"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；