\"DidInottellyou?\"shesobbed,tryingtowrigglegentlyoutfromunderhisgrip。\"DidInottellyouthatIsawthewitchwomanpushthecanoe?Ilayhiddeninthegrassandheardallthewords。ShethatweusedtocallthewhiteMemwantedtoreturntolookatyourface,butthewitchwomanforbadeher,and——\"
Shesankloweryetonherelbow,turninghalfroundunderthedownwardpushoftheheavyhand,herfacelifteduptohimwithspitefuleyes。
\"Andsheobeyed,\"sheshoutedoutinahalf-laugh,half-cryofpain。\"Letmego,Tuan。Whyareyouangrywithme?
Hasten,oryoushallbetoolatetoshowyourangertothedeceitfulwoman。\"
Almayerdraggedheruptoherfeetandlookedcloseintoherfacewhileshestruggled,turningherheadawayfromhiswildstare。
\"Whosentyouheretotormentme?\"heasked,violently。\"Idonotbelieveyou。Youlie。\"
Hestraightenedhisarmsuddenlyandflungheracrosstheverandahtowardsthedoorway,whereshelayimmobileandsilent,asifshehadleftherlifeinhisgrasp,adarkheap,withoutasoundorastir。
\"Oh!Nina!\"whisperedAlmayer,inavoiceinwhichreproachandlovespoketogetherinpainedtenderness。\"Oh!Nina!
Idonotbelieve。\"
Alightdraughtfromtheriverranoverthecourtyardinawaveofbowinggrassand,enteringtheverandah,touchedAlmayer\'sforeheadwithitscoolbreath,inacaressofinfinitepity。Thecurtaininthewomen\'sdoorwayblewoutandinstantlycollapsedwithstartlinghelplessness。Hestaredattheflutteringstuff。
\"Nina!\"criedAlmayer。\"Whereareyou,Nina?\"
Thewindpassedoutoftheemptyhouseinatremuloussigh,andallwasstill。
Almayerhidhisfaceinhishandsasiftoshutoutaloathsomesight。When,hearingaslightrustle,heuncoveredhiseyes,thedarkheapbythedoorwasgone。
chapter11
CHAPTERXI。
Inthemiddleofashadowlesssquareofmoonlight,shiningonasmoothandlevelexpanseofyoungrice-shoots,alittleshelter-hutperchedonhighposts,thepileofbrushwoodnearbyandtheglowingembersofafirewithamanstretchedbeforeit,seemedverysmallandasiflostinthepalegreeniridescencereflectedfromtheground。Onthreesidesoftheclearing,appearingveryfarawayinthedeceptivelight,thebigtreesoftheforest,lashedtogetherwithmanifoldbondsbyamassoftangledcreepers,lookeddownatthegrowingyounglifeattheirfeetwiththesombreresignationofgiantsthathadlostfaithintheirstrength。Andinthemidstofthemthemercilesscreepersclungtothebigtrunksincable-likecoils,leapedfromtreetotree,hunginthornyfestoonsfromthelowerboughs,and,sendingslendertendrilsonhightoseekoutthesmallestbranches,carrieddeathtotheirvictimsinanexultingriotofsilentdestruction。
Onthefourthside,followingthecurveofthebankofthatbranchofthePantaithatformedtheonlyaccesstotheclearing,ranablacklineofyoungtrees,bushes,andthicksecondgrowth,unbrokensaveforasmallgapchoppedoutinoneplace。Atthatgapbeganthenarrowfootpathleadingfromthewater\'sedgetothegrass-builtshelterusedbythenightwatcherswhentheripeningcrophadtobeprotectedfromthewildpigs。Thepathwayendedatthefootofthepilesonwhichthehutwasbuilt,inacircularspacecoveredwithashesandbitsofburntwood。Inthemiddleofthatspace,bythedimfire,layDain。
Heturnedoveronhissidewithanimpatientsigh,and,pillowinghisheadonhisbentarm,layquietlywithhisfacetothedyingfire。Theglowingembersshoneredlyinasmallcircle,throwingagleamintohiswide-openeyes,andateverydeepbreaththefinewhiteashofbygonefiresroseinalightcloudbeforehispartedlips,anddancedawayfromthewarmglowintothemoonbeamspouringdownuponBulangi\'sclearing。Hisbodywaswearywiththeexertionofthepastfewdays,hismindmorewearystillwiththestrainofsolitarywaitingforhisfate。Neverbeforehadhefeltsohelpless。Hehadheardthereportofthegunfiredonboardthelaunch,andheknewthathislifewasinuntrustworthyhands,andthathisenemieswereverynear。Duringtheslowhoursoftheafternoonheroamedaboutontheedgeoftheforest,or,hidinginthebushes,watchedthecreekwithunquieteyesforsomesignofdanger。Hefearednotdeath,yethedesiredardentlytolive,forlifetohimwasNina。Shehadpromisedtocome,tofollowhim,tosharehisdangerandhissplendour。Butwithherbyhissidehecarednotfordanger,andwithouthertherecouldbenosplendourandnojoyinexistence。
Crouchinginhisshadyhiding-place,heclosedhiseyes,tryingtoevokethegraciousandcharmingimageofthewhitefigurethatforhimwasthebeginningandtheendoflife。Witheyesshuttight,histeethhardset,hetriedinagreateffortofpassionatewilltokeephisholdonthatvisionofsupremedelight。Invain!HisheartgrewheavyasthefigureofNinafadedawaytobereplacedbyanothervisionthistime——avisionofarmedmen,ofangryfaces,ofglitteringarms——andheseemedtohearthehumofexcitedandtriumphantvoicesastheydiscoveredhiminhishiding-place。Startledbythevividnessofhisfancy,hewouldopenhiseyes,and,leapingoutintothesunlight,resumehisaimlesswanderingsaroundtheclearing。Asheskirtedinhiswearymarchtheedgeoftheforestheglancednowandthenintoitsdarkshade,soenticinginitsdeceptiveappearanceofcoolness,sorepellentwithitsunrelievedgloom,wherelay,entombedandrotting,countlessgenerationsoftrees,andwheretheirsuccessorsstoodasifmourning,indarkgreenfoliage,immenseandhelpless,awaitingtheirturn。Onlytheparasitesseemedtolivethereinasinuousrushupwardsintotheairandsunshine,feedingonthedeadandthedyingalike,andcrowningtheirvictimswithpinkandblueflowersthatgleamedamongsttheboughs,incongruousandcruel,likeastridentandmockingnoteinthesolemnharmonyofthedoomedtrees。
