第18章

"Iamstupid，"whisperedMrs。Traverstoherself，withacompleteandreassuringconviction。Yetshewaitedmotionlesstillthefootstepsofthetwomenstoppedoutsidethedeckhouse，thenseparatedanddiedaway，beforeshewentoutondeck。Shecameoutondecksometimeafterherhusband。Asifinintendedcontrasttotheconflictsofmenagreataspectofserenitylayuponallvisiblethings。Mr。TravershadgoneinsidetheCageinwhichhereallylookedlikeacaptiveandthoroughlyoutofplace。D’Alcacerhadgoneinthere，too，buthepreserved——orwasitanillusion？——anairofindependence。Itwasnotthatheputiton。LikeMr。Travershesatinawickerarmchairinverymuchthesameattitudeastheothergentlemanandalsosilent；buttherewassomewhereasubtledifferencewhichdidawaywiththenotionofcaptivity。Moreover，d’Alcacerhadthatpeculiargiftofneverlookingoutofplaceinanysurroundings。Mrs。Travers，inordertosaveherEuropeanbootsforactiveservice，hadbeenpersuadedtouseapairofleathersandalsalsoextractedfromthatseaman’schestinthedeckhouse。Anadditionalfasteninghadbeenputonthembutshecouldnotavoidmakingadelicateclatterasshewalkedonthedeck。Nopartofhercostumemadeherfeelsoexotic。Italsoforcedhertoalterherusualgaitandmovewithquick，shortstepsverymuchlikeImmada。

"Iamrobbingthegirlofherclothes，"shehadthoughttoherself，"besidesotherthings。"Sheknewbythistimethatagirlofsuchhighrankwouldneverdreamofwearinganythingthathadbeenwornbysomebodyelse。

AttheslightnoiseofMrs。Travers’sandalsd’Alcacerlookedoverthebackofhischair。ButheturnedhisheadawayatonceandMrs。Travers，leaningherelbowontherailandrestingherheadonthepalmofherhand，lookedacrossthecalmsurfaceofthelagoon，idly。

ShewasturningherbackontheCage，thefore—partofthedeckandtheedgeofthenearestforest。Thatgreaterectionofenormoussolidtrunks，dark，ruggedcolumnsfestoonedwithwrithingcreepersandsteepedingloom，wassoclosetothebankthatbylookingoverthesideoftheshipshecouldseeinvertedintheglassybeltofwateritsmassiveandblackreflectiononthereflectedskythatgavetheimpressionofaclearblueabyssseenthroughatransparentfilm。Andwhensheraisedhereyesthesameabysmalimmobilityseemedtoreignoverthewholesun—bathedenlargementofthatlagoonwhichwasoneofthesecretplacesoftheearth。Shefeltstronglyherisolation。Shewassomuchtheonlybeingofherkindmovingwithinthismysterythateventoherselfshelookedlikeanapparitionwithoutrightsandwithoutdefenceandthatmustendbysurrenderingtothoseforceswhichseemedtoherbuttheexpressionoftheunconsciousgeniusoftheplace。Herswasthemostcompleteloneliness，chargedwithacatastrophictension。Itlayaboutherasthoughshehadbeensetapartwithinamagiccircle。Itcutoff——butitdidnotprotect。

Thefootstepsthatsheknewhowtodistinguishaboveallothersonthatdeckwereheardsuddenlybehindher。Shedidnotturnherhead。

Sincethatafternoonwhenthegentlemen，asLingardcalledthem，hadbeenbroughtonboard，Mrs。TraversandLingardhadnotexchangedonesignificantword。

WhenLingardhaddecidedtoproceedbywayofnegotiationshehadaskedhimonwhathebasedhishopeofsuccess；andhehadansweredher："Onmyluck。"Whathereallydependedonwashisprestige；butevenifhehadbeenawareofsuchawordhewouldnothaveusedit，sinceitwouldhavesoundedlikeaboast。And，besides，hedidreallybelieveinhisluck。Nobody，eitherwhiteorbrown，hadeverdoubtedhiswordandthat，ofcourse，gavehimgreatassuranceinenteringuponthenegotiation。Buttheultimateissueofitwouldbealwaysamatterofluck。HesaidsodistinctlytoMrs。Traversatthemomentoftakingleaveofher，withJorgensonalreadywaitingforhimintheboatthatwastotakethemacrossthelagoontoBelarab’sstockade。

