CHAPTERI

"Kaspar！Makan！"

Thewell-knownshrillvoicestartledAlmayerfromhisdreamofsplendidfutureintotheunpleasantrealitiesofthepresenthour。Anunpleasantvoicetoo。Hehadhearditformanyyears，andwitheveryyearhelikeditless。Nomatter；therewouldbeanendtoallthissoon。

Heshuffleduneasily，buttooknofurthernoticeofthecall。

Leaningwithbothhiselbowsonthebalustradeoftheverandah，hewentonlookingfixedlyatthegreatriverthatflowed——

indifferentandhurried——beforehiseyes。Helikedtolookatitaboutthetimeofsunset；perhapsbecauseatthattimethesinkingsunwouldspreadaglowinggoldtingeonthewatersofthePantai，andAlmayer'sthoughtswereoftenbusywithgold；

goldhehadfailedtosecure；goldtheothershadsecured——

dishonestly，ofcourse——orgoldhemeanttosecureyet，throughhisownhonestexertions，forhimselfandNina。Heabsorbedhimselfinhisdreamofwealthandpowerawayfromthiscoastwherehehaddweltforsomanyyears，forgettingthebitternessoftoilandstrifeinthevisionofagreatandsplendidreward。

TheywouldliveinEurope，heandhisdaughter。Theywouldberichandrespected。Nobodywouldthinkofhermixedbloodinthepresenceofhergreatbeautyandofhisimmensewealth。

Witnessinghertriumphshewouldgrowyoungagain，hewouldforgetthetwenty-fiveyearsofheart-breakingstruggleonthiscoastwherehefeltlikeaprisoner。Allthiswasnearlywithinhisreach。LetonlyDainreturn！Andreturnsoonhemust——inhisowninterest，forhisownshare。Hewasnowmorethanaweeklate！Perhapshewouldreturnto-night。SuchwereAlmayer'sthoughtsas，standingontheverandahofhisnewbutalreadydecayinghouse——thatlastfailureofhislife——helookedonthebroadriver。Therewasnotingeofgoldonitthisevening，forithadbeenswollenbytherains，androlledanangryandmuddyfloodunderhisinattentiveeyes，carryingsmalldrift-woodandbigdeadlogs，andwholeuprootedtreeswithbranchesandfoliage，amongstwhichthewaterswirledandroaredangrily。

Oneofthosedriftingtreesgroundedontheshelvingshore，justbythehouse，andAlmayer，neglectinghisdream，watcheditwithlanguidinterest。Thetreeswungslowlyround，amidthehissandfoamofthewater，andsoongettingfreeoftheobstructionbegantomovedownstreamagain，rollingslowlyover，raisingupwardsalong，denudedbranch，likeahandliftedinmuteappealtoheavenagainsttheriver'sbrutalandunnecessaryviolence。Almayer'sinterestinthefateofthattreeincreasedrapidly。Heleanedovertoseeifitwouldclearthelowpointbelow。Itdid；thenhedrewback，thinkingthatnowitscoursewasfreedowntothesea，andheenviedthelotofthatinanimatethingnowgrowingsmallandindistinctinthedeepeningdarkness。Ashelostsightofitaltogetherhebegantowonderhowfarouttoseaitwoulddrift。Wouldthecurrentcarryitnorthorsouth？South，probably，tillitdriftedinsightofCelebes，asfarasMacassar，perhaps！

Macassar！Almayer'squickenedfancydistancedthetreeonitsimaginaryvoyage，buthismemorylaggingbehindsometwentyyearsormoreinpointoftimesawayoungandslimAlmayer，cladallinwhiteandmodest-looking，landingfromtheDutchmail-boatonthedustyjettyofMacassar，comingtowoofortuneinthegodownsofoldHudig。Itwasanimportantepochinhislife，thebeginningofanewexistenceforhim。Hisfather，asubordinateofficialemployedintheBotanicalGardensofBuitenzorg，wasnodoubtdelightedtoplacehissoninsuchafirm。TheyoungmanhimselftoowasnothinglothtoleavethepoisonousshoresofJava，andthemeagrecomfortsoftheparentalbungalow，wherethefathergrumbledalldayatthestupidityofnativegardeners，andthemotherfromthedepthsofherlongeasy-chairbewailedthelostgloriesofAmsterdam，whereshehadbeenbroughtup，andofherpositionasthedaughterofacigardealerthere。

Almayerhadlefthishomewithalightheartandalighterpocket，speakingEnglishwell，andstronginarithmetic；readytoconquertheworld，neverdoubtingthathewould。

Afterthosetwentyyears，standinginthecloseandstiflingheatofaBorneanevening，herecalledwithpleasurableregrettheimageofHudig'sloftyandcoolwarehouseswiththeirlongandstraightavenuesofgincasesandbalesofManchestergoods；thebigdoorswingingnoiselessly；thedimlightoftheplace，sodelightfulaftertheglareofthestreets；thelittlerailed-offspacesamongstpilesofmerchandisewheretheChineseclerks，neat，cool，andsad-eyed，wroterapidlyandinsilenceamidstthedinoftheworkinggangsrollingcasksorshiftingcasestoamutteredsong，endingwithadesperateyell。Attheupperend，facingthegreatdoor，therewasalargerspacerailedoff，welllighted；therethenoisewassubduedbydistance，andaboveitrosethesoftandcontinuousclinkofsilverguilderswhichotherdiscreetChinamenwerecountingandpilingupunderthesupervisionofMr。Vinck，thecashier，thegeniuspresidingintheplace——therighthandoftheMaster。

InthatclearspaceAlmayerworkedathistablenotfarfromalittlegreenpainteddoor，bywhichalwaysstoodaMalayinaredsashandturban，andwhosehand，holdingasmallstringdanglingfromabove，movedupanddownwiththeregularityofamachine。