Amancouldhidethere,thoughtDain,asheapproachedaplacewherethecreepershadbeentornandhackedintoanarchwaythatmighthavebeenthebeginningofapath。Ashebentdowntolookthroughheheardangrygrunting,andasounderofwildpigcrashedawayintheundergrowth。Anacridsmellofdampearthandofdecayingleavestookhimbythethroat,andhedrewbackwithascaredface,asifhehadbeentouchedbythebreathofDeathitself。Theveryairseemeddeadinthere——heavyandstagnating,poisonedwiththecorruptionofcountlessages。Hewenton,staggeringonhisway,urgedbythenervousrestlessnessthatmadehimfeeltiredyetcausedhimtoloathetheveryideaofimmobilityandrepose。Washeawildmantohideinthewoodsandperhapsbekilledthere——inthedarkness——wheretherewasnoroomtobreathe?Hewouldwaitforhisenemiesinthesunlight,wherehecouldseetheskyandfeelthebreeze。HeknewhowaMalaychiefshoulddie。Thesombreanddesperatefury,thatpeculiarinheritanceofhisrace,tookpossessionofhim,andheglaredsavagelyacrosstheclearingtowardsthegapinthebushesbytheriverside。Theywouldcomefromthere。Inimaginationhesawthemnow。Hesawthebeardedfacesandthewhitejacketsoftheofficers,thelightonthelevelledbarrelsoftherifles。
Whatisthebraveryofthegreatestwarriorbeforethefirearmsinthehandofaslave?Hewouldwalktowardthemwithasmilingface,withhishandsheldoutinasignofsubmissiontillhewasverynearthem。Hewouldspeakfriendlywords——comeneareryet——yetnearer——sonearthattheycouldtouchhimwiththeirhandsandstretchthemouttomakehimacaptive。Thatwouldbethetime:withashoutandaleaphewouldbeinthemidstofthem,krissinhand,killing,killing,killing,andwoulddiewiththeshoutsofhisenemiesinhisears,theirwarmbloodspurtingbeforehiseyes。
Carriedawaybyhisexcitement,hesnatchedthekrisshiddeninhissarong,and,drawingalongbreath,rushedforward,struckattheemptyair,andfellonhisface。Helayasifstunnedinthesuddenreactionfromhisexaltation,thinkingthat,evenifhediedthusgloriously,itwouldhavetobebeforehesawNina。
Betterso。Ifhesawheragainhefeltthatdeathwouldbetooterrible。Withhorrorhe,thedescendantofRajahsandofconquerors,hadtofacethedoubtofhisownbravery。Hisdesireoflifetormentedhiminaparoxysmofagonisingremorse。Hehadnotthecouragetostiralimb。Hehadlostfaithinhimself,andtherewasnothingelseinhimofwhatmakesaman。Thesufferingremained,foritisorderedthatitshouldabideinthehumanbodyeventothelastbreath,andfearremained。Dimlyhecouldlookintothedepthsofhispassionatelove,seeitsstrengthanditsweakness,andfeltafraid。
Thesunwentdownslowly。Theshadowofthewesternforestmarchedovertheclearing,coveredtheman\'sscorchedshoulderswithitscoolmantle,andwentonhurriedlytominglewiththeshadowsofotherforestsontheeasternside。Thesunlingeredforawhileamongstthelighttraceryofthehigherbranches,asifinfriendlyreluctancetoabandonthebodystretchedinthegreenpaddy-field。ThenDain,revivedbythecooloftheeveningbreeze,satupandstaredroundhim。Ashedidsothesundippedsharply,asifashamedofbeingdetectedinasympathisingattitude,andtheclearing,whichduringthedaywasalllight,becamesuddenlyalldarkness,wherethefiregleamedlikeaneye。
Dainwalkedslowlytowardsthecreek,and,divestinghimselfofhistornsarong,hisonlygarment,enteredthewatercautiously。
Hehadhadnothingtoeatthatday,andhadnotdaredshowhimselfindaylightbythewater-sidetodrink。Now,asheswamsilently,heswallowedafewmouthfulsofwaterthatlappedabouthislips。Thisdidhimgood,andhewalkedwithgreaterconfidenceinhimselfandothersashereturnedtowardsthefire。
HadhebeenbetrayedbyLakambaallwouldhavebeenoverbythis。
Hemadeupabigblaze,andwhileitlasteddriedhimself,andthenlaydownbytheembers。Hecouldnotsleep,buthefeltagreatnumbnessinallhislimbs。Hisrestlessnesswasgone,andhewascontenttolaystill,measuringthetimebywatchingthestarsthatroseinendlesssuccessionabovetheforests,whiletheslightpuffsofwindunderthecloudlessskyseemedtofantheirtwinkleintoagreaterbrightness。Dreamilyheassuredhimselfoverandoveragainthatshewouldcome,tillthecertitudecreptintohisheartandfilledhimwithagreatpeace。
Yes,whenthenextdaybroke,theywouldbetogetheronthegreatblueseathatwaslikelife——awayfromtheforeststhatwerelikedeath。HemurmuredthenameofNinaintothesilentspacewithatendersmile:thisseemedtobreakthespellofstillness,andfarawaybythecreekafrogcroakedloudlyasifinanswer。A
chorusofloudroarsandplaintivecallsrosefromthemudalongthelineofbushes。Helaughedheartily;doubtlessitwastheirlove-song。Hefeltaffectionatetowardsthefrogsandlistened,pleasedwiththenoisylifenearhim。
Whenthemoonpeepedabovethetreeshefelttheoldimpatienceandtheoldrestlessnessstealoverhim。Whywasshesolate?
