Thegrassonthebankofthestreamtrembledandatremulouspathofitsshivering，silver-greytopsranfromthewatertothebeginningofthethicket。Andyettherewasnotabreathofwind。Somebodykindpassedthere。Helookedpensivewhilethetremordiedoutinaquicktrembleunderhiseyes；andthegrassstoodhigh，unstirring，withdroopingheadsinthewarmandmotionlessair。
Hehurriedon，drivenbyasuddenlyawakenedcuriosity，andenteredthenarrowwaybetweenthebushes。Atthenextturnofthepathhecaughtagaintheglimpseofcolouredstuffandofawoman’sblackhairbeforehim。Hehastenedhispaceandcameinfullviewoftheobjectofhispursuit。Thewoman，whowascarryingtwobamboovesselsfullofwater，heardhisfootsteps，stopped，andputtingthebamboosdownhalfturnedtolookback。
Willemsalsostoodstillforaminute，thenwalkedsteadilyonwithafirmtread，whilethewomanmovedasidetolethimpass。
Hekepthiseyesfixedstraightbeforehim，yetalmostunconsciouslyhetookineverydetailofthetallandgracefulfigure。Asheapproachedherthewomantossedherheadslightlyback，andwithafreegestureofherstrong，roundarm，caughtupthemassoflooseblackhairandbroughtitoverhershoulderandacrossthelowerpartofherface。Thenextmomenthewaspassingherclose，walkingrigidly，likeamaninatrance。Heheardherrapidbreathingandhefeltthetouchofalookdartedathimfromhalf-openeyes。Ittouchedhisbrainandhishearttogether。Itseemedtohimtobesomethingloudandstirringlikeashout，silentandpenetratinglikeaninspiration。Themomentumofhismotioncarriedhimpasther，butaninvisibleforcemadeupofsurpriseandcuriosityanddesirespunhimroundassoonashehadpassed。
Shehadtakenupherburdenalready，withtheintentionofpursuingherpath。Hissuddenmovementarrestedheratthefirststep，andagainshestoodstraight，slim，expectant，withareadinesstodartawaysuggestedinthelightimmobilityofherpose。Highabove，thebranchesofthetreesmetinatransparentshimmerofwavinggreenmist，throughwhichtherainofyellowraysdescendeduponherhead，streamedinglintsdownherblacktresses，shonewiththechangingglowofliquidmetalonherface，andlostitselfinvanishingsparksinthesombredepthsofhereyesthat，wideopennow，withenlargedpupils，lookedsteadilyatthemaninherpath。AndWillemsstaredather，charmedwithacharmthatcarrieswithitasenseofirreparableloss，tinglingwiththatfeelingwhichbeginslikeacaressandendsinablow，inthatsuddenhurtofanewemotionmakingitswayintoahumanheart，withthebrusquestirringofsleepingsensationsawakeningsuddenlytotherushofnewhopes，newfears，newdesires——andtotheflightofone’soldself。
Shemovedastepforwardandagainhalted。Abreathofwindthatcamethroughthetrees，butinWillems’fancyseemedtobedrivenbyhermovingfigure，rippledinahotwaveroundhisbodyandscorchedhisfaceinaburningtouch。Hedrewitinwithalongbreath，thelastlongbreathofasoldierbeforetherushofbattle，ofaloverbeforehetakesinhisarmstheadoredwoman；
thebreaththatgivescouragetoconfrontthemenaceofdeathorthestormofpassion。
Whowasshe？Wheredidshecomefrom？Wonderinglyhetookhiseyesoffherfacetolookroundattheserriedtreesoftheforestthatstoodbigandstillandstraight，asifwatchinghimandherbreathlessly。Hehadbeenbaffled，repelled，almostfrightenedbytheintensityofthattropicallifewhichwantsthesunshinebutworksingloom；whichseemstobeallgraceofcolourandform，allbrilliance，allsmiles，butisonlytheblossomingofthedead；whosemysteryholdsthepromiseofjoyandbeauty，yetcontainsnothingbutpoisonanddecay。Hehadbeenfrightenedbythevagueperceptionofdangerbefore，butnow，ashelookedatthatlifeagain，hiseyesseemedabletopiercethefantasticveilofcreepersandleaves，tolookpastthesolidtrunks，toseethroughtheforbiddinggloom——andthemysterywasdisclosed——enchanting，subduing，beautiful。Helookedatthewoman。Throughthecheckeredlightbetweenthemsheappearedtohimwiththeimpalpabledistinctnessofadream。
Theveryspiritofthatlandofmysteriousforests，standingbeforehimlikeanapparitionbehindatransparentveil——aveilwovenofsunbeamsandshadows。
Shehadapproachedhimstillnearer。Hefeltastrangeimpatiencewithinhimatheradvance。Confusedthoughtsrushedthroughhishead，disordered，shapeless，stunning。Thenheheardhisownvoiceasking——
\"Whoareyou？\"
\"IamthedaughteroftheblindOmar，\"sheanswered，inalowbutsteadytone。\"Andyou，\"shewenton，alittlelouder，\"youarethewhitetrader——thegreatmanofthisplace。\"
\"Yes，\"saidWillems，holdinghereyeswithhisinasenseofextremeeffort，\"Yes，Iamwhite。\"Thenheadded，feelingasifhespokeaboutsomeotherman，\"ButIamtheoutcastofmypeople。\"
Shelistenedtohimgravely。Throughthemeshofscatteredhairherfacelookedlikethefaceofagoldenstatuewithlivingeyes。Theheavyeyelidsdroppedslightly，andfrombetweenthelongeyelashesshesentoutasidelonglook:hard，keen，andnarrow，likethegleamofsharpsteel。Herlipswerefirmandcomposedinagracefulcurve，butthedistendednostrils，theupwardpoiseofthehalf-avertedhead，gavetoherwholepersontheexpressionofawildandresentfuldefiance。
AshadowpassedoverWillems’face。Heputhishandoverhislipsasiftokeepbackthewordsthatwantedtocomeoutinasurgeofimpulsivenecessity，theoutcomeofdominantthoughtthatrushesfromthehearttothebrainandmustbespokeninthefaceofdoubt，ofdanger，offear，ofdestructionitself。
\"Youarebeautiful，\"hewhispered。
Shelookedathimagainwithaglancethatrunninginonequickflashofhereyesoverhissunburntfeatures，hisbroadshoulders，hisstraight，tall，motionlessfigure，restedatlastonthegroundathisfeet。Thenshesmiled。Inthesombrebeautyofherfacethatsmilewaslikethefirstrayoflightonastormydaybreakthatdartsevanescentandpalethroughthegloomyclouds:theforerunnerofsunriseandofthunder。
CHAPTERSEVEN
Thereareinourlivesshortperiodswhichholdnoplaceinmemorybutonlyastherecollectionofafeeling。Thereisnoremembranceofgesture，ofaction，ofanyoutwardmanifestationoflife；thosearelostintheunearthlybrillianceorintheunearthlygloomofsuchmoments。Weareabsorbedinthecontemplationofthatsomething，withinourbodies，whichrejoicesorsufferswhilethebodygoesonbreathing，instinctivelyrunsawayor，notlessinstinctively，fights——perhapsdies。Butdeathinsuchamomentistheprivilegeofthefortunate，itisahighandrarefavour，asupremegrace。