Thestringworkedapunkahontheothersideofthegreendoor，wheretheso-calledprivateofficewas，andwhereoldHudig——theMaster——satenthroned，holdingnoisyreceptions。Sometimesthelittledoorwouldflyopendisclosingtotheouterworld，throughthebluishhazeoftobaccosmoke，alongtableloadedwithbottlesofvariousshapesandtallwater-pitchers，rattaneasy-chairsoccupiedbynoisymeninsprawlingattitudes，whiletheMasterwouldputhisheadthroughand，holdingbythehandle，wouldgruntconfidentiallytoVinck；perhapssendanorderthunderingdownthewarehouse，orspyahesitatingstrangerandgreethimwithafriendlyroar，"Welgome，Gapitan！ver'yougomevrom？Bali，eh？Gotbonies？Ivantbonies！Vantallyougot；

ha！ha！ha！Gomein！"Thenthestrangerwasdraggedin，inatempestofyells，thedoorwasshut，andtheusualnoisesrefilledtheplace；thesongoftheworkmen，therumbleofbarrels，thescratchofrapidpens；whileaboveallrosethemusicalchinkofbroadsilverpiecesstreamingceaselesslythroughtheyellowfingersoftheattentiveChinamen。

AtthattimeMacassarwasteemingwithlifeandcommerce。Itwasthepointintheislandswheretendedallthoseboldspiritswho，fittingoutschoonersontheAustraliancoast，invadedtheMalayArchipelagoinsearchofmoneyandadventure。Bold，reckless，keeninbusiness，notdisinclinedforabrushwiththepiratesthatweretobefoundonmanyacoastasyet，makingmoneyfast，theyusedtohaveageneral"rendezvous"inthebayforpurposesoftradeanddissipation。TheDutchmerchantscalledthosemenEnglishpedlars；someofthemwereundoubtedlygentlemenforwhomthatkindoflifehadacharm；mostwereseamen；theacknowledgedkingofthemallwasTomLingard，hewhomtheMalays，honestordishonest，quietfishermenordesperatecut-throats，recognisedas"theRajah-Laut"——theKingoftheSea。

AlmayerhadheardofhimbeforehehadbeenthreedaysinMacassar，hadheardthestoriesofhissmartbusinesstransactions，hisloves，andalsoofhisdesperatefightswiththeSulupirates，togetherwiththeromantictaleofsomechild——

agirl——foundinapiraticalpraubythevictoriousLingard，when，afteralongcontest，heboardedthecraft，drivingthecrewoverboard。Thisgirl，itwasgenerallyknown，Lingardhadadopted，washavinghereducatedinsomeconventinJava，andspokeofheras"mydaughter。"Hehadswornamightyoathtomarryhertoawhitemanbeforehewenthomeandtoleaveherallhismoney。"AndCaptainLingardhaslotsofmoney，"wouldsayMr。Vincksolemnly，withhisheadononeside，"lotsofmoney；

morethanHudig！"Andafterapause——justtolethishearersrecoverfromtheirastonishmentatsuchanincredibleassertion——

hewouldaddinanexplanatorywhisper，"Youknow，hehasdiscoveredariver。"

Thatwasit！Hehaddiscoveredariver！ThatwasthefactplacingoldLingardsomuchabovethecommoncrowdofsea-goingadventurerswhotradedwithHudiginthedaytimeanddrankchampagne，gambled，sangnoisysongs，andmadelovetohalf-castegirlsunderthebroadverandahoftheSundaHotelatnight。Intothatriver，whoseentranceshimselfonlyknew，LingardusedtotakehisassortedcargoofManchestergoods，brassgongs，riflesandgunpowder。HisbrigFlash，whichhecommandedhimself，wouldonthoseoccasionsdisappearquietlyduringthenightfromtheroadsteadwhilehiscompanionsweresleepingofftheeffectsofthemidnightcarouse，Lingardseeingthemdrunkunderthetablebeforegoingonboard，himselfunaffectedbyanyamountofliquor。Manytriedtofollowhimandfindthatlandofplentyforgutta-perchaandrattans，pearlshellsandbirds'nests，waxandgum-dammar，butthelittleFlashcouldoutsaileverycraftinthoseseas。Afewofthemcametogriefonhiddensandbanksandcoralreefs，losingtheirallandbarelyescapingwithlifefromthecruelgripofthissunnyandsmilingsea；othersgotdiscouraged；andformanyyearsthegreenandpeaceful-lookingislandsguardingtheentrancestothepromisedlandkepttheirsecretwithallthemercilessserenityoftropicalnature。AndsoLingardcameandwentonhissecretoropenexpeditions，becomingaheroinAlmayer'seyesbytheboldnessandenormousprofitsofhisventures，seemingtoAlmayeraverygreatmanindeedashesawhimmarchingupthewarehouse，gruntinga"howareyou？"toVinck，orgreetingHudig，theMaster，withaboisterous"Hallo，oldpirate！Aliveyet？"asapreliminarytotransactingbusinessbehindthelittlegreendoor。Oftenofanevening，inthesilenceofthethendesertedwarehouse，AlmayerputtingawayhispapersbeforedrivinghomewithMr。Vinck，inwhosehouseholdhelived，wouldpauselisteningtothenoiseofahotdiscussionintheprivateoffice，wouldhearthedeepandmonotonousgrowloftheMaster，andtheroared-outinterruptionsofLingard——twomastiffsfightingoveramarrowybone。ButtoAlmayer'searsitsoundedlikeaquarrelofTitans——abattleofthegods。

AfterayearorsoLingard，havingbeenbroughtoftenincontactwithAlmayerinthecourseofbusiness，tookasuddenand，totheonlookers，aratherinexplicablefancytotheyoungman。Hesanghispraises，lateatnight，overaconvivialglasstohiscroniesintheSundaHotel，andonefinemorningelectrifiedVinckbydeclaringthathemusthave"thatyoungfellowforasupercargo。

Kindofcaptain'sclerk。Doallmyquill-drivingforme。"

Hudigconsented。Almayer，withyouth'snaturalcravingforchange，wasnothingloth，andpackinghisfewbelongings，startedintheFlashononeofthoselongcruiseswhentheoldseamanwaswonttovisitalmosteveryislandinthearchipelago。Monthsslippedby，andLingard'sfriendshipseemedtoincrease。OftenpacingthedeckwithAlmayer，whenthefaintnightbreeze，heavywitharomaticexhalationsoftheislands，shovedthebriggentlyalongunderthepeacefulandsparklingsky，didtheoldseamanopenhishearttohisentrancedlistener。Hespokeofhispastlife，ofescapeddangers，ofbigprofitsinhistrade，ofnewcombinationsthatwereinthefuturetobringprofitsbiggerstill。Oftenhehadmentionedhisdaughter，thegirlfoundinthepirateprau，speakingofherwithastrangeassumptionoffatherlytenderness。