True,itwasalongwaytocomewithasinglepaddle。Withwhatskillandwhatendurancecouldthosesmallhandsmanageaheavypaddle!Itwasverywonderful——suchsmallhands,suchsoftlittlepalmsthatknewhowtotouchhischeekwithafeellighterthanthefanningofabutterfly\'swing。Wonderful!Helosthimselflovinglyinthecontemplationofthistremendousmystery,andwhenhelookedatthemoonagainithadrisenahand\'sbreadthabovethetrees。Wouldshecome?Heforcedhimselftolaystill,overcomingtheimpulsetoriseandrushroundtheclearingagain。Heturnedthiswayandthat;atlast,quiveringwiththeeffort,helayonhisback,andsawherfaceamongthestarslookingdownonhim。
Thecroakingoffrogssuddenlyceased。WiththewatchfulnessofahuntedmanDainsatup,listeninganxiously,andheardseveralsplashesinthewaterasthefrogstookrapidheadersintothecreek。Heknewthattheyhadbeenalarmedbysomething,andstoodupsuspiciousandattentive。Aslightgratingnoise,thenthedrysoundasoftwopiecesofwoodstruckagainsteachother。
Somebodywasabouttoland!Hetookupanarmfulofbrushwood,and,withouttakinghiseyesfromthepath,helditovertheembersofhisfire。Hewaited,undecided,andsawsomethinggleamamongstthebushes;thenawhitefigurecameoutoftheshadowsandseemedtofloattowardshiminthepalelight。Hisheartgaveagreatleapandstoodstill,thenwentonshakinghisframeinfuriousbeats。Hedroppedthebrushwoodupontheglowingcoals,andhadanimpressionofshoutinghername——ofrushingtomeether;yetheemittednosound,hestirrednotaninch,buthestoodsilentandmotionlesslikechiselledbronzeunderthemoonlightthatstreamedoverhisnakedshoulders。Ashestoodstill,fightingwithhisbreath,asifbereftofhissensesbytheintensityofhisdelight,shewalkeduptohimwithquick,resolutesteps,and,withtheappearanceofoneabouttoleapfromadangerousheight,threwbothherarmsroundhisneckwithasuddengesture。Asmallbluegleamcreptamongstthedrybranches,andthecracklingofrevivingfirewastheonlysoundastheyfacedeachotherinthespeechlessemotionofthatmeeting;thenthedryfuelcaughtatonce,andabrighthotflameshotupwardsinablazeashighastheirheads,andinitslighttheysaweachother\'seyes。
Neitherofthemspoke。Hewasregaininghissensesinaslighttremorthatranupwardsalonghisrigidbodyandhungabouthistremblinglips。Shedrewbackherheadandfastenedhereyesonhisinoneofthoselonglooksthatareawoman\'smostterribleweapon;alookthatismorestirringthantheclosesttouch,andmoredangerousthanthethrustofadagger,becauseitalsowhipsthesouloutofthebody,butleavesthebodyaliveandhelpless,tobeswayedhereandtherebythecapricioustempestsofpassionanddesire;alookthatenwrapsthewholebody,andthatpenetratesintotheinnermostrecessesofthebeing,bringingterribledefeatinthedeliriousupliftingofaccomplishedconquest。Ithasthesamemeaningforthemanoftheforestsandtheseaasforthemanthreadingthepathsofthemoredangerouswildernessofhousesandstreets。Menthathadfeltintheirbreaststheawfulexultationsuchalookawakensbecomemerethingsofto-day——whichisparadise;forgetyesterday——whichwassuffering;carenotforto-morrow——whichmaybeperdition。Theywishtoliveunderthatlookforever。Itisthelookofwoman\'ssurrender。
Heunderstood,and,asifsuddenlyreleasedfromhisinvisiblebonds,fellatherfeetwithashoutofjoy,and,embracingherknees,hidhisheadinthefoldsofherdress,murmuringdisjointedwordsofgratitudeandlove。Neverbeforehadhefeltsoproudasnow,whenatthefeetofthatwomanthathalfbelongedtohisenemies。Herfingersplayedwithhishairinanabsent-mindedcaressasshestoodabsorbedinthought。Thethingwasdone。Hermotherwasright。Themanwasherslave。
Assheglanceddownathiskneelingformshefeltagreatpityingtendernessforthatmanshewasusedtocall——eveninherthoughts——themasteroflife。Sheliftedhereyesandlookedsadlyatthesouthernheavensunderwhichlaythepathoftheirlives——herown,andthatman\'satherfeet。Didhenotsayhimselfisthatshewasthelightofhislife?Shewouldbehislightandhiswisdom;shewouldbehisgreatnessandhisstrength;yethiddenfromtheeyesofallmenshewouldbe,aboveall,hisonlyandlastingweakness。Averywoman!Inthesublimevanityofherkindshewasthinkingalreadyofmouldingagodfromtheclayatherfeet。Agodforotherstoworship。
Shewascontenttoseehimashewasnow,andtofeelhimquiverattheslightesttouchofherlightfingers。Andwhilehereyeslookedsadlyatthesouthernstarsafaintsmileseemedtobeplayingaboutherfirmlips。Whocantellinthefitfullightofacampfire?Itmighthavebeenasmileoftriumph,orofconsciouspower,oroftenderpity,or,perhaps,oflove。
