lems sat by him in
silence, and the boat shoved off, sweeping in a wide circle towards the
brig.

"Your compassion is all for my wife, Captain Lingard," said Willems,
moodily. "Do you think I am so very happy?"

"No! no!" said Lingard, heartily. "Not a word more shall pass my lips.
I had to speak my mind once, seeing that I knew you from a child, so
to speak. And now I shall forget; but you are young yet. Life is very
long," he went on, with unconscious sadness; "let this be a lesson to
you."

He laid his hand affectionately on Willems' shoulder, and they both sat
silent till the boat came alongside the ship's ladder.

When on board Lingard gave orders to his mate, and leading Willems on
the poop, sat on the breech of one of the brass six-pounders with
which his vessel was armed. The boat went off again to bring back the
messenger. As soon as it was seen returning dark forms appeared on the
brig's spars; then the sails fell in festoons with a swish of their
heavy folds, and hung motionless under the yards in the dead calm of
the clear and dewy night. From the forward end came the clink of the
windlass, and soon afterwards the hail of the chief mate informing
Lingard that the cable was hove short.

"Hold on everything," hailed back Lingard; "we must wait for the
land-breeze before we let go our hold of the ground."

He approached Willems, who sat on the skylight, his body bent down, his
head low, and his hands hanging listlessly between his knees.

"I am going to take you to Sambir," he said. "You've never heard of the
place, have you? Well, it's up that river of mine about which people
talk so much and know so little. I've found out the entrance for a ship
of Flash's size. It isn't easy. You'll see. I will show you. You have
been at sea long enough to take an interest. . . . Pity you didn't stick
to it. Well, I am going there. I have my own trading post in the place.
Almayer is my partner. You knew him when he was at Hudig's. Oh, he lives
there as happy as a king. D'ye see, I have them all in my pocket. The
rajah is an old friend of mine. My word is law--and I am the only
trader. No other white man but Almayer had ever been in that settlement.
You will live quietly there till I come back from my next cruise to the
westward. We shall see then what can be done for you. Never fear. I have
no doubt my secret will be safe with you. Keep mum about my river when
you get amongst the traders again. There's many would giv