"Shemustbeabiggirlnow，"heusedtosay。"It'snighuntofouryearssinceIhaveseenher！Damme，Almayer，ifIdon'tthinkwewillrunintoSourabayathistrip。"Andaftersuchadeclarationhealwaysdivedintohiscabinmutteringtohimself，"Somethingmustbedone——mustbedone。"MorethanoncehewouldastonishAlmayerbywalkinguptohimrapidly，clearinghisthroatwithapowerful"Hem！"asifhewasgoingtosaysomething，andthenturningabruptlyawaytoleanoverthebulwarksinsilence，andwatch，motionless，forhours，thegleamandsparkleofthephosphorescentseaalongtheship'sside。ItwasthenightbeforearrivinginSourabayawhenoneofthoseattemptsatconfidentialcommunicationsucceeded。Afterclearinghisthroathespoke。Hespoketosomepurpose。HewantedAlmayertomarryhisadopteddaughter。"Anddon'tyoukickbecauseyou'rewhite！"heshouted，suddenly，notgivingthesurprisedyoungmanthetimetosayaword。"Noneofthatwithme！Nobodywillseethecolourofyourwife'sskin。Thedollarsaretoothickforthat，Itellyou！Andmindyou，theywillbethickeryetbeforeIdie。Therewillbemillions，Kaspar！

MillionsIsay！Andallforher——andforyou，ifyoudowhatyouaretold。"

Startledbytheunexpectedproposal，Almayerhesitated，andremainedsilentforaminute。Hewasgiftedwithastrongandactiveimagination，andinthatshortspaceoftimehesaw，asinaflashofdazzlinglight，greatpilesofshiningguilders，andrealisedallthepossibilitiesofanopulentexistence。Theconsideration，theindolenteaseoflife——forwhichhefelthimselfsowellfitted——hisships，hiswarehouses，hismerchandise（oldLingardwouldnotliveforever），and，crowningall，inthefarfuturegleamedlikeafairypalacethebigmansioninAmsterdam，thatearthlyparadiseofhisdreams，where，madekingamongstmenbyoldLingard'smoney，hewouldpasstheeveningofhisdaysininexpressiblesplendour。Astotheothersideofthepicture——thecompanionshipforlifeofaMalaygirl，thatlegacyofaboatfulofpirates——therewasonlywithinhimaconfusedconsciousnessofshamethatheawhiteman——Still，aconventeducationoffouryears！——andthenshemaymercifullydie。Hewasalwayslucky，andmoneyispowerful！Gothroughit。

Whynot？Hehadavagueideaofshuttingherupsomewhere，anywhere，outofhisgorgeousfuture。EasyenoughtodisposeofaMalaywoman，aslave，afterall，tohisEasternmind，conventornoconvent，ceremonyornoceremony。

Heliftedhisheadandconfrontedtheanxiousyetirateseaman。

"I——ofcourse——anythingyouwish，CaptainLingard。"

"Callmefather，myboy。Shedoes，"saidthemollifiedoldadventurer。"Damme，though，ifIdidn'tthinkyouweregoingtorefuse。Mindyou，Kaspar，Ialwaysgetmyway，soitwouldhavebeennouse。Butyouarenofool。"

Herememberedwellthattime——thelook，theaccent，thewords，theeffecttheyproducedonhim，hisverysurroundings。Herememberedthenarrowslantingdeckofthebrig，thesilentsleepingcoast，thesmoothblacksurfaceoftheseawithagreatbarofgoldlaidonitbytherisingmoon。Heremembereditall，andherememberedhisfeelingsofmadexultationatthethoughtofthatfortunethrownintohishands。Hewasnofoolthen，andhewasnofoolnow。Circumstanceshadbeenagainsthim；thefortunewasgone，buthoperemained。

Heshiveredinthenightair，andsuddenlybecameawareoftheintensedarknesswhich，onthesun'sdeparture，hadclosedinupontheriver，blottingouttheoutlinesoftheoppositeshore。

OnlythefireofdrybrancheslitoutsidethestockadeoftheRajah'scompoundcalledfitfullyintoviewtheraggedtrunksofthesurroundingtrees，puttingastainofglowingredhalf-wayacrosstheriverwherethedriftinglogswerehurryingtowardstheseathroughtheimpenetrablegloom。Hehadahazyrecollectionofhavingbeencalledsometimeduringtheeveningbyhiswife。Tohisdinnerprobably。Butamanbusycontemplatingthewreckageofhispastinthedawnofnewhopescannotbehungrywheneverhisriceisready。Timehewenthome，though；itwasgettinglate。

Hesteppedcautiouslyonthelooseplankstowardstheladder。

A

lizard，disturbedbythenoise，emittedaplaintivenoteandscurriedthroughthelonggrassgrowingonthebank。Almayerdescendedtheladdercarefully，nowthoroughlyrecalledtotherealitiesoflifebythecarenecessarytopreventafallontheunevengroundwherethestones，decayingplanks，andhalf-sawnbeamswerepiledupininextricableconfusion。Asheturnedtowardsthehousewherehelived——"myoldhouse"hecalledit——

hiseardetectedthesplashofpaddlesawayinthedarknessoftheriver。Hestoodstillinthepath，attentiveandsurprisedatanybodybeingontheriveratthislatehourduringsuchaheavyfreshet。Nowhecouldhearthepaddlesdistinctly，andevenarapidlyexchangedwordinlowtones，theheavybreathingofmenfightingwiththecurrent，andhuggingthebankonwhichhestood。Quiteclose，too，butitwastoodarktodistinguishanythingundertheoverhangingbushes。

"Arabs，nodoubt，"mutteredAlmayertohimself，peeringintothesolidblackness。"Whataretheyuptonow？SomeofAbdulla'sbusiness；cursehim！"

Theboatwasveryclosenow。

"Oh，ya！Man！"hailedAlmayer。

Thesoundofvoicesceased，butthepaddlesworkedasfuriouslyasbefore。ThenthebushinfrontofAlmayershook，andthesharpsoundofthepaddlesfallingintothecanoeranginthequietnight。Theywereholdingontothebushnow；butAlmayercouldhardlymakeoutanindistinctdarkshapeofaman'sheadandshouldersabovethebank。

"YouAbdulla？"saidAlmayer，doubtfully。

Agravevoiceanswered——

"TuanAlmayerisspeakingtoafriend。ThereisnoArabhere。"

