\"Theriverisveryangry。Look！Lookatthedriftinglogs！Canyougo？\"
Dainglanceddoubtfullyonthelividexpanseofseethingwaterboundedfarawayontheothersidebythenarrowblacklineoftheforests。Suddenly，inavividwhiteflash，thelowpointoflandwiththebendingtreesonitandAlmayer\'shouse，leapedintoview，flickeredanddisappeared。DainpushedBabalatchiasideandrandowntothewater-gatefollowedbyhisshiveringboatmen。
Babalatchibackedslowlyinandclosedthedoor，thenturnedroundandlookedsilentlyuponLakamba。TheRajahsatstill，glaringstonilyuponthetable，andBabalatchigazedcuriouslyattheperplexedmoodofthemanhehadservedsomanyyearsthroughgoodandevilfortune。Nodoubttheone-eyedstatesmanfeltwithinhissavageandmuchsophisticatedbreasttheunwontedfeelingsofsympathywith，andperhapsevenpityfor，themanhecalledhismaster。Fromthesafepositionofaconfidentialadviser，hecould，inthedimvistaofpastyears，seehimself——acasualcut-throat——findingshelterunderthatman\'sroofinthemodestrice-clearingofearlybeginnings。Thencamealongperiodofunbrokensuccess，ofwisecounsels，anddeepplottingsresolutelycarriedoutbythefearlessLakamba，tillthewholeeastcoastfromPouloLauttoTanjongBatulistenedtoBabalatchi\'swisdomspeakingthroughthemouthoftherulerofSambir。Inthoselongyearshowmanydangersescaped，howmanyenemiesbravelyfaced，howmanywhitemensuccessfullycircumvented！Andnowhelookedupontheresultofsomanyyearsofpatienttoil：thefearlessLakambacowedbytheshadowofanimpendingtrouble。Therulerwasgrowingold，andBabalatchi，awareofanuneasyfeelingatthepitofhisstomach，putbothhishandstherewithasuddenlyvividandsadperceptionofthefactthathehimselfwasgrowingoldtoo；thatthetimeofrecklessdaringwaspastforbothofthem，andthattheyhadtoseekrefugeinprudentcunning。Theywantedpeace；theyweredisposedtoreform；theywerereadyeventoretrench，soastohavethewherewithaltobribetheevildaysaway，ifbribedawaytheycouldbe。Babalatchisighedforthesecondtimethatnightashesquattedagainathismaster\'sfeetandtenderedhimhisbetel-nutboxinmutesympathy。Andtheysatthereincloseyetsilentcommunionofbetel-nutchewers，movingtheirjawsslowly，expectoratingdecorouslyintothewide-mouthedbrassvesseltheypassedtooneanother，andlisteningtotheawfuldinofthebattlingelementsoutside。
\"Thereisaverygreatflood，\"remarkedBabalatchi，sadly。
\"Yes，\"saidLakamba。\"DidDaingo？\"
\"Hewent，Tuan。HerandowntotheriverlikeamanpossessedoftheSheitanhimself。\"
Therewasanotherlongpause。
\"Hemaygetdrowned，\"suggestedLakambaatlast，withsomeshowofinterest。
\"Thefloatinglogsaremany，\"answeredBabalatchi，\"butheisagoodswimmer，\"headdedlanguidly。
\"Heoughttolive，\"saidLakamba；\"heknowswherethetreasureis。\"
Babalatchiassentedwithanill-humouredgrunt。Hiswantofsuccessinpenetratingthewhiteman\'ssecretastothelocalitywherethegoldwastobefoundwasasorepointwiththestatesmanofSambir，astheonlyconspicuousfailureinanotherwisebrilliantcareer。
Agreatpeacehadnowsucceededtheturmoilofthestorm。Onlythelittlebelatedclouds，whichhurriedpastoverheadtocatchupthemainbodyflashingsilentlyinthedistance，sentdownshortshowersthatpatteredsoftlywithasoothinghissoverthepalm-leafroof。
Lakambarousedhimselffromhisapathywithanappearanceofhavinggraspedthesituationatlast。
\"Babalatchi，\"hecalledbriskly，givinghimaslightkick。
\"AdaTuan！Iamlistening。\"
\"IftheOrangBlandacomehere，Babalatchi，andtakeAlmayertoBataviatopunishhimforsmugglinggunpowder，whatwillhedo，youthink？\"
\"Idonotknow，Tuan。\"
\"Youareafool，\"commentedLakamba，exultingly。\"Hewilltellthemwherethetreasureis，soastofindmercy。Hewill。\"
Babalatchilookedupathismasterandnoddedhisheadwithbynomeansajoyfulsurprise。Hehadnotthoughtofthis；therewasanewcomplication。
\"Almayermustdie，\"saidLakamba，decisively，\"tomakeoursecretsafe。Hemustdiequietly，Babalatchi。Youmustdoit。\"
Babalatchiassented，androsewearilytohisfeet。\"To-morrow？\"
heasked。
\"Yes；beforetheDutchcome。Hedrinksmuchcoffee，\"answeredLakamba，withseemingirrelevancy。
Babalatchistretchedhimselfyawning，butLakamba，intheflatteringconsciousnessofaknottyproblemsolvedbyhisownunaidedintellectualefforts，grewsuddenlyverywakeful。
\"Babalatchi，\"hesaidtotheexhaustedstatesman，\"fetchtheboxofmusicthewhitecaptaingaveme。Icannotsleep。\"
AtthisorderadeepshadeofmelancholysettleduponBabalatchi\'sfeatures。Hewentreluctantlybehindthecurtainandsoonreappearedcarryinginhisarmsasmallhand-organ，whichheputdownonthetablewithanairofdeepdejection。
Lakambasettledhimselfcomfortablyinhisarm-chair。
\"Turn，Babalatchi，turn，\"hemurmured，withclosedeyes。
