Hestammereddistractedly。
\"Iwant……Iwant……to……to……know……\"
Onthecandidlightoftheeyesflittedshadows；shadowsofdoubt，ofsuspicion，thereadysuspicionofanunquenchableantagonism，thepitilessmistrustofaneternalinstinctofdefence；thehate，theprofound，frightenedhateofanincomprehensible——ofanabominableemotionintrudingitscoarsematerialismuponthespiritualandtragiccontestofherfeelings。
\"Alvan……Iwon’tbearthis……\"Shebegantopantsuddenly，\"I’vearight——arightto——to——myself……\"
Heliftedonearm，andappearedsomenacingthatshestoppedinafrightandshrankbackalittle。
Hestoodwithupliftedhand……Theyearswouldpass——andhewouldhavetolivewiththatunfathomablecandourwhereflitshadowsofsuspicionsandhate……Theyearswouldpass——andhewouldneverknow——nevertrust……Theyearswouldpasswithoutfaithandlove……
\"Canyoustandit？\"heshouted，asthoughshecouldhaveheardallhisthoughts。
Helookedmenacing。Shethoughtofviolence，ofdanger——and，justforaninstant，shedoubtedwhetherthereweresplendoursenoughonearthtopaythepriceofsuchabrutalexperience。Hecriedagain：
\"Canyoustandit？\"andglaredasifinsane。Hereyesblazed，too。Shecouldnotheartheappallingclamourofhisthoughts。Shesuspectedinhimasuddenregret，afreshfitofjealousy，adishonestdesireofevasion。Sheshoutedbackangrily——
\"Yes！\"
Hewasshakenwherehestoodasifbyastruggletobreakoutofinvisiblebonds。Shetrembledfromheadtofoot。
\"Well，Ican’t！\"Heflungbothhisarmsout，asiftopushheraway，andstrodefromtheroom。Thedoorswungtowithaclick。Shemadethreequickstepstowardsitandstoodstill，lookingatthewhiteandgoldpanels。Nosoundcamefrombeyond，notawhisper，notasigh；notevenafootstepwasheardoutsideonthethickcarpet。Itwasasthoughnosoonergonehehadsuddenlyexpired——asthoughhehaddiedthereandhisbodyhadvanishedontheinstanttogetherwithhissoul。
Shelistened，withpartedlipsandirresoluteeyes。Thenbelow，farbelowher，asifintheentrailsoftheearth，adoorslammedheavily；
andthequiethousevibratedtoitfromrooftofoundations，morethantoaclapofthunder。
Heneverreturned。
THELAGOON
Thewhiteman，leaningwithbotharmsovertheroofofthelittlehouseinthesternoftheboat，saidtothesteersman——
\"WewillpassthenightinArsat’sclearing。Itislate。\"
TheMalayonlygrunted，andwentonlookingfixedlyattheriver。Thewhitemanrestedhischinonhiscrossedarmsandgazedatthewakeoftheboat。Attheendofthestraightavenueofforestscutbytheintenseglitteroftheriver，thesunappeareduncloudedanddazzling，poisedlowoverthewaterthatshonesmoothlylikeabandofmetal。
Theforests，sombreanddull，stoodmotionlessandsilentoneachsideofthebroadstream。Atthefootofbig，toweringtrees，trunklessnipapalmsrosefromthemudofthebank，inbunchesofleavesenormousandheavy，thathungunstirringoverthebrownswirlofeddies。Inthestillnessoftheaireverytree，everyleaf，everybough，everytendrilofcreeperandeverypetalofminuteblossomsseemedtohavebeenbewitchedintoanimmobilityperfectandfinal。
Nothingmovedontheriverbuttheeightpaddlesthatroseflashingregularly，dippedtogetherwithasinglesplash；whilethesteersmansweptrightandleftwithaperiodicandsuddenflourishofhisbladedescribingaglintingsemicircleabovehishead。Thechurned-upwaterfrothedalongsidewithaconfusedmurmur。Andthewhiteman’scanoe，advancingupstreamintheshort-liveddisturbanceofitsownmaking，seemedtoentertheportalsofalandfromwhichtheverymemoryofmotionhadforeverdeparted。
