第8章
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  Hestammereddistractedly。

  \"Iwant……Iwant……to……to……know……\"

  Onthecandidlightoftheeyesflittedshadows;shadowsofdoubt,ofsuspicion,thereadysuspicionofanunquenchableantagonism,thepitilessmistrustofaneternalinstinctofdefence;thehate,theprofound,frightenedhateofanincomprehensible——ofanabominableemotionintrudingitscoarsematerialismuponthespiritualandtragiccontestofherfeelings。

  \"Alvan……Iwon’tbearthis……\"Shebegantopantsuddenly,\"I’vearight——arightto——to——myself……\"

  Heliftedonearm,andappearedsomenacingthatshestoppedinafrightandshrankbackalittle。

  Hestoodwithupliftedhand……Theyearswouldpass——andhewouldhavetolivewiththatunfathomablecandourwhereflitshadowsofsuspicionsandhate……Theyearswouldpass——andhewouldneverknow——nevertrust……Theyearswouldpasswithoutfaithandlove……

  \"Canyoustandit?\"heshouted,asthoughshecouldhaveheardallhisthoughts。

  Helookedmenacing。Shethoughtofviolence,ofdanger——and,justforaninstant,shedoubtedwhetherthereweresplendoursenoughonearthtopaythepriceofsuchabrutalexperience。Hecriedagain:

  \"Canyoustandit?\"andglaredasifinsane。Hereyesblazed,too。Shecouldnotheartheappallingclamourofhisthoughts。Shesuspectedinhimasuddenregret,afreshfitofjealousy,adishonestdesireofevasion。Sheshoutedbackangrily——

  \"Yes!\"

  Hewasshakenwherehestoodasifbyastruggletobreakoutofinvisiblebonds。Shetrembledfromheadtofoot。

  \"Well,Ican’t!\"Heflungbothhisarmsout,asiftopushheraway,andstrodefromtheroom。Thedoorswungtowithaclick。Shemadethreequickstepstowardsitandstoodstill,lookingatthewhiteandgoldpanels。Nosoundcamefrombeyond,notawhisper,notasigh;notevenafootstepwasheardoutsideonthethickcarpet。Itwasasthoughnosoonergonehehadsuddenlyexpired——asthoughhehaddiedthereandhisbodyhadvanishedontheinstanttogetherwithhissoul。

  Shelistened,withpartedlipsandirresoluteeyes。Thenbelow,farbelowher,asifintheentrailsoftheearth,adoorslammedheavily;

  andthequiethousevibratedtoitfromrooftofoundations,morethantoaclapofthunder。

  Heneverreturned。

  THELAGOON

  Thewhiteman,leaningwithbotharmsovertheroofofthelittlehouseinthesternoftheboat,saidtothesteersman——

  \"WewillpassthenightinArsat’sclearing。Itislate。\"

  TheMalayonlygrunted,andwentonlookingfixedlyattheriver。Thewhitemanrestedhischinonhiscrossedarmsandgazedatthewakeoftheboat。Attheendofthestraightavenueofforestscutbytheintenseglitteroftheriver,thesunappeareduncloudedanddazzling,poisedlowoverthewaterthatshonesmoothlylikeabandofmetal。

  Theforests,sombreanddull,stoodmotionlessandsilentoneachsideofthebroadstream。Atthefootofbig,toweringtrees,trunklessnipapalmsrosefromthemudofthebank,inbunchesofleavesenormousandheavy,thathungunstirringoverthebrownswirlofeddies。Inthestillnessoftheaireverytree,everyleaf,everybough,everytendrilofcreeperandeverypetalofminuteblossomsseemedtohavebeenbewitchedintoanimmobilityperfectandfinal。

  Nothingmovedontheriverbuttheeightpaddlesthatroseflashingregularly,dippedtogetherwithasinglesplash;whilethesteersmansweptrightandleftwithaperiodicandsuddenflourishofhisbladedescribingaglintingsemicircleabovehishead。Thechurned-upwaterfrothedalongsidewithaconfusedmurmur。Andthewhiteman’scanoe,advancingupstreamintheshort-liveddisturbanceofitsownmaking,seemedtoentertheportalsofalandfromwhichtheverymemoryofmotionhadforeverdeparted。

