend……\"
Herepeatedseveraltimesthoughtfully，\"Friend……Malay。Friend，Malay，\"asthoughweighingthewordsagainstoneanother，thenwentonmorebriskly——
\"Agoodfellow——agentlemaninhisway。Wecan’t，sotospeak，turnourbacksonhisconfidenceandbeliefinus。ThoseMalaysareeasilyimpressed——allnerves，youknow——therefore……\"
Heturnedtomesharply。
\"Youknowhimbest，\"hesaid，inapracticaltone。\"Doyouthinkheisfanatical——Imeanverystrictinhisfaith？\"
Istammeredinprofoundamazementthat\"Ididnotthinkso。\"
\"It’sonaccountofitsbeingalikeness——anengravedimage，\"
mutteredHollis，enigmatically，turningtothebox。Heplungedhisfingersintoit。Karain’slipswerepartedandhiseyesshone。Welookedintothebox。
Therewerethereacoupleofreelsofcotton，apacketofneedles，abitofsilkribbon，darkblue；acabinetphotograph，atwhichHollisstoleaglancebeforelayingitonthetablefacedownwards。A
girl’sportrait，Icouldsee。Therewere，amongstalotofvarioussmallobjects，abunchofflowers，anarrowwhiteglovewithmanybuttons，aslimpacketofletterscarefullytiedup。Amuletsofwhitemen！Charmsandtalismans！Charmsthatkeepthemstraight，thatdrivethemcrooked，thathavethepowertomakeayoungmansigh，anoldmansmile。Potentthingsthatprocuredreamsofjoy，thoughtsofregret；
thatsoftenhardhearts，andcantemperasoftonetothehardnessofsteel。Giftsofheaven——thingsofearth……
Hollisrummagedinthebox。
Anditseemedtome，duringthatmomentofwaiting，thatthecabinoftheschoonerwasbecomingfilledwithastirinvisibleandlivingasofsubtlebreaths。AlltheghostsdrivenoutoftheunbelievingWestbymenwhopretendtobewiseandaloneandatpeace——allthehomelessghostsofanunbelievingworld——appearedsuddenlyroundthefigureofHollisbendingoverthebox；alltheexiledandcharmingshadesoflovedwomen；allthebeautifulandtenderghostsofideals，remembered，forgotten，cherished，execrated；allthecast-outandreproachfulghostsoffriendsadmired，trusted，traduced，betrayed，leftdeadbytheway——theyallseemedtocomefromtheinhospitableregionsoftheearthtocrowdintothegloomycabin，asthoughithadbeenarefugeand，inalltheunbelievingworld，theonlyplaceofavengingbelief……Itlastedasecond——alldisappeared。Holliswasfacingusalonewithsomethingsmallthatglitteredbetweenhisfingers。Itlookedlikeacoin。
\"Ah！hereitis，\"hesaid。
Hehelditup。Itwasasixpence——aJubileesixpence。Itwasgilt；ithadaholepunchedneartherim。HollislookedtowardsKarain。
\"Acharmforourfriend，\"hesaidtous。\"Thethingitselfisofgreatpower——money，youknow——andhisimaginationisstruck。Aloyalvagabond；ifonlyhispuritanismdoesn’tshyatalikeness……\"
Wesaidnothing。Wedidnotknowwhethertobescandalized，amused，orrelieved。HollisadvancedtowardsKarain，whostoodupasifstartled，andthen，holdingthecoinup，spokeinMalay。
\"ThisistheimageoftheGreatQueen，andthemostpowerfulthingthewhitemenknow，\"hesaid，solemnly。
Karaincoveredthehandleofhiskrissinsignofrespect，andstaredatthecrownedhead。
\"TheInvincible，thePious，\"hemuttered。
\"SheismorepowerfulthanSuleimantheWise，whocommandedthegenii，asyouknow，\"saidHollis，gravely。\"Ishallgivethistoyou。\"
Heheldthesixpenceinthepalmofhishand，andlookingatitthoughtfully，spoketousinEnglish。
\"Shecommandsaspirit，too——thespiritofhernation；amasterful，conscientious，unscrupulous，unconquerabledevil……thatdoesalotofgood——incidentally……alotofgood……attimes——andwouldn’tstandanyfussfromthebestghostoutforsuchalittlethingasourfriend’sshot。Don’tlookthunderstruck，youfellows。
Helpmetomakehimbelieve——everything’sinthat。\"
\"Hispeoplewillbeshocked，\"Imurmured。
HollislookedfixedlyatKarain，whowastheincarnationoftheveryessenceofstillexcitement。Hestoodrigid，withheadthrownback；
hiseyesrolledwildly，flashing；thedilatednostrilsquivered。
\"Hangitall！\"saidHollisatlast，\"heisagoodfellow。I’llgivehimsomethingthatIshallreallymiss。\"
Hetooktheribbonoutofthebox，smiledatitscornfully，thenwithapairofscissorscutoutapiecefromthepalmoftheglove。
\"IshallmakehimathinglikethoseItalianpeasantswear，youknow。\"
Hesewedthecoininthedelicateleather，sewedtheleathertotheribbon，tiedtheendstogether。Heworkedwithhaste。Karainwatchedhisfingersallthetime。
\"Nowthen，\"hesaid——thensteppeduptoKarain。Theylookedcloseintooneanother’seyes。ThoseofKarainstaredinalostglance，butHollis’sseemedtogrowdarkerandlookedoutmasterfulandcompelling。Theywereinviolentcontrasttogether——onemotionlessandthecolourofbronze，theotherdazzlingwhiteandliftinghisarms，wherethepowerfulmusclesrolledslightlyunderaskinthatgleamedlikesatin。Jacksonmovednearwiththeairofamanclosinguptoachuminatightplace。Isaidimpressively，pointingtoHollis——