Thewhiteman，turninghisbackuponthesettingsun，lookedalongtheemptyandbroadexpanseofthesea-reach。Forthelastthreemilesofitscoursethewandering，hesitatingriver，asifenticedirresistiblybythefreedomofanopenhorizon，flowsstraightintothesea，flowsstraighttotheeast——totheeastthatharboursbothlightanddarkness。Asternoftheboattherepeatedcallofsomebird，acrydiscordantandfeeble，skippedalongoverthesmoothwaterandlostitself，beforeitcouldreachtheothershore，inthebreathlesssilenceoftheworld。
Thesteersmandughispaddleintothestream，andheldhardwithstiffenedarms，hisbodythrownforward。Thewatergurgledaloud；andsuddenlythelongstraightreachseemedtopivotonitscentre，theforestsswunginasemicircle，andtheslantingbeamsofsunsettouchedthebroadsideofthecanoewithafieryglow，throwingtheslenderanddistortedshadowsofitscrewuponthestreakedglitteroftheriver。Thewhitemanturnedtolookahead。Thecourseoftheboathadbeenalteredatright-anglestothestream，andthecarveddragon-headofitsprowwaspointingnowatagapinthefringingbushesofthebank。Itglidedthrough，brushingtheoverhangingtwigs，anddisappearedfromtheriverlikesomeslimandamphibiouscreatureleavingthewaterforitslairintheforests。
Thenarrowcreekwaslikeaditch：tortuous，fabulouslydeep；filledwithgloomunderthethinstripofpureandshiningblueoftheheaven。Immensetreessoaredup，invisiblebehindthefestooneddraperiesofcreepers。Hereandthere，neartheglisteningblacknessofthewater，atwistedrootofsometalltreeshowedamongstthetraceryofsmallferns，blackanddull，writhingandmotionless，likeanarrestedsnake。Theshortwordsofthepaddlersreverberatedloudlybetweenthethickandsombrewallsofvegetation。Darknessoozedoutfrombetweenthetrees，throughthetangledmazeofthecreepers，frombehindthegreatfantasticandunstirringleaves；thedarkness，mysteriousandinvincible；thedarknessscentedandpoisonousofimpenetrableforests。
Themenpoledintheshoalingwater。Thecreekbroadened，openingoutintoawidesweepofastagnantlagoon。Theforestsrecededfromthemarshybank，leavingalevelstripofbrightgreen，reedygrasstoframethereflectedbluenessofthesky。Afleecypinkclouddriftedhighabove，trailingthedelicatecolouringofitsimageunderthefloatingleavesandthesilveryblossomsofthelotus。Alittlehouse，perchedonhighpiles，appearedblackinthedistance。Nearit，twotallnibongpalms，thatseemedtohavecomeoutoftheforestsinthebackground，leanedslightlyovertheraggedroof，withasuggestionofsadtendernessandcareinthedroopoftheirleafyandsoaringheads。
Thesteersman，pointingwithhispaddle，said，\"Arsatisthere。Iseehiscanoefastbetweenthepiles。\"
Thepolersranalongthesidesoftheboatglancingovertheirshouldersattheendoftheday’sjourney。Theywouldhavepreferredtospendthenightsomewhereelsethanonthislagoonofweirdaspectandghostlyreputation。Moreover，theydislikedArsat，firstasastranger，andalsobecausehewhorepairsaruinedhouse，anddwellsinit，proclaimsthatheisnotafraidtoliveamongstthespiritsthathaunttheplacesabandonedbymankind。Suchamancandisturbthecourseoffatebyglancesorwords；whilehisfamiliarghostsarenoteasytopropitiatebycasualwayfarersuponwhomtheylongtowreakthemaliceoftheirhumanmaster。Whitemencarenotforsuchthings，beingunbelieversandinleaguewiththeFatherofEvil，wholeadsthemunharmedthroughtheinvisibledangersofthisworld。Tothewarningsoftherighteoustheyopposeanoffensivepretenceofdisbelief。Whatistheretobedone？
Sotheythought，throwingtheirweightontheendoftheirlongpoles。
Thebigcanoeglidedonswiftly，noiselessly，andsmoothly，towardsArsat’sclearing，till，inagreatrattlingofpolesthrowndown，andtheloudmurmursof\"Allahbepraised！\"itcamewithagentleknockagainstthecrookedpilesbelowthehouse。
Theboatmenwithupliftedfacesshouteddiscordantly，\"Arsat！O
