Babalatchimovedaboutintheshadows，whisperingtoanindistinctformortwothatflittedaboutatthefarendofthehut。WithoutstirringLingardglancedsideways，andcaughtsightofmuffled-uphumanshapesthathoveredforamomentneartheedgeoflightandretreatedsuddenlybackintothedarkness。
Babalatchiapproached，andsatatLingard’sfeetonarolled-upbundleofmats。
\"Willyoueatriceanddrinksagueir？\"hesaid。\"Ihavewakedupmyhousehold。\"
\"Myfriend，\"saidLingard，withoutlookingathim，\"whenIcometoseeLakamba，oranyofLakamba’sservants，Iamneverhungryandneverthirsty。Tau！Savee！Never！DoyouthinkIamdevoidofreason？Thatthereisnothingthere？\"
Hesatup，and，fixingabruptlyhiseyesonBabalatchi，tappedhisownforeheadsignificantly。
\"Tse！Tse！Tse！Howcanyoutalklikethat，Tuan！\"exclaimedBabalatchi，inahorrifiedtone。
\"ItalkasIthink。Ihavelivedmanyyears，\"saidLingard，stretchinghisarmnegligentlytotakeupthegun，whichhebegantoexamineknowingly，cockingit，andeasingdownthehammerseveraltimes。\"Thisisgood。Matarammake。Old，too，\"hewenton。
\"Hai！\"brokeinBabalatchi，eagerly。\"IgotitwhenIwasyoung。
HewasanArutrader，amanwithabigstomachandaloudvoice，andbrave——verybrave。Whenwecameupwithhisprauinthegreymorning，hestoodaftshoutingtohismenandfiredthisgunatusonce。Onlyonce！\"……Hepaused，laughedsoftly，andwentoninalow，dreamyvoice。\"Inthegreymorningwecameup:
fortysilentmeninaswiftSuluprau；andwhenthesunwassohigh\"——herehehelduphishandsaboutthreefeetapart——\"whenthesunwasonlysohigh，Tuan，ourworkwasdone——andtherewasafeastreadyforthefishesofthesea。\"
\"Aye！aye！\"mutteredLingard，noddinghisheadslowly。\"Isee。
Youshouldnotletitgetrustylikethis，\"headded。
Heletthegunfallbetweenhisknees，andmovingbackonhisseat，leanedhisheadagainstthewallofthehut，crossinghisarmsonhisbreast。
\"Agoodgun，\"wentonBabalatchi。\"Carryfarandtrue。Betterthanthis——there。\"
WiththetipsofhisfingershetouchedgentlythebuttofarevolverpeepingoutoftherightpocketofLingard’swhitejacket。
\"Takeyourhandoffthat，\"saidLingardsharply，butinagood-humouredtoneandwithoutmakingtheslightestmovement。
Babalatchismiledandhitchedhisseatalittlefurtheroff。
Forsometimetheysatinsilence。Lingard，withhisheadtiltedback，lookeddownwardswithloweredeyelidsatBabalatchi，whowastracinginvisiblelineswithhisfingeronthematbetweenhisfeet。Outside，theycouldhearAliandtheotherboatmenchatteringandlaughingroundthefiretheyhadlightedinthebiganddesertedcourtyard。
\"Well，whataboutthatwhiteman？\"saidLingard，quietly。
ItseemedasifBabalatchihadnotheardthequestion。Hewentontracingelaboratepatternsonthefloorforagoodwhile。
Lingardwaitedmotionless。AtlasttheMalayliftedhishead。
\"Hai！Thewhiteman。Iknow！\"hemurmuredabsently。\"Thiswhitemanoranother……Tuan，\"hesaidaloudwithunexpectedanimation，\"youareamanofthesea？\"
\"Youknowme。Whyask？\"saidLingard，inalowtone。
\"Yes。Amanofthesea——evenasweare。AtrueOrangLaut，\"
wentonBabalatchi，thoughtfully，\"notliketherestofthewhitemen。\"
\"Iamlikeotherwhites，anddonotwishtospeakmanywordswhenthetruthisshort。IcameheretoseethewhitemanthathelpedLakambaagainstPatalolo，whoismyfriend。Showmewherethatwhitemanlives；Iwanthimtohearmytalk。\"
\"Talkonly？Tuan！Whyhurry？Thenightislonganddeathisswift——asyououghttoknow；youwhohavedealtittosomanyofmypeople。ManyyearsagoIhavefacedyou，armsinhand。Doyounotremember？ItwasinCarimata——farfromhere。\"
\"Icannotremembereveryvagabondthatcameinmyway，\"protestedLingard，seriously。
\"Hai！Hai！\"continuedBabalatchi，unmovedanddreamy。\"Manyyearsago。Thenallthis\"——andlookingupsuddenlyatLingard’sbeard，heflourishedhisfingersbelowhisownbeardlesschin——\"thenallthiswaslikegoldinsunlight，nowitislikethefoamofanangrysea。\"
\"Maybe，maybe，\"saidLingard，patiently，payingtheinvoluntarytributeofafaintsightothememoriesofthepastevokedbyBabalatchi’swords。
HehadbeenlivingwithMalayssolongandsoclosethattheextremedeliberationanddeviousnessoftheirmentalproceedingshadceasedtoirritatehimmuch。To-night，perhaps，hewaslesspronetoimpatiencethanever。Hewasdisposed，ifnottolistentoBabalatchi，thentolethimtalk。Itwasevidenttohimthatthemanhadsomethingtosay，andhehopedthatfromthetalkarayoflightwouldshootthroughthethickblacknessofinexplicabletreachery，toshowhimclearly——ifonlyforasecond——themanuponwhomhewouldhavetoexecutetheverdictofjustice。Justiceonly！Nothingwasfurtherfromhisthoughtsthansuchanuselessthingasrevenge。Justiceonly。Itwashisdutythatjusticeshouldbedone——andbyhisownhand。Hedidnotliketothinkhow。Tohim，astoBabalatchi，itseemedthatthenightwouldbelongenoughfortheworkhehadtodo。Buthedidnotdefinetohimselfthenatureofthework，andhesatverystill，andwillinglydilatory，underthefearsomeoppressionofhiscall。Whatwasthegoodtothinkaboutit？Itwasinevitable，anditstimewasnear。Yethecouldnotcommandhismemoriesthatcamecrowdingroundhiminthatevil-smellinghut，whileBabalatchitalkedoninaflowingmonotone，nothingofhimmovingbutthelips，intheartificiallyinanimatedface。
Lingard，likeananchoredshipthathadbrokenhersheer，dartedabouthereandthereontherapidtideofhisrecollections。Thesubduedsoundofsoftwordsrangaroundhim，buthisthoughtswerelost，nowinthecontemplationofthepastsweetnessandstrifeofCarimatadays，nowintheuneasywonderatthefailureofhisjudgment；atthefatalblindnessofaccidentthathadcausedhim，manyyearsago，torescueahalf-starvedrunawayfromaDutchshipinSamarangroads。Howhehadlikedtheman:hisassurance，hispush，hisdesiretogeton，hisconceitedgood-humourandhisselfisheloquence。Hehadlikedhisveryfaults——thosefaultsthathadsomany，tohim，sympatheticsides。
Andhehadalwaysdealtfairlybyhimfromtheverybeginning；
andhewoulddealfairlybyhimnow——totheveryend。ThislastthoughtdarkenedLingard’sfeatureswitharesponsiveandmenacingfrown。Thedoerofjusticesatwithcompressedlipsandaheavyheart，whileinthecalmdarknessoutsidethesilentworldseemedtobewaitingbreathlesslyforthatjusticeheheldinhishand——inhisstronghand:——readytostrike——reluctanttomove。
CHAPTERTWO
Babalatchiceasedspeaking。Lingardshiftedhisfeetalittle，uncrossedhisarms，andshookhisheadslowly。ThenarrativeoftheeventsinSambir，relatedfromthepointofviewoftheastutestatesman，thesenseofwhichhadbeencaughthereandtherebyhisinattentiveears，hadbeenyetlikeathreadtoguidehimoutofthesombrelabyrinthofhisthoughts；andnowhehadcometotheendofit，outofthetangledpastintothepressingnecessitiesofthepresent。Withthepalmsofhishandsonhisknees，hiselbowssquaredout，helookeddownonBabalatchiwhosatinastiffattitude，inexpressiveandmuteasatalkingdollthemechanismofwhichhadatlengthrundown。
\"Youpeopledidallthis，\"saidLingardatlast，\"andyouwillbesorryforitbeforethedrywindbeginstoblowagain。Abdulla’svoicewillbringtheDutchrulehere。\"
Babalatchiwavedhishandtowardsthedarkdoorway。
\"Thereareforeststhere。Lakambarulesthelandnow。Tellme，Tuan，doyouthinkthebigtreesknowthenameoftheruler？No。