Babalatchi\'shandgraspedthehandlewiththeenergyofdespair，andasheturned，thedeepgloomonhiscountenancechangedintoanexpressionofhopelessresignation。ThroughtheopenshutterthenotesofVerdi\'smusicfloatedoutonthegreatsilenceovertheriverandforest。Lakambalistenedwithclosedeyesandadelightedsmile；Babalatchiturned，attimesdozingoffandswayingover，thencatchinghimselfupinagreatfrightwithafewquickturnsofthehandle。Naturesleptinanexhaustedreposeafterthefierceturmoil，whileundertheunsteadyhandofthestatesmanofSambirtheTrovatorefitfullywept，wailed，andbadegood-byetohisLeonoreagainandagaininamournfulroundoftearfulandendlessiteration。
chapter07
CHAPTERVII。
Thebrightsunshineoftheclearmistlessmorning，afterthestormynight，floodedthemainpathofthesettlementleadingfromthelowshoreofthePantaibranchoftherivertothegateofAbdulla\'scompound。Thepathwasdesertedthismorning；itstretcheditsdarkyellowsurface，hardbeatenbythetrampofmanybarefeet，betweentheclustersofpalmtrees，whosetalltrunksbarreditwithstrongblacklinesatirregularintervals，whilethenewlyrisensunthrewtheshadowsoftheirleafyheadsfarawayovertheroofsofthebuildingsliningtheriver，evenovertheriveritselfasitflowedswiftlyandsilentlypastthedesertedhouses。Forthehousesweredesertedtoo。Onthenarrowstripoftroddengrassinterveningbetweentheiropendoorsandtheroad，themorningfiressmouldereduntended，sendingthinflutedcolumnsofsmokeintothecoolair，andspreadingthethinnestveilofmysteriousbluehazeoverthesunlitsolitudeofthesettlement。Almayer，justoutofhishammock，gazedsleepilyattheunwontedappearanceofSambir，wonderingvaguelyattheabsenceoflife。Hisownhousewasveryquiet；hecouldnothearhiswife\'svoice，northesoundofNina\'sfootstepsinthebigroom，openingontheverandah，whichhecalledhissitting-room，whenever，inthecompanyofwhitemen，hewishedtoasserthisclaimstothecommonplacedecenciesofcivilisation。Nobodyeversatthere；therewasnothingtheretositupon，forMrs。Almayerinhersavagemoods，whenexcitedbythereminiscencesofthepiraticalperiodofherlife，hadtornoffthecurtainstomakesarongsfortheslave-girls，andhadburnttheshowyfurniturepiecemealtocookthefamilyrice。
ButAlmayerwasnotthinkingofhisfurniturenow。HewasthinkingofDain\'sreturn，ofDain\'snocturnalinterviewwithLakamba，ofitspossibleinfluenceonhislong-maturedplans，nownearingtheperiodoftheirexecution。Hewasalsouneasyatthenon-appearanceofDainwhohadpromisedhimanearlyvisit。\"Thefellowhadplentyoftimetocrosstheriver，\"hemused，\"andtherewassomuchtobedoneto-day。Thesettlingofdetailsfortheearlystartonthemorrow；thelaunchingoftheboats；thethousandandonefinishingtouches。Fortheexpeditionmuststartcomplete，nothingshouldbeforgotten，nothingshould——\"
Thesenseoftheunwontedsolitudegrewuponhimsuddenly，andintheunusualsilencehecaughthimselflongingevenfortheusuallyunwelcomesoundofhiswife\'svoicetobreaktheoppressivestillnesswhichseemed，tohisfrightenedfancy，toportendtheadventofsomenewmisfortune。\"Whathashappened？\"
hemutteredhalfaloud，asheshuffledinhisimperfectlyadjustedslipperstowardsthebalustradeoftheverandah。\"Iseverybodyasleepordead？\"
Thesettlementwasaliveandverymuchawake。Itwasawakeeversincetheearlybreakofday，whenMahmatBanjer，inafitofunheard-ofenergy，aroseand，takinguphishatchet，steppedoverthesleepingformsofhistwowivesandwalkedshiveringtothewater\'sedgetomakesurethatthenewhousehewasbuildinghadnotfloatedawayduringthenight。
ThehousewasbeingbuiltbytheenterprisingMahmatonalargeraft，andhehadsecurelymooreditjustinsidethemuddypointoflandatthejunctionofthetwobranchesofthePantaisoastobeoutofthewayofdriftinglogsthatwouldnodoubtstrandonthepointduringthefreshet。Mahmatwalkedthroughthewetgrasssayingbourrouh，andcursingsoftlytohimselfthehardnecessitiesofactivelifethatdrovehimfromhiswarmcouchintothecoldofthemorning。Aglanceshowedhimthathishousewasstillthere，andhecongratulatedhimselfonhisforesightinhaulingitoutofharm\'sway，fortheincreasinglightshowedhimaconfusedwrackofdrift-logs，half-strandedonthemuddyflat，interlockedintoashapelessraftbytheirbranches，tossingtoandfroandgrindingtogetherintheeddycausedbythemeetingcurrentsofthetwobranchesoftheriver。Mahmatwalkeddowntothewater\'sedgetoexaminetherattanmooringsofhishousejustasthesunclearedthetreesoftheforestontheoppositeshore。
Ashebentoverthefasteningsheglancedagaincarelesslyattheunquietjumbleoflogsandsawtheresomethingthatcausedhimtodrophishatchetandstandup，shadinghiseyeswithhishandfromtheraysoftherisingsun。Itwassomethingred，andthelogsrolledoverit，attimesclosingroundit，sometimeshidingit。Itlookedtohimatfirstlikeastripofredcloth。
ThenextmomentMahmathadmadeitoutandraisedagreatshout。
\"Ahya！There！\"yelledMahmat。\"There\'samanamongstthelogs。\"
Heputthepalmsofhishandtohislipsandshouted，enunciatingdistinctly，hisfaceturnedtowardsthesettlement：\"There\'sabodyofamanintheriver！Comeandsee！Adead——stranger！\"