Startledbyhisdecision（forithadcomesuddenlyclinchedbythewords"IbelieveIcandoit"），Mrs。Travershaddroppedherhandintohisstrongopenpalmonwhichanexpertinpalmistrycouldhavedistinguishedotherlinesthanthelineofluck。

Lingard’shandclosedonherswithagentlepressure。Shelookedathim，speechless。Hewaitedforamoment，theninanunconsciouslytendervoicehesaid："Well，wishmeluckthen。"

Sheremainedsilent。Andhestillholdingherhandlookedsurprisedatherhesitation。Itseemedtoherthatshecouldnotlethimgo，andshedidn’tknowwhattosaytillitoccurredtohertomakeuseofthepowersheknewshehadoverhim。Shewouldtryitagain。"Iamcomingwithyou，"shedeclaredwithdecision。

"Youdon’tsupposeIcouldremainhereinsuspenseforhours，perhaps。"

Hedroppedherhandsuddenlyasifithadburnthim——"Oh，yes，ofcourse，"hemumbledwithanairofconfusion。Oneofthemenovertherewasherhusband！Andnothinglesscouldbeexpectedfromsuchawoman。Hehadreallynothingtosaybutshethoughthehesitated。——"Doyouthinkmypresencewouldspoileverything？I

assureyouIamaluckyperson，too，inaway……Asluckyasyou，atleast，"shehadaddedinamurmurandwithasmilewhichprovokedhisresponsivemutter——"Oh，yes，wearealuckypairofpeople。"——"Icountmyselfluckyinhavingfoundamanlikeyoutofightmy——ourbattles，"shesaid，warmly。"Supposeyouhadnotexisted？……Youmustletmecomewithyou！"Forthesecondtimebeforeherexpressedwishtostandbyhissidehebowedhishead。Afterall，ifthingscametotheworst，shewouldbeassafebetweenhimandJorgensonasleftaloneonboardtheEmmawithafewMalayspearmenforalldefence。ForamomentLingardthoughtofpickingupthepistolshehadtakenoutofhisbeltpreparatorytojoiningJorgensonintheboat，thinkingitwouldbebettertogotoabigtalkcompletelyunarmed。Theywerelyingontherailbuthedidn’tpickthemup。Fourshotsdidn’tmatter。

Theycouldnotmatteriftheworldofhiscreationweretogotopieces。HesaidnothingofthattoMrs。Traversbutbusiedhimselfingivingherthemeanstoalterherpersonalappearance。

Itwasthenthatthesea—chestinthedeckhousewasopenedforthefirsttimebeforetheinterestedMrs。Traverswhohadfollowedhiminside。LingardhandedtoheraMalaywoman’slightcottoncoatwithjewelledclaspstoputoverherEuropeandress。

Itcoveredhalfofheryachtingskirt。Mrs。Traversobeyedhimwithoutcomment。Hepulledoutalongandwidescarfofwhitesilkembroideredheavilyontheedgesandends，andbeggedhertoputitoverherheadandarrangetheendssoastomuffleherface，leavinglittlemorethanhereyesexposedtoview。——"WearegoingamongstalotofMohammedans，"heexplained。——"Isee。Youwantmetolookrespectable，"shejested。——"Iassureyou，Mrs。

Travers，"heprotested，earnestly，"thatmostofthepeoplethereandcertainlyallthegreatmenhaveneverseenawhitewomanintheirlives。Butperhapsyouwouldlikebetteroneofthoseotherscarves？Therearethreeinthere。"——"No，Ilikethisonewellenough。Theyareallverygorgeous。IseethatthePrincessistobesentbacktoherlandwithallpossiblesplendour。Whatathoughtfulmanyouare，CaptainLingard。Thatchildwillbetouchedbyyourgenerosity……WillIdolikethis？"

"Yes，"saidLingard，avertinghiseyes。Mrs。TraversfollowedhimintotheboatwheretheMalaysstaredinsilencewhileJorgenson，stiffandangular，gavenosignoflife，notevensomuchasamovementoftheeyes。Lingardsettledherinthesternsheetsandsatdownbyherside。Theardentsunshinedevouredallcolours。