Theyareborn，theygrow，theyliveandtheydie——yetknownot，feelnot。Itistheirland。\"
\"Evenabigtreemaybekilledbyasmallaxe，\"saidLingard，drily。\"And，remember，myone-eyedfriend，thataxesaremadebywhitehands。Youwillsoonfindthatout，sinceyouhavehoistedtheflagoftheDutch。\"
\"Ay——wa！\"saidBabalatchi，slowly。\"Itiswrittenthattheearthbelongstothosewhohavefairskinsandhardbutfoolishhearts。
Thefartherawayisthemaster，theeasieritisfortheslave，Tuan！Youweretoonear。Yourvoiceranginourearsalways。
Nowitisnotgoingtobeso。ThegreatRajahinBataviaisstrong，buthemaybedeceived。Hemustspeakveryloudtobeheardhere。Butifwehaveneedtoshout，thenhemusthearthemanyvoicesthatcallforprotection。Heisbutawhiteman。\"
\"IfIeverspoketoPatalolo，likeanelderbrother，itwasforyourgood——forthegoodofall，\"saidLingardwithgreatearnestness。
\"Thisisawhiteman’stalk，\"exclaimedBabalatchi，withbitterexultation。\"Iknowyou。Thatishowyoualltalkwhileyouloadyourgunsandsharpenyourswords；andwhenyouareready，thentothosewhoareweakyousay:’Obeymeandbehappy，ordie！Youarestrange，youwhitemen。Youthinkitisonlyyourwisdomandyourvirtueandyourhappinessthataretrue。Youarestrongerthanthewildbeasts，butnotsowise。Ablacktigerknowswhenheisnothungry——youdonot。Heknowsthedifferencebetweenhimselfandthosethatcanspeak；youdonotunderstandthedifferencebetweenyourselvesandus——whoaremen。Youarewiseandgreat——andyoushallalwaysbefools。\"
Hethrewupbothhishands，stirringthesleepingcloudofsmokethathungabovehishead，andbroughttheopenpalmsontheflimsyflooroneachsideofhisoutstretchedlegs。Thewholehutshook。Lingardlookedattheexcitedstatesmancuriously。
\"Apa！Apa！What’sthematter？\"hemurmured，soothingly。\"WhomdidIkillhere？Wherearemyguns？WhathaveIdone？WhathaveIeatenup？\"
Babalatchicalmeddown，andspokewithstudiedcourtesy。
\"You，Tuan，areofthesea，andmorelikewhatweare。ThereforeIspeaktoyouallthewordsthatareinmyheart……OnlyoncehastheseabeenstrongerthantheRajahofthesea。\"
\"Youknowit；doyou？\"saidLingard，withpainedsharpness。
\"Hai！Wehaveheardaboutyourship——andsomerejoiced。NotI。
Amongstthewhites，whoaredevils，youareaman。\"
\"Trimakassi！Igiveyouthanks，\"saidLingard，gravely。
Babalatchilookeddownwithabashfulsmile，buthisfacebecamesaddeneddirectly，andwhenhespokeagainitwasinamournfultone。
\"Hadyoucomeadaysooner，Tuan，youwouldhaveseenanenemydie。Youwouldhaveseenhimdiepoor，blind，unhappy——withnosontodighisgraveandspeakofhiswisdomandcourage。Yes；
youwouldhaveseenthemanthatfoughtyouinCarimatamanyyearsago，diealone——butforonefriend。Agreatsighttoyou。\"
\"Nottome，\"answeredLingard。\"Ididnotevenrememberhimtillyouspokehisnamejustnow。Youdonotunderstandus。Wefight，wevanquish——andweforget。\"
\"True，true，\"saidBabalatchi，withpoliteirony；\"youwhitesaresogreatthatyoudisdaintorememberyourenemies。No！No！\"hewenton，inthesametone，\"youhavesomuchmercyforus，thatthereisnoroomforanyremembrance。Oh，youaregreatandgood！Butitisinmymindthatamongstyourselvesyouknowhowtoremember。Isitnotso，Tuan？\"
Lingardsaidnothing。Hisshouldersmovedimperceptibly。Helaidhisgunacrosshiskneesandstaredattheflintlockabsently。
\"Yes，\"wentonBabalatchi，fallingagainintoamournfulmood，\"yes，hediedindarkness。Isatbyhissideandheldhishand，buthecouldnotseethefaceofhimwhowatchedthefaintbreathonhislips。She，whomhehadcursedbecauseofthewhiteman，wastheretoo，andweptwithcoveredface。Thewhitemanwalkedaboutthecourtyardmakingmanynoises。Nowandthenhewouldcometothedoorwayandglareatuswhomourned。Hestaredwithwickedeyes，andthenIwasgladthathewhowasdyingwasblind。
Thisistruetalk。Iwasglad；forawhiteman’seyesarenotgoodtoseewhenthedevilthatliveswithinislookingoutthroughthem。\"
\"Devil！Hey？\"saidLingard，halfaloudtohimself，asifstruckwiththeobviousnessofsomenovelidea。Babalatchiwenton:
\"Atthefirsthourofthemorninghesatup——hesoweak——andsaidplainlysomewordsthatwerenotmeantforhumanears。Iheldhishandtightly，butitwastimefortheleaderofbravementogoamongsttheFaithfulwhoarehappy。Theyofmyhouseholdbroughtawhitesheet，andIbegantodigagraveinthehutinwhichhedied。Shemournedaloud。Thewhitemancametothedoorwayandshouted。Hewasangry。Angrywithherbecauseshebeatherbreast，andtoreherhair，andmournedwithshrillcriesasawomanshould。DoyouunderstandwhatIsay，Tuan？Thatwhitemancameinsidethehutwithgreatfury，andtookherbytheshoulder，anddraggedherout。Yes，Tuan。IsawOmardead，andIsawheratthefeetofthatwhitedogwhohasdeceivedme。
Isawhisfacegrey，likethecoldmistofthemorning；IsawhispaleeyeslookingdownatOmar’sdaughterbeatingherheadonthegroundathisfeet。AtthefeetofhimwhoisAbdulla’sslave。
Yes，helivesbyAbdulla’swill。ThatiswhyIheldmyhandwhileIsawallthis。IheldmyhandbecausewearenowundertheflagoftheOrangBlanda，andAbdullacanspeakintotheearsofthegreat。Wemustnothaveanytroublewithwhitemen。
Abdullahasspoken——andImustobey。\"
\"That’sit，isit？\"growledLingardinhismoustache。TheninMalay，\"Itseemsthatyouareangry，OBabalatchi！\"
\"No；Iamnotangry，Tuan，\"answeredBabalatchi，descendingfromtheinsecureheightsofhisindignationintotheinsinceredepthsofsafehumility。\"Iamnotangry。WhatamItobeangry？IamonlyanOrangLaut，andIhavefledbeforeyourpeoplemanytimes。Servantofthisone——protectedofanother；Ihavegivenmycounselhereandthereforahandfulofrice。WhatamI，tobeangrywithawhiteman？Whatisangerwithoutthepowertostrike？Butyouwhiteshavetakenall:theland，thesea，andthepowertostrike！Andthereisnothingleftforusintheislandsbutyourwhitemen’sjustice；yourgreatjusticethatknowsnotanger。\"
Hegotupandstoodforamomentinthedoorway，sniffingthehotairofthecourtyard，thenturnedbackandleanedagainstthestayoftheridgepole，facingLingardwhokepthisseatonthechest。Thetorch，consumednearlytotheend，burnednoisily。
Smallexplosionstookplaceintheheartoftheflame，drivingthroughitssmokyblazestringsofhard，roundpuffsofwhitesmoke，nobiggerthanpeas，whichrolledoutofdoorsinthefaintdraughtthatcamefrominvisiblecracksofthebamboowalls。Thepungenttaintofuncleanthingsbelowandaboutthehutgrewheavier，weighingdownLingard’sresolutionandhisthoughtsinanirresistiblenumbnessofthebrain。Hethoughtdrowsilyofhimselfandofthatmanwhowantedtoseehim——whowaitedtoseehim。Whowaited！Nightandday。Waited……A
spitefulbutvaporousideafloatedthroughhisbrainthatsuchwaitingcouldnotbeverypleasanttothefellow。Well，lethimwait。Hewouldseehimsoonenough。Andforhowlong？Fiveseconds——fiveminutes——saynothing——saysomething。What？No！
Justgivehimtimetotakeonegoodlook，andthen……
SuddenlyBabalatchibegantospeakinasoftvoice。Lingardblinked，clearedhisthroat——satupstraight。
\"Youknowallnow，Tuan。LakambadwellsinthestockadedhouseofPatalolo；Abdullahasbeguntobuildgodownsofplankandstone；andnowthatOmarisdead，ImyselfshalldepartfromthisplaceandlivewithLakambaandspeakinhisear。Ihaveservedmany。Thebestofthemallsleepsinthegroundinawhitesheet，withnothingtomarkhisgravebuttheashesofthehutinwhichhedied。Yes，Tuan！thewhitemandestroyedithimself。
