首页
ALMAYER’S FOLLY
书架
书页 | 目录
加书签

第3章
20074字

Abdulla,firmlypersuadedoftheexistenceofsomemoreimportantdealings,received,however,theinformationwithallthesignsofrespectfulastonishment。Andthetwowouldseparate,theArabcursinginwardlythewilydog,whileBabalatchiwentonhiswaywalkingonthedustypath,hisbodyswaying,hischinwithitsfewgreyhairspushedforward,resemblinganinquisitivegoatbentonsomeunlawfulexpedition。Attentiveeyeswatchedhismovements。Jim-Eng,descryingBabalatchifaraway,wouldshakeoffthestuporofanhabitualopiumsmokerand,totteringontothemiddleoftheroad,wouldawaittheapproachofthatimportantperson,readywithhospitableinvitation。ButBabalatchi'sdiscretionwasproofevenagainstthecombinedassaultsofgoodfellowshipandofstronggingenerouslyadministeredbytheopen-heartedChinaman。Jim-Eng,owninghimselfbeaten,wasleftuninformedwiththeemptybottle,andgazedsadlyafterthedepartingformofthestatesmanofSambirpursuinghisdeviousandunsteadyway,which,asusual,ledhimtoAlmayer'scompound。EversinceareconciliationhadbeeneffectedbyDainMaroolabetweenhiswhitefriendandtheRajah,theone-eyeddiplomatisthadagainbecomeafrequentguestintheDutchman'shouse。ToAlmayer'sgreatdisgusthewastobeseenthereatalltimes,strollingaboutinanabstractedkindofwayontheverandah,skulkinginthepassages,orelsepoppingroundunexpectedcorners,alwayswillingtoengageMrs。Almayerinconfidentialconversation。Hewasveryshyofthemasterhimself,asifsuspiciousthatthepent-upfeelingsofthewhitemantowardshispersonmightfindventinasuddenkick。Butthecookingshedwashisfavouriteplace,andhebecameanhabitualguestthere,squattingforhoursamongstthebusywomen,withhischinrestingonhisknees,hisleanarmsclaspedroundhislegs,andhisoneeyerovinguneasily——theverypictureofwatchfulugliness。AlmayerwantedmorethanoncetocomplaintoLakambaofhisPrimeMinister'sintrusion,butDaindissuadedhim。"Wecannotsayawordherethathedoesnothear,"growledAlmayer。

"Thencomeandtalkonboardthebrig,"retortedDain,withaquietsmile。"Itisgoodtoletthemancomehere。Lakambathinksheknowsmuch。PerhapstheSultanthinksIwanttorunaway。Betterlettheone-eyedcrocodilesunhimselfinyourcampong,Tuan。"

AndAlmayerassentedunwillinglymutteringvaguethreatsofpersonalviolence,whileheeyedmalevolentlytheagedstatesmansittingwithquietobstinacybyhisdomesticrice-pot。

chapter05

CHAPTERV。

AtlasttheexcitementhaddiedoutinSambir。TheinhabitantsgotusedtothesightofcomingsandgoingsbetweenAlmayer'shouseandthevessel,nowmooredtotheoppositebank,andspeculationastothefeverishactivitydisplayedbyAlmayer'sboatmeninrepairingoldcanoesceasedtointerferewiththeduedischargeofdomesticdutiesbythewomenoftheSettlement。

EventhebaffledJim-Engleftofftroublinghismuddledbrainwithsecretsoftrade,andrelapsedbytheaidofhisopiumpipeintoastateofstupefiedbliss,lettingBabalatchipursuehiswaypasthishouseuninvitedandseeminglyunnoticed。

Soonthatwarmafternoon,whenthedesertedriversparkledundertheverticalsun,thestatesmanofSambircould,withoutanyhindrancefromfriendlyinquirers,shoveoffhislittlecanoefromunderthebushes,whereitwasusuallyhiddenduringhisvisitstoAlmayer'scompound。SlowlyandlanguidlyBabalatchipaddled,crouchinglowintheboat,makinghimselfsmallunderhisasenormoussunhattoescapethescorchingheatreflectedfromthewater。Hewasnotinahurry;hismaster,Lakamba,wassurelyreposingatthistimeoftheday。Hewouldhaveampletimetocrossoverandgreethimonhiswakingwithimportantnews。Willhebedispleased?Willhestrikehisebonywoodstaffangrilyonthefloor,frighteninghimbytheincoherentviolenceofhisexclamations;orwillhesquatdownwithagood-humouredsmile,and,rubbinghishandsgentlyoverhisstomachwithafamiliargesture,expectoratecopiouslyintothebrasssiri-vessel,givingventtoalow,approbativemurmur?

SuchwereBabalatchi'sthoughtsasheskilfullyhandledhispaddle,crossingtheriveronhiswaytotheRajah'scampong,whosestockadesshowedfrombehindthedensefoliageofthebankjustoppositetoAlmayer'sbungalow。

Indeed,hehadareporttomake。Somethingcertainatlasttoconfirmthedailytaleofsuspicions,thedailyhintsoffamiliarity,ofstolenglanceshehadseen,ofshortandburningwordshehadoverheardexchangedbetweenDainMaroolaandAlmayer'sdaughter。

Lakambahad,tillthen,listenedtoitall,calmlyandwithevidentdistrust;nowhewasgoingtobeconvinced,forBabalatchihadtheproof;haditthisverymorning,whenfishingatbreakofdayinthecreekoverwhichstoodBulangi'shouse。

TherefromhisskiffhesawNina'slongcanoedriftpast,thegirlsittinginthesternbendingoverDain,whowasstretchedinthebottomwithhisheadrestingonthegirl'sknees。Hesawit。

Hefollowedthem,butinashorttimetheytooktothepaddlesandgotawayfromunderhisobservanteye。AfewminutesafterwardshesawBulangi'sslave-girlpaddlinginasmalldug-outtothetownwithhercakesforsale。Shealsohadseentheminthegreydawn。AndBabalatchigrinnedconfidentiallytohimselfattherecollectionoftheslave-girl'sdiscomposedface,ofthehardlookinhereyes,ofthetrembleinhervoice,whenansweringhisquestions。ThatlittleTaminahevidentlyadmiredDainMaroola。Thatwasgood!AndBabalatchilaughedaloudatthenotion;thenbecomingsuddenlyserious,hebeganbysomestrangeassociationofideastospeculateuponthepriceforwhichBulangiwould,possibly,sellthegirl。HeshookhisheadsadlyatthethoughtthatBulangiwasahardman,andhadrefusedonehundreddollarsforthatsameTaminahonlyafewweeksago;

thenhebecamesuddenlyawarethatthecanoehaddriftedtoofardownduringhismeditation。HeshookoffthedespondencycausedbythecertitudeofBulangi'smercenarydisposition,and,takinguphispaddle,inafewstrokessheeredalongsidethewater-gateoftheRajah'shouse。