Theboatswamforwardontheglareheadingforthestripofcoralbeachdazzlinglikeacrescentofmetalraisedtoawhiteheat。

Theylanded。Gravely，JorgensonopenedaboveMrs。Travers’headabigwhitecottonparasolandsheadvancedbetweenthetwomen，dazed，asifinadreamandhavingnoothercontactwiththeearthbutthroughthesolesofherfeet。Everythingwasstill，empty，incandescent，andfantastic。Thenwhenthegateofthestockadewasthrownopensheperceivedanexpectantandstillmultitudeofbronzefiguresdrapedincolouredstuffs。Theycrowdedthepatchesofshadeunderthethreeloftyforesttreesleftwithintheenclosurebetweenthesun—smittenemptyspacesofhard—bakedground。Thebroadbladesofthespearsdecoratedwithcrimsontuftsofhorsehairhadacoolgleamundertheoutspreadboughs。Totheleftagroupofbuildingsonpileswithlongverandahsandimmenseroofstoweredhighintheairabovetheheadsofthecrowd，andseemedtofloatintheglare，lookingmuchlesssubstantialthantheirheavyshadows。Lingard，pointingtooneofthesmallest，saidinanundertone，"IlivedthereforafortnightwhenIfirstcametoseeBelarab"；andMrs。Traversfeltmorethaneverasifwalkinginadreamwhensheperceivedbeyondtherailsofitsverandahandvisiblefromheadtofoottwofiguresinanarmourofchainmailwithpointedsteelhelmetscrestedwithwhiteandblackfeathersandguardingthecloseddoor。Ahighbenchdrapedinturkeyclothstoodinanopenspaceofthegreataudienceshed。Lingardledheruptoit，Jorgensononherothersideclosedtheparasolcalmly，andwhenshesatdownbetweenthemthewholethrongbeforehereyessanktothegroundwithoneaccorddisclosinginthedistanceofthecourtyardalonelyfigureleaningagainstthesmoothtrunkofatree。Awhiteclothwasfastenedroundhisheadbyayellowcord。

Itspointedendsfellonhisshoulders，framingathindarkfacewithlargeeyes，asilkcloakstripedblackandwhitefelltohisfeet，andinthedistancehelookedaloofandmysteriousinhiserectandcarelessattitudesuggestingassuranceandpower。

Lingard，bendingslightly，whisperedintoMrs。Travers’earthatthatman，apartanddominatingthescene，wasDaman，thesupremeleaderoftheIllanuns，theonewhohadorderedthecaptureofthosegentlemeninorderperhapstoforcehishand。Thetwobarbarous，half—nakedfigurescoveredwithornamentsandcharms，squattingathisfeetwiththeirheadsenfoldedincrimsonandgoldhandkerchiefsandwithstraightswordslyingacrosstheirknees，werethePangeranswhocarriedouttheorder，andhadbroughtthecaptivesintothelagoon。ButthetwomeninchainarmouronwatchoutsidethedoorofthesmallhousewereBelarab’stwoparticularbody—guards，whogotthemselvesupinthatwayonlyonverygreatoccasions。TheyweretheoutwardandvisiblesignthattheprisonerswereinBelarab’skeeping，andthiswasgood，sofar。ThepitywasthattheGreatChiefhimselfwasnotthere。ThenLingardassumedaformalposeandMrs。

Traversstaredintothegreatcourtyardandwithrowsandrowsoffacesrangedonthegroundatherfeetfeltalittlegiddyforamoment。

Everymovementhaddiedinthecrowd。Eventheeyeswerestillunderthevariegatedmassofcolouredheadkerchiefs：whilebeyondtheopengateanoblepalmtreelookedintenselyblackagainsttheglitterofthelagoonandthepaleincandescenceofthesky。

Mrs。TraversgazingthatwaywonderedattheabsenceofHassimandImmada。ButthegirlmighthavebeensomewherewithinoneofthehouseswiththeladiesofBelarab’sstockade。ThensuddenlyMrs。Traversbecameawarethatanotherbenchhadbeenbroughtoutandwasalreadyoccupiedbyfivemendressedingorgeoussilks，andembroideredvelvets，round—facedandgrave。Theirhandsreposedontheirknees；butoneamongstthemcladinawhiterobeandwithalargenearlyblackturbanonhisheadleanedforwardalittlewithhischininhishand。Hischeeksweresunkenandhiseyesremainedfixedonthegroundasiftoavoidlookingattheinfidelwoman。

