The Beautiful White Devil

umstance could have but one meaning: we had arrived at our destination. As soon, therefore, as this idea became properly impressed upon

of more than ordinary ability, I might possibly be able to give you some dim impression of what I saw. But being only an amateur word-pa

water's edge. Picture this tableland, or plateau, as I have called it, backed by a tall, forest-crowned hill, almost a mountain, which soars up and up a couple of thousand feet or more into the azure sky; while peeri

or myself this home of the Beautiful White Devil, for such I could not help feel

as even more pleasingly picturesque than

er the starboard bulwark, I could plainly discern the flaking of the sand at the bottom and the bril

n the amphitheatre of hills through which a vessel of even the smallest size could pass in from the sea. But being mor

, and around us, flocks of gulls, of kinds hitherto unknown to me, wheeled and screamed, while at intervals gorgeously-plumed parrots flew across our bows from shore to shore. Once a small green bird, ap

be seen. But presently, while I was watching the antics of the bird I have just described

in all your experience of the world, you have ever looke

arvellously beautiful, but all the same, I must

hat ar

ce I can see no opening in the

hat if you were to look for a hundred years from where you stand now you would not be able to discover it. And, unless h

ver yonder," I answered. "Surely they don't cons

crew of any vessel who might land and find their way in here; the real place itself lies five miles inland, r

t. With regard to that lymph you proc

ungalow with the rest of the medica

er lad

to anchor. If I mistake not that

ng. They were of medium size, and evidently of the Dyak race, being taller than the average Malay, and inclining more to the build of the Solomon Islander than to any other class I could think of. They were brig

me with the confidence and easy bearing of one gentleman renderi

t of that little note, I can plainly recall the thrill

De Norm

yself, at once, how things were progressing ashore. Unfortunately, however, I have nothing favourable to report. Will you come and breakfas

ry kind

, truly yo

l

y excursion. Then returning to the deck I descended into the boat alongside, and we set off for the shore. As we rowed I w

ue sky, while her exquisitely-modelled hull was reflected, with mirror-like distinctness, in the placid water around her; the brasswork upon her binnacle and wheel s

l, but neatly-constructed, wooden jetty. Here I disembarked, and, escorted by that amia

o applaud their antics. Our path was indeed a varied one; one moment we were surrounded on all sides by the forest, the next we were out on the bare face of the hill looking down upon the tops of trees. The bright sunshine flooded everything; while the fresh breeze from the sea was just cool enough to make the exertion of walking pleasant. Indeed, so enjoyable was it, that I was almost sorry when we left the forest for the last time and emerged on to a small plain, bounded by the scrub on one side and by the mountain on the other. On this I could discern a collection of huts and houses to the number of perhaps three hundred. But what struck me as most remarkable about them was the fact that they were arranged in streets, and that the majority of them were built on European lines; also in almost every case-and I was able to verify this later on-each one possessed a well-kept

village and the waterfall, we saw before us a high and well-made picket fence in which was a gate. Through this gate we passed, and after carefully closing it behind us, followed a short track along a lovely avenue of Areca palms an

withstand the heat, I suppose; the rooms presented the appearance of being lofty and imposing, while one and all opened by means of French windows on to the broad verandah which ran round the house upon every side. This verandah, and indeed the whole house, was embowered in dense masses of different-coloured creepers, which in the brilliant sunshine presented a most charming and novel

ering how I might best make my presence known to those inside, I heard the rustling of a dress in the verandah; next moment Alie herself, clad in white from top to toe, as was her custom, came round the corner, followed by her enormous bulldog, and confronted me. I ca

no other woman could ever do; "you received my note, then

call it," I answered, looking about me. "H

a moment, and then as

or Alie or the Beautiful White Devi

time to answer, she chan

I believe. Let us go in to i

from the creeper-covered verand

oor to ceiling it was filled with curiosities and articles of the greatest beauty and value. Rich Persian, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese hangings covered the walls, interspersed with such articles of pottery, silver, and china, as made me break the Tenth Commandment every time I looked at them. Native weapons of all kinds and of every nationality, some with plain, others with superbly jewelled, h

