IV
Thisis，imperfectly，whathesaid——
"ItwasafterthegreattroublethatbroketheallianceofthefourstatesofWajo。Wefoughtamongstourselves，andtheDutchwatchedfromafartillwewereweary。Thenthesmokeoftheirfire-shipswasseenatthemouthofourrivers，andtheirgreatmencameinboatsfullofsoldierstotalktousofprotectionandpeace。Weansweredwithcautionandwisdom，forourvillageswereburnt，ourstockadesweak，thepeopleweary，andtheweaponsblunt。Theycameandwent；
therehadbeenmuchtalk，butaftertheywentawayeverythingseemedtobeasbefore，onlytheirshipsremainedinsightfromourcoast，andverysoontheirtraderscameamongstusunderapromiseofsafety。MybrotherwasaRuler，andoneofthosewhohadgiventhepromise。Iwasyoungthen，andhadfoughtinthewar，andPataMatarahadfoughtbymyside。Wehadsharedhunger，danger，fatigue，andvictory。Hiseyessawmydangerquickly，andtwicemyarmhadpreservedhislife。Itwashisdestiny。Hewasmyfriend。Andhewasgreatamongstus——oneofthosewhowerenearmybrother，theRuler。Hespokeincouncil，hiscouragewasgreat，hewasthechiefofmanyvillagesroundthegreatlakethatisinthemiddleofourcountryastheheartisinthemiddleofaman’sbody。Whenhisswordwascarriedintoacamponginadvanceofhiscoming，themaidenswhisperedwonderinglyunderthefruit-trees，therichmenconsultedtogetherintheshade，andafeastwasmadereadywithrejoicingandsongs。HehadthefavouroftheRulerandtheaffectionofthepoor。Helovedwar，deerhunts，andthecharmsofwomen。Hewasthepossessorofjewels，ofluckyweapons，andofmen’sdevotion。Hewasafierceman；andI
hadnootherfriend。
"Iwasthechiefofastockadeatthemouthoftheriver，andcollectedtollsformybrotherfromthepassingboats。OnedayIsawaDutchtradergouptheriver。Hewentupwiththreeboats，andnotollwasdemandedfromhim，becausethesmokeofDutchwar-shipsstoodoutfromtheopensea，andweweretooweaktoforgettreaties。Hewentupunderthepromiseofsafety，andmybrothergavehimprotection。Hesaidhecametotrade。Helistenedtoourvoices，forwearemenwhospeakopenlyandwithoutfear；hecountedthenumberofourspears，heexaminedthetrees，therunningwaters，thegrassesofthebank，theslopesofourhills。HewentuptoMatara’scountryandobtainedpermissiontobuildahouse。Hetradedandplanted。Hedespisedourjoys，ourthoughts，andoursorrows。Hisfacewasred，hishairlikeflame，andhiseyespale，likearivermist；hemovedheavily，andspokewithadeepvoice；helaughedaloudlikeafool，andknewnocourtesyinhisspeech。Hewasabig，scornfulman，wholookedintowomen’sfacesandputhishandontheshouldersoffreemenasthoughhehadbeenanoble-bornchief。Weborewithhim。Timepassed。
"ThenPataMatara’ssisterfledfromthecampongandwenttoliveintheDutchman’shouse。Shewasagreatandwilfullady：Ihadseenheroncecarriedhighonslaves’shouldersamongstthepeople，withuncoveredface，andIhadheardallmensaythatherbeautywasextreme，silencingthereasonandravishingtheheartofthebeholders。Thepeopleweredismayed；Matara’sfacewasblackenedwiththatdisgrace，forsheknewshehadbeenpromisedtoanotherman。
MatarawenttotheDutchman’shouse，andsaid，’Giveheruptodie——sheisthedaughterofchiefs。’Thewhitemanrefusedandshuthimselfup，whilehisservantskeptguardnightanddaywithloadedguns。Matararaged。Mybrothercalledacouncil。ButtheDutchshipswerenear，andwatchedourcoastgreedily。Mybrothersaid，’Ifhediesnowourlandwillpayforhisblood。Leavehimalonetillwegrowstrongerandtheshipsaregone。’Matarawaswise；hewaitedandwatched。Butthewhitemanfearedforherlifeandwentaway。
"Helefthishouse，hisplantations，andhisgoods！Hedeparted，armedandmenacing，andleftall——forher！Shehadravishedhisheart！FrommystockadeIsawhimputouttoseainabigboat。MataraandI
watchedhimfromthefightingplatformbehindthepointedstakes。Hesatcross-legged，withhisguninhishands，ontheroofatthesternofhisprau。Thebarrelofhisrifleglintedaslantbeforehisbigredface。Thebroadriverwasstretchedunderhim——level，smooth，shining，likeaplainofsilver；andhisprau，lookingveryshortandblackfromtheshore，glidedalongthesilverplainandoverintotheblueofthesea。
"ThriceMatara，standingbymyside，calledaloudhernamewithgriefandimprecations。Hestirredmyheart。Itleapedthreetimes；andthreetimeswiththeeyesofmymindIsawinthegloomwithintheenclosedspaceoftheprauawomanwithstreaminghairgoingawayfromherlandandherpeople。Iwasangry——andsorry。Why？AndthenIalsocriedoutinsultsandthreats。Matarasaid，’Nowtheyhaveleftourlandtheirlivesaremind。Ishallfollowandstrike——and，alone，paythepriceofblood。’Agreatwindwassweepingtowardsthesettingsunovertheemptyriver。Icried，’ByyoursideIwillgo！’Heloweredhisheadinsignofassent。Itwashisdestiny。Thesunhadset，andthetreesswayedtheirboughswithagreatnoiseaboveourheads。
"Onthethirdnightwetwoleftourlandtogetherinatradingprau。