Arsat！\"Nobodycame。Thewhitemanbegantoclimbtherudeladdergivingaccesstothebambooplatformbeforethehouse。Thejuraganoftheboatsaidsulkily，\"Wewillcookinthesampan，andsleeponthewater。\"
\"Passmyblanketsandthebasket，\"saidthewhiteman，curtly。
Hekneltontheedgeoftheplatformtoreceivethebundle。Thentheboatshovedoff，andthewhiteman，standingup，confrontedArsat，whohadcomeoutthroughthelowdoorofhishut。Hewasamanyoung，powerful，withbroadchestandmusculararms。Hehadnothingonbuthissarong。Hisheadwasbare。Hisbig，softeyesstaredeagerlyatthewhiteman，buthisvoiceanddemeanourwerecomposedasheasked，withoutanywordsofgreeting——
\"Haveyoumedicine，Tuan？\"
\"No，\"saidthevisitorinastartledtone。\"No。Why？Istheresicknessinthehouse？\"
\"Enterandsee，\"repliedArsat，inthesamecalmmanner，andturningshortround，passedagainthroughthesmalldoorway。Thewhiteman，droppinghisbundles，followed。
Inthedimlightofthedwellinghemadeoutonacouchofbamboosawomanstretchedonherbackunderabroadsheetofredcottoncloth。
Shelaystill，asifdead；butherbigeyes，wideopen，glitteredinthegloom，staringupwardsattheslenderrafters，motionlessandunseeing。Shewasinahighfever，andevidentlyunconscious。Hercheeksweresunkslightly，herlipswerepartlyopen，andontheyoungfacetherewastheominousandfixedexpression——theabsorbed，contemplatingexpressionoftheunconsciouswhoaregoingtodie。Thetwomenstoodlookingdownatherinsilence。
\"Hasshebeenlongill？\"askedthetraveller。
\"Ihavenotsleptforfivenights，\"answeredtheMalay，inadeliberatetone。\"Atfirstsheheardvoicescallingherfromthewaterandstruggledagainstmewhoheldher。Butsincethesunofto-dayroseshehearsnothing——shehearsnotme。Sheseesnothing。Sheseesnotme——me！\"
Heremainedsilentforaminute，thenaskedsoftly——
\"Tuan，willshedie？\"
\"Ifearso，\"saidthewhiteman，sorrowfully。HehadknownArsatyearsago，inafarcountryintimesoftroubleanddanger，whennofriendshipistobedespised。AndsincehisMalayfriendhadcomeunexpectedlytodwellinthehutonthelagoonwithastrangewoman，hehadsleptmanytimesthere，inhisjourneysupanddowntheriver。
Helikedthemanwhoknewhowtokeepfaithincouncilandhowtofightwithoutfearbythesideofhiswhitefriend。Helikedhim——notsomuchperhapsasamanlikeshisfavouritedog——butstillhelikedhimwellenoughtohelpandasknoquestions，tothinksometimesvaguelyandhazilyinthemidstofhisownpursuits，aboutthelonelymanandthelong-hairedwomanwithaudaciousfaceandtriumphanteyes，wholivedtogetherhiddenbytheforests——aloneandfeared。
Thewhitemancameoutofthehutintimetoseetheenormousconflagrationofsunsetputoutbytheswiftandstealthyshadowsthat，risinglikeablackandimpalpablevapourabovethetree-tops，spreadovertheheaven，extinguishingthecrimsonglowoffloatingcloudsandtheredbrillianceofdepartingdaylight。Inafewmomentsallthestarscameoutabovetheintenseblacknessoftheearthandthegreatlagoongleamingsuddenlywithreflectedlightsresembledanovalpatchofnightskyflungdownintothehopelessandabysmalnightofthewilderness。Thewhitemanhadsomesupperoutofthebasket，thencollectingafewsticksthatlayabouttheplatform，madeupasmallfire，notforwarmth，butforthesakeofthesmoke，whichwouldkeepoffthemosquitos。Hewrappedhimselfintheblanketsandsatwithhisbackagainstthereedwallofthehouse，smokingthoughtfully。
Arsatcamethroughthedoorwaywithnoiselessstepsandsquatteddownbythefire。Thewhitemanmovedhisoutstretchedlegsalittle。
\"Shebreathes，\"saidArsatinalowvoice，anticipatingtheexpectedquestion。\"Shebreathesandburnsasifwithagreatfire。Shespeaksnot；shehearsnot——andburns！\"
