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。