ThatafternoonAlmayer,aswashiswontlately,movedaboutonthewater-side,overlookingtherepairstohisboats。Hehaddecidedatlast。GuidedbythescrapsofinformationcontainedinoldLingard'spocket-book,hewasgoingtoseekfortherichgold-mine,forthatplacewherehehadonlytostooptogatherupanimmensefortuneandrealisethedreamofhisyoungdays。ToobtainthenecessaryhelphehadsharedhisknowledgewithDainMaroola,hehadconsentedtobereconciledwithLakamba,whogavehissupporttotheenterpriseonconditionofsharingtheprofits;hehadsacrificedhispride,hishonour,andhisloyaltyinthefaceoftheenormousriskofhisundertaking,dazzledbythegreatnessoftheresultstobeachievedbythisalliancesodistastefulyetsonecessary。Thedangersweregreat,butMaroolawasbrave;hismenseemedasrecklessastheirchief,andwithLakamba'saidsuccessseemedassured。

ForthelastfortnightAlmayerwasabsorbedinthepreparations,walkingamongsthisworkmenandslavesinakindofwakingtrance,wherepracticaldetailsastothefittingoutoftheboatsweremixedupwithvividdreamsofuntoldwealth,wherethepresentmiseryofburningsun,ofthemuddyandmalodorousriverbankdisappearedinagorgeousvisionofasplendidfutureexistenceforhimselfandNina。HehardlysawNinaduringtheselastdays,althoughthebeloveddaughterwaseverpresentinhisthoughts。HehardlytooknoticeofDain,whoseconstantpresenceinhishousehadbecomeamatterofcoursetohimnowtheywereconnectedbyacommunityofinterests。Whenmeetingtheyoungchiefhegavehimanabsentgreetingandpassedon,seeminglywishingtoavoidhim,bentuponforgettingthehatedrealityofthepresentbyabsorbinghimselfinhiswork,orelsebylettinghisimaginationsoarfarabovethetree-topsintothegreatwhitecloudsawaytothewestward,wheretheparadiseofEuropewasawaitingthefutureEasternmillionaire。AndMaroola,nowthebargainwasstruckandtherewasnomorebusinesstobetalkedover,evidentlydidnotcareforthewhiteman'scompany。YetDainwasalwaysaboutthehouse,butheseldomstayedlongbytheriverside。OnhisdailyvisitstothewhitemantheMalaychiefpreferredtomakehiswayquietlythroughthecentralpassageofthehouse,andwouldcomeoutintothegardenattheback,wherethefirewasburninginthecookingshed,withthericekettleswingingoverit,underthewatchfulsupervisionofMrs。Almayer。

Avoidingthatshed,withitsblacksmokeandthewarblingofsoft,femininevoices,Dainwouldturntotheleft。There,ontheedgeofabananaplantation,aclumpofpalmsandmangotreesformedashadyspot,afewscatteredbushesgivingitacertainseclusionintowhichonlytheservingwomen'schatteroranoccasionalburstoflaughtercouldpenetrate。Oncein,hewasinvisible;andhiddenthere,leaningagainstthesmoothtrunkofatallpalm,hewaitedwithgleamingeyesandanassuredsmiletohearthefaintrustleofdriedgrassunderthelightfootstepsofNina。

Fromtheveryfirstmomentwhenhiseyesbeheldthis——tohim——

perfectionoflovelinesshefeltinhisinmosthearttheconvictionthatshewouldbehis;hefeltthesubtlebreathofmutualunderstandingpassingbetweentheirtwosavagenatures,andhedidnotwantMrs。Almayer'sencouragingsmilestotakeeveryopportunityofapproachingthegirl;andeverytimehespoketoher,everytimehelookedintohereyes,Nina,althoughavertingherface,feltasifthisbold-lookingbeingwhospokeburningwordsintoherwillingearwastheembodimentofherfate,thecreatureofherdreams——reckless,ferocious,readywithflashingkrissforhisenemies,andwithpassionateembraceforhisbeloved——theidealMalaychiefofhermother'stradition。

Sherecognisedwithathrillofdeliciousfearthemysteriousconsciousnessofheridentitywiththatbeing。Listeningtohiswords,itseemedtohershewasbornonlythentoaknowledgeofanewexistence,thatherlifewascompleteonlywhennearhim,andsheabandonedherselftoafeelingofdreamyhappiness,whilewithhalf-veiledfaceandinsilence——asbecameaMalaygirl——shelistenedtoDain'swordsgivinguptoherthewholetreasureofloveandpassionhisnaturewascapableofwithalltheunrestrainedenthusiasmofamantotallyuntrammelledbyanyinfluenceofcivilisedself-discipline。

AndtheyusedtopassmanyadeliciousandfastfleetinghourunderthemangotreesbehindthefriendlycurtainofbushestillMrs。Almayer'sshrillvoicegavethesignalofunwillingseparation。Mrs。Almayerhadundertakentheeasytaskofwatchingherhusbandlestheshouldinterruptthesmoothcourseofherdaughter'sloveaffair,inwhichshetookagreatandbenignantinterest。ShewashappyandproudtoseeDain'sinfatuation,believinghimtobeagreatandpowerfulchief,andshefoundalsoagratificationofhermercenaryinstinctsinDain'sopen-handedgenerosity。

OntheeveofthedaywhenBabalatchi'ssuspicionswereconfirmedbyoculardemonstration,DainandNinahadremainedlongerthanusualintheirshadyretreat。OnlyAlmayer'sheavystepontheverandahandhisquerulousclamourforfooddecidedMrs。Almayertoliftawarningcry。Maroolaleapedlightlyoverthelowbamboofence,andmadehiswaystealthilythroughthebananaplantationdowntothemuddyshoreofthebackcreek,whileNinawalkedslowlytowardsthehousetoministertoherfather'swants,aswasherwonteveryevening。Almayerfelthappyenoughthatevening;thepreparationswerenearlycompleted;to-morrowhewouldlaunchhisboats。Inhismind'seyehesawtherichprizeinhisgrasp;and,withtinspooninhishand,hewasforgettingtheplatefulofricebeforehiminthefancifularrangementofsomesplendidbanquettotakeplaceonhisarrivalinAmsterdam。Nina,reclininginthelongchair,listenedabsentlytothefewdisconnectedwordsescapingfromherfather'slips。Expedition!Gold!Whatdidshecareforallthat?