WillemsneverrememberedhowandwhenhepartedfromAissa。Hecaughthimselfdrinkingthemuddywateroutofthehollowofhishand，whilehiscanoewasdriftinginmid-streampastthelasthousesofSambir。Withhisreturningwitscamethefearofsomethingunknownthathadtakenpossessionofhisheart，ofsomethinginarticulateandmasterfulwhichcouldnotspeakandwouldbeobeyed。Hisfirstimpulsewasthatofrevolt。Hewouldnevergobackthere。Never！Helookedroundslowlyatthebrillianceofthingsinthedeadlysunshineandtookuphispaddle！Howchangedeverythingseemed！Theriverwasbroader，theskywashigher。Howfastthecanoeflewunderthestrokesofhispaddle！Sincewhenhadheacquiredthestrengthoftwomenormore？Helookedupanddownthereachattheforestsofthebankwithaconfusednotionthatwithonesweepofhishandhecouldtumbleallthesetreesintothestream。Hisfacefeltburning。Hedrankagain，andshudderedwithadepravedsenseofpleasureattheafter-tasteofslimeinthewater。
ItwaslatewhenhereachedAlmayer’shouse，buthecrossedthedarkandunevencourtyard，walkinglightlyintheradianceofsomelightofhisown，invisibletoothereyes。Hishost’ssulkygreetingjarredhimlikeasuddenfalldownagreatheight。HetookhisplaceatthetableoppositeAlmayerandtriedtospeakcheerfullytohisgloomycompanion，butwhenthemealwasendedandtheysatsmokinginsilencehefeltanabruptdiscouragement，alassitudeinallhislimbs，asenseofimmensesadnessasaftersomegreatandirreparableloss。Thedarknessofthenightenteredhisheart，bringingwithitdoubtandhesitationanddullangerwithhimselfandalltheworld。Hehadanimpulsetoshouthorriblecurses，toquarrelwithAlmayer，todosomethingviolent。Quitewithoutanyimmediateprovocationhethoughthewouldliketoassaultthewretched，sulkybeast。Heglancedathimferociouslyfromunderhiseyebrows。TheunconsciousAlmayersmokedthoughtfully，planningto-morrow’sworkprobably。Theman’scomposureseemedtoWillemsanunpardonableinsult。Whydidn’tthatidiottalkto-nightwhenhewantedhimto？……onothernightshewasreadyenoughtochatter。Andsuchdullnonsensetoo！AndWillems，tryinghardtorepresshisownsenselessrage，lookedfixedlythroughthethicktobacco-smokeatthestainedtablecloth。
Theyretiredearly，asusual，butinthemiddleofthenightWillemsleapedoutofhishammockwithastifledexecrationandrandownthestepsintothecourtyard。Thetwonightwatchmen，whosatbyalittlefiretalkingtogetherinamonotonousundertone，liftedtheirheadstolookwonderinglyatthediscomposedfeaturesofthewhitemanashecrossedthecircleoflightthrownoutbytheirfire。Hedisappearedinthedarknessandthencamebackagain，passingthemclose，butwithnosignofconsciousnessoftheirpresenceonhisface。Backwardsandforwardshepaced，mutteringtohimself，andthetwoMalays，afterashortconsultationinwhispersleftthefirequietly，notthinkingitsafetoremaininthevicinityofawhitemanwhobehavedinsuchastrangemanner。TheyretiredroundthecornerofthegodownandwatchedWillemscuriouslythroughthenight，tilltheshortdaybreakwasfollowedbythesuddenblazeoftherisingsun，andAlmayer’sestablishmentwokeuptolifeandwork。
Assoonashecouldgetawayunnoticedinthebustleofthebusyriverside，WillemscrossedtheriveronhiswaytotheplacewherehehadmetAissa。Hethrewhimselfdowninthegrassbythesideofthebrookandlistenedforthesoundofherfootsteps。Thebrilliantlightofdayfellthroughtheirregularopeninginthehighbranchesofthetreesandstreameddown，softened，amongsttheshadowsofbigtrunks。Hereandthereanarrowsunbeamtouchedtheruggedbarkofatreewithagoldensplash，sparkledontheleapingwaterofthebrook，orrestedonaleafthatstoodout，shimmeringanddistinct，onthemonotonousbackgroundofsombregreentints。Thecleargapofblueabovehisheadwascrossedbythequickflightofwhiterice-birdswhosewingsflashedinthesunlight，whilethroughittheheatpoureddownfromthesky，clungaboutthesteamingearth，rolledamongthetrees，andwrappedupWillemsinthesoftandodorousfoldsofairheavywiththefaintscentofblossomsandwiththeacridsmellofdecayinglife。AndinthatatmosphereofNature’sworkshopWillemsfeltsoothedandlulledintoforgetfulnessofhispast，intoindifferenceastohisfuture。Therecollectionsofhistriumphs，ofhiswrongsandofhisambitionvanishedinthatwarmth，whichseemedtomeltallregrets，allhope，allanger，allstrengthoutofhisheart。Andhelaythere，dreamilycontented，inthetepidandperfumedshelter，thinkingofAissa’seyes；recallingthesoundofhervoice，thequiverofherlips——herfrownsandhersmile。
Shecame，ofcourse。Toherhewassomethingnew，unknownandstrange。Hewasbigger，strongerthananymanshehadseenbefore，andaltogetherdifferentfromallthosesheknew。Hewasofthevictoriousrace。Withavividremembranceofthegreatcatastropheofherlifeheappearedtoherwithallthefascinationofagreatanddangerousthing；ofaterrorvanquished，surmounted，madeaplaythingof。Theyspokewithjustsuchadeepvoice——thosevictoriousmen；theylookedwithjustsuchhardblueeyesattheirenemies。Andshemadethatvoicespeaksoftlytoher，thoseeyeslooktenderlyatherface！
Hewasindeedaman。Shecouldnotunderstandallhetoldherofhislife，butthefragmentssheunderstoodshemadeupforherselfintoastoryofamangreatamongsthisownpeople，valorousandunfortunate；anundauntedfugitivedreamingofvengeanceagainsthisenemies。Hehadalltheattractivenessofthevagueandtheunknown——oftheunforeseenandofthesudden；
ofabeingstrong，dangerous，alive，andhuman，readytobeenslaved。
Shefeltthathewasready。Shefeltitwiththeunerringintuitionofaprimitivewomanconfrontedbyasimpleimpulse。
Dayafterday，whentheymetandshestoodalittlewayoff，listeningtohiswords，holdinghimwithherlook，theundefinedterrorofthenewconquestbecamefaintandblurredlikethememoryofadream，andthecertitudegrewdistinct，andconvincing，andvisibletotheeyeslikesomematerialthinginfullsunlight。Itwasadeepjoy，agreatpride，atangiblesweetnessthatseemedtoleavethetasteofhoneyonherlips。