Shebecameawaresuddenlyofasoftmurmur，andglancingatLingardshesawhiminanattitudeofimpassiveattention。Themomentousnegotiationshadbegun，anditwentonlikethisinlowundertoneswithlongpausesandintheimmobilityofalltheattendantssquattingontheground，withthedistantfigureofDamanfaroffintheshadetoweringoveralltheassembly。Butinhim，too，Mrs。Traverscouldnotdetecttheslightestmovementwhiletheslightlymodulatedmurmurswentonenvelopingherinafeelingofpeace。

Thefactthatshecouldn’tunderstandanythingofwhatwassaidsoothedherapprehensions。SometimesasilencefellandLingardbendingtowardherwouldwhisper，"Itisn’tsoeasy，"andthestillnesswouldbesoperfectthatshewouldheartheflutterofapigeon’swingsomewherehighupinthegreatovershadowingtrees。Andsuddenlyoneofthemenbeforeherwithoutmovingalimbwouldbeginanotherspeechrenderedmoremysteriousstillbythetotalabsenceofactionorplayoffeature。OnlythewatchfulnessoftheeyeswhichshowedthatthespeakerwasnotcommuningwithhimselfmadeitclearthatthiswasnotaspokenmeditationbutaflowofargumentdirectedtoLingardwhonowandthenutteredafewwordseitherwithagraveorasmilingexpression。Theywerealwaysfollowedbymurmurswhichseemedmostlytohertoconveyassent；andthenareflectivesilencewouldreignagainandtheimmobilityofthecrowdwouldappearmoreperfectthanbefore。

WhenLingardwhisperedtoherthatitwasnowhisturntomakeaspeechMrs。Traversexpectedhimtogetupandasserthimselfbysomecommandinggesture。Buthedidnot。Heremainedseated，onlyhisvoicehadavibratingqualitythoughheobviouslytriedtorestrainit，andittravelledmasterfullyfarintothesilence。

Hespokeforalongtimewhilethesunclimbingtheunstainedskyshiftedthediminishedshadowsofthetrees，pouringontheheadsofmenitsheatthroughthethickandmotionlessfoliage。

Whenevermurmursarosehewouldstopandglancingfearlesslyattheassembly，waittilltheysubsided。Onceortwice，theyrosetoaloudhumandMrs。TraverscouldhearontheothersideofherJorgensonmutteringsomethinginhismoustache。BeyondtherowsofheadsDamanunderthetreehadfoldedhisarmsonhisbreast。TheedgeofthewhiteclothconcealedhisforeheadandathisfeetthetwoIllanunchiefs，halfnakedandbedeckedwithcharmsandornamentsofbrightfeathers，ofshells，withnecklacesofteeth，claws，andshiningbeads，remainedcross—leggedwiththeirswordsacrosstheirkneesliketwobronzeidols。Eventheplumesoftheirhead—dressesstirrednot。

"Sudah！Itisfinished！"Amovementpassedalongalltheheads，theseatedbodiesswayedtoandfro。Lingardhadceasedspeaking。

HeremainedseatedforamomentlookinghisaudiencealloverandwhenhestooduptogetherwithMrs。TraversandJorgensonthewholeassemblyrosefromthegroundtogetherandlostitsorderedformation。SomeofBelarab’sretainers，youngbroad—facedfellows，wearingasortofuniformofcheck—patternedsarongs，blacksilkjacketsandcrimsonskull—capssetatarakishangle，swaggeredthroughthebrokengroupsandrangedthemselvesintworowsbeforethemotionlessDamanandhisIllanunchiefsinmartialarray。Themembersofthecouncilwhohadlefttheirbenchapproachedthewhitepeoplewithgentlesmilesanddeferentialmovementsofthehands。Theirbearingwasfaintlypropitiatory；onlythemaninthebigturbanremainedfanaticallyaloof，keepinghiseyesfixedontheground。

"Ihavedoneit，"murmuredLingardtoMrs。Travers。——"Wasitverydifficult？"sheasked。——"No，"hesaid，consciousinhisheartthathehadstrainedtothefullestextenttheprestigeofhisgoodnameandthathabitofdeferencetohisslightestwishestablishedbytheglamourofhiswealthandthefearofhispersonalityinthisgreattalkwhichafterallhaddonenothingexceptputoffthedecisivehour。HeofferedMrs。Travershisarmreadytoleadheraway，butatthelastmomentdidnotmove。