Shespokesoftlytohim,andherosetohisfeet,puttinghisarmroundherinquietconsciousnessofhisownership;shelaidherheadonhisshoulderwithasenseofdefiancetoalltheworldintheencirclingprotectionofthatarm。Hewasherswithallhisqualitiesandallhisfaults。Hisstrengthandhiscourage,hisrecklessnessandhisdaring,hissimplewisdomandhissavagecunning——allwerehers。Astheypassedtogetheroutoftheredlightofthefireintothesilvershowerofraysthatfellupontheclearinghebenthisheadoverherface,andshesawinhiseyesthedreamyintoxicationofboundlessfelicityfromtheclosetouchofherslightfigureclaspedtohisside。Witharhythmicalswingoftheirbodiestheywalkedthroughthelighttowardstheoutlyingshadowsoftheforeststhatseemedtoguardtheirhappinessinsolemnimmobility。Theirformsmeltedintheplayoflightandshadowatthefootofthebigtrees,butthemurmuroftenderwordslingeredovertheemptyclearing,grewfaint,anddiedout。Asighasofimmensesorrowpassedoverthelandinthelasteffortofthedyingbreeze,andinthedeepsilencewhichsucceeded,theearthandtheheavensweresuddenlyhushedupinthemournfulcontemplationofhumanloveandhumanblindness。
Theywalkedslowlybacktothefire。Hemadeforheraseatoutofthedrybranches,and,throwinghimselfdownatherfeet,layhisheadinherlapandgavehimselfuptothedreamydelightofthepassinghour。Theirvoicesroseandfell,tenderoranimatedastheyspokeoftheirloveandoftheirfuture。She,withafewskilfulwordsspokenfromtimetotime,guidedhisthoughts,andhelethishappinessflowinastreamoftalkpassionateandtender,graveormenacing,accordingtothemoodwhichsheevoked。Hespoketoherofhisownisland,wherethegloomyforestsandthemuddyriverswereunknown。Hespokeofitsterracedfields,ofthemurmuringclearrillsofsparklingwaterthatfloweddownthesidesofgreatmountains,bringinglifetothelandandjoytoitstillers。Andhespokealsoofthemountainpeakthatrisinglonelyabovethebeltoftreesknewthesecretsofthepassingclouds,andwasthedwelling-placeofthemysteriousspiritofhisrace,oftheguardiangeniusofhishouse。Hespokeofvasthorizonssweptbyfiercewindsthatwhistledhighabovethesummitsofburningmountains。Hespokeofhisforefathersthatconqueredagesagotheislandofwhichhewastobethefutureruler。Andthenas,inherinterest,shebroughtherfacenearertohis,he,touchinglightlythethicktressesofherlonghair,feltasuddenimpulsetospeaktoheroftheseahelovedsowell;andhetoldherofitsnever-ceasingvoice,towhichhehadlistenedasachild,wonderingatitshiddenmeaningthatnolivingmanhaspenetratedyet;ofitsenchantingglitter;ofitssenselessandcapriciousfury;howitssurfacewasforeverchanging,andyetalwaysenticing,whileitsdepthswereforeverthesame,coldandcruel,andfullofthewisdomofdestroyedlife。Hetoldherhowitheldmenslavesofitscharmforalifetime,andthen,regardlessoftheirdevotion,swallowedthemup,angryattheirfearofitsmystery,whichitwouldneverdisclose,noteventothosethatloveditmost。
Whilehetalked,Nina\'sheadhadbeengraduallysinkinglower,andherfacealmosttouchedhisnow。Herhairwasoverhiseyes,herbreathwasonhisforehead,herarmswereabouthisbody。
Notwobeingscouldbeclosertoeachother,yetsheguessedratherthanunderstoodthemeaningofhislastwordsthatcameoutafteraslighthesitationinafaintmurmur,dyingoutimperceptiblyintoaprofoundandsignificantsilence:\"Thesea,ONina,islikeawoman\'sheart。\"
Sheclosedhislipswithasuddenkiss,andansweredinasteadyvoice——
\"Buttothementhathavenofear,Omasterofmylife,theseaisevertrue。\"
Overtheirheadsafilmofdark,thread-likeclouds,lookinglikeimmensecobwebsdriftingunderthestars,darkenedtheskywiththepresageofthecomingthunderstorm。Fromtheinvisiblehillsthefirstdistantrumbleofthundercameinaprolongedrollwhich,aftertossingaboutfromhilltohill,lostitselfintheforestsofthePantai。DainandNinastoodup,andtheformerlookedattheskyuneasily。
\"ItistimeforBabalatchitobehere,\"hesaid。\"Thenightismorethanhalfgone。Ourroadislong,andabullettravelsquickerthanthebestcanoe。\"
\"Hewillbeherebeforethemoonishiddenbehindtheclouds,\"
saidNina。\"Iheardasplashinthewater,\"sheadded。\"Didyouhearittoo?\"
\"Alligator,\"answeredDainshortly,withacarelessglancetowardsthecreek。\"Thedarkerthenight,\"hecontinued,\"theshorterwillbeourroad,forthenwecouldkeepinthecurrentofthemainstream,butifitislight——evennomorethannow——wemustfollowthesmallchannelsofsleepingwater,withnothingtohelpourpaddles。\"
\"Dain,\"interposedNina,earnestly,\"itwasnoalligator。I
heardthebushesrustlingnearthelanding-place。\"
\"Yes,\"saidDain,afterlisteningawhile。\"ItcannotbeBabalatchi,whowouldcomeinabigwarcanoe,andopenly。Thosethatarecoming,whoevertheyare,donotwishtomakemuchnoise。Butyouhaveheard,andnowIcansee,\"hewentonquickly。\"Itisbutoneman。Standbehindme,Nina。
Ifheisafriendheiswelcome;ifheisanenemyyoushallseehimdie。\"
Helaidhishandonhiskriss,andawaitedtheapproachofhisunexpectedvisitor。Thefirewasburningverylow,andsmallclouds——precursorsofthestorm——crossedthefaceofthemooninrapidsuccession,andtheirflyingshadowsdarkenedtheclearing。