Helaystretchedatherfeetwithoutmoving，forheknewfromexperiencehowaslightmovementofhiscouldfrightenherawayinthosefirstdaysoftheirintercourse。Helayveryquiet，withalltheardourofhisdesireringinginhisvoiceandshininginhiseyes，whilsthisbodywasstill，likedeathitself。Andhelookedather，standingabovehim，herheadlostintheshadowofbroadandgracefulleavesthattouchedhercheek；whiletheslenderspikesofpalegreenorchidsstreameddownfromamongsttheboughsandmingledwiththeblackhairthatframedherface，asifallthoseplantsclaimedherfortheirown——theanimatedandbrilliantflowerofallthatexuberantlifewhich，borningloom，strugglesforevertowardsthesunshine。
Everydayshecamealittlenearer。Hewatchedherslowprogress——thegradualtamingofthatwomanbythewordsofhislove。Itwasthemonotonoussongofpraiseanddesirethat，commencingatcreation，wrapsuptheworldlikeanatmosphereandshallendonlyintheendofallthings——whentherearenolipstosingandnoearstohear。Hetoldherthatshewasbeautifulanddesirable，andherepeateditagainandagain；forwhenhetoldherthat，hehadsaidalltherewaswithinhim——hehadexpressedhisonlythought，hisonlyfeeling。Andhewatchedthestartledlookofwonderandmistrustvanishfromherfacewiththepassingdays，hereyessoften，thesmiledwelllongerandlongeronherlips；asmileasofonecharmedbyadelightfuldream；withtheslightexaltationofintoxicatingtriumphlurkinginitsdawningtenderness。
Andwhileshewasneartherewasnothinginthewholeworld——forthatidleman——butherlookandhersmile。Nothinginthepast，nothinginthefuture；andinthepresentonlytheluminousfactofherexistence。Butinthesuddendarknessofhergoinghewouldbeleftweakandhelpless，asthoughdespoiledviolentlyofallthatwashimself。Hewhohadlivedallhislifewithnopreoccupationbutthatofhisowncareer，contemptuouslyindifferenttoallfeminineinfluence，fullofscornformenthatwouldsubmittoit，ifeversolittle；he，sostrong，sosuperioreveninhiserrors，realizedatlastthathisveryindividualitywassnatchedfromwithinhimselfbythehandofawoman。Wherewastheassuranceandprideofhiscleverness；thebeliefinsuccess，theangeroffailure，thewishtoretrievehisfortune，thecertitudeofhisabilitytoaccomplishityet？Gone。Allgone。Allthathadbeenamanwithinhimwasgone，andthereremainedonlythetroubleofhisheart——thatheartwhichhadbecomeacontemptiblething；whichcouldbeflutteredbyalookorasmile，tormentedbyaword，soothedbyapromise。
Whenthelonged-fordaycameatlast，whenshesankonthegrassbyhissideandwithaquickgesturetookhishandinhers，hesatupsuddenlywiththemovementandlookofamanawakenedbythecrashofhisownfallinghouse。Allhisblood，allhissensation，allhislifeseemedtorushintothathandleavinghimwithoutstrength，inacoldshiver，inthesuddenclamminessandcollapseasofadeadlygun-shotwound。Heflungherhandawaybrutally，likesomethingburning，andsatmotionless，hisheadfallenforward，staringonthegroundandcatchinghisbreathinpainfulgasps。Hisimpulseoffearandapparenthorrordidnotdismayherintheleast。Herfacewasgraveandhereyeslookedseriouslyathim。Herfingerstouchedthehairofhistemple，raninalightcaressdownhischeek，twistedgentlytheendofhislongmoustache:andwhilehesatinthetremorofthatcontactsheranoffwithstartlingfleetnessanddisappearedinapealofclearlaughter，inthestirofgrass，inthenodofyoungtwigsgrowingoverthepath；leavingbehindonlyavanishingtrailofmotionandsound。
Hescrambledtohisfeetslowlyandpainfully，likeamanwithaburdenonhisshoulders，andwalkedtowardstheriverside。Hehuggedtohisbreasttherecollectionofhisfearandofhisdelight，buttoldhimselfseriouslyoverandoveragainthatthismustbetheendofthatadventure。Aftershovingoffhiscanoeintothestreamheliftedhiseyestothebankandgazedatitlongandsteadily，asiftakinghislastlookataplaceofcharmingmemories。HemarcheduptoAlmayer’shousewiththeconcentratedexpressionandthedeterminedstepofamanwhohadjusttakenamomentousresolution。Hisfacewassetandrigid，hisgesturesandmovementswereguardedandslow。Hewaskeepingatighthandonhimself。Averytighthand。Hehadavividillusion——asvividasrealityalmost——ofbeinginchargeofaslipperyprisoner。HesatoppositeAlmayerduringthatdinner——whichwastheirlastmealtogether——withaperfectlycalmfaceandwithinhimagrowingterrorofescapefromhisownself。
Nowandthenhewouldgrasptheedgeofthetableandsethisteethhardinasuddenwaveofacutedespair，likeonewho，fallingdownasmoothandrapiddeclivitythatendsinaprecipice，digshisfingernailsintotheyieldingsurfaceandfeelshimselfslippinghelplesslytoinevitabledestruction。
Then，abruptly，camearelaxationofhismuscles，thegivingwayofhiswill。Somethingseemedtosnapinhishead，andthatwish，thatideakeptbackduringallthosehours，dartedintohisbrainwiththeheatandnoiseofaconflagration。Hemustseeher！Seeheratonce！Gonow！To-night！Hehadtheragingregretofthelosthour，ofeverypassingmoment。Therewasnothoughtofresistancenow。Yetwiththeinstinctivefearoftheirrevocable，withtheinnatefalsenessofthehumanheart，hewantedtokeepopenthewayofretreat。Hehadneverabsentedhimselfduringthenight。WhatdidAlmayerknow？WhatwouldAlmayerthink？Betteraskhimforthegun。Amoonlightnight……Lookfordeer……Acolourablepretext。HewouldlietoAlmayer。Whatdiditmatter！Heliedtohimselfeveryminuteofhislife。Andforwhat？Forawoman。Andsuch……
Almayer’sanswershowedhimthatdeceptionwasuseless。
Everythinggetstobeknown，eveninthisplace。Well，hedidnotcare。Caredfornothingbutforthelostseconds。Whatifheshouldsuddenlydie。Diebeforehesawher。Beforehecould……
As，withthesoundofAlmayer’slaughterinhisears，heurgedhiscanoeinaslantingcourseacrosstherapidcurrent，hetriedtotellhimselfthathecouldreturnatanymoment。Hewouldjustgoandlookattheplacewheretheyusedtomeet，atthetreeunderwhichhelaywhenshetookhishand，atthespotwhereshesatbyhisside。Justgothereandthenreturn——nothingmore；butwhenhislittleskifftouchedthebankheleapedout，forgettingthepainter，andthecanoehungforamomentamongstthebushesandthenswungoutofsightbeforehehadtimetodashintothewaterandsecureit。Hewasthunderstruckatfirst。
NowhecouldnotgobackunlesshecalleduptheRajah’speopletogetaboatandrowers——andthewaytoPatalolo’scampongledpastAissa’shouse！