Hepausedforamoment，thenaskedinaquiet，incurioustone——
\"Tuan……willshedie？\"
Thewhitemanmovedhisshouldersuneasilyandmutteredinahesitatingmanner——
\"Ifsuchisherfate。\"
\"No，Tuan，\"saidArsat，calmly。\"Ifsuchismyfate。Ihear，Isee，I
wait。Iremember……Tuan，doyouremembertheolddays？Doyouremembermybrother？\"
\"Yes，\"saidthewhiteman。TheMalayrosesuddenlyandwentin。Theother，sittingstilloutside，couldhearthevoiceinthehut。Arsatsaid：\"Hearme！Speak！\"Hiswordsweresucceededbyacompletesilence。\"ODiamelen！\"hecried，suddenly。Afterthatcrytherewasadeepsigh。Arsatcameoutandsankdownagaininhisoldplace。
Theysatinsilencebeforethefire。Therewasnosoundwithinthehouse，therewasnosoundnearthem；butfarawayonthelagoontheycouldhearthevoicesoftheboatmenringingfitfulanddistinctonthecalmwater。Thefireinthebowsofthesampanshonefaintlyinthedistancewithahazyredglow。Thenitdiedout。Thevoicesceased。Thelandandthewatersleptinvisible，unstirringandmute。
Itwasasthoughtherehadbeennothingleftintheworldbuttheglitterofstarsstreaming，ceaselessandvain，throughtheblackstillnessofthenight。
Thewhitemangazedstraightbeforehimintothedarknesswithwide-openeyes。Thefearandfascination，theinspirationandthewonderofdeath——ofdeathnear，unavoidable，andunseen，soothedtheunrestofhisraceandstirredthemostindistinct，themostintimateofhisthoughts。Theever-readysuspicionofevil，thegnawingsuspicionthatlurksinourhearts，flowedoutintothestillnessroundhim——intothestillnessprofoundanddumb，andmadeitappearuntrustworthyandinfamous，liketheplacidandimpenetrablemaskofanunjustifiableviolence。Inthatfleetingandpowerfuldisturbanceofhisbeingtheearthenfoldedinthestarlightpeacebecameashadowycountryofinhumanstrife，abattle-fieldofphantomsterribleandcharming，augustorignoble，strugglingardentlyforthepossessionofourhelplesshearts。Anunquietandmysteriouscountryofinextinguishabledesiresandfears。
Aplaintivemurmurroseinthenight；amurmursaddeningandstartling，asifthegreatsolitudesofsurroundingwoodshadtriedtowhisperintohisearthewisdomoftheirimmenseandloftyindifference。Soundshesitatingandvaguefloatedintheairroundhim，shapedthemselvesslowlyintowords；andatlastflowedongentlyinamurmuringstreamofsoftandmonotonoussentences。Hestirredlikeamanwakingupandchangedhispositionslightly。Arsat，motionlessandshadowy，sittingwithbowedheadunderthestars，wasspeakinginalowanddreamytone——
\"……forwherecanwelaydowntheheavinessofourtroublebutinafriend’sheart？Amanmustspeakofwarandoflove。You，Tuan，knowwhatwaris，andyouhaveseenmeintimeofdangerseekdeathasothermenseeklife！Awritingmaybelost；aliemaybewritten；butwhattheeyehasseenistruthandremainsinthemind！\"
\"Iremember，\"saidthewhiteman，quietly。Arsatwentonwithmournfulcomposure——
\"ThereforeIshallspeaktoyouoflove。Speakinthenight。Speakbeforebothnightandlovearegone——andtheeyeofdaylooksuponmysorrowandmyshame；uponmyblackenedface；uponmyburnt-upheart。\"
Asigh，shortandfaint，markedanalmostimperceptiblepause，andthenhiswordsflowedon，withoutastir，withoutagesture。
