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,heaffectedgreatpietyasbecameapilgrim,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。