"Theseametus——thesea，wide，pathless，andwithoutvoice。A
sailingprauleavesnotrack。Wewentsouth。Themoonwasfull；and，lookingup，wesaidtooneanother，’Whenthenextmoonshinesasthisone，weshallreturnandtheywillbedead。’Itwasfifteenyearsago。
ManymoonshavegrownfullandwitheredandIhavenotseenmylandsince。Wesailedsouth；weovertookmanypraus；weexaminedthecreeksandthebays；wesawtheendofourcoast，ofourisland——asteepcapeoveradisturbedstrait，wheredrifttheshadowsofshipwreckedprausanddrownedmenclamourinthenight。Thewideseawasallroundusnow。Wesawagreatmountainburninginthemidstofwater；wesawthousandsofisletsscatteredlikebitsofironfiredfromabiggun；
wesawalongcoastofmountainandlowlandsstretchingawayinsunshinefromwesttoeast。ItwasJava。Wesaid，’Theyarethere；
theirtimeisnear，andweshallreturnordiecleansedfromdishonour。’
"Welanded。Isthereanythinggoodinthatcountry？Thepathsrunstraightandhardanddusty。Stonecampongs，fullofwhitefaces，aresurroundedbyfertilefields，buteverymanyoumeetisaslave。Therulersliveundertheedgeofaforeignsword。Weascendedmountains，wetraversedvalleys；atsunsetweenteredvillages。Weaskedeveryone，’Haveyouseensuchawhiteman？’Somestared；otherslaughed；womengaveusfood，sometimes，withfearandrespect，asthoughwehadbeendistractedbythevisitationofGod；butsomedidnotunderstandourlanguage，andsomecursedus，or，yawning，askedwithcontemptthereasonofourquest。Once，asweweregoingaway，anoldmancalledafterus，’Desist！’
"Wewenton。Concealingourweapons，westoodhumblyasidebeforethehorsemenontheroad；webowedlowinthecourtyardsofchiefswhowerenobetterthanslaves。Welostourselvesinthefields，inthejungle；andonenight，inatangledforest，wecameuponaplacewherecrumblingoldwallshadfallenamongstthetrees，andwherestrangestoneidols——carvedimagesofdevilswithmanyarmsandlegs，withsnakestwinedroundtheirbodies，withtwentyheadsandholdingahundredswords——seemedtoliveandthreateninthelightofourcampfire。Nothingdismayedus。Andontheroad，byeveryfire，inresting-places，wealwaystalkedofherandofhim。Theirtimewasnear。Wespokeofnothingelse。No！notofhunger，thirst，weariness，andfalteringhearts。No！wespokeofhimandher！Ofher！Andwethoughtofthem——ofher！Matarabroodedbythefire。Isatandthoughtandthought，tillsuddenlyIcouldseeagaintheimageofawoman，beautiful，andyoung，andgreatandproud，andtender，goingawayfromherlandandherpeople。Matarasaid，’Whenwefindthemweshallkillherfirsttocleansethedishonour——thenthemanmustdie。’Iwouldsay，’Itshallbeso；itisyourvengeance。’Hestaredlongatmewithhisbigsunkeneyes。
"Wecamebacktothecoast。Ourfeetwerebleeding，ourbodiesthin。
Wesleptinragsundertheshadowofstoneenclosures；weprowled，soiledandlean，aboutthegatewaysofwhitemen’scourtyards。Theirhairydogsbarkedatus，andtheirservantsshoutedfromafar，’Begone！’Low-bornwretches，thatkeepwatchoverthestreetsofstonecampongs，askeduswhowewere。Welied，wecringed，wesmiledwithhateinourhearts，andwekeptlookinghere，lookingthereforthem——forthewhitemanwithhairlikeflame，andforher，forthewomanwhohadbrokenfaith，andthereforemustdie。Welooked。Atlastineverywoman’sfaceIthoughtIcouldseehers。Weranswiftly。No！
SometimesMatarawouldwhisper，’Hereistheman，’andwewaited，crouching。Hecamenear。Itwasnottheman——thoseDutchmenareallalike。Wesufferedtheanguishofdeception。InmysleepIsawherface，andwasbothjoyfulandsorry……Why？……Iseemedtohearawhispernearme。Iturnedswiftly。Shewasnotthere！AndaswetrudgedwearilyfromstonecitytostonecityIseemedtohearalightfootstepnearme。AtimecamewhenIhearditalways，andIwasglad。
Ithought，walkingdizzyandwearyinsunshineonthehardpathsofwhitemenIthought，Sheisthere——withus！……Matarawassombre。
Wewereoftenhungry。
"Wesoldthecarvedsheathsofourkrisses——theivorysheathswithgoldenferules。Wesoldthejewelledhilts。Butwekepttheblades——forthem。Thebladesthatnevertouchbutkill——wekeptthebladesforher……Why？Shewasalwaysbyourside……Westarved。Webegged。WeleftJavaatlast。
"WewentWest，wewentEast。Wesawmanylands，crowdsofstrangefaces，menthatliveintreesandmenwhoeattheiroldpeople。Wecutrattansintheforestforahandfulofrice，andforalivingsweptthedecksofbigshipsandheardcursesheapeduponourheads。Wetoiledinvillages；wewanderedupontheseaswiththeBajowpeople，whohavenocountry。Wefoughtforpay；wehiredourselvestoworkforGorammen，andwerecheated；andundertheordersofroughwhitefaceswedivedforpearlsinbarrenbays，dottedwithblackrocks，uponacoastofsandanddesolation。Andeverywherewewatched，welistened，weasked。Weaskedtraders，robbers，whitemen。Weheardjeers，mockery，threats——wordsofwonderandwordsofcontempt。Weneverknewrest；weneverthoughtofhome，forourworkwasnotdone。Ayearpassed，thenanother。Iceasedtocountthenumberofnights，ofmoons，ofyears。IwatchedoverMatara。Hehadmylasthandfulofrice；iftherewaswaterenoughforonehedrankit；Icoveredhimupwhenheshiveredwithcold；andwhenthehotsicknesscameuponhimI