\"Afterthetimeoftroubleandwarwasoverandyouwentawayfrommycountryinthepursuitofyourdesires，whichwe，menoftheislands，cannotunderstand，Iandmybrotherbecameagain，aswehadbeenbefore，thesword-bearersoftheRuler。Youknowweweremenoffamily，belongingtoarulingrace，andmorefitthananytocarryonourrightshouldertheemblemofpower。AndinthetimeofprosperitySiDendringshowedusfavour，aswe，intimeofsorrow，hadshowedtohimthefaithfulnessofourcourage。Itwasatimeofpeace。Atimeofdeer-huntsandcock-fights；ofidletalksandfoolishsquabblesbetweenmenwhosebelliesarefullandweaponsarerusty。Butthesowerwatchedtheyoungrice-shootsgrowupwithoutfear，andthetraderscameandwent，departedleanandreturnedfatintotheriverofpeace。Theybroughtnews，too。Broughtliesandtruthmixedtogether，sothatnomanknewwhentorejoiceandwhentobesorry。Weheardfromthemaboutyoualso。Theyhadseenyouhereandhadseenyouthere。AndIwasgladtohear，forIrememberedthestirringtimes，andIalwaysrememberedyou，Tuan，tillthetimecamewhenmyeyescouldseenothinginthepast，becausetheyhadlookedupontheonewhoisdyingthere——inthehouse。\"
Hestoppedtoexclaiminanintensewhisper，\"OMarabahia！O
Calamity！\"thenwentonspeakingalittlelouder：
\"There’snoworseenemyandnobetterfriendthanabrother，Tuan，foronebrotherknowsanother，andinperfectknowledgeisstrengthforgoodorevil。Ilovedmybrother。IwenttohimandtoldhimthatI
couldseenothingbutoneface，hearnothingbutonevoice。Hetoldme：’Openyourheartsothatshecanseewhatisinit——andwait。
Patienceiswisdom。InchiMidahmaydieorourRulermaythrowoffhisfearofawoman！’……Iwaited！……Youremembertheladywiththeveiledface，Tuan，andthefearofourRulerbeforehercunningandtemper。Andifshewantedherservant，whatcouldIdo？ButIfedthehungerofmyheartonshortglancesandstealthywords。Iloiteredonthepathtothebath-housesinthedaytime，andwhenthesunhadfallenbehindtheforestIcreptalongthejasminehedgesofthewomen’scourtyard。Unseeing，wespoketooneanotherthroughthescentofflowers，throughtheveilofleaves，throughthebladesoflonggrassthatstoodstillbeforeourlips；sogreatwasourprudence，sofaintwasthemurmurofourgreatlonging。Thetimepassedswiftly……andtherewerewhispersamongstwomen——andourenemieswatched——mybrotherwasgloomy，andIbegantothinkofkillingandofafiercedeath……Weareofapeoplewhotakewhattheywant——likeyouwhites。Thereisatimewhenamanshouldforgetloyaltyandrespect。Mightandauthorityaregiventorulers，buttoallmenisgivenloveandstrengthandcourage。Mybrothersaid，’Youshalltakeherfromtheirmidst。Wearetwowhoarelikeone。’AndI
answered，’Letitbesoon，forIfindnowarmthinsunlightthatdoesnotshineuponher。’OurtimecamewhentheRulerandallthegreatpeoplewenttothemouthoftherivertofishbytorchlight。Therewerehundredsofboats，andonthewhitesand，betweenthewaterandtheforests，dwellingsofleaveswerebuiltforthehouseholdsoftheRajahs。Thesmokeofcooking-fireswaslikeabluemistoftheevening，andmanyvoicesranginitjoyfully。Whiletheyweremakingtheboatsreadytobeatupthefish，mybrothercametomeandsaid，’To-night！’Ilookedtomyweapons，andwhenthetimecameourcanoetookitsplaceinthecircleofboatscarryingthetorches。Thelightsblazedonthewater，butbehindtheboatstherewasdarkness。Whentheshoutingbeganandtheexcitementmadethemlikemadwedroppedout。
Thewaterswallowedourfire，andwefloatedbacktotheshorethatwasdarkwithonlyhereandtheretheglimmerofembers。Wecouldhearthetalkofslave-girlsamongstthesheds。Thenwefoundaplacedesertedandsilent。Wewaitedthere。Shecame。Shecamerunningalongtheshore，rapidandleavingnotrace，likealeafdrivenbythewindintothesea。Mybrothersaidgloomily，’Goandtakeher；carryherintoourboat。’Iliftedherinmyarms。Shepanted。Herheartwasbeatingagainstmybreast。Isaid，’Itakeyoufromthosepeople。Youcametothecryofmyheart，butmyarmstakeyouintomyboatagainstthewillofthegreat！’’Itisright，’saidmybrother。’Wearemenwhotakewhatwewantandcanholditagainstmany。Weshouldhavetakenherindaylight。’Isaid，’Letusbeoff’；forsinceshewasinmyboatIbegantothinkofourRuler’smanymen。’Yes。Letusbeoff，’saidmybrother。’