  Thewhiteman,turninghisbackuponthesettingsun,lookedalongtheemptyandbroadexpanseofthesea-reach。Forthelastthreemilesofitscoursethewandering,hesitatingriver,asifenticedirresistiblybythefreedomofanopenhorizon,flowsstraightintothesea,flowsstraighttotheeast——totheeastthatharboursbothlightanddarkness。Asternoftheboattherepeatedcallofsomebird,acrydiscordantandfeeble,skippedalongoverthesmoothwaterandlostitself,beforeitcouldreachtheothershore,inthebreathlesssilenceoftheworld。

  Thesteersmandughispaddleintothestream,andheldhardwithstiffenedarms,hisbodythrownforward。Thewatergurgledaloud;andsuddenlythelongstraightreachseemedtopivotonitscentre,theforestsswunginasemicircle,andtheslantingbeamsofsunsettouchedthebroadsideofthecanoewithafieryglow,throwingtheslenderanddistortedshadowsofitscrewuponthestreakedglitteroftheriver。Thewhitemanturnedtolookahead。Thecourseoftheboathadbeenalteredatright-anglestothestream,andthecarveddragon-headofitsprowwaspointingnowatagapinthefringingbushesofthebank。Itglidedthrough,brushingtheoverhangingtwigs,anddisappearedfromtheriverlikesomeslimandamphibiouscreatureleavingthewaterforitslairintheforests。

  Thenarrowcreekwaslikeaditch:tortuous,fabulouslydeep;filledwithgloomunderthethinstripofpureandshiningblueoftheheaven。Immensetreessoaredup,invisiblebehindthefestooneddraperiesofcreepers。Hereandthere,neartheglisteningblacknessofthewater,atwistedrootofsometalltreeshowedamongstthetraceryofsmallferns,blackanddull,writhingandmotionless,likeanarrestedsnake。Theshortwordsofthepaddlersreverberatedloudlybetweenthethickandsombrewallsofvegetation。Darknessoozedoutfrombetweenthetrees,throughthetangledmazeofthecreepers,frombehindthegreatfantasticandunstirringleaves;thedarkness,mysteriousandinvincible;thedarknessscentedandpoisonousofimpenetrableforests。

  Themenpoledintheshoalingwater。Thecreekbroadened,openingoutintoawidesweepofastagnantlagoon。Theforestsrecededfromthemarshybank,leavingalevelstripofbrightgreen,reedygrasstoframethereflectedbluenessofthesky。Afleecypinkclouddriftedhighabove,trailingthedelicatecolouringofitsimageunderthefloatingleavesandthesilveryblossomsofthelotus。Alittlehouse,perchedonhighpiles,appearedblackinthedistance。Nearit,twotallnibongpalms,thatseemedtohavecomeoutoftheforestsinthebackground,leanedslightlyovertheraggedroof,withasuggestionofsadtendernessandcareinthedroopoftheirleafyandsoaringheads。

  Thesteersman,pointingwithhispaddle,said,\"Arsatisthere。Iseehiscanoefastbetweenthepiles。\"

  Thepolersranalongthesidesoftheboatglancingovertheirshouldersattheendoftheday’sjourney。Theywouldhavepreferredtospendthenightsomewhereelsethanonthislagoonofweirdaspectandghostlyreputation。Moreover,theydislikedArsat,firstasastranger,andalsobecausehewhorepairsaruinedhouse,anddwellsinit,proclaimsthatheisnotafraidtoliveamongstthespiritsthathaunttheplacesabandonedbymankind。Suchamancandisturbthecourseoffatebyglancesorwords;whilehisfamiliarghostsarenoteasytopropitiatebycasualwayfarersuponwhomtheylongtowreakthemaliceoftheirhumanmaster。Whitemencarenotforsuchthings,beingunbelieversandinleaguewiththeFatherofEvil,wholeadsthemunharmedthroughtheinvisibledangersofthisworld。Tothewarningsoftherighteoustheyopposeanoffensivepretenceofdisbelief。Whatistheretobedone?

  Sotheythought,throwingtheirweightontheendoftheirlongpoles。

  Thebigcanoeglidedonswiftly,noiselessly,andsmoothly,towardsArsat’sclearing,till,inagreatrattlingofpolesthrowndown,andtheloudmurmursof\"Allahbepraised!\"itcamewithagentleknockagainstthecrookedpilesbelowthehouse。

  Theboatmenwithupliftedfacesshouteddiscordantly,\"Arsat!O

  Arsat!\"Nobodycame。Thewhitemanbegantoclimbtherudeladdergivingaccesstothebambooplatformbeforethehouse。Thejuraganoftheboatsaidsulkily,\"Wewillcookinthesampan,andsleeponthewater。\"