ButatthenameofMaroolamentionedbyherfathershewasallattention。Dainwasgoingdowntheriverwithhisbrigto-morrowtoremainawayforafewdays,saidAlmayer。Itwasveryannoying,thisdelay。AssoonasDainreturnedtheywouldhavetostartwithoutlossoftime,fortheriverwasrising。Hewouldnotbesurprisedifagreatfloodwascoming。Andhepushedawayhisplatewithanimpatientgestureonrisingfromthetable。ButnowNinaheardhimnot。Daingoingaway!

That'swhyhehadorderedher,withthatquietmasterfulnessitwasherdelighttoobey,tomeethimatbreakofdayinBulangi'screek。

Wasthereapaddleinhercanoe?shethought。Wasitready?

Shewouldhavetostartearly——atfourinthemorning,inaveryfewhours。

Sherosefromherchair,thinkingshewouldrequirerestbeforethelongpullintheearlymorning。Thelampwasburningdimly,andherfather,tiredwiththeday'slabour,wasalreadyinhishammock。Ninaputthelampoutandpassedintoalargeroomshesharedwithhermotherontheleftofthecentralpassage。

Entering,shesawthatMrs。Almayerhaddesertedthepileofmatsservingherasbedinonecorneroftheroom,andwasnowbendingovertheopenedlidofherlargewoodenchest。Halfashellofcocoanutfilledwithoil,whereacottonragfloatedforawick,stoodonthefloor,surroundingherwitharuddyhalooflightshiningthroughtheblackandodoroussmoke。Mrs。Almayer'sbackwasbent,andherheadandshouldershiddeninthedeepbox。Herhandsrummagedintheinterior,whereasoftclinkasofsilvermoneycouldbeheard。Shedidnotnoticeatfirstherdaughter'sapproach,andNina,standingsilentlybyher,lookeddownonmanylittlecanvasbagsrangedinthebottomofthechest,wherefromhermotherextractedhandfulsofshiningguildersandMexicandollars,lettingthemstreamslowlybackagainthroughherclaw-likefingers。Themusicoftinklingsilverseemedtodelighther,andhereyessparkledwiththereflectedgleamoffreshly-mintedcoins。Shewasmutteringtoherself:"Andthis,andthis,andyetthis!Soonhewillgivemore——asmuchmoreasIask。HeisagreatRajah——aSonofHeaven!AndshewillbeaRanee——hegaveallthisforher!Whoevergaveanythingforme?

Iamaslave!AmI?IamthemotherofagreatRanee!"Shebecameawaresuddenlyofherdaughter'spresence,andceasedherdroning,shuttingtheliddownviolently;then,withoutrisingfromhercrouchingposition,shelookedupatthegirlstandingbywithavaguesmileonherdreamyface。

"Youhaveseen。Haveyou?"sheshouted,shrilly。"Thatisallmine,andforyou。Itisnotenough!Hewillhavetogivemorebeforehetakesyouawaytothesouthernislandwherehisfatherisking。Youhearme?Youareworthmore,granddaughterofRajahs!More!More!"

ThesleepyvoiceofAlmayerwasheardontheverandahrecommendingsilence。Mrs。Almayerextinguishedthelightandcreptintohercorneroftheroom。Ninalaiddownonherbackonapileofsoftmats,herhandsentwinedunderherhead,gazingthroughtheshutterlesshole,servingasawindowatthestarstwinklingontheblacksky;shewasawaitingthetimeofstartforherappointedmeeting-place。Withquiethappinessshethoughtofthatmeetinginthegreatforest,farfromallhumaneyesandsounds。Hersoul,lapsingagainintothesavagemood,whichthegeniusofcivilisationworkingbythehandofMrs。

Vinckcouldneverdestroy,experiencedafeelingofprideandofsomeslighttroubleatthehighvalueherworldly-wisemotherhadputuponherperson;butsherememberedtheexpressiveglancesandwordsofDain,and,tranquillised,sheclosedhereyesinashiverofpleasantanticipation。

Therearesomesituationswherethebarbarianandthe,so-called,civilisedmanmeetuponthesameground。ItmaybesupposedthatDainMaroolawasnotexceptionallydelightedwithhisprospectivemother-in-law,northatheactuallyapprovedofthatworthywoman'sappetiteforshiningdollars。YetonthatfoggymorningwhenBabalatchi,layingasidethecaresofstate,wenttovisithisfish-basketsintheBulangicreek,Maroolahadnomisgivings,experiencednofeelingsbutthoseofimpatienceandlonging,whenpaddlingtotheeastsideoftheislandformingtheback-waterinquestion。Hehidhiscanoeinthebushesandstroderapidlyacrosstheislet,pushingwithimpatiencethroughthetwigsofheavyundergrowthintercrossedoverhispath。Frommotivesofprudencehewouldnottakehiscanoetothemeeting-place,asNinahaddone。Hehadleftitinthemainstreamtillhisreturnfromtheothersideoftheisland。Theheavywarmfogwasclosingrapidlyroundhim,buthemanagedtocatchafleetingglimpseofalightawaytotheleft,proceedingfromBulangi'shouse。Thenhecouldseenothinginthethickeningvapour,andkepttothepathonlybyasortofinstinct,whichalsoledhimtotheverypointontheoppositeshorehewishedtoreach。A

greatloghadstrandedthere,atrightanglestothebank,formingakindofjettyagainstwhichtheswiftlyflowingstreambrokewithaloudripple。Hesteppedonitwithaquickbutsteadymotion,andintwostridesfoundhimselfattheouterend,withtherushandswirlofthefoamingwaterathisfeet。

Standingtherealone,asifseparatedfromtheworld;theheavens,earth;theverywaterroaringunderhimswallowedupinthethickveilofthemorningfog,hebreathedoutthenameofNinabeforehimintotheapparentlylimitlessspace,sureofbeingheard,instinctivelysureofthenearnessofthedelightfulcreature;certainofherbeingawareofhisnearpresenceashewasawareofhers。