Hewentupthepathwiththeeagereyesandreluctantstepsofamanpursuingaphantom，andwhenhefoundhimselfataplacewhereanarrowtrackbranchedofftothelefttowardsOmar’sclearinghestoodstill，withalookofstrainedattentiononhisfaceasiflisteningtoafar-offvoice——thevoiceofhisfate。
Itwasasoundinarticulatebutfullofmeaning；andfollowingittherecamearendingandtearingwithinhisbreast。Hetwistedhisfingerstogether，andthejointsofhishandsandarmscracked。Onhisforeheadtheperspirationstoodoutinsmallpearlydrops。Helookedroundwildly。Abovetheshapelessdarknessoftheforestundergrowthrosethetreetopswiththeirhighboughsandleavesstandingoutblackonthepalesky——likefragmentsofnightfloatingonmoonbeams。Underhisfeetwarmsteamrosefromtheheatedearth。Roundhimtherewasagreatsilence。
Hewaslookingroundforhelp。Thissilence，thisimmobilityofhissurroundingsseemedtohimacoldrebuke，asternrefusal，acruelunconcern。Therewasnosafetyoutsideofhimself——andinhimselftherewasnorefuge；therewasonlytheimageofthatwoman。Hehadasuddenmomentoflucidity——ofthatcruelluciditythatcomesonceinlifetothemostbenighted。Heseemedtoseewhatwentonwithinhim，andwashorrifiedatthestrangesight。
He，awhitemanwhoseworstfaulttillthenhadbeenalittlewantofjudgmentandtoomuchconfidenceintherectitudeofhiskind！Thatwomanwasacompletesavage，and……Hetriedtotellhimselfthatthethingwasofnoconsequence。Itwasavaineffort。Thenoveltyofthesensationshehadneverexperiencedbeforeintheslightestdegree，yethaddespisedonhearsayfromhissafepositionofacivilizedman，destroyedhiscourage。Hewasdisappointedwithhimself。Heseemedtobesurrenderingtoawildcreaturetheunstainedpurityofhislife，ofhisrace，ofhiscivilization。Hehadanotionofbeinglostamongstshapelessthingsthatweredangerousandghastly。Hestruggledwiththesenseofcertaindefeat——losthisfooting——fellbackintothedarkness。Withafaintcryandanupwardthrowofhisarmshegaveupasatiredswimmergivesup:becausetheswampedcraftisgonefromunderhisfeet；becausethenightisdarkandtheshoreisfar——becausedeathisbetterthanstrife。
PARTII
CHAPTERONE
Thelightandheatfelluponthesettlement，theclearings，andtheriverasifflungdownbyanangryhand。Thelandlaysilent，still，andbrilliantundertheavalancheofburningraysthathaddestroyedallsoundandallmotion，hadburiedallshadows，hadchokedeverybreath。Nolivingthingdaredtoaffronttheserenityofthiscloudlesssky，daredtorevoltagainsttheoppressionofthisgloriousandcruelsunshine。
Strengthandresolution，bodyandmindalikewerehelpless，andtriedtohidebeforetherushofthefirefromheaven。Onlythefrailbutterflies，thefearlesschildrenofthesun，thecapricioustyrantsoftheflowers，flutteredaudaciouslyintheopen，andtheirminuteshadowshoveredinswarmsoverthedroopingblossoms，ranlightlyonthewitheringgrass，orglidedonthedryandcrackedearth。Novoicewasheardinthishotnoontidebutthefaintmurmuroftheriverthathurriedoninswirlsandeddies，itssparklingwaveletschasingeachotherintheirjoyouscoursetotheshelteringdepths，tothecoolrefugeofthesea。
Almayerhaddismissedhisworkmenforthemiddayrest，and，hislittledaughteronhisshoulder，ranquicklyacrossthecourtyard，makingfortheshadeoftheverandahofhishouse。Helaidthesleepychildontheseatofthebigrocking-chair，onapillowwhichhetookoutofhisownhammock，andstoodforawhilelookingdownatherwithtenderandpensiveeyes。Thechild，tiredandhot，moveduneasily，sighed，andlookedupathimwiththeveiledlookofsleepyfatigue。Hepickedupfromthefloorabrokenpalm-leaffan，andbeganfanninggentlytheflushedlittleface。HereyelidsflutteredandAlmayersmiled。
Aresponsivesmilebrightenedforasecondherheavyeyes，brokewithadimplethesoftoutlineofhercheek；thentheeyelidsdroppedsuddenly，shedrewalongbreaththroughthepartedlips——andwasinadeepsleepbeforethefleetingsmilecouldvanishfromherface。
Almayermovedlightlyoff，tookoneofthewoodenarmchairs，andplacingitclosetothebalustradeoftheverandahsatdownwithasighofrelief。Hespreadhiselbowsonthetoprailandrestinghischinonhisclaspedhandslookedabsentlyattheriver，atthedanceofsunlightontheflowingwater。Graduallytheforestofthefurtherbankbecamesmaller，asifsinkingbelowtheleveloftheriver。Theoutlineswavered，grewthin，dissolvedintheair。Beforehiseyestherewasnowonlyaspaceofundulatingblue——onebig，emptyskygrowingdarkattimes……Wherewasthesunshine？……Hefeltsoothedandhappy，asifsomegentleandinvisiblehandhadremovedfromhissoultheburdenofhisbody。Inanothersecondheseemedtofloatoutintoacoolbrightnesswheretherewasnosuchthingasmemoryorpain。Delicious。Hiseyesclosed——opened——closedagain。
\"Almayer！\"
Withasuddenjerkofhiswholebodyhesatup，graspingthefrontrailwithbothhishands，andblinkedstupidly。
\"What？What’sthat？\"hemuttered，lookingroundvaguely。
\"Here！Downhere，Almayer。\"
Halfrisinginhischair，Almayerlookedovertherailatthefootoftheverandah，andfellbackwithalowwhistleofastonishment。
\"Aghost，byheavens！\"heexclaimedsoftlytohimself。
\"Willyoulistentome？\"wentonthehuskyvoicefromthecourtyard。\"MayIcomeup，Almayer？\"
Almayerstoodupandleanedovertherail。\"Don’tyoudare，\"hesaid，inavoicesubduedbutdistinct。\"Don’tyoudare！Thechildsleepshere。AndIdon’twanttohearyou——orspeaktoyoueither。\"
\"Youmustlistentome！It’ssomethingimportant。\"
\"Nottome，surely。\"
\"Yes！Toyou。Veryimportant。\"
\"Youwerealwaysahumbug，\"saidAlmayer，afterashortsilence，inanindulgenttone。\"Always！Iremembertheolddays。Somefellowsusedtosaytherewasnoonelikeyouforsmartness——butyounevertookmein。Notquite。Ineverquitebelievedinyou，Mr。Willems。\"
\"Iadmityoursuperiorintelligence，\"retortedWillems，withscornfulimpatience，frombelow。\"Listeningtomewouldbeafurtherproofofit。Youwillbesorryifyoudon’t。\"
\"Oh，youfunnyfellow！\"saidAlmayer，banteringly。\"Well，comeup。Don’tmakeanoise，butcomeup。You’llcatchasunstrokedownthereanddieonmydoorstepperhaps。Idon’twantanytragedyhere。Comeon！\"