Thewomenofthenearesthousewerealreadyoutsidekindlingthefiresandhuskingthemorningrice。Theytookupthecryshrilly，andittravelledsofromhousetohouse，dyingawayinthedistance。Themenrushedoutexcitedbutsilent，andrantowardsthemuddypointwheretheunconsciouslogstossedandgroundandbumpedandrolledoverthedeadstrangerwiththestupidpersistencyofinanimatethings。Thewomenfollowed，neglectingtheirdomesticdutiesanddisregardingthepossibilitiesofdomesticdiscontent，whilegroupsofchildrenbroughtuptherear，warblingjoyously，inthedelightofunexpectedexcitement。
Almayercalledaloudforhiswifeanddaughter，butreceivingnoresponse，stoodlisteningintently。Themurmurofthecrowdreachedhimfaintly，bringingwithittheassuranceofsomeunusualevent。HeglancedattheriverjustashewasgoingtoleavetheverandahandcheckedhimselfatthesightofasmallcanoecrossingoverfromtheRajah\'slanding-place。Thesolitaryoccupant（inwhomAlmayersoonrecognisedBabalatchi）effectedthecrossingalittlebelowthehouseandpaddleduptotheLingardjettyinthedeadwaterunderthebank。Babalatchiclamberedoutslowlyandwentonfasteninghiscanoewithfastidiouscare，asifnotinahurrytomeetAlmayer，whomhesawlookingathimfromtheverandah。ThisdelaygaveAlmayertimetonoticeandgreatlywonderatBabalatchi\'sofficialget-up。ThestatesmanofSambirwascladinacostumebefittinghishighrank。Aloudlycheckeredsarongencircledhiswaist，andfromitsmanyfoldspeepedoutthesilverhiltofthekrissthatsawthelightonlyongreatfestivalsorduringofficialreceptions。OvertheleftshoulderandacrosstheotherwiseuncladbreastoftheageddiplomatistglistenedapatentleatherbeltbearingabrassplatewiththearmsofNetherlandsundertheinscription，\"SultanofSambir。\"Babalatchi\'sheadwascoveredbyaredturban，whosefringedendsfallingovertheleftcheekandshouldergavetohisagedfacealudicrousexpressionofjoyousrecklessness。Whenthecanoewasatlastfastenedtohissatisfactionhestraightenedhimselfup，shakingdownthefoldsofhissarong，andmovedwithlongstridestowardsAlmayer\'shouse，swingingregularlyhislongebonystaff，whosegoldheadornamentedwithpreciousstonesflashedinthemorningsun。
Almayerwavedhishandtotherighttowardsthepointofland，tohiminvisible，butinfullviewfromthejetty。
\"Oh，Babalatchi！oh！\"hecalledout；\"whatisthematterthere？
canyousee？\"
Babalatchistoppedandgazedintentlyatthecrowdontheriverbank，andafteralittlewhiletheastonishedAlmayersawhimleavethepath，gatheruphissaronginonehand，andbreakintoatrotthroughthegrasstowardsthemuddypoint。Almayer，nowgreatlyinterested，randownthestepsoftheverandah。Themurmurofmen\'svoicesandtheshrillcriesofwomenreachedhimquitedistinctlynow，andassoonasheturnedthecornerofhishousehecouldseethecrowdonthelowpromontoryswayingandpushingroundsomeobjectofinterest。HecouldindistinctlyhearBabalatchi\'svoice，thenthecrowdopenedbeforetheagedstatesmanandclosedafterhimwithanexcitedhum，endinginaloudshout。
AsAlmayerapproachedthethrongamanranoutandrushedpasthimtowardsthesettlement，unheedinghiscalltostopandexplainthecauseofthisexcitement。OntheveryoutskirtsofthecrowdAlmayerfoundhimselfarrestedbyanunyieldingmassofhumanity，regardlessofhisentreatiesforapassage，insensibletohisgentlepushesashetriedtoworkhiswaythroughittowardstheriverside。
Inthemidstofhisgentleandslowprogresshefanciedsuddenlyhehadheardhiswife\'svoiceinthethickestofthethrong。HecouldnotmistakeverywellMrs。Almayer\'shigh-pitchedtones，yetthewordsweretooindistinctforhimtounderstandtheirpurport。Hepausedinhisendeavourstomakeapassageforhimself，intendingtogetsomeintelligencefromthosearoundhim，whenalongandpiercingshriekrenttheair，silencingthemurmursofthecrowdandthevoicesofhisinformants。ForamomentAlmayerremainedasifturnedintostonewithastonishmentandhorror，forhewascertainnowthathehadheardhiswifewailingforthedead。HerememberedNina\'sunusualabsence，andmaddenedbyhisapprehensionsastohersafety，hepushedblindlyandviolentlyforward，thecrowdfallingbackwithcriesofsurpriseandpainbeforehisfranticadvance。
Onthepointoflandinalittleclearspacelaythebodyofthestrangerjusthauledoutfromamongstthelogs。OnonesidestoodBabalatchi，hischinrestingontheheadofhisstaffandhisoneeyegazingsteadilyattheshapelessmassofbrokenlimbs，tornflesh，andbloodstainedrags。AsAlmayerburstthroughtheringofhorrifiedspectators，Mrs。Almayerthrewherownhead-veilovertheupturnedfaceofthedrownedman，and，squattingbyit，withanothermournfulhowl，sentashiverthroughthenowsilentcrowd。Mahmat，drippingwet，turnedtoAlmayer，eagertotellhistale。
InthefirstmomentofreactionfromtheanguishofhisfearthesunshineseemedtowaverbeforeAlmayer\'seyes，andhelistenedtowordsspokenaroundhimwithoutcomprehendingtheirmeaning。
When，byastrongeffortofwill，heregainedthepossessionofhissenses，Mahmatwassaying——
\"Thatistheway，Tuan。Hissarongwascaughtinthebrokenbranch，andhehungwithhisheadunderwater。WhenIsawwhatitwasIdidnotwantithere。Iwantedittogetclearanddriftaway。Whyshouldweburyastrangerinthemidstofourhousesforhisghosttofrightenourwomenandchildren？Havewenotenoughghostsaboutthisplace？\"
Amurmurofapprovalinterruptedhimhere。MahmatlookedreproachfullyatBabalatchi。