ThebowofNina'scanoeloomedupclosetothelog,cantedhighoutofthewaterbytheweightofthesitterinthestern。

Maroolalaidhishandonthestemandleapedlightlyin,givingitavigorousshoveoff。Thelightcraft,obeyingthenewimpulse,clearedthelogbyahair'sbreadth,andtheriver,withobedientcomplicity,swungitbroadsidetothecurrent,andboreitoffsilentlyandrapidlybetweentheinvisiblebanks。AndoncemoreDain,atthefeetofNina,forgottheworld,felthimselfcarriedawayhelplessbyagreatwaveofsupremeemotion,byarushofjoy,pride,anddesire;understoodoncemorewithoverpoweringcertitudethattherewasnolifepossiblewithoutthatbeingheheldclaspedinhisarmswithpassionatestrengthinaprolongedembrace。

Ninadisengagedherselfgentlywithalowlaugh。

"Youwilloverturntheboat,Dain,"shewhispered。

Helookedintohereyeseagerlyforaminuteandlethergowithasigh,thenlyingdowninthecanoeheputhisheadonherknees,gazingupwardsandstretchinghisarmsbackwardstillhishandsmetroundthegirl'swaist。Shebentoverhim,and,shakingherhead,framedboththeirfacesinthefallinglocksofherlongblackhair。

Andsotheydriftedon,hespeakingwithalltherudeeloquenceofasavagenaturegivingitselfupwithoutrestrainttoanovermasteringpassion,shebendinglowtocatchthemurmurofwordssweetertoherthanlifeitself。Tothosetwonothingexistedthenoutsidethegunwalesofthenarrowandfragilecraft。Itwastheirworld,filledwiththeirintenseandall-absorbinglove。Theytooknoheedofthickeningmist,orofthebreezedyingawaybeforesunrise;theyforgottheexistenceofthegreatforestssurroundingthem,ofallthetropicalnatureawaitingtheadventofthesuninasolemnandimpressivesilence。

Overthelowriver-misthidingtheboatwithitsfreightofyoungpassionatelifeandall-forgetfulhappiness,thestarspaled,andasilvery-greytintcreptovertheskyfromtheeastward。Therewasnotabreathofwind,notarustleofstirringleaf,notasplashofleapingfishtodisturbtheserenereposeofalllivingthingsonthebanksofthegreatriver。Earth,river,andskywerewrappedupinadeepsleep,fromwhichitseemedtherewouldbenowaking。Alltheseethinglifeandmovementoftropicalnatureseemedconcentratedintheardenteyes,inthetumultuouslybeatingheartsofthetwobeingsdriftinginthecanoe,underthewhitecanopyofmist,overthesmoothsurfaceoftheriver。

SuddenlyagreatsheafofyellowraysshotupwardsfrombehindtheblackcurtainoftreesliningthebanksofthePantai。Thestarswentout;thelittleblackcloudsatthezenithglowedforamomentwithcrimsontints,andthethickmist,stirredbythegentlebreeze,thesighofwakingnature,whirledroundandbrokeintofantasticallytornpieces,disclosingthewrinkledsurfaceoftheriversparklinginthebroadlightofday。Greatflocksofwhitebirdswheeledscreamingabovetheswayingtree-tops。

Thesunhadrisenontheeastcoast。

Dainwasthefirsttoreturntothecaresofeverydaylife。Heroseandglancedrapidlyupanddowntheriver。HiseyedetectedBabalatchi'sboatastern,andanothersmallblackspeckontheglitteringwater,whichwasTaminah'scanoe。Hemovedcautiouslyforward,and,kneeling,tookupapaddle;Ninaatthesterntookhers。Theybenttheirbodiestothework,throwingupthewaterateverystroke,andthesmallcraftwentswiftlyahead,leavinganarrowwakefringedwithalace-likeborderofwhiteandgleamingfoam。Withoutturninghishead,Dainspoke。

"Somebodybehindus,Nina。Wemustnotlethimgain。Ithinkheistoofartorecogniseus。"

"Somebodybeforeusalso,"pantedoutNina,withoutceasingtopaddle。

"IthinkIknow,"rejoinedDain。"Thesunshinesoverthere,butIfancyitisthegirlTaminah。Shecomesdowneverymorningtomybrigtosellcakes——staysoftenallday。Itdoesnotmatter;

steermoreintothebank;wemustgetunderthebushes。Mycanoeishiddennotfarfromhere。"

Ashespokehiseyeswatchedthebroad-leavednipaswhichtheywerebrushingintheirswiftandsilentcourse。

"Lookout,Nina,"hesaidatlast;"there,wherethewaterpalmsendandthetwigshangdownundertheleaningtree。Steerforthebiggreenbranch。"

Hestoodupattentive,andtheboatdriftedslowlyinshore,Ninaguidingitbyagentleandskilfulmovementofherpaddle。WhennearenoughDainlaidholdofthebigbranch,andleaningbackshotthecanoeunderalowgreenarchwayofthicklymattedcreepersgivingaccesstoaminiaturebayformedbythecavinginofthebankduringthelastgreatflood。Hisownboatwasthereanchoredbyastone,andhesteppedintoit,keepinghishandonthegunwaleofNina'scanoe。Inamomentthetwolittlenutshellswiththeiroccupantsfloatedquietlysidebyside,reflectedbytheblackwaterinthedimlightstrugglingthroughahighcanopyofdensefoliage;whileabove,awayupinthebroadday,flamedimmenseredblossomssendingdownontheirheadsashowerofgreatdew-sparklingpetalsthatdescendedrotatingslowlyinacontinuousandperfumedstream;andoverthem,underthem,inthesleepingwater;allaroundtheminaringofluxuriantvegetationbathedinthewarmairchargedwithstrongandharshperfumes,theintenseworkoftropicalnaturewenton:

plantsshootingupward,entwined,interlacedininextricableconfusion,climbingmadlyandbrutallyovereachotherintheterriblesilenceofadesperatestruggletowardsthelife-givingsunshineabove——asifstruckwithsuddenhorrorattheseethingmassofcorruptionbelow,atthedeathanddecayfromwhichtheysprang。

"Wemustpartnow,"saidDain,afteralongsilence。"Youmustreturnatonce,Nina。Iwillwaittillthebrigdriftsdownhere,andshallgetonboardthen。"

"Andwillyoubelongaway,Dain?"askedNina,inalowvoice。

"Long!"exclaimedDain。"Wouldamanwillinglyremainlonginadarkplace?WhenIamnotnearyou,Nina,Iamlikeamanthatisblind。Whatislifetomewithoutlight?"

