CHAPTERFOUR
HismeditationwhichresembledslowdriftingintosuicidewasinterruptedbyLingard，who，withaloud\"I’vegotyouatlast！\"
droppedhishandheavilyonWillems’shoulder。Thistimeitwastheoldseamanhimselfgoingoutofhiswaytopickuptheuninterestingwaif——allthattherewasleftofthatsuddenandsordidshipwreck。ToWillems，therough，friendlyvoicewasaquickandfleetingrelieffollowedbyasharperpangofangerandunavailingregret。Thatvoicecarriedhimbacktothebeginningofhispromisingcareer，theendofwhichwasveryvisiblenowfromthejettywheretheybothstood。Heshookhimselffreefromthefriendlygrasp，sayingwithreadybitterness——
\"It’sallyourfault。Givemeapushnow，do，andsendmeover。
Ihavebeenstandingherewaitingforhelp。Youaretheman——ofallmen。Youhelpedatthebeginning；yououghttohaveahandintheend。\"
\"Ihavebetteruseforyouthantothrowyoutothefishes，\"saidLingard，seriously，takingWillemsbythearmandforcinghimgentlytowalkupthejetty。\"Ihavebeenbuzzingoverthistownlikeabluebottlefly，lookingforyouhighandlow。Ihaveheardalot。Iwilltellyouwhat，Willems；youarenosaint，that’safact。Andyouhavenotbeenover-wiseeither。Iamnotthrowingstones，\"headded，hastily，asWillemsmadeanefforttogetaway，\"butIamnotgoingtomincematters。Nevercould！
YoukeepquietwhileItalk。Can’tyou？\"
Withagestureofresignationandahalf-stifledgroanWillemssubmittedtothestrongerwill，andthetwomenpacedslowlyupanddowntheresoundingplanks，whileLingarddisclosedtoWillemstheexactmannerofhisundoing。AfterthefirstshockWillemslostthefacultyofsurpriseintheover-poweringfeelingofindignation。SoitwasVinckandLeonardwhohadservedhimso。Theyhadwatchedhim，trackedhismisdeeds，reportedthemtoHudig。TheyhadbribedobscureChinamen，wormedoutconfidencesfromtipsyskippers，gotatvariousboatmen，andhadpiecedoutinthatwaythestoryofhisirregularities。Theblacknessofthisdarkintriguefilledhimwithhorror。HecouldunderstandVinck。Therewasnolovelostbetweenthem。ButLeonard！
Leonard！
\"Why，CaptainLingard，\"heburstout，\"thefellowlickedmyboots。\"
\"Yes，yes，yes，\"saidLingard，testily，\"weknowthat，andyoudidyourbesttocramyourbootdownhisthroat。Nomanlikesthat，myboy。\"
\"Iwasalwaysgivingmoneytoallthathungrylot，\"wentonWillems，passionately。\"Alwaysmyhandinmypocket。Theyneverhadtoasktwice。\"
\"Justso。Yourgenerosityfrightenedthem。Theyaskedthemselveswhereallthatcamefrom，andconcludedthatitwassafertothrowyouoverboard。Afterall，Hudigisamuchgreatermanthanyou，myfriend，andtheyhaveaclaimonhimalso。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，CaptainLingard？\"
\"WhatdoImean？\"repeatedLingard，slowly。\"Why，youarenotgoingtomakemebelieveyoudidnotknowyourwifewasHudig’sdaughter。Comenow！\"
Willemsstoppedsuddenlyandswayedabout。
\"Ah！Iunderstand，\"hegasped。\"Ineverheard……LatelyI
thoughttherewas……Butno，Ineverguessed。\"
\"Oh，yousimpleton！\"saidLingard，pityingly。\"’Ponmyword，\"hemutteredtohimself，\"Idon’tbelievethefellowknew。Well！
well！Steadynow。Pullyourselftogether。What’swrongthere。
Sheisagoodwifetoyou。\"
\"Excellentwife，\"saidWillems，inadrearyvoice，lookingfarovertheblackandscintillatingwater。
\"Verywellthen，\"wentonLingard，withincreasingfriendliness。
\"Nothingwrongthere。ButdidyoureallythinkthatHudigwasmarryingyouoffandgivingyouahouseandIdon’tknowwhat，outofloveforyou？\"
\"Ihadservedhimwell，\"answeredWillems。\"Howwell，youknowyourself——throughthickandthin。Nomatterwhatworkandwhatrisk，Iwasalwaysthere；alwaysready。\"
Howwellhesawthegreatnessofhisworkandtheimmensityofthatinjusticewhichwashisreward。Shewasthatman’sdaughter！
Inthelightofthisdisclosurethefactsofthelastfiveyearsofhislifestoodclearlyrevealedintheirfullmeaning。HehadspokenfirsttoJoannaatthegateoftheirdwellingashewenttohisworkinthebrilliantflushoftheearlymorning，whenwomenandflowersarecharmingeventothedullesteyes。Amostrespectablefamily——twowomenandayoungman——werehisnext-doorneighbours。Nobodyevercametotheirlittlehousebutthepriest，anativefromtheSpanishislands，nowandthen。TheyoungmanLeonardhehadmetintown，andwasflatteredbythelittlefellow’simmenserespectforthegreatWillems。Helethimbringchairs，callthewaiters，chalkhiscueswhenplayingbilliards，expresshisadmirationinchoicewords。HeevencondescendedtolistenpatientlytoLeonard’sallusionsto\"ourbelovedfather，\"amanofofficialposition，agovernmentagentinKoti，wherehediedofcholera，alas！avictimtoduty，likeagoodCatholic，andagoodman。Itsoundedveryrespectable，andWillemsapprovedofthosefeelingreferences。Moreover，hepridedhimselfuponhavingnocolour-prejudicesandnoracialantipathies。HeconsentedtodrinkcuracoaoneafternoonontheverandahofMrs。daSouza’shouse。HerememberedJoannathatday，swinginginahammock。Shewasuntidyeventhen，heremembered，andthatwastheonlyimpressionhecarriedawayfromthatvisit。Hehadnotimeforloveinthosegloriousdays，notimeevenforapassingfancy，butgraduallyhefellintothehabitofcallingalmosteverydayatthatlittlehousewherehewasgreetedbyMrs。daSouza’sshrillvoicescreamingforJoannatocomeandentertainthegentlemanfromHudig&Co。Andthenthesuddenandunexpectedvisitofthepriest。Herememberedtheman’sflat，yellowface，histhinlegs，hispropitiatorysmile，hisbeamingblackeyes，hisconciliatingmanner，hisveiledhintswhichhedidnotunderstandatthetime。Howhewonderedwhatthemanwanted，andhowunceremoniouslyhegotridofhim。AndthencamevividlyintohisrecollectionthemorningwhenhemetagainthatfellowcomingoutofHudig’soffice，andhowhewasamusedattheincongruousvisit。AndthatmorningwithHudig！
Wouldheeverforgetit？Wouldheeverforgethissurpriseasthemaster，insteadofplungingatonceintobusiness，lookedathimthoughtfullybeforeturning，withafurtivesmile，tothepapersonthedesk？Hecouldhearhimnow，hisnoseinthepaperbeforehim，droppingastonishingwordsintheintervalsofwheezybreathing。
\"Heardsaid……calledthereoften……mostrespectableladies……knewthefatherverywell……estimable……bestthingforayoungman……settledown……Personally，verygladtohear……thingarranged……Suitablerecognitionofvaluableservices……Bestthing——bestthingtodo。\"
