\"Youknow,Kaspar,\"saidhe,inconclusion,totheexcitedAlmayer,\"itisdeucedlyawkwardtohaveahalf-castegirlinthehouse。There\'ssuchalotoffoolsabout。TherewasthatyoungfellowfromthebankwhousedtoridetotheVinckbungalowearlyandlate。ThatoldwomanthoughtitwasforthatEmmaofhers。
Whenshefoundoutwhathewantedexactly,therewasarow,Icantellyou。ShewouldnothaveNina——notanhourlonger——inthehouse。Factis,Iheardofthisaffairandtookthegirltomywife。Mywifeisaprettygoodwoman——aswomengo——anduponmywordwewouldhavekeptthegirlforyou,onlyshewouldnotstay。Now,then!Don\'tflareup,Kaspar。Sitstill。
Whatcanyoudo?Itisbetterso。Letherstaywithyou。Shewasneverhappyoverthere。ThosetwoVinckgirlsarenobetterthandressed-upmonkeys。Theyslightedher。Youcan\'tmakeherwhite。It\'snouseyouswearingatme。Youcan\'t。
Sheisagoodgirlforallthat,butshewouldnottellmywifeanything。
Ifyouwanttoknow,askheryourself;butifIwasyouIwouldleaveheralone。Youarewelcometoherpassagemoney,oldfellow,ifyouareshortnow。\"Andtheskipper,throwingawayhiscigar,walkedoffto\"wakethemuponboard,\"asheexpressedit。
Almayervainlyexpectedtohearofthecauseofhisdaughter\'sreturnfromhisdaughter\'slips。Notthatday,notonanyotherdaydidsheeveralludetoherSingaporelife。Hedidnotcaretoask,awedbythecalmimpassivenessofherface,bythosesolemneyeslookingpasthimonthegreat,stillforestssleepinginmajesticreposetothemurmurofthebroadriver。Heacceptedthesituation,happyinthegentleandprotectingaffectionthegirlshowedhim,fitfullyenough,forshehad,asshecalledit,herbaddayswhensheusedtovisithermotherandremainlonghoursintheriversidehut,comingoutasinscrutableasever,butwithacontemptuouslookandashortwordreadytoansweranyofhisspeeches。Hegotusedeventothat,andonthosedayskeptquiet,althoughgreatlyalarmedbyhiswife\'sinfluenceuponthegirl。OtherwiseNinaadaptedherselfwonderfullytothecircumstancesofahalf-savageandmiserablelife。Sheacceptedwithoutquestionorapparentdisgusttheneglect,thedecay,thepovertyofthehousehold,theabsenceoffurniture,andthepreponderanceofricedietonthefamilytable。ShelivedwithAlmayerinthelittlehouse(nowsadlydecaying)builtoriginallybyLingardfortheyoungcouple。TheMalayseagerlydiscussedherarrival。TherewereatthebeginningcrowdedleveesofMalaywomenwiththeirchildren,seekingeagerlyafter\"Ubat\"foralltheillsofthefleshfromtheyoungMemPutih。InthecooloftheeveninggraveArabsinlongwhiteshirtsandyellowsleevelessjacketswalkedslowlyonthedustypathbytheriversidetowardsAlmayer\'sgate,andmadesolemncallsuponthatUnbelieverundershallowpretencesofbusiness,onlytogetaglimpseoftheyounggirlinahighlydecorousmanner。EvenLakambacameoutofhisstockadeinagreatpompofwarcanoesandredumbrellas,andlandedontherottenlittlejettyofLingardandCo。Hecame,hesaid,tobuyacoupleofbrassgunsasapresenttohisfriendthechiefofSambirDyaks;andwhileAlmayer,suspiciousbutpolite,busiedhimselfinunearthingtheoldpopgunsinthegodowns,theRajahsatonanarmchairintheverandah,surroundedbyhisrespectfulretinuewaitinginvainforNina\'sappearance。Shewasinoneofherbaddays,andremainedinhermother\'shutwatchingwithhertheceremoniousproceedingsontheverandah。TheRajahdeparted,baffledbutcourteous,andsoonAlmayerbegantoreapthebenefitofimprovedrelationswiththerulerintheshapeoftherecoveryofsomedebts,paidtohimwithmanyapologiesandmanyalowsalaambydebtorstillthenconsideredhopelesslyinsolvent。UndertheseimprovingcircumstancesAlmayerbrightenedupalittle。
Allwasnotlostperhaps。ThoseArabsandMalayssawatlastthathewasamanofsomeability,hethought。Andhebegan,afterhismanner,toplangreatthings,todreamofgreatfortunesforhimselfandNina。EspeciallyforNina!UnderthesevivifyingimpulsesheaskedCaptainFordtowritetohisfriendsinEnglandmakinginquiriesafterLingard。Washealiveordead?
Ifdead,hadheleftanypapers,documents;anyindicationsorhintsastohisgreatenterprise?Meantimehehadfoundamongsttherubbishinoneoftheemptyroomsanote-bookbelongingtotheoldadventurer。Hestudiedthecrabbedhandwritingofitspagesandoftengrewmeditativeoverit。Otherthingsalsowokehimupfromhisapathy。ThestirmadeinthewholeoftheislandbytheestablishmentoftheBritishBorneoCompanyaffectedeventhesluggishflowofthePantailife。Greatchangeswereexpected;annexationwastalkedof;theArabsgrewcivil。
Almayerbeganbuildinghisnewhousefortheuseofthefutureengineers,agents,orsettlersofthenewCompany。Hespenteveryavailableguilderonitwithaconfidingheart。Onethingonlydisturbedhishappiness:hiswifecameoutofherseclusion,importinghergreenjacket,scantsarongs,shrillvoice,andwitch-likeappearance,intohisquietlifeinthesmallbungalow。Andhisdaughterseemedtoacceptthatsavageintrusionintotheirdailyexistencewithwonderfulequanimity。
Hedidnotlikeit,butdaredsaynothing。
chapter03
CHAPTERIII。
ThedeliberationsconductedinLondonhaveafar-reachingimportance,andsothedecisionissuedfromthefog-veiledofficesoftheBorneoCompanydarkenedforAlmayerthebrilliantsunshineoftheTropics,andaddedanotherdropofbitternesstothecupofhisdisenchantments。TheclaimtothatpartoftheEastCoastwasabandoned,leavingthePantairiverunderthenominalpowerofHolland。InSambirtherewasjoyandexcitement。Theslaveswerehurriedoutofsightintotheforestandjungle,andtheflagswererunuptotallpolesintheRajah\'scompoundinexpectationofavisitfromDutchman-of-warboats。
Thefrigateremainedanchoredoutsidethemouthoftheriver,andtheboatscameupintowofthesteamlaunch,threadingtheirwaycautiouslyamongstacrowdofcanoesfilledwithgailydressedMalays。TheofficerincommandlistenedgravelytotheloyalspeechesofLakamba,returnedthesalaamsofAbdulla,andassuredthosegentlemeninchoiceMalayofthegreatRajah\'s——downinBatavia——friendshipandgoodwilltowardstherulerandinhabitantsofthismodelstateofSambir。
Almayerfromhisverandahwatchedacrosstheriverthefestiveproceedings,heardthereportofbrassgunssalutingthenewflagpresentedtoLakamba,andthedeepmurmurofthecrowdofspectatorssurgingroundthestockade。Thesmokeofthefiringroseinwhitecloudsonthegreenbackgroundoftheforests,andhecouldnothelpcomparinghisownfleetinghopestotherapidlydisappearingvapour。Hewasbynomeanspatrioticallyelatedbytheevent,yethehadtoforcehimselfintoagraciousbehaviourwhen,theofficialreceptionbeingover,thenavalofficersoftheCommissioncrossedtherivertopayavisittothesolitarywhitemanofwhomtheyhadheard,nodoubtwishingalsotocatchaglimpseofhisdaughter。Inthattheyweredisappointed,Ninarefusingtoshowherself;buttheyseemedeasilyconsoledbytheginandcherootssetbeforethembythehospitableAlmayer;andsprawlingcomfortablyonthelamearmchairsundertheshadeoftheverandah,whiletheblazingsunshineoutsideseemedtosetthegreatriversimmeringintheheat,theyfilledthelittlebungalowwiththeunusualsoundsofEuropeanlanguages,withnoiseandlaughterproducedbynavalwitticismsattheexpenseofthefatLakambawhomtheyhadbeencomplimentingsomuchthatverymorning。Theyoungermeninanaccessofgoodfellowshipmadetheirhosttalk,andAlmayer,excitedbythesightofEuropeanfaces,bythesoundofEuropeanvoices,openedhisheartbeforethesympathisingstrangers,unawareoftheamusementtherecitalofhismanymisfortunescausedtothosefutureadmirals。
Theydrankhishealth,wishedhimmanybigdiamondsandamountainofgold,expressedevenanenvyofthehighdestiniesawaitinghimyet。Encouragedbysomuchfriendliness,thegrey-headedandfoolishdreamerinvitedhisgueststovisithisnewhouse。Theywenttherethroughthelonggrassinastragglingprocessionwhiletheirboatsweregotreadyforthereturndowntheriverinthecooloftheevening。Andinthegreatemptyroomswherethetepidwindenteringthroughthesashlesswindowswhirledgentlythedriedleavesandthedustofmanydaysofneglect,Almayerinhiswhitejacketandfloweredsarong,surroundedbyacircleofglitteringuniforms,stampedhisfoottoshowthesolidityoftheneatly-fittingfloorsandexpatiateduponthebeautiesandconvenienceofthebuilding。
Theylistenedandassented,amazedbythewonderfulsimplicityandthefoolishhopefulnessoftheman,tillAlmayer,carriedawaybyhisexcitement,disclosedhisregretatthenon-arrivaloftheEnglish,\"whoknewhowtodeveloparichcountry,\"asheexpressedit。TherewasagenerallaughamongsttheDutchofficersatthatunsophisticatedstatement,andamovewasmadetowardstheboats;butwhenAlmayer,steppingcautiouslyontherottenboardsoftheLingardjetty,triedtoapproachthechiefoftheCommissionwithsometimidhintsanenttheprotectionrequiredbytheDutchsubjectagainstthewilyArabs,thatsaltwaterdiplomattoldhimsignificantlythattheArabswerebettersubjectsthanHollanderswhodealtillegallyingunpowderwiththeMalays。TheinnocentAlmayerrecognisedthereatoncetheoilytongueofAbdullaandthesolemnpersuasivenessofLakamba,buterehehadtimetoframeanindignantprotestthesteamlaunchandthestringofboatsmovedrapidlydowntheriverleavinghimonthejetty,standingopen-mouthedinhissurpriseandanger。TherearethirtymilesofriverfromSambirtothegem-likeislandsoftheestuarywherethefrigatewasawaitingthereturnoftheboats。Themoonroselongbeforetheboatshadtraversedhalfthatdistance,andtheblackforestsleepingpeacefullyunderhercoldrayswokeupthatnighttotheringinglaughterinthesmallflotillaprovokedbysomereminiscenceofAlmayer\'slamentablenarrative。Salt-waterjestsatthepoorman\'sexpensewerepassedfromboattoboat,thenon-appearanceofhisdaughterwascommenteduponwithseveredispleasure,andthehalf-finishedhousebuiltforthereceptionofEnglishmenreceivedonthatjoyousnightthenameof\"Almayer\'sFolly\"bytheunanimousvoteofthelightheartedseamen。
FormanyweeksafterthisvisitlifeinSambirresumeditsevenanduneventfulflow。Eachday\'ssunshootingitsmorningraysabovethetree-topslituptheusualsceneofdailyactivity。
Ninawalkingonthepaththatformedtheonlystreetinthesettlementsawtheaccustomedsightofmenlollingontheshadysideofthehouses,onthehighplatforms;ofwomenbusilyengagedinhuskingthedailyrice;ofnakedbrownchildrenracingalongtheshadyandnarrowpathsleadingtotheclearings。
Jim-Eng,strollingbeforehishouse,greetedherwithafriendlynodbeforeclimbingupindoorstoseekhisbelovedopiumpipe。
Theelderchildrenclusteredroundher,daringfromlongacquaintance,pullingtheskirtsofherwhiterobewiththeirdarkfingers,andshowingtheirbrilliantteethinexpectationofashowerofglassbeads。Shegreetedthemwithaquietsmile,butalwayshadafewfriendlywordsforaSiamesegirl,aslaveownedbyBulangi,whosenumerouswivesweresaidtobeofaviolenttemper。Well-foundedrumoursaidalsothatthedomesticsquabblesofthatindustriouscultivatorendedgenerallyinacombinedassaultofallhiswivesupontheSiameseslave。Thegirlherselfnevercomplained——perhapsfromdictatesofprudence,butmorelikelythroughthestrange,resignedapathyofhalf-savagewomankind。Fromearlymorningshewastobeseenonthepathsamongstthehouses——bytheriversideoronthejetties,thetrayofpastry,itwashermissiontosell,skilfullybalancedonherhead。DuringthegreatheatofthedaysheusuallysoughtrefugeinAlmayer\'scampong,oftenfindingshelterinashadycorneroftheverandah,whereshesquattedwithhertraybeforeher,wheninvitedbyNina。For\"MemPutih\"shehadalwaysasmile,butthepresenceofMrs。Almayer,theverysoundofhershrillvoice,wasthesignalforahurrieddeparture。
TothisgirlNinaoftenspoke;theotherinhabitantsofSambirseldomorneverheardthesoundofhervoice。Theygotusedtothesilentfiguremovingintheirmidstcalmandwhite-robed,abeingfromanotherworldandincomprehensibletothem。YetNina\'slifeforallheroutwardcomposure,foralltheseemingdetachmentfromthethingsandpeoplesurroundingher,wasfarfromquiet,inconsequenceofMrs。Almayerbeingmuchtooactiveforthehappinessandevensafetyofthehousehold。ShehadresumedsomeintercoursewithLakamba,notpersonally,itistrue(forthedignityofthatpotentatekepthiminsidehisstockade),butthroughtheagencyofthatpotentate\'sprimeminister,harbourmaster,financialadviser,andgeneralfactotum。
Thatgentleman——ofSuluorigin——wascertainlyendowedwithstatesmanlikequalities,althoughhewastotallydevoidofpersonalcharms。Intruthhewasperfectlyrepulsive,possessingonlyoneeyeandapockmarkedface,withnoseandlipshorriblydisfiguredbythesmall-pox。ThisunengagingindividualoftenstrolledintoAlmayer\'sgardeninunofficialcostume,composedofapieceofpinkcalicoroundhiswaist。Thereatthebackofthehouse,squattingonhisheelsonscatteredembers,incloseproximitytothegreatironboiler,wherethefamilydailyricewasbeingcookedbythewomenunderMrs。Almayer\'ssuperintendence,didthatastutenegotiatorcarryonlongconversationsinSululanguagewithAlmayer\'swife。WhatthesubjectoftheirdiscourseswasmighthavebeenguessedfromthesubsequentdomesticscenesbyAlmayer\'shearthstone。
OflateAlmayerhadtakentoexcursionsuptheriver。InasmallcanoewithtwopaddlersandthefaithfulAliforasteersmanhewoulddisappearforafewdaysatatime。AllhismovementswerenodoubtcloselywatchedbyLakambaandAbdulla,forthemanonceintheconfidenceofRajahLautwassupposedtobeinpossessionofvaluablesecrets。ThecoastpopulationofBorneobelievesimplicitlyindiamondsoffabulousvalue,ingoldminesofenormousrichnessintheinterior。Andallthoseimaginingsareheightenedbythedifficultyofpenetratingfarinland,especiallyonthenorth-eastcoast,wheretheMalaysandtherivertribesofDyaksorHead-huntersareeternallyquarrelling。
ItistrueenoughthatsomegoldreachesthecoastinthehandsofthoseDyakswhen,duringshortperiodsoftruceinthedesultorywarfare,theyvisitthecoastsettlementsofMalays。
Andsothewildestexaggerationsarebuiltupandaddedtoontheslightbasisofthatfact。
Almayerinhisqualityofwhiteman——asLingardbeforehim——hadsomewhatbetterrelationswiththeup-rivertribes。Yetevenhisexcursionswerenotwithoutdanger,andhisreturnswereeagerlylookedforbytheimpatientLakamba。ButeverytimetheRajahwasdisappointed。Vainweretheconferencesbytherice-potofhisfactotumBabalatchiwiththewhiteman\'swife。Thewhitemanhimselfwasimpenetrable——impenetrabletopersuasion,coaxing,abuse;tosoftwordsandshrillrevilings;todesperatebeseechingsormurderousthreats;forMrs。Almayer,inherextremedesiretopersuadeherhusbandintoanalliancewithLakamba,playeduponthewholegamutofpassion。Withhersoiledrobewoundtightlyunderthearmpitsacrossherleanbosom,herscantgrayishhairtumbledindisorderoverherprojectingcheek-bones,insuppliantattitude,shedepictedwithshrillvolubilitytheadvantagesofcloseunionwithamansogoodandsofairdealing。
\"Whydon\'tyougototheRajah?\"shescreamed。\"WhydoyougobacktothoseDyaksinthegreatforest?Theyshouldbekilled。
Youcannotkillthem,youcannot;butourRajah\'smenarebrave!
YoutelltheRajahwheretheoldwhiteman\'streasureis。OurRajahisgood!Heisourverygrandfather,DatuBesar!HewillkillthosewretchedDyaks,andyoushallhavehalfthetreasure。
Oh,Kaspar,tellwherethetreasureis!Tellme!Tellmeoutoftheoldman\'ssuratwhereyoureadsooftenatnight\"
OnthoseoccasionsAlmayersatwithroundedshouldersbendingtotheblastofthisdomestictempest,accentuatingonlyeachpauseinthetorrentofhiswife\'seloquencebyanangrygrowl,\"Thereisnotreasure!Goaway,woman!\"Exasperatedbythesightofhispatientlybentback,shewouldatlastwalkroundsoastofacehimacrossthetable,andclaspingherrobewithonehandshestretchedtheotherleanarmandclaw-likehandtoemphasise,inapassionofangerandcontempt,therapidrushofscathingremarksandbittercursingsheapedontheheadofthemanunworthytoassociatewithbraveMalaychiefs。ItendedgenerallybyAlmayerrisingslowly,hislongpipeinhand,hisfacesetintoalookofinwardpain,andwalkingawayinsilence。
Hedescendedthestepsandplungedintothelonggrassonhiswaytothesolitudeofhisnewhouse,dragginghisfeetinastateofphysicalcollapsefromdisgustandfearbeforethatfury。Shefollowedtotheheadofthesteps,andsenttheshaftsofindiscriminateabuseaftertheretreatingform。Andeachofthosesceneswasconcludedbyapiercingshriek,reachinghimfaraway。\"Youknow,Kaspar,Iamyourwife!yourownChristianwifeafteryourownBlandalaw!\"Forsheknewthatthiswasthebitterestthingofall;thegreatestregretofthatman\'slife。
AllthesescenesNinawitnessedunmoved。Shemighthavebeendeaf,dumb,withoutanyfeelingasfarasanyexpressionofopinionwent。Yetoftwhenherfatherhadsoughttherefugeofthegreatdustyroomsof\"Almayer\'sFolly,\"andhermother,exhaustedbyrhetoricalefforts,squattedwearilyonherheelswithherbackagainstthelegofthetable,Ninawouldapproachhercuriously,guardingherskirtsfrombeteljuicebesprinklingthefloor,andgazedownuponherasonemightlookintothequiescentcraterofavolcanoafteradestructiveeruption。Mrs。
Almayer\'sthoughts,afterthesescenes,wereusuallyturnedintoachannelofchildhoodreminiscences,andshegavethemutteranceinakindofmonotonousrecitative——slightlydisconnected,butgenerallydescribingthegloriesoftheSultanofSulu,hisgreatsplendour,hispower,hisgreatprowess;thefearwhichbenumbedtheheartsofwhitemenatthesightofhisswiftpiraticalpraus。Andthesemutteredstatementsofhergrandfather\'smightweremixedupwithbitsoflaterrecollections,wherethegreatfightwiththe\"WhiteDevil\'s\"
brigandtheconventlifeinSamarangoccupiedtheprincipalplace。Atthatpointsheusuallydroppedthethreadofhernarrative,andpullingoutthelittlebrasscross,alwayssuspendedroundherneck,shecontemplateditwithsuperstitiousawe。Thatsuperstitiousfeelingconnectedwithsomevaguetalismanicpropertiesofthelittlebitofmetal,andthestillmorehazybutterriblenotionofsomebadDjinnsandhorribletormentsinvented,asshethought,forherespecialpunishmentbythegoodMotherSuperiorincaseofthelossoftheabovecharm,wereMrs。Almayer\'sonlytheologicalluggageforthestormyroadoflife。Mrs。Almayerhadatleastsomethingtangibletoclingto,butNina,broughtupundertheProtestantwingoftheproperMrs。Vinck,hadnotevenalittlepieceofbrasstoremindherofpastteaching。Andlisteningtotherecitalofthosesavageglories,thosebarbarousfightsandsavagefeasting,tothestoryofdeedsvalorous,albeitsomewhatbloodthirsty,wheremenofhermother\'sraceshonefarabovetheOrangBlanda,shefeltherselfirresistiblyfascinated,andsawwithvaguesurprisethenarrowmantleofcivilisedmorality,inwhichgood-meaningpeoplehadwrappedheryoungsoul,fallawayandleavehershiveringandhelplessasifontheedgeofsomedeepandunknownabyss。
Strangestofall,thisabyssdidnotfrightenherwhenshewasundertheinfluenceofthewitch-likebeingshecalledhermother。SheseemedtohaveforgottenincivilisedsurroundingsherlifebeforethetimewhenLingardhad,sotospeak,kidnappedherfromBrow。SincethenshehadhadChristianteaching,socialeducation,andagoodglimpseofcivilisedlife。Unfortunatelyherteachersdidnotunderstandhernature,andtheeducationendedinasceneofhumiliation,inanoutburstofcontemptfromwhitepeopleforhermixedblood。ShehadtastedthewholebitternessofitandremembereddistinctlythatthevirtuousMrs。
Vinck\'sindignationwasnotsomuchdirectedagainsttheyoungmanfromthebankasagainsttheinnocentcauseofthatyoungman\'sinfatuation。AndtherewasalsonodoubtinhermindthattheprincipalcauseofMrs。Vinck\'sindignationwasthethoughtthatsuchathingshouldhappeninawhitenest,wherehersnow-whitedoves,thetwoMissesVinck,hadjustreturnedfromEurope,tofindshelterunderthematernalwing,andthereawaitthecomingofirreproachablemenoftheirdestiny。NoteventhethoughtofthemoneysopainfullyscrapedtogetherbyAlmayer,andsopunctuallysentforNina\'sexpenses,coulddissuadeMrs。
Vinckfromhervirtuousresolve。Ninawassentaway,andintruththegirlherselfwantedtogo,althoughalittlefrightenedbytheimpendingchange。Andnowshehadlivedontheriverforthreeyearswithasavagemotherandafatherwalkingaboutamongstpitfalls,withhisheadintheclouds,weak,irresolute,andunhappy。Shehadlivedalifedevoidofallthedecenciesofcivilisation,inmiserabledomesticconditions;shehadbreathedintheatmosphereofsordidplottingsforgain,ofthenolessdisgustingintriguesandcrimesforlustormoney;andthosethings,togetherwiththedomesticquarrels,weretheonlyeventsofherthreeyears\'existence。Shedidnotdiefromdespairanddisgustthefirstmonth,assheexpectedandalmosthopedfor。
Onthecontrary,attheendofhalfayearithadseemedtoherthatshehadknownnootherlife。Heryoungmindhavingbeenunskilfullypermittedtoglanceatbetterthings,andthenthrownbackagainintothehopelessquagmireofbarbarism,fullofstronganduncontrolledpassions,hadlostthepowertodiscriminate。ItseemedtoNinathattherewasnochangeandnodifference。Whethertheytradedinbrickgodownsoronthemuddyriverbank;whethertheyreachedaftermuchorlittle;whethertheymadeloveundertheshadowsofthegreattreesorintheshadowofthecathedralontheSingaporepromenade;whethertheyplottedfortheirownendsundertheprotectionoflawsandaccordingtotherulesofChristianconduct,orwhethertheysoughtthegratificationoftheirdesireswiththesavagecunningandtheunrestrainedfiercenessofnaturesasinnocentofcultureastheirownimmenseandgloomyforests,Ninasawonlythesamemanifestationsofloveandhateandofsordidgreedchasingtheuncertaindollarinallitsmultifariousandvanishingshapes。
Toherresolutenature,however,afteralltheseyears,thesavageanduncompromisingsincerityofpurposeshownbyherMalaykinsmenseemedatlastpreferabletothesleekhypocrisy,tothepolitedisguises,tothevirtuouspretencesofsuchwhitepeopleasshehadhadthemisfortunetocomeincontactwith。
Afterallitwasherlife;itwasgoingtobeherlife,andsothinkingshefellmoreandmoreundertheinfluenceofhermother。Seeking,inherignorance,abettersidetothatlife,shelistenedwithaviditytotheoldwoman\'stalesofthedepartedgloriesoftheRajahs,fromwhoseraceshehadsprung,andshebecamegraduallymoreindifferent,morecontemptuousofthewhitesideofherdescentrepresentedbyafeebleandtraditionlessfather。
Almayer\'sdifficultieswerebynomeansdiminishedbythegirl\'spresenceinSambir。Thestircausedbyherarrivalhaddiedout,itistrue,andLakambahadnotrenewedhisvisits;butaboutayearafterthedepartureoftheman-of-warboatsthenephewofAbdulla,SyedReshid,returnedfromhispilgrimagetoMecca,rejoicinginagreenjacketandtheproudtitleofHadji。Therewasagreatlettingoffofrocketsonboardthesteamerwhichbroughthimin,andagreatbeatingofdrumsallnightinAbdulla\'scompound,whilethefeastofwelcomewasprolongedfarintothesmallhoursofthemorning。ReshidwasthefavouritenephewandheirofAbdulla,andthatlovinguncle,meetingAlmayeronedaybytheriverside,stoppedpolitelytoexchangecivilitiesandtoasksolemnlyforaninterview。Almayersuspectedsomeattemptataswindle,oratanyratesomethingunpleasant,butofcourseconsentedwithagreatshowofrejoicing。Accordinglythenextevening,aftersunset,Abdullacame,accompaniedbyseveralothergrey-beardsandbyhisnephew。
Thatyoungman——ofaveryrakishanddissipatedappearance——
affectedthegreatestindifferenceastothewholeoftheproceedings。Whenthetorch-bearershadgroupedthemselvesbelowthesteps,andthevisitorshadseatedthemselvesonvariouslamechairs,Reshidstoodapartintheshadow,examininghisaristocraticallysmallhandswithgreatattention。Almayer,surprisedbythegreatsolemnityofhisvisitors,perchedhimselfonthecornerofthetablewithacharacteristicwantofdignityquicklynotedbytheArabswithgravedisapproval。ButAbdullaspokenow,lookingstraightpastAlmayerattheredcurtainhanginginthedoorway,whereaslighttremordisclosedthepresenceofwomenontheotherside。HebeganbyneatlycomplimentingAlmayeruponthelongyearstheyhaddwelttogetherincordialneighbourhood,andcalleduponAllahtogivehimmanymoreyearstogladdentheeyesofhisfriendsbyhiswelcomepresence。Hemadeapoliteallusiontothegreatconsiderationshownhim(Almayer)bytheDutch\"Commissie,\"anddrewthencetheflatteringinferenceofAlmayer\'sgreatimportanceamongsthisownpeople。He——Abdulla——wasalsoimportantamongstalltheArabs,andhisnephewReshidwouldbeheirofthatsocialpositionandofgreatriches。NowReshidwasaHadji。HewaspossessorofseveralMalaywomen,wentonAbdulla,butitwastimehehadafavouritewife,thefirstofthefourallowedbytheProphet。And,speakingwithwell-bredpoliteness,heexplainedfurthertothedumbfoundedAlmayerthat,ifhewouldconsenttotheallianceofhisoffspringwiththattruebelieverandvirtuousmanReshid,shewouldbethemistressofallthesplendoursofReshid\'shouse,andfirstwifeofthefirstArabintheIslands,whenhe——Abdulla——wascalledtothejoysofParadisebyAllahtheAll-merciful。\"Youknow,Tuan,\"hesaid,inconclusion,\"theotherwomenwouldbeherslaves,andReshid\'shouseisgreat。FromBombayhehasbroughtgreatdivans,andcostlycarpets,andEuropeanfurniture。Thereisalsoagreatlooking-glassinaframeshininglikegold。Whatcouldagirlwantmore?\"AndwhileAlmayerlookeduponhiminsilentdismayAbdullaspokeinamoreconfidentialtone,wavinghisattendantsaway,andfinishedhisspeechbypointingoutthematerialadvantagesofsuchanalliance,andofferingtosettleuponAlmayerthreethousanddollarsasasignofhissincerefriendshipandthepriceofthegirl。
PoorAlmayerwasnearlyhavingafit。BurningwiththedesireoftakingAbdullabythethroat,hehadbuttothinkofhishelplesspositioninthemidstoflawlessmentocomprehendthenecessityofdiplomaticconciliation。Hemasteredhisimpulses,andspokepolitelyandcoldly,sayingthegirlwasyoungandastheappleofhiseye。TuanReshid,aFaithfulandaHadji,wouldnotwantaninfidelwomaninhisharem;and,seeingAbdullasmilescepticallyatthatlastobjection,heremainedsilent,nottrustinghimselftospeakmore,notdaringtorefusepoint-blank,noryettosayanythingcompromising。Abdullaunderstoodthemeaningofthatsilence,androsetotakeleavewithagravesalaam。HewishedhisfriendAlmayer\"athousandyears,\"andmoveddownthesteps,helpeddutifullybyReshid。Thetorch-
bearersshooktheirtorches,scatteringashowerofsparksintotheriver,andthecortegemovedoff,leavingAlmayeragitatedbutgreatlyrelievedbytheirdeparture。Hedroppedintoachairandwatchedtheglimmerofthelightsamongstthetreetrunkstilltheydisappearedandcompletesilencesucceededthetrampoffeetandthemurmurofvoices。HedidnotmovetillthecurtainrustledandNinacameoutontheverandahandsatintherocking-chair,wheresheusedtospendmanyhourseveryday。Shegaveaslightrockingmotiontoherseat,leaningbackwithhalf-closedeyes,herlonghairshadingherfacefromthesmokylightofthelamponthetable。Almayerlookedatherfurtively,butthefacewasasimpassibleasever。Sheturnedherheadslightlytowardsherfather,and,speaking,tohisgreatsurprise,inEnglish,asked——
\"WasthatAbdullahere?\"
\"Yes,\"saidAlmayer——\"justgone。\"
\"Andwhatdidhewant,father?\"
\"HewantedtobuyyouforReshid,\"answeredAlmayer,brutally,hisangergettingthebetterofhim,andlookingatthegirlasifinexpectationofsomeoutbreakoffeeling。ButNinaremainedapparentlyunmoved,gazingdreamilyintotheblacknightoutside。
\"Becareful,Nina,\"saidAlmayer,afterashortsilenceandrisingfromhischair,\"whenyougopaddlingaloneintothecreeksinyourcanoe。ThatReshidisaviolentscoundrel,andthereisnosayingwhathemaydo。Doyouhearme?\"
Shewasstandingnow,readytogoin,onehandgraspingthecurtaininthedoorway。Sheturnedround,throwingherheavytressesbackbyasuddengesture。
\"Doyouthinkhewoulddare?\"sheasked,quickly,andthenturnedagaintogoin,addinginalowertone,\"Hewouldnotdare。
Arabsareallcowards。\"
Almayerlookedafterher,astonished。Hedidnotseekthereposeofhishammock。Hewalkedthefloorabsently,sometimesstoppingbythebalustradetothink。Thelampwentout。Thefirststreakofdawnbrokeovertheforest;Almayershiveredinthedampair。
\"Igiveitup,\"hemutteredtohimself,lyingdownwearily。
\"Damnthosewomen!Well!Ifthegirldidnotlookasifshewantedtobekidnapped!\"
Andhefeltanamelessfearcreepintohisheart,makinghimshiveragain。
chapter04
CHAPTERIV。
Thatyear,towardsthebreakingupofthesouth-westmonsoon,disquietingrumoursreachedSambir。CaptainFord,cominguptoAlmayer\'shouseforanevening\'schat,broughtlatenumbersoftheStraitsTimesgivingthenewsofAcheenwarandoftheunsuccessfulDutchexpedition。TheNakhodasoftheraretradingprausascendingtheriverpaidvisitstoLakamba,discussingwiththatpotentatetheunsettledstateofaffairs,andwaggedtheirheadsgravelyovertherecitalofOrangBlandaexaction,severity,andgeneraltyranny,asexemplifiedinthetotalstoppageofgunpowdertradeandtherigorousvisitingofallsuspiciouscrafttradinginthestraitsofMacassar。EventheloyalsoulofLakambawasstirredintoastateofinwarddiscontentbythewithdrawalofhislicenseforpowderandbytheabruptconfiscationofonehundredandfiftybarrelsofthatcommoditybythegunboatPrincessAmelia,when,afterahazardousvoyage,ithadalmostreachedthemouthoftheriver。TheunpleasantnewswasgivenhimbyReshid,who,aftertheunsuccessfulissueofhismatrimonialprojects,hadmadealongvoyageamongsttheislandsfortradingpurposes;hadboughtthepowderforhisfriend,andwasoverhauledanddeprivedofitonhisreturnwhenactuallycongratulatinghimselfonhisacutenessinavoidingdetection。Reshid\'swrathwasprincipallydirectedagainstAlmayer,whomhesuspectedofhavingnotifiedtheDutchauthoritiesofthedesultorywarfarecarriedonbytheArabsandtheRajahwiththeup-riverDyaktribes。
ToReshid\'sgreatsurprisetheRajahreceivedhiscomplaintsverycoldly,andshowednosignsofvengefuldispositiontowardsthewhiteman。Intruth,LakambaknewverywellthatAlmayerwasperfectlyinnocentofanymeddlinginstateaffairs;andbesides,hisattitudetowardsthatmuchpersecutedindividualwaswhollychangedinconsequenceofareconciliationeffectedbetweenhimandhisoldenemybyAlmayer\'snewly-foundfriend,DainMaroola。
Almayerhadnowafriend。ShortlyafterReshid\'sdepartureonhiscommercialjourney,Nina,driftingslowlywiththetideinthecanoeonherreturnhomeafteroneofhersolitaryexcursions,heardinoneofthesmallcreeksasplashing,asifofheavyropesdroppinginthewater,andtheprolongedsongofMalayseamenwhensomeheavypullingistobedone。ThroughthethickfringeofbusheshidingthemouthofthecreekshesawthetallsparsofsomeEuropean-riggedsailingvesselovertoppingthesummitsoftheNipapalms。Abrigwasbeinghauledoutofthesmallcreekintothemainstream。Thesunhadset,andduringtheshortmomentsoftwilightNinasawthebrig,aidedbytheeveningbreezeandtheflowingtide,headtowardsSambirunderhersetforesail。Thegirlturnedhercanoeoutofthemainriverintooneofthemanynarrowchannelsamongstthewoodedislets,andpaddledvigorouslyovertheblackandsleepybackwaterstowardsSambir。Hercanoebrushedthewater-palms,skirtedtheshortspacesofmuddybankwheresedatealligatorslookedatherwithlazyunconcern,and,justasdarknesswassettingin,shotoutintothebroadjunctionofthetwomainbranchesoftheriver,wherethebrigwasalreadyatanchorwithsailsfurled,yardssquared,anddecksseeminglyuntenantedbyanyhumanbeing。NinahadtocrosstheriverandpassprettyclosetothebriginordertoreachhomeonthelowpromontorybetweenthetwobranchesofthePantai。Upbothbranches,inthehousesbuiltonthebanksandoverthewater,thelightstwinkledalready,reflectedinthestillwatersbelow。Thehumofvoices,theoccasionalcryofachild,therapidandabruptlyinterruptedrollofawoodendrum,togetherwithsomedistanthailinginthedarknessbythereturningfishermen,reachedheroverthebroadexpanseoftheriver。Shehesitatedalittlebeforecrossing,thesightofsuchanunusualobjectasanEuropean-riggedvesselcausinghersomeuneasiness,buttheriverinitswideexpansionwasdarkenoughtorenderasmallcanoeinvisible。Sheurgedhersmallcraftwithswiftstrokesofherpaddle,kneelinginthebottomandbendingforwardtocatchanysuspicioussoundwhileshesteeredtowardsthelittlejettyofLingardandCo。,towhichthestronglightoftheparaffinlampshiningonthewhitewashedverandahofAlmayer\'sbungalowservedasaconvenientguide。Thejettyitself,undertheshadowofthebankovergrownbydroopingbushes,washiddenindarkness。Beforeevenshecouldseeitsheheardthehollowbumpingofalargeboatagainstitsrottenposts,andheardalsothemurmurofwhisperedconversationinthatboatwhosewhitepaintandgreatdimensions,faintlyvisibleonnearerapproach,madeherrightlyguessthatitbelongedtothebrigjustanchored。Stoppinghercoursebyarapidmotionofherpaddle,withanotherswiftstrokeshesentitwhirlingawayfromthewharfandsteeredforalittlerivuletwhichgaveaccesstothebackcourtyardofthehouse。Shelandedatthemuddyheadofthecreekandmadeherwaytowardsthehouseoverthetroddengrassofthecourtyard。Totheleft,fromthecookingshed,shonearedglarethroughthebananaplantationsheskirted,andthenoiseoffemininelaughterreachedherfromthereinthesilentevening。Sherightlyjudgedhermotherwasnotnear,laughterandMrs。Almayernotbeingcloseneighbours。Shemustbeinthehouse,thoughtNina,assheranlightlyuptheinclinedplaneofshakyplanksleadingtothebackdoorofthenarrowpassagedividingthehouseintwo。Outsidethedoorway,intheblackshadow,stoodthefaithfulAli。
\"Whoisthere?\"askedNina。
\"AgreatMalaymanhascome,\"answeredAli,inatoneofsuppressedexcitement。\"Heisarichman。Therearesixmenwithlances。RealSoldat,youunderstand。Andhisdressisverybrave。Ihaveseenhisdress。Itshines!Whatjewels!
Don\'tgothere,MemNina。Tuansaidnot;buttheoldMemisgone。
Tuanwillbeangry。MercifulAllah!whatjewelsthatmanhasgot!\"
Ninaslippedpasttheoutstretchedhandoftheslaveintothedarkpassagewhere,inthecrimsonglowofthehangingcurtain,closebyitsotherend,shecouldseeasmalldarkformcrouchingnearthewall。Hermotherwasfeastinghereyesandearswithwhatwastakingplaceonthefrontverandah,andNinaapproachedtotakehershareintherarepleasureofsomenovelty。Shewasmetbyhermother\'sextendedarmandbyalowmurmuredwarningnottomakeanoise。
\"Haveyouseenthem,mother?\"askedNina,inabreathlesswhisper。
Mrs。Almayerturnedherfacetowardsthegirl,andhersunkeneyesshonestrangelyintheredhalf-lightofthepassage。
\"Isawhim,\"shesaid,inanalmostinaudibletone,pressingherdaughter\'shandwithherbonyfingers。\"AgreatRajahhascometoSambir——aSonofHeaven,\"mutteredtheoldwomantoherself。
\"Goaway,girl!\"
Thetwowomenstoodclosetothecurtain,Ninawishingtoapproachtherentinthestuff,andhermotherdefendingthepositionwithangryobstinacy。Ontheothersidetherewasalullintheconversation,butthebreathingofseveralmen,theoccasionallighttinklingofsomeornaments,theclinkofmetalscabbards,orofbrasssiri-vesselspassedfromhandtohand,wasaudibleduringtheshortpause。Thewomenstruggledsilently,whentherewasashufflingnoiseandtheshadowofAlmayer\'sburlyformfellonthecurtain。
Thewomenceasedstrugglingandremainedmotionless。Almayerhadstooduptoanswerhisguest,turninghisbacktothedoorway,unawareofwhatwasgoingonontheotherside。Hespokeinatoneofregretfulirritation。
\"Youhavecometothewronghouse,TuanMaroola,ifyouwanttotradeasyousay。Iwasatraderonce,notnow,whateveryoumayhaveheardaboutmeinMacassar。Andifyouwantanything,youwillnotfindithere;Ihavenothingtogive,andwantnothingmyself。YoushouldgototheRajahhere;youcanseeinthedaytimehishousesacrosstheriver,there,wherethosefiresareburningontheshore。Hewillhelpyouandtradewithyou。
Or,betterstill,gototheArabsoverthere,\"hewentonbitterly,pointingwithhishandtowardsthehousesofSambir。\"Abdullaisthemanyouwant。Thereisnothinghewouldnotbuy,andthereisnothinghewouldnotsell;believeme,Iknowhimwell。\"
Hewaitedforananswerashorttime,thenadded——
\"AllthatIhavesaidistrue,andthereisnothingmore。\"
Nina,heldbackbyhermother,heardasoftvoicereplywithacalmevennessofintonationpeculiartothebetterclassMalays——
\"WhowoulddoubtawhiteTuan\'swords?Amanseekshisfriendswherehishearttellshim。Isthisnottruealso?Ihavecome,althoughsolate,forIhavesomethingtosaywhichyoumaybegladtohear。To-morrowIwillgototheSultan;atraderwantsthefriendshipofgreatmen。ThenIshallreturnheretospeakseriouswords,ifTuanpermits。IshallnotgototheArabs;
theirliesareverygreat!Whatarethey?Chelakka!\"
Almayer\'svoicesoundedalittlemorepleasantlyinreply。
\"Well,asyoulike。Icanhearyouto-morrowatanytimeifyouhaveanythingtosay。Bah!AfteryouhaveseentheSultanLakambayouwillnotwanttoreturnhere,InchiDain。Youwillsee。Onlymind,IwillhavenothingtodowithLakamba。
Youmaytellhimso。Whatisyourbusinesswithme,afterall?\"
\"To-morrowwetalk,Tuan,nowIknowyou,\"answeredtheMalay。
\"IspeakEnglishalittle,sowecantalkandnobodywillunderstand,andthen——\"
Heinterruptedhimselfsuddenly,askingsurprised,\"What\'sthatnoise,Tuan?\"
Almayerhadalsoheardtheincreasingnoiseofthescufflerecommencedonthewomen\'ssideofthecurtain。EvidentlyNina\'sstrongcuriositywasonthepointofovercomingMrs。Almayer\'sexaltedsenseofsocialproprieties。Hardbreathingwasdistinctlyaudible,andthecurtainshookduringthecontest,whichwasmainlyphysical,althoughMrs。Almayer\'svoicewasheardinangryremonstrancewithitsusualwantofstrictlylogicalreasoning,butwiththewell-knownrichnessofinvective。
\"Youshamelesswoman!Areyouaslave?\"shoutedshrillytheiratematron。\"Veilyourface,abandonedwretch!Youwhitesnake,Iwillnotletyou!\"
Almayer\'sfaceexpressedannoyanceandalsodoubtastotheadvisabilityofinterferingbetweenmotheranddaughter。HeglancedathisMalayvisitor,whowaswaitingsilentlyfortheendoftheuproarinanattitudeofamusedexpectation,andwavinghishandcontemptuouslyhemurmured——
\"Itisnothing。Somewomen。\"
TheMalaynoddedhisheadgravely,andhisfaceassumedanexpressionofsereneindifference,asetiquettedemandedaftersuchanexplanation。Thecontestwasendedbehindthecurtain,andevidentlytheyoungerwillhaditsway,fortherapidshuffleandclickofMrs。Almayer\'shigh-heeledsandalsdiedawayinthedistance。Thetranquillisedmasterofthehousewasgoingtoresumetheconversationwhen,struckbyanunexpectedchangeintheexpressionofhisguest\'scountenance,heturnedhisheadandsawNinastandinginthedoorway。
AfterMrs。Almayer\'sretreatfromthefieldofbattle,Nina,withacontemptuousexclamation,\"It\'sonlyatrader,\"hadliftedtheconqueredcurtainandnowstoodinfulllight,framedinthedarkbackgroundonthepassage,herlipsslightlyparted,herhairindisorderaftertheexertion,theangrygleamnotyetfadedoutofhergloriousandsparklingeyes。Shetookinataglancethegroupofwhite-cladlancemenstandingmotionlessintheshadowofthefar-offendoftheverandah,andhergazerestedcuriouslyonthechiefofthatimposingcortege。Hestood,almostfacingher,alittleononeside,andstruckbythebeautyoftheunexpectedapparitionhadbentlow,elevatinghisjointhandsabovehisheadinasignofrespectaccordedbyMalaysonlytothegreatofthisearth。Thecrudelightofthelampshoneonthegoldembroideryofhisblacksilkjacket,brokeinathousandsparklingraysonthejewelledhiltofhiskrissprotrudingfromunderthemanyfoldsoftheredsaronggatheredintoasashroundhiswaist,andplayedonthepreciousstonesofthemanyringsonhisdarkfingers。