Ninaleanedover,andwithaproudandhappysmiletookDain'sfacebetweenherhands,lookingintohiseyeswithafondyetquestioninggaze。Apparentlyshefoundtheretheconfirmationofthewordsjustsaid,forafeelingofgratefulsecuritylightenedforhertheweightofsorrowatthehourofparting。Shebelievedthathe,thedescendantofmanygreatRajahs,thesonofagreatchief,themasteroflifeanddeath,knewthesunshineoflifeonlyinherpresence。Animmensewaveofgratitudeandlovewelledforthoutofherhearttowardshim。Howcouldshemakeanoutwardandvisiblesignofallshefeltforthemanwhohadfilledherheartwithsomuchjoyandsomuchpride?Andinthegreattumultofpassion,likeaflashoflightningcametoherthereminiscenceofthatdespisedandalmostforgottencivilisationshehadonlyglancedatinherdaysofrestraint,ofsorrow,andofanger。Inthecoldashesofthathatefulandmiserablepastshewouldfindthesignoflove,thefittingexpressionoftheboundlessfelicityofthepresent,thepledgeofabrightandsplendidfuture。ShethrewherarmsaroundDain'sneckandpressedherlipstohisinalongandburningkiss。Heclosedhiseyes,surprisedandfrightenedatthestormraisedinhisbreastbythestrangeandtohimhithertounknowncontact,andlongafterNinahadpushedhercanoeintotheriverheremainedmotionless,withoutdaringtoopenhiseyes,afraidtolosethesensationofintoxicatingdelighthehadtastedforthefirsttime。

Nowhewantedbutimmortality,hethought,tobetheequalofgods,andthecreaturethatcouldopensothegatesofparadisemustbehis——soonwouldbehisforever!

Heopenedhiseyesintimetoseethroughthearchwayofcreepersthebowsofhisbrigcomeslowlyintoview,asthevesseldriftedpastonitswaydowntheriver。Hemustgoonboardnow,hethought;yethewaslothtoleavetheplacewherehehadlearnedtoknowwhathappinessmeant。"Timeyet。Letthemgo,"hemutteredtohimself;andheclosedhiseyesagainundertheredshowerofscentedpetals,tryingtorecallthescenewithallitsdelightandallitsfear。

Hemusthavebeenabletojoinhisbrigintime,afterall,andfoundmuchoccupationoutside,foritwasinvainthatAlmayerlookedforhisfriend'sspeedyreturn。Thelowerreachoftheriverwherehesooftenandsoimpatientlydirectedhiseyesremaineddeserted,savefortherapidflittingofsomefishingcanoe;butdowntheupperreachescameblackcloudsandheavyshowersheraldingthefinalsettinginoftherainyseasonwithitsthunderstormsandgreatfloodsmakingtheriveralmostimpossibleofascentfornativecanoes。

Almayer,strollingalongthemuddybeachbetweenhishouses,watcheduneasilytheriverrisinginchbyinch,creepingslowlynearertotheboats,nowreadyandhauledupinarowunderthecoverofdrippingKajang-mats。Fortuneseemedtoeludehisgrasp,andinhiswearytrampbackwardsandforwardsunderthesteadyrainfallingfromtheloweringsky,asortofdespairingindifferencetookpossessionofhim。Whatdiditmatter?

Itwasjusthisluck!Thosetwoinfernalsavages,LakambaandDain,inducedhim,withtheirpromisesofhelp,tospendhislastdollarinthefittingoutofboats,andnowoneofthemwasgonesomewhere,andtheothershutupinhisstockadewouldgivenosignoflife。No,noteventhescoundrellyBabalatchi,thoughtAlmayer,wouldshowhisfacenearhim,nowtheyhadsoldhimalltherice,brassgongs,andclothnecessaryforhisexpedition。

Theyhadhisverylastcoin,anddidnotcarewhetherhewentorstayed。AndwithagestureofabandoneddiscouragementAlmayerwouldclimbupslowlytotheverandahofhisnewhousetogetoutoftherain,andleaningonthefrontrailwithhisheadsunkbetweenhisshouldershewouldabandonhimselftothecurrentofbitterthoughts,obliviousoftheflightoftimeandthepangsofhunger,deaftotheshrillcriesofhiswifecallinghimtotheeveningmeal。When,rousedfromhissadmeditationsbythefirstrolloftheeveningthunderstorm,hestumbledslowlytowardstheglimmeringlightofhisoldhouse,hishalf-deadhopemadehisearspreternaturallyacutetoanysoundontheriver。Severalnightsinsuccessionhehadheardthesplashofpaddlesandhadseentheindistinctformofaboat,butwhenhailingtheshadowyapparition,hisheartboundingwithsuddenhopeofhearingDain'svoice,hewasdisappointedeachtimebythesulkyanswerconveyingtohimtheintelligencethattheArabswereontheriver,boundonavisittothehome-stayingLakamba。Thiscausedhimmanysleeplessnights,spentinspeculatinguponthekindofvillainythoseestimablepersonageswerehatchingnow。Atlast,whenallhopeseemeddead,hewasoverjoyedonhearingDain'svoice;butDainalsoappearedveryanxioustoseeLakamba,andAlmayerfeltuneasyowingtoadeepandineradicabledistrustastothatruler'sdispositiontowardshimself。Still,Dainhadreturnedatlast。Evidentlyhemeanttokeeptohisbargain。

Hoperevived,andthatnightAlmayersleptsoundly,whileNinawatchedtheangryriverunderthelashofthethunderstormsweepingonwardtowardsthesea。

chapter06

CHAPTERVI。

DainwasnotlongincrossingtheriverafterleavingAlmayer。

Helandedatthewater-gateofthestockadeenclosingthegroupofhouseswhichcomposedtheresidenceoftheRajahofSambir。

Evidentlysomebodywasexpectedthere,forthegatewasopen,andmenwithtorcheswerereadytoprecedethevisitoruptheinclinedplaneofplanksleadingtothelargesthousewhereLakambaactuallyresided,andwhereallthebusinessofstatewasinvariablytransacted。Theotherbuildingswithintheenclosureservedonlytoaccommodatethenumeroushouseholdandthewivesoftheruler。