Andhebelieved！Whatcredulity！Whatanass！Hudigknewthefather！Rather。Andsodideverybodyelseprobably；allexcepthimself。HowproudhehadbeenofHudig’sbenevolentinterestinhisfate！HowproudhewaswheninvitedbyHudigtostaywithhimathislittlehouseinthecountry——wherehecouldmeetmen，menofofficialposition——asafriend。Vinckhadbeengreenwithenvy。Oh，yes！Hehadbelievedinthebestthing，andtookthegirllikeagiftoffortune。HowheboastedtoHudigofbeingfreefromprejudices。Theoldscoundrelmusthavebeenlaughinginhissleeveathisfoolofaconfidentialclerk。Hetookthegirl，guessingnothing。Howcouldhe？Therehadbeenafatherofsomekindtothecommonknowledge。Menknewhim；spokeabouthim。Alankmanofhopelesslymixeddescent，butotherwise——apparently——unobjectionable。Theshadyrelationscameoutafterward，but——withhisfreedomfromprejudices——hedidnotmindthem，because，withtheirhumbledependence，theycompletedhistriumphantlife。Takenin！takenin！Hudighadfoundaneasywaytoprovideforthebeggingcrowd。Hehadshiftedtheburdenofhisyouthfulvagariesontotheshouldersofhisconfidentialclerk；andwhileheworkedforthemaster，themasterhadcheatedhim；hadstolenhisveryselffromhim。Hewasmarried。Hebelongedtothatwoman，nomatterwhatshemightdo！……Hadsworn……foralllife！……Thrownhimselfaway……Andthatmandaredthisverymorningcallhimathief！Damnation！
\"Letgo，Lingard！\"heshouted，tryingtogetawaybyasuddenjerkfromthewatchfuloldseaman。\"Letmegoandkillthat……\"
\"Noyoudon’t！\"pantedLingard，hangingonmanfully。\"Youwanttokill，doyou？Youlunatic。Ah！——I’vegotyounow！Bequiet，Isay！\"
Theystruggledviolently，LingardforcingWillemsslowlytowardstheguard-rail。Undertheirfeetthejettysoundedlikeadruminthequietnight。Ontheshoreendthenativecaretakerofthewharfwatchedthecombat，squattingbehindthesafeshelterofsomebigcases。Thenextdayheinformedhisfriends，withcalmsatisfaction，thattwodrunkenwhitemenhadfoughtonthejetty。
Ithadbeenagreatfight。Theyfoughtwithoutarms，likewildbeasts，afterthemannerofwhitemen。No！nobodywaskilled，ortherewouldhavebeentroubleandareporttomake。Howcouldheknowwhytheyfought？Whitemenhavenoreasonwhentheyarelikethat。
JustasLingardwasbeginningtofearthathewouldbeunabletorestrainmuchlongertheviolenceoftheyoungerman，hefeltWillems’musclesrelaxing，andtookadvantageofthisopportunitytopinhim，byalasteffort，totherail。Theybothpantedheavily，speechless，theirfacesveryclose。
\"Allright，\"mutteredWillemsatlast。\"Don’tbreakmybackoverthisinfernalrail。Iwillbequiet。\"
\"Nowyouarereasonable，\"saidLingard，muchrelieved。\"Whatmadeyouflyintothatpassion？\"heasked，leadinghimbacktotheendofthejetty，and，stillholdinghimprudentlywithonehand，hefumbledwiththeotherforhiswhistleandblewashrillandprolongedblast。Overthesmoothwateroftheroadsteadcameinanswerafaintcryfromoneoftheshipsatanchor。
\"Myboatwillbeheredirectly，\"saidLingard。\"Thinkofwhatyouaregoingtodo。Isailto-night。\"
\"Whatisthereformetodo，exceptonething？\"saidWillems，gloomily。
\"Lookhere，\"saidLingard；\"Ipickedyouupasaboy，andconsidermyselfresponsibleforyouinaway。Youtookyourlifeintoyourownhandsmanyyearsago——butstill……\"
Hepaused，listening，tillheheardtheregulargrindoftheoarsintherowlocksoftheapproachingboatthenwentonagain。
\"IhavemadeitallrightwithHudig。Youowehimnothingnow。
Gobacktoyourwife。Sheisagoodwoman。Gobacktoher。\"
\"Why，CaptainLingard，\"exclaimedWillems，\"she……\"
\"Itwasmostaffecting，\"wentonLingard，withoutheedinghim。
\"IwenttoyourhousetolookforyouandthereIsawherdespair。Itwasheart-breaking。Shecalledforyou；sheentreatedmetofindyou。Shespokewildly，poorwoman，asifallthiswasherfault。\"
Willemslistenedamazed。Theblindoldidiot！Howqueerlyhemisunderstood！Butifitwastrue，ifitwaseventrue，theveryideaofseeingherfilledhissoulwithintenseloathing。Hedidnotbreakhisoath，buthewouldnotgobacktoher。Lethersbethesinofthatseparation；ofthesacredbondbroken。Herevelledintheextremepurityofhisheart，andhewouldnotgobacktoher。Lethercomebacktohim。Hehadthecomfortableconvictionthathewouldneverseeheragain，andthatthroughherownfaultonly。Inthisconvictionhetoldhimselfsolemnlythatifshewouldcometohimhewouldreceiveherwithgenerousforgiveness，becausesuchwasthepraiseworthysolidityofhisprinciples。ButhehesitatedwhetherhewouldorwouldnotdisclosetoLingardtherevoltingcompletenessofhishumiliation。Turnedoutofhishouse——andbyhiswife；thatwomanwhohardlydaredtobreatheinhispresence，yesterday。Heremainedperplexedandsilent。No。Helackedthecouragetotelltheignoblestory。
Astheboatofthebrigappearedsuddenlyontheblackwaterclosetothejetty，Lingardbrokethepainfulsilence。
\"Ialwaysthought，\"hesaid，sadly，\"Ialwaysthoughtyouweresomewhatheartless，Willems，andapttocastadriftthosethatthoughtmostofyou。Iappealtowhatisbestinyou；donotabandonthatwoman。\"
\"Ihavenotabandonedher，\"answeredWillems，quickly，withconscioustruthfulness。\"WhyshouldI？Asyousojustlyobserved，shehasbeenagoodwifetome。Averygood，quiet，obedient，lovingwife，andIloveherasmuchasshelovesme。
Everybit。Butastogoingbacknow，tothatplacewhereI……
Towalkagainamongstthosemenwhoyesterdaywerereadytocrawlbeforeme，andthenfeelonmybackthestingoftheirpityingorsatisfiedsmiles——no！Ican’t。Iwouldratherhidefromthematthebottomofthesea，\"hewenton，withresoluteenergy。\"I
don’tthink，CaptainLingard，\"headded，morequietly，\"Idon’tthinkthatyourealizewhatmypositionwasthere。\"
Inawidesweepofhishandhetookinthesleepingshorefromnorthtosouth，asifwishingitaproudandthreateninggood-bye。Forashortmomentheforgothisdownfallintherecollectionofhisbrillianttriumphs。Amongstthemenofhisclassandoccupationwhosleptinthosedarkhouseshehadbeenindeedthefirst。
\"Itishard，\"mutteredLingard，pensively。\"Butwhosethefault？
Whosethefault？\"
\"CaptainLingard！\"criedWillems，underthesuddenimpulseofafelicitousinspiration，\"ifyouleavemehereonthisjetty——it’smurder。Ishallneverreturntothatplacealive，wifeornowife。Youmayjustaswellcutmythroatatonce。\"
Theoldseamanstarted。
\"Don’ttrytofrightenme，Willems，\"hesaid，withgreatseverity，andpaused。
AbovetheaccentsofWillems’brazendespairheheard，withconsiderableuneasiness，thewhisperofhisownabsurdconscience。Hemeditatedforawhilewithanirresoluteair。
\"Icouldtellyoutogoanddrownyourself，andbedamnedtoyou，\"hesaid，withanunsuccessfulassumptionofbrutalityinhismanner，\"butIwon’t。Weareresponsibleforoneanother——worseluck。Iamalmostashamedofmyself，butIcanunderstandyourdirtypride。Ican！By……\"
Hebrokeoffwithaloudsighandwalkedbrisklytothesteps，atthebottomofwhichlayhisboat，risingandfallinggentlyontheslightandinvisibleswell。
\"Belowthere！Gotalampintheboat？Well，lightitandbringitup，oneofyou。Hurrynow！\"
Hetoreoutapageofhispocketbook，moistenedhispencilwithgreatenergyandwaited，stampinghisfeetimpatiently。
\"Iwillseethisthingthrough，\"hemutteredtohimself。\"AndI
willhaveitallsquareandship-shape；seeifIdon’t！Areyougoingtobringthatlamp，yousonofacrippledmud-turtle？Iamwaiting。\"
Thegleamofthelightonthepaperplacatedhisprofessionalanger，andhewroterapidly，thefinaldashofhissignaturecurlingthepaperupinatriangulartear。
\"TakethattothiswhiteTuan’shouse。Iwillsendtheboatbackforyouinhalfanhour。\"
ThecoxswainraisedhislampdeliberatelytoWillem’sface。
\"ThisTuan？Tau！Iknow。\"