  \"Passmyblanketsandthebasket,\"saidthewhiteman,curtly。

  Hekneltontheedgeoftheplatformtoreceivethebundle。Thentheboatshovedoff,andthewhiteman,standingup,confrontedArsat,whohadcomeoutthroughthelowdoorofhishut。Hewasamanyoung,powerful,withbroadchestandmusculararms。Hehadnothingonbuthissarong。Hisheadwasbare。Hisbig,softeyesstaredeagerlyatthewhiteman,buthisvoiceanddemeanourwerecomposedasheasked,withoutanywordsofgreeting——

  \"Haveyoumedicine,Tuan?\"

  \"No,\"saidthevisitorinastartledtone。\"No。Why?Istheresicknessinthehouse?\"

  \"Enterandsee,\"repliedArsat,inthesamecalmmanner,andturningshortround,passedagainthroughthesmalldoorway。Thewhiteman,droppinghisbundles,followed。

  Inthedimlightofthedwellinghemadeoutonacouchofbamboosawomanstretchedonherbackunderabroadsheetofredcottoncloth。

  Shelaystill,asifdead;butherbigeyes,wideopen,glitteredinthegloom,staringupwardsattheslenderrafters,motionlessandunseeing。Shewasinahighfever,andevidentlyunconscious。Hercheeksweresunkslightly,herlipswerepartlyopen,andontheyoungfacetherewastheominousandfixedexpression——theabsorbed,contemplatingexpressionoftheunconsciouswhoaregoingtodie。Thetwomenstoodlookingdownatherinsilence。

  \"Hasshebeenlongill?\"askedthetraveller。

  \"Ihavenotsleptforfivenights,\"answeredtheMalay,inadeliberatetone。\"Atfirstsheheardvoicescallingherfromthewaterandstruggledagainstmewhoheldher。Butsincethesunofto-dayroseshehearsnothing——shehearsnotme。Sheseesnothing。Sheseesnotme——me!\"

  Heremainedsilentforaminute,thenaskedsoftly——

  \"Tuan,willshedie?\"

  \"Ifearso,\"saidthewhiteman,sorrowfully。HehadknownArsatyearsago,inafarcountryintimesoftroubleanddanger,whennofriendshipistobedespised。AndsincehisMalayfriendhadcomeunexpectedlytodwellinthehutonthelagoonwithastrangewoman,hehadsleptmanytimesthere,inhisjourneysupanddowntheriver。

  Helikedthemanwhoknewhowtokeepfaithincouncilandhowtofightwithoutfearbythesideofhiswhitefriend。Helikedhim——notsomuchperhapsasamanlikeshisfavouritedog——butstillhelikedhimwellenoughtohelpandasknoquestions,tothinksometimesvaguelyandhazilyinthemidstofhisownpursuits,aboutthelonelymanandthelong-hairedwomanwithaudaciousfaceandtriumphanteyes,wholivedtogetherhiddenbytheforests——aloneandfeared。

  Thewhitemancameoutofthehutintimetoseetheenormousconflagrationofsunsetputoutbytheswiftandstealthyshadowsthat,risinglikeablackandimpalpablevapourabovethetree-tops,spreadovertheheaven,extinguishingthecrimsonglowoffloatingcloudsandtheredbrillianceofdepartingdaylight。Inafewmomentsallthestarscameoutabovetheintenseblacknessoftheearthandthegreatlagoongleamingsuddenlywithreflectedlightsresembledanovalpatchofnightskyflungdownintothehopelessandabysmalnightofthewilderness。Thewhitemanhadsomesupperoutofthebasket,thencollectingafewsticksthatlayabouttheplatform,madeupasmallfire,notforwarmth,butforthesakeofthesmoke,whichwouldkeepoffthemosquitos。Hewrappedhimselfintheblanketsandsatwithhisbackagainstthereedwallofthehouse,smokingthoughtfully。

  Arsatcamethroughthedoorwaywithnoiselessstepsandsquatteddownbythefire。Thewhitemanmovedhisoutstretchedlegsalittle。

  \"Shebreathes,\"saidArsatinalowvoice,anticipatingtheexpectedquestion。\"Shebreathesandburnsasifwithagreatfire。Shespeaksnot;shehearsnot——andburns!\"

  Hepausedforamoment,thenaskedinaquiet,incurioustone——

  \"Tuan……willshedie?\"

  Thewhitemanmovedhisshouldersuneasilyandmutteredinahesitatingmanner——

  \"Ifsuchisherfate。\"

