Лорд Джим

Chapter 43

           Hebrightenedupafterawhile;toldhershewouldbeagainincommandofthefortforanothernight.“There’snosleepforus,oldgirl,”hesaid,“whileourpeopleareindanger.”Lateronhesaidjokinglythatshewasthebestmanofthemall.“IfyouandDainWarishaddonewhatyouwanted,notoneofthesepoordevilswouldbealiveto-day.”“Aretheyverybad?”sheasked,leaningoverhischair.“Menactbadlysometimeswithoutbeingmuchworsethanothers,”hesaidaftersomehesitation.

           ‘Tamb’Itamfollowedhismastertothelanding-stageoutsidethefort.Thenightwasclearbutwithoutamoon,andthemiddleoftheriverwasdark,whilethewaterundereachbankreflectedthelightofmanyfires“asonanightofRamadan,”Tamb’Itamsaid.War-boatsdriftedsilentlyinthedarklaneor,anchored,floatedmotionlesswithaloudripple.Thatnighttherewasmuchpaddlinginacanoeandwalkingathismaster’sheelsforTamb’Itam:upanddownthestreettheytramped,wherethefireswereburning,inlandontheoutskirtsofthetownwheresmallpartiesofmenkeptguardinthefields.TuanJimgavehisordersandwasobeyed.LastofalltheywenttotheRajah’sstockade,whichadetachmentofJim’speoplemannedonthatnight.TheoldRajahhadfledearlyinthemorningwithmostofhiswomentoasmallhousehehadnearajunglevillageonatributarystream.Kassim,leftbehind,hadattendedthecouncilwithhisairofdiligentactivitytoexplainawaythediplomacyofthedaybefore.

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