\"Quickthen！\"saidLingard，takingthelampfromhim——andthemanwentoffatarun。
\"Kassimem！Totheladyherself，\"calledLingardafterhim。
Then，whenthemandisappeared，heturnedtoWillems。
\"Ihavewrittentoyourwife，\"hesaid。\"Ifyoudonotreturnforgood，youdonotgobacktothathouseonlyforanotherparting。Youmustcomeasyoustand。Iwon’thavethatpoorwomantormented。Iwillseetoitthatyouarenotseparatedforlong。Trustme！\"
Willemsshivered，thensmiledinthedarkness。
\"Nofearofthat，\"hemuttered，enigmatically。\"Itrustyouimplicitly，CaptainLingard，\"headded，inaloudertone。
Lingardledthewaydownthesteps，swingingthelampandspeakingoverhisshoulder。
\"Itisthesecondtime，Willems，Itakeyouinhand。Minditisthelast。Thesecondtime；andtheonlydifferencebetweenthenandnowisthatyouwerebare-footedthenandhavebootsnow。Infourteenyears。Withallyoursmartness！Apoorresultthat。A
verypoorresult。\"
Hestoodforawhileonthelowestplatformofthesteps，thelightofthelampfallingontheupturnedfaceofthestrokeoar，whoheldthegunwaleoftheboatclosealongside，readyforthecaptaintostepin。
\"Yousee，\"hewenton，argumentatively，fumblingaboutthetopofthelamp，\"yougotyourselfsocrookedamongstthose’longshorequill-driversthatyoucouldnotrunclearinanyway。That’swhatcomesofsuchtalkasyours，andofsuchalife。Amanseessomuchfalsehoodthathebeginstolietohimself。Pah！\"hesaid，indisgust，\"there’sonlyoneplaceforanhonestman。Thesea，myboy，thesea！Butyouneverwould；didn’tthinktherewasenoughmoneyinit；andnow——look！\"
Heblewthelightout，and，steppingintotheboat，stretchedquicklyhishandtowardsWillems，withfriendlycare。Willemssatbyhiminsilence，andtheboatshovedoff，sweepinginawidecircletowardsthebrig。
\"Yourcompassionisallformywife，CaptainLingard，\"saidWillems，moodily。\"DoyouthinkIamsoveryhappy？\"
\"No！no！\"saidLingard，heartily。\"Notawordmoreshallpassmylips。Ihadtospeakmymindonce，seeingthatIknewyoufromachild，sotospeak。AndnowIshallforget；butyouareyoungyet。Lifeisverylong，\"hewenton，withunconscioussadness；
\"letthisbealessontoyou。\"
HelaidhishandaffectionatelyonWillems’shoulder，andtheybothsatsilenttilltheboatcamealongsidetheship’sladder。
WhenonboardLingardgaveorderstohismate，andleadingWillemsonthepoop，satonthebreechofoneofthebrasssix-pounderswithwhichhisvesselwasarmed。Theboatwentoffagaintobringbackthemessenger。Assoonasitwasseenreturningdarkformsappearedonthebrig’sspars；thenthesailsfellinfestoonswithaswishoftheirheavyfolds，andhungmotionlessundertheyardsinthedeadcalmoftheclearanddewynight。Fromtheforwardendcametheclinkofthewindlass，andsoonafterwardsthehailofthechiefmateinformingLingardthatthecablewashoveshort。
\"Holdoneverything，\"hailedbackLingard；\"wemustwaitfortheland-breezebeforeweletgoourholdoftheground。\"
HeapproachedWillems，whosatontheskylight，hisbodybentdown，hisheadlow，andhishandshanginglistlesslybetweenhisknees。
\"IamgoingtotakeyoutoSambir，\"hesaid。\"You’veneverheardoftheplace，haveyou？Well，it’supthatriverofmineaboutwhichpeopletalksomuchandknowsolittle。I’vefoundouttheentranceforashipofFlash’ssize。Itisn’teasy。You’llsee。
Iwillshowyou。Youhavebeenatsealongenoughtotakeaninterest……Pityyoudidn’tsticktoit。Well，Iamgoingthere。Ihavemyowntradingpostintheplace。Almayerismypartner。YouknewhimwhenhewasatHudig’s。Oh，helivesthereashappyasaking。D’yesee，Ihavethemallinmypocket。Therajahisanoldfriendofmine。Mywordislaw——andIamtheonlytrader。NootherwhitemanbutAlmayerhadeverbeeninthatsettlement。YouwilllivequietlytheretillIcomebackfrommynextcruisetothewestward。Weshallseethenwhatcanbedoneforyou。Neverfear。Ihavenodoubtmysecretwillbesafewithyou。Keepmumaboutmyriverwhenyougetamongstthetradersagain。There’smanywouldgivetheirearsfortheknowledgeofit。I’lltellyousomething:that’swhereIgetallmyguttahandrattans。Simplyinexhaustible，myboy。\"
WhileLingardspokeWillemslookedupquickly，butsoonhisheadfellonhisbreastinthediscouragingcertitudethattheknowledgeheandHudighadwishedforsomuchhadcometohimtoolate。Hesatinalistlessattitude。
\"YouwillhelpAlmayerinhistradingifyouhaveaheartforit，\"continuedLingard，\"justtokilltimetillIcomebackforyou。Onlysixweeksorso。\"
Overtheirheadsthedampsailsflutterednoisilyinthefirstfaintpuffofthebreeze；then，astheairsfreshened，thebrigtendedtothewind，andthesilencedcanvaslayquietlyaback。
Thematespokewithlowdistinctnessfromtheshadowsofthequarter-deck。
\"There’sthebreeze。Whichwaydoyouwanttocasther，CaptainLingard？\"
Lingard’seyes，thathadbeenfixedaloft，glanceddownatthedejectedfigureofthemansittingontheskylight。Heseemedtohesitateforaminute。
\"Tothenorthward，tothenorthward，\"heanswered，testily，asifannoyedathisownfleetingthought，\"andbearahandthere。
Everypuffofwindisworthmoneyintheseseas。\"
Heremainedmotionless，listeningtotherattleofblocksandthecreakingoftrussesasthehead-yardswerehauledround。Sailwasmadeontheshipandthewindlassmannedagainwhilehestoodstill，lostinthought。Heonlyrousedhimselfwhenabarefootedseacannieglidedpasthimsilentlyonhiswaytothewheel。
\"Putthehelmaport！Hardover！\"hesaid，inhisharshsea-voice，tothemanwhosefaceappearedsuddenlyoutofthedarknessinthecircleoflightthrownupwardsfromthebinnaclelamps。
Theanchorwassecured，theyardstrimmed，andthebrigbegantomoveoutoftheroadstead。Theseawokeupunderthepushofthesharpcutwater，andwhisperedsoftlytotheglidingcraftinthattenderandripplingmurmurinwhichitspeakssometimestothoseitnursesandloves。Lingardstoodbythetaff-raillistening，withapleasedsmiletilltheFlashbegantodrawclosetotheonlyothervesselintheanchorage。
\"Here，Willems，\"hesaid，callinghimtohisside，\"d’yeseethatbarquehere？That’sanArabvessel。Whitemenhavemostlygivenupthegame，butthisfellowdropsinmywakeoften，andlivesinhopesofcuttingmeoutinthatsettlement。NotwhileIlive，I
trust。Yousee，Willems，Ibroughtprosperitytothatplace。I
composedtheirquarrels，andsawthemgrowundermyeyes。
There’speaceandhappinessthere。IammoremastertherethanhisDutchExcellencydowninBataviaeverwillbewhensomedayalazyman-of-warblundersatlastagainsttheriver。ImeantokeeptheArabsoutofit，withtheirliesandtheirintrigues。I
shallkeepthevenomousbreedout，ifitcostsmemyfortune。\"
TheFlashdrewquietlyabreastofthebarque，andwasbeginningtodropitasternwhenawhitefigurestarteduponthepoopoftheArabvessel，andavoicecalledout——
\"GreetingtotheRajahLaut！\"
\"Toyougreeting！\"answeredLingard，afteramomentofhesitatingsurprise。ThenheturnedtoWillemswithagrimsmile。\"That’sAbdulla’svoice，\"hesaid。\"Mightycivilallofasudden，isn’the？Iwonderwhatitmeans。Justlikehisimpudence！Nomatter！Hiscivilityorhisimpudenceareallonetome。Iknowthatthisfellowwillbeunderwayandaftermelikeashot。I