Wearecastoutandthisboatisourcountrynow——andtheseaisourrefuge。’Helingeredwithhisfootontheshore，andIentreatedhimtohasten，forIrememberedthestrokesofherheartagainstmybreastandthoughtthattwomencannotwithstandahundred。Weleft，paddlingdownstreamclosetothebank；andaswepassedbythecreekwheretheywerefishing，thegreatshoutinghadceased，butthemurmurofvoiceswasloudlikethehummingofinsectsflyingatnoonday。Theboatsfloated，clusteredtogether，intheredlightoftorches，underablackroofofsmoke；andmentalkedoftheirsport。Menthatboasted，andpraised，andjeered——menthatwouldhavebeenourfriendsinthemorning，butonthatnightwerealreadyourenemies。Wepaddledswiftlypast。Wehadnomorefriendsinthecountryofourbirth。Shesatinthemiddleofthecanoewithcoveredface；silentassheisnow；unseeingassheisnow——andIhadnoregretatwhatIwasleavingbecauseIcouldhearherbreathingclosetome——asIcanhearhernow。\"
Hepaused，listenedwithhisearturnedtothedoorway，thenshookhisheadandwenton：
\"Mybrotherwantedtoshoutthecryofchallenge——onecryonly——toletthepeopleknowwewerefreebornrobberswhotrustedourarmsandthegreatsea。AndagainIbeggedhiminthenameofourlovetobesilent。CouldInothearherbreathingclosetome？Iknewthepursuitwouldcomequickenough。Mybrotherlovedme。Hedippedhispaddlewithoutasplash。Heonlysaid，’Thereishalfamaninyounow——theotherhalfisinthatwoman。Icanwait。Whenyouareawholemanagain，youwillcomebackwithmeheretoshoutdefiance。Wearesonsofthesamemother。’Imadenoanswer。Allmystrengthandallmyspiritwereinmyhandsthatheldthepaddle——forIlongedtobewithherinasafeplacebeyondthereachofmen’sangerandofwomen’sspite。Mylovewassogreat，thatIthoughtitcouldguidemetoacountrywheredeathwasunknown，ifIcouldonlyescapefromInchiMidah’sfuryandfromourRuler’ssword。Wepaddledwithhaste，breathingthroughourteeth。Thebladesbitdeepintothesmoothwater。Wepassedoutoftheriver；weflewinclearchannelsamongsttheshallows。Weskirtedtheblackcoast；weskirtedthesandbeacheswheretheseaspeaksinwhisperstotheland；andthegleamofwhitesandflashedbackpastourboat，soswiftlysheranuponthewater。Wespokenot。OnlyonceIsaid，’Sleep，Diamelen，forsoonyoumaywantallyourstrength。’Iheardthesweetnessofhervoice，butIneverturnedmyhead。Thesunroseandstillwewenton。Waterfellfrommyfacelikerainfromacloud。Weflewinthelightandheat。Ineverlookedback，butIknewthatmybrother’seyes，behindme，werelookingsteadilyahead，fortheboatwentasstraightasabushman’sdart，whenitleavestheendofthesumpitan。Therewasnobetterpaddler，nobettersteersmanthanmybrother。Manytimes，together，wehadwonracesinthatcanoe。Butweneverhadputoutourstrengthaswedidthen——then，whenforthelasttimewepaddledtogether！Therewasnobraverorstrongermaninourcountrythanmybrother。Icouldnotsparethestrengthtoturnmyheadandlookathim，buteverymomentIheardthehissofhisbreathgettinglouderbehindme。Stillhedidnotspeak。Thesunwashigh。Theheatclungtomybacklikeaflameoffire。Myribswerereadytoburst，butIcouldnolongergetenoughairintomychest。AndthenIfeltImustcryoutwithmylastbreath，’Letusrest！’……’Good！’heanswered；andhisvoicewasfirm。Hewasstrong。Hewasbrave。Heknewnotfearandnofatigue……Mybrother！\"
Amurmurpowerfulandgentle，amurmurvastandfaint；themurmuroftremblingleaves，ofstirringboughs，ranthroughthetangleddepthsoftheforests，ranoverthestarrysmoothnessofthelagoon，andthewaterbetweenthepileslappedtheslimytimberoncewithasuddensplash。Abreathofwarmairtouchedthetwomen’sfacesandpassedonwithamournfulsound——abreathloudandshortlikeanuneasysighofthedreamingearth。
Arsatwentoninaneven，lowvoice。
