What
between Tengga worrying him outside and the women worrying him at home,
Belarab had such a lively time of it that he concluded he would go to
pray at his father's tomb. So for the last two days he has been away
camping in that unhealthy place. When he comes back he will be down with
fever as sure as fate and then he will be no good for anything. Tengga
lights up smoky fires often. Some signal to Daman. I go ashore with
Hassim's men and put them out. This is risking a fight every time--for
Tengga's men look very black at us. I don't know what the next move may
be. Hassim's as true as steel. Immada is very unhappy. They will tell
you many details I have no time to write.
The last page fluttered on the table out of Lingard's fingers. He sat
very still for a moment looking straight before him, then went on deck.
"Our boats back yet?" he asked Shaw, whom he saw prowling on the
quarter-deck.
"No, sir, I wish they were. I am waiting for them to go and turn in,"
answered the mate in an aggrieved manner.
"Lower that lantern forward there," cried Lingard, suddenly, in Malay.
"This trade isn't fit for a decent man," muttered Shaw to himself, and
he moved away to lean on the rail, looking moodily to seaward. After a
while: "There seems to be commotion on board that yacht," he said.
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