don’tcare！Ihavetheheelsofanythingthatfloatsintheseseas，\"headded，whilehisproudandlovingglanceranoverandrestedfondlyamongstthebrig’sloftyandgracefulspars。
CHAPTERFIVE
\"Itwasthewritingonhisforehead，\"saidBabalatchi，addingacoupleofsmallstickstothelittlefirebywhichhewassquatting，andwithoutlookingatLakambawholaydownsupportedonhiselbowontheothersideoftheembers。\"Itwaswrittenwhenhewasbornthatheshouldendhislifeindarkness，andnowheislikeamanwalkinginablacknight——withhiseyesopen，yetseeingnot。Iknewhimwellwhenhehadslaves，andmanywives，andmuchmerchandise，andtradingpraus，andprausforfighting。Hai——ya！HewasagreatfighterinthedaysbeforethebreathoftheMercifulputoutthelightinhiseyes。Hewasapilgrim，andhadmanyvirtues:hewasbrave，hishandwasopen，andhewasagreatrobber。Formanyyearsheledthementhatdrankbloodonthesea:firstinprayerandfirstinfight！HaveInotstoodbehindhimwhenhisfacewasturnedtotheWest？
HaveInotwatchedbyhissideshipswithhighmastsburninginastraightflameonthecalmwater？HaveInotfollowedhimondarknightsamongstsleepingmenthatwokeuponlytodie？HisswordwasswifterthanthefirefromHeaven，andstruckbeforeitflashed。Hai！Tuan！Thosewerethedaysandthatwasaleader，andImyselfwasyounger；andinthosedaystherewerenotsomanyfireshipswithgunsthatdealfierydeathfromafar。Overthehillandovertheforest——O！TuanLakamba！theydroppedwhistlingfireballsintothecreekwhereourpraustookrefuge，andwheretheydarednotfollowmenwhohadarmsintheirhands。\"
Heshookhisheadwithmournfulregretandthrewanotherhandfuloffuelonthefire。Theburstofclearflamelituphisbroad，dark，andpock-markedface，wherethebiglips，stainedwithbetel-juice，lookedlikeadeepandbleedinggashofafreshwound。Thereflectionofthefirelightgleamedbrightlyinhissolitaryeye，lendingitforamomentafierceanimationthatdiedouttogetherwiththeshort-livedflame。Withquicktouchesofhisbarehandsherakedtheembersintoaheap，then，wipingthewarmashonhiswaistcloth——hisonlygarment——heclaspedhisthinlegswithhisentwinedfingers，andrestedhischinonhisdrawn-upknees。Lakambastirredslightlywithoutchanginghispositionortakinghiseyesofftheglowingcoals，onwhichtheyhadbeenfixedindreamyimmobility。
\"Yes，\"wentonBabalatchi，inalowmonotone，asifpursuingaloudatrainofthoughtthathaditsbeginninginthesilentcontemplationoftheunstablenatureofearthlygreatness——\"yes。
Hehasbeenrichandstrong，andnowhelivesonalms:old，feeble，blind，andwithoutcompanions，butforhisdaughter。TheRajahPatalologiveshimrice，andthepalewoman——hisdaughter——cooksitforhim，forhehasnoslave。\"
\"Isawherfromafar，\"mutteredLakamba，disparagingly。\"A
she-dogwithwhiteteeth，likeawomanoftheOrang-Putih。\"
\"Right，right，\"assentedBabalatchi；\"butyouhavenotseenhernear。Hermotherwasawomanfromthewest；aBaghdadiwomanwithveiledface。Nowshegoesuncovered，likeourwomendo，forsheispoorandheisblind，andnobodyevercomesnearthemunlesstoaskforacharmorablessinganddepartquicklyforfearofhisangerandoftheRajah’shand。Youhavenotbeenonthatsideoftheriver？\"
\"Notforalongtime。IfIgo……\"
\"True！true！\"interruptedBabalatchi，soothingly，\"butIgooftenalone——foryourgood——andlook——andlisten。Whenthetimecomes；
whenwebothgotogethertowardstheRajah’scampong，itwillbetoenter——andtoremain。\"
LakambasatupandlookedatBabalatchigloomily。
\"Thisisgoodtalk，once，twice；whenitisheardtoooftenitbecomesfoolish，liketheprattleofchildren。\"
\"Many，manytimeshaveIseenthecloudyskyandhaveheardthewindoftherainyseasons，\"saidBabalatchi，impressively。
\"Andwhereisyourwisdom？Itmustbewiththewindandthecloudsofseasonspast，forIdonothearitinyourtalk。\"
\"Thosearethewordsoftheungrateful！\"shoutedBabalatchi，withsuddenexasperation。\"Verily，ouronlyrefugeiswiththeOne，theMighty，theRedresserof……\"
\"Peace！Peace！\"growledthestartledLakamba。\"Itisbutafriend’stalk。\"
Babalatchisubsidedintohisformerattitude，mutteringtohimself。Afterawhilehewentonagaininaloudervoice——
\"SincetheRajahLautleftanotherwhitemanhereinSambir，thedaughteroftheblindOmarelBadavihasspokentootherearsthanmine。\"
\"Wouldawhitemanlistentoabeggar’sdaughter？\"saidLakamba，doubtingly。
\"Hai！Ihaveseen……\"
\"Andwhatdidyousee？Oone-eyedone！\"exclaimedLakamba，contemptuously。
\"Ihaveseenthestrangewhitemanwalkingonthenarrowpathbeforethesuncoulddrythedropsofdewonthebushes，andI
haveheardthewhisperofhisvoicewhenhespokethroughthesmokeofthemorningfiretothatwomanwithbigeyesandapaleskin。Womaninbody，butinheartaman！Sheknowsnofearandnoshame。Ihaveheardhervoicetoo。\"
HenoddedtwiceatLakambasagaciouslyandgavehimselfuptosilentmusing，hissolitaryeyefixedimmovablyuponthestraightwallofforestontheoppositebank。Lakambalaysilent，staringvacantly。UnderthemLingard’sownriverrippledsoftlyamongstthepilessupportingthebambooplatformofthelittlewatch-housebeforewhichtheywerelying。Behindthehousethegroundroseinagentleswellofalowhillclearedofthebigtimber，butthicklyovergrownwiththegrassandbushes，nowwitheredandburntupinthelongdroughtofthedryseason。
Thisoldriceclearing，whichhadbeenseveralyearslyingfallow，wasframedonthreesidesbytheimpenetrableandtangledgrowthoftheuntouchedforest，andonthefourthcamedowntothemuddyriverbank。Therewasnotabreathofwindonthelandorriver，buthighabove，inthetransparentsky，littlecloudsrushedpastthemoon，nowappearinginherdiffusedrayswiththebrillianceofsilver，nowobscuringherfacewiththeblacknessofebony。Faraway，inthemiddleoftheriver，afishwouldleapnowandthenwithashortsplash，theveryloudnessofwhichmeasuredtheprofundityoftheoverpoweringsilencethatswallowedupthesharpsoundsuddenly。
Lakambadozeduneasilyoff，butthewakefulBabalatchisatthinkingdeeply，sighingfromtimetotime，andslappinghimselfoverhisnakedtorsoincessantlyinavainendeavourtokeepoffanoccasionalandwanderingmosquitothat，risingashighastheplatformabovetheswarmsoftheriverside，wouldsettlewithapingoftriumphontheunexpectedvictim。Themoon，pursuinghersilentandtoilsomepath，attainedherhighestelevation，andchasingtheshadowoftheroof-eavesfromLakamba’sface，seemedtohangarrestedovertheirheads。Babalatchirevivedthefireandwokeuphiscompanion，whosatupyawningandshiveringdiscontentedly。
Babalatchispokeagaininavoicewhichwaslikethemurmurofabrookthatrunsoverthestones:low，monotonous，persistent；