\"ButtheTuanBabalatchiorderedmetodragthebodyashore\"——hewentonlookingroundathisaudience，butaddressinghimselfonlytoAlmayer——\"andIdraggedhimbythefeet；inthroughthemudIhavedraggedhim，althoughmyheartlongedtoseehimfloatdowntherivertostrandperchanceonBulangi\'sclearing——mayhisfather\'sgravebedefiled！\"
Therewassubduedlaughteratthis，fortheenmityofMahmatandBulangiwasamatterofcommonnotorietyandofundyinginteresttotheinhabitantsofSambir。InthemidstofthatmirthMrs。
Almayerwailedsuddenlyagain。
\"Allah！Whatailsthewoman！\"exclaimedMahmat，angrily。
\"Here，Ihavetouchedthiscarcasswhichcamefromnobodyknowswhere，andhavemostlikelydefiledmyselfbeforeeatingrice。ByordersofTuanBabalatchiIdidthisthingtopleasethewhiteman。Areyoupleased，OTuanAlmayer？Andwhatwillbemyrecompense？TuanBabalatchisaidarecompensetherewillbe，andfromyou。Nowconsider。Ihavebeendefiled，andifnotdefiledImaybeunderthespell。Lookathisanklets！Whoeverheardofacorpseappearingduringthenightamongstthelogswithgoldankletsonitslegs？Thereiswitchcraftthere。However，\"
addedMahmat，afterareflectivepause，\"Iwillhavetheankletifthereispermission，forIhaveacharmagainsttheghostsandamnotafraid。Godisgreat！\"
AfreshoutburstofnoisygrieffromMrs。AlmayercheckedtheflowofMahmat\'seloquence。Almayer，bewildered，lookedinturnathiswife，atMahmat，atBabalatchi，andatlastarrestedhisfascinatedgazeonthebodylyingonthemudwithcoveredfaceinagrotesquelyunnaturalcontortionofmangledandbrokenlimbs，onetwistedandlaceratedarm，withwhitebonesprotrudinginmanyplacesthroughthetornflesh，stretchedout；thehandwithoutspreadfingersnearlytouchinghisfoot。
\"Doyouknowwhothisis？\"heaskedofBabalatchi，inalowvoice。
Babalatchi，staringstraightbeforehim，hardlymovedhislips，whileMrs。Almayer\'spersistentlamentationsdrownedthewhisperofhismurmuredreplyintendedonlyforAlmayer\'sear。
\"Itwasfate。Lookatyourfeet，whiteman。IcanseearingonthosetornfingerswhichIknowwell。\"
Sayingthis，Babalatchisteppedcarelesslyforward，puttinghisfootasifaccidentallyonthehandofthecorpseandpressingitintothesoftmud。Heswunghisstaffmenacinglytowardsthecrowd，whichfellbackalittle。
\"Goaway，\"hesaidsternly，\"andsendyourwomentotheircookingfires，whichtheyoughtnottohavelefttorunafteradeadstranger。Thisismen\'sworkhere。ItakehimnowinthenameoftheRajah。LetnomanremainherebutTuanAlmayer\'sslaves。
Nowgo！\"
Thecrowdreluctantlybegantodisperse。Thewomenwentfirst，draggingawaythechildrenthathungbackwithalltheirweightonthematernalhand。Themenstrolledslowlyafterthemineverformingandchanginggroupsthatgraduallydissolvedastheynearedthesettlementandeverymanregainedhisownhousewithstepsquickenedbythehungryanticipationofthemorningrice。
Onlyontheslightelevationwherethelandslopeddowntowardsthemuddypointafewmen，eitherfriendsorenemiesofMahmat，remainedgazingcuriouslyforsometimelongeratthesmallgroupstandingaroundthebodyontheriverbank。
\"Idonotunderstandwhatyoumean，Babalatchi，\"saidAlmayer。
\"Whatistheringyouaretalkingabout？Whoeverheis，youhavetroddenthepoorfellow\'shandrightintothemud。Uncoverhisface，\"hewenton，addressingMrs。Almayer，who，squattingbytheheadofthecorpse，rockedherselftoandfro，shakingfromtimetotimeherdishevelledgreylocks，andmutteringmournfully。
\"Hai！\'exclaimedMahmat，whohadlingeredcloseby。\"Look，Tuan；
thelogscametogetherso，\"andherehepressedthepalmsofhishandstogether，\"andhisheadmusthavebeenbetweenthem，andnowthereisnofaceforyoutolookat。Therearehisfleshandhisbones，thenose，andthelips，andmaybehiseyes，butnobodycouldtelltheonefromtheother。Itwaswrittenthedayhewasbornthatnomancouldlookathimindeathandbeabletosay，\'Thisismyfriend\'sface。\'\"
\"Silence，Mahmat；enough！\"saidBabalatchi，\"andtakethyeyesoffhisanklet，thoueaterofpigsflesh。TuanAlmayer，\"hewenton，loweringhisvoice，\"haveyouseenDainthismorning？\"
Almayeropenedhiseyeswideandlookedalarmed。\"No，\"hesaidquickly；\"haven\'tyouseenhim？IshenotwiththeRajah？
Iamwaiting；whydoeshenotcome？\"
Babalatchinoddedhisheadsadly。
\"Heiscome，Tuan。Heleftlastnightwhenthestormwasgreatandtheriverspokeangrily。Thenightwasveryblack，buthehadwithinhimalightthatshowedthewaytoyourhouseassmoothasanarrowbackwater，andthemanylogsnobiggerthanwispsofdriedgrass。Thereforehewent；andnowhelieshere。\"
AndBabalatchinoddedhisheadtowardsthebody。
\"Howcanyoutell？\"saidAlmayer，excitedly，pushinghiswifeaside。Hesnatchedthecoveroffandlookedattheformlessmassofflesh，hair，anddryingmud，wherethefaceofthedrownedmanshouldhavebeen。\"Nobodycantell，\"headded，turningawaywithashudder。
Babalatchiwasonhiskneeswipingthemudfromthestiffenedfingersoftheoutstretchedhand。HerosetohisfeetandflashedbeforeAlmayer\'seyesagoldringsetwithalargegreenstone。
\"Youknowthiswell，\"hesaid。\"ThisneverleftDain\'shand。
I
hadtotearthefleshnowtogetitoff。Doyoubelievenow？\"