Withablazingbrandinhishandhestrodearound，shoutingtometocomeout——shoutingtome，whowasthrowingearthonthebodyofagreatleader。Yes；swearingtomebythenameofyourGodandoursthathewouldburnmeandherinthereifwedidnotmakehaste……Hai！Thewhitemenareverymasterfulandwise。Idraggedheroutquickly！\"
\"Oh，damnit！\"exclaimedLingard——thenwentoninMalay，speakingearnestly。\"Listen。Thatmanisnotlikeotherwhitemen。Youknowheisnot。Heisnotamanatall。Heis……Idon’tknow。\"
Babalatchiliftedhishanddeprecatingly。Hiseyetwinkled，andhisred-stainedbiglips，partedbyanexpressionlessgrin，uncoveredastumpyrowofblackteethfiledevenlytothegums。
\"Hai！Hai！Notlikeyou。Notlikeyou，\"hesaid，increasingthesoftnessofhistonesashenearedtheobjectuppermostinhismindduringthatmuch-desiredinterview。\"Notlikeyou，Tuan，whoarelikeourselves，onlywiserandstronger。Yethe，also，isfullofgreatcunning，andspeaksofyouwithoutanyrespect，afterthemannerofwhitemenwhentheytalkofoneanother。\"
Lingardleapedinhisseatasifhehadbeenprodded。
\"Hespeaks！Whatdoeshesay？\"heshouted。
\"Nay，Tuan，\"protestedthecomposedBabalatchi；\"whatmattershistalkifheisnotaman？Iamnothingbeforeyou——whyshouldI
repeatwordsofonewhitemanaboutanother？HedidboasttoAbdullaofhavinglearnedmuchfromyourwisdominyearspast。
OtherwordsIhaveforgotten。Indeed，Tuan，Ihave……\"
LingardcutshortBabalatchi’sprotestationsbyacontemptuouswaveofthehandandreseatedhimselfwithdignity。
\"Ishallgo，\"saidBabalatchi，\"andthewhitemanwillremainhere，alonewiththespiritofthedeadandwithherwhohasbeenthedelightofhisheart。He，beingwhite，cannothearthevoiceofthosethatdied……Tellme，Tuan，\"hewenton，lookingatLingardwithcuriosity——\"tellme，Tuan，doyouwhitepeopleeverhearthevoicesoftheinvisibleones？\"
\"Wedonot，\"answeredLingard，\"becausethosethatwecannotseedonotspeak。\"
\"Neverspeak！Andnevercomplainwithsoundsthatarenotwords？\"exclaimedBabalatchi，doubtingly。\"Itmaybeso——oryourearsaredull。WeMalayshearmanysoundsneartheplaceswheremenareburied。To-nightIheard……Yes，evenIhaveheard……Idonotwanttohearanymore，\"headded，nervously。
\"PerhapsIwaswrongwhenI……TherearethingsIregret。
Thetroublewasheavyinhisheartwhenhedied。SometimesI
thinkIwaswrong……butIdonotwanttohearthecomplaintofinvisiblelips。ThereforeIgo，Tuan。Lettheunquietspiritspeaktohisenemythewhitemanwhoknowsnotfear，orlove，ormercy——knowsnothingbutcontemptandviolence。Ihavebeenwrong！Ihave！Hai！Hai！\"
Hestoodforawhilewithhiselbowinthepalmofhislefthand，thefingersoftheotheroverhislipsasiftostifletheexpressionofinconvenientremorse；then，afterglancingatthetorch，burntoutnearlytoitsend，hemovedtowardsthewallbythechest，fumbledaboutthereandsuddenlyflungopenalargeshutterofattapswoveninalightframeworkofsticks。Lingardswunghislegsquicklyroundthecornerofhisseat。
\"Hallo！\"hesaid，surprised。
Thecloudofsmokestirred，andaslowwispcurledoutthroughthenewopening。Thetorchflickered，hissed，andwentout，theglowingendfallingonthemat，whenceBabalatchisnatcheditupandtosseditoutsidethroughtheopensquare。Itdescribedavanishingcurveofredlight，andlaybelow，shiningfeeblyinthevastdarkness。Babalatchiremainedwithhisarmstretchedoutintotheemptynight。
\"There，\"hesaid，\"youcanseethewhiteman’scourtyard，Tuan，andhishouse。\"
\"Icanseenothing，\"answeredLingard，puttinghisheadthroughtheshutter-hole。\"It’stoodark。\"
\"Wait，Tuan，\"urgedBabalatchi。\"Youhavebeenlookinglongattheburningtorch。Youwillsoonsee。Mindthegun，Tuan。Itisloaded。\"
\"Thereisnoflintinit。Youcouldnotfindafire-stoneforahundredmilesroundthisspot，\"saidLingard，testily。\"Foolishthingtoloadthatgun。\"
\"Ihaveastone。IhaditfromamanwiseandpiousthatlivesinMenangKabau。Averypiousman——verygoodfire。Hespokewordsoverthatstonethatmakeitssparksgood。Andthegunisgood——carriesstraightandfar。Wouldcarryfromheretothedoorofthewhiteman’shouse，Ibelieve，Tuan。\"
\"Tidaapa。Nevermindyourgun，\"mutteredLingard，peeringintotheformlessdarkness。\"Isthatthehouse——thatblackthingoverthere？\"heasked。
\"Yes，\"answeredBabalatchi；\"thatishishouse。HelivestherebythewillofAbdulla，andshalllivetheretill……Fromwhereyoustand，Tuan，youcanlookoverthefenceandacrossthecourtyardstraightatthedoor——atthedoorfromwhichhecomesouteverymorning，lookinglikeamanthathadseenJehannuminhissleep。\"
Lingarddrewhisheadin。Babalatchitouchedhisshoulderwithagropinghand。
\"Waitalittle，Tuan。Sitstill。Themorningisnotfaroffnow——amorningwithoutsunafteranightwithoutstars。ButtherewillbelightenoughtoseethemanwhosaidnotmanydaysagothathealonehasmadeyoulessthanachildinSambir。\"
Hefeltaslighttremorunderhishand，buttookitoffdirectlyandbeganfeelingalloverthelidofthechest，behindLingard’sback，forthegun。
\"Whatareyouat？\"saidLingard，impatiently。\"Youdoworryaboutthatrottengun。Youhadbettergetalight。\"
\"Alight！Itellyou，Tuan，thatthelightofheavenisverynear，\"saidBabalatchi，whohadnowobtainedpossessionoftheobjectofhissolicitude，andgraspingitstronglybyitslongbarrel，groundedthestockathisfeet。
\"Perhapsitisnear，\"saidLingard，leaningbothhiselbowsonthelowercross-pieceoftheprimitivewindowandlookingout。
\"Itisveryblackoutsideyet，\"heremarkedcarelessly。
Babalatchifidgetedabout。
\"Itisnotgoodforyoutositwhereyoumaybeseen，\"hemuttered。
\"Whynot？\"askedLingard。
\"Thewhitemansleeps，itistrue，\"explainedBabalatchi，softly；
\"yethemaycomeoutearly，andhehasarms。\"
\"Ah！hehasarms？\"saidLingard。
\"Yes；ashortgunthatfiresmanytimes——likeyourshere。
Abdullahadtogiveittohim。\"
LingardheardBabalatchi’swords，butmadenomovement。Totheoldadventurertheideathatfirearmscouldbedangerousinotherhandsthanhisowndidnotoccurreadily，andcertainlynotinconnectionwithWillems。Hewassobusywiththethoughtsaboutwhatheconsideredhisownsacredduty，thathecouldnotgiveanyconsiderationtotheprobableactionsofthemanofwhomhethought——asonemaythinkofanexecutedcriminal——withwonderingindignationtemperedbyscornfulpity。Whilehesatstaringintothedarkness，thateveryminutegrewthinnerbeforehispensiveeyes，likeadispersingmist，Willemsappearedtohimasafigurebelongingalreadywhollytothepast——afigurethatcouldcomeinnowayintohislifeagain。Hehadmadeuphismind，andthethingwasaswellasdone。Inhiswearythoughtshehadclosedthisfatal，inexplicable，andhorribleepisodeinhislife。Theworsthadhappened。Thecomingdayswouldseetheretribution。
Hehadremovedanenemyonceortwicebefore，outofhispath；hehadpaidoffsomeveryheavyscoresagoodmanytimes。CaptainTomhadbeenagoodfriendtomany:butitwasgenerallyunderstood，fromHonoluluroundabouttoDiegoSuarez，thatCaptainTom’senmitywasrathermorethananymansingle-handedcouldeasilymanage。Hewouldnot，ashesaidoften，hurtaflyaslongastheflylefthimalone；yetamandoesnotliveforyearsbeyondthepaleofcivilizedlawswithoutevolvingforhimselfsomequeernotionsofjustice。Nobodyofthoseheknewhadevercaredtopointouttohimtheerrorsofhisconceptions。