Almayer'sheartgaveagreatleap。

"Dain！"heexclaimed。"Atlast！atlast！Ihavebeenwaitingforyoueverydayandeverynight。Ihadnearlygivenyouup。"

"Nothingcouldhavestoppedmefromcomingbackhere，"saidtheother，almostviolently。"Notevendeath，"hewhisperedtohimself。

"Thisisafriend'stalk，andisverygood，"saidAlmayer，heartily。"Butyouaretoofarhere。Dropdowntothejettyandletyourmencooktheirriceinmycampongwhilewetalkinthehouse。"

Therewasnoanswertothatinvitation。

"Whatisit？"askedAlmayer，uneasily。"Thereisnothingwrongwiththebrig，Ihope？"

"ThebrigiswherenoOrangBlandacanlayhishandsonher，"

saidDain，withagloomytoneinhisvoice，whichAlmayer，inhiselation，failedtonotice。

"Right，"hesaid。"Butwhereareallyourmen？Thereareonlytwowithyou。"

"Listen，TuanAlmayer，"saidDain。"To-morrow'ssunshallseemeinyourhouse，andthenwewilltalk。NowImustgototheRajah。"

"TotheRajah！Why？WhatdoyouwantwithLakamba？"

"Tuan，to-morrowwetalklikefriends。ImustseeLakambato-night。"

"Dain，youarenotgoingtoabandonmenow，whenallisready？"

askedAlmayer，inapleadingvoice。

"HaveInotreturned？ButImustseeLakambafirstforyourgoodandmine。"

Theshadowyheaddisappearedabruptly。Thebush，releasedfromthegraspofthebowman，sprungbackwithaswish，scatteringashowerofmuddywateroverAlmayer，ashebentforward，tryingtosee。

Inalittlewhilethecanoeshotintothestreakoflightthatstreamedontheriverfromthebigfireontheoppositeshore，disclosingtheoutlineoftwomenbendingtotheirwork，andathirdfigureinthesternflourishingthesteeringpaddle，hisheadcoveredwithanenormousroundhat，likeafantasticallyexaggeratedmushroom。

Almayerwatchedthecanoetillitpassedoutofthelineoflight。Shortlyafterthemurmurofmanyvoicesreachedhimacrossthewater。Hecouldseethetorchesbeingsnatchedoutoftheburningpile，andrenderingvisibleforamomentthegateinthestockaderoundwhichtheycrowded。Thentheywentinapparently。Thetorchesdisappeared，andthescatteredfiresentoutonlyadimandfitfulglare。

Almayersteppedhomewardswithlongstridesandminduneasy。

SurelyDainwasnotthinkingofplayinghimfalse。Itwasabsurd。DainandLakambawerebothtoomuchinterestedinthesuccessofhisscheme。TrustingtoMalayswaspoorwork；butthenevenMalayshavesomesenseandunderstandtheirowninterest。Allwouldbewell——mustbewell。Atthispointinhismeditationhefoundhimselfatthefootofthestepsleadingtotheverandahofhishome。Fromthelowpointoflandwherehestoodhecouldseebothbranchesoftheriver。ThemainbranchofthePantaiwaslostincompletedarkness，forthefireattheRajah'shadgoneoutaltogether；butuptheSambirreachhiseyecouldfollowthelonglineofMalayhousescrowdingthebank，withhereandthereadimlighttwinklingthroughbamboowalls，orasmokytorchburningontheplatformsbuiltoutovertheriver。Furtheraway，wheretheislandendedinalowcliff，roseadarkmassofbuildingstoweringabovetheMalaystructures。

Foundedsolidlyonafirmgroundwithplentyofspace，starredbymanylightsburningstrongandwhite，withasuggestionofparaffinandlamp-glasses，stoodthehouseandthegodownsofAbdullabinSelim，thegreattraderofSambir。ToAlmayerthesightwasverydistasteful，andheshookhisfisttowardsthebuildingsthatintheirevidentprosperitylookedtohimcoldandinsolent，andcontemptuousofhisownfallenfortunes。

Hemountedthestepsofhishouseslowly。

Inthemiddleoftheverandahtherewasaroundtable。Onitaparaffinlampwithoutaglobeshedahardglareonthethreeinnersides。Thefourthsidewasopen，andfacedtheriver。

Betweentheroughsupportsofthehigh-pitchedroofhungtornrattanscreens。Therewasnoceiling，andtheharshbrillianceofthelampwastonedaboveintoasofthalf-lightthatlostitselfintheobscurityamongsttherafters。Thefrontwallwascutintwobythedoorwayofacentralpassageclosedbyaredcurtain。Thewomen'sroomopenedintothatpassage，whichledtothebackcourtyardandtothecookingshed。Inoneofthesidewallstherewasadoorway。Halfobliteratedwords——"Office：

LingardandCo。"——werestilllegibleonthedustydoor，whichlookedasifithadnotbeenopenedforaverylongtime。Closetotheothersidewallstoodabent-woodrocking-chair，andbythetableandabouttheverandahfourwoodenarmchairsstraggledforlornly，asifashamedoftheirshabbysurroundings。Aheapofcommonmatslayinonecorner，withanoldhammockslungdiagonallyabove。Intheothercorner，hisheadwrappedinapieceofredcalico，huddledintoashapelessheap，sleptaMalay，oneofAlmayer'sdomesticslaves——"myownpeople，"heusedtocallthem。Anumerousandrepresentativeassemblyofmothswereholdinghighrevelsroundthelamptothespiritedmusicofswarmingmosquitoes。Underthepalm-leafthatchlizardsracedonthebeamscallingsoftly。Amonkey，chainedtooneoftheverandahsupports——retiredforthenightundertheeaves——peeredandgrinnedatAlmayer，asitswungtooneofthebambooroofsticksandcausedashowerofdustandbitsofdriedleavestosettleontheshabbytable。Thefloorwasuneven，withmanywitheredplantsanddriedearthscatteredabout。Ageneralairofsqualidneglectpervadedtheplace。Greatredstainsonthefloorandwallstestifiedtofrequentandindiscriminatebetel-nutchewing。Thelightbreezefromtheriverswayedgentlythetatteredblinds，sendingfromthewoodsoppositeafaintandsicklyperfumeasofdecayingflowers。

UnderAlmayer'sheavytreadtheboardsoftheverandahcreakedloudly。Thesleeperinthecornermoveduneasily，mutteringindistinctwords。Therewasaslightrustlebehindthecurtaineddoorway，andasoftvoiceaskedinMalay，"Isityou，father？"