tion of beautiful gold and silver ware as I had never seen on a table before. Three heaps of fruit, consisting of durians, pisangs, bananas, mangoes

ly served by the same impassive servant who had waited upon us on board the yacht. If he felt any surprise at my presence o

e Devil's bungalow excelled any I had ever partaken of before. From beginning to end it was perfect in every way. The fish, evidently but lately caught, could only have been called a poem of culinary art, the omelets were Parisian in their daintiness and serving, the cutlets were of the right size and done to a turn, the wine

ation of my surroundings," she said, as the

otion I should find anything in any way approachi

wonderful when I tell you that he is a Frenchman of the French, who was once in the service o

not sometimes afraid that your servants will wan

mphasis there was no mistaking. "And for the best of

t in them, then?" I asked, amazed at

ey give their services cheerfully, and, like my dog there, they would obey

you will favour

next to myself, my bulldog's greatest friend and companion is my bu

curious language she had employed before. Thereupon he went over to the door, and, laying himself down about a yard from it

l, and at the same time attempted to pass him. But this the beast would not permit. His upper lip drew further back, and he showed unmistakably that if the man advanced another step he would bite, and bit

ose, "to seize you by the throat if you attempt to enter the room.

her order. He had not advanced two steps, however, before the dog had sprung into the air, and had his mistress not called to him in time, would have taken the unfortunate domestic by the throat.

? I am glad of that, for I tell you just as that man obeyed my orders, regardless of the consequences, so w

very wo

rary, it is

do not quite

u in your ignorance. Some day I may afford you another

er she had taken from a vase; then she lifted her eyes again an

will be anxious to inspect your patients. Well, if you will wait ten m

ed ourselves in long cane chairs. A tall native was in wa

e of retributive justice," she observed; "and also of observi

the complainant could be believed, had shown himself fonder of her than was comfortable for the husband's peace of mind. Age proving jealous, and at the same time suspicious of the motive of Youth's cousinly affection, had trumped up a charge of stealing gardening implements against him, and had brought sworn testimony to prove that the stolen articles had been found in his possession. But it so happened that Alie had been aware for some time past that the real object of the youth's affection was one of her own domestics, a comely enough damsel, employed in the house. The upshot of it all was that the charge was dismissed; the old man had to listen to a short homily

, who instantly disappeared. Then she settled herself in her

t one side of my court," she sai

lace had come one that, to tell the honest truth, even frightened me. Never before or since have I seen such a perfect exhibition of self-contained, but all-consuming, rage. Once more she spoke to the prisoner, who refused to answer. She instantly addressed herself to the escort. The man in command was in the act of replying when the prisoner, by some means which I shall never be able to explain, raised his right arm before his guards could stop him. In the palm of his hand lay a knife, somewhat resembling a Malay krise, but with a shorter and straighter blade. With the swiftness of thought the

, then, noticing that her face was regaining its old exp

within an ace of being executed. But since he has murdered one of my bravest subjects in cold blood, and cannot respect the orders I have given, b

king up the dagger, which had fallen on the floo

will not find me ungrateful. It was a near escape, was it not? I shall hav

iceable in each of these cases, and that was the pacific reception of, and the resignation with which, the decisions of their ruler were received. She spoke to them, chided them, sympathised with them, and smoothed down their ruffled feathers just as if they had in reality been what she had called them-her children. And as a result, in each case plaintiff and defendant went off together, their differences settled and their former

r arms a bundle, which on her nearer approach proved to be a baby. Arriving at the steps she halted and knelt at Alie's feet, ki

ished Alie turne

sad one. Will you tell me if you can do

e infant. The poor little thing was in the last stage of

n her voice, a note that had certainly not been there a quart

e death as painless as possible. Will you tell the poor so

he fell at my feet, and in the deepest reverence kissed my boots. Then with an obe

me and said, wi

you are ready we will set o

ed through the gate and went down