WithanauthoritativegestureDamanhadpartedtheranksofBelarab’syoungfollowerswiththeredskullcapsandwasseenadvancingtowardthewhitesstrikingintoanastonishedsilenceallthescatteredgroupsinthecourtyard。Butthebrokenrankshadclosedbehindhim。TheIllanunchiefs，foralltheirtruculentaspect，weremuchtooprudenttoattempttomove。TheyhadnotneededforthatthefaintwarningmurmurfromDaman。Headvancedalone。Theplainhiltofaswordprotrudedfromtheopenedgesofhiscloak。Thepartededgesdisclosedalsothebuttsoftwoflintlockpistols。TheKoraninavelvetcasehungonhisbreastbyaredcordofsilk。Hewaspious，magnificent，andwarlike，withcalmmovementsandastraightglancefromunderthehemofthesimplepieceoflinencoveringhishead。Hecarriedhimselfrigidlyandhisbearinghadasortofsolemnmodesty。

LingardsaidhurriedlytoMrs。Traversthatthemanhadmetwhitepeoplebeforeandthat，shouldheattempttoshakehandswithher，sheoughttoofferherowncoveredwiththeendofherscarf。——"Why？"sheasked。"Propriety？"——"Yes，itwillbebetter，"

saidLingardandthenextmomentMrs。TraversfeltherenvelopedhandpressedgentlybyslenderdarkfingersandfeltextremelyOrientalherselfwhen，withherfacemuffledtotheeyes，sheencounteredthelustrousblackstareofthesea—robbers’leader。

Itwasonlyforaninstant，becauseDamanturnedawayatoncetoshakehandswithLingard。Inthestraight，amplefoldsofhisrobeshelookedveryslenderfacingtherobustwhiteman。

"Greatisyourpower，"hesaid，inapleasantvoice。"Thewhitemenaregoingtobedeliveredtoyou。"

"Yes，theypassintomykeeping，"saidLingard，returningtheother’sbrightsmilebutotherwiselookinggrimenoughwiththefrownwhichhadsettledonhisforeheadatDaman’sapproach。Heglancedoverhisshoulderatagroupofspearmenescortingthetwocaptiveswhohadcomedownthestepsfromthehut。AtthesightofDamanbarringasitwereLingard’swaytheyhadstoppedatsomedistanceandhadclosedroundthetwowhitemen。Damanalsoglanceddispassionatelythatway。

"Theyweremyguests，"hemurmured。"PleaseGodIshallcomesoontoaskyouforthem……asafriend，"headdedafteraslightpause。

"AndpleaseGodyouwillnotgoawayemptyhanded，"saidLingard，smoothinghisbrow。"AfterallyouandIwerenotmeanttomeetonlytoquarrel。WouldyouhavepreferredtoseethempassintoTengga’skeeping？"

"Tenggaisfatandfullofwiles，"saidDaman，disdainfully，"amereshopkeepersmittenbyadesiretobeachief。Heisnothing。

ButyouandIarementhathaverealpower。YetthereisatruththatyouandIcanconfesstoeachother。Men’sheartsgrowquicklydiscontented。Listen。Theleadersofmenarecarriedforwardinthehandsoftheirfollowers；andcommonmen’smindsareunsteady，theirdesireschangeable，andtheirthoughtsnottobetrusted。Youareagreatchieftheysay。DonotforgetthatI

amachief，too，andaleaderofarmedmen。"

"Ihaveheardofyou，too，"saidLingardinacomposedvoice。

Damanhadcasthiseyesdown。SuddenlyheopenedthemverywidewithaneffectthatstartledMrs。Travers。——"Yes。Butdoyousee？"Mrs。Travers，herhandrestinglightlyonLingard’sarm，hadthesensationofactinginagorgeouslygotupplayonthebrilliantlylightedstageofanexoticoperawhoseaccompanimentwasnotmusicbutthevariedstrainsoftheall—pervadingsilence。——"Yes，Isee，"Lingardrepliedwithasurprisinglyconfidentialintonation。"Butpower，too，isinthehandsofagreatleader。"