Almayerraisedhishandstohisheadandletthemfalllistlesslybyhissideintheutterabandonmentofdespair。Babalatchi，lookingathimcuriously，wasastonishedtoseehimsmile。A
strangefancyhadtakenpossessionofAlmayer\'sbrain，distractedbythisnewmisfortune。Itseemedtohimthatformanyyearshehadbeenfallingintoadeepprecipice。Dayafterday，monthaftermonth，yearafteryear，hehadbeenfalling，falling，falling；itwasasmooth，round，blackthing，andtheblackwallshadbeenrushingupwardswithwearisomerapidity。Agreatrush，thenoiseofwhichhefanciedhecouldhearyet；andnow，withanawfulshock，hehadreachedthebottom，andbehold！hewasaliveandwhole，andDainwasdeadwithallhisbonesbroken。Itstruckhimasfunny。AdeadMalay；hehadseenmanydeadMalayswithoutanyemotion；andnowhefeltinclinedtoweep，butitwasoverthefateofawhitemanheknew；amanthatfelloveradeepprecipiceanddidnotdie。Heseemedsomehowtohimselftobestandingononeside，alittlewayoff，lookingatacertainAlmayerwhowasingreattrouble。Poor，poorfellow！Whydoesn\'thecuthisthroat？Hewishedtoencouragehim；hewasveryanxioustoseehimlyingdeadoverthatothercorpse。Whydoeshenotdieandendthissuffering？Hegroanedaloudunconsciouslyandstartedwithaffrightatthesoundofhisownvoice。Washegoingmad？Terrifiedbythethoughtheturnedawayandrantowardshishouserepeatingtohimself，Iamnotgoingmad；ofcoursenot，no，no，no！Hetriedtokeepafirmholdoftheidea。
Notmad，notmad。Hestumbledasheranblindlyupthestepsrepeatingfastandeverfasterthosewordswhereinseemedtoliehissalvation。HesawNinastandingthere，andwishedtosaysomethingtoher，butcouldnotrememberwhat，inhisextremeanxietynottoforgetthathewasnotgoingmad，whichhestillkeptrepeatingmentallyasheranroundthetable，tillhestumbledagainstoneofthearm-chairsanddroppedintoitexhausted。HesatstaringwildlyatNina，stillassuringhimselfmentallyofhisownsanityandwonderingwhythegirlshrankfromhiminopen-eyedalarm。Whatwasthematterwithher？Thiswasfoolish。Hestruckthetableviolentlywithhisclenchedfistandshoutedhoarsely，\"Givemesomegin！Run！\"Then，whileNinaranoff，heremainedinthechair，verystillandquiet，astonishedatthenoisehehadmade。
Ninareturnedwithatumblerhalffilledwithgin，andfoundherfatherstaringabsentlybeforehim。Almayerfeltverytirednow，asifhehadcomefromalongjourney。Hefeltasifhehadwalkedmilesandmilesthatmorningandnowwantedtorestverymuch。Hetookthetumblerwithashakinghand，andashedrankhisteethchatteredagainsttheglasswhichhedrainedandsetdownheavilyonthetable。HeturnedhiseyesslowlytowardsNinastandingbesidehim，andsaidsteadily——
\"Nowallisover，Nina。Heisdead，andImayaswellburnallmyboats。\"
Hefeltveryproudofbeingabletospeaksocalmly。Decidedlyhewasnotgoingmad。Thiscertitudewasverycomforting，andhewentontalkingaboutthefindingofthebody，listeningtohisownvoicecomplacently。Ninastoodquietly，herhandrestinglightlyonherfather\'sshoulder，herfaceunmoved，buteverylineofherfeatures，theattitudeofherwholebodyexpressingthemostkeenandanxiousattention。
\"AndsoDainisdead，\"shesaidcoldly，whenherfatherceasedspeaking。
Almayer\'selaboratelycalmdemeanourgavewayinamomenttoanoutburstofviolentindignation。
\"Youstandthereasifyouwereonlyhalfalive，andtalktome，\"
heexclaimedangrily，\"asifitwasamatterofnoimportance。
Yes，heisdead！Doyouunderstand？Dead！Whatdoyoucare？
Younevercared；yousawmestruggle，andwork，andstrive，unmoved；andmysufferingyoucouldneversee。No，never。
Youhavenoheart，andyouhavenomind，oryouwouldhaveunderstoodthatitwasforyou，foryourhappinessIwasworking。Iwantedtoberich；Iwantedtogetawayfromhere。Iwantedtoseewhitemenbowinglowbeforethepowerofyourbeautyandyourwealth。OldasIamIwishedtoseekastrangeland，acivilisationtowhichIamastranger，soastofindanewlifeinthecontemplationofyourhighfortunes，ofyourtriumphs，ofyourhappiness。ForthatIborepatientlytheburdenofwork，ofdisappointment，ofhumiliationamongstthesesavageshere，andI
haditallnearlyinmygrasp。\"
Helookedathisdaughter\'sattentivefaceandjumpedtohisfeetupsettingthechair。
\"Doyouhear？Ihaditallthere；so；withinreachofmyhand。\"
Hepaused，tryingtokeepdownhisrisinganger，andfailed。
\"Haveyounofeeling？\"hewenton。\"Haveyoulivedwithouthope？\"Nina\'ssilenceexasperatedhim；hisvoicerose，althoughhetriedtomasterhisfeelings。
\"Areyoucontenttoliveinthismiseryanddieinthiswretchedhole？Saysomething，Nina；haveyounosympathy？Haveyounowordofcomfortforme？Ithatlovedyouso。\"
Hewaitedforawhileforananswer，andreceivingnoneshookhisfistinhisdaughter\'sface。
\"Ibelieveyouareanidiot！\"heyelled。
Helookedroundforthechair，pickeditupandsatdownstiffly。
Hisangerwasdeadwithinhim，andhefeltashamedofhisoutburst，yetrelievedtothinkthatnowhehadlaidclearbeforehisdaughtertheinnermeaningofhislife。Hethoughtsoinperfectgoodfaith，deceivedbytheemotionalestimateofhismotives，unabletoseethecrookednessofhisways，theunrealityofhisaims，thefutilityofhisregrets。Andnowhisheartwasfilledonlywithagreattendernessandloveforhisdaughter。