Lakamba'sownhousewasastrongstructureofsolidplanks,raisedonhighpiles,withaverandahofsplitbamboossurroundingitonallsides;thewholewascoveredinbyanimmenselyhigh-pitchedroofofpalm-leaves,restingonbeamsblackenedbythesmokeofmanytorches。

Thebuildingstoodparalleltotheriver,oneofitslongsidesfacingthewater-gateofthestockade。Therewasadoorintheshortsidelookinguptheriver,andtheinclinedplank-wayledstraightfromthegatetothatdoor。Bytheuncertainlightofsmokytorches,Dainnoticedthevagueoutlinesofagroupofarmedmeninthedarkshadowstohisright。FromthatgroupBabalatchisteppedforwardtoopenthedoor,andDainenteredtheaudiencechamberoftheRajah'sresidence。Aboutone-thirdofthehousewascurtainedoff,byheavystuffofEuropeanmanufacture,forthatpurpose;closetothecurtaintherewasabigarm-chairofsomeblackwood,muchcarved,andbeforeitaroughdealtable。Otherwisetheroomwasonlyfurnishedwithmatsingreatprofusion。Totheleftoftheentrancestoodarudearm-rack,withthreerifleswithfixedbayonetsinit。Bythewall,intheshadow,thebody-guardofLakamba——allfriendsorrelations——sleptinaconfusedheapofbrownarms,legs,andmulti-colouredgarments,fromwhenceissuedanoccasionalsnoreorasubduedgroanofsomeuneasysleeper。AnEuropeanlampwithagreenshadestandingonthetablemadeallthisindistinctlyvisibletoDain。

"Youarewelcometoyourresthere,"saidBabalatchi,lookingatDaininterrogatively。

"ImustspeaktotheRajahatonce,"answeredDain。

Babalatchimadeagestureofassent,and,turningtothebrassgongsuspendedunderthearm-rack,strucktwosharpblows。

Theear-splittingdinwokeuptheguard。Thesnoresceased;

outstretchedlegsweredrawnin;thewholeheapmoved,andslowlyresolveditselfintoindividualforms,withmuchyawningandrubbingofsleepyeyes;behindthecurtainstherewasaburstoffemininechatter;thenthebassvoiceofLakambawasheard。

"IsthattheArabtrader?"

"No,Tuan,"answeredBabalatchi;"Dainhasreturnedatlast。Heishereforanimportanttalk,bitcharra——ifyoumercifullyconsent。"

EvidentlyLakamba'smercywentsofar——forinashortwhilehecameoutfrombehindthecurtain——butitdidnotgotothelengthofinducinghimtomakeanextensivetoilet。Ashortredsarongtightenedhastilyroundhishipswashisonlygarment。ThemercifulrulerofSambirlookedsleepyandrathersulky。Hesatinthearm-chair,hiskneeswellapart,hiselbowsonthearm-rests,hischinonhisbreast,breathingheavilyandwaitingmalevolentlyforDaintoopentheimportanttalk。

ButDaindidnotseemanxioustobegin。HedirectedhisgazetowardsBabalatchi,squattingcomfortablyatthefeetofhismaster,andremainedsilentwithaslightlybentheadasifinattentiveexpectationofcomingwordsofwisdom。

Babalatchicougheddiscreetly,and,leaningforward,pushedoverafewmatsforDaintositupon,thenliftinguphissqueakyvoiceheassuredhimwitheagervolubilityofeverybody'sdelightatthislong-looked-forreturn。HishearthadhungeredforthesightofDain'sface,andhisearswerewitheringforthewantoftherefreshingsoundofhisvoice。Everybody'sheartsandearswereinthesamesadpredicament,accordingtoBabalatchi,asheindicatedwithasweepinggesturetheotherbankoftheriverwherethesettlementslumberedpeacefully,unconsciousofthegreatjoyawaitingitonthemorrowwhenDain'spresenceamongstthemwouldbedisclosed。"For"——wentonBabalatchi——"whatisthejoyofapoormanifnottheopenhandofageneroustraderorofagreat——"

Herehecheckedhimselfabruptlywithacalculatedembarrassmentofmanner,andhisrovingeyesoughtthefloor,whileanapologeticsmiledweltforamomentonhismisshapenlips。OnceortwiceduringthisopeningspeechanamusedexpressionflittedacrossDain'sface,soontogiveway,however,toanappearanceofgraveconcern。OnLakamba'sbrowaheavyfrownhadsettled,andhislipsmovedangrilyashelistenedtohisPrimeMinister'soratory。InthesilencethatfellupontheroomwhenBabalatchiceasedspeakingaroseachorusofvariedsnoresfromthecornerwherethebody-guardhadresumedtheirinterruptedslumbers,butthedistantrumbleofthunderfillingthenNina'sheartwithapprehensionforthesafetyofherloverpassedunheededbythosethreemenintenteachontheirownpurposes,forlifeordeath。

Afterashortsilence,Babalatchi,discardingnowtheflowersofpoliteeloquence,spokeagain,butinshortandhurriedsentencesandinalowvoice。Theyhadbeenveryuneasy。WhydidDainremainsolongabsent?Themendwellingonthelowerreachesoftheriverheardthereportsofbiggunsandsawafire-shipoftheDutchamongsttheislandsoftheestuary。Sotheywereanxious。RumoursofadisasterhadreachedAbdullaafewdaysago,andsincethentheyhadbeenwaitingforDain'sreturnundertheapprehensionofsomemisfortune。Fordaystheyhadclosedtheireyesinfear,andwokeupalarmed,andwalkedabroadtrembling,likemenbeforeanenemy。AndallonaccountofDain。

Wouldhenotallaytheirfearsforhissafety,notforthemselves?Theywerequietandfaithful,anddevotedtothegreatRajahinBatavia——mayhisfateleadhimevertovictoryforthejoyandprofitofhisservants!"Andhere,"wentonBabalatchi,"Lakambamymasterwasgettingthininhisanxietyforthetraderhehadtakenunderhisprotection;andsowasAbdulla,forwhatwouldwickedmennotsayifperchance-"

"Besilent,fool!"growledLakamba,angrily。

Babalatchisubsidedintosilencewithasatisfiedsmile,whileDain,whohadbeenwatchinghimasiffascinated,turnedwithasighofrelieftowardstherulerofSambir。Lakambadidnotmove,and,withoutraisinghishead,lookedatDainfromunderhiseyebrows,breathingaudibly,withpoutedlips,inanairofgeneraldiscontent。

"Speak!ODain!"hesaidatlast。"Wehaveheardmanyrumours。

ManynightsinsuccessionhasmyfriendReshidcomeherewithbadtidings。Newstravelsfastalongthecoast。Buttheymaybeuntrue;therearemoreliesinmen'smouthsinthesedaysthanwhenIwasyoung,butIamnoteasiertodeceivenow。"

"Allmywordsaretrue,"saidDain,carelessly。"Ifyouwanttoknowwhatbefellmybrig,thenlearnthatitisinthehandsoftheDutch。Believeme,Rajah,"hewenton,withsuddenenergy,"theOrangBlandahavegoodfriendsinSambir,orelsehowdidtheyknowIwascomingthence?"