BeforehefinishedspeakingWillems’headappearedabovethelevelofthefloor，thenhisshouldersrosegraduallyandhestoodatlastbeforeAlmayer——amasqueradingspectreoftheoncesoveryconfidentialclerkoftherichestmerchantintheislands。Hisjacketwassoiledandtorn；belowthewaisthewasclothedinaworn-outandfadedsarong。Heflungoffhishat，uncoveringhislong，tangledhairthatstuckinwispsonhisperspiringforeheadandstraggledoverhiseyes，whichglittereddeepdowninthesocketslikethelastsparksamongsttheblackembersofaburnt-outfire。Anuncleanbeardgrewoutofthecavernsofhissunburntcheeks。ThehandheputouttowardsAlmayerwasveryunsteady。Theoncefirmmouthhadthetell-taledroopofmentalsufferingandphysicalexhaustion。Hewasbarefooted。Almayersurveyedhimwithleisurelycomposure。
\"Well！\"hesaidatlast，withouttakingtheextendedhandwhichdroppedslowlyalongWillems’body。
\"Iamcome，\"beganWillems。
\"SoIsee，\"interruptedAlmayer。\"Youmighthavesparedmethistreatwithoutmakingmeunhappy。Youhavebeenawayfiveweeks，ifIamnotmistaken。Igotonverywellwithoutyou——andnowyouarehereyouarenotprettytolookat。\"
\"Letmespeak，willyou！\"exclaimedWillems。
\"Don’tshoutlikethis。Doyouthinkyourselfintheforestwithyour……yourfriends？Thisisacivilizedman’shouse。A
whiteman’s。Understand？\"
\"Iamcome，\"beganWillemsagain；\"Iamcomeforyourgoodandmine。\"
\"Youlookasifyouhadcomeforagoodfeed，\"chimedintheirrepressibleAlmayer，whileWillemswavedhishandinadiscouragedgesture。\"Don’ttheygiveyouenoughtoeat，\"wentonAlmayer，inatoneofeasybanter，\"those——whatamItocallthem——thosenewrelationsofyours？Thatoldblindscoundrelmustbedelightedwithyourcompany。Youknow，hewasthegreatestthiefandmurdererofthoseseas。Say！doyouexchangeconfidences？Tellme，Willems，didyoukillsomebodyinMacassarordidyouonlystealsomething？\"
\"Itisnottrue！\"exclaimedWillems，hotly。\"Ionlyborrowed……Theyalllied！I……\"
\"Sh-sh！\"hissedAlmayer，warningly，withalookatthesleepingchild。\"Soyoudidsteal，\"hewenton，withrepressedexultation。\"Ithoughttherewassomethingofthekind。Andnow，here，youstealagain。\"
ForthefirsttimeWillemsraisedhiseyestoAlmayer’sface。
\"Oh，Idon’tmeanfromme。Ihaven’tmissedanything，\"saidAlmayer，withmockinghaste。\"Butthatgirl。Hey！Youstoleher。Youdidnotpaytheoldfellow。Sheisnogoodtohimnow，isshe？\"
\"Stopthat。Almayer！\"
SomethinginWillems’tonecausedAlmayertopause。Helookednarrowlyatthemanbeforehim，andcouldnothelpbeingshockedathisappearance。
\"Almayer，\"wentonWillems，\"listentome。Ifyouareahumanbeingyouwill。Isufferhorribly——andforyoursake。\"
Almayerliftedhiseyebrows。\"Indeed！How？Butyouareraving，\"headded，negligently。
\"Ah！Youdon’tknow，\"whisperedWillems。\"Sheisgone。Gone，\"
herepeated，withtearsinhisvoice，\"gonetwodaysago。\"
\"No！\"exclaimedthesurprisedAlmayer。\"Gone！Ihaven’theardthatnewsyet。\"Heburstintoasubduedlaugh。\"Howfunny！Hadenoughofyoualready？Youknowit’snotflatteringforyou，mysuperiorcountryman。\"
Willems——asifnothearinghim——leanedagainstoneofthecolumnsoftheroofandlookedovertheriver。\"Atfirst，\"hewhispered，dreamily，\"mylifewaslikeavisionofheaven——orhell；Ididn’tknowwhich。SinceshewentIknowwhatperditionmeans；whatdarknessis。Iknowwhatitistobetorntopiecesalive。
That’showIfeel。\"
\"Youmaycomeandlivewithmeagain，\"saidAlmayer，coldly。
\"Afterall，Lingard——whomIcallmyfatherandrespectassuch——leftyouundermycare。Youpleasedyourselfbygoingaway。Verygood。Nowyouwanttocomeback。Beitso。Iamnofriendofyours。IactforCaptainLingard。\"
\"Comeback？\"repeatedWillems，passionately。\"Comebacktoyouandabandonher？DoyouthinkIammad？Withouther！Man！whatareyoumadeof？Tothinkthatshemoves，lives，breathesoutofmysight。Iamjealousofthewindthatfansher，oftheairshebreathes，oftheearththatreceivesthecaressofherfoot，ofthesunthatlooksathernowwhileI……Ihaven’tseenherfortwodays——twodays。\"
TheintensityofWillems’feelingmovedAlmayersomewhat，butheaffectedtoyawnelaborately\"Youdoboreme，\"hemuttered。\"Whydon’tyougoafterherinsteadofcominghere？\"
\"Whyindeed？\"
\"Don’tyouknowwheresheis？Shecan’tbeveryfar。Nonativecrafthasleftthisriverforthelastfortnight。\"
\"No！notveryfar——andIwilltellyouwheresheis。SheisinLakamba’scampong。\"AndWillemsfixedhiseyessteadilyonAlmayer’sface。
\"Phew！Pataloloneversenttoletmeknow。Strange，\"saidAlmayer，thoughtfully。\"Areyouafraidofthatlot？\"headded，afterashortpause。
\"I——afraid！\"
\"Thenisitthecareofyourdignitywhichpreventsyoufromfollowingherthere，myhigh-mindedfriend？\"askedAlmayer，withmocksolicitude。\"Hownobleofyou！\"
Therewasashortsilence；thenWillemssaid，quietly，\"Youareafool。Ishouldliketokickyou。\"
\"Nofear，\"answeredAlmayer，carelessly；\"youaretooweakforthat。Youlookstarved。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIhaveeatenanythingforthelasttwodays；
perhapsmore——Idon’tremember。Itdoesnotmatter。Iamfullofliveembers，\"saidWillems，gloomily。\"Look！\"andhebaredanarmcoveredwithfreshscars。\"Ihavebeenbitingmyselftoforgetinthatpainthefirethathurtsmethere！\"Hestruckhisbreastviolentlywithhisfist，reeledunderhisownblow，fellintoachairthatstoodnearandclosedhiseyesslowly。
\"Disgustingexhibition，\"saidAlmayer，loftily。\"Whatcouldfathereverseeinyou？Youareasestimableasaheapofgarbage。\"
\"Youtalklikethat！You，whosoldyoursoulforafewguilders，\"mutteredWillems，wearily，withoutopeninghiseyes。
\"Notsofew，\"saidAlmayer，withinstinctivereadiness，andstoppedconfusedforamoment。Herecoveredhimselfquickly，however，andwenton:\"Butyou——youhavethrownyoursawayfornothing；flungitunderthefeetofadamnedsavagewomanwhohasmadeyoualreadythethingyouare，andwillkillyouverysoon，onewayoranother，withherloveorwithherhate。Youspokejustnowaboutguilders。YoumeantLingard’smoney，Isuppose。
Well，whateverIhavesold，andforwhateverprice，Inevermeantyou——youofallpeople——tospoilmybargain。Ifeelprettysafethough。Evenfather，evenCaptainLingard，wouldnottouchyounowwithapairoftongs；notwithaten-footpole……\"