Itwasnotworthanybody’swhiletoruncountertoLingard’sideasofthefitnessofthings——thatfactwasacquiredtothefloatingwisdomoftheSouthSeas，oftheEasternArchipelago，andwasnowherebetterunderstoodthaninout-of-the-waynooksoftheworld；inthosenookswhichhefilled，unresistedandmasterful，withtheechoesofhisnoisypresence。Thereisnotmuchuseinarguingwithamanwhoboastsofneverhavingregrettedasingleactionofhislife，whoseanswertoamildcriticismisagood-naturedshout——\"Youknownothingaboutit。I
woulddoitagain。Yes，sir！\"Hisassociatesandhisacquaintancesacceptedhim，hisopinions，hisactionslikethingspreordainedandunchangeable；lookeduponhismany-sidedmanifestationswithpassivewondernotunmixedwiththatadmirationwhichisonlytherightfuldueofasuccessfulman。
Butnobodyhadeverseenhiminthemoodhewasinnow。NobodyhadseenLingarddoubtfulandgivingwaytodoubt，unabletomakeuphismindandunwillingtoact；Lingardtimidandhesitatingoneminute，angryyetinactivethenext；Lingardpuzzledinaword，becauseconfrontedwithasituationthatdiscomposedhimbyitsunprovokedmalevolence，byitsghastlyinjustice，thattohisroughbutunsophisticatedpalatetasteddistinctlyofsulphurousfumesfromthedeepesthell。
Thesmoothdarknessfillingtheshutter-holegrewpalerandbecameblotchywithill-definedshapes，asifanewuniversewasbeingevolvedoutofsombrechaos。Thenoutlinescameout，definingformswithoutanydetails，indicatinghereatree，thereabush；ablackbeltofforestfaroff；thestraightlinesofahouse，theridgeofahighroofnearby。Insidethehut，Babalatchi，wholatelyhadbeenonlyapersuasivevoice，becameahumanshapeleaningitschinimprudentlyonthemuzzleofagunandrollinganuneasyeyeoverthereappearingworld。Thedaycamerapidly，dismalandoppressedbythefogoftheriverandbytheheavyvapoursofthesky——adaywithoutcolourandwithoutsunshine:incomplete，disappointing，andsad。
BabalatchitwitchedgentlyLingard’ssleeve，andwhentheoldseamanhadlifteduphisheadinterrogatively，hestretchedoutanarmandapointingforefingertowardsWillems’house，nowplainlyvisibletotherightandbeyondthebigtreeofthecourtyard。
\"Look，Tuan！\"hesaid。\"Helivesthere。Thatisthedoor——hisdoor。Throughithewillappearsoon，withhishairindisorderandhismouthfullofcurses。Thatisso。Heisawhiteman，andneversatisfied。Itisinmymindheisangryeveninhissleep。Adangerousman。AsTuanmayobserve，\"hewenton，obsequiously，\"hisdoorfacesthisopening，whereyoucondescendtosit，whichisconcealedfromalleyes。Facesit——straight——andnotfar。Observe，Tuan，notatallfar。\"
\"Yes，yes；Icansee。Ishallseehimwhenhewakes。\"
\"Nodoubt，Tuan。Whenhewakes……Ifyouremainherehecannotseeyou。Ishallwithdrawquicklyandpreparemycanoemyself。Iamonlyapoorman，andmustgotoSambirtogreetLakambawhenheopenshiseyes。ImustbowbeforeAbdullawhohasstrength——evenmorestrengththanyou。Nowifyouremainhere，youshalleasilybeholdthemanwhoboastedtoAbdullathathehadbeenyourfriend，evenwhilehepreparedtofightthosewhocalledyouprotector。Yes，heplottedwithAbdullaforthatcursedflag。Lakambawasblindthen，andIwasdeceived。Butyou，Tuan！Remember，hedeceivedyoumore。Ofthatheboastedbeforeallmen。\"
Heleanedthegunquietlyagainstthewallclosetothewindow，andsaidsoftly:\"ShallIgonow，Tuan？Becarefulofthegun。
Ihaveputthefire-stonein。Thefire-stoneofthewiseman，whichneverfails。\"
Lingard’seyeswerefastenedonthedistantdoorway。Acrosshislineofsight，inthegreyemptinessofthecourtyard，abigfruit-pigeonflappedlanguidlytowardstheforestswithaloudboomingcry，likethenoteofadeepgong:abrilliantbirdlookinginthegloomofthreateningdayasblackasacrow。A
serriedflockofwhitericebirdsroseabovethetreeswithafaintscream，andhovered，swayinginadisorderedmassthatsuddenlyscatteredinalldirections，asifburstasunderbyasilentexplosion。BehindhisbackLingardheardashuffleoffeet——womenleavingthehut。Intheothercourtyardavoicewasheardcomplainingofcold，andcomingveryfeeble，butexceedinglydistinct，outofthevastsilenceoftheabandonedhousesandclearings。Babalatchicougheddiscreetly。Fromunderthehousethethumpingofwoodenpestleshuskingthericestartedwithunexpectedabruptness。Theweakbutclearvoiceintheyardagainurged，\"Blowuptheembers，Obrother！\"Anothervoiceanswered，drawlinginmodulated，thinsing-song，\"Doityourself，Oshiveringpig！\"andthedrawlofthelastwordsstoppedshort，asifthemanhadfallenintoadeephole。Babalatchicoughedagainalittleimpatiently，andsaidinaconfidentialtone——
\"Doyouthinkitistimeformetogo，Tuan？Willyoutakecareofmygun，Tuan？Iamamanthatknowshowtoobey；evenobeyAbdulla，whohasdeceivedme。Neverthelessthisguncarriesfarandtrue——ifyouwouldwanttoknow，Tuan。AndIhaveputinadoublemeasureofpowder，andthreeslugs。Yes，Tuan。
Now——perhaps——Igo。\"
WhenBabalatchicommencedspeaking，Lingardturnedslowlyroundandgazeduponhimwiththedullandunwillinglookofasickmanwakingtoanotherdayofsuffering。Astheastutestatesmanproceeded，Lingard’seyebrowscameclose，hiseyesbecameanimated，andabigveinstoodoutonhisforehead，accentuatingaloweringfrown。WhenspeakinghislastwordsBabalatchifaltered，thenstopped，confused，beforethesteadygazeoftheoldseaman。
Lingardrose。Hisfacecleared，andhelookeddownattheanxiousBabalatchiwithsuddenbenevolence。
\"So！That’swhatyouwereafter，\"hesaid，layingaheavyhandonBabalatchi’syieldingshoulder。\"YouthoughtIcameheretomurderhim。Hey？Speak！YoufaithfuldogofanArabtrader！\"
\"Andwhatelse，Tuan？\"shriekedBabalatchi，exasperatedintosincerity。\"Whatelse，Tuan！Rememberwhathehasdone；hepoisonedourearswithhistalkaboutyou。Youareaman。Ifyoudidnotcometokill，Tuan，theneitherIamafoolor……\"
Hepaused，struckhisnakedbreastwithhisopenpalm，andfinishedinadiscouragedwhisper——\"or，Tuan，youare。\"
Lingardlookeddownathimwithscornfulserenity。AfterhislongandpainfulgropingsamongsttheobscureabominationsofWillems’conduct，thelogicaliftortuousevolutionsofBabalatchi’sdiplomaticmindweretohimwelcomeasdaylight。
Therewassomethingatlasthecouldunderstand——thecleareffectofasimplecause。Hefeltindulgenttowardsthedisappointedsage。
\"Soyouareangrywithyourfriend，Oone-eyedone！\"hesaidslowly，noddinghisfiercecountenanceclosetoBabalatchi’sdiscomfitedface。\"ItseemstomethatyoumusthavehadmuchtodowithwhathappenedinSambirlately。Hey？Yousonofaburntfather。\"
\"MayIperishunderyourhand，ORajahofthesea，ifmywordsarenottrue！\"saidBabalatchi，withrecklessexcitement。\"Youarehereinthemidstofyourenemies。Hethegreatest。Abdullawoulddonothingwithouthim，andIcoulddonothingwithoutAbdulla。Strikeme——sothatyoustrikeall！\"
\"Whoareyou，\"exclaimedLingardcontemptuously——\"whoareyoutodarecallyourselfmyenemy！Dirt！Nothing！Gooutfirst，\"hewentonseverely。\"Lakas！quick。Marchout！\"
HepushedBabalatchithroughthedoorwayandfollowedhimdowntheshortladderintothecourtyard。Theboatmensquattingoverthefireturnedtheirsloweyeswithapparentdifficultytowardsthetwomen；then，unconcerned，huddledclosetogetheragain，stretchingforlornlytheirhandsovertheembers。Thewomenstoppedintheirworkandwithupliftedpestlesflashedquickandcuriousglancesfromthegloomunderthehouse。