Hecouldnotmakeoutwhothemanmightbe,buthefeltuneasyatthesteadyadvanceofthetallfigurewalkingonthepathwithaheavytread,andhaileditwithacommandtostop。Themanstoppedatsomelittledistance,andDainexpectedhimtospeak,butallhecouldhearwashisdeepbreathing。Throughabreakintheflyingcloudsasuddenandfleetingbrightnessdescendedupontheclearing。Beforethedarknessclosedinagain,Dainsawahandholdingsomeglitteringobjectextendedtowardshim,heardNina\'scryof\"Father!\"andinaninstantthegirlwasbetweenhimandAlmayer\'srevolver。Nina\'sloudcrywokeuptheechoesofthesleepingwoods,andthethreestoodstillasifwaitingforthereturnofsilencebeforetheywouldgiveexpressiontotheirvariousfeelings。AttheappearanceofNina,Almayer\'sarmfellbyhisside,andhemadeastepforward。Dainpushedthegirlgentlyaside。
\"AmIawildbeastthatyoushouldtrytokillmesuddenlyandinthedark,TuanAlmayer?\"saidDain,breakingthestrainedsilence。\"Throwsomebrushwoodonthefire,\"hewenton,speakingtoNina,\"whileIwatchmywhitefriend,lestharmshouldcometoyouortome,Odelightofmyheart!\"
Almayergroundhisteethandraisedhisarmagain。WithaquickboundDainwasathisside:therewasashortscuffle,duringwhichonechamberoftherevolverwentoffharmlessly,thentheweapon,wrenchedoutofAlmayer\'shand,whirledthroughtheairandfellinthebushes。Thetwomenstoodclosetogether,breathinghard。ThereplenishedfirethrewoutanunsteadycircleoflightandshoneontheterrifiedfaceofNina,wholookedatthemwithoutstretchedhands。
\"Dain!\"shecriedoutwarningly,\"Dain!\"
Hewavedhishandtowardsherinareassuringgesture,and,turningtoAlmayer,saidwithgreatcourtesy——
\"Nowwemaytalk,Tuan。Itiseasytosendoutdeath,butcanyourwisdomrecallthelife?Shemighthavebeenharmed,\"hecontinued,indicatingNina。\"Yourhandshookmuch;formyselfI
wasnotafraid。\"
\"Nina!\"exclaimedAlmayer,\"cometomeatonce。Whatisthissuddenmadness?Whatbewitchedyou?Cometoyourfather,andtogetherweshalltrytoforgetthishorriblenightmare!\"
Heopenedhisarmswiththecertitudeofclaspinghertohisbreastinanothersecond。Shedidnotmove。Asitdawneduponhimthatshedidnotmeantoobeyhefeltadeadlycoldcreepintohisheart,and,pressingthepalmsofhishandstohistemples,helookeddownonthegroundinmutedespair。DaintookNinabythearmandledhertowardsherfather。
\"Speaktohiminthelanguageofhispeople,\"hesaid。\"Heisgrieving——aswhowouldnotgrieveatlosingthee,mypearl!
Speaktohimthelastwordsheshallhearspokenbythatvoice,whichmustbeverysweettohim,butisallmylifetome。\"
Hereleasedher,and,steppingbackafewpacesoutofthecircleoflight,stoodinthedarknesslookingatthemwithcalminterest。Thereflectionofadistantflashoflightninglitupthecloudsovertheirheads,andwasfollowedafterashortintervalbythefaintrumbleofthunder,whichmingledwithAlmayer\'svoiceashebegantospeak。
\"Doyouknowwhatyouaredoing?Doyouknowwhatiswaitingforyouifyoufollowthatman?Haveyounopityforyourself?
Doyouknowthatyoushallbeatfirsthisplaythingandthenascornedslave,adrudge,andaservantofsomenewfancyofthatman?\"
Sheraisedherhandtostophim,andturningherheadslightly,asked——
\"YouhearthisDain!Isittrue?\"
\"Byallthegods!\"cametheimpassionedanswerfromthedarkness——\"byheavenandearth,bymyheadandthineIswear:
thisisawhiteman\'slie。Ihavedeliveredmysoulintoyourhandsforever;Ibreathewithyourbreath,Iseewithyoureyes,Ithinkwithyourmind,andItakeyouintomyheartforever。\"
\"Youthief!\"shoutedtheexasperatedAlmayer。
Adeepsilencesucceededthisoutburst,thenthevoiceofDainwasheardagain。
\"Nay,Tuan,\"hesaidinagentletone,\"thatisnottruealso。
Thegirlcameofherownwill。Ihavedonenomorebuttoshowhermylovelikeaman;sheheardthecryofmyheart,andshecame,andthedowryIhavegiventothewomanyoucallyourwife。\"
Almayergroanedinhisextremityofrageandshame。Ninalaidherhandlightlyonhisshoulder,andthecontact,lightasthetouchofafallingleaf,seemedtocalmhim。Hespokequickly,andinEnglishthistime。
\"Tellme,\"hesaid——\"tellme,whathavetheydonetoyou,yourmotherandthatman?Whatmadeyougiveyourselfuptothatsavage?Forheisasavage。Betweenhimandyouthereisabarrierthatnothingcanremove。Icanseeinyoureyesthelookofthosewhocommitsuicidewhentheyaremad。Youaremad。
Don\'tsmile。Itbreaksmyheart。IfIweretoseeyoudrowningbeforemyeyes,andIwithoutthepowertohelpyou,Icouldnotsufferagreatertorment。Haveyouforgottentheteachingofsomanyyears?\"
\"No,\"sheinterrupted,\"Irememberitwell。Irememberhowitendedalso。Scornforscorn,contemptforcontempt,hateforhate。Iamnotofyourrace。Betweenyourpeopleandmethereisalsoabarrierthatnothingcanremove。YouaskwhyIwanttogo,andIaskyouwhyIshouldstay。\"
Hestaggeredasifstruckintheface,butwithaquick,unhesitatinggraspshecaughthimbythearmandsteadiedhim。
\"Whyyoushouldstay!\"herepeatedslowly,inadazedmanner,andstoppedshort,astoundedatthecompletenessofhismisfortune。
\"Youtoldmeyesterday,\"shewentonagain,\"thatIcouldnotunderstandorseeyourloveforme:itisso。HowcanI?