  \"No,Tuan,\"saidArsat,calmly。\"Ifsuchismyfate。Ihear,Isee,I

  wait。Iremember……Tuan,doyouremembertheolddays?Doyouremembermybrother?\"

  \"Yes,\"saidthewhiteman。TheMalayrosesuddenlyandwentin。Theother,sittingstilloutside,couldhearthevoiceinthehut。Arsatsaid:\"Hearme!Speak!\"Hiswordsweresucceededbyacompletesilence。\"ODiamelen!\"hecried,suddenly。Afterthatcrytherewasadeepsigh。Arsatcameoutandsankdownagaininhisoldplace。

  Theysatinsilencebeforethefire。Therewasnosoundwithinthehouse,therewasnosoundnearthem;butfarawayonthelagoontheycouldhearthevoicesoftheboatmenringingfitfulanddistinctonthecalmwater。Thefireinthebowsofthesampanshonefaintlyinthedistancewithahazyredglow。Thenitdiedout。Thevoicesceased。Thelandandthewatersleptinvisible,unstirringandmute。

  Itwasasthoughtherehadbeennothingleftintheworldbuttheglitterofstarsstreaming,ceaselessandvain,throughtheblackstillnessofthenight。

  Thewhitemangazedstraightbeforehimintothedarknesswithwide-openeyes。Thefearandfascination,theinspirationandthewonderofdeath——ofdeathnear,unavoidable,andunseen,soothedtheunrestofhisraceandstirredthemostindistinct,themostintimateofhisthoughts。Theever-readysuspicionofevil,thegnawingsuspicionthatlurksinourhearts,flowedoutintothestillnessroundhim——intothestillnessprofoundanddumb,andmadeitappearuntrustworthyandinfamous,liketheplacidandimpenetrablemaskofanunjustifiableviolence。Inthatfleetingandpowerfuldisturbanceofhisbeingtheearthenfoldedinthestarlightpeacebecameashadowycountryofinhumanstrife,abattle-fieldofphantomsterribleandcharming,augustorignoble,strugglingardentlyforthepossessionofourhelplesshearts。Anunquietandmysteriouscountryofinextinguishabledesiresandfears。

  Aplaintivemurmurroseinthenight;amurmursaddeningandstartling,asifthegreatsolitudesofsurroundingwoodshadtriedtowhisperintohisearthewisdomoftheirimmenseandloftyindifference。Soundshesitatingandvaguefloatedintheairroundhim,shapedthemselvesslowlyintowords;andatlastflowedongentlyinamurmuringstreamofsoftandmonotonoussentences。Hestirredlikeamanwakingupandchangedhispositionslightly。Arsat,motionlessandshadowy,sittingwithbowedheadunderthestars,wasspeakinginalowanddreamytone——

  \"……forwherecanwelaydowntheheavinessofourtroublebutinafriend’sheart?Amanmustspeakofwarandoflove。You,Tuan,knowwhatwaris,andyouhaveseenmeintimeofdangerseekdeathasothermenseeklife!Awritingmaybelost;aliemaybewritten;butwhattheeyehasseenistruthandremainsinthemind!\"

  \"Iremember,\"saidthewhiteman,quietly。Arsatwentonwithmournfulcomposure——

  \"ThereforeIshallspeaktoyouoflove。Speakinthenight。Speakbeforebothnightandlovearegone——andtheeyeofdaylooksuponmysorrowandmyshame;uponmyblackenedface;uponmyburnt-upheart。\"

  Asigh,shortandfaint,markedanalmostimperceptiblepause,andthenhiswordsflowedon,withoutastir,withoutagesture。

  \"Afterthetimeoftroubleandwarwasoverandyouwentawayfrommycountryinthepursuitofyourdesires,whichwe,menoftheislands,cannotunderstand,Iandmybrotherbecameagain,aswehadbeenbefore,thesword-bearersoftheRuler。Youknowweweremenoffamily,belongingtoarulingrace,andmorefitthananytocarryonourrightshouldertheemblemofpower。AndinthetimeofprosperitySiDendringshowedusfavour,aswe,intimeofsorrow,hadshowedtohimthefaithfulnessofourcourage。Itwasatimeofpeace。Atimeofdeer-huntsandcock-fights;ofidletalksandfoolishsquabblesbetweenmenwhosebelliesarefullandweaponsarerusty。Butthesowerwatchedtheyoungrice-shootsgrowupwithoutfear,andthetraderscameandwent,departedleanandreturnedfatintotheriverofpeace。Theybroughtnews,too。Broughtliesandtruthmixedtogether,sothatnomanknewwhentorejoiceandwhentobesorry。Weheardfromthemaboutyoualso。Theyhadseenyouhereandhadseenyouthere。AndIwasgladtohear,forIrememberedthestirringtimes,andIalwaysrememberedyou,Tuan,tillthetimecamewhenmyeyescouldseenothinginthepast,becausetheyhadlookedupontheonewhoisdyingthere——inthehouse。\"

