An Outcast of the Islands

eventeen on his first commercial expedition, as his father's representative on board a pilgrim ship chartered by the wealthy Arab to convey a crowd of pious Malays to the Holy Shri

nour. Later on it became clear that the book of his destiny contained the programme of a wandering life. He visited Bombay and Calcutta, looked in at the Persian Gulf, beheld in due course the high and barren coasts of the Gulf of Suez, and this was the limit of his wanderings westward.

ia, another in Palembang; husbands of numerous sisters; cousins innumerable scattered north, south, east, and west - in every place where there was trade: the great family lay like a network over the islands. They lent money to princes, influenced the council-room

to snatch his hand away sharply from under the lips of men of his race and creed; and often he had to murmur deprecating words, or even to rebuke with severity those who attempted to touch his knees with their finger-tips in gratitude or supplication. He was very handsome, and carried his small head high with meek gravity. His lofty brow, straight nose, narrow, dark f

were rich and influential men eager to see him, there was business to talk over, there were important letters to read: an immense correspondence, enclosed in silk envelopes - a correspondence which had nothing to do with the infidels of colonial post-offices, but came into his hands by devious, yet safe, ways. It was left for him by taciturn nakhodas of na

strange in such primitive beings - to provide him with a desire difficult to attain, and with an enemy hard to overcome. The envy of Lingard's political and

lows gently through twenty outlets; over a maze of mudflats, sandbanks and reefs, into the expectant sea. He had never attempted the entrance, however, because men of his race, although brave and adventurous travellers, lack the true seamanlike instincts, and he was afraid of getting wrecked. He could not bear

dulla's reception. Half-way between Lakamba's house and the river a pile of dry wood was made ready for the torch that would set fire to it at the moment of Abdulla's landing. Between this and the house again there was, ranged in a semicircle, a set of low bamboo frames, and on those were piled all the carpets and cushions of Lakamba's household. It had bee

, stopping often with his face to the river and his head on one side, listening to the sounds that came from the darkness over the water. There was no moon and the night was very clear overhead,

met Bahassoen, who had been confidentially invited to meet Abdulla, landed quickly and after greeting Babalatchi walked up the dark courtyard towards the house. The little stir caused by

e. The smoke ascended in thick, wispy streams, and hung in a ruddy cloud above the glare that lit up the courtyard and flashed over the water, showing three long canoes manned by many paddlers lying a little off; the men in them l

la bin Seli

wered aloud in

our hearts! Co

's extended hand. In the short moment of his passing from the boa

are

iend of Omar. The p

wro

e written, O

o the prepared seats. Babalatchi followed close behind his protector. Abdulla was accompanied by two Arabs. He, like his companions, was dressed in a white robe of starched muslin, which fell in stiff folds straight from the neck. It was buttoned from the throat halfway down with a close row of very small gold buttons; round the tight sleeves

e seated, the verandah of the house was filled silently by the muffled-up forms of Lakamba's female belongings. They crowded close to the rail and looked down, whispering faintly. Below, the formal exchang

rsuasive tones. He described in flowing sentences the first beginnings of Sambir, the dispute of the present ruler, Patalolo, with the Sultan of Koti, the consequent troubles ending with the rising of Bugis settlers under the lead

ndignation. What was he, that man of fierce aspect, to keep all the world away from them? Was he a government? Who made him ruler? He took possession of Patalolo's mind and made his heart hard; he put severe words into his mouth and caused his hand

imed Sahamin and B

t them approvingly a

ppressed!" he exclaimed. "What could we do

ulla with ponderous courtesy, emphasizing his w

d rattans - while we starve. Only two days ago I went to him and said, 'Tuan Almayer'- even so; we must speak politely to that friend of Satan -'Tuan Almayer, I have such and such goods to sell. Will you buy?' And he spoke thus - because those white men have no understanding of any courtesy - he spoke to me as if I was a slave: 'Daoud, you are a lucky ma

isply. "We shall fight if there is help and a

s passed through his fingers with a dry click. All waited in respectful silence. "I

Babalatchi. "There is a

and that white man you wrote

feet quickly, and th

orders, went towards the little gate and entered Omar's enclosure. While waiting for his return, Lakamba, Abdulla, and Babalatchi talked together in low tones. Sahamin sat by himself chewing betel-nut sleepily with a slight and indolent motion of his heavy jaw. Bahassoe

ack and stood at a distance, waiting till some

words?" aske

bdulla is welcome no

to Abdulla, who listened

eed," he was saying -"eighty men in fourteen ca

n Babalatchi. "The fear of your name will

bdulla with great nonchalance, "if on

," said Babalatchi. "We will go now and see

eyes became ani

The behaviour of that unclean white madman is fu

afe, O Giver of alms!"

cker of a passing smile disturbed for a moment his grave c

us

fussy deference. "Only a very few paces and you shall behold Omar

d. As they walked on slowly, followed by the two Arabs, he kept on talking in a rapid undertone to the great man, who never looked at him once, although

e, after the manner of white men. Afterwards, when listening to the voice he loved, he hesitated. He hesitated for many days - too many. I, knowing him well, made Omar withdraw here with his . . . household. Then this red-faced man raged for three

od," murmur

be," went on Babalatchi. "If there is any killing - let him be the

ented Abdulla, with

ntinued Babalatchi. "You will have to satisfy the rapacity of a white m

tinct whisper, so that Babalatchi had to turn his head to catch the words. "Yes. But Omar is the son of my father's uncle . . . and all belonging to him are of the Faith . . . while that man is an unbeliever. It is most unse

and drew a long breath

done all we want, what

to his place, sitting hunched up spiritlessly on the cushions, and Sahamin, who had got on his feet again and appeared to be talking to him with dignified animation. Men in twos or threes came out of the shadows into the light, strolling slowly, and passed again into the shadows, their faces turned to each other, their arms moving in

first," said Abdulla

rattan ring. "He is all peace and content, like a

paces into the gloom of the enclosu

," he whispered to Abdulla, who had

"Our refuge is with the Most High. Can I feed this i

y while he serves your designs, O Dispenser of Allah'

ith a delicate touch the hand that hung d

olite tone, into Abdulla's ear. "When your wisdom speaks, there may b