irresistibleinitspowertowearoutandtodestroythehardestobstacles。Lakambalistened，silentbutinterested。TheywereMalayadventurers；ambitiousmenofthatplaceandtime；theBohemiansoftheirrace。Intheearlydaysofthesettlement，beforetherulerPatalolohadshakenoffhisallegiancetotheSultanofKoti，Lakambaappearedintheriverwithtwosmalltradingvessels。HewasdisappointedtofindalreadysomesemblanceoforganizationamongstthesettlersofvariousraceswhorecognizedtheunobtrusiveswayofoldPatalolo，andhewasnotpoliticenoughtoconcealhisdisappointment。Hedeclaredhimselftobeamanfromtheeast，fromthosepartswherenowhitemanruled，andtobeofanoppressedrace，butofaprincelyfamily。Andtrulyenoughhehadallthegiftsofanexiledprince。Hewasdiscontented，ungrateful，turbulent；amanfullofenvyandreadyforintrigue，withbravewordsandemptypromisesforeveronhislips。Hewasobstinate，buthiswillwasmadeupofshortimpulsesthatneverlastedlongenoughtocarryhimtothegoalofhisambition。ReceivedcoldlybythesuspiciousPatalolo，hepersisted——permissionornopermission——inclearingthegroundonagoodspotsomefourteenmilesdowntheriverfromSambir，andbuilthimselfahousethere，whichhefortifiedbyahighpalisade。Ashehadmanyfollowersandseemedveryreckless，theoldRajahdidnotthinkitprudentatthetimetointerferewithhimbyforce。Oncesettled，hebegantointrigue。ThequarrelofPatalolowiththeSultanofKotiwasofhisfomenting，butfailedtoproducetheresultheexpectedbecausetheSultancouldnotbackhimupeffectivelyatsuchagreatdistance。Disappointedinthatscheme，hepromptlyorganizedanoutbreakoftheBugissettlers，andbesiegedtheoldRajahinhisstockadewithmuchnoisyvalourandafairchanceofsuccess；butLingardthenappearedonthescenewiththearmedbrig，andtheoldseaman’shairyforefinger，shakenmenacinglyinhisface，quelledhismartialardour。NomancaredtoencountertheRajahLaut，andLakamba，withmomentaryresignation，subsidedintoahalf-cultivator，half-trader，andnursedinhisfortifiedhousehiswrathandhisambition，keepingitforuseonamorepropitiousoccasion。
Stillfaithfultohischaracterofaprince-pretender，hewouldnotrecognizetheconstitutedauthorities，answeringsulkilytheRajah’smessenger，whoclaimedthetributeforthecultivatedfields，thattheRajahhadbettercomeandtakeithimself。ByLingard’sadvicehewasleftalone，notwithstandinghisrebelliousmood；andformanydayshelivedundisturbedamongsthiswivesandretainers，cherishingthatpersistentandcauselesshopeofbettertimes，thepossessionofwhichseemstobetheuniversalprivilegeofexiledgreatness。
Butthepassingdaysbroughtnochange。Thehopegrewfaintandthehotambitionburntitselfout，leavingonlyafeebleandexpiringsparkamongstaheapofdullandtepidashesofindolentacquiescencewiththedecreesofFate，tillBabalatchifanneditagainintoabrightflame。Babalatchihadblunderedupontheriverwhileinsearchofasaferefugeforhisdisreputablehead。
Hewasavagabondoftheseas，atrueOrang-Laut，livingbyrapineandplunderofcoastsandshipsinhisprosperousdays；
earninghislivingbyhonestandirksometoilwhenthedaysofadversitywereuponhim。So，althoughattimesleadingtheSulurovers，hehadalsoservedasSerangofcountryships，andinthatwisehadvisitedthedistantseas，beheldthegloriesofBombay，themightoftheMascatiSultan；hadevenstruggledinapiousthrongfortheprivilegeoftouchingwithhislipstheSacredStoneoftheHolyCity。Hegatheredexperienceandwisdominmanylands，andafterattachinghimselftoOmarelBadavi，heaffectedgreatpiety(asbecameapilgrim)，althoughunabletoreadtheinspiredwordsoftheProphet。Hewasbraveandbloodthirstywithoutanyaffection，andhehatedthewhitemenwhointerferedwiththemanlypursuitsofthroat-cutting，kidnapping，slave-dealing，andfire-raising，thatweretheonlypossibleoccupationforatruemanofthesea。Hefoundfavourintheeyesofhischief，thefearlessOmarelBadavi，theleaderofBruneirovers，whomhefollowedwithunquestioningloyaltythroughthelongyearsofsuccessfuldepredation。Andwhenthatlongcareerofmurder，robberyandviolencereceiveditsfirstseriouscheckatthehandsofwhitemen，hestoodfaithfullybyhischief，lookedsteadilyattheburstingshells，wasundismayedbytheflamesoftheburningstronghold，bythedeathofhiscompanions，bytheshrieksoftheirwomen，thewailingoftheirchildren；bythesuddenruinanddestructionofallthathedeemedindispensabletoahappyandgloriousexistence。Thebeatengroundbetweenthehouseswasslipperywithblood，andthedarkmangrovesofthemuddycreekswerefullofsighsofthedyingmenwhowerestrickendownbeforetheycouldseetheirenemy。Theydiedhelplessly，forintothetangledforesttherewasnoescape，andtheirswiftpraus，inwhichtheyhadsooftenscouredthecoastandtheseas，nowwedgedtogetherinthenarrowcreek，wereburningfiercely。Babalatchi，withtheclearperceptionofthecomingend，devotedallhisenergiestosavingifitwasbutonlyoneofthem。Hesucceededintime。Whentheendcameintheexplosionofthestoredpowder-barrels，hewasreadytolookforhischief。Hefoundhimhalfdeadandtotallyblinded，withnobodynearhimbuthisdaughterAissa:——thesonshadfallenearlierintheday，asbecamemenoftheircourage。
Helpedbythegirlwiththesteadfastheart，BabalatchicarriedOmaronboardthelightprauandsucceededinescaping，butwithveryfewcompanionsonly。Astheyhauledtheircraftintothenetworkofdarkandsilentcreeks，theycouldhearthecheeringofthecrewsoftheman-of-war’sboatsdashingtotheattackoftherover’svillage。Aissa，sittingonthehighafter-deck，herfather’sblackenedandbleedingheadinherlap，lookedupwithfearlesseyesatBabalatchi。\"Theyshallfindonlysmoke，bloodanddeadmen，andwomenmadwithfearthere，butnothingelseliving，\"shesaid，mournfully。Babalatchi，pressingwithhisrighthandthedeepgashonhisshoulder，answeredsadly:\"Theyareverystrong。Whenwefightwiththemwecanonlydie。Yet，\"
headded，menacingly——\"someofusstilllive！Someofusstilllive！\"
Forashorttimehedreamedofvengeance，buthisdreamwasdispelledbythecoldreceptionoftheSultanofSulu，withwhomtheysoughtrefugeatfirstandwhogavethemonlyacontemptuousandgrudginghospitality。WhileOmar，nursedbyAissa，wasrecoveringfromhiswounds，BabalatchiattendedindustriouslybeforetheexaltedPresencethathadextendedtothemthehandofProtection。Forallthat，whenBabalatchispokeintotheSultan’searcertainproposalsofagreatandprofitableraid，thatwastosweeptheislandsfromTernatetoAcheen，theSultanwasveryangry。\"Iknowyou，youmenfromthewest，\"heexclaimed，angrily。\"YourwordsarepoisoninaRuler’sears。
Yourtalkisoffireandmurderandbooty——butonourheadsfallsthevengeanceofthebloodyoudrink。Begone！\"
Therewasnothingtobedone。Timeswerechanged。Sochangedthat，whenaSpanishfrigateappearedbeforetheislandandademandwassenttotheSultantodeliverOmarandhiscompanions，Babalatchiwasnotsurprisedtohearthattheyweregoingtobemadethevictimsofpoliticalexpediency。Butfromthatsaneappreciationofdangertotamesubmissionwasaverylongstep。