  Hestoppedtoexclaiminanintensewhisper,\"OMarabahia!O

  Calamity!\"thenwentonspeakingalittlelouder:

  \"There’snoworseenemyandnobetterfriendthanabrother,Tuan,foronebrotherknowsanother,andinperfectknowledgeisstrengthforgoodorevil。Ilovedmybrother。IwenttohimandtoldhimthatI

  couldseenothingbutoneface,hearnothingbutonevoice。Hetoldme:’Openyourheartsothatshecanseewhatisinit——andwait。

  Patienceiswisdom。InchiMidahmaydieorourRulermaythrowoffhisfearofawoman!’……Iwaited!……Youremembertheladywiththeveiledface,Tuan,andthefearofourRulerbeforehercunningandtemper。Andifshewantedherservant,whatcouldIdo?ButIfedthehungerofmyheartonshortglancesandstealthywords。Iloiteredonthepathtothebath-housesinthedaytime,andwhenthesunhadfallenbehindtheforestIcreptalongthejasminehedgesofthewomen’scourtyard。Unseeing,wespoketooneanotherthroughthescentofflowers,throughtheveilofleaves,throughthebladesoflonggrassthatstoodstillbeforeourlips;sogreatwasourprudence,sofaintwasthemurmurofourgreatlonging。Thetimepassedswiftly……andtherewerewhispersamongstwomen——andourenemieswatched——mybrotherwasgloomy,andIbegantothinkofkillingandofafiercedeath……Weareofapeoplewhotakewhattheywant——likeyouwhites。Thereisatimewhenamanshouldforgetloyaltyandrespect。Mightandauthorityaregiventorulers,buttoallmenisgivenloveandstrengthandcourage。Mybrothersaid,’Youshalltakeherfromtheirmidst。Wearetwowhoarelikeone。’AndI

  answered,’Letitbesoon,forIfindnowarmthinsunlightthatdoesnotshineuponher。’OurtimecamewhentheRulerandallthegreatpeoplewenttothemouthoftherivertofishbytorchlight。Therewerehundredsofboats,andonthewhitesand,betweenthewaterandtheforests,dwellingsofleaveswerebuiltforthehouseholdsoftheRajahs。Thesmokeofcooking-fireswaslikeabluemistoftheevening,andmanyvoicesranginitjoyfully。Whiletheyweremakingtheboatsreadytobeatupthefish,mybrothercametomeandsaid,’To-night!’Ilookedtomyweapons,andwhenthetimecameourcanoetookitsplaceinthecircleofboatscarryingthetorches。Thelightsblazedonthewater,butbehindtheboatstherewasdarkness。Whentheshoutingbeganandtheexcitementmadethemlikemadwedroppedout。

  Thewaterswallowedourfire,andwefloatedbacktotheshorethatwasdarkwithonlyhereandtheretheglimmerofembers。Wecouldhearthetalkofslave-girlsamongstthesheds。Thenwefoundaplacedesertedandsilent。Wewaitedthere。Shecame。Shecamerunningalongtheshore,rapidandleavingnotrace,likealeafdrivenbythewindintothesea。Mybrothersaidgloomily,’Goandtakeher;carryherintoourboat。’Iliftedherinmyarms。Shepanted。Herheartwasbeatingagainstmybreast。Isaid,’Itakeyoufromthosepeople。Youcametothecryofmyheart,butmyarmstakeyouintomyboatagainstthewillofthegreat!’’Itisright,’saidmybrother。’Wearemenwhotakewhatwewantandcanholditagainstmany。Weshouldhavetakenherindaylight。’Isaid,’Letusbeoff’;forsinceshewasinmyboatIbegantothinkofourRuler’smanymen。’Yes。Letusbeoff,’saidmybrother。’Wearecastoutandthisboatisourcountrynow——andtheseaisourrefuge。’Helingeredwithhisfootontheshore,andIentreatedhimtohasten,forIrememberedthestrokesofherheartagainstmybreastandthoughtthattwomencannotwithstandahundred。Weleft,paddlingdownstreamclosetothebank;andaswepassedbythecreekwheretheywerefishing,thegreatshoutinghadceased,butthemurmurofvoiceswasloudlikethehummingofinsectsflyingatnoonday。Theboatsfloated,clusteredtogether,intheredlightoftorches,underablackroofofsmoke;andmentalkedoftheirsport。Menthatboasted,andpraised,andjeered——menthatwouldhavebeenourfriendsinthemorning,butonthatnightwerealreadyourenemies。Wepaddledswiftlypast。Wehadnomorefriendsinthecountryofourbirth。Shesatinthemiddleofthecanoewithcoveredface;silentassheisnow;unseeingassheisnow——andIhadnoregretatwhatIwasleavingbecauseIcouldhearherbreathingclosetome——asIcanhearhernow。\"