\"Isthattheway？\"askedLingardwithanodtowardsthelittlewicket-gateofWillems’enclosure。
\"Ifyouseekdeath，thatissurelytheway，\"answeredBabalatchiinadispassionatevoice，asifhehadexhaustedalltheemotions。\"Helivesthere:hewhodestroyedyourfriends；whohastenedOmar’sdeath；whoplottedwithAbdullafirstagainstyou，thenagainstme。Ihavebeenlikeachild。Oshame！……
Butgo，Tuan。Gothere。\"
\"IgowhereIlike，\"saidLingard，emphatically，\"andyoumaygotothedevil；Idonotwantyouanymore。TheislandsoftheseseasshallsinkbeforeI，RajahLaut，servethewillofanyofyourpeople。Tau？ButItellyouthis:Idonotcarewhatyoudowithhimafterto-day。AndIsaythatbecauseIammerciful。\"
\"Tida！Idonothing，\"saidBabalatchi，shakinghisheadwithbitterapathy。\"IaminAbdulla’shandandcarenot，evenasyoudo。No！no！\"headded，turningaway，\"Ihavelearnedmuchwisdomthismorning。Therearenomenanywhere。Youwhitesarecrueltoyourfriendsandmercifultoyourenemies——whichistheworkoffools。\"
Hewentawaytowardstheriverside，and，withoutoncelookingback，disappearedinthelowbankofmistthatlayoverthewaterandtheshore。Lingardfollowedhimwithhiseyesthoughtfully。
Afterawhileherousedhimselfandcalledouttohisboatmen——
\"Hai——yathere！Afteryouhaveeatenrice，waitformewithyourpaddlesinyourhands。Youhear？\"
\"Ada，Tuan！\"answeredAlithroughthesmokeofthemorningfirethatwasspreadingitself，lowandgentle，overthecourtyard——\"wehear！\"
Lingardopenedslowlythelittlewicket-gate，madeafewstepsintotheemptyenclosure，andstopped。Hehadfeltabouthisheadtheshortbreathofapuffofwindthatpassedhim，madeeveryleafofthebigtreeshiver——anddiedoutinahardlyperceptibletremorofbranchesandtwigs。Instinctivelyheglancedupwardswithaseaman’simpulse。Abovehim，underthegreymotionlesswasteofastormysky，driftedlowblackvapours，instretchingbars，inshapelesspatches，insinuouswispsandtormentedspirals。Overthecourtyardandthehousefloatedaround，sombre，andlingeringcloud，draggingbehindatailoftangledandfilmystreamers——likethedishevelledhairofamourningwoman。
CHAPTERTHREE
\"Beware！\"
Thetremulouseffortandthebroken，inadequatetoneofthefaintcry，surprisedLingardmorethantheunexpectedsuddennessofthewarningconveyed，hedidnotknowbywhomandtowhom。Besideshimselftherewasnooneinthecourtyardasfarashecouldsee。
Thecrywasnotrenewed，andhiswatchfuleyes，scanningwarilythemistysolitudeofWillems’enclosure，weremeteverywhereonlybythestolidimpassivenessofinanimatethings:thebigsombre-lookingtree，theshut-up，sightlesshouse，theglisteningbamboofences，thedampanddroopingbushesfurtheroff——allthesethings，thatcondemnedtolookforeverattheincomprehensibleafflictionsorjoysofmankind，assertintheiraspectofcoldunconcernthehighdignityoflifelessmatterthatsurrounds，incuriousandunmoved，therestlessmysteriesoftheever-changing，ofthenever-endinglife。
Lingard，steppingaside，putthetrunkofthetreebetweenhimselfandthehouse，then，movingcautiouslyroundoneoftheprojectingbuttresses，hadtotreadshortinordertoavoidscatteringasmallheapofblackembersuponwhichhecameunexpectedlyontheotherside。Athin，wizened，littleoldwoman，who，standingbehindthetree，hadbeenlookingatthehouse，turnedtowardshimwithastart，gazedwithfaded，expressionlesseyesattheintruder，thenmadealimpingattempttogetaway。Sheseemed，however，torealizedirectlythehopelessnessorthedifficultyoftheundertaking，stopped，hesitated，totteredbackslowly；then，afterblinkingdully，fellsuddenlyonherkneesamongstthewhiteashes，and，bendingovertheheapofsmoulderingcoals，distendedhersunkencheeksinasteadyefforttoblowupthehiddensparksintoausefulblaze。
Lingardlookeddownonher，butsheseemedtohavemadeuphermindthattherewasnotenoughlifeleftinherleanbodyforanythingelsethanthedischargeofthesimpledomesticduty，and，apparently，shebegrudgedhimtheleastmomentofattention。
Afterwaitingforawhile，Lingardasked——
\"Whydidyoucall，Odaughter？\"
\"Isawyouenter，\"shecroakedfeebly，stillgrovellingwithherfaceneartheashesandwithoutlookingup，\"andIcalled——thecryofwarning。Itwasherorder。Herorder，\"sherepeated，withamoaningsigh。
\"Anddidshehear？\"pursuedLingard，withgentlecomposure。
Herprojectingshoulder-bladesmoveduneasilyunderthethinstuffofthetightbodyjacket。Shescrambledupwithdifficultytoherfeet，andhobbledaway，mutteringpeevishlytoherself，towardsapileofdrybrushwoodheapedupagainstthefence。
Lingard，lookingidlyafterher，heardtherattleoflooseplanksthatledfromthegroundtothedoorofthehouse。HemovedhisheadbeyondtheshelterofthetreeandsawAissacomingdowntheinclinedwayintothecourtyard。Aftermakingafewhurriedpacestowardsthetree，shestoppedwithonefootadvancedinanappearanceofsuddenterror，andhereyesglancedwildlyrightandleft。Herheadwasuncovered。Ablueclothwrappedherfromherheadtofootincloseslantingfolds，withoneendthrownoverhershoulder。Atressofherblackhairstrayedacrossherbosom。Herbarearmspresseddownclosetoherbody，withhandsopenandoutstretchedfingers；herslightlyelevatedshouldersandthebackwardinclinationofhertorsogavehertheaspectofonedefiantyetshrinkingfromacomingblow。Shehadclosedthedoorofthehousebehindher；andasshestoodsolitaryintheunnaturalandthreateningtwilightofthemurkyday，witheverythingunchangedaroundher，sheappearedtoLingardasifshehadbeenmadethere，onthespot，outoftheblackvapoursoftheskyandofthesinistergleamsoffeeblesunshinethatstruggled，throughthethickeningclouds，intothecolourlessdesolationoftheworld。
Afterashortbutattentiveglancetowardstheshut-uphouse，Lingardsteppedoutfrombehindthetreeandadvancedslowlytowardsher。Thesuddenfixityofher——tillthen——restlesseyesandaslighttwitchofherhandsweretheonlysignsshegaveatfirstofhavingseenhim。Shemadealongstrideforward，andputtingherselfrightinhispath，stretchedherarmsacross；herblackeyesopenedwide，herlipspartedasifinanuncertainattempttospeak——butnosoundcameouttobreakthesignificantsilenceoftheirmeeting。Lingardstoppedandlookedatherwithsterncuriosity。Afterawhilehesaidcomposedly——
\"Letmepass。Icameheretotalktoaman。Doeshehide？Hashesentyou？\"
Shemadeastepnearer，herarmsfellbyherside，thensheputthemstraightoutnearlytouchingLingard’sbreast。
\"Heknowsnotfear，\"shesaid，speakinglow，withaforwardthrowofherhead，inavoicetremblingbutdistinct。\"Itismyownfearthathassentmehere。Hesleeps。\"
\"Hehassleptlongenough，\"saidLingard，inmeasuredtones。\"I
amcome——andnowisthetimeofhiswaking。Goandtellhimthis——orelsemyownvoicewillcallhimup。Avoiceheknowswell。\"
Heputherhandsdownfirmlyandagainmadeasiftopassbyher。
\"Donot！\"sheexclaimed，andfellathisfeetasifshehadbeencutdownbyascythe。TheunexpectedsuddennessofhermovementstartledLingard，whosteppedback。
\"What’sthis？\"heexclaimedinawonderingwhisper——thenaddedinatoneofsharpcommand:\"Standup！\"