LakambagaveDainashortandhostileglance。Babalatchirosequietly,and,goingtothearm-rack,struckthegongviolently。

Outsidethedoortherewasashuffleofbarefeet;inside,theguardwokeupandsatstaringinsleepysurprise。

"Yes,youfaithfulfriendofthewhiteRajah,"wentonDain,scornfully,turningtoBabalatchi,whohadreturnedtohisplace,"Ihaveescaped,andIamheretogladdenyourheart。WhenIsawtheDutchshipIranthebriginsidethereefsandputherashore。Theydidnotdaretofollowwiththeship,sotheysenttheboats。Wetooktooursandtriedtogetaway,buttheshipdroppedfireballsatus,andkilledmanyofmymen。ButIamleft,OBabalatchi!TheDutcharecominghere。Theyareseekingforme。TheyarecomingtoasktheirfaithfulfriendLakambaandhisslaveBabalatchi。Rejoice!"

Butneitherofhishearersappearedtobeinajoyfulmood。

Lakambahadputonelegoverhisknee,andwentongentlyscratchingitwithameditativeair,whileBabalatchi,sittingcross-legged,seemedsuddenlytobecomesmallerandverylimp,staringstraightbeforehimvacantly。Theguardevincedsomeinterestintheproceedings,stretchingthemselvesfulllengthonthematstobenearerthespeaker。Oneofthemgotupandnowstoodleaningagainstthearm-rack,playingabsentlywiththefringesofhissword-hilt。

Dainwaitedtillthecrashofthunderhaddiedawayindistantmutteringsbeforehespokeagain。

"Areyoudumb,OrulerofSambir,oristhesonofagreatRajahunworthyofyournotice?Iamcomeheretoseekrefugeandtowarnyou,andwanttoknowwhatyouintenddoing。"

"Youcameherebecauseofthewhiteman'sdaughter,"retortedLakamba,quickly。"Yourrefugewaswithyourfather,theRajahofBali,theSonofHeaven,the'AnakAgong'himself。WhatamI

toprotectgreatprinces?OnlyyesterdayIplantedriceinaburntclearing;to-dayyousayIholdyourlifeinmyhand。"

Babalatchiglancedathismaster。"Nomancanescapehisfate,"

hemurmuredpiously。"Whenloveentersaman'sheartheislikeachild——withoutanyunderstanding。Bemerciful,Lakamba,"headded,twitchingthecorneroftheRajah'ssarongwarningly。

Lakambasnatchedawaytheskirtofthesarongangrily。UnderthedawningcomprehensionofintolerableembarrassmentscausedbyDain'sreturntoSambirhebegantolosesuchcomposureashehadbeen,tillthen,abletomaintain;andnowheraisedhisvoiceloudlyabovethewhistlingofthewindandthepatterofrainontheroofinthehardsquallpassingoverthehouse。

"Youcameherefirstasatraderwithsweetwordsandgreatpromises,askingmetolooktheotherwaywhileyouworkedyourwillonthewhitemanthere。AndIdid。Whatdoyouwantnow?

WhenIwasyoungIfought。NowIamold,andwantpeace。

ItiseasierformetohaveyoukilledthantofighttheDutch。Itisbetterforme。"

Thesquallhadnowpassed,and,intheshortstillnessofthelullinthestorm,Lakambarepeatedsoftly,asiftohimself,"Mucheasier。Muchbetter。"

DaindidnotseemgreatlydiscomposedbytheRajah'sthreateningwords。WhileLakambawasspeakinghehadglancedoncerapidlyoverhisshoulder,justtomakesurethattherewasnobodybehindhim,and,tranquillisedinthatrespect,hehadextractedasiri-boxoutofthefoldsofhiswaist-cloth,andwaswrappingcarefullythelittlebitofbetel-nutandasmallpinchoflimeinthegreenleaftenderedhimpolitelybythewatchfulBabalatchi。Heacceptedthisasapeace-offeringfromthesilentstatesman——akindofmuteprotestagainsthismaster'sundiplomaticviolence,andasanomenofapossibleunderstandingtobearrivedatyet。OtherwiseDainwasnotuneasy。AlthoughrecognisingthejusticeofLakamba'ssurmisethathehadcomebacktoSambironlyforthesakeofthewhiteman'sdaughter,yethewasnotconsciousofanychildishlackofunderstanding,assuggestedbyBabalatchi。Infact,DainknewverywellthatLakambawastoodeeplyimplicatedinthegunpowdersmugglingtocareforaninvestigationtheDutchauthoritiesintothatmatter。