Notwohumanbeingsunderstandeachother。Theycanunderstandbuttheirownvoices。Youwantedmetodreamyourdreams,toseeyourownvisions——thevisionsoflifeamongstthewhitefacesofthosewhocastmeoutfromtheirmidstinangrycontempt。ButwhileyouspokeIlistenedtothevoiceofmyownself;thenthismancame,andallwasstill;therewasonlythemurmurofhislove。Youcallhimasavage!Whatdoyoucallmymother,yourwife?\"
\"Nina!\"criedAlmayer,\"takeyoureyesoffmyface。\"
Shelookeddowndirectly,butcontinuedspeakingonlyalittleaboveawhisper。
\"Intime,\"shewenton,\"bothourvoices,thatman\'sandmine,spoketogetherinasweetnessthatwasintelligibletoourearsonly。Youwerespeakingofgoldthen,butourearswerefilledwiththesongofourlove,andwedidnothearyou。ThenIfoundthatwecouldseethrougheachother\'seyes:thathesawthingsthatnobodybutmyselfandhecouldsee。Weenteredalandwherenoonecouldfollowus,andleastofallyou。ThenIbegantolive。\"
Shepaused。Almayersigheddeeply。Withhereyesstillfixedonthegroundshebeganspeakingagain。
\"AndImeantolive。Imeantofollowhim。Ihavebeenrejectedwithscornbythewhitepeople,andnowIamaMalay!Hetookmeinhisarms,helaidhislifeatmyfeet。Heisbrave;hewillbepowerful,andIholdhisbraveryandhisstrengthinmyhand,andIshallmakehimgreat。Hisnameshallberememberedlongafterbothourbodiesarelaidinthedust。IloveyounolessthanIdidbefore,butIshallneverleavehim,forwithouthimI
cannotlive。\"
\"Ifheunderstoodwhatyouhavesaid,\"answeredAlmayer,scornfully,\"hemustbehighlyflattered。Youwanthimasatoolforsomeincomprehensibleambitionofyours。Enough,Nina。
Ifyoudonotgodownatoncetothecreek,whereAliiswaitingwithmycanoe,IshalltellhimtoreturntothesettlementandbringtheDutchofficershere。Youcannotescapefromthisclearing,forIhavecastadriftyourcanoe。IftheDutchcatchthisheroofyourstheywillhanghimassureasIstandhere。
Nowgo。\"
Hemadeasteptowardshisdaughterandlaidholdofherbytheshoulder,hisotherhandpointingdownthepathtothelanding-place。
\"Beware!\"exclaimedDain;\"thiswomanbelongstome!\"
NinawrenchedherselffreeandlookedstraightatAlmayer\'sangryface。
\"No,Iwillnotgo,\"shesaidwithdesperateenergy。\"IfhediesIshalldietoo!\"
\"Youdie!\"saidAlmayer,contemptuously。\"Oh,no!Youshalllivealifeofliesanddeceptiontillsomeothervagabondcomesalongtosing;howdidyousaythat?Thesongoflovetoyou!
Makeupyourmindquickly。\"
Hewaitedforawhile,andthenaddedmeaningly——
\"ShallIcallouttoAli?\"
\"Callout,\"sheansweredinMalay,\"youthatcannotbetruetoyourowncountrymen。Onlyafewdaysagoyouweresellingthepowderfortheirdestruction;nowyouwanttogiveuptothemthemanthatyesterdayyoucalledyourfriend。Oh,Dain,\"shesaid,turningtowardsthemotionlessbutattentivefigureinthedarkness,\"insteadofbringingyoulifeIbringyoudeath,forhewillbetrayunlessIleaveyouforever!\"
Daincameintothecircleoflight,and,throwinghisarmaroundNina\'sneck,whisperedinherear——\"Icankillhimwherehestands,beforeasoundcanpasshislips。Foryouitistosayyesorno。Babalatchicannotbefarnow。\"
Hestraightenedhimselfup,takinghisarmoffhershoulder,andconfrontedAlmayer,wholookedatthembothwithanexpressionofconcentratedfury,\"No!\"shecried,clingingtoDaininwildalarm。\"No!Killme!