Sheroseatonceandstoodlookingathim，timorousandfearless；
yetwithafireofrecklessnessburninginhereyesthatmadeclearherresolvetopursueherpurposeeventothedeath。
Lingardwentoninaseverevoice——
\"Gooutofmypath。YouareOmar’sdaughter，andyououghttoknowthatwhenmenmeetindaylightwomenmustbesilentandabidetheirfate。\"
\"Women！\"sheretorted，withsubduedvehemence。\"Yes，Iamawoman！Youreyesseethat，ORajahLaut，butcanyouseemylife？Ialsohaveheard——Omanofmanyfights——Ialsohaveheardthevoiceoffire-arms；Ialsohavefelttherainofyoungtwigsandofleavescutupbybulletsfalldownaboutmyhead；Ialsoknowhowtolookinsilenceatangryfacesandatstronghandsraisedhighgraspingsharpsteel。Ialsosawmenfalldeadaroundmewithoutacryoffearandofmourning；andIhavewatchedthesleepofwearyfugitives，andlookedatnightshadowsfullofmenaceanddeathwitheyesthatknewnothingbutwatchfulness。And，\"shewenton，withamournfuldropinhervoice，\"Ihavefacedtheheartlesssea，heldonmylaptheheadsofthosewhodiedravingfromthirst，andfromtheircoldhandstookthepaddleandworkedsothatthosewithmedidnotknowthatonemanmorewasdead。Ididallthis。Whatmorehaveyoudone？Thatwasmylife。Whathasbeenyours？\"
ThematterandthemannerofherspeechheldLingardmotionless，attentiveandapprovingagainsthiswill。Sheceasedspeaking，andfromherstaringblackeyeswithanarrowborderofwhiteaboveandbelow，adoublerayofherverysoulstreamedoutinafiercedesiretolightupthemostobscuredesignsofhisheart。
Afteralongsilence，whichservedtoemphasizethemeaningofherwords，sheaddedinthewhisperofbitterregret——
\"AndIhavekneltatyourfeet！AndIamafraid！\"
\"You，\"saidLingarddeliberately，andreturningherlookwithaninterestedgaze，\"youareawomanwhoseheart，Ibelieve，isgreatenoughtofillaman’sbreast:butstillyouareawoman，andtoyou，I，RajahLaut，havenothingtosay。\"
Shelistenedbendingherheadinamovementofforcedattention；
andhisvoicesoundedtoherunexpected，faroff，withthedistantandunearthlyringofvoicesthatwehearindreams，sayingfaintlythingsstartling，cruelorabsurd，towhichthereisnopossiblereply。Toherhehadnothingtosay！Shewrungherhands，glancedoverthecourtyardwiththateageranddistractedlookthatseesnothing，thenlookedupatthehopelessskyoflividgreyanddriftingblack；attheunquietmourningofthehotandbrilliantheaventhathadseenthebeginningofherlove，thathadheardhisentreatiesandheranswers，thathadseenhisdesireandherfear；thathadseenherjoy，hersurrender——andhisdefeat。Lingardmovedalittle，andthisslightstirnearherprecipitatedherdisorderedandshapelessthoughtsintohurriedwords。
\"Wait！\"sheexclaimedinastifledvoice，andwentondisconnectedlyandrapidly——\"Stay。Ihaveheard。Menoftenspokebythefires……menofmypeople。Andtheysaidofyou——thefirstonthesea——theysaidthattomen’scriesyouweredeafinbattle，butafter……No！evenwhileyoufought，yourearswereopentothevoiceofchildrenandwomen。Theysaid……that。NowI，awoman，I……\"
Shebrokeoffsuddenlyandstoodbeforehimwithdroppedeyelidsandpartedlips，sostillnowthatsheseemedtohavebeenchangedintoabreathless，anunhearing，anunseeingfigure，withoutknowledgeoffearorhope，ofangerordespair。Intheastoundingreposethatcameonherface，nothingmovedbutthedelicatenostrilsthatexpandedandcollapsedquickly，flutteringly，ininterruptedbeats，likethewingsofasnaredbird。
\"Iamwhite，\"saidLingard，proudly，lookingatherwithasteadygazewheresimplecuriositywasgivingwaytoapityingannoyance，\"andmenyouhaveheard，spokeonlywhatistrueovertheeveningfires。Myearsareopentoyourprayer。Butlistentomebeforeyouspeak。Foryourselfyouneednotbeafraid。YoucancomeevennowwithmeandyoushallfindrefugeinthehouseholdofSyedAbdulla——whoisofyourownfaith。Andthisalsoyoumustknow:nothingthatyoumaysaywillchangemypurposetowardsthemanwhoissleeping——orhiding——inthathouse。\"
Againshegavehimthelookthatwaslikeastab，notofangerbutofdesire；oftheintense，over-poweringdesiretoseein，toseethrough，tounderstandeverything:everythought，emotion，purpose；everyimpulse，everyhesitationinsidethatman；insidethatwhite-cladforeignbeingwholookedather，whospoketoher，whobreathedbeforeherlikeanyotherman，butbigger，red-faced，white-hairedandmysterious。Itwasthefutureclothedinflesh；theto-morrow；thedayafter；allthedays，alltheyearsofherlifestandingtherebeforeheraliveandsecret，withalltheirgoodorevilshutupwithinthebreastofthatman；ofthatmanwhocouldbepersuaded，cajoled，entreated，perhapstouched，worried；frightened——whoknows？——ifonlyfirsthecouldbeunderstood！Shehadseenalongtimeagowhithereventsweretending。ShehadnotedthecontemptuousyetmenacingcoldnessofAbdulla；shehadheard——alarmedyetunbelieving——Babalatchi’sgloomyhints，covertallusionsandveiledsuggestionstoabandontheuselesswhitemanwhosefatewouldbethepriceofthepeacesecuredbythewiseandgoodwhohadnoneedofhimanymore。Andhe——himself！Sheclungtohim。
Therewasnobodyelse。Nothingelse。Shewouldtrytoclingtohimalways——allthelife！Andyethewasfarfromher。Furthereveryday。Everydayheseemedmoredistant，andshefollowedhimpatiently，hopefully，blindly，butsteadily，throughallthedeviouswanderingsofhismind。Shefollowedaswellasshecould。Yetattimes——veryoftenlately——shehadfeltlostlikeonestrayedinthethicketsoftangledundergrowthofagreatforest。Tohertheex-clerkofoldHudigappearedasremote，asbrilliant，asterrible，asnecessary，asthesunthatgiveslifetotheselands:thesunofuncloudedskiesthatdazzlesandwithers；thesunbeneficentandwicked——thegiveroflight，perfume，andpestilence。Shehadwatchedhim——watchedhimclose；
fascinatedbylove，fascinatedbydanger。Hewasalonenow——butforher；andshesaw——shethoughtshesaw——thathewaslikeamanafraidofsomething。Wasitpossible？Heafraid？Ofwhat？Wasitofthatoldwhitemanwhowascoming——whohadcome？Possibly。
Shehadheardofthatmaneversinceshecouldremember。Thebravestwereafraidofhim！Andnowwhatwasinthemindofthisold，oldmanwholookedsostrong？Whatwashegoingtodowiththelightofherlife？Putitout？Takeitaway？Takeitawayforever！——forever！——andleaveherindarkness:——notinthestirring，whispering，expectantnightinwhichthehushedworldawaitsthereturnofsunshine；butinthenightwithoutend，thenightofthegrave，wherenothingbreathes，nothingmoves，nothingthinks——thelastdarknessofcoldandsilencewithouthopeofanothersunrise。
Shecried——\"Yourpurpose！Youknownothing。Imust……\"
Heinterrupted——unreasonablyexcited，asifshehad，byherlook，inoculatedhimwithsomeofherowndistress。
\"Iknowenough。\"
Sheapproached，andstoodfacinghimatarm’slength，withbothherhandsonhisshoulders；andhe，surprisedbythataudacity，closedandopenedhiseyestwoorthreetimes，awareofsomeemotionarisingwithinhim，fromherwords，hertone，hercontact；anemotionunknown，singular，penetratingandsad——attheclosesightofthatstrangewoman，ofthatbeingsavageandtender，stronganddelicate，fearfulandresolute，thathadgotentangledsofatallybetweentheirtwolives——hisownandthatotherwhiteman’s，theabominablescoundrel。