Hespokeexcitedly，allinonebreath，and，ceasingsuddenly，glaredatWillemsandbreathedhardthroughhisnoseinsulkyresentment。Willemslookedathimsteadilyforamoment，thengotup。
\"Almayer，\"hesaidresolutely，\"Iwanttobecomeatraderinthisplace。\"
Almayershruggedhisshoulders。
\"Yes。Andyoushallsetmeup。Iwantahouseandtradegoods——perhapsalittlemoney。Iaskyouforit。\"
\"Anythingelseyouwant？Perhapsthiscoat？\"andhereAlmayerunbuttonedhisjacket——\"ormyhouse——ormyboots？\"
\"Afterallit’snatural，\"wentonWillems，withoutpayinganyattentiontoAlmayer——\"it’snaturalthatsheshouldexpecttheadvantageswhich……andthenIcouldshutupthatoldwretchandthen……\"
Hepaused，hisfacebrightenedwiththesoftlightofdreamyenthusiasm，andheturnedhiseyesupwards。Withhisgauntfigureanddilapidatedappearancehelookedlikesomeasceticdwellerinawilderness，findingtherewardofaself-denyinglifeinavisionofdazzlingglory。Hewentoninanimpassionedmurmur——
\"AndthenIwouldhaveheralltomyselfawayfromherpeople——alltomyself——undermyowninfluence——tofashion——tomould——toadore——tosoften——to……Oh！Delight！Andthen——thengoawaytosomedistantplacewhere，farfromallsheknew，Iwouldbealltheworldtoher！Alltheworldtoher！\"
Hisfacechangedsuddenly。Hiseyeswanderedforawhileandthenbecamesteadyallatonce。
\"Iwouldrepayeverycent，ofcourse，\"hesaid，inabusiness-liketone，withsomethingofhisoldassurance，ofhisoldbeliefinhimself，init。\"Everycent。Ineednotinterferewithyourbusiness。Ishallcutoutthesmallnativetraders。I
haveideas——butnevermindthatnow。AndCaptainLingardwouldapprove，Ifeelsure。Afterallit’saloan，andIshallbeathand。Safethingforyou。\"
\"Ah！CaptainLingardwouldapprove！Hewouldapp……\"
Almayerchoked。ThenotionofLingarddoingsomethingforWillemsenragedhim。Hisfacewaspurple。Hesplutteredinsultingwords。Willemslookedathimcoolly。
\"Iassureyou，Almayer，\"hesaid，gently，\"thatIhavegoodgroundsformydemand。\"
\"Yourcursedimpudence！\"
\"Believeme，Almayer，yourpositionhereisnotsosafeasyoumaythink。Anunscrupulousrivalherewoulddestroyyourtradeinayear。Itwouldberuin。NowLingard’slongabsencegivescouragetocertainindividuals。Youknow？——Ihaveheardmuchlately。Theymadeproposalstome……Youareverymuchalonehere。EvenPatalolo……\"
\"DamnPatalolo！Iammasterinthisplace。\"
\"But，Almayer，don’tyousee……\"
\"Yes，Isee。Iseeamysteriousass，\"interruptedAlmayer，violently。\"Whatisthemeaningofyourveiledthreats？Don’tyouthinkIknowsomethingalso？Theyhavebeenintriguingforyears——andnothinghashappened。TheArabshavebeenhangingaboutoutsidethisriverforyears——andIamstilltheonlytraderhere；themasterhere。Doyoubringmeadeclarationofwar？Thenit’sfromyourselfonly。Iknowallmyotherenemies。
Ioughttoknockyouonthehead。Youarenotworthpowderandshotthough。Yououghttobedestroyedwithastick——likeasnake。\"
Almayer’svoicewokeupthelittlegirl，whosatuponthepillowwithasharpcry。Herushedovertothechair，caughtupthechildinhisarms，walkedbackblindly，stumbledagainstWillems’
hatwhichlayonthefloor，andkickeditfuriouslydownthesteps。
\"Clearoutofthis！Clearout！\"heshouted。
Willemsmadeanattempttospeak，butAlmayerhowledhimdown。
\"Takeyourselfoff！Don’tyouseeyoufrightenthechild——youscarecrow！No，no！dear，\"hewentontohislittledaughter，soothingly，whileWillemswalkeddownthestepsslowly。\"No。
Don’tcry。See！Badmangoingaway。Look！Heisafraidofyourpapa。Nasty，badman。Nevercomebackagain。Heshallliveinthewoodsandnevercomenearmylittlegirl。Ifhecomespapawillkillhim——so！\"HestruckhisfistontherailofthebalustradetoshowhowhewouldkillWillems，and，perchingtheconsoledchildonhisshoulderheldherwithonehand，whilehepointedtowardtheretreatingfigureofhisvisitor。
\"Lookhowherunsaway，dearest，\"hesaid，coaxingly。\"Isn’thefunny。Call’pig’afterhim，dearest。Callafterhim。\"
Theseriousnessofherfacevanishedintodimples。Underthelongeyelashes，glisteningwithrecenttears，herbigeyessparkledanddancedwithfun。ShetookfirmholdofAlmayer’shairwithonehand，whileshewavedtheotherjoyouslyandcalledoutwithallhermight，inaclearnote，softanddistinctlikethepipeofabird:——
\"Pig！Pig！Pig！\"
CHAPTERTWO
Asighundertheflamingblue，ashiverofthesleepingsea，acoolbreathasifadoorhadbeenswunguponthefrozenspacesoftheuniverse，andwithastirofleaves，withthenodofboughs，withthetrembleofslenderbranchestheseabreezestruckthecoast，rusheduptheriver，sweptroundthebroadreaches，andtravelledoninasoftrippleofdarkeningwater，inthewhisperofbranches，intherustleofleavesoftheawakenedforests。ItfannedinLakamba’scampongthedullredofexpiringembersintoapalebrilliance；and，underitstouch，theslender，uprightspiralsofsmokethatrosefromeveryglowingheapswayed，wavered，andeddyingdownfilledthetwilightofclusteredshadetreeswiththearomaticscentoftheburningwood。Themenwhohadbeendozingintheshadeduringthehothoursoftheafternoonwokeup，andthesilenceofthebigcourtyardwasbrokenbythehesitatingmurmurofyetsleepyvoices，bycoughsandyawns，withnowandthenaburstoflaughter，aloudhail，anameorajokesentoutinasoftdrawl。Smallgroupssquattedroundthelittlefires，andthemonotonousundertoneoftalkfilledtheenclosure；thetalkofbarbarians，persistent，steady，repeatingitselfinthesoftsyllables，inmusicaltonesofthenever-endingdiscoursesofthosemenoftheforestsandthesea，whocantalkmostofthedayandallthenight；whoneverexhaustasubject，neverseemabletothreshamatterout；towhomthattalkispoetryandpaintingandmusic，allart，allhistory；
theironlyaccomplishment，theironlysuperiority，theironlyamusement。Thetalkofcampfires，whichspeaksofbraveryandcunning，ofstrangeeventsandoffarcountries，ofthenewsofyesterdayandthenewsofto-morrow。Thetalkaboutthedeadandtheliving——aboutthosewhofoughtandthosewholoved。