Hewantedtoseehermiserable，andtosharewithherhisdespair；buthewanteditonlyasallweaknatureslongforacompanionshipinmisfortunewithbeingsinnocentofitscause。
Ifshesufferedherselfshewouldunderstandandpityhim；butnowshewouldnot，orcouldnot，findonewordofcomfortorloveforhiminhisdireextremity。Thesenseofhisabsolutelonelinesscamehometohisheartwithaforcethatmadehimshudder。Heswayedandfellforwardwithhisfaceonthetable，hisarmsstretchedstraightout，extendedandrigid。Ninamadeaquickmovementtowardsherfatherandstoodlookingatthegreyhead，onthebroadshouldersshakenconvulsivelybytheviolenceoffeelingsthatfoundreliefatlastinsobsandtears。
Ninasigheddeeplyandmovedawayfromthetable。Herfeatureslosttheappearanceofstonyindifferencethathadexasperatedherfatherintohisoutburstofangerandsorrow。Theexpressionofherface，nowunseenbyherfather，underwentarapidchange。
ShehadlistenedtoAlmayer\'sappealforsympathy，foronewordofcomfort，apparentlyindifferent，yetwithherbreasttornbyconflictingimpulsesraisedunexpectedlybyeventsshehadnotforeseen，oratleastdidnotexpecttohappensosoon。WithherheartdeeplymovedbythesightofAlmayer\'smisery，knowingitinherpowertoenditwithaword，longingtobringpeacetothattroubledheart，sheheardwithterrorthevoiceofheroverpoweringlovecommandinghertobesilent。Andshesubmittedafterashortandfiercestruggleofheroldselfagainstthenewprincipleofherlife。Shewrappedherselfupinabsolutesilence，theonlysafeguardagainstsomefataladmission。Shecouldnottrustherselftomakeasign，tomurmurawordforfearofsayingtoomuch；andtheveryviolenceofthefeelingsthatstirredtheinnermostrecessesofhersoulseemedtoturnherpersonintoastone。Thedilatednostrilsandtheflashingeyesweretheonlysignsofthestormragingwithin，andthosesignsofhisdaughter\'semotionAlmayerdidnotsee，forhissightwasdimmedbyself-pity，byanger，andbydespair。
HadAlmayerlookedathisdaughterassheleantoverthefrontrailoftheverandahhecouldhaveseentheexpressionofindifferencegivewaytoalookofpain，andthatagainpassaway，leavingthegloriousbeautyofherfacemarredbydeep-drawnlinesofwatchfulanxiety。Thelonggrassintheneglectedcourtyardstoodverystraightbeforehereyesinthenoondayheat。Fromtheriver-banktherewerevoicesandashuffleofbarefeetapproachingthehouse；BabalatchicouldbeheardgivingdirectionstoAlmayer\'smen，andMrs。Almayer\'ssubduedwailingbecameaudibleasthesmallprocessionbearingthebodyofthedrownedmanandheadedbythatsorrowfulmatronturnedthecornerofthehouse。Babalatchihadtakenthebrokenankletofftheman\'sleg，andnowhelditinhishandashemovedbythesideofthebearers，whileMahmatlingeredbehindtimidly，inthehopesofthepromisedreward。
\"Layhimthere，\"saidBabalatchitoAlmayer\'smen，pointingtoapileofdryingplanksinfrontoftheverandah。\"Layhimthere。
HewasaKaffirandthesonofadog，andhewasthewhiteman\'sfriend。Hedrankthewhiteman\'sstrongwater，\"headded，withaffectedhorror。\"ThatIhaveseenmyself。\"
Themenstretchedoutthebrokenlimbsontwoplankstheyhadlaidlevel，whileMrs。Almayercoveredthebodywithapieceofwhitecottoncloth，andafterwhisperingforsometimewithBabalatchidepartedtoherdomesticduties。Almayer\'smen，afterlayingdowntheirburden，dispersedthemselvesinquestofshadyspotswhereintoidlethedayaway。Babalatchiwasleftalonebythecorpsethatlaidrigidunderthewhiteclothinthebrightsunshine。
NinacamedownthestepsandjoinedBabalatchi，whoputhishandtohisforehead，andsquatteddownwithgreatdeference。
\"Youhaveabanglethere，\"saidNina，lookingdownonBabalatchi\'supturnedfaceandintohissolitaryeye。
\"Ihave，MemPutih，\"returnedthepolitestatesman。ThenturningtowardsMahmathebeckonedhimcloser，callingout，\"Comehere！\"
Mahmatapproachedwithsomehesitation。HeavoidedlookingatNina，butfixedhiseyesonBabalatchi。
\"Now，listen，\"saidBabalatchi，sharply。\"Theringandtheankletyouhaveseen，andyouknowtheybelongedtoDainthetrader，andtonoother。Dainreturnedlastnightinacanoe。
HespokewiththeRajah，andinthemiddleofthenightlefttocrossovertothewhiteman\'shouse。Therewasagreatflood，andthismorningyoufoundhimintheriver。\"
\"ByhisfeetIdraggedhimout，\"mutteredMahmatunderhisbreath。\"TuanBabalatchi，therewillbearecompense！\"heexclaimedaloud。
BabalatchiheldupthegoldbanglebeforeMahmat\'seyes。\"WhatI
havetoldyou，Mahmat，isforallears。WhatIgiveyounowisforyoureyesonly。Take。\"
Mahmattookthebangleeagerlyandhiditinthefoldsofhiswaist-cloth。\"AmIafooltoshowthisthinginahousewiththreewomeninit？\"hegrowled。\"ButIshalltellthemaboutDainthetrader，andtherewillbetalkenough。\"
Heturnedandwentaway，increasinghispaceassoonashewasoutsideAlmayer\'scompound。
Babalatchilookedafterhimtillhedisappearedbehindthebushes。\"HaveIdonewell，MemPutih？\"heasked，humblyaddressingNina。
\"Youhave，\"answeredNina。\"Theringyoumaykeepyourself。\"
Babalatchitouchedhislipsandforehead，andscrambledtohisfeet。HelookedatNina，asifexpectinghertosaysomethingmore，butNinaturnedtowardsthehouseandwentupthesteps，motioninghimawaywithherhand。