\"Weranourcanoeonthewhitebeachofalittlebayclosetoalongtongueoflandthatseemedtobarourroad；alongwoodedcapegoingfarintothesea。Mybrotherknewthatplace。Beyondthecapeariverhasitsentrance，andthroughthejungleofthatlandthereisanarrowpath。Wemadeafireandcookedrice。Thenwelaydowntosleeponthesoftsandintheshadeofourcanoe，whileshewatched。NosoonerhadIclosedmyeyesthanIheardhercryofalarm。Weleapedup。Thesunwashalfwaydowntheskyalready，andcominginsightintheopeningofthebaywesawapraumannedbymanypaddlers。Weknewitatonce；itwasoneofourRajah’spraus。Theywerewatchingtheshore，andsawus。Theybeatthegong，andturnedtheheadoftheprauintothebay。Ifeltmyheartbecomeweakwithinmybreast。Diamelensatonthesandandcoveredherface。Therewasnoescapebysea。Mybrotherlaughed。Hehadthegunyouhadgivenhim，Tuan，beforeyouwentaway，buttherewasonlyahandfulofpowder。Hespoketomequickly：’Runwithheralongthepath。Ishallkeepthemback，fortheyhavenofirearms，andlandinginthefaceofamanwithaguniscertaindeathforsome。Runwithher。Ontheothersideofthatwoodthereisafisherman’shouse——andacanoe。WhenIhavefiredalltheshotsIwillfollow。Iamagreatrunner，andbeforetheycancomeupweshallbegone。IwillholdoutaslongasIcan，forsheisbutawoman——thatcanneitherrunnorfight，butshehasyourheartinherweakhands。’Hedroppedbehindthecanoe。Theprauwascoming。SheandIran，andaswerushedalongthepathIheardshots。Mybrotherfired——once——twice——andtheboomingofthegongceased。Therewassilencebehindus。Thatneckoflandisnarrow。BeforeIheardmybrotherfirethethirdshotIsawtheshelvingshore，andIsawthewateragain；themouthofabroadriver。Wecrossedagrassyglade。Werandowntothewater。Isawalowhutabovetheblackmud，andasmallcanoehauledup。Iheardanothershotbehindme。Ithought，’Thatishislastcharge。’Werusheddowntothecanoe；amancamerunningfromthehut，butIleapedonhim，andwerolledtogetherinthemud。ThenIgotup，andhelaystillatmyfeet。Idon’tknowwhetherIhadkilledhimornot。IandDiamelenpushedthecanoeafloat。Iheardyellsbehindme，andIsawmybrotherrunacrosstheglade。Manymenwereboundingafterhim，Itookherinmyarmsandthrewherintotheboat，thenleapedinmyself。WhenIlookedbackI
sawthatmybrotherhadfallen。Hefellandwasupagain，butthemenwereclosingroundhim。Heshouted，’Iamcoming！’Themenwereclosetohim。Ilooked。Manymen。ThenIlookedather。Tuan，Ipushedthecanoe！Ipusheditintodeepwater。Shewaskneelingforwardlookingatme，andIsaid，’Takeyourpaddle，’whileIstruckthewaterwithmine。Tuan，Iheardhimcry。Iheardhimcrymynametwice；andI
heardvoicesshouting，’Kill！Strike！’Ineverturnedback。Iheardhimcallingmynameagainwithagreatshriek，aswhenlifeisgoingouttogetherwiththevoice——andIneverturnedmyhead。Myownname！……Mybrother！Threetimeshecalled——butIwasnotafraidoflife。
Wasshenotthereinthatcanoe？AndcouldInotwithherfindacountrywheredeathisforgotten——wheredeathisunknown！\"
Thewhitemansatup。Arsatroseandstood，anindistinctandsilentfigureabovethedyingembersofthefire。Overthelagoonamistdriftingandlowhadcrept，erasingslowlytheglitteringimagesofthestars。Andnowagreatexpanseofwhitevapourcoveredtheland：
itflowedcoldandgrayinthedarkness，eddiedinnoiselesswhirlsroundthetree-trunksandabouttheplatformofthehouse，whichseemedtofloatuponarestlessandimpalpableillusionofasea。Onlyfarawaythetopsofthetreesstoodoutlinedonthetwinkleofheaven，likeasombreandforbiddingshore——acoastdeceptive，pitilessandblack。
Arsat’svoicevibratedloudlyintheprofoundpeace。
\"Ihadherthere！Ihadher！TogetherIwouldhavefacedallmankind。ButIhadher——and——\"