  Hepaused,listenedwithhisearturnedtothedoorway,thenshookhisheadandwenton:

  \"Mybrotherwantedtoshoutthecryofchallenge——onecryonly——toletthepeopleknowwewerefreebornrobberswhotrustedourarmsandthegreatsea。AndagainIbeggedhiminthenameofourlovetobesilent。CouldInothearherbreathingclosetome?Iknewthepursuitwouldcomequickenough。Mybrotherlovedme。Hedippedhispaddlewithoutasplash。Heonlysaid,’Thereishalfamaninyounow——theotherhalfisinthatwoman。Icanwait。Whenyouareawholemanagain,youwillcomebackwithmeheretoshoutdefiance。Wearesonsofthesamemother。’Imadenoanswer。Allmystrengthandallmyspiritwereinmyhandsthatheldthepaddle——forIlongedtobewithherinasafeplacebeyondthereachofmen’sangerandofwomen’sspite。Mylovewassogreat,thatIthoughtitcouldguidemetoacountrywheredeathwasunknown,ifIcouldonlyescapefromInchiMidah’sfuryandfromourRuler’ssword。Wepaddledwithhaste,breathingthroughourteeth。Thebladesbitdeepintothesmoothwater。Wepassedoutoftheriver;weflewinclearchannelsamongsttheshallows。Weskirtedtheblackcoast;weskirtedthesandbeacheswheretheseaspeaksinwhisperstotheland;andthegleamofwhitesandflashedbackpastourboat,soswiftlysheranuponthewater。Wespokenot。OnlyonceIsaid,’Sleep,Diamelen,forsoonyoumaywantallyourstrength。’Iheardthesweetnessofhervoice,butIneverturnedmyhead。Thesunroseandstillwewenton。Waterfellfrommyfacelikerainfromacloud。Weflewinthelightandheat。Ineverlookedback,butIknewthatmybrother’seyes,behindme,werelookingsteadilyahead,fortheboatwentasstraightasabushman’sdart,whenitleavestheendofthesumpitan。Therewasnobetterpaddler,nobettersteersmanthanmybrother。Manytimes,together,wehadwonracesinthatcanoe。Butweneverhadputoutourstrengthaswedidthen——then,whenforthelasttimewepaddledtogether!Therewasnobraverorstrongermaninourcountrythanmybrother。Icouldnotsparethestrengthtoturnmyheadandlookathim,buteverymomentIheardthehissofhisbreathgettinglouderbehindme。Stillhedidnotspeak。Thesunwashigh。Theheatclungtomybacklikeaflameoffire。Myribswerereadytoburst,butIcouldnolongergetenoughairintomychest。AndthenIfeltImustcryoutwithmylastbreath,’Letusrest!’……’Good!’heanswered;andhisvoicewasfirm。Hewasstrong。Hewasbrave。Heknewnotfearandnofatigue……Mybrother!\"

  Amurmurpowerfulandgentle,amurmurvastandfaint;themurmuroftremblingleaves,ofstirringboughs,ranthroughthetangleddepthsoftheforests,ranoverthestarrysmoothnessofthelagoon,andthewaterbetweenthepileslappedtheslimytimberoncewithasuddensplash。Abreathofwarmairtouchedthetwomen’sfacesandpassedonwithamournfulsound——abreathloudandshortlikeanuneasysighofthedreamingearth。