\"Howcanyouknow？\"shewenton，inapersuasivetonethatseemedtoflowoutofherveryheart——\"howcanyouknow？Ilivewithhimallthedays。Allthenights。Ilookathim；Iseehiseverybreath，everyglanceofhiseye，everymovementofhislips。Iseenothingelse！Whatelseisthere？AndevenIdonotunderstand。Idonotunderstandhim！——Him！——Mylife！Himwhotomeissogreatthathispresencehidestheearthandthewaterfrommysight！\"
Lingardstoodstraight，withhishandsdeepinthepocketsofhisjacket。Hiseyeswinkedquickly，becauseshespokeveryclosetohisface。Shedisturbedhimandhehadasenseoftheeffortshewasmakingtogetholdofhermeaning，whileallthetimehecouldnothelptellinghimselfthatallthiswasofnouse。
Sheaddedafterapause——\"TherehasbeenatimewhenIcouldunderstandhim。WhenIknewwhatwasinhismindbetterthanheknewithimself。WhenIfelthim。WhenIheldhim……Andnowhehasescaped。\"
\"Escaped？What？Goneaway！\"shoutedLingard。
\"Escapedfromme，\"shesaid；\"leftmealone。Alone。AndIamevernearhim。Yetalone。\"
HerhandsslippedslowlyoffLingard’sshouldersandherarmsfellbyherside，listless，discouraged，asiftoher——toher，thesavage，violent，andignorantcreature——hadbeenrevealedclearlyinthatmomentthetremendousfactofourisolation，ofthelonelinessimpenetrableandtransparent，elusiveandeverlasting；oftheindestructiblelonelinessthatsurrounds，envelopes，clotheseveryhumansoulfromthecradletothegrave，and，perhaps，beyond。
\"Aye！Verywell！Iunderstand。Hisfaceisturnedawayfromyou，\"saidLingard。\"Now，whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Iwant……Ihavelooked——forhelp……everywhere……
againstmen……Allmen……Idonotknow。Firsttheycame，theinvisiblewhites，anddealtdeathfromafar……thenhecame。Hecametomewhowasaloneandsad。Hecame；angrywithhisbrothers；greatamongsthisownpeople；angrywiththoseIhavenotseen:withthepeoplewheremenhavenomercyandwomenhavenoshame。Hewasofthem，andgreatamongstthem。
Forhewasgreat？\"
Lingardshookhisheadslightly。Shefrownedathim，andwentonindisorderedhaste——
\"Listen。Isawhim。Ihavelivedbythesideofbravemen……
ofchiefs。WhenhecameIwasthedaughterofabeggar——ofablindmanwithoutstrengthandhope。HespoketomeasifIhadbeenbrighterthanthesunshine——moredelightfulthanthecoolwaterofthebrookbywhichwemet——more……\"Heranxiouseyessawsomeshadeofexpressionpassonherlistener’sfacethatmadeherholdherbreathforasecond，andthenexplodeintopainedfurysoviolentthatitdroveLingardbackapace，likeanunexpectedblastofwind。Heliftedbothhishands，incongruouslypaternalinhisvenerableaspect，bewilderedandsoothing，whileshestretchedherneckforwardandshoutedathim。
\"ItellyouIwasallthattohim。Iknowit！Isawit！……
Therearetimeswhenevenyouwhitemenspeakthetruth。Isawhiseyes。Ifelthiseyes，Itellyou！IsawhimtremblewhenI
camenear——whenIspoke——whenItouchedhim。Lookatme！Youhavebeenyoung。Lookatme。Look，RajahLaut！\"
ShestaredatLingardwithprovokingfixity，then，turningherheadquickly，shesentoverhershoulderaglance，fullofhumblefear，atthehousethatstoodhighbehindherback——dark，closed，ricketyandsilentonitscrookedposts。
Lingard’seyesfollowedherlook，andremainedgazingexpectantlyatthehouse。Afteraminuteorsohemuttered，glancingathersuspiciously——
\"Ifhehasnotheardyourvoicenow，thenhemustbefaraway——ordead。\"
\"Heisthere，\"shewhispered，alittlecalmedbutstillanxious——\"heisthere。Forthreedayshewaited。Waitedforyounightandday。AndIwaitedwithhim。Iwaited，watchinghisface，hiseyes，hislips；listeningtohiswords——TothewordsI
couldnotunderstand——Tothewordshespokeindaylight；tothewordshespokeatnightinhisshortsleep。Ilistened。Hespoketohimselfwalkingupanddownhere——bytheriver；bythebushes。AndIfollowed。Iwantedtoknow——andIcouldnot！Hewastormentedbythingsthatmadehimspeakinthewordsofhisownpeople。Speaktohimself——nottome。Nottome！Whatwashesaying？Whatwashegoingtodo？Washeafraidofyou？——Ofdeath？Whatwasinhisheart？……Fear？……Oranger？……whatdesire？……whatsadness？Hespoke；spoke；manywords。
Allthetime！AndIcouldnotknow！Iwantedtospeaktohim。
Hewasdeaftome。Ifollowedhimeverywhere，watchingforsomewordIcouldunderstand；buthismindwasinthelandofhispeople——awayfromme。WhenItouchedhimhewasangry——so！\"
Sheimitatedthemovementofsomeoneshakingoffroughlyanimportunatehand，andlookedatLingardwithtearfulandunsteadyeyes。
Afterashortintervaloflabouredpanting，asifshehadbeenoutofbreathwithrunningorfighting，shelookeddownandwenton——
\"Dayafterday，nightafternight，Ilivedwatchinghim——seeingnothing。Andmyheartwasheavy——heavywiththepresenceofdeaththatdweltamongstus。Icouldnotbelieve。Ithoughthewasafraid。Afraidofyou！ThenI，myself，knewfear……
Tellme，RajahLaut，doyouknowthefearwithoutvoice——thefearofsilence——thefearthatcomeswhenthereisnoonenear——whenthereisnobattle，nocries，noangryfacesorarmedhandsanywhere？……Thefearfromwhichthereisnoescape！\"
Shepaused，fastenedhereyesagainonthepuzzledLingard，andhurriedoninatoneofdespair——
\"AndIknewthenhewouldnotfightyou！Before——manydaysago——Iwentawaytwicetomakehimobeymydesire；tomakehimstrikeathisownpeoplesothathecouldbemine——mine！O
calamity！Hishandwasfalseasyourwhitehearts。Itstruckforward，pushedbymydesire——byhisdesireofme……Itstruckthatstronghand，and——Oshame！——itkillednobody！Itsfierceandlyingblowwokeuphatewithoutanyfear。Roundmeallwaslies。Hisstrengthwasalie。Myownpeopleliedtomeandtohim。Andtomeetyou——you，thegreat！——hehadnoonebutme？Butmewithmyrage，mypain，myweakness。Onlyme！Andtomehewouldnotevenspeak。Thefool！\"
ShecameupclosetoLingard，withthewildandstealthyaspectofalunaticlongingtowhisperoutaninsanesecret——oneofthosemisshapen，heart-rending，andludicroussecrets；oneofthosethoughtsthat，likemonsters——cruel，fantastic，andmournful，wanderaboutterribleandunceasinginthenightofmadness。Lingardlookedather，astoundedbutunflinching。Shespokeinhisface，verylow。
\"Heisall！Everything。Heismybreath，mylight，myheart……Goaway……Forgethim……Hehasnocourageandnowisdomanymore……andIhavelostmypower……Goawayandforget。Thereareotherenemies……Leavehimtome。Hehadbeenamanonce……Youaretoogreat。Nobodycanwithstandyou……Itried……Iknownow……Icryformercy。
Leavehimtomeandgoaway。\"
Thefragmentsofhersupplicatingsentenceswereasiftossedonthecrestofhersobs。Lingard，outwardlyimpassive，withhiseyesfixedonthehouse，experiencedthatfeelingofcondemnation，deep-seated，persuasive，andmasterful；thatillogicalimpulseofdisapprovalwhichishalfdisgust，halfvaguefear，andthatwakesupinourheartsinthepresenceofanythingneworunusual，ofanythingthatisnotrunintothemouldofourownconscience；theaccursedfeelingmadeupofdisdain，ofanger，andofthesenseofsuperiorvirtuethatleavesusdeaf，blind，contemptuousandstupidbeforeanythingwhichisnotlikeourselves。
Heanswered，notlookingatheratfirst，butspeakingtowardsthehousethatfascinatedhim——
\"_I_goaway！Hewantedmetocome——hehimselfdid！……YOU
mustgoaway。Youdonotknowwhatyouareaskingfor。Listen。
Gotoyourownpeople。Leavehim。Heis……\"
Hepaused，lookeddownatherwithhissteadyeyes；hesitated，asifseekinganadequateexpression；thensnappedhisfingers，andsaid——