\"Heisyoung，butheiswise。Believehim！\"
Karainbenthishead：Hollisthrewlightlyoveritthedark-blueribbonandsteppedback。
\"Forget，andbeatpeace！\"Icried。
Karainseemedtowakeupfromadream。Hesaid，\"Ha！\"shookhimselfasifthrowingoffaburden。Helookedroundwithassurance。Someoneondeckdraggedofftheskylightcover，andafloodoflightfellintothecabin。Itwasmorningalready。
\"Timetogoondeck，\"saidJackson。
Hollisputonacoat，andwewentup，Karainleading。
Thesunhadrisenbeyondthehills，andtheirlongshadowsstretchedfaroverthebayinthepearlylight。Theairwasclear，stainless，andcool。Ipointedatthecurvedlineofyellowsands。
\"Heisnotthere，\"Isaid，emphatically，toKarain。\"Hewaitsnomore。
Hehasdepartedforever。\"
Ashaftofbrighthotraysdartedintothebaybetweenthesummitsoftwohills，andthewaterallroundbrokeoutasifbymagicintoadazzlingsparkle。
\"No！Heisnottherewaiting，\"saidKarain，afteralonglookoverthebeach。\"Idonothearhim，\"hewenton，slowly。\"No！\"
Heturnedtous。
\"Hehasdepartedagain——forever！\"hecried。
Weassentedvigorously，repeatedly，andwithoutcompunction。Thegreatthingwastoimpresshimpowerfully；tosuggestabsolutesafety——theendofalltrouble。Wedidourbest；andIhopeweaffirmedourfaithinthepowerofHollis’scharmefficientlyenoughtoputthematterbeyondtheshadowofadoubt。Ourvoicesrangaroundhimjoyouslyinthestillair，andabovehisheadthesky，pellucid，pure，stainless，archeditstenderbluefromshoretoshoreandoverthebay，asiftoenvelopthewater，theearth，andthemaninthecaressofitslight。
Theanchorwasup，thesailshungstill，andhalf-a-dozenbigboatswereseensweepingoverthebaytogiveusatowout。Thepaddlersinthefirstonethatcamealongsideliftedtheirheadsandsawtheirrulerstandingamongstus。Alowmurmurofsurprisearose——thenashoutofgreeting。
Heleftus，andseemedstraightwaytostepintotheglorioussplendourofhisstage，towraphimselfintheillusionofunavoidablesuccess。
Foramomenthestooderect，onefootoverthegangway，onehandonthehiltofhiskriss，inamartialpose；and，relievedfromthefearofouterdarkness，heheldhisheadhigh，hesweptaserenelookoverhisconqueredfootholdontheearth。Theboatsfarofftookupthecryofgreeting；agreatclamourrolledonthewater；thehillsechoedit，andseemedtotossbackathimthewordsinvokinglonglifeandvictories。
Hedescendedintoacanoe，andassoonashewasclearofthesidewegavehimthreecheers。Theysoundedfaintandorderlyafterthewildtumultofhisloyalsubjects，butitwasthebestwecoulddo。Hestoodupintheboat，liftedupbothhisarms，thenpointedtotheinfalliblecharm。Wecheeredagain；andtheMalaysintheboatsstared——verymuchpuzzledandimpressed。Iwonderedwhattheythought；
whathethought；……whatthereaderthinks？
Wetowedoutslowly。Wesawhimlandandwatchusfromthebeach。A
figureapproachedhimhumblybutopenly——notatalllikeaghostwithagrievance。Wecouldseeothermenrunningtowardshim。Perhapshehadbeenmissed？Atanyratetherewasagreatstir。Agroupformeditselfrapidlynearhim，andhewalkedalongthesands，followedbyagrowingcortegeandkeptnearlyabreastoftheschooner。Withourglasseswecouldseetheblueribbononhisneckandapatchofwhiteonhisbrownchest。Thebaywaswakingup。Thesmokesofmorningfiresstoodinfaintspiralshigherthantheheadsofpalms；peoplemovedbetweenthehouses；aherdofbuffaloesgallopedclumsilyacrossagreenslope；theslenderfiguresofboysbrandishingsticksappearedblackandleapinginthelonggrass；acolouredlineofwomen，withwaterbamboosontheirheads，movedswayingthroughathingroveoffruit-trees。Karainstoppedinthemidstofhismenandwavedhishand；then，detachinghimselffromthesplendidgroup，walkedalonetothewater’sedgeandwavedhishandagain。Theschoonerpassedouttoseabetweenthesteepheadlandsthatshutinthebay，andatthesameinstantKarainpassedoutofourlifeforever。
Butthememoryremains。SomeyearsafterwardsImetJackson，intheStrand。Hewasmagnificentasever。Hisheadwashighabovethecrowd。
Hisbeardwasgold，hisfacered，hiseyesblue；hehadawide-brimmedgrayhatandnocollarorwaistcoat；hewasinspiring；hehadjustcomehome——hadlandedthatveryday！Ourmeetingcausedaneddyinthecurrentofhumanity。Hurriedpeoplewouldrunagainstus，thenwalkroundus，andturnbacktolookatthatgiant。Wetriedtocompresssevenyearsoflifeintosevenexclamations；then，suddenlyappeased，walkedsedatelyalong，givingoneanotherthenewsofyesterday。
Jacksongazedabouthim，likeamanwholooksforlandmarks，thenstoppedbeforeBland’swindow。Healwayshadapassionforfirearms；
sohestoppedshortandcontemplatedtherowofweapons，perfectandsevere，drawnupinalinebehindtheblack-framedpanes。Istoodbyhisside。Suddenlyhesaid——
\"DoyourememberKarain？\"
Inodded。