Mrs。TraverswatchedthefaintmovementsofDaman’snostrilsasthoughthemanweresufferingfromsomepowerfulemotion，whileunderherfingersLingard’sforearminitswhitesleevewasassteadyasalimbofmarble。Withoutlookingathimsheseemedtofeelthatwithonemovementhecouldcrushthatnervousfigureinwhichlivedthebreathofthegreatdeserthauntedbyhisnomad，camel—ridingancestors。——"PowerisinthehandofGod，"hesaid，allanimationdyingoutofhisface，andpausedtowaitforLingard’s"Verytrue，"thencontinuedwithafinesmile，"butHeapportionsitaccordingtoHiswillforHisownpurposes，eventothosethatarenotoftheFaith。"

"SuchbeingthewillofGodyoushouldharbournobitternessagainsttheminyourheart。"

Thelowexclamation，"Againstthose！"andaslightdismissinggestureofameagredarkhandoutofthefoldsofthecloakwerealmostunderstandabletoMrs。Traversintheperfectionoftheirmelancholycontempt，andgaveLingardafurtherinsightintothecharacteroftheallysecuredtohimbythediplomacyofBelarab。

Hewasonlyhalfreassuredbythisassumptionofsuperiordetachment。Hetrustedtotheman’sself—interestmore；forDamannodoubtlookedtothereconqueredkingdomfortherewardofdignityandease。Hisfatherandgrandfather（themenofwhomJorgensonhadwrittenashavingbeenhangedforanexampletwelveyearsbefore）hadbeenfriendsofSultans，advisersofRulers，wealthyfinanciersofthegreatraidingexpeditionsofthepast。

ItwashatredthathadturnedDamanintoaself—madeoutcast，tillBelarab’sdiplomacyhaddrawnhimoutfromsomeobscureanduneasyretreat。

InafewwordsLingardassuredDamanofthecompletesafetyofhisfollowersaslongastheythemselvesmadenoattempttogetpossessionofthestrandedyacht。LingardunderstoodverywellthatthecaptureofTraversandd’Alcacerwastheresultofasuddenfear，amovedirectedbyDamantosecurehisownsafety。

Thesightofthestrandedyachtshookhisconfidencecompletely。

Itwasasifthesecretsoftheplacehadbeenbetrayed。Afterall，itwasperhapsagreatfollytotrustanywhiteman，nomatterhowmuchheseemedestrangedfromhisownpeople。Damanfelthemighthavebeenthevictimofaplot。Lingard’sbrigappearedtohimaformidableengineofwar。Hedidnotknowwhattothinkandthemotiveforgettingholdofthetwowhitemenwasreallythewishtosecurehostages。DistrustingthefierceimpulsesofhisfollowershehadhastenedtoputthemintoBelarab’skeeping。ButeverythingintheSettlementseemedtohimsuspicious：Belarab’sabsence，Jorgenson’srefusaltomakeoveratoncethepromisedsupplyofarmsandammunition。AndnowthatwhitemanhadbythepowerofhisspeechgotthemawayfromBelarab’speople。SomuchinfluencefilledDamanwithwonderandawe。ArecluseformanyyearsinthemostobscurecorneroftheArchipelagohefelthimselfsurroundedbyintrigues。Butthealliancewasagreatthing，too。Hedidnotwanttoquarrel。HewasquitewillingforthetimebeingtoacceptLingard’sassurancethatnoharmshouldbefallhispeopleencampedonthesandbanks。Attentiveandslight，heseemedtoletLingard’sdeliberatewordssinkintohim。Theforceofthatunarmedbigmanseemedoverwhelming。Hebowedhisheadslowly。

"Allahisourrefuge，"hemurmured，acceptingtheinevitable。

HedelightedMrs。Traversnotasalivingbeingbutlikeacleversketchincolours，avividrenderingofanartist’svisionofsomesoul，delicateandfierce。Hisbrighthalf—smilewasextraordinary，sharplikeclearsteel，painfullypenetrating。

GlancingrightandleftMrs。Traverssawthewholecourtyardsmittenbythedesolatingfuryofsunshineandpeopledwithshadows，theirformsandcoloursfadingintheviolenceofthelight。Theverybrowntonesofroofandwalldazzledtheeye。

