Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 21, 2025
A heavy gulf thunderstorm was raging, when after a long passage and at the end of a sultry calm day, wasted in drifting helplessly in sight of his destination, Lingard, taking advantage of fitful gusts of wind, approached the shores of Wajo.
He sighed, paused, and then changing to an easy tone began to urge Lingard to visit Wajo "for trade and to see friends," he said, laying his hand on his breast and inclining his body slightly. "Aye. To trade with friends," cried Lingard with a laugh, "for such a ship" he waved his arm "for such a vessel as this is like a household where there are many behind the curtain.
This fact could not but affect Jorgenson's judgment since obviously in this case such a transaction was impossible. Therefore the case was not serious. It didn't exist. What did exist was Lingard's relation to the Wajo exiles, a great and warlike adventure such as no rover in those seas had ever attempted.
Leaving Tengga he came on board the Emma, and I could see directly there was something up. He began by asking me for the ammunition and weapons they are to get from you, saying he was anxious to sail at once toward Wajo, since it was agreed he was to precede you by a few days. I replied that that was true enough but that I could not think of giving him the powder and muskets till you came.
His words sounded low, in a sad murmur as of running water; at times they rang loud like the clash of a war-gong or trailed slowly like weary travellers or rushed forward with the speed of fear. This is, imperfectly, what he said "It was after the great trouble that broke the alliance of the four states of Wajo. We fought amongst ourselves, and the Dutch watched from afar till we were weary.
A little professional jealousy was unavoidable, Wajo, on account of its chronic state of disturbance, being closed to the white traders; but there was no real ill-will in the banter of these men, who, rising with handshakes, dropped off one by one. Lingard went straight aboard his vessel and, till morning, walked the poop of the brig with measured steps.
It was in the most unknown perhaps of such spots, a small bay on the coast of New Guinea, that young Pata Hassim, the nephew of one of the greatest chiefs of Wajo, met Lingard for the first time.
Lingard and the young leader of the Wajo traders met in the splendid light of noonday, and amidst the attentive silence of their followers, on the very spot where the Malay seaman had lost his life.
Such is the ideal trader of Wajo. Trading, thus understood, was the occupation of ambitious men who played an occult but important part in all those national risings, religious disturbances, and also in the organized piratical movements on a large scale which, during the first half of the last century, affected the fate of more than one native dynasty and, for a few years at least, seriously endangered the Dutch rule in the East.
Waal that's nowhere. But I shall find him some day yes, siree." Jorgenson, utterly disregarded, looked down dreamily at the falling cards. "Spy I tell you," he muttered to himself. "If you want to know anything, ask me." When Lingard returned from Wajo after an uncommonly long absence everyone remarked a great change.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking