Abdulla，firmlypersuadedoftheexistenceofsomemoreimportantdealings，received，however，theinformationwithallthesignsofrespectfulastonishment。Andthetwowouldseparate，theArabcursinginwardlythewilydog，whileBabalatchiwentonhiswaywalkingonthedustypath，hisbodyswaying，hischinwithitsfewgreyhairspushedforward，resemblinganinquisitivegoatbentonsomeunlawfulexpedition。Attentiveeyeswatchedhismovements。Jim-Eng，descryingBabalatchifaraway，wouldshakeoffthestuporofanhabitualopiumsmokerand，totteringontothemiddleoftheroad，wouldawaittheapproachofthatimportantperson，readywithhospitableinvitation。ButBabalatchi\'sdiscretionwasproofevenagainstthecombinedassaultsofgoodfellowshipandofstronggingenerouslyadministeredbytheopen-heartedChinaman。Jim-Eng，owninghimselfbeaten，wasleftuninformedwiththeemptybottle，andgazedsadlyafterthedepartingformofthestatesmanofSambirpursuinghisdeviousandunsteadyway，which，asusual，ledhimtoAlmayer\'scompound。EversinceareconciliationhadbeeneffectedbyDainMaroolabetweenhiswhitefriendandtheRajah，theone-eyeddiplomatisthadagainbecomeafrequentguestintheDutchman\'shouse。ToAlmayer\'sgreatdisgusthewastobeseenthereatalltimes，strollingaboutinanabstractedkindofwayontheverandah，skulkinginthepassages，orelsepoppingroundunexpectedcorners，alwayswillingtoengageMrs。Almayerinconfidentialconversation。Hewasveryshyofthemasterhimself，asifsuspiciousthatthepent-upfeelingsofthewhitemantowardshispersonmightfindventinasuddenkick。Butthecookingshedwashisfavouriteplace，andhebecameanhabitualguestthere，squattingforhoursamongstthebusywomen，withhischinrestingonhisknees，hisleanarmsclaspedroundhislegs，andhisoneeyerovinguneasily——theverypictureofwatchfulugliness。AlmayerwantedmorethanoncetocomplaintoLakambaofhisPrimeMinister\'sintrusion，butDaindissuadedhim。\"Wecannotsayawordherethathedoesnothear，\"growledAlmayer。
\"Thencomeandtalkonboardthebrig，\"retortedDain，withaquietsmile。\"Itisgoodtoletthemancomehere。Lakambathinksheknowsmuch。PerhapstheSultanthinksIwanttorunaway。Betterlettheone-eyedcrocodilesunhimselfinyourcampong，Tuan。\"
AndAlmayerassentedunwillinglymutteringvaguethreatsofpersonalviolence，whileheeyedmalevolentlytheagedstatesmansittingwithquietobstinacybyhisdomesticrice-pot。
chapter05
CHAPTERV。
AtlasttheexcitementhaddiedoutinSambir。TheinhabitantsgotusedtothesightofcomingsandgoingsbetweenAlmayer\'shouseandthevessel，nowmooredtotheoppositebank，andspeculationastothefeverishactivitydisplayedbyAlmayer\'sboatmeninrepairingoldcanoesceasedtointerferewiththeduedischargeofdomesticdutiesbythewomenoftheSettlement。
EventhebaffledJim-Engleftofftroublinghismuddledbrainwithsecretsoftrade，andrelapsedbytheaidofhisopiumpipeintoastateofstupefiedbliss，lettingBabalatchipursuehiswaypasthishouseuninvitedandseeminglyunnoticed。
Soonthatwarmafternoon，whenthedesertedriversparkledundertheverticalsun，thestatesmanofSambircould，withoutanyhindrancefromfriendlyinquirers，shoveoffhislittlecanoefromunderthebushes，whereitwasusuallyhiddenduringhisvisitstoAlmayer\'scompound。SlowlyandlanguidlyBabalatchipaddled，crouchinglowintheboat，makinghimselfsmallunderhisasenormoussunhattoescapethescorchingheatreflectedfromthewater。Hewasnotinahurry；hismaster，Lakamba，wassurelyreposingatthistimeoftheday。Hewouldhaveampletimetocrossoverandgreethimonhiswakingwithimportantnews。Willhebedispleased？Willhestrikehisebonywoodstaffangrilyonthefloor，frighteninghimbytheincoherentviolenceofhisexclamations；orwillhesquatdownwithagood-humouredsmile，and，rubbinghishandsgentlyoverhisstomachwithafamiliargesture，expectoratecopiouslyintothebrasssiri-vessel，givingventtoalow，approbativemurmur？
SuchwereBabalatchi\'sthoughtsasheskilfullyhandledhispaddle，crossingtheriveronhiswaytotheRajah\'scampong，whosestockadesshowedfrombehindthedensefoliageofthebankjustoppositetoAlmayer\'sbungalow。
Indeed，hehadareporttomake。Somethingcertainatlasttoconfirmthedailytaleofsuspicions，thedailyhintsoffamiliarity，ofstolenglanceshehadseen，ofshortandburningwordshehadoverheardexchangedbetweenDainMaroolaandAlmayer\'sdaughter。
Lakambahad，tillthen，listenedtoitall，calmlyandwithevidentdistrust；nowhewasgoingtobeconvinced，forBabalatchihadtheproof；haditthisverymorning，whenfishingatbreakofdayinthecreekoverwhichstoodBulangi\'shouse。
TherefromhisskiffhesawNina\'slongcanoedriftpast，thegirlsittinginthesternbendingoverDain，whowasstretchedinthebottomwithhisheadrestingonthegirl\'sknees。Hesawit。
Hefollowedthem，butinashorttimetheytooktothepaddlesandgotawayfromunderhisobservanteye。AfewminutesafterwardshesawBulangi\'sslave-girlpaddlinginasmalldug-outtothetownwithhercakesforsale。Shealsohadseentheminthegreydawn。AndBabalatchigrinnedconfidentiallytohimselfattherecollectionoftheslave-girl\'sdiscomposedface，ofthehardlookinhereyes，ofthetrembleinhervoice，whenansweringhisquestions。ThatlittleTaminahevidentlyadmiredDainMaroola。Thatwasgood！AndBabalatchilaughedaloudatthenotion；thenbecomingsuddenlyserious，hebeganbysomestrangeassociationofideastospeculateuponthepriceforwhichBulangiwould，possibly，sellthegirl。HeshookhisheadsadlyatthethoughtthatBulangiwasahardman，andhadrefusedonehundreddollarsforthatsameTaminahonlyafewweeksago；
thenhebecamesuddenlyawarethatthecanoehaddriftedtoofardownduringhismeditation。HeshookoffthedespondencycausedbythecertitudeofBulangi\'smercenarydisposition，and，takinguphispaddle，inafewstrokessheeredalongsidethewater-gateoftheRajah\'shouse。
ThatafternoonAlmayer，aswashiswontlately，movedaboutonthewater-side，overlookingtherepairstohisboats。Hehaddecidedatlast。GuidedbythescrapsofinformationcontainedinoldLingard\'spocket-book，hewasgoingtoseekfortherichgold-mine，forthatplacewherehehadonlytostooptogatherupanimmensefortuneandrealisethedreamofhisyoungdays。ToobtainthenecessaryhelphehadsharedhisknowledgewithDainMaroola，hehadconsentedtobereconciledwithLakamba，whogavehissupporttotheenterpriseonconditionofsharingtheprofits；hehadsacrificedhispride，hishonour，andhisloyaltyinthefaceoftheenormousriskofhisundertaking，dazzledbythegreatnessoftheresultstobeachievedbythisalliancesodistastefulyetsonecessary。Thedangersweregreat，butMaroolawasbrave；hismenseemedasrecklessastheirchief，andwithLakamba\'saidsuccessseemedassured。
ForthelastfortnightAlmayerwasabsorbedinthepreparations，walkingamongsthisworkmenandslavesinakindofwakingtrance，wherepracticaldetailsastothefittingoutoftheboatsweremixedupwithvividdreamsofuntoldwealth，wherethepresentmiseryofburningsun，ofthemuddyandmalodorousriverbankdisappearedinagorgeousvisionofasplendidfutureexistenceforhimselfandNina。HehardlysawNinaduringtheselastdays，althoughthebeloveddaughterwaseverpresentinhisthoughts。HehardlytooknoticeofDain，whoseconstantpresenceinhishousehadbecomeamatterofcoursetohimnowtheywereconnectedbyacommunityofinterests。Whenmeetingtheyoungchiefhegavehimanabsentgreetingandpassedon，seeminglywishingtoavoidhim，bentuponforgettingthehatedrealityofthepresentbyabsorbinghimselfinhiswork，orelsebylettinghisimaginationsoarfarabovethetree-topsintothegreatwhitecloudsawaytothewestward，wheretheparadiseofEuropewasawaitingthefutureEasternmillionaire。AndMaroola，nowthebargainwasstruckandtherewasnomorebusinesstobetalkedover，evidentlydidnotcareforthewhiteman\'scompany。YetDainwasalwaysaboutthehouse，butheseldomstayedlongbytheriverside。OnhisdailyvisitstothewhitemantheMalaychiefpreferredtomakehiswayquietlythroughthecentralpassageofthehouse，andwouldcomeoutintothegardenattheback，wherethefirewasburninginthecookingshed，withthericekettleswingingoverit，underthewatchfulsupervisionofMrs。Almayer。
Avoidingthatshed，withitsblacksmokeandthewarblingofsoft，femininevoices，Dainwouldturntotheleft。There，ontheedgeofabananaplantation，aclumpofpalmsandmangotreesformedashadyspot，afewscatteredbushesgivingitacertainseclusionintowhichonlytheservingwomen\'schatteroranoccasionalburstoflaughtercouldpenetrate。Oncein，hewasinvisible；andhiddenthere，leaningagainstthesmoothtrunkofatallpalm，hewaitedwithgleamingeyesandanassuredsmiletohearthefaintrustleofdriedgrassunderthelightfootstepsofNina。
Fromtheveryfirstmomentwhenhiseyesbeheldthis——tohim——
perfectionoflovelinesshefeltinhisinmosthearttheconvictionthatshewouldbehis；hefeltthesubtlebreathofmutualunderstandingpassingbetweentheirtwosavagenatures，andhedidnotwantMrs。Almayer\'sencouragingsmilestotakeeveryopportunityofapproachingthegirl；andeverytimehespoketoher，everytimehelookedintohereyes，Nina，althoughavertingherface，feltasifthisbold-lookingbeingwhospokeburningwordsintoherwillingearwastheembodimentofherfate，thecreatureofherdreams——reckless，ferocious，readywithflashingkrissforhisenemies，andwithpassionateembraceforhisbeloved——theidealMalaychiefofhermother\'stradition。
Sherecognisedwithathrillofdeliciousfearthemysteriousconsciousnessofheridentitywiththatbeing。Listeningtohiswords，itseemedtohershewasbornonlythentoaknowledgeofanewexistence，thatherlifewascompleteonlywhennearhim，andsheabandonedherselftoafeelingofdreamyhappiness，whilewithhalf-veiledfaceandinsilence——asbecameaMalaygirl——shelistenedtoDain\'swordsgivinguptoherthewholetreasureofloveandpassionhisnaturewascapableofwithalltheunrestrainedenthusiasmofamantotallyuntrammelledbyanyinfluenceofcivilisedself-discipline。
AndtheyusedtopassmanyadeliciousandfastfleetinghourunderthemangotreesbehindthefriendlycurtainofbushestillMrs。Almayer\'sshrillvoicegavethesignalofunwillingseparation。Mrs。Almayerhadundertakentheeasytaskofwatchingherhusbandlestheshouldinterruptthesmoothcourseofherdaughter\'sloveaffair，inwhichshetookagreatandbenignantinterest。ShewashappyandproudtoseeDain\'sinfatuation，believinghimtobeagreatandpowerfulchief，andshefoundalsoagratificationofhermercenaryinstinctsinDain\'sopen-handedgenerosity。
OntheeveofthedaywhenBabalatchi\'ssuspicionswereconfirmedbyoculardemonstration，DainandNinahadremainedlongerthanusualintheirshadyretreat。OnlyAlmayer\'sheavystepontheverandahandhisquerulousclamourforfooddecidedMrs。Almayertoliftawarningcry。Maroolaleapedlightlyoverthelowbamboofence，andmadehiswaystealthilythroughthebananaplantationdowntothemuddyshoreofthebackcreek，whileNinawalkedslowlytowardsthehousetoministertoherfather\'swants，aswasherwonteveryevening。Almayerfelthappyenoughthatevening；thepreparationswerenearlycompleted；to-morrowhewouldlaunchhisboats。Inhismind\'seyehesawtherichprizeinhisgrasp；and，withtinspooninhishand，hewasforgettingtheplatefulofricebeforehiminthefancifularrangementofsomesplendidbanquettotakeplaceonhisarrivalinAmsterdam。Nina，reclininginthelongchair，listenedabsentlytothefewdisconnectedwordsescapingfromherfather\'slips。Expedition！Gold！Whatdidshecareforallthat？
ButatthenameofMaroolamentionedbyherfathershewasallattention。Dainwasgoingdowntheriverwithhisbrigto-morrowtoremainawayforafewdays，saidAlmayer。Itwasveryannoying，thisdelay。AssoonasDainreturnedtheywouldhavetostartwithoutlossoftime，fortheriverwasrising。Hewouldnotbesurprisedifagreatfloodwascoming。Andhepushedawayhisplatewithanimpatientgestureonrisingfromthetable。ButnowNinaheardhimnot。Daingoingaway！
That\'swhyhehadorderedher，withthatquietmasterfulnessitwasherdelighttoobey，tomeethimatbreakofdayinBulangi\'screek。
Wasthereapaddleinhercanoe？shethought。Wasitready？
Shewouldhavetostartearly——atfourinthemorning，inaveryfewhours。
Sherosefromherchair，thinkingshewouldrequirerestbeforethelongpullintheearlymorning。Thelampwasburningdimly，andherfather，tiredwiththeday\'slabour，wasalreadyinhishammock。Ninaputthelampoutandpassedintoalargeroomshesharedwithhermotherontheleftofthecentralpassage。
Entering，shesawthatMrs。Almayerhaddesertedthepileofmatsservingherasbedinonecorneroftheroom，andwasnowbendingovertheopenedlidofherlargewoodenchest。Halfashellofcocoanutfilledwithoil，whereacottonragfloatedforawick，stoodonthefloor，surroundingherwitharuddyhalooflightshiningthroughtheblackandodoroussmoke。Mrs。Almayer\'sbackwasbent，andherheadandshouldershiddeninthedeepbox。Herhandsrummagedintheinterior，whereasoftclinkasofsilvermoneycouldbeheard。Shedidnotnoticeatfirstherdaughter\'sapproach，andNina，standingsilentlybyher，lookeddownonmanylittlecanvasbagsrangedinthebottomofthechest，wherefromhermotherextractedhandfulsofshiningguildersandMexicandollars，lettingthemstreamslowlybackagainthroughherclaw-likefingers。Themusicoftinklingsilverseemedtodelighther，andhereyessparkledwiththereflectedgleamoffreshly-mintedcoins。Shewasmutteringtoherself：\"Andthis，andthis，andyetthis！Soonhewillgivemore——asmuchmoreasIask。HeisagreatRajah——aSonofHeaven！AndshewillbeaRanee——hegaveallthisforher！Whoevergaveanythingforme？
Iamaslave！AmI？IamthemotherofagreatRanee！\"Shebecameawaresuddenlyofherdaughter\'spresence，andceasedherdroning，shuttingtheliddownviolently；then，withoutrisingfromhercrouchingposition，shelookedupatthegirlstandingbywithavaguesmileonherdreamyface。
\"Youhaveseen。Haveyou？\"sheshouted，shrilly。\"Thatisallmine，andforyou。Itisnotenough！Hewillhavetogivemorebeforehetakesyouawaytothesouthernislandwherehisfatherisking。Youhearme？Youareworthmore，granddaughterofRajahs！More！More！\"
ThesleepyvoiceofAlmayerwasheardontheverandahrecommendingsilence。Mrs。Almayerextinguishedthelightandcreptintohercorneroftheroom。Ninalaiddownonherbackonapileofsoftmats，herhandsentwinedunderherhead，gazingthroughtheshutterlesshole，servingasawindowatthestarstwinklingontheblacksky；shewasawaitingthetimeofstartforherappointedmeeting-place。Withquiethappinessshethoughtofthatmeetinginthegreatforest，farfromallhumaneyesandsounds。Hersoul，lapsingagainintothesavagemood，whichthegeniusofcivilisationworkingbythehandofMrs。
Vinckcouldneverdestroy，experiencedafeelingofprideandofsomeslighttroubleatthehighvalueherworldly-wisemotherhadputuponherperson；butsherememberedtheexpressiveglancesandwordsofDain，and，tranquillised，sheclosedhereyesinashiverofpleasantanticipation。
Therearesomesituationswherethebarbarianandthe，so-called，civilisedmanmeetuponthesameground。ItmaybesupposedthatDainMaroolawasnotexceptionallydelightedwithhisprospectivemother-in-law，northatheactuallyapprovedofthatworthywoman\'sappetiteforshiningdollars。YetonthatfoggymorningwhenBabalatchi，layingasidethecaresofstate，wenttovisithisfish-basketsintheBulangicreek，Maroolahadnomisgivings，experiencednofeelingsbutthoseofimpatienceandlonging，whenpaddlingtotheeastsideoftheislandformingtheback-waterinquestion。Hehidhiscanoeinthebushesandstroderapidlyacrosstheislet，pushingwithimpatiencethroughthetwigsofheavyundergrowthintercrossedoverhispath。Frommotivesofprudencehewouldnottakehiscanoetothemeeting-place，asNinahaddone。Hehadleftitinthemainstreamtillhisreturnfromtheothersideoftheisland。Theheavywarmfogwasclosingrapidlyroundhim，buthemanagedtocatchafleetingglimpseofalightawaytotheleft，proceedingfromBulangi\'shouse。Thenhecouldseenothinginthethickeningvapour，andkepttothepathonlybyasortofinstinct，whichalsoledhimtotheverypointontheoppositeshorehewishedtoreach。A
greatloghadstrandedthere，atrightanglestothebank，formingakindofjettyagainstwhichtheswiftlyflowingstreambrokewithaloudripple。Hesteppedonitwithaquickbutsteadymotion，andintwostridesfoundhimselfattheouterend，withtherushandswirlofthefoamingwaterathisfeet。
Standingtherealone，asifseparatedfromtheworld；theheavens，earth；theverywaterroaringunderhimswallowedupinthethickveilofthemorningfog，hebreathedoutthenameofNinabeforehimintotheapparentlylimitlessspace，sureofbeingheard，instinctivelysureofthenearnessofthedelightfulcreature；certainofherbeingawareofhisnearpresenceashewasawareofhers。
ThebowofNina\'scanoeloomedupclosetothelog，cantedhighoutofthewaterbytheweightofthesitterinthestern。
Maroolalaidhishandonthestemandleapedlightlyin，givingitavigorousshoveoff。Thelightcraft，obeyingthenewimpulse，clearedthelogbyahair\'sbreadth，andtheriver，withobedientcomplicity，swungitbroadsidetothecurrent，andboreitoffsilentlyandrapidlybetweentheinvisiblebanks。AndoncemoreDain，atthefeetofNina，forgottheworld，felthimselfcarriedawayhelplessbyagreatwaveofsupremeemotion，byarushofjoy，pride，anddesire；understoodoncemorewithoverpoweringcertitudethattherewasnolifepossiblewithoutthatbeingheheldclaspedinhisarmswithpassionatestrengthinaprolongedembrace。
Ninadisengagedherselfgentlywithalowlaugh。
\"Youwilloverturntheboat，Dain，\"shewhispered。
Helookedintohereyeseagerlyforaminuteandlethergowithasigh，thenlyingdowninthecanoeheputhisheadonherknees，gazingupwardsandstretchinghisarmsbackwardstillhishandsmetroundthegirl\'swaist。Shebentoverhim，and，shakingherhead，framedboththeirfacesinthefallinglocksofherlongblackhair。
Andsotheydriftedon，hespeakingwithalltherudeeloquenceofasavagenaturegivingitselfupwithoutrestrainttoanovermasteringpassion，shebendinglowtocatchthemurmurofwordssweetertoherthanlifeitself。Tothosetwonothingexistedthenoutsidethegunwalesofthenarrowandfragilecraft。Itwastheirworld，filledwiththeirintenseandall-absorbinglove。Theytooknoheedofthickeningmist，orofthebreezedyingawaybeforesunrise；theyforgottheexistenceofthegreatforestssurroundingthem，ofallthetropicalnatureawaitingtheadventofthesuninasolemnandimpressivesilence。
Overthelowriver-misthidingtheboatwithitsfreightofyoungpassionatelifeandall-forgetfulhappiness，thestarspaled，andasilvery-greytintcreptovertheskyfromtheeastward。Therewasnotabreathofwind，notarustleofstirringleaf，notasplashofleapingfishtodisturbtheserenereposeofalllivingthingsonthebanksofthegreatriver。Earth，river，andskywerewrappedupinadeepsleep，fromwhichitseemedtherewouldbenowaking。Alltheseethinglifeandmovementoftropicalnatureseemedconcentratedintheardenteyes，inthetumultuouslybeatingheartsofthetwobeingsdriftinginthecanoe，underthewhitecanopyofmist，overthesmoothsurfaceoftheriver。
SuddenlyagreatsheafofyellowraysshotupwardsfrombehindtheblackcurtainoftreesliningthebanksofthePantai。Thestarswentout；thelittleblackcloudsatthezenithglowedforamomentwithcrimsontints，andthethickmist，stirredbythegentlebreeze，thesighofwakingnature，whirledroundandbrokeintofantasticallytornpieces，disclosingthewrinkledsurfaceoftheriversparklinginthebroadlightofday。Greatflocksofwhitebirdswheeledscreamingabovetheswayingtree-tops。
Thesunhadrisenontheeastcoast。
Dainwasthefirsttoreturntothecaresofeverydaylife。Heroseandglancedrapidlyupanddowntheriver。HiseyedetectedBabalatchi\'sboatastern，andanothersmallblackspeckontheglitteringwater，whichwasTaminah\'scanoe。Hemovedcautiouslyforward，and，kneeling，tookupapaddle；Ninaatthesterntookhers。Theybenttheirbodiestothework，throwingupthewaterateverystroke，andthesmallcraftwentswiftlyahead，leavinganarrowwakefringedwithalace-likeborderofwhiteandgleamingfoam。Withoutturninghishead，Dainspoke。
\"Somebodybehindus，Nina。Wemustnotlethimgain。Ithinkheistoofartorecogniseus。\"
\"Somebodybeforeusalso，\"pantedoutNina，withoutceasingtopaddle。
\"IthinkIknow，\"rejoinedDain。\"Thesunshinesoverthere，butIfancyitisthegirlTaminah。Shecomesdowneverymorningtomybrigtosellcakes——staysoftenallday。Itdoesnotmatter；
steermoreintothebank；wemustgetunderthebushes。Mycanoeishiddennotfarfromhere。\"
Ashespokehiseyeswatchedthebroad-leavednipaswhichtheywerebrushingintheirswiftandsilentcourse。
\"Lookout，Nina，\"hesaidatlast；\"there，wherethewaterpalmsendandthetwigshangdownundertheleaningtree。Steerforthebiggreenbranch。\"
Hestoodupattentive，andtheboatdriftedslowlyinshore，Ninaguidingitbyagentleandskilfulmovementofherpaddle。WhennearenoughDainlaidholdofthebigbranch，andleaningbackshotthecanoeunderalowgreenarchwayofthicklymattedcreepersgivingaccesstoaminiaturebayformedbythecavinginofthebankduringthelastgreatflood。Hisownboatwasthereanchoredbyastone，andhesteppedintoit，keepinghishandonthegunwaleofNina\'scanoe。Inamomentthetwolittlenutshellswiththeiroccupantsfloatedquietlysidebyside，reflectedbytheblackwaterinthedimlightstrugglingthroughahighcanopyofdensefoliage；whileabove，awayupinthebroadday，flamedimmenseredblossomssendingdownontheirheadsashowerofgreatdew-sparklingpetalsthatdescendedrotatingslowlyinacontinuousandperfumedstream；andoverthem，underthem，inthesleepingwater；allaroundtheminaringofluxuriantvegetationbathedinthewarmairchargedwithstrongandharshperfumes，theintenseworkoftropicalnaturewenton：
plantsshootingupward，entwined，interlacedininextricableconfusion，climbingmadlyandbrutallyovereachotherintheterriblesilenceofadesperatestruggletowardsthelife-givingsunshineabove——asifstruckwithsuddenhorrorattheseethingmassofcorruptionbelow，atthedeathanddecayfromwhichtheysprang。
\"Wemustpartnow，\"saidDain，afteralongsilence。\"Youmustreturnatonce，Nina。Iwillwaittillthebrigdriftsdownhere，andshallgetonboardthen。\"
\"Andwillyoubelongaway，Dain？\"askedNina，inalowvoice。
\"Long！\"exclaimedDain。\"Wouldamanwillinglyremainlonginadarkplace？WhenIamnotnearyou，Nina，Iamlikeamanthatisblind。Whatislifetomewithoutlight？\"
Ninaleanedover，andwithaproudandhappysmiletookDain\'sfacebetweenherhands，lookingintohiseyeswithafondyetquestioninggaze。Apparentlyshefoundtheretheconfirmationofthewordsjustsaid，forafeelingofgratefulsecuritylightenedforhertheweightofsorrowatthehourofparting。Shebelievedthathe，thedescendantofmanygreatRajahs，thesonofagreatchief，themasteroflifeanddeath，knewthesunshineoflifeonlyinherpresence。Animmensewaveofgratitudeandlovewelledforthoutofherhearttowardshim。Howcouldshemakeanoutwardandvisiblesignofallshefeltforthemanwhohadfilledherheartwithsomuchjoyandsomuchpride？Andinthegreattumultofpassion，likeaflashoflightningcametoherthereminiscenceofthatdespisedandalmostforgottencivilisationshehadonlyglancedatinherdaysofrestraint，ofsorrow，andofanger。Inthecoldashesofthathatefulandmiserablepastshewouldfindthesignoflove，thefittingexpressionoftheboundlessfelicityofthepresent，thepledgeofabrightandsplendidfuture。ShethrewherarmsaroundDain\'sneckandpressedherlipstohisinalongandburningkiss。Heclosedhiseyes，surprisedandfrightenedatthestormraisedinhisbreastbythestrangeandtohimhithertounknowncontact，andlongafterNinahadpushedhercanoeintotheriverheremainedmotionless，withoutdaringtoopenhiseyes，afraidtolosethesensationofintoxicatingdelighthehadtastedforthefirsttime。
Nowhewantedbutimmortality，hethought，tobetheequalofgods，andthecreaturethatcouldopensothegatesofparadisemustbehis——soonwouldbehisforever！
Heopenedhiseyesintimetoseethroughthearchwayofcreepersthebowsofhisbrigcomeslowlyintoview，asthevesseldriftedpastonitswaydowntheriver。Hemustgoonboardnow，hethought；yethewaslothtoleavetheplacewherehehadlearnedtoknowwhathappinessmeant。\"Timeyet。Letthemgo，\"hemutteredtohimself；andheclosedhiseyesagainundertheredshowerofscentedpetals，tryingtorecallthescenewithallitsdelightandallitsfear。
Hemusthavebeenabletojoinhisbrigintime，afterall，andfoundmuchoccupationoutside，foritwasinvainthatAlmayerlookedforhisfriend\'sspeedyreturn。Thelowerreachoftheriverwherehesooftenandsoimpatientlydirectedhiseyesremaineddeserted，savefortherapidflittingofsomefishingcanoe；butdowntheupperreachescameblackcloudsandheavyshowersheraldingthefinalsettinginoftherainyseasonwithitsthunderstormsandgreatfloodsmakingtheriveralmostimpossibleofascentfornativecanoes。
Almayer，strollingalongthemuddybeachbetweenhishouses，watcheduneasilytheriverrisinginchbyinch，creepingslowlynearertotheboats，nowreadyandhauledupinarowunderthecoverofdrippingKajang-mats。Fortuneseemedtoeludehisgrasp，andinhiswearytrampbackwardsandforwardsunderthesteadyrainfallingfromtheloweringsky，asortofdespairingindifferencetookpossessionofhim。Whatdiditmatter？
Itwasjusthisluck！Thosetwoinfernalsavages，LakambaandDain，inducedhim，withtheirpromisesofhelp，tospendhislastdollarinthefittingoutofboats，andnowoneofthemwasgonesomewhere，andtheothershutupinhisstockadewouldgivenosignoflife。No，noteventhescoundrellyBabalatchi，thoughtAlmayer，wouldshowhisfacenearhim，nowtheyhadsoldhimalltherice，brassgongs，andclothnecessaryforhisexpedition。
Theyhadhisverylastcoin，anddidnotcarewhetherhewentorstayed。AndwithagestureofabandoneddiscouragementAlmayerwouldclimbupslowlytotheverandahofhisnewhousetogetoutoftherain，andleaningonthefrontrailwithhisheadsunkbetweenhisshouldershewouldabandonhimselftothecurrentofbitterthoughts，obliviousoftheflightoftimeandthepangsofhunger，deaftotheshrillcriesofhiswifecallinghimtotheeveningmeal。When，rousedfromhissadmeditationsbythefirstrolloftheeveningthunderstorm，hestumbledslowlytowardstheglimmeringlightofhisoldhouse，hishalf-deadhopemadehisearspreternaturallyacutetoanysoundontheriver。Severalnightsinsuccessionhehadheardthesplashofpaddlesandhadseentheindistinctformofaboat，butwhenhailingtheshadowyapparition，hisheartboundingwithsuddenhopeofhearingDain\'svoice，hewasdisappointedeachtimebythesulkyanswerconveyingtohimtheintelligencethattheArabswereontheriver，boundonavisittothehome-stayingLakamba。Thiscausedhimmanysleeplessnights，spentinspeculatinguponthekindofvillainythoseestimablepersonageswerehatchingnow。Atlast，whenallhopeseemeddead，hewasoverjoyedonhearingDain\'svoice；butDainalsoappearedveryanxioustoseeLakamba，andAlmayerfeltuneasyowingtoadeepandineradicabledistrustastothatruler\'sdispositiontowardshimself。Still，Dainhadreturnedatlast。Evidentlyhemeanttokeeptohisbargain。
Hoperevived，andthatnightAlmayersleptsoundly，whileNinawatchedtheangryriverunderthelashofthethunderstormsweepingonwardtowardsthesea。
chapter06
CHAPTERVI。
DainwasnotlongincrossingtheriverafterleavingAlmayer。
Helandedatthewater-gateofthestockadeenclosingthegroupofhouseswhichcomposedtheresidenceoftheRajahofSambir。
Evidentlysomebodywasexpectedthere，forthegatewasopen，andmenwithtorcheswerereadytoprecedethevisitoruptheinclinedplaneofplanksleadingtothelargesthousewhereLakambaactuallyresided，andwhereallthebusinessofstatewasinvariablytransacted。Theotherbuildingswithintheenclosureservedonlytoaccommodatethenumeroushouseholdandthewivesoftheruler。
Lakamba\'sownhousewasastrongstructureofsolidplanks，raisedonhighpiles，withaverandahofsplitbamboossurroundingitonallsides；thewholewascoveredinbyanimmenselyhigh-pitchedroofofpalm-leaves，restingonbeamsblackenedbythesmokeofmanytorches。
Thebuildingstoodparalleltotheriver，oneofitslongsidesfacingthewater-gateofthestockade。Therewasadoorintheshortsidelookinguptheriver，andtheinclinedplank-wayledstraightfromthegatetothatdoor。Bytheuncertainlightofsmokytorches，Dainnoticedthevagueoutlinesofagroupofarmedmeninthedarkshadowstohisright。FromthatgroupBabalatchisteppedforwardtoopenthedoor，andDainenteredtheaudiencechamberoftheRajah\'sresidence。Aboutone-thirdofthehousewascurtainedoff，byheavystuffofEuropeanmanufacture，forthatpurpose；closetothecurtaintherewasabigarm-chairofsomeblackwood，muchcarved，andbeforeitaroughdealtable。Otherwisetheroomwasonlyfurnishedwithmatsingreatprofusion。Totheleftoftheentrancestoodarudearm-rack，withthreerifleswithfixedbayonetsinit。Bythewall，intheshadow，thebody-guardofLakamba——allfriendsorrelations——sleptinaconfusedheapofbrownarms，legs，andmulti-colouredgarments，fromwhenceissuedanoccasionalsnoreorasubduedgroanofsomeuneasysleeper。AnEuropeanlampwithagreenshadestandingonthetablemadeallthisindistinctlyvisibletoDain。
\"Youarewelcometoyourresthere，\"saidBabalatchi，lookingatDaininterrogatively。
\"ImustspeaktotheRajahatonce，\"answeredDain。
Babalatchimadeagestureofassent，and，turningtothebrassgongsuspendedunderthearm-rack，strucktwosharpblows。
Theear-splittingdinwokeuptheguard。Thesnoresceased；
outstretchedlegsweredrawnin；thewholeheapmoved，andslowlyresolveditselfintoindividualforms，withmuchyawningandrubbingofsleepyeyes；behindthecurtainstherewasaburstoffemininechatter；thenthebassvoiceofLakambawasheard。
\"IsthattheArabtrader？\"
\"No，Tuan，\"answeredBabalatchi；\"Dainhasreturnedatlast。Heishereforanimportanttalk，bitcharra——ifyoumercifullyconsent。\"
EvidentlyLakamba\'smercywentsofar——forinashortwhilehecameoutfrombehindthecurtain——butitdidnotgotothelengthofinducinghimtomakeanextensivetoilet。Ashortredsarongtightenedhastilyroundhishipswashisonlygarment。ThemercifulrulerofSambirlookedsleepyandrathersulky。Hesatinthearm-chair，hiskneeswellapart，hiselbowsonthearm-rests，hischinonhisbreast，breathingheavilyandwaitingmalevolentlyforDaintoopentheimportanttalk。
ButDaindidnotseemanxioustobegin。HedirectedhisgazetowardsBabalatchi，squattingcomfortablyatthefeetofhismaster，andremainedsilentwithaslightlybentheadasifinattentiveexpectationofcomingwordsofwisdom。
Babalatchicougheddiscreetly，and，leaningforward，pushedoverafewmatsforDaintositupon，thenliftinguphissqueakyvoiceheassuredhimwitheagervolubilityofeverybody\'sdelightatthislong-looked-forreturn。HishearthadhungeredforthesightofDain\'sface，andhisearswerewitheringforthewantoftherefreshingsoundofhisvoice。Everybody\'sheartsandearswereinthesamesadpredicament，accordingtoBabalatchi，asheindicatedwithasweepinggesturetheotherbankoftheriverwherethesettlementslumberedpeacefully，unconsciousofthegreatjoyawaitingitonthemorrowwhenDain\'spresenceamongstthemwouldbedisclosed。\"For\"——wentonBabalatchi——\"whatisthejoyofapoormanifnottheopenhandofageneroustraderorofagreat——\"
Herehecheckedhimselfabruptlywithacalculatedembarrassmentofmanner，andhisrovingeyesoughtthefloor，whileanapologeticsmiledweltforamomentonhismisshapenlips。OnceortwiceduringthisopeningspeechanamusedexpressionflittedacrossDain\'sface，soontogiveway，however，toanappearanceofgraveconcern。OnLakamba\'sbrowaheavyfrownhadsettled，andhislipsmovedangrilyashelistenedtohisPrimeMinister\'soratory。InthesilencethatfellupontheroomwhenBabalatchiceasedspeakingaroseachorusofvariedsnoresfromthecornerwherethebody-guardhadresumedtheirinterruptedslumbers，butthedistantrumbleofthunderfillingthenNina\'sheartwithapprehensionforthesafetyofherloverpassedunheededbythosethreemenintenteachontheirownpurposes，forlifeordeath。
Afterashortsilence，Babalatchi，discardingnowtheflowersofpoliteeloquence，spokeagain，butinshortandhurriedsentencesandinalowvoice。Theyhadbeenveryuneasy。WhydidDainremainsolongabsent？Themendwellingonthelowerreachesoftheriverheardthereportsofbiggunsandsawafire-shipoftheDutchamongsttheislandsoftheestuary。Sotheywereanxious。RumoursofadisasterhadreachedAbdullaafewdaysago，andsincethentheyhadbeenwaitingforDain\'sreturnundertheapprehensionofsomemisfortune。Fordaystheyhadclosedtheireyesinfear，andwokeupalarmed，andwalkedabroadtrembling，likemenbeforeanenemy。AndallonaccountofDain。
Wouldhenotallaytheirfearsforhissafety，notforthemselves？Theywerequietandfaithful，anddevotedtothegreatRajahinBatavia——mayhisfateleadhimevertovictoryforthejoyandprofitofhisservants！\"Andhere，\"wentonBabalatchi，\"Lakambamymasterwasgettingthininhisanxietyforthetraderhehadtakenunderhisprotection；andsowasAbdulla，forwhatwouldwickedmennotsayifperchance-\"
\"Besilent，fool！\"growledLakamba，angrily。
Babalatchisubsidedintosilencewithasatisfiedsmile，whileDain，whohadbeenwatchinghimasiffascinated，turnedwithasighofrelieftowardstherulerofSambir。Lakambadidnotmove，and，withoutraisinghishead，lookedatDainfromunderhiseyebrows，breathingaudibly，withpoutedlips，inanairofgeneraldiscontent。
\"Speak！ODain！\"hesaidatlast。\"Wehaveheardmanyrumours。
ManynightsinsuccessionhasmyfriendReshidcomeherewithbadtidings。Newstravelsfastalongthecoast。Buttheymaybeuntrue；therearemoreliesinmen\'smouthsinthesedaysthanwhenIwasyoung，butIamnoteasiertodeceivenow。\"
\"Allmywordsaretrue，\"saidDain，carelessly。\"Ifyouwanttoknowwhatbefellmybrig，thenlearnthatitisinthehandsoftheDutch。Believeme，Rajah，\"hewenton，withsuddenenergy，\"theOrangBlandahavegoodfriendsinSambir，orelsehowdidtheyknowIwascomingthence？\"
LakambagaveDainashortandhostileglance。Babalatchirosequietly，and，goingtothearm-rack，struckthegongviolently。
Outsidethedoortherewasashuffleofbarefeet；inside，theguardwokeupandsatstaringinsleepysurprise。
\"Yes，youfaithfulfriendofthewhiteRajah，\"wentonDain，scornfully，turningtoBabalatchi，whohadreturnedtohisplace，\"Ihaveescaped，andIamheretogladdenyourheart。WhenIsawtheDutchshipIranthebriginsidethereefsandputherashore。Theydidnotdaretofollowwiththeship，sotheysenttheboats。Wetooktooursandtriedtogetaway，buttheshipdroppedfireballsatus，andkilledmanyofmymen。ButIamleft，OBabalatchi！TheDutcharecominghere。Theyareseekingforme。TheyarecomingtoasktheirfaithfulfriendLakambaandhisslaveBabalatchi。Rejoice！\"
Butneitherofhishearersappearedtobeinajoyfulmood。
Lakambahadputonelegoverhisknee，andwentongentlyscratchingitwithameditativeair，whileBabalatchi，sittingcross-legged，seemedsuddenlytobecomesmallerandverylimp，staringstraightbeforehimvacantly。Theguardevincedsomeinterestintheproceedings，stretchingthemselvesfulllengthonthematstobenearerthespeaker。Oneofthemgotupandnowstoodleaningagainstthearm-rack，playingabsentlywiththefringesofhissword-hilt。
Dainwaitedtillthecrashofthunderhaddiedawayindistantmutteringsbeforehespokeagain。
\"Areyoudumb，OrulerofSambir，oristhesonofagreatRajahunworthyofyournotice？Iamcomeheretoseekrefugeandtowarnyou，andwanttoknowwhatyouintenddoing。\"
\"Youcameherebecauseofthewhiteman\'sdaughter，\"retortedLakamba，quickly。\"Yourrefugewaswithyourfather，theRajahofBali，theSonofHeaven，the\'AnakAgong\'himself。WhatamI
toprotectgreatprinces？OnlyyesterdayIplantedriceinaburntclearing；to-dayyousayIholdyourlifeinmyhand。\"
Babalatchiglancedathismaster。\"Nomancanescapehisfate，\"
hemurmuredpiously。\"Whenloveentersaman\'sheartheislikeachild——withoutanyunderstanding。Bemerciful，Lakamba，\"headded，twitchingthecorneroftheRajah\'ssarongwarningly。
Lakambasnatchedawaytheskirtofthesarongangrily。UnderthedawningcomprehensionofintolerableembarrassmentscausedbyDain\'sreturntoSambirhebegantolosesuchcomposureashehadbeen，tillthen，abletomaintain；andnowheraisedhisvoiceloudlyabovethewhistlingofthewindandthepatterofrainontheroofinthehardsquallpassingoverthehouse。
\"Youcameherefirstasatraderwithsweetwordsandgreatpromises，askingmetolooktheotherwaywhileyouworkedyourwillonthewhitemanthere。AndIdid。Whatdoyouwantnow？
WhenIwasyoungIfought。NowIamold，andwantpeace。
ItiseasierformetohaveyoukilledthantofighttheDutch。Itisbetterforme。\"
Thesquallhadnowpassed，and，intheshortstillnessofthelullinthestorm，Lakambarepeatedsoftly，asiftohimself，\"Mucheasier。Muchbetter。\"
DaindidnotseemgreatlydiscomposedbytheRajah\'sthreateningwords。WhileLakambawasspeakinghehadglancedoncerapidlyoverhisshoulder，justtomakesurethattherewasnobodybehindhim，and，tranquillisedinthatrespect，hehadextractedasiri-boxoutofthefoldsofhiswaist-cloth，andwaswrappingcarefullythelittlebitofbetel-nutandasmallpinchoflimeinthegreenleaftenderedhimpolitelybythewatchfulBabalatchi。Heacceptedthisasapeace-offeringfromthesilentstatesman——akindofmuteprotestagainsthismaster\'sundiplomaticviolence，andasanomenofapossibleunderstandingtobearrivedatyet。OtherwiseDainwasnotuneasy。AlthoughrecognisingthejusticeofLakamba\'ssurmisethathehadcomebacktoSambironlyforthesakeofthewhiteman\'sdaughter，yethewasnotconsciousofanychildishlackofunderstanding，assuggestedbyBabalatchi。Infact，DainknewverywellthatLakambawastoodeeplyimplicatedinthegunpowdersmugglingtocareforaninvestigationtheDutchauthoritiesintothatmatter。
Whensentoffbyhisfather，theindependentRajahofBali，atthetimewhenthehostilitiesbetweenDutchandMalaysthreatenedtospreadfromSumatraoverthewholearchipelago，Dainhadfoundallthebigtradersdeaftohisguardedproposals，andabovethetemptationofthegreatpriceshewasreadytogiveforgunpowder。HewenttoSambirasalastandalmosthopelessresort，havingheardinMacassarofthewhitemanthere，andoftheregularsteamertradingfromSingapore——alluredalsobythefactthattherewasnoDutchresidentontheriver，whichwouldmakethingseasier，nodoubt。HishopesgotnearlywreckedagainstthestubbornloyaltyofLakambaarisingfromwell-understoodself-interest；butatlasttheyoungman\'sgenerosity，hispersuasiveenthusiasm，theprestigeofhisfather\'sgreatname，overpoweredtheprudenthesitationoftherulerofSambir。Lakambawouldhavenothingtodohimselfwithanyillegaltraffic。HealsoobjectedtotheArabsbeingmadeuseofinthatmatter；buthesuggestedAlmayer，sayingthathewasaweakmaneasilypersuaded，andthathisfriend，theEnglishcaptainofthesteamer，couldbemadeveryuseful——verylikelyevenwouldjoininthebusiness，smugglingthepowderinthesteamerwithoutAbdulla\'sknowledge。ThereagainDainmetinAlmayerwithunexpectedresistance；LakambahadtosendBabalatchioverwiththesolemnpromisethathiseyeswouldbeshutinfriendshipforthewhiteman，DainpayingforthepromiseandthefriendshipingoodsilverguildersofthehatedOrangBlanda。Almayer，atlastconsenting，saidthepowderwouldbeobtained，butDainmusttrusthimwithdollarstosendtoSingaporeinpaymentforit。HewouldinduceFordtobuyandsmuggleitinthesteameronboardthebrig。Hedidnotwantanymoneyforhimselfoutofthetransaction，butDainmusthelphiminhisgreatenterpriseaftersendingoffthebrig。AlmayerhadexplainedtoDainthathecouldnottrustLakambaaloneinthatmatter；hewouldbeafraidoflosinghistreasureandhislifethroughthecupidityoftheRajah；yettheRajahhadtobetold，andinsistedontakingashareinthatoperation，orelsehiseyeswouldremainshutnolonger。TothisAlmayerhadtosubmit。
HadDainnotseenNinahewouldhaveprobablyrefusedtoengagehimselfandhismenintheprojectedexpeditiontoGunongMas——themountainofgold。Asitwasheintendedtoreturnwithhalfofhismenassoonasthebrigwasclearofthereefs，butthepersistentchasegivenhimbytheDutchfrigatehadforcedhimtorunsouthandultimatelytowreckanddestroyhisvesselinordertopreservehislibertyorperhapsevenhislife。Yes，hehadcomebacktoSambirforNina，althoughawarethattheDutchwouldlookforhimthere，buthehadalsocalculatedhischancesofsafetyinLakamba\'shands。Forallhisferocioustalk，themercifulrulerwouldnotkillhim，forhehadlongagobeenimpressedwiththenotionthatDainpossessedthesecretofthewhiteman\'streasure；neitherwouldhegivehimuptotheDutch，forfearofsomefataldisclosureofcomplicityinthetreasonabletrade。SoDainfelttolerablysecureashesatmeditatingquietlyhisanswertotheRajah\'sbloodthirstyspeech。
Yes，hewouldpointouttohimtheaspectofhispositionshouldhe——Dain——fallintothehandsoftheDutchandshouldhespeakthetruth。Hewouldhavenothingmoretolosethen，andhewouldspeakthetruth。AndifhedidreturntoSambir，disturbingtherebyLakamba\'speaceofmind，whatthen？Hecametolookafterhisproperty。DidhenotpourastreamofsilverintoMrs。
Almayer\'sgreedylap？Hehadpaid，forthegirl，apriceworthyofagreatprince，althoughunworthyofthatdelightfullymaddeningcreatureforwhomhisuntamedsoullongedinanintensityofdesirefarmoretormentingthanthesharpestpain。
Hewantedhishappiness。HehadtherighttobeinSambir。
Herose，and，approachingthetable，leanedbothhiselbowsonit；Lakambaresponsivelyedgedhisseatalittlecloser，whileBabalatchiscrambledtohisfeetandthrusthisinquisitiveheadbetweenhismaster\'sandDain\'s。Theyinterchangedtheirideasrapidly，speakinginwhispersintoeachother\'sfaces，veryclosenow，Dainsuggesting，Lakambacontradicting，Babalatchiconciliatingandanxiousinhisvividapprehensionofcomingdifficulties。Hespokemost，whisperingearnestly，turninghisheadslowlyfromsidetosidesoastobringhissolitaryeyetobearuponeachofhisinterlocutorsinturn。Whyshouldtherebestrife？saidhe。LetTuanDain，whomhelovedonlylessthanhismaster，gotrustfullyintohiding。Thereweremanyplacesforthat。Bulangi\'shouseawayintheclearingwasbest。
Bulangiwasasafeman。Inthenetworkofcrookedchannelsnowhitemancouldfindhisway。Whitemenwerestrong，butveryfoolish。Itwasundesirabletofightthem，butdeceptionwaseasy。Theywerelikesillywomen——theydidnotknowtheuseofreason，andhewasamatchforanyofthem——wentonBabalatchi，withalltheconfidenceofdeficientexperience。ProbablytheDutchwouldseekAlmayer。Maybetheywouldtakeawaytheircountrymaniftheyweresuspiciousofhim。Thatwouldbegood。
AftertheDutchwentawayLakambaandDainwouldgetthetreasurewithoutanytrouble，andtherewouldbeonepersonlesstoshareit。Didhenotspeakwisdom？WillTuanDaingotoBulangi\'shousetillthedangerisover，goatonce？
DainacceptedthissuggestionofgoingintohidingwithacertainsenseofconferringafavouruponLakambaandtheanxiousstatesman，buthemettheproposalofgoingatoncewithadecidedno，lookingBabalatchimeaninglyintheeye。Thestatesmansighedasamanacceptingtheinevitablewoulddo，andpointedsilentlytowardstheotherbankoftheriver。Dainbenthisheadslowly。
\"Yes，Iamgoingthere，\"hesaid。
\"Beforethedaycomes？\"askedBabalatchi。
\"Iamgoingtherenow，\"answeredDain，decisively。\"TheOrangBlandawillnotbeherebeforeto-morrownight，perhaps，andI
musttellAlmayerofourarrangements。\"
\"No，Tuan。No；saynothing，\"protestedBabalatchi。\"Iwillgoovermyselfatsunriseandlethimknow。\"
\"Iwillsee，\"saidDain，preparingtogo。
Thethunderstormwasrecommencingoutside，theheavycloudshanginglowoverheadnow。
Therewasaconstantrumbleofdistantthunderpunctuatedbythenearersharpcrashes，andinthecontinuousplayofbluelightningthewoodsandtherivershowedfitfully，withalltheelusivedistinctnessofdetailcharacteristicofsuchascene。
OutsidethedooroftheRajah\'shouseDainandBabalatchistoodontheshakingverandahasifdazedandstunnedbytheviolenceofthestorm。TheystoodthereamongstthecoweringformsoftheRajah\'sslavesandretainersseekingshelterfromtherain，andDaincalledaloudtohisboatmen，whorespondedwithanunanimous\"Ada！Tuan！\"whiletheylookeduneasilyattheriver。
\"Thisisagreatflood！\"shoutedBabalatchiintoDain\'sear。