satsleeplessthroughmanynightsandfannedhisface。Hewasafierceman，andmyfriend。Hespokeofherwithfuryinthedaytime，withsorrowinthedark；herememberedherinhealth，insickness。Isaidnothing；butIsawhereveryday——always！AtfirstIsawonlyherhead，asofawomanwalkinginthelowmistonariverbank。Thenshesatbyourfire。Isawher！Ilookedather！Shehadtendereyesandaravishingface。Imurmuredtoherinthenight。Matarasaidsleepilysometimes，’Towhomareyoutalking？Whoisthere？’Iansweredquickly，’Noone’……Itwasalie！Sheneverleftme。Shesharedthewarmthofourfire，shesatonmycouchofleaves，sheswamontheseatofollowme……Isawher！……ItellyouIsawherlongblackhairspreadbehindheruponthemoonlitwaterasshestruckoutwithbarearmsbythesideofaswiftprau。Shewasbeautiful，shewasfaithful，andinthesilenceofforeigncountriesshespoketomeverylowinthelanguageofmypeople。Noonesawher；nooneheardher；
shewasmineonly！Indaylightshemovedwithaswayingwalkbeforemeuponthewearypaths；herfigurewasstraightandflexiblelikethestemofaslendertree；theheelsofherfeetwereroundandpolishedlikeshellsofeggs；withherroundarmshemadesigns。Atnightshelookedintomyface。Andshewassad！Hereyesweretenderandfrightened；hervoicesoftandpleading。OnceImurmuredtoher，’Youshallnotdie，’andshesmiled……everaftershesmiled！……Shegavemecouragetobearwearinessandhardships。Thoseweretimesofpain，andshesoothedme。Wewanderedpatientinoursearch。Weknewdeception，falsehopes；weknewcaptivity，sickness，thirst，misery，despair……Enough！Wefoundthem！……"
Hecriedoutthelastwordsandpaused。Hisfacewasimpassive，andhekeptstilllikeamaninatrance。Hollissatupquickly，andspreadhiselbowsonthetable。Jacksonmadeabrusquemovement，andaccidentallytouchedtheguitar。Aplaintiveresonancefilledthecabinwithconfusedvibrationsanddiedoutslowly。ThenKarainbegantospeakagain。Therestrainedfiercenessofhistoneseemedtoriselikeavoicefromoutside，likeathingunspokenbutheard；itfilledthecabinandenvelopedinitsintenseanddeadenedmurmurthemotionlessfigureinthechair。
"WewereonourwaytoAtjeh，wheretherewaswar；butthevesselranonasandbank，andwehadtolandinDelli。Wehadearnedalittlemoney，andhadboughtagunfromsomeSelangoretraders；onlyonegun，whichwasfiredbythesparkofastone；Mataracarriedit。Welanded。
Manywhitemenlivedthere，plantingtobaccoonconqueredplains，andMatara……Butnomatter。Hesawhim！……TheDutchman！……Atlast！……Wecreptandwatched。Twonightsandadaywewatched。Hehadahouse——abighouseinaclearinginthemidstofhisfields；
flowersandbushesgrewaround；therewerenarrowpathsofyellowearthbetweenthecutgrass，andthickhedgestokeeppeopleout。
Thethirdnightwecamearmed，andlaybehindahedge。
"Aheavydewseemedtosoakthroughourfleshandmadeourveryentrailscold。Thegrass，thetwigs，theleaves，coveredwithdropsofwater，weregrayinthemoonlight。Matara，curledupinthegrass，shiveredinhissleep。MyteethrattledinmyheadsoloudthatIwasafraidthenoisewouldwakeupalltheland。Afar，thewatchmenofwhitemen’shousesstruckwoodenclappersandhootedinthedarkness。
And，aseverynight，Isawherbymyside。Shesmilednomore！……
Thefireofanguishburnedinmybreast，andshewhisperedtomewithcompassion，withpity，softly——aswomenwill；shesoothedthepainofmymind；shebentherfaceoverme——thefaceofawomanwhoravishestheheartsandsilencesthereasonofmen。Shewasallmine，andnoonecouldseeher——nooneoflivingmankind！Starsshonethroughherbosom，throughherfloatinghair。Iwasovercomewithregret，withtenderness，withsorrow。Mataraslept……HadIslept？Matarawasshakingmebytheshoulder，andthefireofthesunwasdryingthegrass，thebushes，theleaves。Itwasday。Shredsofwhitemisthungbetweenthebranchesoftrees。
"Wasitnightorday？IsawnothingagaintillIheardMatarabreathequicklywherehelay，andthenoutsidethehouseIsawher。Isawthemboth。Theyhadcomeout。Shesatonabenchunderthewall，andtwigsladenwithflowerscrepthighaboveherhead，hungoverherhair。Shehadaboxonherlap，andgazedintoit，countingtheincreaseofherpearls。TheDutchmanstoodbylookingon；hesmileddownather；hiswhiteteethflashed；thehaironhislipwasliketwotwistedflames。
Hewasbigandfat，andjoyous，andwithoutfear。Mataratippedfreshprimingfromthehollowofhispalm，scrapedtheflintwithhisthumb-nail，andgavetheguntome。Tome！Itookit……Ofate！
"Hewhisperedintomyear，lyingonhisstomach，’Ishallcreepcloseandthenamok……letherdiebymyhand。Youtakeaimatthefatswinethere。Lethimseemestrikemyshameoffthefaceoftheearth——andthen……youaremyfriend——killwithasureshot。’I
saidnothing；therewasnoairinmychest——therewasnoairintheworld。Matarahadgonesuddenlyfrommyside。Thegrassnodded。Thenabushrustled。Sheliftedherhead。