AndthenbeganOmar’ssecondflight。Itbeganarmsinhand，forthelittlebandhadtofightinthenightonthebeachforthepossessionofthesmallcanoesinwhichthosethatsurvivedgotawayatlast。Thestoryofthatescapelivesintheheartsofbravemeneventothisday。TheytalkofBabalatchiandofthestrongwomanwhocarriedherblindfatherthroughthesurfunderthefireofthewarshipfromthenorth。Thecompanionsofthatpiraticalandson-lessAeneasaredeadnow，buttheirghostswanderoverthewatersandtheislandsatnight——afterthemannerofghosts——andhauntthefiresbywhichsitarmedmen，asismeetforthespiritsoffearlesswarriorswhodiedinbattle。Theretheymayhearthestoryoftheirowndeeds，oftheirowncourage，sufferinganddeath，onthelipsoflivingmen。Thatstoryistoldinmanyplaces。OnthecoolmatsinbreezyverandahsofRajahs’housesitisalludedtodisdainfullybyimpassivestatesmen，butamongstarmedmenthatthrongthecourtyardsitisatalewhichstillsthemurmurofvoicesandthetinkleofanklets；arreststhepassageofthesiri-vessel，andfixestheeyesinabsorbedgaze。Theytalkofthefight，ofthefearlesswoman，ofthewiseman；oflongsufferingonthethirstyseainleakycanoes；ofthosewhodied……Manydied。Afewsurvived。Thechief，thewoman，andanotheronewhobecamegreat。
TherewasnohintofincipientgreatnessinBabalatchi’sunostentatiousarrivalinSambir。HecamewithOmarandAissainasmallprauloadedwithgreencocoanuts，andclaimedtheownershipofbothvesselandcargo。HowitcametopassthatBabalatchi，fleeingforhislifeinasmallcanoe，managedtoendhishazardousjourneyinavesselfullofavaluablecommodity，isoneofthosesecretsoftheseathatbafflethemostsearchinginquiry。Intruthnobodyinquiredmuch。TherewererumoursofamissingtradingpraubelongingtoMenado，buttheywerevagueandremainedmysterious。Babalatchitoldastorywhich——itmustbesaidinjusticetoPatalolo’sknowledgeoftheworld——wasnotbelieved。WhentheRajahventuredtostatehisdoubts，Babalatchiaskedhimintonesofcalmremonstrancewhetherhecouldreasonablysupposethattwooldishmen——whohadonlyoneeyeamongstthem——andayoungwomanwerelikelytogainpossessionofanythingwhateverbyviolence？CharitywasavirtuerecommendedbytheProphet。Therewerecharitablepeople，andtheirhandwasopentothedeserving。Patalolowaggedhisagedheaddoubtingly，andBabalatchiwithdrewwithashockedmienandputhimselfforthwithunderLakamba’sprotection。Thetwomenwhocompletedtheprau’screwfollowedhimintothatmagnate’scampong。TheblindOmar，withAissa，remainedunderthecareoftheRajah，andtheRajahconfiscatedthecargo。Theprauhauleduponthemud-bank，atthejunctionofthetwobranchesofthePantai，rottedintherain，warpedinthesun，felltopiecesandgraduallyvanishedintothesmokeofhouseholdfiresofthesettlement。Onlyaforgottenplankandaribortwo，stickingneglectedintheshinyoozeforalongtime，servedtoremindBabalatchiduringmanymonthsthathewasastrangerintheland。
Otherwise，hefeltperfectlyathomeinLakamba’sestablishment，wherehispeculiarpositionandinfluencewerequicklyrecognizedandsoonsubmittedtoevenbythewomen。Hehadallatruevagabond’spliabilitytocircumstancesandadaptivenesstomomentarysurroundings。Inhisreadinesstolearnfromexperiencethatcontemptforearlyprinciplessonecessarytoatruestatesman，heequalledthemostsuccessfulpoliticiansofanyage；andhehadenoughpersuasivenessandfirmnessofpurposetoacquireacompletemasteryoverLakamba’svacillatingmind——wheretherewasnothingstablebutanall-pervadingdiscontent。Hekeptthediscontentalive，herekindledtheexpiringambition，hemoderatedthepoorexile’snotunnaturalimpatiencetoattainahighandlucrativeposition。He——themanofviolence——deprecatedtheuseofforce，forhehadaclearcomprehensionofthedifficultsituation。Fromthesamecause，he——thehaterofwhitemen——wouldtosomeextentadmittheeventualexpediencyofDutchprotection。Butnothingshouldbedoneinahurry。WhateverhismasterLakambamightthink，therewasnouseinpoisoningoldPatalolo，hemaintained。Itcouldbedone，ofcourse；butwhatthen？AslongasLingard’sinfluencewasparamount——aslongasAlmayer，Lingard’srepresentative，wastheonlygreattraderofthesettlement，itwasnotworthLakamba’swhile——evenifithadbeenpossible——tograsptheruleoftheyoungstate。KillingAlmayerandLingardwassodifficultandsoriskythatitmightbedismissedasimpracticable。Whatwaswantedwasanalliance；somebodytosetupagainstthewhitemen’sinfluence——andsomebodywho，whilefavourabletoLakamba，wouldatthesametimebeapersonofagoodstandingwiththeDutchauthorities。Arichandconsideredtraderwaswanted。
SuchapersononcefirmlyestablishedinSambirwouldhelpthemtoousttheoldRajah，toremovehimfrompowerorfromlifeiftherewasnootherway。ThenitwouldbetimetoapplytotheOrangBlandaforaflag；forarecognitionoftheirmeritoriousservices；forthatprotectionwhichwouldmakethemsafeforever！ThewordofarichandloyaltraderwouldmeansomethingwiththeRulerdowninBatavia。ThefirstthingtodowastofindsuchanallyandtoinducehimtosettleinSambir。Awhitetraderwouldnotdo。Awhitemanwouldnotfallinwiththeirideas——wouldnotbetrustworthy。Themantheywantedshouldberich，unscrupulous，havemanyfollowers，andbeawell-knownpersonalityintheislands。SuchamanmightbefoundamongsttheArabtraders。Lingard’sjealousy，saidBabalatchi，keptallthetradersoutoftheriver。Somewereafraid，andsomedidnotknowhowtogetthere；othersignoredtheveryexistenceofSambir；agoodmanydidnotthinkitworththeirwhiletoruntheriskofLingard’senmityforthedoubtfuladvantageoftradewithacomparativelyunknownsettlement。Thegreatmajoritywereundesirableoruntrustworthy。AndBabalatchimentionedregretfullythemenhehadknowninhisyoungdays:wealthy，resolute，courageous，reckless，readyforanyenterprise！Butwhylamentthepastandspeakaboutthedead？Thereisoneman——living——great——notfaroff……
SuchwasBabalatchi’slineofpolicylaidbeforehisambitiousprotector。Lakambaassented，hisonlyobjectionbeingthatitwasveryslowwork。Inhisextremedesiretograspdollarsandpower，theunintellectualexilewasreadytothrowhimselfintothearmsofanywanderingcut-throatwhosehelpcouldbesecured，andBabalatchiexperiencedgreatdifficultyinrestraininghimfromunconsideredviolence。ItwouldnotdotoletitbeseenthattheyhadanyhandinintroducinganewelementintothesocialandpoliticallifeofSambir。Therewasalwaysapossibilityoffailure，andinthatcaseLingard’svengeancewouldbeswiftandcertain。Noriskshouldberun。Theymustwait。
Meantimehepervadedthesettlement，squattinginthecourseofeachdaybymanyhouseholdfires，testingthepublictemperandpublicopinion——andalwaystalkingabouthisimpendingdeparture。