Hestraightenedhimselfupquicklyafterthelowbow,puttinghishandwithagracefuleaseonthehiltofhisheavyshortswordornamentedwithbrilliantlydyedfringesofhorsehair。Nina,hesitatingonthethreshold,sawanerectlithefigureofmediumheightwithabreadthofshouldersuggestinggreatpower。Underthefoldsofablueturban,whosefringedendshunggracefullyovertheleftshoulder,wasafacefullofdeterminationandexpressingarecklessgood-humour,notdevoid,however,ofsomedignity。Thesquarenessoflowerjaw,thefullredlips,themobilenostrils,andtheproudcarriageoftheheadgavetheimpressionofabeinghalf-savage,untamed,perhapscruel,andcorrectedtheliquidsoftnessofthealmostfeminineeye,thatgeneralcharacteristicoftherace。Now,thefirstsurpriseover,Ninasawthoseeyesfixeduponherwithsuchanuncontrolledexpressionofadmirationanddesirethatshefeltahithertounknownfeelingofshyness,mixedwithalarmandsomedelight,enterandpenetrateherwholebeing。
Confusedbythoseunusualsensationsshestoppedinthedoorwayandinstinctivelydrewthelowerpartofthecurtainacrossherface,leavingonlyhalfaroundedcheek,astraytress,andoneeyeexposed,wherewithtocontemplatethegorgeousandboldbeingsounlikeinappearancetotherarespecimensoftradersshehadseenbeforeonthatsameverandah。
DainMaroola,dazzledbytheunexpectedvision,forgottheconfusedAlmayer,forgothisbrig,hisescortstaringinopen-mouthedadmiration,theobjectofhisvisitandallthingselse,inhisoverpoweringdesiretoprolongthecontemplationofsomuchlovelinessmetsosuddenlyinsuchanunlikelyplace——ashethought。
\"Itismydaughter,\"saidAlmayer,inanembarrassedmanner。\"Itisofnoconsequence。Whitewomenhavetheircustoms,asyouknowTuan,havingtravelledmuch,asyousay。However,itislate;wewillfinishourtalkto-morrow。\"
Dainbentlowtryingtoconveyinalastglancetowardsthegirltheboldexpressionofhisoverwhelmingadmiration。ThenextminutehewasshakingAlmayer\'shandwithgravecourtesy,hisfacewearingalookofstolidunconcernastoanyfemininepresence。Hismenfiledoff,andhefollowedthemquickly,closelyattendedbyathick-set,savage-lookingSumatresehehadintroducedbeforeasthecommanderofhisbrig。Ninawalkedtothebalustradeoftheverandahandsawthesheenofmoonlightonthesteelspear-headsandheardtherhythmicjingleofbrassankletsasthemenmovedinsinglefiletowardsthejetty。Theboatshovedoffafteralittlewhile,loominglargeinthefulllightofthemoon,ablackshapelessmassintheslighthazehangingoverthewater。Ninafanciedshecoulddistinguishthegracefulfigureofthetraderstandingerectinthesternsheets,butinalittlewhilealltheoutlinesgotblurred,confused,andsoondisappearedinthefoldsofwhitevapourshroudingthemiddleoftheriver。
Almayerhadapproachedhisdaughter,andleaningwithbotharmsovertherail,waslookingmoodilydownontheheapofrubbishandbrokenbottlesatthefootoftheverandah。
\"Whatwasallthatnoisejustnow?\"hegrowledpeevishly,withoutlookingup。\"Confoundyouandyourmother!Whatdidshewant?
Whatdidyoucomeoutfor?\"
\"Shedidnotwanttoletmecomeout,\"saidNina。\"Sheisangry。
ShesaysthemanjustgoneissomeRajah。Ithinksheisrightnow。\"
\"Ibelieveallyouwomenarecrazy,\"snarledAlmayer。\"What\'sthattoyou,toher,toanybody?Themanwantstocollecttrepangandbirds\'nestsontheislands。Hetoldmeso,thatRajahofyours。Hewillcometo-morrow。Iwantyoubothtokeepawayfromthehouse,andletmeattendtomybusinessinpeace。\"
DainMaroolacamethenextdayandhadalongconversationwithAlmayer。Thiswasthebeginningofacloseandfriendlyintercoursewhich,atfirst,wasmuchremarkedinSambir,tillthepopulationgotusedtothefrequentsightofmanyfiresburninginAlmayer\'scampong,whereMaroola\'smenwerewarmingthemselvesduringthecoldnightsofthenorth-eastmonsoon,whiletheirmasterhadlongconferenceswiththeTuanPutih——astheystyledAlmayeramongstthemselves。GreatwasthecuriosityinSambironthesubjectofthenewtrader。HadheseentheSultan?WhatdidtheSultansay?Hadhegivenanypresents?
Whatwouldhesell?Whatwouldhebuy?Thosewerethequestionsbroachedeagerlybytheinhabitantsofbamboohousesbuiltovertheriver。Eveninmoresubstantialbuildings,inAbdulla\'shouse,intheresidencesofprincipaltraders,Arab,Chinese,andBugis,theexcitementranhigh,andlastedmanydays。Withinbornsuspiciontheywouldnotbelievethesimpleaccountofhimselftheyoungtraderwasalwaysreadytogive。Yetithadalltheappearanceoftruth。Hesaidhewasatrader,andsoldrice。Hedidnotwanttobuygutta-perchaorbeeswax,becauseheintendedtoemployhisnumerouscrewincollectingtrepangonthecoralreefsoutsidetheriver,andalsoinseekingforbird\'snestsonthemainland。Thosetwoarticlesheprofessedhimselfreadytobuyiftherewereanytobeobtainedinthatway。HesaidhewasfromBali,andaBrahmin,whichlaststatementhemadegoodbyrefusingallfoodduringhisoftenrepeatedvisitstoLakamba\'sandAlmayer\'shouses。ToLakambahewentgenerallyatnightandhadlongaudiences。Babalatchi,whowasalwaysathirdpartyatthosemeetingsofpotentateandtrader,knewhowtoresistallattemptsonthepartofthecurioustoascertainthesubjectofsomanylongtalks。WhenquestionedwithlanguidcourtesybythegraveAbdullahesoughtrefugeinavacantstareofhisoneeye,andintheaffectationofextremesimplicity。
\"Iamonlymymaster\'sslave,\"murmuredBabalatchi,inahesitatingmanner。ThenasifmakinguphismindsuddenlyforarecklessconfidencehewouldinformAbdullaofsometransactioninrice,repeatingthewords,\"AhundredbigbagstheSultanbought;ahundred,Tuan!\"inatoneofmysterioussolemnity。