"Yes，Nina。Iamhungry。Iseverybodyasleepinthishouse？"

Almayerspokejoviallyanddroppedwithacontentedsighintothearmchairnearesttothetable。NinaAlmayercamethroughthecurtaineddoorwayfollowedbyanoldMalaywoman，whobusiedherselfinsettinguponthetableaplatefulofriceandfish，ajarofwater，andabottlehalffullofgenever。Aftercarefullyplacingbeforehermasteracrackedglasstumblerandatinspoonshewentawaynoiselessly。Ninastoodbythetable，onehandlightlyrestingonitsedge，theotherhanginglistlesslybyherside。Herfaceturnedtowardstheouterdarkness，throughwhichherdreamyeyesseemedtoseesomeentrancingpicture，worealookofimpatientexpectancy。Shewastallforahalf-caste，withthecorrectprofileofthefather，modifiedandstrengthenedbythesquarenessofthelowerpartofthefaceinheritedfromhermaternalancestors——theSulupirates。Herfirmmouth，withthelipsslightlypartedanddisclosingagleamofwhiteteeth，putavaguesuggestionofferocityintotheimpatientexpressionofherfeatures。AndyetherdarkandperfecteyeshadallthetendersoftnessofexpressioncommontoMalaywomen，butwithagleamofsuperiorintelligence；theylookedgravely，wideopenandsteady，asiffacingsomethinginvisibletoallothereyes，whileshestoodthereallinwhite，straight，flexible，graceful，unconsciousofherself，herlowbutbroadforeheadcrownedwithashiningmassoflongblackhairthatfellinheavytressesoverhershoulders，andmadeherpaleolivecomplexionlookpalerstillbythecontrastofitscoal-blackhue。

Almayerattackedhisricegreedily，butafterafewmouthfulshepaused，spooninhand，andlookedathisdaughtercuriously。

"DidyouhearaboatpassabouthalfanhouragoNina？"heasked。

Thegirlgavehimaquickglance，andmovingawayfromthelightstoodwithherbacktothetable。

"No，"shesaid，slowly。

"Therewasaboat。Atlast！Dainhimself；andhewentontoLakamba。Iknowit，forhetoldmeso。Ispoketohim，buthewouldnotcomehereto-night。Willcometo-morrow，hesaid。"

Heswallowedanotherspoonful，thensaid——

"Iamalmosthappyto-night，Nina。Icanseetheendofalongroad，anditleadsusawayfromthismiserableswamp。Weshallsoongetawayfromhere，Iandyou，mydearlittlegirl，andthen——"

Herosefromthetableandstoodlookingfixedlybeforehimasifcontemplatingsomeenchantingvision。

"Andthen，"hewenton，"weshallbehappy，youandI。Liverichandrespectedfarfromhere，andforgetthislife，andallthisstruggle，andallthismisery！"

Heapproachedhisdaughterandpassedhishandcaressinglyoverherhair。

"ItisbadtohavetotrustaMalay，"hesaid，"butImustownthatthisDainisaperfectgentleman——aperfectgentleman，"herepeated。

"Didyouaskhimtocomehere，father？"inquiredNina，notlookingathim。

"Well，ofcourse。Weshallstartonthedayafterto-morrow，"

saidAlmayer，joyously。"Wemustnotloseanytime。Areyouglad，littlegirl？"

Shewasnearlyastallashimself，buthelikedtorecallthetimewhenshewaslittleandtheywereallinalltoeachother。

"Iamglad，"shesaid，verylow。

"Ofcourse，"saidAlmayer，vivaciously，"youcannotimaginewhatisbeforeyou。ImyselfhavenotbeentoEurope，butIhaveheardmymothertalksooftenthatIseemtoknowallaboutit。

Weshalllivea——agloriouslife。Youshallsee。"

Againhestoodsilentbyhisdaughter'ssidelookingatthatenchantingvision。Afterawhileheshookhisclenchedhandtowardsthesleepingsettlement。

"Ah！myfriendAbdulla，"hecried，"weshallseewhowillhavethebestofitafteralltheseyears！"

Helookeduptheriverandremarkedcalmly：

"Anotherthunderstorm。Well！Nothunderwillkeepmeawaketo-night，Iknow！Good-night，littlegirl，"hewhispered，tenderlykissinghercheek。"Youdonotseemtobeveryhappyto-night，butto-morrowyouwillshowabrighterface。Eh？"

Ninahadlistenedtoherfatherwithherfaceunmoved，withherhalf-closedeyesstillgazingintothenightnowmademoreintensebyaheavythunder-cloudthathadcreptdownfromthehillsblottingoutthestars，mergingsky，forest，andriverintoonemassofalmostpalpableblackness。Thefaintbreezehaddiedout，butthedistantrumbleofthunderandpaleflashesoflightninggavewarningoftheapproachingstorm。Withasighthegirlturnedtowardsthetable。

Almayerwasinhishammocknow，alreadyhalfasleep。

"Takethelamp，Nina，"hemuttered，drowsily。"Thisplaceisfullofmosquitoes。Gotosleep，daughter。"

ButNinaputthelampoutandturnedbackagaintowardsthebalustradeoftheverandah，standingwithherarmroundthewoodensupportandlookingeagerlytowardsthePantaireach。Andmotionlessthereintheoppressivecalmofthetropicalnightshecouldseeateachflashoflightningtheforestliningbothbanksuptheriver，bendingbeforethefuriousblastofthecomingtempest，theupperreachoftheriverwhippedintowhitefoambythewind，andtheblackcloudstornintofantasticshapestrailinglowovertheswayingtrees。Roundherallwasasyetstillnessandpeace，butshecouldhearafarofftheroarofthewind，thehissofheavyrain，thewashofthewavesonthetormentedriver。Itcamenearerandnearer，withloudthunder-clapsandlongflashesofvividlightning，followedbyshortperiodsofappallingblackness。Whenthestormreachedthelowpointdividingtheriver，thehouseshookinthewind，andtherainpatteredloudlyonthepalm-leafroof，thethunderspokeinoneprolongedroll，andtheincessantlightningdisclosedaturmoilofleapingwaters，drivinglogs，andthebigtreesbendingbeforeabrutalandmercilessforce。