Hiswordswentoutringingintotheemptydistances。Hepaused，andseemedtolistentothemdyingawayveryfar——beyondhelpandbeyondrecall。Thenhesaidquietly——
\"Tuan，Ilovedmybrother。\"
Abreathofwindmadehimshiver。Highabovehishead，highabovethesilentseaofmistthedroopingleavesofthepalmsrattledtogetherwithamournfulandexpiringsound。Thewhitemanstretchedhislegs。
Hischinrestedonhischest，andhemurmuredsadlywithoutliftinghishead——
\"Weallloveourbrothers。\"
Arsatburstoutwithanintensewhisperingviolence——
\"WhatdidIcarewhodied？Iwantedpeaceinmyownheart。\"
Heseemedtohearastirinthehouse——listened——thensteppedinnoiselessly。Thewhitemanstoodup。Abreezewascominginfitfulpuffs。Thestarsshonepalerasiftheyhadretreatedintothefrozendepthsofimmensespace。Afterachillgustofwindtherewereafewsecondsofperfectcalmandabsolutesilence。Thenfrombehindtheblackandwavylineoftheforestsacolumnofgoldenlightshotupintotheheavensandspreadoverthesemicircleoftheeasternhorizon。Thesunhadrisen。Themistlifted，brokeintodriftingpatches，vanishedintothinflyingwreaths；andtheunveiledlagoonlay，polishedandblack，intheheavyshadowsatthefootofthewalloftrees。Awhiteeagleroseoveritwithaslantingandponderousflight，reachedtheclearsunshineandappeareddazzlinglybrilliantforamoment，thensoaringhigher，becameadarkandmotionlessspeckbeforeitvanishedintotheblueasifithadlefttheearthforever。
Thewhiteman，standinggazingupwardsbeforethedoorway，heardinthehutaconfusedandbrokenmurmurofdistractedwordsendingwithaloudgroan。SuddenlyArsatstumbledoutwithoutstretchedhands，shivered，andstoodstillforsometimewithfixedeyes。Thenhesaid——
\"Sheburnsnomore。\"
Beforehisfacethesunshoweditsedgeabovethetree-topsrisingsteadily。Thebreezefreshened；agreatbrillianceburstuponthelagoon，sparkledontheripplingwater。Theforestscameoutoftheclearshadowsofthemorning，becamedistinct，asiftheyhadrushednearer——tostopshortinagreatstirofleaves，ofnoddingboughs，ofswayingbranches。Inthemercilesssunshinethewhisperofunconsciouslifegrewlouder，speakinginanincomprehensiblevoiceroundthedumbdarknessofthathumansorrow。Arsat’seyeswanderedslowly，thenstaredattherisingsun。
\"Icanseenothing，\"hesaidhalfaloudtohimself。
\"Thereisnothing，\"saidthewhiteman，movingtotheedgeoftheplatformandwavinghishandtohisboat。Ashoutcamefaintlyoverthelagoonandthesampanbegantoglidetowardstheabodeofthefriendofghosts。
\"Ifyouwanttocomewithme，Iwillwaitallthemorning，\"saidthewhiteman，lookingawayuponthewater。
\"No，Tuan，\"saidArsat，softly。\"Ishallnoteatorsleepinthishouse，butImustfirstseemyroad。NowIcanseenothing——seenothing！Thereisnolightandnopeaceintheworld；butthereisdeath——deathformany。Wearesonsofthesamemother——andIlefthiminthemidstofenemies；butIamgoingbacknow。\"
Hedrewalongbreathandwentoninadreamytone：
\"InalittlewhileIshallseeclearenoughtostrike——tostrike。Butshehasdied，and……now……darkness。\"
Heflunghisarmswideopen，letthemfallalonghisbody，thenstoodstillwithunmovedfaceandstonyeyes，staringatthesun。Thewhitemangotdownintohiscanoe。Thepolersransmartlyalongthesidesoftheboat，lookingovertheirshouldersatthebeginningofawearyjourney。Highinthestern，hisheadmuffledupinwhiterags，thejuragansatmoody，lettinghispaddletrailinthewater。Thewhiteman，leaningwithbotharmsoverthegrassroofofthelittlecabin，lookedbackattheshiningrippleoftheboat’swake。Beforethesampanpassedoutofthelagoonintothecreekheliftedhiseyes。
Arsathadnotmoved。Hestoodlonelyinthesearchingsunshine；andhelookedbeyondthegreatlightofacloudlessdayintothedarknessofaworldofillusions。