ThenDamansteppedaside。HewasnolongersmilingandMrs。

TraversadvancedwithherhandonLingard’sarmthroughaheatsopotentthatitseemedtohaveataste，afeel，asmellofitsown。ShemovedonasiffloatinginitwithLingard’ssupport。

"Wherearethey？"sheasked。

"Theyarefollowingusallright，"heanswered。Lingardwassocertainthattheprisonerswouldbedeliveredtohimonthebeachthatheneverglancedbacktill，afterreachingtheboat，heandMrs。Traversturnedabout。

Thegroupofspearmenpartedrightandleft，andMr。Traversandd’Alcacerwalkedforwardalonelookingunrealandoddliketheirownday—ghosts。Mr。Traversgavenosignofbeingawareofhiswife’spresence。Itwascertainlyashocktohim。Butd’Alcaceradvancedsmiling，asifthebeachwereadrawing。room。

WithaveryfewpaddlerstheheavyoldEuropean—builtboatmovedslowlyoverthewaterthatseemedaspaleandblazingastheskyabove。Jorgensonhadperchedhimselfinthebow。Theotherfourwhitepeoplesatinthesternsheets，theex—prisonerssidebysideinthemiddle。Lingardspokesuddenly。

"Iwantyoubothtounderstandthatthetroubleisnotoveryet。

Nothingisfinished。Youareoutonmybareword。"

WhileLingardwasspeakingMr。Traversturnedhisfaceawaybutd’Alcacerlistenedcourteously。Notanotherwordwasspokenfortherestoftheway。Thetwogentlemenwentuptheship’ssidefirst。LingardremainedtohelpMrs。Traversatthefootoftheladder。Shepressedhishandstronglyandlookingdownathisupturnedface：

"Thiswasawonderfulsuccess，"shesaid。

Foratimethecharacterofhisfascinatedgazedidnotchange。

Itwasasifshehadsaidnothing。Thenhewhispered，admiringly，"Youunderstandeverything。"

Shemovedhereyesawayandhadtodisengageherhandtowhichheclungforamoment，giddy，likeamanfallingoutoftheworld。

III

Mrs。Travers，acutelyawareofLingardbehindher，remainedgazingoverthelagoon。Afteratimehesteppedforwardandplacedhimselfbesideherclosetotherail。Shewentonstaringatthesheetofwaterturnedtodeeppurpleunderthesunsetsky。

"Whyhaveyoubeenavoidingmesincewecamebackfromthestockade？"sheaskedinadeadenedvoice。

"ThereisnothingtotellyoutillRajahHassimandhissisterImmadareturnwithsomenews，"Lingardansweredinthesametone。

"Hasmyfriendsucceeded？WillBelarablistentoanyarguments？

Willheconsenttocomeoutofhisshell？Isheonhiswayback？

IwishIknew！……Notawhispercomesfromthere！HemayhavestartedtwodaysagoandhemaybenowneartheoutskirtsoftheSettlement。Orhemayhavegoneintocamphalfwaydown，fromsomewhimorother；orhemaybealreadyarrivedforallIknow。

Weshouldnothaveseenhim。Theroadfromthehillsdoesnotleadalongthebeach。"

Hesnatchednervouslyatthelongglassanddirecteditatthedarkstockade。Thesunhadsunkbehindtheforestsleavingthecontourofthetree—topsoutlinedbyathreadofgoldunderabandofdelicategreenlyingacrossthelowersky。Higherupafaintcrimsonglowfadedintothedarkenedblueoverhead。Theshadesoftheeveningdeepenedoverthelagoon，clungtothesidesoftheEmmaandtotheformsofthefurthershore。Lingardlaidtheglassdown。

"Mr。d’Alcacer，too，seemstohavebeenavoidingme，"saidMrs。

Travers。"Youareonverygoodtermswithhim，CaptainLingard。"

"Heisaverypleasantman，"murmuredLingard，absently。"Buthesaysfunnythingssometimes。Heinquiredtheotherdayiftherewereanyplayingcardsonboard，andwhenIaskedhimifhelikedcard—playing，justforsomethingtosay，hetoldmewiththatqueersmileofhisthathehadreadastoryofsomepeoplecondemnedtodeathwhopassedthetimebeforeexecutionplayingcardgameswiththeirguards。"

"Andwhatdidyousay？"