Undisturbedbythenightlyeventoftherainymonsoon，thefathersleptquietly，obliviousalikeofhishopes，hismisfortunes，hisfriends，andhisenemies；andthedaughterstoodmotionless，ateachflashoflightningeagerlyscanningthebroadriverwithasteadyandanxiousgaze。

chapter02

CHAPTERII。

When，incompliancewithLingard'sabruptdemand，AlmayerconsentedtowedtheMalaygirl，nooneknewthatonthedaywhentheinterestingyoungconverthadlostallhernaturalrelationsandfoundawhitefather，shehadbeenfightingdesperatelyliketherestofthemonboardtheprau，andwasonlypreventedfromleapingoverboard，likethefewothersurvivors，byaseverewoundintheleg。There，onthefore-deckoftheprau，oldLingardfoundherunderaheapofdeadanddyingpirates，andhadhercarriedonthepoopoftheFlashbeforetheMalaycraftwassetonfireandsentadrift。Shewasconscious，andinthegreatpeaceandstillnessofthetropicaleveningsucceedingtheturmoilofthebattle，shewatchedallshehelddearonearthafterherownsavagemanner，driftawayintothegloominagreatroarofflameandsmoke。Shelaythereunheedingthecarefulhandsattendingtoherwound，silentandabsorbedingazingatthefuneralpileofthosebravemenshehadsomuchadmiredandsowellhelpedintheircontestwiththeredoubtable"Rajah-Laut。"

Thelightnightbreezefannedthebriggentlytothesouthward，andthegreatblazeoflightgotsmallerandsmallertillittwinkledonlyonthehorizonlikeasettingstar。Itset：

theheavycanopyofsmokereflectedtheglareofhiddenflamesforashorttimeandthendisappearedalso。

Sherealisedthatwiththisvanishinggleamheroldlifedepartedtoo。Thenceforththerewasslaveryinthefarcountries，amongststrangers，inunknownandperhapsterriblesurroundings。Beingfourteenyearsold，sherealisedherpositionandcametothatconclusion，theonlyonepossibletoaMalaygirl，soonripenedunderatropicalsun，andnotunawareofherpersonalcharms，ofwhichsheheardmanyayoungbravewarriorofherfather'screwexpressanappreciativeadmiration。Therewasinherthedreadoftheunknown；otherwisesheacceptedherpositioncalmly，afterthemannerofherpeople，andevenconsidereditquitenatural；

forwasshenotadaughterofwarriors，conqueredinbattle，anddidshenotbelongrightfullytothevictoriousRajah？Eventheevidentkindnessoftheterribleoldmanmustspring，shethought，fromadmirationforhiscaptive，andtheflatteredvanityeasedforherthepangsofsorrowaftersuchanawfulcalamity。Perhapshadsheknownofthehighwalls，thequietgardens，andthesilentnunsoftheSamarangconvent，whereherdestinywasleadingher，shewouldhavesoughtdeathinherdreadandhateofsucharestraint。ButinimaginationshepicturedtoherselftheusuallifeofaMalaygirl——theusualsuccessionofheavyworkandfiercelove，ofintrigues，goldornaments，ofdomesticdrudgery，andofthatgreatbutoccultinfluencewhichisoneofthefewrightsofhalf-savagewomankind。Butherdestinyintheroughhandsoftheoldsea-dog，actingunderunreasoningimpulsesoftheheart，tookastrangeandtoheraterribleshape。Sheboreitall——therestraintandtheteachingandthenewfaith——withcalmsubmission，concealingherhateandcontemptforallthatnewlife。Shelearnedthelanguageveryeasily，yetunderstoodbutlittleofthenewfaiththegoodsisterstaughther，assimilatingquicklyonlythesuperstitiouselementsofthereligion。ShecalledLingardfather，gentlyandcaressingly，ateachofhisshortandnoisyvisits，undertheclearimpressionthathewasagreatanddangerouspoweritwasgoodtopropitiate。Washenotnowhermaster？Andduringthoselongfouryearsshenourishedahopeoffindingfavourinhiseyesandultimatelybecominghiswife，counsellor，andguide。

ThosedreamsofthefutureweredispelledbytheRajahLaut's"fiat，"whichmadeAlmayer'sfortune，asthatyoungmanfondlyhoped。AnddressedinthehatefulfineryofEurope，thecentreofaninterestedcircleofBataviansociety，theyoungconvertstoodbeforethealtarwithanunknownandsulky-lookingwhiteman。ForAlmayerwasuneasy，alittledisgusted，andgreatlyinclinedtorunaway。Ajudiciousfearoftheadoptedfather-in-lawandajustregardforhisownmaterialwelfarepreventedhimfrommakingascandal；yet，whileswearingfidelity，hewasconcoctingplansforgettingridoftheprettyMalaygirlinamoreorlessdistantfuture。She，however，hadretainedenoughofconventualteachingtounderstandwellthataccordingtowhitemen'slawsshewasgoingtobeAlmayer'scompanionandnothisslave，andpromisedtoherselftoactaccordingly。

SowhentheFlashfreightedwithmaterialsforbuildinganewhouselefttheharbourofBatavia，takingawaytheyoungcoupleintotheunknownBorneo，shedidnotcarryonherdecksomuchloveandhappinessasoldLingardwaswonttoboastofbeforehiscasualfriendsintheverandahsofvarioushotels。Theoldseamanhimselfwasperfectlyhappy。Nowhehaddonehisdutybythegirl。"YouknowImadeheranorphan，"heoftenconcludedsolemnly，whentalkingabouthisownaffairstoascratchaudienceofshoreloafers——asitwashishabittodo。Andtheapprobativeshoutsofhishalf-intoxicatedauditorsfilledhissimplesoulwithdelightandpride。"Icarryeverythingrightthrough，"wasanotherofhissayings，andinpursuanceofthatprinciplehepushedthebuildingofhouseandgodownsonthePantaiRiverwithfeverishhaste。Thehousefortheyoungcouple；thegodownsforthebigtradeAlmayerwasgoingtodevelopwhilehe（Lingard）wouldbeabletogivehimselfuptosomemysteriousworkwhichwasonlyspokenofinhints，butwasunderstoodtorelatetogoldanddiamondsintheinterioroftheisland。Almayerwasimpatienttoo。HadheknownwhatwasbeforehimhemightnothavebeensoeagerandfullofhopeashestoodwatchingthelastcanoeoftheLingardexpeditiondisappearinthebenduptheriver。When，turninground，hebeheldtheprettylittlehouse，thebiggodownsbuiltneatlybyanarmyofChinesecarpenters，thenewjettyroundwhichwereclusteredthetradingcanoes，hefeltasuddenelationinthethoughtthattheworldwashis。