"Isawher！Theconsolerofsleeplessnights，ofwearydays；thecompanionoftroubledyears！Isawher！ShelookedstraightattheplacewhereIcrouched。ShewasthereasIhadseenherforyears——afaithfulwandererbymyside。Shelookedwithsadeyesandhadsmilinglips；shelookedatme……Smilinglips！HadInotpromisedthatsheshouldnotdie！
"ShewasfaroffandIfelthernear。Hertouchcaressedme，andhervoicemurmured，whisperedaboveme，aroundme。’Whoshallbethycompanion，whoshallconsoletheeifIdie？’Isawafloweringthickettotheleftofherstiralittle……Matarawasready……Icriedaloud——’Return！’
"Sheleapedup；theboxfell；thepearlsstreamedatherfeet。ThebigDutchmanbyhersiderolledmenacingeyesthroughthestillsunshine。
Thegunwentuptomyshoulder。IwaskneelingandIwasfirm——firmerthanthetrees，therocks，themountains。Butinfrontofthesteadylongbarrelthefields，thehouse，theearth，theskyswayedtoandfrolikeshadowsinaforestonawindyday。Mataraburstoutofthethicket；beforehimthepetalsoftornflowerswhirledhighasifdrivenbyatempest。Iheardhercry；Isawherspringwithopenarmsinfrontofthewhiteman。Shewasawomanofmycountryandofnobleblood。Theyareso！Iheardhershriekofanguishandfear——andallstoodstill！Thefields，thehouse，theearth，theskystoodstill——whileMataraleapedatherwithupliftedarm。Ipulledthetrigger，sawaspark，heardnothing；thesmokedrovebackintomyface，andthenIcouldseeMatararolloverheadfirstandliewithstretchedarmsatherfeet。Ha！Asureshot！Thesunshinefellonmybackcolderthantherunningwater。Asureshot！Iflungthegunaftertheshot。Thosetwostoodoverthedeadmanasthoughtheyhadbeenbewitchedbyacharm。Ishoutedather，’Liveandremember！’ThenforatimeIstumbledaboutinacolddarkness。
"Behindmethereweregreatshouts，therunningofmanyfeet；strangemensurroundedme，criedmeaninglesswordsintomyface，pushedme，draggedme，supportedme……IstoodbeforethebigDutchman：hestaredasifbereftofhisreason。Hewantedtoknow，hetalkedfast，hespokeofgratitude，heofferedmefood，shelter，gold——heaskedmanyquestions。Ilaughedinhisface。Isaid，’IamaKorinchitravellerfromPerakoverthere，andknownothingofthatdeadman。I
waspassingalongthepathwhenIheardashot，andyoursenselesspeoplerushedoutanddraggedmehere。’Heliftedhisarms，hewondered，hecouldnotbelieve，hecouldnotunderstand，heclamouredinhisowntongue！Shehadherarmsclaspedroundhisneck，andoverhershoulderstaredbackatmewithwideeyes。Ismiledandlookedather；Ismiledandwaitedtohearthesoundofhervoice。Thewhitemanaskedhersuddenly。’Doyouknowhim？’Ilistened——mylifewasinmyears！Shelookedatmelong，shelookedatmewithunflinchingeyes，andsaidaloud，’No！Ineversawhimbefore。’……What！Neverbefore？Hadsheforgottenalready？Wasitpossible？Forgottenalready——aftersomanyyears——somanyyearsofwandering，ofcompanionship，oftrouble，oftenderwords！Forgottenalready！……Itoremyselfoutfromthehandsthatheldmeandwentawaywithoutaword……
Theyletmego。
"Iwasweary。DidIsleep？Idonotknow。Irememberwalkinguponabroadpathunderaclearstarlight；andthatstrangecountryseemedsobig，therice-fieldssovast，that，asIlookedaround，myheadswamwiththefearofspace。ThenIsawaforest。Thejoyousstarlightwasheavyuponme。Iturnedoffthepathandenteredtheforest，whichwasverysombreandverysad。"
V
Karain’stonehadbeengettinglowerandlower，asthoughhehadbeengoingawayfromus，tillthelastwordssoundedfaintbutclear，asifshoutedonacalmdayfromaverygreatdistance。Hemovednot。HestaredfixedlypastthemotionlessheadofHollis，whofacedhim，asstillashimself。Jacksonhadturnedsideways，andwithelbowonthetableshadedhiseyeswiththepalmofhishand。AndIlookedon，surprisedandmoved；Ilookedatthatman，loyaltoavision，betrayedbyhisdream，spurnedbyhisillusion，andcomingtousunbelieversforhelp——againstathought。Thesilencewasprofound；butitseemedfullofnoiselessphantoms，ofthingssorrowful，shadowy，andmute，inwhoseinvisiblepresencethefirm，pulsatingbeatofthetwoship’schronometerstickingoffsteadilythesecondsofGreenwichTimeseemedtomeaprotectionandarelief。Karainstaredstonily；andlookingathisrigidfigure，Ithoughtofhiswanderings，ofthatobscureOdysseyofrevenge，ofallthementhatwanderamongstillusionsfaithful，faithless；oftheillusionsthatgivejoy，thatgivesorrow，thatgivepain，thatgivepeace；oftheinvincibleillusionsthatcanmakelifeanddeathappearserene，inspiring，tormented，orignoble。
Amurmurwasheard；thatvoicefromoutsideseemedtoflowoutofadreamingworldintothelamp-lightofthecabin。Karainwasspeaking。
"Ilivedintheforest。
"Shecamenomore。Never！Neveronce！Ilivedalone。Shehadforgotten。Itwaswell。Ididnotwanther；Iwantednoone。Ifoundanabandonedhouseinanoldclearing。Nobodycamenear。SometimesI
heardinthedistancethevoicesofpeoplegoingalongapath。I
