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It is this: That I have been living since my childhood in front of a show and that I never have been taken in for a moment by its tinsel and its noise or by anything that went on on the stage. Do you understand what I mean, Captain Lingard?" There was a moment of silence. "What does it matter? We are no children now." There was an infinite gentleness in Lingard's deep tones.
Travers whispered down in an intense tone; and directly, Lingard's head emerged again below her with an upturned face. "It was dare or give up. The help from the Straits would have been too late anyhow if I hadn't the power to keep you safe; and if I had the power I could see you through it alone. I expected to find a reasonable man to talk to. I ought to have known better.
Presently the dark shade of the creek, walled in by the impenetrable forest, closed round them and the splash of the paddles echoed in the still, damp air. "How do you think this awful accident happened?" asked d'Alcacer, who had been sitting silent by Lingard's side. "What is an accident?" said Lingard with a great effort. "Where did you hear of such a thing? Accident!
She called Lingard's attention to it. "Look at this awful cloud." "This cloud is the coast and in a moment we shall be entering the creek," he said, quietly. Mrs. Travers stared at it. Was it land land!
Carter nodded slightly and looked away. There was a silence. Lingard's eyes travelled over the brig. The lighted part of the vessel appeared in bright and wavering detail walled and canopied by the night. He felt a light breath on his face. The air was stirring, but the Shallows, silent and lost in the darkness, gave no sound of life. This stillness oppressed Lingard.
. . . Now, if that Willems had known how to play his cards well, had he stuck to the old fellow he would have been in his position, he would be now married to Lingard's adopted daughter with his future assured splendid . . . "The beast!" growled Almayer, between two mouthfuls.
It is more probable that Lingard's quick movements and the amazing aspect of such a strange being caused the warriors to fall back before his rush. Taking instant advantage of their surprise and fear, Lingard, followed by his men, dashed along the kind of ruinous jetty leading to the village which was erected as usual over the water.
"I wanted to please you," dropped Mrs. Travers, negligently. A faint, hoarse, and impatient call of a bird was heard from the woods as if calling to the oncoming night. Lingard's face grew hot in the deepening dusk. The delicate lemon yellow and ethereal green tints had vanished from the sky and the red glow darkened menacingly.
Guided by the scraps of information contained in old Lingard's pocket- book, he was going to seek for the rich gold-mine, for that place where he had only to stoop to gather up an immense fortune and realise the dream of his young days.
An unscrupulous rival here would destroy your trade in a year. It would be ruin. Now Lingard's long absence gives courage to certain individuals. You know? I have heard much lately. They made proposals to me . . . You are very much alone here. Even Patalolo . . ." "Damn Patalolo! I am master in this place." "But, Almayer, don't you see . . ." "Yes, I see.
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