Buttheworldhadtobeconqueredfirst，anditsconquestwasnotsoeasyashethought。HewasverysoonmadetounderstandthathewasnotwantedinthatcornerofitwhereoldLingardandhisownweakwillplacedhim，inthemidstofunscrupulousintriguesandofafiercetradecompetition。TheArabshadfoundouttheriver，hadestablishedatradingpostinSambir，andwheretheytradedtheywouldbemastersandsuffernorival。Lingardreturnedunsuccessfulfromhisfirstexpedition，anddepartedagainspendingalltheprofitsofthelegitimatetradeonhismysteriousjourneys。Almayerstruggledwiththedifficultiesofhisposition，friendlessandunaided，savefortheprotectiongiventohimforLingard'ssakebytheoldRajah，thepredecessorofLakamba。Lakambahimself，thenlivingasaprivateindividualonariceclearing，sevenmilesdowntheriver，exercisedallhisinfluencetowardsthehelpofthewhiteman'senemies，plottingagainsttheoldRajahandAlmayerwithacertaintyofcombination，pointingclearlytoaprofoundknowledgeoftheirmostsecretaffairs。Outwardlyfriendly，hisportlyformwasoftentobeseenonAlmayer'sverandah；hisgreenturbanandgold-embroideredjacketshoneinthefrontrankofthedecorousthrongofMalayscomingtogreetLingardonhisreturnsfromtheinterior；hissalaamswereofthelowest，andhishand-shakingsoftheheartiest，whenwelcomingtheoldtrader。Buthissmalleyestookinthesignsofthetimes，andhedepartedfromthoseinterviewswithasatisfiedandfurtivesmiletoholdlongconsultationswithhisfriendandally，SyedAbdulla，thechiefoftheArabtradingpost，amanofgreatwealthandofgreatinfluenceintheislands。

ItwascurrentlybelievedatthattimeinthesettlementthatLakamba'svisitstoAlmayer'shousewerenotlimitedtothoseofficialinterviews。OftenonmoonlightnightsthebelatedfishermenofSambirasawasmallcanoeshootingoutfromthenarrowcreekatthebackofthewhiteman'shouse，andthesolitaryoccupantpaddlecautiouslydowntheriverinthedeepshadowsofthebank；andthoseevents，dulyreported，werediscussedroundtheeveningfiresfarintothenightwiththecynicismofexpressioncommontoaristocraticMalays，andwithamaliciouspleasureinthedomesticmisfortunesoftheOrangBlando——thehatedDutchman。Almayerwentonstrugglingdesperately，butwithafeeblenessofpurposedeprivinghimofallchanceofsuccessagainstmensounscrupulousandresoluteashisrivalstheArabs。Thetradefellawayfromthelargegodowns，andthegodownsthemselvesrottedpiecemeal。Theoldman'sbanker，HudigofMacassar，failed，andwiththiswentthewholeavailablecapital。TheprofitsofpastyearshadbeenswallowedupinLingard'sexploringcraze。Lingardwasintheinterior——perhapsdead——atalleventsgivingnosignoflife。

Almayerstoodaloneinthemidstofthoseadversecircumstances，derivingonlyalittlecomfortfromthecompanionshipofhislittledaughter，borntwoyearsafterthemarriage，andatthetimesomesixyearsold。Hiswifehadsooncommencedtotreathimwithasavagecontemptexpressedbysulkysilence，onlyoccasionallyvariedbyafloodofsavageinvective。Hefeltshehatedhim，andsawherjealouseyeswatchinghimselfandthechildwithalmostanexpressionofhate。Shewasjealousofthelittlegirl'sevidentpreferenceforthefather，andAlmayerfelthewasnotsafewiththatwomaninthehouse。Whileshewasburningthefurniture，andtearingdowntheprettycurtainsinherunreasoninghateofthosesignsofcivilisation，Almayer，cowedbytheseoutburstsofsavagenature，meditatedinsilenceonthebestwayofgettingridofher。Hethoughtofeverything；

evenplannedmurderinanundecidedandfeeblesortofway，butdareddonothing——expectingeverydaythereturnofLingardwithnewsofsomeimmensegoodfortune。Hereturnedindeed，butaged，ill，aghostofhisformerself，withthefireoffeverburninginhissunkeneyes，almosttheonlysurvivorofthenumerousexpedition。Buthewassuccessfulatlast！Untoldricheswereinhisgrasp；hewantedmoremoney——onlyalittlemoretorealiseadreamoffabulousfortune。AndHudighadfailed！Almayerscrapedallhecouldtogether，buttheoldmanwantedmore。IfAlmayercouldnotgetithewouldgotoSingapore——toEuropeeven，butbeforealltoSingapore；andhewouldtakethelittleNinawithhim。Thechildmustbebroughtupdecently。HehadgoodfriendsinSingaporewhowouldtakecareofherandhavehertaughtproperly。Allwouldbewell，andthatgirl，uponwhomtheoldseamanseemedtohavetransferredallhisformeraffectionforthemother，wouldbetherichestwomanintheEast——intheworldeven。SooldLingardshouted，pacingtheverandahwithhisheavyquarter-deckstep，gesticulatingwithasmoulderingcheroot；ragged，dishevelled，enthusiastic；andAlmayer，sittinghuddleduponapileofmats，thoughtwithdreadoftheseparationwiththeonlyhumanbeingheloved——withgreaterdreadstill，perhaps，ofthescenewithhiswife，thesavagetigressdeprivedofheryoung。Shewillpoisonme，thoughtthepoorwretch，wellawareofthateasyandfinalmannerofsolvingthesocial，political，orfamilyproblemsinMalaylife。

