Almayer's Folly: A Story of an Eastern River

dently somebody was expected there, for the gate was open, and men with torches were ready to precede the visitor up the inclined plane of planks leading to the largest house where Lakamba actu

randah of split bamboos surrounding it on all sides; the whole was covered in by an immense

to open the door, and Dain entered the audience chamber of the Rajah's residence. About one-third of the house was curtained off, by heavy stuff of European manufacture, for that purpose; close to the curtain there was a big arm-chair of some black wood, much carved, and before it a rough deal table. Otherwise the room was only furnished with mats in great profusion. To the left of the entrance st

t here," said Babalatchi, lo

the Rajah at once

, turning to the brass gong suspended un

heap moved, and slowly resolved itself into individual forms, with much yawning and rubbing of sleepy e

the Ara

eturned at last. He is here for an important

e toilet. A short red sarong tightened hastily round his hips was his only garment. The merciful ruler of Sambir looked sleepy and rather sulky. He sat in the arm

hi, squatting comfortably at the feet of his master, and remained silent with

ht of Dain's face, and his ears were withering for the want of the refreshing sound of his voice. Everybody's hearts and ears were in the same sad predicament, according to Babalatchi, as he indicated with a sweeping gesture the other bank of the river where

to give way, however, to an appearance of grave concern. On Lakamba's brow a heavy frown had settled, and his lips moved angrily as he listened to his Prime Minister's oratory. In the silence that fell upon the room when Babalatchi ceased speaking arose a chorus of varied s

ey were anxious. Rumours of a disaster had reached Abdulla a few days ago, and since then they had been waiting for Dain's return under the apprehension of some misfortune. For days they had closed their eyes in fear, and woke up alarmed, and walked abroad trembling, like men before an enemy. And all on account of Dain. Would he not allay their fears for his safety,

ol!" growled L

, turned with a sigh of relief towards the ruler of Sambir. Lakamba did not move, and, without raising his head

Reshid come here with bad tidings. News travels fast along the coast. But they may be untrue; there a

learn that it is in the hands of the Dutch. Believe me, Rajah," he went on, with sudden energy,

nce. Babalatchi rose quietly, and, going

of bare feet; inside, the guard woke

ch ship I ran the brig inside the reefs and put her ashore. They did not dare to follow with the ship, so they sent the boats. We took to ours and tried to get away, but the ship dropped fireballs at

sitting cross-legged, seemed suddenly to become smaller and very limp, staring straight before him vacantly. The guard evinced some interest in the proceedings, stretching t

under had died away in distant m

Rajah unworthy of your notice? I am come here to seek refug

our father, the Rajah of Bali, the Son of Heaven, the 'Anak Agong' himself. What am I to protect great

. "When love enters a man's heart he is like a child-without any understanding. Be

by Dain's return to Sambir he began to lose such composure as he had been, till then, able to maintain; and now he raised hi

ou worked your will on the white man there. And I did. What do you want now? When I was young I fought. Now I

ness of the lull in the storm, Lakamba repeated so

s hopes got nearly wrecked against the stubborn loyalty of Lakamba arising from well-understood self-interest; but at last the young man's generosity, his persuasive enthusiasm, the prestige of his father's great name, overpowered the prudent hesitation of the ruler of Sambir. Lakamba would have nothing to do himself with any illegal traffic. He also objected to the Arabs being made use of in that matter; but he suggested Almayer, saying that he was a weak man easily persuaded, and that his friend, the English captain of the steamer, could be made very useful-very likely even would join in the business, smuggling the powder in the steamer without Abdulla's knowledge. There again Dain met in Almayer with unexpected resistance; Lakamba had to send Babalatchi over with the solemn promise that his eyes would be shut in friendship for the white man, Dain paying for the promise and the friendship in good silver guilders of the hated Orang Blanda. Almayer, at last consenting, said the powder would be obtained, but Dain must trust him with dollars to send to Singapore in payment for it. He would induce Ford to buy and smuggle it in the steamer on board the brig. He did not want any money for himself out of the transaction, but Dain must help him in his great enterprise after sending off the brig. Almayer had explained to Dain that he could not trust Lakamba alone in that matter; he would be afraid of losing his treasure and his life through the cupidity of the Rajah; yet the Rajah had to be told, and insisted on taking a share in that operation, or else his eyes would remain shut no longer. To this Almayer had to submit. Had Dain not seen Ni

ng in whispers into each other's faces, very close now, Dain suggesting, Lakamba contradicting, Babalatchi conciliating and anxious in his vivid apprehension of coming difficulties. He spoke most, whispering earnestly, turning his head slowly from side to side so as to

e of reason, and he was a match for any of them-went on Babalatchi, with all the confidence of deficient experience. Probably the Dutch would seek Almayer. Maybe they would take away their countryman if they were suspicious of him. That would

esman, but he met the proposal of going at once with a decided no, looking Babalatchi meaningly in the eye. The statesman sighed

going there

ay comes?" as

e Orang Blanda will not be here before to-morrow night

sted Babalatchi. "I will go over m

said Dain, p

ncing outside, the heavy clo

f detail characteristic of such a scene. Outside the door of the Rajah's house Dain and Babalatchi stood on the shaking verandah as if dazed and stunned by the violence of the storm. They stood there amongst

into Dain's ear. "The river is very angry. L

e forests. Suddenly, in a vivid white flash, the low point of land with the bending trees on it and Almayer's house, leaped into

unbroken success, of wise counsels, and deep plottings resolutely carried out by the fearless Lakamba, till the whole east coast from Poulo Laut to Tanjong Batu listened to Babalatchi's wisdom speaking through the mouth of the ruler of Sambir. In those long years how many dangers escaped, how many enemies bravely faced, how many white men successfully circumvented! And now he looked upon the result of so many years of patient toil: the fearless Lakamba cowed by the shadow of an impending trouble. The ruler was growing old, and Babalatchi, aware of an uneasy feeling at the pit of his stomach, put both his hands there with a suddenly vivid and sad perception of the fact that he himself wa

eat flood," remarke

Lakamba. "

to the river like a man poss

another

gested Lakamba at last, w

swered Babalatchi, "but he is a

id Lakamba; "he knows

ite man's secret as to the locality where the gold was to be found was a sore point with

which hurried past overhead to catch up the main body flashing silently in the distance,

apathy with an appearance of hav

lled briskly, givin

! I am li

d take Almayer to Batavia to punish him for sm

ot know

ltingly. "He will tell them where the tr

head with by no means a joyful surprise. He had

vely, "to make our secret safe. He must

rose wearily to his fee

drinks much coffee," answered La

lattering consciousness of a knotty problem solved by his o

statesman, "fetch the box of music the

behind the curtain and soon reappeared carrying in his arms a small hand-organ, which he put down

turn," he murmure

t silence over the river and forest. Lakamba listened with closed eyes and a delighted smile; Babalatchi turned, at times dozing off and swaying over, then catching himself up in a great fright with a few quick turns of the handle. Nature slept