  Arsatwentoninaneven,lowvoice。

  \"Weranourcanoeonthewhitebeachofalittlebayclosetoalongtongueoflandthatseemedtobarourroad;alongwoodedcapegoingfarintothesea。Mybrotherknewthatplace。Beyondthecapeariverhasitsentrance,andthroughthejungleofthatlandthereisanarrowpath。Wemadeafireandcookedrice。Thenwelaydowntosleeponthesoftsandintheshadeofourcanoe,whileshewatched。NosoonerhadIclosedmyeyesthanIheardhercryofalarm。Weleapedup。Thesunwashalfwaydowntheskyalready,andcominginsightintheopeningofthebaywesawapraumannedbymanypaddlers。Weknewitatonce;itwasoneofourRajah’spraus。Theywerewatchingtheshore,andsawus。Theybeatthegong,andturnedtheheadoftheprauintothebay。Ifeltmyheartbecomeweakwithinmybreast。Diamelensatonthesandandcoveredherface。Therewasnoescapebysea。Mybrotherlaughed。Hehadthegunyouhadgivenhim,Tuan,beforeyouwentaway,buttherewasonlyahandfulofpowder。Hespoketomequickly:’Runwithheralongthepath。Ishallkeepthemback,fortheyhavenofirearms,andlandinginthefaceofamanwithaguniscertaindeathforsome。Runwithher。Ontheothersideofthatwoodthereisafisherman’shouse——andacanoe。WhenIhavefiredalltheshotsIwillfollow。Iamagreatrunner,andbeforetheycancomeupweshallbegone。IwillholdoutaslongasIcan,forsheisbutawoman——thatcanneitherrunnorfight,butshehasyourheartinherweakhands。’Hedroppedbehindthecanoe。Theprauwascoming。SheandIran,andaswerushedalongthepathIheardshots。Mybrotherfired——once——twice——andtheboomingofthegongceased。Therewassilencebehindus。Thatneckoflandisnarrow。BeforeIheardmybrotherfirethethirdshotIsawtheshelvingshore,andIsawthewateragain;themouthofabroadriver。Wecrossedagrassyglade。Werandowntothewater。Isawalowhutabovetheblackmud,andasmallcanoehauledup。Iheardanothershotbehindme。Ithought,’Thatishislastcharge。’Werusheddowntothecanoe;amancamerunningfromthehut,butIleapedonhim,andwerolledtogetherinthemud。ThenIgotup,andhelaystillatmyfeet。Idon’tknowwhetherIhadkilledhimornot。IandDiamelenpushedthecanoeafloat。Iheardyellsbehindme,andIsawmybrotherrunacrosstheglade。Manymenwereboundingafterhim,Itookherinmyarmsandthrewherintotheboat,thenleapedinmyself。WhenIlookedbackI

  sawthatmybrotherhadfallen。Hefellandwasupagain,butthemenwereclosingroundhim。Heshouted,’Iamcoming!’Themenwereclosetohim。Ilooked。Manymen。ThenIlookedather。Tuan,Ipushedthecanoe!Ipusheditintodeepwater。Shewaskneelingforwardlookingatme,andIsaid,’Takeyourpaddle,’whileIstruckthewaterwithmine。Tuan,Iheardhimcry。Iheardhimcrymynametwice;andI

  heardvoicesshouting,’Kill!Strike!’Ineverturnedback。Iheardhimcallingmynameagainwithagreatshriek,aswhenlifeisgoingouttogetherwiththevoice——andIneverturnedmyhead。Myownname!……Mybrother!Threetimeshecalled——butIwasnotafraidoflife。

  Wasshenotthereinthatcanoe?AndcouldInotwithherfindacountrywheredeathisforgotten——wheredeathisunknown!\"

  Thewhitemansatup。Arsatroseandstood,anindistinctandsilentfigureabovethedyingembersofthefire。Overthelagoonamistdriftingandlowhadcrept,erasingslowlytheglitteringimagesofthestars。Andnowagreatexpanseofwhitevapourcoveredtheland:

  itflowedcoldandgrayinthedarkness,eddiedinnoiselesswhirlsroundthetree-trunksandabouttheplatformofthehouse,whichseemedtofloatuponarestlessandimpalpableillusionofasea。Onlyfarawaythetopsofthetreesstoodoutlinedonthetwinkleofheaven,likeasombreandforbiddingshore——acoastdeceptive,pitilessandblack。

  Arsat’svoicevibratedloudlyintheprofoundpeace。

  \"Ihadherthere!Ihadher!TogetherIwouldhavefacedallmankind。ButIhadher——and——\"