Tohisgreatsurpriseshetookthenewsveryquietly，givingonlyhimandLingardafurtiveglance，andsayingnotaword。This，however，didnotpreventherthenextdayfromjumpingintotheriverandswimmingaftertheboatinwhichLingardwascarryingawaythenursewiththescreamingchild。Almayerhadtogivechasewithhiswhale-boatanddragherinbythehairinthemidstofcriesandcursesenoughtomakeheavenfall。Yetaftertwodaysspentinwailing，shereturnedtoherformermodeoflife，chewingbetel-nut，andsittingalldayamongstherwomeninstupefiedidleness。Sheagedveryrapidlyafterthat，andonlyrousedherselffromherapathytoacknowledgebyascathingremarkoraninsultingexclamationtheaccidentalpresenceofherhusband。Hehadbuiltforherariversidehutinthecompoundwhereshedweltinperfectseclusion。Lakamba'svisitshadceasedwhen，byaconvenientdecreeofProvidenceandthehelpofalittlescientificmanipulation，theoldrulerofSambirdepartedthislife。Lakambareignedinhissteadnow，havingbeenwellservedbyhisArabfriendswiththeDutchauthorities。

SyedAbdullawasthegreatmanandtraderofthePantai。Almayerlayruinedandhelplessundertheclose-meshednetoftheirintrigues，owinghislifeonlytohissupposedknowledgeofLingard'svaluablesecret。Lingardhaddisappeared。HewroteoncefromSingaporesayingthechildwaswell，andunderthecareofaMrs。Vinck，andthathehimselfwasgoingtoEuropetoraisemoneyforthegreatenterprise。"Hewascomingbacksoon。

Therewouldbenodifficulties，"hewrote；"peoplewouldrushinwiththeirmoney。"Evidentlytheydidnot，fortherewasonlyonelettermorefromhimsayinghewasill，hadfoundnorelationliving，butlittleelsebesides。Thencameacompletesilence。

EuropehadswalloweduptheRajahLautapparently，andAlmayerlookedvainlywestwardforarayoflightoutofthegloomofhisshatteredhopes。Yearspassed，andtherarelettersfromMrs。Vinck，lateronfromthegirlherself，weretheonlythingtobelookedtotomakelifebearableamongstthetriumphantsavageryoftheriver。Almayerlivednowalone，havingevenceasedtovisithisdebtorswhowouldnotpay，sureofLakamba'sprotection。ThefaithfulSumatreseAlicookedhisriceandmadehiscoffee，forhedarednottrustanyoneelse，andleastofallhiswife。Hekilledtimewanderingsadlyintheovergrownpathsroundthehouse，visitingtheruinedgodownswhereafewbrassgunscoveredwithverdigrisandonlyafewbrokencasesofmoulderingManchestergoodsremindedhimofthegoodearlytimeswhenallthiswasfulloflifeandmerchandise，andheoverlookedabusysceneontheriverbank，hislittledaughterbyhisside。

Nowtheup-countrycanoesglidedpastthelittlerottenwharfofLingardandCo。，topaddleupthePantaibranch，andclusterroundthenewjettybelongingtoAbdulla。NotthattheylovedAbdulla，buttheydarednottradewiththemanwhosestarhadset。HadtheydonesotheyknewtherewasnomercytobeexpectedfromAraborRajah；noricetobegotoncreditinthetimesofscarcityfromeither；andAlmayercouldnothelpthem，havingattimeshardlyenoughforhimself。Almayer，inhisisolationanddespair，oftenenviedhisnearneighbourtheChinaman，Jim-Eng，whomhecouldseestretchedonapileofcoolmats，awoodenpillowunderhishead，anopiumpipeinhisnervelessfingers。Hedidnotseek，however，consolationinopium——perhapsitwastooexpensive——perhapshiswhiteman'spridesavedhimfromthatdegradation；butmostlikelyitwasthethoughtofhislittledaughterinthefar-offStraitsSettlements。HeheardfromheroftenersinceAbdullaboughtasteamer，whichrannowbetweenSingaporeandthePantaisettlementeverythreemonthsorso。Almayerfelthimselfnearerhisdaughter。Helongedtoseeher，andplannedavoyagetoSingapore，butputoffhisdeparturefromyeartoyear，alwaysexpectingsomefavourableturnoffortune。Hedidnotwanttomeetherwithemptyhandsandwithnowordsofhopeonhislips。

Hecouldnottakeherbackintothatsavagelifetowhichhewascondemnedhimself。Hewasalsoalittleafraidofher。Whatwouldshethinkofhim？Hereckonedtheyears。Agrownwoman。

Acivilisedwoman，youngandhopeful；whilehefeltoldandhopeless，andverymuchlikethosesavagesroundhim。Heaskedhimselfwhatwasgoingtobeherfuture。Hecouldnotanswerthatquestionyet，andhedarednotfaceher。Andyethelongedafterher。Hehesitatedforyears。

HishesitationwasputanendtobyNina'sunexpectedappearanceinSambir。Shearrivedinthesteamerunderthecaptain'scare。

Almayerbeheldherwithsurprisenotunmixedwithwonder。Duringthosetenyearsthechildhadchangedintoawoman，black-haired，olive-skinned，tall，andbeautiful，withgreatsadeyes，wherethestartledexpressioncommontoMalaywomankindwasmodifiedbyathoughtfultingeinheritedfromherEuropeanancestry。Almayerthoughtwithdismayofthemeetingofhiswifeanddaughter，ofwhatthisgravegirlinEuropeanclotheswouldthinkofherbetel-nutchewingmother，squattinginadarkhut，disorderly，halfnaked，andsulky。Healsofearedanoutbreakoftemperonthepartofthatpestofawomanhehadhithertomanagedtokeeptolerablyquiet，therebysavingtheremnantsofhisdilapidatedfurniture。Andhestoodtherebeforethecloseddoorofthehutintheblazingsunshinelisteningtothemurmurofvoices，wonderingwhatwentoninside，wherefromalltheservant-maidshadbeenexpelledatthebeginningoftheinterview，andnowstoodclusteredbythepalingswithhalf-coveredfacesinachatterofcuriousspeculation。Heforgothimselftheretryingtocatchastraywordthroughthebamboowalls，tillthecaptainofthesteamer，whohadwalkedupwiththegirl，fearingasunstroke，tookhimunderthearmandledhimintotheshadeofhisownverandah：whereNina'strunkstoodalready，havingbeenlandedbythesteamer'smen。AssoonasCaptainFordhadhisglassbeforehimandhischerootlighted，Almayeraskedfortheexplanationofhisdaughter'sunexpectedarrival。Fordsaidlittlebeyondgeneralisinginvaguebutviolenttermsuponthefoolishnessofwomeningeneral，andofMrs。Vinckinparticular。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读