Lakambacameoutontheplatformbeforehisownhouseandsatdown——perspiring，halfasleep，andsulky——inawoodenarmchairundertheshadeoftheoverhangingeaves。Throughthedarknessofthedoorwayhecouldhearthesoftwarblingofhiswomenkind，busyroundtheloomswheretheywereweavingthecheckeredpatternofhisgalasarongs。Rightandleftofhimontheflexiblebamboofloorthoseofhisfollowerstowhomtheirdistinguishedbirth，longdevotion，orfaithfulservicehadgiventheprivilegeofusingthechief’shouse，weresleepingonmatsorjustsatuprubbingtheireyes:whilethemorewakefulhadmusteredenoughenergytodrawachessboardwithredclayonafinematandwerenowmeditatingsilentlyovertheirmoves。
Abovetheprostrateformsoftheplayers，wholayfacedownwardsupportedonelbow，thesolesoftheirfeetwavingirresolutelyabout，intheabsorbedmeditationofthegame，theretoweredhereandtherethestraightfigureofanattentivespectatorlookingdownwithdispassionatebutprofoundinterest。Ontheedgeoftheplatformarowofhigh-heeledleathersandalsstoodrangedcarefullyinalevelline，andagainsttheroughwoodenrailleanedtheslendershaftsofthespearsbelongingtothesegentlemen，thebroadbladesofdulledsteellookingveryblackinthereddeninglightofapproachingsunset。
Aboyofabouttwelve——thepersonalattendantofLakamba——
squattedathismaster’sfeetandhelduptowardshimasilversiribox。SlowlyLakambatookthebox，openedit，andtearingoffapieceofgreenleafdepositedinitapinchoflime，amorselofgambier，asmallbitofarecanut，andwrappedupthewholewithadexteroustwist。Hepaused，morselinhand，seemedtomisssomething，turnedhisheadfromsidetoside，slowly，likeamanwithastiffneck，andejaculatedinanill-humouredbass——
\"Babalatchi！\"
Theplayersglancedupquickly，andlookeddownagaindirectly。
Thosemenwhowerestandingstirreduneasilyasifproddedbythesoundofthechief’svoice。TheonenearesttoLakambarepeatedthecall，afterawhile，overtherailintothecourtyard。Therewasamovementofupturnedfacesbelowbythefires，andthecrytrailedovertheenclosureinsing-songtones。ThethumpingofwoodenpestleshuskingtheeveningricestoppedforamomentandBabalatchi’snamerangafreshshrillyonwomen’slipsinvariouskeys。Avoicefaroffshoutedsomething——another，nearer，repeatedit；therewasashorthubbubwhichdiedoutwithextremesuddenness。ThefirstcrierturnedtoLakamba，sayingindolently——
\"HeiswiththeblindOmar。\"
Lakamba’slipsmovedinaudibly。Themanwhohadjustspokenwasagaindeeplyabsorbedinthegamegoingonathisfeet；andthechief——asifhehadforgottenallaboutitalready——satwithastolidfaceamongsthissilentfollowers，leaningbacksquarelyinhischair，hishandsonthearmsofhisseat，hiskneesapart，hisbigblood-shoteyesblinkingsolemnly，asifdazzledbythenoblevacuityofhisthoughts。
BabalatchihadgonetoseeoldOmarlateintheafternoon。Thedelicatemanipulationoftheancientpirate’ssusceptibilities，theskilfulmanagementofAissa’sviolentimpulsesengrossedhimtotheexclusionofeveryotherbusiness——interferedwithhisregularattendanceuponhischiefandprotector——evendisturbedhissleepforthelastthreenights。Thatdaywhenhelefthisownbamboohut——whichstoodamongstothersinLakamba’scampong——hisheartwasheavywithanxietyandwithdoubtastothesuccessofhisintrigue。Hewalkedslowly，withhisusualairofdetachmentfromhissurroundings，asifunawarethatmanysleepyeyeswatchedfromallpartsofthecourtyardhisprogresstowardsasmallgateatitsupperend。Thatgategaveaccesstoaseparateenclosureinwhicharatherlargehouse，builtofplanks，hadbeenpreparedbyLakamba’sordersforthereceptionofOmarandAissa。ItwasasuperiorkindofhabitationwhichLakambaintendedforthedwellingofhischiefadviser——whoseabilitieswereworththathonour，hethought。Butaftertheconsultationinthedesertedclearing——whenBabalatchihaddisclosedhisplan——theybothhadagreedthatthenewhouseshouldbeusedatfirsttoshelterOmarandAissaaftertheyhadbeenpersuadedtoleavetheRajah’splace，orhadbeenkidnappedfromthere——asthecasemightbe。Babalatchididnotmindintheleasttheputtingoffofhisownoccupationofthehouseofhonour，becauseithadmanyadvantagesforthequietworkingoutofhisplans。Ithadacertainseclusion，havinganenclosureofitsown，andthatenclosurecommunicatedalsowithLakamba’sprivatecourtyardatthebackofhisresidence——aplacesetapartforthefemalehouseholdofthechief。Theonlycommunicationwiththeriverwasthroughthegreatfrontcourtyardalwaysfullofarmedmenandwatchfuleyes。Behindthewholegroupofbuildingstherestretchedthelevelgroundofrice-clearings，whichintheirturnwereclosedinbythewallofuntouchedforestswithundergrowthsothickandtangledthatnothingbutabullet——andthatfiredatprettycloserange——couldpenetrateanydistancethere。
Babalatchislippedquietlythroughthelittlegateand，closingit，tiedupcarefullytherattanfastenings。Beforethehousetherewasasquarespaceofground，beatenhardintothelevelsmoothnessofasphalte。Abigbuttressedtree，agiantleftthereonpurposeduringtheprocessofclearingtheland，roofedintheclearspacewithahighcanopyofgnarledboughsandthick，sombreleaves。Totheright——andsomesmalldistanceawayfromthelargehouse——alittlehutofreeds，coveredwithmats，hadbeenputupforthespecialconvenienceofOmar，who，beingblindandinfirm，hadsomedifficultyinascendingthesteepplankwaythatledtothemoresubstantialdwelling，whichwasbuiltonlowpostsandhadanuncoveredverandah。Closebythetrunkofthetree，andfacingthedoorwayofthehut，thehouseholdfireglowedinasmallhandfulofembersinthemidstofalargecircleofwhiteashes。Anoldwoman——somehumblerelationofoneofLakamba’swives，whohadbeenorderedtoattendonAissa——wassquattingoverthefireandliftedupherblearedeyestogazeatBabalatchiinanuninterestedmanner，asheadvancedrapidlyacrossthecourtyard。
Babalatchitookinthecourtyardwithakeenglanceofhissolitaryeye，andwithoutlookingdownattheoldwomanmutteredaquestion。Silently，thewomanstretchedatremulousandemaciatedarmtowardsthehut。Babalatchimadeafewstepstowardsthedoorway，butstoppedoutsideinthesunlight。
\"O！TuanOmar，Omarbesar！ItisI——Babalatchi！\"
Withinthehuttherewasafeeblegroan，afitofcoughingandanindistinctmurmurinthebrokentonesofavagueplaint。