slept；Irested；therewaswildrice，waterfromarunningstream——andpeace！EverynightIsatalonebymysmallfirebeforethehut。Manynightspassedovermyhead。
"Then，oneevening，asIsatbymyfireafterhavingeaten，Ilookeddownonthegroundandbegantoremembermywanderings。Iliftedmyhead。Ihadheardnosound，norustle，nofootsteps——butIliftedmyhead。Amanwascomingtowardsmeacrossthesmallclearing。Iwaited。
Hecameupwithoutagreetingandsquatteddownintothefirelight。
Thenheturnedhisfacetome。ItwasMatara。Hestaredatmefiercelywithhisbigsunkeneyes。Thenightwascold；theheatdiedsuddenlyoutofthefire，andhestaredatme。Iroseandwentawayfromthere，leavinghimbythefirethathadnoheat。
"Iwalkedallthatnight，allnextday，andintheeveningmadeupabigblazeandsatdown——towaitforhim。Hehadnotcomeintothelight。Iheardhiminthebusheshereandthere，whispering，whispering。Iunderstoodatlast——Ihadheardthewordsbefore，’Youaremyfriend——killwithasureshot。’
"IboreitaslongasIcould——thenleapedaway，asonthisverynightIleapedfrommystockadeandswamtoyou。Iran——Irancryinglikeachildleftaloneandfarfromthehouses。Heranbymyside，withoutfootsteps，whispering，whispering——invisibleandheard。Isoughtpeople——Iwantedmenaroundme！Menwhohadnotdied！Andagainwetwowandered。Isoughtdanger，violence，anddeath。IfoughtintheAtjehwar，andabravepeoplewonderedatthevalianceofastranger。Butweweretwo；hewardedofftheblows……Why？Iwantedpeace，notlife。
Andnoonecouldseehim；nooneknew——Idaredtellnoone。Attimeshewouldleaveme，butnotforlong；thenhewouldreturnandwhisperorstare。Myheartwastornwithastrangefear，butcouldnotdie。
ThenImetanoldman。
"Youallknewhim。Peopleherecalledhimmysorcerer，myservantandsword-bearer；buttomehewasfather，mother，protection，refugeandpeace。WhenImethimhewasreturningfromapilgrimage，andIheardhimintoningtheprayerofsunset。Hehadgonetotheholyplacewithhisson，hisson’swife，andalittlechild；andontheirreturn，bythefavouroftheMostHigh，theyalldied：thestrongman，theyoungmother，thelittlechild——theydied；andtheoldmanreachedhiscountryalone。Hewasapilgrimsereneandpious，verywiseandverylonely。Itoldhimall。Foratimewelivedtogether。Hesaidovermewordsofcompassion，ofwisdom，ofprayer。Hewardedfrommetheshadeofthedead。Ibeggedhimforacharmthatwouldmakemesafe。Foralongtimeherefused；butatlast，withasighandasmile，hegavemeone。Doubtlesshecouldcommandaspiritstrongerthantheunrestofmydeadfriend，andagainIhadpeace；butIhadbecomerestless，andaloverofturmoilanddanger。Theoldmanneverleftme。Wetravelledtogether。Wewerewelcomedbythegreat；hiswisdomandmycouragearerememberedwhereyourstrength，Owhitemen，isforgotten！WeservedtheSultanofSula。WefoughttheSpaniards。Therewerevictories，hopes，defeats，sorrow，blood，women’stears……Whatfor？……Wefled。Wecollectedwanderersofawarlikeraceandcameheretofightagain。Therestyouknow。Iamtherulerofaconqueredland，aloverofwaranddanger，afighterandaplotter。Buttheoldmanhasdied，andIamagaintheslaveofthedead。Heisnotherenowtodriveawaythereproachfulshade——tosilencethelifelessvoice！Thepowerofhischarmhasdiedwithhim。AndIknowfear；andIhearthewhisper，’Kill！kill！kill！’……HaveInotkilledenough？……"
Forthefirsttimethatnightasuddenconvulsionofmadnessandragepassedoverhisface。Hiswaveringglancesdartedhereandtherelikescaredbirdsinathunderstorm。Hejumpedup，shouting——
"Bythespiritsthatdrinkblood：bythespiritsthatcryinthenight：byallthespiritsoffury，misfortune，anddeath，I
swear——somedayIwillstrikeintoeveryheartImeet——I……"
Helookedsodangerousthatweallthreeleapedtoourfeet，andHollis，withthebackofhishand，sentthekrissflyingoffthetable。Ibelieveweshoutedtogether。Itwasashortscare，andthenextmomenthewasagaincomposedinhischair，withthreewhitemenstandingoverhiminratherfoolishattitudes。Wefeltalittleashamedofourselves。Jacksonpickedupthekriss，and，afteraninquiringglanceatme，gaveittohim。Hereceiveditwithastatelyinclinationoftheheadandstuckitinthetwistofhissarong，withpunctiliouscaretogivehisweaponapacificposition。Thenhelookedupatuswithanausteresmile。Wewereabashedandreproved。Hollissatsidewaysonthetableand，holdinghischininhishand，scrutinizedhiminpensivesilence。Isaid——
"Youmustabidewithyourpeople。Theyneedyou。Andthereisforgetfulnessinlife。Eventhedeadceasetospeakintime。"
"AmIawoman，toforgetlongyearsbeforeaneyelidhashadthetimetobeattwice？"heexclaimed，withbitterresentment。Hestartledme。
Itwasamazing。Tohimhislife——thatcruelmirageofloveandpeace——seemedasreal，asundeniable，astheirswouldbetoanysaint，philosopher，orfoolofusall。Hollismuttered——
"Youwon’tsoothehimwithyourplatitudes。"
Karainspoketome。