\"Finish。\"
Shesteppedback，hereyesontheground，andpressedhertempleswithbothherhands，whichsheraisedtoherheadinaslowandamplemovementfullofunconscioustragedy。Thetoneofherwordswasgentleandvibrating，likealoudmeditation。Shesaid——
\"Tellthebrooknottoruntotheriver；telltherivernottoruntothesea。Speakloud。Speakangrily。Maybetheywillobeyyou。Butitisinmymindthatthebrookwillnotcare。
Thebrookthatspringsoutofthehillsideandrunstothegreatriver。Hewouldnotcareforyourwords:hethatcaresnotfortheverymountainthatgavehimlife；hethattearstheearthfromwhichhesprings。Tearsit，eatsit，destroysit——tohurryfastertotheriver——totheriverinwhichheislostforever……ORajahLaut！Idonotcare。\"
ShedrewcloseagaintoLingard，approachingslowly，reluctantly，asifpushedbyaninvisiblehand，andaddedinwordsthatseemedtobetornoutofher——
\"Icarednotformyownfather。Forhimthatdied。Iwouldhaverather……YoudonotknowwhatIhavedone……I……\"
\"Youshallhavehislife，\"saidLingard，hastily。
Theystoodtogether，crossingtheirglances；shesuddenlyappeased，andLingardthoughtfulanduneasyunderavaguesenseofdefeat。Andyettherewasnodefeat。Heneverintendedtokillthefellow——notafterthefirstmomentofanger，alongtimeago。Thedaysofbitterwonderhadkilledanger；hadleftonlyabitterindignationandabitterwishforcompletejustice。Hefeltdiscontentedandsurprised。Unexpectedlyhehadcomeuponahumanbeing——awomanatthat——whohadmadehimdisclosehiswillbeforeitstime。Sheshouldhavehislife。Butshemustbetold，shemustknow，thatforsuchmenasWillemstherewasnofavourandnograce。
\"Understand，\"hesaidslowly，\"thatIleavehimhislifenotinmercybutinpunishment。\"
Shestarted，watchedeverywordonhislips，andafterhefinishedspeakingsheremainedstillandmuteinastonishedimmobility。Asinglebigdropofrain，adropenormous，pellucidandheavy——likeasuper-humantearcomingstraightandrapidfromabove，tearingitswaythroughthesombresky——struckloudlythedrygroundbetweentheminastarredsplash。Shewrungherhandsinthebewildermentofthenewandincomprehensiblefear。Theanguishofherwhisperwasmorepiercingthantheshrillestcry。
\"Whatpunishment！Willyoutakehimawaythen？Awayfromme？
ListentowhatIhavedone……ItisIwho……\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedLingard，whohadbeenlookingatthehouse。
\"Don’tyoubelieveher，CaptainLingard，\"shoutedWillemsfromthedoorway，whereheappearedwithswolleneyelidsandbaredbreast。Hestoodforawhile，hishandsgraspingthelintelsoneachsideofthedoor，andwrithedabout，glaringwildly，asifhehadbeencrucifiedthere。Thenhemadeasuddenrushheadforemostdowntheplankwaythatrespondedwithhollow，shortnoisestoeveryfootstep。
Sheheardhim。Aslightthrillpassedonherfaceandthewordsthatwereonherlipsfellbackunspokenintoherbenightedheart；fellbackamongstthemud，thestones——andtheflowers，thatareatthebottomofeveryheart。
CHAPTERFOUR
Whenhefeltthesolidgroundofthecourtyardunderhisfeet，Willemspulledhimselfupinhisheadlongrushandmovedforwardwithamoderategait。Hepacedstiffly，lookingwithextremeexactitudeatLingard’sface；lookingneithertotherightnortotheleftbutatthefaceonly，asiftherewasnothingintheworldbutthosefeaturesfamiliaranddreaded；thatwhite-haired，roughandsevereheaduponwhichhegazedinafixedeffortofhiseyes，likeamantryingtoreadsmallprintatthefullrangeofhumanvision。AssoonasWillems’feethadlefttheplanks，thesilencewhichhadbeenliftedupbythejerkyrattleofhisfootstepsfelldownagainuponthecourtyard；thesilenceofthecloudyskyandofthewindlessair，thesullensilenceoftheearthoppressedbytheaspectofcomingturmoil，thesilenceoftheworldcollectingitsfacultiestowithstandthestorm。
ThroughthissilenceWillemspushedhisway，andstoppedaboutsixfeetfromLingard。Hestoppedsimplybecausehecouldgonofurther。Hehadstartedfromthedoorwiththerecklesspurposeofclappingtheoldfellowontheshoulder。Hehadnoideathatthemanwouldturnouttobesotall，sobigandsounapproachable。Itseemedtohimthathehadnever，neverinhislife，seenLingard。
Hetriedtosay——
\"Donotbelieve……\"
Afitofcoughingcheckedhissentenceinafaintsplutter。
Directlyafterwardsheswallowed——asitwere——acoupleofpebbles，throwinghischinupintheact；andLingard，wholookedathimnarrowly，sawabone，sharpandtriangularliketheheadofasnake，dartupanddowntwiceundertheskinofhisthroat。
Thenthat，too，didnotmove。Nothingmoved。
\"Well，\"saidLingard，andwiththatwordhecameunexpectedlytotheendofhisspeech。Hishandinhispocketclosedfirmlyroundthebuttofhisrevolverbulginghisjacketonthehip，andhethoughthowsoonandhowquicklyhecouldterminatehisquarrelwiththatmanwhohadbeensoanxioustodeliverhimselfintohishands——andhowinadequatewouldbethatending！Hecouldnotbeartheideaofthatmanescapingfromhimbygoingoutoflife；escapingfromfear，fromdoubt，fromremorseintothepeacefulcertitudeofdeath。Heheldhimnow。Andhewasnotgoingtolethimgo——tolethimdisappearforeverinthefaintbluesmokeofapistolshot。Hisangergrewwithinhim。
Hefeltatouchasofaburninghandonhisheart。Notonthefleshofhisbreast，butatouchonhisheartitself，onthepalpitatinganduntiringparticleofmatterthatrespondstoeveryemotionofthesoul；thatleapswithjoy，withterror，orwithanger。
Hedrewalongbreath。Hecouldseebeforehimthebarechestofthemanexpandingandcollapsingunderthewide-openjacket。Heglancedaside，andsawthebosomofthewomannearhimriseandfallinquickrespirationsthatmovedslightlyupanddownherhand，whichwaspressedtoherbreastwithallthefingersspreadoutandalittlecurved，asifgraspingsomethingtoobigforitsspan。Andnearlyaminutepassed。Oneofthoseminuteswhenthevoiceissilenced，whilethethoughtsflutterinthehead，likecaptivebirdsinsideacage，inrushesdesperate，exhaustingandvain。
DuringthatminuteofsilenceLingard’sangerkeptrising，immenseandtowering，suchasacrestedwaverunningoverthetroubledshallowsofthesands。Itsroarfilledhiscars；aroarsopowerfulanddistractingthat，itseemedtohim，hisheadmustburstdirectlywiththeexpandingvolumeofthatsound。Helookedatthatman。Thatinfamousfigureuprightonitsfeet，still，rigid，withstonyeyes，asifitsrottensoulhaddepartedthatmomentandthecarcasshadn’thadthetimeyettotoppleover。Forthefractionofasecondhehadtheillusionandthefearofthescoundrelhavingdiedtherebeforetheenragedglanceofhiseyes。Willems’eyelidsfluttered，andtheunconsciousandpassingtremorinthatstifflyerectbodyexasperatedLingardlikeafreshoutrage。Thefellowdaredtostir！Daredtowink，tobreathe，toexist；here，rightbeforehiseyes！Hisgripontherevolverrelaxedgradually。Asthetransportofhisrageincreased，soalsohiscontemptfortheinstrumentsthatpierceorstab，thatinterposethemselvesbetweenthehandandtheobjectofhate。Hewantedanotherkindofsatisfaction。Nakedhands，byheaven！Nofirearms。Handsthatcouldtakehimbythethroat，beatdownhisdefence，batterhisfaceintoshapelessflesh；handsthatcouldfeelallthedesperationofhisresistanceandoverpoweritintheviolentdelightofacontactlingeringandfurious，intimateandbrutal。