Encouragedevidentlybythosesignsofdismallifewithin，Babalatchienteredthehut，andaftersometimecameoutleadingwithrigidcarefulnesstheblindOmar，whofollowedwithbothhishandsonhisguide’sshoulders。Therewasarudeseatunderthetree，andthereBabalatchiledhisoldchief，whosatdownwithasighofreliefandleanedwearilyagainsttheruggedtrunk。Theraysofthesettingsun，dartingunderthespreadingbranches，restedonthewhite-robedfiguresittingwithheadthrownbackinstiffdignity，onthethinhandsmovinguneasily，andonthestolidfacewithitseyelidsdroppedoverthedestroyedeyeballs；
afacesetintotheimmobilityofaplastercastyellowedbyage。
\"Isthesunnearitssetting？\"askedOmar，inadullvoice。
\"Verynear，\"answeredBabalatchi。
\"WhereamI？WhyhaveIbeentakenawayfromtheplacewhichI
knew——whereI，blind，couldmovewithoutfear？Itislikeblacknighttothosewhosee。Andthesunisnearitssetting——andI
havenotheardthesoundofherfootstepssincethemorning！
Twiceastrangehandhasgivenmemyfoodto-day。Why？Why？
Whereisshe？\"
\"Sheisnear，\"saidBabalatchi。
\"Andhe？\"wentonOmar，withsuddeneagerness，andadropinhisvoice。\"Whereishe？Nothere。Nothere！\"herepeated，turninghisheadfromsidetosideasifindeliberateattempttosee。
\"No！Heisnotherenow，\"saidBabalatchi，soothingly。Then，afterapause，headdedverylow，\"Butheshallsoonreturn。\"
\"Return！Ocraftyone！Willhereturn？Ihavecursedhimthreetimes，\"exclaimedOmar，withweakviolence。
\"Heis——nodoubt——accursed，\"assentedBabalatchi，inaconciliatingmanner——\"andyethewillbeherebeforeverylong——I
know！\"
\"Youarecraftyandfaithless。Ihavemadeyougreat。Youweredirtundermyfeet——lessthandirt，\"saidOmar，withtremulousenergy。
\"Ihavefoughtbyyoursidemanytimes，\"saidBabalatchi，calmly。
\"Whydidhecome？\"wentonOmar。\"Didyousendhim？WhydidhecometodefiletheairIbreathe——tomockatmyfate——topoisonhermindandstealherbody？Shehasgrownhardofhearttome。
Hardandmercilessandstealthylikerocksthattearaship’slifeoutunderthesmoothsea。\"Hedrewalongbreath，struggledwithhisanger，thenbrokedownsuddenly。\"Ihavebeenhungry，\"
hecontinued，inawhimperingtone——\"oftenIhavebeenveryhungry——andcold——andneglected——andnobodynearme。Shehasoftenforgottenme——andmysonsaredead，andthatmanisaninfidelandadog。Whydidhecome？Didyoushowhimtheway？\"
\"Hefoundthewayhimself，OLeaderofthebrave，\"saidBabalatchi，sadly。\"Ionlysawawayfortheirdestructionandourowngreatness。AndifIsawaright，thenyoushallneversufferfromhungeranymore。Thereshallbepeaceforus，andgloryandriches。\"
\"AndIshalldieto-morrow，\"murmuredOmar，bitterly。
\"Whoknows？Thosethingshavebeenwrittensincethebeginningoftheworld，\"whisperedBabalatchi，thoughtfully。
\"Donotlethimcomeback，\"exclaimedOmar。
\"Neithercanheescapehisfate，\"wentonBabalatchi。\"Heshallcomeback，andthepowerofmenwealwayshated，youandI，shallcrumbleintodustinourhand。\"Thenheaddedwithenthusiasm，\"Theyshallfightamongstthemselvesandperishboth。\"
\"Andyoushallseeallthis，while，I……\"
\"True！\"murmuredBabalatchi，regretfully。\"Toyoulifeisdarkness。\"
\"No！Flame！\"exclaimedtheoldArab，halfrising，thenfallingbackinhisseat。\"Theflameofthatlastday！Iseeityet——thelastthingIsaw！AndIhearthenoiseoftherentearth——whentheyalldied。AndIlivetobetheplaythingofacraftyone，\"headded，withinconsequentialpeevishness。
\"Youaremymasterstill，\"saidBabalatchi，humbly。\"Youareverywise——andinyourwisdomyoushallspeaktoSyedAbdullawhenhecomeshere——youshallspeaktohimasIadvised，I，yourservant，themanwhofoughtatyourrighthandformanyyears。IhaveheardbyamessengerthattheSyedAbdullaiscomingto-night，perhapslate；forthosethingsmustbedonesecretly，lestthewhiteman，thetraderuptheriver，shouldknowofthem。Buthewillbehere。TherehasbeenasuratdeliveredtoLakamba。Init，SyedAbdullasayshewillleavehisship，whichisanchoredoutsidetheriver，atthehourofnoonto-day。HewillbeherebeforedaylightifAllahwills。\"
Hespokewithhiseyefixedontheground，anddidnotbecomeawareofAissa’spresencetillheliftedhisheadwhenheceasedspeaking。ShehadapproachedsoquietlythatevenOmardidnothearherfootsteps，andshestoodnowlookingatthemwithtroubledeyesandpartedlips，asifshewasgoingtospeak；butatBabalatchi’sentreatinggesturesheremainedsilent。Omarsatabsorbedinthought。
\"Aywa！Evenso！\"hesaidatlast，inaweakvoice。\"Iamtospeakyourwisdom，OBabalatchi！Tellhimtotrustthewhiteman！Idonotunderstand。Iamoldandblindandweak。Idonotunderstand。Iamverycold，\"hecontinued，inalowertone，movinghisshouldersuneasily。Heceased，thenwentonramblinginafaintwhisper。\"Theyarethesonsofwitches，andtheirfatherisSatanthestoned。Sonsofwitches。Sonsofwitches。\"
Afterashortsilenceheaskedsuddenly，inafirmervoice——\"Howmanywhitemenaretherehere，Ocraftyone？\"
\"Therearetwohere。Twowhitementofightoneanother，\"
answeredBabalatchi，withalacrity。
\"Andhowmanywillbeleftthen？Howmany？Tellme，youwhoarewise。\"
\"Thedownfallofanenemyistheconsolationoftheunfortunate，\"
saidBabalatchi，sententiously。\"Theyareoneverysea；onlythewisdomoftheMostHighknowstheirnumber——butyoushallknowthatsomeofthemsuffer。\"
\"Tellme，Babalatchi，willtheydie？Willtheybothdie？\"askedOmar，insuddenagitation。
Aissamadeamovement。Babalatchiheldupawarninghand。
\"Theyshall，surely，die，\"hesaidsteadily，lookingatthegirlwithunflinchingeye。
\"Aywa！Butdiesoon！SothatIcanpassmyhandovertheirfaceswhenAllahhasmadethemstiff。\"
\"Ifsuchistheirfateandyours，\"answeredBabalatchi，withouthesitation。\"Godisgreat！\"
AviolentfitofcoughingdoubledOmarup，andherockedhimselftoandfro，wheezingandmoaninginturns，whileBabalatchiandthegirllookedathiminsilence。Thenheleanedbackagainstthetree，exhausted。
\"Iamalone，Iamalone，\"hewailedfeebly，gropingvaguelyaboutwithhistremblinghands。\"Isthereanybodynearme？Isthereanybody？Iamafraidofthisstrangeplace。\"
\"Iambyyourside，OLeaderofthebrave，\"saidBabalatchi，touchinghisshoulderlightly。\"Alwaysbyyoursideasinthedayswhenwebothwereyoung:asinthetimewhenwebothwentwitharmsinourhands。\"
\"Hastherebeensuchatime，Babalatchi？\"saidOmar，wildly；\"I
haveforgotten。AndnowwhenIdietherewillbenoman，nofearlessmantospeakofhisfather’sbravery。Therewasawoman！Awoman！Andshehasforsakenmeforaninfideldog。