"Youknowus。Youhavelivedwithus。Why？——wecannotknow；butyouunderstandoursorrowsandourthoughts。Youhavelivedwithmypeople，andyouunderstandourdesiresandourfears。WithyouIwillgo。Toyourland——toyourpeople。Toyourpeople，wholiveinunbelief；towhomdayisday，andnightisnight——nothingmore，becauseyouunderstandallthingsseen，anddespiseallelse！Toyourlandofunbelief，wherethedeaddonotspeak，whereeverymaniswise，andalone——andatpeace！"
"Capitaldescription，"murmuredHollis，withtheflickerofasmile。
Karainhunghishead。
"Icantoil，andfight——andbefaithful，"hewhispered，inawearytone，"butIcannotgobacktohimwhowaitsformeontheshore。No！
Takemewithyou……Orelsegivemesomeofyourstrength——ofyourunbelief……Acharm！……"
Heseemedutterlyexhausted。
"Yes，takehimhome，"saidHollis，verylow，asifdebatingwithhimself。"Thatwouldbeoneway。Theghoststhereareinsociety，andtalkaffablytoladiesandgentlemen，butwouldscornanakedhumanbeing——likeourprincelyfriend……Naked……Flayed！Ishouldsay。Iamsorryforhim。Impossible——ofcourse。Theendofallthisshallbe，"hewenton，lookingupatus——"theendofthisshallbe，thatsomedayhewillrunamuckamongsthisfaithfulsubjectsandsend’adpatres’eversomanyofthembeforetheymakeuptheirmindstothedisloyaltyofknockinghimonthehead。"
Inodded。IthoughtitmorethanprobablethatsuchwouldbetheendofKarain。Itwasevidentthathehadbeenhuntedbyhisthoughtalongtheverylimitofhumanendurance，andverylittlemorepressingwasneededtomakehimswerveoverintotheformofmadnesspeculiartohisrace。Therespitehehadduringtheoldman’slifemadethereturnofthetormentunbearable。Thatmuchwasclear。
Heliftedhisheadsuddenly；wehadimaginedforamomentthathehadbeendozing。
"Givemeyourprotection——oryourstrength！"hecried。"Acharm……
aweapon！"
Againhischinfellonhisbreast。Welookedathim，thenlookedatoneanotherwithsuspiciousaweinoureyes，likemenwhocomeunexpectedlyuponthesceneofsomemysteriousdisaster。Hehadgivenhimselfuptous；hehadthrustintoourhandshiserrorsandhistorment，hislifeandhispeace；andwedidnotknowwhattodowiththatproblemfromtheouterdarkness。Wethreewhitemen，lookingattheMalay，couldnotfindonewordtothepurposeamongstus——ifindeedthereexistedawordthatcouldsolvethatproblem。Wepondered，andourheartssank。WefeltasthoughwethreehadbeencalledtotheverygateofInfernalRegionstojudge，todecidethefateofawanderercomingsuddenlyfromaworldofsunshineandillusions。
"ByJove，heseemstohaveagreatideaofourpower，"whisperedHollis，hopelessly。Andthenagaintherewasasilence，thefeebleplashofwater，thesteadytickofchronometers。Jackson，withbarearmscrossed，leanedhisshouldersagainstthebulkheadofthecabin。
Hewasbendinghisheadunderthedeckbeam；hisfairbeardspreadoutmagnificentlyoverhischest；helookedcolossal，ineffectual，andmild。Therewassomethinglugubriousintheaspectofthecabin；theairinitseemedtobecomeslowlychargedwiththecruelchillofhelplessness，withthepitilessangerofegoismagainsttheincomprehensibleformofanintrudingpain。Wehadnoideawhattodo；webegantoresentbitterlythehardnecessitytogetridofhim。
Hollismused，mutteredsuddenlywithashortlaugh，"Strength……
Protection……Charm。"Heslippedoffthetableandleftthecuddywithoutalookatus。Itseemedabasedesertion。JacksonandI
exchangedindignantglances。Wecouldhearhimrummaginginhispigeon-holeofacabin。Wasthefellowactuallygoingtobed？Karainsighed。Itwasintolerable！
ThenHollisreappeared，holdinginbothhandsasmallleatherbox。Heputitdowngentlyonthetableandlookedatuswithaqueergasp，wethought，asthoughhehadfromsomecausebecomespeechlessforamoment，orwereethicallyuncertainaboutproducingthatbox。Butinaninstanttheinsolentandunerringwisdomofhisyouthgavehimtheneededcourage。Hesaid，asheunlockedtheboxwithaverysmallkey，"Lookassolemnasyoucan，youfellows。"
Probablywelookedonlysurprisedandstupid，forheglancedoverhisshoulder，andsaidangrily——
"Thisisnoplay；Iamgoingtodosomethingforhim。Lookserious。
Confoundit！……Can’tyouliealittle……forafriend！"
Karainseemedtotakenonoticeofus，butwhenHollisthrewopenthelidoftheboxhiseyesflewtoit——andsodidours。Thequiltedcrimsonsatinoftheinsideputaviolentpatchofcolourintothesombreatmosphere；itwassomethingpositivetolookat——itwasfascinating。
VI
Hollislookedsmilingintothebox。HehadlatelymadeadashhomethroughtheCanal。Hehadbeenawaysixmonths，andonlyjoinedusagainjustintimeforthislasttrip。Wehadneverseentheboxbefore。Hishandshoveredaboveit；andhetalkedtousironically，buthisfacebecameasgraveasthoughhewerepronouncingapowerfulincantationoverthethingsinside。
"Everyoneofus，"hesaid，withpausesthatsomehowweremoreoffensivethanhiswords——"everyoneofus，you’lladmit，hasbeenhauntedbysomewoman……And……astofriends……droppedbytheway……Well！……askyourselves……"