Thenperhapshewillletyougo。Youdonotknowthemindofawhiteman。HewouldratherseemedeadthanstandingwhereIam。
Forgiveme,yourslave,butyoumustnot。\"Shefellathisfeetsobbingviolentlyandrepeating,\"Killme!Killme!\"
\"Iwantyoualive,\"saidAlmayer,speakingalsoinMalay,withsombrecalmness。\"Yougo,orhehangs。Willyouobey?\"
DainshookNinaoff,and,makingasuddenlunge,struckAlmayerfullinthechestwiththehandleofhiskriss,keepingthepointtowardshimself。
\"Hai,look!Itwaseasyformetoturnthepointtheotherway,\"
hesaidinhisevenvoice。\"Go,TuanPutih,\"headdedwithdignity。\"Igiveyouyourlife,mylife,andherlife。I
amtheslaveofthiswoman\'sdesire,andshewillsitso。\"
Therewasnotaglimmeroflightintheskynow,andthetopsofthetreeswereasinvisibleastheirtrunks,beinglostinthemassofcloudsthathunglowoverthewoods,theclearing,andtheriver。
Everyoutlinehaddisappearedintheintenseblacknessthatseemedtohavedestroyedeverythingbutspace。Onlythefireglimmeredlikeastarforgotteninthisannihilationofallvisiblethings,andnothingwasheardafterDainceasedspeakingbutthesobsofNina,whomheheldinhisarms,kneelingbesidethefire。Almayerstoodlookingdownatthemingloomythoughtfulness。Ashewasopeninghislipstospeaktheywerestartledbyacryofwarningbytheriverside,followedbythesplashofmanypaddlesandthesoundofvoices。
\"Babalatchi!\"shoutedDain,liftingupNinaashegotuponhisfeetquickly。
\"Ada!Ada!\"cametheanswerfromthepantingstatesmanwhoranupthepathandstoodamongstthem。\"Runtomycanoe,\"hesaidtoDainexcitedly,withouttakinganynoticeofAlmayer。\"Run!
wemustgo。Thatwomanhastoldthemall!\"
\"Whatwoman?\"askedDain,lookingatNina。Justthentherewasonlyonewomaninthewholeworldforhim。
\"Theshe-dogwithwhiteteeth;theseventimesaccursedslaveofBulangi。SheyelledatAbdulla\'sgatetillshewokeupallSambir。Nowthewhiteofficersarecoming,guidedbyherandReshid。Ifyouwanttolive,donotlookatme,butgo!\"
\"Howdoyouknowthis?\"askedAlmayer。
\"Oh,Tuan!whatmattershowIknow!Ihaveonlyoneeye,butI
sawlightsinAbdulla\'shouseandinhiscampongaswewerepaddlingpast。Ihaveears,andwhilewelayunderthebankI
haveheardthemessengerssentouttothewhitemen\'shouse。\"
\"Willyoudepartwithoutthatwomanwhoismydaughter?\"saidAlmayer,addressingDain,whileBabalatchistampedwithimpatience,muttering,\"Run!Runatonce!\"
\"No,\"answeredDain,steadily,\"Iwillnotgo;tonomanwillI
abandonthiswoman。\"
\"Thenkillmeandescapeyourself,\"sobbedoutNina。
Heclaspedherclose,lookingathertenderly,andwhispered,\"Wewillneverpart,ONina!\"
\"Ishallnotstayhereanylonger,\"brokeinBabalatchi,angrily。
\"Thisisgreatfoolishness。Nowomanisworthaman\'slife。
I
amanoldman,andIknow。\"
Hepickeduphisstaff,and,turningtogo,lookedatDainasifofferinghimhislastchanceofescape。ButDain\'sfacewashiddenamongstNina\'sblacktresses,andhedidnotseethislastappealingglance。
Babalatchivanishedinthedarkness。Shortlyafterhisdisappearancetheyheardthewarcanoeleavethelanding-placeintheswishofthenumerouspaddlesdippedinthewatertogether。
AlmostatthesametimeAlicameupfromtheriverside,twopaddlesonhisshoulder。
\"Ourcanoeishiddenupthecreek,TuanAlmayer,\"hesaid,\"inthedensebushwheretheforestcomesdowntothewater。ItookittherebecauseIheardfromBabalatchi\'spaddlersthatthewhitemenarecominghere。\"
\"Waitformethere,\"saidAlmayer,\"butkeepthecanoehidden。\"
Heremainedsilent,listeningtoAli\'sfootsteps,thenturnedtoNina。
\"Nina,\"hesaidsadly,\"willyouhavenopityforme?\"
Therewasnoanswer。Shedidnoteventurnherhead,whichwaspressedclosetoDain\'sbreast。
Hemadeamovementasiftoleavethemandstopped。Bythedimglowoftheburning-outfirehesawtheirtwomotionlessfigures。
Thewoman\'sbackturnedtohimwiththelongblackhairstreamingdownoverthewhitedress,andDain\'scalmfacelookingathimaboveherhead。
\"Icannot,\"hemutteredtohimself。Afteralongpausehespokeagainalittlelower,butinanunsteadyvoice,\"Itwouldbetoogreatadisgrace。Iamawhiteman。\"Hebrokedowncompletelythere,andwentontearfully,\"Iamawhiteman,andofgoodfamily。Verygoodfamily,\"herepeated,weepingbitterly。
\"Itwouldbeadisgrace……allovertheislands,……theonlywhitemanontheeastcoast。No,itcannotbe……whitemenfindingmydaughterwiththisMalay。Mydaughter!\"hecriedaloud,witharingofdespairinhisvoice。
Herecoveredhiscomposureafterawhileandsaiddistinctly——
\"Iwillneverforgiveyou,Nina——never!Ifyouweretocomebacktomenow,thememoryofthisnightwouldpoisonallmylife。
I
shalltrytoforget。Ihavenodaughter。Thereusedtobeahalf-castewomaninmyhouse,butsheisgoingevennow。You,Dain,orwhateveryournamemaybe,Ishalltakeyouandthatwomantotheislandatthemouthoftherivermyself。Comewithme。\"
Heledtheway,followingthebankasfarastheforest。Aliansweredtohiscall,and,pushingtheirwaythroughthedensebush,theysteppedintothecanoehiddenundertheoverhangingbranches。DainlaidNinainthebottom,andsatholdingherheadonhisknees。AlmayerandAlieachtookupapaddle。AstheyweregoingtopushoutAlihissedwarningly。Alllistened。