Babalatchipickeduphisstaffandpreparedtogo。Itwasverywarm，andhedidnotcareforthelongpulltotheRajah\'shouse。
YethemustgoandtelltheRajah——telloftheevent；ofthechangeinhisplans；ofallhissuspicions。Hewalkedtothejettyandbegancastingofftherattanpainterofhiscanoe。
Thebroadexpanseofthelowerreach，withitsshimmeringsurfacedottedbytheblackspecksofthefishingcanoes，laybeforehiseyes。Thefishermenseemedtoberacing。Babalatchipausedinhiswork，andlookedonwithsuddeninterest。Themanintheforemostcanoe，nowwithinhailofthefirsthousesofSambir，laidinhispaddleandstoodupshouting——
\"Theboats！theboats！Theman-of-war\'sboatsarecoming！Theyarehere！\"
Inamomentthesettlementwasagainalivewithpeoplerushingtotheriverside。Themenbegantounfastentheirboats，thewomenstoodingroupslookingtowardsthebenddowntheriver。Abovethetreesliningthereachaslightpuffofsmokeappearedlikeablackstainonthebrilliantblueofthecloudlesssky。
Babalatchistoodperplexed，thepainterinhishand。Helookeddownthereach，thenuptowardsAlmayer\'shouse，andbackagainattheriverasifundecidedwhattodo。Atlasthemadethecanoefastagainhastily，andrantowardsthehouseandupthestepsoftheverandah。
\"Tuan！Tuan！\"hecalled，eagerly。\"Theboatsarecoming。
Theman-of-war\'sboats。Youhadbettergetready。Theofficerswillcomehere，Iknow。\"
Almayerliftedhisheadslowlyfromthetable，andlookedathimstupidly。
\"MemPutih！\"exclaimedBabalatchitoNina，\"lookathim。Hedoesnothear。Youmusttakecare，\"headdedmeaningly。
Ninanoddedtohimwithanuncertainsmile，andwasgoingtospeak，whenasharpreportfromthegunmountedinthebowofthesteamlaunchthatwasjustthencomingintoviewarrestedthewordsonherpartedlips。Thesmilediedout，andwasreplacedbytheoldlookofanxiousattention。Fromthehillsfarawaytheechocamebacklikealong-drawnandmournfulsigh，asifthelandhadsentitinanswertothevoiceofitsmasters。
chapter08
CHAPTERVIII。
ThenewsastotheidentityofthebodylyingnowinAlmayer\'scompoundspreadrapidlyoverthesettlement。Duringtheforenoonmostoftheinhabitantsremainedinthelongstreetdiscussingthemysteriousreturnandtheunexpecteddeathofthemanwhohadbecomeknowntothemasthetrader。Hisarrivalduringthenorth-eastmonsoon，hislongsojournintheirmidst，hissuddendeparturewithhisbrig，and，aboveall，themysteriousappearanceofthebody，saidtobehis，amongstthelogs，weresubjectstowonderatandtotalkoverandoveragainwithundiminishedinterest。Mahmatmovedfromhousetohouseandfromgrouptogroup，alwaysreadytorepeathistale：howhesawthebodycaughtbythesaronginaforkedlog；howMrs。Almayercoming，oneofthefirst，athiscries，recognisedit，evenbeforehehadithauledonshore；howBabalatchiorderedhimtobringitoutofthewater。\"BythefeetIdraggedhimin，andtherewasnohead，\"exclaimedMahmat，\"andhowcouldthewhiteman\'swifeknowwhoitwas？Shewasawitch，itwaswellknown。
Anddidyouseehowthewhitemanhimselfranawayatthesightofthebody？Likeadeerheran！\"AndhereMahmatimitatedAlmayer\'slongstrides，tothegreatjoyofthebeholders。Andforallhistroublehehadnothing。TheringwiththegreenstoneTuanBabalatchikept。\"Nothing！Nothing！\"Hespatdownathisfeetinsignofdisgust，andleftthatgrouptoseekfurtheronafreshaudience。
ThenewsspreadingtothefurthermostpartsofthesettlementfoundoutAbdullainthecoolrecessofhisgodown，wherehesatoverlookinghisArabclerksandthemenloadingandunloadingtheup-countrycanoes。Reshid，whowasbusyonthejetty，wassummonedintohisuncle\'spresenceandfoundhim，asusual，verycalmandevencheerful，butverymuchsurprised。TherumourofthecaptureordestructionofDain\'sbrighadreachedtheArab\'searsthreedaysbeforefromthesea-fishermenandthroughthedwellersonthelowerreachesoftheriver。Ithadbeenpassedup-streamfromneighbourtoneighbourtillBulangi，whoseclearingwasnearesttothesettlement，hadbroughtthatnewshimselftoAbdullawhosefavourhecourted。ButrumouralsospokeofafightandofDain\'sdeathonboardhisownvessel。
AndnowallthesettlementtalkedofDain\'svisittotheRajahandofhisdeathwhencrossingtheriverinthedarktoseeAlmayer。
Theycouldnotunderstandthis。Reshidthoughtthatitwasverystrange。Hefeltuneasyanddoubtful。ButAbdulla，afterthefirstshockofsurprise，withtheoldage\'sdislikeforsolvingriddles，showedabecomingresignation。Heremarkedthatthemanwasdeadnowatallevents，andconsequentlynomoredangerous。
WherewastheusetowonderatthedecreesofFate，especiallyiftheywerepropitioustotheTrueBelievers？AndwithapiousejaculationtoAllahtheMerciful，theCompassionate，Abdullaseemedtoregardtheincidentasclosedforthepresent。
NotsoReshid。Helingeredbyhisuncle，pullingthoughtfullyhisneatlytrimmedbeard。
\"Therearemanylies，\"hemurmured。\"Hehasbeendeadoncebefore，andcametolifetodieagainnow。TheDutchwillbeherebeforemanydaysandclamourfortheman。ShallInotbelievemyeyessoonerthanthetonguesofwomenandidlemen？\"
\"TheysaythatthebodyisbeingtakentoAlmayer\'scompound，\"