Hepaused。Karainstared。Adeeprumblewasheardhighupunderthedeck。Jacksonspokeseriously——
"Don’tbesobeastlycynical。"
"Ah！Youarewithoutguile，"saidHollis，sadly。"Youwilllearn……
MeantimethisMalayhasbeenourfriend……"
Herepeatedseveraltimesthoughtfully，"Friend……Malay。Friend，Malay，"asthoughweighingthewordsagainstoneanother，thenwentonmorebriskly——
"Agoodfellow——agentlemaninhisway。Wecan’t，sotospeak，turnourbacksonhisconfidenceandbeliefinus。ThoseMalaysareeasilyimpressed——allnerves，youknow——therefore……"
Heturnedtomesharply。
"Youknowhimbest，"hesaid，inapracticaltone。"Doyouthinkheisfanatical——Imeanverystrictinhisfaith？"
Istammeredinprofoundamazementthat"Ididnotthinkso。"
"It’sonaccountofitsbeingalikeness——anengravedimage，"
mutteredHollis，enigmatically，turningtothebox。Heplungedhisfingersintoit。Karain’slipswerepartedandhiseyesshone。Welookedintothebox。
Therewerethereacoupleofreelsofcotton，apacketofneedles，abitofsilkribbon，darkblue；acabinetphotograph，atwhichHollisstoleaglancebeforelayingitonthetablefacedownwards。A
girl’sportrait，Icouldsee。Therewere，amongstalotofvarioussmallobjects，abunchofflowers，anarrowwhiteglovewithmanybuttons，aslimpacketofletterscarefullytiedup。Amuletsofwhitemen！Charmsandtalismans！Charmsthatkeepthemstraight，thatdrivethemcrooked，thathavethepowertomakeayoungmansigh，anoldmansmile。Potentthingsthatprocuredreamsofjoy，thoughtsofregret；
thatsoftenhardhearts，andcantemperasoftonetothehardnessofsteel。Giftsofheaven——thingsofearth……
Hollisrummagedinthebox。
Anditseemedtome，duringthatmomentofwaiting，thatthecabinoftheschoonerwasbecomingfilledwithastirinvisibleandlivingasofsubtlebreaths。AlltheghostsdrivenoutoftheunbelievingWestbymenwhopretendtobewiseandaloneandatpeace——allthehomelessghostsofanunbelievingworld——appearedsuddenlyroundthefigureofHollisbendingoverthebox；alltheexiledandcharmingshadesoflovedwomen；allthebeautifulandtenderghostsofideals，remembered，forgotten，cherished，execrated；allthecast-outandreproachfulghostsoffriendsadmired，trusted，traduced，betrayed，leftdeadbytheway——theyallseemedtocomefromtheinhospitableregionsoftheearthtocrowdintothegloomycabin，asthoughithadbeenarefugeand，inalltheunbelievingworld，theonlyplaceofavengingbelief……Itlastedasecond——alldisappeared。Holliswasfacingusalonewithsomethingsmallthatglitteredbetweenhisfingers。Itlookedlikeacoin。
"Ah！hereitis，"hesaid。
Hehelditup。Itwasasixpence——aJubileesixpence。Itwasgilt；ithadaholepunchedneartherim。HollislookedtowardsKarain。
"Acharmforourfriend，"hesaidtous。"Thethingitselfisofgreatpower——money，youknow——andhisimaginationisstruck。Aloyalvagabond；ifonlyhispuritanismdoesn’tshyatalikeness……"
Wesaidnothing。Wedidnotknowwhethertobescandalized，amused，orrelieved。HollisadvancedtowardsKarain，whostoodupasifstartled，andthen，holdingthecoinup，spokeinMalay。
"ThisistheimageoftheGreatQueen，andthemostpowerfulthingthewhitemenknow，"hesaid，solemnly。
Karaincoveredthehandleofhiskrissinsignofrespect，andstaredatthecrownedhead。
"TheInvincible，thePious，"hemuttered。
"SheismorepowerfulthanSuleimantheWise，whocommandedthegenii，asyouknow，"saidHollis，gravely。"Ishallgivethistoyou。"
Heheldthesixpenceinthepalmofhishand，andlookingatitthoughtfully，spoketousinEnglish。
"Shecommandsaspirit，too——thespiritofhernation；amasterful，conscientious，unscrupulous，unconquerabledevil……thatdoesalotofgood——incidentally……alotofgood……attimes——andwouldn’tstandanyfussfromthebestghostoutforsuchalittlethingasourfriend’sshot。Don’tlookthunderstruck，youfellows。
Helpmetomakehimbelieve——everything’sinthat。"
"Hispeoplewillbeshocked，"Imurmured。
HollislookedfixedlyatKarain，whowastheincarnationoftheveryessenceofstillexcitement。Hestoodrigid，withheadthrownback；
hiseyesrolledwildly，flashing；thedilatednostrilsquivered。
"Hangitall！"saidHollisatlast，"heisagoodfellow。I’llgivehimsomethingthatIshallreallymiss。"
Hetooktheribbonoutofthebox，smiledatitscornfully，thenwithapairofscissorscutoutapiecefromthepalmoftheglove。
"IshallmakehimathinglikethoseItalianpeasantswear，youknow。"
Hesewedthecoininthedelicateleather，sewedtheleathertotheribbon，tiedtheendstogether。Heworkedwithhaste。Karainwatchedhisfingersallthetime。
"Nowthen，"hesaid——thensteppeduptoKarain。Theylookedcloseintooneanother’seyes。ThoseofKarainstaredinalostglance，butHollis’sseemedtogrowdarkerandlookedoutmasterfulandcompelling。Theywereinviolentcontrasttogether——onemotionlessandthecolourofbronze，theotherdazzlingwhiteandliftinghisarms，wherethepowerfulmusclesrolledslightlyunderaskinthatgleamedlikesatin。Jacksonmovednearwiththeairofamanclosinguptoachuminatightplace。Isaidimpressively，pointingtoHollis——