Whensentoffbyhisfather,theindependentRajahofBali,atthetimewhenthehostilitiesbetweenDutchandMalaysthreatenedtospreadfromSumatraoverthewholearchipelago,Dainhadfoundallthebigtradersdeaftohisguardedproposals,andabovethetemptationofthegreatpriceshewasreadytogiveforgunpowder。HewenttoSambirasalastandalmosthopelessresort,havingheardinMacassarofthewhitemanthere,andoftheregularsteamertradingfromSingapore——alluredalsobythefactthattherewasnoDutchresidentontheriver,whichwouldmakethingseasier,nodoubt。HishopesgotnearlywreckedagainstthestubbornloyaltyofLakambaarisingfromwell-understoodself-interest;butatlasttheyoungman'sgenerosity,hispersuasiveenthusiasm,theprestigeofhisfather'sgreatname,overpoweredtheprudenthesitationoftherulerofSambir。Lakambawouldhavenothingtodohimselfwithanyillegaltraffic。HealsoobjectedtotheArabsbeingmadeuseofinthatmatter;buthesuggestedAlmayer,sayingthathewasaweakmaneasilypersuaded,andthathisfriend,theEnglishcaptainofthesteamer,couldbemadeveryuseful——verylikelyevenwouldjoininthebusiness,smugglingthepowderinthesteamerwithoutAbdulla'sknowledge。ThereagainDainmetinAlmayerwithunexpectedresistance;LakambahadtosendBabalatchioverwiththesolemnpromisethathiseyeswouldbeshutinfriendshipforthewhiteman,DainpayingforthepromiseandthefriendshipingoodsilverguildersofthehatedOrangBlanda。Almayer,atlastconsenting,saidthepowderwouldbeobtained,butDainmusttrusthimwithdollarstosendtoSingaporeinpaymentforit。HewouldinduceFordtobuyandsmuggleitinthesteameronboardthebrig。Hedidnotwantanymoneyforhimselfoutofthetransaction,butDainmusthelphiminhisgreatenterpriseaftersendingoffthebrig。AlmayerhadexplainedtoDainthathecouldnottrustLakambaaloneinthatmatter;hewouldbeafraidoflosinghistreasureandhislifethroughthecupidityoftheRajah;yettheRajahhadtobetold,andinsistedontakingashareinthatoperation,orelsehiseyeswouldremainshutnolonger。TothisAlmayerhadtosubmit。

HadDainnotseenNinahewouldhaveprobablyrefusedtoengagehimselfandhismenintheprojectedexpeditiontoGunongMas——themountainofgold。Asitwasheintendedtoreturnwithhalfofhismenassoonasthebrigwasclearofthereefs,butthepersistentchasegivenhimbytheDutchfrigatehadforcedhimtorunsouthandultimatelytowreckanddestroyhisvesselinordertopreservehislibertyorperhapsevenhislife。Yes,hehadcomebacktoSambirforNina,althoughawarethattheDutchwouldlookforhimthere,buthehadalsocalculatedhischancesofsafetyinLakamba'shands。Forallhisferocioustalk,themercifulrulerwouldnotkillhim,forhehadlongagobeenimpressedwiththenotionthatDainpossessedthesecretofthewhiteman'streasure;neitherwouldhegivehimuptotheDutch,forfearofsomefataldisclosureofcomplicityinthetreasonabletrade。SoDainfelttolerablysecureashesatmeditatingquietlyhisanswertotheRajah'sbloodthirstyspeech。

Yes,hewouldpointouttohimtheaspectofhispositionshouldhe——Dain——fallintothehandsoftheDutchandshouldhespeakthetruth。Hewouldhavenothingmoretolosethen,andhewouldspeakthetruth。AndifhedidreturntoSambir,disturbingtherebyLakamba'speaceofmind,whatthen?Hecametolookafterhisproperty。DidhenotpourastreamofsilverintoMrs。

Almayer'sgreedylap?Hehadpaid,forthegirl,apriceworthyofagreatprince,althoughunworthyofthatdelightfullymaddeningcreatureforwhomhisuntamedsoullongedinanintensityofdesirefarmoretormentingthanthesharpestpain。

Hewantedhishappiness。HehadtherighttobeinSambir。

Herose,and,approachingthetable,leanedbothhiselbowsonit;Lakambaresponsivelyedgedhisseatalittlecloser,whileBabalatchiscrambledtohisfeetandthrusthisinquisitiveheadbetweenhismaster'sandDain's。Theyinterchangedtheirideasrapidly,speakinginwhispersintoeachother'sfaces,veryclosenow,Dainsuggesting,Lakambacontradicting,Babalatchiconciliatingandanxiousinhisvividapprehensionofcomingdifficulties。Hespokemost,whisperingearnestly,turninghisheadslowlyfromsidetosidesoastobringhissolitaryeyetobearuponeachofhisinterlocutorsinturn。Whyshouldtherebestrife?saidhe。LetTuanDain,whomhelovedonlylessthanhismaster,gotrustfullyintohiding。Thereweremanyplacesforthat。Bulangi'shouseawayintheclearingwasbest。

Bulangiwasasafeman。Inthenetworkofcrookedchannelsnowhitemancouldfindhisway。Whitemenwerestrong,butveryfoolish。Itwasundesirabletofightthem,butdeceptionwaseasy。Theywerelikesillywomen——theydidnotknowtheuseofreason,andhewasamatchforanyofthem——wentonBabalatchi,withalltheconfidenceofdeficientexperience。ProbablytheDutchwouldseekAlmayer。Maybetheywouldtakeawaytheircountrymaniftheyweresuspiciousofhim。Thatwouldbegood。

AftertheDutchwentawayLakambaandDainwouldgetthetreasurewithoutanytrouble,andtherewouldbeonepersonlesstoshareit。Didhenotspeakwisdom?WillTuanDaingotoBulangi'shousetillthedangerisover,goatonce?

DainacceptedthissuggestionofgoingintohidingwithacertainsenseofconferringafavouruponLakambaandtheanxiousstatesman,buthemettheproposalofgoingatoncewithadecidedno,lookingBabalatchimeaninglyintheeye。Thestatesmansighedasamanacceptingtheinevitablewoulddo,andpointedsilentlytowardstheotherbankoftheriver。Dainbenthisheadslowly。

"Yes,Iamgoingthere,"hesaid。

"Beforethedaycomes?"askedBabalatchi。

"Iamgoingtherenow,"answeredDain,decisively。"TheOrangBlandawillnotbeherebeforeto-morrownight,perhaps,andI

musttellAlmayerofourarrangements。"

"No,Tuan。No;saynothing,"protestedBabalatchi。"Iwillgoovermyselfatsunriseandlethimknow。"

"Iwillsee,"saidDain,preparingtogo。

Thethunderstormwasrecommencingoutside,theheavycloudshanginglowoverheadnow。

Therewasaconstantrumbleofdistantthunderpunctuatedbythenearersharpcrashes,andinthecontinuousplayofbluelightningthewoodsandtherivershowedfitfully,withalltheelusivedistinctnessofdetailcharacteristicofsuchascene。

OutsidethedooroftheRajah'shouseDainandBabalatchistoodontheshakingverandahasifdazedandstunnedbytheviolenceofthestorm。TheystoodthereamongstthecoweringformsoftheRajah'sslavesandretainersseekingshelterfromtherain,andDaincalledaloudtohisboatmen,whorespondedwithanunanimous"Ada!Tuan!"whiletheylookeduneasilyattheriver。

"Thisisagreatflood!"shoutedBabalatchiintoDain'sear。

【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

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