AtnighthewouldoftentakeLakamba’ssmallestcanoeanddepartsilentlytopaymysteriousvisitstohisoldchiefontheothersideoftheriver。OmarlivedinodourofsanctityunderthewingofPatalolo。Betweenthebamboofence，enclosingthehousesoftheRajah，andthewildforest，therewasabananaplantation，andonitsfurtheredgestoodtwolittlehousesbuiltonlowpilesunderafewpreciousfruittreesthatgrewonthebanksofaclearbrook，which，bubblingupbehindthehouse，raninitsshortandrapidcoursedowntothebigriver。AlongthebrookanarrowpathledthroughthedensesecondgrowthofaneglectedclearingtothebananaplantationandtothehousesinitwhichtheRajahhadgivenforresidencetoOmar。TheRajahwasgreatlyimpressedbyOmar’sostentatiouspiety，byhisoracularwisdom，byhismanymisfortunes，bythesolemnfortitudewithwhichheborehisaffliction。OftentheoldrulerofSambirwouldvisitinformallytheblindArabandlistengravelytohistalkduringthehothoursofanafternoon。Inthenight，BabalatchiwouldcallandinterruptOmar’srepose，unrebuked。Aissa，standingsilentlyatthedoorofoneofthehuts，couldseethetwooldfriendsastheysatverystillbythefireinthemiddleofthebeatengroundbetweenthetwohouses，talkinginanindistinctmurmurfarintothenight。Shecouldnotheartheirwords，butshewatchedthetwoformlessshadowscuriously。FinallyBabalatchiwouldriseand，takingherfatherbythewrist，wouldleadhimbacktothehouse，arrangehismatsforhim，andgooutquietly。Insteadofgoingaway，Babalatchi，unconsciousofAissa’seyes，oftensatagainbythefire，inalonganddeepmeditation。Aissalookedwithrespectonthatwiseandbraveman——shewasaccustomedtoseeatherfather’ssideaslongasshecouldremember——sittingaloneandthoughtfulinthesilentnightbythedyingfire，hisbodymotionlessandhismindwanderinginthelandofmemories，or——whoknows？——perhapsgropingforaroadinthewastespacesoftheuncertainfuture。
BabalatchinotedthearrivalofWillemswithalarmatthisnewaccessiontothewhitemen’sstrength。Afterwardshechangedhisopinion。HemetWillemsonenightonthepathleadingtoOmar’shouse，andnoticedlateron，withonlyamoderatesurprise，thattheblindArabdidnotseemtobeawareofthenewwhiteman’svisitstotheneighbourhoodofhisdwelling。Once，comingunexpectedlyinthedaytime，Babalatchifanciedhecouldseethegleamofawhitejacketinthebushesontheothersideofthebrook。ThatdayhewatchedAissapensivelyasshemovedaboutpreparingtheeveningrice；butafterawhilehewenthurriedlyawaybeforesunset，refusingOmar’shospitableinvitation，inthenameofAllah，tosharetheirmeal。ThatsameeveninghestartledLakambabyannouncingthatthetimehadcomeatlasttomakethefirstmoveintheirlong-deferredgame。Lakambaaskedexcitedlyforexplanation。Babalatchishookhisheadandpointedtotheflittingshadowsofmovingwomenandtothevagueformsofmensittingbytheeveningfiresinthecourtyard。Notawordwouldhespeakhere，hedeclared。Butwhenthewholehouseholdwasreposing，BabalatchiandLakambapassedsilentamongstsleepinggroupstotheriverside，and，takingacanoe，paddledoffstealthilyontheirwaytothedilapidatedguard-hutintheoldrice-clearing。Theretheyweresafefromalleyesandears，andcouldaccount，ifneedbe，fortheirexcursionbythewishtokilladeer，thespotbeingwellknownasthedrinking-placeofallkindsofgame。IntheseclusionofitsquietsolitudeBabalatchiexplainedhisplantotheattentiveLakamba。HisideawastomakeuseofWillemsforthedestructionofLingard’sinfluence。
\"Iknowthewhitemen，Tuan，\"hesaid，inconclusion。\"InmanylandshaveIseenthem；alwaystheslavesoftheirdesires，alwaysreadytogiveuptheirstrengthandtheirreasonintothehandsofsomewoman。ThefateoftheBelieversiswrittenbythehandoftheMightyOne，buttheywhoworshipmanygodsarethrownintotheworldwithsmoothforeheads，foranywoman’shandtomarktheirdestructionthere。Letonewhitemandestroyanother。
ThewilloftheMostHighisthattheyshouldbefools。Theyknowhowtokeepfaithwiththeirenemies，buttowardseachothertheyknowonlydeception。Hai！Ihaveseen！Ihaveseen！\"
Hestretchedhimselffulllengthbeforethefire，andclosedhiseyeinrealorsimulatedsleep。Lakamba，notquiteconvinced，satforalongtimewithhisgazerivetedonthedullembers。Asthenightadvanced，aslightwhitemistrosefromtheriver，andthedecliningmoon，bowedoverthetopsoftheforest，seemedtoseekthereposeoftheearth，likeawaywardandwanderingloverwhoreturnsatlasttolayhistiredandsilentheadonhisbeloved’sbreast。
CHAPTERSIX
\"Lendmeyourgun，Almayer，\"saidWillems，acrossthetableonwhichasmokylampshoneredlyabovethedisorderofafinishedmeal。\"Ihaveamindtogoandlookforadeerwhenthemoonrisesto-night。\"
Almayer，sittingsidewisetothetable，hiselbowpushedamongstthedirtyplates，hischinonhisbreastandhislegsstretchedstifflyout，kepthiseyessteadilyonthetoesofhisgrassslippersandlaughedabruptly。
\"Youmightsayyesornoinsteadofmakingthatunpleasantnoise，\"remarkedWillems，withcalmirritation。
\"IfIbelievedonewordofwhatyousay，Iwould，\"answeredAlmayerwithoutchanginghisattitudeandspeakingslowly，withpauses，asifdroppinghiswordsonthefloor。\"Asitis——what’stheuse？Youknowwherethegunis；youmaytakeitorleaveit。
Gun。Deer。Bosh！Huntdeer！Pah！It’sa……gazelleyouareafter，myhonouredguest。Youwantgoldankletsandsilksarongsforthatgame——mymightyhunter。Andyouwon’tgetthosefortheasking，Ipromiseyou。Alldayamongstthenatives。Afinehelpyouaretome。\"
\"Youshouldn’tdrinksomuch，Almayer，\"saidWillems，disguisinghisfuryunderanaffecteddrawl。\"Youhavenohead。Neverhad，asfarasIcanremember，intheolddaysinMacassar。Youdrinktoomuch。\"
\"Idrinkmyown，\"retortedAlmayer，liftinghisheadquicklyanddartinganangryglanceatWillems。
Thosetwospecimensofthesuperiorraceglaredateachothersavagelyforaminute，thenturnedawaytheirheadsatthesamemomentasifbypreviousarrangement，andbothgotup。Almayerkickedoffhisslippersandscrambledintohishammock，whichhungbetweentwowoodencolumnsoftheverandahsoastocatcheveryrarebreezeofthedryseason，andWillems，afterstandingirresolutelybythetableforashorttime，walkedwithoutaworddownthestepsofthehouseandoverthecourtyardtowardsthelittlewoodenjetty，whereseveralsmallcanoesandacoupleofbigwhitewhale-boatsweremadefast，tuggingattheirshortpaintersandbumpingtogetherintheswiftcurrentoftheriver。
Hejumpedintothesmallestcanoe，balancinghimselfclumsily，slippedtherattanpainter，andgaveanunnecessaryandviolentshove，whichnearlysenthimheadlongoverboard。Bythetimeheregainedhisbalancethecanoehaddriftedsomefiftyyardsdowntheriver。Hekneltinthebottomofhislittlecraftandfoughtthecurrentwithlongsweepsofthepaddle。Almayersatupinhishammock，graspinghisfeetandpeeringovertheriverwithpartedlipstillhemadeouttheshadowyformofmanandcanoeastheystruggledpastthejettyagain。
\"Ithoughtyouwouldgo，\"heshouted。\"Won’tyoutakethegun？
Hey？\"heyelled，straininghisvoice。Thenhefellbackinhishammockandlaughedtohimselffeeblytillhefellasleep。Ontheriver，Willems，hiseyesfixedintentlyahead，swepthispaddlerightandleft，unheedingthewordsthatreachedhimfaintly。
ItwasnowthreemonthssinceLingardhadlandedWillemsinSambirandhaddepartedhurriedly，leavinghiminAlmayer’scare。