saidAbdulla。\"IfyouwanttogothereyoumustgobeforetheDutcharrivehere。Golate。Itshouldnotbesaidthatwehavebeenseeninsidethatman\'senclosurelately。\"
Reshidassentedtothetruthofthislastremarkandlefthisuncle\'sside。Heleanedagainstthelintelofthebigdoorwayandlookedidlyacrossthecourtyardthroughtheopengateontothemainroadofthesettlement。Itlayempty，straight，andyellowunderthefloodoflight。Inthehotnoontidethesmoothtrunksofpalmtrees，theoutlinesofthehouses，andawaythereattheotherendoftheroadtheroofofAlmayer\'shousevisibleoverthebushesonthedarkbackgroundofforest，seemedtoquiverintheheatradiatingfromthesteamingearth。Swarmsofyellowbutterfliesrose，andsettledtoriseagaininshortflightsbeforeReshid\'shalf-closedeyes。Fromunderhisfeetarosethedullhumofinsectsinthelonggrassofthecourtyard。
Helookedonsleepily。
Fromoneofthesidepathsamongstthehousesawomansteppedoutontheroad，aslightgirlishfigurewalkingundertheshadeofalargetraybalancedonitshead。TheconsciousnessofsomethingmovingstirredReshid\'shalf-sleepingsensesintoacomparativewakefulness。HerecognisedTaminah，Bulangi\'sslave-girl，withhertrayofcakesforsale——anapparitionofdailyrecurrenceandofnoimportancewhatever。ShewasgoingtowardsAlmayer\'shouse。Shecouldbemadeuseful。Herousedhimselfupandrantowardsthegatecallingout，\"TaminahO！\"Thegirlstopped，hesitated，andcamebackslowly。
Reshidwaited，signingtoherimpatientlytocomenearer。
WhennearReshidTaminahstoodwithdowncasteyes。Reshidlookedatherawhilebeforeheasked——
\"AreyougoingtoAlmayer\'shouse？TheysayinthesettlementthatDainthetrader，hethatwasfounddrownedthismorning，islyinginthewhiteman\'scampong。\"
\"Ihaveheardthistalk，\"whisperedTaminah；\"andthismorningbytheriversideIsawthebody。WhereitisnowIdonotknow。\"
\"Soyouhaveseenit？\"askedReshid，eagerly。\"IsitDain？
Youhaveseenhimmanytimes。Youwouldknowhim。\"
Thegirl\'slipsquiveredandsheremainedsilentforawhile，breathingquickly。
\"Ihaveseenhim，notalongtimeago，\"shesaidatlast。\"Thetalkistrue；heisdead。Whatdoyouwantfromme，Tuan？
I
mustgo。\"
Justthenthereportofthegunfiredonboardthesteamlaunchwasheard，interruptingReshid\'sreply。Leavingthegirlherantothehouse，andmetinthecourtyardAbdullacomingtowardsthegate。
\"TheOrangBlandaarecome，\"saidReshid，\"andnowweshallhaveourreward。\"
Abdullashookhisheaddoubtfully。\"Thewhitemen\'srewardsarelongincoming，\"hesaid。\"Whitemenarequickinangerandslowingratitude。Weshallsee。\"
Hestoodatthegatestrokinghisgreybeardandlisteningtothedistantcriesofgreetingattheotherendofthesettlement。
AsTaminahwasturningtogohecalledherback\"Listen，girl，\"hesaid：\"therewillbemanywhitemeninAlmayer\'shouse。Youshallbetheresellingyourcakestothemenofthesea。Whatyouseeandwhatyouhearyoumaytellme。
ComeherebeforethesunsetsandIwillgiveyouabluehandkerchiefwithredspots。Nowgo，andforgetnottoreturn。\"
Hegaveherapushwiththeendofhislongstaffasshewasgoingawayandmadeherstumble。
\"Thisslaveisveryslow，\"heremarkedtohisnephew，lookingafterthegirlwithgreatdisfavour。
Taminahwalkedon，hertrayonthehead，hereyesfixedontheground。Fromtheopendoorsofthehouseswereheard，asshepassed，friendlycallsinvitingherwithinforbusinesspurposes，butsheneverheededthem，neglectinghersalesinthepreoccupationofintensethinking。Sincetheveryearlymorningshehadheardmuch，shehadalsoseenmuchthatfilledherheartwithajoymingledwithgreatsufferingandfear。Beforethedawn，beforesheleftBulangi\'shousetopaddleuptoSambirshehadheardvoicesoutsidethehousewhenallinitbutherselfwereasleep。Andnow，withherknowledgeofthewordsspokeninthedarkness，sheheldinherhandalifeandcarriedinherbreastagreatsorrow。Yetfromherspringystep，erectfigure，andfaceveiledoverbytheeverydaylookofapatheticindifference，nobodycouldhaveguessedofthedoubleloadshecarriedunderthevisibleburdenofthetraypileduphighwithcakesmanufacturedbythethriftyhandsofBulangi\'swives。Inthatsupplefigurestraightasanarrow，sogracefulandfreeinitswalk，behindthosesofteyesthatspokeofnothingbutofunconsciousresignation，theresleptallfeelingsandallpassions，allhopesandallfears，thecurseoflifeandtheconsolationofdeath。Andsheknewnothingofitall。Shelivedlikethetallpalmsamongstwhomshewaspassingnow，seekingthelight，desiringthesunshine，fearingthestorm，unconsciousofeither。Theslavehadnohope，andknewofnochange。Sheknewofnoothersky，nootherwater，nootherforest，nootherworld，nootherlife。Shehadnowish，nohope，nolove，nofearexceptofablow，andnovividfeelingbutthatofoccasionalhunger，whichwasseldom，forBulangiwasrichandricewasplentifulinthesolitaryhouseinhisclearing。Theabsenceofpainandhungerwasherhappiness，andwhenshefeltunhappyshewassimplytired，morethanusual，aftertheday\'slabour。Theninthehotnightsofthesouth-westmonsoonshesleptdreamlesslyunderthebrightstarsontheplatformbuiltoutsidethehouseandovertheriver。Insidetheyslepttoo：Bulangibythedoor；