Inthegreatstillnessbeforetheburstingoutofthethunderstormtheycouldhearthesoundofoarsworkingregularlyintheirrow-locks。Thesoundapproachedsteadily,andDain,lookingthroughthebranches,couldseethefaintshapeofabigwhiteboat。Awoman\'svoicesaidinacautioustone——
\"Thereistheplacewhereyoumaylandwhitemen;alittlehigher——there!\"
Theboatwaspassingthemsocloseinthenarrowcreekthatthebladesofthelongoarsnearlytouchedthecanoe。
\"Wayenough!Standbytojumponshore!Heisaloneandunarmed,\"wasthequietorderinaman\'svoice,andinDutch。
Somebodyelsewhispered:\"IthinkIcanseeaglimmerofafirethroughthebush。\"Andthentheboatfloatedpastthem,disappearinginstantlyinthedarkness。
\"Now,\"whisperedAli,eagerly,\"letuspushoutandpaddleaway。\"
Thelittlecanoeswungintothestream,andasitsprungforwardinresponsetothevigorousdigofthepaddlestheycouldhearanangryshout。
\"Heisnotbythefire。Spreadout,men,andsearchforhim!\"
Bluelightsblazedoutindifferentpartsoftheclearing,andtheshrillvoiceofawomancriedinaccentsofrageandpain——
\"Toolate!Osenselesswhitemen!Hehasescaped!\"
chapter12
CHAPTERXII。
\"Thatistheplace,\"saidDain,indicatingwiththebladeofhispaddleasmallisletaboutamileaheadofthecanoe——\"thatistheplacewhereBabalatchipromisedthataboatfromtheprauwouldcomeformewhenthesunisoverhead。Wewillwaitforthatboatthere。\"
Almayer,whowassteering,noddedwithoutspeaking,andbyaslightsweepofhispaddlelaidtheheadofthecanoeintherequireddirection。
TheywerejustleavingthesouthernoutletofthePantai,whichlaybehindtheminastraightandlongvistaofwatershiningbetweentwowallsofthickverdurethatrandownwardsandtowardseachother,tillatlasttheyjoinedandsanktogetherinthefar-awaydistance。Thesun,risingabovethecalmwatersoftheStraits,markeditsownpathbyastreakoflightthatglidedupontheseaanddartedupthewidereachoftheriver,ahurriedmessengeroflightandlifetothegloomyforestsofthecoast;
andinthisradianceofthesun\'spathwayfloatedtheblackcanoeheadingfortheisletwhichlaybathedinsunshine,theyellowsandsofitsencirclingbeachshininglikeaninlaidgoldendisconthepolishedsteeloftheunwrinkledsea。Tothenorthandsouthofitroseotherislets,joyousintheirbrilliantcolouringofgreenandyellow,andonthemaincoastthesombrelineofmangrovebushesendedtothesouthwardinthereddishcliffsofTanjongMirrah,advancingintothesea,steepandshadowlessundertheclear,lightoftheearlymorning。
Thebottomofthecanoegrateduponthesandasthelittlecraftranuponthebeach。AlileapedonshoreandheldonwhileDainsteppedoutcarryingNinainhisarms,exhaustedbytheeventsandthelongtravellingduringthenight。Almayerwasthelasttoleavetheboat,andtogetherwithAliranithigheruponthebeach。ThenAli,tiredoutbythelongpaddling,laiddownintheshadeofthecanoe,andincontinentlyfellasleep。Almayersatsidewaysonthegunwale,andwithhisarmscrossedonhisbreast,lookedtothesouthwarduponthesea。
AftercarefullylayingNinadownintheshadeofthebushesgrowinginthemiddleoftheislet,Dainthrewhimselfbesideherandwatchedinsilentconcernthetearsthatrandownfromunderherclosedeyelids,andlostthemselvesinthatfinesanduponwhichtheybothwerelyingfacetoface。Thesetearsandthissorrowwereforhimaprofoundanddisquietingmystery。Now,whenthedangerwaspast,whyshouldshegrieve?Hedoubtedherlovenomorethanhewouldhavedoubtedthefactofhisownexistence,butashelaylookingardentlyinherface,watchinghertears,herpartedlips,herverybreath,hewasuneasilyconsciousofsomethinginherhecouldnotunderstand。Doubtlessshehadthewisdomofperfectbeings。Hesighed。Hefeltsomethinginvisiblethatstoodbetweenthem,somethingthatwouldlethimapproachhersofar,butnofarther。Nodesire,nolonging,noeffortofwillorlengthoflifecoulddestroythisvaguefeelingoftheirdifference。Withawebutalsowithgreatprideheconcludedthatitwasherownincomparableperfection。
Shewashis,andyetshewaslikeawomanfromanotherworld。
His!His!Heexultedinthegloriousthought;neverthelesshertearspainedhim。
Withawispofherownhairwhichhetookinhishandwithtimidreverencehetriedinanaccessofclumsytendernesstodrythetearsthattrembledonhereyelashes。Hehadhisrewardinafleetingsmilethatbrightenedherfacefortheshortfractionofasecond,butsoonthetearsfellfasterthanever,andhecouldbearitnomore。HeroseandwalkedtowardsAlmayer,whostillsatabsorbedinhiscontemplationofthesea。Itwasavery,verylongtimesincehehadseenthesea——thatseathatleadseverywhere,bringseverything,andtakesawaysomuch。Hehadalmostforgottenwhyhewasthere,anddreamilyhecouldseeallhispastlifeonthesmoothandboundlesssurfacethatglitteredbeforehiseyes。
Dain\'shandlaidonAlmayer\'sshoulderrecalledhimwithastartfromsomecountryveryfarawayindeed。Heturnedround,buthiseyesseemedtolookratherattheplacewhereDainstoodthanatthemanhimself。Dainfeltuneasyundertheunconsciousgaze。