Thetwowhitemendidnotgetonwelltogether。Almayer，rememberingthetimewhentheybothservedHudig，andwhenthesuperiorWillemstreatedhimwithoffensivecondescension，feltagreatdisliketowardshisguest。HewasalsojealousofLingard’sfavour。AlmayerhadmarriedaMalaygirlwhomtheoldseamanhadadoptedinoneofhisaccessesofunreasoningbenevolence，andasthemarriagewasnotahappyonefromadomesticpointofview，helookedtoLingard’sfortuneforcompensationinhismatrimonialunhappiness。Theappearanceofthatman，whoseemedtohaveaclaimofsomesortuponLingard，filledhimwithconsiderableuneasiness，themoresobecausetheoldseamandidnotchoosetoacquaintthehusbandofhisadopteddaughterwithWillems’history，ortoconfidetohimhisintentionsastothatindividual’sfuturefate。Suspiciousfromthefirst，AlmayerdiscouragedWillems’attemptstohelphiminhistrading，andthenwhenWillemsdrewback，hemade，withcharacteristicperverseness，agrievanceofhisunconcern。Fromcoldcivilityintheirrelations，thetwomendriftedintosilenthostility，thenintooutspokenenmity，andbothwishedardentlyforLingard’sreturnandtheendofasituationthatgrewmoreintolerablefromdaytoday。Thetimedraggedslowly。Willemswatchedthesucceedingsunriseswonderingdismallywhetherbeforetheeveningsomechangewouldoccurinthedeadlydullnessofhislife。Hemissedthecommercialactivityofthatexistencewhichseemedtohimfaroff，irreparablylost，buriedoutofsightundertheruinsofhispastsuccess——nowgonefromhimbeyondthepossibilityofredemption。HemooneddisconsolatelyaboutAlmayer’scourtyard，watchingfromafar，withuninterestedeyes，theup-countrycanoesdischargingguttahorrattans，andloadingriceorEuropeangoodsonthelittlewharfofLingard&Co。BigaswastheextentofgroundownedbyAlmayer，Willemsyetfeltthattherewasnotenoughroomforhiminsidethoseneatfences。
Themanwho，duringlongyears，becameaccustomedtothinkofhimselfasindispensabletoothers，feltabitterandsavagerageatthecruelconsciousnessofhissuperfluity，ofhisuselessness；atthecoldhostilityvisibleineverylookoftheonlywhitemaninthisbarbarouscorneroftheworld。Hegnashedhisteethwhenhethoughtofthewasteddays，ofthelifethrownawayintheunwillingcompanyofthatpeevishandsuspiciousfool。Heheardthereproachofhisidlenessinthemurmursoftheriver，intheunceasingwhisperofthegreatforests。Roundhimeverythingstirred，moved，sweptbyinarush；theearthunderhisfeetandtheheavensabovehishead。Theverysavagesaroundhimstrove，struggled，fought，worked——ifonlytoprolongamiserableexistence；buttheylived，theylived！Anditwasonlyhimselfthatseemedtobeleftoutsidetheschemeofcreationinahopelessimmobilityfilledwithtormentingangerandwithever-stingingregret。
Hetooktowanderingaboutthesettlement。TheafterwardsflourishingSambirwasborninaswampandpasseditsyouthinmalodorousmud。Thehousescrowdedthebank，and，asiftogetawayfromtheunhealthyshore，steppedboldlyintotheriver，shootingoveritinacloserowofbambooplatformselevatedonhighpiles，amongstwhichthecurrentbelowspokeinasoftandunceasingplaintofmurmuringeddies。Therewasonlyonepathinthewholetownanditranatthebackofthehousesalongthesuccessionofblackenedcircularpatchesthatmarkedtheplaceofthehouseholdfires。Ontheothersidethevirginforestborderedthepath，comingclosetoit，asiftoprovokeimpudentlyanypasser-bytothesolutionofthegloomyproblemofitsdepths。Nobodywouldacceptthedeceptivechallenge。Therewereonlyafewfeebleattemptsataclearinghereandthere，butthegroundwaslowandtheriver，retiringafteritsyearlyfloods，leftoneachagraduallydiminishingmudhole，wheretheimportedbuffaloesoftheBugissettlerswallowedhappilyduringtheheatoftheday。WhenWillemswalkedonthepath，theindolentmenstretchedontheshadysideofthehouseslookedathimwithcalmcuriosity，thewomenbusyroundthecookingfireswouldsendafterhimwonderingandtimidglances，whilethechildrenwouldonlylookonce，andthenrunawayyellingwithfrightatthehorribleappearanceofthemanwitharedandwhiteface。ThesemanifestationsofchildishdisgustandfearstungWillemswithasenseofabsurdhumiliation；hesoughtinhiswalksthecomparativesolitudeoftherudimentaryclearings，buttheverybuffaloessnortedwithalarmathissight，scrambledlumberinglyoutofthecoolmudandstaredwildlyinacompactherdathimashetriedtoslinkunperceivedalongtheedgeoftheforest。Oneday，atsomeunguardedandsuddenmovementofhis，thewholeherdstampededdownthepath，scatteredthefires，sentthewomenflyingwithshrillcries，andleftbehindatrackofsmashedpots，trampledrice，overturnedchildren，andacrowdofangrymenbrandishingsticksinloud-voicedpursuit。Theinnocentcauseofthatdisturbanceranshamefacedlythegauntletofblacklooksandunfriendlyremarks，andhastilysoughtrefugeinAlmayer’scampong。Afterthatheleftthesettlementalone。
Later，whentheenforcedconfinementgrewirksome，WillemstookoneofAlmayer’smanycanoesandcrossedthemainbranchofthePantaiinsearchofsomesolitaryspotwherehecouldhidehisdiscouragementandhisweariness。Heskirtedinhislittlecraftthewalloftangledverdure，keepinginthedeadwaterclosetothebankwherethespreadingnipapalmsnoddedtheirbroadleavesoverhisheadasifincontemptuouspityofthewanderingoutcast。Hereandtherehecouldseethebeginningsofchopped-outpathways，and，withthefixedideaofgettingoutofsightofthebusyriver，hewouldlandandfollowthenarrowandwindingpath，onlytofindthatitlednowhere，endingabruptlyinthediscouragementofthornythickets。Hewouldgobackslowly，withabittersenseofunreasonabledisappointmentandsadness；oppressedbythehotsmellofearth，dampness，anddecayinthatforestwhichseemedtopushhimmercilesslybackintotheglitteringsunshineoftheriver。Andhewouldrecommencepaddlingwithtiredarmstoseekanotheropening，tofindanotherdeception。
AshepaddleduptothepointwheretheRajah’sstockadecamedowntotheriver，thenipaswereleftbehindrattlingtheirleavesoverthebrownwater，andthebigtreeswouldappearonthebank，tall，strong，indifferentintheimmensesolidityoftheirlife，whichenduresforages，tothatshortandfleetinglifeintheheartofthemanwhocreptpainfullyamongsttheirshadowsinsearchofarefugefromtheunceasingreproachofhisthoughts。Amongsttheirsmoothtrunksaclearbrookmeanderedforatimeintwininglacetsbeforeitmadeupitsmindtotakealeapintothehurryingriver，overtheedgeofthesteepbank。
Therewasalsoapathwaythereanditseemedfrequented。Willemslanded，andfollowingthecapriciouspromiseofthetracksoonfoundhimselfinacomparativelyclearspace，wheretheconfusedtraceryofsunlightfellthroughthebranchesandthefoliageoverhead，andlayonthestreamthatshoneinaneasycurvelikeabrightsword-bladedroppedamongstthelongandfeatherygrass。
Furtheron，thepathcontinued，narrowedagaininthethickundergrowth。AttheendofthefirstturningWillemssawaflashofwhiteandcolour，agleamofgoldlikeasun-raylostinshadow，andavisionofblacknessdarkerthanthedeepestshadeoftheforest。Hestopped，surprised，andfanciedhehadheardlightfootsteps——growinglighter——ceasing。Helookedaround。