"Heisyoung，butheiswise。Believehim！"
Karainbenthishead：Hollisthrewlightlyoveritthedark-blueribbonandsteppedback。
"Forget，andbeatpeace！"Icried。
Karainseemedtowakeupfromadream。Hesaid，"Ha！"shookhimselfasifthrowingoffaburden。Helookedroundwithassurance。Someoneondeckdraggedofftheskylightcover，andafloodoflightfellintothecabin。Itwasmorningalready。
"Timetogoondeck，"saidJackson。
Hollisputonacoat，andwewentup，Karainleading。
Thesunhadrisenbeyondthehills，andtheirlongshadowsstretchedfaroverthebayinthepearlylight。Theairwasclear，stainless，andcool。Ipointedatthecurvedlineofyellowsands。
"Heisnotthere，"Isaid，emphatically，toKarain。"Hewaitsnomore。
Hehasdepartedforever。"
Ashaftofbrighthotraysdartedintothebaybetweenthesummitsoftwohills，andthewaterallroundbrokeoutasifbymagicintoadazzlingsparkle。
"No！Heisnottherewaiting，"saidKarain，afteralonglookoverthebeach。"Idonothearhim，"hewenton，slowly。"No！"
Heturnedtous。
"Hehasdepartedagain——forever！"hecried。
Weassentedvigorously，repeatedly，andwithoutcompunction。Thegreatthingwastoimpresshimpowerfully；tosuggestabsolutesafety——theendofalltrouble。Wedidourbest；andIhopeweaffirmedourfaithinthepowerofHollis’scharmefficientlyenoughtoputthematterbeyondtheshadowofadoubt。Ourvoicesrangaroundhimjoyouslyinthestillair，andabovehisheadthesky，pellucid，pure，stainless，archeditstenderbluefromshoretoshoreandoverthebay，asiftoenvelopthewater，theearth，andthemaninthecaressofitslight。
Theanchorwasup，thesailshungstill，andhalf-a-dozenbigboatswereseensweepingoverthebaytogiveusatowout。Thepaddlersinthefirstonethatcamealongsideliftedtheirheadsandsawtheirrulerstandingamongstus。Alowmurmurofsurprisearose——thenashoutofgreeting。
Heleftus，andseemedstraightwaytostepintotheglorioussplendourofhisstage，towraphimselfintheillusionofunavoidablesuccess。
Foramomenthestooderect，onefootoverthegangway，onehandonthehiltofhiskriss，inamartialpose；and，relievedfromthefearofouterdarkness，heheldhisheadhigh，hesweptaserenelookoverhisconqueredfootholdontheearth。Theboatsfarofftookupthecryofgreeting；agreatclamourrolledonthewater；thehillsechoedit，andseemedtotossbackathimthewordsinvokinglonglifeandvictories。
Hedescendedintoacanoe，andassoonashewasclearofthesidewegavehimthreecheers。Theysoundedfaintandorderlyafterthewildtumultofhisloyalsubjects，butitwasthebestwecoulddo。Hestoodupintheboat，liftedupbothhisarms，thenpointedtotheinfalliblecharm。Wecheeredagain；andtheMalaysintheboatsstared——verymuchpuzzledandimpressed。Iwonderedwhattheythought；
whathethought；……whatthereaderthinks？
Wetowedoutslowly。Wesawhimlandandwatchusfromthebeach。A
figureapproachedhimhumblybutopenly——notatalllikeaghostwithagrievance。Wecouldseeothermenrunningtowardshim。Perhapshehadbeenmissed？Atanyratetherewasagreatstir。Agroupformeditselfrapidlynearhim，andhewalkedalongthesands，followedbyagrowingcortegeandkeptnearlyabreastoftheschooner。Withourglasseswecouldseetheblueribbononhisneckandapatchofwhiteonhisbrownchest。Thebaywaswakingup。Thesmokesofmorningfiresstoodinfaintspiralshigherthantheheadsofpalms；peoplemovedbetweenthehouses；aherdofbuffaloesgallopedclumsilyacrossagreenslope；theslenderfiguresofboysbrandishingsticksappearedblackandleapinginthelonggrass；acolouredlineofwomen，withwaterbamboosontheirheads，movedswayingthroughathingroveoffruit-trees。Karainstoppedinthemidstofhismenandwavedhishand；then，detachinghimselffromthesplendidgroup，walkedalonetothewater’sedgeandwavedhishandagain。Theschoonerpassedouttoseabetweenthesteepheadlandsthatshutinthebay，andatthesameinstantKarainpassedoutofourlifeforever。
Butthememoryremains。SomeyearsafterwardsImetJackson，intheStrand。Hewasmagnificentasever。Hisheadwashighabovethecrowd。
Hisbeardwasgold，hisfacered，hiseyesblue；hehadawide-brimmedgrayhatandnocollarorwaistcoat；hewasinspiring；hehadjustcomehome——hadlandedthatveryday！Ourmeetingcausedaneddyinthecurrentofhumanity。Hurriedpeoplewouldrunagainstus，thenwalkroundus，andturnbacktolookatthatgiant。Wetriedtocompresssevenyearsoflifeintosevenexclamations；then，suddenlyappeased，walkedsedatelyalong，givingoneanotherthenewsofyesterday。
Jacksongazedabouthim，likeamanwholooksforlandmarks，thenstoppedbeforeBland’swindow。Healwayshadapassionforfirearms；
sohestoppedshortandcontemplatedtherowofweapons，perfectandsevere，drawnupinalinebehindtheblack-framedpanes。Istoodbyhisside。Suddenlyhesaid——
"DoyourememberKarain？"
Inodded。
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