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。