  Hiswordswentoutringingintotheemptydistances。Hepaused,andseemedtolistentothemdyingawayveryfar——beyondhelpandbeyondrecall。Thenhesaidquietly——

  \"Tuan,Ilovedmybrother。\"

  Abreathofwindmadehimshiver。Highabovehishead,highabovethesilentseaofmistthedroopingleavesofthepalmsrattledtogetherwithamournfulandexpiringsound。Thewhitemanstretchedhislegs。

  Hischinrestedonhischest,andhemurmuredsadlywithoutliftinghishead——

  \"Weallloveourbrothers。\"

  Arsatburstoutwithanintensewhisperingviolence——

  \"WhatdidIcarewhodied?Iwantedpeaceinmyownheart。\"

  Heseemedtohearastirinthehouse——listened——thensteppedinnoiselessly。Thewhitemanstoodup。Abreezewascominginfitfulpuffs。Thestarsshonepalerasiftheyhadretreatedintothefrozendepthsofimmensespace。Afterachillgustofwindtherewereafewsecondsofperfectcalmandabsolutesilence。Thenfrombehindtheblackandwavylineoftheforestsacolumnofgoldenlightshotupintotheheavensandspreadoverthesemicircleoftheeasternhorizon。Thesunhadrisen。Themistlifted,brokeintodriftingpatches,vanishedintothinflyingwreaths;andtheunveiledlagoonlay,polishedandblack,intheheavyshadowsatthefootofthewalloftrees。Awhiteeagleroseoveritwithaslantingandponderousflight,reachedtheclearsunshineandappeareddazzlinglybrilliantforamoment,thensoaringhigher,becameadarkandmotionlessspeckbeforeitvanishedintotheblueasifithadlefttheearthforever。

  Thewhiteman,standinggazingupwardsbeforethedoorway,heardinthehutaconfusedandbrokenmurmurofdistractedwordsendingwithaloudgroan。SuddenlyArsatstumbledoutwithoutstretchedhands,shivered,andstoodstillforsometimewithfixedeyes。Thenhesaid——

  \"Sheburnsnomore。\"

  Beforehisfacethesunshoweditsedgeabovethetree-topsrisingsteadily。Thebreezefreshened;agreatbrillianceburstuponthelagoon,sparkledontheripplingwater。Theforestscameoutoftheclearshadowsofthemorning,becamedistinct,asiftheyhadrushednearer——tostopshortinagreatstirofleaves,ofnoddingboughs,ofswayingbranches。Inthemercilesssunshinethewhisperofunconsciouslifegrewlouder,speakinginanincomprehensiblevoiceroundthedumbdarknessofthathumansorrow。Arsat’seyeswanderedslowly,thenstaredattherisingsun。

  \"Icanseenothing,\"hesaidhalfaloudtohimself。

  \"Thereisnothing,\"saidthewhiteman,movingtotheedgeoftheplatformandwavinghishandtohisboat。Ashoutcamefaintlyoverthelagoonandthesampanbegantoglidetowardstheabodeofthefriendofghosts。

  \"Ifyouwanttocomewithme,Iwillwaitallthemorning,\"saidthewhiteman,lookingawayuponthewater。

  \"No,Tuan,\"saidArsat,softly。\"Ishallnoteatorsleepinthishouse,butImustfirstseemyroad。NowIcanseenothing——seenothing!Thereisnolightandnopeaceintheworld;butthereisdeath——deathformany。Wearesonsofthesamemother——andIlefthiminthemidstofenemies;butIamgoingbacknow。\"

  Hedrewalongbreathandwentoninadreamytone:

  \"InalittlewhileIshallseeclearenoughtostrike——tostrike。Butshehasdied,and……now……darkness。\"

  Heflunghisarmswideopen,letthemfallalonghisbody,thenstoodstillwithunmovedfaceandstonyeyes,staringatthesun。Thewhitemangotdownintohiscanoe。Thepolersransmartlyalongthesidesoftheboat,lookingovertheirshouldersatthebeginningofawearyjourney。Highinthestern,hisheadmuffledupinwhiterags,thejuragansatmoody,lettinghispaddletrailinthewater。Thewhiteman,leaningwithbotharmsoverthegrassroofofthelittlecabin,lookedbackattheshiningrippleoftheboat’swake。Beforethesampanpassedoutofthelagoonintothecreekheliftedhiseyes。

  Arsathadnotmoved。Hestoodlonelyinthesearchingsunshine;andhelookedbeyondthegreatlightofacloudlessdayintothedarknessofaworldofillusions。

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